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Fulltext Parental reports of behavioural outcome among paediatric leukaemia survivors in Malaysia: a single institution experience

Hamidah A, Sham Marina M, Tamil AM, Loh CK, Zarina LA, Jamal R, et al.

Trop Med Int Health, 2014 Oct;19(10):1177-84.
PMID: 25047756 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12358

To determine the behavioural impact of chemotherapy in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated with chemotherapy only and to identify treatment-related or sociodemography-related factors that might be associated with behavioural outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Gender Socialisation and its Relation to Women’s Work and Family Conflict

NWANESI PETER KARUBI, ELAINE CHAI YEE NING

Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

This article examines the impact of gender socialization in Malaysian families, especially on daughters regarding their perception towards work inside and outside the home. Hence, this study utilized in-depth interview as part of the qualitative methods to obtain quality data needed. The study establishes, that patriarchy environment, especially one with the classic model of ‘breadwinner father, housewife mother’ creates a pressure on women to bear more household responsibility. Thus, the dominant gender ideologies are entangled with ‘motherhood mandate’ and ‘superior feminine virtue’ that is associated with the reason women left the labour force. It was equally necessary to point out here that other agents of socialization such as media, peers and education played its part as well and influenced the respondent’s conformity to patriarchal values.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext The association between tobacco and the risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children and adolescents: analyses from Phase Three of the ISAAC programme

Mitchell EA, Beasley R, Keil U, Montefort S, Odhiambo J, ISAAC Phase Three Study Group

Thorax, 2012 Nov;67(11):941-9.
PMID: 22693180 DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200901

BACKGROUND: Exposure to parental smoking is associated with wheeze in early childhood, but in 2006 the US Surgeon General stated that the evidence is insufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure and asthma in childhood and adolescents.
AIMS: To examine the association between maternal and paternal smoking and symptoms of asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis.
METHODS: Parents or guardians of children aged 6-7 years completed written questionnaires about symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema, and several risk factors, including maternal smoking in the child's first year of life, current maternal smoking (and amount) and paternal smoking. Adolescents aged 13-14 years self completed the questionnaires on these symptoms and whether their parents currently smoked.
RESULTS: In the 6-7-year age group there were 220 407 children from 75 centres in 32 countries. In the 13-14-year age group there were 350 654 adolescents from 118 centres in 53 countries. Maternal and paternal smoking was associated with an increased risk of symptoms of asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis in both age groups, although the magnitude of the OR is higher for symptoms of asthma than the other outcomes. Maternal smoking is associated with higher ORs than paternal smoking. For asthma symptoms there is a clear dose relationship (1-9 cigarettes/day, OR 1.27; 10-19 cigarettes/day, OR 1.35; and 20+ cigarettes/day, OR 1.56). When maternal smoking in the child's first year of life and current maternal smoking are considered, the main effect is due to maternal smoking in the child's first year of life. There was no interaction between maternal and paternal smoking.
CONCLUSIONS: This study has confirmed the importance of maternal smoking, and the separate and additional effect of paternal smoking. The presence of a dose-response effect relationship with asthma symptoms suggests that the relationship is causal, however for eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis causality is less certain.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers/statistics & numerical data
Prevalence and predictors of pediculosis capitis among primary school children in Hulu Langat, Selangor

