Private, non-profit, and plantation: Oil palm smallholders in management-assistance programs vary in socio-demographics, attitudes, and management practices.

Smallholder farmers produce over 40% of global palm oil, the world's most traded and controversial vegetable oil. Awareness of the effects of palm oil production on ecosystems and human communities has increased drastically in recent years, with ever louder calls for the private and public sector to develop programs to support sustainable cultivation by smallholder farmers. To effectively influence smallholder practices and ensure positive social outcomes, such schemes must consider the variety in perspectives of farmers and align with their priorities.

Impact of low-carbon economic policies on the corporate environmental responsibility model in China.

This study investigates the impact of low-carbon economic policies on Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) in Chinese A-share listed companies, with a particular focus on the role of financing constraints as a mediating factor. Despite a decrease in environmental pollution incidents in 2022, the economic and social impacts of such incidents remain significant, highlighting the need for stronger environmental governance. Building upon previous research, this study utilizes data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges (2010-2020) and employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to assess the effects of low-carbon economic policies introduced in 2016 on CER.

An agency mapping of marginalized communities and aid providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Given the urgent need for help amongst vulnerable populations throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, civil society organizations (CSOs) and members have stepped up to provide support for impacted communities. The process of responding to these urgent needs reflects the agency and resilience of civil society members in accessing or providing resources. There is still a lack of understanding of how human agency is exercised in the context of power imbalances.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of orphan genes in twelve (sub)species.

Unlabelled: Orphan genes (OGs), also known as lineage-specific genes, are species-specific genes that play a crucial role in species-specific adaptations to various stresses. Although OGs have been identified in several plant species, there is no information on OGs in banana genomes. This study aimed to systematically identify OGs in twelve banana (sub)species using comparative genomics.

Para-Bombay blood group: Report of a rare blood group.

Para-Bombay blood group is a rare blood group typically characterized by the absence of H antigens on red blood cell and the presence of ABH substances on secretion. It can be easily missed and often mistaken as blood group O without extended testing. Detection is important as it significantly affect transfusion management.

Red cell alloimmunization in multitransfused hepatobiliary patients at hospital Selayang.

Background: Transfusion support is vital for the management of patients with hepatobiliary disease. Repeated blood transfusions increase the risk of alloimmunization, i.e.

Efficacy and safety of a proprietary extract in skin health - a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study in healthy volunteers.

Objectives: The concept of beauty from within is a growing trend in the market and people now look for oral supplements that can enhance the well-being of skin from within. Within this principle, a proprietary pomegranate extract (Grantria), standardized to ellagic acid, punicic acid and punicalagin, was developed using ADOP (Advanced Oil-Powder) technology and was clinically evaluated for its efficacy and safety in healthy adults.

Methods: This evaluation was carried out as a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study for 60 days at a daily dose of 300 mg.

Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells (NFAT) Proteins as Targeted Molecules in Diseases: A Narrative Review.

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a key player in the NFAT pathway, regulating various cellular processes physiologically and pathologically. NFAT signaling is implicated in developing multiple diseases, such as cancer progression, that are associated with angiogenesis. Despite numerous studies on NFAT, there is still a dearth of information on the proteins and signaling pathway compared to other established pathways.

The effectiveness of real-life cognitive and physical interventions on cognitive functioning in healthy older adults: A systematic review of the effects of education and training duration.

Physical and cognitive interventions are deemed the primary methods of improving cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is still debated. This systematic review, synthesised findings from the literature on four different types of interventions: physical activities, cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and a combined intervention.

Translation, validation, and reliability of the Modified Occupational Questionnaire into Bahasa Melayu among older persons in Malaysia.

Introduction: A Modified Occupational Questionnaire (MOQ) is a self-report questionnaire that records the occupational engagement of an individual hourly, focusing on activity category, reason for doing the activity, value to self, and value to society. Understanding the patterns of occupational engagement and meaningful time use in older persons is crucial for predicting physical and psychological health and establishing occupation-based interventions to support healthy aging. However, the MOQ, originally developed in an English-speaking country and may potentially be less suitable for Malaysian older persons, who are predominantly Malay-speaking and have distinct cultural adaptations.

Linking microRNA to metabolic reprogramming and gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (Review).

Colorectal cancer (CRC), an emerging public health concern, is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. An increasing body of evidence shows that dysfunction in metabolic reprogramming is a crucial characteristic of CRC progression. Specifically, metabolic reprogramming abnormalities in glucose, glutamine and lipid metabolism provide the tumour with energy and nutrients to support its rapid cell proliferation and survival.

The outcome of diabetic retinopathy health education program in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a quasi-experimental study.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) may develop into sight-threatening DR and vision loss if early intervention is not carried out. This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of DR health education program for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The quasi-experimental research design was applied.

The dengue disquisition: A low-cost public housing conundrum in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Dengue remains the most rapidly advancing vector-borne disease in the world, and while the disease burden is predominantly in low-to-middle-income countries, the association with poverty remains in question. Consequently, a study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of anti-dengue antibodies among individuals residing in the People's Housing Program (PPR), a government-sponsored low-cost housing initiative targeting low-income earners. This type of public housing often faces challenges, including substandard housing facilities.

Impact of geriatric nutritional risk index on clinical outcomes in acute coronary syndrome patients: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Background: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), derived from serum albumin levels and body weight relative to ideal body weight, is a novel tool for assessing nutritional status. This meta-analysis explored the association between GNRI and the clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies evaluating the GNRI in patients with ACS.

Burden of undernutrition and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months: findings from 2016 Ethiopian demographic health survey (EDHS) data.

Background: Despite numerous government nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions, undernutrition (e.g., underweight) remains the major public health concern among under-five-year-old children in Ethiopia.

Thymoquinone-PLGA-PF68 Nanoparticles Induce S Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis, Leading to the Inhibition of Migration and Colony Formation in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: A biocompatible polymeric nanoparticle, TQ-PLGA-PF68, was developed through the interaction of the phytochemical thymoquinone (TQ) encapsulated in poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) with Pluronics F68. So far, this combination has not been assessed on breast cancer cells resistant to anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the cell death caused by TQ-PLGA-PF68 nanoparticles, particularly in resistant breast cancer cell lines expressing estrogen receptor (ER) positivity, such as TamR MCF-7.

Drug-Loaded Hydrogel Microneedles for Sustainable Transdermal Delivery of Macromolecular Proteins.

Introduction: Poly(methyl vinyl ether co-maleic acid) (PMVE/MA) hydrogel microneedles (HMN) are investigated for transdermal delivery of macromolecular drugs owing to their biocompatibility and super-swelling properties. However, the drug delivery efficacy reduces with increasing molecular weight due to the entrapment within the HMN matrices. Furthermore, integrating external drug reservoirs extends the drug diffusion path and reduces the efficiency of drug permeation.

Multicentric Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess the Variation of Fractionation Strategies Used in the Management of Head and Neck Cancers in the Asian Region (INNOCENCE-ASIA).

Purpose: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are in general treated with conventional fractionation regimen of 1.8-2 Gy per fraction. Altered fractionation (ALFT) strategies such as hypofractionation radiotherapy (HYPO-RT), accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (AFRT), and hyperfractionation radiotherapy (HFRT) have not been practiced uniformly across centers in different parts of the world.

Decoding the blueprint of receptor binding by filoviruses through large-scale binding assays and machine learning.

Evidence suggests that bats are important hosts of filoviruses, yet the specific species involved remain largely unidentified. Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) is an essential entry receptor, with amino acid variations influencing viral susceptibility and species-specific tropism. Herein, we conducted combinatorial binding studies with seven filovirus glycoproteins (GPs) and NPC1 orthologs from 81 bat species.

Mangrove-based carbon market projects: What stakeholders need to address during pre-feasibility assessment.

Mangrove-based carbon market projects (MbCMP) aim to conserve, protect and restore mangrove habitats in order to generate high quality blue carbon credits via a crediting program, as a contribution to climate change mitigation/adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services provision and local socio-economic development. The blue carbon credits generated are transferable, verifiable and sold through carbon markets to earn additional income for governments and local communities. The main aim of the paper is to provide important considerations for pre-field planning, that is, how challenges associated with fieldwork, project implementation, and monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) can be addressed with proper pre-field planning.

Enhancing Small-for-Gestational-Age Prediction: Multi-Country Validation of Nuchal Thickness, Estimated Fetal Weight, and Machine Learning Models.

Objective: The first objective is to develop a nuchal thickness reference chart. The second objective is to compare rule-based algorithms and machine learning models in predicting small-for-gestational-age infants.

Method: This retrospective study involved singleton pregnancies at University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, developed a nuchal thickness chart and evaluated its predictive value for small-for-gestational-age using Malaysian and Singapore cohorts.

Nonpharmacological Management of Dental Anxiety in the General Population and Individuals With Learning Disabilities: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Aims: Dental anxiety (DA) is reported among the general population, including individuals with learning disabilities (LDs). In many studies, nonpharmacological interventions have been applied to significantly improve DA among patients. This study aimed to examine publication trends and patterns in both populations to identify the current research trends and literature gaps.

Patterns and trends in burden of asthma and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021 among south Asian countries: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes.