METHODS: This quantitative study was conducted from May 2021 to December 2021. The sample population was newly employed nurses working at state hospitals with 1-2 years of service experience. This study involved 496 newly hired nurses from MOH state hospitals. Questionnaires were distributed through Google Forms. The data were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.
RESULTS: The participants perceived that workplace organisation (OC), academic institution contribution (AIC), and new nurse's personality traits (PT) contributed approximately 36% to newly employed nurses' adaptation (NENA). PT partially mediated the relationship between OC and NENA and between AIC and NENA.
CONCLUSIONS: The results could be useful to nursing authorities. We also recommend that a nurse's personality be developed, emphasised, and enhanced through continuous programmes or training to ensure that they can easily adapt to their new working environment. Furthermore, academic institution and work organisation collaboration should be encouraged to develop improvement cycles that facilitate newly employed nurses' prompt and efficient adaptation at MOH hospitals during transition.
METHODS: A total of 479 patients with primary pterygium who were admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to March 2023 were randomly divided into three groups: the normal group (Group A: 89 patients), the control group (Group B: 195 patients), and the modified group (Group C: 195 patients). Each group received different intervention measures. Group A did not undergo surgical treatment and were required to follow up as outpatients. Group B received LSC transplantation combined with interrupted suturing plus BCL, whereas Group C received modified LSC transplantation combined with BCL. The degree of corneal irritation symptoms, wound healing and graft status under slit lamp, incidence and recurrence rate of complications, tear film rupture time, tear secretion test, intraocular pressure, ocular surface inflammation response(IL-1β, PGE2, TNF-α, VEGF), and visual quality were compared and analyzed at various time points after surgery.
RESULTS: Compared with those in the Group B, patients in the Group C experienced faster normalization of corneal epithelium recovery, fewer corneal irritation symptoms, and better wound healing. The break-up time (BUT) of the tear film at 1 week to 1 year postoperatively was significantly greater in the Group C than Group B, with values approaching those of Group A by 3 months (P 0.05). The ELISA results indicated that the expression levels of the ocular surface inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, PEG2, and VEGF in the Group C were lower than those in Group B from 1 week to 1 year post surgery. Under both natural light and low-light conditions (spatial frequency/6 cd), Group C had better best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity than Group B at 1 week to 1 year postoperatively. Additionally, Group C had lower corneal higher-order aberrations (including astigmatism, spherical aberrations, and total higher-order aberrations) and superior vision-related quality of life scores at 1 year postoperatively than Group B, with statistically significant differences (P
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals in Kelantan between December 2023 and February 2024. A proportionate stratified random sampling method was employed to recruit a sample of 470 registered nurses. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire comprising 19 items across seven component scores.
RESULTS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among nurses was found to be 69.8%. The study identified several significant factors associated with poor sleep quality, including sleep duration (aOR 0.291; 95% CI: 0.215-0.393; p
METHODS: A total of 500 end-stage osteoarthritic knees subjected to TKA were radiologically analyzed. The lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were calculated from long limb radiographs before the aHKA and JLO were derived and a CPAK phenotype was assigned. Demographic data were harvested and analyzed for possible correlations.
RESULTS: There were 160 males (32%) and 340 females (68%), with a mean age of 66.42 years (range, 47-88). The mean MPTA was 85.8° (± 3.0)°, and the mean LDFA was 87.6° (± 2.4)°. The average aHKA was a varus of 1.8° (± 4.2)°, and the average JLO was 173.4° (± 3.45)°. The most common CPAK phenotype was Type 1 (43.4%). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient demonstrated excellent reliability (> 0.9). No correlation existed between CPAK phenotypes and age, height, weight, or body mass index (BMI), but CPAK phenotype was significantly correlated with gender.
CONCLUSION: An urban Malaysian population with osteoarthritic knees was found to be constitutionally varus, with the most common phenotype being varus aHKA with an apex-distal JLO. Constitutional alignment is not influenced by factors such as age, height, weight, or BMI.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Observational Study-III.
METHODS: This review followed PRISMA guidelines. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Taylor & Francis, focusing on studies published from 2019 to 2024. Keywords included "Adolescent," "Rural," "Reproductive Health," "Awareness," and "Barriers." Studies were screened based on eligibility criteria, and data were extracted and analyzed to identify key barriers at the individual, interpersonal, social/community, and health services levels.
RESULTS: Out of 669 records, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. Identified barriers at the individual level included lack of knowledge, myths, misconceptions, and feelings of shame and fear. Interpersonal barriers were related to poor communication between parents and adolescents and misinformation from peers. Social and community barriers encompassed rigid social norms, stigma, and discrimination. Health services barriers included limited access and negative experiences with reproductive health services.
DISCUSSION: Rural adolescents face complex barriers to reproductive health awareness driven by factors at the individual, interpersonal, social, and health services levels. Comprehensive interventions, such as educational campaigns, training for healthcare providers, and improved access via mobile or online platforms, are essential to enhance reproductive health awareness and outcomes.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, PROSPERO (CRD42024554439).
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the outcomes of budesonide/formoterol (160/4.5 mcg/inhalation) turbuhaler versus pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) salbutamol (100 mcg/puff) in acute asthma in the outpatient ED.
METHODS: This single-centre, prospective, randomized, and open-label study involved adult asthma patients with mild to moderate asthma exacerbation who attended the outpatient ED of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The intervention arm received budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort® 160/4.5 mcg) turbuhaler, while the control arm received pMDI salbutamol with a valved holding chamber. Stratified randomization with variable baseline ICS use was employed. Direct discharge rate from outpatient ED was the primary outcome. Vital signs pre- and post-treatment between the two arms were also compared.
RESULTS: Seventy-four (n = 37 for each arm) asthma patients were recruited. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the two arms. Direct discharge rates from ED were comparable between the intervention (94.6%) and the control (91.9%) arms (p = 1.000). Post-treatment outcomes (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, peak expiratory flow rate) were similar between the two arms, except for the higher increment of heart rate (p
METHODS: CSF samples were collected from 2 neurosurgical centers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between January 2022 and October 2023. Conventional markers and CLGR were quantified using standard laboratory methods, with BGA utilized for measurement when feasible. Samples were categorized into confirmed CBI-positive (CBI+) and CBI-negative (CBI-) groups. Marker performance was compared, and receiver operating characteristic analysis conducted. Pearson correlation assessed the agreement between BGA and laboratory measurements.
RESULTS: Among the 130 CSF samples, 11 were CBI+. Both cerebrospinal fluid lactate (cLac) and CLGR were significantly elevated in the CBI + group (P < 0.001). The area under the curve for cLac and CLGR was 0.990 and 0.994, respectively. Using a cutoff of 6.0 mmol/L, cLac demonstrated sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93.3%, positive predictive value of 57.9%, negative predictive value of 100%, and diagnostic accuracy of 93.9%. CLGR ≥20.0 showed even higher accuracy: 100.0% sensitivity, 98.6% specificity, 84.6% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of 98.5%. Both markers maintained excellent performance in blood-stained CSF. BGA measurements correlated well with laboratory results (r = 0.980 and 0.999, respectively, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: CLac levels ≥6.0 mmol/L and CLGR ≥20.0 accurately identified CBI in neurosurgical patients, with CLGR exhibiting superior efficacy. The potential for instant BGA measurement suggests promise for point-of-care testing.