Complex and Bidirectional Interplay Between Marital Quality, Catastrophizing, Psychological Dysfunction, and Quality of Life in Married Malay Women With Disorder of Gut-Brain Interactions.

Background: Disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI) affect more women, and marital quality may have been a factor that explains clinical manifestations of DGBI-however, the mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to elucidate supported relationships between DGBI with marital quality and clinical attributes in married Malay women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved married Malay women with functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and FD-IBS overlap per Rome IV criteria.

The lived experience of resilience in chronic disease among adults in Asian countries: a scoping review of qualitative studies.

Background: Chronic diseases pose significant threats to persons' well-being and mental health leading to stress, anxiety and depression without effective resilience strategies. However, experiences to gain resilience in living with chronic disease in the context of Asian countries remain insufficiently explored. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of qualitative evidence that explores the lived experience that cultivates resilience in chronic diseases among adults within Asian countries.

Comparable and sustained levels of S1-RBD-IgG and S1-RBD-IgA in BNT162b2 homologous and CoronaVac-BNT162b2 heterologous booster vaccination: A 22-month prospective study in Malaysia.

This prospective cohort study examines the long-term humoral immune responses post-COVID-19 vaccination in 146 individuals who received either a homologous three-dose BNT162b2 vaccine regimen (PPP) or two primary doses of CoronaVac followed by BNT162b2 booster (SSP) in Malaysia. The study focuses on serum anti-S1-RBD-IgG, -IgA, and -IgM, using the ELISA method. The results show that BNT162b2 outperformed CoronaVac in the two dose primary vaccination series.

"Sexual sacrifice": a qualitative exploration of husbands' experience of living with survivors of breast cancer-sexual dysfunction in Malaysia.

Purpose: Experiencing sexual dysfunction (SD) alongside a breast cancer (BC) diagnosis has significant consequences, not only for wives but also for their husbands. Therefore, we explored husbands' perspectives on sexuality and their encounters in dealing with wives' SD following a BC diagnosis.

Methods: This qualitative study, conducted within the phenomenological framework, focused on sexually active husbands whose wives faced SD after being diagnosed with BC in Kelantan.

The effect of USM-IAM-based counselling vs standard counselling on insulin adherence, FBS and HbA1c among patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Many patients with T2DM on insulin are not optimally controlled despite receiving standard diabetes education counselling. Poor insulin adherence may be a contributing factor. We developed and evaluated a new module [Universiti Sains Malaysia-Insulin Adherence Module (USM-IAM)] on insulin-treated patients with poorly controlled diabetes.

Development and Validation of USM-Insulin Adherence Module for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not achieve the desired glycaemic control despite being treated with insulin. Studies found this due to an improper understanding of insulin function, its intensification process and patients' negative perspective on insulin. We developed an education module to enhance adherence to insulin therapy.

Physically active primary care physicians consult more on physical activity and exercise for patients: A public teaching-hospital study.

Physical activity and exercise (PAE) improve quality of life and reduce the effects of chronic diseases. Primary care physicians (PCPs) play an important role to encourage PAE in patients. We aim to assess PCPs' current PAE consultation practices and their enablers/barriers in daily clinical practice.

Patients' experience of accessing healthcare for obesity in Peninsular Malaysia: a qualitative descriptive study.

Objective: To explore patients' experiences accessing healthcare for obesity and their perceived behaviour changes following the care.

Design: Using a descriptive qualitative research approach informed by Levesque's framework of access to healthcare, we conducted phone interviews in the Malaysian language, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed inductively using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.

The experience of living with obesity for adults in Asian countries: A scoping review of qualitative studies.

Sociocultural and biological backgrounds significantly influence people's experience of obesity. Yet the experience within the Asian sociocultural context is underexplored. This scoping review aims to summarize the qualitative evidence that explores the lived experience of adults with obesity in Asian countries.

The Role of Vitamin B6 in Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods and is accessible in many dietary supplements. The three natural forms are pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Both vitamin B6 deficiency and high B6 intake have been described as risk factors for developing peripheral neuropathy (PN).

The perceptions of healthcare practitioners on obesity management in Peninsular Malaysia: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Practitioners' perceptions of patients with obesity and obesity management shape their engagement in obesity care delivery. This study aims to describe practitioners' perceptions, experiences and needs in managing patients with obesity, determine the extent of weight stigma among health practitioners, and identify the factors associated with negative judgment towards patients with obesity.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from May to August 2022 with health practitioners commonly involved in obesity management in Peninsular Malaysia, including doctors in primary care, internal medicine and bariatric surgery, and allied health practitioners.

Effect of yoga on anthropometry, quality of life, and lipid profile in patients with obesity and central obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of yoga on anthropometry, quality of life, and lipid profiles in patients with obesity and central obesity.

