MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-over study incorporated 90 special needs children who were recruited to receive dental treatment with two ways of behavior guidance exposures consecutively in the order of A-B/B-A design. Exposure A is CBBGT (distraction, tell-show-do, and positive reinforcement), while Exposure B is PB. The dental procedures were either dental prophylaxis or restoration with a handpiece. Caregivers need to answer a paper-based questionnaire before and after exposure. The Wilcoxon sign rank test and logistic regression were utilized in order to establish the comparability, impacts, and association.
RESULT: About 88 caregivers of special needs children aged between 2 and 15 years completed the sequence. Overall, 98.9% of the children presented with neurodevelopmental disorders. Twenty-seven caregivers were significantly concerned when the combination of basic BGT was applied to their children, and 14 caregivers felt the same for PB. However, the Wilcoxon sign rank test revealed insignificant caregiver scores on acceptance and consent for both methods but significantly improved attitudes towards the use of PB after observing the placement of their children.
CONCLUSION: The studied caregiver demonstrated equivalent acceptance, consent, and concern toward the use of PB and a combination of basic BGT with improved attitudes after comprehensive explanation and real-time observation of PB usage during their children's dental treatment.
METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired from five rats that underwent scans at 9.4 T after middle cerebral artery occlusion.
RESULTS: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and apparent exchange-dependent relaxations (AREX) at 3.5 ppm and NOE(-1.6 ppm) were quantified. AREX(3.5 ppm) and NOE(-1.6 ppm) were found to be hypointense and exhibited different signal patterns within the ischemic tissue. The NOE(-1.6 ppm) deficit areas were equal to or larger than the ADC deficit areas, but smaller than the AREX(3.5 ppm) deficit areas. This suggested that NOE(-1.6 ppm) might further delineate the acidotic tissue estimated using AREX(3.5 ppm). Since NOE(-1.6 ppm) is closely related to membrane phospholipids, NOE(-1.6 ppm) potentially highlighted at-risk tissue affected by lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. Altogether, the ADC/NOE(-1.6 ppm)/AREX(3.5 ppm)/CBF mismatches revealed four zones of increasing sizes within the ischemic tissue, potentially reflecting different pathophysiological information.
CONCLUSIONS: Using CEST coupled with ADC and CBF, the ischemic tissue may thus potentially be separated into four zones to better understand the pathophysiology after stroke and improve ischemic tissue fate definition. Further verification of the potential utility of NOE(-1.6 ppm) may therefore lead to a more precise diagnosis.
METHODS: Sixty specimens (Vertex ThermoSens) were processed and divided into two main groups (n = 30) based on the type of test. Group 1 was further subdivided into two subgroups (n = 15): the control group immersed in distilled water (G1DW) and the test group immersed in Polident cleanser solution (G1PD). Group 2 was divided into three subgroups: a non-immersed group (G2None), a group immersed in distilled water (G2DW), and a group immersed in Polident cleanser solution (G2PD). Color change (∆E) and surface roughness measurements were conducted for group 1, and flexural modulus (E) test was performed for group 2. The CIE Lab* formula was utilized to calculate ∆E. An optical 3D surface analyzer and a three-point bending test were employed for surface roughness and E assessments, respectively. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using a paired-sample t-test for differences within each group before and after immersion. Furthermore, independent-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were conducted to analyze differences between groups. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered.
RESULTS: The results revealed a slight, statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) ∆E in all color components (L*, a*, b*) after immersion in distilled water. However, after immersion in the denture cleanser, only the L* component exhibited a statistically significant ∆E (P = 0.002), which was slight in magnitude. Additionally, a significant difference was found in the ∆E between G1DW and G1PD, with G1PD showing a higher change (P = 0.007). A significant increase in surface roughness after immersion was observed in G1PD (P = 0.017), with a notable difference between G1DW and G1PD. However, the E remained unaffected (P = 0.537).
CONCLUSION: Denture cleansers have the potential to modify the properties of thermoplastic polyamide resin. Further research is needed to explore the clinical implications of these observed changes on denture performance.
METHOD: This qualitative cross-sectional study utilised online open-ended, semi-structured focus group interviews to explore the perceptions and experiences of parents of children with Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the Malaysian Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (MyPOPI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to providing support and raising awareness about PID. The study spanned from May 2023 to July 2023 and included participants from diverse regions of Malaysia who had undergone different diagnostic journeys in various hospitals.
