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Size-exclusion chromatography for the characterization of urinary extracellular vesicles

Park S, Jalaludin I, Hwang H, Ko M, Adelipour M, Hwan M, et al.

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2023 Aug 01;1228:123828.
PMID: 37480686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123828

In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention for their potential as biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Traditionally, EV isolation has relied exclusively on ultracentrifugation. However, alternative enrichment methods such as size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and polyethylene glycol-based precipitation have been introduced. This study utilized SEC as a characterization tool to assess the efficiency of EV isolation. Urinary EVs isolated from human urine using centrifugation (40,000 × g) were analyzed using an SEC column with a pore size of 1000 Å, an inner diameter of 7.8 mm, and a length of 300 mm. The EVs were detected sequentially using UV (280 nm) and fluorescence (λex/em = 550 nm/565 nm); the EVs were observed at approximately 6 min, while the proteins were observed at approximately 12 min. The repeated centrifugation enrichment steps resulted in an increase in EV peaks and a decrease in protein peaks. SEC analysis of the enriched EV samples confirmed that a four-cycle repetition of centrifugation is necessary for successful EV enrichment and removal of non-EV proteins from 40 mL of human urine.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Effects of COVID-19 on Patient Safety Culture among Staff at a Teaching Hospital in Malaysia

Krishnasamy K, Zakaria MI, Tan MP, Chinna K, Narayanan V, Hasnan N

Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2023 Sep 25;17:e494.
PMID: 37746761 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.141
Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Circadian rhythms and cancer

Selvaraj C, Safi SZ, Vijayakumar R

Adv Protein Chem Struct Biol, 2023;137:135-159.
PMID: 37709373 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.05.001

Circadian rhythms are autonomous oscillators developed by the molecular circadian clock, essential for coordinating internal time with the external environment in a 24-h daily cycle. In mammals, this circadian clock system plays a major role in all physiological processes and severely affects human health. The regulation of the circadian clock extends beyond the clock genes to involve several clock-controlled genes. Hence, the aberrant expression of these clock genes leads to the downregulation of important targets that control the cell cycle and the ability to undergo apoptosis. This may lead to genomic instability and promotes carcinogenesis. Alteration in the clock genes and their modulation is recognized as a new approach for the development of effective treatment against several diseases, including cancer. Until now, there has been a lack of understanding of circadian rhythms and cancer disease. For that, this chapter aims to represent the core components of circadian rhythms and their function in cancer pathogenesis and progression. In addition, the clinical impacts, current clock drugs, and potential therapeutic targets have been discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Personality assessment in military - Bright and dark sides of the assessment measures: A review

Sohail M, Naeem F, Javaid MU, Ibikunle AK

Work, 2023;76(3):979-990.
PMID: 37182851 DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220454

BACKGROUND: Personality assessment has its own bright and dark sides, especially in the military setting. It is at play since the emergence of clinical psychology and its application in the recruitment process during World War I and II. Change in personality assessment trends, the evolution of complex personality traits, and changing geopolitical settings across the world necessitate the development of cost-effective, time-efficient, and reliable assessment measures that overcome issues in current assessment measures and fulfil the needs of present timesOBJECTIVE:The objective of this paper is to explore the evolution of personality assessment measures and their uses in military settings along with the comparison of self-report and non-self-report measures. It would give directions for the development of new measures to overcome the issues and drawbacks associated with current measures of research.
METHODS: The research question was formulated using the most valid SPIDER technique for a comprehensive search. PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycNet databases were searched. 19 articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria out of 775 articles.
RESULTS: Thematic analyses show that personality assessment in the military is done to a) detect psychopathology, b) detect aberrant responses, c) recruit new personnel, d) predict training and performance outcomes, and e) predict leadership. The research contributes to the body of knowledge by showing an integrated picture of the most widely used assessment tools and the purpose it serves.
CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop assessment measures that are culture free and can assess more complex personality attributes.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Improving the diagnosis of endometriosis in Asia-Pacific: Consensus from the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel for Endometriosis

Yen CF, Hamdan M, Hengrasmee P, Huang Z, Jeong K, Dao LA, et al.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2023 Dec;163(3):720-732.
PMID: 37837343 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15142

