METHODS: The study included 25 community-dwelling older adults participants aged over 60 years (14 women and 11 men) who were not engaged in regular physical activity. The rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscle thicknesses as well as the RF cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed using 2D ultrasonography. The 30 Seconds Chair Stand test (30sCST) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) were used to assess lower body muscle power and functional mobility, respectively.
RESULTS: The QF muscle architecture showed moderate and large correlations with the 30sCST (r range = 0.45-0.67, p
METHODOLOGY: A guided, structured interview was employed to explore opinions on the current status, barriers, and strategies for implementing SCID NBS in Malaysia. All 13 invited experts participated in this study, indicating complete participation from the entire Malaysian immunology fraternity (consisting of eight clinical immunologists and five immunopathologists).
KEY FINDINGS: Several initiatives are ongoing to establish SCID NBS in Malaysia. Hindrances such as low immunologist-to-patient ratio, unequal placements of immunologists throughout Malaysia, society's low disease awareness, national health prioritization, lack of stakeholder engagement, and inadequacy of local study/data were highlighted. Pilot research on SCID NBS, advocacy workshops, and promotion materials are among the ongoing activities outlined in the blueprint, paving the way for this nationwide NBS program to be achievable in the near future.
CONCLUSION: This article provides recommendations to policymakers in mandating SCID NBS. Strategies by key stakeholders are underway, particularly in advocacy programs and efforts to increase awareness among clinicians and the public.
METHODS: A research group has been working on designing a highly sensitive photodiode to enhance the capabilities of next-generation of hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. This involves integrating micropixel avalanche photodiodes (MAPDs) to improve image resolution. The chosen design features deep-immersion MAPDs with a pixel size of 12 microns and a density of 1000 pixels per mm 2, allowing for high-detail photon detection. The 4x4 mm 2 active area is optimized to balance sensitivity and size for high-resolution medical imaging. To produce these photodiodes, the group has outlined a production plan involving 300 mm silicon wafers grown using multiple techniques to enhance material properties. The Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS), renowned for its expertise in optical microelectronics, was selected as the production center. With MIMOS' state-of-the-art facilities, the project aims to meet stringent medical diagnostics standards.
RESULTS: The experimental results demonstrated that the MAPD-3NM (MAPD design with 12 microns pixel size) photodiode achieved an amplification factor 1.8 times greater than the MAPD-3NK (MAPD design with 10 microns pixel size) under optimal conditions. The both samples size was 4x4 square mm. Its overvoltage range increased by 100%, reaching 4 V, enhancing photon detection and amplification. The MAPD-3NM also showed a significant reduction in dark current, about 3.5 times lower than the MAPD-3NK, improving performance in low-light environments. Additionally, the MAPD-3NM had a capacitance of 200 pF compared to 176 pF for the MAPD-3NK, contributing to its superior performance. These improvements make the MAPD-3NM more efficient and sensitive for scientific and medical applications.
CONCLUSIONS: This project represents a major advancement in photodetector technology for medical diagnostics, aiming to develop more accurate and efficient PET-MRI scanners that enhance patient outcomes with improved imaging capabilities.
METHODS: This retrospective study obtained data from adult RA patients with Hb reports from the Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases. Patients were recruited from four public hospitals in Kuwait between February 2013 and February 2022. The cohort was stratified into two groups: Hb ≤ 110 g/L and Hb > 110 g/L. Demographic, treatment, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were used to compare the two Hb groups. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The total number of patients visited (Nv) was 11 393 and consecutive patients with RA diagnoses and Hb data (Np) were 1584. Both Nv and Np were included in the study. Of these, 72.5% (n = 8260) had high Hb levels and 27.5% (n = 3133) had low Hb levels. The average age of the cohort was 55.9 ± 12.5 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater number of non-Kuwaiti patients had anemia than Kuwaiti patients [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.16-1.56; p < 0.001). Patients who received biologic treatment were more likely to be non-anemic [aOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.23-1.45; p < 0.001). Additionally, the study demonstrated that patients with anemia had greater odds of acquiring Disease Activity Score -28 joint count (DAS-28) ≥ 3.2 versus DAS-28 < 3.2 [aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.90; p = 0.002].
