17362 research outputs found
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Young boy falls prey to gecko – a rare case of animal bite
No full textBackground: Dog and cat bites are the most common animal bites in humans. Lizard bites are rare and can cause significant morbidity. There are over 3000 species of lizards, but only two are venomous and medically significant. Larger lizards have been reported to bite humans, but no cases have been documented of smaller geckos doing this. This case report aims to raise awareness of the potential threat that smaller lizards pose, especially to children. Case Report: A 2-year-old child was bitten on the left ear by a gecko, resulting in multiple lacerations. After primary assessment and stabilization, the wound was irrigated and dressed with a Bat’s ear dressing. Intravenous antibiotics were administered, and the wound was sutured five days later. The child was discharged with a one-week course of oral antibiotics. Discussion: Lizard bites can cause significant morbidity, especially in children. While geckos are not poisonous, they can defend themselves with their teeth and cause harm to humans. The Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard are the only venomous species. Management of lizard bites is similar to other animal bites, and wound irrigation is crucial. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Delayed primary closure may be an option for wound management. Conclusions: This case report highlights the need for awareness and appropriate management of lizard bites. Keywords: Ear, Trauma, Pediatric, Lizard, Animal, Bit
Impacts of breaching planetary boundaries on human health: Current and future threats
No full textThis review examines the impact of breaching planetary boundaries on human health and potential future threats, emphasizing the need for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. Through a rigorous literature review of 142 high‐quality articles, we explore the health implications of breaching planetary boundaries such as climate change, land system change, biodiversity loss, biogeochemical flows, aerosol loading, stratospheric ozone depletion, freshwater use, novel entities, and ocean acidification. Our findings indicate a direct association between breached planetary boundaries and a range of health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, increased infectious disease vulnerability, and nutritional impacts due to compromised food sources. The analysis highlights the disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations and underscores the significance of localized and global strategies in mitigating these health threats. Effective measures, including urban planning for green spaces and pollution control, have been identified as crucial. The review calls for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to safeguard human health against the backdrop of environmental degradation, stressing the urgency of global collaboration in policy development and implementation
Composite flour as an innovative food ingredient in bakery products: A review
No full textComposite flour, a widely utilised ingredient in food production, particularly in baking, offers an innovative approach to enhance the nutritional and technological properties of flour. This review was conducted to compare the quality attributes of various bakery products, including breads, biscuits, and cakes, produced using different types of composite flour. The review primarily focuses on evaluating the changes in physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics brought about by this composite flour in bakery products. Ultimately, the findings of the review reveal that composite flour significantly influences the textural properties, nutritional composition, and sensory acceptance of bakery products
A rare case of Subretinal abscess secondary to Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
No full textPurpose: Subretinal abscess is a rare but vision-threatening manifestation of endogenous endophthal- mitis, accounting for approximately 5% of cases. It typically occurs in immunocompromised individuals and may be caused by a variety of microbial pathogens. We aim to highlight the importance of early recognition of subretinal abscess in a patient with preserved vision and minimal ocular symptoms. Methods: We report a case of acute subretinal abscess secondary to Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a 55-year-old man with previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with floaters in the left eye one day after undergoing incision and drainage of a lip abscess. Results: Visual acuity remained 6/6 in both eyes. Fundus examination of the left eye revealed a superotemporal subretinal abscess with surrounding hemorrhage and Roth spots. Blood and pus cultures confirmed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was treated with a single dose of intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime, along with systemic antibiotics including intravenous cloxacillin, cefazolin, and oral ciprofloxacin. Pars plana vitrectomy was deemed unnecessary due to the lesion’s favorable location, size, and good presenting visual acuity. The lesion resolved with choroidor- etinal scarring, and vision was preserved. Conclusion: Subretinal abscess is an uncommon ocular complication of systemic infections that may be overlooked due to its subtle presentation. This case highlights the need for thorough ocular evaluation in patients with bacteremia, even in the presence of minimal visual symptoms. Early diagnosis and targeted antimicrobial therapy are crucial in preventing serious ocular morbidity and preserving vision
