This study in the management of dysphagia or swallowing disorders involved 72 contactable Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) in Malaysia. A survey was undertaken to identify the patterns of dysphagia management by SLPs in Malaysia by identifying the percentage of SLPs in Malaysia who have managed swallowing disorders, the approximate number of patients, assessment and therapy techniques used, other professional involvement and the factors that influenced the confidence levels of the SLPs in managing swallowing disorders. Fifty percent (50%) of the forty four SLPs (61.6%) who responded to the survey had previously managed swallowing disorders. It was estimated that 5% (430 of 8268) of patients referred to the SLPs in Malaysia presented with dysphagia and were subsequently managed for their swallowing problems. The oromotor examination was carried out most frequently (100%) for evaluation of dysphagia while the compensatory technique proved to be the most frequently used management technique (77.3%). Most referrals to the SLPs were received from the neurosurgeon (59.1%); the otorhinolaryngologist was most referred to by the SLPs (50%). By using the Chi-squared analysis, it was found that clinical training in dysphagia at the undergraduate or post-graduate levels influenced the confidence levels of the SLPs in managing dysphagia cases (χ2 = 10.063 with p value = 0.007).
This preliminary study aims to provide an initial description of phonological acquisition among Malaysian Children of Indian descent aged two to six years. The description of the consonantal phonemic inventory as well as various Phonological processes evidenced by subjects is also reported. The mothers’ phonemic inventory was obtained as the representation of the children’s most active environmental linguistic input. Speech samples of the mothers as well as the subjects were obtained from a single word test and narrative test. The speech sample was recorded and transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The results of the tests revealed a significant correspondence between the subjects' phonemic inventory and their mothers’ except for the following phonemes: /ð/ , /θ/ , /v/ and /w/. Both mothers and subjects demonstrated free variation for the production of /v/ and /w/. The mothers displayed a range of 21-23 phonemes in their inventories whereas the subjects displayed a range of 17-21 phonemes. The age acquisition for some phonemes, namely the affricates which was evidenced by subject aged 2;4 were noted to be earlier than that of subjects in past studies. Rapid phonological development was evidenced at the age of 2;4- 3;7.
Aktiviti fizikal yang kerap seperti senaman mempunyai implikasi yang baik terhadap kehidupan seharian kita terutamanya dalam aspek kesihatan dan pengurusan stres. Kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan program senaman aerobik dengan protokol yang ditetapkan ke atas aras penanda tekanan terpilih di kalangan pelajar universiti semasa musim peperiksaan akademik. Lapan belas (n=18) mahasiswa tidak terlatih, dipadankan dengan umur dan BMI, telah dibahagikan kepada 2 kumpulan iaitu kumpulan intervensi (n=10) dan kawalan (n=8). Kumpulan intervensi menjalani senaman jenis aerobik berintensiti sederhana (60-75% daripada kadar denyut jantung maksimum), 3 kali seminggu selama 40-50 minit untuk setiap sesi selama 6 minggu. Darah vena diambil pada sebelum program senaman bermula (M1) dan selepas program senaman berakhir (M2) iaitu dalam minggu pertama musim peperiksaan. Kecergasan kardiorespiratori dan status stres psikologi diukur sebelum kedua-dua sesi pengambilan darah. Analisis biokima dijalankan untuk melihat aras malondialdehid (MDA) plasma dan kortisol serum. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa program senaman selama 6 minggu ini telah merangsang penurunan aras MDA yang signifikan (F=19.58, p=0.002) semasa minggu peperiksaan berbanding aras sebelum program senaman bermula. Kumpulan intervensi juga menunjukkan aras MDA yang lebih rendah (t=-0.42, p=0.001) berbanding kumpulan kawalan semasa menduduki minggu peperiksaan. Walaubagaimanapun, tiada perbezaan yang signifikan pada aras kortisol dalam kedua-dua kumpulan walaupun terdapat penurunan yang sedikit pada kumpulan intervensi semasa minggu peperiksaan. Kajian ini mencadangkan bahawa program senaman yang dijalankan mampu dijadikan sebagai strategi yang berkesan untuk membantu pelajar menghadapi stres terutamanya sewaktu sesi akademik yang memberatkan.
