Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Faust O, Hagiwara Y, Hong TJ, Lih OS, Acharya UR
    Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2018 Jul;161:1-13.
    PMID: 29852952 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.04.005
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We have cast the net into the ocean of knowledge to retrieve the latest scientific research on deep learning methods for physiological signals. We found 53 research papers on this topic, published from 01.01.2008 to 31.12.2017.

    METHODS: An initial bibliometric analysis shows that the reviewed papers focused on Electromyogram(EMG), Electroencephalogram(EEG), Electrocardiogram(ECG), and Electrooculogram(EOG). These four categories were used to structure the subsequent content review.

    RESULTS: During the content review, we understood that deep learning performs better for big and varied datasets than classic analysis and machine classification methods. Deep learning algorithms try to develop the model by using all the available input.

    CONCLUSIONS: This review paper depicts the application of various deep learning algorithms used till recently, but in future it will be used for more healthcare areas to improve the quality of diagnosis.

    MeSH terms: Machine Learning*; Algorithms; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Electrocardiography; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Electrooculography; Humans; Medical Informatics/methods*; Neurons; Quality of Health Care; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Linear Models
  2. Acharya UR, Oh SL, Hagiwara Y, Tan JH, Adeli H, Subha DP
    Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2018 Jul;161:103-113.
    PMID: 29852953 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.04.012
    In recent years, advanced neurocomputing and machine learning techniques have been used for Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based diagnosis of various neurological disorders. In this paper, a novel computer model is presented for EEG-based screening of depression using a deep neural network machine learning approach, known as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The proposed technique does not require a semi-manually-selected set of features to be fed into a classifier for classification. It learns automatically and adaptively from the input EEG signals to differentiate EEGs obtained from depressive and normal subjects. The model was tested using EEGs obtained from 15 normal and 15 depressed patients. The algorithm attained accuracies of 93.5% and 96.0% using EEG signals from the left and right hemisphere, respectively. It was discovered in this research that the EEG signals from the right hemisphere are more distinctive in depression than those from the left hemisphere. This discovery is consistent with recent research and revelation that the depression is associated with a hyperactive right hemisphere. An exciting extension of this research would be diagnosis of different stages and severity of depression and development of a Depression Severity Index (DSI).
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Algorithms; Automatic Data Processing*; Computer Simulation; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Electroencephalography*; Humans; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted*; Reproducibility of Results; Neural Networks (Computer)*
  3. Adam M, Oh SL, Sudarshan VK, Koh JE, Hagiwara Y, Tan JH, et al.
    Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2018 Jul;161:133-143.
    PMID: 29852956 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.04.018
    Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. The rising mortality rate can be reduced by early detection and treatment interventions. Clinically, electrocardiogram (ECG) signal provides useful information about the cardiac abnormalities and hence employed as a diagnostic modality for the detection of various CVDs. However, subtle changes in these time series indicate a particular disease. Therefore, it may be monotonous, time-consuming and stressful to inspect these ECG beats manually. In order to overcome this limitation of manual ECG signal analysis, this paper uses a novel discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method combined with nonlinear features for automated characterization of CVDs. ECG signals of normal, and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and myocardial infarction (MI) are subjected to five levels of DWT. Relative wavelet of four nonlinear features such as fuzzy entropy, sample entropy, fractal dimension and signal energy are extracted from the DWT coefficients. These features are fed to sequential forward selection (SFS) technique and then ranked using ReliefF method. Our proposed methodology achieved maximum classification accuracy (acc) of 99.27%, sensitivity (sen) of 99.74%, and specificity (spec) of 98.08% with K-nearest neighbor (kNN) classifier using 15 features ranked by the ReliefF method. Our proposed methodology can be used by clinical staff to make faster and accurate diagnosis of CVDs. Thus, the chances of survival can be significantly increased by early detection and treatment of CVDs.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Analysis of Variance; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis; Automation; Bayes Theorem; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis*; Computer Simulation; Electrocardiography*; Humans; Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis*; Pattern Recognition, Automated*; Probability; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Reproducibility of Results; Cluster Analysis; Fuzzy Logic; Fractals; Nonlinear Dynamics*; Wavelet Analysis*
  4. Ahmadi H, Gholamzadeh M, Shahmoradi L, Nilashi M, Rashvand P
    Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2018 Jul;161:145-172.
    PMID: 29852957 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.04.013
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis as the initial step of medical practice, is one of the most important parts of complicated clinical decision making which is usually accompanied with the degree of ambiguity and uncertainty. Since uncertainty is the inseparable nature of medicine, fuzzy logic methods have been used as one of the best methods to decrease this ambiguity. Recently, several kinds of literature have been published related to fuzzy logic methods in a wide range of medical aspects in terms of diagnosis. However, in this context there are a few review articles that have been published which belong to almost ten years ago. Hence, we conducted a systematic review to determine the contribution of utilizing fuzzy logic methods in disease diagnosis in different medical practices.

