Quality of Life of Primary Brain Tumor Patients Before and 3 Months After Discharge from a Hospital in Bandung, Indonesia

Background: The quality of life of patients with primary brain tumor in Indonesia is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the health‐related quality of life of patients admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia, up to 3 months after discharge. Methods: Baseline data were collected from patients aged ≥18 years who were admitted to the hospital between October 9, 2015, and February 17, 2016. In‐person interviews were then conducted 1-2 days pre‐discharge (n = 65) and follow-up telephone interviews were made 1, 2, and 3 months post-discharge (n = 58, 55, and 54, respectively) to collect socio-demographic data, clinical characteristics, and EQ‐5D‐5L data. Results: Prior to discharge, one‐third or less of the 65 patients interviewed reported "no problems" with mobility (32%), self‐care (32%), usual activities (18%), and pain/discomfort (43%), whereas 74% reported "no problems" with anxiety/depression. By contrast, at 3 months post-discharge, an increased proportion of patients reported "no problems" with mobility (61%), self‐care (67%), usual activities (56%), and pain/discomfort (76%), with little change in anxiety/depression ("no problems" 70%). Conclusions: While there was improvement, many patients were still reporting problems at 3 months post-discharge, highlighting the need for ongoing support and care to ensure the best possible outcomes

Feeding and Oral Hygiene Habits of Preschool Children in Pakistan and their Caregivers' Attitudes. A Cross Sectional Study on 435 Toddlers

Background: Early childhood caries remains a problem in both developed and developing countries. Several maternal determinants are involved in early caries development. This study aimed to identify feeding and oral hygiene practices associated with childhood caries in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in paediatric outpatient department of Sheikh Zaid Hospital, from January to March 2016. A total of 435 children aged 12-15 months were enrolled in the study. Results: Children who were fed milk with added sugar, were 30% more likely to have decayed teeth than those fed without sugar. Children who received on demand night-time feeding were 50% more likely to have carious lesions than those who were fed once or twice at night. Children eating sweet snacks multiple times a day were on average 80% more likely to have caries, compared to those who were given sweets once or twice a day. Conclusions: Higher tooth cleaning frequency, and teeth cleaning at night were associated with lower risk of childhood caries, whereas the use of milk with added sugar, on-demand night feeding, and high frequency of sweets taken per day contributed to increased caries. Thus, improved maternal counseling may help prevent early childhood caries in Pakistan

Factors Related to Preventive Behaviors Among Parent Caregivers of Children Under Five Years with Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in Myanmar

Background: Acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) is the second-leading cause of death worldwide among children, especially among those aged <5 years. Thus, it is imperative to understand parent caregivers' perception of ARI and their preventive behaviors. Methods: This descriptive correlation study included 116 parent caregivers at an out-patient department of a 550-bedded Children Hospital, in Mandalay, Myanmar. The correlation between preventive behaviors and parent caregivers' perception on ARI was measured using Becker's Health Belief Model-based questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and spearmen's rank-order collection test were used for data analysis. Results: Our results revealed that parent caregivers' perception was at a moderate level, and preventive behaviors among parent caregivers were at a poor level during wellness and sickness conditions. The average score of the parent caregivers' preventive behaviors in ARI was 23.57 ± 3.22). Significant positive relationships were noted between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and cues to action and preventive behaviors of parent caregivers (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The results supported the health belief model: Health care personnel should provide a theory-based health education program toward improving the parent caregivers' preventive behaviors with ARI children

Intratumor Heterogeneity in Epithelial Cancer: Assessment in Cell Line Models and Circulating Tumor Cells

