Browse publications by year: 2022

  1. Ho PJ, Khng AJ, Tan BK, Tan EY, Tan SM, Tan VKM, et al.
    Breast Cancer, 2022 Sep;29(5):869-879.
    PMID: 35543923 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-022-01366-w
    BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes play critical roles in immune surveillance, an important defence against tumors. Imputing HLA genotypes from existing single-nucleotide polymorphism datasets is low-cost and efficient. We investigate the relevance of the major histocompatibility complex region in breast cancer susceptibility, using imputed class I and II HLA alleles, in 25,484 women of Asian ancestry.

    METHODS: A total of 12,901 breast cancer cases and 12,583 controls from 12 case-control studies were included in our pooled analysis. HLA imputation was performed using SNP2HLA on 10,886 quality-controlled variants within the 15-55 Mb region on chromosome 6. HLA alleles (n = 175) with info scores greater than 0.8 and frequencies greater than 0.01 were included (resolution at two-digit level: 71; four-digit level: 104). We studied the associations between HLA alleles and breast cancer risk using logistic regression, adjusting for population structure and age. Associations between HLA alleles and the risk of subtypes of breast cancer (ER-positive, ER-negative, HER2-positive, HER2-negative, early-stage, and late-stage) were examined.

    RESULTS: We did not observe associations between any HLA allele and breast cancer risk at P 

    MeSH terms: Alleles; Female; Genotype; Humans; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  2. Taquet M, Sillett R, Zhu L, Mendel J, Camplisson I, Dercon Q, et al.
    Lancet Psychiatry, 2022 Oct;9(10):815-827.
    PMID: 35987197 DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00260-7
    BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with increased risks of neurological and psychiatric sequelae in the weeks and months thereafter. How long these risks remain, whether they affect children and adults similarly, and whether SARS-CoV-2 variants differ in their risk profiles remains unclear.

    METHODS: In this analysis of 2-year retrospective cohort studies, we extracted data from the TriNetX electronic health records network, an international network of de-identified data from health-care records of approximately 89 million patients collected from hospital, primary care, and specialist providers (mostly from the USA, but also from Australia, the UK, Spain, Bulgaria, India, Malaysia, and Taiwan). A cohort of patients of any age with COVID-19 diagnosed between Jan 20, 2020, and April 13, 2022, was identified and propensity-score matched (1:1) to a contemporaneous cohort of patients with any other respiratory infection. Matching was done on the basis of demographic factors, risk factors for COVID-19 and severe COVID-19 illness, and vaccination status. Analyses were stratified by age group (age <18 years [children], 18-64 years [adults], and ≥65 years [older adults]) and date of diagnosis. We assessed the risks of 14 neurological and psychiatric diagnoses after SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared these risks with the matched comparator cohort. The 2-year risk trajectories were represented by time-varying hazard ratios (HRs) and summarised using the 6-month constant HRs (representing the risks in the earlier phase of follow-up, which have not yet been well characterised in children), the risk horizon for each outcome (ie, the time at which the HR returns to 1), and the time to equal incidence in the two cohorts. We also estimated how many people died after a neurological or psychiatric diagnosis during follow-up in each age group. Finally, we compared matched cohorts of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 directly before and after the emergence of the alpha (B.1.1.7), delta (B.1.617.2), and omicron (B.1.1.529) variants.

    FINDINGS: We identified 1 487 712 patients with a recorded diagnosis of COVID-19 during the study period, of whom 1 284 437 (185 748 children, 856 588 adults, and 242 101 older adults; overall mean age 42·5 years [SD 21·9]; 741 806 [57·8%] were female and 542 192 [42·2%] were male) were adequately matched with an equal number of patients with another respiratory infection. The risk trajectories of outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the whole cohort differed substantially. While most outcomes had HRs significantly greater than 1 after 6 months (with the exception of encephalitis; Guillain-Barré syndrome; nerve, nerve root, and plexus disorder; and parkinsonism), their risk horizons and time to equal incidence varied greatly. Risks of the common psychiatric disorders returned to baseline after 1-2 months (mood disorders at 43 days, anxiety disorders at 58 days) and subsequently reached an equal overall incidence to the matched comparison group (mood disorders at 457 days, anxiety disorders at 417 days). By contrast, risks of cognitive deficit (known as brain fog), dementia, psychotic disorders, and epilepsy or seizures were still increased at the end of the 2-year follow-up period. Post-COVID-19 risk trajectories differed in children compared with adults: in the 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, children were not at an increased risk of mood (HR 1·02 [95% CI 0·94-1·10) or anxiety (1·00 [0·94-1·06]) disorders, but did have an increased risk of cognitive deficit, insomnia, intracranial haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke, nerve, nerve root, and plexus disorders, psychotic disorders, and epilepsy or seizures (HRs ranging from 1·20 [1·09-1·33] to 2·16 [1·46-3·19]). Unlike adults, cognitive deficit in children had a finite risk horizon (75 days) and a finite time to equal incidence (491 days). A sizeable proportion of older adults who received a neurological or psychiatric diagnosis, in either cohort, subsequently died, especially those diagnosed with dementia or epilepsy or seizures. Risk profiles were similar just before versus just after the emergence of the alpha variant (n=47 675 in each cohort). Just after (vs just before) the emergence of the delta variant (n=44 835 in each cohort), increased risks of ischaemic stroke, epilepsy or seizures, cognitive deficit, insomnia, and anxiety disorders were observed, compounded by an increased death rate. With omicron (n=39 845 in each cohort), there was a lower death rate than just before emergence of the variant, but the risks of neurological and psychiatric outcomes remained similar.

    INTERPRETATION: This analysis of 2-year retrospective cohort studies of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 showed that the increased incidence of mood and anxiety disorders was transient, with no overall excess of these diagnoses compared with other respiratory infections. In contrast, the increased risk of psychotic disorder, cognitive deficit, dementia, and epilepsy or seizures persisted throughout. The differing trajectories suggest a different pathogenesis for these outcomes. Children have a more benign overall profile of psychiatric risk than do adults and older adults, but their sustained higher risk of some diagnoses is of concern. The fact that neurological and psychiatric outcomes were similar during the delta and omicron waves indicates that the burden on the health-care system might continue even with variants that are less severe in other respects. Our findings are relevant to understanding individual-level and population-level risks of neurological and psychiatric disorders after SARS-CoV-2 infection and can help inform our responses to them.

    FUNDING: National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, The Wolfson Foundation, and MQ Mental Health Research.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brain Ischemia*; Child; Female; Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders*; Male; Retrospective Studies; Seizures; Cohort Studies; Stroke*
  3. Torsabo D, Ishak SD, Noordin NM, Koh ICC, Abduh MY, Iber BT, et al.
    Aquac Nutr, 2022;2022:7138012.
    PMID: 36860466 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7138012
    Dietary lipid manipulation in the feed of commercially cultured finfish is used not only to improve production and culture but also to enhance their reproductive performances. The inclusion of lipid in broodstock diet positively affects growth, immunological responses, gonadogenesis, and larval survival. In this review, existing literature on the importance of freshwater finfish species to aquaculture and the inclusion of dietary lipid compounds in freshwater fish feed to accelerate the reproduction rate is being summarized and discussed. Although lipid compounds have been confirmed to improve reproductive performance, only a few members of the most economically important species have reaped benefits from quantitative and qualitative lipid studies. There is a knowledge gap on the effective inclusion and utilization of dietary lipids on gonad maturation, fecundity, fertilization, egg morphology, hatching rate, and consequently, larval quality contributing to the survival and good performance of freshwater fish culture. This review provides a baseline for potential future research for optimizing dietary lipid inclusion in freshwater broodstock diets.
  4. Sulistyani N, Nurkhasanah -, Angelita L, Ridwan Rais I, Amiruddin Zakaria Z
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2022 Nov;35(6(Special)):1805-1811.
    PMID: 36861247
    This study aimed to determine the ability of Persea americana (Mill.) or avocado peels ethanolic extract and its fractions to cause bacterial cell leakage in Staphylococcus aureus. The interaction of antibacterial compound with bacterial cells induces several changes leading to the damage of membrane permeability, followed by intracellular bacterial cell leakage. The experiment started with the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration by micro dilution method. Following the determination of MIC and MBC values, the samples, at the concentrations of 1xMIC and 2xMIC, were tested and analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 260 and 280 nm to determine the leakage of bacteria cells. The value of K+ ion leakage was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry while the value of electrical conductivity was measured by conducto meter to determine the leakage of the cell membrane. The recorded MIC and MBC values of samples were 10% w/v. At the concentrations of 10% and 20% w/v, the samples caused an increase in nucleic acid, protein and DNA levels as well as an increase in extra cellular electrical conductivity. Prolonged exposure of the extract increased the leakage of bacterial cell contents and the electrical conductivity, indicating the damage of bacterial cell membrane.
    MeSH terms: Flavonoids; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Staphylococcal Infections*; Staphylococcus aureus; Persea*
  5. Albahri OS, Zaidan AA, Albahri AS, Alsattar HA, Mohammed R, Aickelin U, et al.
    J Adv Res, 2022 Mar;37:147-168.
    PMID: 35475277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.08.009
    INTRODUCTION: The vaccine distribution for the COVID-19 is a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem based on three issues, namely, identification of different distribution criteria, importance criteria and data variation. Thus, the Pythagorean fuzzy decision by opinion score method (PFDOSM) for prioritising vaccine recipients is the correct approach because it utilises the most powerful MCDM ranking method. However, PFDOSM weighs the criteria values of each alternative implicitly, which is limited to explicitly weighting each criterion. In view of solving this theoretical issue, the fuzzy-weighted zero-inconsistency (FWZIC) can be used as a powerful weighting MCDM method to provide explicit weights for a criteria set with zero inconstancy. However, FWZIC is based on the triangular fuzzy number that is limited in solving the vagueness related to the aforementioned theoretical issues.