    METHODS: Eight scientific databases are selected as an appropriate database and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was employed as the basis method for conducting this systematic and meta-analysis review. Regarding the main objective of this research, some inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered to limit our investigation. To achieve a structured meta-analysis, all eligible articles were classified based on authors, publication year, journals or conferences, applied fuzzy methods, main objectives of the research, problems and research gaps, tools utilized to model the fuzzy system, medical disciplines, sample sizes, the inputs and outputs of the system, findings, results and finally the impact of applied fuzzy methods to improve diagnosis. Then, we analyzed the results obtained from these classifications to indicate the effect of fuzzy methods in decreasing the complexity of diagnosis.

    RESULTS: Consequently, the result of this study approved the effectiveness of applying different fuzzy methods in diseases diagnosis process, presenting new insights for researchers about what kind of diseases which have been more focused. This will help to determine the diagnostic aspects of medical disciplines that are being neglected.

    CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this systematic review provides an appropriate platform for further research by identifying the research needs in the domain of disease diagnosis.

    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Algorithms; Diagnostic Imaging/methods*; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Models, Theoretical; Software; Fuzzy Logic*; Decision Support Systems, Clinical*; Uncertainty
  5. Taha M, Rashid U, Imran S, Ali M
    Bioorg Med Chem, 2018 07 23;26(12):3654-3663.
    PMID: 29853339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.05.046
    Inhibition of Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is continuously studied for the design and development of new drugs for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. As a part of our effort to identify TP inhibitors, we performed a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) of our compound collection. Based on the insights gained from structures of virtual screening hits, a scaffold was designed using 1,3,4-oxadiazole as the basic structural feature and SAR studies were carried out for the optimization of this scaffold. Twenty-five novel bis-indole linked 1,3,4-oxadiazoles (7-31) were designed, synthesized and tested in vitro against E. coli TP (EcTP). Compound 7 emerged as potent TP inhibitor with an IC50 value of 3.50 ± 0.01 μM. Docking studies were carried out using GOLD software on thymidine phosphorylase from human (hTP) and E. coli (EcTP). Various hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π stacking were observed between designed molecules and the active site amino acid residues of the studied enzymes.
    MeSH terms: Binding Sites; Enzyme Inhibitors/metabolism; Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry*; Escherichia coli/enzymology; Humans; Hydrogen Bonding; Methane/chemistry*; Oxadiazoles/chemistry*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Thymidine Phosphorylase/antagonists & inhibitors*; Thymidine Phosphorylase/metabolism; Drug Design*; Catalytic Domain; Molecular Docking Simulation
  6. Granato D, Shahidi F, Wrolstad R, Kilmartin P, Melton LD, Hidalgo FJ, et al.
