Peripheral neuropathy is highly associated with foot complications among diabetics. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients and their association with degree of severity of peripheral neuropathy. A cross-sectional study was conducted in follow-up clinics at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Malaysia involving 72 diabetic patients and 19 controls. Exclusion criteria were those with amputated limbs, gross foot deformity and existing peripheral neuropathy. Controls were non diabetics who walked normally, had no history of foot problem and attended the clinic as subjects’ companion. Quantitative assessment of neuropathy was done using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) were used to quantify severity of diabetic neuropathy. Spearman’s Rank test and Mann-Whitney test were used to determine correlation between variables and their differences. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with peripheral neuropathy. The mean HbA1c among diabetics was 8.6% + 4.1, and mean NDS was 7.0 + 6.0. A total of 79.1% demonstrated various level of neuropathy with presence of callus was associated with higher NDS scores. Older age (P=0.02), body weight (P=0.03), HbA1c (P=0.005) and duration of diabetes (P <0.005) showed positive correlation with NDS. Proper foot care program for diabetics should include recognition of the callus, with special emphasis given to those with heavier weight and increasing age.

Some of the beneficial biocompatible properties of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]; the major component and an essential ingredient of normal bone and teeth, are that it is rapidly integrated into the human body and will bond to bone forming indistinguishable unions. But, before new materials are approved for medical use, mutagenesis systems to exclude cytotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic properties are applied worldwide. This study aimed to detect any chromosomal aberrations induced by the synthetic hydroxyapatite granules [Manufactured by Universiti Sains Malaysia, (USM) Penang, Malaysia] in the bone marrow cells of mice. The mitotic indices of the groups treated with synthetic hydroxyapatite granules did not show any significant difference as compared to the negative control group treated with distilled water. Also the groups of mice treated with synthetic hydroxyapatite granules and distilled water did not induce significant change in chromosome aberrations as compared to the positive control group treated with Mitomycin C. The mitotic indices and chromosomal analyses indicate that under the present test conditions, synthetic hydroxyapatite granules (manufactured by USM) are non cytotoxic and do not induce chromosome aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Durapatite

Nasopharyngeal mass in paediatric population is usually benign and malignant nasopharyngeal tumours such as carcinoma is rare. We report a case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in an adolescent with atypical imaging findings that mimicked a benign mass. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive review on the distinctive radiographic features of paediatric nasopharyngeal mass. We discuss the imaging features of NPC in the paediatric group, which differ from the elderly patients. By recognising these distinctive imaging features, it may help in diagnosing typical case. This case report serves as a reminder that NPC, despite being uncommon, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a juvenile nasopharyngeal mass.

Caesarean scar implantation is one of the rarest form ofectopic pregnancies and most unwanted complication ofcaesarean scar. However, with the increasing numbers ofcaesarean section performed, caesarean scar pregnancy(CSP) may be on the rise. The diagnosis is often difficult,but establishing an accurate diagnosis of CSP in the earlyfirst trimester is utmost important to prevent its detrimentalconsequences of uterine rupture and fatal haemorrhage.Hence, we present a case to highlight the role of imaging indiagnosing and managing this condition to prevent itsassociated high morbidity and mortality.

Aims: This study aimed to isolate and identify fungi involved in causing diseases to Vanilla planifolia as well as to study their pathogenicity level in causing disease. Methodology and results: The diseased parts of vanilla plants were collected from vanilla farms located in Pahang and Sabah, Malaysia from May 2015 to May 2016. Diseases tissue transplantation was adopted to isolate the fungi for morphology identification prior to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions using universal primers for fungi, ITS1 and ITS4. After being isolated, the fungi pathogenicity was tested on detached fresh and mature vanilla leaves. A total of 22 fungal isolates were identified, Fusarium fujikuroi and F. oxysporum were the two most recovered species, followed by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium sp., F. proliferatum and F. solani. Pathogenicity test revealed a significantly high pathogenicity of F. oxysporum and C. gloeosporiodes (p<0.01) on detached vanilla leaf, with high level of damage. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study provides valuable information on fungi-associated diseases on vanilla plants grown in Malaysia and can be used for future development in disease management.
Vanilla--microbiology ; Fusarium--isolation & ; purification ; Colletotrichum--isolation & ; purification

Introduction: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of burnout and correlation between burnout score and stressor domain score and to determine the association between sociodemographic and occupational related factors with overall burnout among nurses caring for children in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using bilingual validated questionnaire; the General Stressor Questionnaire (GSQ) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) conducted among nurses providing medical service for children in Hospital USM particularly in wards and clinics. All 159 eligible nurses were recruited and 157 completed questionnaires were analysed. Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied to study the correlation while simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regressions were applied to study the association. Results: The prevalence of burnout among nurses caring for children in Hospital USM was 28.7% (95% CI = 21.6, 35.7) with the majority of them experienced personal burnout (49.7%, 95% CI = 41.9, 57.5). There was a significant moderate positive correlation between different stressor domain score with overall burnout score with p-value < 0.05. Work placement and bureaucratic constraints were identified as the main contributory factor leading to overall burnout. Conclusion: Burnout among nurses providing medical services for children in Hospital USM is of concern especially involving personal burnout. The main stressor related factors of burnout were work placement and bureaucratic constraints. Therefore, burnout among nurses providing care for children must be addressed in order to enhance their psychological well-being.

Introduction: Childhood anxiety is one of the common mental health problems in children. Untreated childhood anxiety will lead to a higher risk of developing mental health problems in adulthood. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental emotional styles and family values to anxiety level among primary school children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a selected primary school in Kelantan, Malaysia. A set of questionnaires consisted of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale–Parents’ Report (RCADS-P 25), the Parental Emotional Style Questionnaire (PESQ), and the Asian Family Characteristics Scale (AFCS) was used for assessing anxiety, parental emotional styles, and family values, respectively. Data were collected via an online survey using Google Form, and were analysed using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) to determine the factors associated with childhood anxiety. The significance value was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 150 parents of primary school children from the selected school was involved in this study. The majority of respondents were females (82.0%), married (94.7%), hold a degree (66.7%), and were working in the government sector (60.0%). Most of the respondents’ child were twelve years old (20.7%) and males (62%). Based on the MLR, emotional dismissing parental style (p = 0.025) and family values (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with anxiety in these children. Conclusion: Emotional dismissing parental style and family values were significant predictors of anxiety in primary school children. Future intervention research on childhood anxiety is needed.