Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Unraveling Roles of miR-27b-3p as a Potential Biomarker for Breast Cancer in Malay Women via Bioinformatics Analysis
    Jusoh AR, Al-Astani Bin Tengku Din TAD, Abdullah-Zawawi MR, Abdul Rahman WFW, Nafi SNM, Romli RC, et al.
    Int J Mol Cell Med, 2023;12(3):257-274.
    PMID: 38751652 DOI: 10.22088/IJMCM.BUMS.12.3.257
    Abnormal miRNA expression has been associated with breast cancer. Knowing miRNA and its target genes gives a better understanding of the biological mechanism behind the development of breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the potential prognostic and predictive values of miRNAs in breast cancer development by analyzing Malay women with breast cancer expression profiles. Seven differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were subjected to miRNA‒target interaction network analysis (MTIN). A comprehensive MTIN was developed by integrating the information on miRNA and target gene interactions from five independent databases, including DIANA-TarBase, miRTarBase, miRNet, miRDB, and DIANA-microT. To understand the role of miRNAs in the progress of breast cancer, functional enrichment analysis of the miRNA target genes was conducted, followed by survival analysis to assess the prognostic values of the miRNAs and their target genes. In total, 1416 interactions were discovered among seven DEMs and 1274 target genes with a confidence score (CS) > 0.8. The overall survival analysis of the three most DEMs revealed a significant association of miR-27b-3p with poor prognosis in the TCGA breast cancer patient cohort. Further functional analysis of 606 miR-27b-3p target genes revealed their involvement in cancer-related processes and pathways, including the progesterone receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, and EGFR transactivation. Notably, six high-confidence target genes (BTG2, DNAJC13, GRB2, GSK3B, KRAS, and UBR5) were discovered to be associated with worse overall survival in breast cancer patients, underscoring their essential roles in breast cancer development. Thus, we suggest that miR-27b-3p has significant potential as a biomarker for detecting breast cancer and can provide valuable understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms of the disease.
  2. Fulltext In-Silico Approaches for the Screening and Discovery of Broad-Spectrum Marine Natural Product Antiviral Agents Against Coronaviruses
    Boswell Z, Verga JU, Mackle J, Guerrero-Vazquez K, Thomas OP, Cray J, et al.
    Infect Drug Resist, 2023;16:2321-2338.
    PMID: 37155475 DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S395203
    The urgent need for SARS-CoV-2 controls has led to a reassessment of approaches to identify and develop natural product inhibitors of zoonotic, highly virulent, and rapidly emerging viruses. There are yet no clinically approved broad-spectrum antivirals available for beta-coronaviruses. Discovery pipelines for pan-virus medications against a broad range of betacoronaviruses are therefore a priority. A variety of marine natural product (MNP) small molecules have shown inhibitory activity against viral species. Access to large data caches of small molecule structural information is vital to finding new pharmaceuticals. Increasingly, molecular docking simulations are being used to narrow the space of possibilities and generate drug leads. Combining in-silico methods, augmented by metaheuristic optimization and machine learning (ML) allows the generation of hits from within a virtual MNP library to narrow screens for novel targets against coronaviruses. In this review article, we explore current insights and techniques that can be leveraged to generate broad-spectrum antivirals against betacoronaviruses using in-silico optimization and ML. ML approaches are capable of simultaneously evaluating different features for predicting inhibitory activity. Many also provide a semi-quantitative measure of feature relevance and can guide in selecting a subset of features relevant for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.
  3. Fulltext A likelihood ratio approach for utilizing case-control data in the clinical classification of rare sequence variants: application to BRCA1 and BRCA2
    Zanti M, O'Mahony DG, Parsons MT, Li H, Dennis J, Aittomäkkiki K, et al.
    Hum Mutat, 2023;2023.
    PMID: 38725546 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9961341
    A large number of variants identified through clinical genetic testing in disease susceptibility genes, are of uncertain significance (VUS). Following the recommendations of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the frequency in case-control datasets (PS4 criterion), can inform their interpretation. We present a novel case-control likelihood ratio-based method that incorporates gene-specific age-related penetrance. We demonstrate the utility of this method in the analysis of simulated and real datasets. In the analyses of simulated data, the likelihood ratio method was more powerful compared to other methods. Likelihood ratios were calculated for a case-control dataset of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC), and compared with logistic regression results. A larger number of variants reached evidence in favor of pathogenicity, and a substantial number of variants had evidence against pathogenicity - findings that would not have been reached using other case-control analysis methods. Our novel method provides greater power to classify rare variants compared to classical case-control methods. As an initiative from the ENIGMA Analytical Working Group, we provide user-friendly scripts and pre-formatted excel calculators for implementation of the method for rare variants in BRCA1, BRCA2 and other high-risk genes with known penetrance.
    MeSH terms: Female; Genetic Testing/methods; Humans; Genetic Variation; Likelihood Functions; Case-Control Studies; Penetrance; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  4. Fulltext Economic Burden of Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease and Their Caregivers: A Scoping Review
    Shafik N, Ibrahim N, Gafor AHA
    Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl, 2023 Nov 01;34(6):642-654.
