IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia (IMJM)
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Antimicrobial Effect of Malaysian Honey on Some Human Pathogens: an in vitro Study
Get PDFIntroduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of Malaysian honey against different species of human pathogens using optimized honey broth media. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of honey against standard strains of Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria and yeast was tested in vitro by the broth dilution method using 10%-100% w/v concentrations prepared in tryptic soy broth. Results: Streptococcus pyogenes was the most sensitive pathogen, it was completely inhibited by 30% honey broth medium. The most resistant were E. faecalis, S. aureus and MRSA, but they were all completely inhibited by 80% honey broth medium. Conclusion: Honey is shown to possess antimicrobial activity against human Gram-positive and negative medically important bacteria
Study on Correlations Between Glycated Haemoglobin, Lipid Profiles and Blood Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetics Living at Moderate High Altitude
Get PDFIntroduction: The study was conducted to look for the effects of polycythaemia on Glycosylated Haemoglobin (GHb) levels and to the see the correlations between the levels of haemoglobin, GHb, blood glucose, and lipid profiles including Atherogenic Index of plasma (AIP), in type 2 diabetics living 5800ft above sea level at Gangtok in Sikkim, India. GHb is used to predict the risk of long term complications of Diabetes mellitus (DM) like coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of Group I (Type 2 DM male patients with PPG levels 200mg/ dl) and age matched healthy males formed the control group. Results: In Group I, GHb levels correlated positively with AIP, but not with TC/HDL-C ratio. In Group II, both PPG and GHb levels correlated positively with Total cholesterol (TC), LDL Cholesterol, TC /HDL-C ratio and AIP. This shows that higher PPG levels are associated with more Atherogenic lipid profiles. Study also showed higher GHb levels in controls at 7.61%, and correlated positively with postprandial glucose (PPG) levels (r = 0.92). Conclusion: In predicting risk for future CAD, PPG levels and AIP can be used as an adjunct parameter
Validation of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Questionnaire Among Malay Sawmill Workers in Kelantan Malaysia
Get PDFIntroduction: Exposure to excessive noise is the major avoidable cause of permanent hearing impairment. Sawmill is one of the workplaces where workers are exposed to hazardous noise level. This study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of noise-induced hearing loss questionnaire among sawmill workers. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in March 2007 among 35 consented sawmill workers. A total of 40 items; 10 items for knowledge (8 areas), 20 items for attitude (7 areas) and 10 items for practice (2 areas) were assessed. Statistical analysis for reliability analysis was test by internal consistency and construct validity by exploratory factor analysis using principal components and Varimax rotation method. Results: Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were acceptable for attitude (0.90) and practice (0.75). However, it was low for knowledge (0.67). Exploratory factor analysis showed three meaningful exploratory factors that could explain the three dimensions in the questionnaire. Conclusion: The results of the validation study suggested that the noise-induced hearing loss questionnaire is reliable and valid tool for assessing knowledge, attitude and practice among sawmill workers
An Undiagnosed Non Functioning Retroperitoneum Paraganglioma, Complicating A Gynaecological Surgery; A Case Report
Get PDFParagangliomas are uncommon tumors arising from the neuroendocrine elements (chief cells) of the paraganglia and symmetrically distributed along the aorta in close association with the sympathetic chain. Although functional tumors are easier to diagnose due to the clinical findings caused by excess secretion of catecholamines and an elevation of the urinary catecholamine levels, however the diagnosis of nonfunctioning paraganglioma of the retroperitoneum is difficult and only few cases have been made before exploratory laparotomy. Although our patient was initially planned and operated by our gynaecological team, the incidental findings had to involve the general surgeons. She is fortunate that the tumour did not show any features of malignancy nor metastasis, however a long time follow up is needed in case of any possible recurrence
Gastrojejunocolic fistula: A case report
Get PDFBenign gastrojejunocolic fistula is mostly due to Bilroth II operations. It typically presents with a triad of feculent vomiting, weight loss and chronic diarrhoea but sometimes the diagnosis is not straight forward. We discuss a case that presented and was investigated as intestinal obstruction however diagnosed with gastrojejunocolic fistula during surgery
Short Communications Caring for Muslim Patients - Some Religious Issues
Get PDFIslam is a universal religion and a comprehensive way of life that cannot be separated from patients. Muslim patients are not just passive recipients of medical decisions, but have their own religious views and beliefs about how they would like to be cared for by the medical profession. With the increasing Muslim population in the west, problems arise when a Muslim patient is admitted to a hospital with non-Muslim health caregiver, particularly related to dietary and nutritional issues. The health team should be aware of the religious prohibitions in Islam such as wine or alcohol, flesh of swine, reptiles, birds with talons, canine animals or scavenging creatures, intoxicants etc. The guidelines presented in this paper would enable the health provider to serve their Muslim patients in the most appropriate manner
