Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sofiani sp. nov. is described on the basis of reared adult female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Cameron Highlands, Pahang state, Malaysia. This new species is placed in the ceylonicum species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia and is easily distinguished from all the related known species by the combination of the following characteristics: an elongate sensory vesicle and yellow hair tuft on the stem vein of the wing in the female, the greater number of large upper-eye facets (15 or 16 vertical columns and 15 or 16 horizontal rows) and almost entirely darkened hind basitarsus in the male, and the gill bearing a long common basal stalk and 8 filaments arranged as [(1+2)+ (1+2)] +2 filaments from dorsal to ventral in the pupa.

The residual activities of 5 insect growth regulators (IGRs) were studied and compared to operational dosage of temephos (1 mg/L) and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) (0.008 mg/L). The IGRs, temephos and Bti were applied into plastic containers containing 5 litres of water. Thirty Aedes aegypti larvae were added into each container weekly. Efficacy of these IGRs were evaluated for effective duration of each dosage and the percentage of emergence inhibition (EI). An end-point of EI/mortality > 50% was considered to be effective. Pyriproxyfen possessed the longest residual activity in both indoor (43 weeks) and outdoor (26 weeks) conditions, followed by temephos (26 weeks in indoor and 16 weeks in outdoor). Although the residual activity of Bti in indoor lasted 8 weeks which was longer than cyromazine and diflubenzuron; however, it was least effective in outdoor which only lasted 2 weeks. This study revealed that pyriproxyfen possessed good residual effect among test IGRs compared to temephos and Bti. The use of IGRs can be an alternative long-term control measure in stagnant water body.

Simulium (G.) bakalalanense, is described based on male, pupa and larvae collected in Mount Murud, Sarawak, Malaysia. S. (G.) bakalalanense sp. nov. is placed in the S. batoense species-group and is distinguished from most of known species of the group by the pupal gill with an inflated basal fenestra, shoe-shaped cocoon, and lack of grapnel-shaped hooklets on the pupal abdominal segment 9. Three known species, S. (G.) terengganuense Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Ya’cob from Peninsular Malaysia, S. (Simulium) alberti Takaoka from Sabah, and S. (S.) beludense Takaoka from Sabah, are newly recorded from Sarawak.

Bioassay test against malathion had been carried out with larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti. The mosquitoes were under selection pressure against malathion for fortyfive consecutive generations. The rate of resistance development was measured by LC50 and LT50 values. The larvae and adult females, after subjection to malathion selection for 45 generations, developed high resistance level to malathion, with resistance ratio of 52.7 and 3.24 folds, respectively over control mosquitoes. Cross-resistance towards the same and different groups of insecticides was determined using the F44 and F45 malathion-selected adult females. Insecticides tested were DDT (4.0%), permethrin (0.75%), propoxur (0.1%), fenitrothion (1%), λ-cyhalothrin (0.05%) and cyfluthrin (0.15%). Results indicated that the mosquitoes were highly resistant to DDT and fenitrothion, moderately resistant to propoxur, tolerant to permethrin and λ-cyhalothrin, and very low resistant to cyfluthrin.

The aim of the research is to compare the physical profile between Malaysian women basketball players and netball players. The physical profile measures were height, body mass, and body fat. The subjects were divided into two groups based on their playing performance and positions. The playing performance consisted of elite/senior, junior, and reserve players. Meanwhile, the playing positions consisted of forward/attack, centre, and guard/defence. The percentage of body fat was determined by means of skinfold measurement at seven different locations. Results showed that there were significant differences in body fat percentage between basketball player and netball players (p < 0.01). The elite/senior basketball players were reported to have the lowest body fat percentage as compared to other basketball or netball players. While for the playing position, guard/defence position basketball players were reported to be the shortest and have the lowest body fat percentage as compared to other playing positions. In conclusion, Malaysian basketball players were found to have better physical or bodily advantaged in terms of playing contact sports as compared to the Malaysian netball players.
Physical Fitness

