Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Shikh Zahari SMSN, Liu Y, Yao P, Ideris MS, Azman HH, Hallett JP
    Sci Rep, 2023 Dec 15;13(1):22354.
    PMID: 38102175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48722-0
    This study investigates the effects of temperature and period on the pretreatment of OPEFB using the low-cost N,N,N-dimethylbutylammonium hydrogen sulfate ionic liquid ([DMBA][HSO4] IL) with 20 wt% of water. The results demonstrate that higher pretreatment temperatures (120, 150, and 170 °C) and longer periods (0.5, 1, and 2 h) enhanced lignin recovery, resulting in increased purity of the recovered pulp and subsequently enhanced glucose released during enzymatic hydrolysis. However, at 170 °C, prolonging the period led to cellulose degradation and the formation of pseudo-lignin deposited on the pulps, resulting in a decreasing-trend in glucose released. Finally, the analysis of extracted lignin reveals that increasing pretreatment severity intensified lignin depolymerisation and condensation, leading to a decrease in number average molecular weight (Mn), weight average molecular weight (Mw) and polydispersity index (Đ) values.
  2. Sarskov SA, Vyushkov MV, Polyanina AV, Slavin SL, Zaitseva NN
    Sovrem Tekhnologii Med, 2023;15(6):22-27.
    PMID: 39944366 DOI: 10.17691/stm2023.15.6.03
    The aim of the study is to develop a GIS software package "Epidemiological Atlas of Russia" on topical infectious and parasitic diseases in the Russian Federation to create an open and publicly accessible information resource allowing to improve the quality of morbidity epidemiological monitoring and analysis.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The GIS software package "Epidemiological Atlas of Russia" was designed for data monitoring, epidemiological analysis, and cartographic visualization and was implemented as a web resource consisting of a web application, a package administration module, and a database management system. The following development tools were used to create the package: JavaScript, PHP, additional mapping libraries (Leaflet, OpenStreetMap), MySQL database management systems, Visual Basic .NET. The primary information for the database was taken from official federal statistical observation forms No.1 and No.2 "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases".

    RESULTS: Analytical methods and GIS technologies used in epidemiological practice were evaluated, optimal technical solutions based on the experience of developing the "Epidemiological Atlas of the Volga Federal District" were selected. A versatile database structure was designed and developed to create an array of input and output statistical values of an epidemiological nature. Original algorithms were created to obtain and evaluate epidemiological indicators. Web application "Epidemiological Atlas of Russia" was developed to present, analyze, and visualize information on infectious and parasitic diseases in the subjects of a district, federal districts, and the Russian Federation as a whole. It allows to work with report forms of the Ministry of Health to organize federal statistical monitoring in the field of health protection and with laboratory studies results to create thematic modules providing detailed information on individual nosologies. Initial data were temporally broken down by months, and spatially, by Russian Federation subjects. All visualization results were dynamically updated and generated based on user's interactive request.

    CONCLUSION: GIS software package "Epidemiological Atlas of Russia" was developed as an open and publicly accessible information resource and is designed to improve the quality of epidemiological monitoring, operational and retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of current infectious and parasitic diseases in the Russian Federation. The package is intended for use in federal executive authorities, in supervisory authorities and institutions of Rospotrebnadzor, in medical organizations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and is in line with the state policy aimed to introduce modern technologies into practice.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Russia/epidemiology; Software*; Databases, Factual; Geographic Information Systems
  3. Malashenkova IK, Krynskiy SA, Ogurtsov DP, Khailov NA, Druzhinina PV, Bernstein AV, et al.
    Sovrem Tekhnologii Med, 2023;15(6):5-12.
    PMID: 39944368 DOI: 10.17691/stm2023.15.6.01
    Disorders of systemic immunity and immune processes in the brain have now been shown to play an essential role in the development and progression of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, only a few works were devoted to the study of some immune parameters to objectify the diagnosis by means of machine learning. At the same time, machine learning methods have not yet been applied to a set of data fully reflecting systemic characteristics of the immune status (parameters of adaptive immunity, the level of inflammatory markers, the content of major cytokines). Considering a complex nature of immune system disorders in schizophrenia, incorporation of a broad panel of immunological data into machine learning models is promising for improving classification accuracy and identifying the parameters reflecting the immune disorders typical for the majority of patients. The aim of the study is to assess the possibility of using immunological parameters to objectify the diagnosis of schizophrenia applying machine learning models.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed 17 immunological parameters in 63 schizophrenia patients and 36 healthy volunteers. The parameters of humoral immunity, systemic level of the key cytokines of adaptive immunity, anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and other inflammatory markers were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Applied methods of machine learning covered the main group of approaches to supervised learning such as linear models (logistic regression), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), support vector machine (linear SVM, RBF SVM), k-nearest neighbors algorithm, Gaussian processes, naive Bayes classifier, decision trees, and ensemble models (AdaBoost, random forest, XGBoost). The importance of features for prediction from the best fold has been analyzed for the machine learning methods, which demonstrated the best quality. The most significant features were selected using 70% quantile threshold.

