Browse publications by year: 2021

  1. Basri EI, Sultan MTH, Basri AA, Mustapha F, Ahmad KA
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Jul 02;14(13).
    PMID: 34279278 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133705
    A finite element (FE) model is developed to study the structural performance on a composite wing of a UAV with a tubercle design at the leading edge of the wing. The experimental study of the designation of the composite at the wing skin is carried out to prove the simulation validity through material characteristics. In this paper, the numerical modeling for simulation is highlighted to correlate the process parameter setting of simulation replicating the actual experimental tests. The percentage difference was calculated to be 11.1% by tensile and 10.47% by flexural. The numerical work applied the study of FE analysis and developed a standardized numerical approach for structural optimization, known as FE-ACP simulation. The significant findings of deformation are obtained according to Schrenk's aerodynamic loading, while the prediction of failure mode of Tsai-Wu under interaction among stresses and strains was acquired at the seventh and eighth layer of both spars.
  2. Zaini NA, Mohamed SN, Mohamed Z
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Jul 02;14(13).
    PMID: 34279280 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133710
    The erbium-vanadium co-doped borate glasses, embedded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), were prepared to improve their optical properties for potential optical fiber and glass laser application. The borate glasses with composition (59.5-x) B2O3-20Na2O-20CaO-xV2O5-Er2O3-0.5AgCl (x = 0-2.5 mol%) were successfully prepared by conventional melt-quenching method. The structural properties of glass samples were investigated by XRD, TEM and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy while optical properties were carried out by UV-Vis spectroscopy by measuring optical absorption and the emission properties were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The XRD patterns confirmed the amorphous nature of the prepared glass samples whilst the FTIR confirmed the presence of VO4, VO5, BO3 and BO4 vibrations. UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra reveal eight bands which were located at 450, 490, 519, 540, 660, 780, 980, and 1550 nm corresponding to transition of 4F5/2, 4F7/2, 2H11/2, 4S3/2, 4F9/2, 4I9/2, 4I11/2, and 4I13/2, respectively. The optical band gap (Eopt), Urbach energy and refractive index were observed to decrease, increase and increase, respectively, to the addition of vanadium. Under 800 nm excitation, three emission bands were observed at 516, 580 and 673 nm, which are represented by 2H11/2-4I15/2, 4S3/2-4I15/2 and 4F15/2-4I15/2, respectively. The excellent features of achieved results suggest that our findings may provide useful information toward the development of functional glasses.
  3. Lye HL, Mohammed BS, Wahab MMA, Liew MS
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Jul 05;14(13).
    PMID: 34279334 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133761
    Emerging as a new technology, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has been introduced to rehabilitate and strengthen steel structures using an adhesive agent. However, the outdoor service temperature is potentially degrading to the mechanical strength of the adhesive, as well as affecting the bonding of the strengthened steel structure. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the bond relationship of CFRP-strengthened steel plates exposed to service temperatures. Two types of experiments were conducted to determine the tensile and flexural performance of CFRP-strengthened steel plates. The experiments were designed using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) by considering three parameters: service temperature (25 °C, 45 °C and 70 °C), number of CFRP layers (one, three and five layers) and bond length (40, 80 and 120 mm). The findings show the dominant failure mode transformed from adhesion failure between steel and adhesive interfaces to adhesion failure between CFRP and adhesive interfaces as the service temperature increased. The tensile strength improved by 25.62% when the service temperature increased. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis proved that the strength enhancement is due to the densification and reduction of the adhesive particle microstructure gaps through the softening effect at service temperature. However, service temperature is found to have less impact on flexural strength. Incorporating the experimental results in RSM, two quadratic equations were developed to estimate the tensile and flexural strength of CFRP-strengthened steel plates. The high coefficient of determination, R2, yields at 0.9936 and 0.9846 indicate the high reliability of the models. Hence, it can be used as an estimation tool in the design stage.
  4. Loganathan R, Mohammed BS
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Jul 05;14(13).
    PMID: 34279338 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133765
