Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Sukumaran Y, Pol Ong Y, Siow Ping L, Ong CA, Narayanan P
    Cureus, 2023 Jul;15(7):e42296.
    PMID: 37609079 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42296
    Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) of the head and neck are a rare and diverse group of tumors. Here, we report a case of a 40-year-old man presenting with symptoms resembling chronic left otitis media, including left ear otorrhea, otalgia, and reduced hearing. Otoscopic examination revealed a whitish mass located behind the tympanic membrane. The patient underwent examination under anesthesia and left cortical mastoidectomy, and a histopathological examination of the middle ear biopsy indicated the presence of an epithelial tumor with neuroendocrine differentiation, suggestive of middle ear adenoma. A staging CT scan performed three months after the mastoidectomy showed a hypodensity in the middle ear cavity, with no significant bony erosion, which could potentially indicate a residual or recurrent tumor. Consequently, a radical mastoidectomy was performed. The histopathological examination confirmed the presence of middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine differentiation.
  2. Tobin RJ, Harrison LE, Tully MK, Lubis IND, Noviyanti R, Anstey NM, et al.
    medRxiv, 2023 Aug 08.
    PMID: 37609228 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.23293633
    BACKGROUND: Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic parasite that causes malaria in humans. The pathogen has a natural host reservoir in certain macaque species and is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes of the Anopheles Leucosphyrus Group. The risk of human P. knowlesi infection varies across Southeast Asia and is dependent upon environmental factors. Understanding this geographic variation in risk is important both for enabling appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the disease and for improving the planning and evaluation of malaria elimination. However, the data available on P. knowlesi occurrence are biased towards regions with greater surveillance and sampling effort. Predicting the spatial variation in risk of P. knowlesi malaria requires methods that can both incorporate environmental risk factors and account for spatial bias in detection.

    METHODS & RESULTS: We extend and apply an environmental niche modelling framework as implemented by a previous mapping study of P. knowlesi transmission risk which included data up to 2015. We reviewed the literature from October 2015 through to March 2020 and identified 264 new records of P. knowlesi, with a total of 524 occurrences included in the current study following consolidation with the 2015 study. The modelling framework used in the 2015 study was extended, with changes including the addition of new covariates to capture the effect of deforestation and urbanisation on P. knowlesi transmission.

    DISCUSSION: Our map of P. knowlesi relative transmission suitability estimates that the risk posed by the pathogen is highest in Malaysia and Indonesia, with localised areas of high risk also predicted in the Greater Mekong Subregion, The Philippines and Northeast India. These results highlight areas of priority for P. knowlesi surveillance and prospective sampling to address the challenge the disease poses to malaria elimination planning.

