Comparative human landing catch and CDC light trap in mosquito sampling in knowlesi malaria endemic areas in Peninsula Malaysia

Adult mosquito sampling techniques are essential for monitoring transmission of malaria and other mosquito borne infections.Preference for any sampling technique depends on both its field efficiency and the characteristics of local vector populations. Surveys on adult mosquitoes using Human Landing Catch (HLC) and CO2-baited CDC light trap (CDC-LT) techniques were conducted in several knowlesi malaria endemic areas between the months of March to December 2012 in several states of Peninsula Malaysia.These two techniques were relatively compared to determine the preferences of anopheline mosquitoes towards CO2-baited CDC-LT technique using HLC technique as the reference method. Cx. gelidus, An. maculates and An. introlatus were the main three species collected by HLC technique, whereas the species collected by CO2-baited CDC-LT technique were mostly An. cracens, Ar.durhami and Coquillettidia species. Most of the Anopheles species were collected almost exclusively by the human collectors except for An. cracens and An.introlatus which were collected using both techniques.Anopheles cracens was the most dominant species captured using CO2-baited CDC-LT technique.This is the first report showing An. cracens was caught using CO2-baited CDC-LT technique in Malaysia

Potential of Tinospora crispa as a Hypocholesterolemic agent in rabbits

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is the major cause of cardiovascular disturbances. The influence of Tinospora crispa on atherosclerotic plaque formation in rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet was investigated. Methods: Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 6 groups. The negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) groups were used as a negative and positive (0.5% cholesterol) control. The simvastatin control (SC) group was given a high cholesterol diet (HCD) with 5mg/kg simvastatin. Treatment groups T150 and T450 were given HCD with supplementation of 150,300 and 450mg/kg of T.crispa extract respectively for 10 weeks. Blood was collected from ear vein for plasma analysis while the aortas were excised and examined microscopically. Results: Comparison within groups showed that PC, T300 and T450 had a significant increase (p<0.05) in total cholesterol level throughout the study. The groups supplemented with T.crispa (T150, T300 and T450) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) level by 10.7-fold, significantly higher (p<0.05) in total antioxidant activity and had a significantly lower (p<0.05) LDL level compared to PC at week 10. At week 10, T450 had significantly highest (p<0.05) glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels compared to PC. No foam cell formation was visible in the aorta of rabbits,in groups NC,SC and T450. However , there was visible foam cell formation in the aorta of groups PC, T150 and T300. Conclusion: This study suggest that supplementation of 450mg/kg of T.crispa extract would be able to reduce or retard the progression of atherosclerotic plaque development induced by dietary cholesterol

Mapping of mosquito breeding sites in malaria endemic areas in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The application of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the study of vector transmitted diseases considerably improves the management of the information obtained from the field survey and facilitates the study of the distribution patterns of the vector species.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>As part of a study to assess remote sensing data as a tool for vector mapping, geographical features like rivers, small streams, forest, roads and residential area were digitized from the satellite images and overlaid with entomological data. Map of larval breeding habitats distribution and map of malaria transmission risk area were developed using a combination of field data, satellite image analysis and GIS technique. All digital data in the GIS were displayed in the WGS 1984 coordinate system. Six occasions of larval surveillance were also conducted to determine the species of mosquitoes, their characteristics and the abundance of habitats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Larval survey studies showed that anopheline and culicine larvae were collected and mapped from 79 and 67 breeding sites respectively. Breeding habitats were located at 100-400 m from human settlement. Map of villages with 400 m buffer zone visualizes that more than 80% of <it>Anopheles maculatus s.s</it>. immature habitats were found within the buffer zone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study amplifies the need for a broadening of the GIS approach which is emphasized with the aim of rejuvenating the dynamic aspect of entomological studies in Malaysia. In fact, the use of such basic GIS platforms promote a more rational basis for strategic planning and management in the control of endemic diseases at the national level.</p

Premature ejaculation and its associated factors among men attending a primary healthcare clinic in Kelantan, Malaysia

