Objective:To explore the associations between income levels,employment risk,lifestyles,occupational stress,and male fertility.Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed 294 men seeking fertility treatment at fertilit...Objective:To explore the associations between income levels,employment risk,lifestyles,occupational stress,and male fertility.Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed 294 men seeking fertility treatment at fertility clinics in Terengganu,Pahang,and Kuala Lumpur from November 2021 to June 2023.Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering income levels,lifestyles,employment risks,occupational stress,and semen quality.Multinomial logistic regression was employed to assess predictors of semen quality,with crude and adjusted odds ratios(OR)reported.Results:The lower-income group exhibited higher odds of having abnormal semen quality compared to normal semen quality.Specifically,these participants were more likely to experience azoospermia[crude OR 6.68,95%confidence interval(CI)1.84-52.63;adjusted OR 6.26,95%CI 1.76-51.38],indicating a link between low income and infertility issues.Lifestyle factors did not show significant associations with semen abnormalities after adjustment.High employment risks had significant associations with oligozoospermia after adjustment(crude OR 5.50,95%CI 2.14-14.11;adjusted OR 5.15,95%CI 1.93-13.71),while high occupational stress was linked to asthenozoospermia(crude OR 2.26,95%CI 1.09-4.68;adjusted OR 2.25,95%CI 1.07-4.69).Conclusions:The findings underscore the influence of socioeconomic and occupational factors on male fertility,showing associations between lower income levels,high-risk occupations,and semen abnormalities.In contrast,lifestyle factors did not show significant associations with semen abnormalities after adjustment.Nevertheless,the current findings should be further confirmed through more extensive studies focusing on abnormal semen and lifestyle factors.展开更多
Background:The frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics continue to increase exponentially in Malaysia,with a shift in the age range predominance toward adults and an expansion to rural areas.Despite this,informati...Background:The frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics continue to increase exponentially in Malaysia,with a shift in the age range predominance toward adults and an expansion to rural areas.Despite this,information pertaining to the extent of transmission of dengue virus(DENV)in the rural community is lacking.This communitybased pilot study was conducted to establish DENV seroprevalence amongst healthy adults in a rural district in Southern Malaysia,and to identify influencing factors.Methods:In this study undertaken between April and May 2015,a total of 277 adult participants were recruited from households across three localities in the Sungai Segamat subdistrict in Segamat district.Sera were tested for immunoglobulin G(IgG)(Panbio®Dengue Indirect IgG ELISA/high-titer capture)and immunoglobulin M(IgM)(Panbio®)antibodies.The plaque reduction neutralization test(PRNT)was conducted on random samples of IgGpositive sera for further confirmation.Medical history and a recall of previous history of dengue were collected through interviews,whereas sociodemographic information was obtained from an existing database.Results:The overall seroprevalence for DENV infection was 86.6%(240/277)(95%CI:83-91%).Serological evidence of recent infection(IgM/high-titer capture IgG)was noted in 11.2%(31/277)of participants,whereas there was evidence of past infection in 75.5%(209/277)of participants(indirect IgG minus recent infections).The PRNT assay showed that the detected antibodies were indeed specific to DENV.The multivariate analysis showed that the older age group was significantly associated with past DENV infections.Seropositivity increased with age;48.5%in the age group of<25 years to more than 85%in age group of>45 years(P<0.001).No associations with occupation,study site,housing type,comorbidity,educational level,and marital status were observed,although the latter two were statistically significant in the univariate analysis.None of the studied factors were significantly associated with recent DENV infections in the multivariate analysis,although there was a pattern suggestive of recent outbreak in two study sites populated predominately by Chinese people.The majority of infections did not give rise to recognizable disease(either asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms)as only 12.9%of participants(31/240)recalled having dengue in the past.Conclusions:The predominantly rural community under study had a very high previous exposure to dengue.The finding of a high proportion of unreported cases possibly due to subclinical infections underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and control methods.This finding also has implications for measuring disease burden,understanding transmission dynamics,and hypothesizing effects on DENV vaccine efficacy and uptake.展开更多
