Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 2151 in total

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  1. Reintam Blaser A, Mändul M, Björck M, Acosta S, Bala M, Bodnar Z, et al.
    Crit Care, 2024 Jan 23;28(1):32.
    PMID: 38263058 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04807-4
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this multicentre prospective observational study was to identify the incidence, patient characteristics, diagnostic pathway, management and outcome of acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI).

    METHODS: All adult patients with clinical suspicion of AMI admitted or transferred to 32 participating hospitals from 06.06.2022 to 05.04.2023 were included. Participants who were subsequently shown not to have AMI or had localized intestinal gangrene due to strangulating bowel obstruction had only baseline and outcome data collected.

    RESULTS: AMI occurred in 0.038% of adult admissions in participating acute care hospitals worldwide. From a total of 705 included patients, 418 patients had confirmed AMI. In 69% AMI was the primary reason for admission, while in 31% AMI occurred after having been admitted with another diagnosis. Median time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission in patients admitted due to AMI was 24 h (interquartile range 9-48h) and time from admission to diagnosis was 6h (1-12 h). Occlusive arterial AMI was diagnosed in 231 (55.3%), venous in 73 (17.5%), non-occlusive (NOMI) in 55 (13.2%), other type in 11 (2.6%) and the subtype could not be classified in 48 (11.5%) patients. Surgery was the initial management in 242 (58%) patients, of which 59 (24.4%) underwent revascularization. Endovascular revascularization alone was carried out in 54 (13%), conservative treatment in 76 (18%) and palliative care in 46 (11%) patients. From patients with occlusive arterial AMI, revascularization was undertaken in 104 (45%), with 40 (38%) of them in one site admitting selected patients. Overall in-hospital and 90-day mortality of AMI was 49% and 53.3%, respectively, and among subtypes was lowest for venous AMI (13.7% and 16.4%) and highest for NOMI (72.7% and 74.5%). There was a high variability between participating sites for most variables studied.

    CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of AMI and AMI subtypes varies worldwide, and case ascertainment is challenging. Pre-hospital delay in presentation was greater than delays after arriving at hospital. Surgery without revascularization was the most common management approach. Nearly half of the patients with AMI died during their index hospitalization. Together, these findings suggest a need for greater awareness of AMI, and better guidance in diagnosis and management.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05218863 (registered 19.01.2022).

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  2. Li A, Ling L, Qin H, Arabi YM, Myatra SN, Egi M, et al.
    Crit Care, 2024 Jan 23;28(1):30.
    PMID: 38263076 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04804-7
    BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence on association between quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) and sepsis mortality in ICU patients. The primary aim of this study was to determine the association between qSOFA and 28-day mortality in ICU patients admitted for sepsis. Association of qSOFA with early (3-day), medium (28-day), late (90-day) mortality was assessed in low and lower middle income (LLMIC), upper middle income (UMIC) and high income (HIC) countries/regions.

    METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the MOSAICS II study, an international prospective observational study on sepsis epidemiology in Asian ICUs. Associations between qSOFA at ICU admission and mortality were separately assessed in LLMIC, UMIC and HIC countries/regions. Modified Poisson regression was used to determine the adjusted relative risk (RR) of qSOFA score on mortality at 28 days with adjustments for confounders identified in the MOSAICS II study.

    RESULTS: Among the MOSAICS II study cohort of 4980 patients, 4826 patients from 343 ICUs and 22 countries were included in this secondary analysis. Higher qSOFA was associated with increasing 28-day mortality, but this was only observed in LLMIC (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  3. Kaur S, Kok EY, Jamil NA, Sebayang SK
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Jan 09;24(1):122.
    PMID: 38195450 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17677-w
    INTRODUCTION: Gestational weight gain (GWG) is influenced by various factors during pregnancy. This study attempts to explore the relationship between environmental factors i.e., sunlight exposure and psychological health i.e. psychological well-being and sleep quality during pregnancy with total gestational weight gain.

    METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in government maternity clinics in Kuala Lumpur. Pregnant women aged 19-39 years without comorbidities were recruited during second trimester and followed up until birth. The participants were required to wear a UVB dosimeter for a total of three consecutive days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend) to determine sunlight exposure (SED) during their second trimester. The PSQI and DASS-21 were used to determine sleep quality and psychological wellbeing, respectively. GWG data were collected from clinic health records. The association of sun exposure and psychological health with total GWG was determined using multiple linear regression.