    To avoid explosive spalling during elevated temperature, crumb rubber (CR) is being added to the manufacturing of engineered cementitious composites (ECC). However, the addition of CR particles adversely affects the mechanical properties of ECC. Therefore, to overcome this issue, nano-silica (NS) is added into rubberized ECC mixture as cementitious material additives. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been utilized to optimize the mixtures of the rubberized ECC with variables: CR (0, 2.5, and 5 vol.%), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber (0, 1, and 2 vol.%), NS (0, 1, and 2 vol.%), and fly ash (0, 25, and 50 vol.%). The experimentally measured responses are flexural strength, direct tensile strength, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, creep, and drying shrinkage. Mathematical models to predict the targeted responses have been developed using RSM. As a result, a high correlation between the factors and responses has been exhibited by the developed models and the accuracy of fit, where less than 9.38% of the variation was found between the predicted and validated results. The experimental results revealed that the rubberized ECC with the incorporation of nano-silica exhibited a higher compressive strength, direct tensile strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and lower drying shrinkage.
  5. Asif K, Lock SSM, Taqvi SAA, Jusoh N, Yiin CL, Chin BLF, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Jul 01;13(13).
    PMID: 34279343 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132199
    Polysulfone-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporated with silica nanoparticles are a new generation material under ongoing research and development for gas separation. However, the attributes of a better-performing MMM cannot be precisely studied under experimental conditions. Thus, it requires an atomistic scale study to elucidate the separation performance of silica/polysulfone MMMs. As most of the research work and empirical models for gas transport properties have been limited to pure gas, a computational framework for molecular simulation is required to study the mixed gas transport properties in silica/polysulfone MMMs to reflect real membrane separation. In this work, Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to study the solubility and diffusivity of CO2/CH4 with varying gas concentrations (i.e., 30% CO2/CH4, 50% CO2/CH4, and 70% CO2/CH4) and silica content (i.e., 15-30 wt.%). The accuracy of the simulated structures was validated with published literature, followed by the study of the gas transport properties at 308.15 K and 1 atm. Simulation results concluded an increase in the free volume with an increasing weight percentage of silica. It was also found that pure gas consistently exhibited higher gas transport properties when compared to mixed gas conditions. The results also showed a competitive gas transport performance for mixed gases, which is more apparent when CO2 increases. In this context, an increment in the permeation was observed for mixed gas with increasing gas concentrations (i.e., 70% CO2/CH4 > 50% CO2/CH4 > 30% CO2/CH4). The diffusivity, solubility, and permeability of the mixed gases were consistently increasing until 25 wt.%, followed by a decrease for 30 wt.% of silica. An empirical model based on a parallel resistance approach was developed by incorporating mathematical formulations for solubility and permeability. The model results were compared with simulation results to quantify the effect of mixed gas transport, which showed an 18% and 15% percentage error for the permeability and solubility, respectively, in comparison to the simulation data. This study provides a basis for future understanding of MMMs using molecular simulations and modeling techniques for mixed gas conditions that demonstrate real membrane separation.
  6. Ivorra T, García-Martínez B, Martínez-Sánchez A
    J Med Entomol, 2021 11 09;58(6):2247-2254.
    PMID: 34279664 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab129
    To better understand the population dynamics and dispersal ability of insect species, it is often helpful to derive a life table containing fundamental demographic data. The aim of this study was to determine a life table for the predatory necrophagous species Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) on a pig liver diet and under controlled laboratory conditions (29.5 ± 2. 5°C, RH 50 ± 15%, and a photoperiod of 12:12). This species has medical and veterinary importance and its distribution extends in tropical and subtropical areas and now it has been established in the southwestern of Europe. The mean adult longevity was 36. 18 ± 2. 06 d and the net reproduction rate, R, was 27.65 offspring/female, the mean generation time, T, was 22. 09 d, the finite rate of increase, λ, was 1. 16 d-1, and the intrinsic rate of increase, r, was 0. 15 d-1. These results indicate that S. nudiseta cannot be considered an r-strategist as the most common synanthropic necrophagous blowflies due to its predatory behavior; however, its invasive and colonist abilities are discussed. This is the first life table study of this species from Palearctic region to analyze the effect of its dispersal ability.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Larva/growth & development; Larva/physiology; Muscidae/growth & development; Muscidae/physiology*; Pupa/growth & development; Pupa/physiology; Spain; Life Tables; Animal Distribution*
  7. Hassan MA, Yunus RM, Khan S, Memon MA
    World J Surg, 2021 10;45(10):3080-3091.
    PMID: 34279690 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06238-6
    BACKGROUND: With many different operative techniques in use to reduce the incidence of incisional hernias (IH) following a midline laparotomy, there is no consensus among the clinicians on the efficacy and safety of any particular repair technique. This meta-analysis compares the prophylactic onlay mesh repair (POMR) and primary suture repair (PSR) for the incidence of IH.