    Food Chem, 2018 Oct 30;264:471-475.
    PMID: 29853403 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.04.012
    As many studies are exploring the association between ingestion of bioactive compounds and decreased risk of non-communicable diseases, the scientific community continues to show considerable interest in these compounds. In addition, as many non-nutrients with putative health benefits are reducing agents, hydrogen donors, singlet oxygen quenchers or metal chelators, measurement of antioxidant activity using in vitro assays has become very popular over recent decades. Measuring concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, and other compound (sub)classes using UV/Vis spectrophotometry offers a rapid chemical index, but chromatographic techniques are necessary to establish structure-activity. For bioactive purposes, in vivo models are required or, at the very least, methods that employ distinct mechanisms of action (i.e., single electron transfer, transition metal chelating ability, and hydrogen atom transfer). In this regard, better understanding and application of in vitro screening methods should help design of future research studies on 'bioactive compounds'.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/analysis*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Chelating Agents/chemistry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Flavonoids/analysis*; Flavonoids/chemistry; Humans; Metals/chemistry; Phenols/analysis*; Phenols/chemistry; Spectrophotometry; Structure-Activity Relationship
  7. Tiong XT, Nursara Shahirah A, Pun VC, Wong KY, Fong AYY, Sy RG, et al.
    Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2018 08;28(8):856-863.
    PMID: 29853430 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2018.04.014
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite a growing body of evidence from Western populations on the health benefits of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, their applicability in South East Asian settings is not clear. We examined cross-sectional associations between DASH diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors among 1837 Malaysian and 2898 Philippines participants in a multi-national cohort.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood pressures, fasting lipid profile and fasting glucose were measured, and DASH score was computed based on a 22-item food frequency questionnaire. Older individuals, women, those not consuming alcohol and those undertaking regular physical activity were more likely to have higher DASH scores. In the Malaysian cohort, while total DASH score was not significantly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors after adjusting for confounders, significant associations were observed for intake of green vegetable [0.011, standard error (SE): 0.004], and red and processed meat (-0.009, SE: 0.004) with total cholesterol. In the Philippines cohort, a 5-unit increase in total DASH score was significantly and inversely associated with systolic blood pressure (-1.41, SE: 0.40), diastolic blood pressure (-1.09, SE: 0.28), total cholesterol (-0.015, SE: 0.005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.025, SE: 0.008), and triglyceride (-0.034, SE: 0.012) after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle groups. Intake of milk and dairy products, red and processed meat, and sugared drinks were found to significantly associated with most risk factors.

