Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Zhang W, Du FY, Dai Y, Zheng JC
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2023 Feb 08.
    PMID: 36752130 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05241e
    The olivine phosphate family has been widely utilized as cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. However, limited energy density and poor rate performance caused by low electronic and ionic conductivities are the main obstacles that need to be overcome for their widespread application. In this work, atomic simulations have been performed to study the effects of lattice strains on the Li+ ion migration energy barrier in olivine phosphates LiMPO4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co) and (LiFePO4)n(LiMnPO4)m superlattices (SLs). The (LiFePO4)n(LiMnPO4)m superlattices include three ratios of LFP/LMP, namely SL3 + 1, SL1 + 1 and SL1 + 3, each of which is along three typical (100), (010) and (001) orientations. We mainly discuss two migration paths of Li+ ions: the low-energy path A channel parallel to the b-axis and the medium-energy path B channel parallel to the c-axis. It is found that the biaxial tensile strain perpendicular to the migration path is most beneficial to reduce the migration energy barrier of Li+ ions, and the strain on the b-axis has a dominant effect on the energy barrier of Li+ ion migration. For path A, SL3 + 1 alternating periodically along the (010) orientation can obtain the lowest Li ion migration energy barrier. For path B, SL1 + 3 is the most favorable for Li+ ion migration, and there is no significant difference among the three orientations. Our work provides reference values for cathode materials and battery design.
  2. Mohd Yusof N, Muda AK, Pratama SF, Abraham A
    Mol Divers, 2023 Feb;27(1):71-80.
    PMID: 35254585 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10410-y
    In computational chemistry, the high-dimensional molecular descriptors contribute to the curse of dimensionality issue. Binary whale optimization algorithm (BWOA) is a recently proposed metaheuristic optimization algorithm that has been efficiently applied in feature selection. The main contribution of this paper is a new version of the nonlinear time-varying Sigmoid transfer function to improve the exploitation and exploration activities in the standard whale optimization algorithm (WOA). A new BWOA algorithm, namely BWOA-3, is introduced to solve the descriptors selection problem, which becomes the second contribution. To validate BWOA-3 performance, a high-dimensional drug dataset is employed. The proficiency of the proposed BWOA-3 and the comparative optimization algorithms are measured based on convergence speed, the length of the selected feature subset, and classification performance (accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and f-measure). In addition, statistical significance tests are also conducted using the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The comparative optimization algorithms include two BWOA variants, binary bat algorithm (BBA), binary gray wolf algorithm (BGWOA), and binary manta-ray foraging algorithm (BMRFO). As the final contribution, from all experiments, this study has successfully revealed the superiority of BWOA-3 in solving the descriptors selection problem and improving the Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS) drug classification performance.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Animals; Whales*
  3. Shamsuddin NAM, Zulfakar MH
    Curr Drug Deliv, 2023;20(2):127-143.
    PMID: 35331113 DOI: 10.2174/1567201819666220324094234
    Natural products contain bioactive compounds that are produced naturally via synthetic or semisynthetic processes. These bioactive compounds play significant biological roles, especially for growth as well as in defense mechanisms against pathogens. Bioactive compounds in natural products have been extensively studied in recent decades for their pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. However, their pharmaceutical significance has always been hindered by their low bioavailability and instability with variations in pH, temperature, and exposure to light. Nanotechnology paves the way for the development of drug delivery systems by enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Nanostructured lipid carriers, a lipidbased drug delivery system, are recently being studied to improve the biocompatibility, biodegradability, bioavailability, solubility, permeability, and shelf life of bioactive compounds in the pharmaceutical industry. The ideal component and preparation method for bioactive compounds in nanostructured lipid carrier development is necessary for their physicochemical properties and therapeutic efficiency. Therefore, this review seeks to highlight recent developments, preparation, and application of nanostructured lipid carriers as carriers for natural bioactive compounds in improving their therapeutic potential in drug delivery systems.
    MeSH terms: Biological Products*; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Lipids/chemistry; Drug Delivery Systems
  4. Mohan K, Kumar M, Omar BJ
    Curr Pediatr Rev, 2023;19(3):242-252.
    PMID: 35366778 DOI: 10.2174/1573396318666220401110835
    The fifth malaria parasite causing malaria- Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk), is not a novel emergent species but was an undiagnosed species before the availability of molecular methods as a tool from diagnostics and sometimes confused with morphologically similar human malaria parasite P. malariae or P. falciparum. Now it is well-distributed species in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia. Since 2004, cases of Pk malaria are continuously being reported in adults. Though adult age, forest-related activities and a recent visit to forested areas are well-known factors, childhood did not remain untouched by this disease. Few pieces of research and reports in the literature indicate that Infection in children is uncomplicated, but this may be attributed to the scarcity of data and research in this field. Pk malaria in pregnant females and infants are being well reported, so this indicates that the problem is not only restricted to known factors related to the disease, but we should think out of the box and take action before the disease takes the form of significant health burden on the human population as P. vivax and P. falciparum species did in the past. With the reports in literature of Pk malaria in pregnancy and early infancy, the possibility of congenital and neonatal malaria also cannot be denied. So more and more research is needed to understand Pk malaria in the pediatric population clearly. So this running review covers the problem status, demographic profile, clinical and haematological features, diagnosis, management and outcome of Pk malaria in paediatric group worldwide. This review also discusses the gaps in our present knowledge of the real problem status, prevention, control, diagnosis and management of Pk malaria, particularly in this age group.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia/epidemiology; Pregnancy; Plasmodium knowlesi*