    RESULTS: The AdaBoost ensemble model with ROC AUC of 0.71±0.15 and average accuracy (ACC) of 0.78±0.11 has demonstrated the best quality on a 10-fold cross validation test sample. Within the frameworks of the present investigation, the AdaBoost model has shown a good quality of classification between the patients with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers (ROC AUC over 0.70) at a high stability of the results (σ less than 0.2). The most important immunological parameters have been established for differentiation between the patients and healthy volunteers: the level of some systemic inflammatory markers, activation of humoral immunity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoregulatory cytokines and proteins, Th1 and Th2 immunity cytokines. It was for the first time that the possibility of differentiating schizophrenia patients from healthy volunteers was shown with the accuracy of more than 70% with the help of machine learning using only immune parameters.The results of this investigation confirm a high importance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

    MeSH terms: Machine Learning*; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Biomarkers*
  4. Yuan R, Sun H, Soh KG, Mohammadi A, Toumi Z, Zhang Z
    Front Psychol, 2023;14:1143618.
    PMID: 37113120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1143618
    BACKGROUND: The psychobiological state known as mental fatigue (MF) is by engaging in mentally taxing activities for an extended period, which is typically found in team sports, of the high cognitive demand and unpredictable environment. It increases the perception of effort and influences executive functions, impairing sport-specific performance in athletes. However, the consequences of MF on sport-specific motor performance (SSMP) among athletes in team sports remain unclear.

    OBJECTIVE: This scoping review seeks to find and map research publications that investigate the effect of MF on SSMP in team sports.

    METHODS: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched as the main databases, and CENTRAL, Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences Collection, SPORTDicus obtained from EBSCOhost, as well as gray literature was searched for relevant literature and Google Scholar. Cognitive tasks before the SSMP exam are the focus of the selected literature on mental exhaustion. Only experiments testing mental and non-mental exhaustion were chosen.

    RESULTS: Twelve studies fulfill the requirement of selection criteria. SSMP in team sports, including soccer, basketball, cricket, and Australian football mainly is examined as physical and technical performance. More specifically, MF significantly influenced physical performance measured as intermittent endurance and total distance (P < 0.05), while data was inclusive when assess in an ecological setting (e.g., small-sided game) (P > 0.05). Technical performance was mainly measured as ball loss, errors in passing and shooting, interception, and successful tackle and showed a dramatic impairment (P < 0.05). The decline of physical activity is relevant with higher level PRE, while decreased technical performance is related to impaired attention resources shown as visual perceptual.

    CONCLUSION: MF adversely influences SSMP in team sports. The most relevant theory for future study to examine the impacts of MF on team-sport athletes could be the psychological model of exercise and its potential extension on attention resources, rather than the traditional "catastrophe" theory.

  5. Lui DT, Wahab RMA, Kuppusamy E, Hamzaid NH, Hassan MR, Yazid F
    J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2023 May;47(3):11-25.
    PMID: 37143418 DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2023.021
    The most widespread non-communicable disease in the world is dental caries. Early childhood caries (ECC) is the presence of one or more decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in children between birth and 71 months. The disease has been linked to failure to thrive, impaired speech and reduce food consumption due to pain and discomfort. Nutritional status of a child may also be affected by caries. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to review the association between ECC and nutritional status. A total of 492 articles published until December 2022 from three databases were obtained. 20 relevant articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included. From the included articles, dmft index was the most common dental assessment used, while all articles used anthropometric measurements for nutritional assessment except for two articles that used laboratory methods. Based on the results obtained, majority of the articles stated that there was an association between ECC in children with poor nutritional status, while only one study reported an association between ECC and overweight or obese children. Four papers showed no association. A more standardised and consistent study methodology, sample population and protocol in articles selected may help yield more reliable results.
    MeSH terms: Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Care; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Humans; Nutritional Status; Pediatric Obesity*
  6. Mahdi SS, Yaqoob R, Allana R, Batteneni G, Sakina S, Agha D, et al.
    Ig Sanita Pubbl, 2023;80(2):49-59.
    PMID: 37154808
    INTRODUCTION: Monkeypox caused by the Monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, is currently considered a major concern among healthcare authorities due to its high transmissibility rate. Currently, no specific treatment is available for this disease, due to which healthcare professionals, specifically Dentists, are required to look out for symptoms at early stages to prevent its spread.

    OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of dentists in identifying Monkeypox cases and limiting its spread.

    METHODS: We conducted a scoping review on monkeypox and its oral manifestation. PRISMA protocols were observed in data collection. The relevant literature search was conducted in relevant databases like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Relevant articles related to Monkeypox, and Dentistry were included in the final review. Articles published from March 2022- September 2022 were included in the review. Keywords and Mesh words related to monkeypox, and dentistry were used as part of the search strategy.

    RESULTS: A total of 1881 articles were reviewed, among which 7 articles were included. Dentists were strongly advised to be on high alert for Monkeypox symptoms due to their close contact with patients. Around 70% of Monkeypox cases reported oral lesions at early stages, which requires a differential diagnosis from other oral lesions. Considering this, dentists should be well-versed in this new and emerging threat.

    CONCLUSION: Although dentists have been shown to play an important role in the treatment of monkeypox, there is insufficient data available. More research on dentistry and monkeypox will be needed in the near future.

    MeSH terms: Data Collection; Dentistry; Health Facilities; Health Personnel; Humans; Monkeypox*
  7. Gonzales-Zubiate FA, Tambor JHM, Valencia-Bacca J, Villota-Burbano MF, Cardenas-Arias A, Esposito F, et al.
    Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2023;13:1259764.
    PMID: 39840255 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1259764
    From a One Health perspective, dogs and cats have begun to be recognized as important reservoirs for clinically significant multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and genomic features of ESβL producing Enterobacterales isolated from dogs, in the province of Imbabura, Ecuador. We identified four isolates expressing ESβLs from healthy and diseased animals. In this regard, two Escherichia coli strains producing CTX-M-55-like or CTX-M-65 ESβLs belonged to the international ST10 and ST162, whereas two Klebsiella pneumoniae producing CTX-M-14 or CTX-M-27 belonged to ST35 and ST661. Phylogenomic analysis clustered (95-105 SNP differences) CTX-M-55/ST10 E. coli from companion animal with food and human E. coli strains of ST10 isolated in 2016, in Australia and Cambodia, respectively; whereas CTX-M-27-positive K. pneumoniae ST661 was clustered (201-216 SNP differences) with human strains identified in Italy, in 2013 and 2017, respectively. In summary, we report the presence and genomic data of global human-associated clones of CTX-M-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in dogs, in Ecuador. The implementation of a national epidemiological surveillance program is necessary to establish future strategies to control the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens using a One Health approach.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Dogs; Ecuador/epidemiology; Escherichia coli/classification; Escherichia coli/genetics; Humans; Klebsiella/classification; Klebsiella/genetics; Phylogeny; Genome, Bacterial/genetics
  8. Han YL, Wan Sulaiman WS, Ahmad Badayai AR, Abdullah Mohd Nor H
    PMID: 39816895 DOI: 10.3389/frcha.2023.1221933
    INTRODUCTION: The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) is a two-stage parent-reported tool for screening autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early detection of ASD is highly associated with improved social communication and reduced restricted and repetitive behaviors associated with ASD. However, there is limited availability of ASD screening tools in Malaysia and there are no relevant validation studies published. The process of modifying a screening instrument to align with the cultural and linguistic characteristics of the target population is a crucial component in establishing the instrument's validity.

    METHODS: Therefore, this study translates and culturally adapts the M-CHAT-R/F into Malay and verifies its psychometric properties among the Malaysian population. 500 Malaysian toddlers aged between 18 and 48 months were recruited from different settings. The parents of the toddlers were asked to complete the Malaysian M-CHAT-R/F. The reliability of the screening tool was verified using Cronbach's alpha.

    RESULTS: By comparing the screening outcomes of the Malaysian M-CHAT-R/F and clinical evaluation results, the prevalence of ASD was determined as 6.6% in the sample. High values of sensitivity (96.6%) and specificity (93.2%) and a satisfactory positive predictive value (47.5%) supported the validity of the Malaysian M-CHAT-R/F. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded three as the optimal cut-off score of the Malaysian M-CHAT-R/F.

    DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the Malaysian M-CHAT-R/F is an effective screening tool reliable for use in clinical practice. Further investigation using a representative sample of the whole country is recommended given the high prevalence rate obtained in the current sample.

  9. Kari ZA, Téllez-Isaías G, Hamid NKA, Rusli ND, Mat K, Sukri SAM, et al.
    Aquac Nutr, 2023;2023:6676953.
    PMID: 39553242 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6676953
    Insects such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are gaining interest among researchers and the aquafeed industry due to the fluctuating price and supply of fish meal (FM). This study evaluated the growth performance, feed stability, blood biochemistry, and liver and gut morphology of Betta splendens using BSFL as an alternative to FM. Five formulated diets were prepared: 0% BSFL, 6.5% BSFL, 13% BSFL, 19.5% BSFL, and 24.5% BSFL. The expansion rate, pellet durability index, floatability, bulk density, and water stability of the prepared feed have been assessed. Except for the diameter of the feed, all the parameters studied differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the experimental diets. After 60 days, the fish fed with 13% BSFL had the highest final length, final weight, net weight gain, specific growth rate, weight gain, and gastrointestinal weight, with mean and standard deviation values of 3.97 ± 0.43 cm, 3.95 ± 0.1 g, 2.78 ± 0.1 g, 4.63 ± 0.17, 4.65 ± 0.13, 237.26 ± 7.9%, and 0.04 ± 0.01 mg, respectively. Similar blood haematology and biochemical properties, including corpuscular volume, lymphocytes, white blood cells, red blood cells, haematocrit, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase, were the highest (p < 0.05) in the 13% BSFL diet group compared to the other treatment groups. In addition, BSFL had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on villus length, width, and crypt depth for the anterior and posterior guts of B. splendens. The 13% BSFL diet group had an intact epithelial barrier in the goblet cell arrangement and a well-organized villus structure and tunica muscularis, compared to the other treatment groups. Furthermore, the liver cell was altered with different BSFL inclusions; the 13% FM group demonstrated better nuclei and cytoplasm structure than the other treatment groups. In conclusion, replacing 13% FM with BSFL could improve the growth performance, blood parameters, and liver and intestine morphology of B. splendens, thus providing a promising alternative diet for ornamental freshwater fish.
  10. Mahadi IA, Tan JH, Teh JZ, Mohamad Y, Rizal IA
    J Trauma Inj, 2023 Sep;36(3):286-289.
    PMID: 39381707 DOI: 10.20408/jti.2022.0071
    Torso stab injuries near the cardiac box may present unique challenges due to difficulties in hemorrhage control. For a stab injury to the heart, the repair is straightforwardly performed via median sternotomy. In contrast, injuries to the inferior vena cava are challenging to repair, especially when they are close to the diaphragm, and the bleeding can be torrential. Herein, we describe a case of a self-inflicted stab wound within the "cardiac box." The trajectory of the stab injuries went below the diaphragm and injured the infradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. Successful emergent repair via the thoraco-laparotomy approach revived the young man. In this report, we revisit and discuss previous large series of patients with this rare vena cava injury.
  11. Mazlan NA, Zaki NAM, Narashid RH, Talib N, Manokaran J, Arshad FC, et al.
    Earth Syst Environ, 2023;7(1):347-358.
    PMID: 36247032 DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00329-7
    The unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the whole world in every aspect including health, social life, economic activity, education, and the environment. The pandemic has led to an improvement in air quality all around the world, including in Malaysia. Lockdowns have resulted in industry shutting down and road travel decreasing which can reduce the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and air pollution. This research assesses the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on emissions using the Air Pollution Index (API), aerosols, and GHG which is Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in Malaysia. The data used is from Sentinel-5p and Sentinel-2A which monitor the air quality based on Ozone (O3) and NO2 concentration. Using an interpolated API Index Map comparing 2019, before the implementation of a Movement Control Order (MCO), and 2020, after the MCO period we examine the impact on pollution during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Data used Sentinel-5p, Sentinel-2A, and Air Pollution Index of Malaysia (APIMS) to monitor the air quality that contains NO2 concentration. The result has shown the recovery in air quality during the MCO implementation which indirectly shows anthropogenic activities towards the environmental condition. The study will help to enhance and support the policy and scope for air pollution management strategies as well as raise public awareness of the main causes that contribute to air pollution.
  12. Eryando T, Sipahutar T, Poddar S
    F1000Res, 2023;12:966.
    PMID: 39246585 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.135262.2
    BACKGROUND: This study investigated the determinants of community preventive behavior in complying with the Indonesian regulations to prevent COVID-19 local transmission.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study used to collect the data via an online cross using a form created from a google questionnaire forms. A total of 1,802 respondents were gathered at a single point in time. The authors used the Health Belief Model (HBM) approach to measure and create a model for the prevention of local transmission of COVID-19.

