Browse publications by year: 2021

  1. Gandam A, Sidhu JS, Verma S, Jhanjhi NZ, Nayyar A, Abouhawwash M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(5):e0250959.
    PMID: 33970949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250959
    Compression at a very low bit rate(≤0.5bpp) causes degradation in video frames with standard decoding algorithms like H.261, H.262, H.264, and MPEG-1 and MPEG-4, which itself produces lots of artifacts. This paper focuses on an efficient pre-and post-processing technique (PP-AFT) to address and rectify the problems of quantization error, ringing, blocking artifact, and flickering effect, which significantly degrade the visual quality of video frames. The PP-AFT method differentiates the blocked images or frames using activity function into different regions and developed adaptive filters as per the classified region. The designed process also introduces an adaptive flicker extraction and removal method and a 2-D filter to remove ringing effects in edge regions. The PP-AFT technique is implemented on various videos, and results are compared with different existing techniques using performance metrics like PSNR-B, MSSIM, and GBIM. Simulation results show significant improvement in the subjective quality of different video frames. The proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art de-blocking methods in terms of PSNR-B with average value lying between (0.7-1.9db) while (35.83-47.7%) reduced average GBIM keeping MSSIM values very close to the original sequence statistically 0.978.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Computer Simulation/standards*; Humans; Image Enhancement/methods*; Artifacts; Data Compression/methods*; Signal-To-Noise Ratio*
  2. Quek A, Mohd Zaini H, Kassim NK, Sulaiman F, Rukayadi Y, Ismail A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(5):e0251534.
    PMID: 33970960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251534
    Melicope glabra (Blume) T. G. Hartley from the Rutaceae family is one of the richest sources of plant secondary metabolites, including coumarins and flavanoids. This study investigates the free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of M. glabra and its isolated compounds. M. glabra ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared using the cold maceration technique. The isolation of compounds was performed with column chromatography. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated based on their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) activities. The extracts and compounds were also subjected to antibacterial evaluation using bio-autographic and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) techniques against two oral pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans. Isolation of phytoconstituents from ethyl acetate extract successfully yielded quercetin 3, 5, 3'-trimethyl ether (1) and kumatakenin (2), while the isolation of the methanol extract resulted in scoparone (3), 6, 7, 8-trimethoxycoumarin (4), marmesin (5), glabranin (6), umbelliferone (7), scopoletin (8), and sesamin (9). The study is the first to isolate compound (1) from Rutaceae plants, and also the first to report the isolation of compounds (2-5) from M. glabra. The ORAC evaluation showed that the methanol extract is stronger than the ethyl acetate extract, while umbelliferone (7) exhibited the highest ORAC value of 24 965 μmolTE/g followed by glabranin (6), sesamin (9) and scopoletin (8). Ethyl acetate extract showed stronger antibacterial activity towards E. faecalis and S. mutans than the methanol extract with MIC values of 4166.7 ± 1443.4 μg/ml and 8303.3 ± 360.8 μg/ml respectively. Ethyl acetate extract inhibited E. faecalis growth, as shown by the lowest optical density value of 0.046 at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL with a percentage inhibition of 95%. Among the isolated compounds tested, umbelliferone (7) and sesamin (9) exhibited promising antibacterial activity against S. mutans with both exhibiting MIC values of 208.3 ± 90.6 μg/ml. Findings from this study suggests M. glabra as a natural source of potent antioxidant and antibacterial agents.
  3. Jahir T, Pitchik HO, Rahman M, Sultana J, Shoab AKM, Nurul Huda TM, et al.
    Environ Res, 2021 Aug;199:111292.
