Endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided transesophageal cryobiopsy: A case series with technical insights, key enablers, and review of literature.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established technique for lung cancer staging and the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases. Recently, the paradigm of EBUS guided mediastinal sampling with conventional cytology has shifted over to histology specimens through the use of cryobiopsy. This case series explores the novel technique, key enablers, and potential advantages of endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided transesophageal cryobiopsy (EUS-B-TEC).

An elderly woman with acute respiratory failure and diffuse pulmonary changes.

https://bit.ly/4fcISSm.

A Retrospective Study Evaluating Asthma Control in Patients on Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Proactive Regular Dosing with a History of Uncontrolled Asthma.

Introduction: The MERIT study in Malaysia is a real-world retrospective, observational, multicenter study that evaluated asthma control in patients with uncontrolled asthma who were switched from as-needed (pro re nata [PRN]) budesonide/formoterol or inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) whenever a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) was taken, to proactive regular dosing of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL PRD).

Methods: Data from the medical records of patients who were stepped up to FP/SAL PRD were extracted retrospectively at baseline and follow-up (between 3 and 6 months after stepping up to FP/SAL PRD). The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with improvement in asthma control assessed via the Asthma Control Test (ACT).

Effectiveness of Video-Observed Therapy in Tuberculosis Management: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to assess the association between video-observed therapy (VOT) and treatment adherence among TB patients and the benefits and limitations of this treatment modality. The systematic review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow guideline. Multiple databases including Cochrane, Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, Lancet, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), and BMC were employed to identify relevant articles published between 2012 and 2024.

Factors influencing telemedicine adoption among physicians in the Malaysian healthcare system: A revisit.

Background: The Malaysian healthcare system is under strain due to an aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and heavy workloads among physicians. As costs and requirements continue to rise, telemedicine is critical for bridging gaps in supply and demand. However, there are limited studies on telemedicine adoption among Malaysian physicians.

Factors associated with all-cause mortality in tuberculosis patients in a Malaysian tertiary hospital.

Introduction: The all-cause mortality for tuberculosis is 1 in every 10 patients in Malaysia. The currently available national surveillance database does not record patients' variables such as socio-economic factors, existing co-morbidities, and risk behavior for investigation. An electronic medical record system can capture this missing information and use it to determine all-cause mortality factors more accurately.

Common driver mutations and programmed death-ligand 1 expression in advanced non-small cell lung cancer in smokers and never smokers.

Background: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there may be a relationship between programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, driver mutations and cigarette smoking.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, the relationship between common driver mutations (EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement) and PD-L1 expression in advanced NSCLC according to the patients' smoking history was examined. Light, moderate and heavy smokers had smoked < 20, 20-39, and ≥ 40 pack-years, respectively.

Pathological complete response in an advance stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer secondary to neoadjuvant osimertinib targeted therapy: A case report and review of literature.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a therapeutic option for potentially resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The role of neoadjuvant targeted therapy (NTT) remains less explored. This case highlights the use of neoadjuvant osimertinib in a case of advanced NSCLC.

Severe COVID-19 with persistent respiratory failure-A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary centre in Malaysia.

Introduction: Management of severe COVID-19 patients with persistent respiratory failure after acute phase treatment is not only challenging, but evidence for treatment is scarce, despite some authors reporting favourable clinical responses to corticosteroid therapy in histologically proven secondary organising pneumonia (OP). This study aimed to report the course of the disease, radiological pattern and clinical outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients with persistent respiratory failure.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of severe COVID-19 patients who were admitted to a single tertiary centre from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.6 was the major contributor to early pandemic transmission in Malaysia.

Malaysia had 10,219 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of September 20, 2020. About 33% were associated with a Tablighi Jamaat religious mass gathering held in Kuala Lumpur between February 27 and March 3, 2020, which drove community transmission during Malaysia's second wave. We analysed genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 from Malaysia to better understand the molecular epidemiology and spread.

Accuracy of lung cancer staging in the multidisciplinary team setting.

Accurate staging of lung cancer is of utmost importance in determining the stage-appropriate treatment and prognosis. Imaging tests which include contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination of the chest to include the liver and adrenal glands and 18-fluoro-2 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan facilitate the initial tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging of the disease and provide guidance on the optimal biopsy site and biopsy method. The diagnostic and staging approach should be tailored to the individual patient according to risk, benefit, patient preferences, and available expertise.

Complete Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Strains Detected in Malaysia.

We sequenced four severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from Malaysia during the second wave of infection and found unique mutations which suggest local evolution. Circulating Malaysian strains represent introductions from different countries, particularly during the first wave of infection. Genome sequencing is important for understanding local epidemiology.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to sarcoma in recurrent lung adenosquamous carcinoma following adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy has long been indicated to extend survival in completely resected stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is accumulating evidence that chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in disseminated or circulating NSCLC cells. Here, we describe the first case of EMT as the cause of recurrence and metastasis in a patient with resected stage IIB lung adenosquamous carcinoma after adjuvant chemotherapy.

Advanced right lung adenocarcinoma with ipsilateral breast metastasis.

Breast metastases from non-small cell lung carcinoma are rarely reported. We report a case of a female patient with primary adenocarcinoma of the lower lobe of her right lung presenting with a massive right-sided malignant pleural effusion. The tumor harbored an epidermal growth factor receptor insertion mutation in exon 20 but was anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation negative.