METHODS: Data was sourced from the GitHub repository and the Ministry of Health's official COVID-19 website. The study period was from the beginning of the outbreak in Malaysia, which began during Epidemiological Week (Ep Wk) 4 in 2020, to the last Ep Wk 18 in 2022. Data were aggregated by Ep Wk and analyzed in terms of COVID-19 cases, deaths, ICU admissions, ventilator requirements, testing, incidence rate, death rate, case fatality rate (CFR) and test positivity rate by years (2020 and 2022) and for each outbreak of COVID-19.
RESULTS: A total of 4,456,736 cases, 35,579 deaths and 58,906,954 COVID-19 tests were reported for the period from 2020 to 2022. The COVID-19 incidence rate, death rate, CFR and test positivity rate were reported at 1.085 and 0.009 per 1,000 populations, 0.80 and 7.57%, respectively, for the period from 2020 to 2022. Higher cases, deaths, testing, incidence/death rate, CFR and test positivity rates were reported in 2021 and during the Delta outbreak. This is evident by the highest number of COVID-19 cases, ICU admissions, ventilatory requirements and deaths observed during the Delta outbreak.
CONCLUSION: The Delta outbreak was the most severe compared to other outbreaks in Malaysia's study period. In addition, this study provides evidence that outbreaks of COVID-19, which are caused by highly virulent and transmissible variants, tend to be more severe and devastating if these outbreaks are not controlled early on. Therefore, close monitoring of key epidemiological indicators, as reported in this study, is essential in the control and management of future COVID-19 outbreaks in Malaysia.
METHODS: In this study, we examined 31 patients for TSD-causing mutations using PCR, followed by restriction enzyme digestion.
RESULTS: Molecular genetics analysis of DNA from 23 patients of TSD revealed mutations that has been previously reported, including four-base duplications c.1274_1277dupTATC in exon 11 and IVS2+1G>A, deletion TTAGGCAAGGGC in exon 10 as well as a few novel mutations, including C331G, which altered Gln>Glu in HEXB, A>G, T>C, and p.R510X in exon 14, which predicted a termination codon or nonsense mutation.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, with the discovery of these novel mutations, the genotypic spectrum of Iranian patients with TSD disease has been extended and could facilitate definition of disease-related mutations.
METHOD: scoping review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute method and described in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. 13 databases and gray literature were included. The selection of studies was carried out after removing duplicates and individual and paired evaluation. The data was extracted based on an elaborate script and presented in tables and charts.
RESULTS: the analysis of 28 selected studies showed that the majority were from Brazil, followed by China and Malaysia. Almost half of the validated instruments were generic, and the specific ones covered the evaluation of diabetes mellitus and leprosy. The types of validation carried out were content and construct.
CONCLUSION: there is a need to construct specific instruments due to the scarcity of studies on the process of validating instruments for evaluating the quality of services provided by primary health care for chronic diseases.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Validated instruments for evaluating services in chronic diseases.(2) Possibility of carrying out new studies on adaptations of PCAT and PACIC.(3) No evaluation was identified for minors under 18 years of age with chronic diseases.(4) Use of a generic instrument to evaluate specific chronic diseases.
RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns, social distancing, supply chain disruptions, and transport restrictions affect seafood production, distribution, marketing, and consumption. Recommendations are suggested to overcome these challenges. The COVID-19 has led to disruption of aquaculture practices worldwide. The pandemic has adversely affected the aquaculture input supply of fish stocking and feeding, which, in turn, has impacted aquaculture production. Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis has had adverse effects on value addition to aquaculture products, through the restrictions of seafood marketing and exporting. Aquatic food production is vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 outbreak; hence, adaptation strategies must be developed to cope with the challenges. There is an urgent need for collaboration among key stakeholders to rebuild the supply chain of inputs and fish marketing for sustainable aquaculture practices. International agencies, donors, government and non-governmental organizations, researchers, and policymakers need to develop policies to support aquaculture production and supply chains.
OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to explore the literature on molecular genetics of obesity in Malaysia. Specifically, we sought to characterize existing studies, identify the genetic determinants of obesity, and assess their association with obesity predisposition in the population.
METHODS: This scoping review followed the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute and used the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist as its guiding framework. Searches were conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, filtering for human studies published until March 2024. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles on the Malaysian population irrespective of age or sex. This review excluded review articles, book chapters, non-peer-reviewed conference proceedings, gray literature, and preclinical studies, and the reference lists of the retrieved studies were manually examined to ensure thorough inclusion. The articles were subjected to a 2-stage screening process (title/abstract and full text) conducted by 2 reviewers to assess eligibility. Eligible articles were then extracted following a data extraction framework and organized into a charting table. Only studies investigating the genetics of obesity in Malaysian populations were included.
