Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep quality of pharmacy students in UiTM Puncak Alam

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of educational institutions was executed during the period of lockdown. This subsequently led to alterations in daily routines and emotional distress, particularly among university students, affecting their sleep quality resulting in disturbance of immune functioning and mood regulation. Hence, the present study aimed to measure students' sleep quality during the first few months of the lockdown period. This study is a cross-sectional, single-centred survey that was done by distributed electronic questionnaire. The e-questionnaire was divided into 4 sections that assessed socio-demographic characteristics, sleep quality, psychological state and engagement in physical activity. Exactly 248 valid responses were received, 82 % female students. Students with poor sleep quality were three times greater than those with good sleep quality. No association were found between physical activity and sleep quality. However, a significant positive relationship between sleep quality and psychological state was observed (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study suggests that the majority of pharmacy students in UiTM Puncak Alam are poor sleepers and psychological distress negatively affects sleep quality but, is mainly due to stress. Thus, interventions such as stress management programs and mental health support can be taken by the faculty's management to overcome this problem.     

The effects of early pregnancy loss on health outcomes and health care utilization and costs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of early pregnancy loss on subsequent health care use and costs.Data SourcesLinked administrative health databases from Manitoba, Canada.Study DesignThis was a population‐based cohort study. The exposure of interest was first recorded ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage (EPM). Outcomes included visits to all ambulatory care providers, family physicians (FPs), specialists, and hospitals, as well as the costs associated with these visits. We also assessed the impact of EPM on a global measure of health service utilization and the incidence and costs of psychotropic medications.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified women who experienced their first recorded loss (EPM) from 2003–2012 and created a propensity score model to match these women to women who experienced a live birth, with outcome measures available through 31 December 2014. We used a difference in differences approach with multivariable negative binomial models and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to assess the impact of EPM on the aforementioned health care utilization indicators.Principal FindingsEPM was associated with a short‐term increase in visits to, and costs associated with, certain ambulatory care providers. These findings were driven in large part by increased visits/costs to FPs (rate difference [RD]: $19.92 [95% CI: $16.33, $23.51]) and obstetrician‐gynecologists (OB‐GYNs) (RD $9.41 [95% CI: $8.42, $10.40]) in the year immediately following the loss, excluding care associated with the loss itself. We also detected an increase in hospital stays and costs and a decrease in the use of psychotropic medications relative to matched controls.ConclusionPregnancy loss may lead to subsequent increases in certain types of health care utilization. While the absolute costs associated with post‐EPM care are relatively small, the observed patterns of service utilization are informative for providers and policy makers seeking to support women following a loss.     

Adults in All Body Mass Index Categories Underestimate Daily Energy Requirements

ObjectiveTo compare the difference between self-reported and calculated daily energy requirements of adults within different body mass index (BMI) categories.MethodsAdults (n = 978) self-reported daily energy requirements, demographic information, and height, weight, age, and physical activity level (PAL) to calculate total energy expenditure.ResultsThe main effects of BMI, gender, PAL, and dieting status on the difference between self-reported and calculated energy requirements for weight maintenance were significant (P < .05); age, race/ethnicity, level of education, and being in a health-related field had no effect. Individuals across all BMI categories underestimated their energy requirements, but obese individuals underestimated to the greatest degree. Males, current dieters, and those who reported a low-active or active PAL underestimated to the greatest extent in each category.Conclusions and ImplicationsThere is a lack of basic nutrition knowledge about personal energy needs in individuals across all BMI categories regardless of age, race/ethnicity, level of education, or work/training in a health-related field.     

Escherichia coli tetracycline efflux determinants in relation to tetracycline residues in chicken

ObjectiveTo screen for Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistant to tetracycline, followed by identification of tet efflux genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, detection of tetracycline residues in chicken livers and kidneys were conducted using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS).MethodsStrains of E. coli were isolated from samples of chicken colon and screened for tetracycline resistance. Tetracycline genes conferring resistance (Tc^r) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (97.9%).ResultsPCR analysis indicated that Tc^r E. coli R-plasmids contained tet(A), tet(B) and a combination of both efflux genes. None of the isolates contained other efflux tet genes tet (C, D, E and Y). High performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS), a sensitive technique, was used to detect residues of chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), doxycycline (DC) in chicken livers and kidneys. The samples containing tetracycline residues were at 0.13-0.65 pg/μL levels.ConclusionsTetracycline and other antibiotics are commonly used in the poultry and meat production industry for prevention of microbial infections. Multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in Oman have increased to alarming levels, threatening public health, domestic and may have adverse effect on environment.     

Informant ratings of cognitive decline of elderly people: relationship to longitudinal change on cognitive tests

Formal assessment of cognitive decline with cognitive tests can be difficult, requiring either two measurement points or a comparison of 'hold' with 'don't hold' tests. Informant-based assessment provides an alternative approach because informants can adopt a longitudinal perspective and directly rate cognitive change. A study was carried out to assess the validity of informant ratings collected by means of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). A community sample of 500 subjects aged 74 or over underwent four cognitive tests on two occasions 3½ years apart. On the second occasion, informants filled out the IQCODE. Subjects rated as having moderate or severe decline were found to have greater change on the cognitive tests. These findings support the validity of informant ratings of cognitive decline.