Statistical properties of auditory behaviour outcome measures for children with hearing loss: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Various evaluation tools have been developed to track the growth of auditory-related behaviours of children with hearing loss during intervention. However, the reliability and validity of currently available outcome measures remain uncertain due to the lack of information on their psychometric properties. A lack of reliable outcome measures may jeopardise intervention quality and affect these children's listening skills progression. This scoping review aims to explore the mechanics of producing or developing an outcome measure either completely new or adapted from the original version that is considered as having robust statistical properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A scoping review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar). The included articles were written in English, published between January 2010 and June 2023, and specific to predefined keywords. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the final papers using the PRISMScR checklist. A code framework was created to extract information about the publications and conducted by one reviewer. The results were reported using descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The final analysis were conducted on 22 articles out of 452 articles screened. The review identified seven outcome measures presented in various languages. The outcome measures found were the Auditory Behaviour in Everyday Life (ABEL), Functional Listening Index for Paediatric (FLI-P), Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS), Integrated Scales of Development (ISD), LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ), Parent's Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance in Children (PEACH), Parent's Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance in Children Diary (PEACH Diary), Teachers' Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance in Children (TEACH) and Parent's Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance in Children Plus (PEACH+). A total of 13 studies focused on translating, adapting and validating an outcome measure while the remaining investigations validated either the translated or original version of the outcome measures. All original instruments were developed in English and among Western culture, except for the LEAQ which was designed in the German language and for the German population. The outcome measures identified were translated and adapted into Spanish, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Arabic, Malay, Yoruba, Polish, Swedish, Hindi, Portuguese, Kannada and Mandarin. CONCLUSION: All studies performed an extensive evaluation of psychometric properties and feasibility studies to produce an excellent quality of auditory-related behaviour outcome measure for clinical use with the intended population. A new outcome measure, FLI-P, was found to be clinically useful for the primary provider of learning to listen and spoken language training for children with hearing impairment in Malaysia, i.e., the speech-language therapists.

Morphogenesis and Genetic Diversity of Some Virulent Phages Specific for Bacillus velezensis.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting nutrients for plant growth. Phosphorus deficiency is limiting crop production in many agricultural soils worldwide. The application of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to soils can replace or partially reduce using of inorganic P fertilizers. A bacteriophage, or phage, is a virus that infects a bacterial cell, taking over the host cell's genetic material. The four phages were propagated, purified, studied for the morphological properties, finally studying the genetic diversity. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Obtained, examined the efficiency and identification of bacteria for solubilizing phosphorus. Isolation, studying the properties and studying genetic diversity. <b>Results:</b> Four virulent phages (Bv₁, Bv₂, Bv₃ and Bv₄) specific for <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> were isolated from the Egyptian soil. The <i>Bacillus</i> phages were purified by alternative low and high-speed centrifugation methods. Electron micrographs showed that phages appeared to be a member of the <i>Siphoviridae </i>family based on their structure and particle morphology (the particles have a head and long non-contractile tail). Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique was performed to determine the properties of viral proteins. It was found that the Bv₁ virus had five structural proteins, while Bv₂ and Bv₃ virus had eight structural proteins and finally, the Bv₄ virus had ten structural proteins. The purity and quantity of isolated DNAs were determined spectrophotometrically. Data showed that the concentration of Bv₁ DNA was 0.75 µg, Bv₂ DNA and Bv₃ DNA was 0.60 µg and finally Bv₄ DNA 0.55 µg µL¹. The analysis of genetic material of <i>B. velezensis</i> phages was determined based on both the ISSR-PCR technique and the effect of restriction enzymes. Data showed different amplification patterns with all phages. <b>Conclusion:</b> The bacteriophages of <i>B. velezensis</i> were isolated from soil, propagated, purified, study some of its properties.

Modeling, Optimization and Performance Evaluation of TiC/Graphite Reinforced Al 7075 Hybrid Composites Using Response Surface Methodology.

