Myogenic tone is the response of the vascular smooth muscle to an increase in intraluminal pressure with vasoconstriction and with vasodilation when the pressure is decreased. Such myogenic tone contributes a level of physiological basal tone in response to neurohumoral stimuli. In spite of myogenic tone discovery by Sir William Bayliss 100 years ago, questions still remain regarding the underlying signaling mechanism of the myogenic response. Studies have shown that increased intraluminal pressure or wall tension leads to membrane depolarization, voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC), stretch-activated cation (SAC) channels, extracelullar matrix (ECM) and actin cytoskeleton. Recently, evidence has shown a potential role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a key signalling mediator in the genesis of myogenic tone. The identification of the primary mechanosensors in the initiation of pressure-dependent myogenic tone is essential as these components could be potential therapeutical targets in the future.

It is possible that different techniques used to measure axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) is the cause of discrepancy in refractive outcomes of cataract surgery. This study evaluated the agreement and repeatability of AL and ACD measurements using immersion and contact A-scan biometry techniques and compared the refractive outcomes from both techniques. Twenty four patients were evaluated for agreement and repeatability of AL and ACD measurements using the two different methods. The results were analyzed using Bland and Altman plots. Another 60 patients with age-related cataract were selected to compare the refractive outcomes between both methods. The IOL power was calculated using Sanders- Retzlaff- Kraff- Theoretical (SRK-T) equation. Refraction was determined between four to six weeks postoperatively and the results were analyzed using paired t-test. The results of this study showed good agreement between both techniques was noted with no significant difference detected between measurements (p > 0.05). Significant correlation was found in all parameters (AL: r = 0.99; p < 0.01, r = 0.99; p < 0.01) ACD: r = 0.91; p < 0.01, r = 0.97; p < 0.01). No significant difference in refractive outcomes of post cataract surgery was detected between the two techniques (p = 0.07). This study concludes that contact A-scan biometry and immersion techniques provide reliable results and should not be the cause of discrepancy in the refractive planned and outcome of cataract surgery.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis among women of age 20 to 59 years at Sarawak General Hospital by examining the conventional Pap smear. The prevalence of this infection was studied among the five main ethnic groups comprising the Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. Microscopic screening of 300 conventional Pap smears which had been processed and stained with the Papanicolaou staining method was conducted. Based on the information provided in the Pap smear screening form, the clinical manifestations were observed which may provide some indications on the kind of infection. The details of the clinical manifestations were very important because in an infection or inflammation, Pap smears would usually demonstrate changes on the cyto-morphology of the epithelial cells. The age factor among the different ethnics also played important role in the assessment of the infection frequency. Trichomonas vaginalis was detected in 7.7% (23/300) of the specimens. This infection occurred in all ethnic groups and the infections were more frequently seen among 20 to 29 years age group. All the cases presented with clinical signs and symptoms. The results of this study revealed the importance of undergoing Pap smear screening for Trichomonas vaginalis infection detection besides screening for the early detection of cervical cancer.

The National Health Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed Breast Self Examination (BSE) is still low in Malaysian women even though many awareness programs have been carried out. This study was conducted from May to December 2000 to observe the changes on the level of knowledge, practice and attitude amongst nurses at the Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan on the practice of BSE after a health education intervention program was conducted. The objective of the study is to increase the practice of BSE among nurses in that hospital. The study was performed by pre and post intervention without comparison. Respondents consist of 43 nurses selected by random sampling. The instrument used in this study was by questionnaires through direct interview with the respondent. The health education intervention program includes talks, BSE demonstration, counseling and exhibition, was conducted to educate the nurses on the proper time, frequency and correct technique of BSE. The results of the study showed a significant change in the level of knowledge (p < 0.001) before and after intervention. Meanwhile, analysis on practice showed no significant change towards correct BSE practice (p = 0.083). Analysis on attitude showed that all 43 or 100% respondents had changed from negative to positive towards perceived susceptibility, perceived barrier and perceived benefit. No relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the BSE practice (p = 0.63) was observed. Even though practice changes before and after intervention is still low and not significant, but the introduction of the health intervention program caused some changes among the nurses from Hospital Kuala Krai, even though there was no overall change.

Individual identification is an important and challenging task in forensic investigation. Lip print on drinking glass or cigarette butt found at crime scenes may link to a suspect. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in lip print between sexes or races, differences in lip measurement between sexes or races and determine a way to estimate sex and race by using lip print or lip measurements for main races in Malaysia. A total of 134 subjects (67 males and 67 females) of Malay, Chinese and India were recruited from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Campus Kuala Lumpur (UKMKKL), Malaysia. Lip prints were taken by using a lipstick and a transparent cellophane tape. Lip measurements were taken by using electronic digital callipers. Lip prints were classified according to Tsuchihashi classification. Statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in lip print between sexes (p < 0.001) but not in races (p > 0.05). Width of oral opening and the height of lower lip both indicated significant differences between sexes (p < 0.001) while the height of upper lip and lower lip each indicated significant differences between races (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant interaction between sexes and races for all lip measurements. Formulae for sex and race determination were calculated with Classification Tree when there was significant difference between every comparison. Tables of accuracy percentage and performance evaluation for method in categorizing sex or race by using lip print or lip measurement were made. For validation of method in sex determination based on the formulae formed, accuracy in females is 90% and 65% in males. Therefore, overall percentage of accuracy in sex determination was 77.5%. This study can provide a preliminary idea about the use of lip prints in sex or race determination among Malaysian population.