  3. Al Mamun A, Yang Q, Naznen F, Aziz NA, Masud MM
    Heliyon, 2023 Aug;9(8):e18998.
    PMID: 37609413 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18998
    As a safe alternative to hazardous agrochemicals, food waste compost could prevent human health hazards and environmental degradation. Food waste composting has not garnered much popularity among farmers given their sole dependence on synthetic fertilizers for high yields and commercial returns. Hence, this study aimed to identify the factors influencing farmers' adoption of food waste composting for regular use. Empirical data were collected from 399 farmers residing in different second-tier cities in China through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling was used to statistically examine the models and construct correlations. Based on the study outcomes, the perceived usefulness of food waste compost, awareness of the consequences, social influence, anticipated guilt, and attitude towards food waste composting substantially impacted food waste composting intention. Intriguingly, the perceived value of sustainability and ascription of responsibility did not have a significant impact on food waste composting intention, whereas food waste composting intention substantially influenced food waste composting behavior. The results of the multi-group analysis revealed differences in the relationship between awareness of consequences and food waste composting intention across genders and educational levels. This intriguing finding provides new avenues for future research and offers novel insights into the practical applications and promotion of food waste composting. These results will improve the relevant aspects among farmers for eco-friendly farming practices, innovate food waste management strategies, and mitigate environmental deterioration resulting from hazardous agrochemicals. This study expands the current body of literature by providing government regulators and other social enterprises with effective laws, policies, and strategy development guidelines for adopting natural composting on a large scale and enhancing the nutritional value of food to prevent unforeseen health risks caused by toxic chemicals.
  4. Aliyu AW, Mohd Nazri MN, Mohd Zaidi NF, Mohd Fadzli Mustaffa K
    Heliyon, 2023 Aug;9(8):e18861.
    PMID: 37609428 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18861
    Recent advancement in molecular medicine has seen applications of advanced biotechnology tools such as aptamer technology in therapeutics and diagnostics. Aptamer technology has witnessed various approaches including "Click-Chemistry" towards modifying aptamer structure to improve its potentials, but limited studies have reported the influence of such alteration on aptamer's specificity and affinity for their targets. Here, we utilized square wave voltammetry (SWV) electrochemical sensing based on heme to show the effects of cholesterol-triethylene-glycol (COL-TEG) modification of protoporphyrin-IX DNA-aptamers (OKA_24 and OKA_26) on their affinity for heme. Binding was evaluated by immobilizing 5 μM of heme onto cysteamine-glutaraldehyde-coated gold-electrode to construct electrochemical biosensor. Sensing of native/modified-aptamer was achieved by incubating their varying concentrations (9.76 nM - 10 μM) with heme-coated gold-electrode in HKSCM buffer pH 5, for 15 min. Chloroquine (2.5 μM) and non-binding HPIX-aptamer (2.5 μM) served as controls. Ferrocene was the redox solution used for SWV analysis. Protoporphyrin-IX DNA-aptamers specificity for heme was not tarnish by lipid conjugation. Selective binding of 2.5 μM of COL-TEG-OKA_24 and COL-TEG-OKA_26 to heme induced peak-current reduction by 30.68% and 24% respectively. Incubation of OKA_24 and OKA_26 aptamers produced resistance to current flow through the heme-coated gold-electrode by 23.21% and 14.4 8% respectively. Affinity SWV reveals that cholesterol conjugation decreases the affinity of COL-TEG-OKA_24 (KD = 4 7.13 ± 3.767 nM) and COL-TEG-OKA_24 (KD = 84.6 ± 8.7 nM) by 3- fold. There is a need to check the impact of such alteration on inhibition of heme to hemozoin polymerization, a process mediated by Plasmodium falciparum.
  5. Henry JC, Wong LY, Reyes AM, Jin JZ, Ferguson MK, Yip CH, et al.
    Front Health Serv, 2023;3:1096144.
    PMID: 37609518 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1096144
    OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines for enhancing global surgical care delivery. We propose a set of recommendations to serve as a framework to guide surgical quality improvement and scale-up initiatives in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

    METHODS: From January-December 2019, we reviewed the available literature and their application toward LMIC settings. The first initiative was the establishment of Best Practices Recommendations intended to summarize best-level evidence around quality improvement processes that have shown to decrease morbidity and mortality in LMICs. The GRADE level of evidence and strength of the recommendation were assigned in accordance with the WHO handbook for guidelines development. The second initiative was the scale-up of principles and practices by establishing international expert consensus on the optimal organization of surgical services in LMICs using a modified Delphi methodology.

    RESULTS: Recommendations for three topic areas were established: reducing surgical site infections, improving quality of trauma systems, and interventions to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality. 27 studies were included in a quantitative synthesis and meta-analysis for interventions reducing surgical site infections, 27 studies for interventions improving the quality of trauma systems, and 14 studies for interventions reducing maternal and perinatal mortality. Using Delphi methodology, an international expert panel established consensus that district hospitals should place the highest priority on developing surgical services for low complexity, high volume conditions. At the national level, emergency and essential surgical care should be integrated within national Universal Health Coverage frameworks.

