METHODS: In this study, an mtDNA polymorphism at nucleotide position 10398 was screened in 101 Malay female patients with invasive breast cancer and 90 age-matched healthy female controls using minisequencing analysis.
RESULTS: The Malay women with the 10398G variant showed a significantly increased risk of invasive breast cancer (OR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.25-4.20, P = 0.007). Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of this polymorphism on the levels of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. The level of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) expression was significantly higher than that of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein) in patients carrying the G allele (P = 0.016) but not in those carrying the A allele (P = 0.48).
CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we propose that the mtDNA 10398 polymorphism may be a potential risk marker for breast cancer susceptibility in the Malay population.
Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing elective AH were randomised into Group ITM (ITM 0.2 mg + 2.5 mL 0.5% bupivacaine) (n = 16) and Group EB (0.25% bupivacaine bolus + continuous infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine-fentanyl 2 μg/mL) (n = 16).The procedure was performed before induction, and all patients subsequently received standard general anaesthesia. Both groups were provided patient-controlled analgaesia morphine (PCAM) as a backup. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, total morphine consumption, hospital stay duration, early mobilisation time and first PCAM demand time were recorded.
Results: The median VAS score was lower for ITM than for EB after the 1st hour [1.0 (IqR 1.0) versus 3.0 (IqR 3.0), P < 0.001], 8th hour [1.0 (IqR 1.0) versus 2.0 (IqR 1.0), P = 0.018] and 16th hour [1.0 (IqR1.0) versus (1.0 (IqR 1.0), P = 0.006]. The mean VAS score at the 4th hour was also lower for ITM [1.8 (SD 1.2) versus 2.9 (SD 1.4), P = 0.027]. Total morphine consumption [11.3 (SD 6.6) versus 16.5 (SD 4.8) mg, P = 0.016] and early mobilisation time [2.1 (SD 0.3) versus 2.6 (SD 0.9) days, P = 0.025] were also less for ITM. No significant differences were noted for other assessments.
Conclusions: The VAS score was better for ITM than for EB at earlier hours after surgery. However, in terms of acceptable analgaesia (VAS ≤ 3), both techniques were comparable over 24 hours.
METHODS: This was a pilot prospective observational study involving 12 pregnant Malay women without any endocrine disorders and on neither antibiotics nor probiotics. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements were obtained, and the faecal 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) metagenome microbiota of the first and third trimesters (T1 and T3) were analysed. Univariate and multivariate statistics, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and Kendall rank correlation testing were used to identify key genera and associations with pregnancy trimester and body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS: The most abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, with significant differences in composition at the genus level demonstrated between T1 and T3. Sequencing showed a statistically significant difference in beta diversity between normal and abnormal BMI at all taxonomic ranks (R 2 = 0.60; Q 2 = 0.23) and genus levels (R 2 = 0.57; Q 2 = 0.37). The relative abundances of Akkermansia (P < 0.05; false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05), Olsenella (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) and Oscillospira (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher in normal BMI cases by 2.4, 3.4 and 3.1 times, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Three genera (Akkermansia, Olsenella and Oscillospira) were correlated with normal BMI during pregnancy. All three could be promising biotherapeutic targets in body weight regulation during pregnancy, subsequently reducing complications associated with higher BMI.
METHODS: An observational study was conducted among those who underwent surgery for meningioma. Eighteen subjects were recruited each for low- and high-grades, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to surgery was employed for interpreting the Edema index and MRI after surgery was used to determine residual tumour.
RESULTS: Median age was 50 years, male to female ratio was 1:3.5, 69.4% had peritumoural brain Edema and 75% had reported gross resection. Among the reported gross total resection cases, 40.7% had residual tumour. Analysis showed statistically significant association between peritumoural brain Edema (P = 0.027) and tumour volume (P = 0.001) with high-grade meningioma, however multivariate analysis did not present any association. No association was noted between judgement of tumour resection by surgeons and peritumoural brain Edema.
CONCLUSION: Odds ratio for peritumoural brain Edema remained high and the tumour volume exhibited marginal P-value marginal significance for prediction of high grade meningioma. These two factors may still contribute to the tumour grade and should be included in further studies on the prognosis of meningioma.
Methods: The study analysed 54 decompensated liver cirrhotic patients including 17 females and 37 males between May 2016 and May 2017 at the Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. Ferritin levels were, then, divided into trichotomous cut-off value (< 200 ng/mL, n = 22; 200-400 ng/mL, n = 5; and > 400 ng/mL, n = 27). Data was analysed using SPSS version 12.0 (continuous variables were assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test was used for categorical variables). In addition, Spearman correlation test was used to determine any significant correlation between ferritin levels and CTP score.
