Outcomes With Radiation Therapy as Primary Treatment for Unresectable Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Aims: Unresectable cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNcSCC) poses treatment challenges in elderly and comorbid patients. Radiation therapy (RT) is often employed for locoregional control. This study aimed to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes achieved with upfront RT in unresectable HNcSCC.

Evaluation of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation from stem cell: a systematic review of morphological assays and staining techniques.

Background: Understanding human stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and osteoclasts is crucial for bone regeneration and disease modeling. Numerous morphological techniques have been employed to assess this differentiation, but a comprehensive review of their application and effectiveness is lacking.

Methods: Guided by the PRISMA framework, we conducted a rigorous search through the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, analyzing 254 articles.

Translation and validation of the Malay version of modified orthotics and prosthetics users' survey.

Background: An excellent validated and reliable instrument is paramount in holistically evaluating the prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) service, encompassing functional outcomes, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and patient satisfaction with devices and service.

Objective: To perform a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of 3 modules of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey (OPUS): (1) lower-extremity functional status (LEFS), (2) client satisfaction with device and services (CSDS), and (3) HRQoL in Malay language, and analyze its psychometric properties.

Study Design: Translation and validation study.

Determining the Dietary Preferences of Wild Asian Elephants () in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia Based on Sex and Age using trnL DNA Metabarcoding Analysis.

The world's largest terrestrial mammal, Asian elephants, are known to have enormous feeding needs. Several factors such as season, sex, age, and daily activities influence the amount of food required by an individual. Generally, captive elephants have a limited choice of food on a daily basis compared with that of elephants in the wild.

Determining the diet of wild Asian elephants () at human-elephant conflict areas in Peninsular Malaysia using DNA metabarcoding.

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) contributes to the increasing death of Asian elephants due to road accidents, retaliatory killings and fatal infections from being trapped in snares. Understanding the diet of elephants throughout Peninsular Malaysia remains crucial to improve their habitat quality and reduce scenarios of HEC. DNA metabarcoding allows investigating the diet of animals without direct observation, especially in risky conflict areas.

Morphology, Phenotype, and Molecular Identification of Clinical and Environmental Species Complex Isolates from Malaysia.

infections in humans (fusariosis) and in economically important plants involve species of several species complexes. Species of the species complex (FSSC) are the most frequent cause of human fusariosis. The FSSC comprises more than 60 closely related species that can be separated into three major clades by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) using translation elongation factor 1-alpha () and RNA polymerase II () DNA sequences.

Tilmanocept as a novel tracer for lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma and oral cancer.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been pivotal for pathological assessment of nodal status in cutaneous melanoma (CM) and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) thus crucial for staging. An ideal agent for lymphatic mapping should have a standardized preparation, appropriate accumulation in first-echelon nodes and no side effects. Tilmanocept, a CD206-receptor targeted novel radiotracer fulfils these properties.

Outcomes after definitive treatment for head and neck angiosarcoma.

Introduction: Head and neck angiosarcoma (HN-AS) is a rare and aggressive, representing <1% of all head and neck malignancies. It is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence and poor 5-year survival (10-54%). Australian data in this rare disease is lacking.

Does Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Accurately Stage the Clinically Negative Neck in Early Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is being increasingly used worldwide as a minimally invasive option to stage the clinically node-negative neck (N0) in patients with early oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCC). We performed this trial to assess the reliability and validity of the technique.

Methods: We did this prospective interventional nonrandomized study in patients with early (cT1-T2 OCSCC) and with negative neck.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex antibodies in free-ranged wild boar and wild macaques in selected districts in Selangor and reevaluation of tuberculosis serodetection in captive Asian elephants in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic inflammatory and zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) members, affecting several domestic animals, wildlife species and humans. The preliminary investigation was aimed to detect antibody against MTBC among indigenous wildlife which are free-ranged wild boar, free-ranged wild macaques and captive Asian elephants in selected areas of Selangor and elephant conservation centre in Pahang, respectively. The results indicate that MTBC serodetection rate in wild boar was 16.

The Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Addition on Wettability and Optical Properties of GO/TiO Thin Film.

Modification has been made to TiO thin film to improve the wettability and the absorption of light. The sol-gel spin coating method was successfully used to synthesize GO/TiO thin films using a titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as a precursor. Different amounts of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (20 to 100 mg) were added into the parent sol solution to improve the optical properties and wettability of the GO/TiO thin film.

Social support among older adults in Malaysia.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the factors that influence perceived social support among older adults in Malaysia.

Methods: We used the 11-item Duke Social Support Index to assess perceived social support through a face-to-face interview. Higher scores indicate better social support.

Gravitrap deployment for adult Aedes aegypti surveillance and its impact on dengue cases.

