Assessment of Commercial Baby Food Quality and Promotion in Malaysia for Policy Development.

Nutritional quality of food for infants and young children (FIYC) is key to optimum development and health. To evaluate commercial FIYC products, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO-EURO) has defined a Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM). Although FIYC is commonly used in Malaysia, its quality is largely unknown.

In-vitro susceptibility of pathogenic and intermediate Leptospira species towards antibiotics and herb extracts.

Leptospirosis is a severe and potentially fatal re-emerging zoonotic and waterborne disease caused by pathogenic and intermediate species of Leptospira. Given the high global rates of morbidity and mortality associated with this disease, there is an urgent need to explore alternative therapeutic agents to enhance treatment options. This study investigates the anti-leptospiral efficacy of several common antibiotics-penicillin G, doxycycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin, as well as extracts from local herbs, Hydnophytum formicarum Jack and Boesenbergia stenophylla, against pathogenic and intermediate Leptospira strains.

Metarhizium anisopliae: current status and future in hard ticks control in Asia.

Ticks exert a significant economic impact on the livestock industry, particularly in Asian regions. Presently, chemical acaricides constitute the primary method employed to combat tick infestations in livestock, but their use carries adverse environmental consequences. Overreliance on acaricides has contaminated milk and meat products with chemical residues while fostering tick resistance to these agents due to improper and intensive application.

Blood meal analysis: unveiling the feeding preferences of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a dengue-endemic area.

Studies have suggested animals as possible reservoir hosts for flaviviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; however, there is limited evidence for the dengue virus in Malaysia. One of the possible ways to determine the zoonotic potential for any pathogen transmission is through blood meal analysis which can provide valuable insights into the feeding preferences of the mosquitoes. Unfortunately, limited information is available on the feeding preferences of Aedes mosquitoes in Malaysia.

Potential induction of apoptosis and acetylcholinesterase inhibition in Aedes mosquitoes by Streptomyces-derived ethyl acetate extract.

The use of Streptomyces secondary metabolites for mosquito control has recently received positive attention. Accordingly, this study was performed to elucidate the cellular, genomic and biochemical responses of Aedes mosquitoes to Streptomyces sp. KSF103 ethyl acetate (EA) extract, a mixture previously characterized for its potential bioactivity.

Association of total and dengue-specific IgE levels in the sera with dengue virus inhibition and antibody-dependent enhancement.

Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), poses a significant global health challenge. Effective vaccines and treatments for dengue are lacking due to gaps in understanding its pathogenesis and mechanisms in severe cases. This study investigates the role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in dengue, focusing on its potential association with virus neutralization and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in DENV replication.

House dust mites eradication treatments: Current updates emphasizing on tropical countries.

House Dust Mites (HDMs) like Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus) and Blomia tropicalis (B.

Natural intestinal parasite infection in synanthropic migratory Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, in central Peninsular Malaysia.

Migratory birds are potential vectors transmitting zoonotic parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can significantly affect human health. Over 60 diseases have been identified to be associated with these birds. Given their close proximity to human habitation, the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases is a major concern for the public.

Case reports of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in three patients with haematological malignancies.

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic nematode infection mainly caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Immunocompromised conditions, particularly cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and corticosteroids, have a significant risk of developing Strongyloides hyperinfection. The lack of a gold standard laboratory method to rule out this infection and the insensitivity of microscopic stool examination due to low and intermittent larvae output in stool contribute to the low detection rate of this infection.

First report of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis in goats in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Anaplasma species are obligate rickettsial intraerythrocytic pathogens that cause an important tick-borne disease of economic importance in livestock production in many countries. Anaplasma species have been detected from farm animals worldwide, there is a paucity of information on Anaplasma infections in goats from Malaysia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the infection rate and identify Anaplasma species and some selected risk factors in goats across selected districts in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Detection of Mycoplasma haemocanis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum in shelter and pet dogs in Malaysia.

Canine haemotrophic mycoplasmosis is caused by mycoplasma haemopathogens, which includes Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp). The Mhc and CMhp pose a health risk to dogs, particularly in immunocompromised and splenectomised dogs, as they lead to haemolytic anaemia. There is scarce information on the detection of Mycoplasma in dogs in Malaysia.

Molecular screening of Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Theileria (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Ticks are obligate hematophagous arachnids that feed on both humans and animals. Despite the extensive research on detection of bacteria in ixodid ticks in Malaysia, there remains limited knowledge about the detection of protozoa in these ectoparasites, especially in those that feed on farm ruminants. In this study, 1,241 ticks belonging to four species (Rhipicephalus microplus, R.

Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma centrale isolated from commercial Mafriwal cattle in Johor, Malaysia.

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease in cattle which is mainly caused by Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma centrale. It poses significant economic burdens and threat on livestock industries worldwide. This study aimed to identify Anaplasma spp.

