Browse publications by year: 2021

  1. Elucidating factors influencing machine learning algorithm prediction in spasticity assessment: a prospective observational study
    Mohamad Hashim N, Yee J, Othman NA, Johar K, Low CY, Hanapiah FA, et al.
    Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 2021 Oct 20.
    PMID: 34668820 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2021.1990270
    The Machine Learning Model (MLM) has garnered popularity in rehabilitation, ranging from developing algorithms in outcome prediction, prognostication, and training artificial intelligence. High-quality data plays a critical role in algorithm development. Limited studies have explored factors that may influence the MLM algorithm performance in predicting spasticity severity level. The objectives of this study were to train and validate a MLM algorithm for spasticity assessment and determine the algorithm's prediction performance in predicting ambiguous spasticity datasets. Forty-seven persons with central nervous system pathology that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited. Four biomechanical properties of spasticity were obtained using off-the-shelf wearable sensors. The data were analyzed individually, and ambiguous datasets were separated. The acceptable inertial data were used to train and validate MLM in predicting spasticity. The trained and validated MLM algorithm was later deployed to predict the ambiguous spasticity datasets. A series of MLM were applied, including Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, and Random Forest. The MLM's performance accuracy of the validation data was 96%, 52%, and 72%, respectively. The validated MLM accuracy performance level predicting ambiguous datasets reduces to 20%, 23%, and 23%, respectively. This study elucidates data biases and variances of disease background, pathophysiological and anatomical factors that have to be considered in MLM training.
  2. Does the location of electrode on tympanic membrane matter when recording electrocochleography?
    Zakaria MN, Nik Othman NA, Musa Z
    Acta Otolaryngol, 2021 Nov;141(11):984-988.
    PMID: 34669557 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2021.1990996
    BACKGROUND: The non-invasive tympanic electrocochleography (TM-ECochG) is useful for clinical diagnoses. Nevertheless, the influence of the electrode location on tympanic membrane (TM) on ECochG results needs to be studied.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the TM-ECochG results obtained when the electrode was placed on the superior region versus the inferior region of TM.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy adults (aged 29 to 50 years) participated in this comparative study. The TM-ECochG testing was conducted with the electrode placed on the superior and inferior regions of TM.

    RESULTS: SP and AP amplitudes were statistically higher for the inferior region of TM (p < .05). In contrast, SP/AP ratios were comparable between the two regions of TM (p = .417).

    CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: In TM-ECochG recording, when the electrode was placed on the inferior region of TM, SP and AP amplitudes were greater than when the electrode was placed on the superior region of TM. On the other hand, SP/AP amplitude ratio was not affected by the location of electrode on TM. The findings from the present study could be useful to guide clinicians in optimizing TM-ECochG recording when testing their respective patients.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Audiometry, Evoked Response/methods*; Bayes Theorem; Electrodes*; Humans; Middle Aged; Tympanic Membrane*; Healthy Volunteers
  3. Fulltext Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence
    Stroebe W, vanDellen MR, Abakoumkin G, Lemay EP, Schiavone WM, Agostini M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0256740.
    PMID: 34669724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256740
    During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. conservative politicians and the media downplayed the risk of both contracting COVID-19 and the effectiveness of recommended health behaviors. Health behavior theories suggest perceived vulnerability to a health threat and perceived effectiveness of recommended health-protective behaviors determine motivation to follow recommendations. Accordingly, we predicted that-as a result of politicization of the pandemic-politically conservative Americans would be less likely to enact recommended health-protective behaviors. In two longitudinal studies of U.S. residents, political conservatism was inversely associated with perceived health risk and adoption of health-protective behaviors over time. The effects of political orientation on health-protective behaviors were mediated by perceived risk of infection, perceived severity of infection, and perceived effectiveness of the health-protective behaviors. In a global cross-national analysis, effects were stronger in the U.S. (N = 10,923) than in an international sample (total N = 51,986), highlighting the increased and overt politicization of health behaviors in the U.S.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Motivation*; Politics*; Health Behavior*; Pandemics/prevention & control*
  4. Fulltext Factors influencing inappropriate use of antibiotics: Findings from a nationwide survey of the general public in Malaysia
    Wong LP, Alias H, Husin SA, Ali ZB, Sim B, Ponnampalavanar SSS
    PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0258698.