The tenacious thirst for fuel-saving and desirable physical and mechanical properties of the materials have compelled researchers to focus on a new generation of aluminum hybrid composites for automotive and aircraft applications. This work investigates the microhardness behavior and microstructural characterization of aluminum alloy (Al 7075)-titanium carbide (TiC)-graphite (Gr) hybrid composites. The hybrid composites were prepared via the powder metallurgy technique with the amounts of TiC (0, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%), reinforced to Al 7075 + 1 wt.% Gr. The microstructural characteristics were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. A Box Behnken design (BBD) response surface methodology (RSM) approach was utilized for modeling and optimization of density and microhardness independent parameters and to develop an empirical model of density and microhardness in terms of process variables. Effects of independent parameters on the responses have been evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The density and microhardness of the Al 7075-TiC-Gr hybrid composites are found to be increased by increasing the weight percentage of TiC particles. The optimal conditions for obtaining the highest density and microhardness are estimated to be 6.79 wt.% TiC at temperature 626.13 °C and compaction pressure of 300 Mpa.

Mutated Shiitake extracts inhibit melanin-producing neural crest-derived cells in zebrafish embryo.

The ability of natural extracts to inhibit melanocyte activity is of great interest to researchers. This study evaluates and explores the ability of mutated Shiitake (A37) and wildtype Shiitake (WE) extract to inhibit this activity. Several properties such as total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, effect on cell and component profiling were conducted. While having no significant differences in total phenolic content, mutation resulted in A37 having a TFC content (1.04 ± 0.7 mg/100 ml) compared to WE (0.86 ± 0.9 mg/100 ml). Despite that, A37 extract has lower antioxidant activity (EC50, A37 = 549.6 ± 2.70 µg/ml) than WE (EC50 = 52.8 ± 1.19 µg/ml). Toxicity tests on zebrafish embryos show that both extracts, stop the embryogenesis process when the concentration used exceeds 900 µg/ml. Although both extracts showed pigmentation reduction in zebrafish embryos, A37 extract showed no effect on embryo heartbeat. Cell cycle studies revealed that WE significantly affect the cell cycle while A37 not. Further tests found that these extracts inhibit the phosphorylation of Glycogen synthase kinase 3 ß (pGSK3ß) in HS27 cell line, which may explain the activation of apoptosis in melanin-producing cells. It was found that from 19 known compounds, 14 compounds were present in both WE and A37 extracts. Interestingly, the presence of decitabine in A37 extract makes it very potential for use in the medical application such as treatment of melanoma, skin therapy and even cancer.

A new species of Aciconula (Amphipoda, Senticauda, Caprellidae) from Sultan Iskandar Marine Park, Malaysia.

A new species of caprellid, Aciconulatinggiensis (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Caprellidae) was discovered from Pulau Tinggi, Sultan Iskandar Marine Park (SIMP), South China Sea, Malaysia. The new Malaysian species can be distinguished from the other Aciconula species by the combination of the following characters: 1. the presence of a very small suture between head and pereonite 1; 2. antenna 1 flagellum with 4 articles; 3. inner lobe of lower lip unilobed; 4. gnathopod 2 palm of propodus with a large proximal projection (stretching from the proximal margin of the palm to nearly mid-way of palm); 5. pereopods 3-4 with 2 articles (article 1 subrectangular, article 2 conical or tapering at the tip with 1 plumose seta and 2 normal setae) and; 6. pereopod 5 covered with relatively dense and long setae. An updated identification key for the five known species in the genus, including information on the respective geographical distribution and habitat, is presented.

Comparison of the Microbiological Quality and Safety between Conventional and Organic Vegetables Sold in Malaysia.

Given the remarkable increase of public interest in organic food products, it is indeed critical to evaluate the microbiological risk associated with consumption of fresh organic produce. Organic farming practices including the use of animal manures may increase the risk of microbiological contamination as manure can act as a vehicle for transmission of foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to determine and compare the microbiological status between organic and conventional fresh produce at the retail level in Malaysia. A total of 152 organic and conventional vegetables were purchased at retail markets in Malaysia. Samples were analyzed for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and total coliforms using conventional microbiological methods. Combination methods of most probable number-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPN-mPCR) were used to detect and quantify foodborne pathogens, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Salmonella Enteritidis. Results indicated that most types of organic and conventional vegetables possessed similar microbial count (P > 0.05) of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and total coliforms. E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium were not detected in any sample analyzed in this study. Among the 152 samples tested, only the conventional lettuce and organic carrot were tested positive for STEC and S. Enteritidis, respectively. L. monocytogenes were more frequently detected in both organic (9.1%) and conventional vegetables (2.7%) as compared to E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, and S. Enteritidis. Overall, no trend was shown that either organically or conventionally grown vegetables have posed greater microbiological risks. These findings indicated that one particular type of farming practices would not affect the microbiological profiles of fresh produce. Therefore, regardless of farming methods, all vegetables should be subjected to appropriate post-harvest handling practices from farm to fork to ensure the quality and safety of the fresh produce.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated from Short Mackerels (Rastrelliger brachysoma) in Malaysia.

