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Fulltext A review of potentialities and challenges of integrating remote sensing and GIS with socioeconomic data

Noor Shaila Sarmin, Mohd Hasmadi Ismail

The Pertanika Journal of Scholarly Research Reviews, 2016;2(1):129-141.
MyJurnal

The aim of this paper is to review the potentialities and major methodological challenges
of integrating remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) with socioeconomic data
from published articles or book chapters. RS and GIS combined with social science (SS)(termed as
geoinformation technology) serve many applications for sustainable management and monitoring of
the environment. This combined approach gives more accurate results than the single one. It makes
information available about the trend and pattern of land use and land cover change (LUCC) with
socioeconomic variables like population, demographic or income. This combined study which links
RS and GIS with socioeconomic data can also be used successfully for monitoring transmission rate
of disease and mapping or preparing vulnerability index. For impact assessment and modelling, this
combined technology provides better results than the single one. There are some methodological
problems for the researchers to link completely two different disciplines as the object of study and
observational unit is completely different. However, this interdisciplinary study is gaining popularity
day by day to researchers from different disciplines as well as decision makers.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext A study assessing the impact of different teaching modalities for pharmacy students in a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course

Khan TM, Hassali MA, Rasool ST

Saudi Pharm J, 2013 Oct;21(4):375-8.
PMID: 24227957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2012.11.002

The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of different teaching methods adopted for the practical session of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR training is one of the compulsory modules of the Public Health Pharmacy (PHP) course at Universiti Sains Malaysia. CPR training comprises of 10% of total marks of the PHP course. To test the effectiveness of the different teaching strategies, three groups were defined using a two-stage cohort distribution-i.e. based on grade point average (GPA) and different teaching modalities. Group One was instructed using images and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Two was instructed using videos and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Three was instructed using PowerPoint slides with white boards and videos. Students in Group Three were not provided with a hard/soft copy of the PowerPoint slides and were encouraged to write down all the information on their personal notebooks. A 20-item questionnaire was used to assess the students' understanding toward the CPR session. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science Students, SPSS version 13®. Based on the response attained, the comparison of the final score among the groups was undertaken using one way ANOVA. Twenty-seven students have participated in this study. Final evaluation using the questionnaire revealed that student's in Group Three had a better understanding of CPR (18.1 ± 1.5, p <0.001) than the other two. Students' note taking during the lecture and use of traditional chalkboard teaching were found significant to improve the students' understanding and learning in the CPR session.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Acceptance of parenting style among adolescents and its impact on emotional intelligence development

Abdul Adib A, Agnis S, Lailawati Madlan E

Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 2017;31:78-89.

Perkembangan kecerdasan emosi terbentuk hasil daripada pelbagai aspek dan salah satunya melalui sosial yang wujud dalam keluarga. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti kesan penerimaan gaya keibubapaan terhadap perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Selain itu, kajian ini turut mengkaji perbezaan perkembangan kecerdasan emosi mengikut tempat tinggal dan jantina. Metodologi kajian yang digunakan adalah kaedah tinjauan dengan menggunakan soal selidik ke atas 255 orang pelajar sekolah menengah yang berusia 15 hingga 17 tahun. Satu set soal selidik digunakan dalam kajian ini yang terdiri daripada Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) untuk mengukur gaya keibubapaan dan The Assessing Emotions Scale (AES) untuk mengukur kecerdasan emosi dalam kalangan remaja. Data dianalisis dengan perisian IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versi 22 dengan menggunakan ujian regresi pelbagai dan ujian-t sampel bebas untuk mengkaji hipotesis yang telah dibina. Hasil keputusan menunjukkan penerimaan gaya keibubapaan autoritatif dan autoritarian secara signifikan memberi kesan terhadap perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Sebaliknya, gaya keibubapaan permisif pula tidak menyumbang kepada perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja. Selain itu, terdapat perbezaan perkembangan kecerdasan emosi mengikut tempat tinggal dan jantina. Implikasinya, pemilihan gaya keibubapaan yang bersesuaian amat penting kerana akan menyumbang kepada perkembangan kecerdasan emosi remaja dan seterusnya akan membentuk personaliti dan tingkah laku mereka.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Analisis faktor pengesahan instrumen kemenjadian pelajar

