METHODS: Utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2018-2020), we identified patients and divided them into male and female groups. Hospital outcomes and complications were compared among these two groups after propensity score matching to match groups based on comorbidities, producing two comparable cohorts.
RESULTS: We analyzed 2928 patients (1832 males, 62.6%, mean age 60.3 ± 13.7 years; 1096 females, 37.4%, mean age 59.1 ± 13.8 years). After propensity score matching (1:1ratio), 1092 males and females were compared. There were no significant sex differences in early mortality (adjusted odd ratios (aOR): 1.04 [95% CI 0.69-1.57]), 30-day readmissions (aOR: 1.05 [95% CI 0.86-1.30]), or nonhome discharge (aOR: 0.89 [95% CI 0.60-1.31]). Females had higher odds of leukopenia (aOR: 1.26 [95% CI 1.06-1.50]) but lower odds of acute kidney injury (aOR: 0.68 [95% CI 0.52-0.88]).
CONCLUSIONS: No sex differences were found in hospital outcomes, including early mortality, 30-day readmission, and nonhome discharge after CAR T-cell therapy.
METHODS: We used the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale, including its Japanese version (PATE-J), to survey 113 Japanese and 130 Malaysian participants. Demographic data and PATE scores were compared using t-tests and χ² tests. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was conducted to adjust for potential confounding factors such as age and education level.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found in PATE total scores (P = 0.484), general domain (P = 0.101), or personal domain (P = 0.217) between Japan and Malaysia. However, after adjusting for age and education using ANCOVA, education significantly influenced the general domain (F = 4.512, P = 0.012) and total scores (F = 3.302, P = 0.038), while country (F = 7.191, P = 0.008) and age (F = 6.633, P = 0.011) were significant for the personal domain. Malaysian participants were significantly younger (P
METHODS: We conducted a thorough search up until October 10, 2024, across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies that reported lipid profiles in both H. pylori-infected and non-infected patients were considered eligible. The primary outcomes were triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, and total cholesterol levels, which were examined using a random-effects model in R software version 4.4.
RESULTS: There were 17 studies with more than 150,000 participants from 681 screened publications. Higher levels of LDL (MD: 5.32 mg/dL; 95% CI: 1.315 to 9.319) and total cholesterol (MD: 6.28 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.718 to 11.842), as well as lower levels of HDL (MD: -2.06 mg/dL; 95% CI: -3.212 to -0.915), were the results of the meta-analysis. Among those infected, triglyceride levels were likewise higher (MD: 7.93 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.413 to 15.436), but the odds ratio (OR) did not show a significant increase in risk (OR: 1.002; 95% CI: 0.995 to 1.010).
CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection is associated with significant dyslipidemia, suggesting a potential link between chronic bacterial infection and lipid metabolism. The findings emphasize the need for further research to explore the mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using archived clinical samples of confirmed laboratory-positive COVID-19 from June 2021 to June 2022 from a tertiary center in Malaysia. The samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method in MEGA 11 software. The clinical data were obtained through paper, electronic, and hospital information systems.
RESULTS: A total of 86 clinical samples were successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic tree revealed seven clusters, consisting of 24 cases. Three clusters were associated with health care workers and health care-associated individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants were observed in the first three clusters and subsequently replaced with the Omicron variants.
CONCLUSIONS: Whole genome sequencing is robust and reliable, enhancing epidemiologic investigations, leading to the identification of clusters and preventing the spreading of COVID-19 among health care workers. Monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 variants is necessary to study the viral dynamics and maintain the effectiveness of public health interventions.
METHODS: We conducted the NHMS 2022: AHS to obtain a representative sample of school-age teenagers via a cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage sampling approach. We selected 1934 school-going adolescents aged 13-17 years who have smoked at least once in the previous 30 days from a total of 33523 respondents in the study. Data were collected from the participants using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire. The analysis involved calculating adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Furthermore, we examined potential two-way interactions between the independent variables.
RESULTS: The study found that 6.2% (95% CI: 5.9-6.6) of teenagers in schools are currently smoking, with a notably higher percentage of male to female current smokers (10.8% vs 1.6%). Approximately 23.1% of current smokers are frequent smokers. Almost three-quarters of current smokers obtained their cigarettes from fixed premises (38.9%), and that friends (34.9%) were the primary sources of cigarettes among adolescents. The data show that more than half (59.7%, 95% CI: 57.0-62.4) of current smokers obtained cigarettes from commercial sources.
CONCLUSIONS: The study found that a notably more significant proportion of adolescent smokers obtained their cigarettes from commercial vendors compared to their friends. These finding implies that increased law enforcement and health promotion programs are needed to lower the incidence of adolescent smoking in Malaysia.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We utilized a cross-sectional survey and a mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data about interventions used, effectiveness, and satisfaction levels. Data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-tests.
RESULTS: The results revealed that developmental approaches were the most commonly used and participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the interventions. Educational and healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The study also found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of interventions between the two cities.
CONCLUSIONS: The research highlights the need for a comprehensive and tailored approach to support individuals with ASD and provides valuable insights for organizations, policymakers, and professionals to improve the provision of effective interventions, It also focuses on the significance of involving caregivers in the treatment process. Further research is recommended to explore other regions' interventions and evaluate the long-term outcomes of different treatment approaches.
OBSERVATIONS: Solutions to address the CVD burden include a cardiovascular risk assessment framework, improving health screening efforts, better cardiovascular risk factor management, novel innovation strategies encompassing targeted lifestyle measures, and strengthening governmental efforts. With the region's wide socioeconomic and other disparities, contextualizing and practical adaptation of various strategies into local practices, especially in low-middle-income countries, will determine the success of CVD prevention efforts.
CONCLUSIONS: A differential approach addressing cardiovascular risk factor screening, prevention, and management that considers the context-specific socioeconomic, governmental, and cultural aspects in diverse Asian populations may help reduce the rapidly rising CVD trajectory in Asia.