    RESULTS: A total of 73 pregnant women aged 27.9 ± 3.3 years were included in the analysis. The prevalence of pregnant women exhibiting stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms was 11%, 40%, and 16% respectively. The global PSQI median score was 5 (IQR = 3), with 59% having poor sleep quality. Median sleep duration was 7 h (IQR = 2) while median sleep efficiency was 92% (IQR = 14). The median SED was 0.04 (IQR = 0.09), with 51% of them being under the 50th percentile. The majority had adequate GWG (58%). Sleep parameters were not found to be correlated with total GWG except for sleep latency (ρ = -0.356, p = 0.002). Sunlight exposure was found to have no significant relationship with sleep and total GWG. Adjusted multiple linear regression showed that greater depression is associated with higher total GWG (β = 0.239, p = 0.039) while controlling for sleep quality.

    CONCLUSION: Depression was associated with total GWG when sleep quality was controlled for while sunlight exposure had no significant association with GWG. Future studies should study the complex relationship between factors of mental health, sleep, and weight gain during pregnancy. Healthcare providers may be better equipped to develop interventions aimed to prevent negative maternal and fetal health outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  4. Rosenthal VD, Yin R, Abbo LM, Lee BH, Rodrigues C, Myatra SN, et al.
    Am J Infect Control, 2024 Jan;52(1):54-60.
    PMID: 37499758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.07.007
    BACKGROUND: Identify urinary catheter (UC)-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) incidence and risk factors (RF) in 235 ICUs in 8 Asian countries: India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

    METHODS: From January 1, 2014, to February 12, 2022, we conducted a prospective cohort study. To estimate CAUTI incidence, the number of UC days was the denominator, and CAUTI was the numerator. To estimate CAUTI RFs, we analyzed 11 variables using multiple logistic regression.

    RESULTS: 84,920 patients hospitalized for 499,272 patient days acquired 869 CAUTIs. The pooled CAUTI rate per 1,000 UC-days was 3.08; for those using suprapubic-catheters (4.11); indwelling-catheters (2.65); trauma-ICU (10.55), neurologic-ICU (7.17), neurosurgical-ICU (5.28); in lower-middle-income countries (3.05); in upper-middle-income countries (1.71); at public-hospitals (5.98), at private-hospitals (3.09), at teaching-hospitals (2.04). The following variables were identified as CAUTI RFs: Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.01-1.02; P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  5. Tobin RJ, Harrison LE, Tully MK, Lubis IND, Noviyanti R, Anstey NM, et al.
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2024 Jan;18(1):e0011570.
    PMID: 38252650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011570
    BACKGROUND: Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic parasite that causes malaria in humans. The pathogen has a natural host reservoir in certain macaque species and is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes of the Anopheles Leucosphyrus Group. The risk of human P. knowlesi infection varies across Southeast Asia and is dependent upon environmental factors. Understanding this geographic variation in risk is important both for enabling appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the disease and for improving the planning and evaluation of malaria elimination. However, the data available on P. knowlesi occurrence are biased towards regions with greater surveillance and sampling effort. Predicting the spatial variation in risk of P. knowlesi malaria requires methods that can both incorporate environmental risk factors and account for spatial bias in detection.

    METHODS & RESULTS: We extend and apply an environmental niche modelling framework as implemented by a previous mapping study of P. knowlesi transmission risk which included data up to 2015. We reviewed the literature from October 2015 through to March 2020 and identified 264 new records of P. knowlesi, with a total of 524 occurrences included in the current study following consolidation with the 2015 study. The modelling framework used in the 2015 study was extended, with changes including the addition of new covariates to capture the effect of deforestation and urbanisation on P. knowlesi transmission.

