USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Association between Dietary Habits and Sperm Quality: Evidence from a Multicenter Fertility Study in Malaysia
No full textBackground: A range of factors, sociodemographic and lifestyle-related, are instrumental in shaping male fertility, including dietary practices. However, limited studies have examined these associations in the Malaysian context. This study investigates the connections between dietary habits and sperm quality among male patients attending fertility clinics.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to examine male patients attending four fertility clinics in Peninsular Malaysia. Sociodemographic data, dietary habits, and sperm quality classifications (normal vs abnormal) were collected. Assessment of dietary consumption involved the use of validated food frequency questionnaires, while data on sperm quality were retrieved from patient’s medical records. Analysis of binary logistic regression was executed to assess food group consumption’s association with sperm quality, while controlling for household income and education level.
Results: Sperm quality was significantly associated with education level (P = 0.001) and household income (P = 0.017), but not with age or body mass index (BMI). Higher fruit consumption was significantly associated with better sperm quality (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.94; P = 0.004), while frequent fast-food intake was linked to poorer sperm quality (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.35; P = 0.039). Vegetable, dairy, meat, caffeine, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumptions were not significantly associated with sperm quality.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the associations between dietary practices, socioeconomic variables, and male fertility. Higher fruit intake and socioeconomic status were associated with better sperm quality, whereas fast-food consumption was linked to poorer outcomes. The study reinforces the significance of diet and socioeconomic status in shaping male reproductive well-being
Comparative Analysis of Actual Cost and Indonesian Case-based Groups Rate in Inpatient Suspect of Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Aetiology
No full textBackground: Hospitals are crucial in implementing the referral and National Health Insurance (NHI) systems. The reimbursement structure by the Social Security Administrator for Health (SSAH) relies on the Indonesian Case-Based Groups (INA-CBG) method. This study aims to discern the variance between hospital inpatient costs and the corresponding inpatient INA-CBG rates, specifically for patients with suspected acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology (AHUA).
Methods: This research used a descriptive cross-sectional method. We compared the actual hospitalisation cost and INA-CBG’s tariff in an Indonesian tertiary hospital from July to December 2022. The study encompasses patients with AHUA and uses a saturation sampling method.
Results: Of the 17 patients suspected of AHUA, 16 made payments through NHI. A comprehensive analysis reveals that the total hospital costs based on INA-CBG rates show a deficit of IDR 21,604,464, reflecting a difference of 13.96%. The primary diagnoses among patients vary, with presentations of a combination of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections alongside bile or liver disorders. The hospital incurred losses from services rendered to 10 patients. Notably, the significant allocations of hospital costs include laboratory (46.84%), pharmacy (19.01%), and accommodation (17.28%).
Conclusion: To maintain effective cost control in inpatient services, the focus should prioritise medical appropriateness, explicitly referencing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) and Clinical Pathways
Mapping the Interactions Between Hummingbirds and Plants in a Region of the Colombian Andes (Early view)
Get PDFPollination is a key ecological process that ensures plant reproduction and supports the stability and biodiversity of natural ecosystems. In high Andean environments, hummingbirds act as essential pollinators due to their physiological adaptations that allow them to forage in extreme climatic conditions and at high elevations. However, the ongoing transformation of these ecosystems driven by deforestation, land-use change, and climate variability highlights the urgent need to understand the structure and resilience of pollination networks. In this study, we analyzed the interaction network between hummingbirds and ornithophilous plants in a remnant of Andean forest in southwestern Colombia. Interactions were documented through trail surveys, focal observations, and mist-netting over a three-year sampling period. We recorded 269 interactions between 10 hummingbird species and 28 plant species, achieving 95% sampling completeness. Network analysis revealed low specialization, intermediate modularity, and a predominance of generalist species, suggesting a relatively cohesive but potentially vulnerable system. These findings contribute valuable empirical evidence on how mutualistic interactions are structured in tropical montane forests and highlight the importance of preserving not only species richness but also the ecological interactions that sustain ecosystem function. This knowledge is essential for designing conservation and restoration strategies that enhance the resilience of high mountain ecosystems in the face of current and emerging threats
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Preschool Children in Rural Areas on Handwashing and Toothbrushing
Get PDFEstablishing lifelong hygienic practices begins in early childhood, particularly in rural areas where access to health education and resources may be limited. However, the level of pre-schoolers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about basic hygiene practices in rural areas needs to be better understood. This study investigates the KAP of preschool children in Sik, Kedah, regarding handwashing and toothbrushing. Using a case study design with a qualitative approach, the study involved 16 children, focusing on six for detailed data collection through observations, video recordings, and interviews. The results show that while some children forget to use soap on occasion, these children understand the importance of handwashing as a way to get rid of germs and avoid getting sick. Since they express satisfaction and enjoyment from feeling clean, they have positive attitudes regarding handwashing. Although handwashing is typically performed before meals and after using the restroom, soap use varies. Similar to toothbrushing, children show that brushing is essential for maintaining oral health, which includes avoiding tooth decay and foul breath. The majority of them also understand the significance of brushing twice a day. After brushing, children show enjoyment and a feeling of freshness, and their attitudes are generally positive. Although the frequency varies from person to person, practices are consistent and frequently supervised by the teacher. While pre-schoolers generally show good knowledge and attitudes regarding hygiene practices, inconsistent application emphasises the need for ongoing health education and better resources to improve hygiene practices and health outcomes in rural areas. The implication of this study is that there is a need for enhanced education and resources in rural areas to reinforce consistent hygiene practices and improve overall health outcomes. 
