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Utap MS, Ng CJ, Lee YK, Kiyu A. Prevalence Trend and Clinical Profile of Leprosy Among the Indigenous Penan Community in Rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Retrospective Study. Asia Pac J Public Health 2024; 36:219-224. [PMID: 38258742 DOI: 10.1177/10105395241227507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In Malaysia, despite achieving leprosy-elimination status in 1994, leprosy remains a public health issue among the indigenous Penan community in Sarawak. This study aimed to determine the prevalence trend and clinical profile of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia. A retrospective records review was conducted on 10-year (2008-2018) time trend of annual prevalence rate and 5-year (2013-2018) Penan leprosy patient clinical profile. Out of the 257 new cases of leprosy reported in Sarawak, 42.8% were Penans, and 72.7% were from Baram. The annual Penan ethnic-specific prevalence rate ranged from 2.08 to 35.5/10 000. Forty-six cases were analyzed for clinical profile: There were more males, active case detection, and multibacillary leprosy. The prevalence trend of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram exceeded recommended elimination targets. Majority of the cases were detected through active case detection, but cases were detected late. Interventions are needed to improve early diagnosis and detection to achieve elimination of leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chirk Jenn Ng
- SingHealth Polyclinics, Singapore
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Yew Kong Lee
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Kiyu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
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Lee JY, Nasir NS, Marzuki ME, Vermeulen JJ, Khalik MZ. The land snail fauna of Batu Kudik, isolated limestone outcrop near Simunjan, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e115556. [PMID: 38405381 PMCID: PMC10892197 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e115556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The present study provides a checklist of land snails collected from Batu Kudik, a small and isolated limestone outcrop in Simunjan, Sarawak. A total of 24 species of land snails, representing 18 genera and 14 families were recorded, including one newly-described subspecies. The most species-rich of the families in Batu Kudik are Diplommatinidae (17%) and Chronidae (17%) with four recorded species from each of the families. Based on our analysis, Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov., Opisthostomajavanica and Georissapyrrhoderma were identified as the most abundant land snails at this isolated outcrop, whereas Diplommatinaonyx and Everettiaminuta were recorded as the least abundant. All of the land snails at Batu Kudik were exclusively found sheltered between limestone boulders, underscoring the critical role of this outcrop as their refuge for survival. Consequently, conserving this biodiversity-rich limestone area becomes paramount to prevent the local extinction of these land snail species and possibly other organisms that depend on the unique attributes of the limestone for their survival. We also provide detailed descriptions of Plectostomawallaceikudikense, a new subspecies of the genus Plectostoma which is endemic to Batu Kudik. New information A description of a new subspecies Plectostomawallaceikudikense subsp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ying Lee
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
| | - Nurul Syafiqah Nasir
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
| | - Mohammad Effendi Marzuki
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
| | - Jaap J. Vermeulen
- JK art and science, Lauwerbes 8 2318 AT, Leiden, NetherlandsJK art and science, Lauwerbes 8 2318 ATLeidenNetherlands
| | - Mohd Zacaery Khalik
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
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Kuan JW, Su AT, Wahab M, Hamdan A, Hashim J, Kiyu A, Ooi CH. The epidemiology of haematological cancers in Sarawak, Malaysia (1996 to 2015). BMC Cancer 2023; 23:563. [PMID: 37337159 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10988-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Published epidemiological studies of haematological cancers are few. Hereby we present a 20-year epidemiological data of haematological cancers in Sarawak from a population-based cancer registry. METHODS Haematological cancer cases with ICD-10 coded C81-C96 and ICD-O coded /3 diagnosed from 1996 to 2015 were retrieved from Sarawak Cancer Registry. Adult was defined as those 15 years and above. Incidence rate (IR) was calculated based on yearly Sarawak citizen population stratified to age, gender, and ethnic groups. Age-standardised IR (ASR) was calculated using Segi World Standard Population. RESULTS A total of 3,947 cases were retrieved and analysed. ASR was 10 and male predominance (IR ratio 1.32, 95%CI 1.24,1.41). Haematological cancers generally had a U-shaped distribution with lowest IR at age 10-14 years and exponential increment from age 40 years onwards, except acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with highest IR in paediatric 2.8 versus adult 0.5. There was a significant difference in ethnic and specific categories of haematological cancers, of which, in general, Bidayuh (IR ratio 1.13, 95%CI 1.00, 1.27) and Melanau (IR ratio 0.54, 95%CI 0.45, 0.65) had the highest and lowest ethnic-specific IR, respectively, in comparison to Malay. The ASR (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute myeloid leukaemia, ALL, chronic myeloid leukaemia, and plasma cell neoplasm) showed a decreasing trend over the 20 years, -2.09 in general, while Hodgkin lymphoma showed an increasing trend of + 2.80. There was crude rate difference between the 11 administrative divisions of Sarawak. CONCLUSIONS This study provided the IR and ASR of haematological cancers in Sarawak for comparison to other regions of the world. Ethnic diversity in Sarawak resulted in significant differences in IR and ASR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jew Win Kuan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Anselm Ting Su
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mastulu Wahab
- Sarawak State Health Department, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Hamdan
- Sarawak State Health Department, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Jamilah Hashim
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Kiyu
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Choo Huck Ooi
- Sarawak State Health Department, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Noni V, Tan CS. Prevalence of haemosporidia in Asian Glossy Starling with discovery of misbinding of Haemoproteus-specific primer to Plasmodium genera in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:66. [PMID: 37081458 PMCID: PMC10116663 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon are three mainly studied blood parasites known to cause malarial and pseudomalarial infections in avian worldwide. Although Sarawak is a biodiversity hotspot, molecular data on blood parasite diversity in birds are absent. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of blood parasite in Asian Glossy Starlings (AGS), an urban bird with high population density in Sarawak and to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship with other blood parasite. METHODS Twenty-nine carcasses of juvenile AGS that were succumbed to death due to window collision were collected around the vicinity of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Nested-multiplex and nested PCR targeting the Cytochrome B gene were used to detect Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon respectively. Two primer sets were used for Haemoproteus detection to increase detection sensitivity, with one being a genus-specific primer. RESULTS Fourteen samples (prevalence rate: 48.28%) were found positive for avian Plasmodium. Phylogenetic analysis divided our sequences into five lineages, pFANTAIL01, pCOLL4, pACCBAD01, pALPSIS01 and pALPSIS02, with two lineages being novel. No Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon was found in this study. However, Haemoproteus-specific primer used amplified our Plasmodium samples, making the primer non-specific to Haemoproteus only. CONCLUSION This is the first blood parasite detection study on AGS using carcasses and blood clot as sample source in Sarawak. Due to the scarcity of longer sequences from regions with high genetic plasticity, usage of genus-specific primers should be validated with sequencing to ensure correct prevalence interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaenessa Noni
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Cheng Siang Tan
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
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Ooi CH, Phang WK, Liew JWK, Atroosh WM, Lau YL. Profiling the imported human malaria in Sarawak, Malaysia in 2011-2019. Trop Med Int Health 2023. [PMID: 37042251 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Malaysia has achieved the status of zero indigenous human malaria cases. Nevertheless, imported human malaria has increasingly been reported in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. As zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi remains a major public health problem in Sarawak, the threat of imported malaria must be addressed as it can cause human malaria reintroduction, sustain transmission, and lead to complications. The objectives of this study were to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases reported in Sarawak and to underline the challenge posed by imported malaria towards malaria elimination efforts. METHODS Imported malaria cases reported in Sarawak from 2011 to 2019 were collected from Sarawak State Health Department and analysed in this longitudinal retrospective study. RESULTS A total of 2058 imported malaria cases were registered in all districts in Sarawak. Highest number of cases were reported in Kapit (n = 559; 27.16%), followed by Sibu (n = 424; 20.6%), and Miri (n = 166; 8.07%). Based on the demographic profile, most of the patients constituted of either male sex (98.49%), age group of 40-49 years (39.6%), Iban ethnic (57.92%), worked in logging industry (88.58%), Malaysian nationals (91.84%), contracted malaria in Papua New Guinea (46.11%), uncomplicated disease (77.89%), or hospitalised cases (97.86%). The most prominent Plasmodium species diagnosed were P. vivax (52.67%) and P. falciparum (35.81%). CONCLUSIONS Surveillance, disease detection, and medical follow-up must be carried out thoroughly for individuals who returned from malaria-endemic countries. It is also necessary to promote pre-travel preventive education as well as chemoprophylaxis to travellers heading to endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choo Huck Ooi
- Sarawak Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Wei Kit Phang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jonathan Wee Kent Liew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Wahib M Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen
| | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Lau ACC, Mohamed WMA, Nakao R, Onuma M, Qiu Y, Nakajima N, Shimozuru M, Mohd-Azlan J, Moustafa MAM, Tsubota T. The dynamics of the microbiome in Ixodidae are shaped by tick ontogeny and pathogens in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen000954. [PMID: 36757789 PMCID: PMC9997734 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have recently been considered a potential emerging public health threat in Malaysia; however, fundamental studies into tick-borne pathogens and microbiome appear limited. In this study, six tick species (Ixodes granulatus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis shimoga, Dermacentor compactus, Dermacentor steini and Dermacentor atrosignatus) collected from two primary forests and an oil palm plantation in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, were used for microbiome analysis targeting bacterial 16S rDNA using next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, bacterial species were further characterized in conventional PCRs to identify potential pathogens. Sequences generated from NGS were first filtered with the Decontam package in R before subsequent microbial diversity analyses. Alpha and beta analyses revealed that the genus Dermacentor had the highest microbial diversity, and H. shimoga significantly differed in microbial composition from other tick species. Alpha and beta diversities were also significantly different between developmental stages of H. shimoga. Furthermore, we observed that some bacterial groups were significantly more abundant in certain tick species and developmental stages of H. shimoga. We tested the relative abundances using pairwise linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), which also revealed significant microbial composition differences between Borrelia-positive and Borrelia-negative I. granulatus ticks. Finally, pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria circulating in different tick species, such as Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, Ehrlichia sp., Anaplasma sp. and Bartonella spp. were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Moreover, Coxiella and Francisella-like potential symbionts were identified from H. shimoga and D. steini, respectively. More studies are required to unravel the factors associated with the variations observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C. C. Lau
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
- Division of Bioinformatics, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Manabu Onuma
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute of Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, 305-806, Japan
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Nakajima
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute of Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, 305-806, Japan
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
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Sundara Rajoo K, Lepun P, Alan R, Singh Karam D, Abdu A, Rosli Z, Izani N, James Gerusu G. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Kenyah community of Borneo. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 301:115780. [PMID: 36202163 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sarawak is located in one of the world's most biodiverse regions and is home to more than 40 sub-ethnic groups that each have their own distinct culture, language and lifestyle. This has given rise to numerous, unique ethnobotanical systems. However, due to rapid urbanization, this traditional knowledge is at a risk of extinction. Yet, ethnobotanical studies in Sarawak are almost non-existent, especially among Orang Ulu communities like the Kenyah. AIM OF STUDY Therefore, this study was conducted to document the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Kenyah community. The main objectives of this study are: 1) To determine and document the diversity of medicinal plants used by the Kenyah community, 2) To determine whether the availability of modern medicine has affected Kenyah traditional medicine, and 3) To identify plants which have not been previously cited or used for previously unreported medical uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted repeated interviews and field surveys at the Asap-Koyan Resettlement Area, Belaga Sarawak. A total of 24 respondents from four Kenyah longhouses were interviewed in this study. Individuals possessing extensive traditional medicinal knowledge were identified via preliminary interviews or by viva voce. Translators were employed to ensure that there was no miscommunication. The results were evaluated based on the plant's total use-reports and number of respondents citing the plant. The data was also evaluated based on use-reports by ailment category. RESULTS Over 95% of the respondents were 40 years and older (58.21 years old ± 11.21). This was due to the younger members of the community (40 years old and below) admitting that they had almost no knowledge regarding traditional medicine, as they preferred relying on modern medicine. A total of 61 plant species were mentioned by the 24 respondents Seven plants had five or more respondents citing it, which was more than 20% of the respondents. These plants were Piper betle, Homalomena cordata, Senna alata, Annona muricata, Derris elliptica, Blumea balsamifera and Coscinium fenestratum. CONCLUSION Almost all of the cited plants had been previously recorded to be used in either Ayurvedic, Chinese herbal medicine, Malay traditional medicine or other Asian ethnomedicinal systems. However, there were four highly cited species that were used for treatments that were scarcely reported in past literature. These were piper betle (used by Kenyah to treat fever), Sauropus andrognus (used by Kenyah to treat fever), Derris elliptica (used by Kenyah to treat fever and influenza) and Coscinuim fenestratum (used by Kenyah to treat toxic effects from non-medical substances).
