Purpose: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), while effective in reducing cancer recurrence and improving survival rates, often comes with radiation toxicity that can adversely affect the patient’s quality of life (QoL). Evaluating toxicity after RT is crucial because it helps to identify and manage adverse effects that can significantly impact a patient’s QoL. By monitoring toxicity, we can adjust treatment plans to mitigate these effects, improve patient comfort, and ensure a better overall outcome. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate and compare QoL following 3D-conformal hypofractionated RT in breast cancer patients. Methods: We included twenty-one Malaysian women with unilateral breast cancer treated with lumpectomy (n=15) or mastectomy (n=6) followed by 3D-conformal hypofractionated RT. QoL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-BR45 questionnaire before, during, and after RT. Results: During RT, there was a significant increase in the mean score of the breast symptoms scale compared to baseline (p=0.002), with the most common symptoms being skin problems, followed by swelling and oversensitivity. However, these symptoms were generally mild for most patients. The other quality of life scales remained stable during RT. Post-RT, most QoL scales showed improvements compared to both baseline and during RT, with significant enhancements in the mean breast symptoms score and breast satisfaction score (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Radiotherapy negatively impacted the QoL of our breast cancer patients, specifically on the breast symptoms scale. However, these symptoms improved after 4 months, resulting in high breast satisfaction and indicating a near-excellent cosmetic outcome. Future studies with larger cohorts are essential to validate these findings, as the small sample size (n=21 at baseline; n=13 post-RT) may have limited the detection of more subtle changes

INTRODUCTION: In the clinical setting, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a significant issue that should not be neglected, as it can adversely impact the quality of life of patients and their partners, especially among overweight and obese populations. This study aims to determine the prevalence of ED and its associated factors among non-diabetic, overweight, and obese patients who attend a government health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A six-month cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2024 to August 2024 at twelve health clinics in Kuantan, Pahang. The selected respondents were married men over 18 years old, and those with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric illness, or illiteracy were excluded. Data were collected using the validated Malay version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). ED was defined as an IIEF-5 score of less than 22. Descriptive analysis and simple and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS. RESULTS: All 221 eligible patients in the study responded (100% response rate). The prevalence of ED was 66.1% (n=146). Multiple logistic regression showed that ED was significantly associated with dyslipidemia [AOR (95% CI): 2.42 (1.06–5.52); p-value=0.036], anxiety [AOR (95% CI): 3.99 (1.44–11.01); p-value=0.008] and older age [AOR (95% CI): 1.07 (1.02–1.12); p-value=0.009]. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a high prevalence of ED among non-diabetic overweight and obese patients, potentially linked to increasing age, dyslipidemia, and anxiety. Increasing awareness among the public and healthcare providers could improve detection rates in primary care.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play pivotal roles in cancer progression and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers. VGSCs comprise multiple subtypes with distinct tissue distributions, influencing tumour characteristics in different ways. Among these, the tetrodotoxin-sensitive α-subunits and the β1 subunit, commonly found in breast cancer, have been implicated in metastasis and tumour aggressiveness. The NaV1.5 channel and its neonatal variant (nNaV1.5) are overexpressed in aggressive cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers, thereby enhancing their invasive capacity. nNaV1.5 is particularly significant due to its tumour-specific expression and strong association with poor prognosis, especially in breast cancer, where it regulates cell proliferation, invasion, and tumour microenvironment remodelling. This review highlights nNaV1.5 as a critical ion channel that drives metastasis through ion regulation, extracellular acidification, and cytoskeletal remodelling. We further evaluate current therapeutic strategies, including siRNA, monoclonal antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, while addressing translational challenges such as tumour heterogeneity, drug delivery limitations, and off-target cardiotoxicity due to its similarity with the adult isoform. In addition, we explore the potential of nNaV1.5 as a biomarker subject to epigenetic regulations by factors including RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), which may facilitate patient stratification and treatment optimization. By integrating mechanistic insights, therapeutic opportunities, and translational challenges, this review goes beyond descriptive summaries to provide a framework for advancing nNaV1.5 research from preclinical studies toward clinical application in cancer therapy.

The use of Arabic in medical education and healthcare communication remains limited despite growing linguistic needs in Arabic-speaking populations. Issues related to translation accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and curriculum alignment hinder its integration. The objective of this study is to systematically review how Arabic medical terminology has been translated, validated, and applied in educational and clinical contexts. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Searches were conducted in May 2025 across three databases: Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC). A total of 769 records were retrieved, and 19 peer-reviewed articles were selected based on inclusion criteria. A six-point quality appraisal framework was applied to ensure methodological rigour prior to thematic synthesis. Three major themes emerged: (1) translation and cultural adaptation, highlighting the importance of expert validation and semantic accuracy; (2) psychometric evaluation, where tools such as the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) demonstrated strong internal consistency and contextual clarity; and (3) educational application, showing varied success in enhancing communication, comprehension, and learner confidence. Gaps in terminology standardisation and the limitations of automated translation tools were noted across studies. In conclusion Arabic medical terminology, when supported by structured processes and expert review, makes a meaningful contribution to education and communication. Further efforts should prioritise the development of validated terminology repositories, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of Arabic-language resources into medical curricula to support inclusive and patient-centred care.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of enteral versus parenteral feeding in patients after esophagectomy. Methods: This a prospective cohort study of post-esophagectomy intensive care unit (ICU) patients over 12 months in the National Cancer Institute, Malaysia. Early enteral feeding followed the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol, and parenteral nutrition (PN) was considered if there was a risk for conduit ischemia. It compared the effectiveness of enteral versus PN following esophagectomy, and assessed the correlations between biochemical nutritional markers and hospital lengths of stay or ventilation days. Results: It included two cohorts receiving PN (n=11) or enteral nutrition (EN) (n=11) following elective esophagectomy. Preoperative weight, body mass index, and Subjective Global Assessment were higher in the EN group (P=0.033, P=0.021, P=0.031, respectively). Nutritional interruption occurred more frequently in the EN group (63.7%) compared to the PN group (P=0.001). Mean levels of energy and protein received were 93.1 kcal/kg and 1.4 g/kg for PN versus 92.4 kcal/kg and 1.2 g/kg for EN (P=0.893, P=0.036). The median lengths of ICU stay (P=0.688) and postoperative stay (P=0.947) between groups showed no significant difference. In addition, 30-day mortality (P=0.214) and other postoperative complications (P>0.05) were comparable in the two groups. Conclusion Early initiation of supplementary PN due to significant interruption in EN led to higher protein intake compared to the EN group. However, there were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes, including 30-day mortality, ICU length of stay, and ventilation days. PN ensures adequate nutritional intake, especially in terms of protein delivery, without adversely affecting postoperative recovery and clinical outcomes.

This report describes an approach to recover SARS-CoV-2 RNA from rapid antigen test kit (RTK-antigen) cassettes for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RNA samples were recovered from 33 RTK-antigen cassettes for WGS, with 18 samples achieving more than 80% genome coverage. This work provides a proof-of-concept that positive RTK-antigen cassettes can be safely transported, stored and subjected to WGS, enabling swift identification of circulating variants.

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.