Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS)

Escape from Original Home: Do Metastatic Cells Stay Dormant or Destructive?

Aye Aye Wynn — 2024-01-31

Metastasis is defined as tumour implants discontinuous with the primary tumour. It is responsible for most cancer-related mortality. Many factors relating to the tumour and host factors are involved in the presence of metastasis and the long-term prognosis of the disease process. This study observed available literature and aims to emphasise tumours and their interaction with the tumour microenvironment. Epigenetic and genetic influences on pathogenesis, tumour and microenvironment interaction, role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in metastasis are essential determinants of advanced malignant diseases. Early detection of metastatic disease is an essential part. The histopathological aggressiveness of a tumour and its biological behaviour determine the probability of metastasis and advanced disease. Understanding these factors has a benefit to improving the current therapies and diagnostic approaches to an advanced level, leading to the prevention of metastasis and more successful management of patients.

Meguro Parasitological Museum – A Wonderful Experience Full of Surprises

Kamruddin Ahmed — 2024-01-31

In November 2023, one of us had the opportunity to visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum in Tokyo, Japan. The museum started its journey in 1953 with private funding from Dr Satoru Kamgeai. Now, the museum is a 70-year-old private research facility with its researchers who not only collect parasites of various animals for studies on morphology, taxonomy, distribution of parasites, etc. but also give presentations at academic meetings and publish articles in academic journals.

An Uncommon Aetiology of Native Valve Infective Endocarditis: Corynebacterium glutamicum Infective Endocarditis

Carwen Siaw — 2024-01-31

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a rare cause of infective endocarditis increasingly identified as a pathogen causing significant morbidity
and mortality. We report a middle-age female with underlying end-stage renal failure who developed Corynebacterium glutamicum
catheter-related bloodstream infection and eventually succumbed. This case highlights the importance of recognizing Corynebacterium as
an emerging nosocomial pathogen and early management to improve clinical outcome.

Helminth Infestation Causing Anaemia in Pregnancy Attending Primary Care Clinic: A Case Report

Mohd Shaiful Ehsan Bin Shalihin — 2024-01-31

Anaemia in pregnancy is among the commonest medical disorders encountered antenatally. However, the condition has sometimes been overlooked and not corrected accordingly given wrong or unidentified exact causes. Helminth infestation, even though rare generally nowadays, is still an important cause that needs to be ruled out in case of anaemia. We reported a case of an antenatal woman who presented with unresolved anaemia. However, she benefited from the helminth infestation screening and was able to be treated well. Her condition tremendously improved after the eradication of the infection. This case highlighted that anaemia should always include stool for ova and cyst despite no convincing history towards the infection. The symptoms could be mild or even not recognised.

Postgraduate Nursing Education in Malaysia and Advanced Nursing Practice: Where Are We and What’s Next?

Noor Azizah Mohd Ali — 2024-01-31

The nursing profession plays a pivotal and indispensable role in the promotion of public health, disease prevention, and comprehensive care delivery to diverse populations. As in other healthcare-related fields, the continuous development of nursing education assumes paramount importance in addressing the myriad challenges posed by the modern era. This paper presents
a thorough examination of the historical origins, current status, and future prospects of postgraduate nursing education in Malaysia,
encompassing a thorough exploration of its evolution. Furthermore, the study critically examines the interface between postgraduate
nursing education and advanced nursing practice within the healthcare landscape of Malaysia. By analysing these dimensions, this
paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the strategic enhancements necessary for further strengthening the nursing profession in the country.

Exploring the Awareness, Perception, Acceptability and Confidence Level Towards Telerehabilitation among Stroke Patients’ Caregivers in the Federal Territory of Malaysia

Nik Nasihah Nik Ramli — 2024-01-31

Telerehabilitation is the ability to provide distance support, evaluation and intervention to individuals who are undergoing rehabilitation therapy through telecommunication. This study aimed to explore the awareness, acceptability and confidence level towards telerehabilitation among caregivers of cerebral stroke patients in the federal territory of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst stroke patients’ caregivers from general hospitals in the federal territory of Malaysia. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the awareness, acceptability and confidence level towards telerehabilitation technology among stroke patients’ caregivers. The correlation between confidence level in using technology devices and their acceptance level of telerehabilitation was assessed by using Spearman correlation analysis. Results showed that 70% of caregivers were aware of the telerehabilitation technology, amongst which 60.5% were willing to use the technology for rehabilitation purposes. Out of all the types of devices, 50% of caregivers demonstrated a high confidence level in using smartphones. However, only 25.7% demonstrated a high confidence level in using video call services for telerehabilitation service. In conclusion, the majority of caregivers in the federal territory of Malaysia demonstrated a positive attitude towards telerehabilitation services for stroke patients.

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Its Associated Factors Among Post-COVID-19 Patients at Three Months in a Tertiary Hospital of Bangladesh

Nisat Zabin — 2024-01-31

COVID-19 is a burning issue brought on by the SARS-COV2 coronavirus. Many SARSCOV-2 survivors continue to experience a variety of symptoms, which negatively impact their standard of living. A total of 103 postCOVID patients participated in a prospective comparison study from July 2021 to December 2021 to assess the individual’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the elements that contribute to it. A control group with age and gender that matched 110 seemingly healthy
individuals was also included for comparison. At three months, the EuroQol 5-dimensional
3-levels (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire, which encompasses a brief expressive system questionnaire and an EQ-VAS visual analogue
scale, was collected in a predesigned datasheet. The EQ index score was used to reflect all HRQoL data, which was then contrasted to a set of matched controls for ages and sexes. At three months, the mean EQ-5D index and EQVAS scores were lower than those of age and gender that matched the control group, at 0.810±0.208 and 73.240±11.36, respectively. Regarding dimensions of the questionnaire, mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and depression/anxiety were assessed at three months follow-up. The mobility and usual activity parameters showed a statistically evident difference (p-value = 0.001) compared to the control group.