Numerous prevalence studies and outbreaks of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection have been extensively reported in shellfish and crustaceans. Information on the quantitative detection of V. parahaemolyticus in finfish species is limited. In this study, short mackerels (Rastrelliger brachysoma) obtained from different retail marketplaces were monitored with the presence of total and pathogenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus. Out of 130 short mackerel samples, 116 (89.2%) were detected with the presence of total V. parahaemolyticus and microbial loads of total V. parahaemolyticus ranging from <3 to >105 MPN/g. Prevalence of total V. parahaemolyticus was found highest in wet markets (95.2%) followed by minimarkets (89.1%) and hypermarkets (83.3%). Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus strains (tdh+ and/or trh+) were detected in 16.2% (21 of 130) of short mackerel samples. The density of tdh+ V. parahaemolyticus strains were examined ranging from 3.6 to >105 MPN/g and microbial loads of V. parahaemolyticus strains positive for both tdh and trh were found ranging from 300 to 740 MPN/g. On the other hand, antibiotic susceptibility profiles of V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from short mackerels were determined through disc diffusion method in this study. Assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility profile of V. parahaemolyticus revealed majority of the isolates were highly susceptible to ampicillin sulbactam, meropenem, ceftazidime, and imipenem, but resistant to penicillin G and ampicillin. Two isolates (2.99%) exhibited the highest multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index value of 0.41 which shown resistance to 7 antibiotics. Results of the present study demonstrated that the occurrence of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus strains in short mackerels and multidrug resistance of V. parahaemolyticus isolates could be a potential public health concerns to the consumer. Furthermore, prevalence data attained from the current study can be further used to develop a microbial risk assessment model to estimate health risks associated with the consumption of short mackerels contaminated with pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus.

A new species of Nebalia (Crustacea, Leptostraca) from coral reefs at Pulau Payar, Malaysia.

A new species of Leptostraca, Nebalia terazakii sp. n. is described and figured. The species was sampled from the coral reefs of Pulau Payar Marine Park, Langkawi, Malaysia. There are 32 existing species of Nebalia but Nebalia terazakii sp. n. can be distinguished from the other known species of Nebalia by the following combination of characters: the rostrum is 1.89 times as long as wide and the eyes have no dorsal papilla or lobes. Article 4 of the antennular peduncle has one short thick distal spine. The proximal article of the endopod of maxilla 2 is shorter than the distal, a feature peculiar to Nebalia terazakii sp. n., the exopod of maxilla 2 is longer than article 1 of the endopod, the posterior dorsal borders of the pleonites 6 to 7 are provided with distally sharp denticles, anal plate with prominent lateral shoulder and finally, the terminal seta of the caudal rami is 1.17 times the length of the entire rami.

