Browse publications by year: 2022

  1. Alcamo AM, Weiss SL, Fitzgerald JC, Kirschen MP, Loftis LL, Tang SF, et al.
    Pediatr Crit Care Med, 2022 Aug 01;23(8):593-605.
    PMID: 36165937 DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002979
    OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes associated with timing-early versus late-of any neurologic dysfunction during pediatric sepsis.

    DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional point prevalence study.

    SETTING: A total of 128 PICUs in 26 countries.

    PATIENTS: Less than 18 years with severe sepsis on 5 separate days (2013-2014).

    INTERVENTIONS: None.

    MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were categorized as having either no neurologic dysfunction or neurologic dysfunction (i.e., present at or after sepsis recognition), which was defined as Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 5 and/or fixed dilated pupils. Our primary outcome was death or new moderate disability (i.e., Pediatric Overall [or Cerebral] Performance Category score ≥3 and change ≥1 from baseline) at hospital discharge, and 87 of 567 severe sepsis patients (15%) had neurologic dysfunction within 7 days of sepsis recognition (61 at sepsis recognition and 26 after sepsis recognition). Primary site of infection varied based on presence of neurologic dysfunction. Death or new moderate disability occurred in 161 of 480 (34%) without neurologic dysfunction, 45 of 61 (74%) with neurologic dysfunction at sepsis recognition, and 21 of 26 (81%) with neurologic dysfunction after sepsis recognition (p < 0.001 across all groups). On multivariable analysis, in comparison with those without neurologic dysfunction, neurologic dysfunction whether at sepsis recognition or after was associated with increased odds of death or new moderate disability (adjusted odds ratio, 4.9 [95% CI, 2.3-10.1] and 10.7 [95% CI, 3.8-30.5], respectively). We failed to identify a difference between these adjusted odds ratios of death or new moderate disability that would indicate a differential risk of outcome based on timing of neurologic dysfunction (p = 0.20).

    CONCLUSIONS: In this severe sepsis international cohort, the presence of neurologic dysfunction during sepsis is associated with worse outcomes at hospital discharge. The impact of early versus late onset of neurologic dysfunction in sepsis on outcome remains unknown, and further work is needed to better understand timing of neurologic dysfunction onset in pediatric sepsis.

    MeSH terms: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Glasgow Coma Scale; Prevalence; Odds Ratio
  2. Lee SH, Moorthy R, Nagala S
    Br J Surg, 2022 Oct 14;109(11):e118.
    PMID: 35891610 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac236
    MeSH terms: Endoscopy; Humans; Thyroidectomy*; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery*
  3. Sukor NF, Yahaya A, Sagap I, Jamal R, Johdi NA
    Turk J Biol, 2022;46(5):361-374.
    PMID: 37529004 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0152.2623
    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor arising from a human inner colon lining that may spread to other organs such as the liver and lungs. Per ARNT Sim domain containing 1 (PASD1) is a cancer-testis antigen expressed in cancers including CRC but not in normal tissues except for normal testes. This study aims to study PASD1 protein as a potential target for CRC immunotherapy. A total of 90 CRC and polyps tissue samples were investigated for PASD1 RNA and protein expression using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Matched patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were pulsed with PASD1 peptides and measured for immunogenicity, cell cytotoxicity, and cytokine assays. The clinical data were collected and analyzed accordingly. Our results show that PASD1_v2 mRNA expression was highly expressed in CRC (46.0%) and polyps samples (33.3%). Both PASD1-1 and PASD1-2 proteins were expressed in 31.7% of CRC and 29.4% of polyps samples. Protein expression was weak to moderate positive in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of the tissues. Immune responses towards CD4-specific PASD1 peptides were detected in 21.7% of CRC and 23.5% of polyps patients. The most immunogenic peptide was PASD1 (1) in CRC while PASD1 (3) in polyps. Cytotoxicity effects were detected up to 57.20% observed in CRC samples while IL-17A and IL-6 cytokines were highly expressed. The demographic data suggest that Chinese female patients more than 60 years old, diagnosed with late-stage rectosigmoid tumors may benefit from the PASD1 peptide immunotherapy approach. This is the first report describing CD4-positive T-helper response to the PASD1 positive CRC patients and its cytotoxicity.
  4. Ong SL, Soh KL, Hussin EOD, Japar S, Soh KG, Vorasiha P, et al.
    Belitung Nurs J, 2022;8(2):93-100.
    PMID: 37521892 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.1872
    BACKGROUND: As Quality of Life (QoL) becomes progressively vital in health care services, its importance in mother and child health is of no exception too. Quality of life among mothers with a premature newborn is an issue that has led to growing concerns in the health care system. Yet, despite the knowledge about mother's QoL being essential to family-centered planning on prematurity integrated healthcare, current evidence has been scant.

