Oral health significantly influences overall health and quality of life. This study evaluates traditional remedies for dental health described in Malay medical manuscripts, focusing on their antimicrobial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans. A formulation combining the neck section of Lagenaria sicerariaLagenaria siceraria, the skin of Citrus hystrixCitrus hystrix’s stem, and salt was prepared, dried, and analyzed. Solid-liquid extraction and advanced spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, including attenuated total reflectance fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were employed to identify active compounds. Key functional groups, such as O–H, C–H3, and C=O, were detected. The presence of 2,4-ditertbutyl phenol was validated, a compound noted for its antimicrobial properties. Disk diffusion tests confirmed the formulation’s inhibitory activity against S. mutans, underscoring its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent for dental applications. This research highlights the potential integration of traditional remedies into modern oral health strategies. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

As of June 2023, describing Bursa Malaysia as a laggard among its regional peers would be an understatement. FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI ranks among the worst-performing benchmark indices in Asia, having declined by 8% year-to-date. This issue led to the objective of this study, which is to analyze Malaysian stock indices, examine the factors influencing their performance and identify the structural challenges contributing to their lagging position in the region. The objective is achieved by analyzing and comparing the performance of three key stock indices in Bursa Malaysia: FBM Top 30, FBM Mid 70, and FBM Top 100. The analysis applies the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to examine stock index prices using daily data from June 2023 to May 2024. It follows a four-phase process, beginning with exploring central tendency, variability, and distribution patterns, followed by a unit root test to assess data stationarity. Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) serves to validate model accuracy while identifying the best ARIMA equation for each index in the analysis conclusion. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia Mid 70 Index demonstrates maximum levels of volatility and risk therefore it functions as a key indicator for market oversight. This study provides valuable insights into stock market dynamics, offering practical implications for investors and policymakers while highlighting areas for further research on the interrelations between stock indices. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

The urban forms of particular Southeast Asian littoral centers exemplify an organic accretion shaped by landscape, climate, and cultural hybridity, rather than cosmological form. As seen in Makassar and Kuala Terengganu, there are sites that embody a heterogenetic legacy—layered, adaptable, and rooted in Indigenous principles of ventilation and permeability. The city's development is described as an organic, layered process—akin to natural accretion—where urban patterns follow the landscape's meandering watercourses, sandy terrains, and natural topography. This growth contrasts with grid-based planning and emphasizes adaptation to local geography. Recognizing these patterns offers valuable lessons for contemporary urban design: policies must prioritize regional, ecological, and cultural identities, fostering sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Reintegrating vernacular urbanism into modern guidelines is essential to preserve its unique character and ensure future urban resilience rooted in local traditions. © 2026 Shireen Jahn Kassim and Illyani Ibrahim.