Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent for human amoebiasis, is among the most deadly parasites, accounting for the second highest mortality rate among parasitic diseases. Because this parasite dwells in low oxygen tension, for its cultivation, microaerophilic conditions are required to mimick the human gut environment. Several methods developed for optimal growth environment are commercially available and some are conventionally modified in-house which include the Anaerocult A and oil blocking preparation methods. This study was undertaken to compare the reliability of the Anaerocult A and the oil blocking methods in generating anaerobic environment for cultivation of E. histolytica. The trophozoites of E. histolytica HM1: IMSS strains were axenically cultivated in TYI-S-33 medium in culture incubated anaerobically by using Anaerocult A (Merck) and mineral oil blocking method. The outcomes of both methods were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metronidazole against E. histolytica by giving a score to the growth pattern of the trophozoites. The reliability of both methods was assessed based on susceptibility testing of E. histolytica to metronidazole. The MIC obtained by both anaerobic condition methods was 6.25ug/ ml, thus showing that oil-blocking method is comparable to the Anaerocult A method and therefore, considered as a reliable method for generating an anaerobic environment for the cultivation of E. histolytica.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most common occupational injury faced by computer users. Computer users faced higher possibility of getting RSI due to their prolonged working time and static posture. The three main objectives of this study are, first: to identify the prevalence of RSI among computer users; second, to investigate and determine the RSI risk factors; and third to analyze the association between RSI risk factors and the prevalence of RSI among computer users at a Telecommunication Company X. A total of 100 respondents were selected based on their daily exposure to computer usage of more than 4 hours. Nordic modified questionnaire was used to gather respondents’ sociodemographic data, job’s information, physical risk exposure, physical symptoms and their awareness level towards RSI. Body Parts Symptoms Survey (BPSS) form were also used to identify the body parts exposed to the RSI risk among computer users. The data was analysed using Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Study results showed that the 41% of computer users in Telecommunication Company X felt tired at the upper-back near the neck and 38% at the shoulder region. In conclusion, the prevalence of RSI among computer users is high at upper back near the neck and at the shoulder region. There is a significant association between risk factors of RSI and the prevalence of RSI among the computer users at Telecommunication Company X.

Aims: The present study aims at isolation and identifying termite gut bacteria from different Globitermes sulphureus mounds using a molecular approach based on16S rRNA genes. Methodology and results: The bacteria from the whole gut of soldier and worker castes of the termite G. sulphureus was isolated and identified. The diversity of the bacteria was compared between five different colonies in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. The isolated bacteria were identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing method and subsequently used for phylogenetic analysis. Sequences analyses of identified bacteria were found to be affiliated with the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Soldiers and workers seemed to have little differences in bacterial species from the same colonies. We noted some bacteria which were detected in soldiers were not detected in workers. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Differences in the culturable bacteria composition were not significant between termite colonies. However, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of the bacteria from one colony were slightly but distinctly different with bacteria from other colonies.

Smoking is an issue that has spread around the world throughout the years. The majority of smokers have the intention to quit smoking, but due to some factors, it may prevent their intention. Research and interventions have been done in many countries to decrease the smoking prevalence. This cross-sectional study aimed to find out the associations of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards smoking and to identify the factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards smoking, in priority to sociodemographic factors among the International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan (IIUMK) communities, including between students and workers. One hundred fifteen respondents of students and workers from IIUMK were investigated with a self-administered questionnaire starting from 10-01-2014 to 10-02-2014. The data were analysed using SPSS software. Respondents had good knowledge and practice, and moderate attitude towards smoking. There was weak positive correlation between knowledge with attitude (r=+0.193, p=0.038) and practice (r=+0.206, p=0.028), also moderate correlation between attitude and practice towards smoking (r=+0.626, p<0.001). There was no factor found to be associated with knowledge, but significant association was found between attitude towards smoking with gender (p<0.001), education level (p=0.016) and smoking status (p<0.001). Although, the mean values of KAP levels were higher for workers, but it was not statistically significant as compared to the students. These study findings suggested that the main obligation are more for students to improve their KAP level towards smoking as they are fresh generation who will educate and lead the upcoming generation of Malaysia.

No abstract available.

