Essential thrombocythemia is one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms. Palpable purpura is a rare manifestation that may delay diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of essential thrombocythemia in a 50-year-old man, who presented with recurrent thigh pain for the past one year with nonspecific localized purpura. His full blood count revealed isolated thrombocytosis of 880,000/µL with an impression of myeloproliferative disorder from peripheral blood film. He was referred urgently to the hematology team, which proceeded with a venesection. His condition improved with hydroxyurea. This was a rare case of chronic presentation of myeloproliferative neoplasm detected at a primary care clinic.
Dementia is typically characterized by the deterioration of cognitive abilities and is a common disorder among the elderly in Malaysia. However, behavioral and psychological symptoms are also present in approximately 90% of dementia patients.1 We report the manifestation of these symptoms in an elderly woman with dementia and the treatment thereof.
Road transport is the movement of passengers or goods on the road. To date, issues concerning the safety of students
and school institutions have continued to attract public attention. The recent spate of incidents inside and outside
the school compound has brought the issue of children safety into our attention. These include the escalating number
of road casualties. This study was conducted to observe road hazard outside the school compound and analyse the
safety risks faced by school children by using the risk matrix. The risks are calculated to include likelihood and
severity of hazard as identified in the Guideline of HIRARC 2008. The area selected was the East Coast state of
Peninsular Malaysia, with over 111 schools randomly selected in Kelantan. Results were then analysed and six
highlighted hazards were discussed. The results show that the main road posed the highest risk due to speeding
vehicles. These vehicles failed to slow down when approaching the school area. The school
administration must enhance the safety of the staff, students, and public while in the school area. In conclusion, road
safety awareness must be instilled among teachers, students, parents and road users alike.
Cellular microenvironments consist of a variety of cues, such as growth factors, extracellular matrices, and intercellular interactions. These cues are well orchestrated and are crucial in regulating cell functions in a living system. Although a number of researchers have attempted to investigate the correlation between environmental factors and desired cellular functions, much remains unknown. This is largely due to the lack of a proper methodology to mimic such environmental cues in vitro, and simultaneously test different environmental cues on cells. Here, we report an integrated platform of microfluidic channels and a nanofiber array, followed by high-content single-cell analysis, to examine stem cell phenotypes altered by distinct environmental factors. To demonstrate the application of this platform, this study focuses on the phenotypes of self-renewing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we present the preparation procedures for a nanofiber array and the microfluidic structure in the fabrication of a Multiplexed Artificial Cellular MicroEnvironment (MACME) array. Moreover, overall steps of the single-cell profiling, cell staining with multiple fluorescent markers, multiple fluorescence imaging, and statistical analyses, are described.
Muhammad Adil Khattak, Tuan Mohamad Hakimi Tuan Yahya, Muhammad Wazif Mohd Sallehhudin, Muhammad Izzuan Mohd Ghazali, Nur Awal Abdullah, Nur Athirah Nordin, et al.
In this recent years, energy security has been actively studied. European vitality security challenges have changed significantly in the previous 20 years. From one viewpoint, the current strains amongst Russia and the EU are undermining heir verifiable organization on vitality; on the other, profound changes in the vitality scene at the worldwide level, activated by innovative advances and major geo-political changes, are driving the EU to revaluate its vitality security system. The point of this paper is to talk about Eastern Europe vitality security in a changing worldwide. Furthermore, this paper will give a review on the energy market and the energy security strategy in Eastern Europe country.
Auriculotherapy has been extensively used for chronic spontaneous urticaria in China. However, the evidence of its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria is insufficient. Hence, we conducted this study to compare auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment with Western medicine for the cure of chronic spontaneous urticaria. This meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials showed that auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment was significantly superior to Western medicine in curing clinical signs and symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria [odds ration (OR), 2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.54-4.43; p = 0.0004) and also better in total effect rate (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.07-7.01; p＜0.0001). But, auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment was similar to Western medicine in improving clinical signs and symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.35-1.56; p = 0.42). Auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment was safer than Western medicine for curing chronic spontaneous urticaria (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.80; p = 0.02). Auriculotherapy alone or auriculotherapy joint treatment appears to be more effective and safer than Western medicine that contains antihistamines in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the unclear risk bias of methodological quality, and further studies with large-scale, better, and more rigorously designed protocol are necessary to prove these findings.
