RESUMO
@#Introduction: One of the commonly used techniques for mutation screening is High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis. HRM is a post PCR method that relies on the detection of the fluorescent signals acquired due to the release of DNA intercalated dyes upon the melting of dsDNA to ssDNA. The method is simple, inexpensive and does not require post PCR-handling, making it suitable for high throughput screening. Methods: This study aimed to develop and validate HRM technique for the screening of two disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) namely BDNF rs6265 and DAT1 rs40184 using a total of 30 gDNA samples. The obtained results were confirmed and validated by sequencing. Results: HRM analysis showed that the predicted genotypes of BDNF rs6265 and DAT1 rs40184 among all the gDNA samples were in 100% concordance with the sequencing results, making it an accurate and sensitive method for the detection of SNPs. Conclusions: The application of HRM can accurately determine the genotype of BDNF rs6265 and DAT1 rs40184 SNPs, making it a promising tool for rapid and high-throughput screening of targeted SNPs in a large population study.
RESUMO
@#Introduction: Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of death among HIV patients in Nigeria. Though tuberculosis is common among HIV patients, their knowledge about transmission and prevention is poor. Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude and preventive practices regarding tuberculosis and its predictors among HIV patients receiving treatment. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out involving 226 randomly selected HIV patients receiving care at General Hospital, Minna. Study duration was from June 2015 to July 2017. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, knowledge, attitude and preventive practices regarding tuberculosis was collected using a self-administered, WHO modified, pretested and validated questionnaires. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 226 respondents, 60(26.5%) had poor knowledge, 123(54.4%) had negative attitude and 48(21.2%) had poor preventive practices regarding tuberculosis. The predictors of knowledge were age (B=0.087, 95%CI=0.031, 0.143, p=0.002), depression (B=-0.444, 95%CI=-0.673,-0.214, p<0.001) monthly income (B=-0.058, 95%CI=-0.095, -0.021, p=0.002) and marital status (B=-1.276, 95%CI=-2.525,-0.025, P=0.046). The predictors of attitude were anxiety (B=-0.395, 95%CI=-0.584, -0.206, p<0.001), cigarette smoking (B=4.473, 95%CI=0.992, 7.954, p=0.012) and duration of HIV infection (B=0.371, 95%CI=0.110, 0.631, p=0.005). The predictors of practice were depression (B=-0.176, 95%CI=-0.276, -0.076, p=0.001), cigarette smoking (B=2.200, 95%CI=0.926, 3.474, p=0.001) and duration of HIV infection (B=0.098, 95%CI=0.003, 0.194, p=0.043). Conclusion: Overall, knowledge and practices regarding tuberculosis prevention were good, but attitude was poor. The predictors of knowledge, attitude and preventive practices were age, depression, anxiety, cigarette smoking, monthly income, marital status and duration of HIV infection.
RESUMO
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main cause of knee pain. It also affects individual’s physical functioning. Anti- inflammatory drugs and knee replacement are the mainstay methods in the management of knee OA in Malaysia. However, patients with knee OA often suffer pain. The general objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural intervention module on knee pain, functional disability and psychological outcomes among knee OA patients attending Orthopedics Clinics in Hospital Putrajaya and Hospital Serdang, Malaysia. This study aims to determine the baseline level of knee pain and functional disability among knee OA patients. Methods: Baseline results on the knee pain and functional disability were obtained from a two arm parallel- group randomized controlled study. Three hundred patients aged 35 to 75 years diagnosed with knee OA were recruited. A set of pre tested and validated Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire was used in this study. Results: Mean baseline of KOOS pain was 56.09 (SD=21.75) and 52.26 (SD=22.08) for the intervention and control groups respectively. Participants in the intervention and control groups had a mean KOOS function in daily living of 61.11 (SD=21.20) and 56.72 (SD=22.13) respectively. Overall mean baseline of KOOS function in sport and recreation was 35.30 (SD=27.38). Conclusions: Majority of participants had moderate level of knee pain and functional disability in daily living. However, participants had more extreme symptoms of functional disability in sport and recreation. Therefore, interventions to reduce knee pain and functional disability symptoms in knee OA are needed.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of hepatitis B and C has been reported to be low among respondents in different studies. We conducted a cross-sectional study among international students of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to ascertain their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding hepatitis B and C and its associated factors. METHODS: Six hundred and sixty two (662) international students participated in this study. A cluster sampling method was employed and data was generated using self-administered questionnaire, which was validated and its reliability checked. RESULTS: Normality test was conducted followed by descriptive statistics, spearman's correlation and Chi-square tests to explore associations between variables in the study. The response rate was 71.49 %. Of these, 50.3 % of the respondents had better knowledge of hepatitis B; 52.7 % had better knowledge of hepatitis C; 54.8 % had positive attitude towards hepatitis B and C and 77.6 % had safer practices towards hepatitis B and C. Positive correlations were found between knowledge of hepatitis B and knowledge of hepatitis C; knowledge hepatitis B and attitude; knowledge hepatitis C and attitude; knowledge hepatitis B and practice; knowledge hepatitis C and practice; and attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B and C. Similarly, some socio-demographic variables and history of hepatitis were found to be associated with knowledge, attitude and practice related to hepatitis B and C. CONCLUSION: The levels of knowledge and attitude towards hepatitis B and C were low among respondents but majority of them exhibited safe practices. The study level, faculty, age, nationality, marital status and gender of the respondents were significantly associated with their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices towards the disease. These findings imply that there is need for hepatitis health promotion among the international students of UPM and possibly other international students across the globe. It will serve to improve their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices in short term and get them protected against the disease in the long run.
