MATERIALS AND METHODS: To understand the utilization and reimbursement practices of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other sequencing methods relevant to oncology clinical practice in the region, a semi-structured survey was undertaken of respondents from 11 countries represented by the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO) 2024 Young Oncologist Forum alumni.
RESULTS: While 79% of respondents reported access to NGS at their institution, full government reimbursement was uncommon and varied by test type and clinical setting. Japan and South Korea offered the most comprehensive public coverage, including for circulating tumor DNA-based liquid biopsy. Lower- and upper-middle-income countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and India, reported no government reimbursement, thus relying on user-pay methods or private insurance payments. One marked barrier to NGS reimbursement was the prohibitive cost of tests (100%), followed by a limited budget to fund testing (78.6%), and then by policy or regulatory restrictions (50.0%). On a similar note, insurance coverage (92.9%) and patient income (85.7%) were key concerns regarding access and equity to tests. Test reimbursement (or lack thereof) and cost were cited almost universally as the most elevated concerns by the respondents.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated a wide disparity in access, funding and reimbursement of sequencing tests across the region. Addressing cost, improving reimbursement mechanisms, and building infrastructure capacity will be critical for the equitable integration of NGS into routine cancer care in the Asia-Pacific.
OBJECT: The ethanolic extract of Rhodiola rosea roots, rich in bioactive compounds like alkaloids and flavonoids, was optimized into a phytosomal complex to improve absorption and dermal retention.
METHOD: Characterization through GC-MS revealed compounds, such as 2-Heptadecenal and Bicyclo[ 4.1.0]Heptane and 7-Pentyl. FTIR confirmed the successful encapsulation within the phospholipid bilayer, while SEM showed smooth, spherical particles.
RESULT: The Box-Behnken design optimized formulation parameters, achieving high yield (92.64%), small particle size (355 nm), and high entrapment efficiency (93.98%). In vitro release studies displayed a consistent release profile, aligning with Zero-order and Hixson-Crowell models. In vivo evaluation on Wistar rats showed that the phytosomal gel significantly enhanced wound healing, achieving 98.16% wound reduction by day 14, compared to 95.17% for R. rosea extract and 97.13% for standard treatment. Histopathological analysis demonstrated complete tissue regeneration and well-organized collagen fibers in the phytosomal gel group.
CONCLUSION: This research highlights the potential of Rhodiola rosea phytosomal gel as an effective wound healing therapy, with future studies suggested for extended stability tests and human skin permeation studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 119 AA patients had been identified from hospital records of the involved sites, namely Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Sabah, Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu Hospital, Miri Hospital and Bintulu Hospital in Sarawak from Jan 2006 to Dec 2017.
RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 46 years, and native ethnic group from Sabah, Kadazan-Dusun, recorded the highest percentage of 41.2%, which could be explained by higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*15:01, an alelle linked to increased risk of AA, among this ethnic group. The majority of patients (59.7%) received cyclosporine (CsA) as monotherapy or in combination with other non-IST agents such as danazol, which was instituted in 48.7% of the patients, while a third of them (33.7%) received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy with or without CsA, and 12.4% underwent allogenic SCT. The five-year overall survival (OS) for all AA patients was 76.1%. Elderly patients >60 years old and those with severe disease had more inferior 5-year survival.
CONCLUSION: A prospective study is warranted to determine the true incidence rate, epidemiological distributions, treatment outcome and overall survival of AA patients in Malaysia. Establishment of allogenic SCT in East Malaysia is imperative to make this curative therapy more accessible to patients with severe disease and improve the outcome.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an open-label, multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 study of pembrolizumab plus PG for first-line treatment in subjects with R/M HNSCC in Malaysia. The study is conducted using the Optional Simon optimal 2-stage design. At the initial stage, 26 subjects will be enrolled and if seven or more patients achieve an objective response rate (ORR), then 63 patients will be enrolled. Subjects will be given pembrolizumab 200 mg3 every 3 weeks up to 35 cycles in combination with chemotherapy for up to six cycles of platinum (either cisplatin at 35 mg/m2 intravenous on day 1 and day 8 or carboplatin at area under the curve 5 intravenous on day 1 of each 3-week cycle) and gemcitabine at 1250 mg/m2 intravenous on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle. The primary end point is the ORR as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1. Secondary end points include the overall survival, progression free survival, response duration and safety. The exploratory objectives include relationships of microbiome profiles, prognostic and predictive biomarkers with the clinical responses.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University Malaya Medical Centre (202213-10884). Findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer review publications.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (www.
