Correction: Community engagement to increase vaccine uptake: Quasi-experimental evidence from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks when present in plant-based supplements (PBS), necessitating thorough risk assessment to ensure consumer safety. This study evaluates the health risks associated with mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins (AFB, AFB) and ochratoxin A (OTA), in PBS sold in Malaysia. Contamination levels of AFB, AFB, and OTA were quantified in 14 PBS samples using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Comprehensive Analysis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and AI Innovations.

Cardiovascular diseases are some of the underlying reasons contributing to the relentless rise in mortality rates across the globe. In this regard, there is a genuine need to integrate advanced technologies into the medical realm to detect such diseases accurately. Moreover, numerous academic studies have been published using AI-based methodologies because of their enhanced accuracy in detecting heart conditions.

Improved cost-effectiveness of species monitoring programs through data integration.

Conservation initiatives strive for reliable and cost-effective species monitoring. However, resource constraints mean management decisions are overly reliant on data derived from single methodologies, resulting in taxonomic or geographic biases. We introduce a data integration framework to optimize species monitoring in terms of spatial representation, the reliability of biodiversity metrics, and the cost of implementation, focusing on tigers and their principal prey (sambar deer and wild pigs).

Estimation of macroplastic yield from river basin to coastal area: A case study of the Klang River, Malaysia.

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a critical global environmental challenge, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and human health. This study investigates macroplastics distribution and characterization in the highly polluted Klang River, Malaysia, and proposes a protocol to compute total macroplastic yield in the river basin. A total of 240 macroplastic items were collected over a 20-km stretch from the river mouth inland, with an average of 0.

Beyond illness: Understanding the social determinants in the life of a middle-aged Pakistani woman.

Background: Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health, and the scarcity of resources limits access to essential health care services.

Aim: To highlight the implications on health of the often-neglected social determinants.

Methods: We examined the experiences of Shahida Parveen, a middle-aged, unmarried woman, living in a resource-poor setting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and the interplay of the social determinants and inadequate safety nets on her health and wellbeing.

Larger perivascular space volume fraction is associated with worse post-stroke sensorimotor outcomes: An ENIGMA analysis.

Background: Perivascular Spaces (PVS) are a marker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) that are visible on brain imaging. Larger PVS has been associated with poor quality of life and cognitive impairment post-stroke. However, the association between PVS and post-stroke sensorimotor outcomes has not been investigated.

Relapse of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma as Painless Masses in the Abdominal Wall Muscles: A Rare Case Report.

Background: The most frequent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although lymph nodes are the most commonly affected organs compromising 70% of DLBCLs, only 5% of extranodal lymphomas represent skeletal muscle involvement. Specifically, abdominal wall muscle involvement is rare and there are only a few reported cases of DLBCL with this type of muscle involvement.

Developing a Shariah-compliant medical services framework in Malaysia: an expert system approach using fuzzy Delphi method and interpretive structural modelling.

Introduction: In an increasingly diverse healthcare landscape, addressing the specific needs of Muslim patients has become paramount. The absence of comprehensive frameworks for Shariah-compliant healthcare services often poses challenges for healthcare professionals striving to provide care that aligns with Islamic values.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive framework for Shariah-compliant healthcare services, ensuring alignment with Islamic practices in healthcare.

Management of metastatic colorectal cancer: consensus in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health challenge globally, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where it is identified as the second most prevalent form of cancer. Despite advancements in management strategies, tailored guidelines specific to the Gulf region are lacking. This paper presents consensus recommendations developed by a panel of experts from the GCC countries to address this gap.

Early Screening for Confusion and Vitamin D Deficiency in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Mitigate the Risk of Postoperative Delirium.

Background Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and debilitating complication in elderly hip fracture patients, associated with significant clinical and functional consequences. Early identification of risk factors, such as cognitive impairment and vitamin D deficiency, is essential to mitigate its impact. However, preoperative screening practices are often inconsistent.

Iron nutrition and COVID-19 among Nigerian healthcare workers.

Background And Objectives: The optimal iron hypothesis (OIH) posits that risk for infection is lowest at a mild level of iron deficiency. The extent to which this protection results from arms race dynamics in the evolution of iron acquisition and sequestration mechanisms is unclear. We evaluated the OIH with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an emerging infectious agent.

Role of 5-aminosalicylic acid in ulcerative colitis management in 8 Asian territories: a physician survey.