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most aggressive malignancy and its treatment remains a challenge due to the lack of biomarkers that can facilitate early detection. EC is identified in two major histological forms namely - Adenocarcinoma (EAC) and Squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), each showing differences in the incidence among populations that are geographically separated. Hence the detection of potential drug target and biomarkers demands a population-centric understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of EC. To provide an adequate impetus to the biomarker discovery for ESCC, which is the most prevalent esophageal cancer worldwide, here we have developed ESCC ATLAS, a manually curated database that integrates genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic ESCC-related genes from the published literature. It consists of 3475 genes associated to molecular signatures such as, altered transcription (2600), altered translation (560), contain copy number variation/structural variations (233), SNPs (102), altered DNA methylation (82), Histone modifications (16) and miRNA based regulation (261). We provide a user-friendly web interface ( http://www.esccatlas.org , freely accessible for academic, non-profit users) that facilitates the exploration and the analysis of genes among different populations. We anticipate it to be a valuable resource for the population specific investigation and biomarker discovery for ESCC.
The application of magnification devices in endodontics is mainly meant for visual enhancement and improved ergonomics. This is crucial especially when long hours are spent in a narrow operating space to treat obscure microanatomy. Nevertheless, application of magnification in endodontics has yet to be introduced into the mainstream practice due to various influences in behavioral patterns. By conducting an extensive literature search in the PubMed database, this narrative review paper depicts the present state of magnification devices, their applications within the endodontic practice, factors that influence their usage, the advantages, and shortcomings, as well as the significances of magnification in the field of endodontics. This review paper will encourage clinicians to employ magnification in their practice for improved outcome.
Employees support during the implementation of organizational changes is important to ensure
successful change. Thus, identifying factors that motivate individuals to support organizational change
is of vital interest for the successful management of changes. Previous studies have confirmed a
number of factors that can affect individual behavior to support the change. However, there are only
few studies that have identified the potential factors to form a framework that is based on theory, in
particular using the theory of planned behavior. Therefore, this study explores how perceived benefits
of change, supervisor support and change self-efficacy affects behavioural support for change.
Furthermore, this review offers propositions based on current literature for further in-depth empirical
investigations to find out the effects of these factors towards behavioural support for change that can be
used as a guide in the academic field as well as practical.
Technological innovations are significant in human and professional life. A new online correction and
prevention system called eTPP to replace old traditional system has introduced new major changes in
the reporting process. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the level of user's acceptance
towards eTPP and to investigate the factors that influence user's behavioural intentions to use eTPP in
UiTM Cawangan Johor, Kampus Segamat. A Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was employed
as a conceptual framework to investigate the factors that influence users' acceptance to use eTPP. To
test the model, data were collected from 44 respondents from various departments in UiTM
Cawangan Johor, Kampus Segamat. Questionnaires were distributed to collect primary data from the
respondents about their acceptability of eTPP. The results were presented through multiple regression
analysis and supported by mediating analysis (Preacher and Hayes, 2008; Baron and Kenny, 1986),
whereby it showed consistent mediating result with the regression result. The overall finding of the
study showed that the perceived ease of use was the main factor influencing eTPP acceptance among
the users.
Platiana Schimmel, 1993 is a moderately large genus in Dimini endemic to South East Asia. Hitherto only four species of this genus were known from Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we describe and figure Platiana cechovskyi sp. nov. from the Cameron Highlands. This species is characteristic by its relatively small body, dark coloration, and strongly serrate antennae which are rarely encountered in Dimini. An identification key to the Platiana species from Peninsular Malaysia as well as a distribution map for all known species are provided.
Background: In Africa high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found in regions of East Africa (0.3%),
West Africa (0.7%), Central Africa (0.2%), South Africa (3.8%), and North Africa (12.5%).
