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Physicochemical and structural characterization of surface modified electrospun pmma nanofibre

Rabiatul Adawiyah Razali, Yogeswaran Lokanathan, Shiplu Roy Chowdhury, Ruszymah Haji Idrus, Aminuddin Saim

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1787-1794.

Although electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) may mimic structural features of extracellular matrix, its highly
hydrophobic nature causes reduced cell attachment. This study analysed the physicochemical and structural changes
of the surface modified PMMA nanofiber. The electrospun PMMA nanofibers (PM) were surface-treated as follows: PM
alone, collagen coated-PM (PM-C), UV-irradiated PM (PM-UV), collagen coated UV-irradiated PM (PM-C-UV) and collagen
coated-PM crosslinked with genipin (PM-C-GEN). They were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform
infrared (FTIR), cell attachment analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy and X-ray
powder diffraction (XRD). The surface roughness was lower in PM-C-UV group compared to others. Based on FTIR
results, all expected functional group were present in all groups. XPS result showed that there are changes in the mass
concentration of UV-treated surfaces and in the collagen coated surfaces. All PM groups showed amorphous nature through
XRD. UV irradiation and collagen coating were shown to increase PM’s functional groups and modify its surface, which
contributed to the increased attachment of cells onto the inert PM scaffold. As conclusion, collagen coated UV irradiated
PMMA provided a better surface for cell to attach hence are suitable to be used further as scaffold for in vitro model.
Fulltext Persepsi atlet pelajar: tingkah laku kejurulatihan sukan balapan dan padang

Ling, Jasmine Chiu Hung, Soh, Kim Geok, Othman Talib, Aminuddin Yusof

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):135-145.
MyJurnal

In the context of extending the knowledge of coaching in sports in Malaysia
particularly in Sarawak, this study aimed to identify the perception of
student athlete regarding to the coaching behavior, in addition to investigate
the preferred coaching behavior as well as perceived coaching behavior by
the student athlete of track and field sports from Sarawak state. This is a
descriptive study that using equal-size groups in stratified sampling
method. The study consisted of 252 respondents (male, n = 126; female, n =
126), who were secondary school student athletes aged between 13 to 18
years old and had represented their division for competition. Questionnaires
Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS) developed by Chelladurai and Saleh
(1980) was adapted and used as instrument for our research to measure five
coaching behaviors. Based on the Sarawak state sport track and field student
athletes perception on the coaching behavior, findings indicated that the
preferred behavior by student athletes matched with the perceived coaching
behavior of the coach. Study data demonstrated that Instruction and
Training behavior (M = 4.33, SP = 0.67) as the most preferred ranking,
followed by Positive Feedback behavior (M = 4.14, SP = 0.74). The
findings of student athletes' perceptions to perceived coaching behavior that
often existing on the coach is also Instruction and Training behavior (M =
4.13, SD = 0.68), followed by Positive Feedback behavior (M = 3.89, SD =
0.75). As the conclusion, perceptions of student athletes were not differed
by gender, with both boys and girls indicated alike thoughts in their
preferred coaching behavior as well as perceived coaching behavior, which
was Instruction and Training behavior.
Augmentation index is a better marker for cardiovascular risk in young Malaysian males. A comparison of involvement of pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and C-reactive protein

Aminuddin A, Chellappan K, Maskon O, Zakaria Z, Karim AA, Ngah WZ, et al.

Saudi Med J, 2014 Feb;35(2):138-46.
PMID: 24562512

To determine the association between carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVCF) and augmentation index (AI) with future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and to assess whether high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an important mediator towards these vascular changes, among young men.
Concentration-dependent effect of platelet-rich plasma on keratinocyte and fibroblast wound healing

Xian LJ, Chowdhury SR, Bin Saim A, Idrus RB

Cytotherapy, 2015 Mar;17(3):293-300.
PMID: 25456581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2014.10.005

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been found to contain a high concentration of growth factors that are present during the process of healing. Studies conducted found that application of PRP accelerates wound healing. In this study, we characterized the skin cell suspension harvested using the co-isolation technique and evaluated the effects of PRP (10% and 20%, v/v) on co-cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts in terms of wound healing.
Total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin are significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men

Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Mohamed IN, Aminuddin A, Ngah WZ

Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes, 2013 Jul;121(7):407-12.
PMID: 23765753 DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1345164

Testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) have been shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) in men. This study aimed at validating these relationships in a group of middle-aged and elderly men and assessing their strength of association to MS. A cross-sectional study of 332 Malaysian men aged 40 years and above was conducted. The blood of subject was collected under fasting condition for determination of testosterone, SHBG, glucose and lipid levels. Their medical history, smoking and alcohol consumption status, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. All testosterone and SHBG levels were significantly reduced in MS subjects compared to non-MS subjects (p<0.05). Testosterone and SHBG were correlated significantly with most of the MS indicators without adjustments. In multiple regression analysis, the triglyceride level was the only MS indicator that was significantly, inversely and independently associated with all testosterone measurements and SHBG (p<0.05). Waist circumference was significantly and negatively associated with SHBG level (p<0.05) though not independent of BMI. Total testosterone and SHBG were significantly and inversely associated with the presence of MS. Testosterone and SHBG are potential intervention targets for the prevention of MS in men.
Flow and sediment yield simulations for Bukit Merah Reservoir catchment, Malaysia: a case study

Hasan ZA, Hamidon N, Yusof MS, Ghani AA

Water Sci Technol, 2012;66(10):2170-6.
PMID: 22949248 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2012.432

Bukit Merah Reservoir is the main potable and irrigation water source for Kerian District, Perak State, Malaysia. For the past two decades, the reservoir has experienced water stress. Land-use activities have been identified as the contributor of the sedimentation. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to simulate and quantify the impacts of land-use change in the reservoir watershed. The SWAT was calibrated and two scenarios were constructed representing projected land use in the year 2015 and hypothetical land use to represent extensive land-use change in the catchment area. The simulation results based on 17 years of rainfall records indicate that average water quantity will not be significantly affected but the ground water storage will decrease and suspended sediment will increase. Ground water decrease and sediment yield increase will exacerbate the Bukit Merah Reservoir operation problem.
Gene expression programming for total bed material load estimation--a case study

Zakaria NA, Azamathulla HM, Chang CK, Ghani AA

Sci Total Environ, 2010 Oct 1;408(21):5078-85.
PMID: 20708217 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.07.048

This paper presents Gene-Expression Programming (GEP), which is an extension to the genetic programming (GP) approach to predict the total bed material load for three Malaysian rivers. The GEP is employed without any restriction to an extensive database compiled from measurements in the Muda, Langat, and Kurau rivers. The GEP approach demonstrated a superior performance compared to other traditional sediment load methods. The coefficient of determination, R(2) (=0.97) and the mean square error, MSE (=0.057) of the GEP method are higher than those of the traditional method. The performance of the GEP method demonstrates its predictive capability and the possibility of the generalization of the model to nonlinear problems for river engineering applications.
Human nasal turbinates as a viable source of respiratory epithelial cells using co-culture system versus dispase-dissociation technique

Noruddin NA, Saim AB, Chua KH, Idrus R

Laryngoscope, 2007 Dec;117(12):2139-45.
PMID: 17891046

OBJECTIVE: To compare a co-culture system with a conventional dispase-dissociation method for obtaining functional human respiratory epithelial cells from the nasal turbinates for tissue engineering application.
METHODS: Human respiratory epithelial cells were serially passaged using a co-culture system and a conventional dispase-dissociation technique. The growth kinetics and gene expression levels of the cultured respiratory epithelial cells were compared. Four genes were investigated, namely cytokeratin-18, a marker for ciliated and secretory epithelial cells; cytokeratin-14, a marker for basal epithelial cells; MKI67, a proliferation marker; and MUC5B, a marker for mucin secretion. Immunocytochemical analysis was performed using monoclonal antibodies against the high molecular-weight cytokeratin 34 beta E12, cytokeratin 18, and MUC5A to investigate the protein expression from cultured respiratory epithelial cells.
RESULTS: Respiratory epithelial cells cultured using both methods maintained polygonal morphology throughout the passages. At passage 1, co-cultured respiratory epithelial showed a 2.6-times higher growth rate compared to conventional dispase dissociation technique, and 7.8 times higher at passage 2. Better basal gene expression was observed by co-cultured respiratory epithelial cells compared to dispase dissociated cells. Immunocytochemical analyses were positive for the respiratory epithelial cells cultured using both techniques.
CONCLUSION: Co-culture system produced superior quality of cultured human respiratory epithelial cells from the nasal turbinates as compared to dispase dissociation technique.
Verification of equations for incipient motion studies for a rigid rectangular channel