    OBJECTIVE: To examine factors related to the QoL of mothers having preterm newborns hospitalized in the neonatal critical unit.

    METHODS: A non-probability convenience survey was used in a public hospital in Malaysia, covering 180 mothers whose preterm newborns were hospitalized into level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through the completion of a 26-questions survey of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the 26-questions of Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficients.

    RESULT: The mean scores for mothers' quality of life were (M = 3.67, SD = 0.73) and maternal stress (M = 3.03, SD = 0.90) out of 5. A mother's occupation was found to be the only factor associated with the quality of life among mothers who have preterm newborns admitted to the NICU. Furthermore, maternal role change was found to have a moderate negative relationship with the quality of life (r = 0.310, p = 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that the main factors contributing to the mother's QoL during their preterm newborns' NICU admission were role change-related stress. Thus, to maintain a better QoL among this group of mothers during this traumatic period, a special nursing intervention program must be implemented immediately, right after the preterm newborns' admission, to relieve the mothers' stress which has been proven to have a direct effect on the mothers' QoL. The study results will alert healthcare providers, particularly neonatal nurses, on the need to support mothers psychologically in terms of role change. This is to ensure a better quality of life among mothers whose newborns were admitted to the NICU.

  5. Jack KS, Asaruddin MRB, Bhawani SA
    PMID: 37520584 DOI: 10.1186/s40538-022-00340-0
    BACKGROUND: Virgin coconut oil is mostly made up of saturated fatty acids in which approximately 72% are medium chain triglycerides. Medium chain triglycerides can be digested into medium chain fatty acids and medium chain monoglycerides which are bioactive components. Therefore, it is very important to study the in-silico ability of some Virgin coconut oil derivatives, namely, medium chain fatty acids and medium chain monoglycerides to inhibit Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein for prevention of excessive inflammatory response.

    RESULTS: Pharmacophore study displayed monolaurin with two hydrogen bond donor, three hydrogen bond acceptor and five hydrophobic interactions, while lauric acid presented two hydrogen bond acceptor, five hydrophobic interactions and a negative ion interaction. Molecular docking underlined the ability of monolaurin in the inhibition of COX-2 protein which causes inflammatory action with a decent result of energy binding affinity of - 7.58 kcal/mol and 15 interactions out of which 3 are strong hydrogen bond with TYR385 (3.00 Å), PHE529 (2.77 Å), and GLY533 (3.10 Å) residues of the protein. Monolaurin was employed as hydrogen bond acceptor to the side of residue TYR385 of COX-2 protein with an occupancy of 67.03% and was observed to be long-living during the entire 1000 frames of the molecular dynamic simulation. The analysis of RMSD score of the Monolaurin-COX-2 complex backbone was calculated to be low (1.137 ± 0.153 Å) and was in a stable range of 0.480 to 1.520 Å. Redocking of this complex still maintained a strong hydrogen bond (2.87 Å) with the main residue TYR385. AMDET results where promising for medium chain fatty acids and medium chain monoglycerides with good physicochemical drug scores.

