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Fulltext Mobile Apps Leveraged in the COVID-19 Pandemic in East and South-East Asia: Review and Content Analysis

Lee B, Ibrahim SA, Zhang T

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 2021 11 11;9(11):e32093.
PMID: 34748515 DOI: 10.2196/32093

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic increased attention to digital tools to support governmental public health policies in East and South-East Asia. Mobile apps related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to emerge and evolve with a wide variety of characteristics and functions. However, there is a paucity of studies evaluating such apps in this region, with most of the available studies conducted in the early days of the pandemic.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine free apps developed or supported by governments in the East and South-East Asian region and highlight their key characteristics and functions. We also sought to interpret how the release dates of these apps were related to the commencement dates of other COVID-19 public health policies.
METHODS: We systematically searched for apps in Apple App Store and Google Play Store and analyzed the contents of eligible apps. Mobile apps released or updated with COVID-19-related functions between March 1 and May 7, 2021, in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, China (mainland), Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines were included. The CoronaNet Research Project database was also examined to determine the timeline of public health policy commencement dates in relation to the release dates of the included apps. We assessed each app's official website, media reports, and literature through content analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize relevant information gathered from the mobile apps using RStudio.
RESULTS: Of the 1943 mobile apps initially identified, 46 were eligible, with almost 70% of the apps being intended for the general public. Most apps were from Vietnam (n=9, 20%), followed by Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand (n=6 each, 13%). Of note, most apps for quarantine monitoring (n=6, 13%) were mandatory for the target users or a population subset. The most common function was health monitoring (32/46, 70%), followed by raising public health awareness (19/46, 41%) through education and information dissemination. Other functions included monitoring quarantine (12/46, 26%), providing health resources (12/46, 26%). COVID-19 vaccination management functions began to appear in parallel with vaccine rollout (7/46, 15%). Regarding the timing of the introduction of mobile solutions, the majority of mobile apps emerged close to the commencement dates of other public health policies in the early stages of the pandemic between March and April 2020.
CONCLUSIONS: In East and South-East Asia, most governments used mobile health apps as adjuncts to public health measures for tracking COVID-19 cases and delivering credible information. In addition, these apps have evolved by expanding their functions for COVID-19 vaccination.
A Low-Cost, Portable, and Mobile-Based Bioimpedance Lymphedema Diagnosis and Monitoring System (Mobilymph): A Validation Study

Syed Ibrahim SA, Ibrahim F, Taib NAM, Cho J

Lymphat Res Biol, 2023 Oct;21(5):463-468.
PMID: 37093011 DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2022.0102

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating chronic illness. Early management and prevention of disease progression rely on lymphedema monitoring and assessment. At present, lymphedema monitoring systems are costly and do not promote remote monitoring. Thus, a low-cost, portable, mobile-based bioimpedance lymphedema monitoring system (Mobilymph) was developed to ensure continuous lymphedema surveillance. Method and Results: Forty-five healthy and 100 BCRL participants were recruited in this study. Mobilymph bioimpedance measurement was validated with a Quadscan 4000 on healthy participants' arms. The interarm bioimpedance ratio was determined to evaluate the discriminatory capability of Mobilymph to detect BCRL. Mobilymph's bioimpedance results show no significant difference compared to Quadscan 4000. The interarm bioimpedance ratios were significantly different (p
Fulltext Decision-Making on Contraceptive Use among Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Malaysia: A Qualitative Inquiry

Sukeri S, Sulaiman Z, Hamid NA, Ibrahim SA

Korean J Fam Med, 2024 Jan;45(1):27-36.
PMID: 37848368 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.23.0088

BACKGROUND: Malaysia is the first country in the Western Pacific Region to receive the validation certificate for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The validation report recommends making sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV a priority. This article explores and assesses the sexual and reproductive health, rights, and access to healthcare services of Malaysia's women living with HIV (WLHIV).
METHODS: A qualitative secondary analysis conducted on 73 WLHIV from all over Malaysia comprised 11 in-depth interviews and 16 focus group discussions. Data were extracted from the original interview transcripts that emerged from the following questions: (1) "What are your experiences as a woman living with HIV in relation to your sexual and reproductive health and rights?" (2) "What are your experiences in accessing contraception?" (3) "What are your day-to-day experiences as a woman living with HIV?" Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the study findings: "lack of negotiation," "idealism in pregnancy," "coping with restrictions," and "past and future fears." The four themes are grounded in religion, a patriarchal culture, meaning and expectations of motherhood, taking risks and going against medical advice to pursue fertility desires, fear of HIV transmission, and the side effects of contraceptive use.
CONCLUSION: The complexities involved in decision-making regarding contraceptive use revealed how WLHIV may have unresolved reproductive health needs inconsistent with healthcare providers' focus on HIV management and prevention. Suggestions are made for improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of WLHIV in Malaysia, which include establishing a reproductive health counseling program.
Assessment of vaccination with gamma radiationattenuated infective Toxocara canis eggs on murine toxocariasis