    PMID: 34669733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258698
    Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global public health. Misuse of antibiotics has never been investigated on a nationwide scale among the general public in Malaysia. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and knowledge factors associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics in the Malaysian context to inform the development of interventions to mitigate inappropriate antibiotic use. We conducted computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) between June 2019 and December 2019. The telephone numbers were randomly generated from the electronic residential telephone directory of all 13 states and 3 Federal Territories in Malaysia. The survey consisted of questions on demographics, knowledge about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance (53 items), and practices of antibiotic use (16 questions). A total of 864 complete responses were received. Pronounced erroneous beliefs that antibiotics are effective against infections caused by viruses and that antibiotics can speed up recovery from coughs and colds were evident. The proportions that were aware of the terms 'drug resistance', 'antimicrobial resistance', and 'superbugs' were low. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the antibiotic knowledge score was 23.7 (SD ±9.25; range 0 to 50) out of a possible score of 52. Regarding antibiotic practices, a considerable proportion reported non-adherence to recommended doses. The mean and SD for the antibiotic practices score was 37.9 (SD ± 6.5; range 17 to 47) out of a possible score of 48. Participants who earned an average monthly household income of MYR1001-3000 (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.04-2.50) were more likely to report higher antibiotic practice scores than those with
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Resistance, Microbial*; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Public Opinion; Surveys and Questionnaires; Socioeconomic Factors; Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
  5. Defining the Role of GLI/Hedgehog Signaling in Chemoresistance: Implications in Therapeutic Approaches
    Chai JY, Sugumar V, Alshanon AF, Wong WF, Fung SY, Looi CY
    Cancers (Basel), 2021 Sep 23;13(19).
    PMID: 34638233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194746
    Insight into cancer signaling pathways is vital in the development of new cancer treatments to improve treatment efficacy. A relatively new but essential developmental signaling pathway, namely Hedgehog (Hh), has recently emerged as a major mediator of cancer progression and chemoresistance. The evolutionary conserved Hh signaling pathway requires an in-depth understanding of the paradigm of Hh signaling transduction, which is fundamental to provide the necessary means for the design of novel tools for treating cancer related to aberrant Hh signaling. This review will focus substantially on the canonical Hh signaling and the treatment strategies employed in different studies, with special emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and combination treatment in regard to Hh inhibitors and chemotherapeutics. We discuss our views based on Hh signaling's role in regulating DNA repair machinery, autophagy, tumor microenvironment, drug inactivation, transporters, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cells to promote chemoresistance. The understanding of this Achilles' Heel in cancer may improve the therapeutic outcome for cancer therapy.
  6. HER2/neu-Based Peptide Vaccination-Pulsed with B-Cell Epitope Induced Efficient Prophylactic and Therapeutic Antitumor Activities in TUBO Breast Cancer Mice Model
    Nordin ML, Mohamad Norpi AS, Ng PY, Yusoff K, Abu N, Lim KP, et al.
    Cancers (Basel), 2021 Oct 01;13(19).
    PMID: 34638441 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194958
    Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed among women. A cancer vaccine has been recognized as a form of immunotherapy with a prominent position in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The majority of current breast cancer vaccination strategies aim to stimulate antitumor T-cell responses of the HER2/neu oncogene, which is abnormally expressed in breast cancer cells. However, the role of the B-cell humoral response is often underappreciated in the cancer vaccine design. We have advanced this idea by elucidating the role of B-cells in cancer vaccination by designing a chimeric antigenic peptide possessing both cytotoxic T lymphocytes (GP2) and B-cell (P4) peptide epitopes derived from HER2/neu. The chimeric peptide (GP2-P4) was further conjugated to a carrier protein (KLH), forming a KLH-GP2-P4 conjugate. The immunogenicity of KLH-GP2-P4 was compared with KLH-GP2 (lacking the B-cell epitope) in BALB/c mice. Mice immunized with KLH-GP2-P4 elicited more potent antigen-specific neutralizing antibodies against syngeneic TUBO cells (cancer cell line overexpressing HER2/neu) that was governed by a balanced Th1/Th2 polarization in comparison to KLH-GP2. Subsequently, these immune responses led to greater inhibition of tumor growth and longer survival in TUBO tumor-bearing mice in both prophylactic and therapeutic challenge experiments. Overall, our data demonstrated that the B-cell epitope has a profound effect in orchestrating an efficacious antitumor immunity. Thus, a multi-epitope peptide vaccine encompassing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, T-helper and B-cell epitopes represents a promising strategy in developing cancer vaccines with a preventive and therapeutic modality for the effective management of breast cancer.
  7. Plant-Microbe Interaction: Aboveground to Belowground, from the Good to the Bad
    Nadarajah K, Abdul Rahman NSN
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Sep 27;22(19).
    PMID: 34638728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910388
    Soil health and fertility issues are constantly addressed in the agricultural industry. Through the continuous and prolonged use of chemical heavy agricultural systems, most agricultural lands have been impacted, resulting in plateaued or reduced productivity. As such, to invigorate the agricultural industry, we would have to resort to alternative practices that will restore soil health and fertility. Therefore, in recent decades, studies have been directed towards taking a Magellan voyage of the soil rhizosphere region, to identify the diversity, density, and microbial population structure of the soil, and predict possible ways to restore soil health. Microbes that inhabit this region possess niche functions, such as the stimulation or promotion of plant growth, disease suppression, management of toxicity, and the cycling and utilization of nutrients. Therefore, studies should be conducted to identify microbes or groups of organisms that have assigned niche functions. Based on the above, this article reviews the aboveground and below-ground microbiomes, their roles in plant immunity, physiological functions, and challenges and tools available in studying these organisms. The information collected over the years may contribute toward future applications, and in designing sustainable agriculture.
  8. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Age-Related Musculoskeletal Frailty
    Mahindran E, Law JX, Ng MH, Nordin F
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Sep 29;22(19).
    PMID: 34638883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910542
    Projected life expectancy continues to grow worldwide owing to the advancement of new treatments and technologies leading to rapid growth of geriatric population. Thus, age-associated diseases especially in the musculoskeletal system are becoming more common. Loss of bone (osteoporosis) and muscle (sarcopenia) mass are conditions whose prevalence is increasing because of the change in population distribution in the world towards an older mean age. The deterioration in the bone and muscle functions can cause severe disability and seriously affects the patients' quality of life. Currently, there is no treatment to prevent and reverse age-related musculoskeletal frailty. Existing interventions are mainly to slow down and control the signs and symptoms. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising approach to attenuate age-related musculoskeletal frailty. This review compiles the present knowledge of the causes and changes of the musculoskeletal frailty and the potential of MSC transplantation as a regenerative therapy for age-related musculoskeletal frailty.
  9. Fulltext β-Caryophyllene Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer Models
    Dahham SS, Tabana Y, Asif M, Ahmed M, Babu D, Hassan LE, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Sep 29;22(19).
    PMID: 34638895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910550
    Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring sesquiterpene abundantly found in cloves, hops, and cannabis, is the active candidate of a relatively new group of vascular-inhibiting compounds that aim to block existing tumor blood vessels. Previously, we have reported the anti-cancer properties of BCP by utilizing a series of in-vitro anti-tumor-related assays using human colorectal carcinoma cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BCP on in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo models of anti-angiogenic assays and evaluate its anti-cancer activity in xenograft tumor (both ectopic and orthotopic) mice models of human colorectal cancer. Computational structural analysis and an apoptosis antibody array were also performed to understand the molecular players underlying this effect. BCP exhibited strong anti-angiogenic activity by blocking the migration of endothelial cells, tube-like network formation, suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and sprouting of rat aorta microvessels. BCP has a probable binding at Site#0 on the surface of VEGFR2. Moreover, BCP significantly deformed the vascularization architecture compared to the negative control in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. BCP showed a remarkable reduction in tumor size and fluorescence molecular tomography signal intensity in all the mice treated with BCP, in a dose-dependent relationship, in ectopic and orthotopic tumor xenograft models, respectively. The histological analysis of the tumor from BCP-treated mice revealed a clear reduction of the density of vascularization. In addition, BCP induced apoptosis through downregulation of HSP60, HTRA, survivin, and XIAP, along with the upregulation of p21 expressions. These results suggest that BCP acts at multiple stages of angiogenesis and could be used as a promising therapeutic candidate to halt the growth of colorectal tumor cells.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology; Cell Movement/drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Humans; Male; Mice, Nude; Neovascularization, Pathologic/prevention & control*; Colorectal Neoplasms/blood supply; Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays/methods*; HCT116 Cells; Chorioallantoic Membrane/blood supply; Chorioallantoic Membrane/drug effects; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Mice; Rats; Microvessels/drug effects; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism
  10. Fulltext CNPase, a 2',3'-Cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, as a Therapeutic Target to Attenuate Cardiac Hypertrophy by Enhancing Mitochondrial Energy Production
    Tan KS, Wang D, Lu Z, Zhang Y, Li S, Lin Y, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Oct 06;22(19).