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Affiliation(s)
- Keeren Sundara Rajoo
- Department of Forestry Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia; Institute of Ecosystem Science Borneo, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Philip Lepun
- Department of Forestry Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Ribka Alan
- Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak, Campus, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Daljit Singh Karam
- Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Arifin Abdu
- Department of Forestry Science and Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zamri Rosli
- Department of Forestry Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Norul Izani
- Department of Forestry Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Geoffery James Gerusu
- Department of Forestry Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia; Institute of Ecosystem Science Borneo, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Lau AC, Qiu Y, Moustafa MAM, Nakao R, Shimozuru M, Onuma M, Nakajima N, Sashika M, Mohd-Azlan J, Tsubota T. Detection of a Babesia sp. genotype closely related to marsupial-associated Babesia spp. in male Haemaphysalis shimoga from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:1469-1473. [PMID: 36123016 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, Babesia screening was conducted in 55 rodents and 160 tick samples collected from primary forests and an oil palm plantation in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal DNA revealed the presence of Babesia spp. DNA detected in two questing male Haemaphysalis shimoga ticks collected from the oil palm plantation. Sequence analysis revealed that both sequences were identical and had 98.6% identity to a Babesia macropus sequence obtained from Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Australia. Phylogenetic tree revealed clustering with marsupial-associated Babesia spp. in the Babesia sensu stricto clade. Whether or not H. shimoga is the competent vector and the importance of the Babesia sp. detected in this study warrants more investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cc Lau
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University.,Present address: Virology Division 1, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University.,Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Manabu Onuma
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | | | - Mariko Sashika
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
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Yeo FKS, Cheok YH, Wan Ismail WN, Kueh-Tai FF, Lam TTY, Chong YL. Genotype and organ effect on the occupancy of phyllosphere prokaryotes in different rice landraces. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:600. [PMID: 36056990 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03209-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria community provides essential ecological services to rice plants. The bacterial diversity of rice varies across host plant genotype and organs. This study employed 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to characterise the bacterial community associated with three rice landraces using leaf blade and stem samples. The prokaryotic community found in these rice landraces comprised of two kingdoms, 12 phyla, 25 classes, 40 orders, 80 families, and 118 genera. Proteobacteria (53.9%) was the most abundant phylum. The most abundant genus was an undefined genus under Cyanobacteria (33.0%). Homogeneity of prokaryotic community was observed across the three rice landraces, which may suggest a high similarity in biological and genetical properties of the rice landraces. The difference in prokaryotic composition between leaf blade and stem was depicted based on principal coordinate analysis. This study observed that the prokaryotic inhabitants in rice plants is predominantly determined by rice plant organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Kuok San Yeo
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Yin Hui Cheok
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Felicia Fui Kueh-Tai
- Agriculture Research Centre, Semongok, 12th Mile, Kuching-Serian Road, P.O. Box 977, 93720, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yee Ling Chong
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Ting Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Ooi CH, Phang WK, Liew JWK, Atroosh WM, Lau YL. Epidemiology of indigenous Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Sarawak, 2011-2019. Trop Med Int Health 2022; 27:705-718. [PMID: 35716113 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize the state-wide epidemiology of indigenous knowlesi malaria in Sarawak from 2011-2019. METHODS Longitudinal retrospective study based on Sarawak knowlesi malaria surveillance data recorded 2011-2019. Only indigenous cases were included and information extracted for analysis comprised age, sex, occupation, ethnicity, case severity, hospital admission, and parasite density. RESULTS Over the 9 years 8473 indigenous knowlesi malaria cases were recorded. Age group 40 to 49 years, males, plantation workers, and Iban communities recorded the highest percentage of cases in each demographic variable. Most of the cases were uncomplicated (85.9%) and 89.5% of the total cases were reported with ≤20,000 parasites/μL of blood. Age group and ethnic group are associated with severity of knowlesi malaria in Sarawak. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that the age group 60+ years had the highest odds of developing severe knowlesi malaria compared to other age groups (AOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.22, 5.02; p=0.012). Bidayuh patients were more likely to develop severe knowlesi malaria than Ibans, the largest ethnic group among knowlesi malaria patients (AOR 1.97; 95% CI 1.31, 2.97; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Identification of risk groups is important for the implementation of prevention programs and treatments targeting at specific group to combat knowlesi malaria effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choo Huck Ooi
- Vector Borne Disease Section, Sarawak Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Wei Kit Phang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jonathan Wee Kent Liew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Currenly Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Wahib M Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen
| | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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11
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Sa'adi Z, Yaseen ZM, Muhammad MKI, Iqbal Z. On the prediction of methane fluxes from pristine tropical peatland in Sarawak: application of a denitrification-decomposition (DNDC) model. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:30724-30738. [PMID: 34993788 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17917-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Tropical peatlands have high potential function as a major source of atmospheric methane (CH4) and can contribute to global warming due to their large soil carbon stock, high groundwater level (GWL), high humidity and high temperature. In this study, a process-based denitrification-decomposition (DNDC) model was used to simulate CH4 fluxes in a pristine tropical peatland in Sarawak. To test the accuracy of the model, eddy covariance tower datasets were compared. The model was validated for the year 2014, which showed the good performance of the model for simulating CH4 emissions. The monthly predictive ability of the model was better than the daily predictive ability, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.67, model error (ME) of 2.47, root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.33, mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.92 and mean square error (MSE) of 11.08. The simulated years of 2015 and 2016 showed the good performance of the DNDC model, although under- and overestimations were found during the drier and rainy months. Similarly, the monthly simulations for the year were better than the daily simulations for the year, showing good correlations at R2 at 0.84 (2015) and 0.87 (2016). Better statistical performance in terms of monthly ME, RMSE, MAE and MSE at - 0.11, 3.38, 3.05 and 11.45 for 2015 and - 1.14, 5.28, 4.93 and 27.83 for 2016, respectively, was also observed. Although the statistical performance of the model simulation for daily average CH4 fluxes was lower than that of the monthly average, we found that the results for total fluxes agreed well between the observed and the simulated values (E = 6.79% and difference = 3.3%). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that CH4, GWL and rainfall were correlated with each other and explained 41.7% of the total variation. GWL was found to be relatively important in determining the CH4 fluxes in the naturally inundated pristine tropical peatland. These results suggest that GWL is an essential input variable for the DNDC model for predicting CH4 fluxes from the pristine tropical peatland in Sarawak on a monthly basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulfaqar Sa'adi
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Sekudai, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Zaher Mundher Yaseen
- Department of Urban Planning, Engineering Networks and Systems, Institute of Architecture and Construction, South Ural State University, 76, Lenin Prospect, 454080, Chelyabinsk, Russia.
- New Era and Development in Civil Engineering Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq.
- College of Creative Design, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
| | - Mohd Khairul Idlan Muhammad
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310, Bahru Johor, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310, Bahru Johor, Johor, Malaysia
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12
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Asare EA, Assim Z, Wahi R, Bakeh T, Dapaah SS. Trend analysis of anthropogenic activities affecting trace metals deposition in core sediments from the coastal and four rivers estuary of Sarawak, Malaysia. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:16294-16310. [PMID: 34647212 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the concentrations of trace metals in core sediments profile from the coastal and four rivers estuary in the Kuching Division of Sarawak, Malaysia, and the controlling mechanisms influencing their availability in sediments of the studied area. The bonding of trace metals with non-mobile fractions was confirmed with the sequential extraction. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of the trace metals. Granulometric analyses were performed using normalized sieve apertures to determine the textural characteristics of the sediments. Enrichment factor was used to evaluate the level of metal enrichment. Heavy metals concentrations in sediment samples varied in the range: Pb (8.9-188.9 mg/kg d.w.), Zn (19.4-431.8 mg/kg d.w.), Cd (0.014-0.061 mg/kg d.w.), Ni (6.6-33.4 mg/kg d.w.), Mn (2.4-16.8 mg/kg d.w.), Cu (9.4-133.3 mg/kg d.w.), Ba (1.3-9.9 mg/kg d.w.), As (0.4-7.9 mg/kg d.w.), Co (0.9-5.1 mg/kg d.w.), Cr (1.4-7.8 mg/kg d.w.), Mg (68.8-499.3 mg/kg d.w.), Ca (11.3-64.9 mg/kg d.w.), Al (24.7-141.7 mg/kg d.w.), Na (8.8-29.4 mg/kg d.w.), and Fe (12,011-35,124.6 mg/kg d.w.). The estimated results of the enrichment factor suggested enrichments of Pb, Zn, and Cu in all the core sediment samples and depths at all sites. The other trace metals showed no enrichments in almost all the sampled stations. Continuous accumulation of Pb, Zn, and Cu metals over a period can be detrimental to living organisms and the ecology. The results obtained from the statistical analyses suggested that the deposition of trace metals in the studied sites is due to anthropogenic inputs from the adjacent land-based sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Aquisman Asare
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
- Department of Nuclear Science and Applications, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, AE1, Kwabenya-Accra, Ghana.