    METHODS: A meta-analysis and systematic review of MEDLINE, PubMed Central (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, SCI and Cochrane Library databases were undertaken. Seven randomized controlled trials assessing the outcomes of PSR and POMR were analyzed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The risk of bias was assessed using the Rob2 tool.

    RESULTS: According to the pooled analysis, POMR significantly reduced the incidence of IH compared to the PSR (OR 5.82 [95% CI 2.69, 12.58] P 

    MeSH terms: Humans; Laparotomy; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control; Surgical Mesh; Suture Techniques; Sutures; Abdominal Wall*
  8. Wiyani A, Badgujar L, Khurana V, Adlard N
    Neurol Ther, 2021 Dec;10(2):557-583.
    PMID: 34279847 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-021-00264-1
    INTRODUCTION: The introduction of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) over the last two decades has prompted the economic assessments of these treatments by reimbursement authorities. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the modeling approach and data sources used in economic evaluations of DMTs for RMS, identify differences and similarities, and explore how economic evaluation models have evolved over time.

    METHODS: MEDLINE®, Embase®, and EBM Reviews databases were searched using Ovid® Platform from database inception on 25 December 2019 and subsequently updated on 17 February 2021. In addition, health technology assessment agency websites, key conference proceedings, and gray literature from relevant websites were screened. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Drummond and Philips checklists.

    RESULTS: A total 155 publications and 30 Health Technology Assessment (HTA) reports were included. Most of these were cost-utility analysis (73 studies and 25 HTA reports) and funded by medicines manufacturers (n = 65). The top three countries where studies were conducted were the USA (n = 29), the UK (n = 16), and Spain (n = 10). Studies predominantly used Markov cohort models (94 studies; 25 HTAs) structured based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) with 21 health states (20 studies; 12 HTA reports). The London Ontario and British Columbia data sets were commonly used sources for natural history data (n = 33; n = 13). Twelve studies and ten HTAs from the UK assumed a waning of DMT effect over the long term, while this was uncommon in studies from other countries. Nineteen studies adjusted for multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific mortality estimates, while 18 studies used data from the national life table without adjustment. Studies prominently referred to mortality data that were about two decades old. The data on treatment effect was generally obtained from randomized controlled trials (43 studies; 7 HTAs) or from published evidence synthesis (23 studies; 24 HTAs). Utility estimates were derived from either published studies and/or supplemented with data from RCTs. Most of the models used the lifetime horizon (n = 37) with a 1-year cycle length (n = 63).

    CONCLUSION: As expected, similarities as well as differences were observed across the different economic models. Available evidence suggests models should continue using the Markov cohort model with 21 EDSS-based states, however, allowing the transition to a lower EDSS state and assuming a sustained treatment effect. With reference to the data sources, models should consider using a contemporary MS-specific mortality data, recent natural history data, and country-specific utility data if available. In case of data unavailability, a sensitivity analysis using multiple sources of data should be conducted. In addition, future models should incorporate other clinically relevant outcomes, such as the cognition, vision, and psychological aspects of RMS, to be able to present the comprehensive value of DMTs.