Endophytic bacteria has the potential to produce antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. The production of secondary metabolites can be enhanced through the optimization of its nutrient content such as the nitrogen source. In this study, the content of nitrogen sources such as ammonium sulphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate have been modified and incorporated in the International Streptomyces Project Medium 4 broth media to optimize the growth of Streptomyces SUK 02. The extraction was carried out using ethyl acetate and the antifungal activity was assayed using agar diffusion method. The test fungus used was Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. The results showed that the maximum weight percentage (w/v) of crude extract was obtained when sodium nitrate was used (3.30%), followed by ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (2.24%), ammonium sulfate (1.46%) and potassium nitrate (1.20%). Antifungal activity was obtained from the extracts that contained ammonium sulfat. The percentage of inhibition of this extract against Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani was 33.0-35.0% and 17.4-30.0%, respectively. Nevertheless, the MIC value against Aspergillus fumigatus was 1.5 mg/ml In conclusion, natrium nitrat was a suitable nitrogen source for optimum growth of Streptomyces SUK 02 whereas the presence of ammonium sulfat was good to increase the antifungal activity.

Contact lenses are optical device that are supposedly safe to be used to correct refractive errors as well as for cosmetic purposes. However problems related to eye health do occur as result of contact lens wearers’ attitude of not following the guidelines prescribed by their eye care practitioners. A clinical survey on lens care was carried out amongst contact lens wearers in Kuala Lumpur. It was based on a set of 22 questions focused on lens care including methods of cleaning and disinfection, enzyme treatments, use of rewetting agents and the frequency of follow-up examinations. In addition there were six questions included to explore wearers’ knowledge related to contact lens care and safety. A total of 104 wearers participated in the survey. About 86% of them were females and their mean age was 24 ± 6 years. More than half of them wore disposable lenses. Almost all of them (98%) use chemical disinfection system. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of wearers surveyed cleaned their lenses prior to and after wearing their lenses. Thirty percent (30%) of wearers used re-wetting agents and 40% used protein tablets. Sixty-one percent (61%) of them said that they never went back for aftercare examinations. The mean correct responses for six questions assessing participants’ knowledge on contact lens care and safety was 61.4%. Our results implied that contact lens wearers were not well informed of the risks and consequences to their eye health as results of not following the strict regimes recommended by their practioners. Contact lens providers should reconsider strategies to ensure wearers’s compliance so that complications can be minimized

A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2006 to determine the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection among Orang Asli (Aborigine) children at Pos Lenjang, Pahang. A total of 71 faecal samples were collected from the children (40 girls and 31 boys) aged between 1-12 years. The samples were examined for the presence of Trichuris trichiura ova using direct smear and formalin-ether concentration techniques. The result revealed that the overall prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection was 43.7%. The infection was higher in males (51.6%) compared to females (37.5%), though not statistically significant (p > 0.05). According to age group, the school-aged children had higher prevalence of infection (56.8%) than preschool children (29.4%) (p < 0.05). Low socioeconomic status, large family size, poor environmental sanitation and poor personal hygiene are possible contributing factors that increase the prevalence of infection among the Orang Asli children at Pos Lenjang. In 31 samples positive for Trichuris trichiura, a detection rate of 100% was obtained using formalin-ether concentration, compared to 25.8% with direct smear technique. Thus, it is recommended that both techniques be performed in routine faecal examination for a more accurate diagnosis.

Mammography is the most effective way to detect breast abnormality among women. However, mammography is believed to be able to cause radiation induced carcinogenesis. Therefore dose measurement is important to estimate the risk and to control the quality of the image. This study was conducted to compare the average glandular dose (AGD) acquired by the breast phantom with two different anode/filter combination which are tungsten/rhodium (W/Rh) and tungsten/argentum (W/Ag). CIRS 012A breast phantom was exposed in craniocaudal (CC) projection using Hologic Selenia digital mammography system. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD). AGD was obtained from basic calculation of ESAK with conversion factors according to Euref protocol. Independent t-test showed significant difference in the mean AGD. The AGD for W/Rh is higher as compared to the AGD for W/Ag (p = 0.002, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.53). In conclusion, the use of W/Ag contributes to dose reduction during mammography examination.

Phorid flies play an important role in forensic cases and can cause myiasis in humans. Studies on phorid flies species diversity are still limited in Malaysia. This research was carried out to collect information about species and frequency distribution of phorid flies as to provide more information on their roles in forensic and medical entomology. Bait trap was used with 100 g beef liver as baits. The species of the flies were identified using identification keys from Disney as well as Brown and Oliver. There were 449 phorid flies found in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur including Megaselia scalaris, Megaselia spiracularis, Megaselia sp. and phorid flies of genus X. Female phorid flies (98.89%) were found more prone to be trapped compared to male phorid flies (1.11%). Most phorid flies trapped in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur were from genus Megaselia and consisted of female flies. A total of five species of phorid flies probably new to science were also discovered. This study showed that Megaselia flies were found indoors rather than in open spaces. This was corresponding to their discoveries among the decomposing corpse found inside premises.