Pectic polysaccharides are attacked by hydroxyl radicals in ripening fruit: evidence from a fluorescent fingerprinting method.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many fruits soften during ripening, which is important commercially and in rendering the fruit attractive to seed-dispersing animals. Cell-wall polysaccharide hydrolases may contribute to softening, but sometimes appear to be absent. An alternative hypothesis is that hydroxyl radicals ((•)OH) non-enzymically cleave wall polysaccharides. We evaluated this hypothesis by using a new fluorescent labelling procedure to 'fingerprint' (•)OH-attacked polysaccharides. METHODS: We tagged fruit polysaccharides with 2-(isopropylamino)-acridone (pAMAC) groups to detect (a) any mid-chain glycosulose residues formed in vivo during (•)OH action and (b) the conventional reducing termini. The pAMAC-labelled pectins were digested with Driselase, and the products resolved by high-voltage electrophoresis and high-pressure liquid chromatography. KEY RESULTS: Strawberry, pear, mango, banana, apple, avocado, Arbutus unedo, plum and nectarine pectins all yielded several pAMAC-labelled products. GalA-pAMAC (monomeric galacturonate, labelled with pAMAC at carbon-1) was produced in all species, usually increasing during fruit softening. The six true fruits also gave pAMAC·UA-GalA disaccharides (where pAMAC·UA is an unspecified uronate, labelled at a position other than carbon-1), with yields increasing during softening. Among false fruits, apple and strawberry gave little pAMAC·UA-GalA; pear produced it transiently. CONCLUSIONS: GalA-pAMAC arises from pectic reducing termini, formed by any of three proposed chain-cleaving agents ((•)OH, endopolygalacturonase and pectate lyase), any of which could cause its ripening-related increase. In contrast, pAMAC·UA-GalA conjugates are diagnostic of mid-chain oxidation of pectins by (•)OH. The evidence shows that (•)OH radicals do indeed attack fruit cell wall polysaccharides non-enzymically during softening in vivo. This applies much more prominently to drupes and berries (true fruits) than to false fruits (swollen receptacles). (•)OH radical attack on polysaccharides is thus predominantly a feature of ovary-wall tissue.

Generation mean analysis of grain quality traits in selected rice populations derived from different amylose characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Genetic analysis using generation mean analysis is a tool for designing the most appropriate breeding approaches to developing varieties of rice. It estimates the gene actions that control quantitative traits, as well as the additive, dominance and epistatic effects. This study was conducted using three rice populations that were derived from parental lines with different amylose content. The aim was to partition the gene actions using generation mean analysis for the selected populations. RESULTS: A scaling test was carried out to evaluate the fulfilment of the additive-dominance model. Non-allelic interaction was observed for milled grain length, length-to-width ratio and milled rice recovery of all populations evaluated. An additive-dominance model was not adequate for amylose, gel consistency, grain length, grain width, milled grain width and head rice recovery, thus epistasis was involved in the populations evaluated. The importance of additive gene action was observed for grain length, milled grain length and milled rice recovery for populations of high- and low-amylose parents. However, populations with intermediate- and high-amylose parents and intermediate- and low-amylose parents shared almost similar dominance gene actions for most of the physical grain quality traits. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that delayed selection is the best approach for traits governed by dominance and epistasis effects. Meanwhile, the traits that were governed by additive effects should undergo thorough selection at an early stage.

Isolation and characterization of a Siphoviridae phage infecting Bacillus megaterium from a heavily trafficked holy site in Saudi Arabia.

In this study, we isolated and characterized a Siphoviridae phage isolated from the vicinity of a religious structure (Kaaba) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The phage was designated as φBM and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, restriction digestion of its DNA, and host range. Electron micrograph indicated that φBM phage has an icosahedral head with diameter of about 65 ± 5 nm and long, non-contractile tail with length of about 300 ± 10 nm and width of about 17 ± 2 nm, respectively. On the basis of the φBM phage morphology, we thus propose that φBM represents a member of Siphoviridae phages. The φBM phage was shown to be able to infect Bacillus megaterium and two other Bacillus species and has no effect on other tested bacteria. φBM was stable over the pH range of 5-9, chloroform resistant and stable at 4 °C. A one-step growth experiment showed a latent period of about 40 min and a burst size of approximately 65 per infected cell. The purified bacteriophage appeared to consist of ten proteins. The genome size was estimated to be ∼38 kb. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of a bacteriophage from Kaaba a heavily trafficked holy site in Saudi Arabia.

Fingerprinting of hydroxyl radical-attacked polysaccharides by N-isopropyl-2-aminoacridone labelling.