CLINICALTRIAL: gov); NCT05286619.
METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 41 TBI patients, including mild and moderate to severe, at baseline, 6, and 12 months following TBI. HMGB1 was quantified by ELISA alongside interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Cognitive assessments using validated neuropsychological assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months. The occurrence of PTE was also tracked.
RESULTS: HMGB1 remained elevated at 12 months post-TBI only in the subgroup (n = 6) that developed PTE (p = 0.026). PTE was associated with moderate to severe TBI cases. Higher HMGB1 levels at 12 months correlated with a greater decline in Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination scores (p
METHODS: Forty-seven participants were recruited via convenient sampling during a RA workshop for novice practitioners. They were divided into the N or B group and then crossover to experience using both Blue Phantom and NeedleTrainer model. Time-to-reach-target, first-pass success rate, and complication rate were assessed, while the learning and confidence scores were rated using six-item and three-item questionnaires, respectively, via a 5-point Likert scale.
RESULTS: Blue Phantom model has a longer time-to-target as compared to the NeedleTrainer model (16 ± 8 vs 8 ± 3 s, p
METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, followed by in-depth interviews with key informants. Content analysis was performed to summarize the role of health equity in HTA in 13 health systems in Asia, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
RESULTS: Health equity was reported to be considered in most health systems' HTA processes, except for Cambodia and Myanmar, which do not have an established HTA process. Interviews revealed that health equity has been more frequently considered to address the unmet medical needs of specific diseases (eg, high disease burden or severity, rare diseases, cancer, and diseases affecting children and the elderly) in Brunei Darussalam, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam or inequities in socially disadvantaged groups (eg, socioeconomic status and geographical location) in Indonesia and the Philippines. Equity-informative economic evaluation was still in the early stages, with only 3 health systems reporting their use.
CONCLUSIONS: Health equity is considered in the HTA process in most Asian health systems. However, quantitative evaluation of health equity impact is still in its infancy because few health systems have just begun to perform equity-informative economic evaluations.
METHODS: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey. The survey designed and conducted by WiMPBME targeted both males and females working in medical-related STEM fields (physics and engineering) and was answered by 921 individuals from 76 countries across all continents. This report analysed the responses to one open-ended question of the survey, namely: "What is the one positive that you have learnt/experienced as a result of working from home during this pandemic?".
RESULTS: 594 responded to the question of interest. Access to home office was reported by 72.2% of survey participants. Males were more likely than females to report no positives of working from home (62.9%). Females were more likely to cite quality time, physical and mental health as positive factors than males, and to mention children in their responses. The most commonly coded thematic unit for males was remote working, with many males reporting the feasibility of working from home. Increased work productivity, better time management and work organisation were other common themes highlighted by responders irrespective of gender.
CONCLUSION: The findings of the survey show the diversity of perceptions about remote working in STEM fields, while highlighting the importance of considering family dynamics, individual circumstances as well as gender when evaluating varied experiences of STEM professionals.
METHOD: A scoping review was conducted utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. Four databases (OvidMedline, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) were searched for eligible studies reporting dementia research priorities in LMICs in Southeast Asian. Comparisons were made to a stakeholders' consultation during a two-day workshop from the 9th to 10th February 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants included the Southeast Asia-Dementia (SEA-Dem) Research Network members key stakeholders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong (n = 20). Research priorities from each participating country were generated and ranked, harmonized with those from the nominal group technique into tiers of priorities.
RESULT: Only two studies from Malaysia and Vietnam were eligible, reporting unranked research priorities. Nominal group technique ranked outcomes from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines were included. Top dementia research priorities were (1) local research and data collection capacity, (2) community awareness and engagement, and (3) health policy. Second-tier research priorities included harmonizing guidelines and tools standardization, health inequalities, and availability of carer support. The third tier comprised multisectoral collaboration, integration of care, telemedicine, digital approaches, dementia risk reduction, health economics, and sustainable interventions.
CONCLUSION: Our ranked and harmonized latest dementia research priorities list can serve as a more nuanced and contextually informed dementia research directional guide for countries with similar backgrounds. Collaborative efforts to increase high-quality dementia research capacity in Southeast Asian LMICs should be intensified for better dementia care in the region.