Malaysian Journal of Medical Research (MJMR)

Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Self-Guided Digital Hypnorelaxation Program for Sleep Quality and Psychological Readiness Pregnant Women

2026-02-05T04:55:25+00:00

Background: Sleep disturbances and psychological distress are common during late pregnancy and are associated with reduced maternal well-being and childbirth preparedness, highlighting the need for accessible non-pharmacological interventions. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to develop and preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and early responsiveness of a self-guided digital hypnorelaxation program integrating relaxation techniques and positive affirmations for late pregnancy. Methods: A developmental quasi-experimental pilot study with a pretest–posttest comparison group design was conducted among 60 third-trimester pregnant women recruited from community antenatal care settings. Participants were non-randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 35) and a routine care group (n = 25). The intervention consisted of a standardized hypnorelaxation audio program used independently twice daily for 14 days. Sleep-related well-being and psychological readiness for childbirth were assessed using validated Indonesian instruments and analyzed within an exploratory pilot framework. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The intervention group showed greater short-term changes in sleep-related well-being scores (mean change = 8.40) compared with minimal change in the control group (mean change = 0.30). A shift toward higher sleep quality categories and increased childbirth preparedness was observed, with 85.7% of participants classified as highly prepared post-intervention. These findings represent preliminary response patterns within a pilot context. Conclusion: The intervention demonstrated feasibility, high adherence, and early indications of responsiveness. Further randomized controlled trials are required to establish effectiveness.

Probability of Hereditary Effects Due to Dose Radiation on X-Ray Radiography Examination

2026-02-05T03:51:14+00:00

Introduction: This study estimates the risk of hereditary diseases related to X-ray radiation in conventional radiography, conducted at the Bali Academy of Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Engineering using a Raysafe Multimeter. The focus is on stochastic radiation effects, including hereditary and cancerous impacts. These effects, which occur without a specific dose threshold, are linked to mutations in somatic and germinal cells that contribute to cancer and genetic disorders. The goal was to assess the hereditary risk by measuring radiation doses through the Entrance Surface Dose (ESD). Methods: Key variables measured during the radiographic procedure included output voltage (kV), exposure time (s), current output (mA), and radiation dose exposure (mGy). These measurements were used to calculate the ESD, which helped estimate hereditary risks for critical organs. Data collected with the Raysafe Multimeter was analyzed to establish the relationship between radiation dose and hereditary risk. Results: The study found that the lowest ESD value was 0.3737 mGy with 40 kV voltage, and the highest was 0.7328 mGy at 80 kV. It also showed that the first generation (Generation I) had a higher probability of hereditary effects than the second generation (Generation II). This was attributed to the cells' ability to repair radiation-induced damage over time, with the second generation benefiting from more opportunities for repair. Conclusion: The risk of hereditary diseases is influenced by the ESD and the cell’s repair ability. The second generation faces lower hereditary risk due to natural repair processes, underscoring the need for careful radiation exposure management in radiography.

IcaA Gene in Environmental Isolates of Biofilm Producing Staphylococcus aureus

2026-03-13T06:05:17+00:00

Background: Biofilm-forming (BF) Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are a major environmental and health concern due to their role in antibiotic resistance and chronic infections. The presence of biofilm-associated genes, such as the IcaA gene, plays a significant role in biofilm formation and increases its virulence in the environment. Objectives: This study aims to isolate and identify biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus from environmental samples, detect the presence of the IcaA gene using polymerase chain reaction, compare different biofilm detection methods, and detect antibiotic resistance and its patterns in the isolates. Methods: One hundred and forty environmental samples were collected from various locations, including soil and wastewater. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated and identified by culturing on different media and then characterized using biochemical methods. Biofilm formation was detected using Congo Red agar and tube-based methods. The IcaA gene was detected molecularly using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion. Results: A total of 140 environmental samples, 55 isolates exhibited biofilm-forming potential. Thirteen of these isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm detection showed that 76.92% of the isolates were positive using the Congo Red agar method, and 23.07% were positive using the tube method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results indicated that 4 of the 13 isolates (30.76%) carried the IcaA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance to vancomycin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin, while high susceptibility was observed to gentamicin and amikacin. Conclusion: Environmental Staphylococcus aureus isolates exhibited a marked capacity for biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The presence of the IcaA gene confirmed the genetic basis for biofilm formation in some isolates. The tube method showed greater agreement with molecular detection compared to the Congo red agar method. Continued monitoring of environmental Staphylococcus aureus and biofilm-associated genes is recommended due to their role in antibiotic resistance and public health risks.

