Prevalence of caregiver hesitancy for vaccinations in children and its associated factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This review aimed to systematically compare and pool the prevalence of all the known evidence on caregiver hesitancy and to describe the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among caregiver worldwide such as COVID-19, MMR, Influenza, HPV and others. We searched article from few electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, ProQuest, and Web of Science) from inception to August 2023 using specific keywords for example caregiver, parents, prevalence, factor, hesitancy, and others. We included population-based studies that reported the prevalence of caregiver hesitancy.

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.

Unveiling the Role of Schwann Cell Plasticity in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a prevalent complication of diabetes that affects a significant proportion of diabetic patients worldwide. Although the pathogenesis of DPN involves axonal atrophy and demyelination, the exact mechanisms remain elusive. Current research has predominantly focused on neuronal damage, overlooking the potential contributions of Schwann cells, which are the predominant glial cells in the peripheral nervous system.

MyACR: A Point-of-Care Medical Device for Determination of Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) in Random Urine Samples as a Marker of Nephropathy.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the world's population. Monitoring urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) has become the gold standard for nephropathy diagnosis and control. The objective of the present study was to develop a simple, accurate, sensitive, and rapid point-of-care test (PoCT) device, MyACR, for uACR measurement, intended for use in community healthcare to screen for the risk and monitor the progress of CKD.

Treatment of wastewater from oil palm industry in Malaysia using polyvinylidene fluoride-bentonite hollow fiber membranes via membrane distillation system.

Membrane distillation (MD) is gaining increasing recognition within membrane-based processes for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment. This study aims to alter the physicochemical characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes through the incorporation of bentonite (B) at varying weight concentrations (ranging from 0.25 wt% to 1.

Assessment of solar geoengineering impact on precipitation and temperature extremes in the Muda River Basin, Malaysia using CMIP6 SSP and GeoMIP6 G6 simulations.

The concept of solar geoengineering remains a topic of debate, yet it may be an effective way for cooling the Earth's temperature. Nevertheless, the impact of solar geoengineering on regional or local climate patterns is an active area of research. This study aims to evaluate the impact of solar geoengineering on precipitation and temperature extremes of the Muda River Basin (MRB), a very important agricultural basin situated in the northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Debinding of Yttria-Stabilised Zirconia/Bimodal Stainless Steel 316L Bi-Materials Produced through Two-Component Micro-Powder Injection Moulding.

The fabrication of bi-material micro-components via two-component micro-powder injection moulding (2C-µPIM) from 3 mol% yttria-stabilised zirconia (3YSZ) and micro/nano bimodal stainless steel 316L (SS 316L) powders has received insufficient attention. Apart from this, retaining the bonding between ceramic and metal at different processing stages of 2C-µPIM is challenging. This study investigated the solvent and thermal debinding mechanisms of green bi-material micro-parts of 3YSZ and bimodal SS 316L without collapsing the ceramic/metal joining.

The pharmacokinetic differences between 10- and 15-μg daily vitamin D doses.

Aims: The reference nutrient intake for vitamin D in people aged ≥4 years is 10 μg/day (400 IU/day) in the UK, but the recommended daily allowance is 15 μg/day (600 IU/day) for people aged 1-70 years in the USA. Here, we aim to compare the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum concentration profiles between the 2 doses.

Methods: With world-wide trial data of adults aged ≥18 years, 45-93 kg, we constructed a minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetics model of serum concentrations of vitamin D and 25(OH)D using nonlinear mixed effects modelling.

Astrocyte-Specific Inhibition of the Primary Cilium Suppresses C3 Expression in Reactive Astrocyte.

C3-positive reactive astrocytes play a neurotoxic role in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms controlling C3-positive reactive astrocyte induction are largely unknown. We found that the length of the primary cilium, a cellular organelle that receives extracellular signals was increased in C3-positive reactive astrocytes, and the loss or shortening of primary cilium decreased the count of C3-positive reactive astrocytes.

A Scoping Review on Fungus and Mycotoxin Studies in the Building's Environment: Mycotoxin Analysis by Mass Spectrometry.

It has been well-established that mycotoxins are poisonous chemical metabolites secreted by certain molds. Some of them significantly affect the health of humans and livestock. Increasing attention is now being paid to uncovering and identifying mycotoxins' presence in the building's environment.

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.

Cost volume profit analysis for full paying patient services in Malaysia: A study protocol.