Endometriosis should be diagnosed as early as possible in the continuum of care; but substantial delays of approximately 6-8 years between symptom onset and endometriosis diagnosis have been widely reported. With the purpose of improving the prompt diagnosis of endometriosis, the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel (APEX) sought to address the reasons for diagnostic delays across the region, and formulate a multi-pronged approach to overcoming these challenges. In the first instance, clinical diagnosis is preferable to surgical diagnosis, in order to facilitate earlier empirical treatment and minimize the negative sequelae of undiagnosed/untreated disease. There should be a high clinical index of suspicion in women presenting with cyclical symptoms, including those involving extrapelvic organs. Diagnostic delays in Asia-Pacific countries are attributable to a variety of patient, physician, and healthcare factors, including poor awareness, normalization/trivialization of pain, individual/cultural attitudes toward menstruation, default use of symptom-suppressing treatments, misdiagnosis, and a lack of diagnostic resourcing or adequate referral pathways in some areas. Suggested initiatives to reduce diagnostic delays are geared toward improving public awareness, improving clinical diagnostic skills, streamlining multidisciplinary care pathways for timely referral, updating and implementing diagnostic guidelines, lobbying policymakers and insurance companies for endometriosis support, and increasing efforts to bridge data gaps and perform further research in this field. Formulating specific action plans and gathering traction are the responsibility of individual countries within local parameters. The APEX group advocates for any initiatives and policies that support the unmet needs of women with endometriosis, to improve patient experience and outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
An integrated assessment of ecological and human health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through toxicity prediction approaches

Hamid N, Junaid M, Manzoor R, Sultan M, Chuan OM, Wang J

Sci Total Environ, 2023 Dec 20;905:167213.
PMID: 37730032 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167213

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence and ubiquitous environmental distribution. This review aims to summarize the global PFAS distribution in surface water and identify its ecological and human risks through integrated assessment. Moreover, it provides a holistic insight into the studies highlighting the human biomonitoring and toxicological screening of PFAS in freshwater and marine species using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) based models. Literature showed that PFOA and PFOS were the most prevalent chemicals found in surface water. The highest PFAS levels were reported in the US, China, and Australia. The TEST model showed relatively low LC50 of PFDA and PFOS for Pimephales promelas (0.36 and 0.91 mg/L) and high bioaccumulation factors (518 and 921), revealing an elevated associated toxicity. The risk quotients (RQs) values for P. promelas and Daphnia magna were found to be 269 and 23.7 for PFOS. Studies confirmed that long-chain PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA undergo bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and induce toxicological effects such as oxidative stress, transgenerational epigenetic effects, disturbed genetic and enzymatic responses, perturbed immune system, hepatotoxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, altered genetic and enzymatic responses, and metabolism abnormalities. Human biomonitoring studies found the highest PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS levels in urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum samples. Further, long-chain PFOA and PFOS exposure create severe health implications such as hyperuricemia, reduced birth weight, and immunotoxicity in humans. Molecular docking analysis revealed that short-chain PFBS (-11.84 Kcal/mol) and long-chain PFUnDA (-10.53 Kcal/mol) displayed the strongest binding interactions with human serum albumin protein. Lastly, research challenges and future perspectives for PFAS toxicological implications were also discussed, which helps to mitigate associated pollution and ecological risks.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Natural Products to Target the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro Using Molecular Screening and Simulation Approaches

Sayaf AM, Ahmad H, Aslam MA, Ghani SA, Bano S, Yousafi Q, et al.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2023 Nov;195(11):6959-6978.
PMID: 36961512 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04466-1

