Introduction: Medicinal herbs Acorus calamus, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, and Piper betle have been traditionally used for treating stomach-related conditions such as irregular bowel movement, bloating, and gastric ulcers. The present study aimed to explore current status, research trends, and future directions of these herbs as functional herbal teas in prevention and treatment of gastritis. Methods: A total of 80 articles from Scopus database were retrieved and reviewed. Research trends were quantitatively analysed using VOSviewer software, focusing on the keywords, authors, countries, journals, and documents. A narrative review was integrated to provide comprehensive insights into the study. Results: Analysis revealed China and India as driving forces of this specific area of research, with the Journal of Ethnopharmacology emerging as a prominent source for publications in this field. “Curcumin”, “ginger”, and “Helicobacter pylori” were the main keywords of the study. Several gastroprotective mechanisms, including stimulation of mucosal proliferation, regulation of gastric acid production, reduction of inflammation in the gastric mucosa, protection of the gastric mucosa from oxidative damage, and inhibition of the growth of H. pylori, were associated with these herbs. Active compounds, such as α-asarone, curcumin, gingerol, and piperbetol, were found to be responsible for these effects. Conclusion: This study highlights various gastroprotective properties of A. calamus, C. longa, Z. officinale, and P. betle, providing researchers with a deeper understanding of the subject matter and opening new avenues for potential development into a functional herbal tea formulation known as “Lega Tea” (Relief Tea).

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted disease surveillance systems globally, leading to reduced notifications of other infectious diseases. This study aims to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the infectious disease surveillance system in Klang district, Selangor state, Malaysia. Methods: Data on notifiable diseases from 2014 to 2022 were sourced from the Klang District Health Office. The 11 diseases with more than 100 notifications each were included in the study. For these 11 diseases, a negative binomial regression model was used to explore the effect of the pandemic on case notifications and registrations by year, and a quasi-Poisson regression model was used to explore the changes by week. Results: The results showed a reduction in the number of notifications and registrations for all 11 diseases combined during the pandemic compared with previous years. Changes between expected and observed notifications by week were heterogeneous across the diseases. Discussion: These findings suggest that restrictive public health and social measures in Klang district may have impacted the transmission of other infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The differential impact of the pandemic on disease notifications and reporting highlights the large ancillary effects of restrictive public health and social measures and the importance of building resilience into infectious disease surveillance systems.

Purpose: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy with varying prognostic outcomes. This study aimed to observe potential patterns or association between RUNX1 mutations and clinical features of AML patients, including hyperleukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and 12-month survival outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort study involving 38 patients diagnosed with de novo AML was conducted at the RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo and Dharmais Cancer Hospital between 2022 and 2023. Patients were followed up for 12 months, and RUNX1 mutations within exons 4, 5, 7, and 8 were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Sanger sequencing. Results: This study found RUNX1 mutations in 18.4% of the patients, predominantly in exons 4 and 5. Significant differences in leukocyte counts were observed between patients with and without RUNX1 mutations (p = 0.004). However, no significant association was observed between RUNX1 mutations and hyperleukocytosis or thrombocytosis.Survival analysis revealed that Individuals with RUNX1 mutations had notably lower survival rates (hazard ratio = 6.024, p = 0.014, 95% CI = 1.436–25.279). Conclusion In conclusion, RUNX1 mutations may be associated with poor survival outcomes in Indonesian AML patients. Further studies involving larger cohorts and comprehensive molecular analyses are required to confirm the prognostic significance of these findings.

This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes and ergonomic practices (KAP) of office workers in Malaysia in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. An online crosssectional survey of 266 office workers in Malaysia was conducted. All participants were asked to complete a five-part questionnaire to extract information on sociodemographic data, prevalence of work-related muscle disorders (WMSD), level of knowledge, attitudes, and ergonomic practices. The prevalence of WMSD was measured using the Cornell MS Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) with high reliability and validity, with a Cronbach's Alpha value exceeding 0.95, and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)= 0.69-0.95. Ergonomic knowledge was measured using the Ergonomic Knowledge Questionnaire with high validity (0.98) and fair reliability (r= 0.75). The attitude questionnaire was measured using a Likert scale consisting of yes, no, and maybe. Ergonomic practices are obtained by using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). ROSA is a questionnaire with high inter-observer and intraobserver reliability (ICC 0.88 and 0.91). Participants answered a picture-based questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: (1) chair, (2) monitor and telephone, (3) mouse. Most office workers experienced WMSD (99.3%) with moderate discomfort (66.5%). The common complaints being upper back (83%), right upper arm (78.9%) and neck (78.6%). A total of 73.7% of office workers have poor and little knowledge about ergonomics. The majority of office workers (97%) have a positive attitude towards ergonomics. 75.2% of office workers in Malaysia have good ergonomic practices. Most office workers in Malaysia have poor ergonomic knowledge, positive attitudes and good ergonomic practices.

