Introduction: Medicinal plant use among indigenous people in Malaysia is commonly influenced by cultural beliefs, accessibility to traditional plants, and modern medicine availability. This study explores the usage, knowledge, and perceptions of medicinal plants among the Bateq people in Taman Negara National Park, Pahang. Materials and methods: A qualitative study conducted in June 2022 interviewed 12 adult Orang Asli from the Bateq tribe in Kuala Sat, Taman Negara. The qualitative study using face-to-face semi-structured interviews was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Teknologi MARA and explored medicinal plant knowledge and usage among the participants. Thematic content analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: All participants, aged 18-60, utilized medicinal plants for various health purposes, including chronic diseases and general health maintenance. Older individuals possessed more traditional knowledge, acquired from their elders. Accessibility to medicinal plants in the local environment was emphasized. Despite diverse applications, challenges in obtaining plants in remote areas and the convenience of modern medicine contributed to a decline in traditional plant use. Perceptions varied, with some favoring traditional plants, while others expressed skepticism. Conclusion: This study offers insights into medicinal plant use, knowledge, and perceptions among the Bateq community in Taman Negara National Park, Pahang. It emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional knowledge, understanding diverse perceptions, and promoting collaboration between traditional and modern healthcare systems. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of healthcare practices among indigenous communities in Malaysia

An Evidence-Based Treatment Guide for Trauma from Occlusion: Essential Guidelines for Dental Students Trauma resulting from occlusion is a common clinical issue that can lead to significant discomfort, dysfunction, and long-term dental complications. This article is designed to offer a simplified, evidence-based overview of the pathophysiology of occlusal trauma, diagnostic approaches, and a treatment guide, making the management of occlusal trauma more accessible and easier to understand. Emphasis is placed on the importance of an individualized treatment planning, offering clinicians practical insights to optimize outcomes and minimize the adverse effects. The findings support the need for evidence-based decision-making in the management of occlusal trauma, ensuring both short-term relief and long-term dental health preservation.

Physicochemical Characterization and Biocompatibility of Bioactive Glass/Polycaprolactone Scaffold for Alveolar Bone Regeneration In bone tissue engineering, scaffold-based approaches offer great potential for regenerating damaged or lost bone tissue. Composite scaffolds have gained popularity because they combine the beneficial properties of two or more materials, providing promising biomimetic properties for tissue regeneration. In our study, combining the biocompatibility of bioactive glass with the mechanical qualities of polycaprolactone provides tailored properties and scaffold architecture conducive to alveolar bone regeneration. This study aims to develop a bone substitute using bioactive glass/polycaprolactone (BG/PCL) composites and to evaluate its biocompatibility for potential applications in alveolar bone regeneration. BG/PCL scaffolds were fabricated using a solvent-casting method at three different weight percentages (wt.%) ratios (10:90, 20:80, and 30:70). The scaffolds were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and methyl tetrazolium (MTT) (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) Assay to evaluate their physical, chemical, and biocompatibility properties. Among the three BG:PCL composite ratios tested (10:90, 20:80, and 30:70), the 10:90 ratio demonstrated the most favourable properties. SEM analysis of this composition revealed optimal surface roughness and well-distributed interconnected pores, which are conducive to cell attachment, enhanced cellular infiltration, and efficient nutrient diffusion. FTIR spectra displayed characteristic absorption bands corresponding to the functional groups of BG and PCL components while the biocompatibility test confirmed the viability and proliferation of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblast cells when cultured with the scaffolds. This study demonstrates that the developed BG/PCL composite, especially at the 10:90 ratio, possesses suitable properties and biocompatibility, highlighting its potential for use in alveolar bone regeneration.

Aims: This study was aimed to monitor the asymptomatic carriage of coagulase-positive staphylococcal bacteria among university male students and detect the prevalence of virulence marker genes that encode methicillin resistance (mecA) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin among the isolates. Methodology and results: Single nasal swaps were collected from 144 participating students who resided at four different locations within Al-Madinah city. A total of 112 Gram-positive staphylococcal isolates were recovered from the 144 participants (carriage rate of 77.8%). Coagulase-positive staphylococci were differentiated using duplex PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA and nuc genes and accounted for 30 isolates (carriage rate of 20.8%). These isolates were most prevalent in the northern and southern parts of Al-Madinah city, while the lowest numbers of isolates were detected in students of the eastern part. Coagulase-positive isolates were further phenotypically characterized for methicillin resistance by the disc diffusion method. Uniplex PCR assays were conducted to screen for mecA- and PVL toxin-encoding genes. The mecA gene was amplified from all 15 (50%) methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive isolates, while the PVL toxin-encoding gene was detected in 19 isolates (63.3%), 10 (33.3%) of which contained the mecA gene. Lastly, PCR amplification of the NRPS gene from coagulase-positive isolates revealed the absence of Staphylococcus argenteus, the recently discovered genetically divergent lineage of Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion, significance and impact of study An elevated prevalence of coagulase-positive isolates harboring mecA and PVL virulence genes was observed compared with previous investigations. This poses a potential threat if they spread among the population, resulting in outbreaks of community-acquired infections.

