Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Kamran HW, Rafiq M, Abudaqa A, Amin A
    Environ Technol, 2023 Jun 11.
    PMID: 37204776 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2216903
    ABSTRACTThis research examines the trends in environmental footprints through energy innovations, digital trade, economic freedom, and environmental regulation from the context of G7 economies. Quarterly observations from 1998-2020 have been utilized for the advanced-panel model entitled Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR). The initial findings confirm slope heterogeneity, interdependence between the cross-sectional units, stationarity properties, and panel cointegration. The results through FM-OLS, D-OLS, and FE-OLS justify that energy innovations, digital trade, and environmental regulations control ecological damages. In contrast, economic freedom and growth are causing more damage to nature, like ecological footprints (EFP). Similarly, the results through MMQR confirm that the impact of energy innovations, digital trade, and environmental regulations is accepted as a panacea to control environmental degradation in G7. However, the magnitude of the coefficient varies across different quantiles. More specifically, the findings show that the impact of energy innovations is highly significant at 0.50th quantile. In contrast, through digital trade, the impact on EFP is only significant under medium and higher order quantiles (i.e. 0.50th, 0.75th-1.0th). Contrarily, economic freedom is causing more EFP across all the quantiles, where the findings are highly significant at 0.75th quantile. Besides, a few other policy implications are also discussed.
  2. Dhamanti I, Juliasih NN, Semita IN, Zakaria N, Guo HR, Sholikhah V
    J Multidiscip Healthc, 2023;16:1337-1348.
    PMID: 37204999 DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S412327
    PURPOSE: This study examined how health staff in Indonesian hospitals perceived open disclosure of patient safety incidents (PSIs).

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study employed a mixed method explanatory sequential approach. We surveyed 262 health workers and interviewed 12 health workers. Descriptive statistical (frequency distributions and summary measures) analysis was performed to assess the distributions of variables using SPSS. We used thematic analysis for the qualitative data analysis.

    RESULTS: We discovered a good level of open disclosure practice, open disclosure system, attitude toward open disclosure and process, open disclosure according to the level of harm resulting from PSIs in the quantitative phase. The qualitative phase revealed that most participants were confused about the difference between incident reporting and incident disclosure. Furthermore, the quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that major errors or adverse events should be disclosed. The contradictory findings may be due to a lack of awareness of incident disclosure. The important factors in disclosing the incident are effective communication, type of incident, and patient and family characteristics.

    CONCLUSION: Open disclosure is novel for Indonesian health professionals. A good open disclosure system in hospitals could address several issues such as lack of knowledge, lack of policy support, lack of training, and lack of policy. To limit the negative implications of disclosing situations, the government should develop supportive policies at the national level and organize many initiatives at the hospital level.

  3. Lee YY, Tee V
    Drugs Context, 2023;12.
    PMID: 37205125 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2023-1-3
    Elevated liver enzyme levels are a frequent incidental finding in primary care, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the main cause of incidental elevation of liver enzymes worldwide. The features of the disease vary from simple steatosis, characterized by a benign prognosis, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, increasing morbidity and mortality. In this case report, abnormal liver activity was incidentally detected during other medical assessments. The patient was treated with silymarin 140 mg three times daily, resulting in decreased serum liver enzyme levels over treatment with a good safety profile. This article is part of the Current clinical use of silymarin in the treatment of toxic liver diseases: a case series Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/current-clinical-use-of-silymarin-in-the-treatment-of-toxic-liver-diseases-a-case-series.
  4. Idris H, Tuzzahra F
    PMID: 37205142 DOI: 10.51866/oa.265
    INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the mental illnesses that affect adolescents worldwide. This study analysed the factors associated with depressive symptoms among adolescents in Indonesia.

    METHOD: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey 2014. The sample included 3,603 adolescents aged 10-19 years. Data were analysed using logistic regression statistical tests.

    RESULTS: Of the adolescents, 29.1% had depressive symptoms. The bivariate analysis showed that sex, region, economic status, chronic illness history, sleep quality, smoking habit, and personality type were associated with a higher probability of depressive symptoms among the adolescents.

    CONCLUSION: A history of chronic diseases contributes the most to the occurrence of depressive symptoms among adolescents. To reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with depression, the Indonesian government must make preventive efforts through early detection among young people.

  5. Sengupta T, Paul B, Banerjee A, Das R, Halder R
    PMID: 37205144 DOI: 10.51866/oa.232
    INTRODUCTION: The high prevalence among elderly individuals and potential adverse impact on their overall life quality make chronic musculoskeletal pain a significant public health concern. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is an important cause of self-medication, which must be addressed to avoid various side effects and improve elderly health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associated factors among individuals (age ≥60 years) in rural West Bengal and explore their perspectives and perceived barriers regarding pain and its management.

    METHOD: This mixed-method study was conducted in rural West Bengal from December 2021 to June 2022. The quantitative strand was conducted by interviewing 255 elderly participants (age ≥60 years) using a structured questionnaire. The qualitative strand was conducted via in-depth interviews of 10 patients with chronic pain. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, and chronic pain-related factors were analyzed using logistic regression models. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

    RESULTS: Among the participants, 56.8% reported chronic musculoskeletal pain. The most frequently affected site was the knee joint. Comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=7.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.2-17.5), age (aOR=5.16, 95% CI=2.2-13.5), depression (aOR=2.96, 95% CI=1.2-6.7) and over-the-counter drug usage (aOR=2.51, 95% CI=1.1-6.4) were significantly associated with chronic pain. Analgesic dependency, lack of motivation to adopt lifestyle modifications, lack of knowledge on analgesic side effects were considered pain management barriers.

    CONCLUSION: Managing comorbidities, providing mental support, generating awareness of analgesic side effects, strengthening healthcare facilities should be prioritized for holistic chronic musculoskeletal pain management.

  6. Sutan R, Ahmad N
    PMID: 37205145 DOI: 10.51866/rv.210
    INTRODUCTION: The Malaysian healthcare system, particularly for maternal and child health, has been well recognised to provide high-quality services and be at par with systems in other developed countries. Current health programmes and technological advancements effectively detect vulnerable groups of children, such as small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, antenatally. However, the postnatal care for SGA infants is not clearly evaluated, as this group of children is mostly classified as healthy in many medical contexts, especially in primary care settings. Available health programmes and healthcare service delivery must be continuously evaluated by implementing beneficial and relevant evidence-based theories.

    METHOD: Articles, reports and guidelines used in providing mother and child health services in Malaysia published since 2000 were reviewed.

    RESULTS: There was no specific monitoring strategy used for SGA infants without critical health issues in early childhood, as they were commonly treated as healthy infants. Several challenges in aligning theory with the current practice of healthcare service delivery and recommendations for dealing with such challenges were identified.

    CONCLUSION: The alignment of theory with the current practice of service delivery should be tailored to the needs and demands parallel to the dynamic change in populations in the urbanisation era.

  7. Banerjee A, Paul B, Das R, Bandyopadhyay L, Bhattacharyya M
    PMID: 37205146 DOI: 10.51866/oa.224
    INTRODUCTION: Despite policy actions and strategic efforts for improving the reproductive and sexual health of adolescents by promoting the uptake of adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) services, the utilisation rate remains significantly low, especially in rural areas of India. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of these services by adolescents in rural West Bengal and its associated determinants.

    METHOD: This mixed-method study was conducted from May to September 2021 in the Gosaba rural block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 326 adolescents using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected via four focus group discussions among 30 adolescents and key-informant interviews among six healthcare workers. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.

    RESULTS: Ninety-six (29.4%) adolescents had utilised ARSH services at least once during adolescence. The factors associated with non-utilisation of ARSH services were younger age, female sex, increasing reproductive health stigma and decreasing parent-adolescent communication related to sexual health. Qualitative exploration revealed that unawareness regarding services, perceived lack of privacy and confidentiality at healthcare facilities and disruption of services post-emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic were some major barriers to ARSH service utilisation.

    CONCLUSION: A multi-component strategy, including promotion of adolescent-friendly health clinics, community support interventions associated with motivation and counselling of parents regarding the importance of adolescent reproductive health, is needed to improve the utilisation of ARSH services. Necessary steps to correct the deficiencies at the facility level should also be prioritised.

