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Fulltext Reliability of smartphone images to assess plaque score among preschool children: a pilot study

Vijyakumar M, Ashari A, Yazid F, Rani H, Kuppusamy E

J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2024 Mar;48(2):143-148.
PMID: 38548644 DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2024.042

This study assessed the reliability of smartphone images of plaque-disclosed anterior teeth for evaluating plaque scores among preschool children. Additionally, the reliability of plaque scores recorded from smartphone images of anterior teeth in representing the overall clinical plaque score was also assessed. Fifteen preschool children were recruited for this pilot study. The Simplified Debris Index (DI-S), the debris component of the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, was used to record the plaque score. A plaque-disclosing tablet was used to disclose the plaque before the plaque score recording. Following that, the image of the anterior teeth (canine to canine) of both the upper and lower arch was captured using the smartphone. Each child had three different DI-S recorded. For the first recording of the overall clinical DI-S, the plaque score was recorded clinically from index teeth 55 (buccal), 51 (labial), 65 (buccal), 71 (labial), 75 (lingual) and 85 (lingual). For the second recording, anterior clinical DI-S, the plaque score was recorded clinically from the labial surfaces of six anterior teeth only (53, 51, 63, 73, 71 and 83). Two weeks later, anterior photographic DI-S (third recording) was done using the smartphone images of the same index teeth used for the second recording. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the reliability of smartphone images in assessing plaque scores. The results showed high reliability (ICC = 0.987) between anterior clinical and anterior photographic examinations, indicating that smartphone images are highly reliable for evaluating plaque scores. Similarly, high reliability (ICC = 0.981) was also found for comparison between overall clinical DI-S and anterior photographic DI-S, indicating plaque scores recorded from smartphone images of anterior teeth alone can represent the overall clinical plaque score. This study suggests that smartphone images can be a valuable tool for remote screening and monitoring of oral hygiene in preschool children, contributing to better oral health outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Association of excessive screen time exposure with ocular changes leading to astigmatism in children

Shah M, Natarajan SB, Ahmad N

PLoS One, 2025;20(4):e0317961.
PMID: 40168308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317961

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between excessive screen time exposure and the development of astigmatism in children.
METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted at tertiary care hospital, Islamabad between June 2023 to May 2024. In total, 431 patients were included in this study after informed written consent. Screen time exposure was assessed through smartphone usage history or parental reports of daily use of smart gadget(s). Tear break-up time was measured using a fluorescein strip, cobalt blue filter on a slit-lamp biomicroscope and a stopwatch. Data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical tests including Spearman's correlation and regression analyses.
RESULTS: The study included 431 children (mean age: 6.70 ± 1.80 years; 55% male, 45% female). Mean screen time was 4.54 ± 1.52 hours/day. A positive correlation between screen time and the magnitude of astigmatism was observed (r = 0.33, p

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Root Exploit Detection and Features Optimization: Mobile Device and Blockchain Based Medical Data Management

Firdaus A, Anuar NB, Razak MFA, Hashem IAT, Bachok S, Sangaiah AK

J Med Syst, 2018 May 04;42(6):112.
PMID: 29728780 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-018-0966-x

The increasing demand for Android mobile devices and blockchain has motivated malware creators to develop mobile malware to compromise the blockchain. Although the blockchain is secure, attackers have managed to gain access into the blockchain as legal users, thereby comprising important and crucial information. Examples of mobile malware include root exploit, botnets, and Trojans and root exploit is one of the most dangerous malware. It compromises the operating system kernel in order to gain root privileges which are then used by attackers to bypass the security mechanisms, to gain complete control of the operating system, to install other possible types of malware to the devices, and finally, to steal victims' private keys linked to the blockchain. For the purpose of maximizing the security of the blockchain-based medical data management (BMDM), it is crucial to investigate the novel features and approaches contained in root exploit malware. This study proposes to use the bio-inspired method of practical swarm optimization (PSO) which automatically select the exclusive features that contain the novel android debug bridge (ADB). This study also adopts boosting (adaboost, realadaboost, logitboost, and multiboost) to enhance the machine learning prediction that detects unknown root exploit, and scrutinized three categories of features including (1) system command, (2) directory path and (3) code-based. The evaluation gathered from this study suggests a marked accuracy value of 93% with Logitboost in the simulation. Logitboost also helped to predicted all the root exploit samples in our developed system, the root exploit detection system (RODS).