    DISCUSSION: Our map of P. knowlesi relative transmission suitability estimates that the risk posed by the pathogen is highest in Malaysia and Indonesia, with localised areas of high risk also predicted in the Greater Mekong Subregion, The Philippines and Northeast India. These results highlight areas of priority for P. knowlesi surveillance and prospective sampling to address the challenge the disease poses to malaria elimination planning.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  6. Sunil SP, Hanif H
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jan;79(1):42-46.
    PMID: 38287756
    INTRODUCTION: Prevalence and mortality due to abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have reduced; however, trends in Malaysia are difficult to determine due to the low prevalence and volume of published data. Our aim was to study current trends in AAA treatment in a national referral unit and compare them to previous reports.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who had AAA repair between 2015 and 2019 in Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL). Operating logbooks from the study period were digitised, and details of aortoiliac aneurysm surgery were analysed. We compared these findings to a previous study on AAA treatment conducted in HKL between 1993 and 1995.

    RESULTS: Over the course of 5 years, 496 abdominal aortic surgery were performed. There were 451 patients (90.9%) with AAA, whereas 41 patients (8.3%) had mycotic aneurysms. Among patients with AAA, the median age was 70 (IQR 11) and was mostly male (89.3%), whereas inlay repair was the most common technique (n = 395, 87.5%) while EVAR was employed in 36 patients (8.0%). A two proportion z test comparing emergency surgery proportions between our study cohort (56.1%) and the 1993-1995 cohort (39.3%) was significant (p = .017).

    CONCLUSION: There has been a significant increase in the proportion of emergency surgery in HKL. Open surgery remains the most frequent repair technique. The increase in volume likely reflects the accessibility of healthcare, though other factors may play a role. Improvements in outcomes will benefit from research on the standard of care based on prospective data.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  7. Elderdery AY, Alzerwi NAN, Alzahrani B, Alsrhani A, Alsultan A, Rayzah M, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2024 Jan;256(Pt 2):127490.
    PMID: 37979758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127490
    Hepatic cancer is among the most recurrently detected malignancies worldwide and one of the main contributors to cancer-associated mortality. With few available therapeutic choices, there is an instant necessity to explore suitable options. In this aspect, Nanotechnology has been employed to explore prospective chemotherapeutic approaches, especially for cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is concerned with the biological and physical properties of nanoparticles in the therapeutic use of drugs. In the current work, formulation, and characterization of α-Fe2O3-Sodium Alginate-Eugenol nanocomposites (FSE NCs) using several approaches like SEM and TEM, UV-visible, FTIR, and PL spectroscopy, XRD, EDAX, and DLS studies have been performed. With an average size of 50 nm, the rhombohedral structure of NCs was identified. Further, their anticancer activity against Hep3B liver cancer cell lines has been performed by cell viability, dual staining, DCFH-DA, Annexin-V/-FITC/PI, cell cycle analysis methods, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling proteins were studied to assess the anticancer effects of the NCs in Hep3B cells. Also, anti-cancer activity on animal modeling in-vivo using zebra fishes to hematological parameters, liver enzymes, and histopathology study effectiveness was noticed. Moreover, the NCs reduced the viability, elevated the ROS accumulation, diminished the membrane integrity, reduced the antioxidants, blocked the cell cycle, and triggered the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis that eventually resulted in cell death. As a result, FSE NCs possess huge potential for use as a possible anticancer candidate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  8. Heng KV, Lum LCS, Breen E, Lye CW, Kuan WC, Goh SH, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2024 Jan;36(1):127-132.
    PMID: 37981736 DOI: 10.1177/10105395231211978
    Breastfeeding rates in urban Malaysian mothers are below World Health Organization (WHO) targets. Our prospective survey identified breastfeeding prevalences at 3, 6, and 12 months of 85.5%, 77%, and 60%, respectively. Combined (direct and expressed) breastfeeding significantly sustained longer-term breastfeeding. Efforts should be focused on mothers of Indian ethnicity and on expression after one month postpartum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  9. Al Saleh A, Jamee A, Sulaiman K, Sobhy M, Gamra H, Alkindi F, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0296056.
    PMID: 38206951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296056
    BACKGROUND: The Program for the Evaluation and Management of Cardiac Events in the Middle East and North Africa (PEACE MENA) is a prospective registry program in Arabian countries that involves in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or acute heart failure (AHF).

    METHODS: This prospective, multi-center, multi-country study is the first report of the baseline characteristics and outcomes of inpatients with AMI who were enrolled during the first 14-month recruitment phase. We report the clinical characteristics, socioeconomic, educational levels, and management, in-hospital, one month and one-year outcomes.