Hafez EN, Awadallah FM, Ibrahim SA, Amin MM, El-Nawasera NZ

Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):89-102.
PMID: 33612721

Toxocara canis is a major parasite that infects many animals with high risk of human infections. This study aims at assessing the immunization with gamma radiationattenuated infective stage on rats challenged with non-irradiated dose. Level of vaccine protection was evaluated in liver and lung regarding parasitological, histopathological, biochemical and molecular parameters. Fifty rats were enrolled in three groups: group A (10 rats) as normal control; group B (20 rats) subdivided into subgroup B1 (infected control) and subgroup B2 infected then challenged after 14 days with the same dose of infection (challenged infected control); and group C (20 rats) subdivided into subgroup C1 vaccinated with a dose of 800 gray (Gy) gamma-radiated infective eggs (vaccine control) and subgroup C2 vaccinated then challenged on 14th day with same number of infective eggs (vaccinated-challenged). Tissues were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) for histopathological studies. Biochemical studies through detection of nitric oxide (NO) and Caspase-3 were conducted. Extent of DNA damage by Comet assay was assessed. Vaccinated-challenged subgroup revealed a marked reduction in larvae in tissues with mild associated histological changes. In addition there was accompanied reduction of NO, Casepase-3 level and DNA damage compared to the control infected group. It could be concluded that vaccination of rats with a dose of 800Gy gamma radiation-attenuated infective stage improves immune response to challenge infection and drastically reduces the morbidity currently seen.
Evaluation of TOPAS MC tool performance in optical photon transport and radioluminescence-based dosimetry

Khodaei A, Moradi F, Oresegun A, Zubair HT, Bradley DA, Ibrahim SA, et al.

Biomed Phys Eng Express, 2024 Aug 28;10(5).
PMID: 39142303 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ad6f14

Radiation therapy plays a pivotal role in modern cancer treatment, demanding precise and accurate dose delivery to tumor sites while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues. Monte Carlo simulations have emerged as indispensable tools for achieving this precision, offering detailed insights into radiation transport and interaction at the subatomic level. As the use of scintillation and luminescence dosimetry becomes increasingly prevalent in radiation therapy, there arises a need for validated Monte Carlo tools tailored to optical photon transport applications. In this paper, an evaluation process of the TOPAS (TOol for PArticle Simulation) Monte Carlo tool for Cerenkov light generation, optical photon transport and radioluminescence based dosimetry is presented. Three distinct sources of validation data are utilized: one from a published set of experimental results and two others from simulations performed with the Geant4 code. The methodology employed for evaluation includes the selection of benchmark experiments, making use of opt3 and opt4 Geant4 physics models and simulation setup, with observed slight discrepancies within the calculation uncertainties. Additionally, the complexities and challenges associated with modeling optical photons generation through luminescence or Cerenkov radiation and their transport are discussed. The results of our evaluation suggests that TOPAS can be used to reliably predict Cerenkov generation, luminescence phenomenon and the behavior of optical photons in common dosimetry scenarios.
Fulltext Development of a hydrogen gas sensor using a double SAW resonator system at room temperature

Yunusa Z, Hamidon MN, Ismail A, Mohd Isa M, Yaacob MH, Rahmanian S, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2015;15(3):4749-65.
PMID: 25730480 DOI: 10.3390/s150304749

A double SAW resonator system was developed as a novel method for gas sensing applications. The proposed system was investigated for hydrogen sensing. Commercial Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) resonators with resonance frequencies of 433.92 MHz and 433.42 MHz were employed in the double SAW resonator system configuration. The advantages of using this configuration include its ability for remote measurements, and insensitivity to vibrations and other external disturbances. The sensitive layer is composed of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and polyaniline nanofibers which were deposited on pre-patterned platinum metal electrodes fabricated on a piezoelectric substrate. This was mounted into the DSAWR circuit and connected in parallel. The sensor response was measured as the difference between the resonance frequencies of the SAW resonators, which is a measure of the gas concentration. The sensor showed good response towards hydrogen with a minimum detection limit of 1%.
Photon irradiation response of photonic crystal fibres and flat fibres at radiation therapy doses

Hashim S, Ibrahim SA, Che Omar SS, Alajerami YS, Saripan MI, Noor NM, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2014 Aug;90:258-60.
PMID: 24858954 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.04.016

Radiation effects of photon irradiation in pure Photonic Crystal Fibres (PCF) and Flat fibres (FF) are still much less investigated in thermoluminescense dosimetry (TLD). We have reported the TL response of PCF and FF subjected to 6 MV photon irradiation. The proposed dosimeter shows good linearity at doses ranging from 1 to 4 Gy. The small size of these detectors points to its use as a dosimeter at megavoltage energies, where better tissue-equivalence and the Bragg-Gray cavity theory prevails.
Fulltext Potential impact of ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high-pressure processing and microfludization against thermal treatments preservation regarding sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum)

Mukhtar K, Nabi BG, Arshad RN, Roobab U, Yaseen B, Ranjha MMAN, et al.

