Browse publications by year: 2022

  1. Widiastuti T, Robani A, Sukmaningrum PS, Mawardi I, Ningsih S, Herianingrum S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2022;17(5):e0269039.
    PMID: 35617300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269039
    The utilization of Islamic social finance instruments is far behind what is expected. To realize its full potential, Islamic social finance instruments must be integrated. This study examined solutions and priority strategies for integrating sustainable Islamic social finance that could be implemented in the short and long term using the Benefit, Opportunity, Cost, and Risk (BOCR) framework, which includes six aspects: Governance, sustainable financing, institutional aspect, human resources, regulations, and supporting technology. This qualitative research employed the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method using the benefit, opportunity, cost, and risk analysis. The data were obtained mainly through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with respondents among academics, practitioners, associations, regulators, and community leaders. The respondents were selected for their expertise and experience in the selected topic. The data were processed using the Microsoft Excel and Super Decision software. There are several findings worth considering from the analysis. First, the highest priority in integrating Islamic social finance aspects are human resources (0.97), regulation (0.86), and technology (0.76). Second, based on the short- and long-term analysis, financial integration through sustainable financing (0.01 and 1.44, respectively) and improving human resource quality through certification and training (0.01 and 1.56, respectively) is a priority solution and strategy to integrate sustainable Islamic social finance. Meanwhile, according to expert judgments, integrating national data (0.24) and optimizing technology use (0.18) are priority solutions and strategies. The findings emphasize the critical role of improving human resource quality to utilize technology, with experts identifying a national data integration as the most critical solution. As a result, relevant stakeholders are concerned about technology management training for Islamic philanthropic managers, with the goal of maximizing the potential of technology's growing role and adoption.
    MeSH terms: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Fund Raising*; Humans; Indonesia; Islam; Risk Assessment; Qualitative Research
  2. Beh CY, Cheng EM, Mohd Nasir NF, Abdul Majid MS, Khor SF, Mohd Jamir MR, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2022 May 19;23(10).
    PMID: 35628505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105695
    This paper aims to investigate the dielectric properties, i.e., dielectric constant (ε'), dielectric loss factor (ε″), dielectric tangent loss (tan δ), electrical conductivity (σ), and penetration depth (Dp), of the porous nanohydroxyapatite/starch composites in the function of starch proportion, pore size, and porosity over a broad band frequency range of 5 MHz-12 GHz. The porous nanohydroxyapatite/starch composites were fabricated using different starch proportions ranging from 30 to 90 wt%. The results reveal that the dielectric properties and the microstructural features of the porous nanohydroxyapatite/starch composites can be enhanced by the increment in the starch proportion. Nevertheless, the composite with 80 wt% of starch proportion exhibit low dielectric properties (ε', ε″, tan δ, and σ) and a high penetration depth because of its highly interconnected porous microstructures. The dielectric properties of the porous nanohydroxyapatite/starch composites are highly dependent on starch proportion, average pore size, and porosity. The regression models are developed to express the dielectric properties of the porous nanohydroxyapatite/starch composites (R2 > 0.96) in the function of starch proportion, pore size, and porosity from 1 to 11 GHz. This dielectric study can facilitate the assessment of bone scaffold design in bone tissue engineering applications.
    MeSH terms: Regression Analysis; Porosity; Tissue Engineering/methods
  3. Adiiba SH, Chan ES, Lee YY, Amelia, Chang MY, Song CP
    J Sci Food Agric, 2022 Dec;102(15):6921-6929.
    PMID: 35662022 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12053
    BACKGROUND: Crude palm oil (CPO) is rich with phytonutrients such as carotenoids and tocols which possesses many health benefits. The aim of this research was to develop a methanol-free process to produce palm phytonutrients via enzymatic hydrolysis. In this work, triacylglycerol was hydrolyzed into free fatty acids (FFAs) using three different types of liquid lipases derived from Aspergillus oryzae (ET 2.0), Aspergillus niger (Habio) and Candida antartica (CALB).

    RESULTS: ET 2.0 was found to be the best enzyme for hydrolysis. Under the optimum condition, the FFA content achievable was 790 g kg-1 after 24 h of reaction with 1:1 water-to-oil mass ratio at 50 °C and stirring speed of 9 × g. Furthermore, with the addition of 2 g kg-1 ascorbic acid, it was found that 98% of carotenoids and 96% of tocols could be retained after hydrolysis.

