Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 167 in total

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  1. A climate distribution model of malaria transmission in Sudan
    Musa MI, Shohaimi S, Hashim NR, Krishnarajah I
    Geospat Health, 2012 Nov;7(1):27-36.
    PMID: 23242678
    Malaria remains a major health problem in Sudan. With a population exceeding 39 million, there are around 7.5 million cases and 35,000 deaths every year. The predicted distribution of malaria derived from climate factors such as maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall and relative humidity was compared with the actual number of malaria cases in Sudan for the period 2004 to 2010. The predictive calculations were done by fuzzy logic suitability (FLS) applied to the numerical distribution of malaria transmission based on the life cycle characteristics of the Anopheles mosquito accounting for the impact of climate factors on malaria transmission. This information is visualized as a series of maps (presented in video format) using a geographical information systems (GIS) approach. The climate factors were found to be suitable for malaria transmission in the period of May to October, whereas the actual case rates of malaria were high from June to November indicating a positive correlation. While comparisons between the prediction model for June and the case rate model for July did not show a high degree of association (18%), the results later in the year were better, reaching the highest level (55%) for October prediction and November case rate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  2. Fulltext Environmental tobacco smoke and stress as risk factors for miscarriage and preterm births
    Arffin F, Al-Bayaty FH, Hassan J
    Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2012 Nov;286(5):1187-91.
    PMID: 22718098 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-012-2417-0
    BACKGROUND: Exposure of pregnant women to environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to be associated with low birth weight. Many studies have suggested that stress have a role in the etiology of preterm birth.

    AIMS: This study carried out from June 2008 to March 2009 to find the relation between environmental tobacco smoke, stress and miscarriage and preterm births.

    METHODS: A total of 33 subjects consisted of multiparous pregnant women that were in their early third trimester were chosen for this investigation. Subjects were divided into test group women with adverse pregnancy outcome, control group women with successful pregnancy. Four ml of unstimulated whole saliva were collected. The concentrations of cotinine and cortisol were evaluated using commercially available ELISA kit.

    RESULTS: Pregnancies in which the average standardized cortisol during history of previous miscarriage(s) which occurred within 6th-27th week or/and history of preterm labor which occurred within 28th-36th weeks of gestation, demonstrated higher cortisol level (1.0201 ± 0.1855 ng/ml) compared to control group 0.9757 ± 0.2860 ng/ml (P = 0.323); statistical analysis showed no significant differences. Women of control group were more likely to be environmental tobacco smoke exposed (1.2714 ± 1.7639 ng/ml) than women with miscarriage and preterm births (0.9889 ± 0.5498 ng/ml).

    CONCLUSION: The results from this primarily study demonstrated no association between cotinine, cortisol, miscarriage and preterm births.