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*
InWalker: smart white cane for the blind

Husin MH, Lim YK

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol, 2020 08;15(6):701-707.
PMID: 31729282 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1615999

Background/Purpose: Visual impairment is a disability more commonly caused by diseases that lead to several disadvantages to the daily activities amongst those blind. For almost a century since the white cane was first introduced, the cane has remained as the most reliable tool for those affected by blindness.Methods: By using a combination of the capabilities of Internet of Things (IoT) and existing devices, such as mobile phones, an InWalker system is proposed to expand the functionality of the typical white cane, so as to introduce several new features that enhance the safety and confidence amongst people who are blind. As such, this paper explores the existing works and projects to comprehend the motivation and the standard practices for each proposed feature. Each of the strength and drawback has been assessed thoroughly to refine the scope of this project.Results: The proposed project, InWalker, is an intelligent system that has an embedded board system with various sensors to enhance the usability of white cane. The inputs from the sensor are processed on a microcontroller, which then pass the data to a smartphone via Bluetooth for additional features, such as global positioning system (GPS) tracking and SMS services.Conclusions: Based on the initial user testing, the proposed system has successfully fulfilled most of the users' need.Implication for RehabilitationVisual impairment is a disability more commonly caused by diseases that lead to several disadvantages amongst those blind.The white cane has been seen as the most reliable tool for the visual impaired.This tool could be further improved with the integration of additional sensors that works with today's mobile devices.The proposed system, InWalker, is able to improve the overall quality of life among people who are blind through several features: obstacle detection, GPS tracking and a light illumination in dark environments for increased safety.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone/instrumentation*
Increasing productivity with smartphone digital imagery wound measurements and analysis

Nair HKR

J Wound Care, 2018 Sep 01;27(Sup9a):S12-S19.
PMID: 30207849 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2018.27.Sup9a.S12

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to determine the productivity increase using digital imagery for better documentation and analysis. A case series was done in a specialised care centre with patients managed with advanced dressings and using state-of-the-art smartphone technology for documentation to save costs and time.
METHOD: Wounds were cleansed and debrided before using the application to photograph, document, measure and analyse the wounds. The smartphone app was oriented parallel to the plane of the wound, where possible, to obtain accurate measurements. A longitudinal study report was generated for each wound and showed the progress of the wound healing until the wound was closed.
RESULTS: A sample size of 60 patients consisting of wounds from different locations, and a total of 203 measurements and analyses were conducted over a period of seven months. The wound monitoring app proved to be effective for wound monitoring and required less than two hours' training. A report summary of wounds recorded could also be generated automatically through the dashboard. All 60 patients' cases were automatically recorded, measured and presented into reports for use in clinical analysis. There was a significant time savings (27 hours per day for a specialised care centre with 10 nurses) increase over manual wound documentation and measuring methods.
CONCLUSION: The app provided a non-contact, easy to use, reliable and accurate smart wound management solution for clinicians and physicians to track wound healing in patients. The app could also be used by patients and caregivers for home monitoring of their wounds.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*
Fulltext Development and virtual validation of a novel digital workflow to rehabilitate palatal defects by using smartphone-integrated stereophotogrammetry (SPINS)

Farook TH, Jamayet NB, Asif JA, Din AS, Mahyuddin MN, Alam MK

Sci Rep, 2021 04 19;11(1):8469.
PMID: 33875672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87240-9

Palatal defects are rehabilitated by fabricating maxillofacial prostheses called obturators. The treatment incorporates taking deviously unpredictable impressions to facsimile the palatal defects into plaster casts for obturator fabrication in the dental laboratory. The casts are then digitally stored using expensive hardware to prevent physical damage or data loss and, when required, future obturators are digitally designed, and 3D printed. Our objective was to construct and validate an economic in-house smartphone-integrated stereophotogrammetry (SPINS) 3D scanner and to evaluate its accuracy in designing prosthetics using open source/free (OS/F) digital pipeline. Palatal defect models were scanned using SPINS and its accuracy was compared against the standard laser scanner for virtual area and volumetric parameters. SPINS derived 3D models were then used to design obturators by using (OS/F) software. The resultant obturators were virtually compared against standard medical software designs. There were no significant differences in any of the virtual parameters when evaluating the accuracy of both SPINS, as well as OS/F derived obturators. However, limitations in the design process resulted in minimal dissimilarities. With further improvements, SPINS based prosthetic rehabilitation could create a viable, low cost method for rural and developing health services to embrace maxillofacial record keeping and digitised prosthetic rehabilitation.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone/statistics & numerical data*
Investigation of a Preliminary Mixed Method of Phubbing and Social Connectedness in Adolescents