Impact of silicon-enriched fertilizer on Basal Stem Rot disease in palm species caused by ganoderma boninense
No full textSilicon (Si) is the second most abundant element that encourages plant growth, particularly in higher plants. This research maximizes Si’s stress-tolerance benefits for plants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of silicon-enriched fertilizer in reducing the impact of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease in palm species, suggesting a potential sustainable solution to this critical agricultural challenge. The study utilized the root-sitting technique on three-month-old palm seedlings grown under controlled nursery conditions. The T1 and T2 seedlings were untreated with silicon-enriched fertilizer. In contrast, the T3 seedlings were treated with 500g of silicon-enriched fertilizer. The T2 and T3 seedlings were further challenged with G. boninense PER 17 using the rubber woodblocks (RWBs) sitting technique during the nursery trial (10 months). Results revealed that disease incidence (DI) in oil palm (50.0%) and betel nut palm (44.4%) for T3 seedlings was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) compared to T2 seedlings, both of which had a DI of 94.4%. The BSR DI in T3 seedlings was reduced by 52.63% in oil palm and 67.35% in betel nut palm. These findings suggest that treatment T3 offers protection against G. boninense infection in both palm species. The results demonstrated that treatment T3, involving silicon-enriched fertilizer, significantly reduced the progression of BSR disease in palm seedlings, highlighting its effectiveness as a disease management strategy
Barriers to the utilization of research and implementation of evidence-based practice among nurses in Sabah, Malaysia: Across-sectional study
No full textEvidence-based practice (EBP) has been widely adopted in clinical nursing practice, with nursing education efforts consistently emphasizing its importance in strengthening implementation efforts. Despite these efforts to promote translational research, the level of implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in clinical nursing practice remains unsatisfactory. This study aimed to identify specific organizational, individual, and research-related barriers to the utilization of research in clinical practice among nurses in Sabah, Malaysia, to determine factors associated with these perceived barriers and to assess nurses’ awareness and understanding of the implementation of evidence-based practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 using the BARRIERS scale, a validated tool that measures perceived barriers to the utilization of research across four domains: organizational barriers, nurses’ research awareness and values, quality of research, and research communication. This study involved nurses from five tertiary hospitals in Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 562 nurses participated in the study, with a mean age of 34.3 years (SD = 7.96) and mean duration of clinical practice of 10.0 years (SD = 7.58). While 66.5% of the nurses had heard of EBP, only 7.3% reported understanding it very well. The top three barriers to the utilization of research were ‘the nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change patient care procedures’ (35.9%), ‘the nurse does not have time to read research’ (27.8%), and ‘research reports/articles are not published fast enough’ (25.8%). Among the four domains, organizational barriers scored highest (mean = 2.7, SD = 0.72), followed by research communication (mean = 2.6, SD = 0.73). Conclusions: The study findings emphasize the challenges nurses encounter in integrating research into clinical practice and highlight the need for ongoing efforts to promote the utilization of evidence-based practice and research among nurses in Sabah, while addressing the identified gaps
Determination of strength improvements in the acacia hybrid through the combination of age groups at the air-dry conditioning stage
No full textAcacia hybrid is an important plantation species in Malaysia, but its use in structural applications is still limited due to the lack of comprehensive data on its engineering properties. This study evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of laminated or glulam Acacia hybrid timber in an air-dried condition for three age group combinations (7//10, 10//13, and 7//13 years old) to determine the optimal combination for structural applications. The results showed that the 10//13-year-old combination had the best mechanical performance, along with the highest basis density (0.7099 g/cm3), highest modulus of elasticity (MOE) (16,335.6 N/mm2), and highest parallel compressive strength (56.998 N/mm2), while the 7//10-year-old combination showed the highest moisture content (14.94%) and highest perpendicular compressive strength (8.9256 N/mm2). This study demonstrated that the combination of juvenile wood (7 years old) with mature wood (10 or 13 years old) increased strength by up to 43.06%, thus optimising the potential of Acacia hybrid in the construction industry. All combinations meet SG5 standards, with the 10//13-year-old combination recommended as the best choice for high-performance applications of glulam products