    RESULTS: Between April 2019 and June 2020, 1377 patients with AMI were enrolled (79.1% males) from 16 Arabian countries. The mean age (± SD) was 58 ± 12 years. Almost half of the population had a net income < $500/month, and 40% had limited education. Nearly half of the cohort had a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia; 53% had STEMI, and almost half (49.7%) underwent a primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) (lowest 4.5% and highest 100%). Thrombolytics were used by 36.2%. (Lowest 6.45% and highest (90.9%). No reperfusion occurred in 13.8% of patients (lowest was 0% and highest 72.7%).Primary PCI was performed less frequently in the lower income group vs. high income group (26.3% vs. 54.7%; P<0.001). Recurrent ischemia occurred more frequently in the low-income group (10.9% vs. 7%; P = 0.018). Re-admission occurred in 9% at 1 month and 30% at 1 year, whereas 1-month mortality was 0.7% and 1-year mortality 4.7%.

    CONCLUSION: In the MENA region, patients with AMI present at a young age and have a high burden of cardiac risk factors. Most of the patients in the registry have a low income and low educational status. There is heterogeneity among key performance indicators of AMI management among various Arabian countries.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  10. Tok PSK, Kang KY, Ng SW, Ab Rahman N, Syahmi MA, Pathmanathan MD, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0296488.
    PMID: 38181017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296488
    Post COVID-19 condition is an important public health problem as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of this condition and assess its associated factors and impact on health-related quality of life in a population setting in Malaysia. Study was conducted from April to June 2022 when the Omicron variant predominated. All individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR, RTK-Ag) were invited for participation. Study questionnaires were delivered via the MySejahtera platform (mobile application). From the total of 44,386 participants who provided responses up to 3-months interval, 1,510 participants (3.4%) fulfilled the post COVID-19 condition criteria. Majority of the affected participants (83.8%, n = 1,265) experienced either cough, fatigue or forgetfulness-the three most common symptoms. Being females, having existing comorbidities, presence of symptoms and requiring hospital admission during the acute illness were associated with higher likelihoods of developing the post COVID-19 condition at 3-months interval. Amongst the 1,510 individuals, one in five had limitations in performing their usual daily activities while at least one in three expressed that their work was affected. Understanding this condition better is essential to guide strategic and responsive plans of action, which may require coordinated multidisciplinary interventions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  11. Evenhuis A, Occhipinti S, Jones L, Wishart D
    Glob Health Action, 2023 Dec 31;16(1):2216068.
    PMID: 37254873 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2216068
    BACKGROUND: Offering cessation support to health professionals who smoke to ensure optimal implementation of cessation support for patients is a key recommendation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 14 guidelines. However, direct efforts to support this population to quit are limited. Although numerous articles on the topic of tobacco use among health professionals have been published, the factors associated with their own cessation have not been systematically synthesised.

    OBJECTIVE: We sought to synthesise existing literature on the predictors and processes informing attitudes and beliefs of smoking health professionals' own cessation.

    METHODS: A five-step methodological framework for scoping reviews was followed. We conducted a systematic search of EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases, as well as Google Scholar for relevant articles. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened against predefined criteria: research published between 1990 and 2021, in English-language peer-reviewed journals; participants included doctors, nurses, medical, and student nurses who smoke.

    RESULTS: The initial search yielded 120, 883 articles, with 27 selected for synthesis. Prevalence estimates and predictors of smoking behaviour have remained the primary focus of smoking health professional research. Few studies explicitly examined the relevant predictors of quit attempts and quit attempt success. There is evidence that age and work environment factors predict quit attempt success in some health professional groups. There is also some evidence of tobacco smoking stigma experiences among nurses and nursing students who smoke.

    CONCLUSION: Although cessation support is desperately needed for health professionals who smoke, the evidence for factors predicting quit success remains limited. To better guide future research, first, more theoretical work is required to identify the relevant predictors. Second, these should be tested using prospective research designs that take a multi-focal perspective to clarify the targets for change.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  12. Aggarwal A, Court LE, Hoskin P, Jacques I, Kroiss M, Laskar S, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2023 Dec 07;13(12):e077253.
    PMID: 38149419 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077253
    INTRODUCTION: Fifty per cent of patients with cancer require radiotherapy during their disease course, however, only 10%-40% of patients in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have access to it. A shortfall in specialised workforce has been identified as the most significant barrier to expanding radiotherapy capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based software has been developed to automate both the delineation of anatomical target structures and the definition of the position, size and shape of the radiation beams. Proposed advantages include improved treatment accuracy, as well as a reduction in the time (from weeks to minutes) and human resources needed to deliver radiotherapy.

