Browse publications by year: 2021

Fulltext Aggressive scalp and sternal lesion: A presentation of rare case of metastatic eccrine carcinoma

Rownose CS, Mohamad Saupi MS, Sharif SZ, Lah NASN

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2021 May;65:102322.
PMID: 33996055 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102322

Introduction: Ductal Eccrine carcinoma (DEC) is a rare primary cutaneous tumor that exhibits both squamous and adnexal ductal differentiation. Due to its rarity in clinical practice we present as case of DEC and a literature review on the latest management of this rare disease.
Case presentation: We report a case 41 years old female presented with lesion on the scalp and sternal mass, increasing in size with itchiness and erythematous for 6 months duration. Further CECT scan of brain and neck shows features of malignant left frontal scalp lesion with poor plane with overlying skin and underlying skull bone and CECT of thorax shows a large, irregular heterogeneously enhancing mass with necrotic center noted at right hilar within superior segment of right lower lobe, encasing right middle and lower lobe bronchi. Wedge biopsy of scalp lesion showed an intradermal lesion extensively infiltrating by malignant gland accompanied by desmoplasia and the tumor cells are seen extending into the surgical margins suggestive of ductal eccrine carcinoma.Clinical Discussion:This case highlights the importance and challenges in achieving early diagnosis coupled with the scarcity of information on these leads to difficulty in managing this patient.
Conclusion: In managing Ductal Eccrine Carcinoma tumor, standard method of treatment for has not been established. However, wide surgical excision is the treatment of choice for localized lesions. Regarding prognosis, there is conflicting data published which we describe in this article.

MeSH terms: Adult; Biopsy; Brain; Bronchi; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Differentiation; Female; Humans; Prognosis; Reference Standards; Scalp; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Skull; Thorax; Rare Diseases; Early Diagnosis; Margins of Excision
Fulltext Thermal and anticorrosion properties of polyurethane coatings derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate and palm olein-based polyols

Adamu AA, Muhamad Sarih N, Gan SN

R Soc Open Sci, 2021 Apr 14;8(4):201087.
PMID: 33996112 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201087

Polyols of palm olein/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were synthesized by means of incorporating recycled PET from waste drinking bottles in different proportions into palm olein alkyd in the presence of ethylene glycol. The polyols were characterized by FTIR, and theirs hydroxyl value (OHV), acid value (AV) and viscosity were determined. The formulation of the polyurethane coating was carried out by dissolving the polyol in mixed solvent of cyclohexanone/tetrahydrofuran (THF) (4 : 1) followed by reacting 1 hydroxyl equivalent of the polyol with 1.2 equivalents of methylene diphenyldiisocyanate and 0.05% dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) catalyst. The coating cured through the cross-linking reactions between hydroxyl and isocyanate groups. The formation of urethane linkages was established by FTIR spectroscopy. The set films were characterized by thermal analysis. To study their anticorrosion properties, polarization measurements and EIS in 3.5% NaCl solution were determined. The coatings displayed good thermal stability and anticorrosion properties which were supported by XRD analysis. The PU7 coating, with the highest proportion of PET (up to 15% w/w), displayed significantly improved thermal stability and anticorrosion properties. It is evident that the performance of the polyurethane (PU) coatings could be enhanced by the incorporation of PET.
Fulltext Application strategies by selective medium treated with entomopathogenic bacteria Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as potential biocontrol against Coptotermes curvignathus

Chin KL, H'ng PS, Lee CL, Wong WZ, Go WZ, Khoo PS, et al.

R Soc Open Sci, 2021 Apr 14;8(4):201311.
PMID: 33996113 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201311

The success of microbial termiticides in controlling termites depends on the ability of microbes to grow in different media and the functionality of the microbes as a resistant barrier or toxic bait. This study was conducted to understand the mortality rate and behaviour changes of the subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren introduced with different concentrations of Serratia marcescens strain LGMS 1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain LGMS 3 using wood and soil as bacterial transfer medium. In general, higher concentration of bacteria in soil caused a reduction in tunnelling activity and wood consumption and an increase in mortality. However, application on wood revealed a different outcome. Wood treated with S. marcescens of 106 CFU ml-1 concentration proved to be more efficient as bait than higher concentration applications as it caused a high mortality rate while still highly palatable for termites. Wood or soil treated with S. marcescens concentration higher than 109 CFU ml-1 creates a high toxicity and repellent barrier for termites. Pseudomonas aeruginosa of 109 CFU ml-1 concentrations applied on wood served as a slow-acting toxic bait. However, the ability for S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa to survive on wood is low, which made the bait unable to retain a useful level of toxicity for a long period of time and frequent reapplication is needed.

MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Phenomena; Insect Repellents; Physiological Phenomena; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Serratia marcescens; Soil; Wood; Isoptera
Shifts in mosquito diversity and abundance along a gradient from oil palm plantations to conterminous forests in Borneo

Young KI, Buenemann M, Vasilakis N, Perera D, Hanley KA

Ecosphere, 2021 Apr;12(4).
PMID: 33996190 DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3463

Deforestation precipitates spillover of enzootic, vector-borne viruses into humans, but specific mechanisms for this effect have rarely been investigated. Expansion of oil palm cultivation is a major driver of deforestation. Here, we demonstrate that mosquito abundance decreased over ten stepwise distances from interior forest into conterminous palm plantations in Borneo. Diversity in interior plantation narrowed to one species, Aedes albopictus, a potential bridge vector for spillover of multiple viruses. A. albopictus was equally abundant across all distances in forests, forest-plantation edge, and plantations, while A. niveus, a known vector of sylvatic dengue virus, was found only in forests. A. albopictus collections were significantly female-biased in plantation but not in edge or forest. Our data reveal that the likelihood of encountering any mosquito is greater in interior forest and edge than plantation, while the likelihood of encountering A. albopictus is equivalent across the gradient sampled from interior plantation to interior forest.

MeSH terms: Aedes; Animals; Borneo; Conservation of Natural Resources; Dengue Virus; Disease Vectors; Female; Hand; Humans; Foraminifera; Forests; Mosquito Vectors
Fulltext Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) Optic Neuritis: A Case Series

Nurul-Ain M, Khairul Kamal ZN, Wan Hitam WH, Abd Munaaim M, Mohd Zaki F

Cureus, 2021 Apr 13;13(4):e14452.
PMID: 33996312 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14452

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease has been recognised as a distinct demyelinating disorder. Optic neuritis has been reported as the most common presentation and manifestation of this spectrum disorder. This is a case series of three MOG optic neuritis patients. Patients involved are female with disease onset ranging between 7- and 37-year-old. Most of these patients experienced symptoms of profound reduced visual acuity with eye pain. All three patients had optic disc swelling upon first presentation and they experienced at least one episode of bilateral simultaneous optic neuritis. Only one patient had demonstrable optic nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Disease was confirmed through positive MOG antibody. Patients typically responded well to intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) during acute attack of optic neuritis. However, one patient had suboptimal response to IVMP after multiple relapses. We noted multiple relapses of optic neuritis are common in MOG patients. MOG optic neuritis is a devastating, but treatable condition. Aggressive treatment during acute optic neuritis attack and relapse prevention may favour a good visual prognosis in MOG antibody disease.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Demyelinating Diseases; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Methylprednisolone; Optic Disk; Optic Neuritis; Papilledema; Prognosis; Recurrence; Visual Acuity; Secondary Prevention; Young Adult; Eye Pain; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Oligodendrocyte-Myelin Glycoprotein
Fulltext Clinical manifestation and genetic analysis of familial rare disease genodermatosis xeroderma pigmentosum

Yuniati R, Sihombing NRB, Nauphar D, Tiawarman B, Kartikasari DS, Dewi M, et al.

Intractable Rare Dis Res, 2021 May;10(2):114-121.
PMID: 33996357 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2020.03143

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by hypersensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation and other carcinogenic agents. This ailment is characterized by increased photosensitivity, skin xerosis, early skin aging, actinic keratosis, erythematous lesions, and hyperpigmentation macules. In this serial case report, we presented four cases with XP from two families in Indonesia. Both families were referred from rural referral health centers, and each family has two affected siblings. They had freckle-like pigmentation on the face, trunk, and extremities, which progressed since childhood. One patient of family 2 died because of an infectious disease. Histopathological examination using cytokeratine (CK), CD10, and Ber-EP4 staining from available tissue biopsy of one affected case of family 1 identified basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the cheek and melanoma on the right eye. Mutation analysis found ERCC2, c2047C>T and XPC, c1941T>A in the first and second families, respectively. We suppose that this is the first case report of XP in Indonesia that incorporates clinical examination, genetic analysis, and extensive histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry staining, and a novel pathogenic variant of XPC was found in the second family.

MeSH terms: Biopsy; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Cheek; Child; Communicable Diseases; DNA Mutational Analysis; Extremities; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Indonesia; Keratins; Melanoma; Melanosis; Mutation; Pigmentation; Referral and Consultation; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Staining and Labeling; Ultraviolet Rays; Xeroderma Pigmentosum; Skin Aging; Hyperpigmentation; Siblings; Keratosis, Actinic
Fulltext New data on Thelohanellus nikolskii Achmerov, 1955 (Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) a parasite of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.): The actinospore stage, intrapiscine tissue preference and molecular sequence

Borzák R, Borkhanuddin MH, Cech G, Molnár K, Hallett SL, Székely C

Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl, 2021 Aug;15:112-119.
PMID: 33996443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.04.004

Thelohanellus nikolskii, Achmerov, 1955 is a well-known myxozoan parasite of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Infection regularly manifests in numerous macroscopic cysts on the fins of two to three month-old pond-cultured carp fingerlings in July and August. However, a Thelohanellus infection is also common on the scales of two to three year-old common carp in ponds and natural waters in May and June. Based on myxospore morphology and tissue specificity, infection at both sites seems to be caused by the same species, namely T. nikolskii. This presumption was tested with molecular biological methods: SSU rDNA sequences of myxospores from fins of fingerlings and scales of older common carp were analysed and compared with each other and with related species available in GenBank. Sequence data revealed that the spores from the fins and scales represent the same species, T. nikolskii. Our study revealed a dichotomy in both infection site and time in T. nikolskii-infections: the fins of young carp are infected in Summer and Autumn, whereas the scales of older carp are infected in Spring. Myxosporean development of the species is well studied, little is known, however about the actinosporean stage of T. nikolskii. A previous experimental study suggests that aurantiactinomyxon actinospores of this species develop in Tubifex tubifex, Müller, 1774. The description included spore morphology but no genetic sequence data (Székely et al., 1998). We examined >9000 oligochaetes from Lake Balaton and Kis-Balaton Water Reservoire searching for the intraoligochaete developmental stage of myxozoans. Five oligochaete species were examined, Isochaetides michaelseni Lastochin, 1936, Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard, 1892, Nais sp., Müller, 1774, Dero sp. Müller, 1774 and Aelosoma sp. Ehrenberg, 1828. Morphometrics and SSU rDNA sequences were obtained for the released actinospores. Among them, from a single Nais sp., the sequence of an aurantiactinomyxon isolate corresponded to the myxospore sequences of T. nikolskii.

MeSH terms: Animals; Carps; Cysts; DNA, Ribosomal; Oligochaeta; Organ Specificity; Parasites; Seasons; Spores, Fungal; Water; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Myxozoa; Lakes; Ponds
Fulltext A rare discovery of Spigelian-cryptorchidism syndrome in adult

Gurung R, Ali AA, Lee FY, Mra A, Hayati F

Urol Case Rep, 2021 Sep;38:101687.
PMID: 33996498 DOI: 10.1016/j.eucr.2021.101687

Spigelian hernia (SH) occurs due to the protrusion through a congenital or acquired defect or weakness in the Spigelian aponeurosis. SH accounts for only 0.1-0.4% of occurrence and a 17-24% risk of strangulation. We hereby report a case of a 34-year-old gentleman presented with concomitant incarceration of the omentum with small intestine and testis in Spigelian hernia sac. We have successfully operated on this patient via a transperitoneal approach with a small incision over the hernia site. This incision could be an alternative to midline laparotomy as a safe and effective method in managing incarcerated SH in an emergency setting.

