Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Andrew Tong JW, Hee MQ
    BMC Cancer, 2023 Oct 06;23(1):947.
    PMID: 37803291 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11427-8
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the world's most prevalent cancer and the most common type of cancer in Malaysia. Interestingly, breast cancer in young women is more aggressive compared to older women and the survival rate among these groups of individuals is poor. Thus, breast cancer awareness is essential among young women as early detection is possible and treatment will be effective during which the disease is curable. Hence, the purpose of this study is to design and evaluate the impact of an educational game on breast cancer awareness among female university students in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This is a one-group pre-and post-intervention pilot study. It was conducted in Private and public higher education institutions around Malaysia. An online education game was created and used as the intervention. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to the participants during the pre-and post-intervention test to evaluate the online educational game on breast cancer awareness.

    RESULTS: A total of 52 responses were collected. The mean age of the participants was 21.98 (SD = 1.896) years. The findings showed a statistically significant median increase (p 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Pilot Projects; Students; Universities; Education, Distance*; Young Adult
  2. Jeppu AK, Kumar KA, Sethi A
    BMC Med Educ, 2023 Oct 06;23(1):734.
    PMID: 37803418 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04734-y
    BACKGROUND: Modern clinical practice increasingly relies on collaborative, cooperative and team-based approaches for effective patient care. Recently, Jigsaw cooperative learning has gained attention in medical education. There is a need for studies in Southeast Asian context to establish its effectives in developing various core competencies expected of health professionals such as interpersonal, communication, collaborative, and teamwork skills. This current study explores the impact of using Jigsaw Cooperative Learning on undergraduate medical students.

    METHOD: An explanatory mixed method research design was carried out on first year medical students at a private university in Malaysia. In Phase I, a survey was conducted to explore the effectiveness of jigsaw learning. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS. In Phase II, a focus group interview was conducted to explore their in-depth experiences. Qualitative data were thematically analysed.

    RESULTS: Fifty-seven students participated in the survey and seven students took part in the focus group interview. Quantitative data analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in the student's individual accountability, promotive interaction, positive interdependence, interpersonal skill, communication skill, teamwork skill, critical thinking and consensus building after jigsaw learning sessions. Qualitative data explained their experiences in-depth.

    CONCLUSION: Jigsaw cooperative learning improves collaboration, communication, cooperation and critical thinking among the undergraduate medical students. Educators should use jigsaw learning methods to encourage effective collaboration and team working. Future studies should explore the effectiveness of the jigsaw cooperative learning technique in promoting interprofessional collaboration in the workplace.

    MeSH terms: Communication; Cooperative Behavior; Education, Medical*; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Learning; Students, Medical*; Workplace
  3. Zhang Y, Shi J, Tan C, Liu Y, Xu YJ
    Food Res Int, 2023 Nov;173(Pt 1):113301.
    PMID: 37803609 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113301
    Oil is one of three nutritious elements. The application of omics techniques in the field of oil science and technology is attracted increasing attention. Oilomics, which emerged as an important branch of foodomics, has been widely used in various aspects of oil science and technology. However, there are currently no articles systematically reviewing the application of oilomics. This paper aims to provide a critical overview of the advantages and value of oilomics technology compared to traditional techniques in various aspects of oil science and technology, including oil nutrition, oil processing, oil quality, safety, and traceability. Moreover, this article intends to review major issues in oilomics and give a comprehensive, critical overview of the current state of the art, future challenges and trends in oilomics, with a view to promoting the optimal application and development of oilomics technology in oil science and technology.
    MeSH terms: Nutritional Status*; Technology
  4. Chan KJ, Nawawi O, Fong CY
    Pediatr Int, 2023;65(1):e15649.
    PMID: 37804048 DOI: 10.1111/ped.15649
    MeSH terms: Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Spinal Puncture*; Spine*
  5. Bin Ismail CMKH, Bin Mohammad Aidid E, Binti Hamzah HA, Bin Shalihin MSE, Bin Md Nor A
    Arab J Gastroenterol, 2023 Aug;24(3):163-167.
    PMID: 37156704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2023.02.002
    BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia and mostly detected at advanced stages due to lack of awareness of CRC symptoms and signs. CRC pathogenesis is multifactorial, and there is ambiguous evidence on association of Streptococcus gallolyticus infection with CRC that needs further attention. Thus, a case-control study was conducted to determine whether S. gallolyticus infection is a predictor for CRC occurrence among patients attending Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre@IIUM (SASMEC@IIUM).