    OBJECTIVES: This research presents a novel homogeneous Pythagorean fuzzy framework for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine dose by integrating a new formulation of the PFWZIC and PFDOSM methods.

    METHODS: The methodology is divided into two phases. Firstly, an augmented dataset was generated that included 300 recipients based on five COVID-19 vaccine distribution criteria (i.e., vaccine recipient memberships, chronic disease conditions, age, geographic location severity and disabilities). Then, a decision matrix was constructed on the basis of an intersection of the 'recipients list' and 'COVID-19 distribution criteria'. Then, the MCDM methods were integrated. An extended PFWZIC was developed, followed by the development of PFDOSM.

    RESULTS: (1) PFWZIC effectively weighted the vaccine distribution criteria. (2) The PFDOSM-based group prioritisation was considered in the final distribution result. (3) The prioritisation ranks of the vaccine recipients were subject to a systematic ranking that is supported by high correlation results over nine scenarios of the changing criteria weights values.

    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study are expected to ensuring equitable protection against COVID-19 and thus help accelerate vaccine progress worldwide.

    MeSH terms: Decision Making; Humans; Fuzzy Logic
  6. Eleftheriou A, Antoniou E, Darbà J, Ascanio M, Angastiniotis M, Farmakis D
    Hemoglobin, 2022 Nov;46(6):308-311.
    PMID: 36847683 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2023.2167657
    Estimating the cost of thalassemia care is important for the optimization of care planning, resource allocation and the empowerment of patient advocacy. However, available evidence is heterogeneous, reflecting diverse healthcare systems and cost estimation methods. We sought to build a globally applicable cost model for thalassemia care. We followed a three-step approach, including (i) a targeted literature review to identify previous cost-of-illness studies on thalassemia; (ii) a generic model development based on the main determinants of cost in different countries emerged from a literature review and validated by a team of medical experts; (iii) a piloting of the model using data from two diverse countries. The literature review revealed studies focusing on the total costs of thalassemia care or the cost or cost-effectiveness of specific treatment or prevention modalities in high- and low-prevalence countries across the world. The resulting evidence was used to build a model that calculates total annual therapy cost based on entry of country-level and patient-level data, and data on healthcare modalities, indirect costs and prevention. Testing the model using published data from the UK, Iran, India and Malaysia, revealed an annual cost per patient of £81,796.00 for the UK, Iranian rial (IRR) 13,757.00 for Iran, Indian rupee (INR) 166,750.00 for India and Malyasian ringgit (or dollar) (MYR) 111,372.00 for Malaysia. A globally applicable model that calculates total annual cost of thalassemia care was built based on existing evidence. The model successfully predicted the annual cost of thalassemia care in the UK, Iran, India and Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Humans; India; Iran; Malaysia; Health Care Costs*
  7. Pollak NM, Olsson M, Marsh GA, Macdonald J, McMillan D
    Front Microbiol, 2022;13:1101914.
    PMID: 36845977 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1101914
    Accurate and timely diagnosis of Nipah virus (NiV) requires rapid, inexpensive, and robust diagnostic tests to control spread of disease. Current state of the art technologies are slow and require laboratory infrastructure that may not be available in all endemic settings. Here we report the development and comparison of three rapid NiV molecular diagnostic tests based on reverse transcription recombinase-based isothermal amplification coupled with lateral flow detection. These tests include a simple and fast one-step sample processing step that inactivates the BSL-4 pathogen, enabling safe testing without the need for multi-step RNA purification. The rapid NiV tests targeted the Nucleocapsid protein (N) gene with analytical sensitivity down to 1,000 copies/μL for synthetic NiV RNA and did not cross-react with RNA of other flaviviruses or Chikungunya virus, which can clinically present with similar febrile symptoms. Two tests detected 50,000-100,000 TCID50/mL (100-200 RNA copies/reaction) of the two distinct strains of NiV, Bangladesh (NiVB) and Malaysia (NiVM), and took 30 min from sample to result, suggesting these tests are well suited for rapid diagnosis under resource-limited conditions due to rapidity, simplicity, and low equipment requirements. These Nipah tests represent a first step toward development of near-patient NiV diagnostics that are appropriately sensitive for first-line screening, sufficiently robust for a range of peripheral settings, with potential to be safely performed outside of biohazard containment facilities.
  8. Lutpi SM, Abu J, Arshad SS, Rahaman NY
    J Vet Res, 2022 Dec;66(4):523-535.
    PMID: 36846031 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0061
    INTRODUCTION: Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is caused by avian bornavirus (ABV) has been identified in psittacine, non-psittacine birds and waterfowl. Birds may show signs of gastrointestinal tract deficit or neurological dysfunction or even both. The objectives of this study were to determine the molecular prevalence, risk factors and public awareness of ABV and PDD among captive and non-captive birds in Peninsular Malaysia.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 344 cloacal swabs or faeces were collected and subjected to detection using the RT-PCR assay. Meanwhile, KAP questionnaires were distributed by using the Google forms platform.

    RESULTS: Molecular prevalence studies revealed that 4.5% (9/201) of the pet birds were ABV-positive, whereas 0% (0/143) in waterfowl. Nine positive pet birds were identified to be PaBV-2, which is closest to ABV isolates EU781967 (USA). Among the risk factors analysed, category, age and, location, were found to show an association with the ABV positivity. The KAP survey result showed: the respondents have low knowledge (32.9%), however, they showed positive attitude (60.8%) and good practice (94.9%). The association between knowledge, attitude and practice showed that there was a significant association between knowledge-attitude and also attitude-practice (P<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: This study proved that avian bornavirus (ABV) causes proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) among a group of pet birds of Psittaciformes, but it is present in Peninsular Malaysia with a low prevalence rate. Furthermore, in addition to the useful databases obtained from this study, the level of public awareness on the importance of avian bornavirus that causes fatal disorders among a wide range of bird species is satisfactorily raised.

