Makara Journal of Health Research
Not a member yet
289 research outputs found
Sort by
A Systematic Review of the Association Between Intrapersonal Factors and Smoking Cessation in Adolescents in the United States
No full textBackground: Premature death in developed countries, and smoking by adolescents is a serious health issue in the US. There are several aspects that influence smoking cessation in adolescents, one of which comprises intrapersonal factors. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to identify and categorize specific intrapersonal factors that affect the smoking cessation of adolescents in the United States. Methods: Through a search on PubMed, identified quantitative research studies on the intrapersonal factors affecting the smoking cessation of adolescents in the US. The search results imported into Endnote X9. The intrapersonal factors examined into 4 classifications: nicotine dependence, stress, related beliefs, and other emotional factors. Each study's bias was assessed using RoBAN and RevMan 5. Results: The sample sizes ranged from 66 to 975 participants, with an age range of 12-21 years. 7 studies were classified as covering nicotine dependence, 2 studies as covering other emotional factors, 1 study was classified as covering related beliefs, and 1 study was classified as covering stress. Conclusions: Nicotine dependency was found to have the highest incidence among all the contributing factors. Stress and other emotional factors were found to stem from depression and low emotional control
Gingival Health Status of 12-Year-Old School Children in Jakarta: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: Epidemiological data on gingival status in children is important because periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in Indonesia. This study aimed to assess the gingival health status and its associated factors among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Jakarta. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 12-year-old schoolchildren. There were 481 students who were recruited from 24 public and private junior high schools in Jakarta using multistage cluster proportional-to-size random sampling. Periodontal status was recorded using the community periodontal index based on World Health Organization standards. A self-completed questionnaire was given to the parents to collect information on children's backgrounds and oral health-related behaviours. Results: Only 3 of 478 participating children had healthy gums (no bleeding gums and no calculus). 99% of the children had bleeding gums and 84% had calculus. The prevalence of calculus was higher in girls than in boys. Periodontal status was not significantly related to tooth brushing habits or dental check-ups. Conclusions: Poor periodontal conditions were highly prevalent among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Jakarta. Oral health promotion and prevention strategies are urgently required
Measurement of Contrast Sensitivity Using the M&S Smart System II Compared with the Standard Pelli–Robson Chart in Patients with Primary Pterygium
No full textBackground: Contrast sensitivity (CS) is widely used as a measure of visual function in research and clinical settings. CS is regarded as an important visual parameter, detecting subtle reductions in vision prior to significant reduction in visual acuity. Methods: We examined the agreement between the gold-standard Pelli-Robson chart and a computerized test termed the M&S Smart System II (MSSS-II) in patients with primary pterygium. Ninety-three patients (93 primary pterygium eyes) who visited an ophthalmology clinic were selected. The patients were randomly assessed for CS using the MSSS-II or Pelli-Robson chart. The primary outcome was agreement in log units between these two tests in the assessment of CS in patients with primary pterygium. Results: The mean and standard deviation of CS measurement in the two tests were comparable (1.22 ± 0.56 vs. 1.21 ± 0.57 log units, respectively, p = 0.083). The Bland-Altman plot revealed that the mean difference between the two charts was 0.0016 log units (standard deviation: 0.009 log units) with narrow limits of agreement of -0.0186 to 0.0186. Conclusions: MSSS-II provides an alternative for the clinical assessment of CS using a computerized method that describes the status of visual function in patients with primary pterygium
Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds on Different Extracts of Linum Usitatissimum and Its Antimicrobial Properties against Selected Oral Pathogens
