Malaysian Journal of Medical Research (MJMR)

Understanding Research Novelty and Research Gaps: A Systematic Conceptual Review and Technology-Driven Strategies for Identification

2026-06-02T03:51:30+00:00

Research novelty and gap identification are critical drivers of scientific progress, enabling scholars to move beyond incremental contributions toward transformative discoveries. Novelty refers to original concepts, perspectives, or methodologies, while research gaps denote unresolved or underexplored areas within existing knowledge. This review followed the SPIDER framework (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research Type) to structure the search strategy. The guiding question was: “What are the conceptualizations, typologies, and identifying methodologies for ‘research novelty’ and ‘research gaps’ across various designs, and how have these been qualitatively explored?”. Comprehensive searches were performed across Google Scholar, PubMed/NCBI, Scopus, DOAJ, and ERIC. From 1,250 screened records, 10 seminal studies (2022–2025) were included based on relevance and quality. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO CRD420251178180. Findings reveal that interdisciplinary collaboration and AI-powered approaches—deep learning models and human–GenAI frameworks—are revolutionizing how novelty is measured and gaps are mapped. These advanced methods outperform citation-based metrics by autonomously detecting latent patterns in large scholarly datasets, offering precision and scalability. By integrating technology-driven strategies with conceptual rigor, this study provides actionable insights for researcher, and policymakers to strategically position research for maximum impact. Furthermore, performative collaboration, characterized by a lack of genuine integration, proves less effective than shared protocols for accurately predicting novelty. Future research should focus on developing hybrid models that combine semantic metrics with reinforcement learning approaches. To advance these goals, researchers should leverage AI for ideation, funders must prioritize interdisciplinary AI-assisted proposals, and developers are tasked with building transparent, auditable systems.

Endovascular Balloon Occlusion in the Management of an Iatrogenic Superficial Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm

2026-01-02T03:15:43+00:00

Iatrogenic arterial injuries, especially those leading to pseudoaneurysms, are common complications following percutaneous vascular access and interventional procedures. While small pseudoaneurysms may resolve spontaneously or be managed conservatively with observation and serial ultrasound follow-ups, larger or more complex pseudoaneurysms often require more advanced interventions. Ultrasound-guided compression (UGC) is a widely used first-line treatment due to its simplicity, non-invasive nature, and cost-effectiveness. However, its success is limited, particularly in the case of wide-neck pseudoaneurysms, as seen in this report. In a case where UGC failed to achieve thrombosis in a multilobed, wide-neck pseudoaneurysm, endovascular balloon occlusion was employed. This technique involved temporarily inflating a balloon at the pseudoaneurysm neck, effectively reducing blood flow to the sac and promoting thrombosis. The procedure successfully occluded the pseudoaneurysm, minimizing the risk of distal embolization and preventing the need for open surgical repair. This minimally invasive approach offers a promising alternative for the management of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms, particularly when conventional methods fail. The technique not only avoids the risks associated with surgery but also demonstrates a high level of efficacy in inducing thrombosis, ensuring the preservation of distal arterial flow and avoiding significant morbidity. This case underscores the utility of endovascular balloon occlusion in treating complex pseudoaneurysms and highlights its potential as a preferred method in certain clinical settings.

Trimester-wise UTI Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Bangladesh

2026-02-12T11:30:14+00:00

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) susceptibility increases during pregnancy due to hormonal and physiological changes and resulting multiple adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. Several factors are associated with this infection, including age, anatomical deformity, and comorbidities. Objectives: Assessing the prevalence of UTI among pregnant women in different trimesters and associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a government healthcare facility of Bangladesh. Pregnant women attending for ante-natal check-up were interviewed after taking consent. A total of 100 pregnant ladies from different trimesters participated in this study. Midstream urine was collected to detect UTI and other examinations were done to find out associated risk factors. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.6 (±7.1) years, and most of them (n=59, 59%) were in their second trimester, and (n=71, 71%) were multigravida. Among the participants, 39% (n=39) were tested positive for UTI. The prevalence of UTI in the first trimester was 29.4% and increased in the second and trimester and the prevalences were 35.6% and 54.2%, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between UTI and risk factors like hypertension (OR=21.7), diabetes (OR=22.1), and anemia (OR=16.7) which increase the risk of developing UTI manifolds during pregnancy. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of UTI was found among pregnant women, and mostly in their third trimester. A notable association was found between UTI and certain risk factors, emphasizing the early screening and treatment for UTI during antenatal care (ANC) visits. A study with a larger sample may give a clearer image.

Parallel Use of Traditional and Allopathic Medicine: Pathways to Integrative Healthcare

2026-04-23T03:52:45+00:00

Background: The concurrent use of traditional and allopathic medicine, termed parallel treatment, is prevalent in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the prevalence, determinants, and implications of parallel treatment among adult patients in Accra, Ghana, and assessed attitudes toward integrating traditional medicine into formal healthcare. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Agbeve Herbal Hospital and Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital, Accra. Using convenience sampling and Cochran’s formula, 188 adult patients (≥18 years) were enrolled. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (SPSS v26.0; α = 0.05). Reporting adhered to the STROBE checklist for observational studies. Results: 27.2% of participants engaged in parallel treatment. Key determinants included cost-effectiveness (21.3%), easy access (16.0%), and perceived superior efficacy (14.9%). Only 11.6% of dual users disclosed their combined treatment to their allopathic physician. Gender (p = 0.034), religious affiliation (p = 0.033), and residence (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with reasons for parallel use; age and education were not. 82.4% of participants supported integrating traditional medicine into public hospitals. Conclusions: Parallel treatment is widespread and shaped by cultural, economic, and social factors rather than demographic characteristics alone. Patient non-disclosure and regulatory gaps remain significant barriers. Evidence-based policy reforms, practitioner training in herbal medicine, and strengthened regulatory oversight are needed to facilitate safe, integrated healthcare delivery in Ghana.

Relevance of Cold Steel Tonsillectomy in the Modern Surgical Era: A Case Series of Four Patients with Evaluation of Postoperative Pain and Clinical Outcomes

2026-07-21T05:40:23+00:00

Background: Cold steel dissection tonsillectomy represents the oldest and most widely practiced technique in otorhinolaryngology. Despite the proliferation of energy-based modalities, cold steel dissection continues to be utilized in resource-limited tertiary referral centers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Objective: To document and evaluate the perioperative safety profile and short-term clinical outcomes of cold steel dissection tonsillectomy in four consecutive patients at RS Bintang Amin, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. Case Presentations: Four patients (age range 11–27 years; 3 females, 1 male) underwent cold steel dissection tonsillectomy or combined tonsilloadenoidectomy under general anesthesia (June 9–23, 2026). Indications included bilateral tonsillar hypertrophy grade T3–T4, chronic recurrent tonsillitis, halitosis, and sleep-disordered breathing. No intraoperative complications or immediate hemorrhage occurred. Discussion: Current evidence confirms that cold steel dissection produces secondary hemorrhage rates significantly lower than hot dissection techniques, with bipolar diathermy carrying an odds ratio of 2.47 compared to cold steel in the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit (n = 40,514). Multimodal analgesia combining paracetamol, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids provided effective postoperative pain control. Conclusion: Cold steel dissection tonsillectomy remains clinically relevant, safe, and effective in the modern surgical era, particularly in LMIC settings.