This report describes an approach to recover SARS-CoV-2 RNA from rapid antigen test kit (RTK-antigen) cassettes for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RNA samples were recovered from 33 RTK-antigen cassettes for WGS, with 18 samples achieving more than 80% genome coverage. This work provides a proof-of-concept that positive RTK-antigen cassettes can be safely transported, stored and subjected to WGS, enabling swift identification of circulating variants.

Introduction: Studies show that adolescents are more reward sensitive compared to other age groups. The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) has been identified as a key brain area involved in reward through its connectivity to other reward-related brain areas. Our study aimed to characterise the white matter structural connectivity of nucleus accumbens with brain areas that are most often associated with reward in female adolescents. Methods: Fifteen healthy female Malay adolescents were recruited and underwent diffusion-weighted brain scanning. Two behaviour scales were also given to verify typical reward responsiveness. Then, probabilistic tractography and NAcc segmentation were performed on the data using FMRIB Software Library (FSL). Probabilistic tractography was performed to determine the relative connection probability of nucleus accumbens (NAcc) to areas shown to be associated with reward, namely amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), hippocampus, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Connectivity-based segmentation of NAcc was performed to determine the spatial distribution of its connectivity with the target brain areas according to the highest connection probability. Results: The highest relative connection probability was found between NAcc to mOFC, while the NAcc parcellation showed the widest distribution of connection to mOFC compared to the other five targets on both sides of the brain. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated the strongest structural connectivity and widest distribution between NAcc and mOFC compared with other brain areas related to reward. This study’s findings could be used as baseline to compare with people with atypical reward circuit problems.

The global COVID-19 Pandemic combined with nationwide economic depression and public fear had caused dental clinics in Malaysia to experience a significant reduction in patient visits with a potential impact on the socio-economic and psychological status of Malaysian private dentists. This study assesses the socio-economic and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Malaysian private dentists. A cross-sectional online questionnaire included demographic profile, socioeconomic factors and psychological status was used. Participation was voluntary. Descriptive statistics on the three variables were generated. Pearson Chi-square test was used to check for significant difference (p<0.05). In all, 95 private dentists voluntarily participated. Male and female participants were equally represented, mostly in the 22-25 group (62%). The Job Insecurity Scale measurement showed 58% and 48.5% participants respectively, were socio-economically and psychologically affected. The Financial Threat Scale showed 44.4% of respondents were financially affected, while 51% (measured by the General health questionnaire) displayed affected health. The socio-economicpsychological aspect was found to be statistically significant (p =0.018). Within the limitation of sample size, participating private dentists were found to be socio-economically and psychologically affected by the COVID19 pandemic.

Introduction: Distal tibia fractures are frequently associated with an extensive soft tissue injury which then leads to a higher risk of complications such as infection, non-union and eventually poor overall outcome. The purpose of this study is to measure the outcome of distal tibia fractures treated with internal fixation, external fixator or Ilizarov external fixator(IEF). We aim to propose an algorithm for management of distal tibia fractures by evaluating the treatment options, outcomes and risk factors present. Material and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study of all distal tibia fractures treated surgically in Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang from 1st January 2016 till 30th June 2018. Patient records were reviewed to analyse the outcomes of surgical treatment and risk factors associated with it. Results: Ninety-one patients were included with a mean age of 41.5 years (SD = 16.4). Thirty-nine cases (42.9%) were open fractures. Thirty-eight patients (41.8%) were treated with internal fixation, 27 patients (29.7%) were treated with IEF and 26 patients (28.6%) were treated with an external fixator. Among open fractures cases, no significant finding can be concluded when comparing each surgical option and its outcome, although one option was seen better than the other in a particular outcome. Initial skeletal traction or temporary spanning external fixator in close fractures reduced the risk of mal-alignment (p value=0.001). Internal fixation is seen superior to IEF and external fixator in close fractures in term of articular surface reduction (p value = 0.043) and risk of mal-alignment (p value = 0.007). Conclusion: There is no single method of fixation that is ideal for all pilon fractures and suitable for all patients. This proposed algorithm can help surgeons in deciding treatment strategies in the challenging management of distal tibia fractures to reduce associated complications.

Introduction: Increased nociceptive responses were shown in the offspring of prenatally stressed rats. Reports have demonstrated the anti-nociceptive effects of Tualang honey in the rat offspring. The present study was done to determine whether the modulation of nociceptive behaviour by Tualang honey was mediated by modulating changes in the histology, oxidative stress parameters and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the thalamus of the rat offspring. Methods: Eighteen Sprague Dawley pregnant rats were randomly assigned to control (C), stress (S) and stress-treated with Tualang honey (SH) groups. Stress was given in a form of restraint stress.Tualang honey was given to SH group from first day of pregnancy until delivery. Thirty-three adult male offspring were subjected to formalin test before they were sacrificed. Nociceptive behaviour score, number of neurons, level of oxidative stress parameters and NMDA receptors in the thalamus were analysed by using one-way ANOVA. Results: The study demonstrated a significant decrease in mean nociceptive behaviour score (p<0.05) with lower malondialdehyde (MDA, p<0.05) and higher superoxide dismutase SOD and catalase levels in the thalamus of SH group compared to S group (p<0.05). There was also increased Nissl positive neurons in the thalamus of SH group compared to S group. There was no significant difference in NMDA receptor level between S and SH groups. Conclusion: The modulation of nociceptive responses in the prenatally stressed rat offspring by Tualang honey was associated with improvement in oxidative stress parameters and histology of the thalamus in the rat offspring exposed to prenatal stress.