    METHODS: ARCHERY is a non-randomised prospective study to evaluate the quality and economic impact of AI-based automated radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck, and prostate cancers, which are endemic in LMICs, and for which radiotherapy is the primary curative treatment modality. The sample size of 990 patients (330 for each cancer type) has been calculated based on an estimated 95% treatment plan acceptability rate. Time and cost savings will be analysed as secondary outcome measures using the time-driven activity-based costing model. The 48-month study will take place in six public sector cancer hospitals in India (n=2), Jordan (n=1), Malaysia (n=1) and South Africa (n=2) to support implementation of the software in LMICs.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received ethical approval from University College London (UCL) and each of the six study sites. If the study objectives are met, the AI-based software will be offered as a not-for-profit web service to public sector state hospitals in LMICs to support expansion of high quality radiotherapy capacity, improving access to and affordability of this key modality of cancer cure and control. Public and policy engagement plans will involve patients as key partners.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  13. Woei TJ, Mazlan R, Tamil AM, Rosli NSM, Hasbi SM, Hashim ND, et al.
    Int Tinnitus J, 2023 Dec 04;27(1):75-81.
    PMID: 38050889 DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20230013
    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability and accuracy of chirp-based Multiple Auditory Steady State Response (MSSR) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in children.

    METHODS: The prospective clinical study was conducted at Selayang Hospital (SH) and Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) within one year. A total of 38 children ranging from 3 to 18 years old underwent hearing evaluation using ABR tests and MSSR under sedation. The duration of both tests were then compared.

    RESULTS: The estimated hearing threshold of frequency specific chirp MSSR showed good correlation with ABR especially in higher frequencies such as 2000 Hz and 4000Hz with the value of cronbach alpha of 0.890, 0.933, 0.970 and 0.969 on 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz. The sensitivity of MSSR is 0.786, 0.75, 0.957 and 0.889 and specificity is 0.85, 0.882, 0.979 and 0.966 over 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz. The duration of MSSR tests were shorter than ABR tests in normal hearing children with an average of 35.3 minutes for MSSR tests and 46.4 minutes for ABR tests. This can also be seen in children with hearing loss where the average duration for MSSR tests is 40.0 minutes and 52.0 minutes for ABR tests.

    CONCLUSION: MSSR showed good correlation and reliability in comparison with ABR especially on higher frequencies. Hence, MSSR is a good clinical test to diagnose children with hearing loss.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  14. Lau BL, Idris Z, Abdullah JM, Bujang MA, Wong ASH
    Br J Neurosurg, 2023 Dec;37(6):1572-1579.
    PMID: 33191803 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2020.1837728
    BACKGROUND: A new stereotactic frame was created in 2015, based on a linear algorithm. It is called Albert Wong (AW) frame. A simple AW stereo-calculator was also designed based on Excel® (Microscoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) programme for the frame.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to test the accuracy of the AW frame by a direct head to head comparison with CRW® frame (Integra Life Sciences, Plainsboro, NJ) on a phantom.

    METHODS: This is a prospective pilot cross-sectional phantom study with a total of 42 (21 for AW and 21 for CRW®) laboratory testings performed in 2017 at our institute to compare the accuracies of both frames in a consecutive manner. A phantom (BL phantom) was newly created, where targets can be placed at different heights and positions on a platform attached under the frame for accuracy testing comparing between the AW and CRW® frames.

    RESULTS: A comparable accuracy testing results were observed between the AW and CRW® frames of 0.64 mm versus 1.07 mm respectively. Approval from the local ethics committee for a clinical trial was obtained. We report on three case illustrations who had the AW frame-based biopsies with definitive diagnoses and without any post-biopsy related complication.

