1.Attitude and Motivation Influence the Research Performance among Academicians at Malaysian Research University
Nurul Fatin Malek Rivan ; Suzana Shahar ; Norhayati Ibrahim ; Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh ; Wan Syafira Ishak ; Ruszymah Idrus ; Ishak Ahmad ; Melor Md Yunus ; Hatta Sidi ; Ahmad Kamal Arifin ; Adi Irfan Che An ; Neoh Hui-Min ; Roszalina Ramli ; Kuik Cheng Chwee ; Nur Faizah Abu Bakar ; Noor Shahida Sukiman
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;24(No. 1):18-28
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.
2.Interplay of interleukins (IL6, IL10) and 25 hydroxycholecalciferol in asthmatic subjects with chronic post-COVID condition (PCC)
Jaleel, A. ; Namoos, K. ; Asim, S. ; Uppal, S.S. ; Zaman, S. ; Irfan, H. ; Pervaiz, S. ; Tariq, M. ; Shafique, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2024;41(No.1):70-77
The study aimed to compare and correlate serum levels of IL-6, 10, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol
in individuals with asthma with and without post-COVID condition (PCC). The study was designed
to investigate the inflammatory response and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol status in asthmatics
with and without PCC. A cross-sectional study of 252 subjects (128 asthmatics and 124 non-asthmatic
subjects) was carried out. Interleukins and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were estimated on ELISA.
The principle findings were that IL-6 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were significantly increased
(p<0.001), while IL-10 levels were non-significant in asthmatics with PCC compared to those without PCC.
However, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were significantly increased, but no significant change was
observed in IL-6, and IL-10 levels in non-asthmatics with and without chronic PCC. A significant positive
correlation (r = 0.258) was found between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and IL-6 but a significant negative
correlation (r = -0.227) with IL-10 in asthmatics with PCC. Similarly, a significant negative correlation (r
= -0.285) was found between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and IL-10 but was non-significant with IL-6 in
asthmatics without PCC. The correlation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol with IL-10 was significant (0.683),
but IL-6 was non-significant in non-asthmatics with PCC. Multiple regression analysis showed that age,
IL-6, gender, and PCC were significantly related in adjusted values to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. This
study sheds light on the complex liaison between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels and inflammatory
responses in asthmatics, especially those with PCC. The findings suggest that although asthmatics with
PCC maintain sufficient levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, they show a substantial increase in the proinflammatory response. This suggests that PCC exacerbates the pro-inflammatory response in asthma.
Moreover, the study reveals that asthmatics, whether with or without PCC, display a negative correlation
between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and the anti-inflammatory response. This emphasizes the main
influence of asthma on the overall inflammatory response. These findings reveal a complex interplay
between vitamin D levels and inflammatory mediators in asthmatic individuals with and without PCC.
3.Robotic management of huge hepatic angiomyolipoma:A case report and literature review
Andrew PARK ; Kush SAVSANI ; Anjelica ALFONSO ; Ester JO ; Bryce HATFIELD ; Daisuke IMAI ; Aamir KHAN ; Amit SHARMA ; Irfan SAEED ; Vinay KUMARAN ; Adrian COTTERELL ; David BRUNO ; Yuzuru SAMBOMMATSU ; Seung LEE
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2024;28(4):527-534
Hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare, benign mesenchymal liver tumor encountered in Asia, primarily in females, and can be found within the right hepatic lobe, but also in other areas of the liver. Immunohistochemically, HAMLs are characteristically positive for human melanoma black-45 antigen (HMB-45) and can histochemically vary in the composition of angiomatous, lipomatous, and myomatous tissue, together with the presence of epithelioid cells. In this case report, we discuss a previously healthy patient presenting with bloating and previously documented concern of liver lesions, found to have HAML confirmed by surgical pathology. Surgery was decided, as HAMLs greater than 10 cm are at risk of rupture. This is one of the first documented cases of HAML resected through robot-assisted bisegmentectomy and cholecystectomy, and therefore, intraoperative images have been included to assist in the planning of future robotic cases.