INTRODUCTION: Uncontrolled asthma may cause an increase in healthcare utilisation, hospital admission and productivity loss. With the increasing burden of asthma in Malaysia, strategies aimed at reducing cost of care should be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine if a clinical pathway (CPW) for inpatient paediatric asthma would reduce average length of stay (ALOS), improve asthma management and decrease cost. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, pre-post study was used to evaluate the CPW effectiveness. Paediatric inpatients aged 5-18 years old, admitted for acute asthma exacerbation from September 2015 to April 2016 were prospectively recruited. Data from patients admitted from January-July 2015 were used as control. CPW training was carried out in August 2015 using standardised modules. Direct admission cost from the provider's prospective was calculated. Outcomes compared were differences in ALOS, discharge medication, readmission within 28 days of discharge and cost. RESULTS: ALOS is 26 hours lower in the CPW group for severe exacerbations and underlying uncontrolled asthma (19.2 hours) which is clinically significant as patients have shorter hospital stay. More newly-diagnosed intermittent asthmatics were discharged with relievers in the CPW group (p-value 0.006). None of the patients in the CPW group had readmissions (p-value 0.16). Mean treatment cost for patients in the intervention group is higher at RM843.39 (SD ±48.99, versus RM779.21 SD±44.33). CONCLUSION: This study found that management using a CPW may benefit asthmatic patients with uncontrolled asthma admitted with severe exacerbation. Further studies will be needed to explore CPW's impact on asthma management starting from the emergency department.

Introduction: Trauma is a Global threat and the 5th highest cause of all-cause mortality in Malaysia caused predominantly due to road traffic accidents. Majority of trauma victims are young adults aged between 21-40 years old. In Malaysia, 24 out of 100,000 population die annually due to trauma, rating us amongst the highest in South East Asia. These alarming figures justify aggressive preventive and mitigation strategies. The aim of this paper is to promote the implementation of evidence-based interventions that will reduce the rate of preventable death because of trauma. Tranexamic acid is one of the few interventions in the early management of severe trauma with level-one evidence. Tranexamic acid has been proven to reduce all causes of mortality and mortality due to bleeding. Evidence proves that it is most effective when administered early, particularly within the 1st hour of trauma. This proposed guideline is formulated based upon quality evidence from multicentre studies, clinical practices in other countries and consideration of the local demographic factors with the intent of enabling an easy and simple pathway to administer tranexamic acid early in the care of the severely injured. Conclusion: The guideline highlights select pre-hospital criteria’s and the methods for drug administration. The authors recognise that some variants may be present amongst certain institutions necessitating minor adaptations, nevertheless the core principles of advocating tranexamic acid early in the course of pre-hospital trauma should be adhered to.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine whether Tualang honey could prevent the altered nociceptive behaviour, with its associated changes of oxidative stress markers and morphology of the spinal cord, among the offspring of prenatally stressed rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats were divided into three groups: control, stress, and stress treated with Tualang honey. The stress and stress treated with Tualang honey groups were subjected to restraint stress from day 11 of pregnancy until delivery. Ten week old male offspring (n = 9 from each group) were given formalin injection and their nociceptive behaviours were recorded. After 2 h, the rats were sacrificed, and their spinal cords were removed to assess oxidative stress activity and morphology. Nociceptive behaviour was analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), while the levels of oxidative stress parameters and number of Nissl-stained neurons were analysed using a one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that prenatal stress was associated with increased nociceptive behaviour, changes in the oxidative stress parameters and morphology of the spinal cord of offspring exposed to prenatal stress; administration of Tualang honey reduced the alteration of these parameters. CONCLUSION This study provides a preliminary understanding of the beneficial effects of Tualang honey against the changes in oxidative stress and neuronal damage in the spinal cord of the offspring of prenatally stressed rats.

Introduction:Patch test is the gold standard diagnostic test for contact allergy. Periodic analysis of the trend ofcontact allergy provides a valuable guide to clinicians. We aim to study the pattern of contact allergyin adults at Hospital Selayang.Methods:This is a retrospective review of patch test data in adults suspected with allergic contact dermatitisbetween January 2011 and December 2013 at Hospital Selayang.Results:There were 705 subjects with 247 males (35%) and 458 females (65%). At least 1 positive reactionwas detected in 546 (77.4%) subjects patch tested with European Baseline Series (EBS) and additionalseries. The top 5 common allergens in the EBS were nickel sulfate (28.7%), cobalt chloride (13.6%),paraben mix (11.6%), balsam of peru (10.6%), and potassium dichromate (10.5%). Among thosepatch tested with rubber additives series, the top 3 allergens were N,N-Diphenylguanidine (DPG),N-Cyclohexyl-N-phenyl-4-phenylenediamine (CPPD), and N-Cyclohexylthiophthalimide. Of thetop 5 common allergens in the group tested with fragrance series, all except Ylang ylang oil werecomponents of fragrance mix I. Among the subjects tested with fragrance series, the top 5 commonallergens were individual components of fragrance mix I and Ylang ylang oil.Conclusion:A multicentre study would reflect better the pattern of allergen exposure of the nation. Furtherevaluation of the prevalence of contact allergy to DPG, CPPD, N-Cyclohexylthiophthalimide andYlang ylang oil would guide the need to incorporate these allergens in routine testing along with EBS.

Stress modulates pain perception, resulting in either stress-induced analgesia or stress-induced hyperalgesia, as reported in both animal and human studies. The responses to stress include neural, endocrine, and behavioural changes, and built-in coping strategies are in place to address stressors. Peculiar to humans are additional factors that modulate pain that are experienced in times of stress, notably psychological factors that potentially influence the directionality of pain perception.