    RESULTS: This study found that more than half of the respondents still had low perceived susceptibility (16%) and severity (43%). There were only 3% respondents with perceived barriers and 19% with strong self-efficacy. The findings showed that self-efficacy and perceived barriers had statistically significant relationships with preventive behavior (p-value <0.05). The goodness of fit index showed that the proposed model was not fit for the data (RMSE<0.080, GFI>0.950, AGFI>0.950, SRMR<0.100), which means that it was not fit to describe the empirical phenomenon under study.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study found that more than half of the respondents still had low perceived susceptibility (84%) and severity (67%), but more than half had high perceived benefits (54%). Only a few respondents had significant barriers to implementing COVID-19 transmission prevention behaviours (3%). Still, most respondents had low perceived self-efficacy (81%), and only 60% had good behaviours related to COVID-19 prevention. In the context of COVID-19 preventive behaviour, we recommended to improve perceived susceptibility and severity by providing the correct information (which contain information about how people susceptible to the virus and the impact of infected by the virus) with the local cultural context.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Indonesia/epidemiology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Male; Middle Aged; Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Severity of Illness Index; Health Behavior*; Self Efficacy; Young Adult
  13. Karakulak A, Tepe B, Dimitrova R, Abdelrahman M, Akaliyski P, Alaseel R, et al.
    Commun Psychol, 2023 Dec 15;1(1):43.
    PMID: 39242865 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-023-00046-5
    With the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioural scientists aimed to illuminate reasons why people comply with (or not) large-scale cooperative activities. Here we investigated the motives that underlie support for COVID-19 preventive behaviours in a sample of 12,758 individuals from 34 countries. We hypothesized that the associations of empathic prosocial concern and fear of disease with support towards preventive COVID-19 behaviours would be moderated by trust in the government. Results suggest that the association between fear of disease and support for COVID-19 preventive behaviours was strongest when trust in the government was weak (both at individual- and country-level). Conversely, the association with empathic prosocial concern was strongest when trust in the government was high, but this moderation was only found at individual-level scores of governmental trust. We discuss how motivations may be shaped by socio-cultural context, and outline how findings may contribute to a better understanding of collective action during global crises.
  14. Tsukayama R, Wodniak N, Hinjoy S, Bunthi C, Akarasewi P, Jiaranairungroj W, et al.
    PMID: 39234412 DOI: 10.1080/23779497.2023.2216267
    Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs) are the critical units to lead communications, information sharing, and resource mobilisation during national and international health emergencies, and are key components for maintaining global health security. This assessment sought to examine the coordination mechanisms between national and sub-national PHEOCs in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Malaysia (TCLM countries) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information was collected on PHEOC structures, functions, and cross-border communications in three stages: a literature review of national PHEOC and emergency preparedness capacities; questionnaire responses from stakeholders to describe PHEOC activity at the national level; and meetings with emergency response staff in five border provinces of Thailand to assess communications between sub-national PHEOCs across country borders. The findings showed that each of the countries has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening their national PHEOCs and improving cross-border communication in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong existing relationships between TCLM countries assisted in activating a coordinated pandemic response, but gaps remain in efficient data sharing, workforce capacity, and the utilisation of consistent communication platforms among countries. Lessons learned from the pandemic can be used to further strengthen countries' preparedness for future health emergencies, in line with International Health Regulations (2005) and regional plans to build health security in the Southeast Asia region. This assessment provides TCLM countries with the opportunity to address weaknesses in national and international PHEOC capacities. It may be used alongside existing guidelines to prepare the region for a stronger response to future global and regional health emergencies.
  15. Lazaldin MAM, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Agarwal P, Ismail NM
    Neural Regen Res, 2023 Feb;18(2):382-388.
    PMID: 35900434 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346546
    Amyloid-beta (Aβ)-related alterations, similar to those found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, have been observed in the retina of patients with glaucoma. Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are believed to be associated with the neurotoxic effects of Aβ peptide. To investigate the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of BDNF on Aβ1-40-induced retinal injury in Sprague-Dawley rats, we treated rats by intravitreal administration of phosphate-buffered saline (control), Aβ1-40 (5 nM), or Aβ1-40 (5 nM) combined with BDNF (1 µg/mL). We found that intravitreal administration of Aβ1-40 induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. Fluoro-Gold staining showed a significantly lower number of retinal ganglion cells in the Aβ1-40 group than in the control and BDNF groups. In the Aβ1-40 group, low number of RGCs was associated with increased caspase-3 expression and reduced TrkB and ERK1/2 expression. BDNF abolished Aβ1-40-induced increase in the expression of caspase-3 at the gene and protein levels in the retina and upregulated TrkB and ERK1/2 expression. These findings suggest that treatment with BDNF prevents RGC apoptosis induced by Aβ1-40 by activating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in rats.
  16. Wickremsinhe M, Carrecedo S, Yakubu A, Yusof ANM, Kaur S
    Wellcome Open Res, 2023;8:231.
    PMID: 39211528 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19279.1
    Health-related research with human participants is governed by research ethics regulations in most jurisdictions. Globally, the 2016 International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans, published by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), are especially influential and widely held as an international standard. The CIOMS guidelines support the inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities in research and offer clear guidance to promote their recruitment, including by outlining provisions for substitute decision-making. The CIOMS guidelines sit alongside the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Adopted in 2006 and ratified in 2008, the CRPD offers a robust framework for recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities, including individuals with psychosocial disabilities. Though the CRPD does not explicitly reference research inclusion, its core principles-especially pertaining to the right to universal legal capacity-have clear implications for research ethics governance, specifically with respect to the use of substitute decision-making for research participation. In this paper, we review the extent to which existing research ethics regulations across selected jurisdictions concord with each of these two frameworks, offering first a broad analysis of regulations across 26 African countries, and then exploring two country-specific case studies from Malaysia and Peru. We find that, while many countries' research ethics regulations align with key aspects of the CIOMS guidelines, core principles of the CRPD are absent. Given the shortcomings of existing regulations, we analyse a key point of tension between CIOMS and the CRPD-the right to participate in research-and offer a proposal for revised regulations that aims to bridge this tension and meet the standards of both frameworks.
  17. Ismail R, Ismail NH, Md Isa Z, Mohd Tamil A, Ja'afar MH, Mat Nasir N, et al.
    Am J Med Open, 2023 Dec;10:100049.
    PMID: 39035240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajmo.2023.100049
    BACKGROUND: Although prehypertension and hypertension can be detected at the primary healthcare level and low-cost treatments can effectively control its complications, hypertension is still the world's leading preventable risk factor. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine its prevalence and its risk factors among Malaysian adults.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 7585 adults was performed covering the rural and urban areas. Respondents with systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80-89 mmHg were categorized as prehypertensive, and hypertensive categorization was used for respondents with an SBP of ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP of ≥90 mmHg.

