Introduction: Transsexuals face discriminations and rejections from the Malaysian society. The number of
studies done on understanding the phenomenology, experiences, and problems faced by transsexuals is still
few in Malaysia. This research aims to document their psycho-social and spiritual backgrounds and the
relevant experiences, and to explore their perceptions and needs as male-to-female transsexuals in the
context of Persatuan Insaf Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research was carried out
in July and August 2015 among eight male-to-female transsexual adults in Kuantan, Pahang. Snowball
sampling was used. Participants who gave consent were interviewed in two focus groups. Data obtained was
transcribed and used as the primary data source. Results: Subjects in this study reported confusions over
their gender identity since childhood. They struggled against conflicts regarding their transsexuality in
adolescence, and eventually many quit their studies. As adults, they were discriminated against in
employment and religious settings. They provided positive feedbacks on religious authorities who could
understand problems unique to transsexuals and empathise with the transsexual community. Conclusion: The
psycho-sexual phenomenology is the same in transsexuals all over the world. Misunderstanding and
discrimination from the society remain heavy towards this community. Transsexuals should learn to adapt to
meeting expectations from the society as well, so they could be accepted in public. They will need religious
guidance and spiritual support for better quality of life. Dedicated efforts are still needed in training
professionals in the educational, medical, and religious fields to attend to the specific needs of transsexuals
in this country.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to compare the amplitude and latency of the P300 event-related potential (ERP) component between a control group and patients after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) during 1-7 days (short duration) and 2-3 months (long duration), and to compare the outcome of neuropsychological tests between the long duration postinjury and control study groups.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied responses to auditory stimulation in two main and one subgroups, namely the control healthy group (19 patients, both ERP and neuropsychology test done), the mTBI 1 group (17 patients, only ERP done within 7 days after injury), and the mTBI 2 subgroup (the 17 mTBI 1 patients in whom a repeated ERP together with neuropsychological testing was done at 2-3 months postinjury). Auditory evoked responses were studied with two different stimuli (standard and target stimuli), where the P300 amplitude and latency were recorded from three midline sites and results were compared between the groups, as were the neuropsychological test results.
RESULTS: There was a significant prolongation of the target P300 latency values shown by the MBI 1 group measured at the central electrode when compared to the control group, which was also seen when the mTBI 1 and mTBI 2 groups were compared. The results of the P300 amplitude values measured at the frontal electrode showed the control group to have higher readings during the presentation of standard tones when compared to the mTBI 1 group. The mTBI 2 group performed better on some neuropsychological tests.
CONCLUSION: The latency of P300 was significantly prolonged in early mTBI patients who improved over time, and the neuropsychological testing on mTBI 2 patients showed them to be comparable to the control group. The study indicates that ERP should be used as an additional modality of investigation in mTBI patients.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the commonest tachyarrhythmia among paediatric age group. Modified Valsalva manoeuvre can be attempted in a stable child. We discuss here a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with stable SVT and iced towel was applied to his face to revert the tachyarrhythmia. This method was well tolerated by the child without any complications. The SVT was successfully reverted, and pictures were taken to capture the simple but effective method.