    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  3. Gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus
    Tan PC, Aziz AZ, Ismail IS, Omar SZ
    Clin Biochem, 2012 Oct;45(15):1192-6.
    PMID: 22659058 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2012.05.025
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine transaminases (ALT) and aspartate transaminases (AST) levels and prevalent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
    DESIGN AND METHODS: Random plasma glucose, GGT, ALT and AST and the 50-g glucose challenge test were done on antenatal women followed by diagnostic 3-point 75-g oral glucose tolerance test within two weeks. GDM was diagnosed by ADA (2011) criteria.
    RESULTS: The GDM rate was 12.2% (319/2610). Mean GGT level was higher in GDM women, 18 ± 12 vs. 16 ± 11 IU/L; P=0.03. The risk for GDM was higher for women in the highest GGT quartile band compared to the lowest: RR 1.35 95%CI 1.0-1.8; P=0.04. However, after adjustment for confounders, GGT was no longer associated with GDM. There was no correlation between ALT and AST levels and GDM.
    CONCLUSIONS: Liver transaminases do not predict GDM in contrast to type 2 diabetes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  4. Clinical significance of plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA loads in a large cohort of Malaysian patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Chai SJ, Pua KC, Saleh A, Yap YY, Lim PV, Subramaniam SK, et al.
    J Clin Virol, 2012 Sep;55(1):34-9.
    PMID: 22739102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.05.017
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated cancer that is the fifth most common cancer in Malaysia. Early and accurate diagnoses are critical for patient prognosis. Unfortunately, early detection of NPC is still a challenge and the cost of more accurate imaging protocols is prohibitive in developing countries like Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  5. Genotoxicity of heavy metals to the larvae of Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga after short-term exposure
    Al-Shami SA, Rawi CS, Ahmad AH, Nor SA
    Toxicol Ind Health, 2012 Sep;28(8):734-9.
    PMID: 22025505 DOI: 10.1177/0748233711422729
    The genotoxic effects of increasing concentrations (below lethal concentration [LC₅₀]) of cadmium ([Cd] 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L), copper ([Cu] 0.2, 2 and 20 mg/L) and zinc ([Zn] 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/L) on Chironomus kiiensis were evaluated using alkaline comet assay after exposure for 24 h. Both the tail moment and the olive tail moment showed significant differences between the control and different concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05). The highest concentration of Cd was associated with higher DNA damage to C. kiiensis larvae compared with Cu and Zn. The potential genotoxicity of these metals to C. kiiensis was Cd > Cu > Zn.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  6. An agar diffusion study comparing the antimicrobial activity of Nanoseal with some other endodontic sealers
    Aal-Saraj AB, Ariffin Z, Masudi SM
    Aust Endod J, 2012 Aug;38(2):60-3.
    PMID: 22827817 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-4477.2010.00241.x
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a new experimental nano-hydroxyapatite epoxy resin-based sealer (Nanoseal) with several other commercially available sealers; AH26, Tubliseal, Sealapex and Roekoseal against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Escherichia coli for up to 7 days. Agar diffusion was used in this study. Fifty Muller-Hinton agar plates were prepared and divided into five experimental groups (n = 10), for each micro-organism. Another 10 agar plates were used as positive and negative controls. Endodontic sealers were tested against each micro-organism. Inhibition zones produced were recorded. The results of this study showed that all test materials exhibited inhibition zones towards the tested micro-organisms for 7 days except for Roekoseal, which showed no inhibition zones. Nanoseal and AH26 exhibited similar zones of inhibition. Significant difference was found between Nanoseal and the other tested sealers (P < 0.001).
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  7. Serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and total calcium levels predict the calcaneal speed of sound in men
    Chin KY, Soelaiman IN, Mohamed IN, Ngah WZ
    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2012 Aug;67(8):911-6.
    PMID: 22948459
    OBJECTIVES: Variations in sex hormones and the calcium balance can influence bone health in men. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the calcaneal speed of sound and biochemical determinants of bone mass, such as sex hormones, parathyroid hormones and serum calcium.

    METHODS: Data from 549 subjects from the Malaysian Aging Male Study, which included Malay and Chinese men aged 20 years and older residing in the Klang Valley, were used for analysis. The subjects' calcaneal speed of sound was measured, and their blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Two sets of multiple regression models were generated for the total/bioavailable testosterone and estradiol to avoid multicollinearity.

    RESULTS: The multiple regression results revealed that bioavailable testosterone and serum total calcium were significant predictors of the calcaneal speed of sound in the adjusted model. After adjustment for ethnicity and body mass index, only bioavailable testosterone remained significant; the total serum calcium was marginally insignificant. In a separate model, the total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin were significant predictors, whereas the total serum calcium was marginally insignificant. After adjustment for ethnicity and body mass index (BMI), the significance persisted for total testosterone and SHBG. After further adjustment for age, none of the serum biochemical determinants was a significant predictor of the calcaneal speed of sound.

    CONCLUSION: There is a significant age-dependent relationship between the calcaneal speed of sound and total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin in Chinese and Malay men in Malaysia. The relationship between total serum calcium and calcaneal speed of sound is ethnicity-dependent.

