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Fulltext A case of naturally occurring anti-Dia antibody in a young man

Iberahim S, Noor NHM, Hassan MN, Bahar R, Yusoff SM, Ramli M, et al.

Asian J Transfus Sci, 2022;16(2):276-279.
PMID: 36687544 DOI: 10.4103/ajts.ajts_136_21

The Diego (Di) blood group system comprises 22 antigens located on the band 3 protein, most of which are low-prevalence antigens. The majority of antibodies to Diego system antigens were of clinically insignificant; however anti-Dia, -Dib, -Wra, -ELO and-DISK may cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and transfusion reaction. We reported a case of naturally occurring of anti-Dia in a young man who presented to our hospital for wound debridement of fingers injury. His serological results were suggestive of anti-Dia antibody, and his molecular blood group showed he has Di (a-b+) antigen. Anti-Dia may be clinically significant. It can cause mild-to-severe HDFN, but there are only infrequent reports of it being clearly implicated in a hemolytic transfusion reaction. We suggest the need for reagent red blood cell panels to include Dia antigen-positive cells in antibody identification tests for our populations.
Fulltext High Safety Risk Assessment in the Time of Uncertainties (COVID-19): An Industrial Context

Zhang Y, Abdullah MRTL, Khan NHBAL, Javaid MU, Nazri M, Shah MU

Front Psychol, 2022;13:834361.
PMID: 35529576 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.834361

BACKGROUND: The complexities of the workplace environment in the downstream oil and gas industry contain several safety-risk factors. In particular, instituting stringent safety standards and management procedures are considered insufficient to address workplace safety risks. Most accident cases attribute to unsafe actions and human behaviors on the job, which raises serious concerns for safety professionals from physical to psychological particularly when the world is facing a life-threatening Pandemic situation, i.e., COVID-19. It is imperative to re-examine the safety management of facilities and employees' well-being in the downstream oil and gas production sector to establish a sustainable governance system. Understanding the inherent factors better that contribute to safety behavior management could significantly improve workplace safety features.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigates employees' safety behavior management model for the downstream oil and gas industry to consolidate the safety, health and wellbeing of employees in times of COVID-19.
METHODS: Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was first employed to screen primary behavioral factors from 10 workplace health and safety experts from Malaysia's downstream oil and gas industry. Consequently, 18 significant factors were identified for further inquiry. Next, the interpretive structural modeling technique was used to ascertain the complex interrelationships between these factors and proposed a Safety Behavioral Management Model for cleaner production.
RESULTS: This model shows that management commitment, employee knowledge and training, leadership, and regulations contribute significantly to several latent factors. Our findings support the Social Cognitive Theory, where employees, their environment, and their behaviors are related reciprocally.
CONCLUSION: It is postulated that identifying safety factors and utilizing the proposed model guides various stakeholder groups in this industry, including practitioners and policymakers, for achieving long-term sustainability.
Fulltext Kidney Tumor Detection and Classification Based on Deep Learning Approaches: A New Dataset in CT Scans

Alzu'bi D, Abdullah M, Hmeidi I, AlAzab R, Gharaibeh M, El-Heis M, et al.

J Healthc Eng, 2022;2022:3861161.
PMID: 37323471 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3861161

Kidney tumor (KT) is one of the diseases that have affected our society and is the seventh most common tumor in both men and women worldwide. The early detection of KT has significant benefits in reducing death rates, producing preventive measures that reduce effects, and overcoming the tumor. Compared to the tedious and time-consuming traditional diagnosis, automatic detection algorithms of deep learning (DL) can save diagnosis time, improve test accuracy, reduce costs, and reduce the radiologist's workload. In this paper, we present detection models for diagnosing the presence of KTs in computed tomography (CT) scans. Toward detecting and classifying KT, we proposed 2D-CNN models; three models are concerning KT detection such as a 2D convolutional neural network with six layers (CNN-6), a ResNet50 with 50 layers, and a VGG16 with 16 layers. The last model is for KT classification as a 2D convolutional neural network with four layers (CNN-4). In addition, a novel dataset from the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) has been collected that consists of 8,400 images of 120 adult patients who have performed CT scans for suspected kidney masses. The dataset was divided into 80% for the training set and 20% for the testing set. The accuracy results for the detection models of 2D CNN-6 and ResNet50 reached 97%, 96%, and 60%, respectively. At the same time, the accuracy results for the classification model of the 2D CNN-4 reached 92%. Our novel models achieved promising results; they enhance the diagnosis of patient conditions with high accuracy, reducing radiologist's workload and providing them with a tool that can automatically assess the condition of the kidneys, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. Furthermore, increasing the quality of healthcare service and early detection can change the disease's track and preserve the patient's life.
Fulltext Betamethasone Dipropionate Derivatization, Biotransformation, Molecular Docking, and ADME Analysis as Glucocorticoid Receptor

