Introduction: The Five-Factor Nonverbal Personality Questionnaire (FF-NPQ) is a non-verbal personality inventory consisting of illustrations of different social situations, designed to measure five broad factors underlying the Big-Five model of personality. This study aimed to prove the validity of the FF-NPQ in Malaysia. Methods: The FF-NPQ instruction and the answer option were translated to the Malay language, which is the main language spoken in Malaysia. A total of 153 university students aged 18–30 years from Universiti Sains Malaysia were involved in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), composite reliability and intraclass correlation (ICC) were applied to show evidence of validity by internal structure. Results: CFA indicated that only 26 out of 60 items remained in the final model while maintaining the five personality factors. Each factor had a good composite reliability value of 0.68–0.77. The ICC values from the test-retest analysis ranged from 0.65 to 0.75. Conclusion: Overall, the shortened Malay Version of the FF -NPQ (five-factor, 26 items) exhibited acceptable evidence of validity in Malaysia.
Delayed tooth eruption (DTE) is the emergence of a tooth into oral cavity that
deviates from norms established for different races, ethnics and sexes, which commonly caused
either by local or systemic conditions. (Copied from article).
The Community Health Posting teaching module is incorporated in the fourth year medical curriculum at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The integration of Islamic principles and values in the medical curriculum is emphasized during the Community Health Posting. The Community Health curriculum allow students to appreciate and understand the medical and fiqh aspects of health and disease, the social issues in medical practice and research and to inculcate the practice of Islamic professional etiquettes. The teaching module illustrates the relevance of humanities in understanding illness and medical care within the community. Teaching and learning activities include components that enable the students to explore a wide range of influencing factors and how these affect the patients and their families. Issues pertaining to psychosocial and ecological perspectives of the community are also discussed. This posting utilizes various teaching and learning techniques such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussions, educational visits, practical sessions and patient bedside teaching. In addition, the students are equipped with Islamic knowledge through the integration of Naqli and Aqli components in the Community Health Posting curriculum.
Non-syndromic tooth agenesis defined as developmental absence of more than one
tooth that appears as independent congenital oral trait. Its prevalence, pattern and distribution
rates vary by populations. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern and distribution of
tooth agenesis in permanent dentition among IIUM dental polyclinic patients. (Copied from article).
Introduction: The Malay Version of EORTC-QLQ C30 was validated among Malaysian women who had undergone breast cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: Test-retest evaluation (i.e. three weeks and ten weeks following surgery) was carried out to examine the validity and reliability of the scale. The Cronbach’s alpha value was used to determine the internal consistency, meanwhile, test-retest Intraclass Correlation Coeffi cients (ICC) indicates the reliability of the scale. Effect Size Index and Mean Differences interpret the sensitivity of the scale. Discriminant validity was evaluated by comparing two groups i.e. women who had mastectomy and women who had lumpectomy. Results: Internal consistencies are acceptable for Global Health Status (0.91), Functional domains (ranging from 0.50-0.89) and Symptomatology domains (ranging from 0.75-0.99). Intraclass Correlation Coeffi cient (ICC) ranged from 0.05 to 0.99 for Global Health Status and Functional domains, and ranged from 0.13 to 1.00 for Symptomatology domains. Sensitivity of the scale was observed in nearly all of the domains. Conclusion: The Malay Version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ C30) is a suitable tool to measure the quality of life of women with breast cancer.
This is a cross-sectional study to evaluate the outcome of posterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction in chronic injuries using ipsilateral Bone-patella tendon-Bone graft in nine patients, between January 2000 and January 2003 at our institution.
In contrast to classic Turner syndrome, Turner patients with ring X chromosome are associated with distinct dysmorphism and are likely to be mentally impaired. Four Turner patients with ring X chromosome were examined for phenotypic features of Turner syndrome and additional dysmorphism. Both patients 1 and 2 are twins with normal intelligence whereas patients 3 and 4 have mental impairment. With the exception of patient 4, the other three patients only have few Turner characteristics. None of the patients have the distinctive dysmorphism previously reported in Turner syndrome with ring X chromosome. Both twins developed spontaneous puberty. Patients 3 and 4 however had no spontaneous puberty. We postulate that this variation may be related to the ring size, the proportion of 45,X and ring X chromosome in cell lines of various body tissues as well as the ability of these rings to be inactivated as a result of lyonisation.
Malignant pedunculated (exophytic) hepatocellular carcinoma (P-HCC) is a rare entity of hepatocellular
carcinoma. Due to its unique characteristics, it gives a different spectrum of clinical findings, radiological
presentation and different management approach with reported better outcome to the patients. We
present a case report of a lady diagnosed with malignant pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma.
