MATERIAL AND METHODS: A) Effects of various doses of nicotine on in vitro embryonic development: Female mice were treated with 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mg/kg/day nicotine for 7 consecutive days. Animals were superovulated, cohabited overnight, and sacrificed. Embryos were cultured in vitro. Plasma was assayed. B) Effects of concomitant treatment of nicotine concurrently with various doses of gamma-TCT on in vitro embryonic development: Female mice were treated with nicotine (5.0 mg/kg/day), gavaged gamma-TCT of 30, 60, or 90 mg/kg/day or nicotine concurrently with gamma-TCT of 3 different doses for 7 consecutive days. Animals were superovulated, cohabited overnight, and sacrificed. Embryos were cultured and plasma was assayed.
RESULTS: A) Effects of various doses of nicotine on in vitro embryonic development: Number of hatched blastocysts decreased in 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/day nicotine groups. Nicotine at 5.0 mg/kg/day stopped embryo development at morula. MDA concentrations increased following all nicotine doses. B) Effects of concomitant treatment of nicotine concurrently with various doses of gamma-TCT on in vitro embryonic development: Embryo development was completed in all groups. MDA concentration increased only in the group treated with nicotine concurrently with 30 mg/kg/day gamma-TCT.
CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine impairs in vitro embryo development and increases MDA in plasma. The deleterious impact of nicotine on embryo development is reversed by supplementing gamma-TCT concurrently with nicotine.
METHODS: An integration of fuzzy logic and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is utilized, and data was collected from a panel of professional experts in Malaysia. Using a cause-effect relationship diagram, the fuzzy DEMATEL method evaluates the causal relationships between factors.
RESULTS: Findings showed that environmental factors play the most significant roles in preventing COVID-19 infection, followed by technology, individual, and social factors. Getting vaccinated is the most crucial factor in the environmental dimension in cutting the spread of COVID-19. Telehealth, the use of personal protective equipments (PPEs), and the adoption of social distancing are the most important measures in technology, individual and social dimensions, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: This study offered valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals in designing and implementing effective strategies to prevent pandemic disease transmission. Findings can be practically applied to optimize and prioritize infection prevention measures, assign resources more effectively, and guide evidence-based decision-making in the face of evolving pandemic situations. This process involves the active commitment of all parties, including governments, medical health executives, and citizens.
METHODS: All diabetic patients were screened in Retinal Disease Awareness Programme (RDAP) and those who had significant DR changes were referred to the hospital for further management. Descriptive analyses were done to determine the prevalence of DR and sociodemographic characteristics among patients with diabetic. Univariate and multivariable analysis using Logistic regression were performed to find association and predictor factors in this screening.
RESULTS: A total of 3305 patients aged 40y and above were screened for DR. Of the patients screened, 9% patients were found to have DR and other visual complication such as maculopathy (0.9%), cataract (4.8%) and glaucoma (0.4%). The mean age of patients without retinopathy was 57.82±8.470y and the mean age of patients with DR was 63.93±9.857y. About 61.5% of the patients screened were aged below 60y and 38.5% were aged 60y and above. Majority of the patients screened were women 58.5% and Malay in the age group of 50-59y, while 27% were aged 60-69y. Significant association were found between age, sex, race, visual loss and DR.
CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of DR among patients is not alarming, effective interventions need to be implemented soon to avert a large burden of visual loss from DR.