Justice and Equality in Muslim Family Laws: Challenges, Possibilities, and Strategies for Reform\u27

One of the subtle but most pervasive areas of discrimination against women in the Muslim world today is the inequality that occurs within the context of the family. Throughout Muslim countries and contexts, Muslim women are speaking out about such discrimination and are fighting for reform of family laws to promote justice and equality within the family. This Article outlines key discriminatory provisions within Malaysia\u27s Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act of 1984 and the efforts being made by Muslim women in Malaysia to advocate for comprehensive reform of Malaysian Muslim family laws. This effort includes developing an understanding of why and how reform of Muslim family laws is possible using new progressive scholarship on justice, equality, and the construction of gender in Islam; coping with challenges to law reform that arise generally and within the Muslim context; and exploring strategies that have been used by women\u27s groups in other Muslim countries to push for reform. Based on these lessons, activists in Malaysia have developed a draft model family law grounded in the Islamic principles of equality and justice and have prepared a guide to the proposed provisions, with justifications for reform based on a holistic framework that emphasizes four elements: religious principles, domestic laws and policies, international human rights law, and sociological trends and data that present the lived realities of women in Malaysian families. In addition, women\u27s organizations have commenced a national public education campaign to build support across a broad constituency of women \u27s rights and human rights groups and at the grassroots level to build and sustain the momentum for reform

Subacute effects of edible film from modified sago starch in rats.

The effects of edible film from modified sago starch were determined on female Sprague-Dawley rats where the aim was to develop a basic guideline for safe use of edible films as food packaging. Rats were fed with 2 g kg-1 (low dose) and 5 g kg-1 (high dose) of body weight edible film for 28 days and the control rats only received normal rat pellet. The study showed that repeated administration of high dose edible film to rats did produce significant change in the liver function (total bilirubin) and renal function parameters (creatinine). Other metabolic parameters tested were: aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, blood lipid profile; cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, total protein and glucose concentrations, however, they were not significantly changed with respect to control animals. In conclusion, edible film from modified sago starch at 2 g kg-1 is less likely to develop toxicity as observed in the sub-acute toxicity study

Viral Aetiology of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance Cases, before and after Vaccine Policy Change from Oral Polio Vaccine to Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Since 1992, surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases was introduced in Malaysia along with the establishment of the National Poliovirus Laboratory at the Institute for Medical Research. In 2008, the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, approved a vaccine policy change from oral polio vaccine to inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Eight states started using IPV in the Expanded Immunization Programme, followed by the remaining states in January 2010. The objective of this study was to determine the viral aetiology of AFP cases below 15 years of age, before and after vaccine policy change from oral polio vaccine to inactivated polio vaccine. One hundred and seventy-nine enteroviruses were isolated from the 3394 stool specimens investigated between 1992 and December 2012. Fifty-six out of 107 virus isolates were polioviruses and the remaining were non-polio enteroviruses. Since 2009 after the sequential introduction of IPV in the childhood immunization programme, no Sabin polioviruses were isolated from AFP cases. In 2012, the laboratory AFP surveillance was supplemented with environmental surveillance with sewage sampling. Thirteen Sabin polioviruses were also isolated from sewage in the same year, but no vaccine-derived poliovirus was detected during this period

PREDICTORS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN DUBAI, A RAPIDLY GROWING MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health problem adversely affecting mothers, their newborns, and other members of the family. Although PPD is common and potentially dangerous, only a minority of the cases are identified in primary health care settings during routine care, and the majority of depressed mothers in the community lies unrecognized and therefore untreated. Subjects and methods: In this study, a total of 1500 mothers were approached randomly, 808 accepted to participate, and 504 were within the inclusion criteria (women who had a birth of a singleton full-term healthy infant, had an uncomplicated pregnancy, and were within their one week to six months postpartum). The participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results: A total of 168 women had an EPDS score 10, yielding a crude prevalence rate of 33%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 14 out of 504 (3%), among which 11 (79%) had EPDS score of 10. We fitted multiple linear regression models to evaluate the predictors of variables measured on the EPDS scale. This model was statistically significant p<0.0001 in predicting the total EPDS score. Women\u27s employment status, baby\u27s birth weight, stressful life event and marital conflict were statistically significant predictors. Conclusions: The findings of this study are anticipated to entail the government and policy makers in the region to pay more attention to the apparently high prevalence of unrevealed PPD in the community. It is crucial to enhance screening mechanisms for early detection, providing interventions to manage symptoms, and at the same time mandating local guidelines to address the PPD pathology as a high priority for the UAE population

Usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil and its relationship to knowledge and practice among nurses

Most Malaysians tend to reuse cooking oil in their cooking, which contributes to many diseases. Since nurses are frontliner in the health sector, health education can be given to patients and increase their awareness on the danger of repeatedly heated cooking oil. This study aimed to investigate the level of knowledge and practices regarding the usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil among nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 nurses at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz in July 2022. The nurses completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic factors, knowledge and practice of the usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil. Among 298 nurses, 6.7% had low, 44.0% had moderate and 49.3% had a high level of knowledge on repeatedly heated cooking oil. Respondents’ education level and preferred criteria of cooking oil had significant association with level of knowledge on the usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil (p0.05). The high knowledge on usage of repeatedly heated cooking oil is important as it affects the practice of usage of cooking oil. Early intervention and home cooking should be encouraged to help in reducing the rising of diseases due to the use of repeatedly heated cooking oil