    CONCLUSIONS: This project fills a critical cap in the rapidly developing field of global surgery: gathering evidence-based, practical, and cost-effective solutions that will serve as a guide for the efficient planning and allocation of resources necessary to promote quality and safe essential surgical services in LMICs.

  6. Dehghan A, Moosa-Kazemi SH, Sedaghat MM, Vatandoost H, Hanafi-Bojd AA
    J Arthropod Borne Dis, 2023 Mar;17(1):72-82.
    PMID: 37609566 DOI: 10.18502/jad.v17i1.13203
    BACKGROUND: Anopheles stephensi is a major vector of malaria in some parts of the world. A standard method for determining resistance in adult mosquito populations is the bioassay test recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The papers used in this method have an expiry date. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of outdated susceptibility test papers for use in insecticide resistance monitoring programs.

    METHODS: Beech and Bandar Abbas strains of An. stephensi were reared in the insectary. Permethrin 0.75%, Deltamethrin 0.05%, and Bendiocarb 0.1% impregnated test papers prepared by Universiti Sains Malaysia were used. Probit analysis was used to analyze the results and prepare time-mortality regression lines of LT50 and LT90.

    RESULTS: There was a difference in the mortality of both tested strains of An. stephensi was exposed to all tested insecticides. Both expired and not expired Permethrin and Deltamethrin papers induced 100% mortality at the diagnostic time (60min), but their insecticidal properties were reduced gradually in serial times. The highest efficacy of test papers was in the first trimester after the expiry date and decreased over time.

    CONCLUSION: At the diagnostic time of 60 minutes, the mortality rate of both dated and expired papers was 100% in the pyrethroid insecticides, even three years after expiry dates, if stored in the package provided by the producer, in a refrigerator. This value was reduced to less than 100% in the expired papers of Bendiocarb comparing the dated papers that induced 100% mortality.