    CONCLUSIONS: This can be concluded from the results obtained that the monolaurin has strong interactions with COX-2 protein to disrupt its function due to significant hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues present in the target protein's active site. These results displayed a very significant anti-inflammatory potential of monolaurin and a new promising drug candidates as anti-inflammatory agent.

  6. Sharin SN, Radzali MK, Sani MSA
    Healthc Anal (N Y), 2022 Nov;2:100080.
    PMID: 37520622 DOI: 10.1016/j.health.2022.100080
    This study aims to (1) correlate and visualise the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic spread via Spearman rank coefficients of network analysis (NA) and (2) predict the cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed and death cases via support vector regression (SVR) based on COVID-19 dataset in Malaysia between July 2020 to June 2021. The NA indicated increasing connectivity between different states throughout the time frame, revealing the most complex network of COVID-19 transmission in the second quarter of 2021. The SVR model predicted future COVID-19 cases and deaths in Malaysia in the second half of 2021. The study demonstrated that the NA and SVR could provide relatively simple yet valuable artificial intelligence techniques for visualising the degree of connectivity and predicting pandemic risk based on confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Malaysian health authorities used the NA and SVR model results for preventive measures in highly populated states.
  7. Zahmatkesh S, Amesho KTT, Sillanpää M
    J Hazard Mater Adv, 2022 Aug;7:100121.
    PMID: 37520795 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100121
    Advanced wastewater treatment technologies are effective methods and currently attract growing attention, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, for reusing water, reducing water pollution, and explicitly declining, inactivating, or removing SARS-CoV-2. Overall, removing organic matter and micropollutants prior to wastewater reuse is critical, considering that water reclamation can help provide a crop irrigation system and domestic purified water. Advanced wastewater treatment processes are highly recommended for contaminants such as monovalent ions from an abiotic source and SARS-CoV-2 from an abiotic source. This work introduces the fundamental knowledge of various methods in advanced water treatment, including membranes, filtration, Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, ozonation, chlorination, advanced oxidation processes, activated carbon (AC), and algae. Following that, an analysis of each process for organic matter removal and mitigation or prevention of SARS-CoV-2 contamination is discussed. Next, a comprehensive overview of recent advances and breakthroughs is provided for each technology. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed.
  8. Zahmatkesh S, Sillanpaa M, Rezakhani Y, Wang C
    J Hazard Mater Adv, 2022 Aug;7:100140.
    PMID: 37520798 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100140
    The coronavirus known as COVID-19, which causes pandemics, is causing a global epidemic at a critical stage today. Furthermore, novel mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been discovered in an entirely new strain, impacting the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19. Variants of these viruses can increase the transmission in wastewater, lead to reinfection, and reduce immunity provided by monoclonal antibodies and vaccinations. According to the research, a large quantity of viral RNA was discovered in wastewater, suggesting that wastewater can be a crucial source of epidemiological data and health hazards. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a few basic concepts regarding wastewater surveillance as a starting point for comprehending COVID-19's epidemiological aspects. Next, the observation of Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) in wastewater is discussed in detail. Secondly, the essential information for the initial, primary, and final treating sewage in SARS-CoV-2 is introduced. Following that, a thorough examination is provided to highlight the newly developed methods for eradicating SARS-CoV-2 using a combination of solar water disinfection (SODIS) and ultraviolet radiation A (UVA (315-400 nm)), ultraviolet radiation B (UVB (280-315 nm)), and ultraviolet radiation C (UVC (100-280 nm)) processes. SARS-CoV-2 eradication requires high temperatures (above 56°C) and UVC. However, SODIS technologies are based on UVA and operate at cooler temperatures (less than 45°C). Hence, it is not appropriate for sewage treatment (or water consumption) to be conducted using SODIS methods in the current pandemic. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 may be discovered in sewage utilizing the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) monitoring method.
  9. Rather RA, Hollebeek LD, Vo-Thanh T, Ramkissoon H, Leppiman A, Smith D
    J Consum Behav, 2022;21(5):1175-1189.
    PMID: 37521716 DOI: 10.1002/cb.2070
    While insight into consumer brand engagement, experience, and identification is rapidly developing, little remains known regarding the association of these, and related, concepts, as therefore explored in this article. Drawing on social identity theory and service-dominant-logic, this study develops and tests a model that explores the effect of customers' brand credibility, -value congruence, and -experience on their brand identification, and its subsequent effect on their brand advocacy, -attachment, and -loyalty. We also examine the potentially moderating role of consumers' engagement in affecting these relationships. To explore these issues, we collected tourist-based survey data. To analyze the data, we used confirmatory factor analysis, followed by structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that brand value congruence, credibility, and experience exercise significant positive effects on customers' brand identification, which, in turn, impact their brand advocacy, attachment, and loyalty. Further, brand engagement is shown to moderate the association of these factors. We conclude by outlining key theoretical/practical implications that arise from this research.
  10. Mansor M, Ibrahim RM, Afthanorhan A, Salleh AMM
    Belitung Nurs J, 2022;8(2):115-123.
    PMID: 37521891 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.1994
    BACKGROUND: Employees' work experience significantly impacts their cognition and workplace actions. Anger and negative affectivity are two personality traits that have been linked to workplace deviant behavior conduct.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to empirically analyze the deviant workplace behavior and its antecedents among Malaysian nurses in public hospitals.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed in this study. The survey questionnaires were distributed proportionately to staff nurses in six government hospitals in 2020, with a total of 387 nurses selected using a simple random sampling. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: Trait anger triggered deviant workplace behavior in Malaysian nurses, thus supporting the argument that the personality trait could increase deviant behavior (β = 0.245, p = 0.000). At the same time, there was no evidence that negative affectivity could influence deviant behavior in the workplace among nurses in selected public hospitals in Malaysia (β = 0.074, p = 0.064).