RESULT: The focus group discussions yielded 11 sub-themes that highlighted the experiences, understanding and challenges of the participants regarding genetic testing based on the semi-structured questions. These sub-themes were then grouped into four main themes that are awareness and understanding of genetic testing, the journey towards diagnosis and treatment, emotional impact and psychological factors, and the importance of medical experts in diagnosing and managing PID, as well as public perception and awareness.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study highlights the diverse knowledge, awareness, and perception surrounding genetic testing for PID. Factors such as access to services, family history, and personal circumstances shape individuals' understanding of genetic testing. The importance of healthcare professionals, along with the need for improved accessibility and targeted communication strategies, is underscored to enhance understanding and reduce stigma surrounding genetic testing for rare diseases like PID.
AIM: We want to demonstrate that the antioxidant properties of Swietenia macrophylla ethanol extract nanoparticles can prevent kidney cell damage brought on by streptozotocin (STZ) in the current investigation.
METHODS: This study employs high-energy ball milling to produce nanoparticles from S. macrophylla extract. Additionally, dynamic light scattering (DLS) is utilized to characterize the nanoparticle sizes of the S. macrophylla ethanol extract. Five groups, each consisting of 8 rats, were formed from 40 rats. Control rats received distilled water, the diabetic rats were administered STZ injections, while S. macrophylla rats were given S. macrophylla extract nanoparticles orally and STZ injection. After the trial, blood from a rat was drawn intracardially to check the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were then assessed in kidney tissue samples. Histological alterations were evaluated in kidney section samples.
RESULTS: A DLS analysis estimated the size of the S. macrophylla ethanol extract nanoparticles to be about 91.50 ± 23.06 nm. BUN and creatinine levels were significantly raised after STZ treatment. STZ significantly decreased SOD and GPx levels in kidney tissue while raising MDA levels (p < 0.05). Swietenia macrophylla ethanol extract nanoparticle caused the decreased levels of BUN and creatinine in blood to normal levels (p < 0.05), indicating that S. macrophylla ethanol extract prevented the STZ-induced kidney cell damage. Additionally, S. macrophylla nanoparticles significantly raise GPx and SOD levels in kidney tissue while lowering MDA levels (p < 0.05). These actions are thought to have prevented kidney histological alterations (degeneration and necrosis) in diabetic rats.
CONCLUSION: According to these results, the anti-oxidative stress properties of S. macrophylla nanoparticles make them potentially effective nephroprotective therapies for STZ-induced kidney cell damage.
METHODS: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study involving older persons aged % 60 years. An interviewer-guided questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and physical assessments were administered to operationalize healthy aging based on a multidimensional concept.
RESULTS: Among the 765 older persons surveyed, only 14.1% (95% CI: 11.64?"16.59) were classified as healthy agers. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that superior intrinsic religiosity (odds ratio (OR) = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.34?"8.73), higher social interaction (OR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.32?"6.04), larger calf circumference (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.24?"3.38), taking water intake % 5 cups per day (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.23?"3.30), better gait speed (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.04?"2.80), having savings (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.10?"2.66), and normal waist circumference (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04?"2.55) were found positively associated with healthy aging.
CONCLUSIONS: Only one in 10 older persons in the state met all the criteria for healthy aging. Specific aspects of religious status, social interaction, socioeconomic, behavioral, physical, and nutritional factors were found to predict healthy ageing in this population. These important determinants should be considered in developing a well-defined and comprehensive public health policy to promote healthy aging in the nation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study. A protocol gathering sociodemographic variables as well as depression, anxiety and suicidality and conspiracism was assembled, and data were collected anonymously and online from April 2020 through March 2021. The sample included 12,488 subjects from 11 countries, of whom 9,026 were females (72.2%; aged 21.11 ± 2.53), 3,329 males (26.65%; aged 21.61 ± 2.81) and 133 "non-binary gender" (1.06%; aged 21.02 ± 2.98). The analysis included chi-square tests, correlation analysis, ANCOVA, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analysis and Relative Risk ratios.
RESULTS: Dysphoria was present in 15.66% and probable depression in 25.81% of the total study sample. More than half reported increase in anxiety and depression and 6.34% in suicidality, while lifestyle changes were significant. The model developed explained 18.4% of the development of depression. Believing in conspiracy theories manifested a complex effect. Close to 25% was believing that the vaccines include a chip and almost 40% suggested that facemask wearing could be a method of socio-political control. Conspiracism was related to current depression but not to history of mental disorders.
DISCUSSION: The current study reports that students are at high risk for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified specific risk factors. It also suggested a role of believing in conspiracy theories. Further research is important, as it is targeted intervention in students' groups that are vulnerable both concerning mental health and conspiracism.