A simple, reliable a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, (MTS) assay was conducted to evaluate the potential cytotoxic effects of levodopa, a “gold standard therapy” for Parkinsonism, and its complex with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) on an astrocyte cell line. The cells were incubated in a range of concentrations from 4.69 to 300 μg/mL levodopa, HP-β-CD or the complex for up to 72 hours. At every 24-hour interval, the optical density (OD), which reflects the number of viable cells, was recorded. In general, linear dose-dependent cytotoxicity profiles were observed for the cells subjected to levodopa or the complex, whereas a slightly triphasic response was observed for the cells exposed to HP-β-CD. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in cytotoxicity was detected between the HP-β-CD-treated group and the levodopa-treated group. In particular, we observed that the cells treated with the complex, even at the highest concentrations (> 200 μg/mL), exhibited improved tolerability in a time-dependent manner, which may indicate the potential ability of HP-β-CD to mask the toxic effects of levodopa via complexation.

Laboratory-bred females of Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from the insectarium, Unit of Medical Entomology, Institute for Medical Research were used in the experiment. The late third stage of the F0 larvae which survived the high selection pressure of malathion, permethrin and temephos were reared and colonies were established from adults that emerged. Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae were subjected to selection by malathion and permethrin for 40 generations, Ae. aegypti larvae to malathion, permethrin and temephos for 32 generations and Ae. albopictus larvae were selected against malathion and permethrin for 32 generations and 20 generations against temephos. The rate of resistance development was measured by LC50 value. Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae developed higher resistance to malathion and permethrin compared to Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. On the whole, permethrin resistance developed at a faster rate than malathion and temephos.
Permethrin ; Malathion ; Cancer resistance to treatment ; Aedes aegypti ; Aedes albopictus

The bioefficacy of nine commercial formulations of temephos against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were evaluated in the laboratory. WHO larval bioassay with operational dosage of temephos at 1 mg/L was performed. The larval mortality was recorded every 5 minutes until complete mortality was achieved. All formulations of temephos exhibited various toxicity level against Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Generally, larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus was susceptible to all formulations of temephos, followed by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

In Malaysia, maggot debridement therapy (MDT) utilizes maggots of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) to debride necrotic tissue from wound surface, reduce bacterial infection and therefore, enhance wound healing process. To evaluate the sterility of the sterile maggots produced after sterilization process before delivering onto patient wounds. Sterility of sterile maggots is crucial in ensuring the safe usage of MDT and patient’s health. Eggs of L. cuprina collected from a laboratory colony were divided into treated group (sterilized) and control group (non-sterilized). Treated group underwent sterilization while eggs from control group were allowed to hatch without sterilization. Sodium hypochlorite and formaldehyde were the main disinfectants used in this sterilization process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine and ascertain the sterility of sterile maggots. SEM results showed that all sterilized L. cuprina eggs and maggots achieved sterility and all were cleared from bacterial contamination. In contrast, all non-sterilized eggs and maggots were found to be colonized by microorganisms. Sterilization method employed to sterilize eggs and maggots used in Malaysia MDT was proven successful and MDT is safe to be used as wound management tools.

The aim of the present study was to determine the vertical distribution and abundance of Aedes mosquitoes in multiple storey buildings in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ovitrap surveillance was conducted for 4 continuous weeks in multiple storey buildings in 4 residential areas located in Selangor [Kg. Baiduri (KB)] and Kuala Lumpur [Student Hostel of University of Malaya (UM), Kg. Kerinchi (KK) and Hang Tuah (HT)]. The results implied that Aedes mosquitoes could be found from ground floor to highest floor of multiple storey buildings and data from different elevation did not show significant difference. Ovitrap index for UM, KB, HT and KK ranged from 0 – 29.17%, 0 – 55.56%, 8.33 – 83.33% and 0 – 91.17% respectively. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were found breeding in HT, KK and KB; while only Ae. albopictus was obtained from UM. The results indicate that the invasion of Aedes mosquitoes in high-rise apartments could facilitate the transmission of dengue virus and new approaches to vector control in this type of residential area should be developed.