    PMID: 33971132 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111292
    Lead exposure is harmful at any time in life, but pre-natal and early childhood exposures are particularly detrimental to cognitive development. In Bangladesh, multiple household-level lead exposures pose risks, including turmeric adulterated with lead chromate and food storage in lead-soldered cans. We developed and evaluated an intervention to reduce lead exposure among children and their caregivers in rural Bangladesh. We conducted formative research to inform theory-based behavioral recommendations. Lead exposure was one of several topics covered in the multi-component intervention focused on early child development. Community health workers (CHWs) delivered the lead component of the intervention during group sessions with pregnant women and mother-child dyads (<15 months old) in a cluster-randomized trial. We administered household surveys at baseline (control n = 301; intervention n = 320) and 9 months later at endline (control n = 279; intervention n = 239) and calculated adjusted risk and mean differences for primary outcomes. We conducted two qualitative assessments, one after 3 months and a second after 9 months, to examine the feasibility and benefits of the intervention. At endline, the prevalence of lead awareness was 52 percentage points higher in the intervention arm compared to the control (adjusted risk difference: 0.52 [95% CI 0.46 to 0.61]). Safe turmeric consumption and food storage practices were more common in the intervention versus control arm at endline, with adjusted risk differences of 0.22 [0.10 to 0.32] and 0.13 [0.00 to 0.19], respectively. Semi-structured interviews conducted with a subset of participants after the intervention revealed that the perceived benefit of reducing lead exposure was high because of the long-term negative impacts that lead can have on child cognitive development. The study demonstrates that a group-based CHW-led intervention can effectively raise awareness about and motivate lead exposure prevention behaviors in rural Bangladesh. Future efforts should combine similar awareness-raising efforts with longer-term regulatory and structural changes to systematically and sustainably reduce lead exposure.
    MeSH terms: Bangladesh; Child; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Lead*; Pregnancy; Rural Population; Caregivers*
  4. Yap JX, Leo CP, Mohd Yasin NH, Show PL, Derek CJC
    Environ Res, 2021 08;199:111298.
    PMID: 33971133 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111298
    Culture scaffolds allow microalgae cultivation with minimum water requirement using the air-liquid interface approach. However, the stability of cellulose-based scaffolds in microalgae cultivation remains questionable. In this study, the stability of regenerated cellulose culture scaffolds was enhanced by adjusting TiO2 loading and casting gap. The membrane scaffolds were synthesized using cellulose dissolved in NaOH/urea aqueous solution with various loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The TiO2 nanoparticles were embedded into the porous membrane scaffolds as proven by Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopic images, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. Although surface hydrophilicity and porosity were enhanced by increasing TiO2 and casting gap, the scaffold pore size was reduced. Cellulose membrane scaffold with 0.05 wt% of TiO2 concentration and thickness of 100 μm attained the highest percentage of Navicula incerta growth rate, up to 37.4%. The membrane scaffolds remained stable in terms of weight, porosity and pore size even they were immersed in acidic solution, hydrogen peroxide or autoclaved at 121 °C for 15 min. The optimal cellulose membrane scaffold is with TiO2 loading of 0.5 wt% and thickness of 100 μm, resulting in supporting the highest N. incerta growth rate and and exhibits good membrane stability.
    MeSH terms: Cellulose; Titanium; Porosity; Nanoparticles*; Tissue Scaffolds*
  5. Zolio L, Lim KY, McKenzie JE, Yan MK, Estee M, Hussain SM, et al.
    Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2021 08;29(8):1096-1116.
    PMID: 33971205 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.03.021
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of neuropathic-like pain (NP) and pain sensitization (PS) defined by self-report questionnaires in knee and hip osteoarthritis, and whether prevalence is potentially explained by disease-severity or affected joint.

    DESIGN: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL were systematically searched (1990-April 2020) for studies describing the prevalence of NP and PS in knee and hip osteoarthritis using self-report questionnaires. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Statistical heterogeneity between studies and sub-groups (affected joint and population source as a proxy for disease severity) was assessed (I2 statistic and the Chi-squared test).

    RESULTS: From 2,706 non-duplicated references, 39 studies were included (2011-2020). Thirty-six studies reported on knee pain and six on hip pain. For knee osteoarthritis, the pooled prevalence of NP was: using PainDETECT, possible NP(score ≥13) 40% (95%CI 32-48%); probable NP(score >18) 20% (95%CI 15-24%); using Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, 32% (95%CI 26-38%); using Douleur Neuropathique (DN4) 41% (95% CI 24-59%). The prevalence of PS using Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was 36% (95% CI 12-59%). For hip osteoarthritis, the pooled prevalence of NP was: using PainDETECT, possible NP 29% (95%CI 22-37%%); probable NP 9% (95%CI 6-13%); using DN4 22% (95%CI 12-31%) in one study. The prevalence of possible NP pain was higher at the knee (40%) than the hip (29%) (difference 11% (95% CI 0-22%), P = 0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Using self-report questionnaire tools, NP was more prevalent in knee than hip osteoarthritis. The prevalence of NP in knee and hip osteoarthritis were similar for each joint regardless of study population source or tool used. Whether defining NP using self-report questionnaires enables more effective targeted therapy in osteoarthritis requires investigation.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Neuralgia/physiopathology*; Osteoarthritis, Hip/physiopathology*; Prevalence; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology*; Central Nervous System Sensitization/physiology*
  6. Saheed IO, Oh WD, Suah FBM
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2021 Jul 31;183:1026-1033.
