Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are classified as a unique adult stem cells that have capability to propagate, differentiate, and transmit genetic information to the next generation. Studies on human SSCs may help resolve male infertility problems, especially in azoospermia patients. Therefore, this study aims to propagate SSCs in-vitro with a presence of growth factor and detect SSC-specific protein cell surface markers. Methods: The sample was derived from non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA) patient. The disassociation of SSCs was done using trypsin. Specific cultures in serum-free media with added basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were developed to support self-renewal division. This undifferentiated protocol was performed for 49 days. Cells were analysed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 49. Results: Human SSCs began to aggregate and form colonies after 14 to 21 days in specific culture. Then, the cells were successful expanded and remained stable for a duration of 49 days. Four specifics markers were identified using immunofluorescence in SSCs on day 49: ITGα6, ITGβ1, CD9, and GFRα1. Conclusion: This approach of using in vitro culture with additional growth factor is able to propagate SSCs from non-obstructive azoospermia patient via detection of protein cell surface markers.

Acute pain service (APS) offer several techniques to the post-operative patient in controlling and relieving the pain such as intravenous infusion, patient-controlled analgesia, epidural infusion, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection and intrathecal administration. The effectiveness of and satisfaction towards APS is not clearly defined. Therefore, the aim of this study is to conduct the cost analysis and comparison between these techniques and patient satisfaction. The study design for cost analysis was retrospective study. The means of the data were calculated based on Integration Store of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan records. In addition, the evaluation of patient’s satisfaction was conducted by using a cross-sectional study design. The mean of the data was calculated and analysed by using Chi-square test. The total cost required to prepare PCA for post-operative patient was the highest with RM 8810.98. Meanwhile, the cost for subcutaneous morphine injection, epidural infusion and peripheral block injection were RM 2.11, RM 5323.95 and RM 4.95 respectively. However, when taking into the aspect of patient’s satisfaction, PCA has the highest level of excellent performance with 54.6% compare to EDA (33%) and BLOCK (12.4%) with the p-value is less than 0.05. In conclusion, every drug has its own side effects. As the healthcare provider, it is a need to ensure drugs that were given to the patients are at the very minimum risk of having the side effects. Based on the findings of this study, it could be said that both drugs have lower percentage of people experienced the side effect after treated with the drugs. Therefore, the future study should be more focusing on the side effect of the drugs used. In terms of cost spent for the methods, the PCA regimen is more likely expensive compared to the conventional methods. However, based on survey among the patients, PCA-treated patients expressed higher satisfaction compared to the conventional regimen of pain management.

Objective To identify the prevalence of Cryptosporidium from goats in three types of farm management systems in Terengganu, Malaysia and to determine the Cryptosporidium species infecting goats by using 18S rRNA. Methods A total of 478 fecal samples were randomly collected from goats in three farms; 199 samples were collected from intensive farm, 179 samples from semi-intensive farm and 100 samples from extensive farm. The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by using modified Ziehl–Neelsen. Positive samples were performed by using nested PCR analysis by using 18S rRNA. Results Out of 478 goats, 207 (43.3%) were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium. Goats reared under the intensive farm management system reported the highest prevalence of infection (49.7%), followed by intensive farm management system (41%) and the lowest prevalence was reported in the goats reared under semi-intensive management system (37.4%). Conclusions The identified species found in goat was Cryptosporidium parvum. Future study on the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum in goats needs to be done in order to find the source of transmission of this parasite.

