METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four universities. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and validated. During clinical examination, acne severity was determined using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) and psychosocial impact using the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI).
RESULTS: Four hundred students with acne aged 20±1.62 years participated, among whom 62.5% were women. The self-perceived acne severity matched the CASS score in 54.4% of the participants but was worse in 37.5%. Approximately 80.5% correctly recognised acne as a disease, while beliefs about its chronicity varied. The aggravating factors were food (92.8%), genetic predisposition (92.8%), stress (91.3%), hygiene (86.3%) and menstruation (84.8%). The information sources were families (79.7%), online social media platforms (60.2%) and friends (58.5%). Doctor consultation was significantly associated with correct disease perception, severe disease and higher psychosocial impact. Cost was the commonest deterrent for seeking (63.8%) and discontinuing treatment (43.2%). The psychosocial impact was predominantly mild (71%). The CADI domains mostly affected were feelings and psychological state. The clinical (odd ratio [OR] =2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45, 3.61) and self-perceived acne severity (OR=4.83, 95% CI=2.79, 8.35) predicted a higher psychosocial impact.
CONCLUSION: Misconceptions about acne as a disease were not prevalent, and aggravating factors other than food were correctly identified. Common information sources may further perpetuate misconceptions. Financial treatment barriers should be addressed especially in patients with severe acne and psychosocial impacts.
METHODS: Here, we used high-throughput, custom cancer antigen microarrays to identify a clinically relevant autoantibody biomarker combination able to differentially detect PDAC. Specifically, we quantified the serological AAb profiles of 94 PDAC, chronic pancreatitis (CP), other pancreatic- (PC) and prostate cancers (PRC), non-ulcer dyspepsia patients (DYS), and healthy controls (HC).
RESULTS: Combinatorial ROC curve analysis on the training cohort data from the cancer antigen microarrays identified the most effective biomarker combination as CEACAM1-DPPA2-DPPA3-MAGEA4-SRC-TPBG-XAGE3 with an AUC = 85·0% (SE = 0·828, SP = 0·684). Additionally, differential expression analysis on the samples run on the iOme™ array identified 4 biomarkers (ALX1-GPA33-LIP1-SUB1) upregulated in PDAC against diseased and healthy controls. Identified AAbs were validated in silico using public immunohistochemistry datasets and experimentally using a custom PDAC protein microarray comprising the 11 optimal AAb biomarker panel. The clinical utility of the biomarker panel was tested in an independent cohort comprising 223 PDAC, PC, PRC, colorectal cancer (CRC), and HC samples. Combinatorial ROC curve analysis on the validation data identified the most effective biomarker combination to be CEACAM1-DPPA2-DPPA3-MAGEA4-SRC-TPBG-XAGE3 with an AUC = 85·0% (SE = 0·828, SP = 0·684). Subsequently, the specificity of the 11-biomarker panel was validated against other cancers (PDAC vs PC: AUC = 70·3%; PDAC vs CRC: AUC = 84·3%; PDAC vs PRC: AUC = 80·2%) and healthy controls (PDAC vs HC: AUC = 80·9%), confirming that this novel AAb biomarker panel is able to selectively detect PDAC amongst other confounding diseases.
CONCLUSION: This AAb panel may therefore have the potential to form the basis of a novel diagnostic test for PDAC.
METHOD: A systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA. Articles were identified from seven databases published from 2000 to November 2023. Each article's methodological quality was assessed with an appraisal checklist developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.
RESULTS: 64 studies with 12 measurement tools were identified from 9 countries. Only 20% of studies using 22-item ZBI show caregivers experienced no or little burden while caring for their care recipients. The mean 22-item ZBI score ranged from 24.5 in Turkey to 34.7 in India, while the mean CBI score varied from 24.0 in Thailand to 47.8 in China. Patient, caregiver characteristics, and caregiving context are associated with caregiver burden.
CONCLUSION: Dementia caregivers in Asian LMICs exhibit a wide variation in caregiver burden. Programs that promote protective factors and address modifiable factors are imperative to mitigate burdens and enhance caregivers' quality of life in these settings.
METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 41 TBI patients, including mild and moderate to severe, at baseline, 6, and 12 months following TBI. HMGB1 was quantified by ELISA alongside interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Cognitive assessments using validated neuropsychological assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months. The occurrence of PTE was also tracked.
RESULTS: HMGB1 remained elevated at 12 months post-TBI only in the subgroup (n = 6) that developed PTE (p = 0.026). PTE was associated with moderate to severe TBI cases. Higher HMGB1 levels at 12 months correlated with a greater decline in Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination scores (p
METHOD: Kalanchoe pinnata leaf extracts utilized in beverage production were obtained via 3 different extraction techniques (conventional solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction).
RESULTS: The highest values on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assay were from a beverage prepared with supercritical fluid extract. When the prophylactic aspects of a Kalanchoe pinnata-based beverage were explored against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) and gentamicin-induced hepatotoxic conditions in male Wistar rats, results revealed a reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum alanine transaminase, and bilirubin levels in rats with CCl4 and gentamicin-induced toxicity. The study also concluded that the administration of a therapeutic beverage significantly improved serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in Kalanchoe pinnata-treated rats.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the ameliorative potential of Kalanchoe pinnata against liver diseases.
