Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : Postnatal depression is the commonest postpartum mood disorders, and is associated with significant morbidities and mortalities. The prevalence varies with geographical regions, but observed to be highest during the early weeks after childbirth. Studies have observed the negative effect of postnatal depression on postpartum bonding. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of postnatal depression among Malay women in Kota Bharu and its associated factors as well as to investigate the relationship between postnatal depression and postpartum bonding. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 mothers attending their first postnatal check-up at 6 health clinics in Kota Bharu. Participants were given questionnaires of sociodemographic profile, the Malay version Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Malay version of Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Data was analysed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The prevalence of postnatal depression is 5.1 percent. The study also found positive correlation between postnatal depression and postpartum bonding (r=0.364, p-value<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that mode of delivery (Caesarean section) and perceived stress as predictors for postnatal depression. This study confirmed the result of previous studies on the inverse relationship between postnatal depression and postpartum bonding. Realizing how detrimental the effect of impaired bonding can be, mothers with the risks o

Abstract : The morphogenetic switch from yeast to hyphae form under the regulation of transcription regulatory genes in response to the host environment is the major contributor to the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Tec1p of C. albicans, a transcription factor belonging to the TEA transcription factor family, harbors a conserved TEA domain for DNA binding in the N-terminal of the transcription proteins. Tec1p is involved in mediating morphological change by activating different signaling pathways that lead to hyphal formation. The knockout strain tec1/tec1 is not capable of hyphae development in vitro and is avirulent in vivo. To shed the light on the relationships between the structure and function of the C. albicans Tec1p protein, we examined several mutant TEC1 strains for biofilm formation and growth rate. The TEC1 recombination cassette was constructed by fusing the TEC1 ORFs behind a tetracycline promoter. The cassette is flanked with a homologous sequence of ADH1 promoter to facilitate homologous recombination into the promoter region of the ADH1 allele of the tec1/tec1 of the CaAs12 strain. The studies of biofilm formation and growth rate of TEC1 mutants have revealed an essential role of CHAM (C-terminal Hyphal Activation Motif) in exerting virulence in Candida albicans. Herewith we conclude that the activity of Tec1p cannot be executed by autonomous activation of Tec1p itself but rather by a heterodimeric complex formation with a cooperative partner which is not discovered unti

Abstract : Background: Home Health Care (HCC) is a component of continuum comprehensive health care whereby health services are provided to individuals and families in their places of residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining or restoring health, or maximizing the level of independence, while minimizing the effects of disability and illness. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental with pre and post-intervention observation of patient registered in home health care in the Riyadh Region was conducted. An educational program was implementing involving nurses, caregivers, and patients, and the outcome was assessed every 3 months in terms of bedsores risk and incidence and pain assessment. Results: The study included 350 patients who were followed up for 30 months, majority (83.4%) aged 65 years or older, and females predominated 244 (69.7%). Significant improvement was achieved reduction in bedridden patients, bedsores risk and incidence, pain, with significant in walking ability (p-value <0.05) Conclusion: In conclusion the study found that implementing such an educational program for nurses, caregivers, and patients under home health care resulted in significant improvement in terms of patient’s outcomes and quality of life in home health care Riyadh Region KSA.

Abstract : Background: There is a worldwide increase in the need for Home Health Care (HHC) programs because of the increase in chronic and acute diseases that need continuous monitoring. However, many challenges hinder HHC affecting patient’s outcome, and educational programs were suggested to overcome these challenges and to improve patient’s outcome. Hence, this study was designed as an interventional study to assess patient’s outcome after implementing an educational program for nurses, caregivers, and patients. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental with pre and post-intervention observation of patient registered in home health care in the Riyadh Region was conducted. An educational program was implementing involving nurses, caregivers, and patients, and the outcome was assessed every 3 months in terms of patient’s safety, fall risk and incidence. Results: The study included 350 patients who were followed up for 30 months, majority (83.4%) aged 65 years or older, and females predominated 244 (69.7%). Significant improvement was achieved in reduction in bedridden patients, fall risk and incidence. Conclusion: In conclusion the study found that implementing such an educational program for nurses, caregivers, and patients under home health care resulted in significant improvement in terms of patient’s safety, fall risk and incidence.

Abstract : Introduction: Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common type of psoriasis, comprising 90% of psoriasis cases. The treatments for psoriasis are available in the form of topical and systemic agents. When considering treatment regimen, the severity of the disease should be assessed. Patients with mild psoriasis can be treated with targeted phototherapy or excimer light. However, whole-body phototherapy is indicated for extensive psoriasis. Methods: This study aims to describe the prevalence and characteristics of psoriasis vulgaris patients undergoing phototherapy in the Dermatology and Venereology Clinic of Bali Mandara General Hospital for the period of January 2018 - December 2022. This was a descriptive retrospective study using data from medical records. Results: The number of psoriasis vulgaris patients visits were 261, 238 patients of which underwent phototherapy. Based on gender, there were 141 males (59.2%) and 97 females (40.7%). Based on the age group, most patients were between 51 and 60 years old (11.7%). The predilections of lesions in psoriasis vulgaris patients undergoing phototherapy were upper extremity (20%) and trunk (16.8%). Another treatment administered in addition to phototherapy alone was the combination of phototherapy and oral antihistamine in 76 patients (31.9%). Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence of psoriasis vulgaris patients was dominated by male patients with peak prevalence in the fifth decade of life.