Patient's need for endodontic treatment in a short period is on the rise nowadays. Technological developments in instruments and materials are allowing single-visit endodontic treatment to be performed. The success of an endodontic treatment is also influenced by the restoration, in consideration of the remaining tooth structure. This becomes a challenge for the clinician if the cavities are large or if minimal tooth structure remains, so it needs a
minimally invasive restoration like morphology-driven preparation technique. This case report aims to describe the single-visit endodontic treatment and minimally invasive indirect restoration of the mandibular first molar. A 13-year-old girl came to the Dental Hospital of Hasanuddin University with complaints of cavities in the mandibular left posterior tooth and pain for one month. The patient had taken analgesic medication but was afforded no relief. Intraoral examination showed tooth #36 with extensive cavities reaching the proximal area, a positive thermal test, and no pain to percussion. The case diagnosis was asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The treatment plan was a single-visit endodontic treatment and minimally invasive indirect restoration.

Despite publishing and securing research grants being obligatory in research universities, the literature on the factors influencing academic productivity is relatively scarce. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the personal and behavioural-related factors that influence the culture of publishing and securing research grants among academicians with lower research-related performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 49 academic staff members of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A self-administered questionnaire consisting of personal, attitude and behavioural (barriers, perceived stress scale, work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale, psychological well-being scale, and basic needs satisfaction scale) questions were distributed during a workshop and online. Simple linear regression (SLR) analyses were performed for each variable, followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify the associated factors of research output. After adjusting for covariates, having a doctoral degree (β=0.396, 95% CI=0.221-2.146, p<0.05) and integrated regulation (β=0.574, 95% CI=0.036-3.612, p<0.05) were found to be associated with research grant acquisition (R2=0.273). Moreover, increasing age (β=0.426, 95% CI=0.088-0.397, p<0.05), living alone (β=0.331, 95% CI=0.944-6.626, p<0.05), having a doctoral degree (β=0.248, 95% CI=0.174-6.747, p<0.05), environmental mastery (β=0.318, 95% CI=0.013-0.347, p<0.05), self-acceptance (β=0.284, 95% CI=0.010-0.242, p<0.05), satisfaction incompetence (β=0.273, 95% CI=0.001-0.200, p<0.05) and relatedness (β=0.280, 95% CI=0.001-0.116, p<0.05) were found to be the factors that influence the publications produced among participants (R2 =0.423). The findings of this study could be used by management to formulate effective strategies to increase the productivity of academics in their research-related performance.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play pivotal roles in cancer progression and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers. VGSCs comprise multiple subtypes with distinct tissue distributions, influencing tumour characteristics in different ways. Among these, the tetrodotoxin-sensitive α-subunits and the β1 subunit, commonly found in breast cancer, have been implicated in metastasis and tumour aggressiveness. The NaV1.5 channel and its neonatal variant (nNaV1.5) are overexpressed in aggressive cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers, thereby enhancing their invasive capacity. nNaV1.5 is particularly significant due to its tumour-specific expression and strong association with poor prognosis, especially in breast cancer, where it regulates cell proliferation, invasion, and tumour microenvironment remodelling. This review highlights nNaV1.5 as a critical ion channel that drives metastasis through ion regulation, extracellular acidification, and cytoskeletal remodelling. We further evaluate current therapeutic strategies, including siRNA, monoclonal antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, while addressing translational challenges such as tumour heterogeneity, drug delivery limitations, and off-target cardiotoxicity due to its similarity with the adult isoform. In addition, we explore the potential of nNaV1.5 as a biomarker subject to epigenetic regulations by factors including RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), which may facilitate patient stratification and treatment optimization. By integrating mechanistic insights, therapeutic opportunities, and translational challenges, this review goes beyond descriptive summaries to provide a framework for advancing nNaV1.5 research from preclinical studies toward clinical application in cancer therapy.

Objectives: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent and serious condition affecting a significant portion of the adult population globally. It is a chronic medical issue that, if left unaddressed, can lead to severe health complications, including kidney problems, heart disease, and stroke. This study aims to develop a feature selection model using the XGBoost algorithm to identify specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as biomarkers for detecting hypertension risk. Methods: We propose using the high dimensionality of genetic variations (i.e., SNPs) to build a classifier model for prediction. In this study, SNPs were used as markers for hypertension in patients. We utilized the OpenSNP dataset, which includes 19,697 SNPs from 2,052 samples. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is an ensemble machine learning method employed here for feature selection, which incrementally adjusts weights in a series of steps. Results: The experimental results identified 292 SNPs that exhibited high performance, with an F1-score of 98.55%, precision of 98.73%, recall of 98.38%, and overall accuracy of 98%. This study provides compelling evidence that the XGBoost feature selection method outperforms other representative feature selection methods, such as genetic algorithms, analysis of variance, chi-square, and principal component analysis, in predicting hypertension risk, demonstrating its effectiveness. Conclusions We developed a model for predicting hypertension using the SNPs dataset. The high dimensionality of SNP data was effectively managed to identify significant features as biomarkers using the XGBoost feature selection method. The results indicate high performance in predicting the risk of hypertension.