Bong CH, Lau TL, Ghani AA

Water Sci Technol, 2013;67(2):395-403.
PMID: 23168641 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2012.580

The current study aims to verify the existing equations for incipient motion for a rigid rectangular channel. Data from experimental work on incipient motion from a rectangular flume with two different widths, namely 0.3 and 0.6 m, were compared with the critical velocity value predicted by the equations of Novak & Nalluri and El-Zaemey. The equation by El-Zaemey performed better with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.06 compared with the equation by Novak & Nalluri with an average discrepancy ratio value of 0.87. However, as the sediment deposit thickness increased, the equation by El-Zaemey became less accurate. A plot on the Shields Diagram using the experimental data had shown the significant effect of the sediment deposit thickness where, as the deposit becomes thicker, the dimensionless shear stress θ value also increased. A new equation had been proposed by incorporating the sediment deposit thickness. The new equation gave improved prediction with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.02.
Clinical Translation of Cell Therapy, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine Product in Malaysia and Its Regulatory Policy

Bt Hj Idrus R, Abas A, Ab Rahim F, Saim AB

Tissue Eng Part A, 2015 Dec;21(23-24):2812-6.
PMID: 26192075 DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2014.0521

With the worldwide growth of cell and tissue therapy (CTT) in treating diseases, the need of a standardized regulatory policy is of paramount concern. Research in CTT in Malaysia has reached stages of clinical trials and commercialization. In Malaysia, the regulation of CTT is under the purview of the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB), Ministry of Health (MOH). NPCB is given the task of regulating CTT, under a new Cell and Gene Therapy Products framework, and the guidelines are currently being formulated. Apart from the laboratory accreditation, researchers are advised to follow Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy from the Medical Development Division, MOH, published in 2009.
Effects of glycyrrhizic acid and steroid treatment on corticotropin releasing factor and beta-endorphin containing neurons of the hypothalamus of the rat

Ruszymah BH, Nabishah BM, Aminuddin S, Sarjit S, Khalid BA

Malays J Pathol, 1999 Jun;21(1):51-8.
PMID: 10879279

Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and beta-endorphin (beta EP) containing neurons are shown to be present in the hypothalamus and both neurons are found at the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Steroid hormones have been found to alter the plasma level of these neurotransmitters. Glycyrrhizic acid (GCA) is the active component of liquorice. GCA inhibits the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) which is needed for the inactivation of the steroid pathway, so therefore would cause changes to these neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GCA as well as deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and dexamethasone (DM) on the modulation of CRF and beta EP containing neuron at the PVN of the hypothalamus. Rats were given either DM, DOC or GCA and adrenalectomized (ADX) and given either DM or DOC. At the end of treatment rats were transfused transcardially before sacrifice and the brain were dissected for immunohistochemical analysis. We found that immunostaining of the CRF containing neurons demonstrate a reduction in the number of positive neurons in DM treated rats. DOC and GCA treated rats showed the same result as in DM rats but the reduction is less. ADX, DM, DOC and GCA treated rats did not show any changes in the number of beta EP containing neurons but naloxone increased the number of beta EP containing neurons markedly. In conclusion, GCA and DOC have similar effects on CRF and beta EP containing neurons at the PVN.
Proteomic Analysis of Human Dermal Fibroblast Conditioned Medium (DFCM)

Maarof M, Lokanathan Y, Ruszymah HI, Saim A, Chowdhury SR

Protein J, 2018 12;37(6):589-607.
PMID: 30343346 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-018-9800-z

Growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are involved in wound healing. Human dermal fibroblasts secrete wound-healing mediators in culture medium known as dermal fibroblast conditioned medium (DFCM). However, the composition and concentration of the secreted proteins differ with culture conditions and environmental factors. We cultured human skin fibroblasts in vitro using serum-free keratinocyte-specific media (EpiLife™ Medium [KM1] and defined keratinocyte serum-free medium [KM2]) and serum-free fibroblast-specific medium (FM) to obtain DFCM-KM1, DFCM-KM2 and DFCM-FM, respectively. We identified and compared their proteomic profiles using bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA), 1-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS/MS) and liquid chromatography MS (LC-MS/MS). DFCM-KM1 and DFCM-KM2 had higher protein concentrations than DFCM-FM but not statistically significant. MALDI-TOF/TOF MS identified the presence of fibronectin, serotransferrin, serpin and serum albumin. LC-MS/MS and bioinformatics analysis identified 59, 46 and 58 secreted proteins in DFCM-KM1, DFCM-KM2 and DFCM-FM, respectively. The most significant biological processes identified in gene ontology were cellular process, metabolic process, growth and biological regulation. STRING® analysis showed that most secretory proteins in the DFCMs were associated with biological processes (e.g. wound healing and ECM organisation), molecular function (e.g. ECM binding) and cellular component (e.g. extracellular space). ELISA confirmed the presence of fibronectin and collagen in the DFCMs. In conclusion, DFCM secretory proteins are involved in cell adhesion, attachment, proliferation and migration, which were demonstrated to have potential wound-healing effects by in vitro and in vivo studies.
Fulltext Preliminary Study of In Vitro Three-Dimensional Skin Model Using an Ovine Collagen Type I Sponge Seeded with Co-Culture Skin Cells: Submerged versus Air-Liquid Interface Conditions

Fauzi MB, Rashidbenam Z, Bin Saim A, Binti Hj Idrus R

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Nov 25;12(12).
PMID: 33255581 DOI: 10.3390/polym12122784

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro skin models have been widely used for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications aiming to reduce animal use in experiment. This study investigate capability of ovine tendon collagen type I (OTC-I) sponge suitable platform for a 3D in vitro skin model using co-cultured skin cells (CC) containing human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) under submerged (SM) and air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions. Briefly, the extracted OTC-I was freeze-dried and crosslinked with genipin (OTC-I_GNP) and carbodiimide (OTC-I_EDC). The gross appearance, physico-chemical characteristics, biocompatibility and growth profile of seeded skin cells were assessed. The light brown and white appearance for the OTC-I_GNP scaffold and other groups were observed, respectively. The OTC-I_GNP scaffold demonstrated the highest swelling ratio (~1885%) and water uptake (94.96 ± 0.14%). The Fourier transformation infrared demonstrated amide A, B and I, II and III which represent collagen type I. The microstructure of all fabricated sponges presented a similar surface roughness with the presence of visible collagen fibers and a heterogenous porous structure. The OTC-I_EDC scaffold was more toxic and showed the lowest cell attachment and proliferation as compared to other groups. The micrographic evaluation revealed that CC potentially formed the epidermal- and dermal-like layers in both SM and ALI that prominently observed with OTC-I_GNP compared to others. In conclusion, these results suggest that OTC_GNP could be used as a 3D in vitro skin model under ALI microenvironment.
Mineralocorticoid and glycyrrhizic acid block stress induced hypotension in rats

Ruszymah BH, Nabishah BM, Aminuddin S, Khalid BA

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 1995 Jan;22(1):35-9.
PMID: 7768032

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated exposure to stress on tail blood pressure (TBP) of normal as well as GCA (glycyrrhizic acid) and steroid treated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g) were exposed to ether vapour to achieve light anaesthesia prior to TBP recording. Rats were injected with either normal saline or naloxone prior to exposure to stress. Tail blood pressure was recorded daily for 2 weeks. 2. We found that ether stress caused a transient drop in TBP in control as well as in dexamethasone (DEX) treated rats. The stress-induced fall in blood pressure was reduced by naloxone in control rats but not in DEX treated rats. However the transient drop in TBP following stress was not seen in either GCA or deoxycorticosterone (DOC) treated rats. 3. We conclude that first, the reduction in TBP was due to the release of endogenous opioids caused by stress. Second, DOC may block the release of such endogenous opioids, preventing the drop in TBP in response to stress, while DEX did not. Third, GCA caused a similar mineralocorticoid effect on reversing stress induced hypotension.
Fulltext Electrospun Collagen Nanofibers and Their Applications in Skin Tissue Engineering