Mohd Nasir Rayung, Mohd Husin Musa, Mansur Tanra

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):0-0.
MyJurnal

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengesahkan item instrumen Kemenjadian Pelajar (KP) tingkatan enam. Sebanyak 418 orang responden terdiri daripada pelajar tingkatan enam dari seluruh negeri Sabah telah dipilih sebagai sampel kajian. Terdapat enam pemboleh ubah KP yang diuji dalam kajian ini merangkumi pengetahuan, kemahiran berfikir, kemahiran kepimpinan, kemahiran dwibahasa, etika dan kerohanian serta identiti nasional. Analisis data kajian dijalankan secara deskriptif (Cronbach alpha) dan analisis faktor pengesahan (CFA) menggunakan perisian Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) dan Structural equation modeling (SEM). Dapatan kajian menunjukkan nilai Alpha Cronbach berada pada klasifikasi tinggi dan sangat tinggi melebihi 0.70. Hasil analisis model pengukuran peringkat kedua kemenjadian pelajar adalah sepadan dan boleh diterima berdasarkan penyelesaian enam pemboleh ubah kajian. Kajian juga mencadangkan model pengukuran 19 item soalan untuk mengukur tahap kemenjadian pelajar.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Asian-Pacific round of WFS activities

Asian Pac Popul Programme News, 1979;8(1):16.
PMID: 12309486
Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Assessment Of Orthodontic Treatment Standard In Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

Leong, B.L., Zamzam, N., Yassin, Z., Abdul Kadir, R.

Ann Dent, 2001;8(1):-.
MyJurnal

The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcome using fixed and removable appliances, in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (U.M.). The study models of 25 fixed and 30 upper removable appliance cases, with complete written records were examined before and after orthodontic treatment using the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) Index. All the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Eighty five percent of the cases selected as sample were either 'improved' or 'greatly improved'. Among the 10 cases which were 'greatly improved', all had high pre-treatment PAR points (> 35 PAR points). Conversely, all the eight cases classified as 'worse or no different' were with low pretreatment PAR scores « 20 PAR points). The mean treatment duration in this study was 23. I months, ranging from 2 months to 78 months. The results of this study showed that the standard of treatment in this Faculty were fairly acceptable.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Bolton tooth-size dsicrepancies among University of Malaya's dental students

Othman, S.A., Mookin, H., Asbollah, M.A., Hashim, N.A.

Ann Dent, 2008;15(1):40-47.
MyJurnal

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate what percentage of the dental students in the University of Malaya has a tooth size discrepancy. The sample comprised 40 good quality pre-treatment study models with fully erupted and complete permanent dentitions from first molar to first molar, which were selected from the dental students of the University of Malaya. The mesiodistal diameter tooth sizes were randomly measured manually from first molar to first molar using digital calliper (Mitutoyu) accurate to 0.01 mm, and the Bolton analyses for anterior and overall ratios were calculated by scientific calculator. Reproducibility analysis for intra- and interexaminer calibrations was assessed by measuring 10 study models twice, a week apart. A paired sample t-test and the correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the systematic and random errors of the measurements using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. The reproducibility of the intra and inter-examiners for the sum of upper and lower mesiodistal tooth size were high (average mean difference = 0.62, r = 0.82). This study found 47.5% of the samples had anterior, and about 10% had overall· tooth width ratios greater than 2 standard deviations from Bolton's mean. Large percentage of the dental students of the University of Malaya has tooth size discrepancies outside of Bolton 2 standard deviations. It would seem prudent to routinely perform the tooth size analysis and include the findings into orthodontic treatment planning.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Can Herbal Extracts Serve as Antibacterial Root Canal Irrigating Solutions? Antimicrobial Efficacy of Tylophora indica, Curcumin longa, Phyllanthus amarus, and Sodium Hypochlorite on Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms Formed on Tooth Substrate: In Vitro Study

Sainudeen S, Nair VS, Zarbah M, Abdulla AM, Najeeb CM, Ganapathy S

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 Aug;12(Suppl 1):S423-S429.
PMID: 33149499 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_127_20

