Background: Blowfly larvae and pupae collected during post-mortem forensic investigation can be analysed to detect drugs or toxins in a dead body. Drug or toxin-contaminated tissues of human remains consumed by blowfly larvae are stored in the crop even after a body has decomposed to the point where no fluid or tissues are retrievable. Therefore, blowfly larva and pupa are favourable specimens under conditions in which host tissues or blood samples are not available. Methodology: We carried out a study to detect heroin metabolites in Lucilia cuprina (Weidemann, 1830) immatures fed on different concentrations of heroin-treated meat: 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, and 10,000 ng/μl. Heroin metabolites detection was performed by a gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GCMS) analysis.Results: This study indicates that L. cuprina can be utilized in a toxicological analysis to detect heroin in a host. However, the expected complete metabolites of heroin were not detected in the first instar larvae and pupa, while the second and third instar larvae contributed to a complete heroin metabolite which was morphine. This was subject to the heroin concentration given. Morphine was detected in the third instar larvae treated with 5000 and 10,000 ng/μl heroin, while in the second instar, it was detected only at 10,000 ng/μl. Heroin metabolites detected in the second and third instar larvae proves that biochemical conversions occur in the fly larvae. Conclusion:The absence of heroin metabolites in the first instar larvae and pupa does not necessarily mean that the drug was not present in the host. Therefore, the limitations of heroin detection capability during these stages should be always kept in mind, as this could contribute to a false-negative result in a forensic analysis. If all stages are available during sample collection, it is crucial to prioritize the third instar larvae in a toxicological analysis.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is mainly caused by Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and human Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71). Severe cases of HFMD were reported in Malaysia in 2018, which led to a temporary closing of few nurseries and preschools. A good knowledge and prevention practices is one of the important factors that can effectively decelerate this rapid outbreak of HFMD. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess current knowledge and prevention practices among parents and caregivers in Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on 345 residences of Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor. It comprised of 77.4% (n=267) parents and 22.6% (n=78) caregivers from different daycares, kindergartens and preschools. The study showed that the majority, 87.2% (n=301) of Bandar Puncak Alam residents, Selangor have a moderate level of knowledge on HFMD. No significant difference in knowledge was found between parents and caregivers (p = 0.553). Age, occupation, level of education, and income of respondents influenced the HFMD knowledge level (p<0.05). Most parents and caregivers know how to prevent HFMD by practising cleaning the children's toys using liquid disinfection, but they are still lacking knowledge on the role of handwashing in preventing HFMD. In conclusion, the lack of prevention practice among parents and caregivers would increase the cases of HFMD. Therefore, a proper education of HFMD should be done to increase the awareness towards the prevention practices to prevent HFMD from reoccurring.

Background: At feeding stage, blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) form aggregation to facilitate the breakdown of a human body after death. The aggregation structure of blowfly larvae could probably be different depending on fly species and food size. In forensic investigations, corpse size does not only affect the internal temperature after death, but it could also potentially influence the distribution, aggregation temperature, and species of flies that inhabit a corpse. However, there is no reference available to explain how these factors could affect maggot distribution pattern and thermal generation. The best way to answer this is by accessing blowfly aggregation on multiple forensic entomology animal models of different sizes. Thus, this research is a preliminary assessment to determine maggot aggregation structure and its thermal generation in three carcass species which are commonly used as a surrogate for human corpses in Malaysia. Methodology: Frequency of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) aggregations at a different location in carcass was determined. Aggregation temperature, depth, perimeter, area, and volume of tightly packed aggregations were measured. These variables were compared to ambient temperature and relative humidity. Correlation analysis was performed to access any relationship between each variable. Results: Aggregation temperature was found strongly correlated to carcass temperature (r = 0.65, p < 0.05), moderately correlated to carcass ground temperature (r = 0.57, p < 0.05), and weakly correlated to aggregation depth (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), relative humidity (r = 0.06, p = 0.35), and ambient temperature (r = 0.01, p = 0.89). The rate of carcass loss was significantly influenced by carcass model (p < 0.05). The frequency of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) aggregation was more in rat carcasses, while for rabbits and macaques, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was more frequent. Aggregations of Chrysomya rufifacies were frequently observed located below carcasses while Chrysomya megacephala were observed mostly in the mouth and genitalia. Chrysomya rufifacies aggregations have produced higher temperature compared to Chrysomya megacephala.

Objective structured practical examinations (OSPEs) have been implemented as a standard practice in most medical and health science schools worldwide to assess competencies in laboratory skills. A practical examination would improve students’ understanding of the experiment they conduct and help build confidence and competency for future application. With the expanding roles of a pharmacist, it is important to strengthen students’ skill set during pharmacy education. This article reports the procedures and findings after conducting OSPE for the subject of pharmaceutical microbiology and parasitology in the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universiti Teknologi MARA for three years (2017-2019). There is a significant difference in OSPE performance between the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. The addition of OSPE, while does not significantly change the median marks, is able to better define the students’ performance and grade. The conclusion is that the students were able to adapt to the added examination and benefit from the experience.

Emotional intelligence (EI), which is described as a set of skills to recognise and control one’s own emotions and other people, is believed to act as a protective factor against negative stress. Recently, stress and online learning readiness (OLR) have become an increasing concern among the students during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between EI and demographic profiles (gender, year of study and geographical living area), and to find the correlation between EI and stress, as well as between stress and OLR among the pharmacy students during the pandemic. This study involved a cross-sectional correlational study, where an online-based survey was performed involving 315 pharmacy students, from first to the fourth year, at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam, Malaysia. Three valid and reliable questionnaires were used namely Universiti Sains Malaysia Emotional Quotient Inventory (USMEQ-i), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS). The data were analysed by SPSS software version 27. In the study, the respondents’ EI was at the average level. No association between EI and demographic profiles was found. A weak negative correlation was found between EI and stress r(313) = –0.272, p < 0.05 as well as between stress and OLR, r(313) = –0.320, p < 0.05. This study suggested that EI could act as a protective element against stress since both were negatively correlated. A negative correlation found between stress and OLR reflects that increased stress levels can potentially give a negative impact on the OLR of the pharmacy students in UiTM Puncak Alam.