No full textBackground: Antibacterial agents from natural sources have been suggested as alternatives for treating infectious diseases due to their low side effects. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) exhibits some antibacterial properties, but its effects against oral pathogens are poorly understood. This study investigated flaxseed extracts' antibacterial effects against such pathogens. Methods: Non-polar and polar extracts of flaxseed, with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH), were prepared by sequential Soxhlet extraction. All extracts were qualitatively screened through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect bioactive compounds. Antibacterial activities of flaxseed extracts with different volumes per disc (Oxoid, Badhoevedorp, Netherlands) (5, 7, 10, 12 and 15 µL/disc) were evaluated against four different oral pathogens: Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis, using the disc diffusion method. Flaxseed extracts' inhibitory activities against the tested oral pathogens were examined by measuring the inhibition zone diameter. Results: Polar extract (methanolic extract) demonstrated significant antibacterial activity (p<0.01) against all tested oral pathogens, with inhibition zones comparable to those for penicillin. In contrast, n-hexane and DCM extracts demonstrated variable antibacterial activities. Conclusions: This study suggests that Linum usitatissimum methanolic extract exhibited the best inhibitory activity on all tested strains compared to the other extracts
Stressors and Their Association with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Dental Students
No full textBackground: Dental students are exposed to varying levels of stress that may affect their mental and physical health, academic performance and quality of life. This study aim was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress (DAS), and the relationships between DAS symptoms and stressors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 257 dental students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The prevalence and severity of DAS symptoms was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). The stressors were self-reported by students from a list, and the relationships with the DAS symptoms were assessed. Results: The overall prevalence of DAS symptoms for depression, anxiety, and stress were 47.5%, 67.3% and 42.8%, respectively. Clinically significant depression was experienced by 9.3% of the students, anxiety by 28.8% and stress by 10.1%. Anxiety was significantly more frequent in women than in men, and anxiety scores were significantly increased in young students. The top five stressors were time management problems, fear of failing, examination and low grades; feeling of incompetence and study pressure. Conclusions: DAS symptoms occurred in dental students. Academic and personal factors produced stress that precipitated psychological distress
Self-Efficacy as a Predictor of Stress in Medical Students of King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
No full textBackground: Self-efficacy and stress are closely related concepts. These concepts have been endorsed as the primary causes influencing the adaptation of students to the college environment. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Measure self-efficacy among medical students, 2) Study association of self-efficacy with basic characteristics of the students, 3) Determine the role of self-efficacy as a predictor of stress. Methods: Self efficacy and stress were measured using the Kesseler-10 instrument and the General Self Efficacy scale, for 267 medical students, including both sexes. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics for the basic characteristics and self-efficacy, independent samples t-test and ANOVA to find the association between self-efficacy and various socio-demographic factors and correlation and regression analysis to determine the role of self-efficacy as a predictor of stress. Results: Students aged more than 22 years had significantly higher self–efficacy scores as compared to younger students (t=2.32; p ˂ 0.05). The linear relationship between stress and self-efficacy was demonstrated using Pearson’s correlation. A significant negative correlation was revealed (r = -0.136, R2 = 0.018); p ˂ 0.05. Self efficacy was identified as a predictor of stress. Predicted stress score = 27.91+ (-.165* X). Conclusions: Self efficacy has a significant negative correlation with stress in medical students and is a predictor of stress
Myocardial Infarction Elevates Inflammation and Contributes to the Formation of Atheroma Plaques in the Aorta of Hypercholesterolaemic Rats
No full textBackground: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the clinical manifestation of coronary heart disease that can be caused by athesclerotic plaque rupture. However, the role of MI in influencing endothelial cells is still not clearly known, especially in atheroma plaque development. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of MI in the inflammatory processes occurring in the hypercholesterolaemic rat aorta and heart by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels. Methods: Wistar rats were categorised into normal, normal–MI, hypercholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic–MI groups. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced in rats by feeding them with a high-cholesterol diet, followed by oral administrations of cholesterol, cholic acid and propylthiouracil. The MI rat model was created by injecting isoproterenol (intraperitoneal) 1 day before the animals were sacrificed. The success of the induction was confirmed based on a significant increase in total cholesterol values compared to those in the normal group. The inflammatory condition was determined by measuring the MPO levels using the dot blot method. Results: MPO expression was increased significantly in the hypercholesterolaemic rats compared to that in the normal group. The highest aorta MPO expression was observed in the hypercholesterolaemic–MI group. Both MI rats and hypercholesterolaemic rats showed a similar increase in MPO expression in the heart (71.7% and 75.5%, respectively). However, the hypercholesterolaemic–MI rats showed the highest MPO expression (119.59%). Conclusions: MI accelerates inflammation in the aorta of hyper-cholesterolaemic rats
