Lactic acid bacteria is well known for it uses as starter culture in various fermented food, and it functions as a good natural antimicrobial agent. Cincaluk, a Malaysian fermented shrimp product commonly found in traditional dishes is commonly enriched with LAB. Out of 50 colonies from a local cincaluk, 7 strains were successfully isolated and shown to be positive in lactose utilization and catalase tests. The majority of the isolates from cincaluk showed Gram-positive cocci morphology and belonged to the group Staphyloccoccus spp. By using agar disc diffusion method, the anti-bacterial properties of these isolates (namely isolate 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) moderately inhibited the growth of several pathogenic strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis which were used as indicator bacteria. Other than isolates 1, 2, 3 and 5; the 16S rRNA gene for isolate 6 and 7 were successfully amplified. The 16S rRNA gene fragment from isolate 7 was successfully cloned and sequenced. Based on rRNA sequences, both isolates 6 and 7 belonged to the group Staphylococcus piscifermentans, a rare strain previously reported to be specifically isolated exclusive from fish sources.
PURPOSE:
Internet social media offers a rich source for soliciting the public's views on health issues. This qualitative research, using You-Tube as a platform, aimed to explore the public's perspectives on management of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in pediatric patients.
METHODS:
Using three keywords ("dental fear," "dental phobia," and "dental anxiety"), YouTube videos were searched. Twenty-seven videos related to DFA in children and adolescents were reviewed by three investigators, including a nondental layperson. Inductive thematic analysis was adopted for interpreting the data.
RESULTS:
Several strategies were considered useful for controlling DFA in pediatric patients, including: verbal and nonverbal communication to establish closeness and effective guidance (explanation, permission-seeking, reassurance, and negotiation); desensitization to dental settings and procedures; tell-show-do; positive reinforcement; distraction by imagination and thoughtful designs of clinic; and parental presence and support. Some self-coping strategies adopted by patients alleviated their DFA, such as self-reasoning and trust-building through long-term connection. Dentists' clinical competence, favorable treatment outcomes, and state-of-the-art devices and technologies (dental lasers, intraoral camera, and adapted anaesthesia method) contributed to reducing DFA.
CONCLUSIONS:
Authentic testimonials in YouTube videos endorsed and interpreted a variety of strategies adoptable by patients, parents, and dental professionals for managing children's and adolescents' dental fears and anxieties.
The main aim of this study is to determine the causes and the epidemiological aspects of sudden natural deaths. Data were collected from 545 sudden natural autopsies in UMMC, Kuala Lumpur over a five-year period, from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2004. There were 475 males and 70 females. The largest number of sudden natural deaths was in the age group of 41-50 years. 35.8%, 30.5% and 11.7% of the patients were Chinese, Indian and Malay, respectively. A majority of the patients were married (59.8%) and came from the semiskilled-unskilled group (30.6%). The monthly distribution was almost constant. Cardiovascular diseases were the most important cause contributing 64.9% in sudden natural deaths.