Introduction: Transposition is a rare dental anomaly in positional interchange between two adjacent teeth. Studies indicated that tooth transpositions are more frequent unilateral than bilateral (12:1). It is a very rare phenomenon when the anomaly is bilateral and affects same teeth on both sides. The case of a 17 year old girl, with class I incisor relationship on class 1 skeletal base with bilateral transposition of maxillary canines-first premolars, severe crowding and posterior crossbite, is presented. This case report demonstrates the orthodontic management of bilateral transposition of maxillary canines-first premolars and by the end of treatment, the transpositions were maintained while achieving a good functional and aesthetic result.
KEYWORDS: transposition, maxillary canine, malocclusion
Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the perceived risks, barriers and stages of change on smoking cessation among the Malay male security guards. Materials and Methods: In the year 2004, a cross sectional survey was conducted on a group of security guards working in the campus and the hospital of a public university in Kuala Lumpur. Universal sampling (n=210) was conducted with a response rate of 88.6%. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey the participants on their smoking status, stages of change, perceived risks and barriers to smoking cessation. Results: There were 37% current smokers and 23.7% ex-smokers. The mean year of smoking was 19.2 + 8.1 and the number of cigarettes smoked was 16.4 + 8.0 per day among the current smokers. About two-third of the smokers perceived the amount smoked currently was bad for health. However, only 23.3% and 30.9% of the smokers perceived themselves to be at higher risk for lung cancer and heart disease respectively. The three main reasons to quit smoking were health reasons, doctors’ advice and cost. The main barriers were addiction (53.3%) and stress (28.3%). Most of the smokers (42%) were in the pre-contemplation stage with half of them not having thoughts of quitting. Conclusion: The smokers had misperception on smoking and majority was at the pre-contemplation stage of change in smoking cessation. The findings of this survey add on to the existing literature about the perception of risks, barriers and stages of change to smoking cessation. This will provide valuable information on the planning and delivering of smoking cessation programmes in the local context.
It is well known that ionizing radiation has an onco-genetic activity and has been implicated in the causation of brain tumors. However, when a new growth appears adjacent to the site of previous tumor, the diagnosis is more toward recurrence. In addition to that, the possible cause might be overlooked, when it occurs many years after radiation treatment. We report a case of radiation-induced meningioma developed 20 years after the patient received radiotherapy for pituitary adenoma.
Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis is rare. While an early and correct diagnosis is critical to prevent catastrophic neurological injury, the diagnosis of cervical vertebral osteomyelitis is often difficult because of its rarity and variable symptoms. We present a case of C1 and C2 vertebrae osteomyelitis with a misleading presentation and its fatal outcome.
Introduction: Solute carrier family 2, member 9 (SLC2A9) is thought to be an important urate transporter that influences the excretion and reabsorption of serum uric acid, thus has a strong effect on serum urate and risk of gout. SLC2A9 polymorphisms have been extensively studied in various populations in association with gout development. Our aim was to test for association of SLC2A9 SNPs with gout in Malay males.
Methods: 78 gouty patients and 82 normal subjects were recruited and genotyped for rs3733591, rs5028843 and rs11942223 using PCR-RFLP technique. Single association and haplotype association analyses were conducted using SHEsis online software.
Results: rs3733591 and rs5028843 showed association with gout with p value of 0.020 and 0.036, respectively, whilst rs11942223 yielded no association with p value of 0.08 with trend towards susceptibility projecting by OR=3.547, 3.667 and 2.732, respectively. It is noteworthy that haplotype 1/1/1 conferred protection in gout with p value 0.004 (OR=0.324 [0.147-0.716]).
Conclusion: This study might suggest an evidence of association of SLC2A9 SNPs with gout among Malay males.
KEYWORDS: Gout, SLC2A9, Malay males
Study site: Medical Specialist Clinic at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia
Introduction: Non-pharmacological interventions are considered as successful adjuncts to manage pain. We are studying the comparative effects of listening to prayer recitation and music therapy intraoperatively as non-pharmacological interventions on postoperative pain and intraoperative haemodynamics. Materials and Methods: Seventy two muslim patients with acute appendicitis requiring open, emergency appendicectomies under general anaesthesia were recruited and randomised into three groups: Group A: patients who listened to prayer recitation, Group B: patients who listened to music, Group C: control group - patients who did not listen to any prayer or music. Intraoperative blood pressure, heart rate and postoperative pain scores were monitored. Results: The demographic data, pre- and post-headphones application haemodynamics were compared. There were significantly lower heart rates at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 minutes for Group A and at 50 and 60 minutes for Group B patients when compared to Group C. Significant reduction in postoperative pain scores were seen in Group A patients at 30 minutes and 8 hours as compared to Group C patients. No significant differences in pain scores were seen between Group B and C patients. No significant differences in additional analgesic requirements postoperatively were seen in all three groups. Conclusion: Listening to prayer recitation or music intraoperatively significantly lowered intraoperative heart rates, however only prayer recitation significantly reduced postoperative pain scores as compared to the control group.