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Tylophora indica, Curcumin longa, and Phyllanthus amarus on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms formed on the tooth substrate. Sodium hypochlorite was used as a positive control. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), the vehicle for the herbal extracts, was used as the negative control.
Materials and Methods: Extracted human teeth were biomechanically prepared, vertically sectioned, placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the root canal surface to E. faecalis to form a biofilm. At the end of the third week, all groups were treated for 15 min with the test solutions and the control. The results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Results: Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way analysis of variance and compared by the Mann-Whitney test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. The qualitative assay with the 3-week biofilm on the canal portion showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth for NaOCl, whereas samples treated with herbal solutions showed significant reduction of bacterial growth compared to control group, which showed 139.9 × 109 CFU/mL among the experimental herbal solutions groups. P. amarus has shown maximum bacterial count followed by C. longa and T. indica.
Conclusion: NaOCl 5% showed maximum antibacterial activity against 3-week biofilm on tooth substrate. T. indica, P. amarus, and C. longa showed statistically significant antibacterial activity against 3-week biofilm. The use of herbal alternatives might prove to be advantageous considering the several undesirable characteristics of NaOCl.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Comparison between Ventriculosubgaleal Shunt and Extraventricular Drainage to Treat Acute Hydrocephalus in Adults

Nee LS, Harun R, Sellamuthu P, Idris Z

Asian J Neurosurg, 2017 Oct-Dec;12(4):659-663.
PMID: 29114279 DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_122_16

Context: Hydrocephalus, due to subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), meningitis, or tumor compression, is usually transient and may resolve after treatment. There are several temporary methods of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, none of it is superior to the other, and the decision is based on its various etiologies and factors. Ventriculosubgaleal shunt (VSGS) is one of those temporary measures, which is a simple and rapid CSF decompression method without causing electrolyte and nutritional losses.

Aims: The aim is to study the efficacy of VSGS for temporary CSF diversion, compared to extraventricular drainage (EVD) in adult hydrocephalus patients; to evaluate the outcome in terms of avoiding a permanent shunt, and to look for incidences of their complications.

Settings and Design: This was a retrospective observational study.

Subjects and Methods: The data were acquired from case notes of fifty patients with acute hydrocephalus: 26 secondary to IVH, 10 from aneurysm rupture, 8 posttrauma, and 6 from infection. All these patients had undergone CSF diversion in Hospital Queen Elizabeth II, Sabah, Malaysia, between 2013 and 2015. The patients were followed up from the date of treatment until the resolution of hydrocephalus, where parameters such as shunt dependency and complications were documented.

Statistical Analysis Used: All analyses were carried out using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences Version 22.0. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test is used for univariate analysis of categorical variables.

Results: A total of 21 (42%) patients underwent EVD insertion and 29 (58%) underwent VSGS insertion. Thirty-seven (74%) patients did not require a permanent shunt; 24 (64.8%) of them were from the VSGS group (P = 0.097). EVD had more intracranial complications (44.1%) compared with VSGS (23.5%), with a statistically significant P = 0.026.

Conclusions: VSGS is a safe and viable option for adult hydrocephalus patients, with the possibility of continuation of the treatment for such patients in nonneurosurgical centers, as opposed to patients with EVDs. Furthermore, even though this method had no statistical difference in avoiding a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt, VSGS has statistically significant less intracranial complications compared with EVD.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Correlation between defense mechanisms and readiness to change among relapsing addicts

Farhana Sabri, Zahidah Mustafa, Mohd Yahya Mohamed Ariffin

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018;3(4):30-34.
MyJurnal

The number of relapsing addicts is increasingly worrying from year to year. This study was conducted
to examine at the relationship between defense mechanisms and the level of readiness to change in
relapsing addicts. Although the drug addicts have been treated at the treatment center, however,
repeated cases of drug addicts still occur. Six research questions were developed to see how far the
variables consisting of defense mechanisms could correlate with readiness to change among addicts
who were undergoing treatment. This study was carried out involving 125 addicts in two separate
treatment centers in Melaka and Selangor. The selected sample were addicts who have undergone a
relapse phase at least once in drug addiction. Statistical data analysis using Statistical Packages for
Social Sciences 20 (SPSS-20) were used to analyze the data. Statistical descriptive is used to view the
results of demographic data constructed. T-test and ANOVA are used to see the relationship between
the variables. The regression analysis is used to predict the defense mechanisms with the stage of
readiness to change among relapsing addicts. The results showed that the defense mechanism had a
significant relationship to the stage of readiness to change among samples. The results of this study
provide information on treatment services in the drug rehabilitation to improve the treatment method
appropriately to the drug addicts in preventing relapse.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Culinary arts entrepreneurship: alternative student Diploma in Culinary Arts at Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor in facing open market

