Browse publications by year: 2024

Fulltext Energy-efficient routing protocol for reliable low-latency Internet of Things in oil and gas pipeline monitoring

Karam SN, Bilal K, Khan AN, Shuja J, Abdulkadir SJ

PeerJ Comput Sci, 2024;10:e1908.
PMID: 38435610 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.1908

The oil and gas industries (OGI) are the primary global energy source, with pipelines as vital components for OGI transportation. However, pipeline leaks pose significant risks, including fires, injuries, environmental harm, and property damage. Therefore, maintaining an effective pipeline maintenance system is critical for ensuring a safe and sustainable energy supply. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a cutting-edge technology for efficient OGI pipeline leak detection. However, deploying IoT in OGI monitoring faces significant challenges due to hazardous environments and limited communication infrastructure. Energy efficiency and fault tolerance, typical IoT concerns, gain heightened importance in the OGI context. In OGI monitoring, IoT devices are linearly deployed with no alternative communication mechanism available along OGI pipelines. Thus, the absence of both communication routes can disrupt crucial data transmission. Therefore, ensuring energy-efficient and fault-tolerant communication for OGI data is paramount. Critical data needs to reach the control center on time for faster actions to avoid loss. Low latency communication for critical data is another challenge of the OGI monitoring environment. Moreover, IoT devices gather a plethora of OGI parameter data including redundant values that hold no relevance for transmission to the control center. Thus, optimizing data transmission is essential to conserve energy in OGI monitoring. This article presents the Priority-Based, Energy-Efficient, and Optimal Data Routing Protocol (PO-IMRP) to tackle these challenges. The energy model and congestion control mechanism optimize data packets for an energy-efficient and congestion-free network. In PO-IMRP, nodes are aware of their energy status and communicate node's depletion status timely for network robustness. Priority-based routing selects low-latency routes for critical data to avoid OGI losses. Comparative analysis against linear LEACH highlights PO-IMRP's superior performance in terms of total packet transmission by completing fewer rounds with more packet's transmissions, attributed to the packet optimization technique implemented at each hop, which helps mitigate network congestion. MATLAB simulations affirm the effectiveness of the protocol in terms of energy efficiency, fault-tolerance, and low latency communication.
Fulltext FV-EffResNet: an efficient lightweight convolutional neural network for finger vein recognition

Tahir YS, Rosdi BA

PeerJ Comput Sci, 2024;10:e1837.
PMID: 38435623 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.1837

Several deep neural networks have been introduced for finger vein recognition over time, and these networks have demonstrated high levels of performance. However, most current state-of-the-art deep learning systems use networks with increasing layers and parameters, resulting in greater computational costs and complexity. This can make them impractical for real-time implementation, particularly on embedded hardware. To address these challenges, this article concentrates on developing a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) named FV-EffResNet for finger vein recognition, aiming to find a balance between network size, speed, and accuracy. The key improvement lies in the utilization of the proposed novel convolution block named the Efficient Residual (EffRes) block, crafted to facilitate efficient feature extraction while minimizing the parameter count. The block decomposes the convolution process, employing pointwise and depthwise convolutions with a specific rectangular dimension realized in two layers (n × 1) and (1 × m) for enhanced handling of finger vein data. The approach achieves computational efficiency through a combination of squeeze units, depthwise convolution, and a pooling strategy. The hidden layers of the network use the Swish activation function, which has been shown to enhance performance compared to conventional functions like ReLU or Leaky ReLU. Furthermore, the article adopts cyclical learning rate techniques to expedite the training process of the proposed network. The effectiveness of the proposed pipeline is demonstrated through comprehensive experiments conducted on four benchmark databases, namely FV-USM, SDUMLA, MMCBNU_600, and NUPT-FV. The experimental results reveal that the EffRes block has a remarkable impact on finger vein recognition. The proposed FV-EffResNet achieves state-of-the-art performance in both identification and verification settings, leveraging the benefits of being lightweight and incurring low computational costs.
Fulltext Methods for identification of the opportunistic gut mycobiome from colorectal adenocarcinoma biopsy tissues