Hydroxyl radicals (•OH) cause non-enzymic scission of polysaccharides in diverse biological systems. Such reactions can be detrimental (e.g. causing rheumatic and arthritic diseases in mammals) or beneficial (e.g. promoting the softening of ripening fruit, and biomass saccharification). Here we present a method for documenting •OH action, based on fluorescent labelling of the oxo groups that are introduced as glycosulose residues when •OH attacks polysaccharides. The method was tested on several polysaccharides, especially pectin, after treatment with Fenton reagents. 2-Aminoacridone plus cyanoborohydride reductively aminated the oxo groups in treated polysaccharides; the product was then reacted with acetone plus cyanoborohydride, forming a stable tertiary amine with the carbohydrate linked to N-isopropyl-2-aminoacridone (pAMAC). Digestion of labelled pectin with 'Driselase' yielded several fluorescent products which on electrophoresis and HPLC provided a useful 'fingerprint' indicating •OH attack. The most diagnostic product was a disaccharide conjugate of the type pAMAC·UA-GalA (UA=unspecified uronic acid), whose UA-GalA bond was Driselase-resistant (product 2A). 2A was clearly distinguishable from GalA-GalA-pAMAC (disaccharide labelled at its reducing end), which was digestible to GalA-pAMAC. The methodology is applicable, with appropriate enzymes in place of Driselase, for detecting natural and artificial •OH attack in diverse plant, animal and microbial polysaccharides.

Shallow water marine gammaridean amphipods of Pulau Tioman, Malaysia, with the description of a new species.

Eleven taxa including one new species of gammaridean amphipods are reported from the waters of Pulau Tioman. The presence of Tethygeneia sunda sp. n. represents the first record of the genus from the South China Sea. Additional material of Ampelisca brevicornis (Costa, 1853); Cymadusa vadosa Imbach, 1967; Paradexamine setigera Hirayama, 1984; Ericthonius pugnax (Dana, 1853); Leucothoe furina (Savigny, 1816); Microlysias xenokeras (Stebbing, 1918); Monoculodes muwoni Jo, 1990 are identified from the South China Sea, supporting previous records by Lowry (2000), Huang (1994), Imbach (1967), Margulis (1968) and Nagata (1959). Three additional species, Gitanopsis pusilla K.H. Barnard, 1916, Liljeborgia japonica Nagata, 1965b and Latigammaropsis atlantica (Stebbing, 1888), whilst previously reported from the neighbouring waters, comprise new records for the South China Sea.

Induction of resistance in tomato plants against tomato mosaic tobamovirus using beneficial microbial isolates.

The possibility of making use of the phenome non of Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) to control viruses achieved by the soaking treatment of tomato seeds cv. Castl Rock with three growth forms to Bacillus circulans, Pseudomonas fluorescens 2 and Trichoderma harzianum against Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) infection. All the application forms of beneficial biotic inducers were reduced the mean number of ToMV local lesions on Datura metel. P. fluorescens 2 was found to be the best treatment in three forms on reduction of local lesion number 42.2, 32.7 and 38.1 of microbial liquid culture, microbial cells or spores and microbial culture filtrate forms, respectively, while the highest mean numbers of local lesions were 51.5, 61.7 and 73.5 of microbial liquid culture, microbial cells or spores and microbial culture filtrate, respectively for T. harzianum. The microbial culture filtrate form was more effective than other microbial forms to reduce mean number of ToMV local lesions to B. circulans, P. fluorescens 2 and T. harzianum isolates, 40.7, 32.1 and 51.5, respectively. The individual microbial isolates on all three microbial forms able to vary ToMV local lesions similarity (homologous or heterologous) and morphology (size center and surrounded with halo or without halo) compared with TMV mother strain.

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among hemodialysis patients in Damascus, Syria.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was made possible by the development of a serological assay to detect antibodies to epitopes of HCV. Hemodialysis (HD) is considered to be one of the main risk factors of HCV transmission. Therefore, the prevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) was studied in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anti-HCV were detected using a third-generation assay. The study group consisted of HD patients, transplant recipients and staff members from two dialysis units in Damascus, Syria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anti-HCV among HD patients was 48.9%; 24.4% in one center (Al-Mouassat Hospital) and 88.6% in the other (Kidney Hospital). There was a significant correlation between prevalence of anti-HCV and duration of HD. The prevalence was 36.7% for patients on HD for < 3 years and 65% in patients on HD for > 3 years (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between anti-HCV positivity and elevated liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and asparate aminotransferase (AST). However, there was no significant correlation between anti-HCV positivity and history of blood transfusion, exposure to hepatitis B virus, age and sex. The prevalence of anti-HCV among kidney transplant recipients was 48%, among staff members of the dialysis units it was 5.8%. CONCLUSION: Factors related to infrastructure and operational system might be responsible for the very high prevalence of anti-HCV found in one of the two units. There was no data available on anti-HCV status of transplant recipients prior to transplantation. However, the prevalence among those patients, which is very similar to that of HD patients, suggests that HD may be responsible for such high prevalence among this group. An intensive educational program for staff members and proper evaluation of the HD situation in the two units are needed.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers in Damascus, Syria.