Rashid S, Anjum S, Ahmad A, Nadeem R, Ahmed M, Shah SAA, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2022;2022:6865472.
PMID: 35865666 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6865472

Betamethasone is an important glucocorticoids (GCs), frequently used to cure allergies (such as asthma and angioedema), Crohn's disease, skin diseases (such as dermatitis and psoriasis), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic disorders, and leukemia. Present investigation deals to find potential agonist of glucocorticoid receptors after biotransformation of betamethasone dipropionate (1) and to carry out the molecular docking and ADME analyses. Biotransformation of 1 was carried out with Launaea capitata (dandy) roots and Musa acuminate (banana) leaves. M. acuminate furnished low-cost value-added products such as Sananone dipropionate (2) in 5% yields. Further, biocatalysis of Sananone dipropionate (2) with M. acuminate gave Sananone propionate (3) and Sananone (4) in 12% and 7% yields, respectively. However, Sananone (4) was obtained in 37% yields from Launaea capitata. Compound 5 was obtained in 11% yield after β-elimination of propionic acid at C-17 during oxidation of compound 1. The structure elucidation of new compounds 2-5 was accomplished through combined use of X-ray diffraction and NMR (1D and 2D) studies. In addition to this, molecular docking and ADME analyses of all transformed products of 1 were also done. Compounds 1-5 showed -12.53 to -10.11 kcal/mol potential binding affinity with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and good ADME profile. Moreover, all the compounds showed good oral bioavailability with the octanol/water partition coefficient in the range of 2.23 to 3.65, which indicated that compounds 1-5 were in significant agreement with the given criteria to be considered as drug-like.
Fulltext Ferritin level: A predictor of severity and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Alroomi M, Rajan R, Omar AA, Alsaber A, Pan J, Fatemi M, et al.

Immun Inflamm Dis, 2021 Dec;9(4):1648-1655.
PMID: 34438471 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.517

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate in-hоsрitаl mоrtаlity in severe асute resрirаtоry syndrоme соrоnаvirus 2 раtients strаtified by serum ferritin levels.
METHODS: Patients were stratified based on ferritin levels (ferritin levels ≤ 1000 or >1000).
RESULTS: Approximately 89% (118) of the patients with ferritin levels > 1000 had pneumonia, and 51% (67) had hypertension. Fever (97, 73.5%) and shortness of breath (80, 61%) were two major symptoms among the patients in this group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that ferritin level (odds ratio [OR] = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21-0.62; p 1000.
CONCLUSION: In this study, higher levels of serum ferritin were found to be an independent predictor of in-hоsрitаl mоrtаlity.
Fulltext Outcomes of tocilizumab therapy in severe or critical COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort, single-centre study

Abdelnaby H, Aboelhassan W, Al-Jarallah M, Rajan R, Dashti R, Zhanna KD, et al.

Trop Med Int Health, 2021 Dec;26(12):1689-1699.
PMID: 34601803 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13685

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab, a humanised anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, in the treatment of critical or severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of severe or critical COVID-19 patients (≥18 years) admitted to one hospital in Kuwait. Fifty-one patients received intravenous tocilizumab, while 78 patients received the standard of care at the same hospital. Both groups were compared for clinical improvement and in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS: The tocilizumab (TCZ) group had a significantly lower 28-day in-hospital mortality rate than the standard-of care-group (21.6% vs. 42.3% respectively; p = 0.015). Fifty-five per cent of patients in the TCZ group clinically improved vs. 11.5% in the standard-of-care group (p
Utilization of solar energy for wastewater treatment: Challenges and progressive research trends

Pandey AK, Reji Kumar R, B K, Laghari IA, Samykano M, Kothari R, et al.