Ang CS, Teo KM, Ong YL, Siak SL

Addict Health, 2019 Jan;11(1):1-10.
PMID: 31308904 DOI: 10.22122/ahj.v11i1.539

Background: The exponential growth of smartphones has afforded many users with ubiquitous access to socialization as seen in the various mobile apps used to communicate and connect with others. The present study employed mixed-method approaches to analyse the impact of phubbing on social connectedness among adolescents in Malaysia.
Methods: A total of 568 adolescents were participated in quantitative surveys, and of these participating adolescents, 6 were further invited to join focus group interviews.
Findings: Quantitative findings supported the mediating role of communication disturbance in the relationships between phone obsession and familial connectedness, school connectedness, and self-connectedness, but not for friendship connectedness. Qualitative findings further elucidated the detrimental effect of phone obsession on their sense of belonging from the perspectives of adolescents.
Conclusion: This study reaffirms that phubbing behaviour is predictive of social disconnectedness. Therefore, preventive and treatment interventions should be developed to avoid and control a potential risk of social disconnectedness epidemics attribute to phubbing.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Smartphone-based laser glucometer for non-invasive measurement of glucose level of diabetic patients

Tamrin, K.F., Adilah, A.N., Hamdi, M.M., Jong, R.P.

Borneo International Journal, 2018;1(1):27-32.
MyJurnal

A glucose meter (or glucometer) is a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the
blood by pricking a finger to draw blood sample using a sharp needle. However, diabetic patient has quite slow level in
wound healing process which causes their fingers constantly in a state of wounded and exposed to bacteria. More
importantly, two main factors for the weakness of invasive technique is a painful process and cost often because constant
monitoring of glucose level is very expensive. The main objective of this research is to design and develop a non-invasive
optical measuring technique to measure body glucose level automatically and painlessly using a laser pointer and a
smartphone. Images captured by the smartphone is analysed using a Matlab software to determine the refractive index of
the urine sample. Calibration of the system is performed by correlating the results with that of the glucometer. Both
results compare well with R-squared value of 92.9%. The system can be potentially used for remote health and patient
monitoring.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext The effect of smartphone usage on accommodation status

Wiki Safarina Narawi, Shaz’ Ain Razak, Nahdiyah Azman

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(2):244-247.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Usage of smartphones have increased rapidly because of its importance in our daily life. This led to an increase in incidence of ocular problems among smartphone users. This research was conducted to determine the effect of smartphone usage on accommodation status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among young adults aged 19 to 30 years old in Management and Science University, Shah Alam. All subjects were asked to use smartphone for 20 minutes. The symptoms and accommodation status were evaluated before and after the smartphone usage. Results: Total subjects showed the mean age of 23.60 ± 2.77 years, 50% (n = 20) were males and 50% (n = 20) were females. The mean smartphone usage per day was 8.60 ± 2.80) hours. After 20 minutes of smartphone usage, subjects complained of tired eyes (92.50%), dry eyes (90.00%), blurred vision (87.50%), and headache (82.50%). Paired t-test showed significant reduction in amplitude of accommodation, monocularly from 9.9 ± 1.9 D to 8.76 ± 2.50 D (p = 0.00), and binocularly from 12.01 ± 1.95 D to 10.96 ± 2.16 D (p = 0.00); monoc- ular accommodative facility from 13.93 ± 3.13 cpm to 11.10 ± 4.32 cpm (p = 0.00) and binocular accommodative facility from 12.70 ± 3.57 cpm to 9.70 ± 4.21 cpm (p = 0.00); positive relative accommodation from -2.72 ± 0.87 D to -2.13 ± 1.28 D (p = 0.00) and increase in lag of accommodation from 0.4 ± 0.26 D to 0.93 ± 0.48 D (p = 0.00). Conclusion: This study shows that there were significance changes on accommodation status after 20 minutes of smartphone usage which can lead to weakness of accommodation.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Association of smartphone usage with anxiety, depression and stress among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Goh Shu Meng, Swe