  9. Zulkifli NA, Hassan Z, Mustafa MZ, Azman WNW, Hadie SNH, Ghani N, et al.
    Front Aging Neurosci, 2022;14:1048028.
    PMID: 36846103 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1048028
    Tropical Meliponini bees produce stingless bee honey (SBH). Studies have shown beneficial properties, including antibacterial, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, neurotherapeutic, neuroprotective, wound, and sunburn healing capabilities. High phenolic acid and flavonoid concentrations offer SBH its benefits. SBH can include flavonoids, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, organic acids, amino acids, and protein, depending on its botanical and geographic origins. Ursolic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid may diminish apoptotic signals in neuronal cells, such as nuclear morphological alterations and DNA fragmentation. Antioxidant activity minimizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and lowers oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation by decreasing enzymes generated during inflammation. Flavonoids in honey reduce neuroinflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine and free radical production. Phytochemical components in honey, such as luteolin and phenylalanine, may aid neurological problems. A dietary amino acid, phenylalanine, may improve memory by functioning on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways. Neurotrophin BDNF binds to its major receptor, TrkB, and stimulates downstream signaling cascades, which are crucial for neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Through BDNF, SBH can stimulate synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis, promoting learning and memory. Moreover, BDNF contributes to the adult brain's lasting structural and functional changes during limbic epileptogenesis by acting through the cognate receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). Given the higher antioxidants activity of SBH than the Apis sp. honey, it may be more therapeutically helpful. There is minimal research on SBH's neuroprotective effects, and the related pathways contribute to it is unclear. More research is needed to elucidate the underlying molecular process of SBH on BDNF/TrkB pathways in producing neuroprotective effects.
  10. Lee LC, Ishak AA, Nai Eyan AA, Zakaria AF, Kharudin NS, Noor NAM
    Forensic Sci Res, 2022;7(4):761-773.
    PMID: 36817254 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2021.1899407
    Soil is of particular interest to the forensic community because it can be used as valuable associative evidence to link a suspect to a victim or a crime scene. Liquid chromatography is a powerful analytical tool for organic compound analysis. Recently, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has proven to be an efficient method for forensic soil analysis, especially in discriminating soils from proximity locations. However, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), which is much more sensitive than HPLC, has never been explored in this context. This study proposed a UPLC method for profiling non-volatile organic compounds in three Malaysian soils (red, brown and yellowish-brown soils). The three soils were analysed separately to assess the effects of individual chromatographic parameters: (a) elution programme (isocratic vs. two gradient programmes); (b) flow rate (0.1 vs. 0.2 mL/min); (c) extraction solvent (acetonitrile vs. methanol) and (d) detection wavelength (230 vs. 254 nm). The injection volume and total run time were set to 5 µL and 35 min, respectively. Consequently, each soil sample gave 24 different chromatograms. Results showed that the most desirable chromatographic parameters were (a) isocratic elution; (b) flow rate at 0.2 mL/min and (c) acetonitrile extraction solvent. The proposed UPLC system is expected to be a feasible method for profiling non-volatile organic compounds in soil, and is more chemical-efficient than a comparable HPLC system.
  11. Li Z, Lin Z, Liu S, Yagi H, Zhang X, Yocum L, et al.
    Adv Sci (Weinh), 2022 Jul;9(21):e2105909.
    PMID: 35436042 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105909
    Diseases of the knee joint such as osteoarthritis (OA) affect all joint elements. An in vitro human cell-derived microphysiological system capable of simulating intraarticular tissue crosstalk is desirable for studying etiologies/pathogenesis of joint diseases and testing potential therapeutics. Herein, a human mesenchymal stem cell-derived miniature joint system (miniJoint) is generated, in which engineered osteochondral complex, synovial-like fibrous tissue, and adipose tissue are integrated into a microfluidics-enabled bioreactor. This novel design facilitates different tissues communicating while still maintaining their respective phenotypes. The miniJoint exhibits physiologically relevant changes when exposed to interleukin-1β mediated inflammation, which are similar to observations in joint diseases in humans. The potential of the miniJoint in predicting in vivo efficacy of drug treatment is confirmed by testing the "therapeutic effect" of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, as well as four other potential disease-modifying OA drugs. The data demonstrate that the miniJoint recapitulates complex tissue interactions, thus providing a robust organ chip model for the study of joint pathology and the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
    MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue/pathology; Humans; Knee Joint/pathology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*
  12. Nieland L, van Solinge TS, Cheah PS, Morsett LM, El Khoury J, Rissman JI, et al.
    Mol Ther Oncolytics, 2022 Jun 16;25:121-136.
    PMID: 35572197 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.001
    Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), support the progression of glioma. miR-21 is a small, non-coding transcript involved in regulating gene expression in multiple cellular pathways, including the regulation of proliferation. High expression of miR-21 has been shown to be a major driver of glioma growth. Manipulating the expression of miRNAs is a novel strategy in the development of therapeutics in cancer. In this study we aimed to target miR-21. Using CRISPR genome-editing technology, we disrupted the miR-21 coding sequences in glioma cells. Depletion of this miRNA resulted in the upregulation of many downstream miR-21 target mRNAs involved in proliferation. Phenotypically, CRISPR-edited glioma cells showed reduced migration, invasion, and proliferation in vitro. In immunocompetent mouse models, miR-21 knockout tumors showed reduced growth resulting in an increased overall survival. In summary, we show that by knocking out a key miRNA in glioma, these cells have decreased proliferation capacity both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we identified miR-21 as a potential target for CRISPR-based therapeutics in glioma.
