Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: Influenza vaccination is important for healthcare workers in order to prevent both the illness itself and transmission to patients. Previous studies in Saudi Arabia have revealed low influenza vaccine coverage among healthcare workers due to misconceptions. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination among healthcare workers during 2021, addressing the current data gap.

Substance abuse among new patients attending main government hospitals in Malaysia from 2018-2021: A comparison between before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Substance abuse admission to health facilities following the pandemic is often met with challenges. COVID-19 is causing an insurmountable psychosocial impact on the whole of mankind. Marginalized communities, particularly those with substance use disorders (SUDs), are also likely to suffer from greater psychosocial burden.

Factors influencing healthcare providers' behaviours in deprescribing: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Deprescribing serves as a pivotal measure to mitigate the drug-related problem due to polypharmacy. This study aimed to map the factors influencing healthcare providers' deprescribing decision using the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and develop an innovative conceptual model to support deprescribing practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting doctors and pharmacists was conducted to assess the influence of various factors on healthcare providers' comfort in recommending deprescribing.

A Comparative In Vitro Physicochemical Analysis of Resin Infiltrants Doped With Bioactive Glasses.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the longevity and effectiveness of bioactive glass (BAG)-based dental resin infiltrants. Materials and methods The three types of BAG - 45S5 bioglass (RIS), boron-substituted (RIB), and fluoride-substituted (RIF) - were incorporated with photoinitiated dimethacrylate monomers to create experimental resin infiltrants. ICON (CN; DMG-America, Ridgefield Park, NJ) and pure resin (PR) were used as control groups in this study.

Hibiscus score: Developing and validating a predictive tool for intravenous immunoglobulin treatment resistance in Malaysian children with Kawasaki disease.

Background: Children with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) are at higher risk of developing coronary artery (CA) aneurysm. Early identification of high-risk patients using a predictive tool would allow for earlier interventions to prevent cardiac complications.

Methods: Children with KD who were admitted to five selected hospitals in Malaysia between 2008 and 2018 and received 2 g/kg of IVIG within 10 days from the onset of illness were included.

Implementation pilot study of community self-testing for COVID-19 among employees of manufacturing industries and their household members in 2022 to 2023.

COVID-19 self-testing is essential for enabling individuals to self-care, screen themselves and, if positive, isolate themselves. Since 2021, COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries, however, their programmatic implementation in low- and middle-income countries has been delayed. An implementation pilot, mixed-methods study, was conducted in four industrial manufacturing companies, in Kedah State between November 2022 and May 2023.

Usability and acceptability of oral fluid- and blood-based hepatitis C virus self-testing among the general population and men who have sex with men in Malaysia.

Hepatitis C self-testing (HCVST) is emerging as an additional strategy that could help to expand access to HCV testing. We conducted a study to assess the usability and acceptability of two types of HCVST, oral fluid- and blood-based, among the general population and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia. An observational study was conducted in three primary care centres in Malaysia.

Colorectal cancer survival among Malaysia population: data from the Malaysian National Cancer Registry.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women in Malaysia and poses a major burden on society.

Aims: To determine the overall survival rate of patients diagnosed with CRC and factors contributing to survival.

Antibacterial effectiveness of different zinc salts on and : An in-vitro study.

Objectives: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effects of four zinc salts namely zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc citrate and zinc acetate against and .

Methods: Antibacterial susceptibility assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were undertaken to evaluate the inhibitory activities of different zinc salts against the tested bacteria. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological changes of bacterial cells following exposure to zinc salts.

Polychaeta-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles: A potential antibacterial agent against Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND)-causing bacteria, .

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as a promising application in aquaculture. Their nano-sized dimensions, comparable to pathogens offer potential solutions for combating antibiotic resistance. In this study, AuNPs were synthesized by using polychaetes, as the bio-reducing agent.

Development of a Malaysian potentially inappropriate prescribing screening tool in older adults (MALPIP): a Delphi study.

Introduction: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are common among older adults. To guide appropriate prescribing, healthcare professionals often rely on explicit criteria to identify and deprescribe inappropriate medications, or to start medications due to prescribing omission. However, most explicit PIM criteria were developed with inadequate guidance from quality metrics or integrating real-world data, which are rich and valuable data source.

