Browse publications by year: 2024

  1. Haider MB, Saeed A, Ahmed A, Azeem M, Ismail H, Mehmood S, et al.
    Protein J, 2024 Sep 02.
    PMID: 39222239 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10229-6
    A diminutive chemical library of acyl thiotriazinoindole (ATTI) based bioactive scaffolds was synthesized, instigated by taking the economical starting material Isatin, through a series of five steps. Isatin was first nitrated followed by the attachment of pentyl moiety via nucleophilic substitution reaction. The obtained compound was reacted with thiosemicarbazide to obtain thiosemicarbazone derivative, which was eventually cyclized using basic conditions in water as solvent. Finally, the reported series was obtained through reaction of nitrated thiotriazinoindole moiety with differently substituted phenacyl bromides. The synthesized compounds were characterized using NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Finally, the synthesized motifs were scrutinized for their potential to impede urease, α-glucosidase, DPPH, and α-amylase. Compound 5 h with para cyano group manifested the most pivotal biological activity among all, displaying IC50 values of 29.7 ± 0.8, 20.5 ± 0.5 and 36.8 ± 3.9 µM against urease, α-glucosidase, and DPPH assay, respectively. Simultaneously, for α-amylase compound 5 g possessing a p-CH3 at phenyl ring unfolded as most active, with calculated IC50 values 90.3 ± 1.1 µM. The scaffolds were additionally gauged for their antifungal and antibacterial activity. Among the tested strains, 5d having bromo as substituent exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity, while it also demonstrated the highest potency against Aspergillus fumigatus. Other derivatives 5b, 5e, 5i, and 5j also exhibited dual inhibition against both antibacterial and antifungal strains. The interaction pattern of derivatives clearly displayed their SAR, and their docking scores were correlated with their IC50 values. In molecular docking studies, the importance of interactions like hydrogen bonding was further asserted. The electronic factors of various substituents engendered variety of interactions between the ligands and targets implying their importance in the structures of the synthesized heterocyclic scaffolds. To conclude, the synthesized compounds had satisfactory biological activity against various important targets. Further studies are therefore encouraged by attachment of different substitutions in the structure at various positions to enhance the activity of these compounds.
  2. Karirat T, Deeseenthum S, Ma NL, Sutthi N, Luang-In V
    Nat Prod Res, 2024 Sep 02.
    PMID: 39222476 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2398720
    This study tested the antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by eight Bacillus spp. from Thai milk kefir utilising four agricultural by-products in Thailand; copra meal, mangosteen peel, sorghum, and para rubber sawdust as carbon sources. Sorghum showed the highest starch and sugar content of 73.33% while copra meal showed the lowest (13.08%). B. tequilensis PS21 produced the highest dry weight EPS, followed by B. amyloliquefaciens KW1 and B. tequilensis PS22 from four substrates. B. tequilensis PS21 generated the most EPS with sorghum (0.75 ± 0.09 g DW/100 mL culture), followed by mangosteen peel (0.61 ± 0.07 g). EPS from B. amyloliquefaciens KW1 using copra meal displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 33.39 ± 1.34% and EPS from the same bacteria using sorghum displayed the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 49.78 ± 0.86%. This approach demonstrated a bio-circular green economy paradigm in converting agricultural biowastes into valuable EPS biomaterials with potential applications.
  3. Mohd Nazri MN, Khairil Anwar NA, Mohd Zaidi NF, Fadzli Mustaffa KM, Mokhtar NF
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2024 Aug 31;112:129943.
    PMID: 39222892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129943
    Increased expression and activity of the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway suppresses the activation of cytotoxic T cells, which is vital in anti-tumour defence, allowing tumours to rise, expand and progress. Current strategies using antibodies to target PD-1/PD-L1 have been very effective in cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics. Aptamers are a new class of molecules that offer an alternative to antibodies. Herein, the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) using agarose slurry beads was conducted to isolate DNA aptamers specific to recombinant human PD-L1 (rhPD-L1). Isolated aptamers were sequenced and analysed using MEGA X and structural features were examined using mFold. Three aptamer candidates (P33, P32, and P12) were selected for evaluation of binding affinity (dissociation constant, Kd) using ELONA and specificity and competitive inhibition assessment using the potentiostat-electrochemical method. Among those three, P32 displayed the highest specificity (8 nM) against PD-L1. However, P32 competes for the same binding site with the control antibody, 28-8. This study warrants further assessment of P32 aptamer as a potential, cost-effective alternative tool for targeting PD-L1.
  4. Mehta NK, Vaishnav A, Priyadarshini MB, Debbarma P, Hoque MS, Mondal P, et al.
    PMID: 39223414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34792-8
    Seafood is abundant in high-quality protein, healthy fats (n-3 and n-6 PUFAs), minerals (calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, and so on), and vitamin D. Functional compounds in seafood can protect against lifestyle-related diseases. Having had all the merits mentioned, it is also a highly putrefiable food item. To maintain quality and prolong seafood's shelf life, various chemicals have been added, including nitrite, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. In this review, we summarize the uses, the incidence of added formalin contamination, and the approved limit for seafood products. Additionally, worldwide regulations or standards for the use of formalin in seafood products, as well as recent changes relevant to new methods, are highlighted. Although strict limits and regulations have been placed on the utilization of formaldehyde for seafood preservation, there are few incidences reported of formalin/formaldehyde detection in seafood products around Asian countries. In this context, various qualitative and quantitative detection methods for formaldehyde have been developed to ensure the presence of formaldehyde within acceptable limits. Besides this, different rules and regulations have been forced by each country to control formaldehyde incidence. Although it is not an issue of formaldehyde incidence in European countries, strict regulations are implemented and followed.
  5. He L, Ayub AFBM, Amri SB
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Sep 02;24(1):2387.
    PMID: 39223514 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19844-5
    BACKGROUND: Students' physical fitness has always been the focus of attention of the Chinese government, and the school as an important way to improve students' physical fitness, there are many studies on the current status of the implementation of physical education in schools, and there are many studies that use self-made questionnaires to investigate the implementation of physical education in schools, but most of the studies do not adequately validate the self-made questionnaires, so the purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to assess the level of implementation of physical education programmes in Chinese junior secondary schools and to test its reliability and validity.

