Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis in determining the saliva protein of orthodontic patients during retention phase

The biological responses involved during retention phase have been studied for many years but little is known about the effect of saliva proteome during retention phase of post-orthodontic treatment. This study aims to identify the protein profiles during retention phase in relation to biological processes involved by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) approach. A total of 5 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected from each subject (10 non-orthodontic patients and 15 post-orthodontic patients with 6-months retention phase). Samples were then subjected to LC-MS analysis. The expressed proteins were identified and compared between groups. Incisor irregularity for both maxilla and mandible were determined with Little?s Irregularity Index at 6-months retention phase. 146 proteins and 135 proteins were expressed in control and 6-months retention phase group respectively. 15 proteins were identified to be co-expressed between groups. Immune system process was only detected in 6-months retention phase group. Detected protein in immune system process was identified as Tyrosine-protein kinase Tec. Statistical significant of incisor irregularity was only found in mandible at 6-months retention phase. Our study suggests that immune system process protein which is Tyrosine-protein kinase Tec could be used as biomarker for prediction of stability during retention phase of post-orthodontic treatment

Knowledge and attitude towards Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) among Malaysian undergraduate female students

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women which usually affect adolescents’ girls and young women. Today, the prevalence of PCOS is increasing rapidly, while most young people are unaware of this condition. Globally, it affects 5% to 10% of women during their reproductive years. This can cause alterations in the menstrual cycle, infertility, obesity, extreme acne problems and other health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude towards PCOS among Malaysian undergraduate female students. Therefore, we believe that this study will give us an opportunity to increase the knowledge as well as to promote their attitude towards PCOS among Malaysian female undergraduate students. Henceforth, creating a positive impact on this problem. The sampling method that was used in this research was a cross-sectional study that was carried out by using a convenience sampling methodwhereby the responses of 120 female undergraduate students with 20 Malays, 20 Chinese and 20 Indians from both the medical and non-medical fields were collected through online platforms. The data was analysed by using SPSS. In our data, regarding comparison of the knowledge between female medical and non-medical undergraduate students about PCOS, questions 1,4,5,6,7,9,10,12 and 13 showed statistical significance with Pvalues less than 0.05. Moreover, regarding the comparison of attitude between medical and non-medical towards PCOS among undergraduate female students, the question 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 showed statistically significant with the P-value of less than 0.05. Therefore, in conclusion, our study revealed that majority of the female undergraduate medical students had more knowledge and a more positive attitude towards PCOS compared to non-medical female undergraduate students. Further research can be done using a bigger sample size as it would have yielded more accurate results and would have less error. Moreover, knowledge plays a great role in forming attitude. Therefore, by identifying where the lack of knowledge come from, we can improve the attitude of the individuals. In addition, health education programs can help them gain a better understanding of the subject

Attitudes towards and the confidence in acceptance of telemedicine among the people in Sabah, Malaysia

The access to healthcare in rural areas is difficult and telemedicine could be a promising solution to this problem if it is accepted by the population. The aim of this study was to assess different attitudes towards telemedicine, the level of confidence and acceptance of telemedicine among rural populations in Sabah. A questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework and other validated studies were developed to achieve the data for this study. The questionnaire was distributed to the residents of Penampang and Putatan in Sabah. The questions were scored using a five-level Likert scale and the level of confidence was rated from 0 to 100%. A high mean score of attitudes towards use and a moderate score of confidence was observed in the findings, indicating positive attitude towards telemedicine and reasonable level of confidence in using telemedicine services for their healthcare needs. Findings in this study revealed a high level of acceptance among the respondents, which was found to be generally consistent with previous telemedicine studies

ESBL and MBL genes detection and plasmid profile analysis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Selayang Hospital, Malaysia

Aim: This study was carried out to detect the ESBL and MBL genes and plasmid profile analysis among the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: For this study, 54 P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from blood, skin, pus, respiratory, eyes, urine and sputum of both paediatric and adult patients from Selayang Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) and E-test were used to detect both ESBL and MBL genes. Plasmids were detected using Close and Rodriguez with modification (1982) method. QIAprep Spin Kit was also used to extract Plasmid DNA and the method was followed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Among all the P. aeruginosa isolates, 12.97% were ESBL positive, but none of the isolates were found to produce MBLs. Plasmids were detected in ten isolates with the POR of (18.51%). The overall sizes of the plasmid DNA ranged from the lowest 1.8 kb to the highest 14 kb. These ten isolates appear to harbor one or more plasmids with the maximum of four plasmids. Three isolates possessed single sized plasmids (3400bp-4600bp) while three isolates had four plasmids (1800bp-5800bp) and four isolates had two plasmids (220bp-14000bp). Conclusion: This study shows the prevalence of ESBL and MBL genes and also shows the presence of plasmids among the clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa

A study on properties of Deoxynivalenol (DON) production in culture medium by Aspergillus Spp. isolates from Northern Iran

The increased fungi contaminations and related damages cause disease through production of toxins in animals and thus in humans. Since they are not easily distinguishable, then it is crucial to study their characteristics. Aspergillus are among the most important toxigenic fungi that are found abundantly in northern Iran habitat which is one of most important habitat of Iran and is the main source for many feed and food stuffs in the state. Hence, we aimed to study on properties of deoxynivalenol (DON) production in culture medium by 24 Aspergillus spp. isolates from northern Iran. Samples were collected from Northern Alborz and Southern Caspian Sea agricultural plants cultivation areas and processing centers. Samples were then isolated and identified based on CBS environmental sampling rules and ICPA diagnostic standards. They were cultured to stimulate the toxin production until the targeted toxin to be measured at culturing substrate and fungi biomass. Afterward, they were exposed to extraction and existing DON size were measured by ELISA technique Our results indicated that in addition to Fusarium, genus Aspergillus has a potent ability to produce DON toxin or alike molecules. However, validation of this issue needs further studies, in particular, by using advanced biochemical or genomic molecular techniques

Investigation and analysis of knowledge and perceptions on tuberculosis prevention and control among university students in Chengdu, China

To explore Tuberculosis (TB) health promotion and education in universities, and to provide a feasible reference method and specific implementation measures for improving health education among university students. We collected a total of 811 respondents, using a uniform questionnaire online survey questionnaire network. The completed questionnaires were double-entered using EpiData3.1, the database was established, and the analysis was performed by Excel2016 and SPSS 22 software. The total awareness rate of the 8 core information on tuberculosis prevention and control was 74.2 %. Among them, “the state provides free anti-tuberculosis drugs and major tests for infectious tuberculosis patients” with the lowest awareness rate of 49.2 %; followed by the awareness rate of “should care about tuberculosis patients and should not discriminate against tuberculosis patients”, for 63.8 %. The channels for college students to acquire knowledge about tuberculosis prevention were “newspapers and magazines”, accounted for 50.3 percent; “broadcasting, television and video” accounted for 52.4 %; “wall advertising, bulletin boards, slogans” accounted for 44.6 %; “School Health Education” accounted for 38.5 % of “school propaganda columns or publicity panels” accounted for 34.9 %. The favourite way for college students to promote was “watching TV” 40.3 %

Correlation between body mass index (BMI) and fasting total blood cholesterol level among undergraduate students

A cross sectional study to observe the relation between body mass index (BMI) and the fasting total blood cholesterol level was carried out among 82 undergraduate medical students from SEGi University, Kota Damansara. The participants were randomly selected to participate in this research. The BMI was then calculated by using the standard formula (kg/m). The fasting total blood cholesterol level was measured by using home cholesterol kit. The obtained data was then analyzed by using statistical package for the social sciences software (version 22.0). For males, the highest mean BMI value and highest mean fasting total blood cholesterol level were recorded for Indian students followed by Malays and Chinese. There was significant correlation between BMI and the fasting total blood cholesterol level in male participants (0.001, r-value = 0.525). As for females, Malays had the highest mean BMI value followed by Indians and Chinese and the highest mean fasting total blood cholesterol level was found in Chinese followed by Malays and Indians. No significant correlation was found between BMI and fasting total blood cholesterol levels in female participants (0.922, r-value = 0.015). However, there was a significant correlation between BMI and fasting total blood cholesterol level in overall male and female participants (0.015, r-value = 0.267). In conclusion, our study suggests that the students should be advised to exercise more; reduce intake of food with high cholesterol, avoid fast food and have an active and healthy lifestyle. This may overall improve their health status and prevent them from getting diseases which are associated with obesity and high cholesterol level