The street vendors in Malaysia are at an increased risk of developing respiratory symptoms owing to the continuous exposure to road dust, vehicle emissions, extreme weather conditions, and air pollutants from industrial sites. Hence, the current study aimed to establish the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the risk factors associated with it among street food vendors in Klang Valley, Malaysia through a cross-sectional study among 237 street food vendors. The socio-demographic data, work characteristics, and information on respiratory symptoms were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data analysis was done by using the Chi-square test of association and frequency distribution. The study results revealed that the most frequently reported respiratory symptoms among the street food vendors were sore throat (30.8%), followed by cough (29.1%). No significant association was found between age, gender, duration of job and cough, sputum production, breathing difficulty, chest pain, irritated nose, and sore throat. A statistically significant association was found between working hours and sputum production (p=0.014). Further, the working hours were significantly associated with breathing difficulty (p=0.011). A significant association was also found between the type of cooking fuel used and the presence of cough (p=0.001). Results of this study demonstrated a positive association between work-related risk factors such as working hours with breathlessness and sputum production, and also between cough and the type of cooking fuel used. Based on the aforementioned findings, various control measures such as regular monitoring of lung functions and health education programs can be undertaken. Moreover, vendors need to consider using clean fuels instead of charcoal.
AIMS: Based on the limited evidence available about the intrinsic factors causing lower extremity injuries among Malaysian badminton players, this study was aimed to determine the relationship of demographic and physical characteristics to lower extremity injuries in young badminton players.METHODS: A cross-sectional study included badminton players between 14 and 24 years of age, categorized into case and control groups. Participants diagnosed with lower limb injuries were designated as cases, and those with no reported injuries were designated as controls. Personal information including demographic data, level of athlete and injury history was collected using a questionnaire. Independent t-test was used to analyze the differences between intrinsic characteristics in cases and controls. Pearson's χ2 was applied to evaluate the association between risk factors and general lower limb injuries, knee injuries and ankle injuries, with 95% confidence interval (CI). A p value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS: A total of 106 young badminton players (83 males, 23 females) were recruited, of whom 42 participants were allocated as the case group, and 64 participants were allocated as the control group. A total of 60 lower extremity injuries were reported among the 42 players of the case group. The overall mean age of the sample was 18.7±5 years (minimum 14 years and maximum 24 years). Mean age of the participants in the case group was 16.92±2.99 years. The most common injuries reported were ankle joint injuries, followed by knee and hip injuries. Participants of the younger age group (14-19 years old) were found to have a higher risk for lower extremity injures compared to those of the older age group (20-24 years old) (odds ratio [OR], 3.39; 95%CI, 1.15-10.01; p=0.023). Increased true limb length discrepancy was identified among the participants with lower extremity injuries (OR, 4.57, 95%CI, 1.2-17.24; p=0.016) and this discrepancy was strongly associated with ankle injuries (OR, 7.25; 95%CI, 1.85-28.57; p=0.002). There was no significant relationship between lower extremity injuries and gender, limb dominance or Q-angle.CONCLUSIONS: Lower extremity injuries in young badminton players were predominantly located in ankle and knee joints. Younger age and increase in true limb length discrepancy were identified as risk factors for lower extremity injuries in the study sample.
BACKGROUND: Athletes with chronic ankle pain (CAP) are more inclined to suffer from physical and psychological pain depending on the severity of the injuries, which might trigger the powerless feeling on future sports participation. Therefore, an efficient and simple method is useful to integrate into conventional physiotherapy (CP) for maintaining mental wellness. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to verify the effects and progress of video-guided deep breathing (DB) integrated into CP through study on the changes of alpha waves and pain scale. METHODS: Alpha waves were recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity before and after the intervention (6 weeks). Thirty CAP participants were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: group A for video-guided DB integration into their CP and group B for CP. The effects of pre and post intervention were analyzed using a paired t-test with statistical significance set at p< 0.05. RESULTS: Profound results from the research have shown that the participants who received both the DB+CP revealed a significant increase in alpha wave (p< 0.05) at occipital region. CONCLUSION: The significant result reveals an increase in alpha waves in the occipital region after 6 weeks and indicates that the video-guided DB with a smartphone application is able to produce a change in CAP participants. This supports the DB integration to the CP for altering the pain perception.
SARS-CoV-2 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 which induces severe pneumonia that has considerable death rate. In this article, we summarised the evolution of SARS CoV-2 from alpha to omicron variant. The origin, transmission capability, and innate immunity potential of the Omicron variety remain unknown in the aftermath of its appearance. It's also unclear whether further varieties based on Omicron may emerge in the future. However, there is no question that the Omicron version of SARS-CoV-2 would not be the last. The COVID-19 pandemic has become more difficult to control due to the constant appearance of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations. We have discussed about the epidemiology, treatment plans for SARS CoV-2 and preventive strategies for future pandemic.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS – CoV2), the causative viral pathogen of the COVID-19 pandemic belongs to the family of Coronaviruses which are positive single stranded RNA viruses. The scientific fraternity has developed and developing various types of vaccines for prevention against COVID-19, such as inactivated virus vaccines, mRNA vaccines, replicating vector protein subunit vaccines, etc., Out of which ten vaccines namely Novovax, Covovax (protein subunit vaccines), Pfizer BNT16b2, Moderna mRNA 1273 (mRNA vaccines), Johnson & Johnson Ad26, Cov2.S, Astrazeneca AZD1222, Covishield (non-replicating viral vector vaccines), Covaxin, Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV, CoronoVac (inactivated vaccines) have been approved for clinical use by WHO. There is an urgent need for SARS-CoV2 specific therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 as there is the emergence of various variants such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, etc. The emergence of variants that possesses immune evading property and spike protein mutation have increased infectivity and more pathogenicity which impelled the need to develop various therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19. This review compiles the information about potential antiviral candidates in preclinical trials intended for the treatment of COVID-19. The clinical development of such antivirals will be very crucial for the treatment of COVID-19 and also to curb the spread as the present scenario depends on the development of effective prophylactic vaccines.
Mindfulness practice has become an increasingly popular intervention in optimizing athletic performance in sports. Numerous studies have reported on applying mindfulness for improving the performance of various sports such as tennis, table tennis, shooting, cricket, archery, golf, running, hockey, swimming, and cycling. This narrative review addresses different existing mindfulness programs that enhance sports performance, the outcome measures of mindfulness therapy, and identifies the anxiety and depression that affect the performance of sports individuals. To cope with the issues, the efficacy of mindfulness in performance enhancement and future research directions on mindfulness needs attention.
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