    METHOD: The content of the questionnaire was developed based on the content of Annex 1 of the Assessment Measures for Physical Education in Primary and Secondary Schools issued by the Ministry of Education of China in 2014 and was modified based on feedback from the expert panel and pre-test participants. The questionnaire was initially tested for validity by 5 expert reviewers, and then we collected data information from 350 participants and conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore the factor structure of the initial version. One week later, 40 of the 350 participants were randomly selected to assess test-retest reliability.

    RESULTS: The I-CVI and KAPPA value analysis results of the expert review results show that the questionnaire has extremely high reliability and consistency among experts. EFA results indicate that the five dimensions of this questionnaire are highly reliable. In the test-retest reliability, the Pearson correlation coefficients of the initial test data and the retest data of each dimension are all greater than 0.7, and the significance probability values are all less than 0.05, reaching the significance level, the results show that the questionnaire has good stability.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that the 5 dimensions and 38 items of this questionnaire had high reliability and validity and could be used as a preliminary tool to measure the implementation level of physical education programs in junior high schools in China. However, future research should explore the potential need for adjustment to suit different regions and cultures.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; China; Female; Humans; Male; Physical Education and Training*; Surveys and Questionnaires/standards; School Health Services; Schools*; Students/psychology; Students/statistics & numerical data; Reproducibility of Results; Program Evaluation
  6. Mokhtari F, Nam HY, Ruhparwar A, Raad R, Razal JM, Varley RJ, et al.
    J Mater Chem B, 2024 Sep 03.
    PMID: 39224031 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb01630k
    High-performance biocompatible composite materials are gaining attention for their potential in various fields such as neural tissue scaffolds, bio-implantable devices, energy harvesting, and biomechanical sensors. However, these devices currently face limitations in miniaturization, finite battery lifetimes, fabrication complexity, and rigidity. Hence, there is an urgent need for smart and self-powering soft devices that are easily deployable under physiological conditions. Herein, we present a straightforward and efficient fabrication technique for creating flexible/stretchable fiber-based piezoelectric structures using a hybrid nanocomposite of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and barium-titanium oxide (BT). These nanocomposite fibers are capable of converting biomechanical stimuli into electrical signals across various structural designs (knit, braid, woven, and coil). It was found that a stretchable configuration with higher output voltage (4 V) and a power density (87 μW cm-3) was obtained using nanocomposite coiled fibers or knitted fibers, which are ideal candidates for real-time monitoring of physiological signals. These structures are being proposed for practical transition to the development of the next generation of fiber-based biomedical devices. The cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of nanocomposite fibers were tested on human mesenchymal stromal cells. The obtained results suggest that the developed fibers can be utilized for smart scaffolds and bio-implantable devices.
  7. Shabbir A, Rizvi S, Alam MM, Su'ud MM
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e35845.
    PMID: 39224307 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35845
    In November 2022, ChatGPT3, an advanced AI-powered chatbot, emerged suddenly, generating significant interest in higher education. Concerns arose regarding its potential to complicate the authentication of genuine student work. While some foresaw negative impacts, we advocate a positive outlook, suggesting educators can utilize ChatGPT to cultivate supportive learning environments that enhance students' character development. Our study thoroughly explores ChatGPT's implications for education in underdeveloped countries, examining both opportunities and challenges within AI research in education. We investigate practical applications, and potential benefits, and propose responsible integration strategies for students, teachers, and schools in utilizing ChatGPT for learning and assessment. Emphasizing ethical use, we stress leadership, character development, and authentic assessment as crucial factors. Despite concerns about academic integrity, we highlight ChatGPT's dual nature, it can facilitate cheating but also has the potential to deepen learning experiences. Our research focuses on understanding ChatGPT's impact on education from both student and teacher perspectives, discussing future trends in learning and teaching. The strategic integration of ChatGPT and AI in universities demands ethical foresight, personalized learning strategies, and ongoing research to optimize educational benefits while preserving core values and fostering student development.