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):30-30.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Smartphone addiction is a hotly debated public health issue and it affects every generation especially the youth and younger generation nowadays (Generation Z / i-Generation) and contributes to the poor mental health status like stress, anxiety and depression. This study is carried out to determine the prevalence of smartphone addic-tion and its association with stress, anxiety and depression among the undergraduate students in Unitversity Malaysia Sabah. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A total number of 456 undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah with at least a smartphone device were enrolled in the study by stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale Malay Version (SAS-M) and The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) Malay Version were used for data collection. The prevalence of smartphone addiction, stress, anxiety and depression among un-dergraduate students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah were determined. Simple linear regression was used to determine the effect of smartphone addiction to stress, anxiety and depression. Results: Prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah is 61.2% (95% CI : 56.5%, 65.7%). The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah are 34.9%, 58.6% and 42.5% respectively. The univariate analysis shows that smartphone addiction is significantly associated with stress (Regression Coeeficient = 0.774, 95% CI 0.54, 1.01 ; P-value

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext The consistency of retinal image size measurement using smartphone application

Nura Syahiera Ibrahim, Firdaus Yusuf @ Alias, Norsham Ahmad

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(3):15-20.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Unequal retinal image size (RIS) or aniseikonia is usually related with anisometropia. Higher dif- ferences of RIS may manifest symptoms such as dizziness, headache or disorientation. In worst case might cause suppression that leads to amblyopia. Current study aims to evaluate the consistency of aniseikonia measurement in Smart Optometry smartphone application among myopic, hyperopic, and astigmatic simulated anisometropia and real anisometropia groups. Methods: Fifteen real anisometropes (refractive error; -0.50 until -6.00 diopters; D) and fifteen emmetropes (refractive error: -0.25 until +0.50D) were recruited. Real anisometropes wore their habitual spectacle correction while each emmetropes were fitted using soft contact lenses of +4.00DS, -4.00DS and -4.00DC with base curve 8.6 and total diameter 14.2mm in random order to mimic myopic-, hyperopic- and astigmat- ic-anisometropia before testing. Participants with any ocular disease and binocular vision problem were excluded. The consistency of aniseikonia measurement was determined in two visits, separated by at least 24-hour interval. Three repetitive measurements were taken in each visit. Results: Independent t-test and paired t-test showed that real and simulated anisometropia gave insignificant aniseikonia percentage, p>0.05. ICC findings revealed moder- ate-to-good agreement for all simulated and real groups. Bland Altman analysis between two visits exhibited good agreement among all simulated group; myopic (mean difference 0.2047; 95%CI:-1.1386-1.549), hyperopic (mean difference 0.2200; 95%CI:-0.9286-1.3686) and astigmatic (mean difference 0.2533; 95%CI:-0.7114-1.2180). Real anisometropes demonstrated good agreement with bias value of 0.2247(95%CI:-0.9162-1.3656) using Bland Altman plot. Conclusion: Smart Optometry application provides consistent measurement of aniseikonia regardless any types of anisometropia.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Perception and readiness of community pharmacists on the use of mobile smart phone as a health monitoring tool

Pei, Lin Lua, Umar Idris Ibrahim

Education in Medicine Journal, 2015;7(3):35-43.
MyJurnal

Recently, the integration of mobile phone apps into healthcare system is increasing as a result of the availability of medical applications. This study determined the perception of readiness of community pharmacists on the use of mobile smartphone as a health monitoring tool and the relationships between perception and readiness with selected demographic variables of the respondents. Methods: A crosssectional survey was conducted by distributing a modified 15-item instrument to a convenience sample of pharmacists (n = 245) across Malaysia by post. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Response rate was 31.4% (n= 77). The mean age of the respondents was 35.5 ± 6. 52 years. The sample consisted of mostly women (71.4%). Overall, there were moderate “positive responses” across the two domains. Positive perception ranged from 54.5% to 66.2% and positive readiness ranged from 55.8% to 64.9%. No significant associations between perception and readiness with the selected demographic variables were detected (age, gender, location and outlet type). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that there was generally positive perception of mobile phone use for pharmaceutical care among community pharmacists in Malaysia. They were also ready to adapt it to improve pharmaceutical care delivery to patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Excessive smartphone usage among early adolescents: impact on social competence

Syed Ahmad Muhajir Alhaddad Syed E, Nurul Hudani Md N, Agnis S

Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 2018;32:1-11.