    PMID: 33971228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.042
    In this study, chitosan/porous carbon composite (C-PC) modified in 1-Allyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide [AMIM][Br] under airtight condition was prepared for the removal of Acid Blue-25 dye (AB-25) from aqueous medium. For comparison of adsorption efficiency of C-PC, chitosan-activated carbon composite (C-AC) was also prepared in 1% acetic acid. The adsorbents were characterised using SEM, EDX, XRD, BET, TGA and FTIR. The micrograph of C-PC revealed cavities and slightly rough surfaces dominated with similar sized and irregular shaped stone-like materials which differ from the precursors' micrograph. BET analysis revealed the domination of mesopores on the C-PC and C-AC surfaces, as the hydroxyl and amino group on C-PC are the main active sites for AB-25 dye uptake. The dye was better adsorbed onto C-PC at pH 2 and C-AC at pH 4. The adsorption capacity obtained for C-PC, C-AC, activated carbon (AC) and chitosan (CH) using Langmuir isotherm model are 3333.33 mg/g, 909.90 mg/g, 909.09 mg/g and 833.33 mg/g, respectively. The experimental data are well described by Langmuir and Fruendlich isotherms for adsorption of the dye onto C-PC, AC and CH. C-AC fitted into Langmuir isotherm only. The kinetics of the adsorption fitted into pseudo-second order indicating the possibility of chemical interactions in the adsorption process.
  7. Ma NL, Lam SD, Che Lah WA, Ahmad A, Rinklebe J, Sonne C, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2021 Oct 01;286:117214.
    PMID: 33971466 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117214
    Salinisation of soil is associated with urban pollution, industrial development and rising sea level. Understanding how high salinity is managed at the plant cellular level is vital to increase sustainable farming output. Previous studies focus on plant stress responses under salinity tolerance. Yet, there is limited knowledge about the mechanisms involved from stress state until the recovery state; our research aims to close this gap. By using the most tolerance genotype (SS1-14) and the most susceptible genotype (SS2-18), comparative physiological, metabolome and post-harvest assessments were performed to identify the underlying mechanisms for salinity stress recovery in plant cells. The up-regulation of glutamine, asparagine and malonic acid were found in recovered-tolerant genotype, suggesting a role in the regulation of panicle branching and spikelet formation for survival. Rice could survive up to 150 mM NaCl (∼15 ds/m) with declined of production rate 5-20% ranged from tolerance to susceptible genotype. This show that rice farming may still be viable on the high saline affected area with the right selection of salt-tolerant species, including glycophytes. The salt recovery biomarkers identified in this study and the adaption underlined could be empowered to address salinity problem in rice field.
    MeSH terms: Genotype; Stress, Physiological; Salinity; Salt-Tolerance; Metabolomics
  8. Schellong S, Ageno W, Casella IB, Chee KH, Schulman S, Singer DE, et al.
    Semin Thromb Hemost, 2021 May 10.