| | - Zaini Assim
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Rafeah Wahi
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Tomy Bakeh
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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13
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Tan CS, Noni V, Sathiya Seelan JS, Denel A, Anwarali Khan FA. Ecological surveillance of bat coronaviruses in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:461. [PMID: 34930456 PMCID: PMC8686085 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05880-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Coronaviruses (CoVs) are natural commensals of bats. Two subgenera, namely Sarbecoviruses and Merbecoviruses have a high zoonotic potential and have been associated with three separate spillover events in the past 2 decades, making surveillance of bat-CoVs crucial for the prevention of the next epidemic. The study was aimed to elucidate the presence of coronavirus in fresh bat guano sampled from Wind Cave Nature Reserve (WCNR) in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Samples collected were placed into viral transport medium, transported on ice within the collection day, and preserved at − 80 °C. Nucleic acid was extracted using the column method and screened using consensus PCR primers targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. Amplicons were sequenced bidirectionally using the Sanger method. Phylogenetic tree with maximum-likelihood bootstrap and Bayesian posterior probability were constructed. Results CoV-RNA was detected in ten specimens (47.6%, n = 21). Six alphacoronavirus and four betacoronaviruses were identified. The bat-CoVs can be phylogenetically grouped into four novel clades which are closely related to Decacovirus-1 and Decacovirus-2, Sarbecovirus, and an unclassified CoV. CoVs lineages unique to the Island of Borneo were discovered in Sarawak, Malaysia, with one of them closely related to Sarbecovirus. All of them are distant from currently known human coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Siang Tan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Vaenessa Noni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Azroie Denel
- Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Kota Sentosa, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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14
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Hii KC, Robie ER, Saihidi I, Berita A, Alarja NA, Xiu L, Merchant JA, Binder RA, Goh JKT, Guernier-Cambert V, Galán D, Gregory MJ, Gray GC. Leptospirosis infections among hospital patients, Sarawak, Malaysia. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2021; 7:32. [PMID: 34719397 PMCID: PMC8559352 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-021-00154-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis diagnoses have increased in Sarawak, Malaysia in recent years. Methods To better understand the burden of disease and associated risk factors, we evaluated 147 patients presenting with clinical leptospirosis to local hospitals in Sarawak, Malaysia for the presence of Leptospira and associated antibodies. Sera and urine specimens collected during the acute illness phase were assessed via a commercially available rapid diagnostic test (Leptorapide, Linnodee Ltd., Antrim, Northern Ireland), an ELISA IgM assay (Leptospira IgM ELISA, PanBio, Queensland, Australia) and a pan-Leptospira real-time PCR (qPCR) assay to estimate disease prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of each method. Microagglutination testing was performed on a subset of samples. Results Overall, 45 out of 147 patients (30.6%) showed evidence of leptospires through qPCR in either one or both sera (20 patients) or urine (33 patients), and an additional ten (6.8%) were considered positive through serological testing, for an overall prevalence of 37.4% within the study population. However, each diagnostic method individually yielded disparate prevalence estimates: rapid test 42.2% for sera and 30.5% for urine, ELISA 15.0% for sera, qPCR 13.8% for sera and 23.4% for urine. Molecular characterization of a subset of positive samples by conventional PCR identified the bacterial species as Leptospira interrogans in 4 specimens. A multivariate risk factor analysis for the outcome of leptospirosis identified having completed primary school (OR = 2.5; 95 CI% 1.0–6.4) and weekly clothes-washing in local rivers (OR = 10.6; 95 CI% 1.4–214.8) with increased likelihood of leptospirosis when compared with those who had not. Conclusion Overall, the data suggest a relatively high prevalence of leptospirosis in the study population. The low sensitivities of the rapid diagnostic test and ELISA assay against qPCR highlight a need for better screening tools. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40794-021-00154-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- King-Ching Hii
- Department of Pediatrics, Kapit Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Emily R Robie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Izreena Saihidi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kapit Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Antoinette Berita
- Department of Pediatrics, Kapit Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Natalie A Alarja
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Leshan Xiu
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - James A Merchant
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Raquel A Binder
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Johnny Keh-Tun Goh
- Department of Pediatrics, Kapit Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Vanina Guernier-Cambert
- Present address: Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Diego Galán
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Michael J Gregory
- United States Naval Medical Research Center- Asia, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gregory C Gray
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. .,Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Global Health Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China.
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15
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Sia TLL, Mohan A, Ooi MH, Chien SL, Tan LS, Goh C, Pang DCL, Currie BJ, Wong JS, Podin Y. Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Melioidosis Caused by Gentamicin-Susceptible Burkholderia pseudomallei in Sarawak, Malaysia. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab460. [PMID: 34646909 PMCID: PMC8500297 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is intrinsically resistant to a broad range of antibiotics, including aminoglycosides. In Sarawak, Malaysia, a high proportion of melioidosis cases are caused by gentamicin-susceptible isolates. There are limited epidemiological and clinical data on these infections. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of culture-confirmed melioidosis among adults admitted to Bintulu Hospital in Sarawak, Malaysia, from January 2011 until December 2016. Results One hundred forty-eight adults with culture-confirmed melioidosis were identified. Of 129 (87%) tested, 84 (65%) had gentamicin-susceptible B pseudomallei. The average annual incidence of melioidosis was 12.3 per 100 000 population, with marked variation between districts ranging from 5.8 to 29.3 per 100 000 population. Rural districts had higher incidences of melioidosis and overwhelmingly larger proportions of gentamicin-susceptible B pseudomallei infection. Significantly more patients with gentamicin-susceptible infection had no identified risk factors, with diabetes less frequently present in this group. Ninety-eight percent had acute presentations. Pneumonia, reported in 71%, was the most common presentation. Splenic abscesses were found in 54% of those imaged. Bacteremia was present in 88%; septic shock occurred in 47%. Forty-five (35%) patients died. No differences in clinical, laboratory, or outcome characteristics were noted between gentamicin-susceptible and gentamicin-resistant infections. Conclusions Gentamicin-susceptible B pseudomallei infections are common in Sarawak and dominate in the high-incidence rural interior regions. Clinical manifestations and outcomes are the same as for gentamicin-resistant B pseudomallei infections. Further studies are required to determine if all gentamicin-susceptible B pseudomallei infections in Sarawak are clonal and to ascertain their environmental drivers and niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonnii L L Sia
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Anand Mohan
- Department of Paediatrics, Bintulu Hospital, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mong-How Ooi
- Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Department of Paediatrics, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Su-Lin Chien
- Department of Pathology, Bintulu Hospital, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lee-See Tan
- Department of Pathology, Bintulu Hospital, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Charles Goh
- Department of Pathology, Bintulu Hospital, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Bart J Currie
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Jin-Shyan Wong
- Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Yuwana Podin
- Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
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16
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Dass S, Ngui R, Gill BS, Chan YF, Wan Sulaiman WY, Lim YAL, Mudin RN, Chong CK, Sulaiman LH, Sam IC. Spatiotemporal spread of chikungunya virus in Sarawak, Malaysia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:922-931. [PMID: 33783526 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We studied the spatiotemporal spread of a chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak in Sarawak state, Malaysia, during 2009-2010. METHODS The residential addresses of 3054 notified CHIKV cases in 2009-2010 were georeferenced onto a base map of Sarawak with spatial data of rivers and roads using R software. The spatiotemporal spread was determined and clusters were detected using the space-time scan statistic with SaTScan. RESULTS Overall CHIKV incidence was 127 per 100 000 population (range, 0-1125 within districts). The average speed of spread was 70.1 km/wk, with a peak of 228 cases/wk and the basic reproduction number (R0) was 3.1. The highest age-specific incidence rate was 228 per 100 000 in adults aged 50-54 y. Significantly more cases (79.4%) lived in rural areas compared with the general population (46.2%, p<0.0001). Five CHIKV clusters were detected. Likely spread was mostly by road, but a fifth of rural cases were spread by river travel. CONCLUSIONS CHIKV initially spread quickly in rural areas mainly via roads, with lesser involvement of urban areas. Delayed spread occurred via river networks to more isolated areas in the rural interior. Understanding the patterns and timings of arboviral outbreak spread may allow targeted vector control measures at key transport hubs or in large transport vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarat Dass
- School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur
| | | | - Yoke Fun Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur
| | - Rose Nani Mudin
- Vector Borne Disease Sector, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Chee Kheong Chong
- Office of the Deputy Director General of Health (Public Health), Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62590 Putrajaya
| | - Lokman Hakim Sulaiman
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - I-Ching Sam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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17
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Kuay LK, Chin TB, Ying CY, Hussain H, Mahmud NA, Kassim MSA, Harith AA, Man CS, Salleh R, Aris T. Pregnant Women Are Iodine Deficient While School-Aged Children Demonstrate Adequate Iodine Status in Sarawak, Malaysia. Food Nutr Bull 2021; 42:406-413. [PMID: 34024187 DOI: 10.1177/03795721211002079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A mandatory universal salt iodization (USI) has been implemented in Sarawak, Malaysia since 2008. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to assess the current iodine status among school-aged children (SAC) and pregnant women (PW) after 10 years of USI implementation in Sarawak. METHODS This cross-sectional survey among school-aged children and pregnant women was conducted between July and October 2018 in Sarawak. The multistage proportionate to population size sampling technique was used to select 30 schools and 30 maternal and child health care clinics. A total of 1200 children aged 8 to 10 years and 750 first-trimester pregnant women were randomly selected to participate in the study. Iodine excretion level in urine was determined according to the World Health Organization classification. RESULTS A total of 988 children and 677 PW participated in the study with a response rate of 82.3% and 90.2%, respectively. The overall median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) level among the children was 126.0 μg/L (interquartile range [IQR], 71.0-200.9 μg/L) and classified as adequate iodine status. The median UIC among PW was 123.9 μg/L (IQR, 56.5-192.1μg/L) indicating inadequate iodine status. CONCLUSION The present findings indicate that despite adequate iodine status in children, the majority of PW still showed inadequate iodine status. Thus, comprehensive monitoring of the iodine deficiency disorder problem among PW is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lim Kuang Kuay
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Tan Beng Chin
- 91000Sarawak State Health Department, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Chan Ying Ying
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Husniza Hussain
- 60608Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Nur Azna Mahmud
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Cheong Siew Man
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Ruhaya Salleh
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Tahir Aris
- Institute for Public Health, 106269Ministry of Health, Malaysia
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18
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Linton RE, Daker M, Khoo ASB, Choo DCY, Viljoen M, Neilsen PM. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma among the Bidayuh of Sarawak, Malaysia: History and risk factors. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:514. [PMID: 33986874 PMCID: PMC8114476 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer of the epithelial cells lining the nasopharynx. The incidence of NPC has a distinct geographical distribution, mainly affecting the Chinese population of Southern China. In Malaysia, this cancer is exceptionally prevalent among males. There is a high incidence rate of NPC among the Bidayuh natives in Sarawak, Malaysia. Other than epidemiology reports, there has not been an article describing plausible cancer risk factors contributing to NPC within this native group. Researchers are still trying to understand the reasons the Bidayuh and Southern Chinese are highly susceptible to NPC. This article discusses the risk factors of developing NPC: Epstein-Barr virus infection, genetic predisposition, diet, environmental exposure and tobacco smoking. There is a need to improve the understanding of the role of risk factors to identify new ways to prevent cancer, especially among high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan Entigu Linton
- School of Chemical Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak 93350, Malaysia
| | - Maelinda Daker
- School of Chemical Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak 93350, Malaysia.,Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam, Selangor 40170, Malaysia
| | - Alan Soo-Beng Khoo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak 93350, Malaysia.,Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam, Selangor 40170, Malaysia
| | - Diana Chung Yiing Choo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak 93350, Malaysia
| | - Mignon Viljoen
- College of Clinical Sciences, School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
| | - Paul M Neilsen
- School of Chemical Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak 93350, Malaysia.,College of Clinical Sciences, School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
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19