Lye MS, Tohit NF, Rampal L

Med J Malaysia, 2017 02;72(1):12-17.
PMID: 28255134 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Pediculosis capitis infestation is endemic in both developing and developed countries leading to various physical, economical and psychological consequences. Our main objective was to determine the prevalence and predictors of pediculosis capitis among primary school children in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia.
METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study using cluster random sampling method was carried out in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia. Self-administered pretested questionnaires were used to collect the data. Hair and scalp examination was also carried out. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for potential confounding and determine the predictors.
RESULTS: The overall mean age of the 1,336 respondents was 9.3 years. Majority were males (52.8%), Malays (79.5%) and 81.3% of the fathers had secondary or tertiary education as compared to 77.3% for the mothers. The overall prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 15.3%. The prevalence of pediculosis was significantly higher among females (28.4%) than males (3.7%, p=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age 10 years or more (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.34, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.673 to 3.272), female gender (OR = 10.26, 95% CI = 6.620 to 15.903), history of contact with an infested person (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.506 to 2.960), Indian compared to Chinese (OR = 3.55, 95% CI = 1.282 to 9.860), Malay to Chinese (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = .994 to 6.774) were associated with pediculosis capitis.
CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among children aged 7 - 12 years in Hulu Langat District was high. There is a need for screening and treatment of pediculosis capitis in primary schools.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Clinical characteristics and demographic profile of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at child development clinic (CDC), Penang Hospital, Malaysia

Sathyabama R

Med J Malaysia, 2019 Oct;74(5):372-376.
PMID: 31649211

OBJECTIVE: To explore socio-demographics and clinical characteristics of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Child Development Clinic (CDC), Penang Hospital.

STUDY DESIGN: A record review study of 331 children with ASD attending CDC, Penang Hospital from September 2013 to April 2017.

RESULTS: Out of 331 children with ASD, 82.5% were males, 17.5% females, with male to female ratio of 4.7:1. Mean age at consultation was 5 years and 6 months (SD 31.68 months) with age range from 19 months to 18 years and 4 months. 85.8% were term infants with normal birth weight. History of speech regression was noted in 14.8%, epilepsy and genetic disorders in 9.4% and 5.7% respectively. Sleep problems was reported in 29.3%, dietary issues 22.1%, challenging behaviour 24.2% and ADHD 14.2%. Mean age of the father and mother at birth was 33.6 and 31.6 years respectively.

CONCLUSION: In this study, we report a higher male to female ratio and mean age at referral with some similar rates of neurodevelopmental and medical comorbidities and relatively younger parental age with higher parental education levels.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext A family study of HbS in a Malay family by molecular analysis

Hafiza A, Noor HH, Noor FA, Azlin I, Ainoon O

Malays J Pathol, 2010 Dec;32(2):137-41.
PMID: 21329186 MyJurnal

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red cell disorder, characterized by the tendency of haemoglobin S or sickle haemoglobin to polymerize and assume a characteristic sickle shape. Molecular analysis has been the mainstay of detection method when confirmation is required. Previously a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction enzyme analysis was used for this purpose. A simple bidirectional allele-specific amplification, recently described by Waterfall in 2001 was used to detect the GAG --> GTG mutation on codon 6 of the beta globin gene. Two sets of primers for the mutant and the wild type alleles were used in a single PCR reaction to amplify the regions of interest. The resultant PCR products will produce two fragments at 517 and 267 base pair (bp) respectively. This report highlights the investigations for SCD in the family of a 16-year old girl with recurrent painful crisis affecting the lower limbs whereby the family members are asymptomatic for the disease. Her haemoglobin electrophoresis at an alkaline pH showed dense bands at the HbS and HbF regions, while her father and two sisters had bands at HbS, HbF and HbA. The PCR analysis showed that she was homozygous for the mutation by the presence of only one band at 267 bp fragment, while the father and her sisters were heterozygotes, with the presence of two bands at 267 as well as 517 bp fragments. DNA sequencing of the sample confirmed the mutation. In conclusion, this case report highlighted the simple and cheap yet practical method for molecular confirmation of the presence of HbS gene in subjects with homozygous or heterozygous state of the condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-thalassaemia causing severe thalassaemia intermedia in compound heterozygous state with IVS1-1(G→T) mutation

Wong YY, Alauddin H, Raja Sabudin RZA, Ithnin A, Jalil N, Abdul Latiff Z, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2021 Apr;43(1):95-100.
PMID: 33903312

The Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-thalassaemia is a novel mutation involving a 118kb deletion of the β-globin gene cluster. It was first reported in 2012 in two unrelated families from the southern part of Thailand. The carriers in the heterozygous state are clinically asymptomatic. Nonetheless, its complex interaction with other β-thalassaemia could give rise to different clinical phenotypes, ranging from mild thalassaemia intermedia to thalassaemia major. We report here a case of a six-year-old Malay boy, presented with pallor, growth failure and hepatosplenomegaly. His haemoglobin at presentation was 9.2g/dL with a mean cell haemoglobin of 22.6pg and a mean cell volume of 69.9fl. His peripheral blood smear showed features of thalassaemia intermedia. Haemoglobin (Hb) analysis revealed markedly raised Hb F (83%), normal HbA2 levels and absent HbA. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis showed compound heterozygous IVS1-1 (G→T) β-globin gene mutation and Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-deletion (genotype βIVS1-1/ β Siriraj I deletion). Both his father and elder sister are carriers of Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-thalassaemia while his mother carries IVS1-1 (G→T) gene mutation. Clinically, the patient is transfusion dependent on six weekly regime. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in Malaysia involving unique Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-thalassaemia and IVS1-1 (G→T) in a compound heterozygous state. In summary, detection of Siriraj I Gγ(Aγδβ)0-thalassaemia is essential as this deletion can lead to severe disease upon interaction with a β-thalassemia point mutation as demonstrated in our case. The establishment of effective carrier screening and genetic counselling is important to prevent its adverse consequences.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Parent-adolescent relationships and its association to adolescents' self-esteem

Yaacob MJ

Malays J Med Sci, 2006 Jan;13(1):21-4.
PMID: 22589586

Psychoanalysts believed that early mother-child relationships form the prototype of all future relationships and the outcome of adolescents development depends on their ego-strength. Object relations theory believed that intrapsychic process mediates interpersonal interaction to develop a sense of secure self and adolescents must relinquish the internalized other in order to develop a more mature sense of self. Social-relation theory believed that mothers and fathers provide different socialization experiences. Self-esteem depends on the functioning of the whole family in which adolescent is intimately related to the dyadic relationship in a family. There is an association between interparental conflict and adolescent's self-esteem and problem behaviour.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Preference, Attitude, Recognition and Knowledge of Fruits and Vegetables Intake Among Malay Children

Sha An Ali M, Mohd Nazir NA, Manaf ZA

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Mar;27(2):101-111.
PMID: 32788846 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.11

Background: The low consumption of fruits and vegetables among children is a global challenge. Foods recognition, nutrition knowledge and attitude are factors that influence children's dietary practices. This study aims to assess the preference, attitude, recognition and knowledge of fruits and vegetables intake among Malay children.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Malay children from five primary schools in Kuala Lumpur using self-administered questionnaires.
Results: A total of 134 Malay children (70 males and 64 females) with a mean (SD) age of 10.3 (1.0) years were recruited. Majority of the children had a father (61.9%) and a mother (56.0%) with secondary school education and earned below RM3,900 (70.9%) per month. The most preferred fruits and vegetable were bananas (91.9%) and carrots (71.4%), while the most recognised was oranges (100.0%) and tomatoes (96.3%). The children demonstrated an overall moderate level of attitude, recognition and knowledge with mean (SD) scores of 70.3 (19.9), 76.8 (18.1) and 73.6 (17.5), respectively, towards fruits and vegetables intake. Majority of the children (53.0%) were not aware of the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, while 40.0% of children expressed a low attitude towards eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. The willingness to try a new type of vegetables and consume more vegetables was lower (68.7%) compared to fruits (75.4%).
Conclusion: The preferences and recognition of fruits were higher compared to vegetables among the children. The children demonstrated a moderate level of attitude, recognition and knowledge towards fruits and vegetables consumption. Efforts to educate children on the recommended number of servings per day and improve their acceptability of vegetables should be implemented to promote the increase in fruits and vegetables consumption among children.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Perceived parenting style of fathers and adolescents' locus of control in a collectivist culture of Malaysia: the moderating role of fathers' education