  8. Kehinde SA, Ore A, Olajide AT, Ajiboye EO, Papadakis M, Alexiou A, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e36056.
    PMID: 39224312 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36056
    The brain is an energy demanding organ, constituting about 20 % of the body's resting metabolic rate. An efficient energy metabolism is critical to neuronal functions. Glucose serves as the primary essential energy source for the adult brain and plays a critical role in supporting neural growth and development. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates has been shown to have a negative impact on neurological functions. The impact of diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) on neural energy transduction using cellular energy metabolizing enzymes as indicators was examined. Over the course of 14 days, eighteen (18) albino rats divided into three groups (1,2 and 3) of six albino rats were given Tween-80/saline, 20 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively. In the brain, we assessed histological changes as well as activities of selected enzymes of energy metabolism such as the glycolytic pathway, citric acid cycle and mitochondrial electron transport-linked complexes. Activities of the glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes assayed were significantly decreased except citrate synthase activity with no statistically significant change following the administration of DiNP. Also, respiratory chain complexes (Complex I-IV) activities were significantly reduced when compared to control. DiNP exposure altered the histological integrity of various brain sections. These include degenerated Purkinje neurons, distortion of the granular layer and Purkinje cell layer. Data from this study indicated impaired brain energy metabolism via down-regulation of enzymes of cellular respiration of the glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation pathways and altered brain histoarchitecture orchestrated by DiNP exposure.
  9. Huang Y, Makmor N, Mohamad SH
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e36029.
    PMID: 39224331 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36029
    In recent years, live streaming commerce (LSC) has become a popular research topic. However, current studies on LSC are relatively insufficient, and analyses have generally focused on its specific aspects, lacking a comprehensive and systematic perspective. Hence, this study utilises CiteSpace to undertake a visual bibliometric analysis aimed at delineating the knowledge framework and evolution of LSC and indicates future research directions to provide a comprehensive picture of the development of this dynamic field over the past six years. The results show that LSC is a thriving subject with several growing annual publications. Additionally, a strong collaboration exists between institutions and authors. Further, 'influence', 'consumer behaviour' and 'consumer purchase intention' are more popular in this domain and have assumed a leading position in recent research. Moreover, novel research trajectories have emerged, indicating interdisciplinary integration within the field. This study is innovative as it combines live streaming with commerce, analyses six years of literature, and builds an accurate and comprehensive knowledge framework within this domain. By identifying current gaps, this study contributes to the literature by addressing prior study limitations, enriching the knowledge base, providing crucial research directions for future exploration, and inspiring scholars to efficiently find research topics.
  10. Al-Sharify NT, Nser HY, Ghaeb NH, Al-Sharify ZT, See OH, Weng LY, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e35924.
    PMID: 39224364 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35924
    The corneal eye diseases such as Keratoconus cause weakening of the cornea, with this disease the cornea can change in shape. This condition affects between 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 10,000 people. The main reason for the development of such conditions is unknown and can have significant impacts. Over the last decade, with advancements in computerized corneal topography assessments, researchers have increasingly expressed interest in corneal topography for research as well as clinical activities. Up till now, several aspheric numerical models have been developed as well as proposed to define the complex shape of the cornea. A commonly used term for characterizing the asphericity in an eye is the Q value, a common indicator of the aspherical degree of the cornea. It is one of the critical parameters in the mathematical description model of the cornea as it represents the cornea's shape and the eye's characteristics. Due to the utmost importance of