Background:Dengue is one of the most rapidly spreading vector-borne diseases,which is considered to be a major health concern in tropical and sub-tropical countries.It is strongly believed that the spread and abundanc...Background:Dengue is one of the most rapidly spreading vector-borne diseases,which is considered to be a major health concern in tropical and sub-tropical countries.It is strongly believed that the spread and abundance of vectors are related to climate.Construction of climate-based mathematical model that integrates meteorological factors into disease infection model becomes compelling challenge since the climate is positively associated with both incidence and vector existence.Methods:A host-vector model is constructed to simulate the dynamic of transmission.The infection rate parameter is replaced with the time-dependent coefficient obtained by optimization to approximate the daily dengue data.Further,the optimized infection rate is denoted as a function of climate variables using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag(ARDL)model.Results:The infection parameter can be extended when updated daily climates are known,and it can be useful to forecast dengue incidence.This approach provides proper prediction,even when tested in increasing or decreasing prediction windows.In addition,associations between climate and dengue are presented as a reversed slide-shaped curve for dengue-humidity and a reversed U-shaped curves for dengue-temperature and dengueprecipitation.The range of optimal temperature for infection is 24.3e30.5C.Humidity and precipitation are positively associated with dengue upper the threshold 70%at lag 38 days and below 50 mm at lag 50 days,respectively.Conclusion:Identification of association between climate and dengue is potentially useful to counter the high risk of dengue and strengthen the public health system and reduce the increase of the dengue burden.展开更多
Background:Globally,dengue infections constitute a significant public health burden.In recent decades,Malaysia has become a dengue hyper-endemic country with the co-circulation of the four dengue virus serotypes.The c...Background:Globally,dengue infections constitute a significant public health burden.In recent decades,Malaysia has become a dengue hyper-endemic country with the co-circulation of the four dengue virus serotypes.The cyclical dominance of sub-types contributes to a pattern of major outbreaks.The consequences can be observed in the rising incidence of reported dengue cases and dengue related deaths.Understanding the complex interaction of the dengue virus,its human hosts and the mosquito vectors at the community level may help develop strategies for addressing the problem.Methods:A prospective cohort study will be conducted in Segamat district of Johor State in Peninsular Malaysia.Researchers received approval from the Malaysian Medical Research Ethics Committee and Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee.The study will be conducted at a Malaysian based health and demographic surveillance site over a 1 year period in three different settings(urban,semi-urban and rural).The study will recruit healthy adults(male and female)aged 18 years and over,from three ethnic groups(Malay,Chinese and Indian).The sample size calculated using the Fleiss method with continuity correction is 333.Sero-surveillance of participants will be undertaken to identify asymptomatic,otherwise healthy cases;cases with dengue fever who are managed as out-patients;and cases with dengue fever admitted to a hospital.A genetic analysis of the participants will be undertaken to determine whether there is a relationship between genetic predisposition and disease severity.A detailed medical history,past history of dengue infection,vaccination history against other flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis and Yellow fever,and the family history of dengue infection will also be collected.In addition,a mosquito surveillance will be carried out simultaneously in recruitment areas to determine the molecular taxonomy of circulating vectors.Discussion:The research findings will estimate the burden of asymptomatic and symptomatic dengue at the community level.It will also examine the relationship between virus serotypes and host genotypes,and the association of the clinical manifestation of the early phase with the entire course of illness.展开更多
基金supported by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS)under the reference code FRGS/1/2020/SS0/UMT/02/3 and vote number 59637.
文摘Objective:To explore the associations between income levels,employment risk,lifestyles,occupational stress,and male fertility.Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed 294 men seeking fertility treatment at fertility clinics in Terengganu,Pahang,and Kuala Lumpur from November 2021 to June 2023.Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering income levels,lifestyles,employment risks,occupational stress,and semen quality.Multinomial logistic regression was employed to assess predictors of semen quality,with crude and adjusted odds ratios(OR)reported.Results:The lower-income group exhibited higher odds of having abnormal semen quality compared to normal semen quality.Specifically,these participants were more likely to experience azoospermia[crude OR 6.68,95%confidence interval(CI)1.84-52.63;adjusted OR 6.26,95%CI 1.76-51.38],indicating a link between low income and infertility issues.Lifestyle factors did not show significant associations with semen abnormalities after adjustment.High employment risks had significant associations with oligozoospermia after adjustment(crude OR 5.50,95%CI 2.14-14.11;adjusted OR 5.15,95%CI 1.93-13.71),while high occupational stress was linked to asthenozoospermia(crude OR 2.26,95%CI 1.09-4.68;adjusted OR 2.25,95%CI 1.07-4.69).Conclusions:The findings underscore the influence of socioeconomic and occupational factors on male fertility,showing associations between lower income levels,high-risk occupations,and semen abnormalities.In contrast,lifestyle factors did not show significant associations with semen abnormalities after adjustment.Nevertheless,the current findings should be further confirmed through more extensive studies focusing on abnormal semen and lifestyle factors.
基金Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Medical Research Ethics Committee,Ministry of Health Malaysia(NMRR-14-42-19126)the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee(CF14/2543–2014001379).