    PMID: 34639145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910806
    Heart failure is the end-stage of all cardiovascular diseases with a ~25% 5-year survival rate, and insufficient mitochondrial energy production to meet myocardial demand is the hallmark of heart failure. Mitochondrial components involved in the regulation of ATP production remain to be fully elucidated. Recently, roles of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) in the pathophysiological processes of heart diseases have emerged, implicated by evidence that mitochondrial CNPase proteins are associated with mitochondrial integrity under metabolic stress. In this study, a zebrafish heart failure model was established, by employing antisense morpholino oligonucleotides and the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, which recapitulates heart failure phenotypes including heart dysfunction, pericardial edema, ventricular enlargement, bradycardia, and premature death. The translational implications of CNPase in the pathophysiological process of heart failure were tested in a pressure overload-induced heart hypertrophy model, which was carried out in rats through transverse abdominal aorta constriction (TAAC). AAV9-mediated myocardial delivery of CNPase mitigated the hypertrophic response through the specific hydrolysis of 2'-3'-cyclic nucleotides, supported by the decrease of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, the integrity of mitochondrial ultrastructure, and indicators of heart contractility in the AAV9-TAAC group. Finally, the biometrics of a mitochondrial respiration assay carried out on a Seahorse cellular energy analyzer demonstrated that CNPase protects mitochondrial respiration and ATP production from AngII-induced metabolic stress. In summary, this study provides mechanistic insights into CNPase-2',3'-cyclic nucleotide metabolism that protects the heart from energy starvation and suggests novel therapeutic approaches to treat heart failure by targeting CNPase activity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal*; Energy Metabolism*; Cardiomegaly/prevention & control*; Male; Mitochondria/physiology*; Nucleotides, Cyclic/metabolism*; Zebrafish; 2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases/antagonists & inhibitors*; 2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases/genetics; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  11. Fulltext Potential Effects of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia-A Systematic Review in Diabetic Retinopathy Context
    Naomi R, Bahari H, Yazid MD, Othman F, Zakaria ZA, Hussain MK
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Oct 06;22(19).
    PMID: 34639164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910816
    Hyperglycemia is a condition with high glucose levels that may result in dyslipidemia. In severe cases, this alteration may lead to diabetic retinopathy. Numerous drugs have been approved by officials to treat these conditions, but usage of any synthetic drugs in the long term will result in unavoidable side effects such as kidney failure. Therefore, more emphasis is being placed on natural ingredients due to their bioavailability and absence of side effects. In regards to this claim, promising results have been witnessed in the usage of Ipomoea batatas (I. batatas) in treating the hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic condition. Thus, the aim of this paper is to conduct an overview of the reported effects of I. batatas focusing on in vitro and in vivo trials in reducing high glucose levels and regulating the dyslipidemic condition. A comprehensive literature search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Nature, and PubMed databases to identify the potential articles on particular topics. The search query was accomplished based on the Boolean operators involving keywords such as (1) Beneficial effect OR healing OR intervention AND (2) sweet potato OR Ipomoea batatas OR traditional herb AND (3) blood glucose OR LDL OR lipid OR cholesterol OR dyslipidemia. Only articles published from 2011 onwards were selected for further analysis. This review includes the (1) method of intervention and the outcome (2) signaling mechanism involved (3) underlying mechanism of action, and the possible side effects observed based on the phytoconstiuents isolated. The comprehensive literature search retrieved a total of 2491 articles using the appropriate keywords. However, on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 23 articles were chosen for further review. The results from these articles indicate that I. batatas has proven to be effective in treating the hyperglycemic condition and is able to regulate dyslipidemia. Therefore, this systematic review summarizes the signaling mechanism, mechanism of action, and phytoconstituents responsible for those activities of I. batatas in treating hyperglycemic based on the in vitro and in vivo study.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diabetic Retinopathy/etiology; Diabetic Retinopathy/prevention & control*; Humans; Hyperglycemia/complications; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy*; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Ipomoea batatas/chemistry*; Dyslipidemias/complications; Dyslipidemias/drug therapy*
  12. Current State of COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Lessons for Today and the Future
    Obande GA, Bagudo AI, Mohamad S, Deris ZZ, Harun A, Yean CY, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Sep 22;18(19).