  7. Katewa A, Haranal M, Madkaiker AN, Saxena S, Srimurugan B, Patel R, et al.
    Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2023 Sep;39(5):497-500.
    PMID: 37609615 DOI: 10.1007/s12055-023-01525-4
    Double outlet both ventricles is a rare abnormal ventriculo-arterial malformation in which both great arterial trunks are committed to both the ventricles, albeit now being recognized with increasing frequency. Patients with the lesion present with a spectrum of clinical manifestations. The size and location of the interventricular communication dictate the feasibility of biventricular repair. Literature on the malformation, however, is sparse. We report our experience with five patients, all of whom underwent successful surgical biventricular repair.
  8. Tong CY, Li HZ, Derek CJC
    Lab Chip, 2023 Sep 13;23(18):4052-4066.
    PMID: 37609763 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00415e
    In attached microalgae cultivation systems, cell detachment due to fluid hydrodynamic flow is not a subject matter that is commonly looked into. However, this phenomenon is of great relevance to optimizing the operating parameters of algae cultivation and feasible reactor design. Hence, this current work miniaturizes traditional benchtop assays into a microfluidic platform to study the cell detachment of green microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, from porous substrates during its early cultivation stage under precisely controlled conditions. As revealed by time lapse microscopy, an increase in bulk flow velocity facilitated nutrient transport but also triggered cell detachment events. At a flow rate of 1000 μL min-1 of growth medium for 120 min, the algal cell coverage was up to 5% lower than those at 5 μL min-1 and 50 μL min-1. In static seeding, the evolution of attached cell resistance toward liquid flows was dependent on hydrodynamic zones. The center zone of the microchannel was shown to be a "comfortable zone" of the attached cells to sequester nutrients effectively at lower medium flow rates but there was a profile transition where outlet zones favored cell attachment the most at higher flow rates (1.13 times higher than the center zone for 1000 μL min-1). Besides, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations illustrated that the focusing band varied between cross-sections and depths, while the streamline was the least concentrated along the side walls and bottom plane of the microfluidic devices. It was intriguing to learn that cell detachment was not primarily happening along the symmetry streamline. Insight gained from this study could be further applied in the optimization of operating conditions of attached cultivation systems whilst preserving laminar flow conditions.
    MeSH terms: Biological Assay; Cells, Immobilized; Chlorella vulgaris*; Hydrodynamics; Microalgae*
  9. Ufashingabire Minani C, Soh KL, Rosliza Abdul M, Mani KKC, Ibrahim B, Mohamed Dirie A, et al.
    Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot, 2023 Sep;30(3):447-454.
    PMID: 37177800 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2023.2210554
    This review aimed to evaluate and synthesize information on the effects of first-aid education in road traffic crashes on knowledge, attitudes, and skills among non-healthcare professionals. A qualitative study was designed according to the Prepared Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards to evaluate three outcomes, knowledge, skills, and attitude. The search strategy was performed in five databases (Science Direct, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, PubMed, and Google Scholar) to retrieve primary studies published between January 2011 and December 2021. In addition, the full texts of randomized controlled trials conducted on adults were included. Among the 2,399 articles retrieved from the databases, 2,388 were discarded, and only five studies met the inclusion criteria and were used in the final analysis and synthesis. Three of the five studies suggested that knowledge and skills are crucial in differentiating outcome factors between intervention and control groups regarding the effectiveness of first aid education. However, two studies on attitude and behaviour toward first-aid found no discernible change between the intervention and the control group. Therefore, our review revealed that only a well-structured first aid education is crucial to leverage the knowledge and skills of non-healthcare professionals before first aid provision, not attitude or behaviours.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  10. Lazarus JV, Han H, Mark HE, Alqahtani SA, Schattenberg JM, Soriano JB, et al.
    Hepatology, 2023 Sep 01;78(3):911-928.
    PMID: 37595128 DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000361
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fatty liver disease is highly prevalent, resulting in overarching wellbeing and economic costs. Addressing it requires comprehensive and coordinated multisectoral action. We developed a fatty liver disease Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) country score to provide insights into country-level preparedness to address fatty liver disease through a whole-of-society lens.

    APPROACH AND RESULTS: We developed 2 fatty liver disease-SDG score sets. The first included 6 indicators (child wasting, child overweight, noncommunicable disease mortality, a universal health coverage service coverage index, health worker density, and education attainment), covering 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017. The second included the aforementioned indicators plus an urban green space indicator, covering 60 countries and territories for which 2017 data were available. To develop the fatty liver disease-SDG score, indicators were categorized as "positive" or "negative" and scaled from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better preparedness levels. Fatty liver disease-SDG scores varied between countries and territories (n = 195), from 14.6 (95% uncertainty interval: 8.9 to 19.4) in Niger to 93.5 (91.6 to 95.3) in Japan; 18 countries and territories scored > 85. Regionally, the high-income super-region had the highest score at 88.8 (87.3 to 90.1) in 2017, whereas south Asia had the lowest score at 44.1 (42.4 to 45.8). Between 1990 and 2017, the fatty liver disease-SDG score increased in all super-regions, with the greatest increase in south Asia, but decreased in 8 countries and territories.

    CONCLUSIONS: The fatty liver disease-SDG score provides a strategic advocacy tool at the national and global levels for the liver health field and noncommunicable disease advocates, highlighting the multisectoral collaborations needed to address fatty liver disease, and noncommunicable diseases overall.

