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Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the fifth most common cancer reported in Malaysia. Although several studies on NPC have been carried out, the risk factors associated with NPC in Malaysia are unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the risk factors associated with NPC cases in Pahang state. Methods: NPC cases that were diagnosed between 2012 and 2017 were recruited from two referral hospitals in Pahang. An interview was conducted using adapted questionnaires, which included demographic data, family history of cancer, and lifestyle. The data were analyzed statistically to identify the associations between the selected variables and NPC. Results: A total of 71 NPC cases and 81 control subjects were recruited from the hospitals. Multivariate analysis showed that a family history of NPC and current smoking were significantly associated with the risk of NPC (p < 0.05). Further analysis revealed a significant association between the risk of NPC in smokers with no family history of NPC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that family history and smoking are factors associated with the development of NPC in Pahang, which was consistent with previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of noncoding RNAs with promising potential as minimal invasive biomarkers for noncommunicable diseases. However, challenges exist in the preparation of these miRNAs from peripheral blood samples for quantification purposes. The low quality of miRNA extracts presents an obstacle. Acknowledging the superior performance of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as gold standard for gene expression analysis, we conducted this study to observe the capabilities of qPCR using the Taqman® protocol in amplifying circulating miRNAs from miRNA extracts with low purity and yield. Methods: miRNAs were extracted from thirty-six plasma samples that were obtained from public subjects. Four selected miRNAs were quantified using the Taqman® protocol in an integrated fluidic circuit chip that was optimized from a previous study. The amplification graph and Cq values were obtained to observe any abnormal amplification signs and expression levels, respectively. Results: The qualitative observation of the amplification of the four miRNAs showed no sign of abnormality, thereby indicating the successful amplification of the miRNAs without enzymatic inhibition. Furthermore, the miRNAs were quantified in high expression levels. Conclusion: The circulating miRNA extracts with low purity and yield were practical for the study of circulating miRNA expression based on the Taqman® protocol as the method of detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous study found that microRNA-101 (miR-101) and microRNA-744 (miR-744) were deregulated in head and neck cancers and were implicated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) carcinogenesis. Thus, this study aimed to determine the expression of miR-101 and miR-744 in NPC and analyse the utility of these microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers. Total RNA was extracted from 31 NPC and 7 non-NPC control formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from the total RNA and proceeded with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Differential expression of miR-101 and miR-744 were calculated from quantification cycle (Cq) data using 2-ΔΔCq calculation. The performance of these miRNAs were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The differential expression for miR-101 and miR- 744 were -1.39 (p < 0.05) and 2.48 (p > 0.05), respectively, where the deregulations were consistent with the previous report. The area under curve for miR-101, miR-744 and combination of miR-101 and miR- 744 were 0.654 (95% CI: 0.465 - 0.844), 0.588 (95% CI: 0.368 - 0.808) and 0.626 (95% CI: 0.481 - 0.771), respectively. However, re-analysis using balanced sample size between NPC and non-NPC control group showed the value decreased to 0.653 (95% CI: 0.347 - 0.959) for miR-101 but increased to 0.827 (95% CI: 0.601 - 1.000) for miR-744 and 0.758 (95% CI: 0.576 - 0.939) for the combination of miR-101 and miR-744, indicating the importance of having a balanced sample size. We have successfully determined the expression of miR-101 and miR-744 in NPC samples. We also demonstrated statistically the utility of these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Post-traumatic parotid sialocoele is a subcutaneous extravasation of saliva from the parotid gland secondary to traumatic disruption of its duct or parenchyma. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the best therapy for parotid sialocoele, as it is resistant to conservative management. The present paper puts forward a relatively simple, safe and effective technique for the treatment of parotid sialocoele, specifically a peroral drainage technique. The results justify our recommendation to use this approach for the treatment of sialocoele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), operative risks depend on the severity of the underlying OSA and the invasiveness of the surgical procedure., Objective: To investigate the nature of the associations between the severity of OSA and the number and anatomical sites of upper airway operations with operative complications., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective study included adult patients diagnosed with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], >5) who underwent upper airway surgery at a single tertiary referral hospital between October 1, 2008, and October 1, 2015., Interventions: All patients underwent single or combination surgery on the nose, palatopharyngeal (tonsils, adenoids, and soft palate), and tongue base as a treatment of OSA., Main Outcomes and Measures: Pulmonary, surgical, and cardiovascular complications within the first 30 postoperative days were analyzed according to OSA severity and types of upper airway surgery. Logistic regression was used to assess the multivariable association of OSA, age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and types of upper airway surgery with short-term operative complications., Results: The study included 95 patients (87 males [91.6%]; 83 were Malay [87.4%]; mean [SD] age, 37.7 [1.6] years) with complete data and follow-up who underwent upper airway surgery to treat OSA. Patients with more severe OSA had greater body mass index (Cohen d, 0.27; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.82), longer surgical time (Cohen d, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.95-2.15), and older age (Cohen d, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.29-3.77). At least 1 operative complication occurred in 48 of 95 patients (51%). In a multivariable model, the overall complication rate was increased with age and body mass index. Complication rates were not associated with AHI severity, type of procedure performed, and whether the surgery was single or combination surgery. Lowest oxygen desaturation (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.45; P = .04) and longest apnea duration (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08; P = .02) were polysomnographic variables that predict the short-term operative complications., Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with OSA undergoing upper airway surgery, the severity of OSA as assessed by AHI, and the sites and numbers of concurrent operations performed were not associated with the rate of short-term operative complications.

Post-traumatic parotid sialocoele is a subcutaneous extravasation of saliva from the parotid gland secondary to traumatic disruption of its duct or parenchyma. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the best therapy for parotid sialocoele, as it is resistant to conservative management. The present paper puts forward a relatively simple, safe and effective technique for the treatment of parotid sialocoele, specifically a peroral drainage technique. The results justify our recommendation to use this approach for the treatment of sialocoele.