METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a systematic random sampling method in hypertensive patients who attended two government primary care clinics in Sarawak. The STOP-Bang questionnaire was used to screen for OSA, and social-demographic data was captured with a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the determinants of the OSA.
RESULTS: A total of 410 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of study population patients was 56.4 years, with more than half being female. The mean blood pressure was 136/82. The prevalence of probable OSA among patients with hypertension was 54.4%. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, smoking (odds ratio [OR] 14.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.335-61.947), retirees (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.675-6.113), and being Chinese (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.262-3.863) had a significant positive association with probable OSA.
CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high prevalence of probable OSA among patients with hypertension, primary care physicians should be more vigilant in identifying hypertensive patients with OSA risk. Early detection and intervention would reduce disease complications and healthcare costs.
AIMS: To test whether functional and dysfunctional impulsivity act as mediators between Dark Triad traits and cyberbullying perpetration.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online study was conducted, in which a sample of 141 university students (63% male) from Malaysia were recruited by online and local poster advertising inviting them to complete a questionnaire containing a series of psychometric scales, including measures of 'Dark Triad' personality traits, impulsivity and cyberbullying perpetration.
RESULTS: A relationship between cyberbullying perpetration and higher psychopathy scale scores was mediated by dysfunctional, but not functional, impulsivity. The relationship between cyberbullying and narcissism scores was not mediated by impulsivity. Higher Machiavellianism scores were similarly associated with cyberbullying, but there was no correlation at all between Machiavellianism and impulsivity scores.
CONCLUSION: Our findings add to the literature by showing that not only Dark Triad scale scores are associated with cyberbullying, but that difficulty in refraining from or controlling impulsive behaviours (dysfunctional impulsivity) may be a key component in this relationship. Given that our sample was of generally well-functioning people, our findings may not extend to those with serious cyberbullying problems. Yet, they provide avenues for identifying people at risk of such behaviours before problems become well-established and call for more nuanced approaches towards understanding and intervening with problematic cyberbullying.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the duration and frequency of betel quid chewing behaviour on periodontitis severity and the life quality of people in Tanini Village, Kupang Regency, Indonesia.
METHODS: The type of this study was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. We used a questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic data. Oral Health Survey Basic Methods were used to measure debris index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, loss of attachment, and pocket depth. Behaviour and quality of life were measured by questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF method as well.
RESULTS: The largest number of respondents were male. Duration of chewing had a significant relationship with the frequency of chewing and periodontal status. Periodontitis was higher compared to all categories. The lifestyle of the community greatly influenced their behaviour in betel nut chewing and also affected the severity of their periodontitis and OHIs significantly.
CONCLUSION: The lifestyle of betel nut chewing of the people in Tanini Village, greatly influences their behaviour. Prolonged and excessive use of betel nut induced significant adverse effects on human health. The longer and more often chew betel or areca nut, the higher the incidence of periodontitis, which significantly affects the quality of life as there is a possibility of the development of carcinogenesis, particularly in the oral cavity.
METHOD: Based on a preregistered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42021239635), PubMed, Web of Knowledge/Science, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and APA PsycInfo databases were searched until April 21, 2021, to identify empirical studies reporting indices of autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in youths meeting DSM (version III, IV, IV-TR, 5 or 5-TR) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (version 9 or 10) criteria for any psychopathological/neurodevelopmental condition and assessed for ED with a validated scale. Eligible outcomes included correlation coefficients between ED and ANS measures or differences in ANS measures between youths with and without ED. Study quality was assessed with the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were used for data synthesis.
RESULTS: There were 12 studies (1,016 participants) included in the descriptive review and 9 studies (567 participants) included in the meta-analyses. No evidence of a significant association between ED and altered cardiac or electrodermal functioning was found. However, exploratory meta-regressions suggested a possible association between reduced resting-state cardiac vagal control and increased ED.
