Displaying publications 481 - 500 of 5580 in total

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  1. Chan NN, Ong KW, Siau CS, Lee KW, Peh SC, Yacob S, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2022 02 14;22(1):296.
    PMID: 35164734 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12632-z
    BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global health emergency and lock-down measures to curb the uncontrolled transmission chain. Vaccination is an effective measure against COVID-19 infections. In Malaysia amidst the national immunisation programme (NIP) which started in February 2021, there were rising concerns regarding the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and therefore, vaccine uptake among Malaysians. Although there are many quantitative studies on COVID-19 vaccination, the subjective experience of individuals was understudied. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of Malaysians regarding vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and facilitating factors that could enhance vaccine acceptance and uptake.

    METHODS: This qualitative study employed the hermeneutic phenomenological study design. Purposive sampling strategies were used to recruit Malaysians that had direct experiences with friends, family members and their community who were hesitating or refusing to accept the COVID-19 vaccines. A semi-structured interview guide was developed based on the expert knowledge of the investigators and existing literature on the topic. A series of focus group interviews (FGIs) was conducted online facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of experts. The group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed.

    RESULTS: Fifty-nine participants took part in seven FGIs. We found that "incongruence" was the overall thematic meaning that connected all the 3 main themes. These themes comprise firstly, the incongruence between the aims and implementation of the National Immunization Program which highlighted the gap between realities and needs on the ground. Secondly, the incongruence between Trust and Mistrust revealed a trust deficit in the government, COVID-19 news, and younger people's preference to follow the examples of local vaccination "heroes". Thirdly, the incongruence in communication showed the populace's mixed views regarding official media and local social media.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provided rich details on the complex picture of the COVID-19 immunization program in Malaysia and its impact on vaccine hesitancy and refusal. The inter-related and incongruent factors explained the operational difficulty and complexity of the NIP and the design of an effective health communication campaign. Identified gaps such as logistical implementation and communication strategies should be noted by policymakers in implementing mitigation plans.