MeSH terms: Adult; Emergencies; Humans; Intestine, Small; Laparotomy; Male; Omentum; Testis; Hernia, Abdominal; Aponeurosis
Fulltext E-Learning in Teaching Emergency Disaster Response Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Malaysia

Saiboon IM, Zahari F, Isa HM, Sabardin DM, Robertson CE

Front Public Health, 2021;9:628178.
PMID: 33996711 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.628178

Introduction: Teaching disaster response medicine (DRM) to medical students requires considerable resources. We evaluate the effectiveness of e-learning in teaching emergency disaster response (ELITE-DR), a novel initiative, in educating medical students of the cognitive aspect of DRM. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study among pre-clinical year medical students was carried out to determine their knowledge on DRM and perception regarding the ELITE-DR initiative using a validated online questionnaire. A three-part self-learning video covering the principles and medical management of DRM were distributed before answering the questionnaire served as the training. Results: A total of 168 students participated in the study. Their overall knowledge showed a significant increase in between pre-and-post-interventions. Recall and simple decision-making knowledge aspects were better than complex decision-making knowledge. It appeared that participants assimilate knowledge better from visual rather than audio stimuli. Participants with high perception-scores demonstrated better knowledge-scores. However, e-learning was not preferred as a substitute for face-to-face (F2F) teaching. Conclusion: ELITE-DR shows promise in teaching DRM. Simple recall and comprehension levels of knowledge were well-served through this technique. However, for more complex decision-making knowledge, a different approach might be required. ELITE-DR offers flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning. The content presentation is improved by using several different visual stimuli. This approach is useful for cognitive aspect learning, but it should not replace standard F2F teaching.

MeSH terms: Computer-Assisted Instruction*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disasters*; Education, Medical, Undergraduate*; Humans; Malaysia; Prospective Studies; Students, Medical*
Fulltext Proteomic Analysis on Anti-Proliferative and Apoptosis Effects of Curcumin Analog, 1,5-bis(4-Hydroxy-3-Methyoxyphenyl)-1,4-Pentadiene-3-One-Treated Human Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cells

Lee YQ, Rajadurai P, Abas F, Othman I, Naidu R

Front Mol Biosci, 2021;8:645856.
PMID: 33996900 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.645856

Curcumin analogs with excellent biological properties have been synthesized to address and overcome the poor pharmacokinetic profiles of curcumin. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative, and apoptosis-inducing ability of curcumin analog, MS13 on human glioblastoma U-87 MG, and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and to examine the global proteome changes in these cells following treatment. Our current findings showed that MS13 induced potent cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative effects on both cells. Increased caspase-3 activity and decreased bcl-2 concentration upon treatment indicate that MS13 induces apoptosis in these cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The label-free shotgun proteomic analysis has defined the protein profiles in both glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells, whereby a total of nine common DEPs, inclusive of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), alpha-enolase (ENO1), heat shock protein HSP 90-alpha (HSP90AA1), Heat shock protein HSP 90-beta (HSP90AB1), Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A-1 (EFI5A), heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK), tubulin beta chain (TUBB), histone H2AX (H2AFX), and Protein SET were identified. Pathway analysis further elucidated that MS13 may induce its anti-tumor effects in both cells via the common enriched pathways, "Glycolysis" and "Post-translational protein modification." Conclusively, MS13 demonstrates an anti-cancer effect that may indicate its potential use in the management of brain malignancies.