Abdul Wafi Abdul Rahman, Yusmady Md Junus, Melor Md Yunus

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):27-34.
MyJurnal

The Open Market scenario provides high levels of unreliability to culinary arts graduates where they
are no longer promised a place in the hospitality and tourism sectors but rather to compete with
graduates from other fields for employment. Hence, the field of entrepreneurship is seen as an
alternative in building a career that can help in reducing the dumping of graduates in the job market in
line with the government's call encouraging more entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is
aimed at identifying the tendency to entrepreneurship among students of the final year semester of the Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality School and Tourism Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor
(SHPKYPJ). Measurements for this study were based on surveys using questionnaire and data
collected by Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) Version 21.0. The results of the study
found that overall respondents have a high inclination towards entrepreneurship. If they are more
focused, encouragement and exposure are given to them, the probability that they become
entrepreneurs after graduation will be higher.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Depression symptoms level among thyroid disorders patients at Central region of Peninsular Malaysia

Siti Nur Illiani, J., Azlina, D., Sanisah, S., Ramli, M., Nik Noor Fatnoon, N.A.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2017;26(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Background of Study: Patients with thyroid disorders were found to have
continued to experience symptoms of depression despite the great of treatment has
been given to the patient to balance the thyroid hormones. Objective: The aim of
this study is to determine the level of depression symptoms among various types
of thyroid disorders patients.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at
one of the government hospital at central region of Peninsular Malaysia from
August to October 2016. Patients were diagnosed as thyroid disorders, Malaysian
citizen, above 18 years old and did not have any psychiatric disorders were
included in this study.Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42) was
selected to determine the severity of depression symptoms and interpreted as
follow: less than 9-no depression, between 10 and 13-mild depression, between
14-20-moderate depression, between 21 and 27- severe depression and more than
28-extreme severe depression. Descriptive statistic was analysed by IBM
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.

Results: About
15% (23) out of 153 thyroid patients had varies degree of depression symptoms
from mild to severe extremely depression. Patients who had hyperthyroid were
found to have more depressed, followed by hypothyroid and thyroid cancer group.

Conclusion: These findings would suggest that the depression score was higher in
the patients who have hyperthyroid. A more detail and thorough study is
recommended to be done, in order to confirm these findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Determinants of the willingness to participate in biobanking among Malaysian stakeholders in the Klang Valley

Amin L, Hashim H, Mahadi Z, Ismail K

BMC Med Res Methodol, 2018 12 05;18(1):163.
PMID: 30518344 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-018-0619-2

BACKGROUND: The demand in biobanking for the collection and maintenance of biological specimens and personal data from civilians to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases has increased notably. Despite the advancement, certain issues, specifically those related to privacy and data protection, have been critically discussed. The purposes of this study are to assess the willingness of stakeholders to participate in biobanking and to determine its predictors.

METHODS: A survey of 469 respondents from various stakeholder groups in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia was carried out. Based on previous research, a multi-dimensional instrument measuring willingness to participate in biobanking, and its predictors, was constructed and validated. A single step Structural Equation Modelling was performed to analyse the measurements and structural model using the International Business Machines Corporation Software Package for Social Sciences, Analysis of Moment Structures (IBM SPSS Amos) version 20 with a maximum likelihood function.

RESULTS: Malaysian stakeholders in the Klang Valley were found to be cautious of biobanks. Although they perceived the biobanks as moderately beneficial (mean score of 4.65) and were moderately willing to participate in biobanking (mean score of 4.10), they professed moderate concern about data and specimen protection issues (mean score of 4.33). Willingness to participate in biobanking was predominantly determined by four direct predictors: specific application-linked perceptions of their benefits (β = 0.35, p

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Does the milk powder scare matter? A survey examining Penang's consumer purchase intention with attitude as the mediator

Abbasi, G. A., Yow, B. C., Goh, Y. N

International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(2):327-338.
MyJurnal

In the present work, the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour was utilised in order to exam- ine and unearth the consumer milk powder purchase intention after the milk powder scare. For this reason, a self-administered questionnaire was developed using established scales. Moreo- ver, a survey on 200 respondents was conducted in Penang, Malaysia through an online survey questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was utilised to analyse the data. The findings revealed that product knowledge, product involvement, and perceived benefit were positively and significantly related to purchase intention. Surprisingly, perceived risk and country of origin's image do not have any significant relationship with purchase inten- tion. Attitude, playing the role of the mediating variable in the present work, was discovered to have a mediating effect on the relationships among product knowledge, product involve- ment, perceived benefit, perceived risk, country of origin's image, and purchase intention regarding milk powder. The present work shines a new light on Malaysian consumers’ purchase intention towards milk powder. Furthermore, the results of the present work can be adopted as a source of reference by milk powder companies in order to formulate strategic marketing plans, for instance during the food scare crisis.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Effect of maternal perceived stress during pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus risk: A prospective case-control study

Mishra S, Shetty A, Rao CR, Nayak S, Kamath A

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2020 07 08;14(5):1163-1169.
PMID: 32673836 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.06.048

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A variety of risk factors have been reported for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). But limited review on the role of antenatal perceived stress necessitated the design of the present study to evaluate the association between GDM and perceived stress during pregnancy.
METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out among 100 GDM cases and 273 matched controls, attending regular antenatal clinic at two private hospitals of Karnataka. Data was collected by personal interviews using a standard questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed using the Cohen 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Score of ≥20 was identified as high stress. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15 was used for analysis.
RESULTS: Exposure rates for high maternal perceived stress among cases during pregnancy were noted. The odds of GDM were 13 folds higher among those with high antenatal stress (≥20) compared to those with low (<20) (p

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Effects of flipped and conventional teaching approaches on performance and retention ability of students in advance financial accounting in AbuBakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria

Ibrahim A, Haruna JA

Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 2017;31:12-20.

The study investigated the effects of flipped and conventional classroom teaching approach on performance and retention ability of advance financial accounting students in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria. The study had three specific objectives and three null hypotheses. Quasiexperimental design of pre-test, post-test I and post-test II was used for the study. The study used an intact class of 76 students that offered advance financial accounting in 2015/2016 academic session in the institution. Three instruments were used for data collection. The instruments were Advance financial accounting Achievement Test (AFAAT), Advance financial accounting Diagnostic Achievement Test I (AFADAT I) and Advance financial accounting Diagnostic Achievement Test II (AFADAT II). The validations of instruments were determined by board of examiners in department of vocational and technology education in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. The reliability of the instruments was established using pilot study. The result of the pilot study gave reliability coefficient of 0.79. Data collected from the study were coded into Statistical Package of Social Sciences. The package was used to run t-test statistics for the test of the three null hypotheses at significance level of 0.05. The results shows improvement in the performance and retention ability of students when flipped teaching technique was adopted. It was recommended among others that financial accounting lecturers in Nigerian universities should adopt the use of flipped classroom approach in teaching students by providing students with pre-class materials and assignments prior their classroom activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Empirically derived guidance for social scientists to influence environmental policy

Marshall N, Adger N, Attwood S, Brown K, Crissman C, Cvitanovic C, et al.

PLoS One, 2017;12(3):e0171950.
PMID: 28278238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171950

Failure to stem trends of ecological disruption and associated loss of ecosystem services worldwide is partly due to the inadequate integration of the human dimension into environmental decision-making. Decision-makers need knowledge of the human dimension of resource systems and of the social consequences of decision-making if environmental management is to be effective and adaptive. Social scientists have a central role to play, but little guidance exists to help them influence decision-making processes. We distil 348 years of cumulative experience shared by 31 environmental experts across three continents into advice for social scientists seeking to increase their influence in the environmental policy arena. Results focus on the importance of process, engagement, empathy and acumen and reveal the importance of understanding and actively participating in policy processes through co-producing knowledge and building trust. The insights gained during this research might empower a science-driven cultural change in science-policy relations for the routine integration of the human dimension in environmental decision making; ultimately for an improved outlook for earth's ecosystems and the billions of people that depend on them.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences/manpower*
Evaluation of Optic Nerve Head Parameters, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, and Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Migraine Patients

Michael NDB, Hussein A, Abd Halim S, Ab Hamid SA

Cureus, 2019 May 04;11(5):e4599.
PMID: 31309023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4599