CONCLUSIONS: Lower Hb levels in RA are an independent predictor of disease activity.
OBJECTIVE: To report the proportion of 3- and 4-year-old children who met the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep across 33 countries.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Pooled analysis of data from 14 cross-sectional studies (July 2008 to September 2022) identified through systematic reviews and personal networks. Thirty-three countries of varying income levels across 6 geographical regions. Each study site needed to have at least 40 children aged 3.0 to 4.9 years with valid accelerometry and parent-/caregiver-reported screen time and sleep duration data. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to February 2023.
EXPOSURES: Time spent in physical activity was assessed by reanalyzing accelerometry data using a harmonized data-processing protocol. Screen time and sleep duration were proxy reported by parents or caregivers.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The proportion of children who met the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity (≥180 min/d of total physical activity and ≥60 min/d of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity), screen time (≤1 h/d), and sleep duration (10-13 h/d) was estimated across countries and by World Bank income group and geographical region using meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Of the 7017 children (mean [SD] age, 4.1 [0.5] years; 3585 [51.1%] boys and 3432 [48.9%] girls) in this pooled analysis, 14.3% (95% CI, 9.7-20.7) met the overall guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration. There was no clear pattern according to income group: the proportion meeting the guidelines was 16.6% (95% CI, 10.4-25.3) in low- and lower-middle-income countries, 11.9% (95% CI, 5.9-22.5) in upper-middle-income countries, and 14.4% (95% CI, 9.6-21.1) in high-income countries. The region with the highest proportion meeting the guidelines was Africa (23.9%; 95% CI, 11.6-43.0), while the lowest proportion was in North and South America (7.7%; 95% CI, 3.6-15.8).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Most 3- and 4-year-old children in this pooled analysis did not meet the current World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. Priority must be given to understanding factors that influence these behaviors in this age group and to implementing contextually appropriate programs and policies proven to be effective in promoting healthy levels of movement behaviors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 samples, consisting of 240 cloacal swabs from chickens and 160 from poultry farms environments in eight districts in Selangor, Malaysia using culture and disk combination methods and multiple polymerase chain reaction assays. In the determination of possible factors associated with the presence of ESBL-EC at poultry farms, a questionnaire was used to obtain the information and data.
RESULTS: The findings demonstrated the wide distribution of ESBL-EC in all the farms with an overall occurrence of 37.2%. Farms in Gombak, Klang and Hulu Selangor had the highest occurrence rates at 62%, 50% and 50%, respectively, followed by farms in Petaling 38%, Sepang at 34%, Kuala Langat at 26% and Kuala Selangor at 24%, and the lowest was in Hulu Langat 14%. Among the study samples, chickens had the highest occurrence rate at 45.4%, followed by chicken house floors at 40% and flies at 30%, while feed and water samples at 17.5% and 12.5%, respectively. The present study indicated the high occurrence and wide dissemination of ESBL-EC in chickens and poultry farms environment. The ESBL-EC occurrence was associated with several factors including imprudent use of antibiotics, poor husbandry, management and biosecurity practices at the farms.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the presence and spread of ESBL EC among chickens in the farms and their environment; this may lead to being spread to outside of farm environment by flies, vermins, flying birds, litter and farm wastes and possibly to humans upon contact with the contaminated environment and by poultry meat. Thus, the findings of the study can assist to serve as a piece of useful information to veterinary authority in designing evidence-based mitigation strategies for the control of ESBL-EC in poultry farms.
METHOD: Children were supplemented with L-carnosine (10-15 mg/kg) along with standard care therapies for 2 months. Before and after supplementation, scores on the ATEC, CARS2-ST, BEARS sleep screening tool, 6-item Gastrointestinal Severity Index, and Parental Stress Scale were evaluated, and L-carnosine was measured at the end of the trial.
RESULTS: The calibration curve was linear in the range of 100-600 ng/mL (R2 = 0.998). The level of L-carnosine quantified was 33.7 ± 0.2 ng/mL. There was no significant difference found in any of the outcome measures (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that L-carnosine is detectable in the blood, it was found to be ineffective in the management of ASD in children.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Clinical Trial Registry-India, registration number: CTRI/2019/07/020102.