J Environ Manage, 2021 Nov 01;297:113300.
PMID: 34293672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113300

This article offers a trend of inventions and implementations of photocatalysis process, desalination technologies and solar disinfection techniques adapted particularly for treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater. Photocatalysis treatment of wastewater using solar energy is a promising renewable solution to reduce stresses on global water crisis. Rendering to the United Nation Environment Programme, 1/3 of world population live in water-stressed countries, while by 2025 about 2/3 of world population will face water scarcity. Major pollutants exhibited from numerous sources are critically discussed with focus on potential environmental impacts & hazards. Treatment of wastewater by photocatalysis technique, solar thermal electrochemical process, solar desalination of brackish water and solar advanced oxidation process have been presented and systematically analysed with challenges. Both heterogenous and homogenous photocatalysis techniques employed for wastewater treatment are critically reviewed. For treating domestic wastewater, solar desalination technologies adopted for purifying brackish water into potable water is presented along with key challenges and remedies. Advanced oxidation process using solar energy for degradation of organic pollutant is an important technique to be reviewed due to their effectiveness in wastewater treatment process. Present article focused on three key issues i.e. major pollutants, wastewater treatment techniques and environmental benefits of using solar power for removal of pollutants. The review also provides close ideas on further research needs and major concerns. Drawbacks associated with conventional wastewater treatment options and direct solar energy-based wastewater treatment with energy storage systems to make it convenient during day and night both listed. Although, energy storage systems increase the overall cost of the wastewater treatment plant it also increases the overall efficiency of the system on environmental cost. Cost-efficient wastewater treatment methods using solar power would significantly ensure effective water source utilization, thereby contributing towards sustainable development goals.
Outcome of acute ischaemic stroke patients after intravenous alteplase in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Wong KY, Baharuddin KA, Masykurin MM, Abdul Halim S, Chee YC, Sapiai NA, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2021 Nov;76(6):870-875.
PMID: 34806675

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is effective in treating acute ischaemic stroke. Our primary objective is to assess the outcome of these acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients after IV alteplase with the modified Rankin scale (mRS).
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which patients receiving IV alteplase in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, from January 2017 to April 2020 were recruited. Demographical data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, door-to-needle time were recorded. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were evaluated at 90 days after initial therapy. Good and poor functional outcomes were defined as 0-2 and 3-6, respectively.
RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 59±11.47 years old. 76.7% of them were male and the rest were female. From the study, onset-toneedle time was 197.47±51.74 minutes, whereas door-toneedle time was 120.93±53.63 minutes. Seventeen (56.3%) patients achieved a favourable score of 0-2 on the mRS at 90 days after treatment. Haemorrhagic transformation occurred in eight (26.7%) of the patients with a mortality rate of 13.3%.
CONCLUSION: 56.7% of our patients showed improvement in the mRS at 90 days post thrombolysis for AIS. Higher baseline NIHSS scores and diabetes mellitus were associated with poorer functional outcomes after thrombolysis.
Fulltext Targeting LIN28: a new hope in prostate cancer theranostics

Shrivastava G, Aljabali AA, Shahcheraghi SH, Lotfi M, Shastri MD, Shukla SD, et al.

Future Oncol, 2021 Oct;17(29):3873-3880.
PMID: 34263659 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0247

The mortality and morbidity rates for prostate cancer have recently increased to alarming levels, rising higher than lung cancer. Due to a lack of drug targets and molecular probes, existing theranostic techniques are limited. Human LIN28A and its paralog LIN28B overexpression are associated with a number of tumors resulting in a remarkable increase in cancer aggression and poor prognoses. The current review aims to highlight recent work identifying the key roles of LIN28A and LIN28B in prostate cancer, and to instigate further preclinical and clinical research in this important area.
Fulltext Biochar and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediated enhanced drought tolerance in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plant growth, root morphological traits and physiological properties