MeSH terms: Brain Neoplasms; Curcumin; Glioblastoma; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; Heat-Shock Proteins; Histones; Humans; Neuroblastoma; Peptide Initiation Factors; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Ribonucleoproteins; Tubulin; RNA-Binding Proteins; Apoptosis; Proteome; Proteomics; Caspase 3
Fulltext Genetic Diversity Assessment of MPOB-Senegal Oil Palm Germplasm Using Microsatellite Markers

Myint KA, Yaakub Z, Rafii MY, Oladosu Y, Samad MYA, Ramlee SI, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2021;2021:6620645.
PMID: 33997027 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6620645

Molecular characterization of oil palm germplasm is crucial in utilizing and conserving germplasm with promising traits. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity structures and relationships among 26 families of MPOB-Senegal oil palm germplasm using thirty-five microsatellite markers. High level of polymorphism (P = 96.26%), number of effective allele (N e = 2.653), observed heterozygosity (H o = 0.584), expected heterozygosity (H e = 0.550), total heterozygosity (H T = 0.666), and rare alleles (54) were observed which indicates that MPOB-Senegal germplasm has a broad genetic variation. Among the SSR markers, sMo00053 and sMg00133 were the most informative markers for discrimination among the MPOB-Senegal oil palm germplasm for having the highest private alleles and the rare alleles. For selection and conservation, oil palm populations with high rare alleles and Nei's gene diversity index should be considered as these populations may possess unique genes for further exploitation.

MeSH terms: Alleles; Geography; Phylogeny; Seeds/genetics*; Genetic Variation*; Cluster Analysis; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics*; Arecaceae/genetics*; Genetic Loci
Fulltext Survey dataset of women perception on caesarean section

Woon YH, Suhaini SA

Data Brief, 2021 Apr;35:106501.
PMID: 33997187 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106501

A caesarean section (CS) is a common birth delivery mode, which involves delivery of the baby through a surgical incision on the mother's abdomen and uterus. This article presents a survey dataset on the perception and response of women about the CS. This survey employed a quantitative research design. The data were collected by means of a face to face questionnaire. Majority of the respondents are in the age range of 31 - 40 years old. The findings indicate that the respondents mainly refer to the internet to obtain information about the birth delivery mode that helped the respondents to decide on their mode of preference. This is followed by obstetrician/midwife and friends. Various statements were used to determine the perception of respondents towards CS.

MeSH terms: Abdomen; Adult; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Midwifery; Mothers; Perception; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Research Design; Uterus; Internet; Friends; Parturition; Surgical Wound
Fulltext Analytical method cross validation by HPLC for identification of five markers and quantification of one marker in SynacinnTM formulations and its in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test data

Zainol SN, Fadhlina A, Rentala SV, Pillai R, Yalaka M, Bansal I, et al.

Data Brief, 2021 Jun;36:107001.
PMID: 33997190 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107001

A HPLC method has been validated for identifying five markers (gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, catechin, andrographolide and curcumin) and quantifying curcumin in SynacinnTM formulation. The validation (bracketed strengths of 10 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL) involved assessment of selectivity, precision, Limit of Detection (LOD), Limit of Quantification (LOQ), linearity, accuracy, stability in diluent and formulation stability. Meanwhile, in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test data was presented to evaluate the toxicity potential of Synacinn™ to cause clastogenicity and/or disruption of the mitotic apparatus, as measured by its ability to induce micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN PCE) in Sprague Dawley rat bone marrow. The test was conducted in two phases viz., Phase I (Dose Range Finding experiment) and Phase II (Definitive experiment). Phase I was conducted to assess general toxicity and bone marrow cytotoxicity of Synacinn™, and to select the doses for the definitive experiment. In-life observations included mortality, clinical signs of toxicity and body weight. Bone marrow samples were collected and extracted from the femur bone using fetal bovine serum. The pellet obtained after the centrifugation was used for preparing bone marrow smears to evaluate the number of immature and mature erythrocytes.
Fulltext Interleukin 6 and Development of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in the General Population

Chia YC, Kieneker LM, van Hassel G, Binnenmars SH, Nolte IM, van Zanden JJ, et al.