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Syed Alwi SAR, Brohi IB, Awi I. Perception of menopause among women of Sarawak, Malaysia. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:77. [PMID: 33618693 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Various factors, including menopausal status, educational and social background, culture, and physical and emotional health, may influence women’s perceptions of menopause. This study documents the elements influencing attitudes towards menopause among women in Sarawak, Malaysia. Methods A face-to-face interview using a validated questionnaire was conducted with 324 Sarawakian women aged 40–65 to determine the mean age of menopause and perceptions and experiences of menopause among these women. Results The mean age ± standard deviation of the women was 51.37 ± 5.91 years. Ninety (27.8%) participants were premenopausal, 124 (38.5%) perimenopausal and 110 (33.7%) postmenopausal. The majority of these women (228; 70.4%) were local indigenous inhabitants of Sarawak. The findings show that 22.5% of the participants agreed that problems during menopause are a natural process. While 21.9% of the participants suggested that menopause should be treated medically, 32.3% argued that natural approaches for menopause symptoms are better than hormonal treatments. Seventy-five per cent of the women agreed that the absence of menses after menopause is a relief; meanwhile, 61.2% stated that menopause causes unpleasant symptoms. Notably, 51.7% were not sure whether women become less sexually attractive after menopause, and 51.1% were uncertain as to whether they feel less of a woman following menopause. Finally, 81.7% of participants were unsure if sexual activity is more enjoyable after menopause, and 71.9% were uncertain whether changes in life during menopause are more stressful. Among the different menopausal stages, the premenopausal group of women were noted to have more positive perceptions of menopause compared to the peri- and postmenopausal women. The study also observed that women with a better educational background generally had more positive perceptions of menopause. Conclusions The women’s perceptions of menopause in this study were found to correspond to those in other studies on Asian women. Women with higher levels of education and premenopausal women comparatively expressed more positive opinions regarding menopause. Lastly, most of the women noted that menopausal symptoms are unpleasant, but that the absence of menses after menopause is a relief.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is prevalent in rural areas of Malaysia. The aim of this study is to delineate the epidemiology and predictors of mortality from melioidosis in Kapit district, Sarawak. METHODS For this retrospective study of patients with culture-confirmed melioidosis admitted to Kapit Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia, between July 2016 and July 2019, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data were obtained. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of mortality. RESULTS Seventy three patients met inclusion criteria. Diabetes mellitus (28.8%) and hypertension (27.4%) were primary co-morbidities. Clinical spectrum of melioidosis ranged from bacteraemia (64.4%), pneumonia (61.6%) and internal organ abscesses (49.3%) to localised soft tissue (21.9%) and joint abscesses (6.9%). Mortality rate was 12.3%. Bacteraemia and pneumonia were significantly associated with septic shock, whereas patients with soft tissue abscesses tended to present with a milder form of melioidosis without septic shock. Septic shock, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, serum urea, creatinine, bicarbonate, albumin and aspartate transaminase were all significantly associated with increased mortality on univariate analysis (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that low serum bicarbonate (P = 0.004, OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.87) and albumin (P = 0.031, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54-0.97) could be associated with a higher mortality. CONCLUSION Melioidosis remains a fatal infection and commonly presents with septic shock, in the form of bacteraemia and pneumonia. Two routine clinical parameters, serum bicarbonate and serum albumin, may have important prognostic implications in septicaemic melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Toh
- Department of Medicine, Kapit Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Clinical Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Sui Poh Tee
- Department of Medicine, Kapit Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Shen-Han Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah, Malaysia
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21
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Ampeng A, Liam J, Simpson B, Traelholt C, Md Nor S, Abdan-Saleman MSB, Osman S, Zakaria SA, Md-Zain BM. First Bornean orangutan sighting in Usun Apau National Park, Sarawak. Biodivers Data J 2021; 9:e60753. [PMID: 33531863 PMCID: PMC7846550 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.9.e60753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife surveys were conducted in Usun Apau National Park (UANP), Sarawak from Oct 2017 to Oct 2020. This was the first attempt to document fauna diversity in Usun Apau National Park on the UANP plateau at 1200-1400 m a.s.l. On 17 September 2020, 10 AM, we observed an orangutan individual, Pongo pygmaeus, over a period of one minute at Libut Camp UANP (E: 114039'.546, N: 2052'36.44) at 1,020 m a.s.l. We also recorded four nests and orangutan vocalisation twice. This observation is important for Bornean orangutan conservation as this was the first orangutan sighting in UANP and well outside the species distribution range for in Sarawak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ampeng
- Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Malaysia Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya Kuching Malaysia
| | - Jack Liam
- Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Malaysia Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya Kuching Malaysia
| | - Boyd Simpson
- Copenhagen Zoo, Department of Research & Conservation, Frederiksberg, Denmark Copenhagen Zoo, Department of Research & Conservation Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Carl Traelholt
- Copenhagen Zoo, Department of Research & Conservation, Frederiksberg, Denmark Copenhagen Zoo, Department of Research & Conservation Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Shukor Md Nor
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi, Selangor Malaysia
| | | | - Syafiani Osman
- Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Malaysia Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya Kuching Malaysia
| | - Shaffeqe Affendy Zakaria
- Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Malaysia Sarawak Forest Department, Petra Jaya Kuching Malaysia
| | - Badrul Munir Md-Zain
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi, Selangor Malaysia
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22
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Ling HS, Chung BK, Chua PF, Gan KX, Ho WL, Ong EYL, Kueh CHS, Chin YP, Fong AYY. Acute decompensated heart failure in a non cardiology tertiary referral centre, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH-HF). BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020; 20:511. [PMID: 33287705 PMCID: PMC7720602 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Data on clinical characteristics of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in Malaysia especially in East Malaysia is lacking.
Methods This is a prospective observational study in Sarawak General Hospital, Medical Department, from October 2017 to September 2018. Patients with primary admission diagnosis of ADHF were recruited and followed up for 90 days. Data on patient’s characteristics, precipitating factors, medications and short-term clinical outcomes were recorded.
Results Majority of the patients were classified in lower socioeconomic group and the mean age was 59 years old. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia were the common underlying comorbidities. Heart failure with ischemic aetiology was the commonest ADHF admission precipitating factor. 48.6% of patients were having preserved ejection fraction HF and the median NT-ProBNP level was 4230 pg/mL. Prescription rate of the evidence-based heart failure medication was low. The in-patient mortality and the average length of hospital stay were 7.5% and 5 days respectively. 43% of patients required either ICU care or advanced cardiopulmonary support. The 30-day, 90-day mortality and readmission rate were 13.1%, 11.2%, 16.8% and 14% respectively. Conclusion Comparing with the HF data from West and Asia Pacific, the short-term mortality and readmission rate were high among the ADHF patients in our study cohort. Maladaptation to evidence-based HF prescription and the higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in younger patients were among the possible issues to be addressed to improve the HF outcome in regions with similar socioeconomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwei Sung Ling
- Medical Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Kuching, Malaysia. .,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Bui Khiong Chung
- Medical Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Pin Fen Chua
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Kai Xin Gan
- Medical Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Wai Leng Ho
- Medical Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Kuching, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Yie Ping Chin
- Medical Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Alan Yean Yip Fong
- Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital (CRC, SGH), Kuching, Malaysia.,Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
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23
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Foo DHP, King TL, Lee HC, Santhramogan P, Ganasan V, Fong AYY, Ngian HU. COVID-19 testing strategy in response to infection among healthcare workers in a large non-COVID-designated hospital. Hosp Pract (1995) 2020; 49:110-118. [PMID: 33249880 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2020.1857999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sarawak General Hospital, which is the only public access tertiary referral center in Sarawak State for all clinical specialties, was designated a hybrid hospital to treat both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. During the initial surge of patients admitted with COVID-19, there was also a corresponding increase in health-care workers (HCWs) detected with COVID-19 infection. The latter being isolated, and the large number of staff members that had come into contact with COVID-19 being quarantined from work, placed further strain on the health-care services. The staff mass screening strategy was a policy decision made by the hospital in response to infection among HCWs, and it aimed to reduce in-hospital transmission (particularly among asymptomatic staff), mitigate workforce depletion due to quarantining, and protect the health-care workforce. In this study, we assessed the detection rate of COVID-19 infection from staff mass testing over a five-week period, and described our experience of adopting this surveillance screening strategy alongside ongoing contact tracing and symptomatic screening strategies. Although it was thought that such periodic staff surveillance might be helpful in protecting the health-care workforce within a short period, the long-term implications, especially in settings with limited resources, is significant and therefore explored in this paper. Our findings might provide an evidence-based reference for the future planning of an optimal strategy with the least compromise in care for a larger proportion of non-COVID-19 patients amid efforts against COVID-19 in a large non-COVID-designated hospital with hybrid status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Hui Ping Foo
- Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Teck Long King
- Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Huey Chun Lee
- Occupational Health Unit, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
| | | | - Vijay Ganasan
- Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Alan Yean Yip Fong
- Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Hie Ung Ngian
- Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Malaysia
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Hassan NA, Thodsapol A, Lim YAL, Wan Sulaiman WY, Sidi Omar SFN, Umsakul K, Ngui R. Copro-molecular identification of intestinal nematode infections in a rural community in East Malaysia. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102237. [PMID: 33144195 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the most common intestinal parasitic infections of medical importance in humans. The infections are widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical countries, particularly among disadvantaged and underprivileged communities. In Malaysia, STH infections is highly prevalent, especially among the indigenous groups. However, species identification through molecular studies is still lacking. Using molecular techniques, this study was conducted to identify STH species that infect humans. Faecal samples were collected from three Iban tribal longhouses in the rural area of Sarikei Division, Sarawak. Positive faecal samples by microscopy were subjected to PCR and sequenced for species identification. Based on the microscopy examination, the most prevalent STH infection was Ascaris, followed by hookworm and Trichuris. All microscopy-positive samples were then PCR-amplified. The amplicons were sequenced, aligned, and compared with other sequences in the GenBank database. The results showed that Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant STH species, followed by Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanus. Our findings were contradictory to past studies, as we showed that A. duodenale was more abundant than N. americanus. Socioeconomic improvement and health education programs should be included in the management and prevention of public health strategies against STH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur-Amirah Hassan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Autchariya Thodsapol
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, 90112, Hat Yai, Thailand
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Yusoff Wan Sulaiman
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Kamontam Umsakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, 90112, Hat Yai, Thailand
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Lau ACC, Qiu Y, Moustafa MAM, Nakao R, Shimozuru M, Onuma M, Mohd-Azlan J, Tsubota T. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Relapsing Fever Borrelia in Feeding Ixodes Ticks and Rodents in Sarawak, Malaysia: New Geographical Records of Borrelia yangtzensis and Borrelia miyamotoi. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100846. [PMID: 33076567 PMCID: PMC7650685 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex are etiological agents of Lyme disease (LD), and Borrelia miyamotoi is one of the relapsing fever Borrelia (RFB). Despite the serological evidence of LD in Malaysia, there has been no report from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Thus, this study aimed to detect and characterize Borrelia in rodents and Ixodes ticks from primary forests and an oil palm (OP) plantation in Sarawak. Borrelia yangtzensis (a member of the Bbsl complex) was detected in 43.8% (14/32) of Ixodes granulatus; most of the positive ticks were from the OP plantation (13/14). Out of 56 rodents, B. yangtzensis was detected in four Rattus spp. from the OP plantation and B. miyamotoi was detected in one rodent, Sundamys muelleri, from the primary forest. Further, the positive samples of B. yangtzensis were randomly selected for multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). The MLSA results of successfully amplified tick samples revealed a clustering with the sequences isolated from Japan and China. This study is the first evidence of B. miyamotoi, a known human pathogen in Malaysia, and B. yangtzensis, which is circulating in ticks and rodents in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, and presenting a new geographical record of the Borrelia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C. C. Lau
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan; (A.C.C.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Correspondence: (Y.Q.); (T.T.); Tel.: +81-11-706-9517 (Y.Q.); +81-11-706-5101 (T.T.)
