METHODS AND RESULTS: The POME final discharge, upstream (unpolluted by POME), and downstream (effluent receiving point) parts of the rivers from two sites were physicochemically characterized. The taxonomic and gene profiles were then evaluated using de novo metatranscriptomics, while the metabolites were detected using qualitative metabolomics. A similar bacterial community structure in the POME final discharge samples from both sites was recorded, but their composition varied. Redundancy analysis showed that several families, particularly Comamonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae [Pr(>F) = 0.028], were positively correlated with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results also showed significant enrichment of genes regulating various metabolisms in the POME-receiving rivers, with methane, carbon fixation pathway, and amino acids among the predominant metabolisms identified (FDR 4, and PPDE > 0.95). This was further validated through qualitative metabolomics, whereby amino acids were detected as the predominant metabolites.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that genes regulating amino acid metabolism have significant potential for developing effective biomonitoring and bioremediation strategies in river water influenced by POME final discharge, fostering a sustainable palm oil industry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity was studied by examining the hFOB cell response by MTT assessment. The cell morphology was evaluated by inverted microscopy and observed under scanning electronic microscopy (SEM).
RESULTS: MTT assay results displayed that the Cu content on the surface of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloys did not produce any cytotoxic effect on cell viability. The cell viability rate in all samples ranges from 97% to 126%, indicating that hFOB cells grew at a high proliferation rate. However, no significant differences in cell viability were observed between Ti and Ti Cu and between Ti HA and Ti Cu/HA groups. Microscopic examination demonstrated no difference in the cell morphology of hFOB among all samples. In addition, SEM observation indicated favorable adhesion and spreading of the cells on the coated and uncoated samples.
CONCLUSIONS: The surface modification of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy with Cu, HA, and Cu/HA exhibits good cell biocompatibility, and the Cu has no influence on the cell proliferation and differentiation of hFOB.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This two-phase sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, incorporating a quantitative design (phase I) and a qualitative study (phase II), is to be conducted in 4 government hospitals and 10 other non-governmental organisations or private dialysis centres within Klang Valley, Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey (phase I) will include 236 patient-caregiver dyads, while focus group discussions (phase II) will include 30 participants. The participants for both phases will be recruited purposively. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and multiple regression analysis will be used for analyses in phase I, and thematic analysis will be used in phase II.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval for the study has been obtained from the National Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) (NMRR-21-1012-59714) and the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM (UKM PPI/111/8/JEP-2021-078) and University of Malaya Medical Centre (MREC ID NO: 2 02 178-10346). Informed consent of the participants will be obtained beforehand, and no personal identifiers will be obtained from the participants to protect their anonymity. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national or international conferences with minimal anonymised data.
METHODS: We searched the Central and MEDLINE databases and went through all the reference lists in the related articles. We also searched for ongoing trials at http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/ and www.clinicaltrials.gov. Randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D supplementation with a placebo or no treatment in pregnant women published in the English language up to March 2019 were included. Two reviewers extracted data independently using a predefined protocol and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with differences agreed upon by consensus. The predefined primary outcome was the number of offspring who had RTIs. The secondary outcome was the presence of measurable serum immunoglobulin E levels.
RESULTS: Three trials involving 3,224 participants (mother-child pairs) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The present analysis reported that maternal supplementation with vitamin D had no effect on RTIs among children (n=1,486 offspring; risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.11; random effects; I2 statistics, 0%).
CONCLUSION: Maternal vitamin D supplementation had no effect on RTIs in children. Therefore, consideration of other prevention methods in this regard is recommended.
METHODS: Eighteen post-weaning female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: (i) a control group that received vehicle (distilled water and Tween 80); (ii) a group treated with 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Genistein (Gen 10); and (iii) a group treated with a higher dose of Genistein (Gen 100). The rats were treated daily for three weeks from postnatal day 22 (P22) to P42. After the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and the uteri and ovaries were harvested and subjected to light microscopy and immunohistochemical study.
RESULTS: A reduction of the mean weekly BW gain and organ weights (uteri and ovaries) were observed in the Gen 10 group compared to the control group; these findings were reversed in the Gen 100 group. Follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen levels were increased in the Gen 10 group and reduced in the Gen 100 group. Luteinizing hormone was reduced in both groups of Genistein-treated animals, and there was a significant difference between the Gen 10 and control groups (p<0.05). These findings were consistent with increased atretic follicular count, a decreased number of corpus luteum and down-regulation of estrogen receptors-a in the uterine tissues of the Genistein-treated animals compared to the control animals.
CONCLUSION: Post-weaning exposure to Genistein could affect the development of the reproductive system of ovarian-intact experimental rats because of its action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by regulating hormones and estrogen receptors.
AIM: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with FSD among breast cancer patients in Kelantan.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited female patients, aged 18-65, who were married and sexually active with their partner, diagnosed with breast cancer, and had undergone breast surgery. Those with underlying psychiatry disorders, previous pelvic surgery, and husbands with sexual problems were excluded. The questionnaire contained demographic and clinical information, together with the Malay Version of the Breast Impact of Treatment Scale and the Malay Version of Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. Their sexual function was evaluated using the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index-6. The data were analyzed with simple and multiple linear regressions.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence and associated factors for FSD in breast cancer patients.