this Q value of the cornea, a couple of studies have attempted to explore this parameter and its distribution, merely in terms of its influence on the human eye's optical properties. The corneal Q value is an important factor that needs to be determined to treat for any refractive errors as corneal degeneration are disease that can lead to potential problems with the structure of the cornea. This study aims to highlight the need to understand Q value of the cornea as this can essentially assist with personalising corneal refractive surgeries and implantation of intraocular lenses. Therefore, the relevance of corneal Q value must be studied in association with different patients, especially ones who have been diagnosed with cataracts, brain tumours, or even COVID-19. To address this issue, this paper first carries out a literature review on the optics of the cornea, the relevance of corneal Q value in ophthalmic practice and studies corneal degenerations and its causes. Thereafter, a detailed review of several noteworthy relevant research studies examining the Q value of the cornea is performed. To do so, an elaborate database is created, which presents a list of different research works examined in this study and provides key evidence derived from these studies. This includes listing details on the age, gender, ethnicity of the eyes assessed, the control variables, the technology used in the study, and even more. The database also delivers important findings and conclusions noted in each study assessed. Next, this paper analyses and discusses the magnitude of corneal Q value in various scenarios and the influence of different parameters on corneal Q value. To design visual optical products as well as to enhance the understanding of the optical properties of an eye, future studies could consider the database and work presented in this study as useful references. In addition, the work can be used to make informed decisions in clinical practice for designing visual optical products as well as to enhance the understanding of the optical properties of an Eye.
  11. Guo S, Yang X, Farizan NH, Samsudin S
    Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e36067.
    PMID: 39224395 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36067
    This study aims to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the quality of college physical dance education using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models and deep learning methods. The study introduces a teaching quality evaluation (TQE) model based on one-dimensional CNN, addressing issues such as subjectivity and inconsistent evaluation criteria in traditional assessment methods. By constructing a comprehensive TQE system comprising 24 evaluation indicators, this study innovatively applies deep learning technology to quantitatively assess the quality of physical dance education. This TQE model processes one-dimensional evaluation data by extracting local features through convolutional layers, reducing dimensions via pooling layers, and feeding feature vectors into a classifier through fully connected layers to achieve an overall assessment of teaching quality. Experimental results demonstrate that after 150 iterations of training and validation on the TQE model, convergence is achieved, with mean squared error (MSE) decreasing to 0.0015 and 0.0216 on the training and validation sets, respectively. Comparatively, the TQE model exhibits significantly lower MSE on the training, validation, and test sets compared to the Back-Propagation Neural Network, accompanied by a higher R2 value, indicating superior accuracy and performance in data fitting. Further analysis on robustness, parameter sensitivity, multi-scenario adaptability, and long-term learning capabilities reveals the TQE model's strong resilience and stability in managing noisy data, varying parameter configurations, diverse teaching contexts, and extended time-series data. In practical applications, the TQE model is implemented in physical dance courses at X College to evaluate teaching quality and guide improvement strategies for instructors, resulting in notable enhancements in teaching quality and student satisfaction. In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive evaluation of university physical dance education quality through a multidimensional assessment system and the application of the 1D-CNN model. It introduces a novel and effective approach to assessing teaching quality, providing a scientific foundation and practical guidance for future educational advancements.
  12. Rahman NA, Zon EM, Ismail EHE, Abdullah NAN, Wan Mohammad WMZ, Rahim RA, et al.
    PMID: 39224531 DOI: 10.18332/ejm/191737
    INTRODUCTION: Maternal positioning during labor significantly influences maternal comfort. This study aims to identify the preferred maternal lateral position during the latent phase and examine the impact of alignment between maternal lateralization and fetal spine positioning during the active phase of the first stage of labor on maternal comfort.