Background Neurovascular changes occur during the migraine is believed to cause alteration in cerebral and retinal circulation that possible result in damage to the brain and even retina or optic nerve. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurement can be used as an index to assess ganglion cell and retinal nerve fiber damages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optic nerve head (ONH) parameters, RNFL thickness, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in migraine patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan from July 2016 to November 2018, involving patients with a confirmed diagnosis of migraine and controls. Ninety-four eyes of 47 migraine patients and 94 eyes of 47 healthy subjects were included in this study. Blood pressure and intraocular pressure were measured and OPP was calculated. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after pupillary dilatation. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results With respect to all means values of ONH parameters, there was no statistically significant difference between migraine patients and controls. For RNFL, there were significant reductions in average and superior RNFL thickness on both eyes with adjustment of age and gender (P-value: right eye (RE) average = 0.027; RE superior = 0.034; left eye (LE) average = 0.037; LE superior = 0.031). In view of OPP, there was no significant difference between migraine patients and controls (P-value = 0.172). Weak correlations were found between the ONH parameters and RNFL thickness with OPP, respectively, in migraine patients. Conclusion This study showed no difference in ONH parameters between migraine patients and healthy subjects. There was significant thinning in average and superior RNFL for migraine patients. No difference found in OPP between both groups. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness had a weak correlation with OPP in migraine patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Evaluation of psychometric properties of the malay version perceived stress scale in two occupational settings in malaysia

Al-Dubai S, Ganasegeran K, Barua A, Rizal A, Rampal K

Ann Med Health Sci Res, 2014 Jul;4(Suppl 2):S104-7.
PMID: 25184074 DOI: 10.4103/2141-9248.138023

BACKGROUND: The 10-item version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used tool to measure stress. The Malay version of the PSS-10 has been validated among Malaysian Medical Students. However, studies have not been conducted to assess its validity in occupational settings.
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the PSS-10 in two occupational setting in Malaysia.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 191 medical residents and 513 railway workers. An exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal component method with varimax rotation. Correlation analyses, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett's test of Sphericity and Cronbach's alpha were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for the social sciences version 16 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) software.
RESULTS: Analysis yielded two factor structure of the Malay version of PSS-10 in both occupational groups. The two factors accounted for 59.2% and 64.8% of the variance in the medical residents and the railway workers respectively. Factor loadings were greater than 0.59 in both occupational groups. Cronbach's alpha co-efficient was 0.70 for medical residents and 0.71 for railway workers.
CONCLUSION: The Malay version of PSS-10 had adequate psychometric properties and can be used to measure stress among occupational settings in Malaysia.
KEYWORDS: Factor structure; Malaysia; Occupational; Perceived stress scale; Psychometric properties; Validity

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and optic nerve functions in fellow eye of neuromyelitis optica with unilateral optic neuritis

Ong Chin Feng W, Wan Hitam WH

Taiwan J Ophthalmol, 2020 06 20;10(3):189-196.
PMID: 33110750 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_22_20

Purpose: Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness might be useful in monitoring ongoing subclinical structural damage especially in eyes with no history of optic neuritis (ON) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
Objective: To evaluate the peripapillary RNFL thickness and optic nerve functions in fellow eye of NMO with unilateral optic neuritis.
Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 tertiary hospitals from August 2017 to May 2019. RNFL thickness and optic nerve functions were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24.
Results: A total of 26 NMO patients and 26 controls were involved in this study. The median age (IQR) of NMO patients was 32.5 (12) years old. The RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in NMO patients with non-ON eyes as compared to control group. Best corrected visual acuity between the 2 groups were comparable (0.20 vs 0.00, p=0.071). Contrast sensitivity was also reduced in NMO patients (non-ON eyes) at all 5 spatial frequencies. In NMO group, 34.6% have normal colour vision. The mean deviation (MD) of Humphrey visual field (HVF) was higher in NMO group (p<0.001). There was a moderate correlation between RNFL thickness and contrast sensitivity. Weak correlation was found between the RNFL thickness with visual acuity and mean deviation of visual field test.
Conclusion: Our study showed that the fellow eye of NMO patients with unilateral ON revealed a significant reduction in RNFL thickness and all the optic nerve functions have subtle early changes that signify a subclinical retinal damage.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences

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