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 stool samples from patients diagnosed with CRC and 80 from patients without CRC attending surgical clinic of SASMEC@IIUM were collected and analyzed with iFOBT test and PCR assay to detect S. gallolyticus.

    RESULTS: In this study, the proportion of S. gallolyticus infection was higher among patients with CRC (48.5%) compared with the control group (20%). Univariate analysis shows that occult blood in stool, S. gallolyticus infection and family history were significantly associated with the development of CRC (P 

    MeSH terms: Humans; Case-Control Studies; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Streptococcus gallolyticus
  6. El Omari N, Mrabti HN, Benali T, Ullah R, Alotaibi A, Abdullah ADI, et al.
    Front Biosci (Landmark Ed), 2023 Sep 27;28(9):229.
    PMID: 37796709 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2809229
    BACKGROUND: Screening new natural molecules with pharmacological and/or cosmetic properties remains a highly sought-after area of research. Moreover, essential oils and volatile compounds have recently garnered significant interest as natural substance candidates. In this study, the volatile components of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oils (PLEOs) isolated from the fruit and its main compounds, alpha-pinene, and limonene, are investigated for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and dermatoprotective activities.

    METHODS: In vitro antioxidant activity was investigated using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods. The antidiabetic and dermatoprotective effects were studied using enzyme inhibitory activities.

    RESULTS: Antioxidant tests showed that PLEO has the best activity (ranging from 29.64 ± 3.04 to 73.80 ± 3.96 µg/mL) compared to its main selected molecules (ranging from 74 ± 3.72 to 107.23 ± 5.03 µg/mL). The α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays demonstrated that the elements tested have a promising antidiabetic potential with IC50values ranging from 78.03 ± 2.31 to 116.03 ± 7.42 µg/mL and 74.39 ± 3.08 to 112.35 ± 4.92 µg/mL for the α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays, respectively, compared to the standard drug. For the tyrosinase test, we found that the EOs (IC50 = 57.72 ± 2.86 µg/mL) followed by limonene (IC50 = 74.24 ± 2.06 µg/mL) and α-pinene (IC50 = 97.45 ± 5.22 µg/mL) all exhibited greater inhibitory effects than quercetin (IC50 = 246.90 ± 2.54 µg/mL).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the biological activities of PLEO, as well as its main compounds, make them promising candidates for the development of new strategies aimed at improving dermatoprotection and treating diseases associated with diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress.

    MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases; alpha-Glucosidases; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry; Pistacia*
  7. Wan-Norafikah O, Hasani NAH, Nabila AB, Najibah I, Nurjuani AHH, Masliana M, et al.
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2023 Sep 01;39(3):183-191.
    PMID: 37796735 DOI: 10.2987/23-7125
    The present study establishes insecticide susceptibility profiles of Aedes albopictus adult populations from 4 hot springs in Selangor, Malaysia, against 7 pyrethroids through an adult mosquito susceptibility bioassay. All Ae. albopictus populations were subjected to a 1-h exposure to each pyrethroid following the World Health Organization. The mortalities were recorded at 60 min of exposure to bifenthrin, 30 min for other pyrethroids, and 24 h posttreatment for all pyrethroids. Complete mortalities were observed upon exposures to the pyrethroids under 60 min and at 24 h posttreatment, excluding permethrin 0.25%, alpha-cypermethrin 0.05%, and bifenthrin 0.2%. These findings indicated that permethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, and etofenprox possess the recommended pyrethroid adulticide active ingredients that could be applied in vector control programs at these hot springs in the future. Nevertheless, the application of pyrethroids should be carefully monitored in rotation with other insecticide classes, including organophosphates and carbamates to avoid the development of insecticide resistance among mosquito vectors towards all insecticides. Although there were no reported cases of Aedes-borne pathogens at these hot springs to date, the current study results could still assist the Malaysian health authorities in determining approaches to control Aedes populations in these hot springs, if required in the future.
    MeSH terms: Aedes*; Animals; Insecticide Resistance; Malaysia; Pyrethrins*; Permethrin; Hot Springs*
  8. Schliemann D, Jamil ASA, Mohan D, Tan MM, Cardwell CR, Ismail R, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0288437.
    PMID: 37796803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288437
    INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) screening uptake in Malaysia is low and a high number of cases present at a late stage. Community navigation and mobile health (mHealth) may increase screening attendance, particularly by women from rural communities. This randomized controlled study evaluated an intervention that used mHealth and community health workers to educate women about BC screening and navigate them to clinical breast examination (CBE) services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    METHODS: Women aged 40-74 years, from Segamat, Malaysia, with a mobile phone number, who participated in the South East Asian Community Observatory health survey, (2018) were randomized to an intervention (IG) or comparison group (CG). The IG received a multi-component mHealth intervention, i.e. information about BC was provided through a website, and telephone calls and text messages from community health workers (CHWs) were used to raise BC awareness and navigate women to CBE services. The CG received no intervention other than the usual option to access opportunistic screening. Regression analyses were conducted to investigate between-group differences over time in uptake of screening and variable influences on CBE screening participation.

