Browse publications by year: 2022

Fulltext Effects of Sonication and Thermal Pasteurization on the Nutritional, Antioxidant, and Microbial Properties of Noni Juice

Choo YX, Teh LK, Tan CX

Molecules, 2022 Dec 30;28(1).
PMID: 36615507 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010313

Sonication is recognized as a potential food processing method to improve the functional properties of fruit juice. This study evaluated the effects of different sonication durations (20, 40, and 60 min) and thermal pasteurization on the nutritional, antioxidant, and microbial properties of noni juice. Fresh noni juice served as the control. The main organic acids detected were malic (57.54−89.31 mg/100 mL) and ascorbic (17.15−31.55 mg/100 mL) acids. Compared with the fresh sample, the concentrations of these compounds were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in the 60 min sonicated sample but reduced (p < 0.05) in the pasteurized sample. Moreover, sonication for 60 min resulted in increments of scopoletin, rutin, and vanillic acid compared to the fresh sample. The antioxidant activity of the juice sample was improved in the sample sonicated for 60 min. Irrespective of juice processing method, the level of microbial counts in noni juice was within the satisfactory level over the 8 weeks of refrigerated (4 °C) storage. This study highlights the feasibility of using ultrasound processing to enhance the quality of noni juice on the industrial scale.

MeSH terms: Antioxidants*; Fruit; Sonication; Morinda*; Pasteurization
Fulltext Reduced Graphene Oxide UWB Array Sensor: High Performance for Brain Tumor Imaging and Detection

Jamlos MA, Jamlos MF, Mustafa WA, Othman NA, Rohani MNKH, Saidi SA, et al.

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2022 Dec 21;13(1).
PMID: 36615938 DOI: 10.3390/nano13010027

A low cost, with high performance, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) Ultra-wide Band (UWB) array sensor is presented to be applied with a technique of confocal radar-based microwave imaging to recognize a tumor in a human brain. RGO is used to form its patches on a Taconic substrate. The sensor functioned in a range of 1.2 to 10.8 GHz under UWB frequency. The sensor demonstrates high gain of 5.2 to 14.5 dB, with the small size of 90 mm × 45 mm2, which can be easily integrated into microwave imaging systems and allow the best functionality. Moreover, the novel UWB RGO array sensor is established as a detector with a phantom of the human head. The layers' structure represents liquid-imitating tissues that consist of skin, fat, skull, and brain. The sensor will scan nine different points to cover the whole one-sided head phantom to obtain equally distributed reflected signals under two different situations, namely the existence and absence of the tumor. In order to accurately detect the tumor by producing sharper and clearer microwave image, the Matrix Laboratory software is used to improve the microwave imaging algorithm (delay and sum) including summing the imaging algorithm and recording the scattering parameters. The existence of a tumor will produce images with an error that is lower than 2 cm.
Fulltext Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Citrus hystrix, Citrus limon, Citrus pyriformis, and Citrus microcarpa Leaf Essential Oils against Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line

Othman HIA, Alkatib HH, Zaid A, Sasidharan S, Rahiman SSF, Lee TP, et al.

Plants (Basel), 2022 Dec 27;12(1).
PMID: 36616263 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010134

The essential oil derived from Citrus plants has long been used for medicinal purposes, due to its broad spectrum of therapeutic characteristics. To date, approximately 162 Citrus species have been identified, and many investigational studies have been conducted to explore the pharmacological potential of Citrus spp. oils. This study investigated the volatile constituents of essential oil distilled from the leaves of C. hystrix, C. limon, C. pyriformis, and C. microcarpa, using gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry. A total of 80 secondary compounds were tentatively identified, representing 84.88-97.99% of the total ion count and mainly comprising monoterpene (5.20-76.15%) and sesquiterpene (1.36-27.14%) hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes (3.91-89.52%) and sesquiterpenes (0.21-38.87%), and other minor chemical classes (0.10-0.52%). In particular, 27 compounds (1.19-39.06%) were detected across all Citrus species. Principal component analysis of the identified phytoconstituents and their relative quantities enabled differentiation of the Citrus leaf oils according to their species, with the loading variables contributing to these metabolic differences being identified. The Citrus leaf oils were tested for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate (DPPH) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The results indicated that C. limon displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability (IC50 value of 29.14 ± 1.97 mg/mL), while C. hystrix exhibited the lowest activity (IC50 value of 279.03 ± 10.37 mg/mL). On the other hand, all the Citrus oils exhibit potent antiproliferative activities against the HeLa cervical cancer cell line, with IC50 values of 11.66 μg/mL (C. limon), 20.41 μg/mL (C. microcarpa), 25.91 μg/mL (C. hystrix), and 87.17 μg/mL (C. pyriformis).
Fulltext Viable Properties of Natural Rubber/Halloysite Nanotubes Composites Affected by Various Silanes

