Browse publications by year: 2024

  1. Khoo EJ, Zilfalil BA, Thong MK, Yong SC, Chee SC, Lee JK, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jul;79(4):494-497.
    PMID: 39086351
    The Academy of Medicine of Malaysia College of Paediatrics acknowledges the role of children in research and this position statement explores the ethical considerations in obtaining assent from minors in the Malaysian context. It highlights the importance in respecting children's agency and navigating cultural complexities. The College proposes flexibility in the minimum age for assent of at least nine years old, while emphasising the need for a tailored assent procedure. Addressing language and cultural diversities and expanding local empirical research on a formal assent process are some building blocks in developing a standardised nationwide process in obtaining assent from children.
    MeSH terms: Child; Humans; Malaysia; Biomedical Research/standards; Biomedical Research/ethics
  2. Kumar J, Naina Mohamed I, Mohamed R, Ugusman A, Muzaimi M, Mohamed W, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2024;15:1428492.
    PMID: 39086393 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1428492
    Despite extensive preclinical research over the years, a significant gap remains in our understanding of the specific effects of methamphetamine (METH) and amphetamine (AMPH) withdrawal. Understanding these differences could be pivotal to unveiling the unique pathophysiology underlying each stimulant. This may facilitate the development of targeted and effective treatment strategies tailored to the specific characteristics of each substance. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review was conducted to examine alterations in spontaneous locomotor activity, specifically horizontal activity, in animals experiencing withdrawal from extended and repeated administration of AMPH or METH. Original articles were retrieved from four electronic databases, supplemented by a review of the references cited in the published papers. A total of thirty-one full-length articles (n = 31) were incorporated in the analysis. The results indicated that six studies documented a significant increase in horizontal activity among animals, seven studies reported decreased locomotion, and eighteen studies (8 AMPH; 10 METH) reported no significant alterations in the animals' locomotor activity. Studies reporting heightened locomotion mainly employed mice undergoing withdrawal from METH, studies reporting diminished locomotion predominantly involved rats undergoing withdrawal from AMPH, and studies reporting no significant changes in horizontal activity employed both rats and mice (12 rats; 6 mice). Drug characteristics, routes of administration, animal models, dosage regimens, duration, and assessment timing seem to influence the observed outcomes. Despite more than 50% of papers enlisted in this review indicate no significant changes in the locomotion during the stimulant withdrawal, the unique reactions of animals to withdrawal from METH and AMPH reported by some underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding of stimulant withdrawal.
  3. Alimohammadi-Kamalabadi M, Ziaei S, Hasani M, Mohammadi S, Mehrbod M, Morvaridi M, et al.
    Health Sci Rep, 2024 Aug;7(8):e2276.
    PMID: 39086509 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2276
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vitamin D deficiency impacts a significant proportion of the world's population, and this deficiency has been linked to various conditions characterized by imbalanced serotonin regulation. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum serotonin levels.

    METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central for Randomized Clinical Trials, and Web of Science up to September 2022, without any language restrictions. The effect sizes were calculated using the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

    RESULTS: Six randomized clinical trials involving 356 participants were included in the analysis. Our findings indicated no significant changes in serotonin levels between the intervention and control groups (SMD: 0.24 ng/mL, 95% CI: -0.28, 0.75, p > 0.10). Subgroup analysis also did not reveal any significant changes in serotonin levels among children, participants with autism spectrum disorders, interventions lasting 10 weeks or longer, or those receiving vitamin D doses below 4000 IU/day.

    CONCLUSION: Although the results obtained in this systematic review are inconclusive, they support the need for further well-designed randomized trials to assess the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in regulating serotonin levels and potentially ameliorating depression and related disorders.