    METHODS: Pregnant women in the first stage of labor beyond 37 weeks of gestation were recruited over six months from March to August 2020 for this prospective cohort study at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Eligible individuals were randomly allocated to align with the fetal spine (n=180) or oppose it (n=180). Fetal spine positions were confirmed via transabdominal ultrasound. Maternal mean comfort scores were assessed using the established Maternal Comfort Assessment Tool. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27, with a p<0.05 considered significant.

    RESULTS: There was a significant association between the preferred maternal position during the latent phase and concordance with the same maternal lateralization-fetal spine alignment (p<0.001). Higher mean comfort scores were observed when the maternal lateral position matched the fetal spine alignment during the active phase of labor. There was a significant association of normal CTG tracings when the maternal position was aligned with the fetal spine (p<0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Parturients preferred lying in alignment with the fetal spine lateralization during the latent phase. This position also offers increased comfort during the active phase of labor. It highlights the importance of considering maternal-fetal alignment as a critical factor in intrapartum care.

  13. Chin HH, Lee LY, Kethiravan T, Gnanasegaram HK, Muhamad Hendri NA, Peng BC
    Cureus, 2024 Aug;16(8):e66046.
    PMID: 39224721 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66046
    Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) has lately drawn the interest of physicians and pathologists due to the ability of these monoclonal proteins to cause end-organ damage. The early detection of this monoclonal protein along with hematological studies and renal biopsy are essential to establish the associated nephropathological diagnosis. We herein describe the case of a patient with MGRS and the diagnostic entity involved. She responded well to the treatment as co-managed by a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, hematologists, and renal pathologists.
  14. Chantrapitak J, Salee P, Towachiraporn S, Kongkarnka S, Krasaewes K
    IDCases, 2024;37:e02060.
    PMID: 39224872 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02060
    Here we present a case of atypical manifestation of Sporothrix schenkii infection where the patient complained solely of lymphadenopathy without any prior noticeable skin lesions. A Thai female who had been working in Malaysia presented to a healthcare facility with a three-month history of progressively larger and more painful lymphadenopathy at her right chin.
  15. Seow SR, Mat S, Teoh JJ, Mohamad Yusup A, Rajab NF, Ismail IS, et al.
    J Rehabil Med, 2024 Sep 03;56:jrm39986.
    PMID: 39225040 DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.39986
    OBJECTIVE: This study delves into the intriguing connection between knee osteoarthritis and diabetes in Malaysia. Specifically, the exacerbation of knee osteoarthritis in the presence of diabetes in terms of symptoms, physical performance, physical activity, psychological status, social participation, and quality of life was discussed.