Results: Based on data analysis, gender and CTP score were related to higher ferritin levels (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018, respectively). Furthermore, a significant correlation between serum ferritin levels and CTP score was obtained in to moderate degree (P = 0.000; r = 0.487).
Conclusions: There might be a significant role of serum ferritin levels in predicting mortality and prognosis among decompensated liver cirrhosis patients but it still needs further attention.
Methods: The respondents were conveniently selected among visitors attending an outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital. We excluded those with any cancers, chronic diseases and those that were illiterate. The exploratory factor and reliability analyses were conducted.
Results: A total of 108 respondents were recruited of which 67.7% were males and the mean age was 54.59 years (standard deviation 8.93). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy values for KAP were 0.64, 0.66 and 0.67, respectively (P < 0.001). The 17 items of knowledge formed five domains with loading factors ranging from 0.54-0.89. The six items of attitude formed two domains with loading factors ranging from 0.64-0.80 and the 15 practices had four domains with loading factors ranging from 0.52-0.83. The total variances explained for each KAP were 61.02%, 56.41% and 53.12%, respectively. The internal consistency Cronbach alpha values on KAP were 0.61, 0.60 and 0.70, respectively.
Conclusion: The final questionnaire is suitable for measuring KAP related to CRC among the Malay population.
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe the epidemiology and factors associated with TB mortality in Manjung district, Perak, Malaysia.
METHODS: All confirmed TB cases from 2015 to 2020 registered in Manjung district under Sistem Maklumat Tibi (MyTB) were included. Factors associated with TB mortality were analysed by using simple and multiple logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 742 TB cases were included in the analysis, from which 121 cases (16.3%) died before completing their treatment. The highest death was reported in 2020 (25.7%) and the lowest in 2019 (12.9%). From multiple logistic regression analysis, age 45 years old-64 years old (adjusted OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 1.38, 9.54), > 65 years old (adjusted OR = 8.67; 95% CI: 3.17, 23.74), non-Malaysian (adjusted OR = 5.18; 95% CI: 2.04, 13.14), cases notified by government hospitals (adjusted OR = 6.78; 95% CI: 3.04, 15.09), HIV-positive status (adjusted OR = 8.60; 95% CI: 3.58, 20.67) and HIV testing not offered/unknown (adjusted OR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.18, 5.62) were significantly associated with TB mortality.
CONCLUSION: This study found that TB patients who were 45 years old and above, positive HIV, late diagnosis and are foreigners had a higher risk for TB mortality. Early diagnosis, optimised screening and close monitoring should be practised to reduce TB mortality.
Methods: In 2018, a retrospective cohort study stretching from January to April was conducted. This study involved a review of data obtained from the National AIDS Registry. A total of 1,073 AIDS cases diagnosed from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014 were selected, and follow-up procedures were conducted until 31 March 2015 (a 3-month follow-up). The Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox's proportional hazard regression were used for data analyses.
Results: 564 (52.5%) patients died due to AIDS, while the remaining 509 (47.4%) were censored. The overall median survival time was 11 months. The probability of survival in 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year and 5-year periods were 49.1%, 47.8%, 47.3%, 47.0% and 46.7%, respectively. Multiple Cox regression revealed that the significant prognostic factors were age 30-49 years [adjusted hazard ratio (Adj. HR) 1.57; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.16; P = 0.006], male (Adj. HR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.79; P = 0.012), unemployed (Adj. HR 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.75; P = 0.003) and HIV-TB co-infection (Adj. HR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.31; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The overall median survival time among AIDS patients in North-East Peninsular Malaysia was revealed to be short, in comparison to the other studies. The chances for survival can be improved with more emphasis on early detection (to ensure early treatment) and social support, particularly for HIV-TB co-infected patients, as well as for younger and unemployed patients.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the awareness and knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer among a Siamese ethnic group in Tumpat, Kelantan.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a guided questionnaire on sociodemography, habits, awareness and knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer. Individuals under 18 years old and who had been diagnosed with oral cancer were excluded from this study.
RESULTS: A total of 195 respondents participated, 61.5% were female and the mean age was 46 (1.64). About 41% of the respondents had received secondary education and 35.4% were illiterate. Most respondents were self-employed (21.5%), followed by farmers (19.5%) and housewives (20%). The majority of them had a monthly income that fell below the poverty level of RM 830 (76.9%). Among the respondents, 22.6% had the habit of smoking, 25.6% consumed alcohol, 8.2% were betel quid chewers and 2.6% chewed tobacco. Out of 195 respondents, only 6.7% were aware of oral cancer. About 16.9% of the respondents correctly answered all of the questions regarding the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and only 4.1% knew the risk factors of oral cancer.
CONCLUSION: The awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in this targeted population were unsatisfactory. Future effective health promotion programs and education should be emphasised.