IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia (IMJM)
Not a member yet
1450 research outputs found
Sort by
Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Amongst Antenatal Women
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: There is a wide range of antenatal mental disorder prevalence, including depression, anxiety and worry across countries. Studies to determine the association between sociodemographic factors, social support and antenatal mental health disorders have since produced inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with antenatal anxiety, worry and depression among pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 262 women who attended the antenatal clinic at any of the four. Mother and Child Health clinics in Kuantan, Pahang participated in this cross-sectional study. The social support, depression, anxiety and worry were measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS), respectively. RESULTS: Of these women, 20.2% had depressive symptoms, 22.5% had antenatal anxiety, and 79% had antenatal anxiety. Women with lower education background were at risk of antenatal depression whereas working and first-time mothers were at risk of experiencing worry in pregnancy. This study has proven that social support plays a significant role in alleviating worry during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Considering that the high level of worry in pregnancy could result in negative pregnancy outcomes and postnatal depression, there should be a screening tool used to measure psychological wellbeing of the pregnant mother within the clinical practice. The element of social support should be included in the intervention targeting women with lower educational level, primiparous and working mothers
Oral Doxycycline on the Level of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Rat Models Experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury
Get PDF
INTRODUCTION: Cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from hyperpermeability of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB). One of the causes in BBB permeability disorders is the activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) which can be inhibited by the administration of doxycycline. Knowing the role of oral doxycycline administration as an inhibitor of MMP-9 activation on the level of MMP-9 in cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was an experimental study in Wistar rats with a post-test control design consisting of one control group, one group with provoked brain injury, and one group with provoked brain injury followed by oral doxycycline administration. RESULT: There were significant differences in the level of MMP -9 between the control group, the provoked brain injury group and the provoked brain injury group followed by oral doxycycline administration with p-value = 0.01 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral doxycycline administration can inhibit the increase of MMP-9 levels in cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury in Wistar rats
Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis, it is a Myth?
Get PDFProtracted wet and productive chronic cough is a symptom that indicate there is an underlying cause and the possibility vary from a simple to serious medical conditions. If the cough is accompanied with specific pointers in signs and symptoms, the diagnosis is apparent. Nevertheless, the challenge is to identify the diagnosis in children who cough without specific pointers. Recently, protracted bacterial bronchitis is one of the conditions that was proposed and postulated to conceive this clinical presentation. Since then, the understanding of PBB has escalated and deepened. However, there is still no unanimous consensus in definition, pathophysiology, diagnostic, treatment, long term outcome and even the entity itself. Further research is required to refine understanding of this condition in several facets therefore patients can be treated accordingly
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Kuantan, Pahang
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: The deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the hallmark of a defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) indirectly detects the affected gene by the loss of its protein product. This study aimed to assess the frequency of different types of dMMR status and associate them with the clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients diagnosed at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) and the Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre (SASMEC) using an immunohistochemical method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of 123 CRC cases were retrieved from the Pathology Department of HTAA and SASMEC for patients diagnosed between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018. IHC was performed manually using an Envision Flex Polymer detection kit (Dako) along with four primary anti-mouse antibodies (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6) for the MMR proteins to assess dMMR status. RESULTS: Out of 123 cases, 21 (17.07%) showed the loss of one or more MMR protein expression and were dMMR. There was no statistically significant association between pMMR (proficient Mismatch repair) and dMMR cases with regards to clinicopathological factors (age, sex, race, site of the tumour, TNM (Tumour Node Metastasis) staging, bowel wall invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, histological type, and tumour differentiation). CONCLUSION: IHC is the preferred method and most reproducible test for assessing dMMR status in CRC patients in the histopathology diagnostic laboratory.