    RESULTS: We recruited 483 women in total; 122/225 from the IG and 144/258 from the CG completed the baseline and follow-up survey. Uptake of CBE by the IG was 45.8% (103/225) whilst 3.5% (5/144) of women from the CG who completed the follow-up survey reported that they attended a CBE during the study period (adjusted OR 37.21, 95% CI 14.13; 98.00, p<0.001). All IG women with a positive CBE attended a follow-up mammogram (11/11). Attendance by IG women was lower among women with a household income ≥RM 4,850 (adjusted OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.20; 0.95, p = 0.038) compared to participants with a household income

    MeSH terms: Female; Health Education; Humans; Malaysia; Telemedicine*; Pandemics
  9. Subramaniam P, Thillainathan P, Mat Ghani NA, Sharma S
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0291620.
    PMID: 37796820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291620
    The Life Story Book has been commonly used in promoting person-centred care in older adults, especially for persons with dementia. This involves collecting the life stories and memories of the person living with dementia and compiling them into a book or folder, which is used by staff or family to assist the person recall these memories. Evidence on the use, benefits and influences of the Life Story Book in dementia care is limited. This systematic literature review aimed to collect past reviews and provide a thorough overview of the use, benefits, and impact of the Life Story Book for the person with dementia, the relatives, family, and caregivers. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science as well as grey literature through Google Scholar were searched to select the relevant studies. Seven studies that meet the inclusion criteria were selected and data synthesised. Findings revealed that the use of the Life Story Book has no specific guidelines and has been described with numerous characteristics and varied implementation methods. The Life Story Book intervention is found to provide positive outcomes for the person with dementia and the carers involved. Six out of the seven studies reported that Life Story Book enhanced communication between persons with dementia, relatives, care staff, and residents. The review extends the current evidence on the usage of the Life Story Book in dementia care and confirms that the use of life stories leads to better care in various settings. However, more research is needed to reveal the potential of the Life Story Book in enhancing communication. Guidelines and training are also required to make the best use of the Life Story Book.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Books; Communication; Dementia*; Humans; Caregivers; Patient-Centered Care/methods
  10. Raza A, Jauhar J, Abdul Rahim NF, Memon U, Matloob S
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0288527.
    PMID: 37796908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288527
    In Pakistan, women outnumber men in medical colleges with 80 percent enrollment, yet many fail to practice medicine following graduation. Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) states 50 percent of graduated women doctors either did not practice or left employment in a short period. Thus, the non-servicing women doctors are assumed as the one of the major causes for the overall doctors' shortage in the country. Addressing this enduring matter, this study aims to explore and understand the factors that discourage women doctors from practicing medicine in Pakistani hospitals. The study employed qualitative exploratory inquiry with an interpretive paradigm to attain a deeper understanding of the problem. 59-semi structured interviews were conducted by non-working women doctors across the entirety of Pakistan. The narratives were then analyzed by thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 22. The findings have resulted in the three major themes, i.e., workplace challenges, socio-cultural obstructions, and familial restrictions that possibly obstruct women from practicing medicine in hospitals. The findings suggested that accepting traditional cultural values, including entrenched gender roles in society, deters women from practicing medicine. The prevailing patriarchal societal system includes stereotypes against working women; early marriages hinder women from practicing medicine. The prevailing societal system upholds the influence of in-laws and a husband for women doctor professional employment. As a result, severe work-life conflict was reported where most women doctors ended up in their profession in the middle of struggling between socially rooted gender roles as homemakers and their professional careers-furthermore, the study found various workplace issues that posit an additional burden on already struggling women doctors. Issues include poor recruitment and selection process, transfer constraints, excessive workload with inadequate salary, harassment, gender discrimination, unsafe work environment, and little support from the administration highly contribute to the shortage of women doctors in Pakistan.
    MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care; Female; Humans; Male; Occupations; Pakistan; Physicians*; Physicians, Women*; Qualitative Research
  11. Sridadi AR, Eliyana A, Priyandini FA, Pratama AS, Ajija SR, Mohd Kamil NL
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0291815.
    PMID: 37797049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291815
    Police reform in the Mobile Brigade Corps unit in Indonesia, which seeks to break away from militaristic elements, has not been fully implemented optimally. This is reflected in the lack of implementation of human values in serving the community. The extra effort of officers in encouraging community service based on human values can be realized through Organizational Citizenship Behavior which is not only directed at fellow officers, but also towards organizations in the context of community service. Based on Social Exchange Theory, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of strengthening Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the context of the Police Mobile Brigade Corps with the support of Empowering Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, and Job Satisfaction. Using a quantitative approach, this study distributed online questionnaires to 395 Mobile Brigade Corps officers. Furthermore, this study analyzes the data using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling. The test results show that Empowering Leadership can strengthen Organizational Citizenship Behavior. In addition, this study reveals the mediating role of Psychological Empowerment and Job Satisfaction in the influence of Empowering Leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behavior. With these findings, the Police Mobile Brigade Corps needs to improve the competence of officers through training and development efforts so that officers feel psychologically empowered and have job satisfaction. On the other hand, Mobile Brigade Corps needs to encourage leaders to provide opportunities for officers to participate in decision making and recognize their contributions to work.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Indonesia; Job Satisfaction; Leadership; Surveys and Questionnaires; Organizational Culture