Jabborova D, Annapurna K, Al-Sadi AM, Alharbi SA, Datta R, Zuan ATK

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Oct;28(10):5490-5499.
PMID: 34588859 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.08.016

Drought is a major abiotic factor limiting plant growth and crop production. There is limited information on effect of interaction between biochar and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on okra growth, root morphological traits and soil enzyme activities under drought stress. We studied the influence of biochar and AMF on the growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in pot experiments in a net house under drought condition. The results showed that the biochar treatment significantly increased plant growth (the plant height by 14.2%, root dry weight by 30.0%) and root morphological traits (projected area by 22.3% and root diameter by 22.7%) under drought stress. In drought stress, biochar treatment significantly enhanced the chlorophyll 'a' content by 32.7%, the AMF spore number by 22.8% and the microbial biomass as compared to the control. Plant growth parameters such as plant height, shoot and root dry weights significantly increased by AMF alone, by 16.6%, 21.0% and 40.0% respectively under drought condition. Other plant biometrics viz: the total root length, the root volume, the projected area and root diameter improved significantly with the application of AMF alone by 38.3%, 60.0%,16.8% and 15.9% respectively as compared with control. Compared to the control, AMF treatment alone significantly enhanced the total chlorophyll content by 36.6%, the AMF spore number by 39.0% and the microbial biomass by 29.0% under drought condition. However, the highest values of plant growth parameters (plant height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight) and root morphological traits (the total root length, root volume, projected area, root surface area) were observed in the combined treatment of biochar and AMF treatment viz: 31.9%, 34.2%, 60.0% and 68.6%, 66.6%, 45.5%, 41.8%, respectively compared to the control under drought stress. The nitrogen content, total chlorophyll content and microbial biomass increased over un-inoculated control. The soil enzymes; alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase and fluorescein diacetate enzyme activities significantly increased in the combined treatment by 55.8%, 68.7% and 69.5%, respectively as compared to the control under drought stress. We conclude that biochar and AMF together is potentially beneficial for cultivation of okra in drought stress conditions.
Fulltext The viral capsid as novel nanomaterials for drug delivery

Aljabali AA, Hassan SS, Pabari RM, Shahcheraghi SH, Mishra V, Charbe NB, et al.

Future Sci OA, 2021 Oct;7(9):FSO744.
PMID: 34737885 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0031

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent scientific developments and provide an overview of virus self-assembly and viral particle dynamics. Viruses are organized supramolecular structures with distinct yet related features and functions. Plant viruses are extensively used in biotechnology, and virus-like particulate matter is generated by genetic modification. Both provide a material-based means for selective distribution and delivery of drug molecules. Through surface engineering of their capsids, virus-derived nanomaterials facilitate various potential applications for selective drug delivery. Viruses have significant implications in chemotherapy, gene transfer, vaccine production, immunotherapy and molecular imaging.
Efficient Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline@Aluminium-Succinate Metal-Organic Frameworks Nanocomposite and Its Application for Zn(II) Ion Sensing

Alsafrani AE, Adeosun WA, Marwani HM, Khan I, Jawaid M, Asiri AM, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Sep 30;13(19).
PMID: 34641198 DOI: 10.3390/polym13193383

A new class of conductive metal-organic framework (MOF), polyaniline- aluminum succinate (PANI@Al-SA) nanocomposite was prepared by oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer using potassium persulfate as an oxidant. Several analytical techniques such as FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS and TGA-DTA were utilized to characterize the obtained MOFs nanocomposite. DC electrical conductivity of polymer-MOFs was determined by four probe method. A bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by nafion/PANI@Al-SA, and examined for Zn (II) ion detection. Modified electrode showed improved efficiency by 91.9%. The modified electrode (PANI@Al-SA/nafion/GCE) exhibited good catalytic property and highly selectivity towards Zn(II) ion. A linear dynamic range of 2.8-228.6 µM was obtained with detection limit of LOD 0.59 µM and excellent sensitivity of 7.14 µA µM-1 cm-2. The designed procedure for Zn (II) ion detection in real sample exhibited good stability in terms of repeatability, reproducibility and not affected by likely interferents. Therefore, the developed procedure is promising for quantification of Zn(II) ion in real samples.
Fulltext Sustainable and fast saliva-based COVID-19 virus diagnosis kit using a novel GO-decorated Au/FBG sensor

Samavati A, Samavati Z, Velashjerdi M, Fauzi Ismail A, Othman MHD, Eisaabadi B G, et al.

