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Fulltext The Health Effects of Chocolate and Cocoa: A Systematic Review

Tan TYC, Lim XY, Yeo JHH, Lee SWH, Lai NM

Nutrients, 2021 Aug 24;13(9).
PMID: 34578786 DOI: 10.3390/nu13092909

Chocolate has a history of human consumption tracing back to 400 AD and is rich in polyphenols such as catechins, anthocyanidins, and pro anthocyanidins. As chocolate and cocoa product consumption, along with interest in them as functional foods, increases worldwide, there is a need to systematically and critically appraise the available clinical evidence on their health effects. A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) using a search strategy and keywords. Among the many health effects assessed on several outcomes (including skin, cardiovascular, anthropometric, cognitive, and quality of life), we found that compared to controls, chocolate or cocoa product consumption significantly improved lipid profiles (triglycerides), while the effects of chocolate on all other outcome parameters were not significantly different. In conclusion, low-to-moderate-quality evidence with short duration of research (majority 4-6 weeks) showed no significant difference between the effects of chocolate and control groups on parameters related to skin, blood pressure, lipid profile, cognitive function, anthropometry, blood glucose, and quality of life regardless of form, dose, and duration among healthy individuals. It was generally well accepted by study subjects, with gastrointestinal disturbances and unpalatability being the most reported concerns.
Fulltext Characterization and Kinetic Studies of Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Polymer Inclusion Membrane for the Malachite Green Extraction

Soo JAL, Makhtar MMZ, Shoparwe NF, Otitoju TA, Mohamad M, Tan LS, et al.

Membranes (Basel), 2021 Aug 31;11(9).
PMID: 34564493 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11090676

Textile industry effluent contains a high amount of toxic colorants. These dyes are carcinogenic and threats to the environment and living beings. In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-co-HFP) was used as the based polymer for PIMs with bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (B2EHP) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as the carrier and plasticizer. The fabricated PIMs were employed to extract the cation dye (Malachite Green; MG) from the feeding phase. PIMs were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), contact angle, water uptake, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ions exchange capacity. The performance of the PIMs was investigated under various conditions such as percentage of carrier and initial dye concentration. With permeability and flux values of 0.1188 cm/min and 1.1913 mg cm/min, PIM produced with 18% w/w PVDF-co-HFP, 21% w/w B2EHP, 1% w/w DOP and 40% w/w THF and was able to achieve more than 97% of MG extraction. The experimental data were then fitted with a pseudo-second-order (PSO) model, and the calculated R2 value was ~0.99. This shows that the data has a good fit with the PSO model. PIM is a potential alternative technology in textile industry effluent treatment; however, the right formulation is crucial for developing a highly efficient membrane.
Fulltext Muscle and Serum Metabolomics for Different Chicken Breeds under Commercial Conditions by GC-MS

Tan C, Selamat J, Jambari NN, Sukor R, Murugesu S, Khatib A

Foods, 2021 Sep 14;10(9).
PMID: 34574284 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092174

Globally, village chicken is popular and is known as a premium meat with a higher price. Food fraud can occur by selling other chicken breeds at a premium price in local markets. This study aimed to distinguish local village chicken from other chicken breeds available in the market, namely, colored broiler (Hubbard), broiler (Cobb), and spent laying hen (Dekalb) in pectoralis major and serum under commercial conditions using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Both pectoralis major and serum were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component analysis (PCA) results distinguished four different chicken breeds into three main groups for pectoralis major and serum. A total of 30 and 40 characteristic metabolites were identified for pectoralis major and serum, respectively. The four chicken breeds were characterized by the abundance of metabolites such as amino acids (L-glutamic acid, L-threonine, L-serine, L-leucine), organic acids (L-lactic acid, succinic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid), sugars (D-allose, D-glucose), sugar alcohols (myo-inositol), and fatty acids (linoleic acid). Our results suggest that an untargeted metabolomics approach using GC-MS and PCA could discriminate chicken breeds for pectoralis major and serum under commercial conditions. In this study, village chicken could only be distinguished from colored broiler (Hubbard) by serum samples.
Fulltext Torsional Crack Localization in Palm Oil Clinker Concrete Using Acoustic Emission Method

Khan S, Yap SP, Tan CG, Ganasan R, Sherif MM, El-Shafie A

Materials (Basel), 2021 Sep 20;14(18).
PMID: 34576670 DOI: 10.3390/ma14185446

Palm oil clinker (POC) aggregates is a viable alternative to the naturally occurring sand and gravel in the manufacturing of concrete. The usage of POC aggregates assists in the reduction of solid waste and preserves the consumption of natural resources. Although researchers investigated the mechanical response of POC-containing concrete, limited research is available for its torsional behavior. In general, the torsional strength depends on the tensile strength of concrete. This research investigates the compressive, tensile, and torsional response of concrete with various ratios of POC-aggregates. Five batches of concrete were casted with POC-aggregate replacing granite at ratios of 0, 20, 40, 60, and 100%. The selection for the mixture proportions for the various batches was based on the design of experiments (DOE) methodology. The hard density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of concrete with a 100% replacement of granite with POC-aggregates reduced by 8.80, 37.25, 30.94, and 14.31%, respectively. Furthermore, a reduction in initial and ultimate torque was observed. While cracks increased with the increase in POC-aggregates. Finally, the cracking of concrete subjected to torsional loads was monitored and characterized by acoustic emissions (AE). The results illustrate a sudden rise in AE activities during the initiation of cracks and as the ultimate cracks were developed. This was accompanied by a sudden drop in the torque/twist curve.
Fulltext A guide in lentiviral vector production for hard-to-transfect cells, using cardiac-derived c-kit expressing cells as a model system

Kalidasan V, Ng WH, Ishola OA, Ravichantar N, Tan JJ, Das KT

Sci Rep, 2021 Sep 28;11(1):19265.
PMID: 34584147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98657-7

Gene therapy revolves around modifying genetic makeup by inserting foreign nucleic acids into targeted cells via gene delivery methods to treat a particular disease. While the genes targeted play a key role in gene therapy, the gene delivery system used is also of utmost importance as it determines the success of gene therapy. As primary cells and stem cells are often the target cells for gene therapy in clinical trials, the delivery system would need to be robust, and viral-based entries such as lentiviral vectors work best at transporting the transgene into the cells. However, even within lentiviral vectors, several parameters can affect the functionality of the delivery system. Using cardiac-derived c-kit expressing cells (CCs) as a model system, this study aims to optimize lentiviral production by investigating various experimental factors such as the generation of the lentiviral system, concentration method, and type of selection marker. Our findings showed that the 2nd generation system with pCMV-dR8.2 dvpr as the packaging plasmid produced a 7.3-fold higher yield of lentiviral production compared to psPAX2. Concentrating the virus with ultracentrifuge produced a higher viral titer at greater than 5 × 105 infectious unit values/ml (IFU/ml). And lastly, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of puromycin selection marker was 10 μg/mL and 7 μg/mL for HEK293T and CCs, demonstrating the suitability of antibiotic selection for all cell types. This encouraging data can be extrapolated and applied to other difficult-to-transfect cells, such as different types of stem cells or primary cells.
Fulltext Population preferences and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan

Tahir MJ, Saqlain M, Tariq W, Waheed S, Tan SHS, Nasir SI, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2021 09 26;21(1):1759.
PMID: 34565351 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11814-5