  9. Tri Sakti AM, Mohamad E, Azlan AA
    J Med Internet Res, 2021 08 09;23(8):e28249.
    PMID: 34280116 DOI: 10.2196/28249
    BACKGROUND: One of the successful measures to curb COVID-19 spread in large populations is the implementation of a movement restriction order. Globally, it was observed that countries implementing strict movement control were more successful in controlling the spread of the virus as compared with those with less stringent measures. Society's adherence to the movement control order has helped expedite the process to flatten the pandemic curve as seen in countries such as China and Malaysia. At the same time, there are countries facing challenges with society's nonconformity toward movement restriction orders due to various claims such as human rights violations as well as sociocultural and economic issues. In Indonesia, society's adherence to its large-scale social restrictions (LSSRs) order is also a challenge to achieve. Indonesia is regarded as among the worst in Southeast Asian countries in terms of managing the spread of COVID-19. It is proven by the increased number of daily confirmed cases and the total number of deaths, which was more than 6.21% (1351/21,745) of total active cases as of May 2020.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore public sentiments and emotions toward the LSSR and identify issues, fear, and reluctance to observe this restriction among the Indonesian public.

    METHODS: This study adopts a sentiment analysis method with a supervised machine learning approach on COVID-19-related posts on selected media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube). The analysis was also performed on COVID-19-related news contained in more than 500 online news platforms recognized by the Indonesian Press Council. Social media posts and news originating from Indonesian online media between March 31 and May 31, 2020, were analyzed. Emotion analysis on Twitter platform was also performed to identify collective public emotions toward the LSSR.

    RESULTS: The study found that positive sentiment surpasses other sentiment categories by 51.84% (n=1,002,947) of the total data (N=1,934,596) collected via the search engine. Negative sentiment was recorded at 35.51% (686,892/1,934,596) and neutral sentiment at 12.65% (244,757/1,934,596). The analysis of Twitter posts also showed that the majority of public have the emotion of "trust" toward the LSSR.

    CONCLUSIONS: Public sentiment toward the LSSR appeared to be positive despite doubts on government consistency in executing the LSSR. The emotion analysis also concluded that the majority of people believe in LSSR as the best method to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Overall, Indonesians showed trust and expressed hope toward the government's ability to manage this current global health crisis and win against COVID-19.

    MeSH terms: Emotions; Humans; Indonesia; Pandemics; Social Media*
  10. Soo JW, Abdullah LC, Jamil SNAM, Adeyi AA
    Water Sci Technol, 2021 Jul;84(1):237-250.
    PMID: 34280167 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.204
    In this paper, the adsorptive performance of synthesized thiourea (TU) modified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) (TU-P(AN-co-AA)) polymeric adsorbent for capturing p-nitrophenol (PNP) from aqueous solution was investigated. TU-P(AN-co-AA) was synthesized via the redox polymerization method with acrylonitrile (AN) and acrylic acid (AA) as the monomers, then modified chemically with thiourea (TU). Characterization analysis with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental microanalysis for CHNS, zeta potential measurement, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis and thermal analyses were carried out to determine the morphology and physico-chemical properties of the synthesized polymer. The characterization results indicated successful surface modification of polymer with TU. The performance of TU-P(AN-co-AA) for the removal of PNP was investigated under various experimental parameters (adsorbent dosage, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time and temperature). The results demonstrated that the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the equilibrium and kinetic data, respectively. Thermodynamic studies showed that the uptake of PNP by TU-P(AN-co-AA) was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The results of the regeneration studies suggested that the TU-P(AN-co-AA) polymer is a reusable adsorbent with great potential for removing PNP from wastewater.
    MeSH terms: Acrylates; Acrylonitrile*; Adsorption; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Nitrophenols; Thermodynamics; Thioamides; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  11. Fisseha S, Sen G, Ghebreyesus TA, Byanyima W, Diniz D, Fore HH, et al.
    Lancet, 2021 Aug 07;398(10299):471-474.
    PMID: 34280381 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01651-2
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Male; Sexism
  12. COVIDental Collaboration Group
    J Dent, 2021 Nov;114:103749.
    PMID: 34280498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103749
    OBJECTIVES: A multicentre survey was designed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on dental practice worldwide, estimate the COVID-19 related symptoms/signs, work attitudes and behaviour and the routine use of protective measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    METHODS: A global survey using a standardized questionnaire with research groups from 36 countries was designed. The questionnaire was developed and pretested during April 2020 and contained three domains: 1) Personal data; 2) COVID-19 positive rate and symptoms/signs presumably related to the coronavirus; 3) Working conditions and PPE adopted after the outbreak. Countries' data were grouped by the Country Positive Rate (CPR) during the survey period and by Gross-National-Income per capita. An ordinal multinomial logistic regression model was carried out with COVID-19 self-reported rate referred by dental professionals as dependent variable to assess the association with questionnaire items.