Because of the essential role of PLpro in the regulation of replication and dysregulation of the host immune sensing, it is considered a therapeutic target for novel drug development. To reduce the risk of immune evasion and vaccine effectiveness, small molecular therapeutics are the best complementary approach. Hence, we used a structure-based drug-designing approach to identify potential small molecular inhibitors for PLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Initial scoring and re-scoring of the best hits revealed that three compounds NPC320891 (2,2-Dihydroxyindene-1,3-Dione), NPC474594 (Isonarciclasine), and NPC474595 (7-Deoxyisonarciclasine) exhibit higher docking scores than the control GRL0617. Investigation of the binding modes revealed that alongside the essential contacts, i.e., Asp164, Glu167, Tyr264, and Gln269, these molecules also target Lys157 and Tyr268 residues in the active site. Moreover, molecular simulation demonstrated that the reported top hits also possess stable dynamics and structural packing. Furthermore, the residues' flexibility revealed that all the complexes demonstrated higher flexibility in the regions 120-140, 160-180, and 205-215. The 120-140 and 160-180 lie in the finger region of PLpro, which may open/close during the simulation to cover the active site and push the ligand inside. In addition, the total binding free energy was reported to be - 32.65 ± 0.17 kcal/mol for the GRL0617-PLpro, for the NPC320891-PLpro complex, the TBE was - 35.58 ± 0.14 kcal/mol, for the NPC474594-PLpro, the TBE was - 43.72 ± 0.22 kcal/mol, while for NPC474595-PLpro complex, the TBE was calculated to be - 41.61 ± 0.20 kcal/mol, respectively. Clustering of the protein's motion and FEL further revealed that in NPC474594 and NPC474595 complexes, the drug was seen to have moved inside the binding cavity along with the loop in the palm region harboring the catalytic triad, thus justifying the higher binding of these two molecules particularly. In conclusion, the overall results reflect favorable binding of the identified hits strongly than the control drug, thus demanding in vitro and in vivo validation for clinical purposes.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Ductus arteriosus morphology in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation: CT classification and pattern in different ventricular morphology

Abdul Latiff H, Gopal AR, Hidayat ZF, Haranal M, Borhanuddin BK, Alwi M, et al.

Cardiol Young, 2023 Nov;33(11):2243-2251.
PMID: 36651340 DOI: 10.1017/S1047951122004218

BACKGROUND: The objective was to study the ductus arteriosus morphology in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation and its pattern in different ventricle morphology using CT angiography.
METHOD: From January 2013 to December 2015, patients aged 6 months and below with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation underwent CT angiography to delineate the ductus arteriosus origin, tortuosity, site of insertion, and pulmonary artery anatomy. The ductus arteriosus were classified into type I, IIa, IIb, and III based on its site of origin, either from descending aorta, distal arch, proximal arch, or subclavian artery, respectively.
RESULTS: A total of 114 patients and 116 ductus arteriosus (two had bilateral ductus arteriosus) were analysed. Type I, IIa, IIb, and III ductus arteriosus were seen in 13 (11.2 %), 71 (61.2%), 21 (18.1%), and 11 (9.5%), respectively. Tortuous ductus arteriosus was found in 38 (32.7%), which was commonly seen in single ventricular lesions. Ipsilateral and bilateral branch pulmonary artery stenosis was seen in 68 (59.6%) and 6 (5.3%) patients, respectively. The majority of patients with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum had type I (54.4%) and non-tortuous ductus arteriosus, while those with single and biventricular lesions had type II ductus arteriosus (84.9% and 89.7%, respectively). Type III ductus arteriosus was more common in biventricular lesions (77.8%).
CONCLUSIONS: Ductus arteriosus in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation has a diverse morphology with a distinct origin and tortuosity pattern in different types of ventricular morphology. CT may serve as an important tool in case selection and pre-procedural planning for ductal stenting.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Oncoinformatic screening of the gene clusters involved in the HER2-positive breast cancer formation along with the in silico pharmacodynamic profiling of selective long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as the metastatic antagonists

Morshed AKMH, Al Azad S, Mia MAR, Uddin MF, Ema TI, Yeasin RB, et al.