Hayeemasae N, Masa A, Othman N, Surya I

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Dec 21;15(1).
PMID: 36616378 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010029

Natural rubber (NR) is incompatible with hydrophilic additives like halloysite nanotubes (HNT) due to their different polarity. The silane coupling agent is the ideal component to include in such a compound to solve this problem. Many types of silane are available for polymer composites depending on their functionalities. This work aimed to tune it to the composite based on NR and HNT. Four different silanes, namely Bis[3- (Triethoxysilyl)Propyl]Tetrasulfide (TESPT), 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)Propyl] Ethylenediamine (AEAPTMS), and Vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) were used. Here, the mechanical properties were used to assess the properties, paying close attention to how their reinforcement influenced their crystallization behavior after stretching. It was revealed that adding silane coupling agents greatly improved the composites' modulus, tensile strength, and tear strength. From the overall findings, AEAPTMS was viable for NR/HNT composites. This was in direct agreement with the interactions between NR and HNT that silanes had encouraged. The findings from stress-strain curves describing the crystallization of the composites are in good agreement with the findings from synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The corresponding silanes have substantially aided the strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of composites.
Fulltext Synthesis of Methacryloylated Hydroxyethylcellulose and Development of Mucoadhesive Wafers for Buccal Drug Delivery

Buang F, Chatzifragkou A, Amin MCIM, Khutoryanskiy VV

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Dec 26;15(1).
PMID: 36616443 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010093

Non-ionic hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) has limited mucoadhesive properties for application in transmucosal drug delivery. In this study, HEC was chemically modified by reaction with glycidyl methacrylate. This allowed introducing the methacryloyl groups to HEC structure to make it capable of forming covalent bonds with the sulfhydryl groups present in the mucin glycoprotein to achieve enhanced mucoadhesive properties. The results showed a successful modification of HEC as confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. The quantification of methacryloyl moieties was conducted using HPLC. The toxicity studies using in vivo planaria acute toxicity assay, in vivo planaria fluorescent test, and in vitro MTT assay with Caco-2 cell line confirmed that the chemical modification of HEC does not result in any toxicological effects. Mucoadhesive wafers were developed based on parent and modified HEC as a model dosage form for buccal delivery. The mucoadhesive properties of modified HEC assessed using a tensile test were found to be significantly better compared to unmodified HEC.
Fulltext In-Depth Review of Augmented Reality: Tracking Technologies, Development Tools, AR Displays, Collaborative AR, and Security Concerns

Syed TA, Siddiqui MS, Abdullah HB, Jan S, Namoun A, Alzahrani A, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2022 Dec 23;23(1).
PMID: 36616745 DOI: 10.3390/s23010146

Augmented reality (AR) has gained enormous popularity and acceptance in the past few years. AR is indeed a combination of different immersive experiences and solutions that serve as integrated components to assemble and accelerate the augmented reality phenomena as a workable and marvelous adaptive solution for many realms. These solutions of AR include tracking as a means for keeping track of the point of reference to make virtual objects visible in a real scene. Similarly, display technologies combine the virtual and real world with the user's eye. Authoring tools provide platforms to develop AR applications by providing access to low-level libraries. The libraries can thereafter interact with the hardware of tracking sensors, cameras, and other technologies. In addition to this, advances in distributed computing and collaborative augmented reality also need stable solutions. The various participants can collaborate in an AR setting. The authors of this research have explored many solutions in this regard and present a comprehensive review to aid in doing research and improving different business transformations. However, during the course of this study, we identified that there is a lack of security solutions in various areas of collaborative AR (CAR), specifically in the area of distributed trust management in CAR. This research study also proposed a trusted CAR architecture with a use-case of tourism that can be used as a model for researchers with an interest in making secure AR-based remote communication sessions.

