Identification of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Purpureocillium lilacinum from oil palm plantation soils in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Aims@#Insect pests are one of the major constraints of oil palm production in Malaysia. However, synthetic chemical insecticides are the most common method for its control, despite their negative effects on non-target organisms and the development of resistance. Therefore, the present study is aimed to identify novel indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in oil palm soil as part of integrated pest management (IPM) of oil palm insect pests.@*Methodology and results@#The potential of EPF were isolated from the soil collected from the oil palm plantation in UPM using a mealworm beetle larva (Tenebrio molitor) as an insect bait. Seven Metarhizium anisopliae and two Purpureocillium lilacinum isolates were identified by morphological characterization (macroscopic and microscopic observation) and molecular identification using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS region amplification).@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#To our knowledge, this is the first time P. lilacinum has been found in the soil of an oil palm plantation or any other host in Malaysia. Furthermore, both of the isolates M. anisopliae and P. lilacinum may be potentially considered as biological control candidates for major insect pests in oil palm.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Leptospirosis among Undergraduate Students in University Putra Malaysia

@#Introduction: Leptospirosis is an infectious and zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria called leptospires which can be transmitted through the exposure to the urine or excretion of infected animals, and also water or soil that being contaminated with secretion of the infected animals. Leptospirosis remains a concern in Malaysia, as the number of cases had steadily increased. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among final year students of selected programmes in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among students of Environmental and Occupational Health (ENVOCH) (57 students), Nursing (22 students) and Veterinary Medicine (97 students). Thus, the total sample sizes were 170, however the response rate were 81.76%. Questionnaire was used as the study instrumentation. Results: There was a significant association between race and knowledge, also gender and attitude with p<0.05, (p=0.008) and (p=0.001) respectively. Furthermore, there was also an association between attitude and practice (p<0.05). Meanwhile, there was a significant difference on the knowledge between students of ENVOCH with Veterinary Medicine and Nursing with Veterinary Medicine (p<0.05). Conclusion: Most of the final year students in this study had moderate level of KAP towards Leptospirosis disease. Thus, improvement in education and training must be done to face this issue.

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

he aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross - sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self - administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212 - 0.867 ), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445 - 0.921 ), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162 - 1.425 ), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023 - 4.647 ) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI 0.166 - 0.995). Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to pr obable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

@#The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self-administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212- 0.867), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445-0.921), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162-1.425), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023-4.647) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI0.166-0.995).Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to probable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs.

A university-based forensic pathology practice: The UPM-PGH experience (1996-2000)

Forensic Pathology is not a widely recognized field of medicine in the Philippines. Doctors involved in death investigation are often unskilled due to lack of formal training and their work is further hampered by insufficient support and material resources. Upon the authors return in 1995 from post-residency training in forensic pathology at a medical examiners office in the United States, she sought to establish a practice as a specialist based at the University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital. This case review is the authors initial experience over the period 1996-2000. The procedures done and problems encountered are described, and recommendations on how the specialty can be professionalized are offered, Included are templates of actual worksheets for the guidance of local doctors doing forensic autopsies. (Author)