Coronary artery spasm can result in acute coronary syndrome. This vasospastic syndrome can cause profound morbidity and mortality as a significant proportion of patients continue to have angina despite optimal medical therapy. We illustrate the dilemma in managing a young woman who presented with non ST-segment myocardial infarction as a result of it. She did not have the conventional risks for coronary artery disease except the family history of myocardial infarction. Vasospasm was demonstrated at the mid right coronary artery which resolved with intracoronary nitroglycerine during angiogram. Most women with no significant heart disease following demonstration of normal or “near normal” coronary arteries after angiography are offered no treatment beyond reassurance each year. New data suggest that this approach may no longer be appropriate and the prognosis in such patient is not as benign as previously thought. We discuss the management dilemma of such patient with associated mild atherosclerotic plaque.
A 43-year-old man presented with acute extensive anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. During coronary angiogram, a segment of myocardial bridging was noted in the mid-segment of left anterior descending artery. The association of myocardial bridging and an anterior ST segment elevation is rarely reported in the medical literature. Myocardial bridging is caused by systolic compression of a coronary artery by overlying myocardium tissue. It is a rare coronary artery anomaly, which usually has a benign prognosis despite some case reports of myocardial ischemia leading to myocardial infarction, lethal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We report one such case of myocardial bridging that was complicated with acute extensive anterior myocardial infarction.
The normal aortic valve has three leaflets, which are almost equal in size. A bicuspid aortic valve developed as a result of abnormal aortic cusp formation during early embryogenesis. Complications such as valvular stenosis or incompetence are well known. Delayed in identifying the congenital abnormality or the complications may cause morbidity and mortality. We report two cases of congestive cardiac failure as the results of undiagnosed bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic incompetence. Both young men in their productive age without cardiac risk factors, were unfortunate to present too late. Although one of them was lucky to survive the ordeal, most late presentation ends up gravely. Aortic valve replacement can be offered if early detection is made. Those with severe disease at diagnosis may require a heart transplant.
An aberrant right subclavian artery is the commonest aortic arch anomaly. Majority of them were asymptomatic. An aberrant subclavian artery is a rare cause of dysphagia in adults. This condition is also known as dysphagia lusoria. We report a case of dysphagia in a 49-year-old woman from an aberrant right subclavian artery. Diagnosis of her condition was made with barium swallow and MDCT (multidetector computed tomography) scan. She was managed conservatively.
Qur’anic verses recitations to ill patients are practiced by many Muslims as a form of healing and worship. The effectiveness has been observed in many medical institutions; however, it has never been objectively measured and documented. This pilot study was conducted to construct a methodological approach to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Yasiin recitation on the haemodynamics of critically ill patients. Methods: Ventilated Muslim patients in coronary care unit of a teaching hospital were evaluated. Yasiin was recited twice; by one of the researchers and then by the patients’ relatives. Mean arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation level and electrocardiographic changes, were observed. The difference of the parameters before and during recitation was analysed. Results: Five patients fulfilling the selection criteria were selected; two acute myocardial infarctions, two congestive cardiac failures, and a third-degree atrioventricular block. Based on a non-parametric two-related-sample test, the haemodynamic parameters were not significantly affected by Yaasiin recitation. At the end of the study, two of the patients passed away, one patient was extubated and survived. Two patients were still on ventilators when the study had been completed. Limitations in the study were observed and highlighted in explaining the equivocal results. Conclusions: The effect of Yasiin recitation on heamodynamics of patients was not proven in this study. Further refinements might be needed based upon the observation on limitations encountered. It is hoped that this humble effort would pave the way for further studies to explore this field.
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among females in less developed countries. Drugs used in the treatment of cervical cancer were reported to exert a cytotoxic effect on the normal cells. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Quercus infectoria (QI) vaginal cream towards cervical cancer cell, HeLa and its toxicity effect on the female rat model. Methods: MTT assays were utilized to determine the median concentration (IC50) for cell cytotoxicity of QIA and QI vaginal cream against cervical cancer cells, HeLa. Expression of HPV E6 and E7 protein in HeLa cells treated with QI vaginal cream for 24 hours were conducted by Western blot analysis. In separate experiments, the toxicity of QI vaginal cream on a lower reproductive tract of the female rat model has been assessed by histopathological examination after application for three weeks. The antioxidant activity of QIA extract and QI vaginal cream were assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Results: A moderate cytotoxicity activity exerted by QIA extract and QI vaginal cream against HeLa cell with IC50 values of 13.90 ± 2.27, and 20.80 ± 1.94 respectively. Furthermore, QI vaginal cream suppressed the expression of HPV E6 and E7. Daily application of QI vaginal did not exert any inflammation to the vaginal mucosa and cervix. QIA extract and QI vaginal cream demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: Formulated QI vaginal cream has cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells without causing an adverse effect on the lower reproductive tract in female rat model.