    CONCLUSIONS: Differential associations of DASH diet and dietary components with cardio-metabolic risk factors by country suggest the need for country-specific tailoring of dietary interventions to improve cardio-metabolic risk profiles.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism*; Blood Pressure*; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Hypertension/diet therapy*; Hypertension/epidemiology; Hypertension/physiopathology; Lipids/blood*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritive Value; Philippines/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Biomarkers/blood; Treatment Outcome; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood; Metabolic Syndrome X/diet therapy*; Metabolic Syndrome X/epidemiology; Metabolic Syndrome X/physiopathology; Glucose Metabolism Disorders/blood; Glucose Metabolism Disorders/diet therapy*; Glucose Metabolism Disorders/epidemiology; Dyslipidemias/blood; Dyslipidemias/diet therapy*; Dyslipidemias/epidemiology; Young Adult
  8. Ridwan R, Abdul Razak HR, Adenan MI, Md Saad WM
    Int J Anal Chem, 2018;2018:4798530.
    PMID: 29853897 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4798530
    Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are known to have sufficient amino acid content. In this study, watermelons grown and consumed in Malaysia were investigated for their amino acid content, L-citrulline and L-arginine, by the isocratic RP-HPLC method. Flesh and rind watermelons were juiced, and freeze-dried samples were used for separation and quantification of L-citrulline and L-arginine. Three different mobile phases, 0.7% H3P04, 0.1% H3P04, and 0.7% H3P04 : ACN (90 : 10), were tested on two different columns using Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 and Gemini C18 with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min and a detection wavelength at 195 nm. Efficient separation with reproducible resolution of L-citrulline and L-arginine was achieved using 0.1% H3P04 on the Gemini C18 column. The method was validated and good linearity of L-citrulline and L-arginine was obtained with R2 = 0.9956, y = 0.1664x + 2.4142 and R2 = 0.9912, y = 0.4100x + 3.4850, respectively. L-citrulline content showed the highest concentration in red watermelon of flesh and rind juice extract (43.81 mg/g and 45.02 mg/g), whereas L-arginine concentration was lower than L-citrulline, ranging from 3.39 to 11.14 mg/g. The isocratic RP-HPLC method with 0.1% H3P04 on the Gemini C18 column proved to be efficient for separation and quantification of L-citrulline and L-arginine in watermelons.
    MeSH terms: Arginine; Biological Phenomena; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Citrulline; Malaysia; Physiological Phenomena; Plant Extracts; Citrullus
  9. Yusof M, Awaluddin SM, Omar M, Ahmad NA, Abdul Aziz FA, Jamaluddin R, et al.
    J Environ Public Health, 2018;2018:1803025.
    PMID: 29853924 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1803025
    Introduction: Anaemia is common among the elderly, yet it remains an underresearched clinical condition. This study investigates ethnic differences in prevalence of anaemia and identifies potential factors associated with anaemia in the elderly.
    Methods: Data from the National Health & Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 conducted by Ministry of Health was analyzed. Haemoglobin levels were measured using point-of-care testing, HemoCue® Hb 201+ System©, from consenting individuals. Demographic information and other clinical information were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted and significant results were presented as adjusted odds ratio.
    Results: A total of 3794 participants aged 60 years and older responded to the anaemia module with a response rate of 93.7%. 64.0% of respondents were of Malay ethnicity, 21.6% were Chinese, 6.1% were Indians, and 8.3% were of other ethnicities. The overall prevalence of anaemia among older people was 35.3%. The highest prevalence of anaemia was found among respondents of Indian ethnicity (45.5%). The Indian (aOR: 1.72; 95% CI 1.26-2.34) and Malay (aOR: 1.25; 95% CI 1.04-1.49) ethnic groups were more likely to be anaemic in comparison to those of Chinese ethnicity. Anaemia in older people was also associated with increasing age, history of hospital admission, and the presence of diabetes mellitus.
    Conclusion: Anaemia in the elderly is associated with Indian and Malay ethnicities, increasing age, hospitalization, and diabetes. Our study has identified important information on a common condition which will guide and assist future studies in reducing the burden of anaemia.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2015)
    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia/epidemiology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnic Groups; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Prevalence
  10. Ibrahim MD, Amran SNA, Yunos YS, Rahman MRA, Mohtar MZ, Wong LK, et al.
    Appl Bionics Biomech, 2018;2018:7854321.
    PMID: 29853998 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7854321