Chem Eng J, 2021 Sep 15;420:127655.
PMID: 33199974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127655

Monitoring the COVID-19 virus through patients' saliva is a favorable non-invasive specimen for diagnosis and infection control. In this study, salivary samples of COVID-19 patients collected from 6 patients with the median age of 58.5 years, ranging from 34 to 72 years (2 females and 4 males) were analyzed using an Au/fiber Bragg grating (FBG) probe decorated with GO. The probe measures the prevalence of positivity in saliva and the association between the virus density and changes to sensing elements. When the probe is immersed in patients' saliva, deviation of the detected light wavelength and intensity from healthy saliva indicate the presence of the virus and confirms infection. For a patient in the hyperinflammatory phase of desease, who has virus density of 1.2 × 108 copies/mL in saliva, the maximum wavelength shift and intensity changes after 1600 s were shown to be 1.12 nm and 2.01 dB, respectively. While for a patient in the early infection phase with 1.6 × 103 copies/mL, these values were 0.98 nm and 1.32 dB. The precise and highly sensitive FBG probe proposed in this study was found a reliable tool for quick detection of the COVID-19 virus within 10 s after exposure to patients' saliva in any stage of the disease.
Fulltext Recent Updates on Mechanisms of Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil and Reversal Strategies in Colon Cancer Treatment

Azwar S, Seow HF, Abdullah M, Faisal Jabar M, Mohtarrudin N

Biology (Basel), 2021 Aug 31;10(9).
PMID: 34571731 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090854

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) remain as the mainstay standard adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for early stage colon cancer, and the preferred first-line option for metastatic colon cancer patients in combination with oxaliplatin in FOLFOX, or irinotecan in FOLFIRI regimens. Despite treatment success to a certain extent, the incidence of chemotherapy failure attributed to chemotherapy resistance is still reported in many patients. This resistance, which can be defined by tumor tolerance against chemotherapy, either intrinsic or acquired, is primarily driven by the dysregulation of various components in distinct pathways. In recent years, it has been established that the incidence of 5-FU resistance, akin to multidrug resistance, can be attributed to the alterations in drug transport, evasion of apoptosis, changes in the cell cycle and DNA-damage repair machinery, regulation of autophagy, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell involvement, tumor microenvironment interactions, miRNA dysregulations, epigenetic alterations, as well as redox imbalances. Certain resistance mechanisms that are 5-FU-specific have also been ascertained to include the upregulation of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and the downregulation of thymidine phosphorylase. Indeed, the successful modulation of these mechanisms have been the game plan of numerous studies that had employed small molecule inhibitors, plant-based small molecules, and non-coding RNA regulators to effectively reverse 5-FU resistance in colon cancer cells. It is hoped that these studies would provide fundamental knowledge to further our understanding prior developing novel drugs in the near future that would synergistically work with 5-FU to potentiate its antitumor effects and improve the patient's overall survival.
Overview of key molecular and pharmacological targets for diabetes and associated diseases

Shahcheraghi SH, Aljabali AAA, Al Zoubi MS, Mishra V, Charbe NB, Haggag YA, et al.

Life Sci, 2021 Aug 01;278:119632.
PMID: 34019900 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119632

Diabetes epidemiological quantities are demonstrating one of the most important communities' health worries. The essential diabetic difficulties are including cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, inflammation, and retinopathy. Despite developments in glucose decreasing treatments and drugs, these diabetic complications are still ineffectively reversed or prohibited. Several signaling and molecular pathways are vital targets in the new therapies of diabetes. This review assesses the newest researches about the key molecules and signaling pathways as targets of molecular pharmacology in diabetes and diseases related to it for better treatment based on molecular sciences. The disease is not cured by current pharmacological strategies for type 2 diabetes. While several drug combinations are accessible that can efficiently modulate glycemia and mitigate long-term complications, these agents do not reverse pathogenesis, and in practice, they are not established to modify the patient's specific molecular profiling. Therapeutic companies have benefited from human genetics. Genome exploration, which is agnostic to the information that exists, has revealed tens of loci that impact glycemic modulation. The physiological report has begun to examine subtypes of diseases, illustrate heterogeneity and propose biochemical therapeutic pathways.
Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of rare mould infections: an initiative of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology in cooperation with the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology and the American Society for Microbiology

Hoenigl M, Salmanton-García J, Walsh TJ, Nucci M, Neoh CF, Jenks JD, et al.