  13. Zaidi NE, Shazali NAH, Leow TC, Osman MA, Ibrahim K, Rahman NMANA
    Biomedicine (Taipei), 2022;12(4):9-19.
    PMID: 36816174 DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039.1381
    Over the last few decades, cancer has been regarded as an independent and self sustaining progression. The earliest hallmarks of cancer comprise of sustaining proliferative signalling, avoiding growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis. Nonetheless, two emerging hallmarks are being described: aberrant metabolic pathways and evasion of immune destruction. Changes in tumour cell metabolism are not restricted to tumour cells alone; the products of the altered metabolism have a direct impact on the activity of immune cells inside the tumour microenvironment, particularly tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs). The complicated process of cancer growth is orchestrated by metabolic changes dictating the tight mutual connection between these cells. Here, we discuss approaches to exploit the interaction of cancer cells' abnormal metabolic activity and TAMs. We also describe ways to exploit it by reprogramming fatty acid metabolism via TAMs.
  14. Keshtegar B, Piri J, Asnida Abdullah R, Hasanipanah M, Muayad Sabri Sabri M, Nguyen Le B
    Front Public Health, 2022;10:1094771.
    PMID: 36817184 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1094771
    Ground vibration induced by blasting operations is considered one of the most common environmental effects of mining projects. A strong ground vibration can destroy buildings and structures, hence its prediction and minimization are of high importance. The aim of this study is to estimate the ground vibration through a hybrid soft computing (SC) method, called RSM-SVR, which comprises two main regression techniques: the response surface model (RSM) and support vector regression (SVR). The RSM-SVR model applies an RSM in the first calibrating process and an SVR in the second calibrating process to improve the accuracy of the ground vibration predictions. The predicted results of an RSM, which are obtained using the input data of problems, are used as the input dataset for the regression process of an SVR. The effectiveness and agreement of the RSM-SVR model were compared to those of an SVR optimized with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA), RSM, and multivariate linear regression (MLR) based on several statistical factors. The findings confirmed that the RSM-SVR model was considerably superior to other models in terms of accuracy. The amounts of coefficient of determination (R 2) were 0.896, 0.807, 0.782, 0.752, 0.711, and 0.664 obtained from the RSM-SVR, PSO-SVR, GA-SVR, MLR, SVR, and RSM models, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Vibration*; Linear Models
  15. Ling ANB, Mahmud MS
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:1074202.
    PMID: 36817370 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1074202
    Sentence-based mathematics problem-solving skills are essential as the skills can improve the ability to deal with various mathematical problems in daily life, increase the imagination, develop creativity, and develop an individual's comprehension skills. However, mastery of these skills among students is still unsatisfactory because students often find it difficult to understand mathematical problems in verse, are weak at planning the correct solution strategy, and often make mistakes in their calculations. This study was conducted to identify the challenges that mathematics teachers face when teaching sentence-based mathematics problem-solving skills and the approaches used to address these challenges. This study was conducted qualitatively in the form of a case study. The data were collected through observations and interviews with two respondents who teach mathematics to year four students in a Chinese national primary school in Kuala Lumpur. This study shows that the teachers have faced three challenges, specifically low mastery skills among the students, insufficient teaching time, and a lack of ICT infrastructure. The teachers addressed these challenges with creativity and enthusiasm to diversify the teaching approaches to face the challenges and develop interest and skills as part of solving sentence-based mathematics problems among year four students. These findings allow mathematics teachers to understand the challenges faced while teaching sentence-based mathematics problem solving in depth as part of delivering quality education for every student. Nevertheless, further studies involving many respondents are needed to understand the problems and challenges of different situations and approaches that can be used when teaching sentence-based mathematics problem-solving skills.
  16. Tan ST, Rajan DS
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):164-169.
    PMID: 36818892 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.16
    This study aims to compare the feeding practices adopted by stay-at-home mothers and work-from-home mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown. Feeding practices were assessed using a 39-item validated Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). The Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to determine the mean difference in feeding practices by maternal employment status after adjusting for the mother's age and educational attainment and the child's age and gender. The current study revealed that a noticeable proportion of mothers adopted feeding practices that encourage balance and variety (4.45 ± 0.62), promote a healthy environment (4.34 ± 0.81) and impose dietary restrictions for health (4.32 ± 1.04) during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean scores of feeding practices across maternal employment status, except for the emotion regulation and modelling subscales. Work-from-home mothers had a significantly higher mean score in the emotion regulation subscale than stay-at-home mothers (F = 14.892, P < 0.001). In comparison to work-from-home mothers, stay-at-home mothers had a significantly higher mean score in the modelling subscale during the COVID-19 pandemic (F = 4.163, P = 0.044). In conclusion, there was just a modest variation in the feeding practices adopted by stay-at-home mothers and work-from-home mothers in this unprecedented pandemic.
  17. Krishnan P, Krishnan K, Chan WK
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):115-122.
    PMID: 36818893 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.11
    BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy rehabilitation improves patients' activity in daily life and helps them return to work. Physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients mainly focuses on respiratory and functional rehabilitation assessment. This research project aims to assess the knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients among clinical physiotherapy students and the relationship between these variables.