الملخص: أهداف البحث: تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد نسبة الذين يعانون من سرعة القذف والعوامل المرتبطة بها بين الرجال الذين يراجعون عيادة الرعاية الصحية الأولية في ”كوتا بهارو“ بمقاطعة كيلانتان في ماليزيا.طرق البحث: أجريت دراسة مقطعية على الرجال النشطاء جنسيا بين سني ١٨ و٦٠، خلال الأشهر الستة الماضية على الأقل. استُبعدت من الدراسة حالات الأمراض النفسية غير المستقرة والمتخلفين عقليا والأمِّيين. وتم توزيع استبانات حول العوامل الاجتماعية الديموغرافية، والنسخة الماليزية لأداة تشخيص سرعة القذف، والنسخة الماليزية للمؤشر الدولي لوظيفة الانتصاب رقم٥. وقد تم تحديد سرعة القذف بنتيجة مقدارها ٩ وما فوق حسب تعريف أداة تشخيص سرعة القذف. وتم التحليل الوصفي وتحليلات الانحدار اللوجستية البسيطة والمتعددة باستخدام الإصدار ٢٢ من البرنامج الإحصائي للعلوم الاجتماعية.النتائج: استجاب ما مجموعه ٢٩٤ من ٣١٣ من الرجال المؤهلين بمعدل استجابة ٩٣.٩٪. وكانت نسبة سرعة القذف ٢١.٤٪ (ن = ٦٣). أظهر الانحدار اللوجستي المتعدد، أن اختلالات الانتصاب البسيطة [نسبة الاحتمالات المعدلة (٩٥٪ فاصل ثقة): ٥.٦ (١.٨٩، ١٦.٩١)] والبسيطة - المتوسطة [نسبة الاحتمالات المعدلة (٩٥٪ فاصل ثقة): ٨.٢ (٢،٧٢، ٢٤،٤٦)] والمتوسطة - الشديدة [نسبة الاحتمالات المعدلة (٩٥٪ فاصل ثقة): ٦.٠ (١.١٥، ٣١.٢٣)] كانت مرتبطة ارتباطا ذا قيمة مع سرعة القذف.الاستنتاجات: سيتسبب تعزيز الوعي بسرعة القذف في المجتمع وبين مقدمي الرعاية الصحية، في زيادة معدل الكشف عن هذا الاضطراب. كما ستساعد هذه البيانات أيضا على تقديم خدمات صحية جنسية أفضل. ويوصى بإجراء البحوث على الأمراض المصاحبة لدى الرجال الذين يعانون من سرعة القذف بسبب تأثيرها السلبي على الصحة النفسية والاجتماعية وجودة الحياة. Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of premature ejaculation and its associated factors among men attending a primary healthcare clinic in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 18- to 60-year-old sexually active men during at least the past 6 months. Patients with unstable psychiatric illnesses, mental retardation, and illiteracy were excluded. A questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, Malay version Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, and Malay version International Index Erectile Function-5 were distributed. Premature ejaculation was defined as a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score of 9 and above. Descriptive analysis and simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 294 of 313 eligible men responded, with a response rate of 93.9%. The prevalence of premature ejaculation was 21.4% (n = 63). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that mild [adj. OR (95% CI): 5.6 (1.89, 16.91); P = 0.002], mild-moderate [adj. OR (95% CI): 8.2 (2.72, 24.46); P < 0.001], and moderate-severe [adj. OR (95% CI): 6.0 (1.15, 31.23); P = 0.03] erectile dysfunctions were significantly associated with premature ejaculation. Conclusion: Promoting awareness on premature ejaculation among the society and healthcare providers would increase the detection rate of this disorder. Such data will also help provide better sexual health services. Research on the underlying comorbidities among men with premature ejaculation is recommended owing to its negative impact on psychosocial aspects and quality of life. الكلمات المفتاحية: اضطرابات الانتصاب, سرعة القذف, أداة تشخيص سرعة القذف, Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Too