    DESIGN: This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged 50 and above by convenient sampling and grouped them into: knee osteoarthritis-diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis+diabetes-, knee osteoarthritis-diabetes+, and knee osteoarthritis+diabetes+.

    SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Of 436 recruited participants, 261 (59.8%) participants reported knee osteoarthritis.

    METHODS: Handgrip strength, Timed Up and Go test, 6 Meter Walk Test, and 5 Times Sit to Stand Test were measured using standardized procedures. Six questionnaires were administered for the remaining parameters.

    RESULTS: Across groups, there were significant differences: 6 Meter Walk Test (p = 0.024), Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.020), and 5 Times Sit to Stand Test (p 

    MeSH terms: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus/psychology; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Exercise/physiology; Hand Strength/physiology; Sedentary Lifestyle
  16. Liew YX, Kadir K, Phan CW, Leong KH, Kallarakkal TG, Tilakaratne WM
    Oral Dis, 2024 Sep;30(6):3591-3599.
    PMID: 38098264 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14835
    OBJECTIVE: To identify potential salivary biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: An advance search from PubMed and Hindawi was performed with keywords; oral leukoplakia/oral squamous cell carcinoma, salivary biomarker and diagnosis/prognosis. An additional search of articles was done through a manual search from the Google Scholar database.

    RESULTS: Twenty studies involving salivary biomarkers as diagnostic tools for oral squamous cell carcinoma and/or oral leukoplakia were identified. A narrative review was carried out.

    CONCLUSION: Single or multiple salivary biomarkers reported by most studies have shown great potential as diagnostic tools for oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia. However, the validation of sensitivity and specificity should be carried out to ensure the accuracy of the biomarkers. Furthermore, a standardised method for saliva collection should be established to prevent variability in the expression of biomarkers.

    MeSH terms: Humans
  17. Sedaghat AR, Campbell RG, Douglas RG, Fokkens WJ, Hamizan AW, Korban ZR, et al.
    Rhinology, 2024 Aug 31;62(34):1-37.
    PMID: 38829175 DOI: 10.4193/Rhin24.090
    BACKGROUND: With the recent proliferation of novel therapeutics for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), there is an immediate need for comprehensive means to assess CRSwNP disease status as well as to determine treatment efficacy. Outcome measures exist in different forms. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) allow patients to provide direct input about their condition that is not possible to obtain in any other way. Common constructs that are measured using PROMs include quality of life or the burden of disease manifestations (e.g., symptom severity). Outcomes may also include the results of objective diagnostic testing/measurement of clinical signs or measured using psychophysical tests. Biomarkers represent an emerging class of outcome measures for CRSwNP and are chosen to directly reflect the active pathophysiologic processes of CRSwNP in the peripheral blood, sinus/polyp tissues, and sinonasal mucus.

    METHODS: Narrative review of the literature, identifying and describing outcome measures that may be used in the evaluation of CRSwNP and for assessment of treatment responses.

    RESULTS: In this review, we identify many different outcome measures for CRSwNP that fall under the categories of PROM, objective test, psychophysical test or biomarker. We describe the history of each - including seminal studies - and demonstrate the formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations of each.