Objectives: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent and serious condition affecting a significant portion of the adult population globally. It is a chronic medical issue that, if left unaddressed, can lead to severe health complications, including kidney problems, heart disease, and stroke. This study aims to develop a feature selection model using the XGBoost algorithm to identify specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as biomarkers for detecting hypertension risk. Methods: We propose using the high dimensionality of genetic variations (i.e., SNPs) to build a classifier model for prediction. In this study, SNPs were used as markers for hypertension in patients. We utilized the OpenSNP dataset, which includes 19,697 SNPs from 2,052 samples. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is an ensemble machine learning method employed here for feature selection, which incrementally adjusts weights in a series of steps. Results: The experimental results identified 292 SNPs that exhibited high performance, with an F1-score of 98.55%, precision of 98.73%, recall of 98.38%, and overall accuracy of 98%. This study provides compelling evidence that the XGBoost feature selection method outperforms other representative feature selection methods, such as genetic algorithms, analysis of variance, chi-square, and principal component analysis, in predicting hypertension risk, demonstrating its effectiveness. Conclusions We developed a model for predicting hypertension using the SNPs dataset. The high dimensionality of SNP data was effectively managed to identify significant features as biomarkers using the XGBoost feature selection method. The results indicate high performance in predicting the risk of hypertension.

A series of comprehensive focus group discussions with active firefighters revealed that inconsistencies in incorporating a rigorous physical training program during work hours contributed significantly to the challenges of maintaining functional fitness, particularly strength. This article outlines a process for identifying the specific exercises required to enhance strength, drawing on the expertise and experience of physical trainers. Modified nominal group technique (mNGT) sessions were conducted to identify and rank exercises for five functional strengths (i.e., pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and dragging). A total of six physical trainers from the firefighter academy were interviewed to 1) identify the skeletal muscles involved in the functional movements using a visual aid; 2) generate ideas for exercises via brainstorming; 3) privately rank the displayed list of exercises for each muscle group involved in each functional movement; and 4) design a physical training programme for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels by manipulating loads. Males dominated the expert group (66.7%) and had a mean of 11.50 (SD 5.20) years of experience in physical training. The mNGTs yielded three top-ranking exercises for each functional strength: 1) Pushing: the push-up, sit-up, and jumping jack; 2) pulling: the push-up, jumping jack, and sit-up; 3) lifting: the jumping jack, push-up, and jumping squat; 4) carrying: the push-up, plank, and sit -up; and 5) dragging: the jumping jack, sit-up, and jumping squat. Then each exercise was designed for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels by manipulating loads (i.e. additional weight or number of repetitions). This study demonstrated that mNGT is an effective tool for identifying the three top-ranking exercises that address firefighter recruits’ functional strength. The experts chose multi-joint exercises targeting agonist and antagonist skeletal muscle groups and mimicking movements of daily work life. The exercises, corroborated by previous empirical evidence, provide opportunities for common skeletal muscle groupings to be targeted simultaneously to increase cardiovascular adaptations over a shorter period. The physical exercise is now ready to be implemented for piloting purposes among firefighter recruits.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) carries a significant burden in most world regions. However, its screening uptake remains low. This study aimed to explore awareness and perspectives on CRC screening program in a multiethnic population and their preference for CRC screening decision aid. In-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, translated to English and analysed thematically using hybrid inductive and deductive approaches. 17 informants from three main ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian) with various levels of risk for developing CRC were recruited. Awareness on CRC screening program was found to be low. Majority of informants never heard of CRC screening program. Among 11 eligible informants, only five experienced CRC screening uptake. Thematic analysis of the transcripts yielded six major themes; knowledge on CRC, screening process, authority’s role, curability, willingness to screening and preference for decision aid, and theywere mapped onto the Health Belief Model. Specific multiethnic perspectives found included preference for traditional medicine coming from all ethnics, and reliance in God coming from Malay informants. Majority preferred short videos as CRC screening decision aid, in the form of animation and live-action screenplay. Exploration of perspective of CRC screening helps in producing impactful decision aids. Future efforts should focus on developing short videos that incorporate population’s perspectives and can be disseminated through electronic media.