The benefit mobile technology brings is not limited to learning and entertainment but it also modifies human aspect of social communication. Despite the high number of previous research available concerning smartphones, there is still a gap of research that needs to be addressed such as its effect towards social competence. As the social system becomes complex, communication technology evolves to ensure the social needs are accomplished. For this study, 236 students aged between 13-14 years old were recruited and given a set of questionnaire which comprised Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale, Social Competence Scale for Teenagers and Self Scoring Self-Control Scale. In this study, the researcher attempted to examine the effect of excessive smartphone usage on social competence with self-control as mediator. Regression analysis was used to estimate the effect between the variables. The result indicates that there is negative relationship between excessive smartphone usage and social competence. However, when self-control is tested in the model as a mediator, excessive smartphones usage was not prevalent to predict social competence. This concludes to the apparent role of self-control as a mediator. The implication of study has contributed to the practical importance and methodological aspect of studies involving social competence and self-control.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Smartphone apps as a technological innovation for weight reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [Abstract]

Muhammad Faiz Mohd Ishak, Safirah Jaan Jaafar, Noor Hazmi Noor Hassim, Azmawati Mohammed Nawi, Rohaizat Mohd Hassan, Norfazilah Ahmad

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):51-51.
MyJurnal

ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS
New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019

Introduction: Obesity is a global epidemic with major healthcare implications and costs. The availability of Smart-phone app as a new technological innovation developed is increasing rapidly. This new technological innovation can have a huge potential for interventions to help weight loss and combat obesity. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the effectiveness of Smartphone apps compared with other methods to promote weight loss and obesity. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies identified by a search of independently screened studies for inclusion criteria and extracted data. We included arti-cles that assessed any (Smartphone/Mobile phone app intervention with anthropometric measurement like weight/BMI, waist circumference), adult or children population then exclude articles in which the primary outcome is not weight/BMI/Waist circumference, non-original articles (Reviews, Editorials, Non-research letters), case reports or case series, non RCT study design, participant with co-morbidities or condition like pregnancy and Intervention using SMS or any text messaging. Results: We included 7 articles in this systematic review and meta-analysis. This me-ta-analysis shows that smartphone app interventions compared with conventional or other interventions is non-sig-nificant decreases in body weight, with the pooled estimates of the net change in body weight being -1.62 kg (95% CI –3.61 to 0.36; I2 = 93%). Pooled results indicated a non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD 0.26 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.83 to 1.34; I2 = 68%). For waist circumference, there is non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD -5.2 cm 95% CI --0.15 to 4.60; I2 = 93%). Conclusion: Smartphone apps intervention alone is not producing substantial evidence of weight loss despite there might be effective for certain groups. However, there are still explorable pros-pect on the use of smartphone app in combination of other approach to assist and promote weight loss as the use of smartphone are proven to influence health related behavioural modification.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
Fulltext Bengali-Sign: A Machine Learning-Based Bengali Sign Language Interpretation for Deaf and Non-Verbal People

Raihan MJ, Labib MI, Jim AAJ, Tiang JJ, Biswas U, Nahid AA

Sensors (Basel), 2024 Aug 19;24(16).
PMID: 39205045 DOI: 10.3390/s24165351

Sign language is undoubtedly a common way of communication among deaf and non-verbal people. But it is not common among hearing people to use sign language to express feelings or share information in everyday life. Therefore, a significant communication gap exists between deaf and hearing individuals, despite both groups experiencing similar emotions and sentiments. In this paper, we developed a convolutional neural network-squeeze excitation network to predict the sign language signs and developed a smartphone application to provide access to the ML model to use it. The SE block provides attention to the channel of the image, thus improving the performance of the model. On the other hand, the smartphone application brings the ML model close to people so that everyone can benefit from it. In addition, we used the Shapley additive explanation to interpret the black box nature of the ML model and understand the models working from within. Using our ML model, we achieved an accuracy of 99.86% on the KU-BdSL dataset. The SHAP analysis shows that the model primarily relies on hand-related visual cues to predict sign language signs, aligning with human communication patterns.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone
The relations of internet and smartphone addictions to depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality among public university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Wan Ismail WS, Sim ST, Tan KA, Bahar N, Ibrahim N, Mahadevan R, et al.

Perspect Psychiatr Care, 2020 Oct;56(4):949-955.
PMID: 32363648 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12517

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study examined the cyber-psychological correlates of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality among public university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were randomly selected using multi-stage sampling methods from three public universities in the study location. Participants completed measures of internet and smartphone addictions, depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality, along with sociodemographic items.
FINDINGS: At bivariate level, both internet and smartphone addictions were found to have significant positive correlations with depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality. At multivariate level, only internet addiction emerged as a consistent significant predictor for depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The present findings have implications for mental health professionals to routinely screen for psychological disturbance in young adults who have potential risks for internet addiction.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*
Smartphone electrocardiogram for QT interval monitoring in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated with Hydroxychloroquine

Andy Ko TY, Chen LS, Pang IX, Ling HS, Wong TC, Sia Tonnii LL, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):125-130.
PMID: 33742617

INTRODUCTION: The global pandemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the re-purposing of medications, such as hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir in the treatment of the earlier phase of COVID-19 before the recognized benefit of steroids and antiviral. We aim to explore the corrected QT (QTc) interval and 'torsadogenic' potential of hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir utilising a combination of smartphone electrocardiogram and 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 16-April-2020 to 30-April- 2020, patients with suspected or confirmed for COVID-19 indicated for in-patient treatment with hydroxychloroquine with or without lopinavir-ritonavir to the Sarawak General Hospital were monitored with KardiaMobile smartphone electrocardiogram (AliveCor®, Mountain View, CA) or standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. The baseline and serial QTc intervals were monitored till the last dose of medications or until the normalization of the QTc interval.
RESULTS: Thirty patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine, and 20 (66.7%) patients received a combination of hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir therapy. The maximum QTc interval was significantly prolonged compared to baseline (434.6±28.2msec vs. 458.6±47.1msec, p=0.001). The maximum QTc interval (456.1±45.7msec vs. 464.6±45.2msec, p=0.635) and the delta QTc (32.6±38.5msec vs. 26.3±35.8msec, p=0.658) were not significantly different between patients on hydroxychloroquine or a combination of hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir. Five (16.7%) patients had QTc of 500msec or more. Four (13.3%) patients required discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine and 3 (10.0%) patients required discontinuation of lopinavirritonavir due to QTc prolongation. However, no torsade de pointes was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: QTc monitoring using smartphone electrocardiogram was feasible in COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine with or without lopinavir-ritonavir. The usage of hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir resulted in QTc prolongation, but no torsade de pointes or arrhythmogenic death was observed.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*
Smartphone Assisted Naked Eye Detection of Mercury (II) Ion using Horseradish Peroxidase Inhibitive Assays

Jamadon NK, Busairi N, Syahir A

Protein Pept Lett, 2018;25(1):90-95.
PMID: 29237368 DOI: 10.2174/0929866525666171214111503