    CONCLUSION: This work shows that enzymatic hydrolysis, which is inherently safer, cleaner and sustainable is feasible to replace the conventional methanolysis for the production of palm phytonutrients. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

    MeSH terms: Ethanol; Carotenoids; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Hydrolysis; Lipase/chemistry; Petroleum*; Plant Oils/chemistry; Phytochemicals
  4. Abdul Hamid SH, Lananan F, Kasan NA, Yasmin Sayid Abdullah SH, Endut A
    Chemosphere, 2022 Nov;307(Pt 4):136005.
    PMID: 35973500 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136005
    The physical profile and chemical composition of growing media are vital in evaluating fish waste filtration efficiency and plant growth performance in aquaponics. The present study reported and compared the physical and chemical evaluation of the novel fabricated Kaolina, gravel, and commercially used lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) as growing medias in aquaponics. Field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX) was utilized to analyze the growing media's chemical composition and structural characterization. The resultant effect of these growing medias on water quality and the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus and Lactuca sativa were also reported. Kaolina exhibited an excellent physical profile (42.95 ± 1.39%) in water absorption capacity as compared to LECA (35.90 ± 1.28%) and gravel (1.97 ± 0.25%), showing a significant difference at p 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Nitrogen Dioxide*; Phosphorus
  5. Hughes A, Ragonnet R, Jayasundara P, Ngo HA, de Lara-Tuprio E, Estuar MRJ, et al.
    Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2022 Dec;29:100563.
    PMID: 35974800 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100563
  6. Onnis L, Lim A, Cheung S, Huettig F
    Cogn Sci, 2022 Oct;46(10):e13201.
    PMID: 36240464 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.13201
    Prediction is one characteristic of the human mind. But what does it mean to say the mind is a "prediction machine" and inherently forward looking as is frequently claimed? In natural languages, many contexts are not easily predictable in a forward fashion. In English, for example, many frequent verbs do not carry unique meaning on their own but instead, rely on another word or words that follow them to become meaningful. Upon reading take a the processor often cannot easily predict walk as the next word. But the system can "look back" and integrate walk more easily when it follows take a (e.g., as opposed to *make|get|have a walk). In the present paper, we provide further evidence for the importance of both forward and backward-looking in language processing. In two self-paced reading tasks and an eye-tracking reading task, we found evidence that adult English native speakers' sensitivity to word forward and backward conditional probability significantly predicted reading times over and above psycholinguistic predictors of reading latencies. We conclude that both forward and backward-looking (prediction and integration) appear to be important characteristics of language processing. Our results thus suggest that it makes just as much sense to call the mind an "integration machine" which is inherently backward 'looking.'
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Language*; Psycholinguistics*
  7. Vigny NN, Bonsu KO, Kadirvelu A
    Sci Rep, 2022 Oct 27;12(1):18121.
    PMID: 36302940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23102-2
    Statins are hypolipidaemic in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. However, their effect on all-cause mortality and rate of discontinuation is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the impact of statins on all-cause mortality, discontinuation rates, and risk of adverse effects among HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We searched four electronic databases from inception until October 2021 for trials and cohort studies evaluating the effects of statin treatment versus placebo in HIV patients. Forty-seven studies involving 91,594 patients were included. Statins were associated with significantly lower risk of discontinuation (RR, 0.701; 95% CI 0.508-0.967; p = 0.031). The risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 0.994; 95% CI 0.561-1.588; p = 0.827), any adverse effects (RR, 0.780; 95% CI 0.564-1.077; p = 0.131) and, diabetes mellitus (RR, 0.272; 95% CI 0.031-2.393; p = 0.241) with statin treatment were lower but not statistically significant compared to placebo/control. Statin treatment was associated with a trend of higher but statistically insignificant risk of myalgia (RR, 1.341; 95% CI 0.770-2.333; p = 0.299), elevated creatine kinase (RR, 1.101; 95% CI 0.457-2.651; p = 0.830) and liver enzyme activities (RR, 1.709; 95% CI 0.605-4.831; p = 0.312). Clinicians should consider the nocebo effect in the effective management of PLWH on statins, who present with common adverse effects such as myalgia and, elevated levels of creatine kinase and liver enzymes.
