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.

Continuous exposure to cigarette smoke causes oxidative stress, leading to diseases in the respiratory tract. Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) wood is a popular herbal drink in Indonesia due to its antioxidant properties. To date, the protective effects of Secang on the respiratory system have not been widely studied.Ethanolic extract of Secang was prepared by maceration. An in vivo experiment was conducted on 24 male Wistar rats divided into four groups: Control (K), Negative control (KN), low-dose treatment of the extract (P1, 300 mg/kg), and a high-dose one (P2, 600 mg/kg) for 30 days of treatment. After finishing treatments, rats were sacrificed for histological analysis. Rats' average bodyweight showed a consistent increase, indicating tolerable toxicity of the extract, which does not interfere with rats' general health. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) depicted consistent results, where P1 and P2 groups significantly decreased (p < 0.001) compared to KN, indicating hepatoprotective activity of Secang.Histologically, tracheal lumen diameter in P2 significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to KN, suggesting Secang’s potent antioxidant activity. The number of goblet cells increased in KN compared to K, indicating irritation and inflammatory conditions from cigarette smoke. Secang-treated groups exhibited improvement in the lumen diameter, goblet cells, and ciliated epithelium. The findings suggest protective potential of Secang against cigarette smoke-induced tracheal damage.

Oropharyngeal Synovial Sarcoma: A Case Report Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of sarcoma that develops from mesenchymal cells and accounts for around 8% to 10% of all cases of soft tissue sarcoma. The presence of synovial sarcoma in the head-and-neck region is characterised by aggressive behaviour and a generally unfavourable prognosis. Understanding the various manifestations of synovial sarcoma, particularly uncommon locations like the oropharynx, significantly improves patient outcomes by facilitating early diagnosis and prompt management. We report a case of a 57-year-old Malay woman who presented with a two-month history of sore throat and odynophagia, complicated with partial airway obstruction. She underwent endoscopic excision of the right oropharyngeal tumour via transoral approach, and the histopathological examination revealed monophasic synovial sarcoma. The surgical management, histopathological characteristics, and rarity of the disease are discussed.

Adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum which is very aggressive and metastasise early with poor prognosis. We present a case of a gentleman who presented with left nasal septal swelling for 4 months. Examination showed a lesion at the left nasal septum extending to the dorsum of the nose and right upper lip region. Computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses and neck showed an enhancing lesion with ulceration at the left nasal septum, with regional metastasis to the neck. He underwent a subtotal rhinectomy, inferior maxillectomy, and bilateral modified radical neck dissection type III. Unfortunately, he succumbed to a cardiac arrest 5 days after surgery.

Foodborne disease is among the primary illness that causes morbidity and mortality in the world. Several studies show that most students do not have adequate food safety knowledge to protect themselves against foodborne diseases. This study aimed to determine the food safety knowledge, behaviour, and beliefs among undergraduate students at a local university in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involves 121 respondents from three health science-related faculties at the studied institution. The questionnaire was distributed via an online platform. This study used multiple-choiceformat questions for Food Safety Knowledge and a Likert type scale for Food Safety Behaviour and Belief question statements. Most of the respondents were female (78%). About 16% of the respondents have experience working / volunteering in food services, and half of them are involved in food handling during their services. This study recorded a moderate score in all sections (knowledge, behaviour, beliefs) with a total percentage score of 60.3%, 60.3%, and 66.1%, respectively. A strong but not significant correlation between food safety knowledge and beliefs (r = 0.69 p > 0.05) and between food safety knowledge and behaviour (r = 0.83 p > 0.05) were observed. This study is useful as a basis to develop a targeted food safety education program among undergraduate students. Students with high knowledge of food safety will increase food safety beliefs and behaviour, thus preventing them from getting any foodborne illness.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum. Methods: Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum. Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds. The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet. Results: The 80% hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, total antioxidant power, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties. The 80% hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver, kidney, and heart. The 80% hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum. The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat. Conclusions: Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.

Lipoma is a benign, slow growing tumour composed of adipose tissue. In general, it is very unusual for lipoma to form in the head and neck region, let alone achieve a size of more than 10 cm with the involvement of deep neck spaces. We discussed a case of an extremely huge neck lipoma measuring 18 cm x 14 cm with extensive involvement of deep neck spaces, infratemporal fossa and pharynx, closely adherent to submandibular and parotid gland. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges were discussed, in achieving a surgically complete excision and cosmetically acceptable outcome

Histoplasmosis usually occurs in immunocompromised patients through the dissemination of the fungus from lungs to other organs but laryngeal involvement is rare. We report a 52-year-old male chronic smoker who presented with hoarseness for 3 months was initially investigated for laryngeal carcinoma. However biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation. He was treated with anti-tuberculosis treatment for 2 months but symptoms persisted and a repeat biopsy revealed laryngeal histoplasmosis. There were no sign and symptoms of pulmonary or systemic involvement. Treatment with intravenous amphotericin B and oral itraconazole lead to complete resolution of symptoms and signs. Monitoring and early revisiting the diagnosis are important when a patient’s symptoms do not improve with the treatment. Further investigation including a repeat biopsy of lesion is vital to establish the diagnosis and lead to appropriate management.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in component alignment between first and second knees in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) and unilateral TKA (UTKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 274 SBTKAs and 198 UTKAs were included in study. Patients were divided into three groups as SBTKA on the right knee (group A), SBTKA on the left knee (group B) and UTKA (group C). Femoral and tibial component alignment was checked in both coronal plane (alpha [α] and beta [β] angles) and sagittal plane (gamma [γ] and delta [δ] angles) radiographs. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among groups in the preoperative anatomical varus angle and Kellgren–Lawrence gonarthrosis classification grade (p=0.139 and p=0.329, respectively). In the coronal plane, the alignment of femoral component (α angle) and tibial component (β angle) was similar in all three groups (α angle, 95.01 vs. 95.14 vs. 94.9, p=0.945; β angle, 90.03 vs. 89.67 vs. 89.98, p=0.483). The sagittal plane alignment of femoral component (γ angle) and tibial component (δ angle) did not show significant differences (γ angle, 7.04 vs. 6.98 vs. 7.00, p=0.132; δ angle, 86.56 vs. 87.41 vs. 86.73, p=0.610). CONCLUSIONS: The angular alignment of components was similar between SBTKA and UTKA.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Classification ; Humans ; Knee

Intramuscular haemangioma is relatively rare and accounts for less than 1% of all haemangioma. Most of these tumours occur in the trunk, arms and legs. Only 14% of all intramuscular haemangioma arise from the head and neck region, with masseter muscle representing the most common site of involvement, followed by the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. We present a case of a 60-year-old man with a soft lump in the left cheek. Imaging of the neck showed irregular, dilated enhancing vessels seen in the left masseter muscle suggestive of intramuscular haemangioma. Excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis.