METHODOLOGY: A triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)-based experimental resin infiltrate was prepared. Initial mixing was done manually for 1 h at room temperature, followed by another mix for 30 min on a magnetic stirrer. This prepared resin, called "PURE RESIN" was then further incorporated with three different types of bioactive glasses, i.e., Bioglass (45S5), boron-substituted (B-BG), and fluoride-substituted (F-BG). Initial manual mixing for 1 h, followed by ultrasonic mixing for 3 min and then proceeded for the final mixing on a magnetic stirrer for 24 h in a dark room at ambient temperature. Human-extracted teeth were demineralized, and the experimental resins were infiltrated on the demineralized surface. The surface area, pore size, and volume of the demineralized surface were measured. The microleakage and penetration depth were analyzed with the stereomicroscope and micro-CT, respectively. The samples were challenged with the pH cycle for 14 days, followed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thermocycling (5,000 cycles) and chemical aging (4 weeks) were conducted, followed by microhardness, surface roughness, and SEM analyses. Statistical analyses were conducted after each test.
RESULTS: The F-BG group achieved the highest initial and day 14 penetration coefficients. There was a superior dye penetration with the microleakage analysis in the F-BG group. The 45S5 group had the highest average penetration depth via micro-CT analysis. After thermocycling and chemical aging, the micro-hardness was reduced (non-significantly) among all samples except the F-BG group in post-chemical aging analysis, whereas the surface roughness was significantly increased. SEM images showed the presence of micro-pits on the surfaces after the thermal and chemical aging.
CONCLUSION: The F-BG group achieved the highest initial and day 14 penetration coefficients. There was a superior dye penetration with the microleakage analysis in the F-BG group. The 45S5 group had the highest average penetration depth via micro-CT analysis. After thermocycling and chemical aging, the micro-hardness was reduced (non-significantly) among all samples except the F-BG group in post-chemical aging analysis, whereas the surface roughness was significantly increased. SEM images showed the presence of micro-pits on the surfaces after the thermal and chemical aging.
METHODS: This study was carried out in urban and rural communities with adults aged between 35 and 70 years using purposive sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the smoking status and sociodemographic data of the participants. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were done to determine the association between smoking status and demographic characteristics among Malaysian adults.
RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among adults is 23.2%. The sociodemographic factors significantly associated with active smoking status were being a younger adult (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.06-1.50), being male (AOR = 24.16, 95% CI: 20.58-28.36), being Malay (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.49-1.98), being a blue-collar worker (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.48-2.06), having no formal education (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.56-2.53), being unmarried (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.02-1.48) and being of low socioeconomic status (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.14-1.84).
CONCLUSION: Public health policies and actions on smoking reduction should emphasize those identified as high-risk sub-populations, particularly younger adults, males and those who are not yet married, have no formal education and are of low socioeconomic status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomised clinical trial recruited 30 patients on fixed appliances with at least one ICL labially on any maxillary incisor. At debond (baseline), they were allocated to three groups, where twice daily fluoride toothpaste was given: (1) as control; (2) supplemented with daily casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF); or (3) supplemented with three-monthly professional applied fluoride varnish (FV). Primary outcome was the OCT backscatter reflectance changes of the ICL, measured as integrated reflectivity (IR). Follow-ups were at three-month intervals up to 12 months. The trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04788550).
RESULTS: Analyses included 26 participants (nine control; nine CPP-ACPF; eight FV). There were significant reduction in integrated reflectivity over time. Post hoc comparisons showed reductions were significant up to 150-micron depth at 6-months, and up to 250-micron depth at both 9- and 12-months follow-up compared to baseline. At 12-months, FV had the lowest IR values, followed by CPP-ACPF and control, but the differences between groups were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: After 12-months observation, use of fluoridated toothpaste alone or supplemented with either fluoride varnish or CPP-ACPF promotes enamel remineralization up to 250-micron depth.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Daily fluoridated toothpaste with regular 3-monthly recall visits from the start of orthodontic retention is recommended for effective control of initial caries lesions. FV and CPP-ACPF supplementation can be considered but their long-term benefits remain inconclusive.
METHODS: This study presents cross-sectional survey data collected as part of the Responsive and Equitable Health Systems-Partnership on Non-Communicable Diseases (RESPOND) project, a longitudinal observational study in low-income communities. The study participants were 1191 randomly selected adults aged 35-70 years with a self-reported history of hypertension or identified as hypertensive through blood pressure screening.
RESULTS: While most low-income individuals with hypertension in both countries were diagnosed and receiving medication, Malaysians demonstrated higher self-reported medication adherence. Urban areas in the Philippines showed better hypertension management outcomes compared to rural areas. The study also provides insights into the care seeking pathways followed by low-income adults diagnosed with hypertension. Nearly half of these individuals in Malaysia and a third in the Philippines were following pathways where they had never changed or stopped treatment without professional advice, and where they were using and adhering to their prescribed medication. Following such pathways was strongly associated with a greater likelihood blood pressure control in the Philippines, but less so in Malayisa.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for a contextualised understanding of care seeking choices and the importance of person-centred solutions. They offer a typology of hypertension care seeking pathways and a foundation for similar research in other settings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicentre study with a total of 280 cases of cervical cancer from 4 referral centres in Malaysia, studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection of 12 high risk-HPV genotypes.
RESULTS: Overall HPV was detected in 92.5% of cases, in 95.9% of squamous cell carcinomas and 84.3%of adenocarcinomas. The five most prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV 16 (68.2%), 18 (40%), 58 (10.7%), 33 (10.4%) and 52 (10.4%). Multiple HPV infections were more prevalent (55.7%) than single HPV infections (36.8%). The percentage of HPV positive cases in Chinese, Malays and Indians were 95.5%, 91.9% and 80.0%, respectively. HPV 16 and 18 genotypes were the commonest in all ethnic groups. We found that the percentage of HPV 16 infection was significantly higher in Chinese (75.9%) compared to Malays (63.7%) and Indians (52.0%) (p<0.05), while HPV 18 was significantly higher in Malays (52.6%) compared to Chinese (25.0%) and Indians (28%) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, HPV 33 (17.9%) and 52 (15.2%) were also more commonly detected in the Chinese (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the distribution of HPV genotype in Malaysia is similar to other Asian countries. Importantly, we found that different ethnic groups in Malaysia have different HPV genotype infection rates, which is a point to consider during the implementation of HPV vaccination.