J Am Heart Assoc, 2021 06;10(11):e018549.
PMID: 33998283 DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.120.018549

Background The cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is poorly understood, and specific therapies are lacking. Previous studies suggested that inflammation plays a role in the development of HFpEF. Herein, we aimed to investigate in community-dwelling individuals whether a higher plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) level is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset heart failure (HF) over time, and specifically HFpEF. Methods and Results We performed a case-cohort study based on the PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) study, a prospective general population-based cohort study. We included 961 participants, comprising 200 participants who developed HF and a random group of 761 controls. HF with reduced ejection fraction or HFpEF was defined on the basis of the left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤40% or >40%, respectively. In Cox proportional hazard regression analyses, IL-6 levels were statistically significantly associated with the development of HF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.61; P=0.03) after adjustment for key risk factors. Specifically, IL-6 levels were significantly associated with the development of HFpEF (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16-2.19; P=0.004), whereas the association with HF with reduced ejection fraction was nonsignificant (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.75-1.47; P=0.77). In sensitivity analyses, defining HFpEF as left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%, IL-6 levels were also significantly associated with the development of HFpEF (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04-2.06; P=0.03) after adjustment for key risk factors. Conclusions IL-6 is associated with new-onset HFpEF in community-dwelling individuals, independent of potential confounders. Our findings warrant further research to investigate whether IL-6 might be a novel treatment target to prevent HFpEF.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Heart Failure/blood*; Heart Failure/epidemiology; Heart Failure/physiopathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands/epidemiology; Population Surveillance*; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stroke Volume/physiology*; Biomarkers/blood; Interleukin-6/blood*; Incidence; Case-Control Studies; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology*; Disease Progression
Impact of COVID-19 on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Practice-Comparing Malaysia and Other Asian Countries: A Preliminary Study

Ramasenderan N, Mohd Hussain MSB, Halim AS

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2021 07;33(5):657-659.
PMID: 33998307 DOI: 10.1177/10105395211014972
Comparison of knowledge level and attitude towards obstructive sleep apnoea amongst dental and medical undergraduate students of Universiti Sains Malaysia

Selvaraj S, Eusufzai SZ, Asif JA, Bin Jamayet N, Ahmad WMAW, Alam MK

Work, 2021;69(1):173-180.
PMID: 33998580 DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213466

BACKGROUND: Sleep apnoea is a diagnosed condition in which appurtenances interrupt breathing whilst sleeping. The consequence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) includes road traffic accidents due to drowsiness, systemic hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and neurocognitive disorders. This condition extends the duration of recovery phase after traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to assess the knowledge and attitude towards OSA and compare it among dental and medical undergraduate students of University Sains Malaysia (USM).
METHODS: In this study, a total of 216 clinical undergraduate students (36 from each year; 108 from medical and 108 from dental school) of University Sains Malaysia (USM) Health campus were recruited for the study by non-probability stratified random sampling method. Total study period was October 2017 to October 2018. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the sociodemographic status and OSAKA questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and attitude regarding sleep apnoea of the respondents. Descriptive analysis was carried out to assess the knowledge and attitude of OSA amongst dental and medical undergraduate students of USM. The Mann-Whitney U test was carried out to compare the knowledge and attitude of OSA amongst dental and medical undergraduate students of USM.
RESULTS: Our study findings revealed that 0.9 %and 6.5 %of the dental undergraduate students and medical undergraduate students could answer all the questions correctly regarding knowledge of OSA. Based on the assessment of the difference between medical and dental students in terms of knowledge towards OSA patients, significant difference was observed at the significance level of 95%, where p

MeSH terms: Accidents, Traffic; Attitude; Diabetes Mellitus; Heart Diseases; Humans; Hypertension; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools, Dental; Students, Dental; Universities; Statistics, Nonparametric; Neurocognitive Disorders; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Brain Injuries, Traumatic
Fulltext Advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery in targeting PI3K signaling in respiratory diseases

Chan Y, MacLoughlin R, Zacconi FC, Tambuwala MM, Pabari RM, Singh SK, et al.