MeSH terms: Commerce; Communication; Humans; Research Personnel; Technology
Antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae: identification of bacterial DNA adenine methyltransferase as a novel drug target from hypothetical proteins using subtractive genomics

Omeershffudin UNM, Kumar S

Genomics Inform, 2022 Dec;20(4):e47.
PMID: 36617654 DOI: 10.5808/gi.22067

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative bacterium that is known for causing infection innosocomial settings. As reported by the World Health Organization, carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae, a category that includes K. pneumoniae, are classified as an urgentthreat, and the greatest concern is that these bacterial pathogens may acquire genetictraits that make them resistant towards antibiotics. The last class of antibiotics, carbapenems, are not able to combat these bacterial pathogens, allowing them to clonally expandantibiotic-resistant strains. Most antibiotics target essential pathways of bacterial cells;however, these targets are no longer susceptible to antibiotics. Hence, in our study, we focused on a hypothetical protein in K. pneumoniae that contains a DNA methylation proteindomain, suggesting a new potential site as a drug target. DNA methylation regulates theattenuation of bacterial virulence. We integrated computational-aided drug design by using a bioinformatics approach to perform subtractive genomics, virtual screening, and fingerprint similarity search. We identified a new potential drug, koenimbine, which could bea novel antibiotic.
Developing professional identity among undergraduate medical students in a competency-based curriculum: Educators' perspective

Krishnasamy N, Hasamnis AA, Patil SS

J Educ Health Promot, 2022;11:361.
PMID: 36618475 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_329_22

Professional identity formation (PIF) refers to the possession and exhibition of the conduct of a medical professional. It's an external representation of a medical personnel's feelings, beliefs, experiences, and values that influence the provision of holistic patient care. Apart from training medical students to be competent and skilled physicians, one of the goals of today's medical education must be to encourage them to achieve professional identity formation. Many medical schools across the globe have made this explicit during the clinical years of study, but we believe that professional identity formation starts as early as day one of medical school. So, for educators, apart from delivering basic science subject content during early years of study, the creation of learning opportunities and pedagogic space in the curriculum to enhance competencies of PIF becomes mandatory. This competency-based educational approach will help medical students transform and reconsider their own values and beliefs by relating to the behaviors that are expected by the profession, colleagues, and patients when they graduate as medical doctors. In this paper, we discuss how a competency-based curriculum should provide opportunities for students to interact and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, to self-reflect on their own personal identity before creating a professional identity that is unique to the profession, to make the right judgment and confidently practice medicine in a business-based healthcare system.
Fulltext Antidiabetic effect of sciadonic acid on type 2 diabetic mice through activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and altering intestinal flora

Chen L, Jiang Q, Lu H, Jiang C, Hu W, Yu S, et al.

Front Nutr, 2022;9:1053348.
PMID: 36618687 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1053348

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of sciadonic acid (SA) on disorders of glucolipid metabolism and intestinal flora imbalance and to further investigate its potential molecular mechanism of anti-diabetes. The experimental data indicated that SA could alleviate hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, repair liver function damage, and promote glycogen synthesis caused by T2DM. SA could also activate the PI3K/AKT/GLUT-2 signaling pathway, promote glucose metabolism gene expression, and maintain glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that SA could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio; promote norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Allobaculum, Akkermansia, and Eubacterium_siraeum_group proliferation; increase the levels of major short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid; and maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal flora. In conclusion, these results suggested that SA could reshape the structural composition of intestinal microbes, activate the PI3K/AKT/GLUT2 pathway, improve insulin resistance, and decrease blood glucose levels.
Fulltext Recent advances of γ-aminobutyric acid: Physiological and immunity function, enrichment, and metabolic pathway

Heli Z, Hongyu C, Dapeng B, Yee Shin T, Yejun Z, Xi Z, et al.

Front Nutr, 2022;9:1076223.
PMID: 36618705 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1076223

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid which naturally and widely occurs in animals, plants, and microorganisms. As the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of mammals, it has become a popular dietary supplement and has promising application in food industry. The current article reviews the most recent literature regarding the physiological functions, preparation methods, enrichment methods, metabolic pathways, and applications of GABA. This review sheds light on developing GABA-enriched plant varieties and food products, and provides insights for efficient production of GABA through synthetic biology approaches.
Atypical endoscopic finding of colocolic intussusception: case report and literature review