    PMID: 33971682 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729169
    Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is presumed to be more benign than proximal DVT (PDVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), suggesting a need for different management approaches. This subgroup analysis of the RE-COVERY DVT/PE global, observational study investigated patient characteristics, hospitalization details, and anticoagulant therapy in patients with IDDVT in real-world settings in 34 countries enrolled from January 2016 to May 2017. Data were analyzed descriptively according to the type and location of the index venous thromboembolism (VTE): IDDVT, PDVT ± distal DVT (DDVT), and PE ± DVT. Of the 6,095 eligible patients, 323 with DVT located outside the lower limb and no PE were excluded. Of the remaining 5,772 patients, 17.6% had IDDVT, 39.9% had PDVT ± DDVT, and 42.5% had PE ± DVT. IDDVT patients were younger and had fewer risk factors for VTE than the other groups. Other comorbidities were less frequent in the IDDVT group, except for varicose veins, superficial thrombophlebitis, and venous insufficiency. IDDVT patients were less likely to be diagnosed in an emergency department (22.3 vs. 29.7% for PDVT ± DDVT and 45.4% for PE ± DVT) or hospitalized for VTE (29.2 vs. 48.5% for PDVT ± DDVT and 75.0% for PE ± DVT). At hospital discharge or 14 days after diagnosis (whichever was later), non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants were the most commonly used anticoagulants (55.6% for IDDVT, 54.7% for PDVT ± DDVT, and 52.8% for PE ± DVT). Although differences in patient characteristics, risk factors, and clinical management were identified, anticoagulant treatment of IDDVT was almost equal to that of PDVT or PE. Prospective studies should investigate whether, in a global perspective, this is an appropriate use of anticoagulants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02596230.
    MeSH terms: Anticoagulants; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hospitals; Humans; Patient Discharge; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Factors; Thrombophlebitis; Varicose Veins; Venous Insufficiency; Venous Thrombosis; Lower Extremity; Venous Thromboembolism
  9. Ismail NA, Mohamed Ismail NA, Bador KM
    J Obstet Gynaecol, 2021 Aug;41(6):899-903.
    PMID: 33962550 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2020.1820462
    We investigated if vitamin D is independently associated with hyperglycaemia in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, fructosamine, insulin sensitivity (QUICKI equation), body mass index, clothing style and outdoor activity were measured in 58 pregnant women with GDM during the third trimester. 25OHD was also measured in 20 women with normal pregnancies. There was no significant difference in mean 25OHD concentrations between GDM (14.43 ± 5.27 ng/ml) and normal (15.45 ± 5.29 ng/ml) pregnancies, p = .354. However, a higher percentage of GDM subjects had 25OHD concentration <19.8 ng/ml (86 versus 65%, p = .003). 25OHD did not correlate with FBG, HbA1c, fructosamine, insulin sensitivity or insulin dosage (p > .05). On multivariate analysis, only ethnicity (p = .006) and outdoor activity (p = .004) were associated with 25OHD. We conclude that the lower 25OHD levels in our GDM patients were related to ethnicity and outdoor activity (Study FF-2017-111, National University of Malaysia, 16 March 2017).IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is widespread and particularly in certain ethnic groups. Low vitamin D levels may be an aetiological factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but previous studies provide conflicting results perhaps due to confounding factors.What do the results of this study add? In this study of pregnant women with GDM from different ethnic backgrounds, we analysed serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels together with other confounding factors, that is, body mass index, ethnicity and sunlight exposure. Furthermore, instead of using consensus values, we determined cut-offs for different vitamin D status from normal pregnancies matched for gestational age and ethnicity. We found that a higher percentage of GDM subjects had lower vitamin D status but there was no correlation with hyperglycaemia or insulin sensitivity. The study showed that lower vitamin D levels in GDM was associated with ethnicity and less outdoor activity.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In GDM patients, low vitamin D levels may be modifiable by supplementation or lifestyle change. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether this would impact on the occurrence of GDM.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hyperglycemia/blood*; Hyperglycemia/etiology; Insulin/blood; Insulin Resistance; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/blood*; Pregnancy Complications/etiology; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/blood; Risk Factors; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives*; Vitamin D/blood; Vitamin D Deficiency/blood; Vitamin D Deficiency/complications*; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes, Gestational/blood*
  10. Cheah PK, Steven EM, Ng KK, Hashim MI, Abdul Kadir MH, Roder NP
    Int J Emerg Med, 2021 May 07;14(1):30.