    CONCLUSION: The Malaysian nurses had positive affectivity, related to positive emotions like happiness, work interest, and attentiveness. On the other hand, the nurses were suffering from high levels of emotional tiredness. Further research should highlight a deeper understanding of Malaysian nurses' work experiences and workplace stress affecting their physical and mental health.

  11. Suryani L, Letchmi S, Binti Moch Said F
    Belitung Nurs J, 2022;8(2):169-175.
    PMID: 37521894 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.1928
    BACKGROUND: Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) is considered one of the most scientifically rigorous tools available with excellent psychometric properties. However, it is not yet available in an Indonesian version.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the validity of the content and psychometric properties of HSOPSC 2.0 for use in Indonesian hospitals.

    METHODS: The study was divided into three stages: translation, adaptation, and validation. Culture-adaptation was assessed using cognitive interviews with ten direct care nurses who worked in the hospital to evaluate their perceptions and the coherence of the translated items, response categories, and questionnaire directions. Content validity was also done by ten experts from academic and clinical settings. Finally, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and reliability testing were conducted among 220 nurses from two Indonesian hospitals.

    RESULTS: The cognitive test results indicated that the language clarity was 87.8 % and 84.5% for cultural relevance. The Content Validity Index (CVI) ranged between 0.73 to 1.00, while the construct validity results indicated that each factor had factor loadings above 0.4, from 0.47 to 0.65. The fit indices showed an acceptable fit for the data provided by the 10-factor model, with RMSEA = 0.052, SRMR = 0.089, and CFI = 0.87. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the ten subscales ranged from 0.276 to 0.579 (p < 0.05). The Cronbach's alpha for all sub-scales was more than 0.70, except for organizational learning - continuous improvement, response to error, and communication openness.

    CONCLUSION: This study offers initial evidence of the psychometric properties of the Indonesian-HSOPSC 2.0. Future studies are needed to examine its psychometric features to improve generalizability. However, nurses and other healthcare professionals could use the tool to measure hospital patient safety culture in Indonesia.