    Matched MeSH terms: Communicable Disease Control
  2. Rohani A, Suzilah I, Malinda M, Anuar I, Mohd Mazlan I, Salmah Maszaitun M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Aug;28(2):237-48.
    PMID: 22041742
    Early detection of a dengue outbreak is an important first step towards implementing effective dengue interventions resulting in reduced mortality and morbidity. A dengue mathematical model would be useful for the prediction of an outbreak and evaluation of control measures. However, such a model must be carefully parameterized and validated with epidemiological, ecological and entomological data. A field study was conducted to collect and analyse various parameters to model dengue transmission and outbreak. Dengue prone areas in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Kedah and Johor were chosen for this study. Ovitraps were placed outdoor and used to determine the effects of meteorological parameters on vector breeding. Vector population in each area was monitored weekly for 87 weeks. Weather stations, consisting of a temperature and relative humidity data logger and an automated rain gauge, were installed at key locations in each study site. Correlation and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ADL) model were used to study the relationship among the variables. Previous week rainfall plays a significant role in increasing the mosquito population, followed by maximum humidity and temperature. The secondary data of rainfall, temperature and humidity provided by the meteorological department showed an insignificant relationship with the mosquito population compared to the primary data recorded by the researchers. A well fit model was obtained for each locality to be used as a predictive model to foretell possible outbreak.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks*; Disease Vectors*
  3. Kouadio IK, Aljunid S, Kamigaki T, Hammad K, Oshitani H
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2012 Jan;10(1):95-104.
    PMID: 22149618 DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.155
    Natural disasters may lead to infectious disease outbreaks when they result in substantial population displacement and exacerbate synergic risk factors (change in the environment, in human conditions and in the vulnerability to existing pathogens) for disease transmission. We reviewed risk factors and potential infectious diseases resulting from prolonged secondary effects of major natural disasters that occurred from 2000 to 2011. Natural disasters including floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tropical cyclones (e.g., hurricanes and typhoons) and tornadoes have been secondarily described with the following infectious diseases including diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, meningitis, as well as tetanus and cutaneous mucormycosis. Risk assessment is essential in post-disaster situations and the rapid implementation of control measures through re-establishment and improvement of primary healthcare delivery should be given high priority, especially in the absence of pre-disaster surveillance data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*; Disease Reservoirs*
  4. Lim AL, Lam HY, Kareem BA, Kamarulzaman MH
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):219-21.
    PMID: 22822650 MyJurnal
    Kawasaki disease is primarily a condition that affects young children and it is associated with cardiac morbidity and mortality. This disease has been known to cause coronary artery aneurysms which occurs as a sequelae of vasculitis. The progression of triple vessel disease in adult which results from cardiac complications from Kawasaki disease is rare. We report a case of a young man with history of Kawasaki disease at infancy presenting with triple vessel disease requiring cardiac bypass surgery at the age of 20 years old.
    Matched MeSH terms: Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease/etiology*; Coronary Artery Disease/surgery*
  5. Jalil MA, Innate K, Suwanpayak N, Yupapin PP, Ali J
    PMID: 21999106 DOI: 10.3109/10731199.2011.618134
    By using a pair of tweezers to generate the intense optical vortices within the PANDA ring resonator, the required molecules (drug volumes) can be trapped and moved dynamically within the molecular bus networks, in which the required diagnosis or drug delivery targets can be performed within the network. The advantage of the proposed system is that the proposed diagnostic method can perform within the tiny system (thin film device or circuit), which can be available for a human embedded device for diagnostic use. The channel spacing of the trapped volumes (molecules) within the bus molecular networks can be provided.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis; Parkinson Disease/diagnosis
  6. Yuvaraj R, Murugappan M, Ibrahim NM, Sundaraj K, Omar MI, Mohamad K, et al.
    Int J Psychophysiol, 2014 Dec;94(3):482-95.
    PMID: 25109433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.07.014
    In addition to classic motor signs and symptoms, individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by emotional deficits. Ongoing brain activity can be recorded by electroencephalograph (EEG) to discover the links between emotional states and brain activity. This study utilized machine-learning algorithms to categorize emotional states in PD patients compared with healthy controls (HC) using EEG. Twenty non-demented PD patients and 20 healthy age-, gender-, and education level-matched controls viewed happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust emotional stimuli while fourteen-channel EEG was being recorded. Multimodal stimulus (combination of audio and visual) was used to evoke the emotions. To classify the EEG-based emotional states and visualize the changes of emotional states over time, this paper compares four kinds of EEG features for emotional state classification and proposes an approach to