    PMID: 33962581 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-021-00354-9
    Sabah in Malaysian Borneo is among the Malaysian states which reported a high number of detected COVID-19 cases during the current pandemic. Due to geographical challenges and limited resources, clinicians developed novel strategies for managing patients. The use of a dual oxygen concentrator system for mechanical ventilation is one of the innovations developed by retrieval team members from the Emergency Department (ED) of the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital. Due to conditions requiring isolation of patients suspected of or positive for COVID-19, high-risk patients were treated in an ED extension area that lacked central wall oxygen. Direct access to oxygen tanks became the only viable option, but ensuring a continuous supply was laborious. The novel setup described within this paper has been used on intubated patients in the ED extension area with moderate to high ventilator settings successfully. This simple setup, designed to meet the limited resources within a pandemic environment, needed only a turbine-driven ventilator, two oxygen concentrators, a 3-way connector, and three oxygen tubing. The application of this setup could potentially save more critically ill patients who are being managed in resource-limited conditions such as in smaller district hospitals or out in the field.
    MeSH terms: Borneo; Child; Emergency Service, Hospital; Health Resources; Home Care Services; Hospitals, District; Humans; Malaysia; Oxygen; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Respiration, Artificial; Ventilators, Mechanical; Critical Illness; Pandemics
  11. Barber BE, Grigg MJ, Piera KA, Chen Y, William T, Weinberg JB, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 May 07;11(1):9741.
    PMID: 33963210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88962-6
    Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx is associated with mortality in adult falciparum malaria. However, its role in the pathogenesis of non-falciparum malaria is unknown. In Malaysian patients with knowlesi (n = 200) and vivax (n = 61) malaria, and in healthy controls (n = 50), we measured glycocalyx breakdown products plasma syndecan-1 and urinary glycosaminoglycans, and evaluated correlations with biomarkers of disease severity. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were increased in patients with knowlesi and vivax malaria compared to healthy controls, and in knowlesi malaria were highest in those with severe disease. In knowlesi malaria, plasma syndecan-1 was also highest in those with severe disease, and correlated with markers of endothelial activation (angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin, ICAM-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and impaired microvascular reactivity. Syndecan-1 also correlated with endothelial activation (ICAM-1, angiopoietin-2) and ADMA in vivax malaria. In knowlesi malaria increased syndecan-1 was associated with acute kidney injury, after controlling for age and parasitemia. In knowlesi malaria, the difference in median syndecan-1 between severe and non-severe disease was more marked in females than males. Endothelial glycocalyx degradation is increased in knowlesi and vivax malaria, and associated with disease severity and acute kidney injury in knowlesi malaria. Agents that inhibit glycocalyx breakdown may represent adjunctive therapeutics for severe non-falciparum malaria.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Plasmodium vivax/metabolism*; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Biomarkers/blood; Biomarkers/urine; Plasmodium knowlesi/metabolism*; Glycocalyx/metabolism*
  12. Halizan MZM, Mohamed Z, Yahya AK
    Sci Rep, 2021 May 07;11(1):9744.
    PMID: 33963258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89132-4
    In electronic applications, good dielectric permittivity material has huge potential in the capacitive energy storage devices. Herein, in the present work the dielectric study of SrLaLiTe1-xMnxO6 (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10) double perovskites has been studied and discussed. These compounds were prepared through solid-state reaction method. All of the prepared compounds were confirmed to crystallized in monoclinic structure of P21/n space symmetry with better crystallization when dopant concentrations increased until x = 0.08. The formation of Li-O-Te/Mn bonds in octahedral structures in all compounds were confirmed in this study. The existence of peaks at specific wavenumbers indicated vibrations of B-site cations' bonds. When dopant amounts were increased from x = 0.02 to x = 0.08, there was an increasing trend of grains sizes formation in the compounds. The discussions on effects of grain sizes towards dielectric properties were included in this paper. Other important results and discussions comprised of the significant effects of dopant on the optical band gap (Eopt) and absorption frequencies of the compounds. The decreasing trend of Eopt towards semiconductor range indicated the compounds' promising potentials for optoelectronic device application.
  13. Hassan N, Ahmad T, Zain NM, Awang SR
    Sci Rep, 2021 05 07;11(1):9793.
