Dengue remains a public health threat that consumes a significant number of resources for its prevention and control. This systematic review aimed to solidify recent costing evidence in dengue management among South East Asian (SEA) countries. All studies conducted between 2010 and 2020 were retrieved using four international databases i.e. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Emerald Insight. The review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessments were done independently by two reviewers using a checklist adapted for the cost of illness studies. We identified 13 original articles representing several SEA countries. Among the common reported costing measure include total cost/ health expenditure; direct medical cost; direct non-medical cost; and indirect cost. The estimated total cost for dengue management varied between countries largely due to the difference in the total incidence of dengue cases. The estimated cost spent on dengue per capita GDP ranges from less than 0.001% to 0.1%, depending on the recorded number of dengue cases of the year. The majority of the articles focused on the economic burden from the perspective of treatment such as hospitalization and ambulatory care. In a nutshell, the economic burden of managing dengue infection is costly and the evidence suggests a steady increase in health expenditure with the growing number of dengue cases

Environmental Determinants in Sustaining the Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis: A Systematic Review IntroductionSince mass drug administration continues in many of the endemic countries, it is vital to synthesise evidence to adapt the challenges contributed by the environments. As such, the aim of this review was to explore relationship between lymphatic filariasis prevalence and potential environmental determinants .MethodsWe searched the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus between Jan 1, 2013, and Dec 31, 2022, for studies fulfilling the following criteria: it was an original article investigating the environmental determinants associated with transmission of lymphatic filariasis; and the study was published in English. The quality assessment tools for observational studies from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was used to assess the study quality. This systematic review was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42023393018).ResultsWe identified 409 potentially eligible published articles, of which 11 met our inclusion criteria. The main environmental determinants associated with lymphatic filariasis transmission were Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), land cover, distance to waterbody, rainfall/precipitation, elevation, slope, day land surface temperature, average annual temperature, house type and distance to stable light. ConclusionsThis review is one of the steps towards understanding the associations between environmental determinantsand transmission of lymphatic filariasis. These results can be used in future evidence-based strategies to strengthen surveillance and control strategies.

Cabaran Dalam Pencegahan dan Kawalan Plasmodium Knowlesi Malaria Di Rantau Asia Tenggara – Ulasan Naratif PengenalanDi sebalik kejayaan program penghapusan malaria manusia, terdapat peningkatan yang membimbangkan berkenaan jangkitan malaria Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi) di rantau Asia Tenggara. Pemahaman menyeluruh tentang cabaran dalam mencegah dan mengawal malaria zoonosis ini mesti diutarakan, terutamanya apabila menentukan strategi paling berkesan untuk menyekat penularan penyakit.MetodologiDi sebalik kejayaan program penghapusan malaria manusia, terdapat peningkatan yang membimbangkan berkenaan jangkitan malaria Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi) di rantau Asia Tenggara. Pemahaman menyeluruh tentang cabaran dalam mencegah dan mengawal malaria zoonosis ini mesti diutarakan, terutamanya apabila menentukan strategi paling berkesan untuk menyekat penularan penyakit.Hasil KajianKepelbagaian manusia, seperti sosioekonomi dan sosiobudaya tempatan yang majmuk, persepsi yang rendah dan pematuhan optimum terhadap langkah-langkah pencegahan dan kawalan perlu ditangani. Isu dana nasional, pelaksanaan program, dan birokrasi mesti diselesaikan dalam memastikan keberkesanan peranan kerajaan dan kerjasama pelbagai sektor apabila melibatkan pengurusan penyakit malaria. Kejayaan sesuatu program akan terhalang sekiranya tiada sokongan daripada pemimpin masyarakat dan bertentangan dengan dinamik sosial. Kebolehsuaian nyamuk Anopheles bertanggungjawab terutamanya terhadap cabaran yang dihadapi dalam kawalan vektor. Kesan anjakan ekologi dan perubahan iklim, ditambah dengan aktiviti antropogenik mewujudkan limpahan zoonosis dan variasi penyesuaian yang mengubah landskap transmisi sylvian dan manusia.KesimpulanCabaran daripada pelbagai faktor mengurangkan keberkesanan dalam mencegah penularan penyakit ini. Pendekatan baharu mesti dibangunkan untuk mencapai kawasan terjejas dengan intervensi jangka panjang, komprehensif dan berkesan.

Socio-ecological Factors Associated with Tuberculosis Infection: A Systematic Review Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health issue and poses a threat to the community with high incidence and mortality, especially in the endemic countries. Social and ecological factors have been known to cause TB transmission. Hence, it is vital to synthesis evidence to adapt to the challenges caused by these factors. As such, this review aims to explore the relationship between TB prevalence and potential social and environmental factors. Methods We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus between 1st January 2013 and 31st 2024, for studies that met the following requirements: 1) original article investigating the social and environmental determinants associated with transmission of TB and; 2) the study was published in English. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) assessed the study quality. Results We identified 484 potentially eligible published articles, of which 27 met our inclusion criteria. Findings from this systematic review showed that environmental and socioeconomic factors, mainly housing and living conditions, poverty, air quality and pollution, climate and weather, and water and sanitation infrastructure, influence the dynamics of TB transmission. Conclusion These findings can guide policymakers in improving and strengthening the TB control program.

