Introduction: Gout is one of the most common inflammatory arthritis in Malaysia. It is due to persistent hyperuricemia that leads to the formation and deposition of intra- and periarticular monosodium urate crystals either due to excessive production or insufficient excretion of uric acid. Incidence and prevalence of gout is increasing worldwide, with a higher rate among men compared to women. Malay is the largest ethnic group in Malaysia, followed by Chinese and Indian. SLC2A9 is a renal urate transporter that controls renal uric acid excretion and genetic variants in SLC2A9 are associated with the risk of gout in several populations. This study aimed to test if the SLC2A9 variant (R265H, rs3733591) is also associated with gout among Malays in Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 89 patients with gouty arthritis and 100 normal subjects who consented and were recruited in this study. The serum urate and creatinine were measured. The SNP genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP method for rs3733591 and BST 1236 was used as a restriction enzyme to cut the targeted amplicons. Result: SLC2A9 variant was associated with gout, p-value of 0.007, OR=4.713 [95%CI 1.530-14.513], however this association was not significant after adjustment for age and gender with p=0.465 (OR=1.950; 95%CI[0.325-11.718]). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the genetic variant of SLC2A9 may contribute to the susceptibility of gout among Malays in Malaysia.

Work-related upper-extremity disorders (WRUEDs) are frequently occurring among workers in general. Various researches support the empirical results of the Autogenic factors related to such problems of health and safety. Research shows the association of different aspects of work organization strengthen the possibilities of work-related stress and other psychosocial factors, which may lead towards adverse health conditions. To review the previous work done for finding the association between psychosocial factors and upper extremity disorders. Findings from different studies have been reviewed to examine the psychosocial factors association in developing WRUEDs. Published studies, which were primarily focused on WRUEDs and psychosocial factors association, were reviewed. Various studies have shown the relationship between psychosocial factors and UEDs. Due to the different nature of epidemiology of the disorder and variable differences, findings from different studies contradicts. Finally, this review presents the limitations in existing studies, and further research has been proposed for future.

A 60-year old Malay man presented with an intermittent lowgrade fever for 3 days and worsening of right ankle ulcers. He was known to have ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension and end stage renal failure and was on regular haemodialysis. The organisms isolated from the peripheral and central blood specimens were identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi, a rarely encountered gramnegative bacillus with a unique antibiotic susceptibility profile. His condition improved after removal of the catheters and administration of antibiotic therapy. This case report highlights the importance of being wary of such rare, opportunistic pathogens and good communication between the microbiologists and the clinicians.

The rapid detection of dengue infection in mosquito vectors is important for early warning to forestall an outbreak. Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) provides a rapid method for dengue detection in man and mosquitoes. An RT-PCR kit developed by the Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for Medical Research to detect dengue infection in mosquitoes, was tested for its shelf life at 3 storage temperatures: room temperature, refrigerator and freezer. Test kits were tested once every 3 days for kits stored at room temperature, and once every week for those stored at refrigerator and freezer temperatures. The results showed that the test kit could only be stored above its recommended storage temperature of -20 degrees C for not more than 3 days. DNA 100 bp markers in the kits appeared to be stable at the tested temperatures and were usable up to the 20th day when stored at 2 degrees C and below.
Culicidae ; Dengue ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; seconds ; Infection as complication of medical care

Artificial feeding of mosquitoes with blood meal is an important technique in the studies of mosquito feeding. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining suitable artificial membranes for mosquito feeding from other sources, several easily obtainable membranes in Malaysia were tested for their suitability as a replacement. Skin of chicken, fish, and salted sausage were obtained and tested against cattle skin membrane as a control. The results showed that cattle skin is still the most favorable membrane to be used, with full engorgement rate of around 57% using fresh human blood. However, processed chicken skin was shown having potential for further testing since with feeding using human blood kept overnight at 4 degrees C, an engorgement rate of 50% was obtained.
Feeding ; Integumentary system ; Culicidae ; In Blood ; Engorgement

Iron deficiency and anaemia affect millions of children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effect of iron deficiency with or without anaemia on cognitive functions, specifically with short-term memory, attention and visualmotor coordination in children. A total of 173 primary school children was enrolled. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Three sub-tests were selected to assess processing speed (coding test), immediate auditory memory (digit span test) and visual processing and problem solving ability (maze test). The results showed significant correlation between age and coding test (r =0.38, p<0.001), digit span test (r =0.16,p = 0.028), and maze test scores (r =0.28, p<0.001), and the total sub-test scores (r=0.43, p <.001). After age adjustment of the cognitive function tests, iron deficient children without anaemia scored significantly lower than the healthy children (p<0.001) on coding test, while iron deficient children with anaemia and iron deficient children without anaemia scored significantly lower (p<0.001) than the healthy counterparts on maze test. No significant differences were observed on digit-span score among the groups. This study confirms the negative effect of both iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia on processing speed and visualmotor coordination in children.

