Combined knee osteoarthritis and diabetes is associated with reduced muscle strength, physical inactivity, and poorer quality of life.

Objective: This study delves into the intriguing connection between knee osteoarthritis and diabetes in Malaysia. Specifically, the exacerbation of knee osteoarthritis in the presence of diabetes in terms of symptoms, physical performance, physical activity, psychological status, social participation, and quality of life was discussed.

Design: This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged 50 and above by convenient sampling and grouped them into: knee osteoarthritis-diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis+diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis-diabetes+, and knee osteoarthritis+diabetes+.

Facial misfits accelerate stereotype-based associative learning.

Counterstereotypes challenge the deleterious effects that gender-typed beliefs exert on people's occupational aspirations and lifestyle choices. Surprisingly, however, the critical issue of how readily unexpected person-related knowledge can be acquired remains poorly understood. Accordingly, in two experiments in which the facial appearance of targets was varied to manipulate goodness-of-stereotype-fit (i.

Distribution of natural radioactivity in different geological formations and their environmental risk assessment in Malaysia.

Labuan, Miri, Kundasang and Raub regions of Malaysia have very different geological formations and settings that could result in different levels of natural radioactivity. Hence, this study determines the influence of different geological formations on radioactivity in these locations using field measurements, petrology and geochemistry. A total of 141 gamma dose rates and 227 beta flux measurements were collected using Polimaster survey meters (PM1405) in these four regions.

Treatment of uveitis and scleritis patients in Malaysia.

Aim: To determine the common causes and visual outcome after treatment among uveitis and scleritis patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort observational study. All consecutive clinical records of patients with newly diagnosed uveitis and scleritis over a 4-year period, from Jan.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on osteoarthritis: a scoping review on biomarkers.

Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the knee and hip joints and accounts for 19.3% of disability-adjusted life years and years lived with disability worldwide (Refs , ). Early management is important in order to avoid disability uphold quality of life (Ref.

Migraine and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with migraines, particularly those with auras, may present with stroke. Atrial fibrillation is a known risk factor for stroke. With common pathophysiological factors between migraines and atrial fibrillation, we aimed to clarify the association between migraine and atrial fibrillation in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prognostic benefits of His-Purkinje capture in physiological pacemakers for bradycardia.

Introduction: Clinical outcomes of long-term ventricular septal pacing (VSP) without His-Purkinje capture remain unknown. This study evaluated the differences in clinical outcomes between conduction system pacing (CSP), VSP, and right ventricular pacing (RVP).

Methods: Consecutive patients with bradycardia indicated for pacing from 2016 to 2022 were prospectively followed for the clinical endpoints of heart failure (HF)-hospitalizations and all-cause mortality at 2 years.

Self-management of osteoarthritis while waiting for total knee arthroplasty during the COVID-19 pandemic among older Malaysians.

Background: The study sought to understand the self-management strategies used by patients during the postponement of their total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedure, as well as the associations between the length of waiting time, pain, and physical frailty and function. The study focused on individuals aged 50 years and above, as they are known to be more vulnerable to the negative impacts of delayed elective surgery and rehabilitation. This study hypothesizes that delayed TKR due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will bear negative effect in self-management, pain, and physical frailty and function in older adults.

Comparison of Pacing Performance and Clinical Outcomes Between Left Bundle Branch and His Bundle Pacing.

Background: Left bundle branch (LBBP) and His-bundle pacing (HBP) provide physiological ventricular activation.

Objectives: This study investigated differences in feasibility, device performance, and clinical outcomes between LBBP and HBP.

Methods: Consecutive patients with LBBP and HBP from 2018 to 2021 in 2 centers were prospectively studied.

Stroke Recurrence in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Without Atrial Fibrillation on Invasive Cardiac Monitoring.

Background: More than half of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) suffer from recurrent ischaemic stroke, despite the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on invasive cardiac monitoring (ICM). This study investigated the predictors and prognosis of recurrent stroke in ESUS without AF on ICM.

Method: This prospective study included patients with ESUS at two tertiary hospitals from 2015 to 2021 who underwent comprehensive neurological imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, and inpatient continuous electrographic monitoring for ≥48 hours prior to ICM for definitive exclusion of AF.