  12. Shim SB, Choi CW, Shin JH, Kim JW, Schepelmann S, Jung JH, et al.
    Biologicals, 2023 Nov;84:101712.
    PMID: 37797484 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101712
    The Biregional Network of National Control Laboratories (NCLs) of the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions has been meeting annually since 2018 to enhance NCLs' voluntary participation capacity. Its seventh meeting was hosted by the Korea National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), in conjunction with the Global Bio Conference, in Seoul on September 6, 2022. Over 60 participants from seven countries, (India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) attended the meeting on-site and online. The theme of this meeting was 'Quality Control Issues and International Trends for Biologicals including Vaccines and Plasma-Derived Medicinal Products.' Three special speeches were presented on sharing the quality control system for biologicals, including NCLs' considerations in preparing the WHO Listed Authorities and sharing MFDS experiences. Furthermore, the participating NCLs shared country-specific issues related to national lot releases during the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged the meeting's crucial role in response preparedness for pandemic emergencies and enhancing regulatory capacity through coalitions and information exchange among NCLs. The NIFDS will cooperate closely with other Asian NCLs to enhance biological product quality control, aiming to establish regional standards and standardize test methods through collaboration.
    MeSH terms: Biological Products*; Humans; Korea; Laboratories; Vaccines*; World Health Organization; Pandemics
  13. Ismanto A, Hadibarata T, Kristanti RA, Sugianto DN, Widada S, Atmodjo W, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2023 Nov;196:115563.
    PMID: 37797535 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115563
    This study aimed to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems by assessing the prevalence and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in water and riverbank sediments of the Pekalongan River, a vital water source in Indonesia. From the present findings, MP concentrations in water ranged from 45.2 to 99.1 particles/L, while sediment concentrations ranged from 0.77 to 1.01 particles/g. This study revealed that fragment and film MPs constituted 30.1 % and 25.4 % of the total, respectively, with MPs measuring <1 mm and constituting 51.4 % of the total. Colored MPs, particularly blue and black MPs, accounted for 34 % of the total. The primary polymer components, as determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were identified as polystyrene, polyester, and polyamide. In response to the escalating plastic waste crisis caused by single-use plastics, Pekalongan's local government implemented refuse segregation and recycling programs as part of its efforts to transition toward zero-waste practices.
    MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring/methods; Indonesia; Plastics/chemistry; Water; Ecosystem; Geologic Sediments/chemistry; Rivers/chemistry; Estuaries
  14. Latif NHA, Brosse N, Ziegler-Devin I, Chrusiel L, Hashim R, Hussin MH
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 5):127210.
    PMID: 37797852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127210
    The effects of steam explosion (SE) pretreatment on the structural properties of lignin isolated from coconut husk (CH) biomass via soda pulping were investigated in this work. The isolated SE lignin was classified as dilute acid impregnation SE lignin (ASEL), water impregnation SE lignin (WSEL), and 2-naphthol impregnation SE lignin (NSEL). The various types of functional groups isolated from SE lignin were characterized and compared using a variety of complementary analyses: FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, GPC chromatography, HPAEC-PAD chromatography and thermal analyses. It was revealed that ASEL has the highest solid recovery with 55.89 % yield as well as the highest sugars content compared to WSEL (45.66 % yield) and NSEL (49.37 % yield). Besides, all isolated SE lignin contain a significant quantity of non-condensed G-type and S-type units but less amount of H-type units as supported by previous research. The SE lignin produced lignin with higher molecular weight (Mw ASEL: 72725 g mol-1 > Mw WSEL: 13112 g mol-1 > Mw NSEL: 6891 g mol-1) seems to influence the success of the synthesis reaction of phenolic resins. Because of the large variances in the physicochemical properties of SE lignin polymers, their structural properties were increased toward numerous alternative techniques in lignin-based applications.
    MeSH terms: Cocos; Hydrolysis; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Steam*; Phenol
  15. Rothwell C, Guilding C, Veasuvalingam B, McKeegan K, Illing J
    BMJ Open, 2023 Oct 05;13(10):e072808.
    PMID: 37798022 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072808
    OBJECTIVES: In an increasingly global society, there is a need to develop culturally competent doctors who can work effectively across diverse populations. International learning opportunities in undergraduate healthcare programmes show various benefits. In medical education, these occur predominantly towards the end of degree programmes as electives, with scant examples of programmes for preclinical students. This study set out to identify the multicultural learning experiences following an early year international medical student exchange programme between the UK and Malaysian campuses of one UK medical school.