Nanomedicine (Lond), 2021 07;16(16):1351-1355.
PMID: 33998829 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0087
MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Preparations*; Signal Transduction; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanotechnology
Mechanism of Curcuma longa and Its Neuroactive Components for the Management of Epileptic Seizures: A Systematic Review

Choo BKM, Shaikh MF

Curr Neuropharmacol, 2021;19(9):1496-1518.
PMID: 33998991 DOI: 10.2174/1570159X19666210517120413

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant of the family Zingiberaceae and contains curcuminoids, sesquiterpenoids and monoterpenoids as its major components. Given the broad range of activities that Curcuma longa possesses and also its use as a traditional epilepsy remedy, this review attempts to systematically review the experimentally proven activities of Curcuma longa and its bioactive components, which are related to the management of epileptic seizures. Using the PRISMA model, five databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS and SpringerLink) were searched using the keywords ["Curcuma longa" AND "Epilepsy"] and ["Curcuma longa" AND "Seizures"], leaving 34 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The present systematic review elaborated on the experimentally proven potential of Curcuma longa components, such as an aqueous extract of Curcuma longa itself, Curcuma longa oil and active constituents like curcuminoids and bisabolene sesquiterpenoids found in Curcuma longa with anti-seizure potential. Using human equivalent dose calculations, human treatment parameters were suggested for each component by analysing the various studies in this review. This review also determined that the principal components possibly exert their anti-seizure effect via the reduction of corticosterone, modulation of neurotransmitters signalling, modulation of sodium ion channels, reduction of oxidative DNA damage, reduction of lipid peroxidation, upgregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated inhibition. It is anticipated that this review will help pave the way for future research into the development of Curcuma longa and its neuroactive constituents as potential drug candidates for the management of epilepsy.

MeSH terms: Humans; Seizures; Sesquiterpenes*; Oxidative Stress; Curcuma
Adulticide Resistance Status of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Sarawak State, Malaysia

Lau KW, Chen CD, Low VL, Lee HL, Azidah AA, Sofian-Azirun M

J Med Entomol, 2021 11 09;58(6):2292-2298.
PMID: 33999147 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab093

Resistance status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) from 13 districts in Sarawak State, Malaysia, was evaluated against four major classes of adulticides, namely organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid. Adult bioassays were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocols to assess knockdown and mortality rates of Ae. albopictus. Among the tested pyrethroids, only cyfluthrin was able to exhibit complete knockdown. On the other hand, different susceptibility and resistance patterns were observed in other adulticides. As for mortality rates, the mosquitoes were susceptible to cyfluthrin and dieldrin but exhibited various susceptibilities to other tested adulticides. Cross-resistance was discovered within and between tested insecticide classes. Significant correlations were found within pyrethroid and carbamate classes (i.e., bendiocab and propoxur, P = 0.036; etofenprox and permethrin, P = 0.000; deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, P = 0.822; deltamethrin and permethrin, P = 0.042). Additionally, insecticides belonging to different groups were also found significantly correlated (i.e., malathion and deltamethin, P = 0.019; malathion and bendiocarb, P = 0.008; malathion and propoxur, P = 0.007; and bendiocarb and deltamethrin, P = 0.031). In conclusion, cyfluthrin was effective for Aedes albopictus control in Sarawak State and these data may assist local authorities to improve future vector control operations.

MeSH terms: Aedes/drug effects*; Animals; Female; Insecticide Resistance*; Insecticides/pharmacology*; Malaysia
Fulltext A Comprehensive Study of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches in Confronting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Rahman MM, Khatun F, Uzzaman A, Sami SI, Bhuiyan MA, Kiong TS

Int J Health Serv, 2021 10;51(4):446-461.
PMID: 33999732 DOI: 10.1177/00207314211017469

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread over 219 countries of the globe as a pandemic, creating alarming impacts on health care, socioeconomic environments, and international relationships. The principal objective of the study is to provide the current technological aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and other relevant technologies and their implications for confronting COVID-19 and preventing the pandemic's dreadful effects. This article presents AI approaches that have significant contributions in the fields of health care, then highlights and categorizes their applications in confronting COVID-19, such as detection and diagnosis, data analysis and treatment procedures, research and drug development, social control and services, and the prediction of outbreaks. The study addresses the link between the technologies and the epidemics as well as the potential impacts of technology in health care with the introduction of machine learning and natural language processing tools. It is expected that this comprehensive study will support researchers in modeling health care systems and drive further studies in advanced technologies. Finally, we propose future directions in research and conclude that persuasive AI strategies, probabilistic models, and supervised learning are required to tackle future pandemic challenges.

MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Humans

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