RESULTS: Ninety-four eligible patients were recruited for this study. In total, 73.4% (n = 69) of the patients reported having sexual dysfunction. A family history of breast cancer (P = 0.040), duration of marriage (P = 0.046), and frequency of sexual intercourse (P = 0.002) were significant factors associated with FSD in breast cancer patients after surgery.
CONCLUSION: The significant associated factors shown to influence the FSD score include family history of breast cancer, duration of marriage, and frequency of sexual intercourse. About 73.4% of patients have risk of developing FSD after receiving breast cancer treatment. Siang OP, Draman N, Muhamad R, et al. Sexual Dysfunction Among Women With Breast Cancer in the Northeastern Part of West Malaysia. Sex Med 2021;9:100351.
METHODS: A total of 755 older adults aged ≥60 years were recruited. Their cognitive performance was determined using the Clinical Dementia Rating. Fried's criteria was applied to identify physical frailty, and the Beck Depression Inventory assessed their mental states.
RESULTS: A total of 39.2% (n = 304) of the participants were classified as cognitive frail. In this cognitive frail subpopulation, 8.6% (n = 26) had clinical depressive symptoms, which were mostly somatic such as disturbance in sleep pattern, work difficulty, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Older adults with cognitive frailty also showed significantly higher depression levels as compared with the noncognitive frail participants (t (622.06) = -3.38; P = 0.001). There are significant associations between depression among older adults with cognitive frailty and multimorbidity (P = 0.009), polypharmacy (P = 0.009), vision problems (P = 0.046), and hearing problems (P = 0.047). The likelihood of older adults with cognitive frailty who experience impairments to their vision and hearing, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity to be depressed also increased by 2, 3, 5, and 7-fold.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the Malaysian community-dwelling older adults were in a good mental state. However, older adults with cognitive frailty are more susceptible to depression due to impairments to their hearing and vision, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. As common clinical depressive symptoms among older adults with cognitive frailty are mostly somatic, it is crucial for health professionals to recognize these and not to disregard them as only physical illness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 225-233.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among aboriginal populations that reside in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia in Feb to Mar 2015. A total of 359 stool samples were examined using Wheatley's trichrome stain, in-vitro cultivation in Jones' medium and PCR assay. Positive amplicons were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS: Fifty-six (15.6%) samples were detected positive with Blastocystis sp. by Wheatley's trichrome stain and 73 (20.3%) by in-vitro culture, while PCR assay detected 71 (19.8%) positive samples. Detection rate of Blastocystis sp. was highest in combination of microscopic techniques (27.9%). The sensitivity and specificity of Wheatley's trichrome staining and in-vitro culture techniques compared to PCR assay were 49.3% (95% CI: 37.2-61.4) and 92.7% (95% CI: 89.1-95.4) and 39.4% (95% CI: 28.0-51.8) and 84.4% (95% CI: 79.7-88.4), respectively. However, the sensitivity [60.6% (95% CI: 48.3-71.9)] of the method increased when both microscopic techniques were performed together. False negative results produced by microscopic techniques were associated with subtype 3. The agreement between Wheatley's trichrome stain, in-vitro culture and combination of microscopic techniques with PCR assay were statistically significant by Kappa statistics (Wheatley's trichrome stain: K = 0.456, P<0.001; in-vitro culture: K = 0.236, P<0.001 and combination techniques: K = 0.353, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: The combination of microscopic technique is highly recommended to be used as a screening method for the diagnosis of Blastocystis infection either for clinical or epidemiological study to ensure better and accurate diagnosis.
AIMS: To better understand collaboration between and within these systems and create a theoretical framework for system development.
METHOD: A total of 26 focus groups and 27 individual interviews were undertaken with patients, carers, psychiatric hospital staff, primary care and district hospital staff, religious and traditional healers, community leaders, non-governmental organisation workers, and school and college counsellors. Grounded theory methods were used to analyse the data and create a theory of collaboration.
RESULTS: Three themes both defined and enabled collaboration: (a) collaborative behaviours; (b) motivation towards a common goal or value; and (c) autonomy. Three other enablers of collaboration were identified: (d) relatedness (for example trusting, understanding and caring about the other); (e) resources (competence, time, physical resources and opportunities); and (f) motivation for collaboration (weighing up the personal costs versus benefits of acting collaboratively).
CONCLUSIONS: The first three themes provided a definition of collaboration in this context: 'two or more parties working together towards a common goal or value, while maintaining autonomy'. The main barriers to collaboration were lack of autonomy, relatedness, motivation and resources, together with the potential cost of acting collaboratively without reciprocation. Finding ways to change these structural, cultural and organisational features is likely to improve collaboration in this system and improve access to care and outcomes for patients.