文摘Background:The frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics continue to increase exponentially in Malaysia,with a shift in the age range predominance toward adults and an expansion to rural areas.Despite this,information pertaining to the extent of transmission of dengue virus(DENV)in the rural community is lacking.This communitybased pilot study was conducted to establish DENV seroprevalence amongst healthy adults in a rural district in Southern Malaysia,and to identify influencing factors.Methods:In this study undertaken between April and May 2015,a total of 277 adult participants were recruited from households across three localities in the Sungai Segamat subdistrict in Segamat district.Sera were tested for immunoglobulin G(IgG)(Panbio®Dengue Indirect IgG ELISA/high-titer capture)and immunoglobulin M(IgM)(Panbio®)antibodies.The plaque reduction neutralization test(PRNT)was conducted on random samples of IgGpositive sera for further confirmation.Medical history and a recall of previous history of dengue were collected through interviews,whereas sociodemographic information was obtained from an existing database.Results:The overall seroprevalence for DENV infection was 86.6%(240/277)(95%CI:83-91%).Serological evidence of recent infection(IgM/high-titer capture IgG)was noted in 11.2%(31/277)of participants,whereas there was evidence of past infection in 75.5%(209/277)of participants(indirect IgG minus recent infections).The PRNT assay showed that the detected antibodies were indeed specific to DENV.The multivariate analysis showed that the older age group was significantly associated with past DENV infections.Seropositivity increased with age;48.5%in the age group of<25 years to more than 85%in age group of>45 years(P<0.001).No associations with occupation,study site,housing type,comorbidity,educational level,and marital status were observed,although the latter two were statistically significant in the univariate analysis.None of the studied factors were significantly associated with recent DENV infections in the multivariate analysis,although there was a pattern suggestive of recent outbreak in two study sites populated predominately by Chinese people.The majority of infections did not give rise to recognizable disease(either asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms)as only 12.9%of participants(31/240)recalled having dengue in the past.Conclusions:The predominantly rural community under study had a very high previous exposure to dengue.The finding of a high proportion of unreported cases possibly due to subclinical infections underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and control methods.This finding also has implications for measuring disease burden,understanding transmission dynamics,and hypothesizing effects on DENV vaccine efficacy and uptake.
基金This work was partially supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology(Ristekdikti)or National Agency for Research and Innovation Grant 2020The second author was supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture(Kemendikbud)through BU programThe third author was partially supported by the PMDSU grant no.1511/E4.4/2015.
文摘Background:Dengue is one of the most rapidly spreading vector-borne diseases,which is considered to be a major health concern in tropical and sub-tropical countries.It is strongly believed that the spread and abundance of vectors are related to climate.Construction of climate-based mathematical model that integrates meteorological factors into disease infection model becomes compelling challenge since the climate is positively associated with both incidence and vector existence.Methods:A host-vector model is constructed to simulate the dynamic of transmission.The infection rate parameter is replaced with the time-dependent coefficient obtained by optimization to approximate the daily dengue data.Further,the optimized infection rate is denoted as a function of climate variables using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag(ARDL)model.Results:The infection parameter can be extended when updated daily climates are known,and it can be useful to forecast dengue incidence.This approach provides proper prediction,even when tested in increasing or decreasing prediction windows.In addition,associations between climate and dengue are presented as a reversed slide-shaped curve for dengue-humidity and a reversed U-shaped curves for dengue-temperature and dengueprecipitation.The range of optimal temperature for infection is 24.3e30.5C.Humidity and precipitation are positively associated with dengue upper the threshold 70%at lag 38 days and below 50 mm at lag 50 days,respectively.Conclusion:Identification of association between climate and dengue is potentially useful to counter the high risk of dengue and strengthen the public health system and reduce the increase of the dengue burden.
基金The study is funded primarily by the“Infection and Immunity Cluster”of the“Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform”of Monash University Malaysia(fund code is 5140762)and by SEACO(fund code is 2500047)SEACO is funded by the office of the Vice Provost Research,Monash University Australia+1 种基金the office of the Deputy Dean Research,Faculty of Medicine,Nursing and Health Sciences,Monash University Australiathe Monash Malaysia School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Monash University Malaysia Campus.
文摘Background:Globally,dengue infections constitute a significant public health burden.In recent decades,Malaysia has become a dengue hyper-endemic country with the co-circulation of the four dengue virus serotypes.The cyclical dominance of sub-types contributes to a pattern of major outbreaks.The consequences can be observed in the rising incidence of reported dengue cases and dengue related deaths.Understanding the complex interaction of the dengue virus,its human hosts and the mosquito vectors at the community level may help develop strategies for addressing the problem.Methods:A prospective cohort study will be conducted in Segamat district of Johor State in Peninsular Malaysia.Researchers received approval from the Malaysian Medical Research Ethics Committee and Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee.The study will be conducted at a Malaysian based health and demographic surveillance site over a 1 year period in three different settings(urban,semi-urban and rural).The study will recruit healthy adults(male and female)aged 18 years and over,from three ethnic groups(Malay,Chinese and Indian).The sample size calculated using the Fleiss method with continuity correction is 333.Sero-surveillance of participants will be undertaken to identify asymptomatic,otherwise healthy cases;cases with dengue fever who are managed as out-patients;and cases with dengue fever admitted to a hospital.A genetic analysis of the participants will be undertaken to determine whether there is a relationship between genetic predisposition and disease severity.A detailed medical history,past history of dengue infection,vaccination history against other flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis and Yellow fever,and the family history of dengue infection will also be collected.In addition,a mosquito surveillance will be carried out simultaneously in recruitment areas to determine the molecular taxonomy of circulating vectors.Discussion:The research findings will estimate the burden of asymptomatic and symptomatic dengue at the community level.It will also examine the relationship between virus serotypes and host genotypes,and the association of the clinical manifestation of the early phase with the entire course of illness.