Keshavarz S, Baharudin R, Mounts NS

J Genet Psychol, 2013 May-Jun;174(3):253-70.
PMID: 23991523

The authors investigated the moderating role of father's education on the associations between perceived paternal parenting styles and locus of control among 382 Malaysian adolescents with an average age of 14.27. Data were collected by means of adolescents' self-report using standardized instruments (i.e., parental authority questionnaire and Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale for Children). Results revealed that there were significant negative relationships between fathers' authoritative parenting style (r = -.243, p < .001) and authoritarian parenting style (r = -.130, p < .01) with adolescents' internal locus of control. Furthermore, the findings indicated that father's high level of education moderated the relationship between perceived paternal authoritarian parenting and locus of control (b = -0.147, p < .001). The findings underscore the need to include the role of parents' education when assessing the links between parenting styles and adolescents' locus of control.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers/education; Fathers/psychology*
Fulltext Interstitial deletion of the distal long arm of chromosome 4, del (4)(q33-q35), in association with paternal balanced translocation

Mdzin R, Ko C, Abdul Latif Z, Zakaria Z

Singapore Med J, 2008 Nov;49(11):e336-9.
PMID: 19037546

Interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 4 are rare. The deletions may occur at the proximal or the distal portions of the chromosome and different breakpoints may be involved. We report an interstitial deletion of 4q: 46XY der 4 (q28;q35) in a six-year-old boy with dysmorphic features associated with moderate mental retardation. Parental chromosomal analysis showed a balanced paternal translocation.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Factors associated with autism severity among Malaysian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Eow SY, Gan WY, Lim PY, Awang H, Mohd Shariff Z

Res Dev Disabil, 2020 May;100:103632.
PMID: 32179381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103632

BACKGROUND: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of different levels of symptom severity may exhibit a wide range of behaviours and characteristics. There is a limited nutrition-related study on children with ASD of different severity in Malaysia.
AIMS: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the association between sociodemographic factors, parental factors, and lifestyle factors with autism severity in children with ASD.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 224 children with ASD were included in this study. Their mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, autism severity, parenting style, parental feeding practices, parenting stress, child's sleep habits and eating behaviours.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: As high as 78.1 % of the children with ASD demonstrated a high level of autism severity. Multiple linear regression showed that father's employment status (B = 6.970, 95 % CI = 3.172, 10.768, p 

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers/psychology; Fathers/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext A relational investigation of Israeli gay fathers' experiences of surrogacy, early parenthood, and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Kelly HK, Geller S, Swami V, Shenkman G, Levy S, Ridge D

PLoS One, 2023;18(2):e0282330.
PMID: 36827339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282330

Perinatal distress affects approximately 10% of fathers, but little is known about how gay fathers experience the challenges surrounding childbirth and early parenting of a child. This study explored gay fathers' experiences of having a baby via transnational surrogacy, raising that baby as a gay parent, and the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 Israeli men to understand their experiences of surrogacy and early parenthood, focusing on the impact on their mental health and the relational factors involved. Secondary narrative analysis revealed that fathers constructed surrogacy as a perilous quest that required strong intentionality to undertake. The first year of parenthood was conceptualised alternately as a joyful experience and/or one that challenged fathers' identities and mental health. A relational framework was applied to better conceptualise the fathers' narratives, revealing that actual connections-and the potentials for links-considerably shaped experiences of surrogacy, perinatal distress and recovery. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers/psychology
Association of parental body mass index before pregnancy on infant growth and body composition: Evidence from a pregnancy cohort study in Malaysia

Zalbahar N, Jan Mohamed HJ, Loy SL, Najman J, McIntyre HD, Mamun A

Obes Res Clin Pract, 2016 09;10 Suppl 1:S35-S47.
PMID: 26321098 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2015.08.002