RESULTS: As of March 2024, our extensive search strategy has yielded 572 records. After removing 153 duplicates, 419 records were screened by title and abstract, resulting in 47 selected for full-text review. Of these, 34 were chosen for data extraction and detailed analysis. These studies predominantly involved participants from major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) recruited from local health centers and university communities. The articles primarily explored the relationship between specific gene variants and obesity or obesity-related health parameters. This ongoing research is expected to be completed with a comprehensive scoping review by April 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: This review provides valuable insights into the genetic determinants of obesity in Malaysia, despite limitations such as no quality appraisal being conducted for the included studies and the search strategy being restricted to selected databases, potentially omitting relevant studies. However, this review ensured reliability and reproducibility by adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Ultimately, this study advances the understanding of local research and sets the foundation for future molecular genetic studies to improve obesity risk prediction and management in Malaysia's multiethnic population.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60838.
METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies investigating IL-37 and SLE. Data on IL-37 levels, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score, genetic polymorphisms, and its therapeutic effects from pre-clinical studies were extracted.
RESULTS: Previous studies presented conflicting findings on IL-37 levels in SLE patients. Some reported positive correlations with disease activity, while others observed associations between lower IL-37 and increased activity. Genetic variations in the IL-37 gene linked to SLE susceptibility have been reported. Pre-clinical studies using engineered mesenchymal stem cells or direct IL-37 treatment showed promise in reducing disease severity in mouse models and cell cultures of SLE. The analysis of multiple studies reveals that IL-37 expression varies significantly across different SLE subtypes.
CONCLUSIONS: While a potential link exists between IL and 37 and disease activity, genetic predisposition, and therapeutic benefit, further research is needed. Future studies with standardized designs, larger and more diverse populations, and mechanistic investigations are crucial to determine the therapeutic potential of IL-37 for SLE. This review highlights the need for well-designed clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IL-37 therapy in patients with SLE.
METHODS: This systematic review was accorded to the guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Three electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library, were used to conduct a systematic search for eligible studies from their inception until July 18, 2023. PROSPERO registration number was No. CRD42023445968.
RESULTS: We initially identified 4,774 articles. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant articles, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies revealed important aspects of the relationship between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. in dental caries. One significant finding is that Veillonella spp. can affect the acid production capacity of S. mutans. Some studies indicate that Veillonella spp. can inhibit the acid production by S. mutans, potentially reducing the cariogenic process. Another aspect is the competition for substrates. Veillonella spp. utilize lactic acid, which is a by product of S. mutans metabolism, as a source of carbon. This metabolic interaction may decrease the availability of lactic acid for S. mutans, potentially influencing its cariogenic potential.
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review highlights the emerging evidence on the interaction between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. in dental caries. The findings suggest that Veillonella spp. can modulate the acid production, and substrate competition of S. mutans, potentially influencing the cariogenic process.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association and diagnostic ability of serum and tissue eosinophils in the diagnosis of asthma among CRS patients.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 24 CRS patients with asthma and without asthma, respectively, from the Otorhinolaryngology clinic of two tertiary hospitals located on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Serum and tissue eosinophils (obtained from nasal polyp) levels between both groups were compared. Association between serum and tissue eosinophils with asthma was evaluated using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for important sociodemographic characteristics. The diagnostic ability of serum and tissue eosinophil was then evaluated by assessing the receiver operating characteristic curve.
RESULTS: A total of 48 CRS patients with a mean [SD] age of 47.50 [14.99] years were included. Patients with asthma had significantly higher serum [0.48 vs 0.35 × 109/L] and tissue eosinophil [100 vs 8.5 per HPF] levels. Tissue eosinophils were found to be an independent predictor of asthma with adjusted OR 1.05, p 0.375 × 109/L and tissue eosinophil > 58 per HPF.
METHODS: A qualitative systematic review was conducted to determine unique SNPs with significant association with BIPN. The search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The risk of bias analysis was conducted following the Q-Genie protocol. The included SNPs were computationally analyzed using Gene Ontology enrichment, KEGG, and PPI network analyses to determine pathways implicated in BIPN. SNPnexus analysis was applied, including SIFT and PolyPhen-2 functional prediction, evolutionary conservation, epigenetic regulatory mapping, significant biological pathways, and population allele frequencies.
RESULTS: From a total of 9 studies, 48 SNPs increase the risk of BIPN, while 21 are protective. Computational analyses revealed that SNP-associated BIPN genes are implicated in xenobiotic response, detoxification, signal transduction, and inflammatory pathways. SIFT and PolyPhen-2 identified some variants with a potential impact on protein function. Several SNPs are conserved, which reflects their functional roles. Allele frequencies are distinct, with some SNPs being rare and others showing uneven distribution across populations.
CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants probably play a significant role in the development of BIPN. The findings provide a mechanistic framework for predictive genotyping and personalized therapeutic strategies to mitigate BIPN in multiple myeloma patients.