Validation of Faecal Pyruvate Kinase Isoenzyme Type M2 (Faecal M2PK Quick) Test in Detection of Colorectal Adenoma and Adenocarcinoma Among High-Risk Malaysian Population.

Background: Colorectal neoplasia is a multistep process that can lead to the development of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis and screening of colorectal cancer, but its uptake is often hindered by unpleasant experiences and logistic obstacles. Therefore, non-invasive biomarker tests such as the M2-pyruvate kinase (M2PK) test have been explored as a potential screening tool.

Effects of one-year supplementation with on fibrosis score and metabolic markers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background and Purpose: and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant global health concern with limited pharmacotherapy options. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized extract of in mild-to-moderate NAFLD.

Materials And Methods: This was a 12-month randomized controlled trial, in which adults with a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score >250 dB/m and a fibrosis score <10 kPa were randomly assigned to receive a standardized extract at a dose of 3,000 mg daily (n = 112) or a placebo (n = 114).

Spatial clustering of colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

Introduction: The rise in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence becomes a global concern. As geographical variations in the CRC incidence suggests the role of area-level determinants, the current study was designed to identify the spatial distribution pattern of CRC at the neighbourhood level in Malaysia.

Method: Newly diagnosed CRC cases between 2010 and 2016 in Malaysia were identified from the National Cancer Registry.

Premature mortality and years of potential life lost from cardiovascular diseases: Protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Despite the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continuing to increase globally, no comprehensive meta-analyses have been conducted quantifying premature CVD mortality. This paper reports the protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis to derive updated estimates of premature CVD mortality.

Methods And Expected Outputs: This review will include the studies that reported premature CVD mortality based on standard premature mortality indicators, including years of life lost (YLL), age standardized mortality rate (ASMR) or standardised mortality ratio (SMR).

Pediatric outpatient non-invasive ventilation program: Reflections on the first experience from the Middle East.

Long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is being progressively used in children. The current guidelines recommend NIV initiation in the hospital during overnight polysomnography (PSG) titration study. Due to the logistic, socioeconomic, and financial difficulties including bed availability, an outpatient program for NIV initiation and patients/parents counseling to prevent delay and provide cost-effective care has been commissioned.

Preferences and willingness of accepting COVID-19 vaccine booster: Results from a middle-income country.

The recent wave of COVID-19 cases has led to the potential need for booster doses. We surveyed 6,294 people and found that 87.6% reported willingness to take a booster dose, with vaccine efficacy rate being the most common reason cited to accept booster dose.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Among Healthcare Workers in Asia and Africa and Its Association With Their Knowledge and Awareness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted by percutaneous and mucocutaneous contact with infected bodily fluid. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more exposed to HBV infection. They must have a thorough understanding of HBV infection since they can contract and spread the virus.

Integration of an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber with a multimode Yb-doped fiber for high power near-diffraction-limited laser operation.

We proposed and demonstrated mode cleaning in a high-power fiber laser by integrating an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (AR-HCF) into a multimode laser cavity of an ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber (YDF). An in-house mode-matched AR-HCF was fusion-spliced to a commercial multimode LMA-YDF, ensuring efficient fundamental mode coupling. The AR-HCF inflicts a high propagation loss selectively on higher-order modes, facilitating fundamental mode operation.

A new classification system of trifid mandibular canal derived from Malaysian population.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify and classify the anatomic variation of mandibular canal among Malaysians of three ethnicities.

Materials And Methods: The courses of the mandibular canal in 202 cone-beam computed tomography scanned images of healthy Malaysians were evaluated, and trifid mandibular canal (TMC) when present, were recorded and studied in detail by categorizing them to a new classification (comprising of 12 types). The diameter and length of canals were also measured, and their shape determined.

Serum and Saliva 25(OH)D Levels in Relation to Dental Caries in Young Children.

Objective: Several studies have reported that low levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with an increased risk of dental caries and that optimal levels may offer protection This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels and caries among young children.

Study Design: A total of 120 healthy children were recruited; 93 with caries and 27 caries-free. Dental caries status was evaluated using decayed, missing and filled in primary teeth (dmft) index.