Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant hepatic tumour. Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting itself or extending into the right iliac fossa (RIF) is a very rare entity. We report on a rare case of hepatocellular carcinoma in a 60-year-old lady, presented with a mobile mass in the lower abdomen without cirrhosis, with normal α-feto protein levels (AFP) or any known risk factors for liver disease. HCC in this case was unusual in its presentation both in the patient as well as a disease.
Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most commonly occurring organisms retrieved from root canal treated teeth that show refractory apical periodontitis. Though it is well known that the ability of E. faecalis to form a matrix-encased biofilm contributes to its pathogenicity, the role of extracellular dextran and DNA in biofilm formation and its effect on the susceptibility of the biofilm to chlorhexidine remains poorly understood. It was hypothesized that the addition of an Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) degrading enzyme along with a detergent to chlorhexidine may increase the susceptibility of the E. faecalis biofilm.
An-organic bovine bone graft is a xenograft with the potential of bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone density using cone beam computed tomography scans around functional endosseous implant in the region of both augmented maxillary sinus with the an-organic bovine bone graft and the alveolar bone over which the graft was placed to provide space for the implants.
Adherence to medications is an important factor that contributes to therapeutic success. With the current increase in the elderly population, information relating to adherence to treatment and quality of life (QoL) of diabetic elderly patients will help the healthcare provider to improve their treatment. Thus, this study aims to determine the factors affecting adherence to medications and the consequence of non adherence to QoL.
BACKGROUND: Two small studies had evaluated the efficacy of rTMS in migraine. One tested high frequency rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while the other evaluated 1 Hz rTMS over the vertex.
AIM: To test the feasibility of 10 Hz rTMS of motor cortex as an adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic migraine
Materials and Methods: We randomized (2:1 ratio) chronic migraine patients on medical preventive treatment to receive either rTMS or sham therapy for 10 sessions. rTMS (80% resting motor threshold, 10Hz, 20 trains, 5 secs/train, inter-train interval 1 min, total 1000 stimuli/session) was applied over the right motor cortex.
RESULT: Nine patients were randomized. Six received rTMS and three had sham therapy. Three patients in the rTMS arm withdrew from the study due to increased headache frequency and discomfort from the treatment. The remaining six cases (3 rTMS, 3 sham) completed the study. The study was prematurely stopped due to the significant worsening of headache from rTMS. No significant differences in outcome measures were found between real and sham rTMS.
CONCLUSION: Although the study was terminated prematurely, the high dropout rate (50%) due to worsening headaches suggested that rTMS over the motor cortex is poorly tolerated in chronic migraine.
KEYWORDS: Adverse effect; Central sensitization; Chronic migraine; Cortical excitability; Headache; rTMS
Study site: Neuroscience clinic of National University Hospital, Singapore
Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. Leukoplakias with chances of undergoing malignant transformation owing to the presence of dysplastic changes may not be clinically distinguishable from leukoplakias without dysplasia. The study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of biopsy in assessing the clinico-pathologic correlations of oral leukoplakia at the patient's initial visit.
Susuk or charm needles are a facial cum body art widely practiced among women of Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. These are small, needle-shaped metallic talismans inserted subcutaneously in different parts of the body. The concealed art of susuk was "exposed" by routine radiographic examination in the oral and maxillofacial region. This paper reports two such cases of unusual incidental radiographic finding in dental radiographs which were taken on a routine basis as part of the diagnostic work up. This article will also primarily enlighten the importance of radiographs in detecting such charm needles as the wearer keeps the body art a "hidden secret" thereby avoiding misdiagnosis.
BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, doctors in private clinics (often called dispensing doctors) are permitted to dispense medicines. This potentially may compromise rational dispensing of medicines in general and antibiotics in particular.
AIM: This study explored, assessed and compared dispensing of antibiotics between Community Pharmacist (CP) and General Practitioners (GPs) regarding symptomatic diagnosis, antibiotic categories, adherence to therapeutic doses and promotion of generic antibiotics.
METHOD: The study used trained Simulated Patients (SPs), who used a scenario of common cold symptoms at GP private clinics and community pharmacies to observe and explore the practice of antibiotics dispensing. The study was conducted within the period of May to September 2011 in Penang, Malaysia. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Tests at alpha level of 0.05.
RESULTS: GPs dispensed more antibiotics than CPs (p= 0.001) for common cold symptoms. They dispensed more Amoxicillin (n = 14, 35%) than CPs (n = 11, 11%) (p < 0.001) and more Tetracycline (n = 3, 7.5%) while no CP dispensed this category (p = 0.022). On the other hand, CPs (n = 11, 11%) suggested brand antibiotics where as GPs dispensed only generic antibiotics (p < 0.001). Generally GPs comply better with the symptomatic diagnosis standard e.g. when asking SPs about the symptoms they had, all GPs (n = 40, 100%) complied better with this standard. Despite that, they dispensed more antibiotics (n = 26, 65%) than CPs (n = 29, 29%) (p = 0.001). GPs (n = 22, 55%) also are better than CPs (n = 16, 16%) in adherence to therapeutic doses (p< 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Findings showed poor adherence to rational dispensing of antibiotics by both providers. Although, GPs adhere better to symptomatic diagnosis and therapeutic dosing of antibiotics than CPs, they unnecessarily prescribe and dispense more antibiotics for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. Establishing prescription guidance and regulatory actions, especially for URTIs treatment, and separating of medication dispensing are seemed to be crucial steps for the reform.