    MeSH terms: Creatine Kinase; Humans; Myalgia/chemically induced; Nocebo Effect
  8. Khosla A, Sonu, Awan HTA, Singh K, Gaurav, Walvekar R, et al.
    Adv Sci (Weinh), 2022 Dec;9(36):e2203527.
    PMID: 36316226 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203527
    The continuous deterioration of the environment due to extensive industrialization and urbanization has raised the requirement to devise high-performance environmental remediation technologies. Membrane technologies, primarily based on conventional polymers, are the most commercialized air, water, solid, and radiation-based environmental remediation strategies. Low stability at high temperatures, swelling in organic contaminants, and poor selectivity are the fundamental issues associated with polymeric membranes restricting their scalable viability. Polymer-metal-carbides and nitrides (MXenes) hybrid membranes possess remarkable physicochemical attributes, including strong mechanical endurance, high mechanical flexibility, superior adsorptive behavior, and selective permeability, due to multi-interactions between polymers and MXene's surface functionalities. This review articulates the state-of-the-art MXene-polymer hybrid membranes, emphasizing its fabrication routes, enhanced physicochemical properties, and improved adsorptive behavior. It comprehensively summarizes the utilization of MXene-polymer hybrid membranes for environmental remediation applications, including water purification, desalination, ion-separation, gas separation and detection, containment adsorption, and electromagnetic and nuclear radiation shielding. Furthermore, the review highlights the associated bottlenecks of MXene-Polymer hybrid-membranes and its possible alternate solutions to meet industrial requirements. Discussed are opportunities and prospects related to MXene-polymer membrane to devise intelligent and next-generation environmental remediation strategies with the integration of modern age technologies of internet-of-things, artificial intelligence, machine-learning, 5G-communication and cloud-computing are elucidated.
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence*; Polymers; Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
  9. Ismail IN, Taufik M, Umor NA, Norulhuda MR, Zulkarnaini Z, Ismail S
    Water Sci Technol, 2022 Dec;86(12):3093-3112.
    PMID: 36579872 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.403
    Treatment of ammonia- and nitrate-rich wastewater, such as that generated in the aquaculture industry, is important to prevent environmental pollution. The anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process has been reported as a great alternative in reducing ammoniacal nitrogen concentration in aquaculture wastewater treatment compared to conventional treatment systems. This paper will highlight the impact of the anammox process on aquaculture wastewater, particularly in the regulation of ammonia and nitrogen compounds. The state of the art for anammox treatment systems is discussed in comparison to other available treatment methods. While the anammox process is viable for the treatment of aquaculture wastewater, the efficiency of nitrogen removal could be further improved through the proper use of anammox bacteria, operating conditions, and microbial diversity. In conclusion, a new model of the anammox process is proposed in this review.
    MeSH terms: Ammonia; Anaerobiosis; Nitrogen; Oxidation-Reduction; Aquaculture; Bioreactors/microbiology; Denitrification; Waste Water*; Ammonium Compounds*
  10. Moey SF, Sowtali SN, Mohamad Ismail MF, Hashi AA, Mohd Azharuddin NS, Che Mohamed N
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2022 Dec 01;23(12):3971-3982.
    PMID: 36579977 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.12.3971
    INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. With an estimated 685,000 deaths, female breast cancer was the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, accounting for 6.9% of all cancer deaths. Previous studies have shown that late detection and delayed diagnosis are associated with advanced-stage breast cancer and poor survival. Factors contributing to non-adherence to breast cancer screening among women were elicited from previous studies. However, few studies have focused on the Muslim community, particularly Muslim women. As such, this systematic review aims to fill this gap by collecting information from studies conducted globally over the past ten years that examined cultural, religious and socio-ethical misconceptions about breast cancer screening among Muslim women.

    METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, literature searches were conducted systematically through various databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Oxford Academic Journals. Article identification, screening steps and eligibility measures were meticulously performed throughout the review.

    RESULTS: A total of 22 papers were appraised and included in this review. Five main themes were generated which were socio-ethical misconceptions, cultural and religious beliefs, cultural and religious barriers, stigmatization and fear of breast cancer impact. Eight sub-themes and 14 sub sub-themes were further elicited from the main themes.

    CONCLUSION: Muslim women have socio-ethical, cultural and religious misconceptions on what constitutes health and practices as well as on the nature and etiology of BC. Cultural barriers and religious values of Muslim women were indicated to influence their health behaviors such as upholding their modesty when choosing health interventions. BC stigma and fear were also found to be key sources of psychological distress that discouraged Muslim women from undergoing BC screening. The study suggests the implementation of holistic effort in educating Muslim women to increase BC screening rate.

    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Health Behavior; Early Detection of Cancer
  11. Wan Puteh SE, Mohamad Selamat E, Aizuddin AN, Tumian NR, Sathar J
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2022 Dec 01;23(12):4253-4260.
    PMID: 36580008 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.12.4253
    BACKGROUND: The burden of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is increasing due to longer patient survival, better life expectancy of the general population, and increasing drug prices. Funding is one of the main concerns in the choice of CML medication used worldwide; thus, patient assistance programmes were introduced to ensure accessibility to affordable treatment. In this study, we evaluated CML drug distribution inequality in Malaysia through patient assistance programmes, using pharmaco-economics methods to evaluate CML treatment from the care provider's perspective.

    METHODS: Patients with CML were recruited from outpatient haematological clinics at the national centre of intervention and referral for haematological conditions and a public teaching hospital. The health-related quality of life or utility scores were derived using the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Costing data were obtained from the Ministry of Health Malaysia Casemix MalaysianDRG. Imatinib and nilotinib drug costs were obtained from the administration of the participating hospitals and pharmaceutical company.

    RESULTS: Of the 221 respondents in this study, 68.8% were imatinib users. The total care provider cost for CML treatment was USD23,014.40 for imatinib and USD43,442.69 for nilotinib. The governmental financial assistance programme reduced the total care provider cost to USD13,693.51 for imatinib and USD19,193.45 for nilotinib. The quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were 17.87 and 20.91 per imatinib and nilotinib user, respectively. Nilotinib had a higher drug cost than imatinib, yet its users had better life expectancy, utility score, and QALYs. Imatinib yielded the lowest cost per QALYs at USD766.29.

    CONCLUSION: Overall, imatinib is more cost-effective than nilotinib for treating CML in Malaysia from the care provider's perspective. The findings demonstrate the importance of cancer drug funding assistance for ensuring that the appropriate treatments are accessible and affordable and that patients with cancer use and benefit from such patient assistance programmes. To establish effective health expenditure, drug distribution inequality should be addressed.

    MeSH terms: Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use; Dasatinib/therapeutic use; Chronic Disease; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Utilization; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Pyrimidines/adverse effects; Quality of Life; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
  12. Hassan BAR, Mohammed AH, Alsammarraie AZA, Alabboodi MK, Wayyes AM, Ahmed AA, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2022 Dec 01;23(12):4275-4284.
    PMID: 36580010 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.12.4275
    BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy resistance is caused by a multiplicity of reasons; some of which can be avoided and others that are beyond the scope of current treatment methods. Since chemotherapy is administered under the supervision of health personnel, the role of oncologists cannot be undermined, and yet none is known about their knowledge and perspective. This research is the first-ever study aiming to develop a valid and reliable tool to determine oncologists' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward chemotherapy resistance.

    METHODS: Based on information gathered from literature searches, in-depth interviews with oncologists, and discussions with experts, an English-language questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was tested for validity and reliability. A final version of the questionnaire (63 items) was piloted among 64 practicing oncologists and oncology trainees via convenient sampling. Data analysis was done using SPSS.

    RESULTS: Correlation coefficients for each of the questionnaire's domains were more than 0.7 (P<0.001), which suggests that the questionnaire had strong test-retest reliability. The overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for knowledge (0.728), attitude (0.722), and practice (0.716) were greater than 0.7 indicating good internal consistency. Participants demonstrated a low level of knowledge and a positive attitude toward chemotherapy resistance. A statistically significant difference was noted between the knowledge score and education level, years of experience in the medical and oncology field, and experiencing resistance cases.

    CONCLUSION: The developed questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable and can be used as an assessment tool for assessing oncologists' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward chemotherapy resistance in future studies. This study also reported that the oncologists have low knowledge on chemotherapy resistance and a predominantly positive attitude towards fighting chemotherapy resistance. Thus, it is essential for current practices in chemotherapy to be optimized to reduce the risk of chemotherapy resistance.

    MeSH terms: Attitude of Health Personnel; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Oncologists*
  13. Ramanathan K, Schliemann D, Binti Ibrahim Tamin NS, Mohan D, Donnelly M, Su TT
    PLoS One, 2022;17(12):e0279489.
    PMID: 36580458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279489
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in Malaysia is increasing, and most CRC patients are diagnosed at a late stage. This study investigated participant awareness of CRC and their perceptions and views about CRC screening, barriers, benefits, and facilitators towards CRC screening participation as well as health-seeking behaviour and the use of preventative health services.

