Aims: This pilot study was conducted to see the association between dermatoglyphics and dental caries among preschool children.
Settings and Design: Cross sectional, case-control design.
Materials and Methods: One hundred, healthy preschool children aged 3-6 years attending private kindergarten participated. They were divided equally into caries active and caries free group based on the oral examination. The fingerprint patterns were collected for all the fingers of both hands of children and categorized as loop, whorl or arch for each finger of the right and left hand.
Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and Independent t-test to compare the dermatoglyphics patterns between the caries-free group and the caries active group for each variable.
Results: (1) Dental caries susceptibility of an individual decreases with an increase in the incidence of loop pattern, followed by whorl pattern and arch pattern; (2) Left hand loop was found statistically significant (P = 0.03); (3) Presence of loop pattern in left hand thumb predicts significantly lower risk of caries, whereas the presence of arch pattern in left hand thumb predicts significantly high risk of early childhood caries (P = 0.01).
Conclusions: The caries free status of a preschool child increased with the presence of loop on the left thumb.
Objective: To explore how Malaysian men's masculine gender-role attitude and behavior influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitude of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.
Results: The findings of the study showed that men's traditional behavior and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behavior and control over women report more negative condom attitude and greater priority of men's desire in sexual relationships. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between men's response to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.
OBJECTIVE: This review was aimed to critically discuss and conceptualize existing evidences related to the pharmaceutical significance and therapeutic feasibility of multi-functionalization of nanomedicines for early diagnosis and efficient treatment of BC.
RESULTS: Though the implication of nanotechnology-based modalities has revolutionised the outcomes of diagnosis and treatment of BC; however, the clinical translation of these nanomedicines is facing grandeur challenges. These challenges include recognition by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), short plasma half-life, non-specific accumulation in the non-cancerous cells, and expulsion of the drug(s) by the efflux pump. To circumvent these challenges, various adaptations such as PEGylation, conjugation of targeting ligand(s), and siteresponsive behaviour (i.e., pH-responsiveness, biochemical, or thermal-responsiveness) have been adapted. Similarly, multi-functionalization of nanomedicines has emerged as an exceptional strategy to improve the pharmacokinetic profile, specific targetability to the tumor microenvironment (active targeting) and efficient internalization, and to alleviate the expulsion of internalized drug contents by silencing-off efflux pump.
CONCLUSION: Critical analysis of the available evidences revealed that multi-functionalization of nanomedicines is a plausible and sustainable adaptation for early diagnosis and treatment of BC with better therapeutic outcomes.
METHOD: This study recruited Sundanese from Tasikmalaya and Minahasan from Manado using the Indonesian Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. The results were compared to the Javanese and Malaysian data in previous studies.
RESULT: A total of 200 respondents, 100 from each ethnic group were recruited, with a mean age of 38.51 years. They were predominantly females (54%) and had secondary education level or lower (56.67%). The Javanese had a higher total mean score, indicating poorer attitudes toward epilepsy, as compared to the Minahasan and Sundanese groups. These differences were noted in the personal domain, but not the general domain. There were no significant differences in the mean scores in both personal and general domains between the Minahasan, Sundanese, and Malaysian populations. Subanalysis on the aspects of life showed that the Javanese had a significantly higher score in the aspects of education, marital relationship, and employment.
CONCLUSION: The attitudes toward epilepsy were similar between the Indonesian (Sundanese and the Minahasan) and Malaysian, except the Javanese with poorer attitude. These differences could be socioeconomically or culturally related.