Methods are described for the laboratory colonization of Mansonia uniformis, Ma. indiana and Ma. bonneae in Malaysia. Gravid females oviposited in 500 ml beakers with a layer of water covered with small leaves of Salvinia. Newly hatched larvae were set up in a basal medium of guinea pig dung and water or liver powder, yeast powder and water. Larvae attached to aquatic plants or 'Keaykolour' ruffia snow white paper. The cultures with paper gave better yields than those with plants. Production of Ma. uniformis was higher than the other two species. Twelve generations of Ma. uniformis and 11 generations of Ma. indiana and Ma. bonneae were monitored in the laboratory.
226 peritoneal dialyses were performed on 100 patients. 28 patients presented with acute renal failure. Uraemia was the most frequent indication for dialysis. Peritonitis was an important complication and Acinetobacter species accounted for 51.5% of the positive cultures. Other complications included poor dialysate drainage and hypokalemia. Mortality was mainly due to causes unrelated to peritoneal dialysis.
The experiences gained through the use of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in reconstructive head and neck cancer surgery in 15 cases is presented. It is our method choice for a one-stage reconstruction in head and neck The flap has survived in 14 out of 15 cases. It has definite advantages over other flaps used in head and neck reconstruction.
MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery*; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pectoralis Muscles; Surgical Flaps*
This is a review of 20 cases of ameloblastomas diagnosed and treated at the Dental Faculty, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The clinical features, histological features and treatment methods are presented. Two basic clinical types namely the conventional (solid/multicystic) and unicystic ameloblastomas showed different recurrence rates. Discrepancies between the recurrent rates in this study for conventional ameloblastoma and for unicystic ameloblastoma and those of other reports are discussed. A brief discussion on the treatment modalities used is also presented.
MeSH terms: Adult; Ameloblastoma/surgery*; Female; Humans; Jaw Neoplasms/surgery*; Male
Analysis of the investigations of 14 cases of spinal injury are presented. The significance of the level of injury and the pattern of bladder function is alluded too. Some aspects of the management of neurogenic bladder are discussed.
A young man with severe impairment of respiratory function due to previous tuberculosis presented with recurrent massive haemoptysis causing hypotension, anaemia and respiratory failure. The successful management of the haemoptysis using percutaneous transarterial embolisation (PTE) of the right bronchial artery is documented here.
A unilateral true ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint of traumatic origin and of 23 years duration is reported. Its pathogenesis and treatment are discussed.
A rare case of pilocarpine-induced retinal detachment occurring in the only useful myopic eye of a young Chinese woman is described. Problems of treating raised intraocular pressure in high-risk cases of retinal detachment are discussed.
A 70 million population for Malaysia by the year 2010 has been officially targetted for in the Mid-Term Review of the Fourth Malaysia Plan, 1981-1985. In response to this, a preliminary investigation was undertaken into the health aspects of population growth. For this exercise, infant mortality rate was used as the health indicator. From trends seen vis-a-vis population growth, it appears that thus far, population growth has not been associated negatively with health (as measured by IMR). In recognition of the relevance of the medical, economic and education factors to health, trends in Malaysia's population ratio, per capita GNP and rates of school enrolment were also drawn; the selection of these as proxies being based on completeness of time-serial records. Although statistical regressions established the high correlation between medical doctors.population ratio and school enrolment rate with IMR, the limitations in this analysis did not permit any reliable inferences. In view of the difficulties in projections of trends, a comparison of health and related variables was carried out for several countries with high populations as near to 70 million as were available. The characteristics associated with low mortality and high life expectancy (health indices) were identified as low population growth, high literacy and high per capita GNP; this being stated with explicit qualifications. Other determinants of health were also discussed in brief, and the need for careful planning in the distribution of human and material resources was noted.
MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Health*; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Population Density*; Socioeconomic Factors; Statistics as Topic
Percentile growth charts of weight, length and head circumference, from birth to six years of age, for boys and girls, are presented. These can be used to monitor the growth of Malaysian children.
MeSH terms: Body Height; Body Weight; Cephalometry; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Growth*; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia; Male
Percentile head circumference charts, from six to eleven years of age, for boys and girls are presented. These can be used to monitor the head circumference of Malaysian children.
MeSH terms: Age Factors; Child; Female; Head/growth & development*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Schools; Sex Factors
An immunization survey was carried out in early 1983 in a military community. The survey covered 192 children from 147 families. 98% had BCG scars. and 94% had completed their primary course of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and poliomyelitis. The acceptance rate for booster was however low. The time frame for the immunization was also not adhered to strictly. An immunization register has been started in all centres for recall of defaulters. Publicity has also been mounted to ensure all are aware of the immunization programme.
405 cases of bronchial brushing cytology were evaluated for its effectiveness in detecting pulmonary carcinoma. Cytohistologic findings were correlated whenever endoscopic biopsies were performed. Sputum cytological investigations were also included in this paper to examine the total diagnostic sensitivity of all the three methods combined.
A case of rare retinal lesion occurring in a young girl suffering from lepromatous leprosy is described. Fundus lesions in leprosy are extremely rare but do occur in some cases without causing any threat to vision. Their response to antileprotic treatment is not clearly known.
A female Malay patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission for one year developed bilateral visual loss. The ophthalmoscopic appearance showed infiltration of optic nerves and retinae by leukemic cells. At that time, her blood, bone marrow and cerebral spinal fluid remained normal. She had received prophylactic cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate as part of the treatment programme. It was likely therefore she had a leukemic relapse from a pharmacologic sanctuary in the eyes. She responded to local irradiation but did not regain her sight. Three months later, she had a bone marrow relapse.
An epidemiological survey of filariasis and malaria in Banggi Island and Upper Kinabatangan, Sabah, revealed microfilarial rates of 7.2% and 8.6% respectively and malaria prevalence of 9.7% and 16.9% respectively. Wuchereria bancrofti was a rural nocturnally periodic type with a periodicity index of 137.2 and average peak hour at 01.32 hrs; 9.2% of microfilaremic carriers as compared to 2.4% amicrofilaremic subjects had clinical filariasis. The Plasmodium falciparum: P. vivax: P. malariae ratios were 1:1:0.17 and 1.4:1:0.12 for Banggi and Upper Kinabatangan respectively. Anopheles flavirostris was incriminated as a new malaria vector in Banggi where the well-known primary malaria vector is An. balabacensis. The latter was also found for the first time to be a vector of rural W. bancrofti in Upper Kinabatangan. Experimental feeding also showed that L3 larvae of W. bancrofti were recovered at low rates from An. balabacensis. Aedes togoi appeared to be a suitable laboratory vector for W. bancrofti.
This study examines the primary reasons for attempting suicide as described by the 271 parasuicidal patients assessed at the Psychiatric Clinic, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur during 1982. The reasons in order of frequency were: marital problems; family problems; boyfriend, girlfriend problems; a medical illness; a psychiatric illness; and others, The types of marriage, family, and love problems experienced by each of the three major Malaysian racial groups are discussed. Indians presented with family problems more frequently than the other racial groups and Indian females were more frequently battered before the suicidal attempt. Suggested treatment measures based on the findings include employing a crisis intervention model for suitable patients, interviewing the patients on the Medical Wards, and involving more Psychiatric Social Workers in their management.