Yunus A, Mokhtar NM, Raja Ali RA, Ahmad Kendong SM, Ahmad HF

MethodsX, 2024 Jun;12:102623.
PMID: 38435637 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102623

Colorectal cancer poses a significant threat to global health, necessitating the development of effective early detection techniques. However, the potential of the fungal microbiome as a putative biomarker for the detection of colorectal adenocarcinoma has not been extensively explored. We analyzed the viability of implementing the fungal mycobiome for this purpose. Biopsies were collected from cancer and polyp patients. The total genomic DNA was extracted from the biopsy samples by utilizing a comprehensive kit to ensure optimal microbial DNA recovery. To characterize the composition and diversity of the fungal mycobiome, high-throughput amplicon sequencing targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region was proposed. A comparative analysis revealed discrete fungal profiles among the diseased groups. Here, we also proposed pipelines based on a predictive model using statistical and machine learning algorithms to accurately differentiate colorectal adenocarcinoma and polyp patients from normal individuals. These findings suggest the utility of gut mycobiome as biomarkers for the detection of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Expanding our understanding of the role of the gut mycobiome in disease detection creates novel opportunities for early intervention and personalized therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer.•Detailed method to identify the gut mycobiome in colorectal cancer patients using ITS-specific amplicon sequencing.•Application of machine learning algorithms to the identification of potential mycobiome biomarkers for non-invasive colorectal cancer screening.•Contribution to the advancement of innovative colorectal cancer diagnostic methods and targeted therapies by applying gut mycobiome knowledge.
Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Biopolymer-Based Aerogels as Smart Platforms for Targeted Drug Delivery

Alkhalidi HM, Alahmadi AA, Rizg WY, Yahya EB, H P S AK, Mushtaq RY, et al.

Macromol Rapid Commun, 2024 May;45(9):e2300687.
PMID: 38430068 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300687

Cancer stands as a leading cause of global mortality, with chemotherapy being a pivotal treatment approach, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies. The primary goal of these therapies is to inhibit the growth of cancer cells specifically, while minimizing harm to healthy dividing cells. Conventional treatments, often causing patient discomfort due to side effects, have led researchers to explore innovative, targeted cancer cell therapies. Thus, biopolymer-based aerogels emerge as innovative platforms, showcasing unique properties that respond intelligently to diverse stimuli. This responsiveness enables precise control over the release of anticancer drugs, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. The significance of these aerogels lies in their ability to offer targeted drug delivery with increased efficacy, biocompatibility, and a high drug payload. In this comprehensive review, the author discuss the role of biopolymer-based aerogels as an emerging functionalized platforms in anticancer drug delivery. The review addresses the unique properties of biopolymer-based aerogels showing their smart behavior in responding to different stimuli including temperature, pH, magnetic and redox potential to control anticancer drug release. Finally, the review discusses the application of different biopolymer-based aerogel in delivering different anticancer drugs and also discusses the potential of these platforms in gene delivery applications.

MeSH terms: Animals; Biopolymers/chemistry; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Humans; Drug Delivery Systems*
Epidemiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current insights and future outlook

Su ZY, Siak PY, Lwin YY, Cheah SC

Cancer Metastasis Rev, 2024 Mar 02.
PMID: 38430391 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10176-9

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterised by its remarkable geographical and ethnic distribution. The interplay between genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections is indicated in the development of NPC. Exposure to tobacco smoking, dietary factors, and inhalants has been associated with the risk of NPC. Genetic association studies have revealed NPC-associated susceptibility loci, including genes involved in immune responses, xenobiotic metabolism, genome maintenance, and cell cycle regulation. EBV exposure timing and strain variation might play a role in its carcinogenicity, although further investigations are required. Other factors including medical history and oral hygiene have been implicated in NPC. Prevention strategies, including primary prevention and secondary prevention through early detection, are vital in reducing mortality and morbidity of NPC. The current review discusses the global and regional distribution of NPC incidences, the risk factors associated with NPC, and the public health implications of these insights. Future investigations should consider international, large-scale prospective studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying NPC pathogenesis and develop individualized interventions for NPC.
Carbide lime as substrates to boost energy recuperation and dyestuff removal in constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell integrated with copper oxide/carbon cloth cathode