Aims: This study aims to determine the antibacterial potential and identify the bioactive compounds of Hypoxylon monticulosum isolated from marine macroalgae Ulva lactuca. Methodology and results : Ulva lactuca was collected from the Desaru coast, Johor, Malaysia and three endophytes were isolated following surface sterilisation. One fungal isolate was further characterised by the morphology of white, yellowish colonies and fibrous with a waxy structure indicative of a member from the genus Hypoxylon. Molecular identification through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis matches the reference sequence with more than ≥98% homology to Hypoxylon monticulosum AS26-D8. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the fungal ethyl acetate (EA) extract was determined against five human pathogenic bacteria. Wide spectrum antibacterial activity was noted; with MIC against Escherichia coli was 1.25 ± 0 mg/mL, Bacillus subtilis and Enterobacter faecalis both at 5.00 ± 0 mg/mL, and finally, both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 10.00 ± 0 mg/mL, respectively. Bioassay-guided fractionation was performed using solvents of increasing polarities, producing three fractions and analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) identified 128 compounds. From these, nine compounds were identified as having biological activities. Dihydrocordoin, D-pantothenoyl-L-cysteine, caffeine and Tumonoic A acid were among the compounds identified as having antibacterial properties. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Hypoxylon monticulosum from marine source has antibacterial potential owing to the compounds previously reported to display antibacterial and other biological properties. The compounds differ from those previously reported in H. monticulosum from terrestrial sources.

Aims: This study was aimed to produce biodegradable cellulose acetate films impregnated with bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances to be used in food packaging. Methodology and results: Bacterial isolates were isolated from different sources and tested for their antimicrobial activity by agar well diffusion assay. The isolate that showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 51659, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MG847103 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 was identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain N1 (OM019104) based on 16S rRNA based method of identification. The extracted bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances were partially purified with acetone precipitation and SP-Sephroase cation exchange chromatography. There was no change in the antimicrobial activity after treatment with the catalase enzyme, but there was a total loss in the activity after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. The obtained bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances showed pH stability over a wide range of pH values and thermal stability as it recovered 95% of its antimicrobial activity even after autoclaving for 15 min. Different concentrations of cellulose acetate (3 to 12%) were tested to develop the active antimicrobial films. The most flexible concentrations for food packaging were prepared and impregnated with partially purified bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances. The prepared films showed promising antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study highlights the usage of active packaging in food preservation. Cellulose acetate films activated with the partially purified bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances have anti-staphylococcal activity, which can potentially be used in food packaging to prolong the shelf-life of perishable foo

Psychiatric disorders are common in patients on hemodialysis. To the best of our knowledge there are no reported cases of psychosis developing in hemodialysis patients in the context of nephrectomy, and there is limited data on the use of long-acting antipsychotics in hemodialysis, which are generally not recommended in chronic kidney disease.We present the case of a 40-year-old lady with bilateral nephrectomy receiving hemodialysis who developed psychosis that resulted in her refusing to continue hemodialysis and was irregularly compliant with oral antipsychotics, necessitating the use of a long-acting injection. We report on the approach to clinical reasoning in the choice of aripiprazole and the need for a long-acting injection. Based on its pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties oral aripiprazole 20 mg was commenced and after establishing tolerability and response, the patient was switched to long-acting aripiprazole 400 mg monthly achieving full remission of psychotic symptoms after 6 months with maintained improvement after 12 months. Based on its properties, aripiprazole may be a reasonable option in the treatment of psychosis in patients on hemodialysis with nephrectomy and can be considered even as a long-acting injection in these patients.

Psychiatric disorders are common in patients on hemodialysis. To the best of our knowledge there are no reported cases of psychosis developing in hemodialysis patients in the context of nephrectomy, and there is limited data on the use of long-acting antipsychotics in hemodialysis, which are generally not recommended in chronic kidney disease.We present the case of a 40-year-old lady with bilateral nephrectomy receiving hemodialysis who developed psychosis that resulted in her refusing to continue hemodialysis and was irregularly compliant with oral antipsychotics, necessitating the use of a long-acting injection. We report on the approach to clinical reasoning in the choice of aripiprazole and the need for a long-acting injection. Based on its pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties oral aripiprazole 20 mg was commenced and after establishing tolerability and response, the patient was switched to long-acting aripiprazole 400 mg monthly achieving full remission of psychotic symptoms after 6 months with maintained improvement after 12 months. Based on its properties, aripiprazole may be a reasonable option in the treatment of psychosis in patients on hemodialysis with nephrectomy and can be considered even as a long-acting injection in these patients.