4.Comprehensive characterization of genomic features and clinical outcomes following targeted therapy and secondary cytoreductive surgery in OCCC: a single center experience
Silvana Talisa WIJAYA ; Natalie YL NGOI ; Jerold WZ LOH ; Tuan Zea TAN ; Diana LIM ; Irfan Sagir KHAN ; Yee Liang THIAN ; Alexa LAI ; Bertrand WL ANG ; Pearl TONG ; Joseph NG ; Jeffrey JH LOW ; Arunachalam ILANCHERAN ; Siew Eng LIM ; Yi Wan LIM ; David SP TAN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2024;35(5):e69-
Objective:
Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is associated with chemoresistance. Limited data exists regarding the efficacy of targeted therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and bevacizumab, and the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS).
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed genomic features and treatment outcomes of 172 OCCC patients treated at our institution from January 2000 to May 2022. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed where sufficient archival tissue was available.
Results:
64.0% of patients were diagnosed at an early stage, and 36.0% at an advanced stage.Patients with advanced/relapsed OCCC who received platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab followed by maintenance bevacizumab had a median first-line progressionfree survival (PFS) of 12.2 months, compared with 9.3 months for chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio=0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.33, 1.45). In 27 patients who received an ICI, the overall response rate was 18.5% and median duration of response was 7.4 months (95% CI=6.5, 8.3). In 17 carefully selected patients with fewer than 3 sites of relapse, median PFS was 35 months (95% CI=0, 73.5) and median overall survival was 96.8 months (95% CI=44.6, 149.0) after SCS. NGS on 58 tumors revealed common mutations in ARID1A (48.3%), PIK3CA (46.6%), and KRAS (20.7%). Pathogenic alterations in PIK3CA, FGFR2, and NBN were associated with worse survival outcomes. Median tumor mutational burden was 3.78 (range, 0–16). All 26 patients with available loss of heterozygosity (LOH) scores had LOH <16%.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates encouraging outcomes with bevacizumab and ICI, and SCS in select relapsed OCCC patients. Prospective trials are warranted.
5.Robotic management of huge hepatic angiomyolipoma:A case report and literature review
Andrew PARK ; Kush SAVSANI ; Anjelica ALFONSO ; Ester JO ; Bryce HATFIELD ; Daisuke IMAI ; Aamir KHAN ; Amit SHARMA ; Irfan SAEED ; Vinay KUMARAN ; Adrian COTTERELL ; David BRUNO ; Yuzuru SAMBOMMATSU ; Seung LEE
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2024;28(4):527-534
Hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare, benign mesenchymal liver tumor encountered in Asia, primarily in females, and can be found within the right hepatic lobe, but also in other areas of the liver. Immunohistochemically, HAMLs are characteristically positive for human melanoma black-45 antigen (HMB-45) and can histochemically vary in the composition of angiomatous, lipomatous, and myomatous tissue, together with the presence of epithelioid cells. In this case report, we discuss a previously healthy patient presenting with bloating and previously documented concern of liver lesions, found to have HAML confirmed by surgical pathology. Surgery was decided, as HAMLs greater than 10 cm are at risk of rupture. This is one of the first documented cases of HAML resected through robot-assisted bisegmentectomy and cholecystectomy, and therefore, intraoperative images have been included to assist in the planning of future robotic cases.
6.Comprehensive characterization of genomic features and clinical outcomes following targeted therapy and secondary cytoreductive surgery in OCCC: a single center experience
Silvana Talisa WIJAYA ; Natalie YL NGOI ; Jerold WZ LOH ; Tuan Zea TAN ; Diana LIM ; Irfan Sagir KHAN ; Yee Liang THIAN ; Alexa LAI ; Bertrand WL ANG ; Pearl TONG ; Joseph NG ; Jeffrey JH LOW ; Arunachalam ILANCHERAN ; Siew Eng LIM ; Yi Wan LIM ; David SP TAN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2024;35(5):e69-
Objective:
Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is associated with chemoresistance. Limited data exists regarding the efficacy of targeted therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and bevacizumab, and the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS).