Orthostatic Hypotension, Stress, Employment, and Family Scapegoating Abuse in Postpartum Women of Zambia

2026-01-08T03:41:38+00:00

Introduction: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can lead to dizziness and increased cardiovascular risk. Postpartum women are particularly vulnerable to this condition due to physiological changes, with psychosocial stressors like family scapegoating abuse and mental health challenges potentially exacerbating the risk. Employment status may influence the relationship between stress and OH, though this has not been well explored in low-resource settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 666 postpartum women aged 20–30 years from Ndola, divided by parity (one or three children). OH was diagnosed based on a drop in blood pressure (≥20 mmHg systolic or ≥10 mmHg diastolic) after standing. Psychosocial stressors were measured using the Family Scapegoating Abuse Questionnaire (FSA-25) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Logistic regression was used to analyze how employment might moderate the relationship between stress and OH. Results: The prevalence of OH was found to be 13.96%. Approximately 25% of participants reported experiencing family scapegoating abuse. Chi-square tests revealed a significant association between higher FSA scores and the presence of OH (χ2(3) = 223.72, p < 0.001). The moderation analysis showed that stress significantly reduced the odds of OH (Stress_G(1) OR = 0.109, p < 0.001). Employment status alone was not a predictor of OH (p = 0.399), but the interaction between stress and employment was statistically significant (p = 0.013), suggesting a moderating effect, although the individual interaction coefficients were unstable. Conclusion: This study underscores the complex interaction between physiological and psychosocial stressors in influencing postpartum OH. It highlights the need for integrated postpartum care that addresses cardiovascular, psychosocial, and occupational factors, especially in resource-limited settings. Comprehensive screening and interdisciplinary interventions are essential to improving maternal cardiovascular outcomes, and further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the causal and moderating mechanisms at play.

Angioedema of the Tongue Secondary to Allergic Reaction

2026-02-26T09:52:00+00:00

Introduction: Tongue swelling is a potentially life-threatening manifestation of allergic reactions, often due to angioedema. Prompt recognition and airway preparedness are essential to prevent airway obstruction. Case Presentation: It reports the case of an 88-year-old Chinese male who developed acute tongue swelling two hours after consuming food. He had a prior history of tongue swelling following ingestion of cough syrup. On arrival at the emergency department, he was ambulatory with stable vital signs and a normal arterial blood gas. There was no associated rash, wheeze, or hypotension. Intravenous hydrocortisone, chlorpheniramine, and ranitidine were initiated, with immediate airway precautions and standby anaesthesia and otolaryngology teams. As the swelling persisted, intravenous dexamethasone was administered at two hours. At six hours, due to unresolved swelling, intramuscular adrenaline 0.5 mg was given. The patient was subsequently admitted for further monitoring. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early recognition of tongue swelling as a potential airway emergency, especially in elderly patients. Timely pharmacological intervention and airway preparedness are crucial to ensure favourable outcomes in allergic reactions presenting with angioedema.

An Assessment of Implications of Neglected Trypanosomiasis Disease Detection Limitations on Prevention and Control: A One Health Comprehensive Review

2025-12-09T11:26:16+00:00

Trypanosomiasis is a Zoonotic disease which is transmitted between human beings livestock and companion animals. It is a complex and one of the notable neglected diseases of global importance. It is mainly vectored by tsetse flies, but non-tsetse insects also play a role in some cases. It claims the lives of humans, livestock and also compromises the health of companion animals hence largely affecting the livelihoods of human beings by compromising their health and food security. This paper reviewed 30 articles, looking at One Health implications of neglected Trypanosomiasis disease limitations in detection methods, on prevention and control. To come up with this paper 1,578 articles were downloaded from different data bases having peer-reviewed articles. Different phrases were used to specify the area of concentration and years were accustomed between 1990 and 2024. The study found that different techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microscopy techniques, Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) are used to detect the Trypanosomes which are causative agents of Trypanosomiasis. These tools have their advantages of being sensitive and specific but are limited in that some detect only active cases and others detect only passive cases whilst others detect both. This affect reporting of prevalence in different locations and hence putting into a compromise One Health principle of informed decision making based on a reliable data set. Prevention and Control of Trypanosomiasis may either target the vector or the parasite. Methods such as the use of drugs, Trypanosomes tolerant species and traps and targets but also spraying have been reported. The different used methodologies have their strengths and weaknesses too. The problem of drug resistance has been rampant due to drug misuse and poor diagnosis of disease cases. These problems have therefore aggravated disease burden on humans, companion animals and livestock. Integration of different methodologies using One Health approach in which the triad is at the helm of prior consideration need to be advocated. Multisectoral collaboration which fosters the spirit of interdependency in dealing with zoonotic and neglected diseases but also enhanced surveillance would help to arrest Trypanosomiasis in Malawi and elsewhere on the globe. It was therefore the aim of this review to assess the implications of Trypanosomiasis disease detection limitations on prevention and control.