Clinical guidelines typically endorse conventional therapies such as 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as the mainstay of ulcerative colitis management. However, the degree of adoption and application of guideline recommendations by physicians within Asia remains unclear. This study aims to understand the prescribing patterns of 5-ASA and implementation of current guideline recommendations across Asian clinical practice.

De novo generation of colorectal patient educational materials using large language models: Prompt engineering key to improved readability.

Background: Improving patient education has been shown to improve clinical outcomes and reduce disparities, though such efforts can be labor intensive. Large language models may serve as an accessible method to improve patient educational material. The aim of this study was to compare readability between existing educational materials and those generated by large language models.

Pathways to One Health: Enhancing Inter-Sectoral Collaboration in Pakistan.

One Health is an integrative approach aiming to achieve optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment. This study explores the understanding, perspectives, hurdles, and implications of intersectoral collaboration within Pakistan's human health system, focusing on One Health principles. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, involving 17 key informant interviews with purposively selected stakeholders from public health, agriculture, veterinary medicine, agriculture and environmental science.

Statistical optimization of pectinases from thermophilic Aspergillus fumigatus BT-4 employing response surface methodology through submerged fermentation using agricultural wastes.

Background: In this study, thermophilic pectinase-producing strains were isolated. Among all the isolates, strain No. 4 was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus BT-4 based on its morphology and 18 S rDNA analysis.

Circular RNAs as Key Regulators in Cancer Hallmarks: New Progress and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in cancer biology, contributing to various cancer hallmarks, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Defined by their covalently closed loop structure, circRNAs possess unique characteristics like high stability, abundance, and tissue-specific expression. These non-coding RNAs function through mechanisms such as miRNA sponging, interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and modulating transcription and splicing.

Efficacy and safety of Cerebrospinal drains in preventing and managing spinal cord ischemia and Injury: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spinal cord ischemia and injury pose significant challenges in spinal surgery and traumatic events. Cerebrospinal drains are considered a potential intervention to mitigate these risks, although their efficacy and safety are uncertain. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cerebrospinal drains in preventing and managing spinal cord ischemia and injury.

Silicon-mediated modulation of maize growth, metabolic responses, and antioxidant mechanisms under saline conditions.

Purpose: This study explored how exogenous silicon (Si) affects growth and salt resistance in maize.

Methods: The maize was cultivated in sand-filled pots, incorporating varied silicon and salt stress (NaCl) treatments. Silicon was applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mM, and salt stress was induced using 0, 60 and120 mM concentrations.

Dengue's climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks.

Introduction: Dengue, a prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in tropical regions, is influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and urbanization. This study aims to assess the effects of microclimate, vegetation, and Aedes species distribution on dengue transmission in distinct hotspot and non-hotspot locations.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in two sites within Selangor, Malaysia: a recurrent dengue hotspot and a non-dengue hotspot.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Papers in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited papers in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Methods: The analysis utilized VOSviewer, bibliometrix and biblioshiny packages in R. A keyword analysis was performed on all publications.

Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers and physical functioning in a diverse sample of adults.

Introduction: The relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) plasma biomarkers, and physical functioning (PF) across diverse races and ethnicities remains unclear. This study aims to explore this association in an ethno-racially diverse sample of cognitively unimpaired community-dwelling adults.

Methods: Data clinical examinations, neuropsychological tests, blood draws, and PF exams (Timed Up and Go [TUG] and Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) were analyzed.

Psychological inflexibility and anxiety among house officers in a hospital in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Anxiety is common among house officers. Psychological inflexibility increases the risk of anxiety. This study aimed to determine the associations between anxiety and sociodemographic factors, work-related variables, and psychological inflexibility, and to identify predictors for anxiety among house officers in a hospital in Malaysia.

Gingerols: Preparation, encapsulation, and bioactivities focusing gut microbiome modulation and attenuation of disease symptoms.

Background: Gut dysbiosis, chronic diseases, and microbial recurrent infections concerns have driven the researchers to explore phytochemicals from medicinal and food homologous plants to modulate gut microbiota, mitigate diseases, and inhibit pathogens. Gingerols have attracted attention as therapeutic agents due to their diverse biological activities like gut microbiome regulation, gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative effects.

Purpose: This review aimed to summarize the gingerols health-promoting potential, specifically focusing on the regulation of gut microbiome, attenuation of disease symptoms, mechanisms of action, and signaling pathways involved.