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Fulltext The role of human Metapneumovirus genetic diversity and nasopharyngeal viral load on symptom severity in adults

Oong XY, Chook JB, Ng KT, Chow WZ, Chan KG, Hanafi NS, et al.

Virol J, 2018 05 23;15(1):91.
PMID: 29792212 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1005-8

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is established as one of the causative agents of respiratory tract infections. To date, there are limited reports that describe the effect of HMPV genotypes and/or viral load on disease pathogenesis in adults. This study aims to determine the role of HMPV genetic diversity and nasopharyngeal viral load on symptom severity in outpatient adults with acute respiratory tract infections.
METHODS: Severity of common cold symptoms of patients from a teaching hospital was assessed by a four-category scale and summed to obtain the total symptom severity score (TSSS). Association between the fusion and glycoprotein genes diversity, viral load (quantified using an improved RT-qPCR assay), and symptom severity were analyzed using bivariate and linear regression analyses.
RESULTS: Among 81/3706 HMPV-positive patients, there were no significant differences in terms of demographics, number of days elapsed between symptom onset and clinic visit, respiratory symptoms manifestation and severity between different HMPV genotypes/sub-lineages. Surprisingly, elderly patients (≥65 years old) had lower severity of symptoms (indicated by TSSS) than young and middle age adults (p = 0.008). Nasopharyngeal viral load did not correlate with nor predict symptom severity of HMPV infection. Interestingly, at 3-5 days after symptom onset, genotype A-infected patients had higher viral load compared to genotype B (4.4 vs. 3.3 log10 RNA copies/μl) (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HMPV genetic diversity and viral load did not impact symptom severity in adults with acute respiratory tract infections. Differences in viral load dynamics over time between genotypes may have important implications on viral transmission.
Study site: Primary Care Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Effect of HbE heterozygosity on the measurement of HbA1c

Sthaneshwar P, Shanmugam H, Swan VG, Nasurdin N, Tanggaiah K

Pathology, 2013 06;45(4):417-9.
PMID: 23635828 DOI: 10.1097/PAT.0b013e32836142eb

AIM: Measurement of HbA1c provides an excellent measure of glycaemic control for diabetic patients. However, haemoglobin (Hb) variants are known to interfere with HbA1c analysis. In our laboratory HbA1c measurement is performed by Variant II turbo 2.0. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of HbE trait on HbA1c analysis.
METHODS: Haemoglobin variants were identified by HbA1c analysis in 93 of 3522 samples sent to our laboratory in a period of 1 month. Haemoglobin analysis identified HbE trait in 81 of 93 samples. To determine the influence of HbE trait on HbA1c analysis by Variant II Tubo 2.0, boronate affinity high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (Primus PDQ) was used as the comparison method. Two stage linear regression analysis, Bland Altman plot and Deming regression analysis were performed to analyse whether the presence of HbE trait produced a statistically significant difference in the results. The total allowable error for HbA1c by the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists (RCPA) external quality assurance is 5%. Hence clinically significant difference is more than 5% at the medical decision level of 6% and 9%.
RESULTS: Statistically and clinically significant higher results were observed in Variant II Turbo 2.0 due to the presence of HbE trait. A positive bias of ∼10% was observed at the medical decision levels.
CONCLUSION: Laboratories should be cautious when evaluating HbA1c results in the presence of haemoglobin variants.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Effect of steam blanching on lycopene and total phenolics in pink guava puree industry by-products

Kong, K.W., Emmy, H.K.I., Azizah, O., Amin, I., Tan, C.P.