  8. Jamaluddin J, Mohamed Kamel MA, Jamil SN
    PMID: 37205147 DOI: 10.51866/tyk.291
    We describe the case of a 72-year-old housewife who presented to a primary care specialist clinic for reassessment following multiple hospitalisations for heart failure within the past 9 months. She presented with decreased effort tolerance and tiredness for the past 1 year. Her symptoms had remained the same despite current treatment. During the initial history-taking, she did not report any medical illnesses or surgeries. She had been well and had not undergone any screening for almost 30 years before the first hospitalisation for heart failure. There was neither cough, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, stool changes, haematuria, per vaginal bleeding nor hoarse voice. The physical examination findings were remarkable for slow movement and speech. Her skin was dry with a markedly increased serum lipid profile. Further investigation and management confirmed the suspected diagnosis.
  9. Yeoh ZY, Ramdzan SN
    PMID: 37205148 DOI: 10.51866/cr.184
    The mass vaccination against COVID-19 has saved millions of lives globally. The majority of people experience short-term mild side effects; however, in rare cases, some develop long-term severe adverse events. This case report illustrates the case of a middle-aged man with Parsonage-Turner syndrome, a rare adverse event following COVID-19 immunisation. The patient presented with pain and weakness of the right upper arm for 2 months, which developed 5 days after he received his mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine. He sought medical attention after 9 weeks of experiencing weakness with obvious muscle wasting. He reported his condition only via a phone application, as he thought that his condition was self-limiting and will improve with time. Herein, we discuss the syndrome and highlight the importance of patient education and early recognition of serious adverse events related to vaccinations in the primary care setting.
  10. Lemlem M, Aklilu E, Mohammed M, Kamaruzzaman F, Zakaria Z, Harun A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0285743.
    PMID: 37205716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285743
    Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major public health threats globally. This challenge has been aggravated with the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in food animals and humans. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from broiler chickens in Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 320 cloacal swabs were collected from farms in different districts of Kelantan and were analyzed using routine bacteriology, antimicrobial susceptibility test, and molecular techniques for further identification and characterization of ESBL encoding genes. Based on PCR detection for the E. coli species-specific Pho gene, 30.3% (97/320) of isolates were confirmed as E. coli, and 84.5% (82/97) of the isolates were positive for at least one ESBL gene. Majority of the isolates, 62.9% (61/97) were harboring blaCTX-M followed by 45.4% (44/97) of blaTEM genes, while 16.5% (16/97) of the isolates were positive for both mcr-1 and ESBL genes. Overall, 93.8% (90/97) of the E. coli were resistant to three or more antimicrobials; indicating that the isolates were multi-drug resistance. 90.7% of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index value greater than 0.2, would also suggest the isolates were from high-risk sources of contamination. The MLST result shows that the isolates are widely diverse. Our findings provide insight into the alarmingly high distribution of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, mainly ESBL producing E. coli in apparently healthy chickens indicating the role of food animals in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, and the potential public health threats it may pose.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; beta-Lactamases/genetics; Chickens/microbiology; Escherichia coli; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Farms
  11. Bhattacharjee B, Syeda AF, Rynjah D, Hussain SM, Chandra Bora S, Pegu P, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2023;14:1174330.
    PMID: 37205904 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1174330
    Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that most commonly produce tumours from the lining of the epithelial cells of the lips, larynx, nasopharynx, mouth, or oro-pharynx. It is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. About one to two percent of all neo-plasm-related deaths are attributed to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is responsible for about six percent of all cancers. MicroRNAs play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, stress response, triggering apoptosis, and other physiological process. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and provide new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this work, the role of molecular signaling pathways related to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is emphasized. We also provide an overview of MicroRNA downregulation and overexpression and its role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In recent years, MicroRNA nano-based therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have been explored. In addition, nanotechnology-based alternatives have been discussed as a promising strategy in exploring therapeutic paradigms aimed at improving the efficacy of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and attenuating their cytotoxicity. This article also provides information on ongoing and recently completed clinical trials for therapies based on nanotechnology.
  12. Duan ZY, Tan SK, Choon SW, Zhang MY
    Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e15761.
    PMID: 37205990 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15761
    This study aims to investigate the souvenir-person-place bonding for sustaining cultural heritage. Previous studies acknowledge souvenirs could represent a place; however, how people perceive souvenirs as representative of the place still needs to be studied. This study comprehends the traditional craft by identifying the dimensions of place-based craft souvenirs and exploring the connections between souvenirs, craft, and place. A qualitative approach was employed. In-depth interviews, participant and non-participant observations were conducted in Jinan, China, a long-history city with many traditional crafts. Thirty documents were imported into ATLAS.ti software for analysis. The 'place-based craft souvenir', 'evaluation of souvenir', 'place meaning', and 'satisfaction' emerged as the four main themes of 'souvenir-person-place bonding'. These 'souvenir-people-place' bonding motivate individuals' understanding of traditional craft and place, contributing to the sustainability of the traditional craft.