Gema Ekologi: Meneroka Interaksi Antara Persekitaran Hutan dan Vektor Malaria Pendahuluan Malaria kekal sebagai salah satu cabaran kesihatan awam yang penting di seluruh dunia, dengan kemajuan telah terbantut dalam kebelakangan ini. Memandangkan peningkatan kes malaria terutamanya di beberapa kawasan tropika, pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang hubungan ekologi yang mendasari penularan vektor malaria perlu diberikan fokus. Pendekatan pelbagai disiplin yang melibatkan ekologi, entomologi dan kesihatan awam adalah diperlukanuntuk memahami kaitan antara malaria dan habitat persekitaran. Ulasan ini bertujuan untuk mensintesis penyelidikan sedia ada tentang bagaimana ekosistem hutan mempengaruhi dinamik penularan malaria.MetodologiMenggunakan pangkalandata PubMed, Google Scholar dan Scopus, kajian literatur komprehensif telah dijalankan menggunakan kata kunci tertentu. Artikel yang berkaitan telah dinilai untuk aliran tematik. Secara keseluruhan, 42 artikel telah dipilih untuk naratif ini.Hasil Iklim mikro hutan mempengaruhi kecergasan, tingkah laku, corak aktiviti dan fisiologi organisma. Relung biologiberbeza yang disebabkanoleh suhu, kelembapan, pendedahan cahaya dan kerpasan boleh memberi kesan kepada populasi nyamuk. Ciri-ciri fiziko-biokimia badan air, termasuk suhu, pH, jumlah pepejal terlarut (TDS), kandungan nitrat, dan paras oksigen terlarut, mempunyai kesan yang ketara ke atas banyaknya larva nyamuk anopheline. Kelimpahan vektor mungkin dipengaruhi oleh kehadiran perumah dan pemangsa semulajadi. Interaksi rumit geografi, tumbuh-tumbuhan hutan, kepadatan vektor malaria, dan tingkah laku mempunyai pengaruh besar ke atas dinamik penularan malaria. Penebangan hutan mengubah landskap dan ekosistem serpihan, yang mempunyai kesan besar ke atas habitat larva vektor Plasmodium. Perubahan iklim menimbulkan ancaman besar kepada kelimpahan vektor malaria dan dinamik penghantaran.KesimpulanTerdapat banyak aspek kepada interaksi kompleks antara persekitaran hutan dan penyebaran malaria,memerlukan pengetahuan yang mendalam dan lebih banyak penyiasatan. Kerjasama antara ahli ekologi, entomologi dan pakar kesihatan awam adalah penting dalam menghasilkan model komprehensif yang meramalkan risiko malaria dengan tepat dalam persekitaran yang berubah-ubah

Background: The introduction of presurgical nasoalveolar molding represented a significant departure from traditional molding methods. Developed by Grayson and colleagues in 1993, this technique combines an intraoral molding device with a nasal molding stent. This study aimed to compare the Grayson nasoalveolar molding appliance versus DynaCleft appliance as two methods of presurgical nasoalveolar molding. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized, parallel-arm clinical trial was conducted. Sixteen infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were enrolled and divided into two groups of eight. Group 1 was treated with a modified Grayson nasoalveolar molding appliance that included a nasal stent, while group 2 was treated with DynaCleft elastic adhesive tape and an external nasal elevator. Standardized digital photographs of each infant were taken at baseline and post-treatment using a professional camera. Nine extraoral anthropometric measurements were obtained from each image using image measurement software. Results: The modified Grayson nasoalveolar appliance demonstrated a more significant improvement compared to DynaCleft in terms of alar length projection (on both sides), columella angle, and nasal tip projection. Symmetry ratios also showed enhancement, with significant improvements observed in nasal width, nasal basal width, and alar length projection (p< 0.05). Conclusion Both the modified Grayson nasoalveolar appliance and DynaCleft appear to be effective presurgical infant orthopedics treatment options, demonstrating improvements in nasolabial aesthetics. The modified Grayson appliance, equipped with a nasal stent, improved nasal symmetry more effectively than DynaCleft, resulting in a straighter columella and a more medially positioned nasal tip.