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan; (M.A.M.M.); (R.N.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan; (M.A.M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan; (A.C.C.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Manabu Onuma
- Ecological Risk Assessment and Control Section, Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-806, Japan;
| | - Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak 94300, Malaysia;
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan; (A.C.C.L.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (Y.Q.); (T.T.); Tel.: +81-11-706-9517 (Y.Q.); +81-11-706-5101 (T.T.)
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Dickinson L, Noble H, Gardner E, Puad ASA, Zakaria WNFW, Zerega NJC. Genetic diversity and structure of the critically endangered Artocarpus annulatus, a crop wild relative of jackfruit ( A. heterophyllus). PeerJ 2020; 8:e9897. [PMID: 33005490 PMCID: PMC7513743 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Limestone karsts of Southeast Asia can harbor high levels of endemism, but are highly fragmented, increasingly threatened, and their biodiversity is often poorly studied. This is true of the Padawan Limestone Area of Sarawak, Malaysia, home to the endemic Artocarpus annulatus, the closest known wild relative of two important and underutilized fruit tree crops, jackfruit (A. heterophyllus) and cempedak (A. integer). Identifying and conserving crop wild relatives is critical for the conservation of crop genetic diversity and breeding. In 2016 and 2017, five A. annulatus populations were located, and leaf material, locality information, and demographic data were collected. Microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity and structure among populations, and to compare levels of genetic diversity to closely related congeneric species. Results indicate no evidence of inbreeding in A. annulatus, and there is no genetic structure among the five populations. However, diversity measures trended lower in seedlings compared to mature trees, suggesting allelic diversity may be under threat in the youngest generation of plants. Also, genetic diversity is lower in A. annulatus compared to closely related congeners. The present study provides a baseline estimate of A. annulatus genetic diversity that can be used for comparison in future studies and to other species in the unique limestone karst ecosystems. Considerations for in situ and ex situ conservation approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leta Dickinson
- Plant Biology and Conservation, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States of America
| | - Hilary Noble
- The Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL, United States of America
| | - Elliot Gardner
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America.,The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, United States of America.,Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aida Shafreena Ahmad Puad
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Nyree J C Zerega
- Plant Biology and Conservation, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States of America.,The Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL, United States of America
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Chia ZJ, Lim KS, Fong SL, Sim RSH, Rajahram GS, Narayanan V, Tan CT. Attitudes toward epilepsy in East Malaysia using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 110:107158. [PMID: 32512367 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy stigma is an important issue affecting people with epilepsy (PWE) in various social aspects of life. Most studies on stigma were among the metropolitan population but rarely on indigenous people. Hence, this study aimed to understand the attitudes toward epilepsy of the East Malaysians, comparing with the West Malaysians previously reported. METHOD This study was performed among the indigenous people in Kuching and Sibu (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. A higher score indicates poorer attitude. RESULT A total of 360 respondents (41.7% Kadazan-Dusun, 30.6% Bidayuh, and 24.7% Iban) aged 34.6 ± 12.6 years completed the questionnaire. They were predominantly females and had lower education level and income compared with the West Malaysians. The Sabah population had significantly lower mean scores (better attitudes) than those in Sarawak, in both personal and general domains (p < .001). As compared with West Malaysia, the mean score in the personal domain was significantly lower in Sabah, while Sarawak had significantly higher scores in general domain (p < .001). Subanalysis showed that the Sabah population had better attitudes toward marriage and employment in PWE than the West Malaysians, whereas Sarawak had poorer attitudes toward education and social contact in PWE. CONCLUSION The attitudes toward epilepsy were different among the indigenous populations in Sabah and Sarawak, and from the West Malaysians, which could be attributable to their sociocultural differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jien Chia
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kheng-Seang Lim
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Si-Lei Fong
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Vairavan Narayanan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chong-Tin Tan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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King TL, Tiong LL, Kaman Z, Zaw WM, Abdul Aziz Z, Chung LW. A hospital-based study on ischaemic stroke characteristics, management, and outcomes in Sarawak: Where do we stand? J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 29:105012. [PMID: 32807427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Located on the Borneo Island, Sarawak is the largest state of Malaysia and has a population distinctive from Peninsular Malaysia. The ischaemic stroke data in Sarawak had not been reported despite the growing number of patients annually. We aimed to investigate patient characteristics, management, and outcomes of ischaemic stroke in Sarawak and benchmark the results with national and international published data. METHODS We included ischaemic stroke cases admitted to Sarawak General Hospital between June 2013 and August 2018 from Malaysia National Stroke Registry. We performed descriptive analyses on patient demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, prior medications, smoking status, arrival time, thrombolysis rate, Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)-Stroke measures, and outcomes at discharge. We also numerically compared the results from Sarawak with the published data from selected national and international cohorts. RESULTS We analysed 1435 ischaemic stroke cases. The mean age was 60.1±13.2 years old; 64.9% were male; median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was seven points. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor of ischaemic stroke; 12.7% had recurrent stroke; 13.7% were active smokers. The intravenous thrombolysis rate was 18.8%. We achieved 80-90% in three GWTG-Stroke performance measures and 90-98% in four additional quality measures in our ischaemic stroke management. At discharge, 57% had modified Rankin Scale of 0-2; 6.7% died during hospitalisation. When compared with selected national and international data, patients in Sarawak were the youngest; Sarawak had more male and more first-ever stroke. Thrombolysis rate in Sarawak was higher compared with most studies in the comparison. Functional outcome at discharge in Sarawak was better than national cohort but still lagging behind when compared with the developed countries. In-hospital mortality rate in Sarawak was slightly lower than the national data but higher when compared with other countries. CONCLUSION Our study described characteristics, management, and outcomes of ischaemic stroke in Sarawak. We achieved high compliance with most of GTWG-Stroke performance and quality indicators. Sarawak had better outcomes than the national results on ischaemic stroke. However, there is still room for improvement when compared with other countries. Actions are needed to reduce the cardiovascular burdens for stroke prevention, enhance healthcare resources for stroke care, and improve intravenous thrombolysis treatment in Sarawak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teck Long King
- Pharmacy Department, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia; Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Lee Len Tiong
- Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Zurainah Kaman
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Win Moe Zaw
- Neurology Department, Salford Royal Foundation NHS Trust, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Zariah Abdul Aziz
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Ministry of Health, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Law Wan Chung
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Liew TS, Marzuki ME, Schilthuizen M, Chen Y, Vermeulen JJ, Mohd-Azlan J. Molecular phylogenetics and evolutionary history of the endemic land snail genus Everettia in northern Borneo. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9416. [PMID: 32714659 PMCID: PMC7354840 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Borneo has gone through dramatic changes in geology and topography from the early Eocene until the early Pliocene and experienced climatic cycling during the Pleistocene. However, how these changes have shaped the present-day patterns of high diversity and complex distribution are still poorly understood. In this study, we use integrative approaches by estimating phylogenetic relationships, divergence time, and current and past niche suitability for the Bornean endemic land snail genus Everettia to provide additional insight into the evolutionary history of this genus in northern Borneo in the light of the geological vicariance events and climatic fluctuations in the Pleistocene. Our results show that northern Borneo Everettia species belong to two deeply divergent lineages: one contains the species that inhabit high elevation at the central mountain range, while the other contains lowland species. Species diversification in these lineages has taken place before the Pliocene. Climate changes during the Pleistocene did not play a significant role in species diversification but could have shaped contemporary species distribution patterns. Our results also show that the species-rich highland habitats have acted as interglacial refugia for highland species. This study of a relatively sedentary invertebrate supports and enhances the growing understanding of the evolutionary history of Borneo. Species diversification in Everettia is caused by geological vicariance events between the early Miocene and the Pliocene, and the distribution patterns were subsequently determined by climatic fluctuations in the Pleistocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thor-Seng Liew
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Effendi Marzuki
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Menno Schilthuizen
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.,Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute Biology Leiden, Leiden Univerisity, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yansen Chen
- Independent Researcher, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia
| | - Jaap J Vermeulen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,JK Art and Science, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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30
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Kohno A, Dahlui M, Nik Farid ND, Safii R, Nakayama T. Why girls get married early in Sarawak, Malaysia - an exploratory qualitative study. BMC Womens Health 2020; 20:46. [PMID: 32131810 PMCID: PMC7057601 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00911-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child marriage, a marriage that involves someone under the age of 18 years, is a long-standing social issue in Sarawak state, Malaysia. The state has taken several measures to improve situations of inequity for women who get married early; however, the practice is still a common part of the tradition and culture. The aim of this study was to explore the factors leading to child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia. METHODS This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted via semi-structured interviews with twenty-two women who were married when they were younger than 18 years old in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Participants were recruited through purposive and convenient sampling with the use of data from a reproductive health clinic and recruitment in villages. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified: health risk behaviour, family poverty, early marriage as fate, and family disharmony. CONCLUSIONS In-depth understanding of the unique factors leading to child marriage locally will facilitate the introduction of new approaches to interventions to eradicate child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Kohno
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health in the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Maznah Dahlui
- Centre for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat, Kampus C, Mulyorejo, Kota SBY, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, 60115, Indonesia
| | - Nik Daliana Nik Farid
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Razitasham Safii
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Takeo Nakayama
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health in the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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31
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Lemin AS, Rahman MM, Pangarah CA, Kiyu A. Factors Affecting Voluntary HIV Testing Among General Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sarawak, Malaysia. J Family Reprod Health 2020; 14:45-51. [PMID: 32863838 PMCID: PMC7428414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Voluntary HIV testing is one of the key strategies in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control program. New National Strategic Plan for 2016-2030 in Malaysia, adapt three zeros viz. 'zero new infections of HIV/AIDS, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths'. This study aimed to determine the predictors of voluntary HIV testing in Sarawak. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 900 respondents (450 males and 450 females) from the state of Sarawak, aged 18 years and above, who were selected by gender-stratified multistage cluster sampling. Data were obtained by face-to-face interview using a pretested questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the potential predictors for voluntary HIV testing. Results: The prevalence of HIV testing was higher among female respondents (26%) compared to male respondents (14.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that household income more than MYR 1501 (p = 0.009), not living with a partner (p < 0.001) and discussion on HIV/AIDS (p = 0.019) appeared to be predictors for the male respondents, while, ethnicity was statistically significant for female respondents (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The utilisation of HIV testing was low in both males and females. Thus, the finding of this study could be considered when designing HIV education and screening program in Sarawak.