    PMID: 34639270 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18199968
    This study is a cross-sectional, observational analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, to understand the progression of the disease across the continent. Published data on COVID-19 from 20 January 2020 to 21 June 2021 were obtained and analyzed. Case fatality ratios, as well as case growth rates and other indices were computed. On 21 June 2021, a total of 178,210,532 confirmed cases and 3,865,978 deaths had been recorded worldwide. While the Americas recorded the highest number of cases, Southern Africa recorded the majority of African cases. Fatality rate since from 20 February 2020 to 21 June 2021 was highest in the Americas (2.63%) and low in the South Eastern Asia region (1.39%), globally increasing from 2.17% at the end of January to 6.36% in May 2020 and decreasing to a range between 2.14% to 2.30% since January 2021. In Africa, the infection rate per 100,000 persons was up to 3090.18, while deaths per 100,000 and case fatality ratio were as high as 119.64 and 5.72%, respectively, among the 20 most-affected countries. The testing rate per million population was highest in Botswana (512,547.08). Fatality appears to be increasing in some regions of Africa. The rate of infection and fatality in Africa could still likely take an upward turn. Strict control measures are required, considering the continent's weak healthcare systems.
  13. Detection of COVID-19 in Chest X-ray Images: A Big Data Enabled Deep Learning Approach
    Awan MJ, Bilal MH, Yasin A, Nobanee H, Khan NS, Zain AM
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Sep 27;18(19).
    PMID: 34639450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910147
    Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreads from one person to another rapidly. A recently discovered coronavirus causes it. COVID-19 has proven to be challenging to detect and cure at an early stage all over the world. Patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 are resulting in hospitals becoming overcrowded, which is becoming a significant challenge. Deep learning's contribution to big data medical research has been enormously beneficial, offering new avenues and possibilities for illness diagnosis techniques. To counteract the COVID-19 outbreak, researchers must create a classifier distinguishing between positive and negative corona-positive X-ray pictures. In this paper, the Apache Spark system has been utilized as an extensive data framework and applied a Deep Transfer Learning (DTL) method using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) three architectures -InceptionV3, ResNet50, and VGG19-on COVID-19 chest X-ray images. The three models are evaluated in two classes, COVID-19 and normal X-ray images, with 100 percent accuracy. But in COVID/Normal/pneumonia, detection accuracy was 97 percent for the inceptionV3 model, 98.55 percent for the ResNet50 Model, and 98.55 percent for the VGG19 model, respectively.
  14. The Cross-Sectional Relations of COVID-19 Fear and Stress to Psychological Distress among Frontline Healthcare Workers in Selangor, Malaysia
    Subhas N, Pang NT, Chua WC, Kamu A, Ho CM, David IS, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Sep 28;18(19).
    PMID: 34639482 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910182
    Previous pandemics have demonstrated short and long-term impacts on healthcare workers' mental health, causing knock-on effects on patient care and professional functioning. Indeed, the present COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption in social interactions and working conditions. Malaysia has been under the Recovery Movement Control Order since June 2020; however, with the upsurge of cases, healthcare workers face pressure not only from working in resource-deprived settings but also from the increasing patient load. The primary objective of the present study was to examine the cross-sectional relationship of COVID-19 fear and stress to psychological distress (operationalized as anxiety and depression) in healthcare workers. The present sample included 286 frontline healthcare workers from three hospitals in Selangor, Malaysia. Self-administered questionnaires containing sociodemographic and occupational items, the Malay versions of the Coronavirus Stress Measure scale, the Fear of Coronavirus-19 scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were distributed via online platforms. Hierarchical multiple regression findings suggest that age, shift work, and COVID-19 stress consistently predicted anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers after adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational variables. The present findings suggest that frontline healthcare workers are not only inoculated against COVID-19 itself but also against the psychological sequelae of the pandemic.
  15. Fulltext Healthy-Canteen Displays: A Tactic to Encourage Community Sport Canteens to Provide Healthier Food and Beverage Options
    Trakman G, Staley K, Forsyth A, Devlin B, Skiadopoulos A, Pearce K, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 09 28;18(19).