The Effect of lead exposure of mice during pregnancy on the morphology of epididymal and testicular spermatozoa of their offspring
Get PDFIntroduction: The aims of this study were to assess the differences in the percentages of abnormal morphology between the epididymal and testicular spermatozoa of mature male offspring mice whose mothers were injected with various doses of lead acetate during gestation. Materials and Methods: Seventy two healthy female mice were divided into three major groups according to the number of injections involving 1, 2 or 3 injections at 8th day; 8th and 13th days; and 8th, 13th and 18th days of gestation period, respectively. Each major group was subdivided into four minor groups according to the dosage of lead administered (0, 25, 50 and 100) mg/Kg. Results: The percentages of abnormal morphology of epididymal and testicular spermatozoa were studied and the data were statistically analyzed. The results of this study proved that an increased number of injections and/or dose of lead acetate injected to the mothers during gestation cause an elevation in the percentage of abnormal morphology of both epididymal and testicular spermatozoa of the male mice offspring. Conclusion: In conclusion this study demonstrated that lead acetate when exposed prenatally have toxic effects on the sperm in the offspring male mice resulting in abnormal morphology of spermatozoa. The most likely causative factor is disturbances in the phase(s) of spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self Examination in Female Health Workers in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria
Get PDFBackground: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self examination (BSE) among female health workers in Sagamu. Methods: Questionnaire was used to obtain information such as demographic characteristics, knowledge of breast cancer, attitudes towards BSE and questions relating to practices of BSE from female health workers. Statistical analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and Chi Square method. Results: The medical doctors had more knowledge about breast cancer than the nurses and laboratory scientists. The medical doctors (81.8%), laboratory scientists (56.5%) and the nurses (41.4%) knew the correct timing and frequency for performance of BSE. The monthly practice of BSE was very low among the nurses (30%), while only 68.2% of the doctors and 78.3% of laboratory scientist admitted carrying out BSE monthly. The doctors (68.2%), nurses (35.7%) and laboratory scientist (30.4%) started BSE below the age of 19 years. Conclusion: The results indicate that the nurses had poor attitude towards BSE and this affected their practice of BSE though they had knowledge. The finding that some of the female health workers did not practice BSE, suggests that there is a need for continuing education programs to change attitude and behaviour towards BSE
Evaluation of anti-hypertensive drug utilisation and cost in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan
Get PDFIntroduction: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. The prevalence of hypertension nearly doubled over a ten-year period (1986 – 1996). This has resulted in a significant rise in its attendant cost. We aim to review the institutional anti-hypertensive use, the cost incurred and the implications on management in our local setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the annual cost (2006) of anti-hypertensive medications was undertaken at the Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, a 600-bed major regional hospital on the east-coast of Malaysia. The total number of prescriptions given out and the total cost per drug is then factored to give the annual cost per drug per person in a percentage of the total annual expenditure.Results: The majority of patients were on either 2 (46.5%) or 3 (25.9%) anti-hypertensives. The most frequently prescribed medications were ACE Inhibitors (33.45%), Calcium channel blockers (29.63%), diuretics (16.67%) and β-blockers (13.64%). In terms of cost however, the Calcium channel blockers constituted the greatest percentage of the annual anti-hypertensive budget (63.67%) compared to ACE Inhibitors at just 20.04% of the annual expenditure. The least costly group of drugs is the diuretic making up 16.67% of the total annual prescriptions but only constituting 1.23% of the annual cost. Conclusion: The majority of patients were on ACE Inhibitors and/or Calcium channel blockers. This has huge monetary implications as they represent a large proportion of the annual antihypertensive allocation. There may be a need to reverse the trend in the developing world due to cost restrictions
Approaches for teaching, learning and doing research as deduced from the Qur’an and Sunnah
Get PDFApproaches to teaching and learning keep on changing continuously as evidenced in the development of sub-disciplines dealing with education within the discipline, for example, medical education. This paper brings in another perspective in the search for the ideal teaching and learning approaches. Starting from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, this paper identifies about 20 different aspects of teaching and learning found in these two Islamic sources. These aspects could be grouped into four categories: pre-learning phase and setting the context; personality qualities needed for good teaching and learning relationship; teaching approaches; and lastly, approaches for enhancing the learning process. The paper demonstrates the great potential of the Qur’an and Sunnah for informing on the effective ways for teaching and learning