    PMID: 33963261 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89358-2
    Gelatin is a protein substance that is widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Gelatin is mainly derived from bovine and porcine sources. Fish gelatin is becoming alternative source of gelatin due to concern on health issue and religious constraints. Numerous studies for identification of gelatin sources have been reported. In this study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used in combination with chemometrics fuzzy autocatalytic set (c-FACS) to distinguish between bovine, porcine and fish gelatins. The gelatin spectra at Amide and 1600-1000 cm-1 regions were analyzed using c-FACS and the results were compared to principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The results obtained from c-FACS method showed that each bovine, porcine and fish gelatin possessed dominant wavenumbers at 1470-1475 cm-1, 1444-1450 cm-1 and 1496-1500 cm-1 respectively, which represent their unique signatures. Furthermore, a clear distinction for porcine gelatin was observed in coordinated FACS. The c-FACS method is rigor and faster than PCA and LDA in differentiating the gelatin sources. The novel method promises at least another chemometrics method for FTIR related analysis and the possibilities for other applications are endless.
  14. Bosch J, Lonn EM, Jung H, Zhu J, Liu L, Lopez-Jaramillo P, et al.
    Eur Heart J, 2021 08 17;42(31):2995-3007.
    PMID: 33963372 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab225
    AIMS: Rosuvastatin (10 mg per day) compared with placebo reduced major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events by 24% in 12 705 participants at intermediate CV risk after 5.6 years. There was no benefit of blood pressure (BP) lowering treatment in the overall group, but a reduction in events in the third of participants with elevated systolic BP. After cessation of all the trial medications, we examined whether the benefits observed during the active treatment phase were sustained, enhanced, or attenuated.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: After the randomized treatment period (5.6 years), participants were invited to participate in 3.1 further years of observation (total 8.7 years). The first co-primary outcome for the entire length of follow-up was the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or CV death [major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE)-1], and the second was MACE-1 plus resuscitated cardiac arrest, heart failure, or coronary revascularization (MACE-2). In total, 9326 (78%) of 11 994 surviving Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE)-3 subjects consented to participate in extended follow-up. During 3.1 years of post-trial observation (total follow-up of 8.7 years), participants originally randomized to rosuvastatin compared with placebo had a 20% additional reduction in MACE-1 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.99] and a 17% additional reduction in MACE-2 (95% CI 0.68-1.01). Therefore, over the 8.7 years of follow-up, there was a 21% reduction in MACE-1 (95% CI 0.69-0.90, P = 0.005) and 21% reduction in MACE-2 (95% CI 0.69-0.89, P = 0.002). There was no benefit of BP lowering in the overall study either during the active or post-trial observation period, however, a 24% reduction in MACE-1 was observed over 8.7 years.

    CONCLUSION: The CV benefits of rosuvastatin, and BP lowering in those with elevated systolic BP, compared with placebo continue to accrue for at least 3 years after cessation of randomized treatment in individuals without cardiovascular disease indicating a legacy effect.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00468923.

    MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Double-Blind Method; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Risk Factors
  15. Othman MY, Halepota HF, Le Linn Y, Lee YT, Chang KTE, Ahamed SH, et al.
    Pediatr Surg Int, 2021 Aug;37(8):1049-1059.
    PMID: 33963920 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-021-04915-0
    PURPOSE: Complete upfront resection of pediatric gastrointestinal lymphomas is recommended over biopsy whenever feasible, but either approach may have adverse sequelae. We sought to compare gastrointestinal and oncological outcomes of pediatric gastrointestinal lymphomas who underwent attempted upfront resection or biopsy of the presenting bowel mass.

    METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of children with gastrointestinal lymphomas treated on LMB89 and LMB96 protocols from 2000 to 2019 who underwent upfront gastrointestinal surgery, and compared resection and biopsy groups.

    RESULTS: Of 33 children with abdominal lymphomas, 20 had upfront gastrointestinal surgery-10 each had resection or biopsy. Patients with attempted upfront resections had fewer postoperative gastrointestinal complications compared to biopsies (10% vs. 60%, p = 0.057), but longer time to chemotherapy initiation (median 11.5 vs. 4.5 days, p 

  16. Mazumdar P, Singh P, Kethiravan D, Ramathani I, Ramakrishnan N
    Planta, 2021 May 08;253(6):119.