Aims: This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the prevalence of obesity among young adults, aged 18-25 years
from five African countries.
Methods: The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were applied to
search published studies. of the 100 studies published as found in scientific databases from 2010 to 2017, only
five were selected. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
checklist was used to eliminate other studies.
Outcomes: A total of 22,320 obese young adults were analyzed to be prevalent. The obesity among adults in
SouthAfrica was found to be correlated with less physical activities. In Uganda, the prevalence of obesity is
683 which relates with their sedentary lifestyle and socio-demography. Among 371 young adults in Nigeria, the
prevalence of obesity was 5.1% among male and 10% among female related to diet and other consumptions.
Among 646 adults in Ghana, the prevalence of general obesity was observed to be related to genetics.
Conclusion: Prevalence of the male gender was 9,509 having a p=0.284 (at 95% C.I.±4,440.87845-
8,788.87845) with a mean score of 1,251, and a SD= 61,066. While the prevalence of obesity on females was
10,874 having a p= 0.00019, (at 95% C.I.±3,592.07-6,094.07) with a mean score of 2,174, and SD= 3,375.
Artificial intelligence (AI) uses personified knowledge and learns from the solutions it produces to address not only specific but also complex problems. Remarkable improvements in computational power coupled with advancements in AI technology could be utilised to revolutionise the drug development process. At present, the pharmaceutical industry is facing challenges in sustaining their drug development programmes because of increased R&D costs and reduced efficiency. In this review, we discuss the major causes of attrition rates in new drug approvals, the possible ways that AI can improve the efficiency of the drug development process and collaboration of pharmaceutical industry giants with AI-powered drug discovery firms.
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a conceptual framework of hybrid lean and ergonomics for assembly manufacturing process based. The research used PDCA approach as a basis in linking the relationship between lean manufacturing and ergonomics. Comprehensive literature review identify the lean ergonomics issues, best practices, and also the way to improve the ergonomic conditions in the workplace, especially those impacting employees on the assembly process. The findings show that the job design strategies for reducing extreme injuries influence by repetitive tasks. Selections of lean tools and technique, human factors analysis and lean performance measure are the key point on the stages of the PDCA conceptual framework for lean ergonomics in working assembly process. This paper also demonstrates by continuous improvement applied between the elimination of waste and increased productivity and the impacts on the ergonomic conditions to carry out operations and consequently by improving the productivity and well-being of its employees based on implementation of PDCA conceptual frameworks.
Work-life balance is a prerequisite, in the choice of contemporary work styles, but allegedly has deteriorated in the teaching profession. Affected work-life quality causes serious impacts including work-life conflict, decreased job ability and affects an individual’s psychological state. This distress wave affects on a global scale, due to extreme workloads which cause high job stress that eventually affect quality of life. In the Malaysian context, job stress is currently at a medium level, but workloads are expected to increase, hence, work-life balance is potentially at risk. Investigations into work-life balance among teachers in Sabah is scarce. In addition, studies have not adequately examined the issue with positive integration. Balancing is about strengthening the known gains, and overcoming the identified strains. Thus, present conceptual paper discussed about the relationship of workload, eustress and distress towards work-life balance. Ultimately, a conceptual framework is developed based on the reviewed literature.
This is a case study research that is trying to identify a social interaction among multi ethnic students to maintain national integration. This research is concern on the factors that influence social interaction among students through co-curriculum activities like participate in sports and clubs at school. Findings from interview session individualy and grouping at two secondary schools at Kuala Ketil, Kedah shown there is a conflict and stereotype among students, however feeling to learn and accept the differences within ethnics still exist. Throughout the research, it shows that factors from external influence comes from school and peer groups. However, in the part of internal influence it is from student’s intrapersonal factor. In order to maintain social interaction among students, strategies had been taken by school through co-curriculum activities like sports and clubs. As a conclusion, a good social interaction among multiethnic students very important and need support from school’s administrator to maintain and sustain the harmonius and glory of the nation.