Dual practice within public hospitals, characterised by the concurrent provision of public and private healthcare services within public hospitals, has become a widespread phenomenon. With the participation of selected public hospitals, dual practice within public hospitals, also known as Full Paying Patient services, was an initiative the Ministry of Health Malaysia took in 2007 to retain senior specialist physicians in Malaysia. The revenue generated from the Full Paying Patient services aims to provide an avenue for public sector specialists to supplement their incomes while alleviating the Government's burden of subsidising healthcare for financially capable individuals.

The roles of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in the in vitro metabolism of β-eudesmol in human liver: Reaction phenotyping and enzyme kinetics.

β-eudesmol is a major bioactive component of Atractylodes lancea (AL). AL has been developed as the capsule formulation of standardized AL extract for treating cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, the complex constituents of herbal products increase the risk of adverse drug interactions.

Micro-Injection Molding and Debinding Behavior of Hydroxyapatite/Zirconia Bi-Materials Fabricated by Two-Component Micro-Powder Injection Molding Process.

The micro-scale joining of two different materials using two-component micro-powder injection molding (2C-µPIM) is an intriguing technique. The formation of defects in bi-materials at different processing stages makes this technique challenging. This study presents the fabrication of defect-free bi-material micro-parts containing hydroxyapatite (HA) and 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) via 2C-µPIM.

Digital Display Preference of Electronic Gadgets for Visual Comfort: A Systematic Review.

Background: Digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops are used for various purposes. The digital display quality has been improved, making it less tiring and more favoured among users. This study aimed to review the visual comfort of digital devices and the preferences of digital display settings that enhance the visual comfort experienced by digital device users.

The global estimate of premature cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of age-standardized mortality rate.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of premature mortality worldwide, with a growing burden in recent years. Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive meta-analyses that quantify the extent of premature CVD mortality. Study addressed this gap by estimating the pooled age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of premature CVD mortality.

Understanding Factors Associated with Motivation to Quit Vaping among Vapers in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The prevalence of vaping worldwide is showing an upward trend. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with motivation to quit vaping among vapers in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through a cross-sectional, purposive sampling study. Respondents were required to complete a questionnaire consisting of vapers' sociodemographic questions, habitual behavioral pattern questions, the e-Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence, the Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Dependence Questionnaire, perception questions, motivation to quit questions, and withdrawal symptom questions.

The Effectiveness of Early Food Introduction in Preventing Childhood Allergic Diseases: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Allergic diseases affect around 40% of the pediatric population worldwide. The coexistence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy renders allergy treatment and prevention challenging. Infant feeding strategies recommend avoiding allergenic foods to prevent allergy development and anaphylaxis.

Recent Advances in Processing of Titanium and Titanium Alloys through Metal Injection Molding for Biomedical Applications: 2013-2022.

Metal injection molding (MIM) is one of the most widely used manufacturing processes worldwide as it is a cost-effective way of producing a variety of dental and orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, and other important biomedical products. Titanium (Ti) and Ti alloys are popular modern metallic materials that have revamped the biomedical sector as they have superior biocompatibility, excellent corrosion resistance, and high static and fatigue strength. This paper systematically reviews the MIM process parameters that extant studies have used to produce Ti and Ti alloy components between 2013 and 2022 for the medical industry.

Pulmonary thromboembolic disease associated with COVID-19 infection: a comparison between geriatric and non-geriatric populations.

Introduction: The magnitude of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among the elderly population is expected to rise. Our study compares the clinical and computed tomographical (CT) features of pulmonary thromboembolic (PTE) disease associated with COVID-19 infection in geriatric and non-geriatric cases, and explores the 60-day mortality rate in these two groups.

Materials And Methods: We conducted this retrospective cross-sectional study in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Selangor, Malaysia.

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria and Level of Antibiotic Residues in Hospital Effluents in Selangor, Malaysia: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major global public health challenge due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics for humans and animals. Hospitals are among the major users of antibiotics, thereby having a large contribution to AMR.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria and the level of antibiotic residues in the hospital effluents in Selangor, Malaysia.

Guidelines from an expert panel for the management of diabetic macular edema in the Malaysian population.

Aim: To derive a Malaysia guideline and consensus as part of the Malaysia Retina Group's efforts for diagnosis, treatment, and best practices of diabetic macular edema (DME). The experts' panel suggests that the treatment algorithm to be divided into groups according to involvement the central macula. The purpose of DME therapy is to improve edema and achieve the best visual results with the least amount of treatment load.

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).