BACKGROUND: While vaccine development is itself a challenge; ensuring optimal vaccine uptake at population level can present an even more significant challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the Pakistani population's attitude and preferences towards the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out through an online self-administered questionnaire from 27 September 2020 to 11 October 2020. A total of 883 people responded to the survey. The questionnaire included the participants' socio-demographic variables, attitudes, beliefs towards the COVID-19 vaccine and acceptance and rejection of vaccination, and reasons for them. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors for vaccine acceptance and willingness to pay for the vaccine.
RESULTS: A majority (70.8%) of respondents will accept the COVID-19vaccine if available, and 66.8% showed a positive attitude towards vaccination. Monthly family income, education level, self-diagnosis of COVID-19 or a friend, family member, or colleague are significant factors influencing the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. The dogma of being naturally immune to COVID-19 was a key reason for the refusal of the vaccine. Less than half (48%) of those who refuse will vaccinate themselves if government officials have made it compulsory. A third (33.9%) of participants were willing to pay up to (7 USD) 1000 Pkr (Pakistani Rupees) for the vaccine.
CONCLUSION: The population's positive attitude should be improved by increasing awareness and eradicating false myths about vaccines through large-scale campaigns.
Recent Advancement in Disposable Electrode Modified with Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Heavy Metal Sensors

Mohamad Nor N, Ramli NH, Poobalan H, Qi Tan K, Abdul Razak K

Crit Rev Anal Chem, 2023;53(2):253-288.
PMID: 34565248 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1950521

Heavy metal pollution has gained global attention due to its high toxicity and non-biodegradability, even at a low level of exposure. Therefore, the development of a disposable electrode that is sensitive, simple, portable, rapid, and cost-effective as the sensor platform in electrochemical heavy metal detection is vital. Disposable electrodes have been modified with nanomaterials so that excellent electrochemical properties can be obtained. This review highlights the recent progress in the development of numerous types of disposable electrodes modified with nanomaterials for electrochemical heavy metal detection. The disposable electrodes made from carbon-based, glass-based, and paper-based electrodes are reviewed. In particular, the analytical performance, fabrication technique, and integration design of disposable electrodes modified with metal (such as gold, tin and bismuth), carbon (such as carbon nanotube and graphene), and metal oxide (such as iron oxide and zinc oxide) nanomaterials are summarized. In addition, the role of the nanomaterials in improving the electrochemical performance of the modified disposable electrodes is discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future prospect of the disposable electrode modified with nanomaterials are summarized.
Fulltext The Missing Piece: Recent Approaches Investigating the Antimicrobial Mode of Action of Essential Oils

Yang SK, Tan NP, Chong CW, Abushelaibi A, Lim SH, Lai KS

Evol Bioinform Online, 2021;17:1176934320938391.
PMID: 34017165 DOI: 10.1177/1176934320938391

Antibiotic resistance is a major global health issue that has seen alarming rates of increase in all parts of the world over the past two decades. The surge in antibiotic resistance has resulted in longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and elevated mortality rates. Constant attempts have been made to discover newer and more effective antimicrobials to reduce the severity of antibiotic resistance. Plant secondary metabolites, such as essential oils, have been the major focus due to their complexity and bioactive nature. However, the underlying mechanism of their antimicrobial effect remains largely unknown. Understanding the antimicrobial mode of action of essential oils is crucial in developing potential strategies for the use of essential oils in a clinical setting. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics have enhanced our understanding of the antimicrobial mode of action of essential oils. We might well be at the dawn of completing a mystery on how essential oils carry out their antimicrobial activities. Therefore, an overview of essential oils with regard to their antimicrobial activities and mode of action is discussed in this review. Recent approaches used in identifying the antimicrobial mode of action of essential oils, specifically from the perspective of genomics and proteomics, are also synthesized. Based on the information gathered from this review, we offer recommendations for future strategies and prospects for the study of essential oils and their function as antimicrobials.
Association of circulating leptin and adiponectin levels with colorectal cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

Wang Y, Li J, Fu X, Li J, Liu L, Alkohlani A, et al.

