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.

The growing complexity of death and dying in Intensive Care Units highlights nurses' critical role, particularly concerning family interactions and spiritual needs from an Islamic perspective. However, there is a gap in understanding the nuances of these interactions, how nurses can best facilitate them, and how potential conflicts arising from differing interpretations of religious beliefs may impact care; this area remains underexplored. This systematic literature review aims to synthesize existing studies on ICU nurses' experiences with critically ill patients during death and dying, focusing on Islamic perspectives or spiritual care, employing a qualitative synthesis approach. The Scopus database was used to retrieve relevant documents published between 2005 and 2024. The review followed PRISMA guidelines for identification, screening, exclusion, and inclusion. Qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method studies, and review articles were included, with only qualitative papers appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s criteria. Initially, 378 records were identified. After removing unavailable files and screening, 113 titles and abstracts were assessed. Of 84 reports reviewed for eligibility, 68 were excluded, leaving 14 studies that met the inclusion criteria for the final review. This review emphasizes the crucial need for better training, policies, and institutional support for ICU nurses. Such measures would enable them to manage the complexities of culturally sensitive care for family members during loved ones' death and dying. Implementing standardized guidelines addressing Islamic perspectives can significantly improve care quality and patient-family satisfaction.

Introduction: Despite rising healthcare needs, Malaysia faces a concerning stagnant growth in the number of paediatricians, which has raised apprehension about meeting the nation’s future healthcare demands. The study aims to determine the factors influencing the final year medical students at public universities in their decision to pursue a career in paediatrics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between October 2024 and April 2025, targeting final-year medical students from various public universities in Malaysia. Recruitment was facilitated through convenience sampling by university representatives. Data were gathered via an online self-administered questionnaire from the validated ‘Motivators for Medical Specialist Career Choice’ Questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised three parts: sociodemographic characteristics, speciality preferences, and 33 sub-constructs under seven main factors influencing speciality choice, assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: A total of 420 students participated, with 164 students (39%) choosing Paediatrics as one of their first five choices of subspecialty. Upon analysis, only the personal factor was statistically significant (p-value=0.041, OR 1.943, CI 1.02,3.68) from simple logistic regression. This factor, along with patient care characteristics (p-value=0.155), was subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis. Only personal factor has shown a trend towards statistical significance (p-value=0.051, adjusted OR 1.80, CI 0.99,3.24). Conclusion: Personal factors are the single factor approaching significance that affects the career choice of paediatricians among current medical students in Malaysian public universities. Other factors were less significant due to the possibility of generational gaps with different paradigms of career perspectives.

Case Report Open Access 15 Primary sternal osteosarcoma is an exceptionally rare entity with a male preponderance. We report a rare case of a 19 -year-old nulliparous female who presented with a two -year history of a progressively enlarging right breast mass. Multimodality imaging —including chest radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large mass arising from the sternum extending into the right breast and anterior mediastinum. Biopsy confirmed high - grade osteosarcoma, characterised by multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells with mild atypia. Immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and negative for CK7. Surgical resection was planned; however, the patient declined treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in atypical presentations of breast masses and underscores the value of imaging and histopathological correlation in diagnosis and management

Case Report Open Access 15 Primary sternal osteosarcoma is an exceptionally rare entity with a male preponderance. We report a rare case of a 19 -year-old nulliparous female who presented with a two -year history of a progressively enlarging right breast mass. Multimodality imaging —including chest radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large mass arising from the sternum extending into the right breast and anterior mediastinum. Biopsy confirmed high - grade osteosarcoma, characterised by multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells with mild atypia. Immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and negative for CK7. Surgical resection was planned; however, the patient declined treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in atypical presentations of breast masses and underscores the value of imaging and histopathological correlation in diagnosis and management

Bartonella henselae is an uncommon but important cause of prolonged pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and hepatosplenomegaly. Conventional diagnostic tools often fail in disseminated disease, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses. We report a 60-year-old man with PUO, progressive weight loss, and hepatosplenomegaly. Clinical suspicion, guided by significant cat exposure, led to molecular confirmation of B. henselae infection after conventional workup proved inconclusive. Liver biopsy revealed pleomorphic rod-shaped organisms on Warthin-Starry staining, while real-time PCR targeting the rpoB gene and conventional PCR targeting the gltA gene performed on bone marrow aspirate confirmed disseminated bartonellosis. The patient responded well to prolonged doxycycline and rifampicin therapy, achieving near-complete recovery. This case underscores the importance of clinical vigilance, histological clues, and molecular diagnostics in identifying rare but treatable infections.

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.

Hypertension is one of the most common comorbidities in Malaysia mandating the need for screening prior to dental treatment to identify undiagnosed cases and ensure safe delivery of care. A standard protocol is imperative to guide dental practitioners to manage their patients based on the blood pressure readings. This study identifies the prevalence of known and unknown cases of hypertension in patients attending Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Dental Clinic and proposed a working clinical algorithm to be used for dental patients with abnormal blood pressure. It involves a retrospective study of 386 patients from the year 2017 until 2021. All data were analysed using Statistical Program for Social Science (SPSS) version 28.0. A literature review was also done to construct a clinical algorithm. The prevalence of patients with known hypertension in our study is 33.2% and 29.8% of them presented with unknown elevated blood pressure reading. Only 9.3% of uncontrolled and unknown cases were actually given referral for medical assessment. The presence of patients unaware of their possible hypertensive condition warrants the need for screening prior to dental treatment, hence the need for a standard protocol for all dental practitioners.