  5. Mishra D, Gade S, Glover K, Sheshala R, Singh TRR
    Curr Eye Res, 2023 Feb;48(2):208-218.
    PMID: 36036478 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2119254
    Purpose: Intravitreal administration of drug molecules is one of the most common routes for treating posterior segment eye diseases. However, the properties of vitreous humour changes with the time. A number of ocular complications such as liquefaction of the vitreous humour, solidification of the vitreous humour in the central vitreous cavity and detachment of the limiting membrane due to the shrinking of vitreous humour are some of the factors that can drastically affect the efficacy of therapeutics delivered via intravitreal route. Although significant research has been conducted for studying the properties of vitreous humour and its changes during the ageing process, there have been limited work to understand the effect of these changes on therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal drug delivery systems. Therefore, in this review we discussed both the coomposition and characteristics of the vitreous humour, and their subsequent influence on intravitreal drug delivery.Methods: Articles were searched on Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science up to March 2022.Results: In this review, we discussed the biological composition and biomechanical properties of vitreous humour, methods to study the properties of vitreous humour and the changes in these properties and their relevance in ocular drug delivery field, with the aim to provide a useful insight into these aspects which can aid the process of development of novel intravitreal drug delivery systems.Conclusions: The composition and characteristics of the vitreous humour, and how these change during natural aging processes, directly influence intravitreal drug delivery. This review therefore highlights the importance of understanding the properties of the vitreous and identifies the need to achieve greater understanding of how changing properties of the vitreous affect the therapeutic efficacy of drugs administered for the treatment of posterior eye diseases.
    MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Preparations; Eye Diseases*; Humans; Vitreous Body*; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Intravitreal Injections
  6. Qasim M, Wong KY, Saufi MSRM
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Aug;30(39):90024-90049.
    PMID: 36745348 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24995-2
    There is an increasing concern about incorporating green criteria into production planning approaches. Production planning models that ignore green parameters may generate outcomes that are unfriendly to the environment. The relevant literature has suggested a flourishing trend towards the integration of green parameters into production planning approaches. The earlier reviews have most commonly analyzed the green production planning approaches from an "energy efficiency" perspective. Literature on the integration of other green criteria is also available. However, such studies are rarely reviewed. Along with "energy efficiency," the study in hand reviews the production planning strategies from another green perspective which is "low-carbon emissions." The first objective of this study is to review the medium and short-term production planning approaches from the aforementioned green criteria and provide a classification scheme. Second, new research avenues are identified to facilitate researchers in incorporating green schemes in production planning approaches. This study explored various databases for articles published on green production planning approaches. Consequently, 84 articles published between 2011 and 2022 were considered for the review. This review pointed out that most of the studies on green production planning considered "energy efficiency" and studies on "carbon emissions" were overlooked. Furthermore, green concepts were mostly integrated into the short-term production planning level and comparatively few studies were found for the medium-term. This study will help researchers to analyze green production planning in terms of modeling approaches, objective functions, uncertainties, solution approaches, etc.
    MeSH terms: Carbon*
  7. Ko H, Wang J, Chiu JW, Kim WK
    Poult Sci, 2023 Apr;102(4):102509.
    PMID: 36745956 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102509
    This study aimed to investigate the effect of metabolizable energy (ME) levels and exogenous emulsifier supplementation on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), body composition, and carcass yield in broilers. The experiment was designed as a 2  ×  2 factorial arrangement with ME levels (control ME vs. reduced 100 kcal/kg ME) and exogenous emulsifier supplementation (0 vs. 0.05 %). A total of 1,000 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allocated into 4 treatments with 10 replicates and 25 birds per floor pen for 42 d (starter, d 0-14; grower, d 14-28; and finisher, d 28-42). Growth performance was measured biweekly, and AID was evaluated using the indigestible indicator method during d 21 to 28. Body composition was measured at d 35 using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA), and carcass yield was evaluated at d 42. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure for 2-way ANOVA. Results indicated reduced ME decreased body weight gain and feed intake (P < 0.05). Exogenous emulsifier supplementation improved FCR during the finisher and overall periods (P < 0.05). Reduced ME decreased AID of dry matter (DM), fat, and gross energy (P < 0.05) but increased AID of Val (P = 0.013). Exogenous emulsifier supplementation increased AID of DM, crude protein, His, Ile, Lys, Thr, Val, Pro, Ala, and Tyr (P < 0.05). Reduced ME decreased dressing rate and the relative weight of abdominal fat (P < 0.05). DXA results indicated that reduced ME decreased bone mineral density and fat (P < 0.001) but increased bone mineral contents and muscle (P < 0.05). Therefore, a reduction of 100 kcal/kg ME in the diet had adverse effects on the growth performance and carcass characteristics, but the use of exogenous emulsifier supplementation improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Body Composition; Diet/veterinary; Digestion; Male; Dietary Supplements*
  8. Loh HH, Sukor N
    Clin Respir J, 2023 Feb 06.
    PMID: 36746181 DOI: 10.1111/crj.13593
    Obstructive sleep apnea and vitamin D deficiency are associated with multiple complications with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the relationship between these two entities remains unclear, with clinical studies demonstrating contradictory results. This narrative review aims to present the current evidence and understanding of this relationship and discuss the possible mechanisms linking these two disease entities. Finally, we summarize and propose areas of opportunity for future research.
