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Farmers' attitudes towards GM crops and their predictors

Mustapa MAC, Batcha MFN, Amin L, Arham AF, Mahadi Z, Yusoff NAM, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2021 Oct;101(13):5457-5468.
PMID: 33709409 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11194

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified (GM) crops have become a controversial global issue since their commercialization in 1996. However, despite technological advancements, only a few studies have investigated farmers' attitudes towards GM crops in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to analyse such attitudes and their determining factors. A validated questionnaire was distributed to farmers in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang (n = 176). SPSS software was used to analyse the descriptive statistics of the farmers' attitudes to GM crops, while SmartPLS software was used to determine the predictors.
RESULTS: Descriptive analysis shows that the farmers claimed to have a high level of self-efficacy, and perceived GM crops as possessing high benefits which translate into a highly positive attitude towards GM crops. However, at the same time, they rated GM crops as involving moderate risks and would incur moderate costs to farm, as well as acknowledging a low level of support from the government. The structural equation model (SEM) analysis demonstrates that five factors have been identified as direct predictors of attitude to GM crops: government support (ß = 0.364, P
Fulltext Prostate cancer in multi-ethnic Asian men: Real-world experience in the Malaysia Prostate Cancer (M-CaP) Study

Lim J, Malek R, Jr S, Toh CC, Sundram M, Woo SYY, et al.

Cancer Med, 2021 11;10(22):8020-8028.
PMID: 34626088 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4319

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer in Malaysia with the lifetime risk of 1 in 117 men. Here, we initiated a longitudinal Malaysia Prostate Cancer (M-CaP) Study to investigate the clinical and tumour characteristics, treatment patterns as well as disease outcomes of multi-ethnic Asian men at real-world setting. The M-CaP database consisted of 1839 new patients with prostate cancer diagnosed between 2016 and 2018 from nine public urology referral centres across Malaysia. Basic demographic and clinical parameters, tumour characteristics, primary treatment, follow-up and vital status data were retrieved prospectively from the hospital-based patients' case notes or electronic medical records. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS). The median age at diagnosis of M-CaP patients was 70 years (interquartile range, IQR 65-75). Majority of patients were Chinese (831, 45.2%), followed by Malays (704, 38.3%), Indians (124, 6.7%) and other races (181, 9.8%). The median follow-up for all patients was 23.5 months (IQR 15.9-33.6). Although 58.1% presented with late-stage cancer, we observed ethnic and geographic disparities in late-stage prostate cancer diagnosis. Curative radiotherapy and primary androgen deprivation therapy were the most common treatment for stage III and stage IV diseases, respectively. The median OS and bPFS of stage IV patients were 40.1 months and 19.2 months (95% CI 17.6-20.8), respectively. Late stage at presentation remains a challenge in multi-ethnic Asian men. Early detection is imperative to improve treatment outcome and survival of patients with prostate cancer.
A narrative review and proposed framework for robotic surgical training in Urology for Southeast Asia (SEA): a qualitative survey and expert panel recommendations

Chen K, Lee A, Tan YG, Lim EJ, Khor V, Yong D, et al.

J Robot Surg, 2025 Oct 26;19(1):710.
PMID: 41139357 DOI: 10.1007/s11701-025-02797-1

Robotic surgery has revolutionized modern surgical practices, expanding across multiple specialties due to its precision, reduced invasiveness, and improved patient outcomes. Initially dominated by the da Vinci system, the field has recently seen an influx of new robotic platforms, presenting challenges in training and adaptation for surgeons and surgical teams. The transition to diverse robotic systems necessitates a structured educational framework to ensure competency across varying platforms. This article explores the evolving landscape of robotic surgery, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive training methodology. A qualitative analysis of expert and novice perspectives identified three key domains for robotic surgery education: (1) Foundational Competence, which includes platform-specific training, ergonomics, teamwork, and emergency protocols; (2) Surgical Competence, focusing on systematic procedural training and stepwise surgical execution; and (3) Task-Based Micro-Competence, addressing fundamental skills like hemostasis, lymph node dissection, vascular control, bowel mobilization, and robotic suturing. The framework highlights the importance of platform-specific technical skills, team dynamics, and cognitive ergonomics to enhance surgical efficiency and patient safety. Additionally, it underscores the necessity for standardized training methodologies adaptable to diverse robotic systems. The study advocates for incorporating simulation-based learning, modular training, and emergency drills into robotic surgery education to bridge the gap between traditional and robotic-assisted techniques. As robotic surgery continues to evolve, the proposed structured training approach ensures surgeons and surgical teams are equipped with the skills required to navigate various platforms, optimize patient outcomes, and advance the field of robotic-assisted surgery.

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