Leow GY, Lam SM, Sin JC, Zeng H, Li H, Huang L, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Apr;31(16):23647-23663.
PMID: 38427169 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32637-y

Methylene blue (MB) was regarded as a highly toxic and hazardous substance owing to its irreparable hazard and deplorable damage on the ecosystem and the human body. The treatment of this colorant wastewater appeared to be one of the towering challenges in wastewater treatment. In this study, a microbial fuel cell coupled with constructed wetland (CW-MFC) with effective MB elimination and its energy recuperation concurrently based on the incorporation of carbide lime as a substrate in a new copper oxide-loaded on carbon cloth (CuO/CC) cathode system was studied. The crucial influencing parameters were also delved, and the MB degradation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were correspondingly incremented by 97.3% and 89.1% with maximum power output up to 74.1 mW m-2 at optimal conditions (0.2 g L-1 carbide lime loading and 500 Ω external resistance). The carbide lime with high calcium ion content was greatly conducive for the enrichment of critical microorganism and metabolic activities. The relative abundances of functional bacteria including Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were vividly increased. Moreover, the impressive results obtained in printed ink wastewater treatment with a COD removal efficiency of 81.3% and a maximum power density of 58.2 mW m-2, which showcased the potential application of CW-MFC.

MeSH terms: Bacteria; Bioelectric Energy Sources*; Copper; Electricity; Electrodes; Humans; Oxides; Calcium Compounds*; Ecosystem; Wetlands
Extensive intragenomic variations of the 18S rDNA V4 region in the toxigenic diatom species Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata revealed through high-throughput sequencing

Wang H, Liu K, He Z, Chen Y, Hu Z, Chen W, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2024 Apr;201:116198.
PMID: 38428045 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116198

Metabarcoding analysis is an effective technique for monitoring the domoic acid-producing Pseudo-nitzschia species in marine environments, uncovering high-levels of molecular diversity. However, such efforts may result in the overinterpretation of Pseudo-nitzschia species diversity, as molecular diversity not only encompasses interspecies and intraspecies diversities but also exhibits extensive intragenomic variations (IGVs). In this study, we analyzed the V4 region of the 18S rDNA of 30 strains of Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata collected from the coasts of China. The results showed that each P. multistriata strain harbored about a hundred of unique 18S rDNA V4 sequence varieties, of which each represented by a unique amplicon sequence variant (ASV). This study demonstrated the extensive degree of IGVs in P. multistriata strains, suggesting that IGVs may also present in other Pseudo-nitzschia species and other phytoplankton species. Understanding the scope and levels of IGVs is crucial for accurately interpreting the results of metabarcoding analysis.

MeSH terms: China; DNA, Ribosomal; Phytoplankton/genetics; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Fulltext Report for the Eighth Asian National Control Laboratory Network meeting in 2023: Self-sufficiency strategy of plasma-derived medicinal products and regulatory harmonisation

Choi CW, Choi Y, Maryuningsih YS, Wibisono B, Kim JW, Ramondrana D, et al.

Biologicals, 2024 Feb;85:101754.
PMID: 38428357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2024.101754

The Eighth Asian National Control Laboratory (NCL) Network meeting, entitled "Biological Products Quality Control and Self-Sufficiency Strategy focusing on plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs)" was held in Seoul on 31 August 2023. The participants were NCL experts from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the Republic of Korea. Special lectures included the PDMPs self-sufficiency strategies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, and a case study on Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) assessment for vaccines by the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The NCL delegates shared their current experiences with national lot releases and biological standardisation. The meeting contributed to a mutual understanding of the progress of the PDMPs self-sufficiency among Asian countries, the WHO's support strategies, and the NCL's plan for the preparation of the WHO GBT assessment. In the panel discussion, all participants agreed that building capacity in blood safety in the Asian region and harmonisation of relevant international regulatory requirements will support appropriate emergency preparedness, particularly source materials in the region, and will build the foundation for resolving the PDMPs supply insecurity that has worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic in some countries.