Cancer Epidemiol, 2021 08;73:101958.
PMID: 34020315 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101958

PURPOSE: Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines which have been commonly implicated in carcinogenesis. As such, many studies have investigated the association of circulating leptin and adiponectin levels with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, the results remained inconsistent.
METHODS: In this work, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to precisely examine the association between circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin and CRC risk. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases from inception until October 2020. The pooled effect size was then estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR).
RESULTS: A total of 23 records (comprising 26 studies) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall analysis found that circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin were not significantly associated with CRC risk (P > 0.05). Interestingly, subgroup analysis revealed that a higher level of adiponectin was significantly associated with an increased CRC risk among overweight individuals (OR = 1.16; 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.32), and a decreased CRC risk among normal weight individuals (OR = 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.62, 0.92). Besides, a higher level of adiponectin was also significantly associated with a decreased risk of CRC in men (OR = 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.59, 0.98).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, circulating leptin level was not associated with CRC risk, but that of adiponectin was associated with CRC risk only in specific subgroups.
Extended Whole-body Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT in evaluating Tumour-Induced Osteomalacia: Case report and review of literature

Tan TH, Chen EJ, Chew MT, Chye PC, Wong M

Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2021 Jun;55(3):130-135.
PMID: 34109008 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-021-00695-6

Tumour-induced osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that manifests as chronic hypophosphataemia, non-specific bone pain and muscle weakness. It is generally caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour (PMT), which is uncommonly associated with synchronous tumours. However, diagnosis is often delayed for several years due to the rarity, indolent growing nature and non-specific symptoms of the disease, often resulting in an overlook by clinicians during assessments. The patient initially presented with hypophosphataemia and generalised skeletal pain with multiple atraumatic fractures. Blood tests revealed serum calcium levels at the upper limit and extremely low inorganic phosphate levels. Herein, we report a case where two synchronous PMTs from two different sites were detected by 'extended' whole-body Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT, leading to remission of the disease after complete surgical removal. Early detection and diagnosis of PMT neoplasm is crucial, as complete surgical resection of this tumour is the only definitive treatment currently known. Upon excision, this curable disease will result in complete resolution of symptoms and blood parameters, leading to remission of the disease which significantly improves the patient's quality of life. PMT often over-expresses somatostatin receptors (SSTR), predominantly subtype 2A, and Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT is a selective SSTR imaging that targets this characteristic over-expression in these tumours. The high diagnostic accuracy of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT should be the primary imaging modality for full evaluation of this disease.
The outcome of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): do the sperm concentration and motility matter?

Chua AC, Abdul Karim AK, Tan ACC, Abu MA, Ahmad MF

Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig, 2021 Jun 14;42(4):367-372.
PMID: 34118795 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0089

OBJECTIVES: The male-factor subfertility was reported to be 30% globally; thus, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure was implemented to improve the overall in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates. Nevertheless, at least 10% of fertilization failure still occurs. Concerning this issue, we explored the association of sperm concentration and motility with the quality of embryo development and pregnancy outcome in IVF-ICSI cycles.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 109 couples with male factor were done over 14 months in a tertiary university hospital in Malaysia. The data were divided into four groups; Group I: normal sperm parameters, Group II: normal sperm concentration but reduced total sperm motility, Group III: reduced sperm concentration and motility, Group IV: reduced sperm concentration but normal sperm motility. Only fresh semen samples and fresh embryo transfers were included. The fertilization, cleavage rate, embryo quality and pregnancy outcome were assessed.
RESULTS: Overall, group I had the highest oocytes yield and ICSI attempted; (10.12 + 6.50), whereas the lowest was in group IV; (7.00 + 2.82). Group II revealed the highest fertilization and cleavage rates; (54.14 + 25.36), (55.16 + 26.06), thus not surprisingly resulting in the highest number of good embryos and highest clinical pregnancy rates. The lowest cleavage and pregnancy rates were seen in group IV. However, all the outcomes were not statically significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Similar fertilization rate and comparable pregnancy outcome was seen among couples with normal and reduced sperm concentration and motility.
Fulltext Metabolic maturation of differentiating cardiosphere-derived cells

Pakzad KK, Tan JJ, Anderson S, Board M, Clarke K, Carr CA

Stem Cell Res, 2021 07;54:102422.
PMID: 34118565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102422

Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) can be expanded in vitro and induced to differentiate along the cardiac lineage. To recapitulate the phenotype of an adult cardiomyocyte, differentiating progenitors need to upregulate mitochondrial glucose and fatty acid oxidation. Here we cultured and differentiated CDCs using protocols aimed to maintain stemness or to promote differentiation, including triggering fatty acid oxidation using an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Metabolic changes were characterised in undifferentiated CDCs and during differentiation towards a cardiac phenotype. CDCs from rat atria were expanded on fibronectin or collagen IV via cardiosphere formation. Differentiation was assessed using flow cytometry and qPCR and substrate metabolism was quantified using radiolabelled substrates. Collagen IV promoted proliferation of CDCs whereas fibronectin primed cells for differentiation towards a cardiac phenotype. In both populations, treatment with 5-Azacytidine induced a switch towards oxidative metabolism, as shown by changes in gene expression, decreased glycolytic flux and increased oxidation of glucose and palmitate. Addition of a PPARα agonist during differentiation increased both glucose and fatty acid oxidation and expression of cardiac genes. We conclude that oxidative metabolism and cell differentiation act in partnership with increases in one driving an increase in the other.
Solid encapsulation of lauric acid into "empty" V-type starch: Structural characteristics and emulsifying properties

Huang L, Li S, Tan CP, Feng Y, Zhang B, Fu X, et al.

Carbohydr Polym, 2021 Sep 01;267:118181.
PMID: 34119149 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118181

Lauric acid was introduced into "Empty" V-type starch using a solid encapsulation method. The structural characteristics and emulsifying properties of the starch-fatty acid complex (SFAC) were explored as a function of the complexing temperature. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that SFAC was mainly composed of type-I amylose inclusion complexes. Contact angle measurements revealed that the hydrophobic properties of SFAC were closely related to the temperature-regulated complex index. The particle size range of SFAC gradually increased as the complexing temperature increased. The SFAC-stabilized Pickering emulsion at c of 5% and Φ of 40-60% possessed a small droplet size and long-term storage stability for up to 30 days, resulting from the formation of a gel-like network. This study provides new insight into the design of hydrophobic modified starch as a novel and multifunctional emulsifier and is of great help in the development of starch-based Pickering emulsion gels.
Metformin in gestational diabetes mellitus: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial

Tew MP, Tan PC, Saaid R, Hong JGS, Omar SZ

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2022 Mar;156(3):508-515.
PMID: 33890319 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13718

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of preemptive metformin on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at 36 weeks of pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus controlled by diet change (GDMA1).
METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in a university hospital. Women with GDMA1 were recruited at 16-30 weeks of pregnancy and randomized to oral metformin 500 mg twice daily or identical placebo tablets to delivery. Level of HbA1c was taken at recruitment and at 36 weeks of pregnancy. The primary outcome was the change in level of HbA1c at recruitment and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
RESULTS: Data from 106 participants were analyzed. The level of HbA1c during pregnancy increased significantly with a mean increase of 0.20% ± 0.31% (P
Induction of labour from 39 weeks in low-risk multiparas with ripe cervixes: A randomised controlled trial

Tan PC, Othman A, Win ST, Hong JGS, Elias N, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2021 Jun 05.
PMID: 34089525 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13377

BACKGROUND: Induction of labour (IOL) in low-risk nulliparas at 39 weeks reduces caesarean delivery. Multiparas with ripe cervixes typically have vaginal delivery within eight hours. Delivery at night and weekend are associated with higher maternal and neonatal mortality.
AIMS: To evaluate IOL in full-term multiparas with ripe cervixes to achieve delivery at normal working hours and improve maternal satisfaction.
METHODS: A randomised trial was performed in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Low-risk multiparas with ripe cervixes (Bishop score ≥6) were recruited at 38+4 -40+0 weeks, then randomised to planned labour induction at 39+0 weeks or expectant care. Primary outcomes were delivery during 'normal working hours' 09:00-17:00 hours, Monday-Friday and patient satisfaction by visual numerical rating scale.
RESULTS: For IOL (n = 80) vs expectant care (n = 80) arms respectively, primary outcomes of delivery at normal working hours was 27/80 (34%) vs 29/78 (37%), relative risk (RR) 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-1.7, P = 0.41, patient satisfaction was 8.0 ± 1.8 vs 7.8 ± 1.6, P = 0.41; presentation for spontaneous labour or rupture of membranes were 27/80 (34%) vs 70/79 (89%), RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5, P
Multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing the safety in the first 12 h, efficacy and maternal satisfaction of a double balloon catheter and prostaglandin pessary for induction of labour