    CONCLUSIONS: PROMs, objective tests, psychophysical tests and biomarkers represent different classes of outcome measures that are complementary means of assessing CRSwNP disease status and treatment efficacy. The choice or interpretation of a CRSwNP outcome measure should be undertaken with full knowledge of its formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations.

    MeSH terms: Chronic Disease; Humans; Quality of Life; Biomarkers/analysis; Biomarkers/blood; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  18. Xin Z, Du Y, Zhang C, Zhang B, Qi M, Meng H, et al.
    J Neurosurg Spine, 2024 Sep 01;41(3):407-415.
    PMID: 38848604 DOI: 10.3171/2024.3.SPINE231161
    OBJECTIVE: Intraspinal cysts are uncommon, and the success rate of complete resection is still low for spinal neurenteric cysts (NCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacies of an anterior microscopic surgical approach in the treatment of ventral and ventrolateral subaxial cervical NCs (SCNCs).

    METHODS: Between 2019 and 2022, 9 patients with NCs of the subaxial spine underwent an anterior microsurgical approach. Their clinical presentations, radiological features, operative findings, and follow-up data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

    RESULTS: All spinal cysts were intradural and extramedullary in origin. Five patients were first-time cases while 4 patients with recurrence underwent revision surgery. The most common clinical manifestation was pain (77.78%). One patient was found to have a concomitant disorder of Klippel-Feil syndrome. Microscopically confirmed gross-total resection was achieved in 8 patients (88.89%) based on clinical comparisons between pre- and postoperative MRI and intraoperative video. One patient had symptom recurrence 1 year after subtotal resection, while there was no evidence of recurrence during follow-up for the other patients. Dense adhesions within the spinal cord were observed in 8 patients (88.89%) intraoperatively. Most importantly, the surgical outcome was significantly improved in all patients, and the mean (± SE) Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from 11.33 ± 0.91 preoperatively to 16.22 ± 0.32 postoperatively (p = 0.008).

    CONCLUSIONS: An anterior surgical approach was proven to be both safe and effective in treating the ventral or ventrolateral SCNCs. The authors believe that an anterior microsurgical approach should be considered as a useful approach especially in patients with ventral recurrent SCNCs. Its clinical efficacy compared with a posterior approach in ventral spinal cyst may be better as most of the neurenteric cysts are ventrally or ventrolaterally located.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Microsurgery/methods; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Neurosurgical Procedures/methods; Young Adult
  19. Uddin MJ, Economidou SN, Guiraud L, Kazi M, Alanazi FK, Douroumis D
    Mol Pharm, 2024 Sep 02;21(9):4465-4475.
    PMID: 39110837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00379
    Transdermal microneedles have demonstrated promising potential as an alternative to typical drug administration routes for the treatment of various diseases. As microneedles offer lower administration burden with enhanced patient adherence and reduced ecological footprint, there is a need for further exploitation of microneedle devices. One of the main objectives of this work was to initially develop an innovative biobased photocurable resin with high biobased carbon content comprising isobornyl acrylate (IBA) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate blends (50:50 wt/wt). The optimization of the printing and curing process resulted in μNe3dle arrays with durable mechanical properties and piercing capacity. Another objective of the work was to employ the 3D printed hollow μNe3dles for the treatment of osteoporosis in vivo. The 3D printed μNe3dle arrays were used to administer denosumab (Dmab), a monoclonal antibody, to osteoporotic mice, and the serum concentrations of critical bone minerals were monitored for six months to assess recovery. It was found that the Dmab administered by the 3D printed μNe3dles showed fast in vitro rates and induced an enhanced therapeutic effect in restoring bone-related minerals compared to subcutaneous injections. The findings of this study introduce a novel green approach with a low ecological footprint for 3D printing of biobased μNe3dles, which can be tailored to improve clinical outcomes and patient compliance for chronic diseases.
    MeSH terms: Denosumab/administration & dosage; Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacokinetics; Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry; Female; Needles; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Mice; Printing, Three-Dimensional*
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