Mol Divers, 2023 Dec;27(6):2651-2672.
PMID: 36445532 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10573-8

The HER2-positive patients occupy ~ 30% of the total breast cancer patients globally where no prevalent drugs are available to mitigate the frequent metastasis clinically except lapatinib and neratinib. This scarcity reinforced researchers' quest for new medications where natural substances are significantly considered. Valuing the aforementioned issues, this research aimed to study the ERBB2-mediated string networks that work behind the HER2-positive breast cancer formation regarding co-expression, gene regulation, GAMA-receptor-signaling pathway, cellular polarization, and signal inhibition. Following the overexpression, promotor methylation, and survivability profiles of ERBB2, the super docking position of HER2 was identified using the quantum tunneling algorithm. Supramolecular docking was conducted to study the target specificity of EPA and DHA fatty acids followed by a comprehensive molecular dynamic simulation (100 ns) to reveal the RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, H-bonds, and MM/GBSA values. Finally, potential drug targets for EPA and DHA in breast cancer were constructed to determine the drug-protein interactions (DPI) at metabolic stages. Considering the values resulting from the combinational models of the oncoinformatic, pharmacodynamic, and metabolic parameters, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA can be considered as potential-targeted therapeutics for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Legal situation and consumer acceptance of insects being eaten as human food in different nations across the world-A comprehensive review

Siddiqui SA, Tettey E, Yunusa BM, Ngah N, Debrah SK, Yang X, et al.

Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2023 Nov;22(6):4786-4830.
PMID: 37823805 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13243

Insect consumption is a traditional practice in many countries. Currently, the urgent need for ensuring food sustainability and the high pressure from degrading environment are urging food scientists to rethink the possibility of introducing edible insects as a promising food type. However, due to the lack of the standardized legislative rules and the adequate scientific data that demonstrate the safety of edible insects, many countries still consider it a grey area to introduce edible insects into food supply chains. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed the legal situation, consumer willingness, acceptance, and the knowledge on edible insect harvesting, processing as well as their safety concerns. We found that, despite the great advantage of introducing edible insects in food supply chains, the legal situation and consumer acceptance for edible insects are still unsatisfactory and vary considerably in different countries, which mostly depend on geographical locations and cultural backgrounds involving psychological, social, religious, and anthropological factors. Besides, the safety concern of edible insect consumption is still a major issue hurdling the promotion of edible insects, which is particularly concerning for countries with no practice in consuming insects. Fortunately, the situation is improving. So far, some commercial insect products like energy bars, burgers, and snack foods have emerged in the market. Furthermore, the European Union has also recently issued a specific item for regulating new foods, which is believed to establish an authorized procedure to promote insect-based foods and should be an important step for marketizing edible insects in the near future.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer

Koppikar S, Oaknin A, Babu KG, Lorusso D, Gupta S, Wu LY, et al.

ESMO Open, 2023 Feb;8(1):100774.
PMID: 36696825 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100774

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer was published in 2022. It was therefore decided, by both the ESMO and the Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO), to convene a virtual meeting in July 2022 to adapt the ESMO 2022 guidelines to take into account the variations in the management of endometrial cancer in Asia. These guidelines represent the consensus opinion of a panel of Asian experts representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), India (ISMPO), Indonesia (ISHMO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO). Voting was based on scientific evidence and was conducted independently of the current treatment practices and treatment access constraints in the different Asian countries, which were discussed when appropriate. The aim of this guideline manuscript is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with endometrial cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by Western and Asian trials whilst respecting the variations in clinical presentation, diagnostic practices including molecular profiling and disparities in access to therapeutic options, including drug approvals and reimbursement strategies.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Action research studies in the intensive care setting: a systematic review

Soh KL, Davidson PM, Leslie G, Bin Abdul Rahman A

Int J Nurs Stud, 2011 Feb;48(2):258-68.
PMID: 21030021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.09.014

To review published studies using action research in the intensive care unit (ICU) in order to provide an intervention framework to improve clinical outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Prevalence of recent occupational injury and its associated factors among food industry workers in Selangor

Dapari R, Mahfot MH, Chiu Yan Yee F, Ahmad ANI, Magayndran K, Ahmad Zamzuri M'I, et al.