    SETTING: Two cohorts of international exchange programme for second year medical students in the UK and Malaysia.

    DESIGN: Interpretivist qualitative design using semistructured interviews/focus groups with students and faculty.

    METHODS: Participants were asked about their learning experiences during and after the exchange. Data were recorded with consent and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

    RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) overall benefits of the exchange programme, (2) personal growth and development, (3) understanding and observing a different educational environment and (4) experiencing different healthcare systems.

    CONCLUSION: The international exchange programme highlighted differences in learning approaches, students from both campuses gained valuable learning experiences which increased their personal growth, confidence, cultural competence, giving them an appreciation of a better work-life balance and effective time management skills. It is often a challenge to prepare healthcare professionals for work in a global multicultural workplace and we would suggest that exchange programmes early on in a medical curriculum would go some way to addressing this challenge.

    MeSH terms: Great Britain; Humans; Malaysia; Students, Medical*; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research
  16. Tan YR, Jawahir S, Doss JG
    BMC Oral Health, 2023 Oct 05;23(1):719.
    PMID: 37798660 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03470-5
    BACKGROUND: The development and implementation of appropriate strategies to enhance oral health in the community can be aided by an understanding of oral healthcare seeking behavior among urban and rural populations. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with oral healthcare seeking behavior of the Malaysians in urban and rural locations who self-reported dental problems.