  12. Khaing A, Swe AT, Aung CL, Thwin MM, Sein MT
    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet, 2022 Feb;44(2):125-132.
    PMID: 35213910 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742317
    OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in normal and preeclamptic (PE) placentae.

    METHODS:  The present cross-sectional analytical study was performed in normal and PE primigravidae (n = 10 in each group) who were admitted to the North Okkalapa General and Teaching Hospital from February 2019 to February 2020. Serum samples were collected immediately before delivery, and placental tissues were collected immediately after emergency or elective cesarean section. The expression of placental eNOS was measured by western blot, and the levels of ET-1 in placental tissue homogenates and in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

    RESULTS:  The PE group had significantly higher serum levels of ET-1 (median: 116.56 pg/mL; IQR: 89.14-159.62 pg/mL) than the normal group (median: 60.02 pg/mL; IQR: 50.89-94.37 pg/mL) (p 

    MeSH terms: Cesarean Section; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Placenta/pathology; Pre-Eclampsia*; Pregnancy; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  13. Liu CY, Lin HF, Lai WY, Lin YY, Lin TW, Yang YP, et al.
    J Chin Med Assoc, 2022 Apr 01;85(4):409-413.
    PMID: 35383703 DOI: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000703
    Lung carcinoma (LC) is the third most common cancer diagnosis and accounted for the most cancer-related mortality worldwide in 2018. Based on the type of cells from which it originates, LC is commonly classified into non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers (SCLC). NSCLC account for the majority of LC and can be further categories into adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Accurate classification of LC is critical for its adequate treatment and therapeutic outcome. Since NSCLC express more epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with activation mutations, targeted therapy EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been considered as primary option of NSCLC patients with activation EGFR mutation. In this review, we present the genetic alterations, reported mutations in EGFR, and TKIs treatment in NSCLC patients with an emphasis on the downstream signaling pathways in NSCLC progression. Among the signaling pathways identified, mitogen activation protein kinase (MAPK), known also as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk) pathway, is the most investigated among the related pathways. EGFR activation leads to the autophosphorylation of its kinase domain and subsequent activation of Ras, phosphorylation of Raf and MEK1/2, and the activation of ERK1/2. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt is another signal pathway that regulates cell cycle and has been linked to NSCLC progression. Currently, three generations of EGFR TKIs have been developed as a first-line treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR activation and mutation in which these treatment options will be further discussed in this review. The Supplementary Appendix for this article is available at http://links.lww.com/JCMA/A138.
    MeSH terms: Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Mutation; Signal Transduction; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
  14. Tsai ASH, Yeo BSY, Anaya Alaminos R, Wong CW, Tham CC, Fang SK, et al.
    Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila), 2022 09 14;11(5):434-440.
    PMID: 37494222 DOI: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000556
    PURPOSE: To describe ophthalmology training experiences across the Asia-Pacific (APAC).

    DESIGN: Survey study.

    METHODS: We utilized an anonymous online survey, which was previously validated and conducted in Europe, through Young Ophthalmologist leaders from the national member societies of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) from September 2019 to July 2021. Responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale (where applicable) and data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Our main outcome measures were differences between regions, that is, Southeast Asia (SEA) and Western Pacific (WP); and seniority, that is, trainees/junior ophthalmologists and senior ophthalmologists.

    RESULTS: We collated 130 responses representing 20 regions in the APAC region. The year of completion of ophthalmic training ranged from 1999 to 2024. The mean duration of training was 3.7±1.0 years. Most (98/130, 75%) indicated an interest for a common training standard across the APAC. Comparing SEA and WP trainees, both regions had similar working environments, but those in SEA reported significantly lower remuneration than their counterparts in WP ($600 vs $3000, P <0.05). WP trainees performed more phacoemulsification surgeries (76 WP vs 19 SEA), while SEA trainees conducted more manual small incision cataract surgeries (157 WP vs 1.5 SEA per duration of training). Senior ophthalmologists performed more cataract surgeries (210.9 senior ophthalmologists vs 40.1 junior ophthalmologists). Trainees had less confidence in medical competency areas such as interpreting an electroretinogram/visual evoked potential/electrooculogram (SEA=1.8, WP=2.1) and conducting an angiography (SEA=2.8, WP=3.4).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted heterogeneity among ophthalmology training experiences in the APAC region, with the majority indicating an interest in a common training standard.