    PMID: 34639496 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910194
    (1) Background: Community sport settings present a range of conflicting health behaviours, including the tension between being physically active and consuming discretionary foods. Therefore, community sport settings are considered a promising location for health promotion. The aim of this project was to evaluate perceptions, knowledge and the impact (e.g., barriers and outcomes) of a healthy-canteen (cafeteria) display, based on traffic light labeling (TLL), which was set up at an Australian Basketball Association Managers' Convention and Trade Show. (2) Methods: We set up a healthy 'canteen display and surveyed Basketball managers on their perceptions of the display before (Survey 1) and after (Survey 2) visiting the display. Three months later they were surveyed (Survey 3) on changes made to their community sport canteens. (3) Results: Eighty-eight, 76 and 22 participants completed Surveys 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Participants believed stocking healthy foods and beverages was important (mean 8.5/10). Food waste, lack of consumer interest and price were identified barriers to stocking healthy foods. After visiting the display, 75% were inspired to make changes and 50% were surprised by the differences between their perceptions of the healthfulness of foods and the TLL ratings. Post-convention, 41% and 70% made or had planned healthy changes to their community sport canteen. (4) Conclusions: A healthy-canteen display is a low-cost, easy-to-implement strategy that may be able to direct self-driven improvement in the healthfulness of foods stocked at community canteens and lead to improved nutritional intakes at these venues.
    MeSH terms: Australia; Beverages; Food; Food Services*; Humans; Refuse Disposal*; Schools
  16. Fulltext Effect of Smartphone App's Intervention on Consumers' Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Perception of Food Poisoning Prevention When Dining Out at Selected Rural Areas in Terengganu
    Zaujan NAM, Ali A, Osman M, Chee HY, Ithnin NR, Misni N, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 09 29;18(19).
    PMID: 34639593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910294
    (1) Background: Lack of food safety awareness and preventive behaviour when dining out increases the risk of food poisoning. Furthermore, food poisoning cases among rural communities have been rising in recent years. However, the health-related mobile application is a promising tool in improving food poisoning prevention knowledge, attitude, practice, and perception (KAP2) among consumers. Therefore, the current study developed a novel smartphone app, MyWarung©, and determined its efficacy in increasing awareness, attitude, practice, and perception of food poisoning and its prevention when dining out, especially among rural consumers. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-and post-intervention study with a control and intervention group were performed on 100 consumers in Terengganu. (3) Results: The intervention's inter-group outcomes were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test, while the within-group effects were ascertained using the Wilcoxon sign rank test via the SPSS software. It was found that the control group had higher median scores in knowledge (30.0, IQR 7.0), attitude (46.0, IQR 5.0), and practice (34.0, IQR 3.0) than the intervention group before intervention. After the intervention programme, the intervention group showed significant improvement in food poisoning knowledge (p = 0.000), attitude (p = 0.001), and practice (p = 0.000). However, the intervention group's perceived barriers (p = 0.129) and susceptibility (p = 0.069) and the control group's perceived barriers (p = 0.422) did not show any significant improvement. (4) Conclusion: The findings indicated that the MyWarung© mobile app usage enhanced the food poisoning knowledge, preventive attitude, and practice among consumers when dining out.
    MeSH terms: Smartphone; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Perception; Mobile Applications*
  17. Fulltext Ride or Not to Ride: Does the Customer Deviate toward Ridesharing?
    Shamim A, Khan AA, Qureshi MA, Rafique H, Akhunzada A
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 10 01;18(19).
    PMID: 34639652 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910352
    Traditional taxi services have now been transformed into e-hailing applications (EHA) such as Uber, Careem, Hailo, and Grab Car globally due to the proliferation of smartphone technology. On the one hand, these applications provide transport facilities. On the other hand, users are facing multiple issues in the adoption of EHAs. Despite problems, EHAs are still widely adopted globally. However, a sparse amount of research has been conducted related to EHAs, particular in regards to exploring the significant factors of intention behind using EHAs Therefore, there is a need to identify influencing factors that have a great impact on the adoption and acceptance of these applications. Hence, this research aims to present an empirical study on the factors influencing customers' intentions towards EHAs. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was extended with four external factors: perceived mobility value, effort expectancy, perceived locational accuracy, and perceived price. A questionnaire was developed for the measurement of these factors. A survey was conducted with 211 users of EHAs to collect data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the collected data. The results of this study exposed that perceived usefulness, perceived price, and perceived ease of use affect behavior intention to use EHAs. Furthermore, perceived ease of use was impacted by effort expectancy, perceived locational accuracy, and perceived mobility. The findings of the study provide a foundation to develop new guidelines for such applications that will be beneficial for developers and designers of these applications.