    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  8. Body mass index of married Bangladeshi women: trends and association with socio-demographic factors
    Hossain MG, Bharati P, Aik S, Lestrel PE, Abeer A, Kamarul T
    J Biosoc Sci, 2012 Jul;44(4):385-99.
    PMID: 22340969 DOI: 10.1017/S002193201200003X
    Body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator of nutritional status in a population. In underdeveloped countries like Bangladesh, this indicator provides a method that can assist intervention to help eradicate many preventable diseases. This study aimed to report on changes in the BMI of married Bangladeshi women who were born in the past three decades and its association with socio-demographic factors. Data for 10,115 married and currently non-pregnant Bangladeshi women were extracted from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The age range of the sample was 15-49 years. The mean BMI was 20.85 ± 3.66 kg/m(2), and a decreasing tendency in BMI was found among birth year cohorts from 1972 to 1992. It was found that the proportion of underweight females has been increasing in those born during the last 20 years of the study period (1972 to 1992). Body mass index increased with increasing age, education level of the woman and her husband, wealth index, age at first marriage and age at first delivery, and decreased with increasing number of ever-born children. Lower BMI was especially pronounced among women who were living in rural areas, non-Muslims, employed women, women not living with their husbands (separated) or those who had delivered at home or non-Caesarean delivery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  9. Fulltext General Public Expectation from the Communication Process with their Healthcare Providers
    Hassali M, Shafie A, Khan T
    J Young Pharm, 2012 Jul;4(3):193-8.
    PMID: 23112539 DOI: 10.4103/0975-1483.100028
    The current study aimed to explore the public views and expectation about a successful communication process between the healthcare providers/physicians and patients in Penang Island, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Penang Island using a 14-item questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 15.0(®) were used to analyze the collected data. A nonparametric statistics was applied; the Chi-square test was applied to measure the association among the variables. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of N (500) respondents have shown willingness to participate in the study with a response rate of 83.3%. The majority 319 (63.9%) have disclosed to communicate with their healthcare providers in the Malay language and about 401 (80.4%) of the respondents were found satisfied with the information provided by the physician. It was a common expectation by the most of the sample to focus more on the patient history before prescribing any medicine. Moreover, about 60.0% of the respondents expected that the healthcare providers must show patience to the patient's queries. The level of satisfaction with the information shared by the healthcare providers was higher among the respondents with a higher education level. Furthermore, patients with higher level of education expect that physician shouldwell understand their views and medical history to prescribe a better therapeutic regimen.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  10. Knowledge of, attitudes toward, and barriers to participation of colorectal cancer screening tests in the Asia-Pacific region: a multicenter study
    Koo JH, Leong RW, Ching J, Yeoh KG, Wu DC, Murdani A, et al.
    Gastrointest Endosc, 2012 Jul;76(1):126-35.
    PMID: 22726471 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2012.03.168
    BACKGROUND: The rapid increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Asia-Pacific region in the past decade has resulted in recommendations to implement mass CRC screening programs. However, the knowledge of screening and population screening behaviors between countries is largely lacking.
    OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, international study investigated the association of screening test participation with knowledge of, attitudes toward, and barriers to CRC and screening tests in different cultural and sociopolitical contexts.
    METHODS: Person-to-person interviews by using a standardized survey instrument were conducted with subjects from 14 Asia-Pacific countries/regions to assess the prevailing screening participation rates, knowledge of and attitudes toward and barriers to CRC and screening tests, intent to participate, and cues to action. Independent predictors of the primary endpoint, screening participation was determined from subanalyses performed for high-, medium-, and low-participation countries.
    RESULTS: A total of 7915 subjects (49% male, 37.8% aged 50 years and older) were recruited. Of the respondents aged 50 years and older, 809 (27%) had undergone previous CRC testing; the Philippines (69%), Australia (48%), and Japan (38%) had the highest participation rates, whereas India (1.5%), Malaysia (3%), Indonesia (3%), Pakistan (7.5%), and Brunei (13.7%) had the lowest rates. Physician recommendation and knowledge of screening tests were significant predictors of CRC test uptake. In countries with low-test participation, lower perceived access barriers and higher perceived severity were independent predictors of participation. Respondents from low-participation countries had the least knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, and tests and reported the lowest physician recommendation rates. "Intent to undergo screening" and "perceived need for screening" was positively correlated in most countries; however, this was offset by financial and access barriers.
    LIMITATIONS: Ethnic heterogeneity may exist in each country that was not addressed. In addition, the participation tests and physician recommendation recalls were self-reported.