PLoS One, 2023;18(11):e0293987.
PMID: 37943862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293987

INTRODUCTION: Malaysia's gross domestic product is heavily influenced by the food and beverage sector and the contribution of the industry to the national economy is expected to increase in the coming years. Thus, the need for employees in the food industry will continue to rise as this sector grows. Nevertheless, employees in the food industry are exposed to various occupational hazards that can lead to occupational injuries, mainly related to kitchen work. Given the increasing number of employees in the food industry and the rising trend of occupational injuries, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of recent occupational injuries and their associated factors and predictors among food industry workers.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among food industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia. The respondents were sampled using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected via online self-administered questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models in the SPSS software, version 25.
RESULTS: A total of 250 responses were received from 342 samples, with an overall response rate of 73.0%. The prevalence of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers was 44.8%. Statistically, significant associations were present between occupational injuries and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), poor knowledge (p = 0.031), poor compliance (p = 0.021), poor safety management (p = 0.021), poor safety training (p = 0.002), poor safety culture (p = 0.003), physical exposure (p < 0.001), and ergonomic exposure (p = 0.009). The predictors for recent occupational injuries among food industry workers were Malay (adjusted Odds Ratio; aOR = 2.60, p = 0.027, 95% Confidence Interval; CI = 1.116, 6.035), alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.31, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.042, 13.779), poor knowledge (aOR = 1.98, p = 0.032, 95% CI = 1.059, 3.691), poor safety culture (aOR = 2.44, p = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.372, 4.342), and exposure to physical hazards (aOR = 8.88, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 3.031, 26.014).
CONCLUSION: This study has found a high prevalence of occupational injuries among food industry workers, thereby highlighting the importance of addressing alcohol consumption, improving worker knowledge, enhancing work safety culture, and better control measures on exposure to physical hazards, especially among Malay workers. By prioritising these factors, employers can create safer work environments and minimise the risk of occupational injuries.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
No person is an island: Unpacking the work and after-work consequences of interacting with artificial intelligence

Tang PM, Koopman J, Mai KM, De Cremer D, Zhang JH, Reynders P, et al.

J Appl Psychol, 2023 Nov;108(11):1766-1789.
PMID: 37307359 DOI: 10.1037/apl0001103

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has arrived, as AI systems are increasingly being integrated across organizational functions into the work lives of employees. This coupling of employees and machines fundamentally alters the work-related interactions to which employees are accustomed, as employees find themselves increasingly interacting with, and relying on, AI systems instead of human coworkers. This increased coupling of employees and AI portends a shift toward more of an "asocial system," wherein people may feel socially disconnected at work. Drawing upon the social affiliation model, we develop a model delineating both adaptive and maladaptive consequences of this situation. Specifically, we theorize that the more employees interact with AI in the pursuit of work goals, the more they experience a need for social affiliation (adaptive)-which may contribute to more helping behavior toward coworkers at work-as well as a feeling of loneliness (maladaptive), which then further impair employee well-being after work (i.e., more insomnia and alcohol consumption). In addition, we submit that these effects should be especially pronounced among employees with higher levels of attachment anxiety. Results across four studies (N = 794) with mixed methodologies (i.e., survey study, field experiment, and simulation study; Studies 1-4) with employees from four different regions (i.e., Taiwan, Indonesia, United States, and Malaysia) generally support our hypotheses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Bacterial nanocellulose and its application in heavy metals and dyes removal: a review

Sahari NS, Shahir S, Ibrahim Z, Hasmoni SH, Altowayti WAH

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Nov;30(51):110069-110078.
PMID: 37814051 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30067-w

This review discusses the application of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and modified BNC in treating wastewater containing heavy metals and dye contaminants. It also highlights the challenges and future perspectives of BNC and its composites. Untreated industrial effluents containing toxic heavy metals are systematically discharged into public waters. In particular, lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) are very harmful to human health and, in some cases, may lead to death. Several methods such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, coagulation, and Fenton oxidation are used to remove these heavy metals from the environment. However, these methods involve the use of numerous chemicals whilst producing high amount of toxic sludge. Meanwhile, the development of the adsorption-based technique has provided an alternative way of treating wastewater using BNC. Bacterial nanocellulose requires less energy for purification and has higher purity than plant cellulose. In general, the optimum growth parameters are crucial in BNC production. Even though native BNC can be used for the removal of heavy metals and dyes, the incorporation of other materials, such as polyethyleneimine, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate and polydopamine can improve sorption efficiencies.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext A Novel Social Distancing Approach for Limiting the Number of Vehicles in Smart Buildings Using LiFi Hybrid-Network

Murad SS, Yussof S, Badeel R, Hashim W

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023 Feb 15;20(4).
PMID: 36834127 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043438