  4. Jiang Y, Yusoff NM, Du J, Moses EJ, Lin JT
    World J Stem Cells, 2024 Jul 26;16(7):760-772.
    PMID: 39086561 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i7.760
    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant health challenge, characterized by its widespread prevalence, intricate natural progression and multifaceted pathogenesis. Although NAFLD initially presents as benign fat accumulation, it may progress to steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized for their intrinsic self-renewal, superior biocompatibility, and minimal immunogenicity, positioning them as a therapeutic innovation for liver diseases. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the potential roles of MSCs in alleviating the progression of NAFLD by alteration of underlying molecular pathways, including glycolipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and fibrosis. The insights are expected to provide further understanding of the potential of MSCs in NAFLD therapeutics, and support the development of MSC-based therapy in the treatment of NAFLD.
  5. Soon B, Ismail F, Nik Ezzamudden M, Mohamed Mukari SA, Mustapha Mohd Mustapha AW, Mohd Kalok AH, et al.
    J Radiosurg SBRT, 2024;9(2):171-175.
    PMID: 39087062
    Brain metastases during pregnancy poses complex conundrum in management. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) offers valuable option to clinicians in this scenario. We reviewed and described the safety and effectiveness of Gamma Knife (GK) SRS in treating a solitary cerebellar metastasis in a patient with recurrent breast cancer at 28 weeks of gestation. Following multidisciplinary discussion, she consented for urgent single session GK SRS to the brain metastasis with 2 cycles of 3-weekly paclitaxel chemotherapy prior to planned delivery at term. Prior to the frame-based treatment, a trial run with dosimeters placed on the superior and inferior parts of foam knee support showed radiation exposure of 3.12 mSv and 1.06 mSv respectively. A prescription dose of 16 Gy at the 50% isodose was delivered using 24 isocentres over 39.7' of beam on time. The treatment plan had 98% coverage, 89% selectivity and a gradient index of 2.98. Dosimeters placed near the uterine fundus and suprapubic region (consistent with location of fetal head) during the actual treatment recorded 2.83 mSv and 0.27 mSv, which is lower than the trial dosimeter readings. The patient successfully completed SRS treatment and gave birth to a healthy baby two months later. Follow-up MRI at three months interval showed total resolution of the lesion. GK SRS is known for the lowest extracranial dose compared to other SRS modalities. This report and literature review confirmed that GK is a sharp and effective, yet gentle and safe treatment for pregnant patients with brain metastases.
  6. Tajudin ANA, Anuwar AHK, Marhazlinda J, Yusof ZYM
    J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2024 Jul;48(4):38-44.
    PMID: 39087212 DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2024.076
    Disadvantaged schoolchildren from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds face persistent oral health inequalities, specifically dental caries, and periodontal diseases. This protocol aims to review the effectiveness of promotive and preventive oral health interventions for improving the oral health of primary schoolchildren in these areas. We will search the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Dentistry and Oral Sciences databases for studies published from 2000-2023. The review includes randomised/nonrandomised controlled trials and community trials evaluating the effectiveness of promotive and preventive oral health interventions on at least one of these outcomes: changes in dental caries status, periodontal disease status, oral hygiene status/practices, sugar consumption, or smoking behaviours. Two reviewers will independently assess the searched articles, extract the data, and assess the risk of bias in the studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) for randomised controlled trials and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) for non-randomised controlled trials. Both narrative and quantitative analyses will be conducted. However, only narrative synthesis will be performed if the data are substantially heterogeneous. The synthesised evidence from this review can inform policymakers on evidence-based interventions to improve the oral health outcomes of schoolchildren from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022344898).
    MeSH terms: Child; Health Promotion/methods; Humans; Oral Health*; Oral Hygiene; Dental Care for Children/methods; Vulnerable Populations*
  7. Zahra KT, Marhazlinda J, Yusof ZYM
    J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2024 Jul;48(4):74-85.
    PMID: 39087217 DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2024.081
    The Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP) index was developed to assess children's oral health-related quality of life. This study aimed to culturally adapt the self-administered Child-OIDP index into Urdu, evaluate its psychometric properties, and provide an initial estimate of oral impacts among 11-12-year-old children in Lahore, Pakistan. The translation of the Child-OIDP index from English to Urdu was performed, and the content and face validity of the initial Urdu version were evaluated by experts and 11-12-year-old children, respectively. The psychometric properties of the Urdu Child-OIDP were assessed by administering the index to 264 children aged 11-12 from five schools in the Lahore district. Psychometric properties were evaluated using criterion and construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and global self-rated oral items, followed by an oral examination. The standardized Cronbach's alpha was 0.77, and the weighted Kappa was 0.94 (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98). The index exhibited significant associations with subjective outcome measures, dental problem history, and dental caries status (p = 0.001). Children reporting poor oral health, lower satisfaction with oral health, and experiencing oral impacts demonstrated higher Child-OIDP scores. Additionally, children with dental caries and perceived treatment needs exhibited higher Child-OIDP scores, indicating poorer Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). The prevalence of oral impacts was 88.3% (mean score = 17.8, standard deviation (SD) =14.7). Eating performance was the most affected while speaking was the performance least affected, while toothache and sensitive teeth were identified as the two most common causes of oral impacts. Toothache was the primary cause of condition-specific impacts, responsible for the majority of oral impacts. This study demonstrates that the self-administered Urdu Child-OIDP index is a valid and reliable tool for assessing OHRQoL among 11-12-year-old children in Lahore, Pakistan.