    MeSH terms: Child; Humans
  11. Chen YY, Ting CH
    J Postgrad Med, 2023;69(4):221-223.
    PMID: 37602634 DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_341_23
    Depression and anxiety are common psychological issues among university students, yet many of them hesitate to seek professional help due to stigma. Unfortunately, university curricula often lack self-help strategies to manage these challenges and provide timely support to those in need. To address this gap, we introduced the Psychological Skills Lab (PSL) component in the undergraduate medical curriculum, which emphasizes experiential learning to promote self-determination and autonomy in health promotion. The lab allows active interaction among students, lecturers, and peers through activities like presentations, peer reviews, in session practice, gratitude journals, group discussions, and role plays. PSL helps students develop skills, empathy, mindfulness, and self compassion through regular interactions. This innovative teaching approach raises mental health awareness and empowers students to assist others when required. Thus, by incorporating self-help measures into the curriculum, students are better equipped to manage their emotional well-being while supporting those around them.
    MeSH terms: Curriculum; Education, Medical*; Humans
  12. Geng X, Haig J, Lin B, Tian C, Zhu S, Cheng Z, et al.
    Environ Sci Technol, 2023 Sep 05;57(35):13067-13078.
    PMID: 37603309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03481
    Aerosol black carbon (BC) is a short-lived climate pollutant. The poorly constrained provenance of tropical marine aerosol BC hinders the mechanistic understanding of extreme climate events and oceanic carbon cycling. Here, we collected PM2.5 samples during research cruise NORC2016-10 through South China Sea (SCS) and Northeast Indian Ocean (NEIO) and measured the dual-carbon isotope compositions (δ13C-Δ14C) of BC using hydrogen pyrolysis technique. Aerosol BC exhibits six different δ13C-Δ14C isotopic spaces (i.e., isotope provinces). Liquid fossil fuel combustion, from shipping emissions and adjacent land, is the predominant source of BC over isotope provinces "SCS close to Chinese Mainland" (53.5%), "Malacca Strait" (53.4%), and "Open NEIO" (40.7%). C3 biomass burning is the major contributor to BC over isotope provinces "NEIO close to Southeast Asia" (55.8%), "Open NEIO" (41.3%), and "Open SCS" (40.0%). Coal combustion and C4 biomass burning show higher contributions to BC over "Sunda Strait" and "Open SCS" than the others. Overall, NEIO near the Bay of Bengal, Malacca Strait, and north SCS are three hot spots of fossil fuel-derived BC; the first two areas are also hot spots of biomass-derived BC. The comparable δ13C-Δ14C between BC in aerosol and dissolved BC in surface seawater may suggest atmospheric BC deposition as a potential source of oceanic dissolved BC.
    MeSH terms: Aerosols; Carbon Isotopes; China; Fossil Fuels*; Indian Ocean
  13. Chong YP, Lim SM, Loh TP, Mollee P, Wijeratne N, Choy KW
    J Clin Pathol, 2023 Nov;76(11):727-733.
    PMID: 37604683 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-208774
    Monoclonal gammopathy is a spectrum of disorders characterised by clonal proliferation of plasma cells or lymphocytes, which produce abnormal immunoglobulin or its components (monoclonal proteins). Monoclonal gammopathies are often categorised as low-tumour-burden diseases (eg, amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis), premalignant disorders (such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smouldering multiple myeloma), and malignancies (eg, multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia). Such diversity of concentration and structure makes monoclonal protein a challenging clonal marker. This article provides an overview on initial laboratory testing of monoclonal gammopathy to guide clinicians and laboratory professionals in the selection and interpretation of appropriate investigations.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Precancerous Conditions*
  14. Alassiri M, Lai JY, Ch'ng ACW, Choong YS, Alanazi A, Lim TS
    Sci Rep, 2023 Aug 21;13(1):13627.
    PMID: 37604859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40630-7
