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.

Background: Tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and lymphocytes play essential roles in promoting or combating various neoplasms. This study aimed to investigate the association between tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and lymphocytes and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the progression of urothelial carcinoma. Methods: A total of 106 patients diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma were was. Pathological examination for tumor grade and stage and for tumor-infiltrating neutrophils, both CD4 and CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as the neutrophil- to-lymphocyte ratio were evaluated. Results: The presence of neutrophils and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio correlated with high-grade urothelial neoplasms. In both low- and high-grade tumors, the lymphocytes increased during progression from a non-invasive neoplasm to an early-invasive neoplasm. CD8+ T lymphocytes increased in low-grade non–muscle-invasive tumors compared to non-invasive tumors. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in CD8+ T lymphocytes during progression to muscle-invasive tumors. Conclusions Our results suggest that tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and CD8+ T lymphocytes have a significant effect on tumor grade and progression.

Introduction: Intervention approaches that integrate human coaching into technology are considered as a convenient, accessible and scalable method to reach a larger population at risk. The objective of this paper is to present the protocol for a randomised controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention programme via a mobile phone app (MyDiPP), which aims to prevent diabetes among adults at risk of developing diabetes. Methods: MyDiPP intervention is to be delivered for 12 months with multiple approaches (weight loss, dietary modification, physical activity, and quality of life). Eligible adults aged 18-65 years, overweight/obese (body mass index, BMI ≥ 23kg/m2), and at high risk of type 2 diabetes [American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Risk Score ≥5, or haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 5.6-6.2%], will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups (intervention or usual care control groups) in a 1:1 ratio using simple randomisation. Results: Changes in weight and HbA1c level (primary outcomes), and changes in physical activity level, dietary intake, and quality of life (secondary outcomes) will be assessed at 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: This study protocol describes the first digital therapy for diabetes prevention in Malaysia, which will determine whether the effect of this intervention is larger than the effect of usual care in reducing body weight and HbA1c level, and improving dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life of high-risk individuals. Results from this trial may be useful for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus in Malaysia.

Introduction: Sex shapes immune response with possible consequence on tumor immune escape. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) predominates in males while ovarian cancer (OC) occurs in females. NK cells essential for tumor killing may have male preponderance. Association of sex, NK cell activity and malignancies is unclear. We hypothesize that sex differentially affects KIR expressions in sex-biased cancers. Method: Expression of inhibitory (KIR2DL1-5 and KIR3DL1-3) and activating (KIR2DS1-2 and 4-5 and KIR3DS1) genes in B-, T-cell ALL, OC and normal controls were determined by reverse-transcription polymerase-chain-reaction. Result: All normal males (but not females) expressed the framework genes and generally maintained haplotype A, except KIR3DL1. Normal females expressed more activating KIRs. Frequencies of KIR2DL1, 2DL4 and 2DS2 were significantly reduced among ovarian cancer patients. Sex difference in frequencies of KIR expression was not detected in ALL as majority were undetectable except framework gene KIR3DL2, was more frequent among T-ALL. Conclusion: Cancers may be associated with reduced KIR expression and influence of sex requires investigation.

Introduction: Dog bite is a global public health concern because it is the main risk factor for human rabies and it particularly affects children. In Nigeria, most dog bites are from stray dogs and their vaccination status remains unknown. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of dog bite among public primary school children in Madawaki district Gusau, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an unequal stratified sampling technique among 999 children aged 11 to 13-year-old at seven public primary schools from September 2017 to January 2020. A self-reported history of dog bites, socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on interaction with dogs, knowledge on the implication of dog bites, risk behaviours of children and dog ownership were collected using a validated questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dog bites was 54.5%. The predictors of dog bite among the children were being a male (Adjusted Odds Ratio; AOR = 2.252; Confidence Interval; CI = 1.719, 2.949), dog ownership by respondent’s family (AOR = 1.456; Cl = 1.089, 1.946), dog ownership by neighbours of the respondents (AOR = 1.752; Cl =1.334, 2.303), total score for knowledge on interaction with dogs (AOR = 0.884; Cl = 0.858, 0.911), and total score for risk behaviours of children (AOR = 1.020; Cl =1.004, 1.035). Conclusion: Poor knowledge on interaction with dogs, children’s risk behaviours around dogs, dog ownership and being male were the factors associated with a high prevalence of dog bite among primary school children from this study. These factors should be considered in order to develop an effective awareness campaign in schools to reduce the prevalence of dog bites among children.

The downstream effect of the pandemic on global cancer prevention and control efforts is wide-ranging, especially for lower and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Malaysia. This paper explores the performance of the colorectal cancer screening programme in Malaysia for the years 2019 and 2020, This is followed by evidence-based recommendations for building back a better cancer control programme in Malaysia. Malaysia screened a total of 31,529 eligible candidates in 2019 and 42,554 in 2020. A total of 2,668 (8.46%) and 2767 (6.50%) individuals tested positive for the immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Of these numbers, only 1454 (54.49%) of those who tested positive underwent colonoscopy in 2019 and this proportion reduced to 1148 (41.48%) in 2020. This analysis also shows a drop in the number of screenings in the second quarter of 2020. This drop coincides with the announcement of Malaysia’s first Movement Control Order. Existing challenges exacerbated by pandemic restrictions have possibly led to a decreased colonoscopy attendance rate in 2020. To build back a better cancer control programme, better governance, and political will, coupled with improved financing, sustainable partnerships, improved service delivery, and a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism is vital.

