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Fulltext Determinants of stakeholders' attitudes and intentions toward supporting the use of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes for dengue control

Arham AF, Amin L, Mustapa MAC, Mahadi Z, Yaacob M, Ibrahim M

BMC Public Health, 2021 Dec 23;21(1):2314.
PMID: 34949167 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12166-w

BACKGROUND: A recent approach in controlling dengue is by using the Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquito (WiAM). The approach has been reported to be more effective than traditional methods, such as fogging. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the factors predicting its acceptance among stakeholders before implementing this technology more widely in Malaysia.
METHODS: The survey data were collected from two primary stakeholder groups using a stratified random sampling technique. The two primary stakeholder groups were scientists (n = 202) and the public (n = 197) in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia, a hot spot area known for the high rate of dengue cases. The respondents answered questions on a seven-point Likert scale survey regarding trust in key players, attitudes toward nature versus materialism, religiosity, perceived benefits, perceived risks, attitudes, and intentions. The data were analyzed using Smart Partial Least Square (SmartPLS) software (version 3.2.6) to determine the predictors influencing attitudes and intentions to support the use of WiAM technology.
RESULTS: The results indicated a strong positive relationship between attitudes and intentions to support the use of WiAM (β = 0.676, p
Fulltext Economic impact of switching from partially combined vaccine "Pentaxim® and hepatitis B" to fully combined vaccine "Hexaxim®" in the Malaysian National Immunization Program

Aljunid SM, Al Bashir L, Ismail AB, Aizuddin AN, Rashid SAZA, Nur AM

BMC Health Serv Res, 2022 Jan 05;22(1):34.
PMID: 34986870 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07428-7

BACKGROUND: The decision to implement new vaccines should be supported by public health and economic evaluations. Therefore, this study was primarily designed to evaluate the economic impact of switching from partially combined vaccine (Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B) to fully combined vaccine (Hexaxim®) in the Malaysian National Immunization Program (NIP) and to investigate healthcare professionals (HCPs)' and parents'/caregivers' perceptions.
METHODS: In this economic evaluation study, 22 primary healthcare centers were randomly selected in Malaysia between December 2019 and July 2020. The baseline immunization schedule includes switching from Pentaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (three doses) to Hexaxim® (four doses), whereas the alternative scheme includes switching from Pentaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (three doses) to Hexaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (one dose) administered at birth. Direct medical costs were extracted using a costing questionnaire and an observational time and motion chart. Direct non-medical (cost for transportation) and indirect costs (loss of productivity) were derived from parents'/caregivers' questionnaire. Also, HCPs' and parent's/caregivers' perceptions were investigated using structured questionnaires.
RESULTS: The cost per dose of Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B vs. Hexaxim® for the baseline scheme was Malaysian ringgit (RM) 31.90 (7.7 United States dollar [USD]) vs. 17.10 (4.1 USD) for direct medical cost, RM 54.40 (13.1 USD) vs. RM 27.20 (6.6 USD) for direct non-medical cost, RM 221.33 (53.3 USD) vs. RM 110.66 (26.7 USD) for indirect cost, and RM 307.63 (74.2 USD) vs. RM 155.00 (37.4 USD) for societal (total) cost. A similar trend was observed for the alternative scheme. Compared with Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B, total cost savings per dose of Hexaxim® were RM 137.20 (33.1 USD) and RM 104.70 (25.2 USD) in the baseline and alternative scheme, respectively. Eighty-four percent of physicians and 95% of nurses supported the use of Hexaxim® in the NIP. The majority of parents/caregivers had a positive perception regarding Hexaxim® vaccine in various aspects.
CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of Hexaxim® within Malaysian NIP is highly recommended because the use of Hexaxim® has demonstrated substantial direct and indirect cost savings for healthcare providers and parents/caregivers with a high percentage of positive perceptions, compared with Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.
Quantitative laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) in unilateral vocal fold paralysis: Developing normative values using the opposite normal mobile vocal fold