Pupillary Constriction and Dilatation as a Window into Brainstem and Autonomic Integrity
No full textWe read with interest the recent letter to the editor addressing patterns of upward, lateral, and downward brain herniation and their correlation with clinical findings in acute intracranial pathologies (1). In that work, the authors discussed relevant neuroanatomical considerations, including the process of intracranial herniation and its relationship to pupillary size and light responsiveness. We wish to elaborate further on pupillary changes, with particular emphasis on variations in size and reactivity and their correlation with the stages of rostrocaudal herniation
E-Taqwa Dan Bandar Pintar: Kajian Perilaku Keagamaan Dalam Ekosistem Bandar Pintar
No full textPerkembangan bandar pintar (smart city) bukan sahaja membawa perubahan teknologi dan cara urus bandar, tetapi juga mengubah cara masyarakat Muslim di bandar menjalani kehidupan beragama. Namun, kajian tentang bagaimana digitalisasi bandar mempengaruhi ketakwaan masih terhad, terutama dari sudut perilaku keagamaan. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk melihat bagaimana wujudnya konsep E-Taqwa sebagai bentuk baharu dalam mengekspresikan dan menghayati ketakwaan Muslim bandar dalam ekosistem bandar pintar. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan gabungan beberapa kaedah, termasuk pemerhatian lapangan, temu bual mendalam dengan Muslim bandar, serta kajian literatur tentang amalan agama digital dalam ekosistem bandar pintar. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa ketakwaan dalam konteks bandar pintar telah berubah daripada amalan ritual biasa kepada corak keberagamaan digital yang lebih reflektif, fleksibel, dan berasaskan teknologi. E-Taqwa boleh difahami sebagai hasil interaksi antara kesedaran agama, reka bentuk teknologi digital, dan tekanan hidup di bandar yang serba pantas. Kajian ini juga mendapati adanya proses penerapan nilai ketakwaan dalam ruang digital, di mana peranan autoriti agama, identiti peribadi, dan pelbagai platform saling mempengaruhi. Secara teori, artikel ini memperkenalkan konsep E-Taqwa sebagai kerangka baharu dalam bandar pintar serta memperluas perbincangan tentang hubungan antara teknologi dan ketakwaan.
