Objective: Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is an incurable clonal neoplasm of plasma cells, which typically presents a poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine the clinical profile of newly diagnosed plasma cell myeloma cases in two tertiary care centers in Malaysia and evaluate the association of aberrant immunophenotypic expression with prognostic factors and clinical stages. Methods: A four-year retrospective study of 78 newly diagnosed PCM cases was conducted at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). The study retrieved data from medical records, includin ..read more

Introduction: Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive kidney tumor with poor prognosis and distinct microscopic features. Traditional modalities versus new targeted therapy are used in different patients with controversial but some promising results. Method: A 73-year-old man was referred with right flank pain and hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) scan reported a solid mass measuring 62x100 mm in the posterior right kidney with perinephric infiltration. Multiple tumor nodules were present in perinephric fat. A metastatic mass measuring 21x33 mm in the right adrenal gland wi ..read more

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant health burden, especially in less developed countries with limited access to HPV vaccines and screening. Dysregulation of immune cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and proinflammatory mediators have been implicated in cancer progression. SNPs in the IL-6 gene are thought to influence cervical cancer. A meta-analysis investigated the relationship between the IL-6 rs1800797 polymorphism and cervical cancer risk. Methods: We conducted data mining on the PubMed database to identify relevant studies meeting specific criteria, including genotype data for IL-6 r ..read more

Introduction: A deficiency in antithrombin (AT) can be hereditary or acquired. It is characterized by an AT activity level that is less than 80% of normal or the lower limit of the reference range on a regular basis. In some cases, AT deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of thromboembolism. Case presentation: We present the case of a 56-year-old Malay man with long-segment thrombosis of the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein with small bowel ischemia. He was diagnosed with AT deficiency following an extensive hematological and thrombophilia workup supported by a strong familia ..read more

Background: According to various studies, type II diabetes (T2D), a serious metabolic disease marked by insulin resistance with disrupted glucose homeostasis, affects millions of people worldwide and may reach 552 million cases by 2030. Recent studies highlighted the key role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various cellular processes related to disease development. Moreover, studies have indicated increased concentrations of miR-9-5p in T2D individuals, thereby suggesting a possible role for miR-9-5p in influencing the regulation of glucose metabolism. Hence, the current study aims to focus on miR-9 ..read more

Background: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) serves as a crucial biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes. It can be measured via different methods. Interference during analysis can potentially arise from various factors, including rare occurrences such as hyperleukocytosis. Case presentation: Here, we present the case of a 54-year-old male patient with a 20-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus who complained of prolonged lethargy, epigastric discomfort, and constitutional symptoms of malignancy. Further investigation revealed a diagnosis of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia acco ..read more

Introduction: The para-Bombay blood phenotype is a rare blood group variant, with a limited number of cases reported worldwide. Case Summary: Here, we present the case of a pregnant woman with clinically significant anti-IH antibodies and incompatible cross-matching with group O packed cells detected during pre-transfusion testing. Three years later, samples were collected again from the subject and showed that her anti-IH antibody levels had reduced. Her para-Bombay blood type was then confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers of the ABO gene and Sanger sequen ..read more

Sepsis remains a critical health concern with high mortality despite medical advances. Early diagnosis and risk stratification are vital to guide appropriate intervention and improve outcomes. Plasma gelsolin, an actin-binding protein that helps clear circulating filamentous actin, has emerged as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for sepsis. This review summarizes evidence on the usefulness of plasma gelsolin for these applications. Studies consistently show significantly decreased plasma gelsolin levels in septic humans and animal models compared to healthy controls. Reductions ..read more

Introduction: Deer antlers are remarkable organs as they can regenerate seasonally and leave no scars. Antler-derived stem cell therapy applications are of increasing interest in food, beauty, and medicine. Method: Antler stem cells (ASCs) were isolated from antlers, and their expression of markers CD73, CD90, CD105, Nanog, and Oct4 was detected by PCR. Their capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes was assessed through culture in selection media. In vitro evaluations included wound healing and angiogenic effects using scratch and tube formation assay, respectiv ..read more

Background: Thalassemia is a common inherited hemoglobin disorder in Malaysia. Regular transfusions of packed red cells are required to treat transfusion-dependent thalassemia. These transfusions, although lifesaving, may lead to complications such as red blood cell (RBC) alloantibody formation. This study aimed to determine the incidence of RBC alloantibodies in thalassemia patients who regularly received blood transfusions at our center. Methods: This study included 33 thalassemia patients who received regular transfusions at Dungun Hospital, Terengganu, Malaysia, from 2017 to 2023. Laborato ..read more