    CONCLUSION: AW frame successfully demonstrated a good accuracy of 0.64 mm in phantom testing using the BL phantom by a linear algorithmic calculation. The clinical trial with three patients demonstrated definitive diagnoses and safety with its use.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  15. Johari J, Hontz RD, Pike BL, Husain T, Rusli N, Mohd-Zain R, et al.
    Emerg Microbes Infect, 2023 Dec;12(1):2208678.
    PMID: 37101375 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2208678
    Prospective cohort study to investigate the potential exposure to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) following Hajj pilgrims is still very limited. Here, we report the antibody seroconversion study results obtained from successive three years cohort studies (2016-2018) involving the Malaysian Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East. A cohort study of Hajj pilgrims from Malaysia enrolled 2,863 participants from 2016-2018, all of whom consented to provide paired blood samples for both pre- and post-Hajj travel to the Middle East. ELISAs and micro-neutralization assays were performed to detect the presence of MERS-CoV IgG antibodies. Sociodemographic data, symptoms experienced during Hajj, and history of exposure to camels or camel products were recorded using structured pre- and post-Hajj questionnaires. A 4-fold increase in anti-MERS-CoV IgG between paired pre-Hajj and post-Hajj serum samples in twelve participants was observed. None of the twelve ELISA-positive sera had detectable levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies. All reportedly had mild symptoms of respiratory symptoms at a certain point during the pilgrimage, implying mild or asymptomatic infections. No association between post-Hajj serum positivity and a history of exposure to camels or camel products was obtained. Findings from the study suggest that serologic conversion to MERS-CoV occurred in at least 0.6% of the Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East. Since all the seroconvertants had mild to no symptoms during the sampling period, it highlights the likelihood of occurrence of only low infectivity spillover infections among the Hajj pilgrims.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  16. Arafat HM, Omar J, Shafii N, Naser IA, Al Laham NA, Muhamad R, et al.
    Ann Med, 2023 Dec;55(1):2198256.
    PMID: 37078247 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2198256
    BACKGROUND: Among the world, the most frequently discovered and fatal cancer in women is breast cancer (BC). From the perspective of public health, estimating the BC risk linked to dairy intake may aid in comprehensive management. In epidemiological research data on the association between eating dairy foods and the risk of BC are conflicting. Therefore, we sought to assess the link between dairy food consumption and the development of BC.

    MAIN TEXT: To summarize and quantify the most recent findings on consuming milk or other dairy foods and the development of BC, we performed a systematic literature review. We checked through several databases for relevant publications published in English up to January 2022. Of the 82 articles identified, only 18 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Nine Prospective, seven Retrospective and two Cross-Sectional studies were finally identified.

    CONCLUSIONS: Overall, dairy consumption was inversely associated with the risk of developing breast cancer. Future studies will help elucidate the role of dairy products in human health, and their use within a balanced diet should be considered.KEY MESSAGESThe effect of different types of dairy products, and possible dose-response relationships on BC risk remains unknown.Estimating BC risk associated with dairy consumption may help to take the decision-making of physicians and public health policy in developing preventive strategies to reduce its occurrence.This systematic review was conducted to assess dairy consumption and BC risk.Overall, inverse associations were found when looking at dairy consumption and BC risk.

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  17. Chin AHB, Sandhu S, Caughey L, Ahmad MF, Peate M
    Hum Fertil (Camb), 2023 Dec;26(2):385-397.
    PMID: 37177817 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2209831
    Upon legalization of social egg freezing in Singapore from 2023 onwards, compulsory pre-procedure counselling is mandated for all prospective patients to enable informed choice about whether to undergo the procedure. Being a newly introduced medical procedure in Singapore, there are currently no clear directives on what pre-procedure counselling for elective egg freezing should entail. Due to pervasive media and internet influences, prospective egg freezing patients could be misled into believing that the procedure represents a guaranteed path to future motherhood, contrary to statements by professional bodies such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the British Fertility Society (BFS). Hence, comprehensive counselling is recommended to provide women with evidence-based information (e.g. success rates of social egg freezing for women of their age) to ensure they make informed decisions and to avoid possible decision regret. For this purpose, a systematic protocol and methodology for pre-procedure counselling of women considering elective egg freezing was developed, incorporating flowcharts and decision trees that are specifically tailored to the unique sociocultural values and legal restrictions in Singapore. Questions relating to the why, what, how, where and when of the egg freezing procedure should be addressed, which could serve as a roadmap to facilitate informed decision-making by women considering elective egg freezing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  18. Fong CY, Low P, Ng KH, Heng HS, Chong ASL, Ong LC, et al.
    Epilepsy Behav, 2023 Dec;149:109536.
    PMID: 38008017 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109536
    BACKGROUND: A computer game-based epilepsy educational programme (Epigame) can potentially improve the awareness, knowledge and attitude (AKA) and quality of life (QOL) of children with epilepsy (CWE). Our study among Malaysian CWE aimed to assess the: i) baseline level of epilepsy AKA and potential characteristics associated with poor levels of AKA, ii) effectiveness of Epigame in improving AKA and QOL of CWE.