    The skin of a fast swimming shark reveals riblet structures that help reduce the shark's skin friction drag, enhancing its efficiency and speed while moving in the water. Inspired by the structure of the shark skin denticles, our team has carried out a study as an effort in improving the hydrodynamic design of marine vessels through hull design modification which was inspired by this riblet structure of shark skin denticle. Our study covers on macroscaled design modification. This is an attempt to propose an alternative for a better economical and practical modification to obtain a more optimum cruising characteristics for marine vessels. The models used for this study are constructed using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are then carried out to predict the effectiveness of the hydrodynamic effects of the biomimetic shark skins on those models. Interestingly, the numerical calculated results obtained show that the presence of biomimetic shark skin implemented on the vessels give about 3.75% reduction of drag coefficient as well as reducing up to 3.89% in drag force experienced by the vessels. Theoretically, as force drag can be reduced, it can lead to a more efficient vessel with a better cruising speed. This will give better impact to shipping or marine industries around the world. However, it can be suggested that an experimental procedure is best to be conducted to verify the numerical result that has been obtained for further improvement on this research.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Dental Pulp Calcification; Industry; Research; Sharks; Skin; Software; Swimming; Water; Computer-Aided Design; Friction; Biomimetics; Physical Phenomena; Hydrodynamics
  11. Sockalingam SNMP, Khan KAM, Kuppusamy E
    Case Rep Dent, 2018;2018:4323945.
    PMID: 29854482 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4323945
    Anterior crossbite is relatively a common presentation in the mixed dentition stage. If left untreated, it can lead to a host of problems and may complicate future orthodontic treatment. One of the major difficulties in performing anterior crossbite correction in young children is treatment compliance. In most cases, poor compliance is due to the unacceptability of the removable appliance used. This article describes three cases of successful correction of anterior crossbite of patients in mixed dentition using short-span wire-fixed orthodontic appliances. This sectional appliance provides an alternative method of correcting anterior crossbite of dental origin and offers many advantages compared to the use of removable appliances.
    MeSH terms: Child; Dentition, Mixed; Humans; Malocclusion; Orthodontic Appliances; Patient Compliance
  12. Mohamed K, Zine K, Fahima K, Abdelfattah E, Sharifudin SM, Duduku K
    Toxicol Rep, 2018;5:480-488.
    PMID: 29854619 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.03.012
    Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) have attracted increasing attention owing to potential capacity to penetrate to several human cell systems and exert a toxic effect. Elsewhere, the use of medicinal plants today is the form of the most widespread medicine worldwide. Utilizing aromatic plants as interesting source of phytochemicals constitute one of the largest scientific concerns. Thus this study was focused to investigate antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of essential oil of a Mediterranean plant P. lentiscus (PLEO) on NiO NPs induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in human lung epithelial cells (A549). The obtained results showed that cell viability was reduced by NiO NPs, who's also found to induce oxidative stress in dose-dependent manner indicated by induction of reactive oxygen species and reduction of antioxidant enzymes activities. Our results also demonstrated that PLEO contains high amounts in terpinen-4-ol (11.49%), germacrene D (8.64%), α-pinene (5.97%), sabinene (5.19%), caryophyllene (5.10%) and δ-Cadinene (4.86%). PLEO exhibited a potent antioxidant capacity by cell viability improving, ROS scavenging and enhancing the endogenous antioxidant system against NiO NPs in this model of cells. The present work demonstrated, for the first time, the protective activity of PLEO against cell oxidative damage induced by NiO NPs. It was suggested that this plant essential oil could be use as a cells protector.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants; Attention; Cell Survival; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Lung; Medicine; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Plants, Medicinal; Reactive Oxygen Species; Oxidative Stress; Nanoparticles; Phytochemicals
  13. Gillani SW, Ansari IA, Zaghloul HA, Abdul MIM, Sulaiman SAS, Baig MR, et al.
    J Diabetes Res, 2018;2018:4079087.
    PMID: 29854822 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4079087
    BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at investigating the various disease-specific and health-related psychosocial concepts of HRQOL among insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and understanding the gender differences in HRQOL among IDDM patients.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to assess the effect of health-related and psychosocial correlates on HRQOL of IDDM patients in Penang, Malaysia. The participants were recruited from five governmental diabetic clinics. Patients with insulin use only, IDDM diagnosed at least 1 year earlier, were identified from clinical registers. The sample was then age stratified for 20-64 years, and severe complications (e.g., end-stage renal failure, hemodialysis, and liver cirrhosis) were excluded; a total of 1003 participants were enrolled in the study. Multivariate regression analysis was used to predict the response.