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed genomic features and treatment outcomes of 172 OCCC patients treated at our institution from January 2000 to May 2022. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed where sufficient archival tissue was available.
Results:
64.0% of patients were diagnosed at an early stage, and 36.0% at an advanced stage.Patients with advanced/relapsed OCCC who received platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab followed by maintenance bevacizumab had a median first-line progressionfree survival (PFS) of 12.2 months, compared with 9.3 months for chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio=0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.33, 1.45). In 27 patients who received an ICI, the overall response rate was 18.5% and median duration of response was 7.4 months (95% CI=6.5, 8.3). In 17 carefully selected patients with fewer than 3 sites of relapse, median PFS was 35 months (95% CI=0, 73.5) and median overall survival was 96.8 months (95% CI=44.6, 149.0) after SCS. NGS on 58 tumors revealed common mutations in ARID1A (48.3%), PIK3CA (46.6%), and KRAS (20.7%). Pathogenic alterations in PIK3CA, FGFR2, and NBN were associated with worse survival outcomes. Median tumor mutational burden was 3.78 (range, 0–16). All 26 patients with available loss of heterozygosity (LOH) scores had LOH <16%.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates encouraging outcomes with bevacizumab and ICI, and SCS in select relapsed OCCC patients. Prospective trials are warranted.
7.Robotic management of huge hepatic angiomyolipoma:A case report and literature review
Andrew PARK ; Kush SAVSANI ; Anjelica ALFONSO ; Ester JO ; Bryce HATFIELD ; Daisuke IMAI ; Aamir KHAN ; Amit SHARMA ; Irfan SAEED ; Vinay KUMARAN ; Adrian COTTERELL ; David BRUNO ; Yuzuru SAMBOMMATSU ; Seung LEE
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2024;28(4):527-534
Hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare, benign mesenchymal liver tumor encountered in Asia, primarily in females, and can be found within the right hepatic lobe, but also in other areas of the liver. Immunohistochemically, HAMLs are characteristically positive for human melanoma black-45 antigen (HMB-45) and can histochemically vary in the composition of angiomatous, lipomatous, and myomatous tissue, together with the presence of epithelioid cells. In this case report, we discuss a previously healthy patient presenting with bloating and previously documented concern of liver lesions, found to have HAML confirmed by surgical pathology. Surgery was decided, as HAMLs greater than 10 cm are at risk of rupture. This is one of the first documented cases of HAML resected through robot-assisted bisegmentectomy and cholecystectomy, and therefore, intraoperative images have been included to assist in the planning of future robotic cases.
8.Comprehensive characterization of genomic features and clinical outcomes following targeted therapy and secondary cytoreductive surgery in OCCC: a single center experience
Silvana Talisa WIJAYA ; Natalie YL NGOI ; Jerold WZ LOH ; Tuan Zea TAN ; Diana LIM ; Irfan Sagir KHAN ; Yee Liang THIAN ; Alexa LAI ; Bertrand WL ANG ; Pearl TONG ; Joseph NG ; Jeffrey JH LOW ; Arunachalam ILANCHERAN ; Siew Eng LIM ; Yi Wan LIM ; David SP TAN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2024;35(5):e69-
Objective:
Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is associated with chemoresistance. Limited data exists regarding the efficacy of targeted therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and bevacizumab, and the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS).
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed genomic features and treatment outcomes of 172 OCCC patients treated at our institution from January 2000 to May 2022. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed where sufficient archival tissue was available.