MeSH terms: Asia; Humans; Indonesia; World Health Organization; Republic of Korea
Prevalence and reasons for use of heated tobacco products among Malaysian adults who smoked: Findings from the 2020 International Tobacco Control Malaysia Survey

Noh MAM, Hairi FM, Nordin ASA, Yee A, Tajuddin NAA, Hasan SI, et al.

Drug Alcohol Depend, 2024 Apr 01;257:111131.
PMID: 38428371 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111131

INTRODUCTION: There have been rapid expansions in heated tobacco products (HTPs) outside of Japan and the Republic of Korea. In November 2018, HTPs were first introduced in Malaysia and since then, no studies have been conducted on Malaysians' use of HTPs. This study is the first to examine the prevalence of HTP use and reasons for use among Malaysian adults who smoked cigarettes.
METHODS: Data came from the 2020 ITC Malaysia Survey, a web-based survey of a nationally representative sample of adults who smoked (n=1047) aged 18 and older. They were asked on ever heard of, ever used, and currently using HTPs, and their reasons for using HTPs.
RESULTS: Overall, 25.4% (n= 324; 95% CI:22.3%-28.7%) of Malaysians who smoked reported ever used HTPs with 6.7% (n=85; 95% CI:22.3%-28.7%) were using them daily and 8.1% (n=110; 95% CI:6.4% -10.2%) were using HTPs non-daily. Most of them (57.2%) who dual use were of aged 25-39 and 97.3% were males. Among those who smoked daily, almost half (49.3%) were also using HTP daily. Among those who used HTPs daily and non-daily, curiosity (84.2%, 95% CI:78.4%-90.0%), taste (83.2%, 95% CI:77.3%-89.1%), and appealing technology (78.5%, 95% CI:71.3%-85.6%) were the most reported reasons. Among those who used HTPs daily, curiosity was the top reason (87.9%, 95% CI:78.9%-93.4%), while among non-daily, taste good was the top reason (81.9%, 95% CI:71.9%-88.8%).
CONCLUSIONS: The very high use of HTPs among Malaysians who smoked requires continued public health surveillance that can inform the regulation of these novel tobacco products.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Smoke; Prevalence; Tobacco Products*; Tobacco Use/epidemiology; Electronic Cigarettes*
Orbital and Optic Nerve Sheath Involvement and Pupil-Involving Cranial Nerve 3 Palsy in Giant Cell Arteritis

Dawoud SA, Ahmad NU, Shriver EM, Chung SM

J Rheumatol, 2024 Mar 01.
PMID: 38428963 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-1195

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can present with atypical presentations that are diagnostically challenging. An 84-year-old woman with a history of breast adenocarcinoma treated with lumpectomy and radiation 2 years prior presented with a seizure-like episode.
Teledentistry may help in detecting oral cancers in current GP and dentist shortages

Bradley P, Deane J, O'Hara J, Kennedy M, Carrard VC, Cheong SC, et al.

BMJ, 2024 Mar 01;384:q512.
PMID: 38428988 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q512
MeSH terms: Dentists; Humans; Telemedicine*
A genomic toolkit for winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

Ho WK, Tanzi AS, Sang F, Tsoutsoura N, Shah N, Moore C, et al.

Nat Commun, 2024 Mar 01;15(1):1901.
PMID: 38429275 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45048-x

A sustainable supply of plant protein is critical for future generations and needs to be achieved while reducing green house gas emissions from agriculture and increasing agricultural resilience in the face of climate volatility. Agricultural diversification with more nutrient-rich and stress tolerant crops could provide the solution. However, this is often hampered by the limited availability of genomic resources and the lack of understanding of the genetic structure of breeding germplasm and the inheritance of important traits. One such crop with potential is winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), a high seed protein tropical legume which has been termed 'the soybean for the tropics'. Here, we present a chromosome level winged bean genome assembly, an investigation of the genetic diversity of 130 worldwide accessions, together with two linked genetic maps and a trait QTL analysis (and expression studies) for regions of the genome with desirable ideotype traits for breeding, namely architecture, protein content and phytonutrients.

MeSH terms: Plant Breeding*; Agriculture; Soybeans; Genomics
Rice husk ash based growing media impact on cucumber and melon growth and quality

Li M, Ning XP, Gao TT, Fazry S, Othman BA, Najm AAK, et al.

Sci Rep, 2024 Mar 01;14(1):5147.
PMID: 38429352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55622-4

Rice husk, an agricultural waste from the rice industry, can cause serious environmental pollution if not properly managed. However, rice husk ash (RHA) has been found to have many positive properties, making it a potential replacement for non-renewable peat in soilless planting. Thus, this study investigated the impact of a RHA composite substrate on the growth, photosynthetic parameters, and fruit quality of cucumber (Yuyi longxiang variety) and melon (Yutian yangjiaomi variety). The RHA, peat, vermiculite, and perlite were blended in varying proportions, with the conventional seedling substrate (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 1:1:1 volume ratio) serving as the control (CK). All plants were cultivated in barrels filled with 10L of the mixed substrates. The results from this study found that RHA 40 (RHA:peat:vermiculite:perlite = 4:4:1:1 volume ratio) significantly enhanced substrate ventilation and positively influenced the stem diameter, root activity, seedling index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) of cucumber and melon plants. Additionally, plant planted using RHA 40, the individual fruit weight of cucumber and melon found to increase by 34.62% and 21.67%, respectively, as compared to the control. Aside from that, both cucumber and melon fruits had significantly higher sucrose, total soluble sugar, vitamin C, and soluble protein levels. This subsequently improved the activity of sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase in both cucumber and melon. In conclusion, the RHA 40 found to best promote cucumber and melon plant growth, increase plant leaf photosynthesis, and improve cucumber and melon fruit quality, making it a suitable substrate formula for cucumber and melon cultivation in place of peat.

MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide*; Aluminum Silicates*; Dietary Carbohydrates; Oryza*; Silicon Dioxide*; Soil; Cucumis sativus*; Cucurbitaceae*
Draft genome of novel cyanobacteria Sphaerothrix Gracilis isolated from coastal microplastics reveal insights to chemical ecology, bloom and plastic-utilization potential

Curren E, Kuwahara VS, Yoshida T, Leong SCY

Funct Integr Genomics, 2024 Mar 02;24(2):46.
PMID: 38429576 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01328-9

Cyanobacteria are oxygenic photosynthetic organisms which are found across many ecosystems, including freshwater and marine habitats. They are also found on natural and artificial surfaces. In this study, we cultured and characterise a novel cyanobacterium from the surfaces of foam microplastics of tropical coastal waters. We study the chemical ecology of this cyanobacterium, Sphaerothrix gracilis gen. et sp. nov., together with its potential to form harmful cyanobacterial blooms and bioremediation applications to combat plastic pollution. The genome of S. gracilis spanned 6.7 Mbp, with identification of antibiotic resistance, nitrogen-fixation, plastic-degrading and genes involved in harmful metabolite production. The transport of potentially harmful S. gracilis in coastal environments could have severe implications on human health and food security, especially in times of a cyanobacterial bloom.