    METHODS: The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, a cross-sectional nationwide household survey that focused on non-institutionalised Malaysians, provided the data for this study on adults in Malaysia who were 18 years of age and older. A two-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure national representativeness. Data was collected using a multilingual (Malay and English), structured, and validated questionnaire via face-to-face interviews from July to October 2019. The dependent variable was oral healthcare seeking behavior (sought oral healthcare and self-medication). Independent variables were predisposing, enabling and health needs factor based on Andersen's Behavioral Model. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics and oral healthcare seeking behavior of the respondents. The relationship between the independent and dependent variables were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

    RESULTS: The analysis comprised a total of 10,134 respondents, representing about 18.2 million Malaysian adults aged 18 and above. The overall prevalence of Malaysian adults who self-reported dental problems was low (5.5%) and was slightly higher in the rural than urban population. Almost half sought treatment from healthcare practitioners, and almost a quarter self-medicated. Ethnicity was associated with seeking healthcare and self-medication among urban dwellers. Among the rural population, income level was associated with seeking healthcare while education level was associated with self-medication.

    CONCLUSION: Disparities in oral healthcare seeking behaviors exist between Malaysians living in urban and rural areas. Future policies should adopt focused strategies that concentrate on oral healthcare accessibility and health literacy of the vulnerable and rural populations to achieve the best oral healthcare for this population group.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Morbidity; Oral Health*; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Population; Urban Population
  17. Naing C, Htet NH, Tung WS, Aung HH, Whittaker MA
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Oct 05;23(1):1924.
    PMID: 37798703 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16845-8
    BACKGROUND: Dengue is a public health problem in the Indo-Pacific countries. There are concerns over the facilitators and barriers to community engagement in health service research aimed at dengue control. The objective of his study was to identify and synthesize facilitators and barriers to community engagement in health service research aimed at dengue control.

    METHODOLOGY: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist was used to perform this review. Health-related databases including PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies. A consolidated framework with five domains was developed after undertaking a six-phase reflective thematic assessment of the data.

    RESULTS: Thirteen studies were identified, spanning eight low-and middle-income countries of the Indo-Pacific region including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The studies in this review covered the period from 2002 to 2021. A broad range of study designs and objectives were revealed across these 13 studies. An array of communities such as the local government, project-related health staff, local health services staff, community leaders, local communities/residences/general public, heads of households, community health volunteers, school teachers, and schoolchildren participated in these dengue related studies. The five Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains of 'intervention characteristics', 'inner setting', 'outer setting',' individual characteristics', and 'program implementations' were used to identify and describe barriers and facilitators.

    CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a range of barriers and facilitators to community engagement in dengue control in the selected LMIC in the Indo-Pacific countries. Future health services research on dengue control approaches should be carefully planned, methodologically constructed, aligned with community engagement principles, and involve considerable community participation at all stages of the research.

    MeSH terms: Child; Consumer Participation; Humans; Public Health*; Vietnam; Qualitative Research
  18. Mohammadi S, Asbaghi O, Dolatshahi S, Omran HS, Amirani N, Koozehkanani FJ, et al.
    Nutr J, 2023 Oct 06;22(1):49.
    PMID: 37798798 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-023-00878-1
    BACKGROUND: It is suggested that supplementation with milk protein (MP) has the potential to ameliorate the glycemic profile; however, the exact impact and certainty of the findings have yet to be evaluated. This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the impact of MP supplementation on the glycemic parameters in adults.

    METHODS: A systematic search was carried out among online databases to determine eligible RCTs published up to November 2022. A random-effects model was performed for the meta-analysis.

    RESULTS: A total of 36 RCTs with 1851 participants were included in the pooled analysis. It was displayed that supplementation with MP effectively reduced levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) (weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.83 mg/dL, 95% CI: -3.28, -0.38; P = 0.013), fasting insulin (WMD: -1.06 uU/mL, 95% CI: -1.76, -0.36; P = 0.003), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: -0.27, 95% CI: -0.40, -0.14; P  8 weeks) with high or moderate doses (≥ 60 or 30-60 g/d) of MP or whey protein (WP). Serum FBG levels were considerably reduced upon short-term administration of a low daily dose of WP (

    MeSH terms: Whey Proteins; Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance*; Milk Proteins; Dietary Supplements
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