  13. Sheng CK, Alrababah YM
    Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e15908.
    PMID: 37206008 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15908
    This is the first paper to report on the pH response to heterogeneous wurtzite/zinc blende phase transformation, optical tunability and thermal stability advancement of the CdS nanoparticles synthesized via co-precipitation, followed by subsequent thermal treatment at a desired annealing temperature of 320 °C, while the solution pH was varied during CdS synthesis by adjusting the ammonium salt concentration. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, functional groups, optical properties and thermal stability of CdS were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectrophotometer, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The results show that a dominant sharp band occurs in the FTIR spectra, which authenticates the presence of Cd-S bonds. XRD results reveal that as the pH declines, CdS in the initial cubic phase has gradually transformed into a heterogeneous phase with the coexistence of cubic and hexagonal structures. As observed from the SEM images, the CdS nanoparticles display a homogeneous, smooth and spherically shaped morphology. Optical absorption characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry denotes that the band gap decreases proportionally with pH, which could be attributed to the formation of larger grain sizes from the aggregation of many small nanocrystallites. TGA and DSC analyses demonstrate an improvement in the thermal stability of CdS with increasing pH values. Consequently, the present findings dictate that pH tunability could be a valuable approach to procuring the desired properties for the respective applications of CdS in diverse fields.
  14. Mudhafar M, Zainol I, Alsailawi HA, Zorah M, Karhib MM, Mahmood Mahdi N
    Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e15838.
    PMID: 37206015 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15838
    The present study was conducted to prepare the fish scales' hydroxyapatite/collagen beads (FsHA/FsCol) and characterize their biological, physical, and chemical properties. A new method was used to prepare FsHA/FsCol composite beads by infiltrating the beads of FsHA in the solution of FsCol as a green method. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), used to evaluate the physical-chemical properties of the synthesized samples. Meanwhile, the cytotoxic and attachment studies of the FsHA/FsCol beads were used to investigate the biological features against the MG-63 human cell line. The results specified the efficiency of the new method, functional groups of FsCol were indicated to be present inside the beads of FsHA according to the XRD analysis which shows the functional peaks of FsCol. The SEM image were conformed successfully use starch as a porous agent to increasing the porous of the FsHA beads after adding 20 wt% of it. Alamar Blue assay has been used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of FsHA/FsCol beads the results were shown 87% average cell viability of the MG-63 human cell line on the beads and attached very well to the surface of the composites, indicating no toxicity being exerted by all the composites at high concentrations.
  15. Alnasser NS, Yi LJ
    Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e15835.
    PMID: 37206024 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15835
    A set of mutations in social, educational, and political roles as well as in the economic contexts of the "arts and cultural organizations" over the past decades have highlighted their need to work on their relationship with audiences. The aim of this paper is to investigate the current debated available in the literature on the "audience development" in four types of "arts and cultural organizations", namely, museums, theatres, libraries and music institutions, with the goal of identifying and comparing the applied strategies by these organizations for their audience development. An exploratory literature review was conducted using the databases: Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar, in addition to the websites of concerned organizations. Nine strategies of "audience development" were identified: Digital Technology, Partnerships, Physical space development, education, audience segmentation, public engagement, audience research and marketing.
  16. Al-Shawba AA, Abdullah FA, Azmi A, Akbar MA, Nisar KS
    Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e15717.
    PMID: 37206045 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15717
    In this study, the compatible extensions of the (G'/G)-expansion approach and the generalized (G'/G)-expansion scheme are proposed to generate scores of radical closed-form solutions of nonlinear fractional evolution equations. The originality and improvements of the extensions are confirmed by their application to the fractional space-time paired Burgers equations. The application of the proposed extensions highlights their effectiveness by providing dissimilar solutions for assorted physical forms in nonlinear science. In order to explain some of the wave solutions geometrically, we represent them as two- and three-dimensional graphs. The results demonstrate that the techniques presented in this study are effective and straightforward ways to address a variety of equations in mathematical physics with conformable derivative.
  17. Ngah NF, Muhamad NA, Mohamed SO, Abdul Aziz RA, Ma'amor NH, Ahmad Tarmidzi NA, et al.
    Int J Ophthalmol, 2023;16(5):712-720.
    PMID: 37206185 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2023.05.07
    AIM: To derive a Malaysia guideline and consensus as part of the Malaysia Retina Group's efforts for diagnosis, treatment, and best practices of diabetic macular edema (DME). The experts' panel suggests that the treatment algorithm to be divided into groups according to involvement the central macula. The purpose of DME therapy is to improve edema and achieve the best visual results with the least amount of treatment load.