    RESULTS: A total of 853 (100%) participants were enrolled and completed the study. Women exhibited significantly higher/better mental health (p < 0.013) and health perception scores (p < 0.001) despite high prevalence of impaired role (49.2%), social (24.2%), and physical (40.5%) functionings as compared to men. Women with longer diabetes exposure and uncontrolled glycemic levels (HbA1c) have poorer HRQOL. Availability of social support showed no significant association with either HRQOL or diabetes distress levels. Diabetes distress levels remained not associated with social support. Women also showed significantly higher association with health perception (15% versus 13% men, p < 0.001) and mental health (13% versus 11% men, p < 0.001) in diabetes-specific psychosocial factors. Thus, among women alone, diabetes-related specific and psychosocial factors explained 15% and 13% of variations in HRQOL extents, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Women exhibit extensive and significant patterns with health-related factors and diabetes-specific psychosocial factors (self-efficacy, social support, and DLC) to improve HRQOL. Also, women have significantly high reported distress levels and low social functioning compared to men.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology*; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Quality of Life/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Social Support*; Young Adult
  14. Aizat WM, Ibrahim S, Rahnamaie-Tajadod R, Loke KK, Goh HH, Noor NM
    Data Brief, 2018 Feb;16:1091-1094.
    PMID: 29854898 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.09.063
    Proteomics is often hindered by the lack of protein sequence database particularly for non-model species such as Persicaria minor herbs. An integrative approach called proteomics informed by transcriptomics is possible [1], in which translated transcriptome sequence database is used as the protein sequence database. In this current study, the proteome profile were profiled using SWATH-MS technology complemented with documented transcriptome profiling [2], the first such report in this tropical herb. The plant was also elicited using a phytohormone, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and protein changes were elucidated using label-free quantification of SWATH-MS to understand the role of such signal molecule in this herbal species. The mass spectrometry proteomics data was deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD005749. This data article refers to the article entitled "Proteomics (SWATH-MS)-informed by transcriptomics approach of Persicaria minor leaves upon methyl jasmonate elicitation" [3].
  15. Wijedasa LS, Sloan S, Page SE, Clements GR, Lupascu M, Evans TA
    Glob Chang Biol, 2018 10;24(10):4598-4613.
    PMID: 29855120 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14340
    Carbon emissions from drained peatlands converted to agriculture in South-East Asia (i.e., Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo) are globally significant and increasing. Here, we map the growth of South-East Asian peatland agriculture and estimate CO2 emissions due to peat drainage in relation to official land-use plans with a focus on the reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+)-related Indonesian moratorium on granting new concession licences for industrial agriculture and logging. We find that, prior to 2010, 35% of South-East Asian peatlands had been converted to agriculture, principally by smallholder farmers (15% of original peat extent) and industrial oil palm plantations (14%). These conversions resulted in 1.46-6.43 GtCO2 of emissions between 1990 and 2010. This legacy of historical clearances on deep-peat areas will contribute 51% (4.43-11.45 GtCO2 ) of projected future peatland CO2 emissions over the period 2010-2130. In Indonesia, which hosts most of the region's peatland and where concession maps are publicly available, 70% of peatland conversion to agriculture occurred outside of known concessions for industrial plantation development, with smallholders accounting for 60% and industrial oil palm accounting for 34%. Of the remaining Indonesian peat swamp forest (PSF), 45% is not protected, and its conversion would amount to CO2 emissions equivalent to 0.7%-2.3% (5.14-14.93 Gt) of global fossil fuel and cement emissions released between 1990 and 2010. Of the peatland extent included in the moratorium, 48% was no longer forested, and of the PSF included, 40%-48% is likely to be affected by drainage impacts from agricultural areas and will emit CO2 over time. We suggest that recent legislation and policy in Indonesia could provide a means of meaningful emission reductions if focused on revised land-use planning, PSF conservation both inside and outside agricultural concessions, and the development of agricultural practices based on rehabilitating peatland hydrological function.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Air Pollutants*; Asia, Southeastern; Carbon*; Conservation of Natural Resources*; Soil*; Forests
  16. Gan BK, Yong CY, Ho KL, Omar AR, Alitheen NB, Tan WS
    Sci Rep, 2018 05 31;8(1):8499.
    PMID: 29855618 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26749-y