2023 HRS/APHRS/LAHRS guideline on cardiac physiologic pacing for the avoidance and mitigation of heart failure.

Cardiac physiologic pacing (CPP), encompassing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and conduction system pacing (CSP), has emerged as a pacing therapy strategy that may mitigate or prevent the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony or pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This clinical practice guideline is intended to provide guidance on indications for CRT for HF therapy and CPP in patients with pacemaker indications or HF, patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and preparation, implant procedure management, follow-up evaluation and optimization of CPP response, and use in pediatric populations. Gaps in knowledge, pointing to new directions for future research, are also identified.

Micro-mapping of terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate in typical urban homes in Miri City (Sarawak, Malaysia).

Micro-mapping of terrestrial gamma radiation dose (TGRD) at meter grid spacing in and around four urban homes in Miri City shows rates ranging from 70 to 150 nGy/h. Tiled surfaces (floors and walls) vary between properties and have a clear and significant influence on TGRD which is highest in kitchens, washrooms and toilets. Application of a single indoor value for annual effective dose (AED) may lead to underestimations of up to 30%.

Organoids as an Enabler of Precision Immuno-Oncology.

Since the dawn of the past century, landmark discoveries in cell-mediated immunity have led to a greater understanding of the innate and adaptive immune systems and revolutionised the treatment of countless diseases, including cancer. Today, precision immuno-oncology (I/O) involves not only targeting immune checkpoints that inhibit T-cell immunity but also harnessing immune cell therapies. The limited efficacy in some cancers results mainly from a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) that, in addition to adaptive immune cells, comprises innate myeloid and lymphoid cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and the tumour vasculature that contribute towards immune evasion.

Effects of Leea indica leaf extracts and its phytoconstituents on natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in human ovarian cancer.

Background: The rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and their importance as sources of novel therapeutics and lead compounds warrant further research. Despite advances in debulking surgery and chemotherapy, the risks of recurrence of ovarian cancer and resistance to therapy are significant and the clinical outcomes of ovarian cancer remain poor or even incurable.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of leaf extracts from a medicinal plant Leea indica and its selected phytoconstituents on human ovarian cancer cells and in combination with oxaliplatin and natural killer (NK) cells.

Clinical Outcomes in Conduction System Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Pacing in Bradycardia.

Background: Conduction system pacing (CSP) provides more physiological ventricular activation than right ventricular pacing (RVP).

Objectives: This study evaluated the differences in clinical outcomes in patients receiving CSP and RVP.

Methods: Consecutive patients with pacemakers implanted for bradycardia from 2016 to 2021 in 2 centers were prospectively followed for the primary composite outcome of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, upgrade to biventricular pacing, or all-cause mortality, stratified by ventricular pacing burden (Vp) .

The Singapore National Precision Medicine Strategy.

Precision medicine promises to transform healthcare for groups and individuals through early disease detection, refining diagnoses and tailoring treatments. Analysis of large-scale genomic-phenotypic databases is a critical enabler of precision medicine. Although Asia is home to 60% of the world's population, many Asian ancestries are under-represented in existing databases, leading to missed opportunities for new discoveries, particularly for diseases most relevant for these populations.

Influx of podoplanin-expressing inflammatory macrophages into the genital tract following Chlamydia infection.

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains a major health issue as it causes severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in females as a result of infection-associated chronic inflammation. Podoplanin, a transmembrane receptor, has been previously reported on inflammatory macrophages. Thus, strategies that specifically target podoplanin might be able to reduce local inflammation.

Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Insomnia Disorder.

Objective: This systematic review assessed the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the treatment of insomnia disorder and their reporting of recommendations, while summarizing the evidence and providing guidance on an algorithmic approach to appropriate pharmacological treatment.

Methods: The PubMed and EMBASE databases, guideline repositories, and specialist association websites were searched. The quality of the CPGs was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, complemented by the AGREE-REX (Appraisal of Guidelines REsearch and Evaluation-Recommendations EXcellence).