International Food Research Journal, 2010;17(2):461-468.
MyJurnal

Lycopene and total phenolics of pink guava puree industry by-products (refiner, siever and decanter)
were evaluated after steam blanching at selected temperatures and times. Lycopene content was in the order of decanter > siever > refiner (7.3, 6.3 and 1.5 mg/100 g, respectively), and the content of total phenolics was in the order of refiner > siever > decanter (4434.1, 2881.3 and 1529.3 mg GAE/100 g, respectively). Regression coefficients for temperatures (x1) and times (x2) from multiple linear regression models of siever and decanter showed significant (p

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Chiral liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method development for the detection of salbutamol in urine samples

Chan SH, Lee W, Asmawi MZ, Tan SC

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2016 Jul 01;1025:83-91.
PMID: 27232053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.05.015

A sequential solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed and validated using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for the detection and quantification of salbutamol enantiomers in porcine urine. Porcine urine samples were hydrolysed with β-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia and then subjected to a double solid-phase extraction (SPE) first using the Abs-Elut Nexus SPE and then followed by the Bond Elut Phenylboronic Acid (PBA) SPE. The salbutamol enantiomers were separated using the Astec CHIROBIOTIC™ T HPLC column (3.0mm×100mm; 5μm) maintained at 15°C with a 15min isocratic run at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min. The mobile phase constituted of 5mM ammonium formate in methanol. Salbutamol and salbutamol-tert-butyl-d9 (internal standard, IS) was monitored and quantified with the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method showed good linearity for the range of 0.1-10ng/mL with limit of quantification at 0.3ng/mL. Analysis of the QC samples showed intra- and inter-assay precisions to be less than 5.04%, and recovery ranging from 83.82 to 102.33%.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Influence of hip and knee osteoarthritis on dynamic postural control parameters among older fallers

Mat S, Ng CT, Tan MP

J Rehabil Med, 2017 Mar 06;49(3):258-263.
PMID: 28218341 DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2202

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relationship between postural control and knee and hip osteoarthritis in older adults with and without a history of falls.
METHODS: Fallers were those with ≥ 2 falls or 1 injurious fall over 12 months. Non-fallers were volunteers with no falls in the past year. Radiological evidence of osteoarthritis with no reported symptoms was considered "asymptomatic osteoarthritis", while "symptomatic osteoarthritis" was defined as radiographic osteoarthritis with pain or stiffness. Dynamic postural control was quantified with the limits of stability test measured on a balance platform (Neurocom® Balancemaster, California, USA). Parameters assessed were end-point excursion, maximal excursion, and directional control.
RESULTS: A total of 102 older individuals, mean age 73 years (standard deviation 5.7) years were included. The association between falls and poor performance in maximal excursion and directional control was confounded by age and comorbidities. In the same linear equation model with falls, symptomatic osteoarthritis remained independently associated with poor end-point excursion (β-coefficient (95% confidence interval) -6.80 (-12.14 to -1.42)).
CONCLUSION: Poor performance in dynamic postural control (maximal excursion and directional control) among fallers was not accounted for by hip/knee osteoarthritis, but was confounded by old age and comorbidities. Loss of postural control due to hip/knee osteoarthritis is not a risk factor for falls among community-dwelling older adults.
Study site: Departments of Emergency Medicine, Primary Care and Geriatric Medicine, in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Rapid determination of kappa-carrageenan using a biosensor from immobilized Pseudomonas carrageenovora cells

Hassan RA, Heng LY, Ahmad A, Tan LL

PLoS One, 2019;14(4):e0214580.
PMID: 30990847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214580