    Antibody phage display is a key tool for the development of monoclonal antibodies against various targets. However, the development of anti-peptide antibodies is a challenging process due to the small size of peptides for binding. This makes anchoring of peptides a preferred approach for panning experiments. A common approach is by using streptavidin as the anchor protein to present biotinylated peptides for panning. Here, we propose the use of recombinant expression of the target peptide and an immunogenic protein as a fusion for panning. The peptide inhibitor of trans-endothelial migration (PEPITEM) peptide sequence was fused to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) α-crystalline (AC) as an anchor protein. The panning process was carried out by subtractive selection of the antibody library against the AC protein first, followed by binding to the library to PEPITEM fused AC (PEPI-AC). A unique monoclonal scFv antibodies with good specificity were identified. In conclusion, the use of an alternative anchor protein to present the peptide sequence coupled with subtractive panning allows for the identification of unique monoclonal antibodies against a peptide target.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Bacteriophages*; Humans; Polyarteritis Nodosa*; Cell Surface Display Techniques
  15. Ahmad M, Al-Zubi MA, Kubińska-Jabcoń E, Majdi A, Al-Mansob RA, Sabri MMS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2023 Aug 21;13(1):13593.
    PMID: 37604957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40903-1
    The California bearing ratio (CBR) is one of the basic subgrade strength characterization properties in road pavement design for evaluating the bearing capacity of pavement subgrade materials. In this research, a new model based on the Gaussian process regression (GPR) computing technique was trained and developed to predict CBR value of hydrated lime-activated rice husk ash (HARHA) treated soil. An experimental database containing 121 data points have been used. The dataset contains input parameters namely HARHA-a hybrid geometrical binder, liquid limit, plastic limit, plastic index, optimum moisture content, activity and maximum dry density while the output parameter for the model is CBR. The performance of the GPR model is assessed using statistical parameters, including the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE), and performance indicator (ρ). The obtained results through GPR model yield higher accuracy as compare to recently establish artificial neural network (ANN) and gene expression programming (GEP) models in the literature. The analysis of the R2 together with MAE, RMSE, RRMSE, and ρ values for the CBR demonstrates that the GPR achieved a better prediction performance in training phase with (R2 = 0.9999, MAE = 0.0920, RMSE = 0.13907, RRMSE = 0.0078 and ρ = 0.00391) succeeded by the ANN model with (R2 = 0.9998, MAE = 0.0962, RMSE = 4.98, RRMSE = 0.20, and ρ = 0.100) and GEP model with (R2 = 0.9972, MAE = 0.5, RMSE = 4.94, RRMSE = 0.202, and ρ = 0.101). Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis result shows that HARHA was the key parameter affecting the CBR.
  16. Kario K, Tomitani N, Wang TD, Park S, Li Y, Shin J, et al.
    Hypertens Res, 2023 Dec;46(12):2561-2574.
    PMID: 37605071 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-023-01397-6
    Recent innovations in digital technology have enabled the simultaneous accumulation, and the linking and analysis of time-series big data relating to several factors that influence blood pressure (BP), including biological indicators, physical activity, and environmental information. Various approaches can be used to monitor BP: in the office/clinic; at home; 24-h ambulatory recording; or with wearable and cuffless devices. Of these, home BP monitoring is a reliable and convenient method, and is recommended for hypertension management by current national and international guidelines. This recommendation is based on evidence showing that home BP is an important predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and kidney disease in patients with hypertension. In addition, lifetime personalized health record (PHR)-based home BP with telemonitoring combined with co-interventions has been shown to lower BP more effectively than the traditional approach based on office BP. Thus, home BP represents a key metric for personalized anticipation medicine, from digital healthcare to digital medicine. This paper summarizes the latest evidence on home BP monitoring and proposes a Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network consensus on a home BP-centered approach to the management of hypertension.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination/methods; Humans; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  17. Nissanka MC, Weerasekera MM, Dilhari A, Dissanayaka R, Rathnayake S, Wijesinghe GK
    Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2023;26(9):979-986.
    PMID: 37605731 DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2023.67965.14877