Lancet Infect Dis, 2021 Aug;21(8):e246-e257.
PMID: 33606997 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30784-2

With increasing numbers of patients needing intensive care or who are immunosuppressed, infections caused by moulds other than Aspergillus spp or Mucorales are increasing. Although antifungal prophylaxis has shown effectiveness in preventing many invasive fungal infections, selective pressure has caused an increase of breakthrough infections caused by Fusarium, Lomentospora, and Scedosporium species, as well as by dematiaceous moulds, Rasamsonia, Schizophyllum, Scopulariopsis, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Talaromyces and Purpureocillium species. Guidance on the complex multidisciplinary management of infections caused by these pathogens has the potential to improve prognosis. Management routes depend on the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic options. The present recommendations are part of the One World-One Guideline initiative to incorporate regional differences in the epidemiology and management of rare mould infections. Experts from 24 countries contributed their knowledge and analysed published evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of rare mould infections. This consensus document intends to provide practical guidance in clinical decision making by engaging physicians and scientists involved in various aspects of clinical management. Moreover, we identify areas of uncertainty and constraints in optimising this management.
Fulltext In-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 stratified by hemoglobin levels: A retrospective study

Al-Jarallah M, Rajan R, Saber AA, Pan J, Al-Sultan AT, Abdelnaby H, et al.

EJHaem, 2021 Aug;2(3):335-339.
PMID: 34226901 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.195

This study is to estimate in-hospital mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients stratified by hemoglobin (Hb) level. Patients were stratified according to hemoglobin level into two groups, that is, Hb <100 g/L and Hb >100 g/L. A total of 6931 patients were included. Of these, 6377 (92%) patients had hemoglobin levels >100 g/L. The mean age was 44 ± 17 years, and 66% of the patients were males. The median length of overall hospital stay was 13 days [2; 31]. The remaining 554 (8%) patients had a hemoglobin level <100 g/L. Overall mortality was 176 patients (2.54%) but was significantly higher in the group with hemoglobin levels <100 g/L (124, 22.4%) than in the group with hemoglobin levels >100 g/L (52, 0.82%). Risk factors associated with increased mortality were determined by multivariate analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed hemoglobin as a predictor of mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression coefficients for hemoglobin for the HB ≤ 100 category of hemoglobin were significant, B = 2.79, SE = 0.17, and HR = 16.34, p
Fulltext Assessment of Potential Risk Factors and Skin Ultrasound Presentation Associated with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Yusof KM, Avery-Kiejda KA, Ahmad Suhaimi S, Ahmad Zamri N, Rusli MEF, Mahmud R, et al.

Diagnostics (Basel), 2021 Jul 21;11(8).
PMID: 34441238 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081303