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of commercial NS1-based diagnostic tests for early dengue infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We compared the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of commercially available NS1-based dengue tests and explored factors influencing their sensitivities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Paired analysis of 310 samples previously characterized as positive (n = 218) and negative (n = 92) for viral isolation and/or RT-PCR and/or IgM seroconversion. Masked samples were tested by two observers with Platelia™ Dengue NS1 Ag, second generation Pan-E™ Dengue Early ELISA, SD Dengue NS1 Ag ELISA, Dengue NS1 Ag STRIP™, and SD BIOLINE™ Dengue Duo (NS1/IgM/IgG).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SD BIOLINE™ NS1/IgM/IgG had the highest sensitivity (80.7% 95%CI 75-85.7) with likelihood ratios of 7.4 (95%CI 4.1-13.8) and 0.21 (95%CI 0.16-0.28). The ELISA-format tests showed comparable sensitivities; all below 75%. STRIP™ and SD NS1 had even lower sensitivities (<65%). The sensitivities significantly decreased in samples taken after 3 days of fever onset, in secondary infections, viral serotypes 2 and 4, and severe dengue. Adding IgM or IgG to SD NS1 increased its sensitivity in all these situations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The simultaneous detection of NS1/IgM/IgG would be potentially useful for dengue diagnosis in both endemic and non endemic areas. A negative result does not rule out dengue. Further studies are required to assess the performance and impact of early laboratory diagnosis of dengue in the routine clinical setting.</p

Comparison of Three Commercially Available Dengue NS1 Antigen Capture Assays for Acute Diagnosis of Dengue in Brazil

Dengue is the one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral diseases in tropical regions of the world. Manifestations may vary from asymptomatic to potentially fatal complications. Laboratorial diagnosis is essential to diagnose dengue and differentiate it from other diseases. Dengue virus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) may be used as a marker of acute dengue virus infection. Our results, based in the comparison of three NS1 antigen capture assays available, have shown that this approach is reliable for the early diagnosis of dengue infections, especially in the first four days after the onset of the symptoms. A lower sensitivity was observed in DENV-3 cases. Serum positive by virus isolation were more often detected than those positive by RT-PCR by all three assays. Only the Platelia™ NS1 test showed a higher sensitivity in confirming primary infections than secondary ones. In conclusion, NS1 antigen capture commercial kits are useful for diagnosis of acute primary and secondary dengue infections and, in endemic countries where secondary infections are expected to occur, may be used in combination with MAC-ELISA to increase the overall sensitivity of both tests

The Diagnostic Sensitivity of Dengue Rapid Test Assays Is Significantly Enhanced by Using a Combined Antigen and Antibody Testing Approach

Dengue is a serious public health concern with around 3 billion people at risk of infection. Severe forms of the infection can be fatal and with no licensed vaccine or effective therapeutic currently available, early detection is important to assist with the clinical management of symptoms. Isolation of the virus and the detection of viral RNA using RT-PCR are commonly used methods for early diagnosis but are time-consuming, expensive and require skilled operation. Rapid immunochromatographic tests (ICT) are relatively simple, inexpensive and easy to perform at or near the point of care. Here, we report on the clinical performance of a new rapid ICT for the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of dengue virus, a marker of acute infection. At two clinical study sites, NS1 was detected in 60–70% of laboratory-confirmed dengue cases and specificity of the test was >95%. We have also shown that a combined testing approach for both circulating NS1 antigen and antibody responses to the glycoprotein E of the virus can significantly improve diagnostic sensitivity compared to the detection of NS1 alone. Importantly, the combined antigen and antibody testing approach also provides an expanded window of detection from as early as day 1 post-onset of illness

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chloroquine for the Treatment of Dengue in Vietnamese Adults

There is no available drug or vaccine against dengue, an acute viral disease that affects ∼50 million people annually in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Chloroquine (CQ), a cheap and well-tolerated drug, inhibits the growth of dengue viruses in the laboratory with concentrations achievable in the body. To measure the antiviral efficacy of CQ in dengue, we conducted a study involving 307 adults with suspected dengue. Patients received a 3-day oral dosage of placebo or CQ early in their illness. Unfortunately, we did not see an effect of CQ on the duration of viral infection. We did, however, observe that CQ had a modest anti-fever effect. In patients treated with CQ, we observed a trend towards a lower incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever, a severe form of dengue. We did not find any differences in the immune response that can explain this trend. We also found more adverse events, primarily vomiting, with CQ. This trial provides valuable new information on how to perform trials of antiviral drugs for dengue

A New Approach to Dengue Fatal Cases Diagnosis: NS1 Antigen Capture in Tissues

Dengue manifestations may vary from asymptomatic to potentially fatal complications. With an increasing number of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and fatal cases, the availability of new approaches useful for cases confirmation plays an important role for the disease surveillance. The diagnosis of fatal cases in frozen and fixed tissues from autopsies can be determined by techniques such as viral RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, viral proteins detection by immunohistochemistry and NS3 specific immunostaining. We aimed to assess for the first time the usefulness of NS1 capture tests as a diagnostic technique to demonstrate DENV antigens in human tissue specimens. The highest sensitivity was obtained by a rapid ICT which was also the most sensitive in liver, lung, kidney, brain, spleen and thymus. Despite a number of studies demonstrating the usefulness of DENV NS1 antigen detection by different ELISAs in plasma and/or sera of dengue patients, no research has been done previously to demonstrate NS1 presence in tissues of fatal dengue cases. Moreover, the application of NS1 kits to demonstrate the presence of DENV may provide a better understanding of viral tropism in fatal cases and may be useful for studies of pathogenesis in vivo and in experimental animals