    RESULTS: A total of 52,491 questionnaires were returned with a male/female ratio of 0.63. Out of the total respondents, 7,859 dental professionals (15%) reported symptoms/signs compatible with COVID-19. More than half of the sample (n = 27,818; 53%) stated to use FFP2/N95 masks, while 21,558 (41.07%) used eye protection. In the bivariate analysis, CPR and N95/FFP2 were significantly associated (OR = 1.80 95%CI = 1.60/2.82 and OR = 5.20 95%CI = 1.44/18.80, respectively), while Gross-National-Income was not statistically associated with CPR (OR = 1.09 95%CI = 0.97/1.60). The same significant associations were observed in the multivariate analysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Oral health service provision has not been significantly affected by COVID-19, although access to routine dental care was reduced due to country-specific temporary lockdown periods. While the dental profession has been identified at high-risk, the reported rates of COVID-19 for dental professionals were not significantly different to those reported for the general population in each country. These findings may help to better plan oral health care for future pandemic events.

    MeSH terms: Communicable Disease Control; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pandemics*
  13. Curren E, Kuwahara VS, Yoshida T, Leong SCY
    Environ Pollut, 2021 Nov 01;288:117776.
    PMID: 34280748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117776
    Microplastic pollution is a prevalent and serious problem in marine environments. These particles have a detrimental impact on marine ecosystems. They are harmful to marine organisms and are known to be a habitat for toxic microorganisms. Marine microplastics have been identified in beach sand, the seafloor and also in marine biota. Although research investigating the presence of microplastics in various marine environments have increased across the years, studies in Southeast Asia are still relatively limited. In this paper, 36 studies on marine microplastic pollution in Southeast Asia were reviewed and discussed, focusing on microplastics in beach and benthic sediments, seawater and marine organisms. These studies have shown that the presence of fishing harbours, aquaculture farms, and tourism result in an increased abundance of microplastics. The illegal and improper disposal of waste from village settlements and factories also contribute to the high abundance of microplastics observed. Hence, it is crucial to identify the hotspots of microplastic pollution, for assessment and mitigation purposes. Future studies should aim to standardize protocols and quantification, to allow for better quantification and assessment of the levels of microplastic contamination for monitoring purposes.
    MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring; Plastics; Ecosystem; Geologic Sediments
  14. Lee ZY, Loo JSE, Wibowo A, Mohammat MF, Foo JB
    Carbohydr Res, 2021 Oct;508:108395.
    PMID: 34280804 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2021.108395
    Dysregulation of glycosylation pathways has been well documented in several types of cancer, where it often participates in cancer development and progression, especially cancer metastasis. Hence, inhibition of glycosidases such as mannosidases can disrupt the biosynthesis of glycans on cell surface glycoproteins and modify their role in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Several reviews have delineated the role of N-glycosylation in cancer, but the data regarding effective inhibitors remains sparse. Golgi α-mannosidase has been an attractive therapeutic target for preventing the formation of ß1,6-branched complex type N-glycans. However, due to its high structural similarity to the broadly specific lysosomal α-mannosidase, undesired co-inhibition occurs and this leads to serious side effects that complicates its potential role as a therapeutic agent. Even though extensive efforts have been geared towards the discovery of effective inhibitors, no breakthrough has been achieved thus far which could allow for their use in clinical settings. Improving the specificity of current inhibitors towards Golgi α-mannosidase is requisite in progressing this class of compounds in cancer chemotherapy. In this review, we highlight a few potent and selective inhibitors discovered up to the present to guide researchers for rational design of further effective inhibitors to overcome the issue of specificity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Glycosylation; Humans; alpha-Mannosidase/antagonists & inhibitors; alpha-Mannosidase/metabolism