    METHOD: Eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with a purposive sample of 89 participants aged > 50 from the major ethnic groups in the Segamat District, Johor State. FGDs were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

    RESULTS: We identified trust in doctors as a key reason for whether or not to seek health care. Generally, the participants had low awareness of CRC sign/symptoms and screening. Emotional and logistic concerns about sending a stool sample to a clinic emerged as the main barriers to screening. Simplified illustrated instructions about stool collection in Malay, Chinese and Tamil, free screening at health clinics and reminders to complete the iFOBT test were perceived to facilitate engagement in screening, and posited as strategies that were likely to increase iFOBT uptake.

    CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians play a crucial role in terms of reducing patient's misperceptions, recommending screening to patients, enhancing attendance, and improving uptake of CRC screening. There is a need for further research to investigate ways in which to reduce identified barriers and implement and test potential facilitative strategies as well as examine adherence by doctors to clinical guidelines about CRC screening.

    MeSH terms: Humans; India; Malaysia/epidemiology; Mass Screening; Occult Blood*; Early Detection of Cancer/psychology
  14. Khosla R, McCoy D
    BMJ Glob Health, 2022 Dec;7(12).
    PMID: 36581334 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011540
    MeSH terms: Humans; Politics; Global Health*; Dissent and Disputes*
  15. Shaikh AK, Nazir A, Khan I, Shah AS
    Sci Rep, 2022 Dec 29;12(1):22562.
    PMID: 36581655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26499-y
    Smart grids and smart homes are getting people's attention in the modern era of smart cities. The advancements of smart technologies and smart grids have created challenges related to energy efficiency and production according to the future demand of clients. Machine learning, specifically neural network-based methods, remained successful in energy consumption prediction, but still, there are gaps due to uncertainty in the data and limitations of the algorithms. Research published in the literature has used small datasets and profiles of primarily single users; therefore, models have difficulties when applied to large datasets with profiles of different customers. Thus, a smart grid environment requires a model that handles consumption data from thousands of customers. The proposed model enhances the newly introduced method of Neural Basis Expansion Analysis for interpretable Time Series (N-BEATS) with a big dataset of energy consumption of 169 customers. Further, to validate the results of the proposed model, a performance comparison has been carried out with the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), Blocked LSTM, Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), Blocked GRU and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN). The proposed interpretable model improves the prediction accuracy on the big dataset containing energy consumption profiles of multiple customers. Incorporating covariates into the model improved accuracy by learning past and future energy consumption patterns. Based on a large dataset, the proposed model performed better for daily, weekly, and monthly energy consumption predictions. The forecasting accuracy of the N-BEATS interpretable model for 1-day-ahead energy consumption with "day as covariates" remained better than the 1, 2, 3, and 4-week scenarios.
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Algorithms*; Cities; Computer Systems*; Forecasting; Humans; Time Factors
  16. He S, Ding L, He K, Zheng B, Liu D, Zhang M, et al.
    BMC Psychiatry, 2022 Dec 29;22(1):834.
    PMID: 36581864 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04487-w
    BACKGROUND: Although disturbances in biological rhythms are closely related to the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD), they are not commonly assessed in Chinese clinical practice. The Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) has been used to evaluate disturbances in biological rhythms in MDD. We aimed to assess and confirm the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the BRIAN (C-BRIAN) in patients with MDD.

    METHODS: A total of 120 patients with MDD and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited consecutively. Reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, the split-half coefficient, and the test-retest coefficient; test-retest reliability was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the construct validity of the scale. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) were used to check concurrent validity by evaluating the correlation between the C-BRIAN, PSQI, and MEQ.

    RESULTS: The overall Cronbach's α value was 0.898, indicating good internal consistency. The Guttman split-half coefficient was 0.792, indicating good split-half reliability. Moreover, the test-retest reliability for both the total and individual item score was excellent. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that construct validity was acceptable (χ2/df = 2.117, GFI = 0.80, AGFI = 0.87, CFI = 0.848, and RMSEA = 0.097). Furthermore, total BRIAN scores were found to be negatively correlated with MEQ (r = - 0.517, P 