    METHODS: On two different occasions, a panel of 14 retinal specialists from Malaysia, together with an external expert, responded to a questionnaire on management of DME. A consensus was sought by voting after compiling, analyzing and discussion on first-phase replies on the round table discussion. A recommendation was deemed to have attained consensus when 12 out of the 14 panellists (85%) agreed with it.

    RESULTS: The terms target response, adequate response, nonresponse, and inadequate response were developed when the DME patients' treatment responses were first characterized. The panelists reached agreement on a number of DME treatment-related issues, including the need to classify patients prior to treatment, first-line treatment options, the right time to switch between treatment modalities, and side effects associated with steroids. From this agreement, recommendations were derived and a treatment algorithm was created.

    CONCLUSION: A detail and comprehensive treatment algorithm by Malaysia Retina Group for the Malaysian population provides guidance for treatment allocation of patients with DME.

  18. Almansour M, AlQurmalah SI, Abdul Razack HI
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2023 Oct;18(5):1170-1178.
    PMID: 37206188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.03.011
    The global threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is alarmingly increasing. The health and economic burden of improper lifestyle choices is immense. Reducing modifiable risk factors has been demonstrated to significantly prevent chronic diseases. At this crucial time, lifestyle medicine (LM) has been recognized as an evidence-based medical domain applicable to NCDs. Among the tools used in LM, motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered, collaborative counseling approach. In this evidence-based review article, we discuss recent literature on the application of MI in the six LM pillars defined by the British Society of LM (BSLM): healthy eating, mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, physical activity, minimizing harmful substances, and sleep. MI helps strengthen patients' motivation to ameliorate behaviorally influenced health problems, improve treatment adherence, and optimize medical interventions. Technically correct, theoretically congruent, and psychometrically sound MI interventions yield satisfactory outcomes and help improve patient quality of life. Lifestyle change is often a gradual process involving multiple efforts and setbacks. MI is based on the idea that change is a process rather than an event. Extensive literature evidence supports the benefits of MI treatment, and interest in research on MI application is increasing across all BSLM pillars. MI helps people alter their thoughts and feelings about making changes by recognizing obstacles to change. Even interventions of short duration have been reported to yield better outcomes. Healthcare professionals must understand the relevance and importance of MI in clinical practice.
  19. Xie Y, Jin Z, Ma D, Yin TH, Zhao K
    Bioeng Transl Med, 2023 May;8(3):e10510.
    PMID: 37206211 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10510
    Nanoparticles (NPs) used for oral administration have greatly improved drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Nevertheless, NPs are limited by biological barriers, such as gastrointestinal degradation, mucus barrier, and epithelial barrier. To solve these problems, we developed the PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs loaded with anti-inflammatory hydrophobic drug curcumin (CUR) (CUR@PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs) by self-assembled amphiphilic polymer, composed of the N-2-Hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HACC), hydrophobic palmitic acid (PA), and cysteine (Cys). After oral administration, the CUR@PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs had good stability and sustained release under gastrointestinal conditions, followed by adhering to the intestine to achieve drug mucosal delivery. Additionally, the NPs could penetrate mucus and epithelial barriers to promote cellular uptake. The CUR@PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs could open tight junctions between cells for transepithelial transport while striking a balance between mucus interaction and diffusion through mucus. Notably, the CUR@PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs improved the oral bioavailability of CUR, which remarkably relieved colitis symptoms and promoted mucosal epithelial repair. Our findings proved that the CUR@PA-N-2-HACC-Cys NPs had excellent biocompatibility, could overcome mucus and epithelial barriers, and had significant application prospects for oral delivery of the hydrophobic drugs.
External Links