METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia from 2014 until 2018 involving all twin pregnancies delivered at or more than 24 weeks of gestation.
RESULTS: Total of 409 twin pregnancies were included. Dichorionic twin comprises of 54.5 % (n=223) and 45.5 % (n=186) are monochorionic. Women with dichorionic pregnancies are significantly older (p<0.001), have more pre-existing medical disorders (p=0.011) and fetal structural anomalies (p=0.009). Monochorionic pregnancies are significantly more amongst Malay (p=0.01) and conceived spontaneously (p<0.001). There are significantly more fetuses both in cephalic presentation (p=0.026), birthweight discrepancy more than 20 % (p=0.038) and shorter mean inter-twin delivery duration (p=0.048) in monochorionic pregnancies. Second twin delivered with Apgar score <7 is significantly more in dichorionic pregnancies (p=0.006). The second twin is associated with lower birthweight, small for gestational age and arterial cord pH<7.25. Within the group of women who delivered both fetuses vaginally, there was significantly more second twins with intertwin delivery duration less than 30 min who were delivered vaginally without instrumentation (p=0.018). There was significantly more second twin with intertwin delivery duration of 30 min and more with arterial cord pH<7.25 (p=0.045). Those who delivered spontaneously had inter-twin delivery duration within 15-29 min. The outcome of second twin is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth.
CONCLUSIONS: The neonatal outcome for the second twin at birth is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth in a cohort managed with non-active management of the second twin in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2022 in urban areas in Selangor among children aged less than two years old from B40 households using purposive sampling through both online surveys and face-to-face interviews. There were 112 children aged < 2 years old from B40 households participating in this study. The data obtained on maternal sociodemographic, Household Food Insecurity Scale (HFIAS), and children's anthropometric measurements were analysed by using the WHO Anthro Survey, descriptive analysis, Person's Chisquare test and Fischer's exact test.
RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity was more significant than the prevalence of food secured, at 55.4% and 44.6% respectively. The stunting among the children rated at 34.8%, followed by 7.2% of the sample found underweight, 7.8% (BAZ) and 16.1% (BAZ) of them were wasted, and overweight & obese, proportionately. This study discovered that household size was the sole determinant of household food security status. This finding suggested that size of a household influenced the odds of a household being food insecure.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on children's nutritional status especially those from low-income and bigger size households. Therefore, more thorough and effective interventions should be designed particularly targeting this urban poor community to enhance their nutritional status and health.
METHODS: A retrospective study in a single center, all adult patients who were diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism and underwent AVS in our center between 2014 until 2022 were included. Successful samples defined by a selectivity index of ≥2, that is, the ratio of adrenal vein cortisol level to the peripheral vein cortisol level, were evaluated. The baseline demographic characteristics of each patient, technical parameters of AVS, and anatomical parameters of right adrenal vein from the venographic images were evaluated and analyzed to correlate with the outcome of AVS. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The overall success rate of AVS in our center was 61.3%. The success rate significantly increased to 80.6% in the trained interventional radiologist (IR) group, which represents a single IR who had completed specific training in AVS, compared to non-trained IR group which consisted of a total of 10 IRs without specific AVS training (P = 0.046). The right AVS had lower success rate than the left AVS (64% vs. 94.6%). The type of right adrenal vein pattern showed significant association with the outcome of AVS (P = 0.014). There were 6 types of right adrenal vein patterns observed in our study; Type 1 - gland-like pattern with numerous branches, Type 2 - delta pattern, Type 3 - triangular pattern with central "blush", Type 4 - no discernible pattern and Type 5 - spidery or stellate pattern. The sixth pattern was the hepatic radicles blush with hepatic drainage, for which blood sampling were also collected due to its appearance was frequently indistinguishable from the Type 1 pattern. The results showed Type 2 pattern had the highest incidence (30.5%; 32/105 samples) and Type 5 had the highest success rate (100%; 11/11 samples), while the hepatic radicles blush pattern had the highest incidence in fail samples resulting in the highest failure rate (94.7%; 18/19 samples). The visualization of the inferior emissary vein (IEV) from the venographic images during right AVS had a significant association with the successful AVS (97.5% success rate; 39/40 samples; P = 0.003). Contrariwise, blood sampling withdrawn from the right adrenal vein in the presence of hepatic drainage communication associated with the failure AVS (86.7% failure rate; 26/30 samples; P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The overall success rate of both AVS in our center was 61.3%, and the success rate was higher in the trained IR group than the non-trained IR group. The visualization of IEV and the type of right adrenal vein patterns were the key determining factors with significant association to the successful right AVS. Conversely, blood sampling withdrawn from the hepatic radicles and hepatic drainage had significant association with the failure right AVS.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 3-month supplementation with oral probiotics on quality of life and inflammatory markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled trial.