Chen IHK, Remli R, Azman M, Ubaidah MA, Mohamed AS, Baki MM

Auris Nasus Larynx, 2021 Dec;48(6):1140-1149.
PMID: 33896673 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2021.03.028

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is used to confirm neuropathy; traditionally, it is evaluated qualitatively. This study aimed to develop normative values for the thyroarytenoid-lateral cricoarytenoid (TA-LCA) muscle complex by determining the mean turns (MT) and mean amplitudes (MA) using the opposite normal mobile vocal fold in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP). This study also compared the MT and MA of the paralyzed vocal fold with that of the normal side and analyzed their correlations.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which 77 patients (18 males, 59 females, mean age of 48) with unilateral VFP with an opposite normal mobile vocal fold underwent LEMG with a standardized protocol. Koufman gradings and MT and MA were used for the qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the median of the turns and amplitudes between the opposite normal mobile vocal fold and the paralyzed side. A linear-scale graphical "cloud" of the normal TA-LCA muscle complex was generated using logarithmic regression analysis. The qualitative and quantitative parameters were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance and Kruskall-Wallis test. Post-hoc analysis was performed to further determine the differences of the significance between both parameters. The correlation between the qualitative and quantitative parameters was analyzed using Spearman correlation.
RESULTS: The MT and MA were significantly higher for the normal TA-LCA muscle complex than the paralyzed side (582 vs. 336; 412 vs. 296, respectively) and the median of the turns and amplitudes were significantly lower in the paralyzed side with p-values <0.001. A significant difference was observed between the Koufman grading and the combination of MT and MA [F (8,144) = 73.254] and between the Koufman grading and MT and MA individually [H (4, 72) = 18.3 and H (4, 72) =33.4], in which both had p-values <0.001. A moderate negative linear relationship was seen between the Koufman grading and MT and MA. On further analysis, it was revealed that only certain pairs of Koufman grading were statistical significant.
CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to present the quantitative normative values and "cloud" of the TA-LCA muscle complex using the opposite normal mobile vocal fold in patients with unilateral VFP in which it is comparable to healthy controls. We concluded that quantitative LEMG supports the qualitative Koufman grading method however it cannot be used independently to determine the severity of neuropathy.
Fulltext A lightweight and secure online/offline cross-domain authentication scheme for VANET systems in Industrial IoT

Khalid H, Hashim SJ, Ahmad SMS, Hashim F, Akmal Chaudhary M

PeerJ Comput Sci, 2021;7:e714.
PMID: 34977343 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.714

In heterogeneous wireless networks, the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is an essential contributor to increasing productivity and effectiveness. However, in various domains, such as industrial wireless scenarios, small cell domains, and vehicular ad hoc networks, an efficient and stable authentication algorithm is required (VANET). Specifically, IoT vehicles deal with vast amounts of data transmitted between VANET entities in different domains in such a large-scale environment. Also, crossing from one territory to another may have the connectivity services down for a while, leading to service interruption because it is pervasive in remote areas and places with multipath obstructions. Hence, it is vulnerable to specific attacks (e.g., replay attacks, modification attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and insider attacks), making the system inefficient. Also, high processing data increases the computation and communication cost, leading to an increased workload in the system. Thus, to solve the above issues, we propose an online/offline lightweight authentication scheme for the VANET cross-domain system in IIoT to improve the security and efficiency of the VANET. The proposed scheme utilizes an efficient AES-RSA algorithm to achieve integrity and confidentiality of the message. The offline joining is added to avoid remote network intrusions and the risk of network service interruptions. The proposed work includes two different significant goals to achieve first, then secure message on which the data is transmitted and efficiency in a cryptographic manner. The Burrows Abdi Needham (BAN logic) logic is used to prove that this scheme is mutually authenticated. The system's security has been tested using the well-known AVISPA tool to evaluate and verify its security formally. The results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the ID-CPPA, AAAS, and HCDA schemes by 53%, 55%, and 47% respectively in terms of computation cost, and 65%, 83%, and 40% respectively in terms of communication cost.
The Role of Rehabilitation Exercises on Weight, Functional Strength, and Exercise Adherence in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Rafiq MT, Hamid MSA, Hafiz E, Rashid K, Chaudhary FA