    Hygrophila schulli which is known as "Neermulli'' in the vernacular is an herbaceous plant native to Sri Lanka. Ancient medicinal literature suggests the use of H. schulli whole plant or its parts for the treatment of different communicable and non-communicable diseases including diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis. Active constituents and secondary metabolites including alkaloids, tannins, steroids, proteins, flavonoids, and glycosides are identified to possess antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, hematopoietic, diuretic, antiurolithiatic, antipyretic, neuroprotection, and anti-endotoxin activities. In this review, we reviewed clinical studies, patents, and analytical studies from the earliest found examples from 1886 to the end of 2021. We critically analyzed and attempt to summarize the information based on bioactivities and chemical composition of H. schulli plant extracts which will be of future use for researchers in this field.
  18. Khor BH, Sumida K, Scholes-Robertson N, Chan M, Lambert K, Kramer H, et al.
    Semin Nephrol, 2023 Mar;43(2):151404.
    PMID: 37598539 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2023.151404
    Nutrition is an integral component in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and kidney health professionals play a crucial role in educating patients on dietary interventions for CKD. Several dietary modifications are indicated for CKD that require frequent adaptations with CKD progression and with underlying metabolic disturbances. However, poor adherence to dietary interventions is not uncommon among patients with CKD. An effective education program on nutrition intervention consists of providing knowledge and developing skills that are necessary to support behavioral change. The application of theoretical models of behavioral change such as social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model in nutrition intervention has been reported to be effective in promoting changes in dietary habits. This review summarizes the evidence supporting the application of theoretical models as strategies to enhance nutrition education for patients with CKD. In addition, digital technologies are gaining interest in empowering patients and facilitating nutrition management in patients with CKD. This review also examines the applications of the latest digital technologies guided by behavioral theory in facilitating patients' changes in dietary intake patterns and lifestyle habits.
    MeSH terms: Health Education; Humans; Life Style; Nutrition Therapy*
  19. Mazlee MTF, Heidelberg T, Ariffin A, Zain SM
    Carbohydr Res, 2023 Oct;532:108923.
    PMID: 37598565 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2023.108923
    In the attempt to create a delivery system for an alkali-cation stimulated drug release, a computational study was conducted, aiming for the evaluation of synthetic access towards glycolipid crown ethers analogs and their potential for coordination-induced changes of packing constraints for molecular assemblies. The results disfavor amide-linkages for the creation of macrocycles around the inter-glycosidic bond of a disaccharide. Conformational changes upon cation coordination of the macrocycle decrease the intersection area for easily accessible macrocycles based on lactose. This leads to shrinking intersection areas upon alkali complexation. Maltose-based analogs, on the other hand, exhibited the targeted increase of the glycolipid intersection area and, hence, may be considered as a promising resource.
    MeSH terms: Alkalies; Cations; Disaccharides*; Glycolipids; Lactose*
  20. Dai Y, Han L, Wang Y, Zhao K, Gu J, Bai H, et al.
    Leg Med (Tokyo), 2023 Nov;65:102303.
    PMID: 37598646 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102303
    Nimetazepam (marketed brand names; Erimin and Lavol) is an intermediate acting benzodiazepine derivative, which was widely used mainly in East and Southeast Asian region countries including Japan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Nimetazepam and its metabolite 7-aminonimetazepam were quantified from human hair samples by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), under selective reaction monitoring mode. Using diazepam-d5 as an internal standard, the concentration of nimetazepam and its metabolite 7-aminonimetazepam could be determined by matrix matched calibration method. Extraction of the target compounds was performed by using methanol, followed by evaporation and being concentrated with nitrogen. The Limit of quantification concentrations of nimetazepam and its metabolite 7-aminonimetazepam in hair samples were both 25 pg/mg by established method. The concentrations of nimetazepam in hair samples obtained from 2 users were 27.4, and 22.0 pg/mg, respectively; the concentrations of 7-animonimetazepam in hair samples were 54.2 and 29.1 pg/mg, respectively. In our study, the 7-aminonimetazepam concentrations in hair was higher than those of nimetazepam in the authentic hair samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report to establish the detailed procedure for quantificating nimetazepam and 7-aminonimetazepam in human hair by LC-MS/MS.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid/methods; Humans; Limit of Detection
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