Exploring factors influencing adherence to oral hygiene care among periodontal patients: a pilot study

The objective of this study was to investigate in-depth factors influencing adherence to oral hygiene care among periodontal patients. This qualitative research was based on patients undergoing initial phase of periodontal therapy at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Periodontic Clinics. The data collection were obtained using a focus group discussion (FGD) and the session was recorded and later transcribed for manual analysis. Six patients participated in the FGD. The main themes which emerged collectively from the discussion were ‘lack of knowledge’ and ‘poor motivation’ related to effective oral hygiene care. Respondents noted that motivation to adhere to oral hygiene care improved when clinicians undertook good professional care and when patients themselves experienced retrospective regret for their tooth loss. This study showed lack of oral health knowledge, poor attitude towards oral hygiene care, good dentist-patient relationship, regret about past neglect, cultural beliefs and affordability were the factors which might influence adherence to oral hygiene care among periodontal patients

Challenges in culturing macaca fascicularisBone marrow stem cells

Culturing Macaca fascicularis bone marrow stem cells in fetal bovine serum (FBS) resulted in low proliferation and long period of incubation. Therefore, its potential uses are exhausted. Here we report the establishment of culturing the Macaca fascicularis bone marrow stem cells using the FBS in combination with autologous serum. Five percent autologous serum was added to the Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) alpha medium and 10% FBS while 0.2 mM acid ascorbic 2-phosphate, 10 mM β-glycerolphosphate, 10-8 molar dexamethasone were used for osteogenic induction. Following this combination, our results showed higher growth kinetic i.e. 1.41% growth rate higher compared to only 0.46% growth rates of the cells using FBS alone and shorter population doubling time (4 to 7 days) compared to the culture without the combination of FBS and autologous serum (30 days). Thus, the combination of the FBS and autologous serum permits fast cell growth and tissue construction

Metabolic syndrome and antipsychotic monotherapy treatment among schizophrenia patients in Malaysia

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at multiple centres between June 2008 and September 2011. Two hundred and five patients who fulfilled the DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and who had been on antipsychotic medication for at least one year, were screened for metabolic syndrome. Patients receiving a mood stabilizer were excluded from the study. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults Treatment Panel III (ATP III) modified for Asian waist circumference. Results: In the first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) group, the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was among patients treated with trifluoperazine and flupenthixol decanoate (66.7 each). For the second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) group, the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was among patients treated with clozapine (66.7). The component with the highest prevalence in metabolic syndrome was waist circumference in both FGA and SGA groups except for aripiprazole in SGA. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in Malaysia was very high. Intervention measures are urgently needed to combat these problems