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Parental body mass index (BMI) is strongly linked with the development of offspring overweight and obesity. However, there are a limited number of studies focusing on the association of parental body mass index before pregnancy on offspring growth and body composition in early life, particularly in developing countries.
METHODS: Data from the University Sains Malaysia (USM) Pregnancy Cohort which consists of 153 mother-offspring pairs were used. Data were collected using interview-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were also obtained. Multiple linear regression and generalised equation estimation (GEE) were used to examine the direction and impact of the association between parental BMI and child growth and body composition (weight for age, height for age, body mass index for age, weight for height and fat mass at age 2m, 6m, and 12m). Potential confounders, including validated measures of maternal diets and physical activity during pregnancy, were considered.
RESULTS: Of 153 parents, one-quarter of the mothers and 42.2% of the fathers, respectively, were overweight or obese before pregnancy. A significant association was found between maternal BMI and child's weight for height z-score (WHZ) and body mass index for age z-score (BAZ).
CONCLUSIONS: Having high pre-pregnancy BMI may increase BMI and WAZ of offspring in early life. Findings from this study emphasise the importance of monitoring maternal weight status, particularly before and during pregnancy and early life of offspring among Malaysians.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers*
Fulltext Household food insecurity and coping strategies in a poor rural community in Malaysia

Shariff ZM, Khor GL

Nutr Res Pract, 2008;2(1):26-34.
PMID: 20126362 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2008.2.1.26

This cross-sectional study assessed household food insecurity among low-income rural communities and examined its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as coping strategies to minimize food insecurity. Demographic, socioeconomic, expenditure and coping strategy data were collected from 200 women of poor households in a rural community in Malaysia. Households were categorized as either food secure (n=84) or food insecure (n=116) using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity instrument. T-test, Chi-square and logistic regression were utilized for comparison of factors between food secure and food insecure households and determination of factors associated with household food insecurity, respectively. More of the food insecure households were living below the poverty line, had a larger household size, more children and school-going children and mothers as housewives. As food insecure households had more school-going children, reducing expenditures on the children's education is an important strategy to reduce household expenditures. Borrowing money to buy foods, receiving foods from family members, relatives and neighbors and reducing the number of meals seemed to cushion the food insecure households from experiencing food insufficiency. Most of the food insecure households adopted the strategy on cooking whatever is available at home for their meals. The logistic regression model indicates that food insecure households were likely to have more children (OR=1.71; p<0.05) and non-working mothers (OR=6.15; p<0.05), did not own any land (OR=3.18; p<0.05) and adopted the strategy of food preparation based on whatever is available at their homes (OR=4.33; p<0.05). However, mothers who reported to borrow money to purchase food (OR=0.84; p<0.05) and households with higher incomes of fathers (OR=0.99; p<0.05) were more likely to be food secure. Understanding the factors that contribute to household food insecurity is imperative so that effective strategies could be developed and implemented.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Identification of two novel mutations, PSEN1 E280K and PRNP G127S, in a Malaysian family

Ch'ng GS, An SS, Bae SO, Bagyinszky E, Kim S

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 2015;11:2315-22.
PMID: 26396515 DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S86334

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, which can be categorized into two main forms: early onset AD and late onset AD. The genetic background of early onset AD is well understood, and three genes, the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 have been identified as causative genes. In the current study, we tested three siblings from Malaysia who were diagnosed with early onset dementia, as well as their available family members. The family history was positive as their deceased father was similarly affected. Patients were tested for mutations in APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, and PRNP. A novel variant, E280K, was discovered in exon 8 of PSEN1 in the three siblings. In silico analyses with SIFT, SNAP, and PolyPhen2 prediction tools and three-dimensional modeling were performed, and the results suggested that the mutation is probably a pathogenic variant. Two additional pathogenic mutations were previously been described for codon 280, E280A, and E280G, which could support the importance of the E280 residue in the PS1 protein contributing to the pathogenic nature of E280K. Additional ten family members were screened for the E280K mutation, and all of them were negative. Six of them presented with a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including learning disabilities, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, while four family members were asymptomatic. A novel PRNP G127S mutation was found in a step-niece of the three siblings harboring the PSEN1 E280K mutation. In silico predictions for PRNP G127S mutation suggested that this might be possibly a damaging variant. Additional studies to characterize PRNP G127S would be necessary to further understand the effects of this mutation.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Factors associated with obesity: a case-control study of young adult Singaporean males