Grace Ng YH, Aminuddin AA, Tan TL, Kuppusamy R, Tagore S, Yeo GSH

Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2021 May 11.
PMID: 33973051 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06090-y

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety in the first 12 h, efficacy and maternal satisfaction of a double balloon catheter (DBC) with vaginal prostaglandin (PGE) for induction of labour (IOL).
METHODS: We conducted a multicentre randomised controlled study of 420 patients from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2017 to evaluate the use of DBC in IOL in an Asian population looking at the adverse effects in the first 12 h after insertion. Women were assigned randomly to cervical ripening with either a DBC or a prostaglandin pessary. The adverse events in the 12 h after DBC or first prostaglandin inserted, the efficacy of a DBC to a prostaglandin in labour induction and maternal satisfaction were evaluated.
RESULTS: There were significantly less women with uterine hyperstimulation in the DBC (2 vs 24, p ≤ 0.0001) compared to the prostaglandin group. There were no women with uterine hyperstimulation and non-reassuring foetal status in the DBC while there were 5 women with uterine hyperstimulation and foetal distress in the prostaglandin group. Use of entonox was significantly less in the DBC group (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences in both groups in caesarean section, vaginal deliveries and time to delivery, although significant less time was needed to achieve cervical os dilation more than 4 cm in the DBC group (p ≤ 0.0001). Neonatal birth outcomes were similar. Women's pain scores were similar for both methods. 80.1% of women allocated the DBC and 76.8% of women allocated the PGE were keen to recommend their method of induction.
CONCLUSION: Double balloon catheter remains a good alternative method for inducing women in view of a good safety profile with low risk of hyperstimulation and high maternal satisfaction.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02620215.
Malnutrition in early life and its neurodevelopmental and cognitive consequences: a scoping review

Suryawan A, Jalaludin MY, Poh BK, Sanusi R, Tan VMH, Geurts JM, et al.

Nutr Res Rev, 2022 Jun;35(1):136-149.
PMID: 34100353 DOI: 10.1017/S0954422421000159

The negative impact of stunting and severe underweight on cognitive neurodevelopment of children is well documented; however, the effect of overweight/obesity is still unclear. The 2018 Global Nutrition Report reported that stunting and overweight concurrently affect 189 million children worldwide. As existing reviews discuss undernutrition and overweight/obesity separately, this scoping review aims to document the impact of mild/moderate and severe underweight, stunting, and overweight/obesity among children aged 0-60 months on their cognitive neurodevelopmental trajectories. Twenty-six articles were analysed to extract significant information from literature retrieved from PubMed and Cochrane databases published from 1 January 2009 to 31 October 2019. Length gain is associated with cognitive neurodevelopment in normo-nourished and stunted children aged under 24 months. Among stunted children, it seems that cognitive and neurodevelopmental deficits can potentially be recovered before 8 years of age, particularly in those whose nutritional status has improved. The impact of overweight/obesity on cognitive neurodevelopment appears to be limited to attention, gross motor skills and executive control. Parental education level, birth weight/length, breastfeeding duration, and sanitation level are some identifiable factors that modify the impact of undernutrition and overweight/obesity on cognitive and neurodevelopment. In conclusion, underweight, stunting and overweight/obesity have a significant impact on cognitive neurodevelopment. Multidimensional approaches with various stakeholders should address all issues simultaneously, such as improving sanitation levels, assuring parental job security and adequate social welfare, and providing access to adequate nutrients for catch-up growth among underweight or stunted children and to affordable healthy foods for those who are overweight/obese and from low socio-economic status.
Fulltext Nasal Epithelial Barrier Integrity and Tight Junctions Disruption in Allergic Rhinitis: Overview and Pathogenic Insights