Effects of Physical Exercise on Indicators of Inflammation Risk of the Gaster in a Male Wistar Rat Aging Model Created with D-galactose Induction
No full textBackground: Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological treatment for various diseases. Aging is associated with deteriorating physiological function, and elderly individuals generally have inflammation or infection in the digestive tract. This study aimed to examine the effects of mild and moderate physical exercise intensities on the indicators of inflammation risk of the gaster in a male Wistar rat aging model created with D-galactose induction. Methods: This experimental research study had a post-test-only group design. The study included 24 3-month-old male Wistar rats weighing 200-300 g. The rats were equally divided into four groups (saline,+light-intensity physical exercise, and D-galactose+moderate-intensity physical exercise)D-galactose, D-galactose. D-galactose was continuously administered at 300 mg/ml/kg body weight. The study period was four weeks. The number of fibrocytes, mucosal thickness, and the number and size of mucosal glands were analyzed. Results: D-galactose induction triggered aging. Physical exercise had an effect on weight gain and decreased the number of fibrocytes. However, there were no effects on mucosal thickness and the number and size of mucosal glands. Conclusions: Physical exercise of mild/moderate intensity had an effect on the number of fibrocytes but did not have impact on the mucosal thickness or the number and size of mucosal glands
A Rare Case of Hutchınson-Gılford Progerıa Syndrome wıth Early Dental Loss wıthout Decay
No full textHutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that occurs as a point mutation in the LMNA gene. It is a rare hereditary disorder, with approximately 100 cases reported in the medical literature. These patients and our case show features of aged appearance (pseudosenilism), loss of subcutaneous fat texture, growth retardation, sclerodermatous skin, ‘horse riding posture', bird-face appearance, beaked nose, high pitched voice, protruding knees and elbows, underweight, short stature, malformation of the teeth, micrognathia, hypodontia, malocclusion, craniofacial disproportion, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. Unlike typical findings of HGPS, diffuse alopecia and prominent scalp veins were not observed in our case. Patients with HGPS have an average life span of 13 years, owing to myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure and our case also has atherosclerosis and heart failure. Here, we report extra- and intraoral findings in a 24-year-old male patient with HGPS who came to our faculty with complaints about absence of teeth and psychological problems caused by absence of teeth and HGPS findings such as pseudosenilism, growth retardation and short stature. We have described necessary dental examinations and treatments for our patient and have reviewed the literature
Comparison of Ahmed Versus Baerveldt Implant Outcomes in Malayan Glaucoma Patients
No full textBackground: Ahmed and Baerveldt implants have already have been established for treating refractory glaucoma, but, to date, their outcome in Malayan eyes has not yet been reported. This study aimed to evaluate a comparison of the success rate between Ahmed and Baerveldt implants surgical intervention in Malayan patients with glaucoma. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia, from January 2013 to December 2015. All glaucoma patients who underwent Ahmed and Baerveldt implants and intraocular pressure (IOP), and presented for follow-up evaluation one year post implant, were enrolled in this study. Visual acuity and complications were also recorded. A comparison between the two groups was then analysed. Results: The study cohort included a total of 117 eyes, of which 64 and 53 received the Ahmed and Baerveldt implants, respectively. The pre-operation IOP between the two groups was found to be significantly different (p = 0.01), but no significant difference (p = 0.24) was observed after surgery, although both groups showed a declining IOP. Complete success was achieved in 75% of Ahmed and 60.38% of Baerveldt implant patients. Overall, 9 patients developed complications. Conclusions: Both the Ahmed and Baerveldt implant groups demonstrated similar success in reducing IOP