A potentiometric whole cell biosensor based on immobilized marine bacterium, Pseudomonas carrageenovora producing κ-carrageenase and glycosulfatase enzymes for specific and direct determination of κ-carrageenan, is described. The bacterial cells were immobilized on the self-plasticized hydrogen ion (H+)-selective acrylic membrane electrode surface to form a catalytic layer. Hydrogen ionophore I was incorporated in the poly(n-butyl acrylate) [poly(nBA)] as a pH ionophore. Catalytic decomposition of κ-carrageenan by the bienzymatic cascade reaction produced neoagarobiose, an inorganic sulfate ion and a proton. The latter was detectable by H+ ion transducer for indirect potentiometric quantification of κ-carrageenan concentration. The use of a disposable screen-printed Ag/AgCl electrode (SPE) provided no cleaning requirement and enabled κ-carrageenan detection to be carried out conveniently without cross contamination in a complex food sample. The SPE-based microbial biosensor response was found to be reproducible with high reproducibility and relative standard deviation (RSD) at 2.6% (n = 3). The whole cell biosensor demonstrated a broad dynamic linear response range to κ-carrageenan from 0.2-100 ppm in 20 mM phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.5 with a detection limit at 0.05 ppm and a Nernstian sensitivity of 58.78±0.87 mV/decade (R2 = 0.995). The biosensor showed excellent selectivity towards κ-carrageenan compared to other types of carrageenans tested e.g. ι-carrageenan and λ-carrageenan. No pretreatment to the food sample was necessary when the developed whole cell biosensor was employed for direct assay of κ-carrageenan in dairy product.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Application of the threshold model for modelling and forecasting of exchange rate in selected ASEAN countries

Behrooz Gharleghi, Abu Hassan Shaari Md Nor, Tamat Sarmidi

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:1609-1622.

Linear time series models are not able to capture the behaviour of many financial time series, as in the cases of exchange rates and stock market data. Some phenomena, such as volatility and structural breaks in time series data, cannot be modelled implicitly using linear time series models. Therefore, nonlinear time series models are typically designed to accommodate for such nonlinear features. In the present study, a nonlinearity test and a structural change test are used to detect the nonlinearity and the break date in three ASEAN currencies, namely the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and the Thai Baht (THB). The study finds that the null hypothesis of linearity is rejected and evidence of structural breaks exist in the exchange rates series. Therefore, the decision to use the self-exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) model in the present study is justified. The results showed that the SETAR model, as a regime switching model, can explain abrupt changes in a time series. To evaluate the prediction performance of SETAR model, an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model used as a benchmark. In order to increase the accuracy of prediction, both models are combined with an exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model. The prediction results showed that the construct model of SETAR-EGARCH performs better than that of the ARIMA model and the combined ARIMA and EGARCH model. The results indicated that nonlinear models give better fitting than linear models.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Case mix and cost drivers for cardiology cases in Hospital UKM Cheras Kuala Lumpur

Amrizal, M.N., Rohaizat, Y.B., Saperi, S., SyedMohamed Aljunid

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2006;6(1):11-16.
MyJurnal

Hospital UKM is the first hospital to implement case·mix system in Malaysia. The objective of the programme is to utilise case-mix system as a tool in improving efficiency and quality of care. From July 2002 to June 2004, a total of 35,568 cases were grouped using IRDRG-Version 1.1 case-mix grouper. Out of these, 3,622 cases or 10.2 % were cardiology cases in MDC 05 (Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System). Medical Cardiology cases consist of 86.5% and the remaining 13.5% were Surgical Cardiology. Most of the cases were in severity level one (43.4%), 29.5 % in severity level two and 27.1% in severity level three. The mortality rates for severity level one, two and three were 1.0%, 2.6% and 11.5% respectively. Top three cardiology cases were Acute Myocardial Infarction Without Comorbidity and Complication (IRDRG 05331) (8.4%), Acute Myocardial Infarction With Major Comorbidity and Complication (IRDRG 05333) (7.6%) and Cardiac Catheterization for Ischemic Heart Disease Without Comorbidity and Complication (IRDRG 05311) (7.4%). Step-down costing was carried out to obtain the cost for each DRG group. The mean cost per episode of care for Medical Cardiology cases was RM 3,562 (SD= RM 2, 1 19) with average LOS of 6.4 days (SD= 3 .8days) . For the Surgical Cardiology cases, the mean cost per episode ofcare was RM 6,526 (SD= RM 4,585) and average LOS of5.8 days (SD= 4.1 days). The main components of cost for Medical Cardiology cases are ICU cost (28.8%), pharmacy (17.3%) and Ward Services (15.3%). In Surgical Cardiology, the biggest component of cost was for Operation Theatre (27.9%), followed by Ward Services (25 .4%) and pharmacy (8.5%). Multivariate analysis using multiple linear regression showed that factors which significantly influence the treatment cost of cardiology cases were length of stay, age of the patient, discharge outcome, case type ('surgical partition') and severity level.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
An offset-free MPC formulation for nonlinear systems using adaptive integral controller