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has arisen as one of the most severe problems due to its ongoing mutations as well as the absence of a suitable cure for this virus. The virus primarily spreads and replicates itself throughout huge groups of individuals through daily touch, which regretfully can happen in several unanticipated way. As a result, the sole viable attempts to constrain the spread of this new virus are to preserve social distance, perform contact tracing, utilize suitable safety gear, and enforce quarantine measures. In order to control the virus's proliferation, scientists and officials are considering using several social distancing models to detect possible diseased individuals as well as extremely risky areas to sustain separation and lockdown procedures. However, models and systems in the existing studies heavily depend on the human factor only and reveal serious privacy vulnerabilities. In addition, no social distancing model/technique was found for monitoring, tracking, and scheduling vehicles for smart buildings as a social distancing approach so far. In this study, a new system design that performs real-time monitoring, tracking, and scheduling of vehicles for smart buildings is proposed for the first time named the social distancing approach for limiting the number of vehicles (SDA-LNV). The proposed model employs LiFi technology as a wireless transmission medium for the first time in the social distance (SD) approach. The proposed work is considered as Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. It might aid authorities in counting the volume of likely affected people. In addition, the proposed system design is expected to help reduce the infection rate inside buildings in areas where traditional social distancing techniques are not used or applicable.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Stigmatizing Monkeypox and COVID-19: A Comparative Framing Study of The Washington Post's Online News

Ju W, Sannusi SN, Mohamad E

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023 Feb 14;20(4).
PMID: 36834039 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043347

BACKGROUND: Stigma relating to health can result in a broad range of vulnerabilities and risks for patients and healthcare providers. The media play a role in people's understanding of health, and stigma is socially constructed through many communication channels, including media framing. Recent health issues affected by stigma include monkeypox and COVID-19.
OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to examine how The Washington Post (WP) framed the stigma around monkeypox and COVID-19. Guided by framing theory and stigma theory, online news coverage of monkeypox and COVID-19 was analyzed to understand the construction of social stigma through media frames.
METHODS: This research used qualitative content analysis to compare news framings in The Washington Post's online news coverage of monkeypox and COVID-19.
RESULTS: Using endemic, reassurance, and sexual-transmission frames, The Washington Post predominantly defined Africa as the source of monkeypox outbreaks, indirectly labeled gays as a specific group more likely to be infected with monkeypox, and emphasized that there was no need to worry about the spread of the monkeypox virus. In its COVID-19 coverage, The Washington Post adopted endemic and panic frames to describe China as the source of the coronavirus and to construct an image of panic regarding the spread of the virus.
CONCLUSIONS: These stigma discourses are essentially manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and sexism in public health issues. This research confirms that the media reinforces the stigma phenomenon in relation to health through framing and provides suggestions for the media to mitigate this issue from a framing perspective.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Asia-Pacific Leukemia Consortium: An innovative and collaborative initiative to improve care of leukemia and related diseases in the Asia-Pacific region

Lao Z, Tse EWC, Chuncharunee S, Kwong YL, Wei A, Ko BS, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol, 2023 Dec;19(6):655-663.
PMID: 37259880 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13970

The burden of leukemia and related diseases is rapidly growing in Asia. Currently, there is a paucity of regional collaborative groups/initiatives that focus exclusively on the management of leukemia in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The Asia-Pacific Leukemia Consortium (APLC) was established on the 8 September 2021 to understand the status quo, unmet needs, and ways to improve the management of leukemia and related diseases in the APAC region. The APLC working group set up a group of experts from various countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Australia) to discuss on the status of: (i) clinical trials; (ii) disease registry database; (iii) genetic and tissue repository; (iv) patient advocacy and care; and (v) disease prevention and education in the APAC region. Low levels of awareness about leukemia amongst the public, lack of financial support, and limited access to newly approved therapies were identified as barriers to the implementation of effective leukemia management in low- or mid-income Asian countries. Patients often enroll in clinical trials to gain access to novel/approved therapies. The APLC group aims to address the growing threat of leukemia through a collaborative approach to advance disease prevention, research, clinical trials, and education.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Illuminating Insights: Clinical Study Harnessing Pharmacoscintigraphy for Permeation Study of Radiolabeled Nimesulide Topical Formulation in Healthy Human Volunteers

Sharma N, Khanna K, Kumar N, Karwasra R, Janakiraman AK, Rajagopal MS

Assay Drug Dev Technol, 2023 Oct;21(7):325-330.
PMID: 37801663 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2023.053

An alternative to oral administration for the delivery of therapeutic substances is the topical route, which frequently has comparable efficacy but may have a better tolerability profile. Gamma scintigraphy is a noninvasive technique that involves the application of radioactive substances to conduct biodistribution studies of therapeutic substances delivered through various routes. Nimesulide (NSD) was radiolabeled with technetium pertechnetate (Technetium99m [99mTc]) and this radiolabeled drug complex (99mTc-NSD) was used to prepare a topical gel formulation. The permeation of the radiolabeled drug from the topical gel was determined by gamma scintigraphy on human volunteers. The region of interest was calculated for the quantification of permeated radiolabeled drugs. This was observed that the mean percentage permeation of 99mTc-NSD was found to be 0.32 ± 0.22 to 36.37 ± 2.86 at 5 and 240 min. It was demonstrated that gamma scintigraphy may be a noninvasive and reliable technique for the determination of drug permeation through topical routes.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Physicians and pharmacists' clinical knowledge of statin therapy and monitoring parameters, and the barriers to guideline implementation in clinical practice

Al-Ashwal FY, Sulaiman SAS, Sheikh Ghadzi SM, Kubas MA, Halboup A

PLoS One, 2023;18(1):e0280432.
PMID: 36662695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280432

BACKGROUND: Millions of individuals worldwide use statins, and their significant impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been well-established. However, a lack of knowledge about the up-to-date guideline recommendations regarding statin therapy is a common barrier to implementation in clinical practice. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the current clinical knowledge about statin therapy and its monitoring parameters. Also, we evaluated the barriers to cholesterol management guideline implementation in Yemen.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted over four months, from June/2021 to September/2021, in Sana'a, Yemen. A validated questionnaire was distributed face-to-face to 650 participants (350 physicians and 300 pharmacists). Physicians and pharmacists from governmental and private hospitals and those working in private clinics or community pharmacies were included in the study.
RESULTS: A total of 496 participants filled out the survey, with 22 being excluded due to incomplete data. So, the study has an overall response rate of 72.9% (474). The majority of pharmacists (81.8%) and physicians (78.7%) could not identify the patient group that needed ASCVD risk assessment before statin therapy initiation. Although a significant proportion of respondents knew of the fact that high-intensity statins are recommended for patients with ASCVD (65.4%) and primary hypercholesterolemia (58.4%), the majority of physicians and pharmacists could not identify the high (61.6% and 66.7.3%, respectively) and moderate statin-intensity doses (72.2% and 68.6%, respectively). Only 21.9% of all respondents knew that atorvastatin and rosuvastatin can be administered at any time of the day. Similarly, a low overall rate of respondents (19.6%) knew that atorvastatin does not need dose adjustment in chronic kidney diseases, with a statistically significant difference in knowledge between physicians and pharmacists (12.5% vs. 25.6%, p <0.001, respectively). Notably, only 39.2% of participants were aware that statins are not safe to use during breastfeeding. Around half of respondents (52.3%) correctly identify the duration (4 to 12 weeks) at which LD-C measuring is recommended after therapy initiation or dose change. The lowest knowledge scores for respondents were related to statin-drug interactions. Age, experience, degree, and previous guideline exposure were all significantly associated with the knowledge scores (p <0.05). The four most perceived barriers to implementing cholesterol management guidelines were no audit on adherence to the guidelines in the workplace (73.4%), insufficient resources to adequately implement and follow up on the guideline's recommendations (73.6%), patient's financial status (75.7%), and lack of familiarity about the guideline's latest recommendations (63.3%).
CONCLUSION: Physicians and pharmacists had suboptimal clinical knowledge regarding statin therapy, dose intensities, drug-drug interaction, contraindications, and monitoring parameters. Therefore, physicians' and pharmacists' educational interventions regarding the up-to-date recommendation about statins are recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

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