Prolonged work with highly repetitious flexion and extension of the wrist and forceful grip task were shown to increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dental personnel. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and coping strategies of probable CTS among clinical dental support staff in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). A cross-sectional study was conducted and a set of questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic status, work-related and psychosocial risk factors and coping strategies was distributed. Ninety-five clinical dental support staff completed and returned the questionnaire with a response rate of 80.5%. The prevalence of probable CTS was 38.9%, with the highest prevalence was found among dental surgery assistants (40.5%) followed by dental technologists (29.7%). There was no significant association between work-related or psychosocial risk factors with probable CTS (p>0.05). Most of the respondents with symptoms of CTS chose religion as the coping mechanism; mean 7.11 (SD 1.13). Awareness training should be emphasized among clinical dental support staff on the prevention of CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β-1) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation of both normal and transformed cells. The main aim of this study was to determine whether TGF-β-1 or alpha fetoprotein (AFP) or the combination of the two is a better indicator for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Serum TGF-β-1 and AFP were measured by ELISA in 40 healthy subjects, 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 70 patients with hepatitis B, 26 patients with hepatitis C and 16 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Patients with liver diseases showed significantly higher serum TGF-β-1 values (>3 fold) compared to control subjects. As for serum AFP, significant elevation was only observed for HCC cases. Serum TGF-β-1 exhibited higher percent sensitivity compared to serum AFP in all liver diseases. Combination of serum TGF-β-1 and AFP increased specificities in all cases studied. In conclusion, serum TGF-β-1 is a more sensitive marker for HCC when compared to serum AFP and its specificity is increased when combined with serum AFP.

Eight cytotoxic constituents, consisting of six triterpenoids, cabralealactone (1), cabraleadiol (2), prototiamin A (3), 23-desmethyllimocin B (5), melianodiol (7) and indicalilacol (8) along with one limonoid, neemfruitins A (4) and one protolimonoid, protoxylocarpin G (6), were isolated from the extract of n-hexane of the stembark of Chisocheton pentandrus. The chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and compared to previously reported spectra. These isolated compounds appear for the first time in the plant. Compounds 1 - 8 were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 breast cancer lines in vitro.Among the isolated compounds, melianodiol (7) showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC 50 values of 16.8µM

Eight cytotoxic constituents, consisting of six triterpenoids, cabralealactone (1), cabraleadiol (2), prototiamin A (3), 23-desmethyllimocin B (5), melianodiol (7) and indicalilacol (8) along with one limonoid, neemfruitins A (4) and one protolimonoid, protoxylocarpin G (6), were isolated from the extract of n-hexane of the stembark of Chisocheton pentandrus. The chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and compared to previously reported spectra. These isolated compounds appear for the first time in the plant. Compounds 1 - 8 were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 breast cancer lines in vitro.Among the isolated compounds, melianodiol (7) showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC 50 values of 16.8µM

Objective: The study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors for endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumour survivors. Methodology: 124 childhood brain tumour survivors aged 18 years old or younger with either stable disease or in remission, and had survived for at least 2 years after diagnosis were included in the study. Demographic data (age at diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status), clinical clues for endocrine disorders, anthropometrics (weight, height, midparental height), pubertal staging, tumour-related characteristics, treatment modalities and endocrine laboratory measurements at diagnosis and during follow up were obtained. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate risk factors for endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumour survivors. Results: The prevalence of endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumour survivors was 62.1%. The risk factors were high BMI [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.5], high-risk site [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.15, 95% CI: 1.41 to 36.3] and chemotherapy [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.18 , 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.62]. Conclusion The prevalence of endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumour survivors in our centre was 62.1%. The significant risk factors were high BMI, tumour location (suprasellar and intrasellar) and chemotherapy.
Risk Factors

Objectives: This study was conducted to document the development and usability testing of SIKRIBO, a tuberculosis screening application. Methods: The SIKRIBO application was developed using design science research methodology, which has six steps: problem identification and motivation, definition of objectives for a solution, product design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication. A system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire was used to assess application usability. A total of 20 health cadres (trained community members) and health workers participated in the usability tests. Results: Two versions of the application were developed: Android-based for users and web-based for administrators. The Android-based version has four main menus: Find Tuberculosis, Tuberculosis Education, Latest Info, and Profile. The web version is accessible to health workers, as well as the research team and application developers who monitor and manage the user-conducted screenings. The average SUS score was 76 (standard deviation, 8.00). Conclusions This application was developed to help detect active tuberculosis cases in the community. The SUS results indicate that the application is highly usable. Thus, SIKRIBO is expected to be broadly implemented to increase tuberculosis case detection through active community participation.