  8. Hidzir H, Hairi NN, Kamaruzzaman SB, Awang H
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2024 Jul;36(5):486-492.
    PMID: 38840495 DOI: 10.1177/10105395241257987
    Frailty is identified in middle-aged and older adults, and frail individuals are vulnerable to dependency and poor health. In this study, we analyzed nationally representative data that includes 5592 participants aged 40 years and above to determine the prevalence and factors associated with frailty among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in Malaysia. Using a 40-item Frailty Index, the overall prevalence of frailty and prefrailty was 19.5% and 64.1%, respectively. A total of 38.6% of older adults (≥60 years) were frail and 56.2% were prefrail. Among middle-aged adults (<60 years), the prevalence of frailty was 10.4% and that of prefrailty was 67.9%. Factors associated with frailty include older age, ethnicity, low education and income level, moderate to poor self-rated health, abdominal obesity, absence of a spouse, and previous history of falls. These findings may serve as evidence for the implementation of a frailty policy and health care planning in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data
  9. Latif M, Nasir N, Nawaz R, Nasim I, Sultan K, Irshad MA, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jun 11;14(1):13416.
    PMID: 38862670 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63296-1
    The aim of the present study was to assess the drinking water quality in the selected urban areas of Lahore and to comprehend the public health status by addressing the basic drinking water quality parameters. Total 50 tap water samples were collected from groundwater in the two selected areas of district Lahore i.e., Gulshan-e-Ravi (site 1) and Samanabad (site 2). Water samples were analyzed in the laboratory to elucidate physico-chemical parameters including pH, turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness, magnesium hardness, and calcium hardness. These physico-chemical parameters were used to examine the Water Quality Index (WQI) and Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) in order to characterize the water quality. Results of th selected physico-chemical parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to determine the quality of drinking water. A GIS-based approach was used for mapping water quality, WQI, and SPI. Results of the present study revealed that the average value of temperature, pH, and DO of both study sites were within the WHO guidelines of 23.5 °C, 7.7, and 6.9 mg/L, respectively. The TDS level of site 1 was 192.56 mg/L (within WHO guidelines) and whereas, in site 2 it was found 612.84 mg/L (higher than WHO guidelines), respectively. Calcium hardness of site 1 and site 2 was observed within the range from 25.04 to 65.732 mg/L but, magnesium hardness values were higher than WHO guidelines. The major reason for poor water quality is old, worn-out water supply pipelines and improper waste disposal in the selected areas. The average WQI was found as 59.66 for site 1 and 77.30 for site 2. Results showed that the quality of the water was classified as "poor" for site 1 and "very poor " for site 2. There is a need to address the problem of poor water quality and also raise the public awareness about the quality of drinking water and its associated health impacts.
    MeSH terms: Cities; Humans; Pakistan; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Water Pollution/analysis; Water Supply/standards; Geographic Information Systems; Groundwater/analysis; Groundwater/chemistry; Water Quality*
  10. Sorokowski P, Misiak M, Roberts SC, Kowal M, Butovskaya M, Omar-Fauzee MS, et al.
    Biol Lett, 2024 Jun;20(6):20240120.
    PMID: 38863390 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0120
    What makes an odour pleasant or unpleasant? The inherent properties of the constituent chemical compounds, or the nose of the beholder, driven by idiosyncratic differences and culture-specific learning? Here, 582 individuals, including Tanzanian Hadza hunter-gatherers, Amazonian Tsimane' horticulturalists, Yali from the Papuan highlands and two industrialized populations (Poles, Malaysians), rated the pleasantness of 15 odour samples. We find considerable similarities in odour assessments across cultures, but our data do not fully support a claim regarding the universality of smell preferences. Despite cross-cultural similarities in olfactory assessments, probably driven by odour properties, we suggest that odour availability in ecological and cultural niches bears an undeniable effect on human odour preferences.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Africa, Eastern; Cross-Cultural Comparison*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Odors*; Poland; Smell/physiology; Olfactory Perception; Young Adult
  11. Grande SW, Kotzbauer G, Hunt S, Tan KY, Yagnik S, Ellenbogen M, et al.
    Gerontologist, 2024 Aug 01;64(8).
    PMID: 38864593 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnae071
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Older adults experiencing neurocognitive disease (NCD) contend with complex care often characterized by high emotional strain. Mitigating complex care with decision support tools can clarify options. When used in conjunction with the practice of shared decision making (SDM), these tools can improve satisfaction and confidence in treatment. The use of these tools for cognitive health has increased, but more is needed to understand how these tools incorporate social needs into treatment plans.

    RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an environmental scan using a MEDLINE-informed search strategy and feedback from an expert steering committee to characterize current tools and approaches for engaging older adults experiencing NCD. We assessed their application and development, incorporation of social determinants, goals or preferences, and inclusion of caregivers in their design.

    RESULTS: We identified 11 articles, 7 of which show that SDM helps guide tool development and that most center on clinical decision making. Types of tools varied by clinical site and those differences reflected patient need. A collective value across tools was their use to forge meaningful conversations. Most tools appeared designed without the explicit goal to elicit patient social needs or incorporate nonclinical strategies into treatment plans.

    DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Several challenges and opportunities exist that center on strategies to engage patients in the design and testing of tools that support conversations with clinicians about cognitive health. Future work should focus on building and testing adaptable tools that support patient and family social care needs beyond clinical care settings.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Decision Support Techniques; Humans; Caregivers/psychology; Patient Preference
  12. Abouelazayem M, Jain R, Wilson MSJ, Martinino A, Balasubaramaniam V, Biffl W, et al.
    Surg Endosc, 2024 Aug;38(8):4402-4414.
    PMID: 38886232 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10881-0
    BACKGROUND: There is little international data on morbidity and mortality of surgery for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). This study aimed to understand the global 30-day morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing surgery for PPU and to identify variables associated with these.

    METHOD: We performed an international study of adults (≥ 18 years) who underwent surgery for PPU from 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022. Patients who were treated conservatively or had an underlying gastric cancer were excluded. Patients were divided into subgroups according to age (≤ 50 and > 50 years) and time from onset of symptoms to hospital presentation (≤ 24 and > 24 h). Univariate and Multivariate analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with higher 30-day morbidity and mortality.