Ultrason Sonochem, 2022 Nov;90:106194.
PMID: 36242792 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106194

Sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum) is a proven nutritious beverage with high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other beneficial nutrients. It has recently gained consumer interest due to its high nutritional profile and alkaline nature. Still, high polyphenolic and sugar content start the fermentation in juice, resulting in dark coloration. Lately, some novel techniques have been introduced to extend shelf life and improve the nutritional value of sugarcane juice. The introduction of such processing technologies is beneficial over conventional processes and essential for producing chemical-free, high-quality, fresh juices. The synergistic impact of these novel technologies is also advantageous for preserving sugarcane juice. In literature, novel thermal, non-thermal and hurdle technologies have been executed to preserve sugarcane juice. These technologies include high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), ultrasound (US), pulsed electric field (PEF), ultraviolet irradiation (UV), ohmic heating (OH), microwave (MW), microfludization and ozone treatment. This review manifests the impact of novel thermal, non-thermal, and synergistic technologies on sugarcane juice processing and preservation characteristics. Non-thermal techniques have been successfully proved effective and showed better results than novel thermal treatments. Because they reduced microbial load and retained nutritional content, while thermal treatments degraded nutrients and flavor of sugarcane juice. Among non-thermal treatments, HHP is the most efficient technique for the preservation of sugarcane juice while OH is preferable in thermal techniques due to less nutritional loss.
Fulltext Plants of the Genus Zingiber as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: From Tradition to Pharmacy

Sharifi-Rad M, Varoni EM, Salehi B, Sharifi-Rad J, Matthews KR, Ayatollahi SA, et al.

Molecules, 2017 Dec 04;22(12).
PMID: 29207520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122145

Plants of the genus Zingiber (Family Zingiberaceae) are widely used throughout the world as food and medicinal plants. They represent very popular herbal remedies in various traditional healing systems; in particular, rhizome of Zingiber spp. plants has a long history of ethnobotanical uses because of a plethora of curative properties. Antimicrobial activity of rhizome essential oil has been extensively confirmed in vitro and attributed to its chemical components, mainly consisting of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene, β-bisabolene and β-sesquiphellandrene. In addition, gingerols have been identified as the major active components in the fresh rhizome, whereas shogaols, dehydrated gingerol derivatives, are the predominant pungent constituents in dried rhizome. Zingiber spp. may thus represent a promising and innovative source of natural alternatives to chemical food preservatives. This approach would meet the increasing concern of consumers aware of the potential health risks associated with the conventional antimicrobial agents in food. This narrative review aims at providing a literature overview on Zingiber spp. plants, their cultivation, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and biological activities.
Low dose and low dose rate radioluminescence dosimetry

Bradley DA, Essa RZ, Peh SC, Teow SY, Chew MT, Zubair HT, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2023 Aug;198:110875.
PMID: 37257265 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110875

Review is provided of a number of low-dose, low dose rate situations that in study require advances in the development of dosimetric facilities. Using a clinical linac set up to provide doses down to the few mGy level, the performance of a real-time radioluminescence system has then been illustrated, accommodating pulsed as well as continuous dose delivery. The system gate times provide for tracking of the pattern of dose delivery, allowing detailed account of dose and dose-rate variations. The system has been tested in both x-ray and electron mode dose delivery.
Fulltext An extendable optical fibre probe survey meter for naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and other weak emitters

Zubair HT, Bradley DA, Khairina MD, Oresegun A, Basaif A, Othman J, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Jul 24;13(1):11918.
PMID: 37488183 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39180-9

