A nutritional status study was carried out among Chinese preschoolers (4- 6 years old) residing in Subang Jaya, Selangor. 91 preschoolers (48 boys and 43 girls) of Chinese descent participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements such as weight and height were taken and compared with the NCHS reference. Food habits and demographic background were also evaluated. The results indicated that the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting was 2% respectively, while the prevalence of overweight was 3%. Food habits data showed that most preschoolers consumed the daily main meals and snack once a day. Fruits were consumed between three to four times per week. Food items preferred by these preschoolers were milk, fish and fruits. In general, preschoolers in this study favoured foods, which were deep fried rather than steamed or roasted. Correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between income, education of parents and anthropometric index (weight for age, height for age and weight for height). The nutritional status of these preschool children in Subang Jaya was satisfactory.
An awareness of Escherichia coli as a foodborne pathogen and illness causing bacterium has been increased among consumers. Moreover, there is demand for natural product in order to reduce synthetic product that can cause toxic to the human. In this study, antibacterial activity, in term of MIC, MBC and killing-time curve of methanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda have been tested against a standard E. coli ATCC 25922 and two E. coli isolated from milk products using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methods. The results show that B. rotunda extract was susceptible to all E. coli strains. The MIC and MBC values of B. rotunda extract against E. coli ranged 0.019 mg/mL 2.5 mg/mL and 0.039 mg/mL – 5.0 µg/mL, respectively. Killing-time curves were constructed at concentrations of 0x MIC, 1/2x MIC, 1x MIC, and 2x MIC. All E. coli strains can be killed with concentration of 2x MIC after 2 hours. The results show that B. rotunda extract has potential antibacterial activity against E. coli.
The asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES-15 wt.%) mixed-matrix membranes were prepared by incorporation of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) with varying concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt.%). Physicochemical characterization of synthesized membranes was carried out using field emission scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential analyzer, porosity, and mean pore sizes. Performance analysis of synthesized mixed-matrix membranes was carried out by varying the operating parameters such as pressure (2-10 bar), feed concentration (100-1,000 mg/L), and cations type (Na+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , and Sn2+ ). Effect of operating parameters and CMS concentration was investigated on pure water flux (PWF), permeate flux, and rejection of membranes. It was found that mixed-matrix membrane containing 15 wt.% PES with 1 wt.% CMS displayed the superior physicochemical characteristics in terms of hydrophilicity (37.9°), surface charge (-13.8 mV), mean pore diameter (6.04 nm), and thermal properties (Tg = 218.5°C), and overall performance. E5C1 membrane showed 1.5 times higher PWF (75.5 L m-2 hr-1 ) and incremented in rejection for all salts than the nascent membrane. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Carbon molecular sieve-embedded mixed-matrix membranes were synthesized by phase inversion method. The resultant membranes experienced improved hydrophilicity, roughness, surface charge, porosity, and mean pore diameter with 1 wt.% CMS loading. The pure water flux was improved from 55.77 to 75.05 L m-2 hr-1 when 1 wt.% CMS was added in pure PES. The observed rejection of a mixed-matrix membrane with 1 wt.% CMS was the maximum for all salts.
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a systemic autoimmune condition with myopathy. Gastrointestinal and pulmonary manifestations are rare presentation of JDM. Gastrointestinal perforation incidence in JDM is associated with vasculopathy and ischaemia. There are only few reported case of management of JDM with gastrointestinal complication. Management of such condition is challenging. We present a 21-year-old man with spontaneous descending colon perforation undergoing Hartmann's procedure. He subsequently presented with recurrent retroperitoneal abscess at five and 30 months following the initial presentation which was treated with percutaneous drainage. A high index of suspicion is necessary in JDM patients presenting with acute abdomen.
Three cases of myelosclerosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are described. The probable role of systemic lupus erythematosus in the initiation of myelonecrosis and subsequent myelosclerosis is discussed.
58 cases of sputum smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) were reported to Kinta Health Department between January and June 2011. It was found that 47 cases (81%) were sputum smear negative cases. Six cases (10.3%) were actually sputum smear positive but were wrongly reported as smear negative. Five cases (8.6%) were misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. Majority of these patients (82.7%) sought consultation and treatment after two weeks of having cough. Only 6.9% sought treatment for cough that was less than two weeks old. Accurate diagnosis of PTB is crucial and the Perak State Health Department needs to quickly adopt steps to improve the situation.
Physical absorption process is always nullified by the presence of cavitation under low frequency ultrasonic irradiation. In the present study, high frequency ultrasonic of 1.7MHz was used for the physical absorption of CO2 in a water batch system under elevated pressure. The parameters including ultrasonic power and initial feed pressure for the system have been varied from 0 to 18W and 6 to 41bar, respectively. The mass transfer coefficient has been determined via the dynamic pressure-step method. Besides, the actual ultrasonic power that transmitted to the liquid was measured based on calorimetric method prior to the absorption study. Subsequently, desorption study was conducted as a comparison with the absorption process. The mechanism for the ultrasonic assisted absorption has also been discussed. Based on the results, the mass transfer coefficient has increased with the increasing of ultrasonic power. It means that, the presence of streaming effect and the formation of liquid fountain is more favorable under high frequency ultrasonic irradiation for the absorption process. Therefore, high frequency ultrasonic irradiation is suggested to be one of the potential alternatives for the gas separation process with its promising absorption enhancement and compact design.
Tenothrips keruing sp. n. is described from Malaysia. This new species was taken from the flowers of Dipterocarpus sublamellatus (local name Keruing kerut) during the recent mass-flowering. The male of this species has a pair of stout setae on abdominal tergite IX, and there are no sternal pore plates. A key to species of Tenothrips from Indomalaysia is provided.
This study aimed to identify the risk factors which were significantly associated with low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) infants among the Malaysian population. This was a case-control study carried out at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, Seremban, Malaysia over a five-month period. Cases were all infants born with birth weight less than 2500 g. Control infant were selected with the help a random sampling table from among infants with birth weight of > or =2500 g born on the same day in the hospital. Of 3341 livebirths delivered in the hospital, 422 (12.6%) were LBW infants. Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for various potential confounders, the only significant risk factors associated with infants of LBW were gestational age (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.6, 95% C.I.: 0.5, 0.6; < 0.0001), maternal pre-pregnancy weight (adjusted OR = 0.97, 95% C.I.: 0.95, 0.99; p < 0.0001), nulliparity (adjusted OR = 3.4, 95% C.I.: 2.2, 5.1; p < 0.0001), previous history of LBW infants (adjusted OR = 2.3, 95% C.I.: 1.4, 3.8; p=0.001) and PIH during current pregnancy (adjusted OR=3.3, 95% C.I.: 1.6, 6.6; p = 0.001). A number of potentially preventable or treatable risk factors were identified to be associated with LBW infants in Malaysia.
Giant splenic cyst is rare disorder affecting the spleen. As the occurrence is so in-frequent that the diagnosis preoperatively remains a challenge. We report a 12-year-old boy who presented to Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia with left upper abdominal pain initially mistaken as a complex left liver cyst. He underwent surgery which turned out to be a giant splenic cyst and underwent laparotomy and total splenectomy. He was discharged well and remains asymptomatic after 6 months postoperative follow up.
Five patients illustrate various aspects of obstetrical defibrination in West Malaysia, resulting from exaggeration of changes in fibrinolytic-coagulation equilibrium that occur at delivery. Hypofibrinogenaemia and fibrinolysis may occur in association or either feature predominate. These patients are from a population in which a variety of genetic and environmental factors may interact, e.g. abnormal haemoglobins, cold agglutinins, viral and other infections, introducing additional complications.