KEYWORDS: Community pharmacists; Dispensing doctors; Dispensing separation; General practitioners; Simulated patients ligament
Printed education materials are often used to augment healthcare professional's verbal information to consumers so it serves as an important component of symptom management. They also enhance the teaching process and can be used by consumers as a home reference.
The Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) for determination simvastatin in human plasma has been developed after extraction by by ethyl acetate and hexane (90/10%, v/v) using lovastatin as internal standard.
The classic variants in superior articular facets of atlas such as, variability in shape, presence of notch, constrictions, partial or complete separation of facets, and presence of pressure facets, have been reported to a limited extent in relation to ergonomics of cranio-vertebral joint.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) in Penang, Malaysia, towards consumer reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).
The premature ovarian failures with underlying chromosomal abnormalities are normally X-linked, although their associations with the autosomal and the Robertsonian translocations are also possible. Here, we are reporting a case of premature ovarian failure which was associated with a translocation between the long arm of chromosome 7 at q11.23 and the short arm of chromosome 5 at p15.3. The proband was a 26-year-old Malay woman who presented with premature ovarian failure, who was referred for cytogenetic testing due to the suspicion of a chromosomal anomaly. Her physical examination revealed that she had no abdominal or pelvic masses and that she had normal secondary sexual characteristics. Her medical history as well, revealed no points for concern. However, a consanguineous relationship existed, as the patient's paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather were biological cousins. Our present case indicated that region p15.3 of chromosome 5 and region q11.23 of chromosome 7 possibly carried essential genes for the ovarian function and that they postulated a link between the consanguinity and the chromosomal abnormalities.
Limited resources of healthcare system and high use of antidepressants have raised some serious concerns regarding proper surveillance system of prescribed medicines. Not much literature is available from Pakistan regarding the potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) associated with antidepressants.
The mandibular third molars (3Mms) are the most common impacted teeth in the human dentition and their prevalence ranges from 27-68.8% in various parts of the world. The assessment of surgical difficulty of 3Mms extraction helps in better formulation of treatment plan by minimizing postoperative complications.
As indicated by the World Health Organization as of year 2014, around 10,000 people have been influenced with Ebola infection. The episode of Ebola in African locale is courged with a high death rate. Notwithstanding, in the United States, people influenced by Ebola have been given brilliant wellbeing offices, as the U.S. is one of the highest nations that have taken sterner wellbeing measures and principles against Ebola. Aside from the U.S., individuals in Asia, where billions live in indigence and general wellbeing frameworks are frequently extremely powerless, are under more serious danger of the Ebola infection. Despite the fact that nations like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan can take stretched out measures to battle against the infection, nations like Philippines and Indonesia have unfathomable quantities of poor who may be incredibly influenced by a conceivable episode. At this moment, the chances that Asia will take a critical hit from the Ebola infection appear to be genuinely little. Yet, while it is far-fetched that Asia will encounter a real flare-up, genuine concerns stay about the infection coming to urban communities like Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore through their worldwide airplane terminals. Wellbeing priests from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reported key measures not long ago to keep the Ebola plague from coming to the locale and to backing influenced nations. This article accordingly will concentrate on the prevalence and current approaches of Ebola Virus Disease in ASEAN nations which is the need of the hour.
INTRODUCTION: Annually, especially in poor resourced countries, significant amount of money is spent to treat chronic diseases. The money instead could be saved by spending on health promotion programs for preventing chronic diseases.
AIM: To conduct cost-effectiveness analysis of various intervention modules in the "Smoking Cessation" program conducted in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study design. Cost-effectiveness analysis was used to assess the costs and outcomes of the intervention. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records of all clients (n= 129) and then all the participants were followed-up for at least 6 months from the date of participation. Data were analysed descriptively using frequency (%) and mean (sd). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was carried out to test for normality. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used at alpha level of 0.05. All analyses were done using SPSS version 19.
RESULTS: The findings of the study showed that the majority of participants were Malays (n= 108; 83.7%), males (n= 128; 99.2%), USM's staff (n= 71; 55.0%) and within an age group of 23 years or less (n= 38; 29.5%). Among those who successfully quit were male (n= 30; 100%), Malays (n= 29; 96.7%), staff (n= 19; 63.3%), moreover, their age ranged from 35 to 56-year-old (n= 15; 50.0%). Further analysis of data showed that there were significant associations between success rate and modules of intervention, occupation, motivation factors, and frequency of counselling. Total cost of the Smoking Cessation Program was MYR 38,634.66 (during a period of 34.5 months), with a success rate equal to 29.1%. The most cost-effective module of intervention was counselling alone (CE ratio equal to MYR360.00 per 1% of success rate). The study found counselling with patch was ineffective during the study period.
CONCLUSION: Counselling alone module was the most cost-effective in Smoking Cessation program conducted in USM, Malaysia.
KEYWORDS: Cost-effectiveness analysis; Health promotion; Nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs); Quit smoking clinic; Smoking cessation; University setting
Study site: Quit Smoking Clinic at the University Medical Clinic (Wellness Center), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia