Children’s proficient reading performance is not merely an academic skill; it is a fundamental cornerstone of a child’s cognitive development, academic success, and long-term life outcomes. As a primary role model, parental reading attitudes will most likely influence the home literacy environment and children’s reading performance. Parents’ reading habits and experiences may provide the necessary knowledge to assist children’s reading development. Currently, no Malay language instruments are available to assess parents’ attitudes towards reading. Thus, this study aimed to translate the English version of the Parent Reading Beliefs Survey (PRBS) into Malay language and evaluate its validity and reliability. PRBS was chosen because it can measure how parents’ reading attitudes align with current at-home literacy practices and literacy development. The Malay-translated questionnaire was content validated through content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index-relevance (CVI-Relevance), and content validity index-clarity (CVI-Clarity) methods by eight expert panels (professionals that having expertise related to early literacy), and finally reliability tested using Cronbach’s alpha with 50 participants (preschool children’s parents). The results showed that all items’ CVR values were at least 0.75, and all items’ CVI-Relevance and CVI-Clarity values were higher than 0.83, indicating satisfactory validity. As for each subscale, Cronbach’s alpha value ranges from 0.71 to 0.97, indicating acceptable and good internal consistency. Overall, the Malaytranslated version of the PRBS was found to be valid and reliable for use in future studies. The findings of this study can pave the way for more research efforts in the field of reading in Malaysia. The questionnaire can also assist speech therapists and educators in assessing the attitudes that parents have in reading to come up with better designs for parent-child reading intervention

Introduction: Leukemia is one of the most prevalent childhood cancers, accounting for 30% of paediatric cancers globally and 39.1% in Malaysia. This study assesses neuropsychological functioning in childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) survivors, including executive functioning, attention span, working memory, problem solving, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Methods: Twenty-seven childhood ALL survivors (12 males, 15 females), aged 8–26 years and in remission for at least one year, were recruited from Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia. Participants completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale: Digit Span and subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency, Colour-Word Interference, and Sorting Test. Results: Results revealed significant neuropsychological deficits compared to normative data. Working memory performance (Digit Span, M = 6.63) was significantly below the mean. Impairments in executive functioning were found in Trail Making Test scores, particularly in Visual Scanning (M = 6.78), Letter Sequencing (M = 4.30), and Number-Letter Sequencing (M = 4.70). Verbal Fluency deficits were most notable in Letter Fluency (M = 4.70). Cognitive flexibility challenges were indicated by Colour-Word Interference scores (Inhibition, M = 8.04; Inhibition/ Switching, M = 8.26). Sorting Test scores (M = 7.33) indicated categorization difficulties. Correlations showed that school and post-treatment duration positively affected task performance, while earlier diagnosis negatively affected cognitive flexibility. Conclusion: These findings highlight neuropsychological deficits in Malay childhood ALL survivors, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and screening tools to improve their quality of life and address gaps in understanding long-term effects.

Introduction: Sleep quality has become a public health concern due to serious impacts on individual’s health outcomes. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the sleep quality and its associated factors among adults living in the province of Terengganu, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Socio-demographic information was self-reported whilst anthropometric measurements were measured by trained researchers. Sleep quality was assessed using the validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) whilst eating behavior was measured using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models were employed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Results: A total of 580 participants were enrolled (mean age = 29.1 ± 10.0 years; 51.2% female), of which 74.7% (n = 433) had poor sleep quality (PSQI global score > 5) with a total sleep duration per night of 6.2 ± 1.6 hours. Gender (p-value=0.044), educational level (p-value=0.001), emotional level (p-value=0.005) and external eating (p-value=0.026) were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality. Conclusion: This study underscored the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among adults living in Terengganu, Malaysia. The findings could serve as a basis for developing sleep education strategies that are tailored to improve sleep quality among adults.

Introduction: Tinea imbricata (TI) outbreak poses a significant health burden among indigenous populations in rainforest regions due to their geographical isolation and poor socioeconomic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological trends, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and treatment outcomes of TI among the Bateq subtribe in Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July–October 2023 in five villages within the National Rainforest Park, Malaysia. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes were collected through interviews, laboratory investigations, and clinical examinations. Treatment modalities were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing disease burden. Results: 569 individuals were surveyed, revealing a TI prevalence rate of 7.91% with children aged 15 years and below exhibiting the highest susceptibility (9.22%). Antifungal susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of Trichophyton concentricum demonstrated high sensitivity to terbinafine (GM MIC=0.144 μg/ml, GM MFC=0.198 μg/ml, p<0.05) and griseofulvin (GM MIC=1.741 μg/ml, GM MFC=4.782 μg/ml, p<0.05), while clotrimazole showed moderate activity (GM MIC=5.897 μg/ml, GM MFC=22.291 μg/ml). Fluconazole demonstrated the least potency, with no fungicidal activity observed at concentrations up to 128 μg/ml. Treatment outcomes indicated that combination therapy (terbinafine gel and oral griseofulvin) significantly outperformed terbinafine gel alone, achieving an almost complete lesion resolution (LA reduced to 0.158±0.158 cm versus 3.684±1.522 cm , p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings provide critical insights into the epidemiology and emerging drug resistance of TI in the Bateq subtribe, highlighting the importance of continued surveillance, monitoring, and adaptation of treatment strategies to combat evolving antifungal resistance patterns.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the temporal dynamics of dengue cases in Malaysia from 2022 to 2024 using seasonal-trend decomposition and time-series modeling. Methods: Weekly dengue case counts from the national registry were analyzed across all states using seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS (STL) to separate trend, seasonal, and irregular components. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and seasonal ARIMA(SARIMA) models were fitted to validate temporal structures, with model selection based onthe Akaike information criterion (AIC), corrected AIC, and Bayesian information criterion.Diagnostic checks, including residual analysis and Ljung-Box testing, were performed to ensure model adequacy. Results: Dengue incidence showed marked heterogeneity across states. STL decompositionindicated that long-term trends contributed more strongly to case dynamics than seasonality in most states, although seasonal influences were significant in the states of Kedah and Kelantan. Seasonal peak timing varied between states, highlighting differences in epidemic cycles. ARIMA and SARIMA modeling confirmed that no single temporal structure could adequately represent all states; while some series were well fitted by simple ARIMA models,others required seasonal adjustments. Residual diagnostics demonstrated that the selected models were statistically adequate. Conclusion Dengue dynamics in Malaysia are shaped by both trend and seasonal components, with considerable variation across states. Combining STL decomposition with ARIMA/SARIMA modeling strengthens the evidence base for state-specific forecasting and proactive vectorcontrol. Tailoring surveillance systems and interventions to local temporal patterns may improve early warning capacity and optimize resource allocation for dengue prevention.

Background: s/Aims: Left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) is a commonly performed liver resection. The Rex-recess technique, an extrahepatic Glissonian approach through the umbilical fissure, provides earlier extrahepatic vascular control, potentially resulting in safer and faster resections. However, comparative data between these approaches is limited. This study aims to compare the Rex-recess technique with the standard technique for LLS regarding operative parameters, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 48 consecutive adult patients who underwent open LLS at a tertiary hepatobiliary centre between January 2021 and November 2025. Patients were categorized based on the surgical technique used: standard technique (n = 25) and Rex-recess technique (n = 23). Primary outcomes assessed included operative time, blood loss, transfusion requirements, and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes focused on selected early postoperative recovery parameters. Results: Baseline demographics were comparable between groups. The Rex-recess technique significantly reduced operative time (90 ± 17.1 minutes vs. 162 ± 27.2 minutes; p < 0.0001) and intraoperative blood loss (80 ± 42.3 mL vs. 250 ± 67.2 mL; p < 0.0001).Other postoperative outcomes, including complication rates and length of hospital stay, were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions The Rex-recess approach appears to be a feasible and anatomically sound technique for LLS, offering advantages in operative efficiency, such as reduced operative time and blood loss. However, due to the retrospective design and non-randomized allocation, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these results.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) remain a major cause of occupational disability and productivity loss worldwide. Traditional statistical methods have identified numerous associated factors; however, they often struggle to capture complex non-linear relationships and interactions across multiple domains of risk. Machine learning (ML) offers an alternative analytical approach for modelling such multidimensional relationships. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420250605234), literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for studies published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies applied ML methods to identify factors associated with WRMSDs using cross-sectional study designs. Included studies were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, representing workers from healthcare, transport, manufacturing, and service sectors across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Frequently applied ML algorithms included random forest, support vector machine, and artificial neural networks, demonstrating strong internal discriminative performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.80–0.99), although the absence of external validation in several studies suggests a potential risk of overfitting. Commonly identified factors included age, sex, awkward posture, vibration exposure, prolonged working hours, stress, and burnout. Psychosocial factors, including post-traumatic stress disorder, job stress, and depression, were ranked among the most influential predictors within ML models. Conclusions ML models demonstrate strong capability in discriminating WRMSDs risk and identifying multidimensional risk factors compared with traditional statistical approaches. These models highlight complex interrelationships between ergonomic and psychosocial exposures. Future research should incorporate external validation, objective exposure measurements, and standardized ML reporting frameworks to enhance methodological transparency and generalizability.

Background: and Purpose In patients with ischemic stroke and isolated cervical internal carotid artery occlusion (c-ICA-O), endovascular therapy (EVT) can improve cerebral perfusion. To maintain vessel patency, EVT is frequently combined with carotid artery stenting (CAS). We assessed the efficacy and safety of emergent CAS during EVT for isolated c-ICA-O. Methods: This retrospective multinational cohort study (42 centers) included consecutive patients who underwent EVT for isolated c-ICA-O within 24 hours from the time last seen well. Patients who underwent emergent CAS were compared with those who did not. Co-primary outcomes were c-ICA vessel patency and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) 24 hours post-EVT. Secondary outcomes included any intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at 24 hours and disability at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] shift). Outcomes were adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting. Results: Of 317 patients (mean age, 68.6 years [standard deviation, 12.9]; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 11 [interquartile range, 6–17]; 26.8% female), 219 (69.1%) underwent CAS, whereas 98 (30.9%) did not. At 24 hours, vessel patency was more common after CAS (83.5% vs. 40.7%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 9.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.91–18.17); sICH rates did not differ (2.3% vs. 3.1%; aOR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.18–4.73). Any ICH was more common after CAS (19.3% vs. 9.3%; aOR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.12–5.60). CAS was not associated with mRS at 3 months (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.62–1.56). Conclusions In patients undergoing EVT for isolated c-ICA-O, emergent CAS was technically effective and reasonably safe. More frequent vessel patency in patients who underwent CAS did not translate into improved functional outcome at 3 months.