Dysbiosis in the Upper Airway and Gut and Altered Urine Metabolome in Malaysian Diabetic Patients.

Gut dysbiosis and an increased risk of respiratory infection in type 2 diabetes have been well recognised. However, the relationship between the gut and respiratory pathobionts carriage rate in the Type 2 diabetic Malaysian population is understudied. To address the knowledge gap, we profiled the gut and upper respiratory tract microbial composition, as well as the urine metabolome of 31 type 2 diabetic adults and 14 non-diabetes adults.

How Well Do ChatGPT and Claude Perform in Study Selection for Systematic Review in Obstetrics.

The use of generative AI in systematic review workflows has gained attention for enhancing study selection efficiency. However, evidence on its screening performance remains inconclusive, and direct comparisons between different generative AI models are still limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT-4o and Claude 3.

Treeshrews as a potential reservoir: First detection of dengue virus serotype 2 in Malaysian treeshrew faeces.

Arboviruses are transmitted to humans and animals by arthropods and can be fatal. Dengue fever remains a major mosquito-borne disease in tropical regions, primarily spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Despite vector control and vaccine efforts, dengue virus (DENV) continues to pose serious public health challenges in Malaysia.

Relationship between body mass index and quality of life among Malaysian young adults: Sequential mediated effects of perceived weight stigma and weight-related self-stigma.

The present cross-sectional study examined how perceived weight stigma (PWS) and weight-related self-stigma (WRSS) may sequentially mediate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QoL) among Malaysian young adults. Malaysian university students ( = 1044; mean age = 21.3 years) self-reported their height/weight and completed the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire, Perceived Weight Stigma Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF.

Assessment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and its complications among pediatric patients at a private tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to pediatric patients, but inappropriate use can lead to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, a study was conducted to analyse the prescribing patterns and drug-related problems (DRPs) associated with NSAIDs among pediatric patients at a private tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.

Methods: This single-centre, ambidirectional cohort study was conducted at a private tertiary care hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from January 2024 to March 2025.

CAD-CAM vs. conventional denture bases: a systematic review with network meta-analysis of studies comparing strength, hardness, toughness, and elastic properties.

Background: Scientific evidence from studies comparing the mechanical properties of dentures fabricated with computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) and conventional techniques is inconclusive. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the current evidence comparing the mechanical properties of conventional and digitally fabricated denture bases from studies.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Medline for studies from inception until 16 January 2025.

Evaluation of Sleep Patterns and Prevalence of Stress Among Dental Undergraduate Students.

Background And Objectives: The association between quality of sleep and psychological distress among dental undergraduate students is a critical area of research due to the high levels of stress and demanding schedules these students face. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance and psychological distress among undergraduate dental students.

Methodology: In a cross-sectional study conducted among 104 first year dental undergraduate students for a period of 1 month, quality of sleep was analyzed.

Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assisting Systematic Review Process in Health Research: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in healthcare for various purposes, with generative AI (GAI) increasingly being applied to systematic review (SR) processes. We aimed to summarize the evidence on the performance metrics of GAI in the SR process.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global were searched from their inception up to March 2025.

From an Antimicrobial Agent to a constituent of 3D Printed Heterogenous Scaffolds Stimulating Bone Characteristics: An In-vitro and Animal model evaluation.

Unlabelled: This paper describes a promising candidate molecule, investigates the pattern of scaffold composition which arises and assesses the effect of the agent on its mechanical properties.

Methods: Scaffold samples were fabricated using a commercial extrusion bioprinter equipped with a pneumatic printhead fitted with a 21G conical nozzle. The Pore Printability Index, and the area and perimeter of the pore within the grid patterns were quantified using ImageJ software (NIH, USA).

Socio-Epidemiological Correlates of Anemia Among Non-Pregnant Females of East and West Uttar Pradesh, India: A NFHS-5 Secondary Data Analysis Highlighting the Need for Precision Public Policy.

Anemia remains a persistent public health challenge in India, disproportionately affecting women and undermining maternal and reproductive health outcomes. Despite nationwide efforts, the burden of anemia continues to vary widely across regions, reflecting complex socio-demographic determinants. This study aims to identify region-specific risk factors for anemia among non-pregnant women in East and West Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

Development and evaluation of an online HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) training program for community pharmacists to implement pharmacy-led PrEP services in Malaysia.

Introduction: Expanding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through pharmacies may improve access for key populations. As part of the preparation phase of the EPIS (Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment) framework, we developed and evaluated an online, self-paced PrEP training program for community pharmacists to prepare for a pilot, pharmacy-led PrEP service in Malaysia.