    CONCLUSIONS: In the Asia-Pacific region, considerable differences were evident in the participation of CRC tests, physician recommendations, and knowledge of, attitudes toward, and barriers to CRC screening. Physician recommendation was the uniform predictor of screening behavior in all countries. Before implementing mass screening programs, improving awareness of CRC and promoting the physicians' role are necessary to increase the screening participation rates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  11. Steroid injection versus NSAID injection for trigger finger: a comparative study of early outcomes
    Shakeel H, Ahmad TS
    J Hand Surg Am, 2012 Jul;37(7):1319-23.
    PMID: 22721455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.03.040
    Stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon sheath of the digits of the hand results from a discrepancy between the diameter of the flexor tendon and its sheath at the A1 pulley. The treatment options for trigger digits include oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and local NSAID applications, splintage, steroid injection, and percutaneous and open release of the A1 pulley. Injectable NSAID is used intramuscularly and locally in other sites. The hypothesis is that an injectable NSAID is as effective as the traditionally used steroid injection in the treatment of trigger digit, based on Quinnell grading, and that the treatment works as well in patients with diabetes as in those without diabetes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  12. ALEXIS O-Ring wound retractor vs conventional wound protection for the prevention of surgical site infections in colorectal resections(1)
    Cheng KP, Roslani AC, Sehha N, Kueh JH, Law CW, Chong HY, et al.
    Colorectal Dis, 2012 Jun;14(6):e346-51.
    PMID: 22568647 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2012.02943.x
    Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a common postoperative morbidity, particularly in colorectal resections, and poses a significant financial burden to the healthcare system. The omission of mechanical bowel preparation, as is performed in enhanced recovery after surgery programmes, appears to further increase the incidence. Various wound protection methods have been devised to reduce the incidence of SSIs. However, there are few randomized controlled trials assessing their efficacy. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ALEXIS wound retractors with reinforced O-rings are superior to conventional wound protection methods in preventing SSIs in colorectal resections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  13. Management of diarrhoea cases by community pharmacies in 3 cities of Pakistan
    Hussain A, Ibrahim MI
    East Mediterr Health J, 2012 Jun;18(6):635-40.
    PMID: 22888622
    Community pharmacies are valued for their potential role in the management of common ailments. This cross-sectional study aimed to document the management of diarrhoea by community pharmacies in 3 cities in Pakistan. Visits were performed to 371 randomly selected pharmacies to request advice for a simulated paediatric case of diarrhoea. The pharmacy's management was scored on a checklist including history taking and provision of advice and information. Customers were served by a salesperson in 97.3% of visits and by a pharmacist in only 2.2%. Medication was dispensed in 77.1% of visits. Of the medications dispensed, 58.7% were antiamoebics, 14.0% antibiotics and 18.9% antidiarrhoeals; only 8.4% were oral rehydration salts. None of the regimens matched with a standard prescription. The dosage regimen was explained to the customer in only 52.6% of cases. Drug safety, unqualified personnel, lack of history taking, inappropriate treatment and lack of counselling are concerns to be addressed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  14. Fulltext Somatisation disorder and its associated factors in multiethnic primary care clinic attenders
    Khoo EM, Mathers NJ, McCarthy SA, Low WY
    Int J Behav Med, 2012 Jun;19(2):165-73.
    PMID: 21562781 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-011-9164-7
    Background Somatisation disorder (SD) has been reported as common in all ethnic groups, but the estimates of its prevalence have varied and the evidence for its associated factors has been inconsistent.
    Purpose This study seeks to determine the prevalence of SD and its associated factors in multiethnic primary care clinic attenders.
    Methods This cross-sectional study was on clinic attenders aged 18 years and above at three urban primary care clinics in Malaysia. The operational definition of SD was based on ICD-10 criteria for SD for research, frequent attendance, and excluded moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The instruments used were the ICD-10 symptom list, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a semi-structured questionnaire, and SF-36.
    Results We recruited 1,763 patients (response rate 63.8%). The mean age of respondents was 44.7±15.8 years, 807 (45.8%) were male; there were 35.3% Malay, 30.1% Chinese and 34.6% Indian. SD prevalence was 3.7%; the prevalence in Malay was 5.8%, Indian 3.0% and Chinese 2.1%. Significant associations were found between SD prevalence and ethnicity, family history of alcoholism, blue-collar workers and the physical component summary (PCS) score of SF-36. Multivariate analysis showed that SD predictors were Malay ethnicity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6, 4.6), blue-collar worker (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2, 3.5) and impaired PCS score of SF-36 (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.90, 0.95).