House Index, Container Index, and Breteau Index are the most commonly used indices for dengue vector surveillance. However, these larval indices are a poor proxy for measuring the adult population-which is responsible for disease transmission. Information on the adult distribution and density are important for assessing transmission risk as well as for developing effective control strategies.

Molecular epidemiology of Sporothrix schenkii isolates in Malaysia.

Sporothrix schenkii is a dimorphic fungus that causes infections in both humans and animals. We report on 25 S. schenkii isolates collected in 2017 from humans and cats clinically diagnosed with sporotrichosis, in Malaysia.

Tumor depth of invasion versus tumor thickness in guiding regional nodal treatment in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Tumor thickness (TT) and tumor depth of invasion (DOI) correlate with the risk of regional lymph node metastases in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). We aimed to determine optimal cutoff points to guide elective nodal treatment in early OTSCC.

Study Design: This retrospective study included 145 patients treated between 1995 and 2012 for histologically proven OTSCC (<4 cm).

The importance of measurement of plasma fibrinogen level among patients with type- 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background & Aim: Fibrinogen has been implicated as a cause of atherosclerosis and its complications in patients with type 2 DM. We aimed to measure the plasma fibrinogen level in type 2 diabetics and to correlate it with the duration, type of treatment, HbA1c, smoking, lipid profile, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension and ischemic heart disease in comparison to control.

Methods: A case control single center study included 50 patients with type 2 DM between the ages of 35-85 y who were randomly selected from the medical units of Baghdad Teaching Hospital compared to 30 non-diabetics as a control.

Apolipoprotein Eε4: A Biomarker for Executive Dysfunction among Parkinson's Disease Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting 15-20% of patients at diagnosis. α-synuclein expression and genetic polymorphisms of Apolipoprotein E () have been associated with the presence of cognitive impairment in PD although data have been inconsistent. To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with PD using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Comprehensive Trail Making Test (CTMT) and Parkinson's disease-cognitive rating scale (PDCRS), and its association with plasma α-synuclein and genetic polymorphisms.

Education and support needs in patients with head and neck cancer: A multi-institutional survey.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) encompasses a diverse group of tumors, and thus providing appropriate and tailored information to patients before, during, and after treatment is a challenge. The objective of the current study was to characterize the experience and unmet needs of patients with HNC with regard to information and support provision.

Methods: A 28-question, cross-sectional survey was completed by patients treated for HNC at 1 of 4 institutions in New South Wales, Australia (Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and Liverpool, Westmead, and Wollongong hospitals).

The Role of [F]FDG-PET/CT in Predicting Malignant Transformation of Plexiform Neurofibromas in Neurofibromatosis-1.

. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are difficult to diagnose and treat and contribute to significant morbidity and mortality for patients with Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1). FDG-PET/CT is being increasingly used as an imaging modality to discriminate between benign and malignant plexiform neurofibromas.

Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma.

Both asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common conditions involving the adults and children population, and have significant impact on the healthcare system. For the last few decades a lot of data emerged in terms of the prevalence between asthma and OSA. The prevalence ranges from 38% up to as high as 70%.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for early oral cancers: Westmead Hospital experience.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become an alternative option to elective neck dissection (END) for early oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) outside of Australia. We sought to assess the technical feasibility of SLNB and validate its accuracy against that of END in an Australian setting.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study consisting of 30 consecutive patients with cT N OCSCC referred to the Head and Neck Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, between 2011 and 2014.

Multiphasic strain differentiation of atypical mycobacteria from elephant trunk wash.

Background. Two non-tuberculous mycobacterial strains, UM_3 and UM_11, were isolated from the trunk wash of captive elephants in Malaysia. As they appeared to be identical phenotypes, they were investigated further by conventional and whole genome sequence-based methods of strain differentiation.

A rare case of ameloblastic carcinoma.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare type of ameloblastoma that has received little mention in the literature. While a number of cases have been published over many years, no institution has been able to produce a substantial case series. Ameloblastic carcinoma originates in the embryonic tooth components.

Efficient dielectrophoretic cell enrichment using a dielectrophoresis-well based system.

Whilst laboratory-on-chip cell separation systems using dielectrophoresis are increasingly reported in the literature, many systems are afflicted by factors which impede "real world" performance, chief among these being cell loss (in dead spaces, attached to glass and tubing surfaces, or sedimentation from flow), and designs with large channel height-to-width ratios (large channel widths, small channel heights) that make the systems difficult to interface with other microfluidic systems. In this paper, we present a scalable structure based on 3D wells with approximately unity height-to-width ratios (based on tubes with electrodes on the sides), which is capable of enriching yeast cell populations whilst ensuring that up to 94.3% of cells processed through the device can be collected in tubes beyond the output.