Introduction: Acne is a common skin disorder and is generally caused by Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. Etlingera elatior flower extract is known to have antibacterial properties however, the properties against these bacteria have not been extensively reported. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties of the flower extract against these bacteria. Materials and Methods: The flower extract was subjected to sequential extraction using three different solvent polarities; n-Hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and ethanol. The antibacterial properties were evaluated using the disc diffusion and broth dilution assays techniques by determining the inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Total phenolic acids (TPC) and flavonoids contents (TFC) were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium-chloride colorimetric assay respectively. Morphological changes of the treated bacteria were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: DCM flower extract showed the highest antibacterial properties against P. acnes; at 25 mg/ml it had the widest inhibition zone (11.39 ± 0.45 mm) and the lowest MIC (6.25 mg/ mL) and MBC (12.5 mg/mL). The ethanolic flower extract had the highest antibacterial properties against S. aureus; at 50 mg/ml­ the inhibition zone was 6.21 ± 0.25 mm and the MIC and MBC were both 12.5 mg/ mL. Ethanolic extracts had the highest TPC (966.304 ± 114.08 mg GAE/g) and TFC (796.33 ± 65.78 mg QE/ g). There was significant morphological changes of the treated bacteria observed under SEM. Conclusion: E. elatior flower extracts exhibited antibacterial properties against acne-inducing bacteria.

This paper describes the systematic process followed in the development of culturally appropriate equalized speech-in-noise sentences suitable for use in an adaptive Speech-In-Noise training protocol for adults in Malaysia. The process involved three iterative phases of development. They were (1) analysis, (2) design and (3) development phases. In the analysis phase, important variables that needed to be considered for speech-in-noise materials were identified through literature review and discussion with the experts in the field. Next, in the design phase, the compilation and formation of sentences, evaluation of naturalness and recording of the speech materials were done. The last phase was the development phase which involved the evaluation of performance intensity function and equalization of intelligibility. The final outcome of these phases were 171 sentences with equal intelligibility that can be used interchangeably in a speech-in-noise training protocol for adults in Malaysia

Objectives: The aim of this study is to validate the Malay version of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) for the purpose of the future study related to aggression. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify types of aggression hold by the female inmates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed involving 90 Malaysian female prisoners. The analyses include descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability testing. After one-week interval, a test-retest was conducted. Results: The preliminary analysis confirmed that factor analysis was appropriate for the Malay-translated version of the AQ. The four factors structure was assessed but the factor loadings are remarkable different from the original versions. The total Cronbach’s alpha coefficients is very high (α= 0.91). The Pearson’s correlation however is low (r = 0.48) but acceptable for the instrument. Reliability of the subscales and the factors were also found satisfactory. Consequently, anger and hostility were identified as the most common types of aggression among the participants, followed by verbal aggression. In contrast, physical aggression was the least scored type of aggression. Conclusion: The Malay-translated version of the AQ was found to be valid and reliable to be used in future studies.

Objective: This study aims to establish the validity and reliability of the Malaytranslated version of the CES-D. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design. The participants were female inmates (n=90) from local prisons which were selected based on purposive-selective sampling. The analyses include face validation, factor analysis, and reliability testing. A test-retest was conducted within a one-week interval. Results: The mean score for depression among the participants is 18.97 (SD=6.51). Further descriptive analysis showed that 58.9% of them scored above the mean score, which is considered high. Preliminary construct validation analysis confirmed that factor analysis was appropriate for the Malay-translated version of the CES-D. Furthermore, the factor analysis showed similar factor loadings to the original English version. The total internal consistency of the translated version, which was measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was equal to 0.75. The test-retest reliability of the total score, measured by Pearson’s correlation was equal to 0.69. Conclusions: Face validity, construct validity, and reliability analysis were found satisfactory for the Malay-translated version of the CES-D. The Malay-translated version of the CES-D was found valid and reliable to be used in future studies, with comparable properties to the original version and to previous studies.
Depression ; Female ; Prisons ; Validation Studies

Job satisfaction is defined as pleasurable or positive emotional state which results from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience. It is often determined by how well outcome meet or exceed expectations. There are many factors which are related to job satisfaction among family physicians. Data on satisfaction among family physicians varies from country to country. This study aimed to determine the level of job satisfaction among family physicians in Malaysia and its associated factors. A cross sectional study was performed among 117 Family physicians in Malaysia between July 2012 and December 2012. A questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristic, professional and health clinic characteristics and Warr-Cook-Wall job satisfaction scale was used. The results showed that 85% of Malaysian family physicians are satisfied with their job. They are mostly satisfied with hours of work, colleagues and fellow workers, and freedom to choose own method of working. They are least satisfied with physical working condition, rate of pay and recognition. Female gender and less number of health clinics in-charged were associated with increased in overall job satisfaction. Most of the family physicians in Malaysia are satisfied with their job. However there are certain areas that should be looked into which are physical working condition, rate of pay and recognition. Malaysian family physicians should receive equal career opportunity, promotion and salary scale like other specialties.