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Jiram AI, Ooi CH, Rubio JM, Hisam S, Karnan G, Sukor NM, Artic MM, Ismail NP, Alias NW. Evidence of asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria in low transmission areas in Belaga district, Kapit division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Malar J 2019; 18:156. [PMID: 31046769 PMCID: PMC6498596 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2786-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaysia has declared its aim to eliminate malaria with a goal of achieving zero local transmission by the year 2020. However, targeting the human reservoir of infection, including those with asymptomatic infection is required to achieve malaria elimination. Diagnosing asymptomatic malaria is not as straightforward due to the obvious lack of clinical manifestations and often subpatent level of parasites. Accurate diagnosis of malaria is important for providing realistic estimates of malaria burden and preventing misinformed interventions. Low levels of parasitaemia acts as silent reservoir of transmission thus remains infectious to susceptible mosquito vectors. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria (SMM) in the District of Belaga, Sarawak. METHODS In 2013, a total of 1744 dried blood spots (DBS) were obtained from residents of 8 longhouses who appeared healthy. Subsequently, 251 venous blood samples were collected from residents of 2 localities in 2014 based on the highest number of submicroscopic cases from prior findings. Thin and thick blood films were prepared from blood obtained from all participants in this study. Microscopic examination were carried out on all samples and a nested and nested multiplex PCR were performed on samples collected in 2013 and 2014 respectively. RESULTS No malaria parasites were detected in all the Giemsa-stained blood films. However, of the 1744 samples, 29 (1.7%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax by PCR. Additionally, of the 251 samples, the most prevalent mono-infection detected by PCR was Plasmodium falciparum 50 (20%), followed by P. vivax 39 (16%), P. knowlesi 9 (4%), and mixed infections 20 (8%). CONCLUSIONS This research findings conclude evidence of Plasmodium by PCR, among samples previously undetectable by routine blood film microscopic examination, in local ethnic minority who are clinically healthy. SMM in Belaga district is attributed not only to P. vivax, but also to P. falciparum and P. knowlesi. In complementing efforts of programme managers, there is a need to increase surveillance for SMM nationwide to estimate the degree of SMM that warrant measures to block new transmission of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Ida Jiram
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Choo Huck Ooi
- Vector Borne Diseases Section, Sarawak Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Diplomatik Road, Off Bako Road, Petra Jaya, 93050, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - José Miguel Rubio
- Malaria & Emerging Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Parasitology Department, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Carretera de Majadahonda - Pozuelo, km. 2,200, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Shamilah Hisam
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Govindarajoo Karnan
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurnadiah Mohd Sukor
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Mafie Artic
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Parina Ismail
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Wahida Alias
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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33
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Grace Kho WF, Cheah WL, Hazmi H. Elevated blood pressure and its predictors among secondary school students in Sarawak: a cross-sectional study. Cent Eur J Public Health 2018; 26:16-21. [PMID: 29684292 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hypertension is a health issue affecting adolescents. Accumulating evidence affirms that elevated blood pressure begins in childhood and tracks into adulthood. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and its predictors among secondary school students in Sarawak, Malaysia. METHODS A total of 2,461 secondary school students aged 12-17 years from 19 schools in Sarawak participated in the study. Questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data, parental history of hypertension, and self-reported physical activity. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS The prevalence of adolescents with elevated blood pressure, overweight, central obesity, and overfat were 30.1%, 24.3%, 13.5%, and 6.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated the predictors significantly associated with elevated blood pressure among respondents: overweight (adjusted odds ratio=3.144), being male (adjusted odds ratio=3.073), being Chinese (adjusted odds ratio=2.321) or Iban (adjusted odds ratio=1.578), central obesity (adjusted odds ratio=2.145), being overfat (adjusted odds ratio=1.885), and being an older adolescent (adjusted odds ratio=1.109). Parental history of hypertension, locality, and physical activity showed no significant associations. CONCLUSION The obesity epidemic must be tackled at community and school levels by health education and regulation of school canteen foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woei Feng Grace Kho
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Whye Lian Cheah
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Helmy Hazmi
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia
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34
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Khalik MZ, Hendriks K, Vermeulen JJ, Schilthuizen M. A molecular and conchological dissection of the "scaly" Georissa of Malaysian Borneo (Gastropoda, Neritimorpha, Hydrocenidae). Zookeys 2018:1-55. [PMID: 30026659 PMCID: PMC6048177 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.773.24878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bornean hydrocenids have so far been understudied compared to other non-pulmonate snails in this region. In the present study, we review a first group of minute land snail species belonging to the genus Georissa (Gastropoda, Hydrocenidae) from Malaysian Borneo. This group is restricted to the species with conspicuous scale-like sculpture on the shell. Based on materials from recent fieldwork, museums, and personal collections, Malaysian Borneo hydrocenids are more complex and diverse in shell characters than previously anticipated. Here, a molecular, conchological, and biogeographic study of this “scaly group” is presented. We recognise 13 species of which six are new to science, namely Georissaanyiensissp. n., Georissamuluensissp. n., Georissabauensissp. n., Georissasilaburensissp. n., Georissakinabatanganensissp. n., and Georissasepulutensissp. n.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Zacaery Khalik
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biology Leiden, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Kasper Hendriks
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J Vermeulen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA Leiden, The Netherlands.,JK Art and Science, Lauwerbes 8, 2318 AT Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Menno Schilthuizen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biology Leiden, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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35
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Sia T, Podin Y, Chuah TB, Wong JS. Melioidosis: an unusual cause of infective endocarditis: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2018; 2:yty055. [PMID: 31020134 PMCID: PMC6177064 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/yty055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction As a causal organism in infective endocarditis, Burkholderia pseudomallei is rare. Burkholderia pseudomallei is intrinsically resistant to aminoglycosides but a gentamicin-susceptible strain was discovered in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo in 2010. We report the first occurrence of infective endocarditis due to the gentamicin-susceptible strain of B. pseudomallei. Case presentation A 29-year-old man presented with pneumonia and melioidosis septicaemia. His condition was complicated with infective endocarditis and septic emboli to the brain. Despite difficulties in reaching a diagnosis, the patient was successfully treated using intravenous gentamicin and ceftazidime and was discharged well. Discussion The role of gentamicin in the treatment of the gentamicin-susceptible strain of B. pseudomallei remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonnii Sia
- Medical Department, Hospital Bintulu, Jalan Nyabau, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Yuwana Podin
- Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Teik-Beng Chuah
- Radiology Department, Hospital Bintulu, Jalan Nyabau, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Jin-Shyan Wong
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia.,Borneo Medical Centre, Hospital Bintulu, Jalan Nyabau, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
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36
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Othman MNA, Hassan R, Harith MN, Sah ASRM. Morphological Characteristics and Habitats of Red Seaweed Gracilaria spp. (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) in Santubong and Asajaya, Sarawak, Malaysia. Trop Life Sci Res 2018; 29:87-101. [PMID: 29644017 PMCID: PMC5893238 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2018.29.1.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Red seaweed Gracilaria, one of the largest genus in Division Rhodophyta inhabits Sarawak coastal water. This study was designed to identify the species of Gracilaria using morphological approach and to assess selected water quality parameters in Gracilaria habitats. Three field samplings were carried out in Santubong and Asajaya, Sarawak from November 2013 to December 2014. Overall, three species were identified namely Gracilaria changii, G. blodgettii and G. coronopifolia, attached to net of cage culture in Santubong and root of mangrove trees in Asajaya. In addition, three different taxa of aquatic macroinvertebrates (polychaete, small crab, bivalve) and single species of red seaweed (Acanthophora sp.) were observed in Gracilaria assemblages. An estimate of 37% to 40% of the upper part of the cage net in Santubong was covered by seaweeds and only 16% to 20% in Asajaya's mangrove. The study had provided better information on identification of Gracilaria and their habitat in Sarawak. Future work involving DNA barcoding of each species is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nur Arif Othman
- Department of Aquatic Science, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Ruhana Hassan
- Department of Aquatic Science, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Nasarudin Harith
- Department of Aquatic Science, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite being one of the plausible measures towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), various issues pertaining to pre-pregnancy clinic (PPC) services still need to be pondered upon. Based on this view, an attempt was made to identify and understand the barriers and weaknesses of current utilisation of pre-pregnancy care services, since its establishment and implementation in Sarawak from the year 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in selected health care facilities throughout Sarawak. A multistage cluster sampling technique was followed to select the health facilities. An unstructured open-ended questionnaire was administered as a part of quantitative data analysis. The open-ended questions were administered to get the in-depth perceived views and current practice of utilisation of pre-pregnancy clinic services. A total of 553 clients from nine selected health care facilities gave their feedback. The results of the study were narrated in textual form and a thematic analysis was done manually. RESULTS The identified themes for perceived barriers for utilisation of pre-pregnancy care were perception, attitude and acceptance of PPC services, socio-economic issues, services and client factors. The perceived weaknesses of the services are listed under two main themes: working environment and service factors, whereas, the strength of services produced three thematic areas which are preparation for pregnancy, prevention of mortality and morbidity and comprehensive services. CONCLUSIONS Though there is ample evidence that pre-pregnancy services are beneficial for maternal health and wellbeing, various issues still need to be addressed for the improvement of the quality of services. Lack of awareness among clients, socio-economic barriers, lack of resources, organisational barriers and perceptions towards family planning issues are some of the issues which need to be addressed. Nonetheless, promotional and health educational activities are important keys; in ensuring the sustainability of the services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - Natazcza Abdul Rahim
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - Mohd Taha Arif
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
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Ooi CH, Bujang MA, Tg Abu Bakar Sidik TMI, Ngui R, Lim YAL. Over two decades of Plasmodium knowlesi infections in Sarawak: Trend and forecast. Acta Trop 2017; 176:83-90. [PMID: 28768148 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is still of great public health concern, especially in Malaysian Borneo. The aim of this study was to determine the trends of P. knowlesi infection in Sarawak, Malaysia and to forecast the incidence of P. knowlesi until the year 2040. Data on P. knowlesi malaria cases from 1992 to the year 2014 were obtained from the Sarawak Health Department, Malaysia. ARIMA model was applied to forecast the future incidence of P. knowlesi infection. The data for the whole of Sarawak and subsequently the selected six districts which have high incidence rates of P. knowlesi infection were analyzed. Results of the analysis showed that there was an increasing trend of P. knowlesi cases from the year 1992-2014 (p<0.001). The trend in the incidence started to increase in the year 2008 (p=0.029). The incidence rate per 100,000 populations was between 4.15 in the year 1992 and 42.03 in the year 2014. High incidence of P. knowlesi infections has been detected in the districts adjacent to each other within the interior region of Sarawak. The forecasted incidence and incidence rate per 100,000 populations in the year 2020 were 1229 and 44.04, respectively, while those in the year 2040 were 2056 and 62.91, respectively. The forecasted incidence showed an upward trend highlighting an urgent need to draw up strategic and holistic prevention plans to limit further the increase in P. knowlesi morbidity and mortality in Sarawak. It is imperative that these measures are customized taking into consideration the challenges faced in the interior areas of Sarawak and the behavior of the main vector of P. knowlesi (i.e., An. latens) in Sarawak.