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, can cause cryptosporidiosis which is a gastrointestinal disease that can infect humans and livestock. Cattle are the most common livestock that can be infected with this protozoan. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia and to find out the association between the occurrence of infection and 3 different ages of cattle (calves less than 1 year, yearling, and adult cattle). The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen. The results showed that 15.9% (24/151) of cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves less than 1 year was the highest with the percentage of 20.0% (11/55) followed by yearling and adult cattle, with the percentage occurrence of 15.6 % (7/45) and 11.8% (6/51), respectively. There was no significant association between the occurrence and age of cattle and presence of diarrhea. Good management practices and proper hygiene management must be taken in order to reduce the infection. It is highly important to control the infection since infected cattle may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans, especially animal handlers.
Adult ; Animals ; Cattle* ; Cryptosporidiosis ; Cryptosporidium* ; Diarrhea ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Livestock ; Malaysia* ; Oocysts ; Parasites ; Prevalence

Objective To reveal the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis, Trichostrogylus, Haemonchus, Strongyloides and Trichuris and coccidiosis, mainly Eimeria in kids, yearlings and adult goats. Methods A total of 287 goat faecal specimens were randomly collected from three farms in Kuala Terengganu, Setiu and Besut. Results Prevalence of coccidiosis (89.2%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than gastrointestinal nematodiasis (52.3%). Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) were found in 37.0% kids, 63.5% yearlings and 53.3% adults. Identification of GINs revealed the predominance of Strongyloides (45.6%) followed by Trichostrogylus (12.9%), Haemonchus (11.8%) and Trichuris (8.7%) in all groups whereby the adult goats recorded the highest infections of Trichostrogylus (20.5%), Haemonchus (10.6%), Strongyloides (51.5%) in all groups. The age-specific intensity for Eimeria was in following order: kids (92.6%), adults (86.6%) and yearlings (51.5%) and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The concurrent infections between GINs and Eimeria were 67.94% in all groups. Polyparasitisms of Trichostrongylus (17.4%), Haemonchus (15.15%) and Strongyloides (40.4%) with Eimeria had infected most adult goats. Dual infections of Trichostrongylus with Eimeria and Trichuris with Eimeria were significantly higher in adults than yearlings and kids (P < 0.05). Conclusions GINs and Eimeria were widely distributed in the goats leading to higher risk of morbidity and mortality.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used anti-neoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that is associated with adverse side effects including reproductive toxicity. Aquilaria malaccensis (AM) is a traditional medicinal plant which was reported to exhibit high anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of AM leaves extract on sperm quality following toxic exposure to CP. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into eight groups of six rats (n = 6): control, CP only (200 mg kg−1), AM only (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1) and CP + AM (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1). Animals were sacrificed after 63 days of treatment and the sperm from the caudal epididymis was taken for sperm analysis. Results: The body and the reproductive organs weight, sperm count and motility did not differ between CP and other groups (P > 0.05). A significant increase (P < 0.05) in percentage of the dead and abnormal sperm were seen in the CP alone treated group compared to the control group. Co-administration of AM to the CP exposed rats significantly reduced the (P < 0.05) percentage of abnormal sperm as compared to the CP only group. Conclusion: Overall, the present results represent the potential of AM to protect against CP induced reproductive toxicity.

Introduction: Dengue is a mosquito-borne flu-like illness which massively caused Malaysian morbidity and mortality. The prevalent of cases influenced by high humidity climate and urbanization which enhances the mosquito breeding. Thus, the utilization of household insecticide became a necessity among the urban community especially in the Kuantan city, Pahang. The insecticide is made of type 1 pyrethroids chemicals that are recognized to be safe. However, there were reported insecticide intoxication cases that suggested insufficient studies on insecticide usage and its exposure effects. Hence, the study aimed to assess the community’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) level upon household insecticide and its associated factors among Kuantan’s public. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 199 respondents via a self-administered questionnaire concerning sociodemographic and KAP’s domain data was distributed and collected. Results: Most respondents had adequate KAP scores. Statistical analysis confirmed that marital status group (p = 0.047) affected knowledge singles and married person had higher knowledge score. There were significant association between females with levels of knowledge (p = 0.003) and attitude (p = 0.024). A strong positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = + 0.800, p = 0.010), between knowledge and practice (r = + 0.760, p = 0.010), and a good positive correlation between attitude and practice (r = + 0.740, p = 0.010). Conclusion: The finding of Kuantan public’ KAP data can be used as a reference to formulate effective health promotion intervention to reduce the insecticide exposure risk among wider public community.