The prevalence of smartphone addiction among university students has raised concerns about its potential implications on their mental health, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships. This review aims to address the existing gap in the literature and shed light on the psychosocial impact of smartphone addiction in this crucial phase of young adults’ lives. A systematic approach was employed to identify and analyse relevant studies from reputable databases. The selection criteria encompassed studies published between January 2009 and December 2022, in university students. The review synthesises findings from 32 selected studies to present a comprehensive analysis of the psychosocial impacts of smartphone addiction. The results indicated significant associations between excessive smartphone use and adverse mental health outcomes, including increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among university students. Furthermore, smartphone addiction negatively influences academic performance, decreasing face-to-face communication and social isolation.

Background: Chronic urticaria is a spontaneous or idiopathic mast cell driven disease which affects patients’ well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in a public tertiary hospital, to determine patients’ quality of life (QoL) and factors associated with impaired QoL. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Putrajaya. Patients aged more than 18 years diagnosed with CSU were included. Patients with other chronic diseases that may affect QoL were excluded. Data was collected by face to face interview. QoL was assessed using Dermatology Quality of Life (DLQI) questionnaire. Urticaria severity was determined using Urticaria Activity Score (UAS-7). Results: A total of 88 patients aged 40±13.9 years participated with a male to female ratio of 1:3.4. Prevalence of CSU was 0.9%. Mean total DLQI score was 6.3±5.46, 27.3% of patients had no QOL effects, 18.2% had small effect, 36.4% moderate effect and 17% very large effect. Symptoms & feelings subdomain revealed the most severe impairment, followed by leisure and daily activities. Median UAS-7 was 6, 51.1% of patients had well-controlled disease. Higher disease activity was associated with a higher DLQI (p=0.02). Risk factors assessed did not show statistically significant effect on QoL. Conclusion CSU had moderate effect on the QoL of most patients. Symptoms and feelings, leisure and daily activities were predominantly affected. Disease activity was negatively associated with QoL impairment.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the small noncoding RNA molecules which regulate target gene expression posttranscriptionally. They are known to regulate key cellular processes like inflammation, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis across various ocular diseases. Due to their easier access, recent focus has been laid on the investigation of miRNA expression and their involvement in several conjunctival diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to provide understanding of the miRNAs and describe the current role of miRNAs as the mediators of the various conjunctival diseases. A literature search was made using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies involving miRNAs in the conjunctival pathological conditions. Original articles in the last 10 years involving both human and animal models were included. Literature search retrieved 27 studies matching our criteria. Pertaining to the numerous literatures, there is a strong correlation between miRNA and the various pathological conditions that occur in the conjunctiva. miRNAs are involved in various physiological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, development, and inflammation by regulating various signaling pathways, genes, proteins, and mediators. Pterygium was the most studied conjunctival disease for miRNA involvement, whereas miRNA research in allergic conjunctivitis is still in its early stages. Our review provides deep insights into the various miRNAs playing an important role in the various conjunctival diseases. miRNAs do have the potential to serve as noninvasive biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. However, multitudinous studies are required to validate miRNAs as the reliable biomarkers in conjunctival pathologies and its targeted therapy.

Medicinal plants have been used in Malaysia for a long time ago. These plants have been marketed as herbal product and used in the traditional healthcare system because of its positive therapeutic effects. This paper discusses particularly several types of Malaysian herbs that are traditionally used for contraception and scientific studies related to its pharmaceutical properties showing its use among the public for its anti-fertility effects. Even though several methods of contraception have been promoted for family planning, yet, the perception of the public on the usage of synthetic steroidal contraceptives due to its serious adverse effects has made them focus on indigenous plants. Contraceptives drug-containing oestrogen and progesterone have proven to be effective and popular, However, the side effects of these drugs have sparked the idea of scientists to develop newer molecules from medicinal plants. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate in-depth qualitative research on conceptions and concerns about traditional contraceptive methods using herbal ingredients among Malaysians.

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) is an effective treatment option for psoriasis. Vitamin D insufficiency is common in psoriasis patients. We assessed the effect of NBUVB on vitamin D levels amongst psoriasis patients with skin phototype III, IV and V. Methods: Psoriasis patients planned for NBUVB phototherapy were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Hospital Putrajaya and Hospital Kuala Lumpur from May 2020-December 2020. NBUVB phototherapy was given twice weekly for 12 weeks. Serum 25 (OH)D level was measured at baseline and at week 12. Results: A total of 21(63.6%) male and 12(36.4%) female patients aged 18-66 years participated. Majority were Fitzpatrick skin phototype (FSP) IV (66.7%) followed by FSP V (21.2%) and FSP III (12.1%). Serum 25(OH)D increased significantly (p<0.001) from 52.09±21.43 nmol/L at baseline to 72.80±19.56 nmol/L at week 12 with the most increment seen in skin type V. There was also a significant improvement seen in Body Surface Area (BSA) involvement after 12 weeks of phototherapy (p<0.001). There was no correlation seen between BSA at week 12 with serum 25(OH)D and percentage of serum 25(OH) D increment. Conclusion NBUVB phototherapy increases the level of serum 25(OH)D in psoriasis patients with darker skin types while simultaneously clearing psoriasis.
Psoriasis ; Phototherapy ; Vitamin D

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic and the most frequent immune-mediated subepidermal blistering disorder which mainly affects elderly individuals. The autoantibodies produced following T-cell dysregulation are directed against BP180 (BPAg2) and BP230 (BPAg1), hemidesmosomal proteins located in the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of the epidermis. BP may present with polymorphic dermatological features including non-bullous manifestations and blisters. Therefore, a wide range of differential diagnoses such as eczema, urticaria, pemphigus and the differentials for subepidermal blister with eosinophils such as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) and bullous drug eruptions should be considered in such cases. The associations of solid organ internal malignancies and BP are quite rare and vary between studies. Here, we present a case of paraneoplastic bullous pemphigoid (PNBP) in a patient with underlying renal cell carcinoma who was initially diagnosed with worsening hand-foot syndrome (HFS) which has led to withdrawal of his oral chemotherapy treatment.