Hermansson AW, Syafiie S

ISA Trans, 2019 Aug;91:66-77.
PMID: 30782432 DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2019.01.037

This paper investigates a novel offset-free control scheme based on a multiple model predictive controller (MMPC) and an adaptive integral action controller for nonlinear processes. Firstly, the multiple model description captures the essence of the nonlinear process, while keeping the MPC optimization linear. Multiple models also enable the controller to deal with the uncertainty associated with changing setpoint. Then, a min-max approach is utilized to counter the effect of parametric uncertainty between the linear models and the nonlinear process. Finally, to deal with other uncertainties, such as input and output disturbances, an adaptive integral action controller is run in parallel to the MMPC. Thus creating a novel offset-free approach for nonlinear systems that is more easily tuned than observer-based MPC. Simulation results for a pH-controller, which acts as an example of a nonlinear process, are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the technique compared to using an observer-based MPC.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Association of smartphone usage with anxiety, depression and stress among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Goh Shu Meng, Swe

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):30-30.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Smartphone addiction is a hotly debated public health issue and it affects every generation especially the youth and younger generation nowadays (Generation Z / i-Generation) and contributes to the poor mental health status like stress, anxiety and depression. This study is carried out to determine the prevalence of smartphone addic-tion and its association with stress, anxiety and depression among the undergraduate students in Unitversity Malaysia Sabah. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A total number of 456 undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah with at least a smartphone device were enrolled in the study by stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale Malay Version (SAS-M) and The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) Malay Version were used for data collection. The prevalence of smartphone addiction, stress, anxiety and depression among un-dergraduate students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah were determined. Simple linear regression was used to determine the effect of smartphone addiction to stress, anxiety and depression. Results: Prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah is 61.2% (95% CI : 56.5%, 65.7%). The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah are 34.9%, 58.6% and 42.5% respectively. The univariate analysis shows that smartphone addiction is significantly associated with stress (Regression Coeeficient = 0.774, 95% CI 0.54, 1.01 ; P-value

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, cognitive impairment and caregiver burden in patients with dementia

Rosdinom R, Zarina MZ, Zanariah MS, Marhani M, Suzaily W

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S67-9.
PMID: 23313789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.12.025

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationships between behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive impairment and burden of care of patients with dementia.
METHOD: A cross-sectional, non-randomised study of 65 elderly patients with dementia and their caregivers was conducted over a 3-month period in January 2007 at the memory clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre and Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Patients' cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Caregivers were interviewed to determine the severity of BPSD and caregiver burden (CB) using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Questionnaire and Zarit Burden Interview (BI) respectively.
RESULTS: Cognitive impairment did not contribute significantly to CB. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that high BPSD scores contributed 0.27 more in BI score, female patients contributed 0.37 less in BI score and caregivers with higher educational level contribute 0.5 more in BI score.
CONCLUSION: Patients' BPSD and male gender, but not cognitive impairment, were associated with CB. Even though CB was experienced more among caregivers with better education, all caregivers should be screened to ensure their general well-being.
KEYWORDS: BPSD; Caregiver burden; Cognitive impairment
Study site: Memory clinics, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) and Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Multi-residue analytical method for human pharmaceuticals and synthetic hormones in river water and sewage effluents by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Al-Odaini NA, Zakaria MP, Yaziz MI, Surif S

J Chromatogr A, 2010 Oct 29;1217(44):6791-806.
PMID: 20851398 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2010.08.033

