This study investigates the relationship between key financial metrics and firm value, focusing on profitability, liquidity, and capital structure within the context of healthcare companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. This study aims to address a gap in the literature, where research on the healthcare sector in emerging markets, particularly Malaysia, remains limited. Using a quantitative approach, a firm-level panel data comprising of 160 firm annual observations from 2014 to 2023 were analysed. The study employed fixed effects panel regression models to examine the direct effects of financial metrics indicator on firm value, as well as the interaction effects among them. Firm size and firm age were incorporated as control variables to ensure a comprehensive analysis. The findings reveal that profitability, measured by Return on Equity (ROE), has a significant and positive association with firm value, supporting the premise that strong earnings performance enhances market valuation. Liquidity, proxied by the Current Ratio (CR), exhibits a negative relationship with firm value, suggesting that excess liquidity may reflect inefficient capital allocation or conservative financial management. In contrast, capital structure, represented by the Debt Ratio (DR), does not have a statistically significant effect on firm value, indicating that leverage may be less influential in this context. Notably, the three-way interaction between profitability, liquidity, and capital structure is found to be significant and negative, implying that simultaneous increases in these metrics may result in diminishing returns due to compounded inefficiencies. This study contributes to the financial literature by offering sector-specific evidence from Malaysia’s healthcare industry and underscores the importance of adopting integrated financial strategies. The findings provide valuable insights for corporate managers, investors, and policymakers aiming to enhance firm valuation through informed financial decision-making. Future research should expand to other sectors and incorporate qualitative factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of firm value determinants. Keywords: Firm Value, Profitability, Liquidity, Capital Structure, Healthcare Companies

Oral health is an essential component of a woman’s general health and has a significant effect on maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity; nevertheless, it is not adequately addressed among expectant mothers, particularly in the private health care sector in Malaysia. The research investigates the present dental service intention plans of expectant women who received care at private health facilities in Malaysia. The study investigates both the determinants of dental care service intentions and the role of cost as a moderating factor in these intentions. Using a cross-sectional quantitative study and purposive sampling, 385 pregnant women were involved using a structured self-administered questionnaire on demographic data, dental care knowledge, attitude, education on dental disease, and cost perception. The results showed that there was lack of awareness and revealed that factors such as misconceptions on safety, cost, and access to health care were major barriers. The results of this study further support the need for specific educational interventions and present recommendations for health care providers and policymakers on how to improve oral health care intention among this population, which will in turn improve the health of the expectant mother.

This research study is primarily focused on the analysis of the determinants that affect behavioral intentions related to the actual implementation of electronic payment (e-payment) systems within the realm of primary healthcare services. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of behavioral intentions on the practical execution of e-payment mechanisms in primary healthcare environments. This investigation rigorously examines the influence of behavioral intentions on the actual adoption of electronic payment systems within primary healthcare institutions in Malaysia, with a specific emphasis on the regions of Penang and Selangor. It employs a cross-sectional research design, involving 431 carefully selected respondents from ten primary healthcare facilities located within these two states. This document analyzes how perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived value-added, patients' behavioral intention, and the actual usage of e-payment in primary healthcare facilities. This study holds substantial relevance for scholars, consumers, and providers engaged in electronic payment systems, as it elucidates that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived value addition constitute three of the three pivotal factors influencing patients' behavioral intentions regarding the actual utilization of electronic payment methods in primary healthcare services. A restricted array of academic inquiries has attempted to clarify which elements influence the adoption of electronic payment systems about their actual application, particularly from the standpoint of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT). Conversely, a plethora of researchers have focused on exploring the correlation between security and consumer trust concerning adoption intentions. Accordingly, this exploration seeks to augment the existing literature by clarifying the three aspects that govern both the intention to accept and the real application of e-payment systems in Penang and Selangor.