Curr Rheumatol Rev, 2021;17(4):397-403.
PMID: 34825640 DOI: 10.2174/1573397117666210719101551

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a weight-bearing joint disease and is more common in overweight and obese persons. The objective of this study was to determine the role of rehabilitation exercises (REs) of lower limbs on weight, functional strength, and exercise adherence in overweight and obese knee OA patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were recruited from the urban community of Lahore, Pakistan. The patients were divided into the rehabilitation group (RG) and control group (CG). The patients in the RG performed the REs of lower limbs and followed the instructions of daily care (IDC), while the patients in the CG only followed the IDC for a 12 weeks period. Outcome measures were assessed at pre-test before grouping and post-test after 12-weeks of interventions. The measures included: weight, functional strength, and exercise adherence. The Paired Samples t-test (for normally distributed data) and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranked Test (for data that was not normally distributed) were used to analyze the differences within groups from pre to post-test measurements. The variance 2 × 2 factors and the Mann Whitney U-test were used to analyze the difference in weight and functional strength between the groups.
RESULTS: The patients in the RG reported a statistically significant weight reduction (p < 0.001) and improvement in the functional strength (p < 0.001) within a group. Similarly, the patients in the CG also reported a significant improvement in the scores of functional strength (p = 0.004) within a group. The improvement in the scores of functional strength was higher in the patients of RG than the CG (p < 0.001). Similarly, the patients in the RG reported a statistically significant reduction in weight than the CG (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The REs could improve weight, functional strength and exercise adherence.
A novel clade of bat-associated Bartonella detected in the bat fly Leptocyclopodia ferrari (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) parasitizing Cynopterus brachyotis (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

Low VL, Tan TK, Tohiran KA, Lim YAL, AbuBakar S, Nasir DM

Vet Microbiol, 2022 Jan;264:109284.
PMID: 34826649 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109284

Bartonelloses are emerging infectious diseases that are common in humans and animals worldwide. Several Bartonella species associated with companion animals such as Bartonella henselae and Bartonella rochalimae are species with zoonotic implications and have become a global concern. Other Bartonella species associated with wild animals, however, remain underappreciated particularly in the developing regions of the world. To explore further on this neglected bacterial agent, Leptocyclopodia ferrari (Nycteribiidae) bat flies collected from Cynopterus brachyotis (Pteropodidae), an endemic fruit bat species in Southeast Asia, were molecularly examined for the presence of Bartonella. Both 16 S-23 S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer region and citrate synthase gene sequences exhibited less than 95 % similarity to all previously reported Bartonella spp. Further phylogenetic analysis revealed a novel clade of this Bartonella sp. with high bootstrap support. The vectorial capacity of bat flies in transmitting this novel pathogen merits further investigation.
Case report of a hemostatic clip being retained for 2 years after deployment

Ooi BP, Hassan MR, Kiew KK, Chin KL, Zalwani Z

Gastrointest Endosc, 2010 Dec;72(6):1315-6.
PMID: 20561623 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2010.03.1053
Fulltext Acoustic emission corrosion feature extraction and severity prediction using hybrid wavelet packet transform and linear support vector classifier

May Z, Alam MK, Nayan NA, Rahman NAA, Mahmud MS

PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0261040.
PMID: 34914761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261040

Corrosion in carbon-steel pipelines leads to failure, which is a major cause of breakdown maintenance in the oil and gas industries. The acoustic emission (AE) signal is a reliable method for corrosion detection and classification in the modern Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system. The efficiency of this system in detection and classification mainly depends on the suitable AE features. Therefore, many feature extraction and classification methods have been developed for corrosion detection and severity assessment. However, the extraction of appropriate AE features and classification of various levels of corrosion utilizing these extracted features are still challenging issues. To overcome these issues, this article proposes a hybrid machine learning approach that combines Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) integrated with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for multiresolution feature extraction and Linear Support Vector Classifier (L-SVC) for predicting corrosion severity levels. A Laboratory-based Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) test was performed on carbon-steel samples for AE data acquisition over a different time span. AE signals were collected at a high sampling rate with a sound well AE sensor using AEWin software. Simulation results show a linear relationship between the proposed approach-based extracted AE features and the corrosion process. For multi-class problems, three corrosion severity stages have been made based on the corrosion rate over time and AE activity. The ANOVA test results indicate the significance within and between the feature-groups where F-values (F-value>1) rejects the null hypothesis and P-values (P-value<0.05) are less than the significance level. The utilized L-SVC classifier achieves higher prediction accuracy of 99.0% than the accuracy of other benchmarked classifiers. Findings of our proposed machine learning approach confirm that it can be effectively utilized for corrosion detection and severity assessment in SHM applications.
Fulltext Is Misdiagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysian Children a Common Phenomenon?

Mavinkurve M, Jalaludin MY, Chan EWL, Noordin M, Samingan N, Leong A, et al.

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2021;12:606018.
PMID: 33763028 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.606018

Background: Children with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) commonly present in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at initial diagnosis. This is likely due to several factors, one of which includes the propensity for T1DM to be misdiagnosed. The prevalence of misdiagnosis has been reported in non-Asian children with T1DM but not in Asian cohorts.
Aim: To report the rate of misdiagnosis and its associated risk factors in Malaysian children and adolescents with T1DM.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of children with T1DM below 18 years of age over a 10 year period was conducted.
Results: The cohort included 119 children (53.8% female) with a mean age 8.1 SD ± 3.9 years. 38.7% of cases were misdiagnosed, of which respiratory illnesses were the most common (37.0%) misdiagnosis. The rate of misdiagnosis remained the same over the 10 year period. Among the variables examined, younger age at presentation, DKA at presentation, healthcare professional (HCP) contact and admission to the intensive care unit were significantly different between the misdiagnosed and correctly diagnosed groups (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Misdiagnosis of T1DM occurs more frequently in Malaysian children <5 years of age. Misdiagnosed cases are at a higher risk of presenting in DKA with increased risk of ICU admission and more likely to have had prior HCP contact. Awareness of T1DM amongst healthcare professionals is crucial for early identification, prevention of DKA and reducing rates of misdiagnosis.
Fulltext Properties of Biocomposite Film Based on Whey Protein Isolate Filled with Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Pineapple Crown Leaf

Fitriani F, Aprilia S, Arahman N, Bilad MR, Suhaimi H, Huda N

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Dec 07;13(24).
PMID: 34960829 DOI: 10.3390/polym13244278

Among the main bio-based polymer for food packaging materials, whey protein isolate (WPI) is one of the biopolymers that have excellent film-forming properties and are environmentally friendly. This study was performed to analyse the effect of various concentrations of bio-based nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) extracted from pineapple crown leaf (PCL) on the properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) films using the solution casting technique. Six WPI films were fabricated with different loadings of NCC from 0 to 10 % w/v. The resulting films were characterised based on their mechanical, physical, chemical, and thermal properties. The results show that NCC loadings increased the thickness of the resulting films. The transparency of the films decreased at higher NCC loadings. The moisture content and moisture absorption of the films decreased with the presence of the NCC, being lower at higher NCC loadings. The water solubility of the films decreased from 92.2% for the pure WPI to 65.5% for the one containing 10 % w/v of NCC. The tensile strength of the films peaked at 7% NCC loading with the value of 5.1 MPa. Conversely, the trend of the elongation at break data was the opposite of the tensile strength. Moreover, the addition of NCC produced a slight effect of NCC in FTIR spectra of the WPI films using principal component analysis. NCC loading enhanced the thermal stability of the WPI films, as shown by an increase in the glass transition temperature at higher NCC loadings. Moreover, the morphology of the films turned rougher and more heterogeneous with small particle aggregates in the presence of the NCC. Overall, the addition of NCC enhanced the water barrier and mechanical properties of the WPI films by incorporating the PCL-based NCC as the filler.
Fulltext Water Purification through a Novel Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber Membrane

Jamil T, Munir S, Wali Q, Shah GJ, Khan ME, Jose R

ACS Omega, 2021 Dec 21;6(50):34744-34751.
PMID: 34963957 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05197

Here, we report water purification through novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based carbon nanofibers synthesized through the electrospinning technique. In our novel approach, we mix PVA and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with green tea solutions with different concentrations to synthesize carbon-based nanofibers (CNFs) and further calcine at 280 °C for carbonization. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show the diameter of the nanofibers to be ∼500 nm, which decreases by about 50% after carbonization, making them more suitable candidates for the filtration process. Next, using these carbon nanofibers, we prepare filters for water purification. The synthesized CNF filters show excellent performance and successful removal of contaminants from the water by analyzing the CNF-based filters before and after the filtration of water through SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Our SEM and EDX results indicate the presence of various nanoparticles consisting of different elements such as Mg, Na, Ti, S, Si, and Fe on the filters, after the filtration of water. Additionally, the SEM results show that PVA and TEOS concentrations play an important role in the formation, uniformity, homogeneity, and particularly in the reduction of the nanofiber diameter.
Authentication of Halal and Kosher meat and meat products: Analytical approaches, current progresses and future prospects

Hossain MAM, Uddin SMK, Sultana S, Wahab YA, Sagadevan S, Johan MR, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2022;62(2):285-310.
PMID: 32914638 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1814691

Meat and meat products are widely consumed worldwide as a source of high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, and necessary minerals. The acceptability of Halal and Kosher meat products relies not only on the species origin but also on the manner of slaughtering of animals. Both Islam and Judaism have their own dietary laws in their holy books regarding acceptance and forbiddance of dietary items particularly meat and meat products. They also include many strictures to follow for ritual cleanliness of foods. Since the authenticity of Halal and Kosher food created increased concerns among consumers, the integrity of Halal and Kosher meat and meat products must be assured so that consumers can be accomplished with the originality of products. There is an increasing demand for reliable and sensitive techniques for the authentication of various Halal and Kosher meat products. This up-to-date review intends to provide an updated and extensive overview critically on the present situation, progress, and challenges of analytical techniques to authenticate animal species in meat items. It also addresses slaughtering procedure with brief discussion on Halal and Kosher laws with a view to creating consumer awareness against fraudulent practices. The available methods are schematically presented, and their salient features are comparatively elucidated in tables. Potential future technologies are predicted, and probable challenges are summarized. Overall, the present review article possesses substantial merits to be served as a reference guide in the field of academia and industry for the preparation/processing and identification of Halal and Kosher meat and meat products as well as may act as a platform to help improve existing authentication methods.
Agility and Safety Performance among Nurses: The Mediating Role of Mindful Organizing

Saleem MS, Isha ASN, Mohd Yusop Y, Awan MI, Naji GMA

Nurs Rep, 2021 Aug 30;11(3):666-679.
PMID: 34968341 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep11030063

This study aimed to assess the impact of workforce agility on private hospital nursing staff's safety behavior with the mediating role of mindful organizing. This study was cross-sectional. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 369 nursing staff. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to check the internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and hypotheses testing. For mediation analysis, the bootstrapping technique was used. Our findings suggested that workforce agility is the possible predictor of mindful organizing, as all of these dimensions have a positive impact on mindful organizing. Reference to safety performance sub-dimensions, proactivity, adaptability, and resilience had a positive significant impact on (a) safety compliance, and proactivity had a positive impact on (b) safety participation. Further, mindful organizing was also found to be positively associated with safety performance. Evidence for mediation between workforce agility and safety performance was also observed. Proactivity, adaptability, and resilience can enhance safety performance for the nursing staff. Workforce agility can also help the organization to attain mindful organizing, which will help them to achieve operational excellence, whereas in the past, high-reliability organizations were mainly found practicing mindful organizing. This study demonstrated the key impact of workforce agility and mindful organizing on safety behaviors directly and indirectly.
Fulltext Influence of organic molecules on wetting characteristics of mica/H2/brine systems: Implications for hydrogen structural trapping capacities

Ali M, Yekeen N, Pal N, Keshavarz A, Iglauer S, Hoteit H

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2022 Feb 15;608(Pt 2):1739-1749.
PMID: 34742087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.10.080

HYPOTHESIS: Actualization of the hydrogen (H2) economy and decarbonization goals can be achieved with feasible large-scale H2 geo-storage. Geological formations are heterogeneous, and their wetting characteristics play a crucial role in the presence of H2, which controls the pore-scale distribution of the fluids and sealing capacities of caprocks. Organic acids are readily available in geo-storage formations in minute quantities, but they highly tend to increase the hydrophobicity of storage formations. However, there is a paucity of data on the effects of organic acid concentrations and types on the H2-wettability of caprock-representative minerals and their attendant structural trapping capacities.
EXPERIMENT: Geological formations contain organic acids in minute concentrations, with the alkyl chain length ranging from C4 to C26. To fully understand the wetting characteristics of H2 in a natural geological picture, we aged mica mineral surfaces as a representative of the caprock in varying concentrations of organic molecules (with varying numbers of carbon atoms, lignoceric acid C24, lauric acid C12, and hexanoic acid C6) for 7 days. To comprehend the wettability of the mica/H2/brine system, we employed a contact-angle procedure similar to that in natural geo-storage environments (25, 15, and 0.1 MPa and 323 K).
FINDINGS: At the highest investigated pressure (25 MPa) and the highest concentration of lignoceric acid (10-2 mol/L), the mica surface became completely H2 wet with advancing (θa= 106.2°) and receding (θr=97.3°) contact angles. The order of increasing θa and θr with increasing organic acid contaminations is as follows: lignoceric acid > lauric acid > hexanoic acid. The results suggest that H2 gas leakage through the caprock is possible in the presence of organic acids at higher physio-thermal conditions. The influence of organic contamination inherent at realistic geo-storage conditions should be considered to avoid the overprediction of structural trapping capacities and H2 containment security.
Fulltext Marine litter pollution on coral reefs of Darvel Bay (East Sabah, Malaysia)

Santodomingo N, Perry C, Waheed Z, Syed Hussein MAB, Rosedy A, Johnson KG

Mar Pollut Bull, 2021 Dec;173(Pt A):112998.
PMID: 34624630 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112998

Marine litter is recognized as an increasing component of marine ecosystem pollution. In this baseline study, we document the magnitude, types, sources, and potential impacts of litter on six coral reefs in East Sabah. We applied a simplified classification of litter to extract abundance data from video transects. The average density was 10.7 items per 100 m2. Plastics represent 91% and the remaining 9% were metal, glass, and wood. Most (~70%) plastics are single-use items derived from dumping. Discarded fishing gear accounts for ~25%. Litter pollution increases closer to urban developments, with Sakar reef having higher densities (51 items per 100 m2), and higher Clean Coast Index (CCI = 10.2, dirty) and higher Plastic Abundance Index (PAI = 4.68) scores. This method could and should be readily integrated into ongoing monitoring programs to support assessments of the extent and magnitude of marine litter pollution on reefs worldwide.
Fulltext Longitudinal assessment between lifestyle-related risk factors and a composite cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk index among adolescents in Malaysia

Thangiah N, Su TT, Chinna K, Jalaludin MY, Mohamed MNA, Majid HA

Sci Rep, 2021 09 27;11(1):19135.
PMID: 34580328 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98127-0

The study aims to create a composite risk index of CVD among adolescents and examine the influence of demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle-related risk factors on the composite risk index of biological CVD risk factors among adolescents in Malaysia. A Malaysian adolescent cohort of 1320 adolescents were assessed at 13, 15 and 17 years. Seven biological CVD risk factors with moderate correlation were identified, standardized and averaged to form a composite CVD risk index. Generalised estimating equation using longitudinal linear regression was used to examine the effects of changes in adolescent lifestyle-related risk factors on the composite CVD risk index over time. From the ages 13 to 17 years, physical fitness (β = - 0.001, 90% CI = - 0.003, 0.00002) and BMI (β = 0.051, 95% CI = 0.042, 0.060) were significant predictors of attaining high scores of CVD risk. Female (β = 0.118, 95% CI = 0.040, 0.197), Chinese (β = 0.122, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.239), Indians (β = - 0.114, 95% CI = - 0.216, - 0.012) and adolescents from rural schools (β = 0.066, 95% CI = - 0.005, 0.136) were also found to be considerably significant. A more robust and gender-specific intervention programme focusing on healthy lifestyle (including achieving ideal BMI and improving physical fitness) need to be implemented among school-going adolescents.
Fulltext Clinical manifestations, associated risk factors and treatment outcomes of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA): Experiences from a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan

Akram W, Ejaz MB, Mallhi TH, Syed Sulaiman SAB, Khan AH

PLoS One, 2021;16(11):e0259766.
PMID: 34767589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259766

BACKGROUND: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) has a wide spectrum of illnesses depending on the progression of the disease and comorbid conditions. However, there is an inadequacy of investigations regarding clinical, laboratory, risk factor and prognostic data on CPA. The current study is aimed to consider the clinical manifestations, risk factors and outcomes of CPA.
METHODOLOGY: Retrospective records of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CPA who sought treatment at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore, Pakistan from January 2017 to December 2019 were evaluated. Data regarding demographics, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, radiographic and microbiological findings, length of hospital stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission was collected and analyzed to identify the factors associated with mortality. The independent factors associated with mortality were also identified by appropriate analyses.
RESULTS: A total of 218 CPA patients were included in this study. The mean age was 45.75 ± 6.26 years. Of these, 160 (73.4%) were male, and 65 (29.8%) had diabetes. The mean LOS was 18.5 ± 10.9 days. The most common type of CPA was simple aspergilloma (56%) followed by chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) (31.2%). About one half of the patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and treatment response rates were low in patients with active TB. The overall mortality rate was 27.1%. ICU admission was required for 78 (35.8%) patients. Diabetes mellitus (DM), hematological malignancies and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were the common underlying conditions predicting a poor outcome. Mean LOS, hematological malignancies, consolidation and ICU admission were identified as the independent factors leading to mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: CPA had a significant association with TB in the majority of cases. Treatment response rates in cases with active TB were comparatively low. Cases with high mean LOS, hematological malignancies, consolidation, ICU admission, CKD and DM experienced poor outcomes. High mean LOS, hematological malignancies, consolidation and ICU stay were identified as independent risk factors for mortality. Future large prospective studies, involving aspergillus specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing, are required for a better understanding of CPA in Pakistan.
Fulltext Platelet-Rich Fibrin Used in Regenerative Endodontics and Dentistry: Current Uses, Limitations, and Future Recommendations for Application

Arshad S, Tehreem F, Rehab Khan M, Ahmed F, Marya A, Karobari MI

Int J Dent, 2021;2021:4514598.
PMID: 34956367 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4514598