Law JX, Liau LL, Saim A, Yang Y, Idrus R

Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2017 Dec;14(6):699-718.
PMID: 30603521 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-017-0075-9

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique to fabricate continuous fibers with diameter ranging from micrometers to a few nanometers. To date, the number of polymers that have been electrospun has exceeded 200. In recent years, electrospinning has become one of the most popular scaffold fabrication techniques to prepare nanofiber mesh for tissue engineering applications. Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in the human body, has been electrospun to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds that imitate the architecture of native human tissues. As collagen nanofibers are mechanically weak in nature, it is commonly cross-linked or blended with synthetic polymers to improve the mechanical strength without compromising the biological activity. Electrospun collagen nanofiber mesh has high surface area to volume ratio, tunable diameter and porosity, and excellent biological activity to regulate cell function and tissue formation. Due to these advantages, collagen nanofibers have been tested for the regeneration of a myriad of tissues and organs. In this review, we gave an overview of electrospinning, encompassing the history, the instrument settings, the spinning process and the parameters that affect fiber formation, with emphasis given to collagen nanofibers' fabrication and application, especially the use of collagen nanofibers in skin tissue engineering.
Effects of glycyrrhizic acid on right atrial pressure and pulmonary vasculature in rats

Ruszymah BH, Nabishah BM, Aminuddin S, Khalid BA

Clin Exp Hypertens, 1995 Apr;17(3):575-91.
PMID: 7613529

Glycyrrhizic acid (GCA) the active component of liquorice acts by inhibiting 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD) which catalyses the reversible conversion of cortisol to cortisone. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of GCA on pulmonary arterial pressure. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200g) received drinking water containing 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml GCA for 12 weeks. Tail blood pressure (BP) was recorded every three weeks and serum Na+ and K+ were measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment. Right atrial pressure (RAP) were measured at the end of 12 weeks just before the animals were sacrificed. Lung tissues were taken for histological examination using the elastic-van Gieson (EVG) staining method. There was a significant increase in tail BP in GCA treated rats compared to controls, for both dosages used. This was associated with an increase in serum Na+ and a decrease in K+ level. The mean RAP increased significantly from 2.69 +/- 0.23 mmHg to 4.47 +/- 0.32 mmHg (P < 0.001) in 0.1 mg/ml GCA treated rats and 6.86 +/- 0.54 mmHg (P < 0.0001) in rats receiving 1.0 mg/ml GCA in their drinking water. Histological examination showed increased thickness of pulmonary arterial wall (P < 0.0001). In conclusion GCA caused an increase in right atrial pressure as well as thickening of the pulmonary vessels suggesting pulmonary hypertension.
Platelet-rich plasma with keratinocytes and fibroblasts enhance healing of full-thickness wounds

Law JX, Chowdhury SR, Saim AB, Idrus RBH

J Tissue Viability, 2017 Aug;26(3):208-215.
PMID: 28615133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2017.05.003

Advances in tissue engineering led to the development of various tissue-engineered skin substitutes (TESS) for the treatment of skin injuries. The majority of the autologous TESS required lengthy and costly cell expansion process to fabricate. In this study, we determine the possibility of using a low density of human skin cells suspended in platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-enriched medium to promote the healing of full-thickness skin wounds. To achieve this, full-thickness wounds of size 1.767 cm2 were created at the dorsum part of nude mice and treated with keratinocytes (2 × 104 cells/cm2) and fibroblasts (3 × 104 cells/cm2) suspended in 10% PRP-enriched medium. Wound examination was conducted weekly and the animals were euthanized after 2 weeks. Gross examination showed that re-epithelialization was fastest in the PRP+cells group at both day 7 and 14, followed by the PRP group and NT group receiving no treatment. Only the PRP+cells group achieved complete wound closure by 2 weeks. Epidermal layer was presence in the central region of the wound of the PRP+cells and PRP groups but absence in the NT group. Comparison between the PRP+cells and PRP groups showed that the PRP+cells-treated wound was more mature as indicated by the presence of thinner epidermis with single cell layer thick basal keratinocytes and less cellular dermis. In summary, the combination of low cell density and diluted PRP creates a synergistic effect which expedites the healing of full-thickness wounds. This combination has the potential to be developed as a rapid wound therapy via the direct application of freshly harvested skin cells in diluted PRP.
Fulltext Effect of Kelulut Honey on the Cellular Dynamics of TGFβ-Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Primary Human Keratinocytes