Pollutants such as human pharmaceuticals and synthetic hormones that are not covered by environmental legislation have increasingly become important emerging aquatic contaminants. This paper reports the development of a sensitive and selective multi-residue method for simultaneous determination and quantification of 23 pharmaceuticals and synthetic hormones from different therapeutic classes in water samples. Target pharmaceuticals include anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic agents, β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, antihistamine, analgesic and sex hormones. The developed method is based on solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by instrumental analysis using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with 30 min total run time. River water samples (150 mL) and (sewage treatment plant) STP effluents (100 mL) adjusted to pH 2, were loaded into MCX (3 cm(3), 60 mg) cartridge and eluted with four different reagents for maximum recovery. Quantification was achieved by using eight isotopically labeled internal standards (I.S.) that effectively correct for losses during sample preparation and matrix effects during LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Good recoveries higher than 70% were obtained for most of target analytes in all matrices. Method detection limit (MDL) ranged from 0.2 to 281 ng/L. The developed method was applied to determine the levels of target analytes in various samples, including river water and STP effluents. Among the tested emerging pollutants, chlorothiazide was found at the highest level, with concentrations reaching up to 865 ng/L in STP effluent, and 182 ng/L in river water.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Composition and source apportionment of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols of urban and semi-urban areas in Malaysia

Wahid NB, Latif MT, Suratman S

Chemosphere, 2013 Jun;91(11):1508-16.
PMID: 23336924 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.12.029

This study was conducted to determine the composition and source apportionment of surfactant in atmospheric aerosols around urban and semi-urban areas in Malaysia based on ionic compositions. Colorimetric analysis was undertaken to determine the concentrations of anionic surfactants as Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as Disulphine Blue Active Substances (DBAS) using a UV spectrophotometer. Ionic compositions were determined using ion chromatography for cations (Na(+), NH4(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)) and anions (F(-), Cl(-), NO3(-), SO4(2-)). Principle component analysis (PCA) combined with multiple linear regression (MLR) were used to identify the source apportionment of MBAS and DBAS. Results indicated that the concentrations of surfactants at both sampling sites were dominated by MBAS rather than DBAS especially in fine mode aerosols during the southwest monsoon. Three main sources of surfactants were identified from PCA-MLR analysis for MBAS in fine mode samples particularly in Kuala Lumpur, dominated by motor vehicles, followed by soil/road dust and sea spray. Besides, for MBAS in coarse mode, biomass burning/sea spray were the dominant source followed by motor vehicles/road dust and building material.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Prevalence and factors associated with stress among secondary school teachers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abdul Hadi A, Naing NN, Daud A, Nordin R, Sulong MR

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2009 Nov;40(6):1359-70.
PMID: 20578472

The teaching profession is an occupation at high risk for stress. This research attempted to determine the prevalence of stress and the associated factors contributing to stress among teachers in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 580 secondary school teachers in Kota Bharu District. The instrument used to carry out the study was adopted and modified from the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). The questionnaire consisted of two parts: Part I consisting non-job factors (socio-demographic characteristics) and Part II consisting of psychosocial factors contributing to stress. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were carried out. The prevalence of stress was reported as 34.0%. Seventeen point four percent of teachers experienced mild stress. Age, duration of work and psychological job demands were significantly associated with stress level. This study indicates job-related factors did not contribute much to stress among secondary school teachers. Non-job-related factors should be further studied to determine methods for stress reduction in teachers in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Micellar electrokinetic chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of furanic compounds in honey and vegetable oils

Foo Wong Y, Makahleh A, Al Azzam KM, Yahaya N, Saad B, Sulaiman SA

Talanta, 2012 Aug 15;97:23-31.
PMID: 22841043 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2012.03.056

