Methods: All axSpA patients attending two centres who commenced TNFi between 2002 and 2016 were included. Routinely recorded patient data were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with paired BASDAI at baseline, 3 and/or 6 months were included for analysis. Sub-optimal response was defined as achieving a ≥ 2-point reduction in BASDAI but not BASDAI50, post-treatment BASDAI remaining at ≥4, and in the opinion of the treating physician these patients demonstrated a meaningful clinical response.

Methods: All patients with a physician-verified diagnosis of axSpA attending two specialist centres who fulfilled the eligibility criteria for TNFi were included. Routinely recorded patient data were reviewed retrospectively. Initial TNFi was recorded as the index drug.

Results: Six hundred and fifty-one patients (94% AS) were included; adalimumab (n = 332), etanercept (n = 205), infliximab (n = 51), golimumab (n = 40) and certolizumab pegol (n = 23) were index TNFi. The mean (s.d.) duration from symptom onset to time of diagnosis was 8.6 (8.7) years and mean (s.d.) duration from diagnosis to TNFi initiation was 12.6 (11.5) years. A total of 224 (34.4%) stopped index TNFi, and 105/224 switched to a second TNFi. Median drug survival for index and second TNFi were 10.2 years (95% CI: 8.8, 11.6 years) and 5.5 years (95% CI: 2.7, 8.3 years), respectively (P < 0.05). Survival rates were not influenced by choice of TNFi. HLA-B27 predicted BASDAI50 and/or two or more point reduction within 6 months and long-term drug survival (P < 0.05). Low disease activity was predicted by non-smoking and low baseline BASDAI (P < 0.05).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the University Malaya Medical Centre between 2011 and 2014. Survival times were analysed using the Kaplan- Meier procedure and comparison between groups was done using the log rank test.

RESULTS: The data of 190 patients was analysed. Chronic hepatitis B was the most common aetiology for HCC (43.7%), but a large proportion was cryptogenic or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related (41.6%). Only 11.1% were diagnosed early (BCLC Stage 0-A) while majority were diagnosed at an intermediate stage (BCLC Stage B, 53.7%). The median survival rate was significantly different between the different groups when either of the staging systems was used (p<0.05 for all comparisons). However, the two staging systems lacked agreement (weighted kappa 0.519, 95%CI: 0.449, 0.589) with significant difference in median survival rates between BCLC Stage A and HKLC Stage 2, and between BCLC Stage C and HKLC Stage 4.

Materials and Methods: This study utilized 10 LAB previously isolated from fermented buffalo milk (dadih), fermented fish (budu), and fermented cassava (tape) which have the ability to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid. The study commenced with the screening of LAB for certain properties, such as resistance to acid and bile salts, adhesion to mucosal surface, and antagonism against enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus). The promising isolates were identified through biochemical and gram staining methods.

Results: All isolates in this study were potential novel probiotics. They survived at a pH level of 2.5 for 3 h (55.27-98.18%) and 6 h (50.98-84.91%). Survival in bile at a concentration of 0.3% was 39.90-58.61% and the survival rate was 28.38-52.11% at a concentration of 0.5%. The inhibitory diameter ranged from 8.75 to 11.54 mm for E. coli, 7.02 to 13.42 mm for S. aureus, and 12.49 to 19.00 mm for S. Enteritidis. All the isolates (84.5-92%) exhibited the ability to adhere to mucosal surfaces. This study revealed that all the isolates were potential probiotics but N16 proved to be superior because it was viable at a pH level of 2 (84.91%) and it had a good survival rate in bile salts assay (55.07%). This isolate was identified as Lactobacillus spp., Gram-positive bacilli bacteria, and tested negative in both the catalase and oxidase tests.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 women from three different government health clinics in Kuantan and IIUM Family Health Clinic from February to April 2018. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic factors and knowledge of breast cancer and its effect on the behavioral adoption of BSE.

Results: Significant difference was found between socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral adoption of BSE. However, only breast screening and the best time for screening were found to be significant with the behavioral adoption of BSE and knowledge of breast cancer.