    PMID: 33963935 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03636-x
    MAIN CONCLUSION: This review provides insights into the molecular interactions between Phytophthora infestans and tomato and highlights research gaps that need further attention. Late blight in tomato is caused by the oomycota hemibiotroph Phytophthora infestans, and this disease represents a global threat to tomato farming. The pathogen is cumbersome to control because of its fast-evolving nature, ability to overcome host resistance and inefficient natural resistance obtained from the available tomato germplasm. To achieve successful control over this pathogen, the molecular pathogenicity of P. infestans and key points of vulnerability in the host plant immune system must be understood. This review primarily focuses on efforts to better understand the molecular interaction between host pathogens from both perspectives, as well as the resistance genes, metabolomic changes, quantitative trait loci with potential for improvement in disease resistance and host genome manipulation via transgenic approaches, and it further identifies research gaps and provides suggestions for future research priorities.
    MeSH terms: Plant Diseases; Research; Phytophthora infestans*; Disease Resistance
  17. Khor SK, Heymann DL
    Lancet Public Health, 2021 06;6(6):e357-e358.
    PMID: 33964228 DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00101-8
    MeSH terms: Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*; Pandemics/prevention & control
  18. Wong SK, Supramaniam J, Wong TW, Soottitantawat A, Ruktanonchai UR, Tey BT, et al.
    Carbohydr Res, 2021 Jun;504:108336.
    PMID: 33964507 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2021.108336
    The development of hybrid polysaccharide-protein complexes as Pickering emulsion stabilizers has attracted increasing research interest in recent years. This work presents an eco-friendly surface modification strategy to functionalize hydrophilic cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) using hydrophobic soy protein isolate (SPI) via mussel adhesive-inspired poly (l-dopa) (PLD) to develop improved nanoconjugates as stabilizers for oil-in-water Pickering emulsion. The physicochemical properties of the CNC-PLD-SPI nanoconjugate were evaluated by solid-state 13C NMR, FT-IR, TGA, XRD, contact angle analysis, and TEM. The modified CNC (conjugation content of 38.22 ± 1.21%) had lowered crystallinity index, higher thermal stability, and more hydrophobic than unmodified CNC, with an average particle size of 309.9 ± 8.0 nm. Use of amphiphilic CNC-PLD-SPI nanoconjugate with greater conformational flexibility as Pickering stabilizer produced oil-in-water emulsions with greater physical stability.
    MeSH terms: Particle Size; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  19. Thangamani GJ, Deshmukh K, Kovářík T, Nambiraj NA, Ponnamma D, Sadasivuni KK, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2021 Oct;280:130641.
    PMID: 33964741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130641
    Over the last few decades, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been widely used in the processing of building materials and this practice adversely affected the environment i.e. both indoor and outdoor air quality. A cost-effective solution for detecting a wide range of VOCs by sensing approaches includes chemiresistive, optical and electrochemical techniques. Room temperature (RT) chemiresistive gas sensors are next-generation technologies desirable for self-powered or battery-powered instruments utilized in monitoring emissions that are associated with indoor/outdoor air pollution and industrial processes. In this review, a state-of-the-art overview of chemiresistive gas sensors is provided based on their attractive analytical characteristics such as high sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, rapid assay time and low fabrication cost. The review mainly discusses the recent advancement and advantages of graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites-based chemiresistive gas sensors and various factors affecting their sensing performance at RT. Besides, the sensing mechanisms of GO nanocomposites-based chemiresistive gas sensors derived using metals, transition metal oxides (TMOs) and polymers were discussed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of GO nanocomposites-based RT chemiresistive gas sensors are addressed.
    MeSH terms: Graphite*; Temperature; Reproducibility of Results; Nanocomposites*
  20. Weralupitiya C, Wanigatunge R, Joseph S, Athapattu BCL, Lee TH, Kumar Biswas J, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2021 Aug;334:125240.
    PMID: 33964811 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125240
    The discovery of anammox process has provided eco-friendly and low-cost means of treating ammonia rich wastewater with remarkable efficiency. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the possibility of operating the anammox process under low temperatures and high organic matter contents broadening the application of the anammox process. However, short doubling time and extensive levels of sensitivity towards nutrients and environmental alterations such as salinity and temperature are the limitations in practical applications of the anammox process. This review article provides the recent yet comprehensive viewpoint on anammox bacteria and the key perspectives in applying them as an efficient strategy for wastewater treatment.
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