1.The Impact of the Percent of Residual Prostate-Specific Antigen on Metastasis-Free Survival in Patients with Persistent Prostate-Specific Antigen after Radical Prostatectomy
Dan Bee LEE ; Jae Yeon KIM ; Won Hoon SONG ; Jong Kil NAM ; Hyun Jung LEE ; Tae Un KIM ; Sung-Woo PARK
The World Journal of Men's Health 2023;41(1):227-235
Purpose:
Persistent levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a poor prognostic factor for recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). We investigated the impact of the percentage of residual PSA (%rPSA) [(post-/preoperative PSA)×100], representing a biochemical residual tumor, and the first postoperative PSA (fPSA) level on metastasis-free survival (MFS) in men with persistent levels of PSA after RP.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively identified male patients within a single tertiary referral hospital database who harbored persistent (≥0.1 ng/mL) vs. undetectable (<0.1 ng/mL) PSA levels 4 to 8 weeks after RP. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox regression models were used to test the effect of persistent PSA levels, the fPSA level, and %rPSA on MFS.
Results:
Of 1,205 patients, 178 patients with persistent PSA levels were enrolled. Seven-year MFS rates were 60.5% vs. 84.3% (p<0.001) for patients with a %rPSA ≥6% and <6%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression models of the overall cohort revealed that persistent PSA levels (hazard ratio [HR], 3.94; p=0.010), extracapsular extension (HR, 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–16.41; p=0.041), and pathological Gleason grade group (pGGG) (HR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.32–10.27; p=0.013) were independent predictors of metastasis. Multivariable Cox regression models in men with persistent PSA levels revealed that the %rPSA (HR, 8.92; 95% CI, 1.74–45.71; p=0.009) and pGGG 4–5 (HR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.22–13.96; p=0.022) were independent predictors of distant metastasis, but not the fPSA level after surgery.
Conclusions
Persistent levels of PSA were associated with worse MFS after RP. In men with persistent PSA levels after RP, the %rPSA is a valuable predictor of MFS unlike the fPSA level.
2.Kajian Rintis Penilaian Literasi Digital: Kesediaan Guru Prasekolah Menggunakan Platform Pembelajaran dalam Talian untuk Pendidikan Pemakanan (A Pilot Study Assessing Digital Literacy: Preschool Teachers’ Readiness to Use Online Learning Platforms in Nutrition Education)
CHONG YI TING ; POH BEE KOON ; RUZITA ABD. TALIB ; KOH DENISE ; WOO PIK XUAN ; NELSON GEORGIA LIVAN ; CHEAH WHYE LIAN ; LEE JULIA AI CHENG ; YATIMAN NOOR HAFIZAH ; ESSAU CECILIA A ; REEVES SUE ; SUMMERBELL CAROLYN ; GIBSON EDWARD LEIGH
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2024;22(No.1):71-82
eToyBox is a learning management system for preschool teachers to improve their health literacy, which ultimately aims
to improve children’s obesity-related behaviour. As part of the development process of eToyBox, assessment on digital
literacy, acceptance of digitization of education materials, and perceived barriers in adopting online learning is needed.
Fifty-four preschool teachers under the Community Development Department (KEMAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor,
and Sarawak, who participated in ToyBox Study Malaysia intervention in 2018, took part in this cross-sectional study.
An online self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic background, use of communication
tools and media, and teacher’s views on adapting the ToyBox modules to digital education materials. Respondents were
contacted, and questionnaire link was shared through WhatsApp messages. Most participants (74.0%) were Malay
females aged 31 to 40 years old. Most participants had internet access (94.4%) and owned at least a smart phone,
laptop or tablet (94.4%). Participants perceived their computer skills to be average (75.0%). Majority of respondents
(65.0%) reported advanced and higher abilities in word processing and email, but only 22.0% in spreadsheet skills. The
main barrier to accessing online material was unstable internet connection (74.1%). Most respondents (90.0%) agree
that adapting effective modules to online learning will be beneficial for professional development and teaching practices.
In conclusion, most participants supported digitizing Toybox Study Malaysia educational content and were comfortable
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with its implementation via an online learning platform. The findings from this study can advise future development of
online learning materials for preschool teachers in Malaysia.