Knowledge, attitudes and practices of schoolchildren toward whole grains and nutritional outcomes in Malaysia.

Whole grains play an important role in regulating body weight. However, interventions aimed to increase whole grains consumption have had limited impact on body mass index for age z-score (BAZ) due to insufficient understanding of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward whole grains. This survey aimed to evaluate whole grains KAP among schoolchildren, as well as to investigate the associations of whole grains KAP with BAZ among the schoolchildren in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 schoolchildren aged 9-11 years, cluster sampled from six randomly selected schools. Data were collected through a validated self-administered guided questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured. A majority of the schoolchildren had normal body weight (56.6%), moderate whole grains knowledge (42.6%), as well as neutral attitudes (66.1%) and poor practices (58.9%) toward whole grains consumption. Significant positive associations were found between knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.337; p < .01), attitudes and practices (r = 0.150; p < .01) and knowledge and practices (r = 0.190; p < .01). Further, whole grains consumption's practices was associated with BAZ after adjusting for sex, gender, race and area where children lived in (p < .001). Outcome of this present study implies that positive change in whole grain knowledge would help to inculcate positive attitudes and cultivate better practices toward whole grain consumption, which may be useful in lower BAZ among schoolchildren in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This study reveals the importance of KAP toward whole grains among children to assist in identification of specific preventive childhood obesity actions.

Three repellent gels that contain essential oils from local Malaysian plants against dengue vector.

The essential oils of Litsea elliptica, Piper aduncum, and Piper sarmentosum were prepared as repellents in gel formulation, and their repellent properties against Aedes aegypti were experimentally investigated. The lowest effective doses against adult mosquitoes were 0.8%, 0.5%, and 0.4% for Lit. elliptica, P. sarmentosum and P. aduncum, respectively. In laboratory testing with human subjects, all three gels provided over 90.0% repellency at one hour after application and over 80.0% repellency at four hours, compared with 100% and 95.8% protection after one and four hours, respectively, by DEET. In the field, gels with ED95 concentrations of Lit. elliptica, P. aduncum, and P. sarmentosum essential oils provided 99.3%, 97.5%, and 100% protection, respectively, at two hours. The physical properties and biological stability of the three repellents after storage in hot and cold conditions were also compared. In conclusion, all three gels have the potential for development as repellents against Ae. aegypti.

Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy managed conservatively: a case report.

A 36-year-old lady presented with four episodes of right sided pneumothorax during pregnancy requiring multiple chest drain insertion. It was complicated with persistent air leak despite low pressure high volume suction applied to the chest drainage. She delivered safely through spontaneous vaginal delivery with chest drainage. Further imaging by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of thorax done revealed bilateral scattered pulmonary cysts and sub pleural bullae and was later followed up with respiratory unit. She had no further episodes of pneumothorax postpartum. This case highlights the vital importance of prompt recognition and management of pneumothorax in pregnancy as the patient involved is at higher risk for acute respiratory failure leading to maternal and/or foetal mortality. It is essential for early involvement of obstetric team and to expedite the delivery for a better perinatal and maternal outcome.