CONCLUSION: This study did not find evidence of an association between ED and autonomic dysfunction. However, preliminary evidence that reduced vagal control at rest might be a transdiagnostic marker of ED in young people was found. Additional studies comparing autonomic measures in youths with and without ED are needed and should also assess the effects of interventions for ED on ANS functioning.
STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Is Autonomic Nervous System Functioning Atypical in Children and Adolescents With Emotional Dysregulation? https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; CRD42021239635.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using validated modified-communication tools; Patient Communication Assessment Instruments (PCAI), Student Communication Assessment Instruments (SCAI) and Clinical Communication Assessment Instruments (CCAI) which included four communication domains. One hundred and seventy-six undergraduate clinical year students were recruited in this study whereby each of them was assessed by a clinical instructor and a randomly selected patient in two settings: Dental Health Education (DHE) and Comprehensive Care (CC) clinic.
RESULTS: Comparing the three perspectives, PCAI yielded the highest scores across all domains, followed by SCAI and CCAI (p
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2022 in a School for Special Needs in Malang City, East Java Province, Indonesia. The pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) and Institutional and Family Support questionnaire were used to measure the HRQoL and support perceived by parents of children with ASD. We analyzed each component of the PedsQL and the Institutional and Family Support questionnaire. The independent T-test was performed to analyze the association between HRQoL and perceived support by parents of children with ASD.
FINDINGS: The results showed that most participants (72.7%) were women aged 40. As many as 69.39% of participants had more than one child, and 16.33% declared they had other children who experienced the same problem (special needs children). This study indicated that the average health-related quality of life score in children with ASD was 57.41 (9.418). The finding of this study showed a significant mean difference in HRQoL scores in children with ASD who received high institutional and family support compared to those who had low (p = 0.028, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -11.071 to 0.664).
CONCLUSION: Institutional support positively impacts children with ASD's quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to improve the adequacy of support felt by families while caring for children with ASD.
METHODS: The cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted from September 2020 to June 2021 after approval from the research ethics committee of Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and comprised student-athletes of either gender aged 18 years or above at various universities across Pakistan and who played contact or collision sports for their universities. Data was collected using the Urdu version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey-Student Version. Data was also gathered about the participants' self-reported exposure to formal concussion education, previous sport-related concussion history, and reporting behaviours, where applicable. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
RESULTS: Of the 369 participants, 224(60.7%) were males and 145(39.3%) were females. The overall mean age was 19.95±1.75 years. Among the participants, 327(88.6%) had not received formal concussion education. The mean knowledge score was 12.76±2.73 out of a possible 25 points, and the mean attitude score was 38.63±10.30 out of 75 points. Knowledge had a weak positive correlation with attitude towards sport-related concussions SRC (p<0.05). Females displayed better attitudes towards sport-related concussions than their male counterparts (p<0.05). Overall, 126(34%) participants had experienced sport-related concussion symptoms following a blow to the head in the preceding 12 months, and 81(64.3%) of them had continued playing while being symptomatic.
CONCLUSION: Pakistani university student-athletes lacked adequate concussion knowledge and held poor attitudes towards sport-related concussions.
OBJECTIVE: Currently there is limited evidence and guidance on the management of mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and asymptomatic spinal cord compression (ASCC). Anecdotal evidence suggest variance in clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to assess current practice and to quantify the variability in clinical practice.
METHODS: Spinal surgeons and some additional health professionals completed a web-based survey distributed by email to members of AO Spine and the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) North American Society. Questions captured experience with DCM, frequency of DCM patient encounters, and standard of practice in the assessment of DCM. Further questions assessed the definition and management of mild DCM, and the management of ASCC.