  9. Aziz T, Haq F, Farid A, Kiran M, Faisal S, Ullah A, et al.
    Environ Res, 2023 Apr 15;223:115429.
    PMID: 36746207 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115429
    Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide on earth. It has a large number of desirable properties. Its low toxicity makes it more useful for a variety of applications. Nowadays, its composites are used in most engineering fields. Composite consists of a polymer matrix and use as a reinforcing material. By reducing the cost of traditional fibers, it has an increasing demand for environment-friendly purposes. The use of these types of composites is inherent in moisture absorption with hindered natural fibers. This determines the reduction of polymer composite material. By appropriate chemical surface treatment of cellulose composite materials, the effect could be diminished. The most modern and advanced techniques and methods for the preparation of cellulose and polymer composites are discussed here. Cellulosic composites show a reinforcing effect on the polymer matrix as pointed out by mechanical characterization. Researchers tried their hard work to study different ways of converting various agricultural by-products into useful eco-friendly polymer composites for sustainable production. Cellulose plays building blocks, that are critical for polymer products and their engineering applications. The most common method used to prepare composites is in-situ polymerization. This help to increase the yields of cellulosic composites with a significant enhancement in thermal stability and mechanical properties. Recently, cellulose composites used as enhancing the incorporation of inorganic materials in multi-functional properties. Furthermore, we have summarized in this review the potential applications of cellulose composites in different fields like packaging, aerogels, hydrogels, and fibers.
    MeSH terms: Polymers*; Prospective Studies
  10. Li G, Yan L, Chen X, Lam SS, Rinklebe J, Yu Q, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2023 Apr;320:138058.
    PMID: 36746249 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138058
    Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pose a great threat to ecosystems and long-term exposure causes adverse effects to wildlife and humans. Cadmium induces a variety of diseases including cancer, kidney dysfunction, bone lesions, anemia and hypertension. Here we review the ability of plants to accumulate cadmium from soil, air and water under different environmental conditions, focusing on absorption mechanisms and factors affecting these. Cadmium possess various transport mechanisms and pathways roughly divided into symplast and apoplast pathway. Excessive cadmium concentrations in the environment affects soil properties, pH and microorganism composition and function and thereby plant uptake. At the same time, plants resist cadmium toxicity by antioxidant reaction. The differences in cadmium absorption capacity of plants need more exploration to determine whether it is beneficial for crop breeding or genetic modification. Identify whether plants have the potential to become hyperaccumulator and avoid excessive cadmium uptake by edible plants. The use of activators such as wood vinegar, GLDA (Glutamic acid diacetic acid), or the placement of earthworms and fungi can speed up phytoremediation of plants, thereby reducing uptake of crop varieties and reducing human exposure, thus accelerating food safety and the health of the planet.
    MeSH terms: Plant Breeding; Biodegradation, Environmental; Humans; Plants, Edible/metabolism; Soil/chemistry; Water; Ecosystem
  11. Gundupalli MP, Cheenkachorn K, Chuetor S, Kirdponpattara S, Gundupalli SP, Show PL, et al.
    Carbohydr Polym, 2023 Apr 15;306:120599.
    PMID: 36746569 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120599
    Pretreatment with pure, mixed, and diluted deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was evaluated for its effect on Napier grass through compositional and characterization studies. The morphological changes of biomass caused by pretreatment were analyzed by FTIR and XRD. The cellulose and hemicellulose content after pretreatment using mixed DES increased and decreased 1.29- and 4.25-fold, respectively, when compared to untreated Napier grass. The crystallinity index (CrI. %) of mixed DES sample increased due to the maximum removal of hemicellulose (76 %) and delignification of 62 %. The material costs of ChCl/FA and ChCl/LA for a single run are ≈2.16 USD and ≈1.65 USD, respectively. Pure DES showed that ChCl/LA pretreatment enhanced delignification efficiency and that ChCl/FA increased hemicellulose removal. It was estimated that a single run using ChCl/LA:ChCl/FA to achieve maximum hemicellulose and lignin removal would cost approximately ≈1.89 USD. Future work will evaluate the effect of DES mixture on enzyme digestibility and ethanol production from Napier grass. HYPOTHESES: Deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment studies on the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass have grown exponentially. The use of pure and diluted DES has been reported to improve saccharification efficiency, delignification, and cellulose retention (Gundupalli et al., 2022). These studies have reported maximum lignin removal but also a lower effect on hemicellulose removal from lignocellulosic biomass. It was hypothesized that mixing two pure DESs could result in maximum removal of hemicellulose and lignin after pretreatment. To our knowledge, no studies have been performed to investigate the efficiency of pretreatment using a DES mixture and compared the outcome with pure and diluted DESs. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that using two pure DESs in a mixed form could lower the material cost for each experimental run. Process efficiency was determined by compositional, XRD, and FTIR analysis. Avenues for future research include determining glucose and ethanol yields during the enzymatic saccharification and fermentation processes.
    MeSH terms: Ethanol; Cellulose*; Hydrolysis; Lignin; Solvents; Biomass; Cenchrus*
  12. Kelly B, Backholer K, Boyland E, Kent MP, Bragg MA, Karupaiah T, et al.
    Curr Nutr Rep, 2023 Mar;12(1):14-25.
    PMID: 36746878 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-023-00450-7
    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Protecting children from unhealthful food marketing is a global priority policy for improving population diets. Monitoring the nature and extent of children's exposure to this marketing is critical in policy development and implementation. This review summarises contemporary approaches to monitor the nature and extent of food marketing to support policy reform.