MeSH terms: Humans; Nitrogen Fixation; Plastics/metabolism; Ecosystem*
Fulltext Geochemical dispersion of gold-bearing quartz veins in the Wadi Abu Khusheiba area in Southern Jordan

Mosleh M, Aziz JHA, Roselee MH, Al-Shorman A, Al Tamimi M, Alsoudi A

Geochem Trans, 2024 Mar 02;25(1):2.
PMID: 38429600 DOI: 10.1186/s12932-024-00085-9

This study delves into the geochemical dispersion of gold-bearing quartz veins in the Wadi Abu Khusheiba area, southern Jordan, with a focus on uncovering the complex patterns of mineralization and their geological significance. Employing an in-depth geochemical analysis of 24 rock samples from the region, we identified that these samples are predominantly hosted by oversaturated rhyolitic rocks, characterized by high SiO2 content and abundant free Quartz and orthoclase minerals. The mineralized zone of the quartz veins is particularly notable for its gold and silver concentrations, with maximum values reaching up to 5 ppm for gold and 18 ppm for silver. Our investigation into the elemental correlations revealed nuanced relationships, dependent on the 21 sample and analyzed at confidence level of (85%). Contrary to initial assumptions, we did not find a significant positive correlation between gold (Au) and arsenic (As), nor significant negative correlations between gold and other trace elements. These insights are critical for understanding the geochemical behavior of gold in the area and offer a nuanced view of elemental associations. The results of this study are significant for both academic research and practical exploration. They enhance our comprehension of the geological history and mineralization processes in Wadi Abu Khusheiba, providing valuable data that can inform future exploration strategies and deepen our understanding of mineral deposition in similar geological settings. This research not only contributes to the scientific community's knowledge of the area's geochemistry but also has potential implications for the mining and exploration industries.
Global migration and factors influencing retention of Asian internationally educated nurses: a systematic review

Ung DSK, Goh YS, Poon RYS, Lin YP, Seah B, Lopez V, et al.

Hum Resour Health, 2024 Mar 01;22(1):17.
PMID: 38429767 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-024-00900-5

BACKGROUND: Given nurses' increasing international mobility, Asian internationally educated nurses (IENs) represent a critical human resource highly sought after within the global healthcare workforce. Developed countries have grown excessively reliant on them, leading to heightened competition among these countries. Hence, this review aims to uncover factors underlying the retention of Asian IENs in host countries to facilitate the development of more effective staff retention strategies.
METHODS: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-method systematic review. A search was undertaken across the following electronic databases for studies published in English during 2013-2022: CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Two of the researchers critically appraised included articles independently using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2018). A data-based convergent integrated approach was adopted for data synthesis.
RESULTS: Of the 27 included articles (19 qualitative and eight quantitative), five each were conducted in Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia), Australia and Europe (Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom); four each in the United States and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait); two in Canada; and one each in New Zealand and South Africa. Five themes emerged from the data synthesis: (1) desire for better career prospects, (2) occupational downward mobility, (3) inequality in career advancement, (4) acculturation and (5) support system.
CONCLUSION: This systematic review investigated the factors influencing AMN retention and identified several promising retention strategies: granting them permanent residency, ensuring transparency in credentialing assessment, providing equal opportunities for career advancement, instituting induction programmes for newly employed Asian IENs, enabling families to be with them and building workplace social support. Retention strategies that embrace the Asian IENs' perspectives and experiences are envisioned to ensure a sustainable nursing workforce.

MeSH terms: Health Personnel; Humans; Nursing Staff*; Personnel Turnover; Emigrants and Immigrants*
Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) in relation to respiratory symptoms and lung function of school-aged children in Kuala Lumpur

Suhaimi NF, Jalaludin J, Roslan NIS

Int J Environ Health Res, 2024 Mar;34(3):1384-1396.
PMID: 37160687 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2211020

Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) exposure has been connected to significant health impacts among children. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among school children in Malaysia to determine the relationship between their exposure to TRAP and respiratory health effects. Air monitoring was conducted in schools and residences, while the children's routines were investigated using a diary of daily activities. Respondents' background and respiratory symptoms were obtained from a validated questionnaire, while a spirometry test was performed to determine their lung function status. The distances between schools and residences from the had contributed to the higher concentration of air pollutants in this study, which had associations with the children's respiratory symptoms and lung function status. PM2.5 was the main predictor influencing the respondents' respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities. In conclusion, exposure of school children to a high TRAP level might increase their risk of getting respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction.