Methodology: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PubMed (1985-January 2022) and trial registries for relevant randomised clinical trials were used. Relevant and published randomised clinical trials were reviewed and evaluated.

Tension Stiffening and Cracking Behavior of Axially Loaded Alkali-Activated Concrete.

Alkali-activated concrete is an eco-friendly construction material that is used to preserve natural resources and promote sustainability in the construction industry. This emerging concrete consists of fine and coarse aggregates and fly ash that constitute the binder when mixed with alkaline activators, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (NaSiO). However, understanding its tension stiffening and crack spacing and width is of critical importance in fulfilling serviceability requirements.

The association between breast cancer and consumption of dairy products: a systematic review.

Background: Among the world, the most frequently discovered and fatal cancer in women is breast cancer (BC). From the perspective of public health, estimating the BC risk linked to dairy intake may aid in comprehensive management. In epidemiological research data on the association between eating dairy foods and the risk of BC are conflicting.

Sexual dysfunction among six months postpartum women in north-eastern Malaysia.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem among postpartum women. However, little is known about this topic in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its associated factors in postpartum women in Kelantan, Malaysia.

The Association Between the Serum Level of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and the Risk of Breast Cancer among Women in the Gaza Strip.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to look at the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and the risk for breast cancer (BC) among women in the Gaza Strip.

Methods: This case-control study, which included 334 participants (112 women with BC as cases, and 222 women without BC as control), was conducted between January 2021 and August 2022. Research data for the cases were gathered at the Oncology Departments of the Gaza Strip's two hospitals, "Al- Shifa Hospital and Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital," as well as from the electronic records of the Screening Mammogram Unit at Al- Remal Clinic for controls.

Post-COVID-19 Dermatomyositis: A Delayed Reaction That Evades Early Detection.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes symmetrical and predominantly proximal muscle weakness in the limbs and typical skin lesions. Its prevalence increased during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viral infections may cause autoimmunity and trigger the pathogenesis of myositis.

Challenges in Implementing the WHO Hospital Readiness Checklist for the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesian Hospitals: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: To assist hospitals in preparing for a surge of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an assessment tool called the rapid hospital readiness checklist. This checklist has been used by numerous countries, including Indonesia. However, several technical issues were discovered, primarily as a result of the manual recording of the checklist on a spreadsheet.

"Providing Sex Education Is Challenging": Malay Mothers' Experience in Implementing Sex Education to Their Children with Intellectual Disabilities.

Sex education (SE) is still a controversial and sensitive topic in Malaysia. Thus, individuals with intellectual disability receive less information about SE formally as Malaysian culture believes that students with disabilities should be shielded from everything connected to sexuality owing to their paucity of maturity and intellectual comprehension of the topic. Due to that reason, non-formal education by the parent is very important to fill that needful gap.

What is it like to live with obesity in Peninsular Malaysia? A qualitative study.

Understanding the experience of people living with obesity is crucial for delivering holistic care relevant to the socio-cultural context. Although half of the Malaysian adults have excessive weight, the lived experience of people with obesity in the Malaysian context is not well studied. Using the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology, this study explores the lived experience of adults with obesity in Malaysia and their perspective on the environmental influences on obesity.

Lived Experience after Bariatric Surgery among Patients with Morbid Obesity in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia: A Qualitative Study.

Living with morbid obesity is challenging since it affects various dimensions of life. Sustainable weight loss via bariatric surgery helps people suffering from morbid obesity to lead a healthy and meaningful life. This study highlights the challenges before bariatric surgery and the impact on one's life.

Sleep Quality among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in the East Coast Region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Poor sleep is related to type 2 diabetes and adversely influences a person’s quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), its associated factors, and its relationship with quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary care clinic in a tertiary hospital on the east coast of Malaysia.

Off-axis image plane hologram compression in holographic tomography - metrological assessment.

In this paper, we present a novel study on the impact of lossy data compression on the metrological properties of holographic tomography reconstruction of the refractive index (RI). We use a spatial bandwidth-optimized compression procedure that leverages the properties of image plane off-axis holograms and standardized compression codecs, both widely applied in research and industry. The compression procedure is tested at multiple bitrates, for four different objects and against three reconstruction algorithms.

A Journey towards Resilience: Coping Strategies Adopted by Parents with Children Having Autism Spectrum Disorder in Northeast Malaysia.

Background: The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been increasing for the past two decades. Parents with autism have been known to be at risk of psychological distress and maladaptation, but many parents were able to overcome this adversity and lead to a good quality of life.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted among 21 parents of children with ASD.

Barriers and Concerns in Providing Sex Education among Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Experiences from Malay Mothers.

Though sex education (SE) may benefit the sexual development and overall well-being of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs), obstacles to its implementation remain. This study highlights barriers and concerns of SE for children with IDs based on their mothers' experiences. We employed a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews with twenty Malay mothers of children with mild-to-moderate IDs or/and other neurodevelopmental disorders.