    RECENT FINDINGS: Monitoring approaches vary depending on the stage of progress of related policy implementation, with resource implications and opportunity costs. Considerations include priority media/settings. marketing techniques assessed, approach to classifying foods, study design and if exposure assessments are based on media content analyses or are estimated or observed based on children's media use. Current evidence is largely limited to high-income countries and focuses on content analyses of TV advertising. Ongoing efforts are needed to support monitoring in low-resource settings and to progress monitoring to better capture children's actual exposures across media and settings.

    MeSH terms: Advertising as Topic; Child; Food; Humans; Television*; Food Industry*; Marketing
  13. Patel S, Wald AI, Bastaki JM, Chiosea SI, Singhi AD, Seethala RR
    Head Neck Pathol, 2023 Jun;17(2):467-478.
    PMID: 36746884 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01524-2
    BACKGROUND: Secretory myoepithelial carcinomas (SMCA) are rare, mucinous, signet ring predominant tumors with primitive myoepithelial features. While many mucinous salivary gland tumors have now been molecularly characterized, key drivers in SMCA have yet to be elucidated. Recently, NKX3.1, a homeodomain transcription factor implicated in salivary mucous acinar development was also shown in a subset of salivary mucinous neoplasms, salivary intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (SG-IPMN). To date, NKX3.1 expression has not been characterized in other mucinous salivary lesions. Here, we report molecular and extended immunophenotypic findings in SMCA and NKX3.1 expression in the context of other head and neck lesions.