track the trajectory of emotion changes with manifold learning. From the experimental results using our EEG data set, we found that (a) bispectrum feature is superior to other three kinds of features, namely power spectrum, wavelet packet and nonlinear dynamical analysis; (b) higher frequency bands (alpha, beta and gamma) play a more important role in emotion activities than lower frequency bands (delta and theta) in both groups and; (c) the trajectory of emotion changes can be visualized by reducing subject-independent features with manifold learning. This provides a promising way of implementing visualization of patient's emotional state in real time and leads to a practical system for noninvasive assessment of the emotional impairments associated with neurological disorders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease/classification*; Parkinson Disease/diagnosis; Parkinson Disease/psychology*
  7. Nettem S, Kumar Nettemu S, Kumar K, Reddy V, Siva Kumar P
    Malays J Med Sci, 2012 Oct;19(4):77-80.
    PMID: 23613652
    Orthodontic elastic bands are an important iatrogenic etiologic factor in the causation of periodontal attachment apparatus breakdown. Appropriate diagnosis and a well constructed treatment plan tailor-made to suit the requirements of the particular patient is imperative for management of periodontal lesions induced by subgingival retention of rubber band. There are conflicting reports regarding the reattachment and regeneration of lost periodontal supporting tissues in such cases. The present case report highlights the spontaneous reversal and correction of periodontal destruction due to iatrogenic orthodontic elastic band displacement deep into the subgingival tissues.
    Matched MeSH terms: Iatrogenic Disease
  8. Zainal Abidin I, Zulkarnaen AN, Dk Norlida AO, Wai Hoong C, Huong Ling L
    Malays J Med Sci, 2012 Oct;19(4):72-6.
    PMID: 23613651 MyJurnal
    The shoulder and axillary regions contain various complex anatomical structures in close proximity, many of which can give rise to neoplasms. Determining the origin and hence the exact diagnosis of advanced (diffuse) tumours in this region may become problematic. In view of the tumour morphology and the affected location in this case, we highlighted the importance of Hodgkin lymphoma immunohistochemistry interpretation in a tumour which was initially suspected to be a soft tissue sarcoma.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hodgkin Disease
  9. Praveen S, Razman J
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Aug;63(3):259-60.
    PMID: 19248705
    An 80 year old lady presented with signs and symptoms of sub-acute intestinal obstruction which failed conservative management. CT scan abdomen revealed circumferential ileum thickening with proximal bowel dilatation. Laparotomy and segmental resection was done. Pathological findings were suggestive of chronic granulomatous ileits with differential of Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal tuberculosis. The patient was presumed to have gastrointestinal tuberculosis and commenced on anti tuberculosis treatment despite inconclusive evidence for confirmation and showed marked clinical improvement.
    Matched MeSH terms: Crohn Disease/diagnosis*; Crohn Disease/microbiology*; Crohn Disease/therapy
  10. Lee TC, Yusoff K, Nathan S, Tan WS
    J Virol Methods, 2006 Sep;136(1-2):224-9.
    PMID: 16797732
    Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains can be classified as virulent or avirulent based upon the severity of the disease. Differentiation of the virus into virulent and avirulent is necessary for effective control of the disease. Biopanning experiments were performed using a disulfide constrained phage displayed heptapeptide library against three pathotypes of NDV strains: velogenic (highly virulent), mesogenic (moderately virulent) and lentogenic (avirulent). A phage clone bearing the peptide sequence SWGEYDM capable of distinguishing virulent from avirulent NDV strains was isolated. This phage clone was employed as a diagnostic reagent in a dot blot assay and it successfully detected only virulent NDV strains.
    Matched MeSH terms: Newcastle disease virus/genetics; Newcastle disease virus/isolation & purification*; Newcastle disease virus/pathogenicity*
  11. Latiff AH, Kerr MA
    Ann. Clin. Biochem., 2007 Mar;44(Pt 2):131-9.
    PMID: 17362578 DOI: 10.1258/000456307780117993
    IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunoglobulin deficiency. The prevalence in Caucasians is around one in 500, whereas in some Asian populations it is very uncommon. Most individuals with IgA deficiency are clinically asymptomatic. Those with symptoms of immunodeficiency have predominantly sinopulmonary or gastrointestinal infections, which are more severe when associated with IgG2, IgG4 or specific antibody deficiency. IgA deficiency is believed to be one end of a spectrum of immunodeficiency with common variable immunodeficiency at the most severe end. Although primary IgA deficiency is the most commonly encountered form, secondary deficiencies due to drugs or viral infections are recognized. IgA deficiencies can be partial or transient. Primary IgA deficiency is caused by a defect of terminal lymphocyte differentiation, which leads to underproduction of serum and mucosal IgA; affected individuals have normal IgA genes. A number of non-immunoglobulin genes have been implicated in IgA deficiency. There have been many diseases reported in association with IgA deficiency, particularly autoimmune diseases. The most common association is with coeliac disease (CD), which has special significance since CD is usually diagnosed by detection of specific IgA antibodies that are obviously lacking in IgA deficiency. There is no specific treatment for patients with symptomatic IgA deficiency. Antibiotics are prescribed in those with acute infections. A significant proportion of IgA-deficient individuals are reported to have anti-IgA antibodies in their serum. Although blood or blood products given to IgA-deficient individuals can lead to severe, even fatal, transfusion reactions, such reactions are rare.