Shi H, Jiang B, Wei Sim JD, Chum ZZ, Ali NB, Toh MH

Mil Med, 2014 Oct;179(10):1158-65.
PMID: 25269135 DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00064

A case-control study among Singapore Armed Forces' newly enlisted Servicemen was conducted to examine factors associated with male obesity. Four hundred and fifty-nine individuals from the Obese Basic Military Training program were selected as "cases" (average age: 19.5, body mass index: 30.4) and another 340 individuals were selected from the Normal Basic Military Training program as "controls" (average age: 19.3, body mass index: 21.4). Information such as family background, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle practices were captured using facilitator-led questionnaires. Several variables were significantly associated with obesity after adjustments for possible confounders. These include childhood obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06), less than an hour of exercise per day (OR = 2.97), Indian ethnicity (OR = 2.22), specific education backgrounds (especially that of Institute of Technical Education-OR = 2.75), father's employment at nonmanagerial/professional jobs (OR = 1.52), mother's employment at managerial/professional jobs (OR = 2.02), regular smoking (OR = 1.73) and alcohol consumption (OR = 2.26), 6 hours or less of sleep (OR = 3.73), obesity among family members (OR = 1.86 for mother; OR = 2.98 for siblings), parental history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.22 for father; OR = 2.70 for mother), and eating at inexpensive local food stalls (OR = 1.82). Our study found that a number of factors, ranging from personal and family backgrounds to lifestyle choices, were significantly associated with obesity among male youths.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Polymerase chain reaction analysis as a rapid screening test for diagnosis of fragile x syndrome

Phan, CL, Zubaidah, Z., Gregory, A.R.A., Ten, SK, Kamariah, M.N., Thilagavathi, S., et al.

Medicine & Health, 2006;1(1):36-44.
MyJurnal

Fragile X syndrome is a result of an unstable expansion of (CGG)n trinucleotide sequences in the FMR-1 (Fragile X Mental Retardation 1) gene site at Xq27. In a normal person, n ranges from 6 to 40 repeats with an average of 30 repeats, whereas in a mutated FMR1 gene the sequence is repeated several times over (stuttering gene). Full mutation occurs when n equals 200 repeats or more. Where n equals 50 to 200 repeats, it is a premutation. Fragile X occurs when the FMR-1 gene is unable to make normal amounts of usable Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein, or FMRP. The amount of FMRP in the body is one factor that determines the severity of the Fragile X syndrome. A person with nearly normal levels of FMRP usually has mild or no symptoms, while a person with very little or no normal FMRP has more severe symptoms. The mechanism for the role of the FMRP gene is still being researched upon. However, it has been observed that large numbers of repeats (more than 200) inactivates the gene through a process of methylation and when the gene is inactivated, the cell may make little or none of the needed FMRP. Inheritance is X-linked with reduced penetrance and the frequency of occurrence goes up through generations. The phenotypic manifestations of fragile-X syndrome vary and are largely dependent on the size of the mutation or premutation. The identification of the fragile site on G banded metaphases is a time consuming and delicate process requiring experience and skill, however, molecular diagnosis using DNA analysis and Southern blotting, even though expensive, is more specific in determining the presence or absence of the gene. This study was aimed to establish a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based - touch down PCR, as a screening method for fragile X syndrome. A total of six cases were analysed. Of these, one was a known case of Fragile X (T1) diagnosed by conventional cytogenetics, two were from the latter’s family members namely, his mother (T2) and father (T3), and the other two (T4 and T5) were randomly selected from patients presenting with dysmorphic features and delayed development respectively. One normal control (TC) was included. Cytogenetic analyses for detection of the fragile site was carried out in all cases. Two culture systems were used, namely the synchronised lymphocyte culture and the folate - thymidine deficient culture. Stained metaphases from the fragile X cultures were screened for the presence of the fragile site on the X chromosome. G-banded karyotyping was done using an image analyser to exclude presence of chromosomal abnormalities. DNA was extracted from these samples and amplified by touch-down PCR. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a folate-sensitive fragile site in the affected male, but none in the other five samples. G-banded karyotyping exhibited no additional chromosomal abnormalities. All extracted DNA samples were successfully amplified. Five of the samples showed presence of the product at the expected band at 552bp, excluding the presence of an expansion of CGG segment of the FMR-1 gene. The absence of a band in an affected individual, suggested a fully mutated allele of FRAXA (Folate Sensitive Fragile Site at Xq28). We succeeded in establishing a slightly modified touch-down PCR analysis. Our study indicates that PCR testing offers a rapid and specific method for screening of normal allele and full mutation of the fragile X gene. We suggest this technique to be applied as a complementary tool for cytogenetic analysis to detect the FRAXA gene.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Susceptibility to smoking as a predictor of smoking initiation among adolescents - a longitudinal study in Kota Tinggi District, Malaysia