    METHODS: We retrieved 4 previously reported SMCA, performed additional immunohistochemical and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). We also investigated the use of NKX3.1 as a marker for SMCA in the context of its prevalence and extent (using H-score) in a mixed cohort of retrospectively and prospectively tested head and neck lesions (n = 223) and non-neoplastic tissues (n = 66).

    RESULTS: NKX3.1 positivity was confirmed in normal mucous acini as well as in mucous acinar class of lesions (5/6, mean H-score: 136.7), including mucinous adenocarcinomas (3/4), SG-IPMN (1/1), and microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) (1/1). All SMCA were positive. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for SS18 rearrangements were negative in all successfully tested cases (0/3). NGS was successful in two cases (cases 3 and 4). Case 3 demonstrated a PTEN c.655C>T p.Q219* mutation and a SEC16A::NOTCH1 fusion while case 4 (clinically aggressive) showed a PTEN c.1026+1G>A p.K342 splice site variant, aTP53 c.524G>A p.R175H mutation and a higher tumor mutation burden (29 per Mb). PTEN immunohistochemical loss was confirmed in both cases and a subset of tumor cells showed strong (extreme) staining for P53 in Case 4.

    CONCLUSION: Despite a partial myoepithelial phenotype, SMCA, along with mucinous adenocarcinomas/SG-IPMN and MSA, provisionally constitute a mucous acinar class of tumors based on morphology and NKX3.1 expression. Like salivary mucinous adenocarcinomas/SG-IPMN, SMCA also show alterations of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway and may show progressive molecular alterations. We document the first extramammary tumor with a SEC16A::NOTCH1 fusion.