  15. Hermawan AA, Teh KL, Talei A, Chua LHC
    J Environ Manage, 2021 Nov 01;297:113298.
    PMID: 34280854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113298
    The discharge of high levels of heavy metals into the environment is of concern due to its toxicity to aquatic life and potential human health impacts. Biofiltration systems have been used in urban environments to address nutrient contamination, but there is also evidence that such systems can be effective in reducing heavy metals concentration in stormwater. However, the accumulation pattern of heavy metals and lifespan of such systems, which are important in engineering design, have not been thoroughly explored. This study investigated the accumulation patterns of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe), which are common in urban runoff, in non-vegetated filtration columns using three different types of filter media, namely sand (S), and mixtures of sand with fly ash (sand-fly ash mix, SF), and with zeolite (sand-zeolite mix, SZ). The columns were assessed in terms of infiltration rate, the mass of heavy metals accumulation at different depths, and formation of crust layer (schmutzdecke) at the surface. The results show that most of the heavy metals accumulated at the top 5-10 cm of the filter media. However, Zn was found adsorbed to a depth of 15 cm in S and SZ columns, while Mn and Fe were present in column S throughout the entire 30 cm depth of the filter media. The presence especially of Zn, Mn, and Fe in the deeper portions of the filter media before the top 5 cm layer reached its maximum adsorption capacity, hints that transport to the deeper layers is not necessarily dependent on saturation of the upper layers for these heavy metals. SF accumulated heavy metals most at the top 5 cm of the filter media layer, and retained twice the mass of heavy metals in the crust layer, compared to S and SZ columns. SF also yielded the lowest value of infiltration rate of 31 mm/h. Considering both metals accumulation and clogging potential of the filter media, the periodic maintenance of these systems is suggested to be approximately between 1.5 and 3 years.
    MeSH terms: Filtration; Humans; Zeolites*; Metals, Heavy*; Coal Ash
  16. Chua CLL, Ng IMJ, Yap BJM, Teo A
    Malar J, 2021 Jul 16;20(1):319.
    PMID: 34271941 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03849-1
    There are seven known species of Plasmodium spp. that can infect humans. The human host can mount a complex network of immunological responses to fight infection and one of these immune functions is phagocytosis. Effective and timely phagocytosis of parasites, accompanied by the activation of a regulated inflammatory response, is beneficial for parasite clearance. Functional studies have identified specific opsonins, particularly antibodies and distinct phagocyte sub-populations that are associated with clinical protection against malaria. In addition, cellular and molecular studies have enhanced the understanding of the immunological pathways and outcomes following phagocytosis of malaria parasites. In this review, an integrated view of the factors that can affect phagocytosis of infected erythrocytes and parasite components, the immunological consequences and their association with clinical protection against Plasmodium spp. infection is provided. Several red blood cell disorders and co-infections, and drugs that can influence phagocytic capability during malaria are also discussed. It is hoped that an enhanced understanding of this immunological process can benefit the design of new therapeutics and vaccines to combat this infectious disease.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anopheles/parasitology; Anopheles/physiology*; Erythrocytes/parasitology; Erythrocytes/physiology*; Humans; Phagocytosis*; Plasmodium falciparum/physiology*; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology
  17. Man CS, Hock LK, Ying CY, Cheong KC, Kuay LK, Huey TC, et al.
    J Health Popul Nutr, 2021 07 16;40(1):31.
    PMID: 34271986 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-021-00254-x
    BACKGROUND: Fast-food consumption is an unhealthy dietary behaviour because it increases the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. We aimed to investigate factors associated with fast-food consumption, namely sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index-for-age, meal away from home habit, and intake of various food groups among adolescents in Malaysia.

    METHODS: We analysed data from the National School-Based Nutrition Survey (NSNS). The NSNS was a nationwide, cross-sectional survey. Multiple-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was applied to obtain a representative sample of adolescents' population. This study recruited adolescents aged 10-18 years who were attending schools. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaires in Malay language were used to obtain relevant information. Frequency of fast-food consumption per week was classified into three groups: "consumed fast-food four to seven days", "consumed fast-food one to three days", and "did not consume fast-food". Intake of food groups was assessed by self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Descriptive and complex sample multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed in data analysis.

    RESULTS: A total of 26,383 from 40,012 selected adolescents completed all the relevant questions for this study. Of those surveyed, 13.5% of the respondents consumed fast-food 4 to 7 days, 69.3% of the respondents consumed fast food 1 to 3 days, and 17.2% of them did not consume fast-food in a typical week. Frequency of fast-food consumptions (4 to 7 days and 1 to 3 days per week) was significantly associated with age; sex; ethnicity; locality of schools; frequency of eating out; and not consuming recommended intake of cereals or grains, vegetables, and meat or poultry or eggs.

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, age; sex; ethnicity; locality of schools; frequency of eating out per week; imbalanced intake of cereals or grains, meat, or poultry or eggs; and inadequate vegetable intake were significantly associated with fast-food consumption among adolescents in Malaysia. The findings of this study will be useful for policy makers in promoting healthy food choices among adolescents in Malaysia.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feeding Behavior*; Humans; Malaysia; Nutrition Surveys; Schools; Fast Foods*
  18. Goh CF, Ming LC, Wong LC
    Clin Dermatol, 2021;39(2):314-322.
    PMID: 34272029 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2020.09.005
    Infection preventive practice of using disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2 has become the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although disinfectants may not be applied directly to the human body, it remains at high risk of exposure including close skin contact on disinfected surfaces or during handling. This dermal contact, on a regular basis, can induce hazardous skin reactions like irritation, inflammation, and burning in severe conditions. Disinfectants are germicide chemicals that can penetrate the skin and create skin reactions that are usually regarded as irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. More importantly, disinfectants can react with skin components (proteins and lipids) to facilitate their skin penetration and disrupt the skin barrier function. Whereas the antimicrobial actions of disinfectants are well understood, much less is known regarding their dermatologic reactions, including but not limited to irritation and hypersensitivity. We reviewed the skin reactions created by those disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2 approved by the European Chemical Agency and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
    MeSH terms: Disinfectants/adverse effects*; Humans; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/etiology*
  19. Lazarus JV, Safreed-Harmon K, Kamarulzaman A, Anderson J, Leite RB, Behrens G, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2021 07 16;12(1):4450.
    PMID: 34272399 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24673-w
    Health systems have improved their abilities to identify, diagnose, treat and, increasingly, achieve viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite these advances, a higher burden of multimorbidity and poorer health-related quality of life are reported by many PLHIV in comparison to people without HIV. Stigma and discrimination further exacerbate these poor outcomes. A global multidisciplinary group of HIV experts developed a consensus statement identifying key issues that health systems must address in order to move beyond the HIV field's longtime emphasis on viral suppression to instead deliver integrated, person-centered healthcare for PLHIV throughout their lives.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration; Delivery of Health Care/standards*; Humans; Morbidity; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; HIV Infections; Comorbidity; Consensus; Social Stigma
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