    Matched MeSH terms: Celiac Disease/complications; Celiac Disease/immunology; Celiac Disease/metabolism
  12. Nurulfiza I, Hair-Bejo M, Omar AR, Aini I
    Acta Virol., 2006;50(1):45-51.
    PMID: 16599185
    Three isolates of Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), designated UPM04178, UPM04190 and UPM04238, were obtained from severe outbreaks of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in Malaysia in 2004. The hypervariable region (HPVR) of VP2 gene of these isolates was sequenced. The obtained sequences were compared with those of other isolates. The highest similarity (98%) concerning both nucleotide and amino acid sequences was found to very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of the three isolates with vvIBDV strains. Evolutionary relatedness of the three isolates to vvIBDV strains was demonstrated by three phylogenetic methods: bootstrap values of 100%, 95% and 90% for nucleotide sequences and those of 58%, 86% and 96% for amino acid sequences were obtained by the distance, maximum parsimony and maximum likehood methods, respectively. It is concluded that UPM04178, UPM04190 and UPM04238 are vvIBDV isolates of serotype 1, which originate from a common ancestor of IBDV strains present in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Infectious bursal disease virus/classification; Infectious bursal disease virus/genetics*; Infectious bursal disease virus/isolation & purification
  13. Jayaram M
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Dec;60(5):531-4.
    PMID: 16515101
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Notification
  14. Heymann DL
    J Public Health Policy, 2005 Apr;26(1):133-9.
    PMID: 15906882
    The microbes that cause infectious diseases are complex, dynamic, and constantly evolving. They reproduce rapidly, mutate frequently, breach species barriers, adapt with relative ease to new hosts and new environments, and develop resistance to the drugs used to treat them. In their article "Meeting the challenge of epidemic infectious diseases outbreaks: an agenda for research", Kai-Lit Phua and Lai Kah Lee clearly demonstrate how social, behavioural and environmental factors, linked to a host of human activities, have accelerated and amplified these natural phenomena. By reviewing published and non-published information about outbreaks of Nipah virus in Malaysia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza in Asia, and the HIV pandemic, they provide a series of examples that demonstrate the various social, behavioural and environmental factors of these recent infectious disease outbreaks. They then analyse some of these same determinants in important historical epidemics and pandemics such as plague in medieval Europe, and conclude that it is important to better understand the social conditions that facilitate the appearance of diseases outbreaks in order to determine why and how societies react to outbreaks and their impact on different population groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Communicable Disease Control*; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
  15. Chan YF, AbuBaker S
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2004 Aug;10(8):1468-70.
    PMID: 15496251
    Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness of infants and young children <10 years of age. It is characterized by fever, ulcers in the oral cavity, and rashes with blisters that appear on the palm and sole. The most common causal agents of HFMD are coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and human enterovirus 71 (HEV71), but other enteroviruses, including CV-A5 and CV-A10, can also cause it. When caused by CV-A16 infection, it is usually a mild disease, and patients normally recover without requiring any special medical attention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/epidemiology; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/virology*
  16. Ismail TS
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Sep;64(3):250-5; quiz 256.
    PMID: 20527283 MyJurnal
    Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are important events in COPD patients and place a large burden on healthcare resources. COPD patients with frequent exacerbations have accelerated decline in lung function, poorer health status and are at higher risk of mortality. The mainstay of treatment includes increasing short acting bronchodilator therapy and systemic glucocorticosteroids with or without antibiotics. Non invasive ventilation is indicated in those with respiratory failure with acidosis or hypercapnia. Preventive strategies to reduce exacerbations include smoking cessation, immunisation against influenza and S. pneumonia, chronic maintenance inhaled pharmacotherapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and self management education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology*; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy*
  17. Kho SS, Aziz AA, Sia TLL, Ramarmuty HY, Sirol Aflah SS, Mohamed Gani Y, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 May;78(3):279-286.
    PMID: 37271836
    INTRODUCTION: Cluster-associated transmission has contributed to the majority of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Although widely used, the performance of the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition for suspected COVID19 in environments with high numbers of such cases has not been reported.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: All suspected cases of COVID-19 that self-presented to hospitals or were cluster screened from 1st April to 31st May 2020 were included. Positive SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR was used as the diagnostic reference for COVID-19.

    RESULTS: 540 individuals with suspected COVID-19 were recruited. Two-third of patients were identified through contact screening, while the rest presented sporadically. Overall COVID-19 positivity rate was 59.4% (321/540) which was higher in the cluster screened group (85.6% vs. 11.6%, p<0.001). Overall, cluster-screened COVID-19 cases were significantly younger, had fewer comorbidities and were less likely to be symptomatic than those present sporadically. Mortality was significantly lower in the cluster-screened COVID-19 cases (0.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.05). A third of all chest radiographs in confirmed COVID-19 cases were abnormal, with consolidation, ground-glass opacities or both predominating in the peripheral lower zones. The WHO suspected case definition for COVID-19 accurately classified 35.4% of all COVID-19 patients, a rate not improved by the addition of baseline radiographic data. Misclassification rate was higher among the cluster-associated cases (80.6%) compared to sporadic cases (35.3%).

    CONCLUSION: COVID-19 cases in Malaysia identified by active tracing of community cluster outbreaks had lower mortality rate. The WHO suspected COVID-19 performed poorly in this setting even when chest radiographic information was available, a finding that has implications for future spikes of the disease in countries with similar transmission characteristics.

    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks
  18. Mak JWY, Sun Y, Limsrivilai J, Abdullah M, Kaibullayeva J, Balderramo D, et al.
    BMC Med Res Methodol, 2023 May 25;23(1):129.
    PMID: 37231405 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01944-2
    BACKGROUND: There is a rapid increase in the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in newly industrialized countries, yet epidemiological data is incomplete. We herein report the methodology adopted to study the incidence of IBD in newly industrialized countries and to evaluate the effect of environmental factors including diet on IBD development.

    METHODS: Global IBD Visualization of Epidemiology Studies in the 21st Century (GIVES-21) is a population-based cohort of newly diagnosed persons with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to be followed prospectively for 12 months. New cases were ascertained from multiple sources and were entered into a secured online system. Cases were confirmed using standard diagnostic criteria. In addition, endoscopy, pathology and pharmacy records from each local site were searched to ensure completeness of case capture. Validated environmental and dietary questionnaires were used to determine exposure in incident cases prior to diagnosis.

    RESULTS: Through November 2022, 106 hospitals from 24 regions (16 Asia; 6 Latin America; 2 Africa) have joined the GIVES-21 Consortium. To date, over 290 incident cases have been reported. All patients have demographic data, clinical disease characteristics, and disease course data including healthcare utilization, medication history and environmental and dietary exposures data collected. We have established a comprehensive platform and infrastructure required to examine disease incidence, risk factors and disease course of IBD in the real-world setting.

    CONCLUSIONS: The GIVES-21 consortium offers a unique opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of IBD and explores new clinical research questions on the association between environmental and dietary factors and IBD development in newly industrialized countries.

    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Progression
  19. Saniasiaya J, Kulasegarah J
    BMJ Case Rep, 2023 Dec 28;16(12).
    PMID: 38154869 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-258290
    Audiovestibular symptoms following COVID-19 have been long acknowledged, especially in adults. However, acute labyrinthitis presenting as an early manifestation of COVID-19 has not been reported in children. We report COVID-19-induced acute labyrinthitis in a teenager. We report on a boy in his early adolescence with a sudden onset of spinning sensation, imbalance and unilateral hearing loss with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Vestibular investigations point towards right labyrinthine hypofunction, and an audiometry test revealed right-sided severe hearing loss. Symptoms improved gradually with steroids and vestibular rehabilitation therapy. However, the long-term repercussions of post-COVID-19 acute labyrinthitis are unknown and must be followed up closely. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of acute labyrinthitis secondary to COVID-19 in paediatrics. Additionally, we conducted a literature search to elucidate the outcome of COVID-19-induced acute vestibular syndrome in children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acute Disease
  20. Wijesinghe HD, Lokuhetty MDS
    Malays J Pathol, 2023 Aug;45(2):175-186.
    PMID: 37658527
    Breast carcinoma is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Liquid biopsy is a method of obtaining tumour-derived material from blood and body fluid. This includes the assessment of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating tumour deoxyribose nucleic acid (ctDNA), tumour educated platelets (TEPs) and exosomes. Detection of CTCs and ctDNA in liquid biopsy has been shown to have prognostic and predictive value in both early and metastatic breast carcinoma. The study of CTCs could also advance our understanding of aspects of tumour biology, including epithelial mesenchymal transition. ctDNA can be used to assess and monitor the molecular profile of breast carcinoma. It may help detect new genetic alterations in tumours and predict disease progression before the onset of clinical features or radiological evidence. TEPs and exosomes are also emerging as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive markers of breast carcinoma. Thus, liquid biopsy provides a non-invasive, repeatable method for the dynamic assessment of the tumour. Many methods have been used for the detection of CTCs and ctDNA. Most of these are still in the research stage and only the CellSearch method for the detection of CTCs and Therascreen PIK3CA RGQ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of PIK3CA (Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate 3-Kinase Catalytic Subunit Alpha) mutations in liquid biopsy have approval of the United States, Food and Drug Administration. However, their high costs, lack of standardized procedures, and a long and complicated detection process have limited their use. Despite its limitations, liquid biopsy is a useful tool in clinical decision making and has the potential to play an increasingly important role in the management of breast carcinoma in the future as we move toward more personalized cancer care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Progression
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