    MeSH terms: Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism; Endoplasmic Reticulum/pathology; Golgi Apparatus/metabolism; Golgi Apparatus/pathology; Humans; Phenotype; Retrospective Studies; Transcription Factors/genetics; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics; Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics
  14. Nan J, Salina N, Chong ST, Jiang HJ
    BMC Psychiatry, 2023 Feb 06;23(1):90.
    PMID: 36747156 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04582-6
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to understand the longitudinal trajectory of suicidal ideation (SI) among Chinese medical students and the role of childhood trauma (CT).

    METHODS: Using a whole-group sampling method, we assessed SI in 2192 (male = 834, female = 1358) medical students on three occasions over a period of one year. The Suicidal Ideation Self-Assessment Scale (SISAS) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) were used to assess SI and CT. The growth mixture modeling (GMM) was used to classify the developmental trajectory of SI.

    RESULTS: A greater number of medical students were experiencing suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trajectory of SI among medical students was divided into two groups: a low risk, slowly rising group and a high risk, continuous group. The low risk, slowly rising group had a significant time effect (B = 1.57, p 

    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Medical*; Pandemics; Suicidal Ideation
  15. Sharif Nia H, She L, Froelicher ES, Marôco J, Moshtagh M, Hejazi S
    BMC Psychiatry, 2023 Feb 07;23(1):92.
    PMID: 36747165 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04580-8
    BACKGROUND: The resilience construct is considered a personal trait composed of multiple aspects. Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale is a standard tool composed of five factors and 25 items. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of this scale.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, after the scale translation, the factorial structural validity was assessed via the confirmatory factor analysis with 70 180 samples. Internal consistency, composite reliability, convergent validity were assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, maximum reliability, and Average Variance Extracted. The discriminant validity was assessed using Heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations matrix and also, measure invariance was evaluated.

    RESULTS: The original five-factor model had good model fit indices but due to low factor loading of item 2 and 20, the model was modified. The Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability for four factors were above 0.7 (except for factor 5). The convergent validity for all five factors were achieved. Between factors 1 with 2 and 4, 2 with 3 and 4 discriminant validity was not established (correlations > 0.9) and the results suggested that there might be a second-order latent construct behind these factors. Therefore, a second-order assessment was performed. The results of the second-order latent construct assessment showed a good goodness-of fit and strong measurement invariance for both men and women.

    CONCLUSION: The 23-item version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale is a reliable and valid scale to measure resilience as a complex construct in the Iran context.

    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Iran; Male; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Resilience, Psychological*
  16. Guo YQ, Ju QM, You M, Liu Y, Yusuf A, Soon LK
    BMC Nurs, 2023 Feb 06;22(1):33.
    PMID: 36747213 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01184-1
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the level of depression, anxiety and stress among metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) in Beijing, China.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 176 MBC women receiving CT, selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that included participants' socio-demographic status, DASS-21 and Brief COPE. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and general linear regression analysis.

    RESULTS: The incidence of depression, anxiety and stress among MBC women were 52.3%, 60.2% and 36.9%, respectively. General linear regression showed that age, marital status, monthly income, physical functioning, emotional functioning, pain, dyspnea, and appetite loss were associated with depression. All variance determined the depression (R2) was 35.6%. Marital status, self-blame and behavioral disengagement were the predictors of stress and accounted for a 35.4% stress variance in MBC women.

    CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated depression, anxiety, and stress prevalence are high in MBC women. Assessment of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) is important to recognise MBC patients who need help and further medical and mental help support. This study's findings can increasingly highlight that depression, anxiety, and stress are substantial problems in MBC patients. Therefore, psychological interventions are needed to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress for MBC patients.