Regenerative endodontics has introduced numerous procedures such as pulp implantation, revascularization, and postnatal stem cell therapy. Revascularization has been successfully implemented clinically nowadays, thus providing dentists with outrageous results. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) used either alone or along with bone graft promotes bone growth and vascularization. This matrix promotes migration, cell attachment, and proliferation of osteoblast that leads to bone formation. PRF consists of a packed fibrin complex consisting of leukocytes, cytokines, and glycoproteins such as thrombospondin. The usage of PRF has reported high success rates in surgical cases such as sinus lift procedures, healing of extraction sockets, and management of periapical abscesses. Compared to platelet-rich plasma, PRF is more economical, easy to prepare, and feasible to use in daily clinical practices. Revascularization compromised the induction of a blood clot into the root canal space, which emerged as a clinical triumph. This further led to platelet concentrates as an autologous scaffold on which revascularization could occur. The applications of PRF in regenerative endodontics are numerous, such as an agent for repairing iatrogenic perforation of the pulpal floor and for the revascularization of immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulps. It acts as a matrix for tissue ingrowth. Evidence of progressive thickening of dentinal walls, root lengthening, regression in the periapical lesion, and apical closure was reported. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanism of action of PRF for dental pulp regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. The current review aims at the present uses of PRF in regenerative endodontics dentistry and its application with future recommendations and limitations.
Single-step fabrication of highly stable amorphous TiO2 nanotubes arrays (am-TNTA) for stimulating gas-phase photoreduction of CO2 to methane

Santos JS, Fereidooni M, Marquez V, Arumugam M, Tahir M, Praserthdam S, et al.

Chemosphere, 2022 Feb;289:133170.
PMID: 34875298 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133170

This study investigates the facile fabrication of interfacial defects assisted amorphous TiO2 nanotubes arrays (am-TNTA) for promoting gas-phase CO2 photoreduction to methane. The am-TNTA catalyst was fabricated via a one-step synthesis, without heat treatment, by anodization of Titanium in Ethylene glycol-based electrolyte in a shorter anodizing time. The samples presented a TiO2 nanostructured array with a nanotubular diameter of 100 ± 10 nm, a wall thickness of 26 ± 5 nm, and length of 3.7 ± 0.3 μm, resulting in a specific surface of 0.75 m2 g. The am-TNTA presented prolonged chemical stability, a high exposed surface area, and a large number of surface traps that can reduce the recombination of the charge carriers. The am-TNTA showed promising photoactivity when tested in the CO2 reduction reaction with water under UV irradiation with a methane production rate of 14.0 μmol gcat-1 h-1 for a pure TiO2 material without any modification procedure. This enhanced photocatalytic activity can be explained in terms of surface defects of the amorphous structure, mainly OH groups that can act as electron traps for increasing the electron lifetime. The CO2 interacts directly with those traps, forming carbonate species, which favors the catalytic conversion to methane. The am-TNTA also exhibited a high stability during six reaction cycles. The photocatalytic activity, the significantly reduced time for synthesis, and high stability for continuous CH4 production make this nanomaterial a potential candidate for a sustainable CO2 reduction process and can be employed for other energy applications.
Degradation-triggered release from biodegradable metallic surfaces

Md Yusop AH, Alsakkaf A, Noordin MA, Idris H, Nur H, Szali Januddi F

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2021 12;109(12):2184-2198.
PMID: 33983686 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34866

This work is dedicated to the investigation of drug-release control by a direct effect of degradation from biodegradable metallic surfaces. Degradation behaviors characterized by surface morphology, immersion, and electrochemical techniques demonstrated that curcumin-coated zinc (c-Zn) had a higher degradation rate compared to curcumin-coated Fe (c-Fe). High anodic dissolution rate due to the higher degradation rate and widely extended groove-like degradation structure of c-Zn propelled a higher curcumin release. On the other hand, a slower curcumin release rate shown by c-Fe scaffolds is ascribed to its lower anodic dissolution and to its pitting degradation regime with relatively smaller pits. These findings illuminate the remarkable advantage of different degradation behaviors of degradable metallic surfaces in directly controlling the drug release without the need for external electrical stimulus.

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