Animals, Wild ; Borneo ; Malaysia ; Biosurveillance

Introduction: Dental caries is a preventable chronic disease whereby identification of risk factors will facilitate preventive measures. This study aims to determine the level of oral health literacy (OHL), self-care practices (SCP), salivary parameters and ascertain its assocation with caries status amongst the undergraduates in IMU University. Methods: Levels of OHL (Knowledge-OHL, dental services utilisation, and label reading habit) and SCP were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Chairside saliva kits were used to measure the salivary parameters whilst clinical examination was performed to assess caries status. Independent T-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences between sex and courses respectively for measures of interest (OHL, SCP, salivary parameters, and caries status) whereas bivariate correlation with Pearsons’s coefficient was performed to examine their association with caries status. Results: The participants (n=132) had a mean Knowledge-OHL score of 23.75±8.09 with no significant difference between sex (females, 24.01±8.51; males, 23.48±7.69; p=0.15). Dentistry students had significantly higher Knowledge-OHL score than students of all other courses (p=0.01). The mean SCP score was 20.19±3.16 whereas mean DMFT was 2.32 ±3.14. All participants had healthy saliva parameters. Caries status was significantly correlated with Knowledge-OHL score (p=0.02, r=-0.18), dental services utilisation (p=0.04, r=-0.15) but not with label reading habit (p=0.78, r=0.03), SCP (p=0.30, r=-0.05) and all salivary parameters. Conclusion Knowledge-OHL and oral health services utilisation are significantly associated with oral health status
Dental Caries ; Health Literacy ; Oral Health ; Saliva ; Self Care

Objective: One key factor found to be related to creativity is creative self-efficacy. Creative self efficacy (CSE) refers to one’s own conviction in their own ability to produce creative work effectively. The study aims to explore on the predictive values of time management and reading habit on CSE, as well as on the significant difference between gender and CSE. Method: This study (n = 313) is a cross-sectional survey design. The inclusion criteria for the participants are full-time university students studying in Malaysia and aged between 18-25 years old. Data collected was analysed by linear regression, multiple linear regression and independent sample t-Test. Results: Reading habit is a significant positive predictor of CSE. Both daily planning and confidence in long-range planning in time management are significant positive predictors of CSE. However, there is no significant difference between gender in terms of male and female and CSE. Conclusion This study provided evidence on the role of reading habits and time management on creative self-efficacy amongst undergraduate student in Malaysia.
Gender Identity ; Time Management

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on hospital resources and manpower. This study assesses the impact of Malaysia’s nationwide lockdown on the incidence, types, severity, and outcomes of emergency general surgery (EGS) cases at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analysed the data of patients who underwent EGS procedures for the period 2017 and 2021. Results: During the pandemic period, there was a 48.3% reduction in EGS cases (n=889) compared to the pre-pandemic period (n=1720). Significant reductions were observed in surgeries for appendicitis, soft tissue infection, colorectal, urology, peptic ulcer, and vascular disorders in the COVID period. Conversely, procedures for biliary disorders and hernia complications increased by 7.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Length of hospital stay increased by 57.8% for patients with small bowel disorders, while ICU/HDU admissions rose by 43.5% for colorectal cases (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in mortality rates between the two periods. Conclusions The overall reduction in EGS procedures during the COVID-19 period was consistent with global trends. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the outcomes related to duration of stay, ICU/HDU utilisation, and mortality remained comparable to the pre-pandemic period. These findings highlight the adaptability of healthcare professionals in maintaining continuity and quality of emergency surgical care during a crisis.
Acute Care Surgery ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics

Introduction: This paper explores the impact of a remediation programme on medical students’ overall performance. It also suggests a potential remediation framework encompassing planned learning sessions by subject experts, individualised coaching from an alumni group, professional counselling for psychological support, and participants’ learning commitment. Methods: Twenty-seven students were identified as academically weak students (AWS). This was done based on two criteria: students who failed more than one mini test (out of six mini tests) during the delivery of the first-year curriculum, and students who had to repeat the study after failing the end-of-year-1 (EOY-1) exam. A remediation strategy consisting of 1) planned learning sessions, 2) individualised alumni coaching sessions, and 3) counselling sessions were offered to these students. However, participation is optional (Group A (n=12) – participants and Group B (n=15) – non-participants). Evaluation of the remediation programme is performed using mixed-method analysis: 1) comparative analysis of the performance of Group A vs Group B, and 2) qualitative analysis using a semi-structured interview with openended questions to obtain students’ perceptions of the programme. Results: Group A showed significantly higher pass rates (83% vs. 66%, p < .001) in the EOY-1 exam. Interviews revealed positive perceptions of personalised alumni coaching and its role in enhancing learning and confidence. Conclusion The study concludes that early identification and targeted remediation support improve academic outcomes, benefit the student’s educational journey, and contribute to quality education.
Education, Medical ; Academic Performance

Tooth eruption is a localised event whereby the signals for eruption for a given tooth are synthesised in the dental follicle of that tooth with a possible cross talk of signals coming from the adjacent stellate reticulum. The eruption process requires alveolar bone resorption that is primarily regulated by the dental follicle. This is reflected by the fact that failures of eruption often can be traced to either osteoclast deficiencies or to dental follicle abnormalities. Recent advances in application of molecular techniques to animal models allowed for better understanding of gene regulatory events involved in the physiology of tooth eruption. This article attempts to consolidate and organise the facts that offshoot from animal studies.
Tooth Eruption ; Dental Sac ; Molecular Biology

Introduction: A neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) is a type of heterogenous tumour originating and spreading from neuroendocrine cells and peptidergic neural crest Kulchitsky cells (silver-addicted cells). The occurrence of gallbladder NEN (GB-NEN) is extremely rare and accounting for only 0.5% of all neuroendocrine tumours and 2.1% of all gallbladder tumours. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old female with chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, presented with septic shock and clinical condition suspicious of perforated viscus. The CT examination and laparotomy findings were suggestive of gallbladder carcinoma. The diagnosis of GB-NEN was later confirmed by histopathological examination and immunohistochemical studies. Following laparotomy, the patient’s condition deteriorated and succumbed to death. Discussion: The diagnosis of GB-NEN is challenging due to ambiguous clinical manifestation and existing limitations of diagnostic techniques. Immunohistochemical staining is effective in diagnosing GB-NEN and highly specific markers have been identified. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for GB-NEN and following adjuvant therapy may prolong survival. Conclusion Current literature on GB-NEN is scarce and the standard treatment plan is under exploration. Early detection of GB-NEN improves prognosis and is encouraged for patients with chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. Individualised treatment plan should be emphasised to maximise patients’ benefits in clinical practice.

Leprosy caused by Mycobacterium leprae, primarily manifests with cutaneous and neurological symptoms. Bone marrow (BM) involvement without skin lesions is exceedingly rare, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Here is a case of a 40-year-old HIV-infected man with a nadir CD4 count of 29 cells/mm³ who presented with recurrent anaemia, massive hepatosplenomegaly, and no apparent skin lesions. BM analysis revealed epithelioid granulomas with foamy histiocytes containing acid-fast bacilli, confirmed by Wade-Fite staining. This case highlights the rare presentation of lepromatous leprosy, emphasising the diagnostic challenges posed by the absence of typical cutaneous features.
Leprosy ; HIV

Separation of vascular lesions into one of the two groups, namely, hemangioma and vascular malformations can be of considerable significance relative to the treatment of patients. They pose serious bleeding risks. A case report is presented here where a patient with a vascular malformation is treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. A coordinated, interdisciplinary approach can result in enhanced patient satisfaction and successful treatment outcomes.
Hemangioma ; Port-Wine Stain

One Health approach emphasises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, advocating for a collaborative and multidisciplinary strategy to address global health challenges. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of such an integrated approach has never been clearer. We explore how the One Health framework can enhance our preparedness for future pandemics. In addition to roles of surveillance, early detection, policy development, we highlight the impact of noncommunicable diseases and economy addressing future pandemics. We conclude that integrating advanced technologies, enhancing surveillance systems, and fostering inter-disciplinary collaboration between private and public, national and international, are essential to ensuring resilient, sustainable and equitable health system