Burkholderia Pseudomallei Short-Chain Dehydrogenase/ Oxidoreductase: Potential Urine Biomarker Candidate for Acute Melioidosis
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: In the current climate of urgency in identifying biomarkers for the development of rapid diagnostic kits, the use of urine samples to diagnose acute melioidosis was evaluated, comparing urine samples from Burkholderia pseudomallei culture-positive and culture-negative patients, and comparing pneumonic and septicemic melioidosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven urine samples from clinically suspected melioidosis patients from a tertiary referral center, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Pahang was used. An in-solution method for the detection of bacterial proteins using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight (LCMS QTOF) was used. RESULTS: Three bacterial proteins were consistently detected among all the culture[1]positive and PCR-positive cases tested, namely SDR family NAD(P)-dependent oxidoreductase protein (32kDa), 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase Burkholderia sp. (32kDa), and NAD(P)-dependent dehydrogenase (short-subunit alcohol dehydrogenase family) Burkholderia sp. (33kDa). CONCLUSIONS: Short-chain dehydrogenase (SDO) proteins could potentially be a urine biomarker candidate as these have shown to aid in the ability of Burkholderia spp. to invade host cells as this action is important for the initial intracellular survival of the organism
Metal Release of Standard and Fake Orthodontic Braces: An In Vitro Study
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: The growing demand for orthodontic braces among Malaysians has led to the development of fake braces. These fake braces services are illegal and their brackets are reported to be of inferior quality. Fake braces are constantly being exposed to the saliva intraorally, hence they are susceptible to corrosion. This study was conducted to investigate the release of metal ions as a result of corrosion from standard and fake orthodontic braces immersed in artificial saliva of different pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of six different types of brackets (three from standard and three from fake braces) were immersed in containers containing 5 mL of artificial saliva of pH 4.9 and pH 7.8. The samples were collected for analysis on day 1, day 14, and day 28 using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) to evaluate the amount of metal ion released. Statistical analysis was performed to isolate the significant difference of metal ions released between two types of braces in different pH solutions. RESULTS: The release of aluminum, nickel, chromium, manganese and copper were observed and analyzed. Fake braces released the highest concentration of chromium, manganese, and nickel ions in both artificial saliva as compared to standard braces. Brackets immersed in pH 4.9 released a higher number of ions compared to pH 7.8. CONCLUSION: This study showed that fake braces released the highest concentration of metal ions as compared to standard braces. Both time and pH influenced the release of metal ions from orthodontic brackets
Bilateral Internal Auditory Canal (IAC) Duplication with Congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)-A Case Report
Get PDFDuplication of the internal auditory canal is a rare entity. It can be unilateral or bilateral involvement and usually found during an investigation of sensorineural hearing loss or facial nerve palsy. We report this image finding in a child with Down syndrome with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. There was no facial nerve palsy. We highlight the rarity of this image finding and the importance of imaging for detection of middle and inner ear abnormality in a case of congenital sensorineural hearing loss as it helps in decision making for the suitable treatment.
Keywords: Duplicate IAC; Bilateral Duplicate IAC; sensorineural hearing loss; Down syndrom
Psychological and Societal Impacts of Unknown Descent and The Islamic Objective of Nasab. A Preliminary Study of Chosen Biomedical Technologies
Get PDFThis paper is a preliminary study on the expected implications of some chosen biomedical developments on the loss of descent (nasab), its psychological effects on children and parents, and sociological effects generally. In the first part, this paper elaborates the meaning and importance of nasab (descent) in Islamic law, under consideration of the Higher Objectives of Shari’a, and explanation of some related legal rules. The second part investigates psychological impacts of unknown descent and reviews existing research in the field. The third and final part, presents five chosen scenarios i) human cloning through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT); ii) surrogate motherhood; iii) IVF with sperm or egg donors; iv) anonymous milk banks; and v) mitochondria (mt) transplantation; in the light of the Islamic objective of nasab, its existence or non-existence, and possible consequences
Randomized Clinical Trial Between Fluoxetine and Dapoxetine for Premature Ejaculation and Its Effect on Marital Relationship
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation(PE) decreases sexual pleasure and quality of life, and both Fluoxetine and Dapoxetine were used in PE therapy. Dapoxetine is the first SSRI with a short half-life and fewer side effects, primarily designed for PE therapy. The aim is to evaluate and compare the effects of Fluoxetine and Dapoxetine on PE symptoms and marital satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 44 participants aged between 18 and 64 with a PEDT score of ≥9 from Hospital USM's Primary-Care-Clinic, Kelantan Malaysia were selected and randomized into two groups: Fluoxetine(FG) and Dapoxetine Group(DG), and administered for 8 weeks with either regular Fluoxetine(20mg) or Dapoxetine (30mg) on-demand at least once a week. Premature Ejaculation Diagnostics Tool(PEDT) score was used to assess PE symptoms and Dyadic Satisfaction-Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DS-DAS) used to evaluate marital satisfaction at baseline and the 8th week. RESULT: 22 and 21 participants in FG and DG completed the study. For both groups, PEDT scores decreased substantially [from 11.41 to 5.45(P< 0.001) among FG, from 13.43 to 3.10(P<0.001) among DG]. After adjustment of the baseline PEDT score, PEDT scores in DG(6.03 vs 2.49, P><0.001) were lower at the 8th week. All groups showed significantly improved DS-DAS scores [from 34.50 to 40.68(P><0.001) in FG, from 36.57 to 44.33(P><0.001) in DG]. No marked difference in DS-DAS was scored after adjustment of the baseline DS-DAS score(41.13 vs 43.86, P=0.055) at the end of the assessment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of PE with either Fluoxetine or Dapoxetine decreases PE symptoms and increases marital satisfaction. ><0.001) among DG]. After adjustment of the baseline PEDT score, PEDT scores in DG (6.03 vs 2.49, P< 0.001) were lower at the 8th week. All groups showed significantly improved DS-DAS scores [from 34.50 to 40.68(P< 0.001) in FG, from 36.57 to 44.33(P< 0.001) in DG]. No marked difference in DS-DAS was scored after adjustment of the baseline DS-DAS score (41.13 vs 43.86, P=0.055) at the end of the assessment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of PE with either Fluoxetine or Dapoxetine decreases PE symptoms and increases marital satisfaction
