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Fulltext Fatigue, bleeding tendency and osteoporosis in an adolescent: a diagnostic conundrum

Ku Md Saad S, Khalid K, Glackin S

Oxf Med Case Reports, 2023 Feb;2023(2):omad015.
PMID: 36860957 DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omad015

Scurvy is a rare nutritional deficiency, particularly in developed nations. Sporadic cases are still reported, particularly among alcoholics and malnourished. Herein we present an unusual case of a previously healthy 15-year-old Caucasian girl, who was recently hospitalized for low velocity spine fractures, back pain and stiffness over several months and rash for 2 years. She was later diagnosed with scurvy and osteoporosis. Dietary modifications were instituted together with supplementary vitamin C, supportive treatment with regular dietician review and physiotherapy. Gradual clinical recovery was seen over the course of therapy. Our case highlights the importance of recognizing scurvy even among low-risk populations to ensure prompt and effective clinical management.
Sex estimation in the South-East Asian population: A systematic review

Saad S, Hisham S, Amir Hamzah SPA

Malays J Pathol, 2024 Apr;46(1):21-40.
PMID: 38682842

INTRODUCTION: Sex estimation is crucial in forensic anthropology. In situations such as mass disasters, and forensic anthropology cases, sex estimation is a very important initial step in the disaster victim identification process. Literature has acknowledged that sex estimation is population-specific. However, sex estimation standards in South-East Asian populations are limited, leading to the usage of most Thais discriminant function equations on sex estimation by other South-East Asian countries including Malaysia. This systematic review was conducted to summarise the findings of sex estimation studies in South-East Asian countries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed through the SCOPUS database and Web of Science (WOS) database for relevant studies between 2014 and 2022. All published articles that are related to sex estimation from different types of bone, methods, landmarks, and sample sources (i.e., photographs, dry bones, and CT images) were included in this review. The main inclusion criteria were studies on (i) sex estimation; (ii) in South-East Asian populations; (iii) between the years 2014 and 2022; and (iv) in English.
RESULTS: The literature search identified 30 potentially relevant studies, of which 15 publications met all the inclusion criteria. From those research, 13 studies were related to the Thai population and two to the Malaysian population. Only one study was based on morphological traits, while the rest were based on a morphometric approach.
CONCLUSION: All studies found that sex estimation is populationspecific. Therefore, further research is recommended to explore more on population-specific sex estimation using different parts of bone.
Colorectal, Prostate and Pancreas Human Cancers Targeted Bioassay-guided Isolations and Characterization of Chemical Constituents from Tephrosia apollinea

Hassan LEA, Iqbal MA, Dahham SS, Tabana YM, Ahamed MBK, Majid AMSA

Anticancer Agents Med Chem, 2017;17(4):590-598.
PMID: 27671298 DOI: 10.2174/1871520616666160926113711

BACKGROUND: Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division caused by dysregulation of cell proliferation. Therefore, agents that impair cancer cell proliferation could have potential therapeutic value. Higher plants are considered to be a good source of anticancer agents, and several clinically tested chemotherapeutic agents have been isolated from plants or derived from constituents of plant origin.
METHODS: In the present study, a prenylated flavone (isoglabratephrin) was isolated from aerial parts of Tephrosia apollinea using a bioassay-guided technique. Chemical structure of the isolated compound was elucidated using spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, and LC-MC), elemental analysis and confirmed by using single crystal X-ray analysis. The antiproliferative effect of isoglabratephrin was tested using three human cancer cell lines (prostate (PC3), pancreatic (PANC-1), and colon (HCT-116) and one normal cell line (human fibroblast).
RESULTS: Isoglabratephrin displayed selective inhibitory activity against proliferation of PC3 and PANC-1 cells with median inhibitory concentration values of 20.4 and 26.6 μg/ml, respectively. Isoglabratephrin demonstrated proapoptotic features, as it induced chromatin dissolution, nuclear condensation, and fragmentation. It also disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential in the treated cancer cells.
CONCLUSION: Isoglabratephrin could be a new lead to treat human prostate (PC3) and pancreatic (PANC-1) malignancies.
Fulltext Comparative analysis of various machine learning algorithms to predict 28-day compressive strength of Self-compacting concrete

Inqiad WB, Siddique MS, Alarifi SS, Butt MJ, Najeh T, Gamil Y

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e22036.
PMID: 38045144 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22036

Construction industry is indirectly the largest source of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, due to the use of cement in concrete. These emissions can be reduced by using industrial waste materials in place of cement. Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a promising material to enhance the use of industrial wastes in concrete. However, there are very few methods available for accurate prediction of its strength, therefore, reliable models for estimating 28-day Compressive Strength (C-S) of SCC are developed in current study by using three Machine Learning (ML) algorithms including Multi Expression Programming (MEP), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Random Forest (RF). The ML models were meticulously developed using a dataset of 231 points collected from internationally published literature considering seven most influential parameters including cement content, quantities of fly ash and silica fume, water content, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and superplasticizer dosage to predict C-S. The developed models were evaluated using different statistical errors including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), coefficient of determination (R2) etc. The results showed that the XGB model outperformed the MEP and RF model in terms of accuracy with a correlation R2 = 0.998 compared to 0.923 for MEP and 0.986 for RF. Similar trend was observed for other error metrices. Thus, XGB is the most accurate model for estimating C-S of SCC. However, it is pertinent to mention here that it does not give its output in the form of an empirical equation like MEP model. The construction of these empirical models will help to efficiently estimate C-S of SCC for practical purposes.
Reduced cannibalistic behavior of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, larvae under dark and dim conditions

Mukai Y, Sanudin N, Firdaus RF, Saad S

Zoolog Sci, 2013 Jun;30(6):421-4.
PMID: 23721464 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.30.421

In general, African catfish shows higher survival rates in the dark conditions than in the light conditions. In this study, larval behavior of African catfish was observed under 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 lx using a CCD camera to investigate the reason why African catfish larvae show higher survival rates in dark conditions. The larvae showed significantly higher swimming activity under 0, 0.01, and 0.1 lx than that under 10 and 100 lx. The larvae also showed significantly increased aggressive behavior under 10 and 100 lx; the swimming larvae attacked resting individuals more frequently under 10 and 100 lx than under 0, 0.01, and 0.1 lx. The aggressive behavior and sharp teeth of the attacking larvae appeared to induce skin surface lesions on injured larvae. Chemical substances were then generated from the injured skin surface, and these chemical stimuli triggered cannibalistic behavior in other fish near the injured fish. The results of this study demonstrate that the higher survival rates of African catfish larvae under dark conditions are a result of inactivity and subsequent increase in chemical releasing stimuli concentrations around inactive individuals that triggers feeding behavior in nearby active catfish. Therefore, we recommend larval rearing of African catfish in dark or dim conditions, as it improves catfish survival rates.
Prevalence and specificity of red-blood-cell antibodies in a multiethnic South and East Asian patient population and influence of using novel MUT+Mur+ kodecytes on its detection

Nadarajan VS, Laing AA, Saad SM, Usin M

Vox Sang, 2012 Jan;102(1):65-71.
PMID: 21592136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2011.01507.x

Appropriate screening for irregular red-cell antibodies is essential for ensuring transfusion compatibility and for antenatal management of mothers at risk of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn. Screening for all relevant antibodies is, however, limited by screening cells that do not express antigens present in the patient and donor population. Technology to artificially incorporate antigens into red cells is currently available and may be an option for customizing screening cells.
Fulltext Multi-Stage Feature Selection Based Intelligent Classifier for Classification of Incipient Stage Fire in Building

Andrew AM, Zakaria A, Mad Saad S, Md Shakaff AY

Sensors (Basel), 2016;16(1).
PMID: 26797617 DOI: 10.3390/s16010031

In this study, an early fire detection algorithm has been proposed based on low cost array sensing system, utilising off- the shelf gas sensors, dust particles and ambient sensors such as temperature and humidity sensor. The odour or "smellprint" emanated from various fire sources and building construction materials at early stage are measured. For this purpose, odour profile data from five common fire sources and three common building construction materials were used to develop the classification model. Normalised feature extractions of the smell print data were performed before subjected to prediction classifier. These features represent the odour signals in the time domain. The obtained features undergo the proposed multi-stage feature selection technique and lastly, further reduced by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a dimension reduction technique. The hybrid PCA-PNN based approach has been applied on different datasets from in-house developed system and the portable electronic nose unit. Experimental classification results show that the dimension reduction process performed by PCA has improved the classification accuracy and provided high reliability, regardless of ambient temperature and humidity variation, baseline sensor drift, the different gas concentration level and exposure towards different heating temperature range.
Fulltext The Anticancer, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of the Sesquiterpene β-Caryophyllene from the Essential Oil of Aquilaria crassna

Dahham SS, Tabana YM, Iqbal MA, Ahamed MB, Ezzat MO, Majid AS, et al.

Molecules, 2015;20(7):11808-29.
PMID: 26132906 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200711808

The present study reports a bioassay-guided isolation of β-caryophyllene from the essential oil of Aquilaria crassna. The structure of β-caryophyllene was confirmed using FT-IR, NMR and MS. The antimicrobial effect of β-caryophyllene was examined using human pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Its anti-oxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of β-caryophyllene was tested against seven human cancer cell lines. The corresponding selectivity index was determined by testing its cytotoxicity on normal cells. The effects of β-caryophyllene were studied on a series of in vitro antitumor-promoting assays using colon cancer cells. Results showed that β-caryophyllene demonstrated selective antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC 3 ± 1.0 µM) and more pronounced anti-fungal activity than kanamycin. β-Caryophyllene also displayed strong antioxidant effects. Additionally, β-caryophyllene exhibited selective anti-proliferative effects against colorectal cancer cells (IC50 19 µM). The results also showed that β-caryophyllene induces apoptosis via nuclear condensation and fragmentation pathways including disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, β-caryophyllene demonstrated potent inhibition against clonogenicity, migration, invasion and spheroid formation in colon cancer cells. These results prompt us to state that β-caryophyllene is the active principle responsible for the selective anticancer and antimicrobial activities of A. crassnia. β-Caryophyllene has great potential to be further developed as a promising chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal malignancies.
Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of (-)-pseudosemiglabrin, a major phytoconstituent isolated from Tephrosia apollinea (Delile) DC

Hassan LE, Dahham SS, Fadul SM, Umar MI, Majid AS, Khaw KY, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2016 Aug 20.
PMID: 27553975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.08.023

Tephrosia apollinea (Delile) DC (Leguminosae) has been used in folk medicine in Arabian countries to treat inflammatory disorders. The plant has been described to treat swelling, bone fracture, bronchitis, cough, earache and wounds.
Chemotherapeutic potentials of the stem bark of Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile: an antiangiogenic, antitumor and antioxidant agent

Hassan LE, Dahham SS, Saghir SA, Mohammed AM, Eltayeb NM, Majid AM, et al.

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Oct 19;16(1):396.
PMID: 27760539

Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, is a plant with extensive medicinal properties. Its stem bark is traditionally known for its spasmolytic and antiepileptic properties and used to treat yellow fever, jaundice and syphilis. Angiogenesis (sprouting of new blood vessels) is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. The goal of this study is investigate the antiangiogenic, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity as well as antitumor in vivo properties of B. aegyptiaca stem bark extracts.
Mesua ferrea stem bark extract induces apoptosis and inhibits metastasis in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cells, through modulation of multiple cell signalling pathways

Asif M, Shafaei A, Abdul Majid AS, Ezzat MO, Dahham SS, Ahamed MBK, et al.

Chin J Nat Med, 2017 Jul;15(7):505-514.
PMID: 28807224 DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30076-6

Considering the great potential of natural products as anticancer agents, the present study was designed to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for anticancer activities of Mesua ferrea stem bark extract against human colorectal carcinoma. Based on MTT assay results, bioactive sub-fraction (SF-3) was selected for further studies using HCT 116 cells. Repeated column chromatography resulted in isolation of less active α-amyrin from SF-3, which was identified and characterized by GC-MS and HPLC methods. α-amyrin and betulinic acid contents of SF-3 were measured by HPLC methods. Fluorescent assays revealed characteristic apoptotic features, including cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, and marked decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in SF-3 treated cells. In addition, increased levels of caspases-9 and -3/7 levels were also observed in SF-3 treated cells. SF-3 showed promising antimetastatic properties in multiple in vitro assays. Multi-pathway analysis revealed significant down-regulation of WNT, HIF-1α, and EGFR with simultaneous up-regulation of p53, Myc/Max, and TGF-β signalling pathways in SF-3 treated cells. In addition, promising growth inhibitory effects were observed in SF-3 treated HCT 116 tumour spheroids, which give a hint about in vivo antitumor efficacy of SF-3 phytoconstituents. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that anticancer effects of SF-3 towards colon cancer are through modulation of multiple molecular pathways.
Fulltext Psychological impact of COVID-19 restrictions among individuals at risk of exercise addiction and their socio-demographic correlates: A Saudi Arabian survey study

Syed NK, Alqahtani SS, Meraya AM, Elnaem MH, Albarraq AA, Syed MH, et al.

Curr Psychol, 2022 Mar 08.
PMID: 35283613 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02892-8

Exercise addiction (EA) has been described as a condition of psychological dysfunction characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise patterns, show withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise, and experience numerous conflicts and other negative consequences in their social and professional lives, due to the extremely high volumes of exercise. The main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction among a Saudi Arabian sample of regular exercisers and to investigate possible associations between their inability to exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (due to the closure of public gyms, swimming pools, and health clubs) and depression, anxiety, and loneliness. A total of 388 regular-exercising Saudis participated in an online cross-sectional survey over three months (December to February 2021). The study sample comprised 89.9% (males) and 10.1% (females), with a mean age of 28.59 years (SD ± 6.69). A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection. The prevalence of being at risk of exercise addiction among participants of the present study was 13.1%. Positive significant associations were noted between risk of exercise addiction and depression (r = .41; p
The Effect of Obesity on Severity of Asthma: An Observational Prospective Study from Pakistan

Shahid S, Alqahtani SS, Bajwa M, Rashid M, Sana A, Bajwa A, et al.

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2024;16(1):38-43.
PMID: 38694965 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_238_23

OBJECTIVE: The current research study aimed to access the relationship between obesity and asthma exacerbations and severity among adult patients at the outpatient section of a federal hospital (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan.
METHODS: A cross-sectional research study was carried out on 207 asthma adult patients belonging to different areas and ethnic groups from the country. The study setting was the PIMS hospital, which attracts patients from all over the country due to its facilities and cost-effective treatments. The body mass index (BMI) of asthma patients was calculated using the heights and weights of the study subjects. However, the pulmonary functions were calculated using a computerized spirometer i-e Spirolab III S/N 303681 in line with Winspiro PRO 7.1.version software. It presents the patient's forced vital capacity that expires in the first second of expiration to full (FEV1) in comparison to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, that is, Tiffeneau-Pinelli index was also recorded to determine the asthma severity.
RESULTS: According to recent surveys, the overall prevalence of patients with overweight and obesity was 29.0% and 23.7%, respectively. A Chi-square test was used, and a statistically significant relationship was observed between BMI and asthma severity (P < 0.001). The adult obese female patients presented poor pulmonary functions. The average FEV1/FVC ratio presented significant variance among four different categories of BMI with P < 0.05. This difference was due to the normal BMI category as the Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, that is, FEV1/FVC in the normal BMI group was significantly lower as compared to that in underweight and obese patients.
CONCLUSION: The study subjects presented raised asthma severity in accordance with the raised BMI. Obese patients presented comparatively raised asthma exacerbations. Moreover, a statistically significant association of gender difference was observed between obesity and asthma severity. It was concluded that adult asthmatic women with obesity presented raised asthma severity as compared to adult asthmatic males.
Scopoletin, an active principle of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) inhibits human tumor vascularization in xenograft models and modulates ERK1, VEGF-A, and FGF-2 in computer model

Tabana YM, Hassan LE, Ahamed MB, Dahham SS, Iqbal MA, Saeed MA, et al.

Microvasc Res, 2016 09;107:17-33.
PMID: 27133199 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2016.04.009

We recently reported the antineovascularization effect of scopoletin on rat aorta and identified its potential anti-angiogenic activity. Scopoletin could be useful as a systemic chemotherapeutic agent against angiogenesis-dependent malignancies if its antitumorigenic activity is investigated and scientifically proven using a suitable human tumor xenograft model. In the present study, bioassay-guided (anti-angiogenesis) phytochemical investigation was conducted on Nicotiana glauca extract which led to the isolation of scopoletin. Further, anti-angiogenic activity of scopoletin was characterized using ex vivo, in vivo and in silico angiogenesis models. Finally, the antitumorigenic efficacy of scopoletin was studied in human colorectal tumor xenograft model using athymic nude mice. For the first time, an in vivo anticancer activity of scopoletin was reported and characterized using xenograft models. Scopoletin caused significant suppression of sprouting of microvessels in rat aortic explants with IC50 (median inhibitory concentration) 0.06μM. Scopoletin (100 and 200mg/kg) strongly inhibited (59.72 and 89.4%, respectively) vascularization in matrigel plugs implanted in nude mice. In the tumor xenograft model, scopoletin showed remarkable inhibition on tumor growth (34.2 and 94.7% at 100 and 200mg/kg, respectively). Tumor histology revealed drastic reduction of the extent of vascularization. Further, immunostaining of CD31 and NG2 receptors in the histological sections confirmed the antivascular effect of scopoletin in tumor vasculature. In computer modeling, scopoletin showed strong ligand affinity and binding energies toward the following angiogenic factors: protein kinase (ERK1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). These results suggest that the antitumor activity of scopoletin may be due to its strong anti-angiogenic effect, which may be mediated by its effective inhibition of ERK1, VEGF-A, and FGF-2.
Fulltext β-Caryophyllene Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer Models

Dahham SS, Tabana Y, Asif M, Ahmed M, Babu D, Hassan LE, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Sep 29;22(19).
PMID: 34638895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910550

Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring sesquiterpene abundantly found in cloves, hops, and cannabis, is the active candidate of a relatively new group of vascular-inhibiting compounds that aim to block existing tumor blood vessels. Previously, we have reported the anti-cancer properties of BCP by utilizing a series of in-vitro anti-tumor-related assays using human colorectal carcinoma cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BCP on in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo models of anti-angiogenic assays and evaluate its anti-cancer activity in xenograft tumor (both ectopic and orthotopic) mice models of human colorectal cancer. Computational structural analysis and an apoptosis antibody array were also performed to understand the molecular players underlying this effect. BCP exhibited strong anti-angiogenic activity by blocking the migration of endothelial cells, tube-like network formation, suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and sprouting of rat aorta microvessels. BCP has a probable binding at Site#0 on the surface of VEGFR2. Moreover, BCP significantly deformed the vascularization architecture compared to the negative control in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. BCP showed a remarkable reduction in tumor size and fluorescence molecular tomography signal intensity in all the mice treated with BCP, in a dose-dependent relationship, in ectopic and orthotopic tumor xenograft models, respectively. The histological analysis of the tumor from BCP-treated mice revealed a clear reduction of the density of vascularization. In addition, BCP induced apoptosis through downregulation of HSP60, HTRA, survivin, and XIAP, along with the upregulation of p21 expressions. These results suggest that BCP acts at multiple stages of angiogenesis and could be used as a promising therapeutic candidate to halt the growth of colorectal tumor cells.
Fulltext In vitro antimicrobial activity of mangrove plant Sonneratia alba

Saad S, Taher M, Susanti D, Qaralleh H, Awang AF

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2012 Jun;2(6):427-9.
PMID: 23569943 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60069-0

To investigate the antimicrobial property of mangrove plant Sonneratia alba (S. alba).
Fulltext Antimicrobial activity of mangrove plant (Lumnitzera littorea)

Saad S, Taher M, Susanti D, Qaralleh H, Rahim NA

Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2011 Jul;4(7):523-5.
PMID: 21803301 DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60138-7

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the leaves of Lumnitzera littorea (L. littorea) against six human pathogenic microbes.
METHODS: The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using disc diffusion and microdilution methods.
RESULTS: The antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts were increased with increasing the concentration. It is clear that n-hexane extract was the most effective extract. Additionally, Gram positive Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) appear to be the most sensitive strain while Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the yeast strains (Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans)) appear to be resistance to the tested concentrations since no inhibition zone was observed. The inhibition of microbial growth at concentration as low as 0.04 mg/mL indicated the potent antimicrobial activity of L. littorea extracts.
CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results are considered sufficient for further study to isolate the compounds responsible for the activity and suggesting the possibility of finding potent antibacterial agents from L. littorea extracts.
Fulltext Elevation of tumour markers TGF-β, M2-PK, OV-6 and AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-induced rats and their suppression by microalgae Chlorella vulgaris

Tajul Arifin K, Sulaiman S, Md Saad S, Ahmad Damanhuri H, Wan Ngah WZ, Mohd Yusof YA

BMC Cancer, 2017 12 21;17(1):879.
PMID: 29268718 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3883-3

BACKGROUND: Chlorella vulgaris (ChV), a unicellular green algae has been reported to have anticancer and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to determine the chemopreventive effect of ChV on liver cancer induced rats by determining the level and expression of several liver tumour markers.
METHODS: Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into 4 groups according to the diet given: control group (normal diet), ChV group with three different doses (50, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight), liver cancer- induced group (choline deficient diet + 0.1% ethionine in drinking water or CDE group), and the treatment group (CDE group treated with three different doses of ChV). Rats were killed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of experiment and blood and tissue samples were taken from all groups for the determination of tumour markers expression alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) and specific antigen for oval cells (OV-6).
RESULTS: Serum level of TGF-β increased significantly (p < 0.05) in CDE rats. However, ChV at all doses managed to decrease (p < 0.05) its levels to control values. Expressions of liver tumour markers AFP, TGF-β, M2-PK and OV-6 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in tissues of CDE rats when compared to control showing an increased number of cancer cells during hepatocarcinogenesis. ChV at all doses reduced their expressions significantly (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Chlorella vulgaris has chemopreventive effect by downregulating the expression of tumour markers M2-PK, OV-6, AFP and TGF-β, in HCC-induced rats.
Fulltext Characteristics-Based Framework of Effective Automated Monitoring Parameters in Construction Projects

Qureshi AH, Alaloul WS, Wing WK, Saad S, Ammad S, Altaf M

Arab J Sci Eng, 2023;48(4):4731-4749.
PMID: 36032406 DOI: 10.1007/s13369-022-07172-y

The construction industry is moving toward digitalization, and technologies support various construction processes. In the automated construction progress monitoring domain, several modern progress measurement techniques have been introduced. However, a hesitant attitude has been observed toward its adoption. Researchers have highlighted lack of theoretical understanding of effectual implementation is one of the significant reasons. This study aims to analyze general technological parameters related to automated monitoring technologies and devise a theoretical-based conceptual framework explaining the aspects affecting the adequate operation of automated monitoring. The study has been executed by following a systematic inline process for the identification of effective parameters, which include a structured literature review, semi-structured interviews, pilot survey, questionnaire survey, and structural equation modeling (SEM)-based mathematical model. A refined conceptual framework has been devised with 21 effective parameters under five significant categories, i.e., "Target Object," "Technical," "External Interference," "Occlusions," and "Sensing." A knowledge framework has been established by adopting the SEM technique, which is designed on the characteristics-based theme. This conceptual framework provides the theoretical base for practitioners toward the conceptual understanding of automated monitoring processes related to technological parameters that affect the outcomes. This study is unique as it focused on the general criteria or parameters that affect the performance or outcomes of the digital monitoring process and is easily understandable by the user or operator.
Exploring adolescents' practice and perspective on the use and misuse of kratom in northwest Malaysia

Khalid K, Ku Md Saad S, Soelar SA, Mohamed Yusof Z, Warijo O

J Ethn Subst Abuse, 2023;22(1):121-132.
PMID: 33784945 DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2021.1906816

Kratom is a plant homogenous to Southeast Asia with a long history of traditional use as medicinal herbs. However, recent years have witnessed its pervasive infiltration into international audience with growing public health concern. This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 August 2017 till 31 August 2018 aiming to explore the practice and perspectives of kratom use and misuse among adolescents in northwest Malaysia. The study involved a self-administered questionnaire that was designed for the purpose of the study. The instrument had undergone prior validation process with a good overall internal reliability for the knowledge domain (Cronbach's alpha = 0.728) and attitude domain (Cronbach's alpha = 0.700). The questionnaire was distributed to 135 respondents involving adolescents aged 13 to 19 years old via convenience (non-kratom user) and snowball sampling (kratom users). There were 65 (47.8%) kratom users, while 70 (51.5%) were kratom-naïve. Among the kratom users, peer influence was the most common reason for them to be first involved with kratom, 26 (41.3%) whereas the reasons for kratom use quoted were to improve physical stamina, 10 (16.4%), as painkiller, 9 (14.8%), and to be accepted by peers, 7 (11.5%). Multiple logistic regression found that older age (95% CI: 0.13, 0.58; p = 0.001) and being active smokers (95% CI: 39.33, 980.63; p

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