Morphological, Palynological, and Molecular Insights of Arisaema langbiangense: An Endemic Species from Langbiang Plateau, Southern Vietnam (Early view)
Get PDFArisaema langbiangense is an endemic species first described in Vietnam in 2016, with limited research to date. This study provides the first integrated analysis of its anatomical, palynological, and molecular characteristics to facilitate species identification and future taxonomic work. Anatomically, the leaf, petiole, petiolule, root, and rhizome exhibit distinctive features, including adaxial-abaxial polarity in leaves, homogeneous mesophyll, consistent xylem-phloem orientation, abundant needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals, and scattered vascular bundles in the rhizome. Pollen grains are large, spheroidal, inaperturate monads with a tectate-echinate exine densely covered in conical spines, consistent with insect-mediated pollination and similar to other Arisaema species. The ITS region (446 bp) of A. langbiangense, newly sequenced and deposited in GenBank, represents the first available ITS region of A. langbiangense for section Anomala. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS data places the species in a distinct clade, highlighting its genetic uniqueness and supporting sectional relationships consistent with previous plastid-based studies. These findings contribute valuable insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary placement of this poorly known species
Genetic Insights and Trait Relationships in Domesticated Snakeskin Gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis): A Focus on Growth and Related Traits at Harvest (Early view)
Get PDFPhenotypic variation in aquaculture species is shaped by genetic and environmental factors, influencing adaptability, growth performance, and commercial value. For the snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis), a high-value species widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, integrated knowledge of the phenotypic and genetic relationships among key growth traits remains limited. This study aimed to quantify phenotypic variation, sexual dimorphism, and genetic parameters and to assess interrelationships among harvest traits to support selective breeding strategies. A total of 8,345 fish harvested at 9 months were measured for body weight (BW), total length (TL), corrected length (CL), body thickness (BT), body depth (BD), and Fulton’s condition factor (K). Phenotypic analyses and a multi-trait animal model were applied to estimate variance components, heritability, common environmental effects (c²), and phenotypic and genetic correlations. Females exhibited significantly larger size and greater trait variation than males, while most fish fell within the smaller commercial categories (XXS, XS, S). Heritability estimates were low (0.059–0.190), and c² values ranged from low to moderate (0.063–0.214). Strong phenotypic and genetic correlations were detected among growth traits, except for a weak genetic association between TL and K. Overall, the pronounced sexual dimorphism, low heritability, and high trait interdependencies highlight the importance of multi-trait and sex-informed selection approaches to enhance growth efficiency and improve commercial outcomes in snakeskin gourami aquaculture
Microsatellite Markers Reveal Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Village Chicken in Peninsular Malaysia (Early view)
Get PDFThe emphasis on high-yield poultry breeds has contributed to the decline and underutilisation of indigenous chickens. In Malaysia, the “kampung chicken” or Malaysian Village Chicken (MVC) is often viewed as low in productivity, yet it remains culturally important and is well adapted to local environments, making it a valuable resource for sustainable poultry production. As selective breeding and improvement efforts such as the development of the dual-purpose Saga chicken – expand, comprehensive genetic characterisation of MVC is essential to safeguard native diversity, guide future breeding strategies and prevent genetic erosion. This study aimed to ascertain the genetic diversity of MVC ecotypes across Peninsular Malaysia and examine their genetic relationships with commercial and jungle fowl breeds using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Fifteen village chicken ecotypes, including Saga chicken, were sampled from multiple regions, together with four commercial breeds (Cobb, Ross, Sasso and Hy-Line) and jungle fowl chickens. Twenty SSR markers were used, of which 17 polymorphic markers successfully amplified. Cluster analyses using UPGMA and Neighbour-Joining dendrograms revealed two major genetic groups. MVC formed a distinct lineage separate from commercial breeds and further segregated into three subclusters reflecting geographical origins. Although Sasso broilers resemble MVC phenotypically, SSR analysis confirmed clear genetic differentiation. These finding underscore the unique genetic structure of Malaysian Village Chickens, which likely supports their adaptability to tropical regions and efficient utilisation of local feed resources. The findings provide a strong foundation for conservation planning, genetic resource management and the strategic optimisation of future breeding programmes
Design and Pilot of PRISM: An Observational Checklist for Parental Shared Book Reading Strategies in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Get PDFShared book reading (SBR) is an activity in which adults read a book together with a child and is used as an intervention activity to enhance children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)’s language skills. This is brought about by the employment of language and engagement strategies during SBR. However, there are inexperienced parents who do not employ these strategies during SBR, hence, professional guidance is needed, which can be facilitated with tools such as an observation checklist. This study aims to develop and validate an observation checklist that incorporates language and engagement strategies for assessing SBR sessions, and pilot the observation checklist using video data of parent-child SBR sessions by assessing the types and frequencies of strategies employed. The initial draft of the observation checklist, named Parental Reading Interaction Strategies Measure (PRISM) was developed based on a review of literature on SBR and language and engagement strategies. After development of the checklist items, the observation checklist was sent to a panel of eight experts to assess its content validity. Then, the checklist was piloted with two parent-child SBR session videos. Content validation results indicated that all items had an Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 1.0, and the checklist had a Scale-Level Content Validity Index (S-CVI) of 1.0. Pilot study results revealed that PRISM was able to capture and compare the types and frequencies of language and engagement strategies used by each parent. This data provides insights into the skills of parents of children with ASD during SBR session and has demonstrated the utility of PRISM in research, parental coaching and early language intervention.