    MeSH terms: Smartphone*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Technology; Intention*
  18. Fulltext Criterion Validity and Psychometric Properties of a Malay Version of the Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation-Confinement (SMILE-C) in a Sample of University Staff with Weight Problems
    Abdul Kadir NB, Ismail WNK, Abdullah NA, Helma R, Abdul Jalil SJ, Che Kasim A, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Oct 03;18(19).
    PMID: 34639710 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910410
    The aim of this study was to validate the Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation-Confinement (SMILE-C) in a Malaysian context. The SMILE-C, which is a respondent-generated instrument, was used to ask participants questions on their lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. The indices of seven sub-scores were then calculated. A total of 121 university staff members completed the Malay version of the SMILE-C as well as instruments for measuring well-being, family life satisfaction, mindfulness and awareness, work engagement, and quality of life. The Cronbach's alpha values and Pearson correlation coefficients were satisfactory in this initial validation of the instrument. The SMILE-C showed positive correlations with all the variables being studied. The results supported the criterion-related validity and psychometric properties of the Malay version of the SMILE-C as an instrument for assessing lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Life Style; Malaysia; Psychometrics; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Reproducibility of Results; Pandemics
  19. Fulltext Area-Level Determinants in Colorectal Cancer Spatial Clustering Studies: A Systematic Review
    Soffian SSS, Nawi AM, Hod R, Chan HK, Hassan MRA
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 10 06;18(19).
    PMID: 34639786 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910486
    The increasing pattern of colorectal cancer (CRC) in specific geographic region, compounded by interaction of multifactorial determinants, showed the tendency to cluster. The review aimed to identify and synthesize available evidence on clustering patterns of CRC incidence, specifically related to the associated determinants. Articles were systematically searched from four databases, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCOHost. The approach for identification of the final articles follows PRISMA guidelines. Selected full-text articles were published between 2016 and 2021 of English language and spatial studies focusing on CRC cluster identification. Articles of systematic reviews, conference proceedings, book chapters, and reports were excluded. Of the final 12 articles, data on the spatial statistics used and associated factors were extracted. Identified factors linked with CRC cluster were further classified into ecology (health care accessibility, urbanicity, dirty streets, tree coverage), biology (age, sex, ethnicity, overweight and obesity, daily consumption of milk and fruit), and social determinants (median income level, smoking status, health cost, employment status, housing violations, and domestic violence). Future spatial studies that incorporate physical environment related to CRC cluster and the potential interaction between the ecology, biology and social determinants are warranted to provide more insights to the complex mechanism of CRC cluster pattern.
    MeSH terms: Housing*; Humans; Incidence; Cluster Analysis; Spatial Analysis
  20. Fulltext Perceived Consequences of Extended Social Isolation on Mental Well-Being: Narratives from Indonesian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Rahiem MDH, Krauss SE, Ersing R
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Oct 06;18(19).
    PMID: 34639788 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910489
    Despite several recent studies reporting on young people's well-being during COVID-19, few large-scale qualitative studies have been carried out that capture the experiences of young people from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) undergoing extended social restrictions. The challenges faced by young people from LMICs during COVID-19 are likely to be amplified by their countries' large populations, resource constraints, lack of access to health care, living conditions, socio-spatial contexts, and the pandemic's ramifications for communities. This study explored how youths perceived their well-being after being isolated for one-and-a-half years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative narrative research was employed as a method of inquiry. One-hundred and sixty-six university students in Jakarta, Indonesia, between the ages of 17 and 22 wrote reflective online essays on the consequences of extended pandemic isolation on their mental health. This data collection strategy offered an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon through the narratives of those who experienced it. Seven themes expressing the youths' perceived well-being were identified through inductive reflective thematic analysis: (1) the anguish of loneliness and estrangement; (2) a state of "brokenness" resulting from emotional agony and distress; (3) frustration, confusion, and anger; (4) the experience of conflicting emotions; (5) uncertainty about both the present and future; (6) a sense of purpose and fulfillment; and (7) turning to faith. The findings provide important insights into Indonesian youths' well-being following extended social restrictions following the outbreak. Their collective experiences can be used to inform policy and practice regarding the nature of support mechanisms required both during and following the pandemic, and in the future if such a situation were to occur again.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Indonesia; Mental Health; Social Isolation; Students; Universities; Young Adult; Pandemics*
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