We have developed a radioluminescence-based survey meter for use in industries in which there is involvement in naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), also in support of those needing to detect other weak emitters of radiation. The functionality of the system confronts particular shortcomings of the handheld survey meters that are currently being made use of. The device couples a LYSO:Ce scintillator with a photodetector via a polymer optical fibre waveguide, allowing for "intrinsically safe" inspection within pipework, separators, valves and other such component pieces. The small-diameter optical fibre probe is electrically passive, immune to electromagnetic interference, and chemically inert. The readout circuit is entirely incorporated within a handheld casing housing a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detection circuit and a microprocessor circuit connected to an LCD display. A 15 m long flexible PMMA optical fibre waveguide is butt coupled to an ABS plastic probe that retains the LYSO:Ce scintillator. Initial tests have included the use of lab-based mixed gamma-ray sources, measurements being made in concert with a reference conventional GM survey-meter. Characterization, via NORM sources at a decontamination facility, has shown useful sensitivity, covering the dose-rate range 0.10- to 28 µSv h-1 (R-squared 0.966), extending to 80 µSv/h as demonstrated in use of a Cs-137 source. The system is shown to provide an effective tool for detection of radioactivity within hard to access locations, in particular for sources emitting at low radiation levels, down to values that approach background.
Fulltext Big Brain Data Initiative in Universiti Sains Malaysia: Challenges in Brain Mapping for Malaysia

Shekh Ibrahim SA, Hamzah N, Abdul Wahab AR, Abdullah JM, Nurul Hashimah Ahamed Hassain Malim, Sumari P, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Jul;27(4):1-8.
PMID: 32863741 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.4.1

Universiti Sains Malaysia has started the Big Brain Data Initiative project since the last two years as brain mapping techniques have proven to be important in understanding the molecular, cellular and functional mechanisms of the brain. This Big Brain Data Initiative can be a platform for neurophysicians and neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, neurotechnologists and other researchers to improve brain mapping techniques. Data collection from a cohort of multiracial population in Malaysia is important for present and future research and finding cure for neurological and mental illness. Malaysia is one of the participant of the Global Brain Consortium (GBC) supported by the World Health Organization. This project is a part of its contribution via the third GBC goal which is influencing the policy process within and between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, such as pathways for fair data-sharing of multi-modal imaging data, starting with electroencephalographic data.
Fulltext Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications

Salehi B, Zakaria ZA, Gyawali R, Ibrahim SA, Rajkovic J, Shinwari ZK, et al.

Molecules, 2019 Apr 07;24(7).
PMID: 30959974 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071364

Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. These plants are rich in essential oils, which can be found in their fruits, seeds, leaves, branches, roots and stems. Some Piper species have simple chemical profiles, while others, such as Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper auritum, contain very diverse suites of secondary metabolites. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, Piper species could be used as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food preservation. The phytochemicals and essential oils of Piper species have shown strong antioxidant activity, in comparison with synthetic antioxidants, and demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities against human pathogens. Moreover, Piper species possess therapeutic and preventive potential against several chronic disorders. Among the functional properties of Piper plants/extracts/active components the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological activities of the extracts and extract-derived bioactive constituents are thought to be key effects for the protection against chronic conditions, based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, besides clinical studies. Habitats and cultivation of Piper species are also covered in this review. In this current work, available literature of chemical constituents of the essential oils Piper plants, their use in traditional medicine, their applications as a food preservative, their antiparasitic activities and other important biological activities are reviewed.
Fulltext How to develop a comprehensive Mangrove Quality Index?

Ibrahim FH, Mohd Yusoff F, Fitrianto A, Nuruddin AA, Gandaseca S, Samdin Z, et al.

MethodsX, 2019;6:1591-1599.
PMID: 31321213 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.06.014

Currently, the available indices to measure mangrove health are not comprehensive. An integrative ecological-socio economic index could give a better picture of the mangrove ecosystem health. This method explored all key biological, hydrological, ecological and socio-economic variables to form a comprehensive mangrove quality index. A total of 10 out of 43 variables were selected based on principal component analysis (PCA). They are aboveground biomass, crab abundance, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, number of phytoplankton species, number of diatom species, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, education level and fishing time spent by fishers. Two types of indices were successfully developed to indicate the health status viz., (1) Mangrove quality index for a specific category (MQISi ) and, (2) Overall mangrove quality index (MQI) to reflect the overall health status of the ecosystem. The indices for the five different categories were mangrove biotic integrity index ( M Q I S 1 ), mangrove soil index ( M Q I S 2 ), marine-mangrove index ( M Q I S 3 ), mangrove-hydrology index ( M Q I S 4 ) and mangrove socio-economic index ( M Q I S 5 ). The quality of the mangroves was classified from 1 to 5 viz. 1 (worst), 2 (bad), 3 (moderate), 4 (good), 5 (excellent). These MQI class could reflect the quality of mangrove forest which could be managed with the objective of improving its quality. Advantages of this method include: •PCA to select metrics from ecological-socioeconomic variables•Formulation of MQI based on selected metrics•Comprehensive index to classify mangrove ecosystem health.

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