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.

Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in children. Various predictors for survival and neurological dysfunction include the age of victim, submersion time, salt versus fresh water, temperature of water, cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene, and time required to hospital arrival. Autonomic dysfunction, in particular heart rate variability in a critically ill patient, has been attributed to good neurological outcomes. We hereby describe a 10-year-old boy who accidentally drowned and developed a substantial heart rate variability with autonomic dysfunction. He was in the need for prolonged vasopressor support but eventually had a good neurological outcome.

Tobacco uses and obesity are major global public health concerns, with adolescence being a critical period for the onset of these risk factors. In Malaysia, rising trends in adolescent smoking and obesity necessitate further investigation. This study examined gender-specific associations between different types of tobacco use and body mass index (BMI) among school-going adolescents. Data were derived from the NHMS 2017, a nationwide cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified random sampling design (N=27,497). Complex sample logistic regression was employed to assess the odds of past 30-day tobacco use by BMI category (underweight/normal weight, overweight, obese) stratified by gender. Confounders, including age, ethnicity, physical activity, fast food consumption, and mental health, were controlled for in the analysis. Adolescents classified as obese had a significant association with tobacco use, but this was not observed in overweight individuals. Male smokers were significantly less likely to be obese, whereas female smokers had a higher likelihood of obesity (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.25–2.02). Specifically, female users of e-cigarettes (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.36–2.56), smokeless tobacco (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.14–2.43), and other tobacco products (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05–2.52) exhibited a higher risk of obesity. No significant association was found among male smokers. Female adolescent smokers showed a greater likelihood of obesity, emphasizing the need for gender-specific interventions. To mitigate these risks, public health efforts should incorporate education, policy measures, and lifestyle promotion. Further research is warranted to explore underlying biological mechanisms

Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in children. Various predictors for survival and neurological dysfunction include the age of victim, submersion time, salt versus fresh water, temperature of water, cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene, and time required to hospital arrival. Autonomic dysfunction, in particular heart rate variability in a critically ill patient, has been attributed to good neurological outcomes. We hereby describe a 10-year-old boy who accidentally drowned and developed a substantial heart rate variability with autonomic dysfunction. He was in the need for prolonged vasopressor support but eventually had a good neurological outcome.

Managing crush injuries of upper extremities with severe devitalization of surrounding tissues is often complicated by limited covering options. A 46-year-old male patient presented 4 days after sustaining a crush injury, for which he had undergone vascular repair at another hospital. The patient had extensive necrosis of forearm muscles, with uncertain vascularity of the hand. Debridement of the wound exposed the brachial artery; viability of the hand was still uncertain. Lacking healthy surrounding tissue for coverage, and also to minimize donor site morbidity in a limb with an uncertain prognosis, a dermal substitute was utilized to protect the exposed brachial artery. After the progressive necrosis had stabilized and the dermal substitute had successfully integrated, skin grafting was performed. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and is now scheduled for functional restoration procedures in the near future. The dermal substitute was instrumental in managing this difficult situation.

A 5-month-old male child was admitted with cough and fever, during which excessive bleeding occurred from a venipuncture site. Born from a third-degree consanguineous marriage, the child was developmentally normal. Routine blood tests showed a slightly elevated white blood cell count due to infection, while coagulation studies revealed prolonged PT and APTT. A mixing study indicated no inhibitors.Advanced testing showed normal levels of fibrinogen and factor VIII, but a significantly low factor V level (2.2%), indicating moderate factor V deficiency. The child received fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions as needed and has been thriving with regular follow-ups. Genetic counseling was provided to the parents, who also had abnormal coagulation profiles but no bleeding tendencies. Genetic testing was offered but not pursued due to financial constraints. This case highlights the importance of awareness of inherited bleeding disorders in consanguineous families and the need for supportive management and counseling.

Objective: Cerebral ischemia is a medical condition that occurs due to poor supply of blood in the brain. Reperfusion being savage further exaggerates the tissue injury causing cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/R). CI/R is marked by an impairment in release of neurotransmitter, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis.The current study has utilized brivaracetam (BRV), a synaptic vesicle protein 2A modulator in experimental model of CI/R injury. Methods: CI/R injury was induced in Swiss Albino mice by occlusion of common carotid arteries followed by reperfusion. Animals were assessed for learning and memory, motor coordination (Rota rod, lateral push, and inclined beam walking test), cerebral infarction, and histopathological alterations. Biochemical assessments were made for oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive species, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase), inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in brain supernatants. Results: CI/R animals showed impairment in learning, memory, and motor coordination, along with increase in cerebral infarction, and histopathological alterations. Furthermore, increase in brain oxidative stress, inflammation, and AChE activity were recorded in CI/R animals. Administration of BRV (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg; p.o.) was observed to recuperate CI/R induced impairments in behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological analysis. Conclusion It may be concluded that BRV mediates neuroprotection during CI/R via decreasing brain oxidative stress, inflammation, and AChE activity.

Background: Post-liver transplant biliary strictures are a common cause of morbidity among patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Limited data are available concerning the response rates to various treatment modalities and the long-term outcomes for these individuals. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database, including adult patients aged 18 years or older who underwent LDLT between 2006 and 2022. Results: Between 2006 and 2022, a total of 3,550 patients underwent liver transplantation. After applying exclusion criteria, 2,956 patients were included in the analysis.During the study period, 344 patients (11.6%) developed biliary strictures. Of these, 77.0% underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as the primary treatment for biliary strictures, while the remainder received percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Identified risk factors for post-liver transplant biliary strictures included the presence of multiple biliary anastomoses, bile leak, and older donor and recipient ages. The overall graft and patient survival rates were comparable between patients with and without biliary strictures, at both 1 year (93.0% vs. 96.3%) and 5 years (82.3% vs. 79.2%). Conclusions Biliary strictures are observed in approximately 11% of recipients following LDLT. While the presence of biliary strictures is associated with increased morbidity, it does not significantly impact patient survival.