    RESULTS:  1874 patients from 159 centres across 52 countries were included. 78.3% (n = 1467) of the patients were males and the median (IQR) age was 49 years (25). Thirty-day morbidity and mortality were 48.5% (n = 910) and 9.3% (n = 174) respectively. Median (IQR) hospital stay was 7 (5) days. Open surgery was performed in 80% (n = 1505) of the cohort. Age > 50 years [(OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2), (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 3.1-7.6)], female gender [(OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.3), (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.9)], shock on admission [(OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.7), (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 3.2-7.1)], and acute kidney injury [(OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.9-3.2), (OR = 3.9), 95% CI 2.7-5.6)] were associated with both 30-day morbidity and mortality. Delayed presentation was associated with 30-day morbidity [OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6], but not mortality.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that surgery for PPU was associated with high 30-day morbidity and mortality rate. Age, female gender, and signs of shock at presentation were associated with both 30-day morbidity and mortality.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications/etiology; Postoperative Complications/mortality; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Global Health
  13. Hill R, Stentiford GD, Walker DI, Baker-Austin C, Ward G, Maskrey BH, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2024 Jun 22;15(1):5324.
    PMID: 38909028 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49417-4
    One Health is a recognition of the shared environment inhabited by humans, animals and plants, and the impact of their interactions on the health of all organisms. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a framework of pathogen surveillance in a tractable One Health paradigm to allow timely detection and response to threats to human and animal health. We present case studies centered around the recent global approach to tackle antimicrobial resistance and the current interest in wastewater testing, with the concept of "one sample many analyses" to be further explored as the most appropriate means of initiating this endeavor.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Global Health; Pandemics/prevention & control
  14. Chen X, Wong JW, Low JT, Lok TJ, Xue Y, Zeng Z, et al.
    ACS Macro Lett, 2024 Aug 20;13(8):1037-1042.
    PMID: 39078044 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00266
    Catalyst-free, volatile organic solvent (VOC)-free synthesis of biobased cross-linked polymers is an important sustainable feature in polyesterification. To date, these polyesters have been extensively studied for their fundamental sustainability across various uses. The ultimate potential sustainability for these materials, however, is constrained to static structural parts due to their intractable rigid three-dimensional (3D) network. Here, we reveal intrinsic dynamic exchangeable bonds within this type of cross-linked semicrystalline network, poly(1,8-octanediol-co-1,12-docanedioate-co-citrate) (PODDC), enabling permanent shape reconfigurability. Annealing at slightly above melting-transition temperature (Tm) allows for shape reconfigurability up to nine times, comparable in performance to the existing bond-exchange systems. No reagents are involved from synthesis to shape reconfiguration, suggesting an exciting feature exhibited by this sustainable cross-linked material without the need for further chemical modification. We further extend this benefit of reconfigurability to enable flexible shape design in a smart shape-memory polymer (SMP), showing it as one of its potential applications. After its applications, it can undergo hydrolytic degradation. We envision that such multifaceted sustainability for the material will attract interest in environmentally friendly applications such as fabricating external part of soft robots and shape-morphing devices with reduced environmental impact.
  15. Dewani AP, Rab SO, Tripathi P, Shrivastava S, Tripathi R, Tripathi AS, et al.
    Indian J Pharmacol, 2024 May 01;56(3):178-185.
    PMID: 39078181 DOI: 10.4103/ijp.ijp_562_23
    OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effect of sildenafil on the pharmacokinetics of metformin was studied in experimental rats, and we also postulated the molecular mechanism by performing molecular docking studies.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of metformin and sildenafil (SIL) from rat plasma was done by high performance liquid chromatography. Optimum chromatographic separation and quantification of MET, SIL and Cetirizine was achieved on Phenomenex EVO C18 column with triethyl amine (0.3%): Methanol: Acetonitrile (70:05:25 v/v) as mobile phase maintaining flow rate of 1 ml/min, the detector was tuned at 224 nm. The extraction of MET and sildenafil from rat plasma was achieved by solid-phase extraction using Strata-X cartridges. The method was validated as per the ICH guidelines. For docking studies, the crystal structure of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) protein and multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) protein (5XJJ) were downloaded from the PubChem database. The docking study was performed by PyRx virtual screening software, and the results were analyzed by BIOVIA Discovery Studio.

    RESULTS: The validation of HPLC method was done, intraday and interday precision study of HPLC method demonstrated %RSD values less than 5%, the extraction recovery for MET and SIL were near to 80 % for low, medium and high QC samples. The plasma stability of MET and SIL showed % RSD values <10% for low, medium, and high QC samples. A sensitivity study for MET and SIL in rat plasma suggested a lower limit of quantification values of 8 and 10 ng/mL, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters were recorded, Cmax of experimental and control rats was 611.2 and 913.2 ng/mL; t1/2 1.66 and 1.98, AUC (0-t) 1637.5 and 2727.24, AUC (0-∞) 1832.38 and 2995.24 for MET. The results suggested that the Cmax of MET in experimental rats (MET + SIL) was 33.07% lower than the control (MET only) and also the t1/2 was 0.32 h shorter. Docking analysis suggested a higher binding affinity of sildenafil with MATE protein (5XJJ) compared to OCT1, suggesting possible involvement of MATE family proteins for pharmacokinetic alterations of MET.

    CONCLUSIONS: The HPLC and solid-phase extraction method were developed and applied successfully for the pharmacokinetics of MET and SIL. Intake of SIL altered the pharmacokinetics of MET in rats. Molecular docking studies suggested the involvement of MATE family proteins for alterations of MET pharmacokinetics.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods; Drug Interactions; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacokinetics; Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry; Male; Rats, Wistar; Rats; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  16. Xi L, Weibing X, Shuyong F, Sheng-Hua L, Xiong F, Chin-Ping T, et al.
    Food Funct, 2024 Jul 30.
    PMID: 39078268 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo01989j
    Blackberry polysaccharides with certain molecular weight distribution have good bioactivity. In this research, type 2 diabetes mice were used to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of blackberry polysaccharides with three different molecular weights, BBP (603.59 kDa), BBP-8 (408.13 kDa) and BBP-24 (247.62 kDa), through gut microbiota modulation. Blackberry polysaccharides exhibited stronger hypoglycemic activity after degradation, and the FBG of BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 was reduced to 20.21 ± 4.17 mmol L-1, 20.6 ± 7.23 mmol L-1 and 17.32 ± 6.59 mmol L-1 and OGTT-AUC was reduced by 14.76%, 19.80% and 25.04%, respectively, after 8-week intervention. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 could reshape the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. From 0 to 4 weeks, the F/B of BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 reduced by 56.44%, 47.19% and 62.04%, reaching 3.39, 6.54, and 3.11 in the 8th week, respectively, which suggested the faster utilization of BBP-24. Moreover, the intervention the three blackberry polysaccharides increased the relative abundance of the targeted beneficial bacteria Oscillospira and Bacteroidaceae Bacteroides and decreased the relative abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Allobaculum. In general, the result demonstrated that blackberry polysaccharides with a lower molecular weight are more easily fermented, making the theoretical basis for the development of blackberry polysaccharides as a probiotic food to rapidly regulate intestinal flora for type 2 diabetes.
  17. Al-Aboosi AM, Sheikh Abdullah SNH, Ismail R, Abdul Maulud KN, Nahar L, Zainol Ariffin KA, et al.
    JMIR Hum Factors, 2024 Jul 30;11:e48139.
    PMID: 39078685 DOI: 10.2196/48139
    BACKGROUND: The enormous consequences of drugs include suicides, traffic accidents, and violence, affecting the individual, family, society, and country. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly identify and monitor the drug abuse rate among school-going youth. A geospatial dashboard is vital for the monitoring of drug abuse and related crime incidence in a decision support system.

    OBJECTIVE: This paper mainly focuses on developing MyAsriGeo, a geospatial drug abuse risk assessment and monitoring dashboard tailored for school students. It introduces innovative functionality, seamlessly orchestrating the assessment of drug abuse usage patterns and risks using multivariate student data.

    METHODS: A geospatial drug abuse dashboard for monitoring and analysis was designed and developed in this study based on agile methodology and prototyping. Using focus group and interviews, we first examined and gathered the requirements, feedback, and user approval of the MyAsriGeo dashboard. Experts and stakeholders such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency, police, the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, school instructors, students, and researchers were among those who responded. A total of 20 specialists were involved in the requirement analysis and acceptance evaluation of the pilot and final version of the dashboard. The evaluation sought to identify various user acceptance aspects, such as ease of use and usefulness, for both the pilot and final versions, and 2 additional factors based on the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire and Task-Technology Fit models were enlisted to assess the interface quality and dashboard sufficiency for the final version.

    RESULTS: The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard was designed to meet the needs of all user types, as identified through a requirement gathering process. It includes several key functions, such as a geospatial map that shows the locations of high-risk areas for drug abuse, data on drug abuse among students, tools for assessing the risk of drug abuse in different areas, demographic information, and a self-problem test. It also includes the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test and its risk assessment to help users understand and interpret the results of student risk. The initial prototype and final version of the dashboard were evaluated by 20 experts, which revealed a significant improvement in the ease of use (P=.047) and usefulness (P=.02) factors and showed a high acceptance mean scores for ease of use (4.2), usefulness (4.46), interface quality (4.29), and sufficiency (4.13).

    CONCLUSIONS: The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is useful for monitoring and analyzing drug abuse among school-going youth in Malaysia. It was developed based on the needs of various stakeholders and includes a range of functions. The dashboard was evaluated by a group of experts. Overall, the MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is a valuable resource for helping stakeholders understand and respond to the issue of drug abuse among youth.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Male; Schools; Students*; User-Computer Interface; Focus Groups; Risk Assessment/methods
  18. Nassiri-Ansari T, Jose A, Razif SKS, Rhule ELM
    PLOS Glob Public Health, 2024;4(7):e0003307.
    PMID: 39078803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003307
External Links