  15. Gayatri RW, Deniati EN, Saub RB
    J Public Health Afr, 2022 Dec 07;13(Suppl 2):2414.
    PMID: 37497136 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2022.2414
    Dental and oral health are the main indicators of health, well-being, and quality of life. The concept of Oral Health Literacy (OHL) has become important because it regards individual capacity to understand and use dental information to transform into oral health behaviours. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover and describe the OHL status of adults in Malang City and its relationship with sociodemographic status so that it can be used as a basis for making policy. This study used observational analytical study design involving 450 respondents in Malang by quota random sampling method. The data was collected by the self-administered 29-item HeLD-ID (Health Literacy in Dentistry Indonesian Version) questionnaire. The study resulted that the overall HeLD-ID score was 3.68±0.69. The HeLDID score significant difference was affected by sex (p<0.05) and the other sociodemographic determinants (age, last education, and income) were not. However, there were significant differences of HeLD scores in communication domain (p<0.05) affected by age, sex, and income.
  16. Katmawanti S, Yunus M, Kurniawan AW, Sulistyorini A, Fauzi R, Supriyadi S, et al.
    J Public Health Afr, 2022 Dec 07;13(Suppl 2):2418.
    PMID: 37497140 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2022.2418
    The aim of this research was studied the influence of giving Glutamine, Glucose Unhydrate and Moringa oleifera the blood lymphocyte of white rat (Rattus novergicus) Strain Wistar that was induced with protein energy malnutrtion (PEM). This was an experimental study with Completely Random Design, sample was white rats in PEM induced with parched rice for 15 days and those with normal diet with total 30 sample. The concluded is that there was a significant difference in the blood lymphocytes of white rats (Rattus novergicus) Strain Wistar gived glumorry with sig. (0.000) and glutamin + glucose unhydrate with sig. (0.001), while in the group gived Moringa oleifera there was no significant difference with sig. (0.076). Glumorry intervention has the highest level of significance by 19,2382 × 103/mm3 compared to all treatment groups. This suggests that the glumorry (Glucose Unhydrate, Glutamine, and Moringa oleifera) intervention successfully increased the lymphocyte count higher in the study sample with PEM condition compared to the group that was only given Glucose Unhidrat + Glutamine and the group that was only given Moringa Oleifera.
  17. Hoe HG, Git KA, Loh CK, Abdul Latiff Z, Hong J, Abdul Hamid H, et al.
    Front Radiol, 2022;2:943102.
    PMID: 37492672 DOI: 10.3389/fradi.2022.943102
    OBJECTIVE: Patients with thalassemia major do require lifetime blood transfusions that eventually result in iron accumulation in different organs. We described the usefulness of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2*imaging values for the evaluation of pancreatic iron load in these patients, and we correlated it with MRI T2* haemosiderosis of the myocardium and liver that has been recognized as a non-invasive assessment of iron overload among patients with thalassemia major.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 39 patients with thalassemia major in one of the tertiary university hospitals for a 1-year period. Demographic data were collected from the patient's history. MRI T2* of the pancreas, liver, and heart were executed on all patients in the same setting. Objective values of iron overload in these organs were obtained using the MRI post-processing software from online software.