  17. Ahammed KS, Pachal S, Majumdar P, Dutta S
    Chembiochem, 2023 Apr 17;24(8):e202200715.
    PMID: 36747378 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200715
    The dynamic topological states of chromosomal DNA regulate many cellular fundamental processes universally in all three domains of life, that is, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. DNA-binding proteins maintain the regional and global supercoiling of the chromosome and thereby regulate the chromatin architecture that ultimately influences the gene expression network and other DNA-centric molecular events in various microenvironments and growth phases. DNA-binding small molecules are pivotal weapons for treating a wide range of cancers. Recent advances in single-molecule biophysical tools have uncovered the fact that many DNA-binding ligands not only alter the regional DNA supercoiling but also modulate the overall morphology of DNA. Here we provide insight into recent advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) acquired DNA structural change induced by therapeutically important mono- and bis-intercalating anticancer agents as well as DNA-adduct-forming anticancer drugs. We also emphasize the growing evidence of the mechanistic relevance of changes in DNA topology in the anticancer cellular responses of DNA-targeting chemotherapeutic agents.
    MeSH terms: Chromatin; DNA/chemistry; Humans; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Tumor Microenvironment
  18. Ahmad H, Sanef SA, Shahabudin WZ, Mohtar N, Hassan MR, Jeffree MS, et al.
    J Environ Public Health, 2023;2023:4801424.
    PMID: 36747498 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4801424
    BACKGROUND: Polio supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) are one of the polio eradication pillars in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) that increased the immunization coverage and made progress towards polio eradication. However, socioecological challenges faced during SIAs contribute to suboptimal campaign quality. The aim of this review is to identify the reported challenges during polio supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) and associated improvement strategies based on the socioecological model (SEM).

    METHODS: Articles were searched from three databases which were WOS, Scopus, and PubMed. The systemic review identified the primary articles related to SIA that focused on the impact of immunization coverage, challenges, and improvement strategies. The inclusion criteria were open access English articles that were published between 2012 and 2021 and conducted in the Asia region.

    RESULTS: There are nine articles described and explained regarding some form of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in their findings across Asia region. The majority of studies selected reported on post vaccination coverage and revealed a multifaceted challenge faced during SIAs which are widely diverse range from the microlevel of interpersonal aspects up to the macrolevel of government policy. Upon further analysis, the intervention at community level was the most dominant strategies reported during the SIA program.

    CONCLUSIONS: An effective SIAs program provides the opportunity to increase the national capacity of the polio immunization program, reducing inequities in service delivery and offering additional public health benefits in controlling polio outbreaks in both endemic and nonendemic countries. Strengthening routine immunization (RI) programmes is also important for the sustainability of SIA's programs. Despite the challenges and hurdles, many Asian countries exhibited great political willingness to boost polio immunization coverage through SIA efforts.

    MeSH terms: Asia/epidemiology; Humans; Immunization; Vaccination; Disease Eradication*
  19. Asghar A, Chandio AF, Shah Z, Vrinceanu N, Deebani W, Shutaywi M, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13189.
    PMID: 36747513 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13189
    Through a vertically shrinking sheet, a two-dimensional magnetic nanofluid is numerically analyzed for convection, heat generation and absorption, and the slip velocity effect. In this research, Al2O3-Cu/water composite nanofluid is studied, where water is deemed the base liquid and copper (Cu) and alumina (Al2O3) are the solid nanoparticles. Modern composite nanofluids improve heat transfer efficiency. Using the Tiwari-Das model, the current study examines the effects of the solid volume fraction of copper, heat generation/absorption, MHD, mixed convection, and velocity slip parameters on velocity and temperature distributions. Introducing exponential similarity variables converts nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) to ordinary differential equations (ODEs). MATLAB bvp4c solver is used to solve ODEs. Results showed dual solutions for suction with 0%-10% copper nanoparticles and 1%-500% heat generation/absorption. As copper (Cu) solid volume percentage increases from 0% to 10%, reduced skin friction f ″ ( 0 ) boosts in the first solution but falls in the second. When Cu is added to both solutions, heat transport - θ ' ( 0 ) decreases. As heat generation/absorption increases 1%-500%, - θ ' ( 0 ) decreases in both solutions. In conclusion, solution dichotomy exists when suction parameter S ≥ S c i in assisting flow case, while no fluid flow is possible when S < S c i .
External Links