BACKGROUND: Mercury (II) ion, Hg2+ is among the most common pollutants with the ability to affect the environment. The implications of their elevation in the environment are mainly due to the industrialization and urbanization process. Current methods of Hg2+ detection primarily depend on sophisticated and expensive instruments. Hence, an alternative and practical way of detecting Hg2+ ions is needed to go beyond these limitations. Here, we report a detection method that was developed using an inhibitive enzymatic reaction that can be monitored through a smartphone. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) converted 4-aminoantipyrene (4-AAP) into a red colored product which visible with naked eye. A colorless product, on the other hand, was produced indicating the presence of Hg2+ that inhibit the reaction.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to develop a colorimetric sensor to detect Hg2+ in water sources using HRP inhibitive assay. The system can be incorporated with a mobile app to make it practical for a prompt in-situ analysis.
METHODS: HRP enzyme was pre-incubated with different concentration of Hg2+ at 37°C for 1 hour prior to the addition of chromogen. The mix of PBS buffer, 4-AAP and phenol which act as a chromogen was then added to the HRP enzyme and was incubated for 20 minutes. Alcohol was added to stop the enzymatic reaction, and the change of colour were observed and analyse using UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 520 nm wavelength. The results were then analysed using GraphPad PRISM 4 for a non-linear regression analysis, and using Mathematica (Wolfram) 10.0 software for a hierarchical cluster analysis. The samples from spectroscopy measurement were directly used for dynamic light scattering (DLS) evaluation to evaluate the changes in HRP size due to Hg2+ malfunctionation. Finally, molecular dynamic simulations comparing normal and malfunctioned HRP were carried out to investigate structural changes of the HRP using YASARA software.
RESULTS: Naked eye detection and data from UV-Vis spectroscopy showed good selectivity of Hg2+ over other metal ions as a distinctive color of Hg2+ is observed at 0.5 ppm with the IC50 of 0.290 ppm. The mechanism of Hg2+ inhibition towards HRP was further validated using a dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to ensure that there is a conformational change in HRP size due to the presence of Hg2+ ions. The naked eye detection can be quantitatively determined using a smartphone app namely ColorAssist, suggesting that the detection signal does not require expensive instruments to be quantified.
CONCLUSION: A naked-eye colorimetric sensor for mercury ions detection was developed. The colour change due to the presence of Hg2+ can be easily distinguished using an app via a smartphone. Thus, without resorting to any expensive instruments that are mostly laboratory bound, Hg2+ can be easily detected at IC50 value of 0.29 ppm. This is a promising alternative and practical method to detect Hg2+ in the environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*
Fulltext Internet addiction among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with sociodemographic and psychological distress

Md Bukhori AB, Ja'afar MH

PeerJ, 2024;12:e17489.
PMID: 38952988 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17489

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous implications for billions of adolescents worldwide due to school closures, forcing students to embrace internet usage for daily tasks. Uncontrolled use of the internet among adolescents makes them vulnerable to internet addiction (IA). This study aims to determine the prevalence of IA among adolescents and assess its association with sociodemographic factors, smartphone use, and psychological distress during the pandemic.
METHOD: A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was conducted among students aged 13-17 from May 15th, 2021, until May 30th, 2021, using the Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Coronavirus Impacts Questionnaires, as well as a sociodemographic information form. The data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.
RESULTS: A total of 420 adolescents participated in the survey. The majority of them (70.7%) were female, with a mean age of 15.47 years (±1.49 years old). About 45.5% of the respondents were classified as internet addicted users. The Chi-square test analysis showed that age (p = 0.002), smartphone usage (p = 0.010), rate of midnight use (p

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone/statistics & numerical data
A comparative review of mobile health and electronic health utilization in sub-Saharan African countries

Bervell B, Al-Samarraie H

Soc Sci Med, 2019 07;232:1-16.
PMID: 31035241 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.04.024

This study distinguished between the application of e-health and m-health technologies in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries based on the dimensions of use, targeted diseases or health conditions, locations of use, and beneficiaries (types of patients or health workers) in a country specific context. It further characterized the main opportunities and challenges associated with these dimensions across the sub-region. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on 66 published peer reviewed articles. The review followed the scientific process of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of identification, selection, assessment, synthesis and interpretation of findings. The results of the study showed that m-health was prevalent in usage for promoting information for treatment and prevention of diseases as well as serving as an effective technology for reminders towards adherence. For e-health, the uniqueness lay in data acquisition and patients' records management; diagnosis; training and recruitment. While m-health was never used for monitoring or training and recruitment, e-health on the other hand could not serve the purpose of reminders or for reporting cases from the field. Both technologies were however useful for adherence, diagnosis, disease control mechanisms, information provision, and decision-making/referrals. HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal (postnatal and antenatal) healthcare were important in both m-health and e-health interventions mostly concentrated in the rural settings of South Africa and Kenya. ICT infrastructure, trained personnel, illiteracy, lack of multilingual text and voice messages were major challenges hindering the effective usage of both m-health and e-health technologies.

Matched MeSH terms: Smartphone*

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