Introduction: A dilemma arises when a bone graft or fracture fragment is accidentally dropped on the operation theatre floor and becomes contaminated. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of simple and readily available antiseptic solutions in disinfecting contaminated bones. Materials and methods: This experimental study involved 225 bone specimens prepared from discarded bone fragments during a series of 45 knee and hip arthroplasty surgeries. The bone fragments were cut into five identical cubes and were randomly assigned to either control (positive or negative), or experimental groups (0.5% chlorhexidine, 10% povidone-iodine or 70% alcohol). The control negative was to determine pre-contamination culture. All bone specimens, except the control negative group were uniformly contaminated by dropping on the operation theatre floor. Subsequently, the dropped bone specimens except for the control positive group, were disinfected by immersing in a respective antiseptic solution for 10 minutes, before transported to the microbiology laboratory for incubation. Results: The incidence of a positive culture from a dropped bone fragment was 86.5%. From the 37 specimens sent for each group, the incidence of positive culture was 5.4% (2 specimens) after being disinfected using chlorhexidine, 67.6% (25 specimens) using povidone-iodine and 81.1% (30 specimens) using alcohol. Simple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that chlorhexidine was significantly effective in disinfecting contaminated bones (p-value <0.001, odd ratio 0.009). Povidone-iodine and alcohol were not statistically significant (p-value 0.059 and 0.53, respectively). Organisms identified were Bacillus species and coagulase negative Staphylococcus. No gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Conclusion: A total of 0.5% chlorhexidine is effective and superior in disinfecting contaminated bones.

Purpose: One of the essential goals regarding the successful control of rabies infection is the development of a safe, effective, and inexpensive vaccine. the current study aimed to evaluate the inactivation potential of β-propiolactone (βPL), binary ethyleneimine (BEI), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Materials and Methods: Estimating the inactivation kinetics of βPL, BEI, and H2O2 revealed that the tested inactivants could completely and irreversibly inactivate rabies virus within 2, 12, and 4 hours, respectively while maintaining its viral immunogenicity. The potency of βPL, BEI, and H2O2 inactivated vaccines was higher than the World Health Organization acceptance limit and were in the order of 3.75, 4.21, and 3.64 IU/mL, respectively. Monitoring the humoral and cellular immunity elicited post-immunization using Staphylococcus aureus derived hyaluronic acid (HA) and bacillus Calmette-Guérin purified protein derivative (PPD) adjuvanted rabies vaccine candidates were carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Results: demonstrated that both adjuvants could progressively enhance the release of anti-rabies total immunoglobulin G as well as the pro-inflammatory mediators (interferon-gamma and interleukin-5) relative to time. However, a higher immune response was developed in the case of HA adjuvanted rabies vaccine compared to PPD adjuvanted one. The harmful consequences of the tested adjuvants were considered via investigating the histopathological changes in the tissues of the immunized rats using hematoxylin and eosin stain. Lower adverse effects were observed post-vaccination with HA and PPD adjuvanted vaccines compared to that detected following administration of the currently used alum as standard adjuvant. Conclusion Our findings suggested that HA and PPD could serve as a promising platform for the development of newly adjuvanted rabies vaccines with elevated immune enhancing potentials and lower risk of health hazards.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, especially in the Western world and Asia-Pacific regions. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD detected by sonographic assessment among the rural indigenous population in Peninsula Malaysia and its association with anthropometric and biochemical factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from January 2014-February 2016. Subjects were recruited among indigenous peninsula Malaysia population in rural villages, aged ≥18 years old. The survey was questionnaire-based followed by anthropometric and blood parameters measurements. All subjects underwent abdominal ultrasound assessment to screen for the presence of NAFLD. Semi-quantitative visual grading was performed to assess for mild, moderate or severe NAFLD. Results: A total of 270 subjects underwent the screening program (mean age 43.3 ±14.0 years). Approximately 53 subjects (19.6 %) were identified with NAFLD. Of those with NAFLD, approximately 83% had moderate grade of fatty liver and the remainder were diagnosed with mild grade. NAFLD was closely associated with age, body mass index (BMI), central obesity, hypertension, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio. On multivariate logistic regression, a high BMI (≥23.0 kg/m2), central obesity, and raised TG/HDL-C ratio were independent risk factors for developing NAFLD. Conclusion: This pioneer study defines the prevalence of NAFLD among rural indigenous population in Peninsula Malaysia. Lifestyle-related diseases, such as NAFLD can affect both rural and urban communities with equal severity. High BMI, central obesity, and elevated TG/HDL-C ratio were independent risk factors for developing NAFLD.

Bilharziasis is a tropical parasitic disease caused by different species of the genus Schistosoma. One species, S. haematobium, is widely spread in Sudan. There is a scarcity of information about S. haematobium infection among the fishermen in the country. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium infection among fishermen, and the immune status among non-infected fishermen in two villages, El Hadib and Hawer-Ajowel at the White Nile state in Sudan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 119 fishermen in addition to 20 samples from non-endemic area which were included as a control group. Urine samples were examined by sedimentation method and faecal samples were examined by the Kato Katz method and formalin-ether concentration technique. Blood samples were examined for enumeration of IgE antibody and cytokines, interferon Gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Interleukin10 (IL–10) levels using ELISA. The result of the study indicated that the overall prevalence of S. haematobium among the fishermen was 35 (29.41 %). Of the 35 positive participants, 23 (65.71 %) were infected for the first time, and 12 (34.29 %) for the second time (re-infection). Twenty-four candidates of the non-infected fishermen were included in the immunological study. The total IgE mean titer was 282.90 ±70.93 iu/ml, IFN-γ mean level was 9.62±4.60 pg/ml. TNF, 114.64±46.63 pg/ml and the IL–10 was 1.51±0.58 pg/ml. High prevalence of S. haematobium exists among fishermen and the non-infected fishermen from the endemic area showed high immune response similar to those exposed to the infection.
Cytokines ; Allergy and Immunology ; Sudan