    Conclusion The prevalence of SD was relatively uncommon with the stringent operational criteria used. SD preponderance in blue-collar workers may be attributable to secondary gain from getting sickness certificates and being paid for time off work.
    Keywords Somatisation disorder . Associated factors . Primary care . Ethnic groups . Prevalence Questionnaire: ICD-10 symptom list; Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale; HADS; SF-36
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  15. Fulltext Prevalence of sleep disordered breathing symptoms among Malay school children in a primary school in Malaysia
    Fadzil Abdullah AA, Jamalludin AR, Norrashidah AW, Norzila MZ, Asiah Kassim K, Rus Anida A, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):181-5.
    PMID: 22822640 MyJurnal
    Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is increasingly being diagnosed in children. However, there is no prevalence study done in Malaysia. The study objective was to evaluate the prevalence of SDB symptoms based on parental reports and associated risk factors among Malay school children aged 6 to 10 years old in a primary school using a translated University Michigan Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (Malay UM-PSQ). The children whose parents responded to the questionnaire and consented were examined, documenting height, weight, skin fold thickness, neck and abdominal circumference, tonsillar size, nostril examination and presence of micrognathia or retrognathia. There were 550 respondents. The prevalence of parental report of SDB symptoms was 14.9 % (95 % CI 11.9, 17.9). Two hundred and eighty-five (51.8%) school children were males with mean age of 8.5 years (SD 1.1). The associated risk factors for SDB symptoms are male, obesity, large neck and waist circumference, positive history of asthma, history of recurrent tonsillitis, enlarged tonsil (> 4+) and enlarged nasal turbinate. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender is the only significant independent risk factor of SDB symptoms
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  16. Fulltext An early single institutional experience in sutureless total thyroidectomy
    Nani Harlina ML, Naqiyah I, Shahrun Niza AS, Jasmi AY, Rohaizak M
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):177-80.
    PMID: 22822639 MyJurnal
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  17. Fulltext Clinicians' knowledge, beliefs and acceptance of intravenous-to-oral antibiotic switching, Hospital Pulau Pinang
    Lee SL, Azmi S, Wong PS
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):190-8.
    PMID: 22822642 MyJurnal
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore clincians' baseline knowledge, practice beliefs and acceptance of intravenous (IV)-to-oral antibiotic switching practice in Hospital Pulau Pinang. The factors most highly rated for antibiotic conversion were the ability to maintain oral intake (85.6%) and microbiology etiology (85.0%). Majority of the clinicians (76%) agreed with the traditional clinical rule that "patient should be afebrile for 24 hours before IV-to-oral switch". Specialists and consultants had the highest knowledge score among the clinicians. However, they were generally less positive about a guideline being integrated into practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  18. Fulltext Changes in salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) following match-play and training among English premiership footballers
    Fredericks S, Fitzgerald L, Shaw G, Holt DW
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):155-8.
    PMID: 22822634
    Decreased salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA), a component of mucosal immunity, is associated with intensive physical activity: suggesting that sIgA may be used for the monitoring of mucosal immunity with footballers. We investigated changes in sIgA in elite footballers, in response to training and match-play. There was a decrease in sIgA following training, with a return to pre-training levels after 18 hours of rest. This return to resting levels was not observed following competitive match-play. Overnight rest was sufficient for mucosal IgA recovery following training but not following two successive matches, suggesting that sIgA may be used to monitor training in multi-sprint sports.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  19. Fulltext Outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in end stage renal disease patients
    Koh KH, Tan C, Hii L, Ong TK, Jong YH
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):173-6.
    PMID: 22822638 MyJurnal
    End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have a much higher rate of cardiac disease and cardiac mortality as compared with the general population. Revascularisation such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may also carry a higher rate of complications and morbidity. We compared our ESRD patients who underwent CABG with the general population and ESRD population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
  20. Dimensional profile of oral mucosa around combined tooth-implant-supported bridgework in macaque mandible
    Siar CH, Toh CG, Ali TB, Seiz D, Ong ST
    Clin Oral Implants Res, 2012 Apr;23(4):438-46.
    PMID: 21435011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.02145.x
    A stable oral mucosa is crucial for long-term survival and biofunctionality of implants. Most of this evidence is derived from clinical and animal studies based solely on implant-supported prosthesis. Much less is known about the dimensions and relationships of this soft tissue complex investing tooth-implant-supported bridgework (TISB). The aim here was to obtain experimental evidence on the dimensional characteristics of oral mucosa around TISB with two different abutment designs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Statistics, Nonparametric
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