    METHODS: A preliminary, cross-sectional study was conducted on 159 clinical physiotherapy students from various education backgrounds. A three-part questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables, knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients was distributed among clinical students from major physiotherapy programmes at tertiary institutions. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation tests were used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: Most of the respondents (95.6%) were categorised as having an above average knowledge on COVID-19. Eighty-seven respondents (54.7%) were categorised as having an above average awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients. The knowledge of COVID-19 was positively correlated with awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation (P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: This research study showed that the knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness level of physiotherapy rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients was above average among clinical physiotherapy students. The association between knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation among clinical physiotherapy students had a weak positive correlation.

  18. Yuniartha R, Arfian N, Setyaningsih WAW, Kencana SMS, Sari DCR
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):46-59.
    PMID: 36818894 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.5
    BACKGROUND: Chronic hyperglycaemia of diabetes causes long-term damage and impaired function of multiple organs. However, the pathological changes in the liver following long-term diabetes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the pathological complications of long-term diabetes in the rat liver.

    METHODS: Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce diabetes in rats at a single dose (60 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Rats were euthanised at 1 month (DM1 group), 2 months (DM2 group) and 4 months (DM4 group) following diabetes induction with six rats in each group. Immunohistochemistry was performed against SOD1, CD68, p53 and p16 antibodies. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of SOD1, SOD2, GPx, CD68, p53, p21 and caspase-3 genes were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

    RESULTS: Hepatic p53 mRNA expression was significantly higher in DM1, DM2 and DM4 groups compared to the control group. The p21 and caspase-3 mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated in the DM2 and DM4 groups. The p16-positive cells were obviously increased, particularly in the DM4 group. Bivariate correlation analysis showed mRNA expressions of p21 and caspase-3 genes were positively correlated with the p53 gene.

    CONCLUSION: Diabetic rats exhibited increased apoptosis and senescence in the liver following a longer period of hyperglycaemia.

  19. Shaharudin MI, Abd Rahman NFN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):34-45.
    PMID: 36818895 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.4
    Frailty is conceptually defined as a state of increased vulnerability in older persons, resulting from age-associated declines in physiological reserve and function as they cope with everyday life stressors. To date, the prevalence of frailty has been assessed in various ways. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of the condition and the assessment tools used to determine its occurrence among Malaysian older individuals. A systematic literature search was performed on electronic bibliographic databases, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOHost: MEDLINE Complete and Google Scholar. Ten eligible articles were reviewed and evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Frailty was diagnosed using Fried's frailty phenotype and the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI). Assessment tools that included physical performance tests detected a lower prevalence of frailty than that determined using questionnaire-based tools. The prevalence of frailty ranged from as low as 6% to as high as 76%, and there was a higher prevalence among older persons living in aged care homes. This review suggests increasing prospective and interventional studies on frailty to establish a cause-effect relationship between standardised tools of assessing frailty and its prevalence among Malaysian older persons and provide guidelines for health professionals on promoting active lifestyles among older populations.
  20. Tan PP, Abdul Rahman J, Sarah MN, Mohamad Azlin SAA, Zambree N, Mohd Noor S
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):170-172.
    PMID: 36818896 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.17
    Songs are commonly used in educational public health programmes to facilitate the understanding of health messages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, national blood banks witnessed a pronounced reduction in blood donors. Thus, we created a song with the title 'Keep the World Beating' to raise awareness of the need for blood and to promote blood donation. To maximise participation, we carried out a live broadcast of the donation process and the music video on social media, increasing visibility and accessibility to the event. The number of donations increased in the month after the song was released. Songs can be used to strengthen current entertainment-education strategies promoting blood donation and to increase the level of awareness among the local population, thus motivating people to donate blood in a time of need.
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