METHODS: A total of 72 patients (36 patients in each arm) were randomized to receive either oral sachets containing 5 billion colony-forming units each of Lactobacillus acidophilus BCMC (BCrobes Microbial Cells) 12130, Lactobacillus casei subsp BCMC 12313, Lactobacillus lactis BCMC 12451, Bifidobacterium bifidum BCMC 02290, Bifidobacterium longum BCMC 02120, and Bifidobacterium infantis BCMC 02129 each or placebo twice daily for 3 months. Main outcome measures were visual analog scale, verbal rating scale, physical and mental health scores using Short-Form 12-Item version 2 questionnaire, frequency of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and changes in inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) before and after treatment.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the quality of life scores between the probiotic and placebo groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in pain (visual analog scale) and severity (verbal rating scale) scores but the probiotic group had much lower nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (odds ratio: 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.26-1.83) and better mental health scores (mean change: 6.5, p = 0.03 versus 6.1, p = 0.08) than the placebo group. There was a significant confounding effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use on quality of life scores. No significant difference was found in inflammatory cytokines.
CONCLUSION: Tested oral probiotics improved mental health and potentially reduced the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; however, there was no significant change in inflammatory markers. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm the findings.
REGISTRATION: This study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04119011).
METHODS: A systematic search from the inception till May 31, 2021, in the MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted, and 16 randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis.
RESULTS: The results showed significant benefits on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (mean difference -0.24%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.44, -0.05; p = 0.01), postprandial blood glucose (-2.91 mmol/L; 95% CI: -4.78, -1.03; p = 0.002), and triglycerides (-0.09 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.17, -0.02; p = 0.010), but not on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.14, 0.02; p = 0.170), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.13; p = 0.220), and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure -0.82 mm Hg; 95% CI: -4.65, 3.00; p = 0.670; diastolic blood pressure -1.71 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.71, 0.29; p = 0.090).
CONCLUSIONS: Among older adults with T2DM, mHealth interventions were associated with improved cardiometabolic outcomes versus usual care. Its efficacy can be improved in the future as the current stage of mHealth development is at its infancy. Addressing barriers such as technological frustrations may help strategize approaches to further increase the uptake and efficacy of mHealth interventions among older adults with T2DM.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study over one-year duration was conducted from December, 2014 until December, 2015, involving 237 women who presented with abnormal vaginal discharge, preterm labour or preterm prelabour rupture of membrane between 22- and 34-weeks period of gestation. Vaginal swabs were sent for culture and sensitivity, BV® Blue testing and PCR for Gardnerella vaginalis (GV).
RESULTS: BV was diagnosed in 24/237 (10.1%) cases. The median gestational age was 31.6 weeks. GV was isolated from 16 out of 24 (66.7%) in the BV positive group. There was a significantly higher preterm birth rate, below 34 weeks (22.7% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.019) in women with BV. There was no statistically significant difference in maternal outcome such as clinical chorioamnionitis or endometritis. However, placental pathology revealed more than half (55.6%) of women with BV had histologic chorioamnionitis. Neonatal morbidity was significantly higher with exposure to BV, with a lower median birth weight, higher rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (41.7% vs. 19.0%, p = 0.010), increased intubation for respiratory support (29.2% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.004) and respiratory distress syndrome (33.3% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION: More research is needed to formulate guidelines for prevention, early detection and treatment of BV during pregnancy to reduce intrauterine inflammation and the associated adverse fetal outcomes.
METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with complex pleural effusion treated at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center from January 2012 to August 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, chest imaging, drainage chart, inflammatory parameters, length of hospital stay, and post-intervention and outcome were analyzed.
RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were identified (surgical intervention, n = 18; 31% and IPFT, n = 40, 69%). The mean age was 51.7 ± 18.2 years. Indication for surgical intervention was pleural infection (n = 18; 100%), and MPE (n = 0). Indications for IPFT was pleural infection (n = 30; 75%) and MPE (n = 10; 25%). The dosages of t-PA were one to five doses of 2-50 mg. The baseline chest radiograph in the IPFT group was worse than in the surgical intervention group. (119.96 ± 56.05 vs. 78.19 ± 55.6; p = 0.029) At week 1, the radiological success rate for IPFT and surgical intervention were 27% and 20%, respectively, and at weeks 4-8, the success rate was 56% and 80% respectively. IPFT was associated with lesser complications; fever (17.5%), chest pain (10%), and non-life-threatening bleeding (5%).
CONCLUSION: IPFT was comparable to surgery in radiological outcome, inflammatory parameters, and length of stay with lesser reported complications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 691 allogeneic PBSCT patients between 2010-2017 in two centers.
RESULTS: The prevalence of cutaneous GVHD was 31.4% (217/691). No associations were detected with race, age or gender of donor and recipients. Cutaneous GVHD was associated with host cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity (p<0.01), conditioning (p<0.01), GVHD prophylaxis (p=0.046) and survival (p<0.01). Majority developed the acute form (58.1%;126/217). Biopsies in 20.7% (45/217) showed 55.6% positivity for GVHD. Overall, involvement was non-severe. A majority demonstrated complete response (CR) to first-line corticosteroids (70.0%;152/217). Secondline therapies (extracorporeal phototherapy (ECP), psolaren ultraviolet A (PUVA), mycophenolate, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, interleukins inhibitors, or CD20 monoclonal antibodies) were required in 65/217, with 38.5% CR. Second-line therapy was associated with gender (p=0.042), extra-cutaneous GVHD (p=0.021), treatment outcomes (p=0.026) and survival (p=0.048). Mortality in cutaneous GVHD was 24.0% with severe sepsis being the leading cause at Day 100 (7.8%) and 5-years (7.8%), and relapsed disease at 2-years (32.7%). In steroid refractoriness, severe GVHD caused 30.8% mortality. In cutaneous GVHD, survival at Day 100 was 95.4%; 80.2% at 2-years and 73.1% at 5-years. The median survival in cutaneous GVHD was significantly shorter at 55 months, compared to those without GVHD at 69 months (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: Cutaneous involvement is the commonest clinical manifestation of GVHD. A larger national study is warranted to further analyse severity and outcome of multiorgan GVHD, and factors associated with steroid refractoriness.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with BPH with severe LUTS who had undergone PAE were included. Their IPSS score was ≥ 20 despite medical therapy. PAE was performed via the unilateral femoral artery using various types of embolic material. Bilateral or unilateral embolisation of the prostate artery was considered a technical success. The severity of LUTS pre- and post-PAE were assessed using IPSS while prostate volume pre- and post-PAE were assessed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results: Ninety percent of patients had technical success and one required transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The mean IPSS reduction at the final follow-up was 12.9 (P < 0.028). The mean reduction of prostate volume at the last follow-up by ultrasound was 114.99 mL (P < 0.028) and by MRI was 29.17 mL (P < 0.028).
Conclusion: PAE is safe and effective in reducing severe LUTS and prostate gland volume in BPH patients.