    RESULTS: A total of 32 (82.1%) patients had pancreatic iron overload including 2 patients (5.1%) with severe iron overload and 15 patients (38.5%) with moderate and mild iron overload, respectively. Nine patients (23.1%) had myocardial iron overload, which included 3 patients (7.7%) who had severe cardiac haemosiderosis. Notably, 37 patients (94.9%) had liver iron overload, which included 15 patients (38.5%) who had severe liver haemosiderosis. There was a moderate positive correlation between the relaxation time of the pancreas and heart haemosiderosis (r = 0.504, P < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between the relaxation time of the pancreas with the liver and the heart with the liver.

    CONCLUSION: Pancreatic haemosiderosis precedes cardiac haemosiderosis, which establishes a basis for initiating earlier iron chelation therapy to patients with thalassemia major.

  18. Karkada SR, Noronha JA, Bhat SK, Bhat P, Nayak BS
    F1000Res, 2022;11:159.
    PMID: 37483553 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.75960.3
    Background Childbirth is a life-transforming intense event to a woman and her family. Even though a variety of non-pharmacological techniques are readily available to alleviate the distress of women in labour, the majority of women are unaware of its benefits. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of a simple non-pharmacological technique i.e., antepartum breathing exercises on maternal outcomes of labour among primigravid women. Methods A single centre prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the antenatal outpatient clinic of a secondary healthcare institution. Eligible primigravid women were randomized into intervention and standard care groups. Both groups received standard obstetrical care. In addition, the intervention group were taught antepartum breathing exercises and were advised to practise daily and also during the active stage of labour. The primary outcome of the trial was the maternal outcome of labour measured in terms of onset of labour, nature of delivery, duration of labour, and need for augmentation of labour. Data was collected using World Health Organization (WHO) partograph, structured observational record on the outcome of labour. Results A total of 98 (70%) primigravid women who practised antepartum breathing exercises had spontaneous onset of labour. The odds of spontaneous onset of labour after randomization in the intervention group was 2.192 times more when compared to standard care at a (95% confidence interval 1.31-3.36, p
    MeSH terms: Breathing Exercises; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Labor, Obstetric*; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies
  19. Al-Qerem W, Jarab A, Hammad A, Alsajri AH, Al-Hishma SW, Ling J, et al.
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2022;16:1525-1537.
    PMID: 35769339 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S370124
    PURPOSE: COVID-19 vaccines are critical for containing the pandemic and preventing serious SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition to the two main doses, a booster dose has been utilized to improve immunity. The aim of current study is to evaluate Iraqi adult population knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 booster dose.

    SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This online cross-sectional survey of adult Iraqis (n = 754) assessed the attitudes of people who have had both immunizations regarding a potential COVID-19 vaccine booster dosage and to identify potential factors that might impact these attitudes. Factors evaluated in the current study included previously received vaccine type in the first two doses, socioeconomic characteristics, health status, knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccines and adherence to protective practices.

    RESULTS: Overall, 61.1% of participants expressed willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster dose, with a high median score of knowledge and practice toward COVID-19. Participants who did not perceive COVID-19 to be serious, p-value <0.001), participants who believed they would not be infected with COVID-19 in the next 6 months (p-value <0.001), low knowledge score group (p-value <0.001), lower education (p-value <0.001), participants who received the COVID-19 vaccine because of imposed laws (p-value <0.001), participants who received AstraZeneca vaccine (p-value <0.001), younger participants (p-value=0.003), low level of practice (p-value <0.001), participants who did not know someone who had died due to COVID-19 (p-value=0.01), low risk of developing serious side effects if infected with COVID-19 and participants in the low side effects score were significantly less frequently willing to receive a booster COVID-19 dose (p-value <0.001). The main reasons for booster dose hesitancy/refusal were the perceived lack of need for a booster shot, the uselessness of a booster shot and the conspiracy theory of boosting corporate profits through booster shots.

    CONCLUSION: There is high hesitancy towards COVID-19 booster dose acceptance among the Iraqi population. The study identified several factors associated with vaccine hesitancy including low socioeconomic status and low knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccines.

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