Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Hamid S, Faith F, Jaafar Z, Abdul Ghani N, Yusop FD
    Iran J Public Health, 2023 Feb;52(2):230-242.
    PMID: 37089153 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i2.11877
    BACKGROUND: Emerging technology research focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles for the middle-aged and elderly is paramount in recent literature. However, limited evidence is available for the middle-aged population. This paper reviews how emerging technologies can help in promoting a healthy lifestyle for the middle-aged and elderly.

    METHODS: A scoping literature review method was employed. Articles were extracted from online databases published within 2010-2021. Overall, 3,152 articles related to the topic were obtained and 2979 articles were archived via different search procedures. Moreover, 173 articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent qualitative synthesize for conclusive inferences.

    RESULTS: Most studies focused on people aged 60 and up, leaving the middle-aged population under-studied and unprepared to age. Older adults have high technology anxiety and resistance to change. Limited studies are available to support technology-based healthy lifestyle promotion for middle-aged people. The emerging technologies that are useful in promoting healthy lifestyle behavior among middle-aged people include: robotics, virtual reality, wearables, artificial intelligence, smart textiles, as well as centralized health information systems.

    CONCLUSION: This review sets as a pace-setter for future research on how emerging technologies can aid in the development of healthy lifestyles for the middle-aged and elderly population, allowing them to live a quality life as they age.

  2. Cao Y, Chen L, Chen H, Cun Y, Dai X, Du H, et al.
    Natl Sci Rev, 2023 Apr;10(4):nwac287.
    PMID: 37089192 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac287
  3. Bheel N, Benjeddou O, Almujibah HR, Abbasi SA, Sohu S, Ahmad M, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Apr;9(4):e15029.
    PMID: 37089348 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15029
    In the last decade, there has been an increase in research on ecologically benign, cost-effective, and socially useful cement alternative materials for concrete. Alternatives involve industrial and agriculture waste, the potential advantages of which may be recognized by recycling, repurposing, and recreating techniques. Important energy reserves and a decrease in Portland cement (PC) consumption may be attained by using these wastes as supplementary and substitute ingredients, contributing to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) production. Consequently, the incorporation of marble dust powder (MDP) and calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in high strength concrete may lower the environmental effect and reduce the amount of PC in mixes. This study is conducted on concrete containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of MDP and CC as cementitious materials alone and in combination. The main objectives of this investigations are to examine the effect of MDP and CC as cementitious materials on the flowability and mechanical characteristics of high strength concrete. In order to examine the ecological effect of CC and MDP, the eco-strength efficiency and embodied carbon were considered. In this context, there are so many trial mixes were performed on cubical specimens for achieving targeted compressive strength about 60 MPa after 28 days. After getting it, a total of 273 concrete specimens (cubes, cylinders, and prisms) were used to test the compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength of high strength concrete correspondingly. Moreover, when the amount of MDP and CC as SCM in the mixture grows, the workability of green concrete decreases. In addition, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength are increased by 6.38 MPa, 67.66 MPa, and 4.88 MPa, respectively, at 10% SCM (5% MDP and 5% CC) over a period of 28 days. In addition, using ANOVA, response prediction models were generated and confirmed at a 95% level of significance. The R2 values of the models varied from 96 to 99%. Furthermore, increasing the amount of CC and MDP as SCM in concrete also reduces the amount of carbon embedded in the material. It is recommended that the utilization of 10% SCM (5% MDP and 5% CC) in high strength concrete is providing optimum outcomes for construction industry in the field of Civil Engineering.
  4. Rasi RZ, Ismail H, Shahbaz MS, Kaliani Sundram VP
    Heliyon, 2023 Apr;9(4):e15225.
    PMID: 37089391 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15225
    As the circular supply chain (CSC) gains traction in literature and practice, some academic groups are developing new fields that proceed from the CSC as a precisely technical concept. In order to examine the trends of CSC over time, to define how previous researchers have conceptualized the CSC ideology, and to identify the barriers to CSC adoption in businesses operations. This systematic review of the literature (n = 55) examines and discusses the disparate body of knowledge on supply chains (SCs). The paper claims that there are still differences across the circular economy (CE) definitions because of alleged antecedents and scopes, which has led to several research streams. However, CSC's goal remained the same: to encourage sustainable strategies that rejected the traditional linear paradigm that had harmed the environment. In order to be included in future practices and approaches, eight significant, interdisciplinary issues were discovered using SLR, along with the corresponding sub-challenges. These difficulties were discussed in this paper. Aiming to address the current concerns about balancing the environmental and economic perspectives, this study will provide guidelines to future researchers to identify the challenges from a real-world point of view by taking into account the social, environmental, and economic perspectives altogether.
  5. Kim RS, Wickersham JA, Maviglia F, Galka JM, Azwa I, Gautam K, et al.
    Front Med (Lausanne), 2023;10:1022746.
    PMID: 37089614 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1022746
    BACKGROUND: Although research on HIV self-testing (HIVST) has rapidly increased, few studies have explored HIVST uptake in female sex workers (FSW), and none in Malaysia. Therefore, we endeavored to assess the willingness to use HIVST in this at-risk, vulnerable population.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 113 HIV-negative Malaysian FSW in 2017. Participants were recruited using advertisements on social media, flyers, and direct referrals from community-based organizations. Data were collected using self-administered surveys. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of willingness to use HIVST.

    RESULTS: Nearly a third of participants (30.1%) reported they would be willing to use HIVST. Multivariable analyses adjusting for Malay ethnicity, stable housing, living in Kuala Lumpur (KL), years in sex work, age of first sex work, childhood sexual assault, history of HIV testing, and previously in prison indicated that living in KL [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.214, p = 0.0137] was associated with a greater willingness to use HIVST. In contrast, having stable housing (aOR = 0.100, p = 0.0064) was negatively associated with willingness to use HIVST.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that HIVST may potentially enhance the uptake of HIV testing among FSWs living in an urban environment and experiencing unstable housing, but an overall willingness to use HIVST is low. These findings highlight the need for efforts to increase awareness of HIVST among FSWs and additional research on the effective implementation of HIVST for FSW.

  6. Prasher P, Sharma M, Singh SK, Gulati M, Chellappan DK, Rajput R, et al.
    Front Chem, 2023;11:1164477.
    PMID: 37090250 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1164477
    Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine compound found in semen. It is also found in several plant sources and boasts a remarkable biological profile, particularly with regards to its anticancer properties. Spermidine specifically interferes with the tumour cell cycle, resulting in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and suppression of tumor growth. Moreover, it also triggers autophagy by regulating key oncologic pathways. The increased intake of polyamines, such as spermidine, can suppress oncogenesis and slow the growth of tumors due to its role in anticancer immunosurveillance and regulation of polyamine metabolism. Spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) plays a critical role in polyamine homeostasis and serves as a diagnostic marker in human cancers. Chemically modified derivatives of spermidine hold great potential for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications against various malignancies. This review discusses in detail the recent findings that support the anticancer mechanisms of spermidine and its molecular physiology.
  7. Eze RA, Sulaiman N, Mat Daud Z', Babadoko A
    Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e36489.
    PMID: 37090307 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36489
    BACKGROUND: Negative perceptions of antiretroviral treatment (ART)'s efficacy and consequences may operate as roadblocks to adherence. This research aimed to determine the association between belief in medicine and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV adults on ART in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

    METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, a systematic random sampling method was used to select respondents aged 18-64 years on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, outpatients of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Clinic. Socio-demographics, belief in medicine and adherence to ART were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: Among the 385 people who took part in the study, about 67.5% were females and 32.5% were males. About 54% of adults adhered to ART. More than half (55.8%) of the respondents had negative perceptions (beliefs) of personal need for ART medication and about 42.3% of the respondents had more concerns about the potential negative effects of the ART medication. Government employment (odds ratio (OR) = 2.842, p = <0.01), self-employment (OR = 2.6, p = <0.001), and being divorced or widowed (OR = 2.0, p = <0.01), negative perceptions (beliefs) of personal need for the ART medication (adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.525, p=<0.01) and more concerns about the potential negative effects of the ART medication (AOR= 1.362, p = <0.05) were all significantly associated with ART adherence.

    CONCLUSION: Employment, marital status and belief in medicine were associated with adherence to ART. Therefore, during adherence counseling, healthcare personnel should address respondents' false views and fears regarding ART medication in order to strengthen proper information and the benefits of ART. This article was previously presented as a meeting poster at the 36th Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (7th and 8th September 2021).

  8. Zamri MF, Ng BW, Jamil K, Abd Rashid AH, Abd Rasid AF
    Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e36384.
    PMID: 37090315 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36384
    Fibrous dysplasia is a benign condition but can lead to severe long-bone deformities. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is a rapidly developing field that has now been popularized to aid surgeons in preoperative planning. We report a case of hip deformity in a 21-year-old woman who suffered from fibrous dysplasia and underwent a corrective osteotomy. We utilized open-source 3D computing software for preoperative planning before producing an osteotomy guide to aid in the operation.
  9. Ng BW, Tan JA, Sabri S, Baharuddin A, Muhamad Ariffin MH
    Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e36517.
    PMID: 37090402 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36517
    Introduction Managing patients who present with symptoms of cervical myelopathy secondary to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is challenging. Various factors such as the number of levels involved with OPLL, types of OPLL, canal occupying ratio, K-line characteristics, and C2-C7 lordosis angle were found to guide decision-making and surgical approaches in managing this condition. However, no clear treatment algorithm has been published. This study aims to investigate the outcome of the management of cervical OPLL using a treatment algorithm used in a tertiary university hospital. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with cervical myelopathy secondary to cervical OPLL who were treated surgically in our center from 2014 to 2020 were included in this study. Demographic data and preoperative parameters that determined the treatment given according to our treatment algorithm were analyzed. Result A total of 24 patients fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. The mean recovery rate for all groups is 61.8[Formula: see text]21.9% and the mean postoperative neck disability index (NDI) is 17.83[Formula: see text]16.67%. There was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores for both anterior and posterior surgery subgroups. Conclusion We believe that the treatment algorithm used in our center could benefit other surgeons as a guide in managing patients who suffer from cervical myelopathy secondary to cervical OPLL. Further study including newer techniques would increase the surgeon's arsenal in providing the best outcome in managing this condition.
  10. Abdul Latiff A, Muhamad Ariffin MH, Kumar N
    Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e36445.
    PMID: 37090403 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36445
    We report two cases of children with atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation (AARD) post-trauma with a chronic history of persistent neck pain and torticollis. The neurological examinations were normal. The dislocation reduction was challenging; however, cases with such delayed presentation, treated with closed reduction and external stabilization, are rare. After reduction, a serial CT scan during follow-up showed no recurrence.
  11. Yeak RDK, Yap YY, Nizlan NM
    Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e36501.
    PMID: 37090410 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36501
    Shoulder pain is a common complaint seen in the orthopedic clinic. Here, we report a rare case of primary extranodal ileocecal with exceedingly rare right shoulder deltoid non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A 67-year-old female presented with abdominal swelling for four months associated with loss of appetite, loss of weight, and night sweats. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT and cecal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ileocecal NHL. A right hemicolectomy was performed, and the patient completed six cycles of chemotherapy. The patient developed right shoulder pain with swelling three months later and was diagnosed with a relapse ileocecal lymphoma with dissemination to the right deltoid muscle after a repeat positron emission tomography scan. Clinicians need to consider NHL as a differential diagnosis in evaluating shoulder pain or swelling even though it is exceedingly rare. A partial or non-response to chemotherapy with dissemination to skeletal muscle carries a poor prognosis.
  12. Tan ML, Rahman S, Robinson F, Sani MHM
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2023;21(1):2779.
    PMID: 37090453 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2023.1.2779
    INTRODUCTION: Self-Medication, which is a practice to self-treat using medicine without consulting a medical practitioner or a doctor, is a common practice and the Pandemic Covid-19 may have caused people to resort to self-medication in order to reduce the infectivity of the Covid-19.

    OBJECTIVE: To validate and develop an instrument in Bahasa Melayu to assess the psychological distress and self-medication during pandemic Covid-19 in WP Labuan.

    METHODS: A pilot study was conducted among 160 participants in WP Labuan. Reliability testing on internal consistency and content validity was performed on the adapted Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) as well as domain on knowledge, practice and attitude of self-medication.

    RESULT: A panel of seven experts evaluated the research instrument for content validity and it was found to have good content item validity. The CPDI domain showed good internal consistency of Cronbach's Alpha of 0.919. The mean (SD) CPDI score of the respondents in WP Labuan was 32.55 (15.98). 64.2% of the respondents experienced psychological distress. The variable for Area (town/countryside) was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) to be associated with self-medication during the pandemic.

    CONCLUSION: The instrument established sound reliability and validity and therefore, can be an effective tool for assessing psychological distress and self-medication in the Malaysian population.

  13. Bhattacharya S, Tripathi S, Marzo RR, Gokdemir O, Borocco M
    J Family Med Prim Care, 2023 Feb;12(2):397-399.
    PMID: 37091001 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1218_22
    "Health for All" will never be attained if sociocultural bias and pervasive hypocrisy are not eliminated. The patient mentioned in this case study had difficulty gaining access to health care for more than two decades. The seizure history was modified due to social pressure. The primary healthcare workers' ability to provide timely access to healthcare regardless of caste, religion, or gender, even in the most remote regions of the country, is of paramount importance. The patient was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism and treated with calcium and vitamin D in high oral doses. The case also illustrates the significance of medical examination in preventing future difficulties in patients with presenile cataract.
  14. Malik N, Edwards D, Freckleton RP
    Ecol Evol, 2023 Apr;13(4):e10004.
    PMID: 37091565 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10004
    The Janzen-Connell hypothesis proposes that density and distance-dependent mortality generated by specialist natural enemies prevent competitive dominance. Much literature on Janzen-Connell mechanisms comes from the neotropics, and evidence of the role of distance and density-dependence is still relatively sparse. We tested the predictions of the Janzen-Connell hypothesis in a South-East Asian system dominated by mast fruiting species. We hypothesized that seedling survival would decrease with distance and density, seedling growth would increase, and herbivory would decrease, according to the predictions of the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. Experiments were conducted to determine the strength of the Janzen-Connell mechanism by manipulating the density and identity of tree species as a function of the distance from parent trees. Survival of conspecific seedlings was reduced near adult trees of one species, but not another. High densities of seedlings decreased the growth of conspecific seedlings of both species. In both species, herbivory rates decreased with distance in low-density areas. This study indicates that dipterocarp species experienced weak Janzen-Connell effects of distance and density dependence at the growth stage studied. Future studies in this system might focus on earlier life-history stages such as seeds and small seedlings, as well as studying mortality during mast-seeding events.
  15. Ab Rahman N, Lim MT, Lee FY, Anak Jam EB, Peariasamy KM, Sivasampu S, et al.
    Vaccine X, 2023 Aug;14:100303.
    PMID: 37091730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100303
    This study evaluates 21-day risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination among those aged 12 years and older in Malaysia. We used data from nationwide COVID-19 vaccine registry linked to hospital episode database to identify individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2, CoronaVac, or ChAdOx1 and hospitalised for myocarditis/pericarditis between 1 February 2021 and 28 February 2022. There were 87 myocarditis/pericarditis cases identified within 1-21 days after vaccination. Most cases were reported following BNT16262 vaccination (77.0%) with absolute risk of 0.33 cases/100,000 vaccinated persons or 1.73 per million doses administered. Highest risk was observed following second dose and in younger, male individuals. The risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following CoronaVac and ChAdOx1 were much lower compared to BNT162b2. The findings on higher risk observed among younger following mRNA vaccine were consistent with literature and important for targeted surveillance.
  16. Muhammad AY, Amonov M, Murugaiah C, Baig AA, Yusoff M
    AIMS Microbiol, 2023;9(2):346-374.
    PMID: 37091815 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023019
    Vibrio cholerae is a non-invasive enteric pathogen known to cause a major public health problem called cholera. The pathogen inhabits the aquatic environment while outside the human host, it is transmitted into the host easily through ingesting contaminated food and water containing the vibrios, thus causing diarrhoea and vomiting. V. cholerae must resist several layers of colonization resistance mechanisms derived from the host or the gut commensals to successfully survive, grow, and colonize the distal intestinal epithelium, thus causing an infection. The colonization resistance mechanisms derived from the host are not specific to V. cholerae but to all invading pathogens. However, some of the gut commensal-derived colonization resistance may be more specific to the pathogen, making it more challenging to overcome. Consequently, the pathogen has evolved well-coordinated mechanisms that sense and utilize the anti-colonization factors to modulate events that promote its survival and colonization in the gut. This review is aimed at discussing how V. cholerae interacts and resists both host- and microbe-specific colonization resistance mechanisms to cause infection.
  17. Abu-Sini M, Al-Kafaween MA, Al-Groom RM, Hilmi ABM
    AIMS Microbiol, 2023;9(2):313-331.
    PMID: 37091817 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023017
    P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is commonly found in nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of seven antibiotics on P. aeruginosa planktonic growth, biofilm formation, and the expression of virulence factors. These antibiotics included Ciprofloxacin (CP), Amikacin (AMK), Vancomycin (VAN), Tetracycline (TET), Gentamicin (GEN), Erythromycin (Ery), and Clindamycin (CLI). Antibiotic susceptibility testing, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), growth curve, time-kill curve, biofilm inhibition and reduction assay, and RT-qPCR were used to assess the effects of these antibiotics on P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm. The clear zones of inhibition against P. aeruginosa for the CP, AMK, VAN, TET, GEN, Ery, and CLI were 26 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 23 mm, respectively. The MIC values for CP, AMK, VAN, TET, GEN, Ery and CLI against P. aeruginosa ranged from 0.25 to 1 µg/mL while the MBC values ranged from 1 and 0.5 to 2 µg/mL respectively. The growth, total viable counts (TVCs), bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa were reduced after exposure to all the tested antibiotics in a dose-dependent manner. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that all the tested antibiotics share a similar overall pattern of gene expression, with a trend toward reduced expression of the virulence genes of interest (lasR, lasI, fleN, fleQ and fleR, oprB and oprC) in P. aeruginosa. The results indicate that all of the tested antibiotics possess antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities, and that they may be multiple inhibitors and moderators of P. aeruginosa virulence via a variety of molecular targets. This deduction requires to be investigated in vivo.
  18. Liew Y, Retinasamy T, Arulsamy A, Ali I, Jones NC, O'Brien TJ, et al.
    J Alzheimers Dis, 2023;94(s1):S253-S265.
    PMID: 37092226 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-230059
    BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is an innate immunological response of the central nervous system that may be induced by a brain insult and chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Recent research has shown that neuroinflammation may contribute to the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and associated epileptogenesis.

    OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to investigate the available literature on the shared molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation in AD and epilepsy.

    METHODS: The search included in this systematic review was obtained from 5 established databases. A total of 2,760 articles were screened according to inclusion criteria. Articles related to the modulation of the inflammatory biomarkers commonly associated with the progression of AD and epilepsy in all populations were included in this review.

    RESULTS: Only 7 articles met these criteria and were chosen for further analysis. Selected studies include both in vitro and in vivo research conducted on rodents. Several neuroinflammatory biomarkers were reported to be involved in the cross-talk between AD and epilepsy.

    CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammation was directly associated with the advancement of AD and epilepsy in populations compared to those with either AD or epilepsy. However, more studies focusing on common inflammatory biomarkers are required to develop standardized monitoring guidelines to prevent the manifestation of epilepsy and delay the progression of AD in patients.

    MeSH terms: Brain/pathology; Humans; Biomarkers
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