METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed records of children operated from January 2001 to July 2019. Data regarding concurrent congenital anomalies, complications, type of surgery, etc., were collected from outpatient records, operative notes, and clinical photographs.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight children were treated, and 33 clefts (5 bilateral) were repaired. The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1 (16 males and 12 females). Twenty-three patients had unilateral clefts (82.14%), with 14 right (60.86%) and 8 left (34.78%). Bilateral clefts were less common (17.86%). Twenty-three patients (82.14%) were Malay, 3 (10.71%) Chinese, 1 (3.57%) Indian, and 1 (3.57%) Cambodian. Eleven medical records were untraceable (discontinued due to duration of inactivity). There were 10 straight-line repairs, 5 Z-plasties, and 1 W-plasty performed; 3 cases did not detail the type of repair. One child required scar revision, and 1 had hypertrophic scarring requiring corticosteroid injection-no disturbances in speech or oral incompetency while eating were reported. Duration of follow-up ranged from 3 to 14 years.

RESULTS: A significant nonparametric linkage (NPL) score was detected in family 100. Other suggestive NPL and logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores were attained from families 50, 58, 99 and 100 under autosomal recessive mode. Heterogeneity LOD (HLOD) score ≥ 1 was determined for all families, confirming genetic heterogeneity of the population and indicating that a proportion of families might be linked to each other. Several candidate genes in linkage intervals were determined; LPHN2 at 1p31, SATB2 at 2q33.1-q35, PVRL3 at 3q13.3, COL21A1 at 6p12.1, FOXP2 at 7q22.3-q33, FOXG1 and HECTD1 at 14q12 and TOX3 at 16q12.1.

METHODS: We obtained the validity and reliability evidence for the SAS-M-SF using a group of 307 pre-university students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia with a mean age of 18.4±0.2 years (70.4% female and 29.6% male). A questionnaire containing the Malay version of Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M), the Malay version of the short form Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M-SF), and the Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT-M) was administered on the adolescents.

RESULTS: The SAS-M-SF displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.80). Using principle component analysis, we identified a 4-factor SAS-M-SF model. A significant correlation between the SAS-M-SF and the IAT-M was found, lending support for concurrent validity. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 54.5% based on cut-off score of ≥36 with a sensitivity of 70.2% and a specificity of 72.5%.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 132 T2DM patients and 133 controls. Genotyping of OCT1 (rs628031), OCT2 (rs145450955), OCT3 (rs3088442 and rs2292334) was performed using (PCR-RFLP).

Results: No association was observed for genotypic and allelic distributions in all the gene polymorphisms of OCT genes (P > 0.05). However, a logistic regression analysis stratified by gender in a dominant model showed a significant difference for OCT3 among males with T2DM (P = 0.006). Significant association was also observed for OCT3 when stratified to subjects aged > 45 years old (P = 0.009).

AIM: To establish a simplified and efficient method for culture and identification of neonatal rat brain-derived NSCs.

METHODS: First, curved tip operating scissors were used to dissect brain tissues from new born rats (2 to 3 d) and the brain tissues were cut into approximately 1 mm3 sections. Filter the single cell suspension through a nylon mesh (200-mesh) and culture the sections in suspensions. Passaging was conducted with TrypLTM Express combined with mechanical tapping and pipetting techniques. Second, identify the 5th generation of passaged NSCs as well as the revived NSCs from cryopreservation. BrdU incorporation method was used to detect self-renew and proliferation capabilities of cells. Different NSCs specific antibodies (anti-nestin, NF200, NSE and GFAP antibodies) were used to identify NSCs specific surface markers and muti-differentiation capabilities by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS: Brain derived cells from newborn rats (2 to 3 d) proliferate and aggregate into spherical-shaped clusters with sustained continuous and stable passaging. When BrdU was incorporated into the 5th generation of passaged cells, positive BrdU cells and nestin cells were observed by immunofluorescence staining. After induction of dissociation using 5% fetal bovine serum, positive NF200, NSE and GFAP cells were observed by immunofluorescence staining.

METHODS: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 neurologic clinics located in Tehran, Iran, over 2 years. The sample size was calculated as 189, including 63 migraine and 126 non-migraine patients.

RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the mean score of the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) between migraine and non-migraine groups (p-value = 0.002), and in the individual components of the PSQI. However, there were no significant differences in the frequency of different types of chronotype (p-value = 0.125, T = 1.541) or OSA risk between the two groups (p-value = 0.568, T = -0.573). The binary logistic regression model showed that the relationship between global PSQI and migraine was significant (p = 0.002).

METHODS: We reported 2 consecutive male and female patients, with an average age of 25 years (age 19 and 31, respectively), who underwent total calcanectomy and primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flaps for calcaneal chondroblastoma and giant cell tumor. A marginal resection of the entire calcaneus through the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints (intra-articular approach) was performed in the first case and a wide local resection leaving 1 cm normal calcaneal bone margin anterosuperiorly (intraosseous approach) was performed in the second case.

RESULTS: The follow-up period averaged 48 months. Negative oncologic margins were achieved in both cases. The first case was complicated with venous thrombosis; however, the graft remained viable after emergency reexploration. Normal foot function was restored with good solid osseous union and bony hypertrophy observed. Both patients achieved good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes with no donor site pain or disability. No local recurrence was reported either.

CONCLUSION: Primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flap can lead to good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-five nAMD patients and 135 controls were recruited to determine the association of the -460 C/T, the -2549 I/D, and the +405 G/C polymorphisms with the VEGF gene. Genotyping was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach, and association analyses were conducted using chi-square analysis and logistic regression analysis.

METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid, Scopus and ScienceDirect for observational studies in Asia from inception to August 2017. We selected cross sectional studies reporting the prevalence and risk factors for GDM. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of GDM and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: Eighty-four studies with STROBE score ≥ 14 were included in our analysis. The pooled prevalence of GDM in Asia was 11.5% (95% CI 10.9-12.1). There was considerable heterogeneity (I2 > 95%) in the prevalence of GDM in Asia, which is likely due to differences in diagnostic criteria, screening methods and study setting. Meta-analysis demonstrated that the risk factors of GDM include history of previous GDM (OR 8.42, 95% CI 5.35-13.23); macrosomia (OR 4.41, 95% CI 3.09-6.31); and congenital anomalies (OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.52-11.88). Other risk factors include a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.81-3.80); pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.19-4.68); family history of diabetes (OR 2.77, 2.22-3.47); history of stillbirth (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.68-3.40); polycystic ovary syndrome (OR 2.33, 95% CI1.72-3.17); history of abortion (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.54-3.29); age ≥ 25 (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.96-2.41); multiparity ≥2 (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52); and history of preterm delivery (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.21-3.07).

CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of GDM among the Asian population. Asian women with common risk factors especially among those with history of previous GDM, congenital anomalies or macrosomia should receive additional attention from physician as high-risk cases for GDM in pregnancy.