    RESULTS: Respondents reported to have prehypertension and hypertension were 40.7% and 38.0%, respectively. Those residing in a rural area, older age, male, family history of hypertension, and overweight or obese were associated with higher odds of prehypertension and hypertension. Unique to hypertension, the factors included low educational level (AOR: 1.349; 95% CI: 1.146, 1.588), unemployment (1.350; 1.16, 1.572), comorbidity of diabetes (1.474; 1.178, 1.844), and inadequate fruit consumption (1.253; 1.094, 1.436).

    CONCLUSIONS: As the prehypertensive state may affect the prevalence of hypertension, proactive strategies are needed to increase early detection of the disease among specific group of those residing in a rural area, older age, male, family history of hypertension, and overweight or obese.

  18. Patwardhan B, Wieland LS, Aginam O, Chuthaputti A, Ghelman R, Ghods R, et al.
    Natl Med J India, 2023;36(6):345-350.
    PMID: 38909307 DOI: 10.25259/NMJI_825_2023
    MeSH terms: Humans; Medicine, Traditional/methods; Global Health*
  19. Lopes CA, Saitabau A, Rustagi N, Khosla R
    Sex Reprod Health Matters, 2023 Dec;31(4):2372865.
    PMID: 39028211 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2024.2372865
    MeSH terms: Humans; Reproductive Rights*; Reproductive Health*
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