MeSH terms: Plant Extracts; Vidarabine; Body Mass Index
This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derived from cellulose of palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) and its use asa film-coating agent. Samples were prepared at various concentrations and then their physicochemical properties were studied including the viscosity, pH, tensile strength of films, surface properties of the films and dissolution studies on coated tablets. CMC EFB showed lower viscosity than commercial CMC product at the concentration of 1%, 2% and 3% with the values of 44.0cp, 299.9cp, 358.9cp and 90.0cp, 689.9cp, 5569.0cp respectively. The tensile strength of the films for CMC EFB were 7.85MPa, 14.79MPa, 10.36MPa while the commercial CMC exhibited higher values of 21.72MPa, 35.14MPa and 26.9MPa at similar concentration. The scanning electron microscope showed different surface properties of the films for both of them where the commercial CMC is smoother in texture and very transparent unlike its counterpart. However, dissolution studies on paracetamol tablets coated using the samples showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in drug release profile between the two materials. Hence, CMC EFB has a greater potential to be developed as a competitive tablet-coating agent despite the differences in its physicochemical properties.
Natural peptides in insect vectors played an important role in the control of
pathogens. Musca domestica Linnaeus and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius were
two species of local fly chosen to detect presence of antimicrobial peptide substance.
The screening of the antimicrobial activity was carried using a spectrophotometric
method. Results were obtained much quicker and less laborious. The results showed
larva hemolymph of M. domestica lysed Bacillus subtilis and two Gram negatives,
Escherichia coli and Pseudomona. aeruginosa. The pupae hemolymph only lysed E.
coli. Whereas, the hemolymph of C. megacephala larva showed bactericidal effect
against both of the Gram positives tested, i.e. B. subtilis and Staph. aureus. and no
effect was against the Gram negatives. The pupa showed lytic activity against Staph.
aureus and P. aeruginosa. As a conclusion, the larva and pupa hemolymph of M.
domestica and C. megacephala demonstrated antibacterial activity. However, larva
hemolymph of M. domestica and C. megacephala has broader antibacterial activity
against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.
Kajian garis pangkal pengimejan resonans magnet kefungsian (fMRI) telah dijalankan ke atas 2 orang subjek lelaki sihat dominan tangan kanan dan kiri. Kajian ini menggunakan gerakan jari tangan kanan dan kiri untuk merangsang aktiviti neuron di dalam korteks serebrum. Subjek diarahkan supaya menekan jari-jari pada ibu jari secara bergilir-gilir semasa imbasan fMRI dilakukan. Paradigma 5 kitar aktif-rehat digunakan dengan setiap kitar mengandungi satu blok aktif dan satu blok rehat dengan 10 siri pengukuran untuk setiap blok. Seratus isipadu imej fMRI bagi setiap subjek dianalisis menggunakan pekej perisian MatLab dan SPM2. Model linear am (GLM) digunakan untuk menganggar secara statistik parameter yang mencirikan model rangsangan hemodinamik bagi gerakan jari. Kesimpulan mengenai pengaktifan otak yang diperhatikan dijana secara statistik berasaskan teori medan rawak (RFT) Gaussian. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa rantau otak yang aktif akibat gerakan jari adalah pada girus presentral merangkumi kawasan motor primer. Pengaktifan otak adalah secara kontralateral terhadap gerakan jari tangan kanan dan kiri. Keamatan isyarat keadaan aktif didapati lebih tinggi secara bererti (p < 0.001) daripada keamatan isyarat keadaan rehat. Bilangan voksel yang aktif didapati lebih tinggi pada hemisfera otak yang mengawal gerakan jari bagi tangan yang tidak dominan untuk kedua-dua subjek. Keputusan ini menyokong fakta bahawa kawasan pengaktifan motor pada hemisfera otak semasa gerakan jari tangan yang tidak dominan mengalami rangsangan hemodinamik yang lebih tinggi dan kawasan pengaktifan yang lebih luas berbanding dengan kawasan pengaktifan pada hemisfera otak yang mengawal gerakan jari bagi tangan yang dominan.