MeSH terms: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Lung; Particulate Matter/analysis; Particulate Matter/toxicity
A review of CRISPR-Cas and PCR-based methods for the detection of animal species in the food chain-current challenges and future prospects

Sultana S, Azlan A, Mohd Desa MN, Mahyudin NA, Anburaj A

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess, 2024 Mar;41(3):213-227.
PMID: 38284970 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2304577

Regular testing and systematic investigation play a vital role to ensure product safety. Until now, the existing food authentication techniques have been based on proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid-based assays. Among various deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based methods, the recently developed Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) based bio-sensing is an innovative and fast-expanding technology. The CRISPR/Cas-9 is known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats due to the flexibility and simplicity of the CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific editing tool has been applied in many biological research areas such as Gene therapy, cell line development, discovering mechanisms of disease, and drug discovery. Nowadays, the CRISPR-Cas system has also been introduced into food authentication via detecting DNA barcodes of poultry and livestock both in processed and unprocessed food samples. This review documents various DNA based approaches, in an accessible format. Future CRISPR technologies are forecast while challenges are outlined.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; DNA/genetics; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Food Chain*; CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Microbial nanotechnology for agriculture, food, and environmental sustainability: Current status and future perspective

Kour D, Khan SS, Kumari S, Singh S, Khan RT, Kumari C, et al.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 2024 Feb 29.
PMID: 38421484 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01147-2

The field of nanotechnology has the mysterious capacity to reform every subject it touches. Nanotechnology advancements have already altered a variety of scientific and industrial fields. Nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm (nm) are of great scientific and commercial interest. Their functions and characteristics differ significantly from those of bulk metal. Commercial quantities of NPs are synthesized using chemical or physical methods. The use of the physical and chemical approaches remained popular for many years; however, the recognition of their hazardous effects on human well-being and conditions influenced serious world perspectives for the researchers. There is a growing need in this field for simple, non-toxic, clean, and environmentally safe nanoparticle production methods to reduce environmental impact and waste and increase energy productivity. Microbial nanotechnology is relatively a new field. Using various microorganisms, a wide range of nanoparticles with well-defined chemical composition, morphology, and size have been synthesized, and their applications in a wide range of cutting-edge technological areas have been investigated. Green synthesis of the nanoparticles is cost-efficient and requires low maintenance. The present review highlights the synthesis of the nanoparticles by different microbes, their characterization, and their biotechnological potential. It further deals with the applications in biomedical, food, and textile industries as well as its role in biosensing, waste recycling, and biofuel production.
Harnessing the potential of mutation breeding, CRISPR genome editing, and beyond for sustainable agriculture

Nor A'azizam NM, Chopra S, Guleria P, Kumar V, Abd Rahim MH, Yaacob JS

Funct Integr Genomics, 2024 Feb 29;24(2):44.
PMID: 38421529 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01325-y

By 2050, the global population is projected to exceed 9.5 billion, posing a formidable challenge to ensure food security worldwide. To address this pressing issue, mutation breeding in horticultural crops, utilizing physical or chemical methods, has emerged as a promising biotechnological strategy. However, the efficacy of these mutagens can be influenced by various factors, including biological and environmental variables, as well as targeted plant materials. This review highlights the global challenges related to food security and explores the potential of mutation breeding as an indispensable biotechnological tool in overcoming food insecurity. This review also covers the emergence of CRISPR-Cas9, a breakthrough technology offering precise genome editing for the development of high-yield, stress-tolerant crops. Together, mutation breeding and CRISPR can potentially address future food demands. This review focuses into these biotechnological advancements, emphasizing their combined potential to fortify global food security in the face of a booming population.

MeSH terms: Plant Breeding*; Agriculture; Mutation; Crops, Agricultural/genetics; Gene Editing*

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