OBJECTIVE: Health care workers exposed to accidental inoculation with infected blood represent a high risk group of acquiring hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C virus is considered the most common parenterally transmitted pathogen to which needle-stick recipients are exposed. Therefore, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among different health care workers was studied. METHODS: Antibodies of hepatitis C virus were studied by 3rd generation enzyme immunoassay. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B core were carried out using enzyme immunoassays. Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) and total bilirubin were measured using reagents on chemistry autoanalyzer. The studied group (189 members, aged 28.1+/-6.2 years, 86 males and 103 females) consisted of laboratory workers (65), hemodialysis staff (34), dentistry workers (24), surgery workers (35), and a 5th group contained other medical care workers (31) in Damascus, Syria. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers was 3%. The positivity of anti-hepatitis C was 0% in the laboratory group, dentistry group, and surgery group. Whereas, it was 6% in the hemodialysis group, and 10% in the other medical workers group. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 6% among health care workers in Damascus. Means of biochemical parameters were 23.2+/-15.9 U/L for alanine aminotransferase, 21.8+/-7.8 U/L for aspartate aminotransferase, and 0.58+/-0.35 mg/dl for total bilirubin. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers was higher than the prevalence among the general population (1%) which was determined during our study. However, the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus is lower than the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among health care workers. There was no significant difference between means of biochemical parameters in each health workers and the general population. Factors related to infrastructure and operational system might be responsible for such prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus among health care workers. An intensive periodic educational program for the medical and paramedical staff is important, in order to minimize the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus among this important high risk group.

Surgical management of echinococcosis of the heart.

A 23-year-old female with an echinococcal cyst in the atrioventricular groove of the heart is reported. The diagnosis and the location of the cyst were confirmed by echocardiography and cardiac catheter. Successful enucleating of the cyst with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass and the length of follow-up is reported, along with a review of relevant literature.

Acoustic reflex threshold and loudness discomfort.

OBJECTIVE: Trying to find an accurate relation between loudness discomfort level and acoustic reflex threshold. METHODS: Seventy patients were involved in this study. Ten normal patients, 30 patients of unilateral conductive hearing loss and 30 patients of unilateral or bilateral, mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss were tested by 1, 2, KH2 pure tones, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 KHz narrow band noise, wide band noise and speech noise stimuli to get loudness discomfort level and acoustic reflex threshold in each ear for each stimulus. RESULTS: Ninety two percent of predicted loudness discomfort levels occurred within +/-6 of acoustic reflex threshold rescaled data, when least squares regression method was applied. CONCLUSION: It is apparent that predicted results are statically significant. They are not constant value, but vary according to the acoustic reflex threshold change, stimulus used and hearing situation (normal, conductive or perceptive loss).

Demographic characteristics and prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases in HIV-positive patients seen in the Dermatology cum Genitourinary Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru.

The demographic characteristics, risk behaviourand prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were determined in 132 HIV-infected individuals seen in a Dermatology cum Genitourinary Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru. Sixty-one (46.2%) were Malays, 37.9% Chinese, 10.6% Indians and 5.3% were of other ethnic groups. The male to female ratio was 4.5:1. Most of the patients (82.5%) were between 20 to 40 years-old. Seventy (53.0%) were single, 34.1% were married and 7.5% were divorcees. The majority of them (97.7%) were heterosexual. Fifty seven (53.3%) of our male patients patronised commercial workers. Eighty-one (61.8%) were not intravenous drug users (IVDU). Of the 50 IVDUs, 24 had multiple sexual exposures. Fifty-three (48.2%) of the 109 patients screened for STDs had one or more other STDs. Thirty-four patients (31.9%) reported one STD in the past and 3.6% reported two STDs in the past. Fifty-six patients (42.4%) had developed AIDS. Thirteen had passed away. The main mode of transmission of HIV infection in this population is through heterosexual intercourse and the prevalence of STDs is high. These findings indicate a need to advocate responsible sexual behaviour and to detect as well as treat STDs early to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.