Chiam KH, Sannasey S, Rajaintharan S, Muthukaruppan R

Ann Transl Med, 2022 Dec;10(23):1290.
PMID: 36618802 DOI: 10.21037/atm-2022-61

BACKGROUND: Adult-onset colonic intussusception is a rarely encountered condition that leads to large intestinal obstruction with time. Patients often present with a variety of symptoms that are non-specific making it challenging to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. This is worrying as diagnostic delay could lead to a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. We wish to present and describe a case of an atypical endoscopic finding of colocolic intussusception secondary to ascending colon cancer.
CASE DESCRIPTION: Sixty-seven-year-old lady was referred for 1 month's duration of passing melenic stools with mucus followed by a week's complain of hematochezia. Clinical examination and other relevant blood results were unremarkable except for iron deficiency anemia. Initial colonoscopy revealed a large mass within the splenic flexure with inconclusive biopsies. A more detailed colonoscopy repeated the following day revealed a massive, black-to-yellowish lesion within the splenic flexure with no viable mucosa seen. Colonic bezoar was initially suspected, however various endoscopic retrieval methods proved futile. Switching to a slimmer diagnostic gastroscope, the colon was carefully negotiated until a large ulcer was found within the ascending colon, adjacent to the mass' origin. An emergency CT abdomen and subsequently extended right hemicolectomy performed revealed a colocolic intussusception with sealed perforation secondary to an ascending colonic mass acting as an intussusceptum. Histopathology evaluation confirmed an ascending colon adenocarcinoma (pT2N0M0) amidst a background of extensive ischemic changes.
CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic descriptions of colonic intussusception are unusual given their rarity. Furthermore, these lesions can mimic a colonic bezoar as a result of fecal accretion and this can ultimately lead to false diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. In such instances, clarification with a CT scan before management decision can potentially avert unnecessary endoscopic intervention and complications.
Fulltext Trilateral association of autophagy, mTOR and Alzheimer's disease: Potential pathway in the development for Alzheimer's disease therapy

Subramanian A, Tamilanban T, Alsayari A, Ramachawolran G, Wong LS, Sekar M, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2022;13:1094351.
PMID: 36618946 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1094351

The primary and considerable weakening event affecting elderly individuals is age-dependent cognitive decline and dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the chief cause of progressive dementia, and it is characterized by irreparable loss of cognitive abilities, forming senile plaques having Amyloid Beta (Aβ) aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles with considerable amounts of tau in affected hippocampus and cortex regions of human brains. AD affects millions of people worldwide, and the count is showing an increasing trend. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms at molecular levels to generate novel insights into the pathogenesis of AD and other cognitive deficits. A growing body of evidence elicits the regulatory relationship between the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and AD. In addition, the role of autophagy, a systematic degradation, and recycling of cellular components like accumulated proteins and damaged organelles in AD, is also pivotal. The present review describes different mechanisms and signaling regulations highlighting the trilateral association of autophagy, the mTOR pathway, and AD with a description of inhibiting drugs/molecules of mTOR, a strategic target in AD. Downregulation of mTOR signaling triggers autophagy activation, degrading the misfolded proteins and preventing the further accumulation of misfolded proteins that inhibit the progression of AD. Other target mechanisms such as autophagosome maturation, and autophagy-lysosomal pathway, may initiate a faulty autophagy process resulting in senile plaques due to defective lysosomal acidification and alteration in lysosomal pH. Hence, the strong link between mTOR and autophagy can be explored further as a potential mechanism for AD therapy.
Fulltext Analyzing the role of family support, coping strategies and social support in improving the mental health of students: Evidence from post COVID-19

Yang C, Gao H, Li Y, Wang E, Wang N, Wang Q

Front Psychol, 2022;13:1064898.
PMID: 36619015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1064898

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the multifaceted response strategies to curb its spread both have devastating effects on mental and emotional health. Social distancing, and self-isolation have impacted the lives of students. These impacts need to be identified, studied, and handled to ensure the well-being of the individuals, particularly the students.
AIM: This study aims to analyze the role of coping strategies, family support, and social support in improving the mental health of the students by collecting evidence from post COVID-19.
METHODS: Data was collected from deaf students studying in Chinese universities of Henan Province, China. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data from 210 students. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 21 while hypothesis testing was carried out using Mplus 7.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated that family support was strongly positively linked to mental health and predicted coping strategies. The direct relationship analysis showed that coping strategy strongly predicted mental health. Furthermore, coping strategies significantly mediated the relationship between family support and mental health. Additionally, the results highlighted that PSS significantly moderated the path of family support and coping strategies only.
CONCLUSION: Family support and coping strategies positively predicted mental health, whereas, family support was also found to be positively associated with coping strategies. Coping strategies mediated the positive association between family support and mental health. However, perceived family and other support only moderated the relationship between family support and coping strategies.
Fulltext The study of mindfulness as an intervening factor for enhanced psychological well-being in building the level of resilience