Who drives weight stigma? A multinational exploration of clustering characteristics behind weight bias against preconception, pregnant, and postpartum women.

Background: Weight bias is a global health challenge and community members are endorsed as the most common source of weight bias. The nature of weight biases specifically against preconception, pregnant, and postpartum (PPP) women from the perspective of community members is not known, especially in terms of cross-cultural trends. We investigated the magnitude of explicit and implicit weight bias and profiles of characteristics associated with harbouring weight bias.

Assessment of Opuntia ficus-indica supplementation on enhancing antioxidant levels.

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFi) is a major fruit source prevalent in semiarid and arid regions across various countries worldwide. It is widely recognised for its potential health benefits; however, most studies investigating its effects have been limited to pre-clinical models, highlighting the need for further validation through clinical trials. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of OFi supplementation in enhancing antioxidant levels.

Half of land use carbon emissions in Southeast Asia can be mitigated through peat swamp forest and mangrove conservation and restoration.

Southeast Asia (SEA) contributes approximately one-third of global land-use change carbon emissions, a substantial yet highly uncertain part of which is from anthropogenically-modified peat swamp forests (PSFs) and mangroves. Here, we report that between 2001-2022 land-use change impacting PSFs and mangroves in SEA generate approximately 691.8±97.

CADCAM Versus Conventional Denture Bases: Network Meta-Analysis of In Vitro Studies Comparing Accuracy and Surface Properties.

Introduction: This systematic review with network meta-analysis (NMA) analysed the current evidence on in vitro studies comparing trueness of fit, surface roughness, colour stability, surface wettability, water sorption, water solubility, and microbial adhesion between conventional and digital denture bases.

Methods: From inception until December 2023, a systematic search of published in-vitro studies from Scopus, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Studies was conducted. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024531416).

A short review on polysaccharide-based nanocomposite adsorbents for separation and biomedical applications.

Polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, cellulose, and carrageenan have emerged as promising adsorbents due to their biodegradability, abundant availability, and diverse chemical functionality. These biopolymers exhibit promising performance for adsorption of a wide range of pollutants including heavy metals (e.g.

Clinico-pathological characterisation of human papillomavirus-associated oral epithelial dysplasia.

Background: Human papillomavirus-associated oral epithelial dysplasia (HPV-OED) has been recently recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a distinct type of oral epithelial dysplasia. The rarity of HPV-OED, together with gaps in the current understanding of risk factors and clinical behaviour raise the risk of under-recognition and misdiagnosis. To address this, we describe the clinico-pathological features of a consecutive series of HPV-OED from a single institution to provide additional insight into the presentation and behaviour of this disease.

2D WS2 monolayer preparation method and research progress in the field of optoelectronics.

Two-dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) have garnered significant attention in the field of materials science due to their remarkable electronic and optoelectronic properties, including high carrier mobility and tunable band gaps. Despite the extensive research on various TMDs, there remains a notable gap in understanding the synthesis techniques and their implications for the practical application of monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2) in optoelectronic devices. This gap is critical, as the successful integration of WS2 into commercial technologies hinges on the development of reliable synthesis methods that ensure high quality and uniformity of the material.

Improving paraffin precipitate inhibition using glycine and Palm-based Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES) eco-friendly inhibitors.

Oil fields located in cold environments and deep-sea locations often face challenges with paraffin wax buildup in pipelines during long-distance crude oil transportation. Various strategies have been employed to address this issue, with chemical methods being the most effective and economical. However, traditional chemical inhibitors present problems due to their high toxicity and low biodegradability, leading to increased operational costs and environmental concerns.

Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors Among Breast Cancer Women in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, and advancements in detection and treatment have improved survival rates. Evaluating breast cancer patients' quality of life is essential for effective healthcare planning. This study aims to assess the level of quality of life and its associated factors, including sociodemographic, clinical, coping skills, and psychological factors among breast cancer women in Iraq.

Effectiveness of a Dentist-based Anti-Smoking Intervention Among Malaysian Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Field Trial.

Background:  The KOTAK program is a national public health initiative in Malaysian primary and secondary schools aimed at reducing youth smoking through school dental services. This study evaluated its effectiveness in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Objectives: 1) To determine the percentage of schoolchildren who quit smoking through the KOTAK program; 2) To identify factors associated with quitting smoking in the program.

Morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of Eimeria coypi and Eimeria fluviatilis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) isolated from nutrias (Myocastor coypus [Rodentia]) in Japan.

The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a semiaquatic rodent that originally inhabited South America. However, the animals have spread to different continents as alien species, and their numbers are quickly increasing, especially in North America, Europe, and Eastern Asia including Japan. Although nutrias have been suggested to serve as reservoirs for pathogens, including parasites, there have been few reports on this subject.