Background: Malaysians, known for their diverse ethnicities, exhibit unique aesthetic features influenced by cultural nuances.Research indicates that factors including ethnicity, culture, and personal experiences affect how people perceive beauty. Objective: This study aims to address the lack of data on the preferred facial aesthetics among women from different ethnic groups in Malaysia. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 290 Malaysian women, covering multiple regions and dimensions of facial aesthetics, including facial shape, forehead height and slope, cheekbone height, chin shape, eye region features (eyebrow shape, eyelid creases, and inner eye fold), nose (nose bridge shape, nasolabial angle, and nose width-length ratio), and lip thickness. Edited images of Asian models were used as references for facial aesthetic criteria in this study. Results: The survey revealed that the majority of participants were of Malay ethnicity (71.0%) and employed in the private sector (39.3%). The average age of the participants was 31.6±9.2 years, and most of them (66.9%) have not undergone aesthetic procedures before. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between ethnicity and women’s facial aesthetic preferences for facial shape and nasal width-length ratio (p<0.05). Oval facial shape was preferred by Malay (40.3%, n=83), Chinese (41.4%, n=12), and Indian (41.3%, n=19) women, due to its long, narrow, and rounded chin. For nasal width-length ratio, Malay (44.2%, n=91) and Chinese (37.9%, n=11) women preferred a ratio <1, whereas Indians (39.1%, n=18) favored a ratio >1. However, no significant association was found between ethnicity and other facial aesthetic criteria assessed in the study. Conclusion This study identified that Malaysian women’s preferences for facial shape and nasal width-to-length ratio are associated with ethnicity. These findings can serve as a valuable reference for aesthetic practitioners, emphasizing the importance of preservation and enhancement of unique ethnic features, customized according to the suitability of each ethnicity, rather than conforming to prevailing beauty standards.

INTERNET ADDICTION AND DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN PUNCAK ALAM: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial disruptions on a worldwide scale. People all over the world were expected to face a variety of mental health issues during this outbreak. Internet addiction may become a serious problem among adolescents, especially during online distance learning. Assessing adolescents' heavy Internet use is crucial for determining their psychological health. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of internet addiction and depression among adolescents in Puncak Alam, Selangor, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 respondents aged 13 to 17. The convenience sampling method was employed, where respondents completed questionnaires comprising eight items related to demographic information, 19 items based on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and 10 items related to the Depression scale, all specific to the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study revealed that 36.8% of respondents exhibited a mild level of Internet addiction, and 45.5% displayed a mild level of depression. A statistically significant (p = 0.01) yet weak positive correlation (r = 0.195) was identified between Internet addiction and depression, indicating that as Internet addiction increases, so does the level of depression, albeit weakly. These findings highlight the presence of mild Internet addiction and depression among adolescents. In the wake of the pandemic, it becomes crucial to tackle these issues through focused interventions and continuous research, aiming to bolster the mental health of young individuals in this digital era.

Aims: This study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid effects of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens derived surfactin. Methodology and results: Crude and biosurfactant extracts were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography to determine the presence of biosurfactant. Both extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the acetylcholinesterase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes. Human synovial cells were induced with TNF-α and IL-1β. The percentages of the cell viability for both normal and induced cells were determined with an MTT assay. Results showed that surfactin was detected in the biosurfactant extract and demonstrated higher inhibitory effects compared to the crude extract against both inhibitory enzymes acetylcholinesterse (IC50=30.60 μg/mL) and lipoxygenase (IC50=110.10 μg/mL). Both crudes showed no cytotoxic effects at the highest concentration used (50 μg/mL) against normal human synovial cells but showed active reactions against the induced cells. The anti-proliferative effects of biosurfactant and crude extracts were in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Notably, surfactin obtained from B. amyloliquefaciens has shown an inhibitory effect against pro-inflammatory enzymes and cell viability of the induced rheumatoid arthritis cell line. These results highlighted the therapeutic potential of surfactin application as an anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis treatment. Further study is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of surfactin.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ; Surface-Active Agents ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Rheumatoid Factor

COVID-19 outbreak caused by the newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 has become a major public health threat around the world and has create a tremendous effect on the global economy. Hence, there is a high demand for rapid and accurate diagnosis to contain the spread of the disease. The Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR), the current standard for diagnosis of COVID-19 however possesses certain drawbacks that limits its application to meet the high demand of the continually increasing COVID-19 cases. Conversely, Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) is another nucleic acid amplification method that shows a great potential as an alternative tool in rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 due to its simplicity and rapidity. This review summarized the recent published research articles related to the application and modification of RT-LAMP assay for the rapid detection of COVID-19 in comparison with other available diagnostic methods.

Introduction: The COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) has caused a concern on the food consumption among university students. This study aimed to assess food diversity and its relationship with accommodation among university students in Sarawak. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the University Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan during the MCO. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and food diversity were collected using an online questionnaire. Results: A total of 478 respondents participated in this study. The majority of the respondents were women (77.4%), and almost half were Malays (49.6%). Half of the respondents stayed at home with their family, while 36.4% stayed in their college dormitories. Except for legumes, nuts and seeds and milk and milk products, all other food groups were common in the respondents’ diet, with the highest consumption observed from cereal and cereal products, followed by meat and meat products and water. One-way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences in the intake of fish and seafood; legumes, nuts and seeds; milk and milk products; and fruits between those who stayed in college dormitories, at home with their families and in rented houses (P<0.01). Conclusion Despite reduction in food availability and accessibility, the total energy intake of the university students did not change. University students should be continuously educated on the importance of a balanced diet consisting of all food groups.
Food ; Diet ; COVID-19

Adult intussusception is not uncommon a condition that accounts for only 5% of all intussusception cases. Most of the adult intussusception has a lead point in 70-90% of cases. Presenting symptoms and signs can be non-specific and mostly indicate bowel obstruction, where there is a myriad of causes. Therefore, multiple modalities can be employed to diagnose this condition with CT imaging holds the highest diagnostic accuracy, although other modalities may be adjunct in further management of patient. Herein, we report a case of a 90-year-old gentleman who presented with non-specific symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with sigmoid-rectal intussusception on CT scan, in which prior endoscopic procedure was not able to identify the pathology. This case emphasizes the diagnostic value of CT imaging in diagnosing adult intussusception, particularly in adult patients who present with non-specific abdominal symptoms.