METHODS: We employed a methodical bibliometric approach, making use of Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases for gathering literatures. We planned our search strategy, concentrating on terms linked to "breast imaging," "image quality," and "diagnostic accuracy" to ensure a systematic examination of the subject. The enhanced search functions in these databases enabled us to narrow down and improve our findings, choosing only the articles, conference papers, and book sections that are most relevant. After conducting a thorough screening process to remove duplicates and evaluate significance, we utilized ScientoPy and VOSviewer software for an in-depth bibliometric analysis. This helped to explore trends in publications, patterns of citations, and thematic groups, giving us a better understanding of how the field has changed and where it currently stands. Our approach prioritized assessing methodological quality and bias in the studies we included, guaranteeing the reliability of our findings.
RESULTS: We reviewed 2984 relevant publications, revealing a consistent annual growth rate of 2.8% in breast imaging research, with the United States and Europe leading in contributions. The study found that advancements in radiological technologies and international collaboration are driving forces behind the field's expansion. Key subject areas such as 'Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Imaging' dominated, underscoring their impact on diagnostic quality. Notable authors and institutions have been identified for their influential research, characterized by high citation metrics and significant scholarly impact.
CONCLUSION: The study shows a continuous increase in research on breast imaging, considered by new technologies and teamwork defining the present time. The assessment highlights a key move towards utilizing digital imaging methods and computational analysis, affecting the improvement of future diagnostic procedures and patients' results. The study highlights the importance of continued international collaborations to tackle the new barriers in breast imaging and make the most of technological progress.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study shows a focus on using interdisciplinary methods and cutting-edge technology in breast imaging to help healthcare professionals improve their performance and accuracy in diagnosis. Recognizing vital research and emerging trends should guide clinical guidelines, radiology training, and patient care plans to encourage the use of effective techniques and stimulate innovation in diagnostic approaches.
METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO), and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for all randomized control trials, comparing LC alone or in combination with other standard treatments for the treatment of PCOS from inception till June 2021. We independently screened titles and abstracts to identify available trials, and complete texts of the trials were checked for eligibility. Data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias from the included trials were independently extracted by the authors. The estimation of risk ratios and mean differences with a 95 percent confidence interval (CI) was performed using a random-effects model.
RESULTS: Nine studies with 995 participants were included in this review. Five comparison groups were involved. In one comparison group, LC reduced the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (mean differences (MD) -5.10, 95% CI [-6.25 to -3.95]; P = 0.00001), serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (MD -25.00, 95% CI [-27.93 to -22.07]; P = 0.00001), serum total cholesterol (MD -21.00, 95% CI [-24.14 to -17.86]; P = 0.00001), and serum triglyceride (TG) (MD -9.00, 95% CI [-11.46 to -6.54]; P = 0.00001) with moderate certainty of evidence. Another comparison group demonstrated that LC lowers the LDL (MD -12.00, 95% CI [-15.80 to -8.20]; P = 0.00001), serum total cholesterol (MD -24.00, 95% CI [-27.61 to -20.39]; P = 0.00001), and serum TG (MD -19.00, 95% CI [-22.79 to -15.21]; P = 0.00001) with moderate certainty of evidence.
CONCLUSION: There was low to moderate certainty of evidence that LC improves Body Mass Index (BMI) and serum LDL, TG, and total cholesterol levels in women with PCOS.
AIM: To compare the quality of CT brain images produced by a fixed CT scanner and a portable CT scanner (CereTom).
METHODS: This work was a single-centre retrospective study of CT brain images from 112 neurosurgical patients. Hounsfield units (HUs) of the images from CereTom were measured for air, water and bone. Three assessors independently evaluated the images from the fixed CT scanner and CereTom. Streak artefacts, visualisation of lesions and grey-white matter differentiation were evaluated at three different levels (centrum semiovale, basal ganglia and middle cerebellar peduncles). Each evaluation was scored 1 (poor), 2 (average) or 3 (good) and summed up to form an ordinal reading of 3 to 9.
RESULTS: HUs for air, water and bone from CereTom were within the recommended value by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Streak artefact evaluation scores for the fixed CT scanner was 8.54 versus 7.46 (Z = -5.67) for CereTom at the centrum semiovale, 8.38 (SD = 1.12) versus 7.32 (SD = 1.63) at the basal ganglia and 8.21 (SD = 1.30) versus 6.97 (SD = 2.77) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. Grey-white matter differentiation showed scores of 8.27 (SD = 1.04) versus 7.21 (SD = 1.41) at the centrum semiovale, 8.26 (SD = 1.07) versus 7.00 (SD = 1.47) at the basal ganglia and 8.38 (SD = 1.11) versus 6.74 (SD = 1.55) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. Visualisation of lesions showed scores of 8.86 versus 8.21 (Z = -4.24) at the centrum semiovale, 8.93 versus 8.18 (Z = -5.32) at the basal ganglia and 8.79 versus 8.06 (Z = -4.93) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. All results were significant with P-value < 0.01.
CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study showed a significant difference in image quality produced by the fixed CT scanner and CereTom, with the latter being more inferior than the former. However, HUs of the images produced by CereTom do fulfil the recommendation of the ACR.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with 328 obese and overweight low socio- economic status housewives aged 18-59 years old who met the screening criteria participated in the study. They were recruited into an intervention group (N = 169) or control group (N = 159). The intervention group received a lifestyle intervention consisting of a diet, physical activity and self-monitoring behavior package. The control group (delayed intervention group) received a women's health seminar package. Both groups were followed up for six months. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were evaluated both pre- and post-intervention.
Results: A total of 124 participants from the intervention group and 93 participants from the control group completed the study. Mean weight loss was 1.13 ± 2.70 kg (P < 0.05) in the intervention group and 0.97 ± 2.60 kg (P < 0.05) in the control group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) reductions in the intervention group were 5.84 ± 18.10 mmHg (P < 0.05). The control group showed reduction in SBP 6.04 ± 14.52 mmHg (P < 0.05). Both group had non-significant DBP reduction. Multivariate analysis via General Linear Model Repeated Measures observed no significant differences in terms of parameter changes with time in both groups for all parameters.
Conclusions: The results indicate that the lifestyle interventions in this study resulted in modest weight loss and thus decreased BMI and blood pressure (SBP) within six months of intervention.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted. The intervention and control groups consisted of 66 nurses randomly selected from the Tumpat and Pasir Mas districts, respectively, in Kelantan. The intervention group received an antenatal-exercise counseling module, and the control group performed counseling based on self-reading. Knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed at the baseline and at week 4. Analysis of variance and repeated measure analysis of covariance were performed using SPSS.
Results: There was a significant difference in the knowledge scores [estimated marginal mean (95% confidence interval, CI): 33.9 (33.29, 34.53) versus 27.4 (26.52, 28.29); P < 0.001)] and the self-efficacy scores [estimated marginal mean (95% CI): 31.3 (30.55, 32.03) versus 27.4 (26.03, 28.74); P = 0.005)] between intervention and control groups at week 4 after adjusting for duration of practice and formal training.
Conclusion: The antenatal-exercise counseling module is recommended for use in routine counseling in health centers to promote healthy lifestyles among pregnant women.
METHODS: The questionnaire (RPDM) was developed based on the Health Belief Model and previous literature. A 59-item question pool was initially developed, reviewed by experts for content validity and pretested on five respondents. Different samples were used for pilot study (n = 100) and subsequent validation study (n = 158). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate construct validity and construct reliability of the questionnaire.
RESULTS: The EFA yielded five-factors model, including 48 items with good factor loadings of > 0.40. CFA was carried out using item parceling. The final model shows acceptable model fit and had sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. The value of construct reliability ranged between 0.76 and 0.90.
CONCLUSION: This newly developed and validated Malay-language RPDM questionnaire is valid and reliable for measuring the five constructs (perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived susceptibility and perceived barrier) of risk perception of type 2 diabetes among Malaysians. This Malay-language questionnaire may contribute to a better understanding of risk perception of type 2 diabetes among Malaysians, as well as enhancement of diabetes prevention communication between healthcare providers and their clients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2023, utilizing a validated questionnaire to assess 461 randomly selected participants from four communities (Azuba, Bukan Sidi, Danka Sarki, and Doka), representing diverse sociodemographic profiles and varying degrees of exposure to risk factors associated with HBV infection. Data were analyzed using chi-square (χ2) tests with IBM SPSS statistical software version 28.0 at a significance level of p < 0.05.
RESULTS: The findings showed that the overall prevalence of HBV infection was 7.8%. A significant association was observed between the prevalence of HBV infection and monthly income (p < 0.01). However, no associations were found with age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation, or religion. Regarding risk factors, a significant association was found between HBV infection and awareness of one's HBV status (p < 0.03).
CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and policies aimed at reducing HBV transmission among high-risk sociodemographic groups in Lafia Metropolis. This approach could potentially reduce the burden of HBV and improve health outcomes in affected communities.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D treatment on clinical and biochemical outcomes of PA patients.
METHODS: Two hundred forty hypertensive subjects were screened, 31 had positive ARR, and 17 patients with newly confirmed PA following positive confirmatory test that has not been subjected for definitive treatment were enrolled. Clinical parameter (blood pressure) and biochemical parameters (renal profile, plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, serum calcium, vitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone, 24-hour urinary calcium) were measured at baseline and 3 months of treatment with Bio-D3 capsule. Primary outcomes were the changes in the blood pressure and biochemical parameters.
RESULTS: About 70% of our PA subjects have low vitamin D levels at baseline. Three months following treatment, there were significant: (a) improvement in 25(OH)D levels; (b) reduction in systolic blood pressure and plasma aldosterone concentration; and (c) improvement in the eGFR. The vitamin D deficient subgroup has the greatest magnitude of the systolic blood pressure reduction following treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated significant proportion of PA patients has vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D treatment improves these interrelated parameters possibly suggesting interplay between vitamin D, aldosterone, renal function and the blood pressure.