METHODS: Patients aged 30-75 years who had severe ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 10-35) involving the MCA territory were recruited within 2 months of stroke onset. Using permuted block randomization, patients were assigned to receive 2 million BMMSCs per kilogram of body weight (treatment group) or standard medical care (control group). The primary outcomes were the NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel Index (BI) and total infarct volume on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 12 months. All outcome assessments were performed by blinded assessors. Per protocol, analyses were performed for between-group comparisons.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients were recruited. Nine were assigned to the treatment group, and eight were controls. All patients were severely disabled following their MCA infarct (median mRS = 4.0 [4.0-5.0], BI = 5.0 [5.0-25.0], NIHSS = 16.0 [11.5-21.0]). The baseline infarct volume on the MRI was larger in the treatment group (median, 71.7 [30.5-101.7] mL versus 26.7 [12.9-75.3] mL, P = 0.10). There were no between-group differences in median NIHSS score (7.0 versus 6.0, P = 0.96), mRS (2.0 versus 3.0, P = 0.38) or BI (95.0 versus 67.5, P = 0.33) at 12 months. At 12 months, there was significant improvement in absolute change in median infarct volume, but not in total infarct volume, from baseline in the treatment group (P = 0.027). No treatment-related adverse effects occurred in the BMMSC group.
CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous infusion of BMMSCs in patients with subacute MCA infarct was safe and well tolerated. Although there was no neurological recovery or functional outcome improvement at 12 months, there was improvement in absolute change in median infarct volume in the treatment group. Larger, well-designed studies are warranted to confirm this and the efficacy of BMMSCs in ischemic stroke.
METHODS: Sixteen children with TBI (mean age, 11.63±1.89 years) and 22 TD controls (mean age, 11.41±2.24 years) participated in this case-control study. Attention and functional balance were measured using the Children's Color Trail Test (CCTT) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). All participants first walked without concurrent tasks and then with concurrent motor and cognitive tasks. The APDM Mobility Lab was used to measure gait parameters, including gait velocity, stride length, stride duration, cadence, and double support time. Repeatedmeasures analysis of variance and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for the analysis.
RESULTS: Children with TBI showed significantly more deterioration in gait performance than TD children (p<0.05). Concurrent tasks (motor and cognitive) significantly decreased gait velocity and cadence and increased stride time; the differences were more obvious during the concurrent cognitive task. A moderate correlation was found between gait parameters (gait velocity and stride length) and CCTT-2 and PBS scores in children with TBI.
CONCLUSION: Gait performance may be affected by task complexity following TBI. Attention and balance deficits caused deterioration in gait performance under the concurrent task condition in children with TBI. This study illustrates the crucial role of task demand and complexity in dual-task interference.
BACKGROUND: Caregivers play an important role in the oral health care of elders in nursing homes.
METHODS: This study employed a qualitative approach using the nominal group technique (NGT) to obtain caregivers' feedback in nursing homes in Malaysia. Data were manually transcribed, summarised into keywords/key phrases, and ranked using weighted scores.
RESULTS: In total, 36 caregivers (21 from government and 15 from private nursing homes) participated in the NGT sessions. Overall, caregivers were satisfied with the low treatment cost, the quality of treatment, and the availability of dental visits to nursing homes. Caregivers were dissatisfied with the frequency of dental visits, long waiting times at government dental clinics, and inadequate denture hygiene education for elders in nursing homes. The challenges faced by caregivers were elders' poor oral health knowledge and attitude and lack of elders' trust of caregivers to look after their oral health. Suggestions for improvement were to increase the frequency of dental visits to nursing homes, provide oral health education to elders and caregivers, and give treatment priority to elders at dental clinics.
CONCLUSION: Despite being satisfied with the basic oral healthcare services received by elders in Malaysian nursing homes, caregivers raised some issues that required further attention. Suggestions for improvement include policy changes in nursing home dental visits and treatment priority for elders at government dental clinics.