METHODS: This is a school-based, cluster randomized controlled trial involving selected primary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan. A total of 1,397 primary-school students aged 9-11 with a body mass index (BMI) z -score (corrected for age) greater than + 1 standard deviation based on the World Health Organization 2007 Growth Reference were assigned to intervention ( n = 647 ) and control ( n = 750 ) groups. BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC), percentage body fat (PBF), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were assessed at baseline and after three and six months of the study. Analyses of all outcomes except for the baseline characteristics were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle.
RESULTS: After three months, there was no significant difference in the BMI z-score or PBF between the control and intervention groups, but SMM and WC were significantly higher in the intervention group versus the control group with mean difference of 0.15 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.22, p
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed at 28 hospitals under the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, involved in the National Surveillance of Multidrug-Resistant Organism, which surveys 6 MDROs (Acinetobacter baumanii, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, carbapenem-resistant Entrobacterales (CRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)).
RESULTS: In terms of mortality, 9.6% (n = 951) of the patients died overall, whereas 90.4% (n = 8931) of the patients survived. Healthcare-acquired infection (HCAI) poses a high risk of mortality, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.91 (95% CI: 2.15-3.94). The presence of sterile specimens was significantly associated with increased mortality risk (aOR: 2.33, 95% CI: 2.02-2.68). Gram-negative bacteria had a greater mortality risk (aOR 1.63 95% CI: 1.37-1.93), whereas Acinetobacter baumanii had the highest prevalence of 30.7% (3033) among the 6 MDRO organisms isolated. Patients in medical-based departments had a greater mortality risk (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.22-1.75).
CONCLUSION: HCAIs, Gram-negative bacteria, sterile specimens, medical-based departments and state hospitals have been shown to be associated with increased mortality risk in patients with MDRO infections. Improved surveillance and reporting mechanisms are necessary to better understand the burden of MDRO infections and guide research funding allocation.
METHODS: One hundred and twenty posterior teeth had their occlusal enamel removed, then the specimens were divided into two main groups according to dentin substrates; SoD and CID, three subgroups according to pretreatments protocols control (no pretreatment), NaOCl-treated, and Er, Cr:YSGG-treated and two divisions according to antioxidant application (with and without sodium ascorbate (SA) application). All-Bond Universal (ABU) universal adhesives was applied in self-etch (SE) mode then resin composite discs were built. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24-hr at 37°C before SBS testing. Three-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used for data analysis (a = 0.05).
RESULTS: 6% NaOCl resulted in a significant reduction in SBS in SoD without antioxidant application. 10% SA application showed significant increase in SBS for 6% NaOCl group only in SoD. Laser application recorded a significantly higher SBS compared to 6% NaOCl group without or with antioxidant application, while 10% SA application revealed a significant increase in SBS for control group only.
CONCLUSIONS: Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation followed by antioxidant application has the potential to enhance the bonding quality of both tested dentin substrates. NaOCl application has significantly compromised the bonding to SoD and CID substrates.
METHOD: A cross-sectional design was employed with 350 participants (144 men, 206 women) aged 18 to 35.
RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that sadness regulation strategies significantly predict both depression and anxiety. For depression, the model explained 18.6% of the variance (F (7,342) = 11.140, p
METHODS: To assess MGD, the study utilized the American College of Radiologists (ACR) phantom alongside a RaySafe X2 MAM dosimeter. Measurements of entrance kerma and half-value layer (HVL) were taken across 25 mammography units in Jordan. The MGD was calculated according to the ACR's 2018 protocol, which provides a standardized approach to ensure accurate and comparable dose estimations. These measurements were then analyzed against the ACR's threshold of 3 mGy to assess compliance.
RESULTS: The study found that the average MGD across all units was 2.3 mGy, with individual values ranging from 0.95 to 4.10 mGy. Although 67% of the units maintained MGD values within the ACR threshold, 33% exceeded the recommended limit of 3 mGy. Higher MGD values were particularly common in non-accredited facilities, where the average MGD reached 2.7 mGy, compared to 1.6 mGy in accredited units, suggesting gaps in quality control and adherence to best practices in non-accredited centers.
CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the critical role of accreditation and adherence to quality standards in maintaining safe and effective mammography practices. While most mammography units in Jordan meet the ACR's recommended MGD limits, the elevated dose levels in some non-accredited facilities highlight the need for more rigorous implementation of accreditation standards. Improving compliance with established guidelines will enhance breast cancer screening effectiveness, ultimately supporting better early detection and outcomes for breast cancer in Jordan.
METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with SCARs and 90 tolerant controls were recruited from Dr. Saad Al-Wattari Hospital for Neurological Sciences and Baghdad Hospital - Medical City. HLA genotyping was performed using PCR-SSO method from peripheral blood samples. Statistical comparisons were made using the t-test or chi-square test, while univariate logistic regression with Bonferroni's correction (p