A simple micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method for the simultaneous determination of 2-furfural (2-F), 3-furfural (3-F), 5-methylfurfural (5-MF), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 2-furoic acid (2-FA) and 3-furoic acid (3-FA) in honey and vegetable oils is described. Parameters affecting the separation such as pH, buffer and surfactant concentrations, applied voltage, capillary temperature, injection time and capillary length were studied and optimized. The separation was carried out in normal polarity mode at 20 °C, 22 kV and using hydrodynamic injection (17 s). The separation was achieved in a bare fused-silica capillary (46 cm × 50 μm i.d.) with a background electrolyte of 75 mM phosphoric acid (pH 7.3), containing 200 mM of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The detection wavelengths were at 200 nm (2-FA and 3-FA) and 280 nm (2-F, 3-F, 5-MF, 5-HMF). The furfurals were well separated in less than 20 min. The method was validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection and quantitation, precision and recoveries. Calibration curves of the six furfurals were well correlated (r(2)>0.991) within the range 1-25 μg mL(-1). Relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day migration times and corrected peak areas ≤9.96% were achieved. The limit of detection (signal:noise, 3) was 0.33-0.70 μg mL(-1) whereas the limit of quantitation (signal:noise, 10) was 1.00-2.12 μg mL(-1). The method was applied to the determination of furanic compounds in honeys and vegetable oils (palm, walnut, grape seed and rapeseed). The effects of thermal treatment and gamma irradiation on the formation of the furanic compounds in honey were also investigated.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Costs of fogging activities and its contributing factors at Hulu Langat District Health Office, Selangor, Malaysia

Muhammad Syazni, Aidalina Mahmud, Suhainizam Muhamad Saliluddin

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):107-107.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Dengue fever currently remains as one of the major public health issues in Malaysia. Dengue inci-dence in Malaysia has been increasing in the last 20 years. Dengue fever has been causing an economic burden to the country each year. Vector control is one of the preventions and control activities to reduce its incidence. Vector control activities, especially fogging is a resource-intensive activity. It uses most of the allocated budget of a district health office (33%). The major cost components of the prevention and control activities were human resources and pesticides with 60.7% were for human resources and 13.6% of the costs were for pesticides. Therefore, it is important to know, cost of each fogging activity and the factors that contribute to that cost. The objective of this study was to determine the costs of fogging activities carried out by Hulu Langat Health District Office, Selangor, Malaysia. Meth-ods: This study was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study using data from the Hulu Langat District Health Office for the year 2018. Cost analysis of fogging activities was carried out using the activity-based costing method-ology. The factors associated with, and predictors of, the costs of fogging activities were determined using chi-square and multiple linear regression. Results: In 2018, Hulu Langat District Health Office carried out total of 2,063 fogging activities. The average cost of each fogging activity was estimated as RM 1,579. Types of insecticides was statistically significant associated and predictive factor of the cost of fogging activity. Conclusion: The present study showed that the estimated average cost per fogging activity is RM 1,579 and water-based insecticide was found to be the cheaper option compared to oil-based insecticide. However, as this study did not determine the effectiveness of these insec-ticides, recommendations cannot be made as to which insecticide should be used.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Development of Linear Regression Model for tile waste generation in Malaysian construction industry

Siti Hafizan Hassan, Hamidi Abdul Aziz, Mohd Samsudin Abdul Hamid, Siti Rashidah Mohd Nasir, Suhailah Mohamed Noor

ESTEEM Academic Journal, 2019;15(2):11-23.
MyJurnal

The effect of unmanageable construction waste is an unstable land settlement and groundwater pollution. In addition to environmental pollution, construction waste could incur construction cost. The most construction waste is the material used at sites and tile is also a part of the waste generated in construction. The objectives of this study are to determine the tile waste generated in construction stages and linear regression analysis for the amount of tile waste generated. The method used in this study was the Linear Regression Model. The regression model established in the sample data reported an R2 value of 0.793; therefore, the model can predict approximately 79.3% of the factor (area) of tile waste generation. The linear regressions can be applied as tools to predict the tile waste generated at construction sites and help the contractor to track the sources of missing waste.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
The relationship between psychosocial work factors, work stress and computer-related musculoskeletal discomforts among computer users in Malaysia