RESULTS: A total of 699 respondents, mostly surgeons, completed the survey. Every world region was represented in the responses. Half (50.1%, n = 359) had greater than 10 years of professional experience with DCM. For mild DCM, standardised follow-up for non-operative patients was reported by 488 respondents (69.5%). Follow-up included a heterogeneous mix of investigations, most often at 6-month intervals (32.9%, n = 158). There was some inconsistency regarding which clinical features would cause a surgeon to counsel a patient towards surgery. Practice for ASCC aligned closely with mild DCM. Finally, there were some contradictory definitions of mild DCM provided in the form of free text.
CONCLUSIONS: Professionals typically offer outpatient follow up for patients with mild DCM and/or asymptomatic ASCC. However, what this constitutes varies widely. Further research is needed to define best practice and support patient care.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: A cross-sectional online survey involving second-year pharmacy students of Monash Malaysia (MA) and Monash Australia (PA) campuses was conducted. The survey consisted of 15 Likert-scale multiple-choice questions and an open-ended question. Data were analysed statistically.
FINDINGS: Students at both MA and PA campuses were satisfied with the remote online learning experienced during the pandemic but indicated a preference for a blended learning approach. Students at the MA campus felt that on-campus face-to-face classes were more engaging and advantageous for their learning and skills development (P
AIM: We compare the two phenotype assessment methods with each other.
METHOD: Skin sagging and personal lifestyle data obtained from 2885 ethnic Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort were collated and compared.
RESULTS: Significant correlations (p-value
OBJECTIVES: Two independent cross-sectional studies were designed to evaluate the association between age, sex, and plasma vitamin D concentrations with physiological and biochemical biomarkers of NO synthesis and EF in young and older healthy participants (Study 1) and in overweight and obese postmenopausal females (Study 2).
METHODS: In Study 1, 40 young (20-49 y) and older (50-75 y) males and females (10 participants per age and sex group) were included. Resting blood pressure and ear-to-finger peripheral pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. A stable-isotopic method was used to determine whole-body NO production. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), nitrate, nitrite, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations were determined. In Study 2, 80 older overweight and obese females (age 61.2 ± 6.2 y, body mass index 29.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2) were recruited. Postocclusion reactive hyperemia (PORH) and peripheral PWV were measured. Plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D, nitrate, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and ADMA were determined.
RESULTS: In Study 1, whole-body NO production was significantly greater in young compared with older participants (0.61 ± 0.30 μmol·h-1·kg-1 compared with 0.39 ± 0.10 μmol·h-1·kg-1, P = 0.01) but there was no evidence of a sex difference (P = 0.81). Plasma 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with PWV (r = 0.18, P = 0.28) or whole-body NO production (r = -0.20, P = 0.22). Plasma ADMA concentration was associated positively with age (r = 0.35, P = 0.03) and negatively with whole-body NO production (r = -0.33, P = 0.04). In Study 2, age was associated with lower PORH (r = -0.28, P = 0.02) and greater ADMA concentrations (r = 0.22, P = 0.04). Plasma 25(OH)D concentration was inversely associated with 3-NT concentrations (r = -0.31, P = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS: Older age was associated with lower whole-body NO production. Plasma vitamin D concentrations were not associated with NO production or markers of EF but showed a weak, significant correlation with oxidative stress in postmenopausal overweight females.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, data on mechanical ventilation and clinical outcomes were collected. Predictors of mortality were analyzed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression. A scoring system was generated to predict 28-day mortality.
RESULTS: A total of 1408 patients were enrolled. In 138 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 65.9% were on a tidal volume ≤ 8 ml/kg predicted body weight (PBW), and 71.3% were on sufficient PEEP. In 1270 patients without ARDS, 88.8% were on a tidal volume ≤ 10 ml/kg PBW. A plateau pressure
METHODS: This protocol was drafted in agreement with the ROBUST-statement, and is submitted for publication before database lock and primary data analysis. The primary outcome is health-related quality of life as measured by the EQ-5D-5L health utility score and is longitudinally assessed. Secondary outcomes comprise the 6-min walking test and handgrip strength over the entire follow-up period (longitudinal analyses), and 60-day mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and EQ-5D-5L health utility scores at 30, 90 and 180 days (cross-sectional). All analyses will primarily be performed under weakly informative priors. When available, informative priors elicited from contemporary literature will also be incorporated under alternative scenarios. In all other cases, objectively formulated skeptical and enthusiastic priors will be defined to assess the robustness of our results. Relevant identified subgroups were: patients with acute kidney injury, severe multi-organ failure and patients with or without sepsis. Results will be presented as absolute risk differences, mean differences, and odds ratios, with accompanying 95% credible intervals. Posterior probabilities will be estimated for clinically important benefit and harm.
DISCUSSION: The proposed secondary, pre-planned Bayesian analysis of the PRECISe trial will provide additional information on the effects of high protein on functional and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, such as probabilistic interpretation, probabilities of clinically important effect sizes, and the integration of prior evidence. As such, it will complement the interpretation of the primary outcome as well as several secondary and subgroup analyses.
METHODS: Young Chinese adults recruited from Singapore in the Singapore/Malaysia Cross-Sectional Genetic Epidemiology Study (SMCGES) were analyzed. We used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol and a skin prick test to determine atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma status. Information regarding total sleep time (TST) and sleep quality (SQ) was also obtained.
RESULTS: Of 1558 participants with a mean age of 25.0 years (SD = 7.6), 61.4% were female, and the mean total sleep time (TST) was 6.8 h (SD = 1.1). The proportions of AD, AR, and asthma were 24.5% (393/1542), 36.4% (987/1551), and 14.7% (227/1547), respectively. 59.8% (235/393) of AD cases suffered from AD-related sleep disturbances, 37.1% (209/564) of AR cases suffered from AR-related sleep disturbances, and 25.1% (57/227) of asthma cases suffered from asthma-related sleep disturbances. Only asthma cases showed a significantly lower mean TST than those without asthma (p = 0.015). Longer TST was significantly associated with lower odds of AR (OR = 0.905, 95% CI = 0.820-0.999) and asthma (OR = 0.852, 95% CI = 0.746-0.972). Linear regression analyses showed that lower TST was significantly associated with asthma (β = - 0.18, SE = 0.076, p-value = 0.017), and AR when adjusted for AR-related sleep disturbances (β = - 0.157, SE = 0.065, p-value = 0.016). Only sleep disturbances due to AR were significantly associated with a poorer SQ (OR = 1.962, 95% CI = 1.245-3.089).
CONCLUSIONS: We found that sleep quality, but not sleep duration was significantly poorer among AD cases, although the exact direction of influence could not be determined. In consideration of the literature coupled with our findings, we posit that TST influences allergic rhinitis rather than vice versa. Finally, the association between TST and asthma is likely mediated by asthma-related sleep disturbances, since mean TST was significantly lower among those with nighttime asthma symptoms. Future studies could consider using objective sleep measurements coupled with differential expression analysis to investigate the pathophysiology of sleep and allergic diseases.
OBJECTIVE: This research aims to determine factors influencing students' behavioural intention to use Rain Classroom.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional and correlational investigation, 1138 medical students from five medical universities in Guangxi Province, China, made up the sample. This study added self-efficacy (SE), motivation (MO), stress (ST), and anxiety (AN) to the UTAUT framework. This study modified the framework by excluding actual usage variables and focusing only on intention determinants. SPSS-26 and AMOS-26 were used to analyze the data. The structural equation modelling technique was chosen to confirm the hypotheses.
RESULTS: Except for facilitating conditions (FC), all proposed factors, including performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), self-efficacy (SE), motivation (MO), anxiety (AN), and stress (ST), had a significant effect on students' behavioural intentions to use Rain Classroom.
CONCLUSIONS: The research revealed that the proposed model, which was based on the UTAUT, is excellent at identifying the variables that influence students' behavioural intentions in the Rain Classroom. Higher education institutions can plan and implement productive classrooms.