Oral health literacy (OHL) is important in empowering people to improve their general and oral health.Carers’ OHL may be associated with their ability to deliver good oral healthcare to their children. The aimof this pilot study was to assess the OHL among carers of special needs children. This is a descriptivecross-sectional study of carers in four Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre. Data were collectedthrough a structured face-to-face interview of 40 carers. Oral Health Literacy Malay Version (OHLI-M)was measured using text passages and prompts with a total of 57 items. These items were used toassess comprehension and numerical ability of carers based on domains namely, accessing dental care,understand appointment and following medication instructions. The results showed that majority of theparticipants had ‘marginal’ and ‘adequate’ OHL level of 32.5% and 52.5%, respectively. Only four (10%)participants had ‘inadequate’ OHL level. The ‘reading comprehension’ and ‘numeracy’ sections’ meanscores were 37.54 (95% CI 35.7-39.4) and 38.17 (95% CI 34.8-41.6). The total OHL mean score was75.7 (95% CI 71.2-80.2). In conclusion, majority of the carers of special needs children in this sample hadmoderate OHL. Such information is important to develop more appropriate intervention programmes forcarers to match their OHL.

To assess the oral health behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and explore attitudes and barriers in providing oral care by their parents. A cross-sectional, mixed method study design, which comprised of quantitative and qualitative sections was conducted. The quantitative part assessed the oral health behavior through a parent-proxy report questionnaire whilst the qualitative part assessed parents’ overall perspective on maintenance of oral health in children with ASD through an in-depth interview using semi-structured questions. All children below the age of 16 who have been clinically diagnosed with ASD and registered at the Pediatric Dental Clinic were included. The sample consisted of twenty children with ASD. Most of the sample were male and between 5-8 years old. Majority had good oral health behaviors but some exhibited self-injurious behaviors that may affect oral health. Severe characteristics of ASD, co-morbid conditions and incompetent health professionals were reported as barriers in oral care by parents of these children. Despite having good oral health behaviors, several barriers and challenges were expressed by these parents with ASD when providing home oral care or bringing them for dental appointment. Continuous support for parents with ASD child by dental professionals is essential to help overcome the real challenges and barriers in providing oral care among these parents.

Pregnancy is perceived by many pregnant mothers as a period of happiness in anticipation of motherhood. Not all pregnant mothers experience cheerfulness as some may experience a high anxiety and depression level for unknown reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women and the factors that contribute to their level of anxiety and depression. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 high risk mothers whose stay in hospital exceeded more than three days in the obstetric ward of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A self assessment questionaire "Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale"was used to measure the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women. Of the 38 participants, 16 (42.1%) women experienced a mild level of anxiety and 22 (57.9%) experienced a severe level of anxiety. Seventeen (44.7%) women was classified as having mild depression and 21 (55.3%) severe depression. The factors contributing to the level of anxiety and depression, include those related with "lack of information on disease", "family matters" and "finance". High risk pregnant women in this study experienced a significant level of anxiety and depression during their stay in hospital. It is therefore important for nurses and doctors to be aware and sensitive to the influencing factors that cause anxiety and depression as to enable high risk pregnant mothers to enjoy their pregnancy and childbirth.

Dengue is an increasing threat in Malaysia, particularly in the more densely populated regions of the country. We present an Artificial Intelligence driven model in predicting Aedes outbreak, using predictors of weather variables and vector indices sourced from the Ministry of Health. Analysis and predictions to estimate Aedes populations were conducted, with its results being used to infer the possibility of dengue outbreaks at pre-determined localities around the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A Bayesian Network machine learning technique was employed, with the model being trained using predictor variables such as temperature, rainfall, date of onset and notification, and vector indices such as the Ae. albopictus count, Ae. aegypti count and larval count. The interfaces of the system were developed using the C# language for Server-side configuration and programming, and HTML, CSS and JavaScript for the Client Side programming. The model was then used to predict the population of Aedes at periods of 7, 14, and 30 days. Using the Bayesian Network technique utilising the above predictor variables we proposed a finalised model with predictive accuracy ranging from 79%-84%. This model was developed into a Graphical User Interface, which was purposed to assist and educate the general public of regions at risk of developing dengue outbreak. This remains a valuable case-study on the importance of public data in the context of combating a public health risk via the development of models for predicting outbreaks of dengue which will hopefully spur further sharing of data by all parties in combating public health threats.