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.

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.

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

This review focuses on studies concerning cryptosporidiosis in three Asian countries. Cryptosporidium spp. infection was investigated in children<12 years old afflicted with diarrhoea and admitted to the paediatric hospitals in Iraq, Jordan and Malaysia. Most of the patients complained of abdominal pain, watery diarrhoea and mild-to-severe dehydration. Stool samples were collected from children and five methods were used to detect oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. including:direct wet mount, Sheather’s sugar flotation, formalin-ether sedimentation, modified Ziehl-Neelsen and direct fluorescent antibody (DFA). The infection rate was 8.56, 37.3 and 4.6 in Iraq, Jordan and Malaysia respectively. A combination of formalin ether sedimentation and acid fast stain was used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in Iraq. The DFA test showed the highest sensitivity for samples of children in Jordan. In Malaysia, direct wet mount, formalin-ether sedimentation, modified Ziehl-Neelsen and DFA gave the same results (4.62%) while Sheather’s sugar flotation was 3.85%. Source of drinking water appeared to be an important risk factor in transmission of infection. In Jordan, the high rate of infection was recorded in rainy season (January–May).

The protozoa under the genus Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic apicomplexan obligate intracellular parasite. Cryptosporidiosis, the term used to designate infection caused by Cryptosporidium sp., is considered as one of the most common food and waterborne diseases with worldwide spread, acting as a common cause of diarrhoea in animals and man. In immunocompetent individuals, Cryptosporidium typically induces self-limiting diarrhoea, which may resolve on its own after 2-3 d. However, cryptosporidiosis may turn life-threatening and subsequently lead to death in small children, the elderly and immunocompromised person, especially in AIDS patient. The diagnosis for Cryptosporidium infection is usually carried out through examination of stool for the presence of oocysts which measured 4-6 μm with spherical appearance. Morphometric identification is often difficult because of the diminutive size and obscure internal structure of the protozoa. Often, the identification of Cryptosporidium is realised through the combination of methods incorporating data from morphometrics, molecular techniques, and host specificity. However, limitations to some of these techniques still exist whether because of cost, duration, expertise, or reliability. Drugs combination is implemented in treatment of cryptosporidiosis. The efficiency of paromomycin, an aminocyclitol antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces, can be effective when combined use with protease inhibitors or recombinant IL-12. Since there is no drug that achieves the complete removal of Cryptosporidium from the host, supportive therapy was preferred in both human and domestic animals.

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.