Nur Husna SM, Tan HT, Md Shukri N, Mohd Ashari NS, Wong KK

Front Immunol, 2021;12:663626.
PMID: 34093555 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.663626

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder affecting up to 40% of the population worldwide and it usually persists throughout life. Nasal epithelial barrier constitutes the first line of defense against invasion of harmful pathogens or aeroallergens. Cell junctions comprising of tight junctions (TJs), adherens junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes form the nasal epithelial barrier. Impairment of TJ molecules plays causative roles in the pathogenesis of AR. In this review, we describe and discuss the components of TJs and their disruption leading to development of AR, as well as regulation of TJs expression by epigenetic changes, neuro-immune interaction, epithelial-derived cytokines (thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-25 and IL-33), T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13) and innate lymphoid cells. These growing evidence support the development of novel therapeutic approaches to restore nasal epithelial TJs expression in AR patients.
Point-Defect Engineering: Leveraging Imperfections in Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3 N4 ) Photocatalysts toward Artificial Photosynthesis

Yu X, Ng SF, Putri LK, Tan LL, Mohamed AR, Ong WJ

Small, 2021 12;17(48):e2006851.
PMID: 33909946 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006851

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) is a kind of ideal metal-free photocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis. At present, pristine g-C3 N4 suffers from small specific surface area, poor light absorption at longer wavelengths, low charge migration rate, and a high recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, which significantly limit its performance. Among a myriad of modification strategies, point-defect engineering, namely tunable vacancies and dopant introduction, is capable of harnessing the superb structural, textural, optical, and electronic properties of g-C3 N4 to acquire an ameliorated photocatalytic activity. In view of the burgeoning development in this pacey field, a timely review on the state-of-the-art advancement of point-defect engineering of g-C3 N4 is of vital significance to advance the solar energy conversion. Particularly, insights into the intriguing roles of point defects, the synthesis, characterizations, and the systematic control of point defects, as well as the versatile application of defective g-C3 N4 -based nanomaterials toward photocatalytic water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction and nitrogen fixation will be presented in detail. Lastly, this review will conclude with a balanced perspective on the technical and scientific hindrances and future prospects. Overall, it is envisioned that this review will open a new frontier to uncover novel functionalities of defective g-C3 N4 -based nanostructures in energy catalysis.
Impact of intrinsic sphincter deficiency on mid-urethral sling outcomes

Lo TS, Ng KL, Lin YH, Hsieh WC, Kao CC, Tan YL

Int Urogynecol J, 2021 May 18.
PMID: 34003308 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-021-04757-3

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our primary objective was to study outcomes of patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) following mid-urethral slings (MUS) at 1-year. Our secondary objective was to delineate factors affecting success in these patients.
METHODS: Six hundred eighty-eight patients who had MUS between January 2004 and April 2017 were reviewed retrospectively; 48 women were preoperatively diagnosed with ISD. All completed urodynamic studies and validated quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaires at baseline and 1 year. Primary outcomes were objective and subjective cure of stress incontinence, defined as no involuntary urine leakage during filling cystometry and 1-h pad test < 2 g and negative response to Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 Question 3. Ultrasound was performed to determine tape position, urethral mobility and kinking at 1 year.
RESULTS: Women with ISD had significantly lower objective and subjective cure rates of 52.1% and 47.9%, respectively, compared to an overall of 88.2% and 85.9%. QOL scores significantly improved in those with successful surgeries. The sling type did not make a difference. Multivariate logistic regression identified reduced urethral mobility [OR 2.11 (1.24-3.75)], lower maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) [OR 1.61 (1.05-3.41)] and tape position [OR 3.12 (1.41-8.71)] to be associated with higher odds of failed slings for women with ISD.
CONCLUSIONS: Although there are good overall success in women undergoing MUS, those with ISD have significantly lower cure rates at 1 year. Factors related to failure include reduced urethral mobility, low MUCP and relative tape position further away from the bladder neck. Optimal management of patients with ISD and reduced urethral mobility remains challenging.

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