1.Incidental findings of Cysticercus tenuicollis metacestodes in five oryx species
Chege Stephen ; Toosy Arshad ; Sakr Ahmed ; Shawki Ahmed ; O'Sullivan Sean ; Cavero Tatiana ; Islam Amir
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2016;(1):90-92
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis (C. tenuicollis) met-acestodes in five oryx species kept in Al Ain Zoo animal collection.
Methods: This study was based on a retrospective analysis of post-mortem records covering a four year period (July 2010 to July 2014).
Results: A total of 213 individual animals were recorded dead during the four year period (July 2010 to July 2014). Out of this, 12 (5.6%) were recorded with C. tenuicollis. More females (8) than males (4) were recorded to have C. tenuicollis, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.3737).
Conclusions: This study shows that, Arabian oryx, beisa oryx, fringe-eared oryx, gemsbok and scimitar-horned oryx are susceptible to C. tenuicollis. Based on the epidemiology and the life cycle of this parasite, it is possible that these captive animals ingested the parasite through contaminated feed which could have happened in the pasture land or stray dogs and wild canidae (e.g. fox) visited the zoo contaminating the oryx feed. Stray dogs and wild canidae should be prevented from visiting pasture land and a captive animal facility.
2.Perception of Malaysian Dental Practitioner on the provisional COVID-19 Guidelines in the Dental Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study (Persepsi Pengamal Pergigian Malaysia terhadap Garis Panduan COVID-19 sementara dalam Amalan Pergigian: Kajian Keratan Rentas)
Nurul Haini Najwa Mohamd Mahmod ; Raja Nur Nabiha Raja Amir Hamzah ; Nor Faharina Abdul Hamid ; Azlan Jaafar
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2023;21(No.1):85-94
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Organization issued provisional guidelines to address
considerations for essential oral health services in the pandemic situation. Compliance with the guidelines is essential
to curb the potential spread of infection within a dental practice. This study aimed to assess the perception of Malaysian
dental practitioners towards exercising the provisional COVID-19 dental practice guideline during the early phase of
the pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire of a structured type consisting of demographic information and dentist
perceptions of the provisional guidelines of dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak was distributed online from May
2021 until August 2021 through various social networking platforms among dental practitioners working at different
healthcare sectors in all states in Malaysia. A total of 468 dental practitioners responded to this study. More than threequarters of the respondents were working in public dental care facilities (76.3%, n=357). The majority of respondents
adhered to the provisional guidelines issued during the pandemic outbreak and exhibited a change in standard clinical
practice (p<0.001). Dental practitioners working in public sectors perceive that swab tests prior to dental appointments
should be mandatory, the reopening of dental clinics increases the risk of spread and the provisional guidelines of
COVID-19 in dental practice will be changed in the future compared to private dental practitioners (p<0.001). The
majority of dental practitioners in Malaysia have complied with the provisional guidelines imposed by the health bodies.
As the COVID-19 virus will persist and become endemic in our communities, it is important to balance the safety issue
and patient oral health needs.
3.Healthy Hands: Development and Evaluation of a Knowledge Transfer Program
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2019;15(3):10-13
Abstract
Introduction: Children in pre-schools are at high risk of getting infections due to overcrowding, minimal awareness of basic hygiene and lack of immunity against microorganisms. Hand hygiene practice should be started at home where parents set good example, followed by formal education in pre- schools, primary and secondary school. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive program on hand hygiene practice in pre-schools. This paper presents the developmental aspects of the program material and the results of its evaluation process in a selected pre-school. Methods: Stage of development involved preparation of song, lyric, video clip, infographic and tablet application. The module was introduced during an intervention day called ‘Healthy Hands’ day. The acceptance of the module was evaluated before and after the intervention day. Evaluation was done by assessing pre-school children by faceto-face interview about knowledge on hand hygiene techniques and routine, such as before or after certain activities. Results: We managed to compose a song in three languages (Malay, English & Arabic), produced a video clip, an infographic and tablet application. A total of 227 children participated. Post intervention evaluation showed significant (p<0.001) increase of knowledge for eight out of eleven handwashing steps. The knowledge on hand hygiene routine i.e. after toilet, after playing outdoor, after sneezing and after playing with pet was also increased significantly. Conclusion: This comprehensive knowledge transfer program significantly improved the children’s hand hygiene techniques and routine and is recommended to be integrated into pre-school curriculum.
4. Incidental findings of Cysticercus tenuicollis metacestodes in five oryx species
Stephen CHEGE ; Arshad TOOSY ; Ahmed SAKR ; Ahmed SHAWKI ; Sean O'SULLIVAN ; Ana Perez DE VARGAS ; Tatiana CAVERO ; Amir ISLAM
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2016;6(1):90-92
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis (C. tenuicollis) metacestodes in five oryx species kept in Al Ain Zoo animal collection. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective analysis of post-mortem records covering a four year period (July 2010 to July 2014). Results: A total of 213 individual animals were recorded dead during the four year period (July 2010 to July 2014). Out of this, 12 (5.6%) were recorded with C. tenuicollis. More females (8) than males (4) were recorded to have C. tenuicollis, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.373. 7). Conclusions: This study shows that, Arabian oryx, beisa oryx, fringe-eared oryx, gemsbok and scimitar-horned oryx are susceptible to C. tenuicollis. Based on the epidemiology and the life cycle of this parasite, it is possible that these captive animals ingested the parasite through contaminated feed which could have happened in the pasture land or stray dogs and wild canidae (e.g. fox) visited the zoo contaminating the oryx feed. Stray dogs and wild canidae should be prevented from visiting pasture land and a captive animal facility.
5.Facial Muscles and Its Modiolus: A Review of Embryology, Comparative Anatomy, Morphology and Applied Anatomy
Razif Abas ; Choy Ker Woon ; Aspalilah Alias ; Mohd Amir Kamaruzzaman ; Nor Farid Mohd Noor ; Ahmad Mukifza Harun ; Nurul Huda Mohd Nor
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):313-319
The modiolus of the face manifests the interesting landmark for facial muscles attachment. The strong connective
tissue fibres play an important role in the clinical setting, especially in the aesthetic and dental surgeries. In the fourth
week of intrauterine life, the development of the modiolus evolves in accordance with the growth of muscles of facial
expression. Microscopically, a white, tendinous structure with the thick irregular collagenous connective tissue of
collagen fibres predominance appeared to be the modiolus. Modiolus is morphologically a fibromuscular muscle
situated on the lateral border of the mouth. The formation of the nasolabial fold is important and a well-developed
modiolus provide a toned face. Several works of literature forementioned the number of facial muscles attached to
the modiolus but no definitive similarity are identified. This review summarizes the updated morphological features
and applied anatomy of the facial modiolus with its muscle attachment.