Background: and Purpose Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the cerebellar hemisphere represents a new option in treating essential tremor (ET) patients. We aimed to determine the efficacy of cerebellar rTMS in treating ET using different protocols regarding the number of sessions, exposure duration, and follow-up duration. Methods: A randomized sham-controlled trial was conducted, in which 45 recruit patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The first (active group) comprised 23 patients who were exposed to 12 sessions of active rTMS with 900 pulses of 1-Hz rTMS at 90% of the resting motor threshold daily on each side of the cerebellar hemispheres over 4 weeks. The second group (sham group) comprised 22 patients who were exposed to 12 sessions of sham rTMS. Both groups were reassessed at baseline and after 1 day, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor-rating scale (FTM). Results: Demographic characteristics did no differ between the two groups. There were significant reductions both in FTM subscores A and B and in the FTM total score in the active-rTMS group during the period of assessment and after 3 months (p=0.031 and 0.011, respectively).However, subscore C did not change significantly from baseline when assessed at 2 and 3 months (p=0.073 and 0.236, respectively). Furthermore, the global assessment score was significantly higher in the active-rTMS group (p>0.001). Conclusions Low-frequency rTMS over the cerebellar cortex for 1 month showed relative safety and long-lasting efficacy in patients with ET. Further large-sample clinical trials are needed that include different sites of stimulation and longer follow-ups.

Idiopathic Osteosclerosis among UiTM Dental Centre Patients: A Retrospective Study Idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) represents asymptomatic radiopaque masses within the jaw. IO is commonly found as an incidental finding in panoramic radiographs. The purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of IO among Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Dental Centre patients and to investigate the radiographic parameters of IO located in the maxilla-mandibular region. Panoramic radiographic images of patients attending UiTM Dental Centre from 2016 to 2020 were examined. Parameters such as gender, age, site, shape, size, and association with tooth were evaluated. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 27. Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between the parameters. IO was identified in 108 (9.67%) out of 1,117 panoramic radiographic images that were reviewed. There was a slightly higher prevalence of IO in female patients with 58 (53%) over male patients. Most of the radiographically identified IO were located in the posterior mandibular region, constituting 83% of the cases. Pearson chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between size and gender (p-value < 0.05). Significant associations were found between site and gender and association with tooth and foci (p-value < 0.01). The prevalence of IO among UiTM Dental Center patients was observed to be low at 9.67%. There was a higher occurrence of IO in female patients compared to males, and the posterior mandibular region emerged as the most common site where IO was radiographically identified. The accurate radiographic identification of IO is essential for providing a precise diagnosis and formulating an appropriate treatment plan.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern. Globally, TB is among the top 10 and the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Providing standard anti-TB therapy for at least 6 months is recommended as one of the crucial strategies to control the TB epidemic. However, the long duration of TB treatment raised the issue of non-adherence. Non-adherence to TB therapy could negatively affect clinical and public health outcomes. Thus, directly observed therapy (DOT) has been introduced as a standard strategy to improve anti-TB medication adherence. Nonetheless, the DOT approach has been criticized due to inconvenience, stigma, reduced economic productivity, and reduced quality of life, which ultimately could complicate adherence issues. Apart from that, its effectiveness in improving anti-TB adherence is debatable. Therefore, digital technology could be an essential tool to enhance the implementation of DOT. Incorporating the health belief model (HBM) into digital technology can further increase its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving medication adherence. This article aimed to review the latest evidence regarding TB medication non-adherence, its associated factors, DOT’s efficacy and its alternatives, and the use of digital technology and HBM in improving medication adherence. This paper used the narrative review methodology to analyze related articles to address the study objectives. Conventional DOT has several disadvantages in TB management. Integrating HBM in digital technology development is potentially effective in improving medication adherence. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve medication adherence to overcome various issues related to DOT implementation.

Introduction: Numerous factors contributed to the susceptibility of university students to develop mental health issues. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems among International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students and their relationships with diet quality and body mass index (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 students. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess students’ depression, anxiety, and stress levels. The Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (M-HEI) was used to assess diet quality. Spearman Rho was used to determine the relationships between variables. Results: Approximately 69.4% (n = 34), 71.4% (n = 35), and 48.9% (n = 34) of male students experienced moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In contrast, 85.4% (n = 47), 89.1% (n = 49), and 54.6% (n = 30) of female students had moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. No correlations were found between diet quality and BMI with students’ mental health problems. For male students, there were negative significant associations reported between fat-rich foods (r = -0.447, p-value = 0.001) and sugar-rich foods (r = -0.332, p-value = 0.020) intake with depression; a positive significant relationship between fruit intake and anxiety (r = 0.284, p-value = 0.048); a positive relationship between fruit intake and stress (r = 0.300, p-value = 0.036); and a negative relationship between fat-rich foods and stress (r = -0.293, p-value = 0.041). Female students only had a significant negative correlation between fish intake and anxiety (r = -0.376, p-value = 0.005). Conclusion: No associations were found between diet quality, BMI, and mental health problems. A more profound comprehension of the connections between risk factors and mental health could lead to new intervention strategies.