Breast cancer has been reported to have the highest survival rate among various cancers. However, breast cancer survivors face several challenges following breast cancer treatment including breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), sexual dysfunction, and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors of BCRL in long term breast cancer survivors. A total of 160 female breast cancer subjects were recruited on a voluntary basis and arm lymphedema was assessed through self-reporting of diagnosis, arm circumference measurement, and ultrasound examination. A total of 33/160 or 20.5% of the women developed BCRL with significantly higher scores for upper extremity disability (37.14 ± 18.90 vs. 20.08 ± 15.29, p < 0.001) and a lower score for quality of life (103.91 ± 21.80 vs. 115.49 ± 16.80, p = 0.009) as compared to non-lymphedema cases. Univariate analysis revealed that multiple surgeries (OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.21-26.8, p < 0.001), axillary lymph nodes excision (>10) (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 0.94-8.11, p = 0.047), being overweight (≥25 kg/m2) (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.04 - 6.38, p = 0.036), received fewer post-surgery rehabilitation treatment (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05-5.39, p = 0.036) and hypertension (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.01-5.62, p = 0.043) were associated with an increased risk of BCRL. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that multiple surgeries remained significant and elevated the likelihood of BCRL (OR = 5.83, 95% CI: 1.14-29.78, p = 0.034). Arm swelling was more prominent in the forearm area demonstrated by the highest difference of arm circumference measurement when compared to the upper arm (2.07 ± 2.48 vs. 1.34 ± 1.91 cm, p < 0.001). The total of skinfold thickness of the affected forearm was also significantly higher than the unaffected arms (p < 0.05) as evidenced by the ultrasound examination. The continuous search for risk factors in specific populations may facilitate the development of a standardized method to reduce the occurrence of BCRL and provide better management for breast cancer patients.
Acute compartment syndrome of the forearm: A case report of radius fracture with concomitant brachial artery transaction

Rasid MF, Ahmad A, Baharuddin KA, Salim AA, Savarirajo JC, Abdullah MS

Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):603-605.
PMID: 34305131

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a surgical emergency that requires timely recognition and early management for a good outcome. We report a case of a 71- year-old male seen at the Emergency Department of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia, on anticoagulant therapy for valvular atrial fibrillation, who had sustained a closed fracture of the left distal end radius following a fall. Examination of the left upper limb showed deformity and tenderness over the left wrist, associated with swelling and a tense anterior compartment with blisters formation and rapid expansion of hematoma at the cubital fossa away from the fracture site. Both radial and brachial pulses were absent and confirmed with the absence of a doppler signal over the brachial and radial artery and CT angiography of the left upper limb showed there was a vascular injury of the brachial artery. Fasciotomy of the left upper limb and revascularization of the left brachial artery was done. Intraoperative findings showed a tight anterior compartment with muscle bulging upon compartment release with a complete cut of the left distal brachial artery. The primary end-to-end vascular anastomosis was done and distal circulation was restored. The distal end radius fracture was treated conservatively. The patient underwent split skin grafting of the left forearm after 6 weeks post-injury and went home well. It is critical to recognize a concomitant vascular injury in fracture-related ACS as the clinical feature may overlap. Failure in detection of concomitant vascular injury may lead to emergency fasciotomy without vascular exploration and repair.
Leaf transcriptomic signatures for somatic embryogenesis potential of Elaeis guineensis

Ooi SE, Feshah I, Nuraziyan A, Sarpan N, Ata N, Lim CC, et al.

Plant Cell Rep, 2021 Jul;40(7):1141-1154.
PMID: 33929599 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-021-02698-1

KEY MESSAGE: Potentially embryogenic oil palms can be identified through leaf transcriptomic signatures. Differential expression of genes involved in flowering time, and stress and light responses may associate with somatic embryogenesis potential. Clonal propagation is an attractive approach for the mass propagation of high yielding oil palms. A major issue hampering the effectiveness of oil palm tissue culture is the low somatic embryogenesis rate. Previous studies have identified numerous genes involved in oil palm somatic embryogenesis, but their association with embryogenic potential has not been determined. In this study, differential expression analysis of leaf transcriptomes from embryogenic and non-embryogenic mother palms revealed that transcriptome profiles from non- and poor embryogenic mother palms were more similar than highly embryogenic palms. A total of 171 genes exhibiting differential expression in non- and low embryogenesis groups could also discriminate high from poor embryogenesis groups of another tissue culture agency. Genes related to flowering time or transition such as FTIP, FRIGIDA-LIKE, and NF-YA were up-regulated in embryogenic ortets, suggesting that reproduction timing of the plant may associate with somatic embryogenesis potential. Several light response or photosynthesis-related genes were down-regulated in embryogenic ortets, suggesting a link between photosynthesis activity and embryogenic potential. As expression profiles of the differentially expressed genes are very similar between non- and low embryogenic groups, machine learning approaches with several candidate genes may generate a more sensitive model to better discriminate non-embryogenic from embryogenic ortets.

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