Fish hybridization: Enhancing genetic potential, ecological implications and ethical perspectives
No full textHybridization is an important tool in aquaculture to combine the desirable traits of parental fish stocks. This process produces offspring with disease resistance, improved feed conversion efficiency, accelerated growth, environmental resilience and superior flesh quality. All these traits are economically beneficial and can fulfill large demands in the industry without depleting wild stocks. Various techniques have been used to hybridize fish, including artificial insemination, selective mating and genetic manipulation. Molecular methods like gene editing and in-vitro fertilization can ensure speedy production of hybrid stocks with precise traits, but the processes should be supported by impact studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybridization outcomes. This review explores the diverse methods of fish hybridization in aquaculture, highlighting examples of their genetic and physiological impacts on wild fish populations, besides their ecological and evolutionary consequences. It also explores ethical considerations and public perception, particularly gene modification, along with an analysis of regulatory and policy frameworks. As global demand for food protein continues to rise, aquaculture is increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution to meet the demand. The increasing potential of hybrid species in enhancing aquaculture production underscores the importance of developing efficient and sustainable industry practice
Factors influencing consumers’ willingness to purchase Musang King durian (Durio Zibethinus) in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
No full textMusang King durian (Durio Zibethinus), a variety of Malaysia, is in high demand in the Chinese market and is also popular among local consumers. However, the premium pricing of this variety influenced by supply and demand limits access for many segments of local consumers. The question arises as to whether the local community can afford it by examining the factors driving consumers' willingness to purchase Musang King durian. A descriptive study was conducted with 110 respondents from Raub, Pahang, which is well known as the largest Musang King production area in Malaysia. The study revealed that the main factors driving consumers' willingness to purchase Musang King durian are its unique taste, consumers’ income and consumer purchases. Although the income range of the local population is low to moderate, the distinctive taste and purchasing power of consumers are key drivers for purchasing this premium variety. Moreover, other factors, such as the market price of Musang King, the seasonality of its production, and the influence of promotions through acquaintances and social media, also play a role in influencing consumers' decisions to purchase Musang King durian. The aforementioned factors have increased the demand for Musang King durian both locally and internationally, although its supply is contingent upon production seasons and weather conditions. Therefore, durian growers and the government should collaborate to ensure that supply meets the required levels of production and quality. This is essential to meet the growing demand from both local consumers and international markets. Additionally, attention should be given to expanding the potential market for downstream products derived from Musang King durian so that the market is not focused solely on upstream production
A new species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia
No full textA new species of gekkonid lizard is described from Phnom Khpoh, an isolated karstic hill within an extensive karstic archipelago in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. Phylogenetic analysis using a 1041 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial gene ND2 recovered Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov. as the sister species of H. pardalis, found 335 km to the west in southern Thailand. Analyses of meristic, morphometric, and categorical characters of morphology and color pattern differentiated H. khpoh sp. nov. from both the morphologically distinct H. pardalis and the very similar Hemiphyllodactylus sp. from Phnom Kulen, approximately 130 km to the northeast in Siem Reap Province. The statistical morphological analyses and comparisons also showed that H. khpoh sp. nov. is well-differentiated from the recently described H. bokor and H. samkos from the nearby Cardamom Mountains as well from species in clade 6—a recently designated lineage from China, Laos, and Vietnam to which H. khpoh sp. nov. + H. pardalis compose the sister lineage. The discovery of H. khpoh sp. nov. highlights the rich but understudied biodiversity of karstic landscapes, emphasizing the need for continued research in the extensive unexplored karstic archipelago of western Cambodia. This region is poised to reveal unparalleled gekkonid diversity, comparable to that observed in the similarly sized karstic archipelago of the Salween Basin in southern Myanmar. Although karstic landscapes are proving to be some of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet, less than 1% of them are afforded any formal protection