METHODS: Clinical data of 400 patients with BPH who underwent TURP between June 2020 and June 2023 at Chengdu University Hospital were retrospectively collected. The data were divided into US group and no US group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed sequentially to identify independent risk factors associated with US. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, a nomogram model predicting the risk of US was constructed. We assessed the discriminatory power and calibration of the models using the C index, ROC curves, and calibration plots. In addition, we performed a decision curve analysis to validate the clinical utility of the model.
RESULTS: Data from a total of 400 patients were included in this study, and 35 (8.75%) were diagnosed with US. The results of univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that the following five factors age, prostate size, Preoperative indwelling catheter, Preoperative urethral dilation, Postoperative indwelling catheter time were independent influences on the risk of US. Nomogram model of US was constructed using these independent influences. The area under the curve (AUC) of the subject's operating characteristic was 0.916 (95% CI: 0.868-0.959), and after internal validation, the corrected C-index remained at 0.916. This further validates the accuracy and reliability of the predictive model. Calibration plots and decision curve analyses demonstrated the good clinical value of the column-line diagram model.
CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram model we constructed can have some guidance in clinical work.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among final-year pharmacy students from different public and private sector universities in Karachi. The sample size on 60% anticipated response rate and 99% CI was calculated to be 390. Data was collected after acquiring ethical approval using convenient sampling. Frequency and percentage of the socio-demographic features were analyzed and then goodness of fit and Pearson's chi-squared test of correlation was applied. Results were considered significant when p < 0.05.
RESULTS: The overall response rate of the study was 67%. More than 80% of the respondents were female. The students 35% (n = 202) strongly agreed and 59% (n = 334) agreed that AI plays an important role in healthcare, (χ2 = 505.6, p < 0.001). Around 79% (n = 453, χ2 = 384.3, p < 0.001) of students agreed on the replacement of patient care specialties with AI in the future, whereas 495 students (87%, χ2 = 682.3, p < 0.001) stated that they possess a strong comprehension of the fundamental principles governing the operation of AI. More than 80% of the students were comfortable in using AI terminologies (n = 475, χ2 = 598, p < 0.001) and 93% (n = 529, χ2 = 290, p < 0.001) were sure that AI inclusion in pharmacy education will develop a positive influence into the pharmacy curriculum (95%, n = 549, χ2 = 566.9, p < 0.001). A high and positive correlation was observed between the perception and willingness of students to adopt the AI changes in teaching undergraduate students (ρ = 0.491, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the outcomes showed students at private-sector universities stood out in computer literacy compared to public-sector universities (χ2 = 6.546, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The current outcomes revealed the higher willingness of pharmacy students towards AI-infused learning. They understood the prerequisite of having both formal and informal learning experiences on the clinical application, technological constraints, and ethical considerations of the AI tools to be successful in this endeavor. The policymakers must take action to ensure that future pharmacists have a strong foundation of AI literacy and take initiatives to foster the interests and abilities of imminent pharmacists who will spearhead innovation in the field.
OBJECTIVE: This article presents a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effects of a resilience-building intervention on psychological well-being, coping strategies, stress, quality of life, resilience, resource finding, and resilience among individuals affected with ACEs in Malaysia.
METHODS: The is a 2-armed, single-blind, RCT, whereby 50 participants (25 in each group) with ACEs will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The former will be exposed to a resilience-building program (R2), which entails a multisystemic approach to resilience and recognizes the importance of rugged qualities and access to resources among individuals affected with ACEs. The intervention will be delivered via internet-based by a facilitator and broadly divided into 5 sessions, focusing on self-exploration and social support, coping techniques and coping skills, resource finding, spirituality, and resilience building. Meanwhile, the control group participants will not receive any form of intervention. Saliva samples will also be collected from both groups and assessed for salivary cortisol levels. Outcome measures will be assessed during baseline and postintervention using validated instruments. Another follow-up measurement will be conducted 4 weeks later.
RESULTS: The clinical trial has been registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Board at the National University of Malaysia (UKM PPI/111/8/JEP-2021-894). A total of 28 participants have been recruited to the RCT Participant recruitment will be completed by January 2025. The final analysis will be conducted by March 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: This is among the first studies to provide evidence in the context of RCTs for resilience-building intervention that combines self-report and physiological measures (ie, saliva and heart blood pressure) among individuals with ACEs. The findings will assist relevant authorities in the health and policy sectors to develop effective strategies for addressing the negative impacts of ACEs on the vulnerable population in Malaysia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12622000604707; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Result/DataSharingStatement.aspx?id=383614.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56826.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilised secondary data from the National Cancer Registry. Adult CRC patients diagnosed between 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2018 (6 years), with documented cause of deaths were included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to determine the 5-year survival rate and median survival time, while multilevel Cox proportional hazard analysis was carried out to identify factors that contribute to the overall CRC survival.
RESULTS: A total of 18,513 CRC patients were diagnosed between 2013 and 2018, with 10,819 deaths occurred during follow-up. The 5-year CRC survival rate was 42 % with median survival time of 36 months (95 %CI: 34.46-37.54). After adjusting for covariates in multilevel Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, the study found that older age, male gender, Malay and other ethnicities, living in Peninsular Malaysia, rectal, rectosigmoid and anal cancers, advanced disease stage, receiving other, none or delayed treatments, and living in less densely populated areas were significantly associated with a higher risk of mortality (p