Nordin A, Chowdhury SR, Saim AB, Bt Hj Idrus R

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 05 06;17(9).
PMID: 32384749 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093229

Over-induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by tumor growth factor beta (TGFβ) in keratinocytes is a key feature in keloid scar. The present work seeks to investigate the effect of Kelulut honey (KH) on TGFβ-induced EMT in human primary keratinocytes. Image analysis of the real time observation of TGFβ-induced keratinocytes revealed a faster wound closure and individual migration velocity compared to the untreated control. TGFβ-induced keratinocytes also have reduced circularity and display a classic EMT protein expression. Treatment of 0.0015% (v/v) KH reverses these effects. In untreated keratinocytes, KH resulted in slower initial wound closure and individual migration velocity, which sped up later on, resulting in greater wound closure at the final time point. KH treatment also led to greater directional migration compared to the control. KH treatment caused reduced circularity in keratinocytes but displayed a partial EMT protein expression. Taken together, the findings suggest the therapeutic potential of KH in preventing keloid scar by attenuating TGFβ-induced EMT.
Chronic kidney disease patients' views of readiness and ability to use mHealth apps

Che Johan NAS, Rasani AAM, Keng SL

Br J Nurs, 2023 Jan 26;32(2):74-80.
PMID: 36715528 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2023.32.2.74

BACKGROUND: The use of mobile health (mHealth) applications, which provide opportunities to improve health and lessen health inequalities, is increasing. Studies assessing the readiness and ability of patients in Malaysia with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to use mobile phone apps to manage their health are limited.
AIMS: This study aimed to assess the readiness and ability to use mHealth apps among patients with CKD in north-east Peninsular Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken, using a convenience sample of 100 CKD medical inpatients in a tertiary teaching hospital. A structured, self-administered questionnaire on readiness and ability to use mHealth apps was adopted.
FINDINGS: Nearly one in five patients (18%) actively used health applications. More than three-quarters (77%) were aged >40 years and a similar proportion were ready to use mHealth apps (78%), and nearly half (46%) were confident about connecting their device to wifi. There was a correlation between ability and readiness to use mHealth apps (r=0.4; P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than half of participants had a good command of mHealth applications. Therefore, support on the use of these apps is needed, and healthcare managers need to consider this.
Regression models for sediment transport in tropical rivers

Harun MA, Safari MJS, Gul E, Ab Ghani A

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Oct;28(38):53097-53115.
PMID: 34023993 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14479-0

The investigation of sediment transport in tropical rivers is essential for planning effective integrated river basin management to predict the changes in rivers. The characteristics of rivers and sediment in the tropical region are different compared to those of the rivers in Europe and the USA, where the median sediment size tends to be much more refined. The origins of the rivers are mainly tropical forests. Due to the complexity of determining sediment transport, many sediment transport equations were recommended in the literature. However, the accuracy of the prediction results remains low, particularly for the tropical rivers. The majority of the existing equations were developed using multiple non-linear regression (MNLR). Machine learning has recently been the method of choice to increase model prediction accuracy in complex hydrological problems. Compared to the conventional MNLR method, machine learning algorithms have advanced and can produce a useful prediction model. In this research, three machine learning models, namely evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR), multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) and M5 tree model (M5P), were implemented to model sediment transport for rivers in Malaysia. The formulated variables for the prediction model were originated from the revised equations reported in the relevant literature for Malaysian rivers. Among the three machine learning models, in terms of different statistical measurement criteria, EPR gives the best prediction model, followed by MGGP and M5P. Machine learning is excellent at improving the prediction distribution of high data values but lacks accuracy compared to observations of lower data values. These results indicate that further study needs to be done to improve the machine learning model's accuracy to predict sediment transport.

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