Lim, K.H., Sumarni, M.G., Kee, C.C., Amal, N.M., Norhamimah, A.

Medicine & Health, 2011;6(1):49-58.
MyJurnal

Susceptibility to smoking, which is defined as a lack of cognitive commitment not to smoke in the future, has been shown to be a predictor for adolescent smoking initiation in developed countries. This study aims to evaluate the utility of a susceptibility-tosmoke measure as a predictor of smoking initiation among adolescents in Kota Tinggi district, Johor Malaysia. Susceptibility to smoking was evaluated among 1763 adolescents at baseline using a two-item construct. At follow-up 12 months later, 1288 of the 1763 adolescents (73.1%) responded. Results showed 14.9% (n=188/1260) of the respondents were susceptible to smoking at baseline. Among the susceptible adolescents, 31.9% initiated smoking after one year. Respondents who were identified as susceptible to smoking by the measure were 3.7 times (95%; CI: 2.17- 6.30) more likely to initiate smoking compared to non-susceptible respondents after adjusting for gender, school locality, percentage of friends who smoke, father smoking, parental acceptance of smoking, and belief in the positive and negative consequences of smoking. The findings suggest that the susceptibility measure is a reliable predictor and can be used as a screening tool to identify adolescents who are at risk of initiating smoking.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers
Fulltext Food restrictions during pregnancy among Indigenous Temiar women in peninsular Malaysia

Sharifah Zahhura SA, Nilan P, Germov J

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Aug;18(2):243-53.
PMID: 24575670 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: A qualitative comparative case study was conducted to compare and contrast food taboos and avoidance practices during pregnancy among Orang Asli or indigenous Temiar women in four distinct locations that represent different lifestyle experiences and cultural practices.
METHODS: Through snowballing sampling, a total of 38 participants took part in five focus groups: one group each in Pos Simpor and Pos Tohoi in Kelantan state, one group in Batu 12, Gombak in Selangor state, and two groups in a regroupment scheme (RPSOA) in Kuala Betis, Kelantan. All the transcripts were coded, categorised and 'thematised' using the software package for handling qualitative data, NVivo 8.
RESULTS: Variant food prohibitions were recorded among the Temiar women residing in different locations, which differ in food sources and ways of obtaining food. Consumption of seventeen types of food items was prohibited for a pregnant Temiar woman and her husband during the prenatal period. Fear of difficulties during labour and delivery, convulsions or sawan, harming the baby (such as foetal malformation), and twin pregnancy seemed to trigger many food proscriptions for the pregnant Temiar women, most of which have been passed on from generation to generation.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm that beliefs about food restrictions are strong among those Temiar living a traditional lifestyle. However, those who have adopted a more modern lifestyle also preserve them to some extent.pregnancy among Orang Asli or indigenous Temiar women in four distinct locations that represent different lifestyle experiences and cultural practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Fathers

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