Oh VKS, Sarwar A, Pervez N

Front Psychol, 2022;13:1056834.
PMID: 36619105 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1056834

BACKGROUND: By using a practice like mindfulness, people may become more adaptable and flexible in difficult situations, which lowers the levels of unfavorable experiences. Only a small number of research have examined the connection between mindfulness and resilience, with mindfulness as a source of PWB influencing millennials' resilience when faced with adversity. This study sought to close this gap by exploring the role that mindfulness practice plays in millennials' PWB and subsequent increases in resilience to adversity.
METHODS: In this study, key components linked to mindfulness, PWB, and resilience are combined with a thorough literature assessment. Millennials who are active members of the Ti-Ratana Youth in Malaysia and the Buddhist Missionary Society of Malaysia (BMSM) Youth Section make up the study's sample population. Before completing the online survey form, each participant was instructed to engage in 4 weeks of supervised mindfulness practice. To assure the validity of the data gathered, it was crucial to secure the youth's commitment. Only 231 of the 300 respondents who received the link to the online survey had replies that could be used for further research. To analyze the collected data and conduct hypothesis testing, Smart-PLS was used.
RESULTS: Academic research has shown that factors, such as a heavy workload, time constraints, lengthy workdays, work-related home conflicts, and an unstable and uncertain environment all lead to a drop in PWB. According to the findings, the two most significant variables promoting resilience are mindfulness and positive PWB. The outcomes of this experimental study confirmed earlier findings that millennials' PWB and resilience are enhanced by mindfulness training.
CONCLUSION: The study's findings suggest that, in times of high uncertainty, mindfulness-based intervention programs should be expanded to include all young people. This study offers empirical support for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in raising PWB and resilience.
Fulltext Isolated Renal and Ureter Metastasis as the First Manifestation of Rectal Adenocarcinoma

Huai TZ, Ramely R, Daud MAM, Mokhtar MF, Mohammad H, Omar SZ

Middle East J Dig Dis, 2022 Apr;14(2):254-257.
PMID: 36619144 DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2022.280

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) rarely metastasizes to the urinary system in isolated form. It usually spreads through direct invasion with intra-ureteric growth or local ureter mucosal metastasis without involving the muscular layer. We present a case of a 63-year-old man who came with uraemic symptoms and a ballotable right kidney. Laboratory and imaging showed acute renal failure with right renal mass suspicious of malignancy and left ureteric stricture causing hydronephrosis. He underwent right radical nephrectomy and left open ureteric stenting plus biopsy sampling. Adenocarcinoma was detected through the evaluation of the specimen. In view that adenocarcinoma rarely occurs in the urinary system, an investigation was carried out to search for the primary source. Colonoscopy was performed, which later showed adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Adenocarcinoma in the renal system should always raise the suspicion of another primary source of malignancy, especially colorectal origin. The advanced stage of this cancer should be managed with the best palliative treatment rather than aggressive surgical intervention.
Fulltext Liquid biofertilizers as a sustainable solution for agriculture

Allouzi MMA, Allouzi SMA, Keng ZX, Supramaniam CV, Singh A, Chong S

Heliyon, 2022 Dec;8(12):e12609.
PMID: 36619398 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12609

This paper provides a mini review of liquid biofertilizers, which have been proven to perform better than the other forms in lasting for longer periods of time, improving crop quality, and requiring less amounts for application. The production of liquid biofertilizers, types of liquid inoculants, and their effect on plant growth are covered in this review. Liquid biofertilizers can be made from wastes and by-products of several industries, making zero or near-zero discharge possible and thus gearing towards circular economy. Despite their usefulness in enhancing crop quality and eco-friendliness, in order to compete with chemical fertilizers, there are a number of challenges to overcome, such as extending the shelf life, making them more susceptible to seasonal climate conditions and soil types, and development of suitable machineries for production and application. More field trials, cost-benefit analysis and long-term studies should also be evaluated for commercialization purposes.
Fulltext Corrigendum to "A new innovative breakthrough in the production of salt from bittern using a spray dryer" [Heliyon 8 (10) (2022) e11060]

