Microglia, as the immune guardians of the central nervous system (CNS), have the ability to maintain neural homeostasis, respond to environmental changes, and remodel the synaptic landscape. However, persistent microglial activation can lead to chronic neuroinflammation, which can alter neuronal signaling pathways, resulting in accelerated cognitive decline. Phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has emerged as a critical driver, connecting inflammation to neurodegeneration, serving as the nexus of numerous intracellular processes that govern microglial activation. This review focuses on the relationship between PI3K signaling and microglial activation, which might lead to cognitive impairment, inflammation, or even neurodegeneration. The review delves into the components of the PI3K signaling cascade, isoforms, and receptors of PI3K, as well as the downstream effects of PI3K signaling, including its effectors such as protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the negative regulator phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Experiments have shown that the overproduction of certain cytokines, coupled with abnormal oxidative stress, is a consequence of poor PI3K regulation, resulting in excessive synapse pruning and, consequently, impacting learning and memory functions. The review also highlights the implications of autonomously activated microglia exhibiting M1/M2 polarization driven by PI3K on hippocampal, cortical, and subcortical circuits. Conclusions from behavioral studies, electrophysiology, and neuroimaging linking cognitive performance and PI3K activity were evaluated, along with new approaches to therapy using selective inhibitors or gene editing. The review concludes by highlighting important knowledge gaps, including the specific effects of different isoforms, the risks associated with long-term pathway modulation, and the limitations of translational potential, underscoring the crucial role of PI3K in mitigating cognitive impairment driven by neuroinflammation.

(1) Background: The teaching profession has become more challenging due to the increased use of information technology, which potentially increases psychological distress among teachers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among school teachers in Malaysia during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated sociodemographic factors. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary and secondary school teachers in Malaysia. A validated DASS-21 questionnaire was used for mental health screening, and the study was conducted online during the pandemic period. (3) Results: The percentages of respondents with mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe depression were 12%, 9.7%, 4.7%, and 3.1%, respectively. Those with mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe anxiety accounted for 11.5%, 12.3%, 6.3%, and 6%, respectively. Those with mild, moderate, severe, and very severe stress accounted for 12.8%, 12%, 5.3%, and 2.5%, respectively. Perceived overworking was significantly greater during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Significant experience in teaching, and less perceived overworking before and during the pandemic were associated with better mental health. (4) Conclusions: Periodic mental health screening for teachers may be beneficial in preventing mental health disorders and improving the quality of student education. A full assessment and innovation of the curriculum and workload should be implemented.

Background: Polio is reported as reemerging disease in Malaysia after 27 years of being free from it. It is important to identify the awareness towards polio vaccine among the medical students who are the future and the pillars of the nation, to develop a country. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and barriers toward polio immunization among pre-clinical medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 pre-clinical students from a private university after obtaining informed consent and institutional ethical clearance. Data collected from Google Forms questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Insufficient knowledge, especially on disease nature, transmission, and correct dosage of vaccine, was noticed. Findings revealed that 79.5% of the students showed unfavorable attitude toward polio immunization. Year 2 students are more positive toward the vaccination compared to year 1. Main barriers toward polio immunization selected by the respondents are disagreement from the spouse, insecure about vaccine safety, and distance of the health center. Conclusion: Pre-clinical students should enhance their knowledge to be able to recognize the various barriers of polio immunization in our country and be part of the effort in solving these barriers as polio eradication is critical to ensuring a healthier future for children.

Water-based ecosystems face serious public health concerns due to the microbial contamination of waters and the spread of waterborne diseases, as well as the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Contaminants can be from natural sources, but they usually come from human activities like discharge of sewerage, farming, and industrial activities. Pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi are capable of surviving in water bodies that have been contaminated, and pose severe health risks in combination with poor sanitation and inadequate water treatment facilities available in many communities. In addition to temperature, pH and other nutrients also impact the survival and distribution of microorganisms and managing risk and contamination becomes more difficult due to the increased number of variables. This review analyzes the various sources, categories of water-based microorganisms, their potential human health risks, and environmental factors affecting their persistence. Additionally, it discusses the range of detection and monitoring techniques which include traditional microbiological techniques, molecular analysis, and other advanced technologies. Also, the document offers microbial contamination prevention and control measures which include innovative treatment functions, legislative measures, and public health action frameworks. Mitigating microbial disease risks and controlling outbreaks of diseases require a multidisciplinary approach that treats detection as immediate, optimizing sewage treatment as well as global policy enforcement. Long-term water safety and public health safety requires early intervention focused on managing and reducing the use of antibiotics on pressurized water sources.

Background/Objectives: Heart failure (HF) and cancers share common molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the association between HF and the risk of developing cancer remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between HF and the risk of cancer incidence by pooling data from studies that compared cancer incidence in HF patients with non-HF controls. Additionally, it quantifies pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for site-specific cancers. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases until March 2025 (PROSPERO: CRD420251001541). Seven studies involving over 1.6 million participants were included. Three studies provided direct HF versus non-HF comparisons. Pooled HRs and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated utilising random-effects models. Results: The pooled estimate for overall cancer in HF was not significant (HR 1.32; 95% CI: 0.94–1.85; p = 0.11). However, site-specific analyses revealed significantly elevated risks for lung cancer (HR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.27–2.16), urinary tract cancers (HR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.51–1.82), haematological cancers (HR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12–1.94), and colorectal cancer (HR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.04–1.83). The associations with breast and prostate cancers were not significant. Notably, substantial heterogeneity was observed across most cancer sites (I² = 96–98%), apart from urinary tract cancers (I² = 0%). Conclusions: Although the pooled estimate for overall cancer was not significant, the significant findings for specific cancer sites suggest the need for enhanced cancer surveillance in patients with HF. Future research should focus on standardising definitions of HF, ensuring consistent adjustment for confounders, and stratifying data by HF phenotype.

In a group work setting like team-based learning (TBL), students are urged to benefit from one another’s ideas, experiences, and strengths as well as weaknesses. The aim of the study is to assess whether group-based activities or individually focused activities related to artificial intelligence (AI) learning have a greater impact on medical students’ knowledge acquisition, and teamwork, with their perception in the preclinical phase at MAHSA University. Medical instructors have consistently urged for implementing active learning paradigms such as TBL to encourage students to apply their problem-solving skills. Before the professional preclinical examination (PCPE), 107 students of Year 2 were participated in the revision session of respiratory module based on their Individual Readiness Assurance Test (iRAT) and Group Readiness Assurance Test (gRAT) scores by asking them Five (5) scenario-based single response questions (SRA) and one extended matching question (EMQ) in individual & group as well. At the end of the sessions, 47 students provide their feedback. On an individual level, students responded more accurately when the same questions were provided to them in groups rather than individually. SRA 2, 4, and 5 were correctly answered by all groups, while SRA 3 was successfully answered by 87.5% of the groups. Students gave the most accurate response for SRA 5, scoring 71.4%. This study demonstrates that using TBLs might improve student engagement and perceptions of learning effectiveness. TBLs can help medical students learn more effectively.