    Skin cancer or cutaneous carcinoma, is a pre-eminent global public health problem with no signs of plateauing in its incidence. As the most common treatments for skin cancer, surgical resection inevitably damages a patient's appearance, and chemotherapy has many side effects. Thus, the main aim of this study was to screen for a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) for the development of a targeting vector for skin cancer. In this study, we identified a CPP with the sequence NRPDSAQFWLHH from a phage displayed peptide library. This CPP targeted the human squamous carcinoma A431 cells through an interaction with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr). Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) and chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) inhibited the internalisation of the CPP into the A431 cells, suggesting the peptide entered the cells via clathrin-dependent endocytosis. The CPP displayed on hepatitis B virus-like nanoparticles (VLNPs) via the nanoglue successfully delivered the nanoparticles into A431 cells. The present study demonstrated that the novel CPP can serve as a ligand to target and deliver VLNPs into skin cancer cells.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Endocytosis; Hepatitis B/metabolism; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/administration & dosage*; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/metabolism; Humans; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism; Drug Delivery Systems*; Peptide Library; Cell Line, Tumor; Nanoparticles/metabolism*; Nanoparticles/chemistry; Cell-Penetrating Peptides/metabolism*; Cell-Penetrating Peptides/chemistry; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/administration & dosage*; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/metabolism; ErbB Receptors/metabolism
  17. Singhvi G, Patil S, Girdhar V, Chellappan DK, Gupta G, Dua K
    Panminerva Med, 2018 Dec;60(4):170-173.
    PMID: 29856179 DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03467-5
    One of the novel and progressive technology employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing, design of medical device and tissue engineering is three-dimensional (3D) printing. 3D printing technologies provide great advantages in 3D scaffolds fabrication over traditional methods in the control of pore size, porosity, and interconnectivity. Various techniques of 3D-printing include powder bed fusion, fused deposition modeling, binder deposition, inkjet printing, photopolymerization and many others which are still evolving. 3D-printing technique been employed in developing immediate release products, various systems to deliver multiple release modalities etc. 3D printing has opened the door for new generation of customized drug delivery with built-in flexibility for safer and effective therapy. Our mini-review provides a quick snapshot on an overview of 3D printing, various techniques employed, applications and its advancements in pharmaceutical sciences.
    MeSH terms: Drug Industry/trends; Humans; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Porosity; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Approval; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Tissue Scaffolds*; Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  18. Verma RK, Sriramaneni R, Pandey M, Chaudhury H, Gorain B, Gupta G
    Panminerva Med, 2018 Dec;60(4):224-225.
    PMID: 29856185 DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03479-1
    MeSH terms: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/agonists*; Liraglutide/therapeutic use; Animals; Body Weight; Glucagon-Like Peptides/analogs & derivatives; Glucagon-Like Peptides/therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments/therapeutic use; Insulin/metabolism; Male; Obesity/drug therapy*; Obesity/metabolism; Peptides/therapeutic use; Peptides/chemistry; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/analogs & derivatives; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism*; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/therapeutic use
  19. Subramaniam S, Kong YC, Chinna K, Kimman M, Ho YZ, Saat N, et al.
    Psychooncology, 2018 09;27(9):2172-2179.
    PMID: 29856903 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4787
    OBJECTIVES: Quality of life and psychological well-being are important patient-centered outcomes, which are useful in evaluation of cancer care delivery. However, evidence from low-income and middle-income countries remains scarce. We assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and prevalence of psychological distress (anxiety or depression), as well as their predictors, among cancer survivors in a middle-income setting.

    METHODS: Through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Costs in Oncology study, 1490 newly diagnosed cancer patients were followed-up in Malaysia for 1 year. Health-related quality of life was assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EuroQol-5 (EQ-5D) dimension questionnaires at baseline, 3 and 12 months. Psychological distress was assessed by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were modeled by using general linear and logistic regressions analyses.

    RESULTS: One year after diagnosis, the mean EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health score of the cancer survivors remained low at 53.0 over 100 (SD 21.4). Fifty-four percent of survivors reported at least moderate levels of anxiety, while 27% had at least moderate levels of depression. Late stage at diagnosis was the strongest predictor of low HRQoL. Increasing age, being married, high-income status, hospital type, presence of comorbidities, and chemotherapy administration were also associated with worse HRQoL. The significant predictors of psychological distress were cancer stage and hospital type.

    CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors in this middle-income setting have persistently impaired HRQoL and high levels of psychological distress. Development of a holistic cancer survivorship program addressing wider aspects of well-being is urgently needed in our settings.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Anxiety/psychology; Depression/psychology; Female; Humans; Income/statistics & numerical data; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/psychology; Poverty/psychology*; Poverty/statistics & numerical data; Quality of Life/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology; Stress, Psychological/psychology*; Prevalence
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