The integration of robotics in private healthcare pharmacies is the subject of this qualitative study, which looks at management's and healthcare professionals' perspectives, acceptability, and experiences. Key topics identified by the research include concerns, perceived benefits, generational and knowledge gaps, and widespread acceptance. This study uses phenomenology to explore the firsthand experiences of healthcare professionals and management regarding the integration of robotics in private healthcare pharmacies in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Focusing on private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, 11 respondents from nursing, medical, pharmacy, and management roles were selected. Participants interviewed individually to uncover insights that inform implementation strategies and address concerns. The results show that although robotic systems are thought to be helpful for improving efficiency, reducing effort, and ensuring patient safety, there are numerous concerns over cost, job security, and technical difficulties. Successful integration requires thorough and ongoing training, strong support networks, and efficient feedback mechanisms. The study emphasizes the general benefits of robots for efficiency and care quality, and it offers suggestions for strengthening assistance and training to improve the integration process in private healthcare pharmacies.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a class I carcinogen human herpes virus which has infected 90% of humanity and most prevalent among Asians, especially Chinese. After primary infection, EBV establishes the lifelong virus carrier state. EBV can be detected in two different tissues namely, B lymphocytes and epithelial cells. EBV is linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of human tumors and disorders, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Algae are a potential source of antiviral compounds; however, there have been very few reports on the antiviral activity of microalgae extracts against EBV. The objective of this study was to investigate the antiviral activity of extracts from three microalgae, namely Ankistrodesmus convolutus UMACC 101, Synechococcus elongatus UMACC 105 and Spirulina platensis UMACC 161 against EBV in Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) cell lines. Three EBV-positive BL cell lines, namely Akata, B95-8 and P3HR-1 were used as in vitro study model. A bioassay-guided fractionation approach was used for the screening of antiviral activity. The antiviral activity of the microalgae extracts was elucidated based on their inhibition efficacy in reducing number of cell-free viral particles being released by chemically induced lytic BL cells. This was assessed by quantifying the cell-free DNA using real-time PCR technique. In addition, the inhibition activity of microalgae extracts against the expression of the viral proteins LMP1, EBNA1 and ZEBRA in BL cells was assessed using immunocytochemistry technique. Two antiviral drugs namely acyclovir and foscarnet were chosen as positive controls. Methanol extracts from Ankistrodesmus convolutus and Synechococcus elongatus displayed low cytotoxicity (IC50 >200 µg/mL) and reduced the cell-free EBV viral load most effectively (EC50 <0.01 µg/mL) and thus, displayed high therapeutic index (>28000). The extracts decreased the expression of EBNA1 (>45%), LMP1 (>38%) and ZEBRA (>67%) effectively in P3HR-1 cells. After column chromatography fractionation, the non-polar fraction of the extract from Synechococcus elongatus (SEF1) reduced the amount of cell-free EBV DNA most effectively (EC50= 2.9μg/mL; therapeutic index >69) with low cytotoxicity (IC50 >200 μg/mL). SEF1 inhibited the expression of EBNA1 and ZEBRA (>40%) effectively in P3HR-1 cells. When SEF1 was further fractionated using HPLC, the sub-fraction SEF1’a was most active in reducing the cell-free EBV DNA (EC50= 1.38µ/mL; therapeutic index >14.5). It inhibited the expression of LMP1 moderately (25%) in P3HR-1 cells. The microalgae extracts did not interact with the cytoskeleton components (actin and tubulin) of BL cells during the release of cell-free EBV particles as revealed by the immunofluorescence study. The active constituents in the microalgae extracts tested might consist of pigments such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, phaeophytins and phycobilins. In conclusion, methanol extracts from Ankistrodesmus convolutus, Synechococcus elongatus and Spirulina platensis showed antiviral activity by inhibiting the release of EBV from the BL cells and the expression of the viral proteins LMP1, EBNA1 and ZEBRA in the host cells. The potential of the microalgae as a source of antiviral drugs against EBV is worth exploring.

Introduction: Currently there is an uptrend in the provision of Extended Pharmacy Services (EPS) among community pharmacists (CPs). EPS referred to various services that beyond the traditional pharmacists’ roles of dispensing medicines such as public health educational program, clinical services and medicine use review. However, such services were only reported in other developed countries but not in Malaysia. Within this context, the present study aimed to explore the types of EPS available, CPs’ perceptions and attitudes towards the provision of EPS. This study also identified the perceived barriers and facilitators towards the provision of EPS. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 236 samples were collected through convenience sampling around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur region. The questionnaire consisted of 6 domains including demographic profile, the type of EPS, pharmacist’s perception, perceived barriers, perceived facilitator and pharmacist attitude towards the provision of EPS. All questions were scored using five-point Likert Scale. All the data were analysis through SPSS using descriptive statistics analysis, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis test. Results: CPs are willing to provide EPS in near future. For the time being, health screening test were the most performed EPS. CPs often/always performed blood pressure test, (97.8%), glucose test (96.6%) and cholesterol test (83.0%). Besides that, the often/always performed counselling sessions for cough and cold (95.8%) and nutritional supplement (94.5%). However, other advanced services like smoking cessation and weight management services were not frequently performed. The top 5 perceived barriers identified includes the lack of standardized practice model for EPS (87.3%), high pressure on generating sales (86.4%), lack of patient awareness (84.4%), 4 lack of access to patient medical record (83.5%) and shortage of time (80.5%). Whereas the support and encouragement from government and other pharmacy organization were identified as the most prominent facilitator towards the implementation of EPS. Conclusion: CPs showed a positive attitude towards the provision of EPS. For the time being, there are various EPS that had already been developed and implemented. However, the identified barriers should be intervened, and facilitators should be executed to implement EPS successfully in near future. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Care Services, Extended Pharmacy Services, Expanded Pharmacy Services, Enhanced Pharmacy Services, Barriers, Facilitators, Community Pharmacy

Dietary fat when consumed reduces hunger and impairs food intake by eliciting satiety signals and these signals are evoked by entry of triacylglycerol after hydrolization to fatty acids into the small intestine. 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyglycerol (POP-), 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (SOS-) and 1,2,3-triolein (OOO-) type of fats have different melting characteristics that may affect postprandial blood lipids, gut hormone concentrations, insulinemic response and selected cardiovascular disease markers in human volunteers. The main objective of this study is to compare the effects of edible fats with either palmitic acid (16:0) (palm mid-fraction) or stearic acid (18:0) (shea stearin) predominantly at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions on postprandial lipemia and gut hormone concentrations. A randomized, double-blind crossover (3 × 3 arms) orthogonal Latin-square design was used on 36 healthy adults (18 males, 18 females; mean age = 23 years). Each subject received 3 different test muffins (each containing 53 g of test fat) in random order separated by 2 weeks over a 6-week period. The test fats of different melting points were palm mid- fraction (PMF; POP-rich), shea stearin (SS; SOS-rich) and high- oleic sunflower oil (HOSF; OOO-rich) During a postprandial test, each subject was provided with a test muffin plus milkshake (total 3.67 MJ or 876 kcal) in the morning and blood samples were collected at half-hourly intervals until 4.0 hours. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between the 3 test meals for postprandial responses in plasma TC, Lp(a), apo(B), NEFA, GLP-1, PYY, ghrelin, VAS, PAI-1, IL-6, TNF-α, glucose, insulin and satiety (VAS scores). Plasma TAG peaked at about 4 hours; levels in the PMF- and HOSF- subjects were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with SS-subjects after 90 minutes. PMF and HOSF exerted a higher postprandial GIP response (p<0.05) as compared to SS. Plasma C-peptide levels, as a measure of insulinemic response, rose sharply 5.5- folds in all groups, peaking after 90 minutes; levels in the SS group declined at a faster rate (p<0.05) than in the PMF- and HOSF- groups. The POP- and OOO- fats induced similar effects on all the biochemical/physiological outcome measures investigated. In contrast, the SOS- type fat (shea stearin) induced a slower rise (p<0.05) in postprandial TAG and GIP levels and a faster return of plasma C-peptide levels to baseline.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a serious problem that causes failure in chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is widely distributed in the intestine, liver and kidneys contributing as one of the major mechanism that causes efflux of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting in ineffective therapeutic level during treatment. However, recent advances in drug delivery systems have made it possible to circumvent MDR issues. In this study, an attempt was made to develop Poly-lactide co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles for oral chemotherapy by co encapsulating doxorubicin (Dox) as the chemotherapeutic agent and cyclosporine-A (CysA) as the chemosensitizer that will function to inhibit P-gp to increase uptake of Dox. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods were developed and validated for detection and quantification of Dox and CysA. Optimized Dox-CysA nanoparticles were reported to be in 214±4.56 nm of size, zeta potential of -30.1±9.42 and polydispersity index of 0.139±0.09.Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image shows spherical nanoparticles. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermogram indicates Dox and CysA exist in amorphous form in PLGA nanoparticles. Dox and CysA nanoparticles were formulated separately alongside optimized nanoparticle for comparison purposes in drug release and cytotoxicity studies. Dox released slowest from Dox-CysA nanoparticles whilst CysA from CysA nanoparticles in Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), promising a controlled release. Cytotoxicity studies conducted on Caco 2 cell line, showed the lowest cell viability of 34%, for Dox-CysA loaded nanoparticles and 76.8% for Dox loaded nanoparticles while a combination of Dox loaded nanoparticles and CysA loaded nanoparticles at the same concentration gave a cell viability of 47.1%, with all treatment containing Dox at 0.71μg/ml. Co-administration of CysA together with Dox in the same nanoparticles formulation proves to increase the uptake of Dox in vitro.