Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Saqib N, Sharif A, Razzaq A, Usman M
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Feb;30(6):16372-16385.
    PMID: 36181595 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23345-6
    For the purpose of this study, the role of technological innovation is examined. Few studies have examined empirically and theoretically the relationship between technological innovation and ecological footprint in conjunction with other factors, such as the human capital index and renewable energy sources, such as biofuels and nuclear power. This study examines the impact of technological innovation on G-7 countries' ecological footprints from 1990 to 2020. A cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model is used in the study. The results of the study show that technological innovation minimizes the ecological footprint. A lower ecological footprint is also associated with increased usage of human capital and renewable energy. Depletion of the natural environment is a short-term and long-term consequence of increased GDP growth. Our results confirm that ecologically sustainable technology enhances the quality of the environment. Consistent panel causality results were achieved. In the context of the G-7 countries, our study's results could support the idea that there are new policy ideas that could help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 13).
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide; Energy-Generating Resources; Environment; Humans; Technology; Biofuels; Economic Development; Renewable Energy*; Inventions*
  2. Matsui R, Yamaguchi K, Lee JJV, Ting I, Khairilisani D, Chang J, et al.
    Ther Innov Regul Sci, 2023 Mar;57(2):251-260.
    PMID: 36215028 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-022-00462-5
    Under the COVID-19 pandemic, various electronic labeling initiatives have accelerated worldwide in the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields as part of a wider digital transformation [1, 2]. Although there is no universal definition of electronic labeling (e-labeling) globally, it is widely understood that e-labeling refers to the product information that is distributed via electronic means. There are 5 factors to be considered in e-labeling, and these are discussed in this publication. APAC is an industry-driven initiative with 13 R&D-based pharmaceutical associations joining from 11 markets in Asia. e-labeling was discussed as a new topic starting in 2020, and a 22-question survey was conducted in November 2021 to understand the current e-labeling status. The survey results showed that e-labeling initiatives were at different levels of maturity in the Asian region, although most markets have started to discuss e-labeling initiatives. Various challenges exist around e-labeling initiatives due to a variety of different approaches being taken in the region. It would be advisable to develop regional guidance on how to proceed with e-labeling initiatives in the Asian region to have a consistent and efficient approach. The close collaboration between agencies, Health Care Professionals (HCPs), patients, and industry associations is important to move e-labeling initiatives forward in Asia.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Health Personnel; Humans; Pandemics*
  3. Japarin RA, Harun N, Hassan Z, Shoaib M
    Behav Pharmacol, 2023 Apr 01;34(2-3):123-130.
    PMID: 36752325 DOI: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000715
    Mitragynine (MG) is a pharmacologically active alkaloid derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa Korth (Kratom). This plant has sparked significant interest as a potential alternative treatment for managing opioid dependence and withdrawal due to its opioid-like pharmacological effects. However, whether MG exposure would trigger opioid-seeking behaviour following abstinence has not been investigated. The present study examined the effects of MG priming on morphine-seeking behaviour in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were initially trained to intravenously self-administer morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) under a fixed ratio-3 schedule of reinforcement. Removal of both morphine infusions and drug-associated cues led to the subsequent extinction of the drug-seeking behaviour. Tests of reinstatement were made following exposure to a randomised order of intraperitoneal injections of MG (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg), morphine (5 mg/kg) and vehicle. Significant levels of drug-seeking behaviour were observed following extended access to morphine self-administration, which was extinguished following removal of morphine and cues indicative of morphine-seeking behaviour, supporting the relapse model. The present finding demonstrated that MG priming in a dose of 10 mg/kg resulted in the reinstatement of morphine-seeking behaviour, whereas the higher MG dose (30 mg/kg) tested suppressed the seeking response. This study indicated that exposure to a low MG dose may increase the likelihood of relapsing to opioids, suggesting that the potential of MG as a treatment for opioid management merits further scientific assessment of its ability to trigger relapse to opioid abuse.
    MeSH terms: Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology; Animals; Extinction, Psychological; Morphine/pharmacology; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Mitragyna*; Rats
  4. Hamdan SH, Maiangwa J, Nezhad NG, Ali MSM, Normi YM, Shariff FM, et al.
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2023 Mar;107(5-6):1673-1686.
    PMID: 36752811 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12396-5
    Lipase biocatalysts offer unique properties which are often impaired by low thermal and methanol stability. In this study, the rational design was employed to engineer a disulfide bond in the protein structure of Geobacillus zalihae T1 lipase in order to improve its stability. The selection of targeted disulfide bond sites was based on analysis of protein spatial configuration and change of Gibbs free energy. Two mutation points (S2C and A384C) were generated to rigidify the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of T1 lipase. The results showed the mutant 2DC lipase improved methanol stability from 35 to 40% (v/v) after 30 min of pre-incubation. Enhancement in thermostability for the mutant 2DC lipase at 70 °C and 75 °C showed higher half-life at 70 °C and 75 °C for 30 min and 52 min, respectively. The mutant 2DC lipase maintained the same optimum temperature (70 °C) as T1 lipase, while thermally induced unfolding showed the mutant maintained higher rigidity. The kcat/Km values demonstrated a relatively small difference between the T1 lipase (WT) and 2DC lipase (mutant). The kcat/Km (s-1 mM-1) of the T1 and 2DC showed values of 13,043 ± 224 and 13,047 ± 312, respectively. X-ray diffraction of 2DC lipase crystal structure with a resolution of 2.04 Å revealed that the introduced single disulfide bond did not lower initial structural interactions within the residues. Enhanced methanol and thermal stability are suggested to be strongly related to the newly disulfide bridge formation and the enhanced compactness and rigidity of the mutant structure. KEY POINTS: • Protein engineering via rational design revealed relative improved enzymatic performance. • The presence of disulfide bond impacts on the rigidity and structural function of proteins. • X-ray crystallography reveals structural changes accompanying protein modification.
    MeSH terms: Disulfides/chemistry; Enzyme Stability; Temperature
  5. Lebedeva A, Timokhin G, Ignatova E, Kavun A, Veselovsky E, Sharova M, et al.
    Clin Exp Med, 2023 Oct;23(6):2663-2674.
    PMID: 36752890 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01011-6
    With the growing use of comprehensive tumor molecular profiling (CTMP), the therapeutic landscape of cancer is rapidly evolving. NGS produces large amounts of genomic data requiring complex analysis and subsequent interpretation. We sought to determine the utility of publicly available knowledge bases (KB) for the interpretation of the cancer mutational profile in clinical practice. Analysis was performed across patients who previously underwent CTMP. Independent interpretation of the CTMP was performed manually, and then, the recommendations were compared to ones present in KBs (OncoKB, CIViC, CGI, CGA, VICC, MolecularMatch). A total of 222 CTMP reports from 222 patients with 932 genomic alterations (GA) were identified. For 368 targetable GA identified in 171 (77%) of the patients, 1381 therapy recommendations were compiled. Except for CGA, therapy ESCAT LOE I, II, IIIA and IIIB therapy options were equally represented in the majority of KB. Personalized treatment options with ESCAT LOE I-II were provided for 35 patients (16%); MolecularMatch/CIViC allowed to collect ESCAT I-II treatment options for 34 of them (97%), OncoKB/CGI-for 33 of them (94%). Employing VICC and CGA 6 (17%) and 20 (57%) of patients were left without ESCAT I or II treatment options. For 88 patients with ESCAT level III-B therapy recommendations: only 2 (2%), 3 (3%), 4 (5%) and 6 (7%) of patients were left without options with CIViC, MolecularMatch, CGI and OncoKB, and with VICC-12 (14%). Highest overlap ratio was observed for IIIA (0.81) biomarkers, with the comparable results for LOE I-II. Meanwhile, overlap ratio for ESCAT LOE IV was 0.22. Public KBs provide substantial information on ESCAT-I/R1 biomarkers, but the information on ESCAT II-IV and resistance biomarkers is underrepresented. Manual curation should be considered the gold standard for the CTMP interpretation.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Mutation; Biomarkers; Genomics/methods; Knowledge Bases
  6. Jagadeeshan S, Prasad M, Badarni M, Ben-Lulu T, Liju VB, Mathukkada S, et al.
    Cancer Res, 2023 Apr 04;83(7):1031-1047.
    PMID: 36753744 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-2586
    The survival rate for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosed with cervical lymph node (cLN) or distant metastasis is low. Genomic alterations in the HRAS oncogene are associated with advanced tumor stage and metastasis in HNC. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which mutated HRAS (HRASmut) facilitates HNC metastasis could lead to improved treatment options for patients. Here, we examined metastasis driven by mutant HRAS in vitro and in vivo using HRASmut human HNC cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and a novel HRASmut syngeneic model. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations indicated that HRASmut was sufficient to drive invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Targeted proteomic analysis showed that HRASmut promoted AXL expression via suppressing the Hippo pathway and stabilizing YAP1 activity. Pharmacological blockade of HRAS signaling with the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib activated the Hippo pathway and reduced the nuclear export of YAP1, thus suppressing YAP1-mediated AXL expression and metastasis. AXL was required for HRASmut cells to migrate and invade in vitro and to form regional cLN and lung metastases in vivo. In addition, AXL-depleted HRASmut tumors displayed reduced lymphatic and vascular angiogenesis in the primary tumor. Tipifarnib treatment also regulated AXL expression and attenuated VEGFA and VEGFC expression, thus regulating tumor-induced vascular formation and metastasis. Our results indicate that YAP1 and AXL are crucial factors for HRASmut-induced metastasis and that tipifarnib treatment can limit the metastasis of HNC tumors with HRAS mutations by enhancing YAP1 cytoplasmic sequestration and downregulating AXL expression.

    SIGNIFICANCE: Mutant HRAS drives metastasis of head and neck cancer by switching off the Hippo pathway to activate the YAP1-AXL axis and to stimulate lymphovascular angiogenesis.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Transcription Factors/genetics; Transcription Factors/metabolism; Signal Transduction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism; Proteomics*; Cell Line, Tumor
  7. Amran AI, Lim SJ, Muhd Noor ND, Salleh AB, Oslan SN
    Microb Pathog, 2023 Mar;176:106025.
    PMID: 36754101 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106025
    Meyerozyma guilliermondii is a rare opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes deadly invasive candidiasis in human. M. guilliermondii strain SO is a local yeast isolate that possesses huge industrial interests but also pathogenic towards zebrafish embryos. Enolases that bind to human extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are among the fungal virulence factors. To understand its pathogenicity mechanism down to molecular level, especially in the rare M. guilliermondii, this study aimed to identify and characterize the potentially virulence-associated enolase in M. guilliermondii strain SO using bioinformatics approaches. Profile Hidden-Markov model was implemented to identify enolase-related sequences in the fungal proteome. Sequence analysis deciphered only one (MgEno4581) out of nine sequences exhibited potent virulence traits observed similarly in the pathogenic Candida albicans. MgEno4581 structure that was predicted via SWISS-MODEL using C. albicans enolase (CaEno1; PDB ID: 7vrd) as the homology modeling template portrayed a highly identical motif with CaEno1 that facilitates ECM proteins binding. Amino acid substitutions (D234K, K235A, Y238H, K239D, G243K, V248C and Y254F) in ECM-binding motif of Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ScEno) compared to MgEno4581 and CaEno1 caused changes in motif's surface charges. Protein-protein docking indicated F253 in ScEno only interacted hydrophobically with human plasminogen (HPG). Hydrogen linkages were observed for both MgEno4581 and CaEno1, suggesting a stronger interaction with HPG in the hydrophilic host microenvironments. Thus, our in silico characterizations on MgEno4581 provided new perspectives on its potential roles in candidiasis (fungal-host interactions) caused by M. guilliermondii, especially M. guilliermondii strain SO on zebrafish embryos that mimic the immunocompromised individuals as previously evident.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Candida albicans; Humans; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Zebrafish*; Virulence Factors*
  8. Elancheziyan M, Prakasham K, Eswaran M, Duraisamy M, Ganesan S, Lee SL, et al.
    Environ Res, 2023 Apr 15;223:115403.
    PMID: 36754108 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115403
    The design and development of eco-friendly fabrication of cost-effective electrochemical nonenzymatic biosensors with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity are one of the emerging area in nanomaterial and analytical chemistry. In this aspect, we developed a facile fabrication of tertiary nanocomposite material based on cobalt and polymelamine/nitrogen-doped graphitic porous carbon nanohybrid composite (Co-PM-NDGPC/SPE) for the application as a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor to quantify glucose in human blood samples. Co-PM-NDGPC/SPE nanocomposite electrode fabrication was achieved using a single-step electrodeposition method under cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique under 1 M NH4Cl solution at 20 constitutive CV cycles (sweep rate 20 mV/s). Notably, the fabricated nonenzymatic electroactive nanocomposite material exhibited excellent electrocatalytic sensing towards the quantification of glucose in 0.1 M NaOH over a wide concentration range from 0.03 to 1.071 mM with a sensitive limit of detection 7.8 μM. Moreover, the Co-PM-NDGPC nanocomposite electrode with low charge transfer resistance (Rct∼81 Ω) and high ionic diffusion indicates excellent stability, reproducibility, and high sensitivity. The fabricated nanocomposite materials exhibit a commendable sensing response toward glucose molecules present in the blood serum samples recommends its usage in real-time applications.
    MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Carbon/chemistry; Cobalt; Glucose; Humans; Nitrogen; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Reproducibility of Results; Porosity; Electrochemical Techniques/methods
  9. Henry Basil J, Premakumar CM, Mhd Ali A, Mohd Tahir NA, Seman Z, Mohamed Shah N
    BMJ Paediatr Open, 2023 Feb;7(1).
    PMID: 36754439 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001765
    INTRODUCTION: Medication administration errors (MAEs) are the most common type of medication error. Furthermore, they are more common among neonates as compared with adults. MAEs can result in severe patient harm, subsequently causing a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Targeting and prioritising neonates at high risk of MAEs is crucial in reducing MAEs. To the best of our knowledge, there is no predictive risk score available for the identification of neonates at risk of MAEs. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate a risk prediction model to identify neonates at risk of MAEs.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a prospective direct observational study that will be conducted in five neonatal intensive care units. A minimum sample size of 820 drug preparations and administrations will be observed. Data including patient characteristics, drug preparation-related and administration-related information and other procedures will be recorded. After each round of observation, the observers will compare his/her observations with the prescriber's medication order, hospital policies and manufacturer's recommendations to determine whether MAE has occurred. To ensure reliability, the error identification will be independently performed by two clinical pharmacists after the completion of data collection for all study sites. Any disagreements will be discussed with the research team for consensus. To reduce overfitting and improve the quality of risk predictions, we have prespecified a priori the analytical plan, that is, prespecifying the candidate predictor variables, handling missing data and validation of the developed model. The model's performance will also be assessed. Finally, various modes of presentation formats such as a simplified scoring tool or web-based electronic risk calculators will be considered.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*; Male; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Observational Studies as Topic
  10. Hanipah ZN, Rubino F, Schauer PR
    Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am, 2023 Mar;52(1):65-88.
    PMID: 36754498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2022.09.002
    Long-term remission of type 2 diabetes following lifestyle intervention or pharmacotherapy, even in patients with mild disease, is rare. Long-term remission following metabolic surgery however, is common and occurs in 23% to 98% depending on disease severity and type of surgery. Remission after surgery is associated with excellent glycemic control without reliance on pharmacotherapy, improvements in quality of life, and major reductions in microvascular and macrovascular complications. For patients with type 2 diabetes, early intervention with metabolic surgery, when beta cell function still remains intact, provides the greatest probability of long-term remission as high as 90% or more.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Life Style; Obesity/complications; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
  11. Kow CS, Ramachandram DS, Hasan SS
    Ir J Med Sci, 2023 Dec;192(6):2897-2904.
    PMID: 36754948 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03266-6
    We summarized through systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies the risk of mortality as well as severe illness of COVID-19 caused by omicron variant relative to delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. A total of twelve studies were included. Our results showed significantly reduced odds of mortality (pooled OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.16-0.67) and significantly reduced odds of severe illness (pooled OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.21-0.28) in patients infected with the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 relative to their counterparts infected with the delta variant. Findings of lower disease severity following infection with the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 than the delta variant are encouraging during the ongoing transition from the pandemic phase into the endemic phase of COVID-19.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Patients; Pandemics
  12. Bordin N, Sillitoe I, Nallapareddy V, Rauer C, Lam SD, Waman VP, et al.
    Commun Biol, 2023 Feb 08;6(1):160.
    PMID: 36755055 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04488-9
    Deep-learning (DL) methods like DeepMind's AlphaFold2 (AF2) have led to substantial improvements in protein structure prediction. We analyse confident AF2 models from 21 model organisms using a new classification protocol (CATH-Assign) which exploits novel DL methods for structural comparison and classification. Of ~370,000 confident models, 92% can be assigned to 3253 superfamilies in our CATH domain superfamily classification. The remaining cluster into 2367 putative novel superfamilies. Detailed manual analysis on 618 of these, having at least one human relative, reveal extremely remote homologies and further unusual features. Only 25 novel superfamilies could be confirmed. Although most models map to existing superfamilies, AF2 domains expand CATH by 67% and increases the number of unique 'global' folds by 36% and will provide valuable insights on structure function relationships. CATH-Assign will harness the huge expansion in structural data provided by DeepMind to rationalise evolutionary changes driving functional divergence.
    MeSH terms: Furylfuramide*; Humans; Databases, Protein
  13. Rahim NS, McTaggart E, Cohen MC
    Pediatr Dev Pathol, 2023;26(2):115-123.
    PMID: 36755423 DOI: 10.1177/10935266221146045
    OBJECTIVES: To establish the incidence of "diabetes-related death" (DRD) in children with known and unknown Diabetes Mellitus (DM) dying unexpectedly, and describe post-mortem (PM) biochemistry findings.

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: PM reports from the previous 16-year period were reviewed. Cases of DRD were extracted. All available demographic, clinical, and autopsy data including laboratory analyses was retrieved.

    RESULTS: 9/1376 (0.7%) DRD cases were identified. This was attributed to Diabetic Ketoacidosis in 7 and to Death in Bed Syndrome in 2. 4/9 cases were known diabetic and on insulin; whilst in 5/9 cases the diagnosis of DM was at PM. The mean age was 11.6 years (range 2.5-15). At PM, 4 cases were undernourished. The histology demonstrated pancreatic changes in keeping with DM in 3/9 and unremarkable pancreatic findings in 6/9. 3 cases also had autoimmune thyroiditis (1 also had myocarditis and Armanni-Ebstein nephropathy). Toxicological and biochemical analysis showed raised: β-hydroxybutyrate in 6, ketone bodies in 5 cases and raised HbA1c in 3c.

    CONCLUSION: Type 1 DM is an infrequent but yet potentially preventable cause of death in children. Our findings highlight the value of routine biochemical and toxicological analysis in all PM examinations of infants and children dying suddenly and unexpectedly.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Insulin; Ketone Bodies/analysis; 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
  14. Anthonysamy L, Singh P
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e12198.
    PMID: 36755584 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12198
    The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, this study seeks to better understand students' learning experience, through scholastic achievement and secondly, this study analyses students' use of autonomous learning strategies, namely satisfaction, self-efficacy, social interactive engagement and study engagement in digital learning amidst the Covid-19 lockdown. While Malaysia grapples with a growing number of Covid-19 cases, the underlying toll of the pandemic has hit the youth hard with many mental health concerns and this has affected their learning. The nurturing of autonomous learning strategies especially during the Covid-19 confinement is critically needed to assist this vulnerable group. Although there is a plethora of studies given students' use of autonomous learning strategies towards scholastic achievement during the Covid-19 lockdown internationally, studies in the Asia region are still rudimentary. This study investigated 316 university students from targeted universities in Malaysia. Responses were gathered from an online survey. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), a second-generation multivariate statistical approach to assess the outer model and inner model that displays the relationships between the constructs. The results of this case study reported that student interactive engagement (β = 0.348, t = 5.45) and study environment (β = 0.314, t = 4.81) have a significant impact on students' scholastic achievement during the lockdown. Remarkably, new insights are uncovered in this paper revealing no relationship between self-efficacy and satisfaction with students' scholastic achievement. Possible explanations surrounding why satisfaction and self-efficacy were suppressed by the lockdown are discussed. The outcomes of this study provide key insights that may assist students to condition their minds to use autonomous learning strategies in digital learning to enhance their scholastic achievement.
  15. Wang C, Tang Y, Mo Y, Huang MM, Abdul-Rahman H
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13386.
    PMID: 36755599 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13386
    The significance of innovation management in triggering and sustaining increase in corporations of distinct size, age or enterprise type, is receiving growing attention, yet scant empirical research have been carried out in project-oriented service firms, in particular small-scaled enterprises. This study aims to identify how innovation management in small construction firms could enable them to pursue innovation and achieve greater business performance. Data collection comprises 157 empirical surveys leading to a conceptual framework modelled using the structural equation modelling approach. The findings show that entrepreneurship and networking have a direct and considerable influence on both technological and non-technological innovation, which consequently improves firm performance.
  16. Ling SY, Asis J, Musta B
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13271.
    PMID: 36755600 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13271
    The type of minerals in sediments control the geochemical distribution of metals which serve as an indicator of the pollution status to the marine environment. The type of minerals was determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) which shows the dominance of carbonate (calcite, aragonite, dolomite), silicate (quartz) and minor clay (illite, kaolinite) minerals. The elemental concentrations were also determined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES) analysis that shows the major elements Ca > Fe > Mg > Al > Mn for all locations, whereas the heavy metals differ as Ni > Cr > Zn > Co > Pb, Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Co and Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni, respectively. The correlation between the major elements and heavy metals were also performed using the Pearson Correlation analysis via IBM SPSS which showed the positive Al-Fe-Mn correlation with the heavy metals but negative correlation with Ca. The correlations between the elements were influenced by the adsorption and precipitation of the major minerals in the sediment. The objective of this study is to determine the geochemical distribution of metals due to the influence of minerals in the coastal sediment of Kota Belud, Kudat and Mantanani Island. Therefore, this study could serve as a geochemical baseline data to understand the abundance of metals from the coastal region of northwest Sabah, Malaysia.
  17. Xu H, Nghia DT, Nam NH
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13105.
    PMID: 36755617 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13105
    This study examines determinants of Vietnamese agricultural exports to the APEC and whether there was an export gap between Vietnam and each APEC trading partner in the period 1998-2018, using the stochastic frontier gravity model. The empirical results affirm the consistency of the gravity model for Vietnamese agricultural exports. The new findings imply that the government should concentrate on designing a policy framework to encourage export enterprises to invest more in the technology factor, especially for large and high-demand markets such as the USA, Japan, and Korea. In practice, export enterprises should focus on several key action points. First, find partners to expand the distribution network of agricultural products within the four largest markets. Second, pay attention to updating information on the technical requirements of China, the largest import market. Third, conduct research to build up competitively strategic products that can be exported to potential new markets, such as Russia, Australia, and Malaysia.
  18. Khazaal G, Daou M, Mahdi SS, Ahmed Z, Maalouf E, Batteni G, et al.
    J Clin Exp Dent, 2023 Jan;15(1):e43-e50.
    PMID: 36755675 DOI: 10.4317/jced.60005
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the color stability and the surface roughness of a bulk-fill composite flow (SDR® Plus) by comparison to an ORMOCER-based composite (Ceram.x® Universal SphereTEC™) in order to confirm the validity of using SDR® Plus in the anterior region and to allow the prediction of its long-term results.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: 35 composite specimens of the same shade (A2), thickness (2mm) and shape of both types of composite were prepared. The specimens were cured and polished according to the manufacturer's instructions. The initial shade of the specimens was measured using a calibrated EasyShade spectrophotometer. The initial surface roughness of the specimens was measured by AFM. Afterwards, the specimens were subjected to an accelerated aging procedure through thermo-cycling, a coffee stain challenge and brushing to simulate two years in the oral environment. The shade and surface roughness of the specimens were measured again after the accelerated aging procedure.

    RESULTS: The mean ΔE was significantly larger than 3.368 in Ceram.x® group (-p-value<0.001) and SDR® Plus group (-p-value<0.001). The mean surface roughness has significantly increased for both groups after aging with no significant difference between the two groups. It however remained clinically acceptable.

    CONCLUSIONS: SDR® Plus and Ceram.x® showed similar surface roughness when subjected to the same testing conditions. Concerning the color stability, both composites displayed noticeable discoloration, with higher ΔE values registered for Ceram.x®. Key words:Composite resins, spectrophotometry, atomic force microscopy, dental material, resin-based material.

  19. Albazee E, Alenezi A, Alenezi M, Alabdulhadi R, Alhubail RJ, Ahmad Al Sadder K, et al.
    Cureus, 2023 Feb;15(2):e34734.
    PMID: 36755770 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34734
    Hemorrhoidectomy is one of the most common surgical interventions to remove the third and fourth degrees of prolapse hemorrhoid. We carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of harmonic scalpel (HS) versus bipolar diathermy (BD) methods in terms of decreasing intraoperative and postoperative morbidities among patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. Suitable citations were found utilizing digital medical sources, including the CENTRAL, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from inception until December 2022. Only RCTs that matched the inclusion requirements were selected. We used the updated Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool (version 2) to assess the quality of the involved citations. The Review Manager (version 5.4 for Windows) was used to perform the pooled analysis. Data were pooled and reported as mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in random-effects models. Overall, there was no significant difference between HS and BD in terms of decreasing intraoperative morbidities like operative time, intraoperative blood loss, mean duration of hospital stay, and mean duration of first bowel movement (P>0.05). Similarly, the rate of postoperative complications like pain, bleeding, urinary retention, anal stenosis, flatus incontinence, and wound edema; was similar in both groups with no significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, our pooled analysis revealed there was no substantial difference between HS and BD in terms of intraoperative and postoperative endpoints. Additional RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to consolidate the power and quality of the presented evidence.
  20. Sarna K, Sonigra KJ, Ngeow WC
    Plast Surg (Oakv), 2023 Feb;31(1):84-90.
    PMID: 36755821 DOI: 10.1177/22925503211024763
    Background: Craniofacial anthropometry provides essential data for diagnosis and treatment planning, with the norms for many races having been investigated. The results reveal that facial morphometry varies greatly because of geographical, ethnic, and racial variations. This study aims to gather the normative anthropometric data and compare the differences in facial morphometry between the Kenyan population and that of the Chinese. Methods: Four vertical measurements (trichion-nasion, nasion-subnasale, subnasale-gnathion, and superaurale-subaurale) and 6 horizontal measurements (zygion-zygion, exocanthion-endocanthion, endocanthion-endocanthion, pupil-pupil, alare-alare, and chelion-chelion) were obtained manually from subjects with no craniofacial abnormality. Results: A total of 180 participants (90 Kenyans and 90 Chinese) were included. Among the Kenyans, males generally had greater dimensions in comparison to the Kenyan females with the exception of the upper third, lower third, and intercanthal, and interpupillary distances. Among the Chinese, there was a significant difference between the 2 genders with the exception of intercanthal distance. All measurements were greater in Chinese males in comparison to the females. Comparison between races shows that Kenyans had greater vertical measurements with exception of the ear length for both genders. The Chinese males had increased facial width and intercanthal distance, while the Chinese females showed increased intercanthal distance compared to Kenyans. Kenyans exhibited hyperleptoprosopic-type face, while Chinese exhibited mesoprosopic-type face, with none of the 2 groups conforming to the neoclassical canons. Conclusion: Kenyans generally have greater craniofacial measurements versus Chinese, except for the facial width and intercanthal distance for males and interorbital distance for females.
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