Background: CTCs are present only in small numbers in patients' blood. This study aimed to establish a protocol for enumeration and phenotypic characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) by ImageStreamX MK II (AMNIS) imaging flow cytometry and to characterize the expression of epithelial, mesenchymal, and stem cell markers in CTCs. Methods: The study used the FaDu cell line at different passages, cisplatin-resistant (FaDu CDDP-R), and irradiation-resistant (FaDu IR-R) subclones, as well as blood samples from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients for CTC detection (n = 5). Cells were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde and permeabilized by incubation in 0.3% Triton X-100. The cell suspensions were stained with 1:100 EpCAM AF-488, 1:50 CD45 AF-647, 1:50 Vimentin AF-555, and 1:50 ALDH1A AF-594 antibodies. Results: There were significant differences in EpCAM expression levels between FaDu at late passage and FaDu CDDP-R subclones, as well as between FaDu at late passage compared with FaDu IR-R. Furthermore, CTCs were successfully detected in five patients' samples with various CTC subpopulations. Conclusions: Intratumor heterogeneity in CTC phenotypes existed in CRC and HNSCC. Furthermore, three main subpopulations of CTCs were detected. Our findings strongly support future phenotypic studies of CTCs

Histological Changes to the Rat Mandibular Condyle in Response to Long-term Exposure to an Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field

Background: The need for electrical power continues to increase along with the rapidly growing economies of industrialized countries. However, the effects of electrical fields (EFs) on human health remain unclear. Hence, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the histological effects of an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on the rat mandibular condyle. Methods: Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of two groups (n = 10): an untreated control group and an ELF-MF group exposed to a 1.5-mT ELF-MF for 4 h per day for 6 months. After exposure, the left mandibular condyles of all rats were collected for histopathological examinations.  Results: The histopathological changes to the ELF-MF group included a non-homogenous appearance and decreased thickness of the hypertrophic layer, irregular appearances of bone marrow cavities, significant deterioration, and delayed calcification and ossification. There were no significant differences in the thicknesses or histomorphometric appearances of the fibrotic, proliferative, and hypertrophic layers of the mandibular condyle of rats between the groups (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Long-term ELF-MF exposure can induce histopathological changes to the mandibular condyle of rats

Assessment of Peripartum Psychological Disturbances in Relation to Modes of Delivery

Background: Anxiety disorders are common during peripartum period. This study aimed to identify which mode of delivery was more prone to develop psychological disturbances. Methods: This prospective cohort study conducted among 541 pregnant women presented for spontaneous labour, induction or elective caesarean section in a Malaysian hospital. The severity of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms are assessed by using self-rated depression anxiety and stress scales in four different occasions; pre-labour/operation, 24 hours postnatal, 2 weeks, and at 6 weeks. Results: In the prenatal period, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of depression between women coming for labour (4.17±5.28) and elective CS (4.21±5.87). During puerperium; at 24 hours postnatal, 2 weeks and 6 weeks assessments there was no significant difference in depression score among patients with different modes of delivery. The overall scores were (4.23±5.46, 3.26±4.85, 0.78±2.37, 0.18±0.93) for patients going through vaginal delivery, instrumentation, emergency or elective CS. The same trend was found when anxiety and stress were analysed. Conclusions: The most prominent peripartum psychological disturbances symptom is anxiety. Minority of patients will experience persistence anxiety by the end of 6 weeks postpartum. The caesarean section and induction of labour does not increase the psychological impact

Social Class Inequalities in Tooth-brushing Time: The Role of Material, Behavioral, Psychosocial, and Workplace Environmental Factors among the South Korean Population

Background: Inequality in health should be prevented. The aims of this study were to assess inequalities prevalent in tooth-brushing after lunch (TAL) and in tooth-brushing before sleep (TBS) among Koreans using the NMSC indicator and to assess the role of material, health behavioral, psychosocial, and workplace environmental (WPE) determinants in associating the indicator with tooth brushing activities. Methods: The data were from the 4th KNHANES with 6,710 workers and entrepreneurs from 19 to 54 year old, who were grouped into 12 social class positions. TAL and TBS were the outcomes. Data analysis was performed using a logistic regression sequence. The results were reported as OR and 95% CI. Results: The proportion of owner groups was higher for TBS than for TAL, whereas that of worker groups was higher for TAL than for TBS. The highest probability was shown by expert workers (TAL) and capitalists (TBS) among various models. WPE factors had the highest explanatory power for both. Conclusions: Non-gradient social class disparities related to tooth brushing were recognized for the Korean adults. The behavior of brushing teeth at two different times revealed a different pattern of social inequality regarding oral health. Thus, workplace-based oral health promotion programs should be implemented

In vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Pluchea indica Extracts in Promoting Glucose Consumption Activity on A Liver Cell Line

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is associated with mortality and morbidity. Recently, several plant-based agents have been used in the management of diabetes. Pluchea indica has been traditionally consumed as a medicinal plant in Southeast Asia, and its leaves have demonstrated induction of hypoglycemic effect in normal rats. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the potency of P. indica extracts in stimulating glucose consumption in human liver CCL-13 cell line model. Methods: P. indica leaves were dried and extracted using a series of organic solvents and water. The effect of the extracts on cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The glucose consumption was analyzed using glucose oxidase method. Results: Our results revealed that the methanol extract of P. indica could significantly increase glucose consumption of cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which suggests the usefulness of the extract as an antidiabetic candidate via stimulation of glucose uptake into the liver cells. Conclusion: Our study suggests that P. indica is a potential natural candidate for diabetes mellitus management

Associations of Dietary Diversity Score, Obesity, and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein with HbA1c

Background: Associations of dietary diversity score (DDS), obesity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with glucose metabolism have been reported. Furthermore, DDS may not be associated with healthy weight. However, studies on these topics are limited in general Indonesia population. Methods: A total of 3,825 Indonesia Family Life Survey 2014/2015 participants aged 20-59 years old were included in this study. DDS was measured qualitatively in five food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits. Obesity was defined by Body Mass Index (BMI) classification for Indonesians. Blood analyses were performed in dried blood spot specimens. hs-CRP were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and HbA1c was analyzed using Bio-Rad D10. Results: High DDS group had higher HbA1c than low DDS group (p = 0.030). Furthermore, medium and high DDS group had higher BMI than low DDS group (p = 0.003 and <0.001). Obese group had higher HbA1c than nonobese group (p < 0.001). hs-CRP was correlated with HbA1c (r=0.1194; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that DDS, obesity and hs-CRP were associated with HbA1c (p = 0.030, p < 0.001 and <0.001). Conclusions: Present study confirmed that obesity and hs-CRP are associated with HbA1c. DDS is positively associated with HbA1c and BMI. Promoting dietary diversity requires careful consideration. Moreover, further studies are warranted

Effect of Body Weight Changes on Hypertension in Indonesian Adults (A 14-Year Follow Up)

Background: Obesity is one of the major risk factors of hypertension. There is no large cohort study designed to investigate the quantitative asso­ciation between body weight changes and the risk of hypertension in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of longitudinal BMI changes on hypertension in Indonesian adults. Methods: Body Mass Index (BMI) was computed by dividing weight (kg) by height squared (m2). Based on the BMI at baseline, the participants formed four weight-change groups: normal weight-maintainers, weight-gainers, weight-losers and overweight or obese-maintainers. The effect of age on the relationship between body weight changes and hypertension was analyzed by logistic regression models using stratified analysis. Results: Four body weight changes were identified: normal weight-maintainers (41.95%), weight-gainers (18.83%), weight-losers (5.24%), and overweight or obese-maintainers (33.98%). The stratified logistic regression analysis showed that changes in the relationships between the BMI changes and hypertension with age generally tended to be positive in the younger age-based subgroups but negative in the older subgroups. Relative to the normal weight-maintainers, the weight-gainers had the highest likelihood of hypertension (OR=1.68 95%CI [1.23-1.93]). Conclusions: The findings of the study underline the importance of maintaining normal weight for preventing hypertension especially for the middle-aged