Zakerian SA, Subramaniam ID

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2009;15(4):425-34.
PMID: 20003776

Increasing numbers of workers use computer for work. So, especially among office workers, there is a high risk of musculoskeletal discomforts. This study examined the associations among 3 factors, psychosocial work factors, work stress and musculoskeletal discomforts. These associations were examined via a questionnaire survey on 30 office workers (at a university in Malaysia), whose jobs required an extensive use of computers. The questionnaire was distributed and collected daily for 20 days. While the results indicated a significant relationship among psychosocial work factors, work stress and musculoskeletal discomfort, 3 psychosocial work factors were found to be more important than others in both work stress and musculoskeletal discomfort: job demands, negative social interaction and computer-related problems. To further develop study design, it is necessary to investigate industrial and other workers who have experienced musculoskeletal discomforts and work stress.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Cancer symptom and risk factor awareness in Malaysia: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional study

Schliemann D, Ismail R, Donnelly M, Cardwell CR, Su TT

BMC Public Health, 2020 Apr 06;20(1):464.
PMID: 32252721 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08581-0

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence in Malaysia is expected to double by 2040. Understanding cancer awareness is important in order to tailor preventative efforts and reduce the cancer burden. The objective of this research was to assess nationwide awareness about the signs and symptoms as well as risk factors for various cancers in Malaysia and identify socio-demographic factors associated with awareness.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March-November 2014 in the form of a telephone survey. Participants aged 40 years and above were randomly selected across Malaysia and interviewed using the validated Awareness Beliefs about Cancer (ABC) measurement tool. Linear regression was conducted to test the association between symptom and risk factor recognition and socio-demographic variables.
RESULTS: A sample of 1895 participants completed the survey. On average, participants recognised 5.8 (SD 3.2) out of 11 symptoms and 7.5 (SD 2.7) out of 12 risk factors. The most commonly recognised symptom was 'lump or swelling' (74.5%) and the most commonly recognised risk factor was 'smoking' (88.7%). Factors associated with prompted awareness were age, ethnicity, education and smoking status.
CONCLUSION: Recognition of symptom and risk factors for most cancers was relatively low across Malaysia compared to previous studies in high-income countries and to studies conducted in Malaysia. There is a need to conduct regular public health campaigns and interventions designed to improve cancer awareness and knowledge as a first step towards increasing the early detection of cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models
Fulltext Low Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency among Nepalese Infants Despite High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency among Their Mothers

Haugen J, Ulak M, Chandyo RK, Henjum S, Thorne-Lyman AL, Ueland PM, et al.

Nutrients, 2016 Dec 21;8(12).
PMID: 28009810 DOI: 10.3390/nu8120825

BACKGROUND: Describing vitamin D status and its predictors in various populations is important in order to target public health measures.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the status and predictors of vitamin D status in healthy Nepalese mothers and infants.
METHODS: 500 randomly selected Nepalese mother and infant pairs were included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of vitamin D status.
RESULTS: Among the infants, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/L) and deficiency (<30 nmol/L) were 3.6% and 0.6%, respectively, in contrast to 59.8% and 14.0% among their mothers. Infant 25(OH)D concentrations were negatively associated with infant age and positively associated with maternal vitamin D status and body mass index (BMI), explaining 22% of the variability in 25(OH)D concentration. Global solar radiation, maternal age and BMI predicted maternal 25(OH)D concentration, explaining 9.7% of its variability.
CONCLUSION: Age and maternal vitamin D status are the main predictors of vitamin D status in infants in Bhaktapur, Nepal, who have adequate vitamin D status despite poor vitamin D status in their mothers.

Matched MeSH terms: Linear Models

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