METHODS: SEIRV models were developed and validated using COVID-19 case and vaccination data from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, from June 21, 2021 to July 21, 2021 to generate forecasts of COVID-19 cases from July 22, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Three scenarios were examined to measure the effects of vaccination on COVID-19 case trends. Scenarios 1 and 2 represented the trends taking into account the earliest and latest possible times of achieving full vaccination for 80% of the adult population by October 31, 2021 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Scenario 3 described a scenario without vaccination for comparison.
RESULTS: In scenario 1, forecasted cases peaked on August 28, 2021, which was close to the peak of observed cases on August 26, 2021. The observed peak was 20.27% higher than in scenario 1 and 10.37% lower than in scenario 2. The cumulative observed cases from July 22, 2021 to December 31, 2021 were 13.29% higher than in scenario 1 and 55.19% lower than in scenario 2. The daily COVID-19 case trends closely mirrored the forecast of COVID-19 cases in scenario 1 (best-case scenario).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination reduced COVID-19 case trends during the Delta outbreak. The compartmental models developed assisted in the management and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized 27 rats which had been injected with single dose 8mg/KgBB of cisplatin, and then divided into 3 groups. The first group was not given curcumin. The second group received curcumin at a dose of 150 mg/KgBB. The third group received curcumin at a dose of 300 mg/KgBB. Curcumin was given from the time of single dose cisplatin injection (day 0) to day 7. OAE examination was performed on the day before the single dose of cisplatin (day 0), day 3, 4 and 7 after curcumin administration.
RESULTS: There was a decline in the average value of SNR in all groups starting from high frequency. However, in the rat groups receiving curcumin there was a slow decrease in the SNR value, which also obtained statistically significant differences in the SNR values of all groups.
CONCLUSION: Administration of certain doses of curcumin may reduce the modest and statistically insignificant decrease in mean SNR values indicating a reduction in ototoxicity from cisplatin.
METHOD: Methods: This study used systematic random sampling to recruit 375 parents from seven health clinics in the Dungun District of Malaysia. The participants were asked to complete a selfadministered validated questionnaire that included sociodemographic and knowledge questions. A multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the associated factors of poor knowledge of immunisation. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 189 (50.4%) respondents had poor knowledge of immunisation. The multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that a low educational level (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.92; 95% CI 1.25-2.95) was associated with poor knowledge while the age-group of 30-40 years old (adjusted OR: 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.93) was protected against it as compared to the age-group of <30 years old.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor knowledge of immunisation among parents in Dungun, Terengganu, is relatively high. The focus of health promotion and education must be switched to increasing immunisation knowledge among the public, particularly among high-risk groups.
DESIGN: Prospective case series, Proof of concept pilot study.
SETTING: Tertiary Health Care Center, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia. Department of Surgery.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 patients diagnosed with advanced COJ tumour and who had never undergone any surgical, endoscopic, or chemoradiotherapy and indicated for stenting were recruited.
INTERVENTIONS: The study period was over nine months, and follow-up was one-month post-stenting.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endpoint measures were feasibility of deployment of the new design, symptoms relief, early stent migration, early complication, GERD Q score, and (QOL)assessment.
RESULTS: The ART stent was inserted successfully in all cases (17/17, 100%). There were two stent migrations due to the flexibility of the stent at the neck. There were no early or post-stenting one-month complications associated with the procedure. A good flow of contrast was seen in all the stents deployed. GERD Q score was low in all patients pre and post-stenting. Post-stenting there was a relief of dysphagia, weight gain, and a 60% improvement in QOL score.
CONCLUSIONS: ART stent is feasible and technically successful in COJ tumours. It provides good symptom relief, improves the QOL, and has minimal early complications.
FUNDING: None declared.