Results:
64.0% of patients were diagnosed at an early stage, and 36.0% at an advanced stage.Patients with advanced/relapsed OCCC who received platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab followed by maintenance bevacizumab had a median first-line progressionfree survival (PFS) of 12.2 months, compared with 9.3 months for chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio=0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.33, 1.45). In 27 patients who received an ICI, the overall response rate was 18.5% and median duration of response was 7.4 months (95% CI=6.5, 8.3). In 17 carefully selected patients with fewer than 3 sites of relapse, median PFS was 35 months (95% CI=0, 73.5) and median overall survival was 96.8 months (95% CI=44.6, 149.0) after SCS. NGS on 58 tumors revealed common mutations in ARID1A (48.3%), PIK3CA (46.6%), and KRAS (20.7%). Pathogenic alterations in PIK3CA, FGFR2, and NBN were associated with worse survival outcomes. Median tumor mutational burden was 3.78 (range, 0–16). All 26 patients with available loss of heterozygosity (LOH) scores had LOH <16%.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates encouraging outcomes with bevacizumab and ICI, and SCS in select relapsed OCCC patients. Prospective trials are warranted.
9.Distribution of maternal risk factors for orofacial cleft in infants in Indonesia: a multicenter prospective study
Andi TAJRIN ; M. RUSLIN ; Muh. Irfan RASUL ; Nurwahida ; Hadira ; Husni MUBARAK ; Katharina OGINAWATI ; Nurul FAHIMAH ; Ikeu TANZIHA ; Annisa Dwi DAMAYANTI ; Utriweni MUKHAIYAR ; Asri ARUMSARI ; Ida Ayu ASTUTI ; Farah Asnely PUTRI ; Shinta SILVIA
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery 2024;25(1):11-16
Background:
The pathogenesis of orofacial cleft (OFC) is multifactorial, involving both genetic and non-genetic factors, the latter of which play a key role in the development of these anomalies. This paper addresses the incidence of OFC in Indonesia, with a focus on identifying and examining the distribution of contributory factors, including parental medical history, pregnancy history, and environmental influences.
Methods:
The study was conducted through the collection of primary data. An interdisciplinary research team from Indonesia administered a standardized questionnaire to parents who had children with OFC and who had provided informed consent. The case group comprised 133 children born with cleft lip and/or palate, and the control was 133 noncleft children born full-term. The risk factors associated with OFC anomalies were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. A p-value of 0.05 or less was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results:
The study comprised 138 children, of whom 82 were boys (59.4%) and 56 were girls (40.6%). Among them, 45 patients (32.6%) presented with both cleft lip and cleft palate, 25 individuals (18.1%) had a cleft palate only, and 28 patients (20.3%) had a cleft lip only. OFC was found to be significantly associated with a maternal family history of congenital birth defects (p< 0.05), complications during the first trimester (p< 0.05), consumption of local fish (p< 0.05), caffeine intake (p< 0.05), prolonged medication use (p< 0.05), immunization history (p< 0.05), passive smoking (p< 0.05), and X-ray exposure during pregnancy (p< 0.05).
Conclusion
The findings indicate close relationships between the incidence of OFC and maternal medical history, prenatal factors, and environmental influences.
10.Finite element analysis of stabilization splint pressure distribution in a patient with disc displacement without reduction: A preliminary study
Acing Habibie MUDE ; Muhammad IKBAL ; Mukhsan Putra HATTA ; Irfan SUGIANTO ; Edy MACHMUD ; Fadhlil Ulum A RAHMAN ; Imran IRSAL ; Eka FIBRIANTI ; Muthia Mutmainnah BACHTIAR ; Thalib Rifky Samdany Abdullah Syeban ATTAMIMI
Imaging Science in Dentistry 2024;54(3):251-256
Purpose:
This study was performed to investigate the pattern of condylar pressure distribution in the discs of a patient diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction.
Materials and Methods:
This research consisted of a pre- and post-test observational clinical study. A patient diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction underwent treatment with an occlusal splint for 3 months. Finite element analysis employed a 3-dimensional model constructed from magnetic resonance images of the patient, taken both before the application of the splint and 3 months after its use.
Results:
The post-test model demonstrated a decrease in condylar pressure on the disc, with measurements dropping to 72 MPa from the pre-test level of 143 MPa. In the pre-test, the pressure distribution pattern was concentrated on the lateral posterior border, whereas in the post-test, it shifted toward the intermediate zone of the disc.
Conclusion
Utilization of a stabilization splint for 3 months resulted in decreased pressure and a marked change in the pressure distribution pattern on the temporomandibular disc.


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