MeSH terms: Ataxia Telangiectasia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurons; Normal Distribution; DNA Primers; Magnets
A 48 years old Malay lady with a case of painless soft fluctuant swelling of left parotid gland is reported. The lesion was found to be a cystic lesion through the pre operative examinations and investigations. The cyst was completely excised, taking care not to injure the lower division of the facial nerve. Post recovery was uneventful with no defect of the facial nerve functions. The histologic picture confirmed that the cyst was lymphoepithelial cyst which is so called “branchial cyst”. Through the literature reviews of parotid lymphoepitelial cyst the discussions on prevalence, origin, diagnosis, histological finding, investigation and the modes of treatment are made. The ultra sound was found to be valuable in the pre operative evaluation of the parotid swelling furthermore it is non-invasive, harmless, painless and relatively quick.
MeSH terms: Branchioma; Epidermal Cyst; Facial Nerve; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Parotid Gland; Physical Examination; Prevalence
The replacement of missing teeth with implant borne restorations has become a treatment modality accepted by the scientific community for fully and partially edentulous patients. Recent developments in oral implantology involve the use of immediate implant placement technique that significantly reduces waiting time. This case report describes the management of an anterior missing tooth using immediate implant. The result was good, which further validate the use of this technique for suitable patient management.
MeSH terms: Anodontia; Humans; Mouth, Edentulous; Tooth Loss
The purpose of this study was to determine the dimensional accuracy of the skull models produced by Rapid prototyping technology using stereolithography apparatus. Computed tomography images were captured from four dry normal adult human skulls. The resultant 2-D images were stored in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format. The segmentation of the images was prepared in MIMICS software. The slice files were then exported to a stereolithography apparatus (SLA) to produce the replica of each skull. Eight linear measurements were repeatedly made between identified landmarks on each of the original skull and its replica model using an electronic digital calliper. Each of the linear measurements was repeated 5 times and the average was taken to determine the absolute difference and percent difference between the original skull and its replica model. The overall absolute difference between the four human adult skulls and its replica models was 0.23 mm with a standard deviation of 1.37 mm. The percent difference was 0.08% with a standard deviation of 1.25%. The degree of error established by this system seems affordable in clinical applications when these models are used in the field of dental surgery for surgical treatment planning.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salivary testing in dental caries assessment. The role of saliva flow rate, pH, viscosity and buffering capacity in subjects with high caries (DMFT>5) (group 1) against subjects with low caries (DMFT=0) (control group) were evaluated. 40 subjects between the age of 18 and 40 years old were selected (20 subjects control group and 20 subjects group 1). By using a salivary testing kit (GC Asia Dental Pte Ltd, Japan), each subject underwent test such as hydration status of the oral mucosa, viscosity and pH of resting saliva, stimulated salivary flow rate and buffering capacity of stimulated saliva. The results showed that the flow rate, viscosity, pH and buffering capacity of saliva in subjects of group 1 (DMFT>5) was significantly lower (p
MeSH terms: Asia; Buffers; Dental Caries; DMF Index; Japan; Mouth Mucosa; Saliva; Secretory Rate; Viscosity; Control Groups
Several studies on job stress have been conducted among nurses, teachers, clerks, lecturers, laboratory technicians, petroleum and automotive workers and the calculated prevalences ranged from 20-35%; associated factors identified include high job demand, low job control and poor social support. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of stress in dental healthcare workers of an institution of higher learning in Kelantan. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and associated factors of stress in 54 dental healthcare workers of an institution of higher learning in Kelantan [response rate of 63.5 percent] was conducted in March 2006. The Malay version of the validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire were used as research instruments in this study. Informed consents were obtained from all participants. The prevalence of stress was 22.2%. One (1.9%) staff member experienced severe stress whilst 20.4% experienced mild to moderate stress. After controlling for age, sex, marital status and duration of work, psychological job demand (adj. b 0.61, 95% CI 0.21, 1.00, p=0.003), toxic exposures (adj. b 1.41, 95% CI 0.47, 2.35, p=0.004) and overtime work (adj. b 5.67, 95% CI - 1.18, 10.16, p=0.015) were directly associated with reported stress in dental healthcare workers. High psychological job demand, increased toxic exposures at work and increased overtime work were significantly associated with stress in dental healthcare workers. These findings can be used to guide preventive measures to reduce stress in dental healthcare settings.
MeSH terms: Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Health Personnel; Informed Consent; Petroleum; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Support; Prevalence; Marital Status; Laboratory Personnel
The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of times elapsed on the application of a single-step adhesive system and activation of light cured subsequently placed composite to the bond strength between composites and adhesives. This was an experimental study using fifteen teeth extracted human premolars, which were caries and pathology free. Sample of teeth were embedded up to cemento-enamel junction on box of acrylic resin. All teeth were cut to obtain flat occlusal dentin surfaces. The specimens were randomly selected and divided into three groups with five teeth each. All the teeth were assigned to single-step bonding system AQ Bond (Sun Medical Co. Ltd., Shiga, Japan) according to manufacturer’s direction. Group 1 was left for 45 seconds, group 2 for 2 minutes, while group 3 was 5 minutes before putting subsequently restorative material. Composite resin was applied in 3 mm diameter and 6 mm height of cylinder mold and cured according to manufacturer’s direction on the dentin surface. Shear bond strength were measured using a testing system (Instron 8874, Instron Corp., Canton, MA, USA) at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min with cell load capacity of 25 KN. The bond-strengths between single step adhesive system (AQ Bond) and light cured composites were tested. Mann-Whitney test showed no significant differences in bond-strength between Group 1 and Group 2. However, there were significantly differences (p
We present an algorithm to reduce the number of slices from 2D contour cross sections. The main aim of the algorithm is to filter less significant slices while preserving an acceptable level of output quality and keeping the computational cost to reconstruct surface(s) at a minimal level. This research is motivated mainly by two factors; first 2D cross sections data is often huge in size and high in precisions – the computational cost to reconstruct surface(s) from them is closely related to the size and complexity of this data. Second, we can trades visual fidelity with speed of computations if we can remove visually insignificant data from the original dataset which may contains redundant information. In our algorithm we use the number of contour points on a pair of slices to calculate the distance between them. Selection to retain/reject a slice is based on the value of distance compared against a threshold value. Optimal threshold value is derived to produce set of slices that collectively represent the feature of the dataset. We tested our algorithm over six different set of data, varying in complexities and sizes. The results show slice reduction rate depends on the complexity of the dataset, where highest reduction percentage is achieved for objects with lots of constant local variations. Our derived optimal thresholds seem to be able to produce the right set of slices with the potential of creating surface(s) that traded off the accuracy and speed requirements.
Tooth wear is the non-carious loss of tooth tissue due to attrition, erosion and/or abrasion. The amount of wear that accelerates physiological tooth wear is referred as pathological tooth wear. This study aims to determine the prevalence and mean scores according to mouth quadrant of raw tooth wear (RTW) and pathological tooth wear (PTW) and investigate sex association with PTW among 16-year-old secondary school children in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. This cross-sectional study involves 688 participants randomly selected from eight government secondary schools. The Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index (TWI) was used. Data were analyzed using a simplified Microsoft Excel program developed based on the index to quantify PTW. Bar graphs were plotted to highlight the mean scores according to mouth quadrant. About 44% of participants were male and 56% were female. The prevalence of RTW and PTW among subjects was 100% and 20.1% respectively. It was found that 32.8% of tooth surfaces were affected with RTW and 0.7% of study subjects already had exposed dentine. The most affected quadrant for RTW and PTW was the upper and lower incisal quadrant respectively. Males had 92% more odds of developing tooth wear compared to females. In conclusion, all subjects have some degree of wear. About one-fifth of the study subjects were affected by PTW. The patterns of wear were similar to those encountered in the Western societies. There was statistically significant association between sex and PTW.