Materials And Methods: In May 2023, a PrEP training committee developed an online training program covering PrEP efficacy, safety, eligibility, baseline assessments, laboratory testing, prescribing, and special circumstances, and pre-/post-training knowledge tests.

Accuracy assessment of robot-assisted dental implant surgery: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.

Statement Of Problem: Robot-assisted implant surgeries have become popular, enhancing accuracy, reducing surgical time, and minimizing trauma to adjacent anatomic structures. However, the limited availability of scientific literature has undermined the clinical reliability of robot-assisted surgeries.

Purpose: The purpose of this umbrella review of systematic reviews was to assess the positional accuracy of implants placed with the robot-assisted dental implant surgery.

Mechanistic insights and clinical evidence of Helianthus annuus Linn. (Sunflower) seed oil for dermatological applications: A narrative review.

Plant oils play an important role in natural product-based dermatological formulations owing to their multifunctional therapeutic properties. Among these, sunflower seed oil (SSO) has gained prominence due to its dual role as a barrier-restoring emollient and skin penetration enhancer. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (LA) and oleic acid (OA), SSO supports skin health by restoring lipid bilayer organization, modulating ceramide synthesis, and activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α).

Results from a five-year clinical assessment of undergraduate-performed direct composite restorations.

Resin based dental composites offer significant benefits with regard to the minimally invasive management of dental caries. However, over a period of time such restorations may become susceptible to failure with secondary caries and marginal deterioration being common causes. A retrospective clinical study was conducted at the IMU University Oral Health Centre to assess the quality of direct resin composite restorations placed by dental undergraduates as judged by the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS), criteria.

Antibacterial efficacy of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) against Enterococcus faecalis in endodontic infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review aims to assess the antibacterial efficacy of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) as a root canal irrigant for endodontic infections.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing the databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library and Google Scholar for papers from January 2000 up until January 2024.

Different pathways linking social media-induced technostress and work performance identified by fsQCA.

This study addresses three critical gaps in the literature on technostress: the potential for technostress to enhance performance, the methodological limitations of previous research, and the debate of demographic factors in shaping technostress experiences. By utilizing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), we explore the complex interactions between technostress dimensions and demographic characteristics in the context of social media-induced technostress. Our findings reveal that technostress can act as both a detriment and a catalyst for improved performance, depending on specific conditions.

Smoking cessation behavior, nicotine addiction, and mental health among current smokers in Klang Valley, Malaysia- a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Background: Poor knowledge of smoking-related diseases is a major concern as smoking is associated with an increasing trend in smoking-related illnesses globally and in Malaysia. Our study aimed to investigate the knowledge of smoking tobacco, smoking behaviour, nicotine use, willingness to quit smoking, and level of stress, anxiety, and depression among current and former smokers in the Klang Valley of Malaysia.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted online from March 2023 to January 2024, using a structured, validated questionnaire.

Daily Supplementation of High Doses of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction From Palm Oil Produced No Toxic Effects in Healthy Mice.

The vitamin E derived from palm oil, known as the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), has been reported to possess potent anticancer and immunomodulatory effects in numerous cell-based and animal models of breast cancer (BC). However, only a low dose of TRF (50 mg/kg, equivalent to 1 mg/day) has been tested, which resulted in incomplete effects in a mouse model of BC. In addition, there are no scientific data on the toxic effects of TRF on the internal organs.

Arginine-Tryptophan Peptides Enhancing Antibacterial and Anticancer Effects of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex Photosensitizers.

In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a potential antibacterial and anticancer alternative. The free radicals are generated in the presence of photosensitizers (PS) and oxygen under light irradiation of a specific wavelength, causing cytotoxic damage to the cells. Ruthenium-(II) photosensitizers (Ru-(PS)) are of interest due to their rich photochemical properties and potential antibacterial and anticancer activities reported in previous studies.

Striatin (STRN): A multifunctional protein in cardiovascular health and cancer progression.

Striatin (STRN) is a multifunctional scaffold protein that has emerged as a key regulator in both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Through modulation of kinases, phosphatases, and calcium-dependent pathways, STRN plays a pivotal role in maintaining cell signaling. In CVDs, STRN role is mediated via STRN influence on vascular reactivity, blood pressure regulation, and vascular remodeling.

Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Undergoing Immunotherapy: A Scoping Review.

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by leveraging the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. This scoping review synthesizes recent data on the clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) impacts of key immunotherapy agents, including checkpoint inhibitors (e.g.