    METHOD: Prospective cohort study on CWE age 7-18 years old with no comorbidities. Epilepsy education was delivered using Epigame. CWE completed AKA questionnaire before (time point 1 [TP1]), immediately after (TP2), 3 months (TP3) after provision of Epigame. Child self-report Health-Related Quality of Life Measurement for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25) questionnaire was completed at TP1 and TP3.

    RESULTS: Total of 106 CWE participated in this study (mean age of 13.3 years). Baseline (TP1) AKA was rated "very low to moderate" for awareness domain in 95.3 %, "very low to moderate" for knowledge domain in 67 %, "negative to indifferent" for attitude domain in 54.7 %, and "very poor to moderate' for total AKA score domain in 84 %. "Positive to very positive" for child attitude domain was significantly associated with parents with "positive to very positive" for attitude domain (OR 10.6, 95 % CI 3.23-34.66). "Good to excellent" for total child AKA domain was significantly associated with parents with "Good to excellent" for total AKA domain (OR 5.2, 95 % CI 1.16-15.02) and with 

    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  19. Zreaqat M, Hassan R, Samsudin AR, Alforaidi S
    Eur J Pediatr, 2023 Dec;182(12):5501-5510.
    PMID: 37777602 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05226-3
    Twin-block appliance had been advocated as a potential treatment option in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) due to their favourable effect in enhancing upper airway parameters and improving OSA symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of twin-block appliance therapy on upper airway parameters/dimensions and the apnoea-hypopnea indexes (AHIs) in OSA children with class II mandibular retrognathic skeletal malocclusion using cone-beam computed tomography. This prospective longitudinal study comprised 34 polysomnography-proven OSA growing children with class II mandibular retrognathic skeletal malocclusion between the ages of 8 and 12 years who had completed myofunctional twin-block therapy and matched corresponding controls. The upper airway was segmented into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, and the effect of twin-bock treatment on upper airway parameters/dimensions was assessed pre- and posttreatment using CBCT analysis, while a second standard overnight PSG was performed to determine changes in the AHI. At the nasopharynx level, minimal (nonsignificant) increases in all variables were observed within the twin-block group and between the groups (P > 0.05). At the level of the oropharynx, all variables increased significantly in the treatment group and between groups (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
  20. Bal PK, Nah SA, Wan Mohamad Noor WMR, Md Nor MT, Singaravel S, Tan WS, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2023 Dec;45(3):457-462.
    PMID: 38155386
    Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) is a congenital disorder causing severe constipation in infants and children. Suction rectal biopsy (SRB) is the preferred technique for obtaining tissue samples for histopathological evaluation. In low-resource settings like Malaysia, cost-effective diagnostic approaches are necessary, making single sample SRB valuable. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and sufficiency of a single macroscopically adequate sample in suction rectal biopsies for the histopathological confirmation of HD. We conducted a retrospective study of children who underwent suction rectal biopsies for the diagnosis of HD at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZII), Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A total of 68 patients were included in the study. The inadequacy rate for bedside SRB was 14%, comparable to current literature. Our study found no statistically significant association between sample inadequacy and gestational age, gender, birth weight, or weight at biopsy. Complication rates were 0%, consistent with literature reports. Calretinin staining, an additional technique, was performed in 23 biopsy episodes, with a 4.3% inadequacy rate, compared to 20% in specimens not subjected to calretinin staining. The cost of SRB almost doubled with each additional sample taken, significant in low-resource environments. In conclusion, single sample SRBs can be adequately diagnostic and cost-effective in low-resource settings, providing valuable insights for healthcare facilities in Malaysia and other developing countries. The use of adjunctive techniques such as calretinin staining may improve diagnostic accuracy while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prospective Studies
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