Dentistry has searched for an ideal material to place in osseous defects for many years. Endogenous bone replacement has been the golden standard but involves additional surgery and may be available in limited quantities. Also, the exogenous bone replacement poses a risk of viral or bacterial transmission and the human body may even reject them. Therefore, before new biomaterials are approved for medical use, mutagenesis systems to exclude cytotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic properties are applied worldwide. The present preliminary study was carried out in five male New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Porous form of synthetic hydroxyapatite granules (500 mg), manufactured by School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, was implanted in the femur of the rabbits. Blood samples were collected prior to implantation and one week after implantation. The blood was cultured in vitro and the cell division was arrested at metaphase using colcemid. This was followed by the hypotonic treatment and fixation. Then, the chromosomes were prepared and stained for analysis. The modal chromosome number of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was found to be 2n=44. The mean mitotic index values prior to and after implantation were 3.30 ± 0.66 and 3.24 ± 0.27 per cent respectively. No gross chromosome aberrations, both numerical and structural were noticed either prior to or after implantation of the biomaterial. These findings indicate that the test substance, synthetic hydroxyapatite granules does not produce gross chromosome aberrations under the present test conditions in rabbits.
MeSH terms: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Bone and Bones; Carcinogens; Chromosome Aberrations; Chromosomes; Demecolcine; Dentistry; Femur; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Metaphase; Mitotic Index; Rabbits; Porosity; Mutagenesis; Durapatite; Human Body
The sample size calculation for a prevalence only needs a simple formula. However, there are a number of practical issues in selecting values for the parameters required in the formula. Several practical issues are addressed and appropriate recommendations are given. The paper also suggests the application of a software calculator that checks the normal approximation assumption and incorporates finite population correction in the sample size calculation.
Imaging is a keystone for the understanding and delivery of craniofacial health care and recent developments have led to many diverse technologies and approaches. This paper reviews new developments in three-dimensional imaging, as well as three-dimensional facial image acquisition. Visualization and convergence of the data from these technologies are also described for construction of patient-specific models.
Lasers were introduced into the field of clinical dentistry with the hope of overcoming some of the drawbacks posed by the conventional methods of dental procedures. Since its first experiment for dental application in the 1960s, the use of laser has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades. At present, wide varieties of procedures are carried out using lasers. The aim of this review is to describe the application of lasers in dental hard tissue procedures. Lasers are found to be effective in cavity preparation, caries removal, restoration removal, etching, and treatment of dentinal sensitivity, caries prevention and bleaching. Based on development in adhesive dentistry and the propagation of minimum intervention principles, lasers may revolutionize cavity design and preparation.
This paper describes the use of stereophotogrammetry approach to measure and hence identify accurately threedimensional (3D) coordinates of important landmarks on a craniofacial surface. A "novel" technique dubbed as "natural features" technique was employed to accurately compute the 3D coordinates of selected craniofacial landmarks. The natural features technique involves the use of 3D coordinates of the natural features (such as acne, scar, corners of eyes, edge of mouth, point of chin, etc.) that appear on the craniofacial surface as an absolute stereophotogrammetric mapping control points. The 3D coordinates of the natural features were gained using digital photogrammetric bundle adjustment method. Validation of the proposed technique has firstly been carried out using mannequin and finally, it was applied on the real-life human faces. The result shows that the craniofacial landmark measurement accuracy of 0.8mm with one standard deviation can be successfully achieved by the proposed technique.
This clinical case report details the clinical sequence of a 78-year-old male receiving prosthetic rehabilitation using an implant-supported screwretained fixed partial denture. Despite the limitations imposed, the aesthetic and functional demands of the patient were fulfilled by this prosthetic rehabilitation. The importance of detailed prosthetic planning and evaluation prior to implant surgery is essential, therefore ideally, it should be done by the same operator or a team of operators working together. Problems can arise when the construction of the prosthesis is performed by other people who are not involved in the planning stage.