Ansar, Ahmad Yahaya AN, Kamil AA, Sabani R, Murad, Aisyah S

Heliyon, 2022 Dec;8(12):e12455.
PMID: 36619405 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12455

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11060.].
Fulltext Scenario modelling of proxy system in the context of Malaysian food flow management

Ghani LA, Mahmood NZ, Ismail R, Sa'at SA, Ali N, Mohd Zakuan SA

Heliyon, 2022 Dec;8(12):e12309.
PMID: 36619421 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12309

The research on food flow network is unpredictable as the approaches employed are more targeted at specific study points, often excluding spatial and temporal changes. The research questions must still address why and how food flow moves in the entire supply chain system. This study aims to investigate the movement of food flow using national statistics, comprising of four main subsystems: agriculture, nutrition, waste, wastewater management, and the environment by using the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) approach. Comprehensive research using primary and secondary data including literature reviews have successfully bridged the knowledge gap on food supply chain management in Malaysia. This article provides new contributions through the considerations of food safety and the opportunity to understand flow issues that are connected to hotspots, closed flow, and economic circulars. Additionally, this study acts as a simple guide for policymakers to manage the imbalances of food supply in certain areas. From the perspective of food waste management, several important strategies were successfully formulated to combat the leakage of food waste flow and financial burden while highlighting the need for local social actors' involvement to fulfil Malaysia's agenda of Sustainable Development Goals.
Fulltext Environmental impact of submerged and emerged breakwaters

Saengsupavanich C, Ariffin EH, Yun LS, Pereira DA

Heliyon, 2022 Dec;8(12):e12626.
PMID: 36619456 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12626

Coastlines are constantly threatened by erosion. Effective coastal defense structures with the least environmental impacts are increasingly required. Submerged and emerged breakwaters have been implemented globally, while positively or negatively creating impacts on the environment. One of the most significant concerns in applying breakwaters is how to minimize their undesirable consequences on the environment. Thus, a thorough understanding of how submerged and emerged breakwaters affect the surrounding environment must be achieved. This article critically reviews and summarizes their environmental impacts on beach morphology, hydrodynamics, ecology, tourism, and recreation, as well as other notable impacts. This is a review article that may help coastal practitioners to manage coastal erosion with breakwaters more sustainably.
Fulltext Biomaterial application strategies to enhance stem cell-based therapy for ischemic stroke

Mohd Satar A, Othman FA, Tan SC

World J Stem Cells, 2022 Dec 26;14(12):851-867.
PMID: 36619694 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i12.851

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a condition in which an occluded blood vessel interrupts blood flow to the brain and causes irreversible neuronal cell death. Transplantation of regenerative stem cells has been proposed as a novel therapy to restore damaged neural circuitry after ischemic stroke attack. However, limitations such as low cell survival rates after transplantation remain significant challenges to stem cell-based therapy for ischemic stroke in the clinical setting. In order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of transplanted stem cells, several biomaterials have been developed to provide a supportable cellular microenvironment or functional modification on the stem cells to optimize their reparative roles in injured tissues or organs.
AIM: To discuss state-of-the-art functional biomaterials that could enhance the therapeutic potential of stem cell-based treatment for ischemic stroke and provide detailed insights into the mechanisms underlying these biomaterial approaches.
METHODS: The PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus literature databases were searched using the keywords of "biomaterial" and "ischemic stroke". All topically-relevant articles were then screened to identify those with focused relevance to in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies related to "stem cells" OR "progenitor cells" OR "undifferentiated cells" published in English during the years of 2011 to 2022. The systematic search was conducted up to September 30, 2022.
RESULTS: A total of 19 articles matched all the inclusion criteria. The data contained within this collection of papers comprehensively represented 19 types of biomaterials applied on seven different types of stem/progenitor cells, namely mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, neural progenitor cells, endothelial progenitor cells, neuroepithelial progenitor cells, and neuroblasts. The potential major benefits gained from the application of biomaterials in stem cell-based therapy were noted as induction of structural and functional modifications, increased stem cell retention rate in the hostile ischemic microenvironment, and promoting the secretion of important cytokines for reparative mechanisms.
CONCLUSION: Biomaterials have a relatively high potential for enhancing stem cell therapy. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of evidence from human clinical studies for the efficacy of this bioengineered cell therapy, highlighting that it is still too early to draw a definitive conclusion on efficacy and safety for patient usage. Future in-depth clinical investigations are necessary to realize translation of this therapy into a more conscientious and judicious evidence-based therapy for clinical application.

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