    MeSH terms: China; Humans; Periodicity; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Neuropsychiatry*
  17. Schliemann D, Ramanathan K, Ibrahim Tamin NSB, O'Neill C, Cardwell CR, Ismail R, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2022 Sep 01;12(9):e058420.
    PMID: 36581978 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058420
    INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia and cases are often detected late. Improving screening uptake is key in down-staging cancer and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention to improve CRC screening uptake in Malaysia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation will include ascertaining the budgetary impact of implementing and delivering the intervention.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The implementation research logic model guided the development of the study and implementation outcome measures were informed by the 'Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance' (RE-AIM) framework. This CRC screening intervention for Malaysia uses home-testing and digital, small media, communication to improve CRC screening uptake. A sample of 780 people aged 50-75 years living in Segamat district, Malaysia, will be selected randomly from the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) database. Participants will receive a screening pack as well as a WhatsApp video of a local doctor to undertake a stool test safely and to send a photo of the test result to a confidential mobile number. SEACO staff will inform participants of their result. Quantitative data about follow-up clinic attendance, subsequent hospital tests and outcomes will be collected. Logistic regression will be used to investigate variables that influence screening completion and we will conduct a budget impact-analysis of the intervention and its implementation. Qualitative data about intervention implementation from the perspective of participants and stakeholders will be analysed thematically.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been granted by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC ID: 29107) and the Medical Review and Ethics Committee (Reference: 21-02045-O7G(2)). Results will be disseminated through publications, conferences and community engagement activities.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: National Medical Research Register Malaysia: 21-02045-O7G(2).

    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Early Detection of Cancer/methods; Pandemics/prevention & control
  18. Mian L, Hussin R, Slaninová MG, Shahzadi Y
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:914104.
    PMID: 36582326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.914104
    Recently, the use of digital skills as a tool to alleviate unemployment concerns of university graduates has gained considerable attention among governments in developing economies. The present study examines the impact of the E-education program (a digital initiative to train university graduates to get self-employed) on the unemployment reduction of young graduates of higher educational institutes (HEIs). We also explore the mediating influence of innovation in the association between E-education and unemployment reduction. The target population of the study was students who have successfully completed the E-education program. The convenient sampling technique was used for data collection from 416 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using different statistical techniques, such as descriptive statistics (reliability analysis, normality analysis, and correlation) and structural equation modeling for measurement of the structural model. The study findings assert that the E-education program has significant effects on the unemployment reduction of graduates. Furthermore, innovation also significantly mediates the association between E-education and reduce unemployment among students. It implies that the HEIs should also roll out E-education programs, which would eventually help reduce unemployment and promote the growth of the E-education industry in the country. Finally, policy prescriptions are discussed on the role of an E-education-driven innovation to curtail unemployment in developing countries.
  19. Lih Yuan T, Sulaiman N, Nur Azurah AG, Maarof M, Rabiatul Adawiyah Razali, Yazid MD
    Front Physiol, 2022;13:937988.
    PMID: 36582359 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.937988
    Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue forms and grows outside the uterus due to oestrogen-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the female reproductive tract. Factors that suppress this event could become potential therapeutic agents against disease occurrence and progression. However, an overview of these studies is still lacking. This review assessed the impact of a number factors on oestrogen-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the emergence of several diseases in the female reproductive tract, primarily endometriosis. The association between epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome was also investigated. Oestrogen, Wnt4 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were chosen as keywords in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science searches performed on 28th June 2021. Study selection was refined to cancer-irrelevant, English, original articles published between years 2011-2021. The full-text assessment was carried out for topic-related articles after title and abstract screening. Included studies were summarised and assessed for their risk of bias using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation tool. In this review, 10 articles investigating oestrogen and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the female reproductive tract were summarised and classified into two groups: seven studies under 'factor'-modulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and three studies under 'factor'-manipulated oestrogen-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The current evidence proposes that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is one of the prime causes of reproductive-related disease. This event could be mediated by distinct stimuli, specifically oestrogen and Wnt4 aberration. The results of this review suggest that oestrogen and Wnt4 participate in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vaginal epithelial cells in MRKH syndrome, adopting from the theories of endometriosis development, which could therefore serve as a foundation for novel target treatment, specifically related to vaginal epithelialisation, to ensure better surgical outcomes.
  20. Mehta A, Cheng Ng J, Andrew Awuah W, Huang H, Kalmanovich J, Agrawal A, et al.
    Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2022 Dec;84:104803.
    PMID: 36582867 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104803
    Robotic surgery has applications in many medical specialties, including urology, general surgery, and surgical oncology. In the context of a widespread resource and personnel shortage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the use of robotics in surgery may help to reduce physician burnout, surgical site infections, and hospital stays. However, a lack of haptic feedback and potential socioeconomic factors such as high implementation costs and a lack of trained personnel may limit its accessibility and application. Specific improvements focused on improved financial and technical support to LMICs can help improve access and have the potential to transform the surgical experience for both surgeons and patients in LMICs. This review focuses on the evolution of robotic surgery, with an emphasis on challenges and recommendations to facilitate wider implementation and improved patient outcomes.
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