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Miard P, Nekaris KAI, Ramlee H. Hiding in the dark: Local ecological knowledge about slow loris in Sarawak sheds light on relationships between human populations and wild animals. Hum Ecol Interdiscip J 2017; 45:823-831. [PMID: 29213178 PMCID: PMC5698378 DOI: 10.1007/s10745-017-9954-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Local ecological knowledge (LEK) increases understanding of certain species and the threats they face, especially little-studied taxa for which data on distribution and conservation are often lacking. We conducted 111 semi-structured interviews in Sarawak, Malaysia, to collect local knowledge about the behavior and distribution of the Philippine slow loris (Nycticebus menagensis) from two ethnic groups, the Iban and the Penan. Our study revealed that male Penan respondents, generally hunters, who frequently go into the forest were better at identifying animals from pictures. Overall, the Penan have a more detailed knowledge of slow loris behaviors, habitat, and distribution than the Iban. The two ethnic groups have different attitudes towards slow loris as the Penan hunt, eat, or keep them as pets while the Iban consider them sacred and signifiers of good luck. We advocate the use of LEK for providing complementary information to scientific methods in the study of cryptic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscillia Miard
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - K. A. I. Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Hatta Ramlee
- Nature Conservation & Constitution Division (NCCD), Forest Department Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia
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40
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Ng TH, Dulipat J, Foon JK, Lopes-Lima M, Alexandra Zieritz, Liew TS. A preliminary checklist of the freshwater snails of Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) deposited in the BORNEENSIS collection, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Zookeys 2017:105-123. [PMID: 28769673 PMCID: PMC5523197 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.673.12544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sabah, a Malaysian state at the north-eastern tip of Borneo, is situated in one of the Earth’s biodiversity hotspots yet its freshwater gastropod diversity remains poorly known. An annotated checklist of the freshwater gastropods is presented, based on specimens deposited in the BORNEENSIS collection of the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia. A KMZ file is also provided, which acts as a repository of digital images and complete collection data of all examined material, so that it can be shared and adapted to facilitate future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Hui Ng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jasrul Dulipat
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Jalan UMS, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Junn Kitt Foon
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Jalan UMS, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Manuel Lopes-Lima
- CIBIO/InBIO - Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Zieritz
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Thor-Seng Liew
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Jalan UMS, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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Cook S, Peacock M, Evans CD, Page SE, Whelan MJ, Gauci V, Kho LK. Quantifying tropical peatland dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using UV-visible spectroscopy. Water Res 2017; 115:229-235. [PMID: 28284089 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UV-visible spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful technique for determining dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. However, at present we are unaware of any studies in the literature that have investigated the suitability of this approach for tropical DOC water samples from any tropical peatlands, although some work has been performed in other tropical environments. We used water samples from two oil palm estates in Sarawak, Malaysia to: i) investigate the suitability of both single and two-wavelength proxies for tropical DOC determination; ii) develop a calibration dataset and set of parameters to calculate DOC concentrations indirectly; iii) provide tropical researchers with guidance on the best spectrophotometric approaches to use in future analyses of DOC. Both single and two-wavelength model approaches performed well with no one model significantly outperforming the other. The predictive ability of the models suggests that UV-visible spectroscopy is both a viable and low cost method for rapidly analyzing DOC in water samples immediately post-collection, which can be important when working at remote field sites with access to only basic laboratory facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cook
- Centre for Landscape & Climate Research, University of Leicester, Geography, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Mike Peacock
- The Open University, Dept. of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Chris D Evans
- Environment Centre Wales, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Susan E Page
- Centre for Landscape & Climate Research, University of Leicester, Geography, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mick J Whelan
- Centre for Landscape & Climate Research, University of Leicester, Geography, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Vincent Gauci
- The Open University, Dept. of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Lip Khoon Kho
- Tropical Peat Research Institute, Biological Research Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Isa HM, Kamal AHM, Idris MH, Rosli Z, Ismail J. Biomass and Habitat Characteristics of Epiphytic Macroalgae in the Sibuti Mangroves, Sarawak, Malaysia. Trop Life Sci Res 2017; 28:1-21. [PMID: 28228913 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mangroves support diverse macroalgal assemblages as epibionts on their roots and tree trunks. These algae provide nutrients to the primary consumers in the aquatic food web and have been reported to be substantial contributors to marine ecosystems. The species diversity, biomass, and habitat characteristics of mangrove macroalgae were investigated at three stations in the Sibuti mangrove estuary, Sarawak, Malaysia, from November 2012 to October 2013. Three groups of macroalgae were recorded and were found to be growing on mangrove prop roots, namely Rhodophyta (Caloglossa ogasawaraensis, Caloglossa adhaerens, Caloglossa stipitata, Bostrychia anomala, and Hypnea sp.), Chlorophyta (Chaetomorpha minima and Chaetomorpha sp.), and Phaeophyta (Dictyota sp.). The biomass of macroalgae was not influenced (p>0.05) by the season in this mangrove forest habitat. The macroalgal species Hypnea sp. contributed the highest biomass at both Station 1 (210.56 mg/cm2) and Station 2 (141.72 mg/cm2), while the highest biomass was contributed by B. anomala (185.89 mg/cm2) at Station 3. This study shows that the species distribution and assemblages of mangrove macroalgae were influenced by environmental parameters such as water nutrients, dissolved solids, and salinity in the estuarine mangrove habitats of Sibuti, Sarawak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasmidah Md Isa
- Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal
- Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hanafi Idris
- School of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zamri Rosli
- Borneo Ecosains, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Johan Ismail
- Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Styring AR, Ragai R, Zakaria M, Sheldon FH. Foraging ecology and occurrence of 7 sympatric babbler species (Timaliidae) in the lowland rainforest of Borneo and peninsular Malaysia. Curr Zool 2016; 62:345-355. [PMID: 29491923 PMCID: PMC5804282 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding foraging strategies of birds is essential to understanding mechanisms of their community assembly. To provide such information on a key Southeast Asian rainforest family, the babblers (Timaliidae), we evaluated foraging behavior and abundance in 7 morphologically and behaviorally similar sympatric species (Cyanoderma erythropterum, C. rufifrons, Stachyris maculata, S. nigricollis, S. poliocephala, Macronus ptilosus, and Mixornis gularis) in 5 habitats defined by structural complexity: (1) continuous native rainforest, (2) logged native rainforest fragments, (3) mature industrial tree plantation, (4) young industrial plantation, and (5) oil palm plantation. Enough data were obtained to compare abundance in all 7 species and foraging behavior in 5. All species were common in forest fragments and mature industrial tree plantations and less so in continuous rainforest and young industrial plantations; only M. gularis occurred in oil palm. In terms of foraging, M. gularis was the greatest generalist; C. rufifrons foraged mainly on live leaves in the forest midstory; and S. maculata, C. erythropterum, and M. ptilosus foraged mainly on dead leaves suspended in understory vegetation at significantly different heights. The dead-leaf substrate depends on a rich supply of falling leaves and extensive understory structure, conditions most common in native forest and old industrial plantations, and less so in mature forest, young plantations, and oil palm. Because of the importance of foraging data to understanding and managing biodiversity, we encourage the development of foraging fields in eBird (ebird.org), so that birdwatchers may help collect these relatively rare data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roslina Ragai
- Grand Perfect Sdn. Bhd., ParkCity Commerce Square, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Zakaria
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, and
| | - Frederick H. Sheldon
- Museum of Natural Science and Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA 70803
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Rahman MM, Ngadan DP, Arif MT. Factors affecting satisfaction on antenatal care services in Sarawak, Malaysia: evidence from a cross sectional study. Springerplus 2016; 5:725. [PMID: 27375994 PMCID: PMC4909660 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2447-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background High levels of satisfaction among women with the antenatal care services will increase the compliance of antenatal visits during pregnancy. Thus, this study was done to assess the level of satisfaction among women on the quality of antenatal care received and the factors influencing thereof. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the three zones of Sarawak. Women aged 18 years and above, irrespective of ethnic groups, having children aged 3 years and below were included in the study. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using interview schedule. A validated Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) was used to assess the satisfaction with antenatal care. A total of 1236 data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that Bidayuh 17.4 % was less likely to be highly satisfied with antenatal care. Similarly, respondents with secondary level of education 29.9 % were less likely to be highly satisfied, whereas, respondents having primary level of education, 1.6 % were less likely to be highly satisfied. However, those who did not spend any money as out of pocket expenses were 1.935 times more likely to be highly satisfied with antenatal care. Conclusion Overall the studied women were satisfied with the antenatal care services. Ethnicity, level of education and out of pocket expenses appeared to be important predictors of satisfaction with antenatal care. The finding recommends the community-based and language-specific interventions should be implemented to sustain the satisfaction of maternal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - Deburra Peak Ngadan
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Taha Arif
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia
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Rahman MM, Arif MT, Abd RM, Suhaili MR, Tambi Z, Akoi C, Gabriel Bain M, Hussain H. Effectiveness of pictorial health warning on cigarette packages: A cross-sectional study in Sarawak, Malaysia. Malays Fam Physician 2015; 10:19-26. [PMID: 27570604 PMCID: PMC4992350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Specific health warning placed on the tobacco product packages is considered as an effective and low-cost method for increasing the knowledge and awareness among the community. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the perception of pictorial health warnings (PHWs) against smoking among the adult rural population of Sarawak. METHODS Cross-sectional data were collected from 10 villages in Kota Samarahan and Kuching Division by face to face interview using modified Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire. Nonprobability sampling method was adopted to select the villages. All the households of the selected villages were visited and an adult member was selected randomly from each house irrespective of the sex. After missing value imputation, 1000 data were analysed using statistical software IBM SPSS 20.0 version. RESULTS Analysis showed that 28.8% of the respondents were current smokers, 7.8% were past smokers and the rest were non-smokers. Six items of pictorial health warnings were evaluated with five point Likert's scales for attractiveness, fearfulness and adequacy of the information. Analysis revealed that the majority of the respondents had perceived awareness on PHWs, but the smokers believed that this was not adequate to make them quit smoking. Only one-fifth (19.7%) of them reported that current pictorial health warnings were sufficient to motivate people to quit smoking. CONCLUSION Though the PHWs on cigarette packages are appealing, it is not sufficient as a reason to stop smoking. Thus, an approach using an integrated anti-tobacco public health programme should be focused into the specific targeted community.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Rahman
- MBBS, DCM, MPhil, PhD Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia. email
| | - M T Arif
- MBBS, DPH, DrSc Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Razak Mf Abd
- MD, MSC Department of Psychological Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
| | - M R Suhaili
- MBBS, MPH Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Z Tambi
- BSc, MSc Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - C Akoi
- BSc, MSc, PhD Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - M Gabriel Bain
- MBBS, DrPH Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - H Hussain
- MBBS Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
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Abstract
Two new Hoya R.Br. species from Borneo are described and illustrated. The first, Hoyaruthiae Rodda was collected in Sabah on Bukit Baturong, a limestone outcrop. It is one of the few species in the genus to have clear exudate. It is compared with the morphologically related Hoyauncinata Teijsm. and Binn. The other, Hoyabakoensis Rodda, was collected in the kerangas forests of Bako National Park. It belongs to HoyasectionAcanthostemma (Bl.) Kloppenb., a section with numerous members in the Philippines but under-represented in Borneo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Rodda
- The Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, 259569 Singapore
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47
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Lee HH, Loh SP, Bong CFJ, Sarbini SR, Yiu PH. Impact of phytic acid on nutrient bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of dehusked rice. J Food Sci Technol 2015; 52:7806-16. [PMID: 26604353 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-015-1918-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Whole grains consumption promotes health benefits, but demonstrates controversial impacts from phytic acid in meeting requirements of good health. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the nutrient bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of rice cultivars named "Adan" or "Bario" and deduce the nutritional impact of phytic acid. Majority of the dehusked rice in the collection showed an acceptable level of in-vitro starch digestibility and in-vitro protein digestibility, but were poor in antioxidant properties and bioaccessibility of minerals (Ca, Fe and Zn). The drawbacks identified in the rice cultivars were due to relatively high phytic acid content (2420.6 ± 94.6 mg/100 g) and low phenolic content (152.39 ± 18.84 μg GAE/g). The relationship between phytic acid content and mineral bioaccessibility was strongest in calcium (r = 0.60), followed by iron (r = 0.40) and zinc (r = 0.27). Phytic acid content did not significantly correlate with in-vitro starch digestibility and in-vitro protein digestibility but showed a weak relationship with antioxidant properties. These suggest that phytic acid could significantly impair the mineral bioaccessibility of dehusked rice, and also act as an important antioxidant in non-pigmented rice. Bario rice cultivars offered dehusked rice with wide range of in-vitro digestibility of starch and protein, and also pigmented rice as a good source of antioxidants. However, there is a need to reduce phytic acid content in dehusked rice for improved mineral bioaccessibility among Bario rice cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Lee
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - S P Loh
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ; Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - C F J Bong
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - S R Sarbini
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - P H Yiu
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia ; Centre of Excellence in Borneo Ecosystem Science Research, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia
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Cole LES, Bhagwat SA, Willis KJ. Long-term disturbance dynamics and resilience of tropical peat swamp forests. J Ecol 2015; 103:16-30. [PMID: 26120202 PMCID: PMC4477911 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
1. The coastal peat swamp forests of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, are undergoing rapid conversion, predominantly into oil palm plantations. This wetland ecosystem is assumed to have experienced insignificant disturbance in the past, persisting under a single ecologically-stable regime. However, there is limited knowledge of the past disturbance regime, long-term functioning and fundamentally the resilience of this ecosystem to changing natural and anthropogenic perturbations through time. 2. In this study, long-term ecological data sets from three degraded peatlands in Sarawak were collected to shed light on peat swamp forest dynamics. Fossil pollen and charcoal were counted in each sedimentary sequence to reconstruct vegetation and investigate responses to past environmental disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic. 3. Results demonstrate that peat swamp forest taxa have dominated these vegetation profiles throughout the last c. 2000-year period despite the presence of various drivers of disturbance. Evidence for episodes of climatic variability, predominantly linked to ENSO events, and wildfires is present throughout. However, in the last c. 500 years, burning and indicators of human disturbance have elevated beyond past levels at these sites, concurrent with a reduction in peat swamp forest pollen. 4. Two key insights have been gained through this palaeoecological analysis: (i) peat swamp forest vegetation has demonstrated resilience to disturbance caused by burning and climatic variability in Sarawak in the late Holocene, however (ii) coincident with increased fire combined with human impact c. 500 years ago, these communities started to decline. 5.Synthesis. Sarawak's coastal peat swamps have demonstrated resilience to past natural disturbances, with forest vegetation persisting through episodes of fire and climatic variability. However, palaeoecological data presented here suggest that recent, anthropogenic disturbances are of a greater magnitude, causing the observed decline in the peat swamp forest communities in the last c. 500 years and challenging the ecosystem's persistence. This study greatly extends our knowledge of the ecological functioning of these understudied ecosystems, providing baseline information on the past vegetation and its response to disturbance. This understanding is central to developing management strategies that foster resilience in the remaining peat swamp forests and ensure continued provision of services, namely carbon storage, from this globally important ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia E S Cole
- Oxford Long-term Ecology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of OxfordSouth Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- Biodiversity Institute, Oxford Martin School, Department of Zoology, University of OxfordSouth Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Shonil A Bhagwat
- Biodiversity Institute, Oxford Martin School, Department of Zoology, University of OxfordSouth Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, The Open UniversityWalton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Katherine J Willis
- Oxford Long-term Ecology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of OxfordSouth Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- Biodiversity Institute, Oxford Martin School, Department of Zoology, University of OxfordSouth Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- Department of Biology, University of BergenP.O. Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
- Royal Botanical GardensKew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK
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Padmanabhan E, Eswaran H, Reich PF. Soil carbon stocks in Sarawak, Malaysia. Sci Total Environ 2013; 465:196-204. [PMID: 23541401 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between greenhouse gas emission and climate change has led to research to identify and manage the natural sources and sinks of the gases. CO2, CH4, and N2O have an anthropic source and of these CO2 is the least effective in trapping long wave radiation. Soil carbon sequestration can best be described as a process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and relocating into soils in a form that is not readily released back into the atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to estimate carbon stocks available under current conditions in Sarawak, Malaysia. SOC estimates are made for a standard depth of 100 cm unless the soil by definition is less than this depth, as in the case of lithic subgroups. Among the mineral soils, Inceptisols tend to generally have the highest carbon contents (about 25 kg m(-2) m(-1)), while Oxisols and Ultisols rate second (about 10-15 kg m(-2) m(-1)). The Oxisols store a good amount of carbon because of an appreciable time-frame to sequester carbon and possibly lower decomposition rates for the organic carbon that is found at 1m depths. Wet soils such as peatlands tend to store significant amounts of carbon. The highest values estimated for such soils are about 114 kg m(-2) m(-1). Such appreciable amounts can also be found in the Aquepts. In conclusion, it is pertinent to recognize that degradation of the carbon pool, just like desertification, is a real process and that this irreversible process must be addressed immediately. Therefore, appropriate soil management practices should be instituted to sequester large masses of soil carbon on an annual basis. This knowledge can be used effectively to formulate strategies to prevent forest fires and clearing: two processes that can quickly release sequestered carbon to the atmosphere in an almost irreversible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Padmanabhan
- Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, 31750, Perak, Malaysia.
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Nagarajan R, Jonathan MP, Roy PD, Wai-Hwa L, Prasanna MV, Sarkar SK, Navarrete-López M. Metal concentrations in sediments from tourist beaches of Miri City, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo Island). Mar Pollut Bull 2013; 73:369-373. [PMID: 23790448 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Forty-three sediment samples were collected from the beaches of Miri City, Sarawak, Malaysia to identify the enrichment of partially leached trace metals (PLTMs) from six different tourist beaches. The samples were analyzed for PLTMs Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn. The concentration pattern suggest that the southern side of the study area is enriched with Fe (1821-6097 μg g(-1)), Mn (11.57-90.22 μg g(-1)), Cr (51.50-311 μg g(-1)), Ni (18-51 μg g(-1)), Pb (8.81-84.05 μg g(-1)), Sr (25.95-140.49 μg g(-1)) and Zn (12.46-35.04 μg g(-1)). Compared to the eco-toxicological values, Cr>Effects range low (ERL), Lowest effect level (LEL), Severe effect level (SEL); Cu>Unpolluted sediments, ERL, LEL; Pb>Unpolluted sediments and Ni>ERL and LEL. Comparative results with other regions indicate that Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn are higher, indicating an external input rather than natural process.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nagarajan
- Department of Applied Geology, School of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, CDT 250, Miri 98009, Sarawak, Malaysia
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