    PMID: 38725213 DOI: 10.4103/sjkdt.sjkdt_81_22
    Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments impact the economic burden and psychological distress faced by end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients and their caregivers. This review aimed to discuss the concept of an economic burden and the economic burden of different treatment options, and to highlight research gaps regarding the scarcity of previous studies relating economic burden to psychological well-being. We searched five electronic databases for papers published in 2010-2020. Papers focusing on measures of the economic burden from the government's perspective and diseases other than ESKD were excluded. Out of the 6635 publications identified, 10 publications were included. Three categories of economic burden were identified, namely, direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs. Direct medical costs required the highest expenditure, whereas the lowest economic burden was for indirect costs. HD patients incurred a higher economic burden than PD patients. Most of the studies were carried out in Asia. The results of the research suggest that the economic burden may affect patients and caregivers, but it is unclear whether the economic burden affects the psychological well-being of the patients and caregivers. Very few studies have assessed the relationship between economic burden and psychological well-being, and further research is needed to gain further insight into the relationship between these two variables.
    MeSH terms: Renal Dialysis/economics; Renal Dialysis/psychology; Humans; Peritoneal Dialysis/economics; Peritoneal Dialysis/psychology; Health Care Costs*; Cost of Illness*
  5. Fulltext Mass Sportrometry: An annual look back at applications of mass spectrometry in sport and exercise science
    Ong ML, Green CG, Rowland SN, Heaney LM
    Anal Sci Adv, 2023 May;4(3-4):60-80.
    PMID: 38715927 DOI: 10.1002/ansa.202300003
    Research in sport and exercise science (SES) is reliant on robust analyses of biomarker measurements to assist with the interpretation of physiological outcomes. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical approach capable of highly sensitive, specific, precise, and accurate analyses of a range of biomolecules, many of which are of interest in SES including, but not limited to, endogenous metabolites, exogenously administered compounds (e.g. supplements), mineral ions, and circulating/tissue proteins. This annual review provides a summary of the applications of MS across studies investigating aspects related to sport or exercise in manuscripts published, or currently in press, in 2022. In total, 93 publications are included and categorized according to their methodologies including targeted analyses, metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, and isotope ratio/elemental MS. The advantageous analytical opportunities afforded by MS technologies are discussed across a selection of relevant articles. In addition, considerations for the future of MS in SES, including the need to improve the reporting of assay characteristics and validation data, are discussed, alongside the recommendation for selected current methods to be superseded by MS-based approaches where appropriate. The review identifies that a targeted, mostly quantitative, approach is the most commonly applied MS approach within SES, although there has also been a keen interest in the use of 'omics' to perform hypothesis-generating research studies. Nonetheless, MS is not commonplace in SES at this time, but its use to expand, and possibly improve, the analytical options should be continually considered to exploit the benefits of analytical chemistry in exercise/sports-based research. Overall, it is exciting to see the gradually increasing adoption of MS in SES and it is expected that the number, and quality, of MS-based assays in SES will increase over time, with the potential for 2023 to further establish this technique within the field.
  6. Case Report: Callosal disconnection syndrome manifesting as mixed frontal-callosal-posterior alien hand syndrome following extensive corpus callosum infarct
    Zainudin MF, Soo KC, Nyein Yin K
    F1000Res, 2023;12:529.
    PMID: 38716229 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.133838.1
    Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is a rare neurological phenomenon first described by Goldstein over a century ago. The most widely recognized variants in literature are frontal, callosal, and posterior AHS. AHS due to the corpus callosum lesion can occur alone or as part of callosal disconnection syndrome (CDS). This report presents a unique CDS case manifesting clinical features from all three AHS variants, resulting from an extensive corpus callosum infarct. Our patient exhibited various clinical features from the three AHS variants, which include grasping, groping, and difficulty releasing objects from the hand (anterior); intermanual conflict (callosal); arm levitation, mild hemiparesis, and hemisensory loss (posterior). Additionally, the extensive disruption of the corpus callosal fibers produced neurological manifestations of CDS, such as cognitive impairment, ideomotor and constructional apraxia, behavioral disorder, and transcortical motor aphasia. We employed a range of rehabilitation interventions, such as mirror box therapy, limb restraint strategy, verbal cue training, cognitive behavioral therapy, bimanual hand training, speech and language therapy, and pharmacological treatment with clonazepam. The patient showed almost complete resolution of CDS and AHS features by nine months post-stroke Our case report highlights distinctive clinical variations of AHS and the challenging correlation between clinical manifestations and neuroanatomical substrates. Future studies are necessary to explore the intricate neural connections and the precise function of the corpus callosum. This can be achieved by combining comprehensive neuropsychological testing with diffusion tensor tractography studies. It is also essential to develop a validated tool to standardize AHS assessment. Finally, the scarcity of evidence in rehabilitation interventions necessitates further studies to address the wide knowledge gap in AHS and CDS management.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Alien Hand Syndrome*
  7. Fulltext Recent Advances in Biocompatible Ionic Liquids in Drug Formulation and Delivery
    Moshikur RM, Carrier RL, Moniruzzaman M, Goto M
    Pharmaceutics, 2023 Apr 07;15(4).
    PMID: 37111664 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041179
    The development of effective drug formulations and delivery systems for newly developed or marketed drug molecules remains a significant challenge. These drugs can exhibit polymorphic conversion, poor bioavailability, and systemic toxicity, and can be difficult to formulate with traditional organic solvents due to acute toxicity. Ionic liquids (ILs) are recognized as solvents that can improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs. ILs can address the operational/functional challenges associated with traditional organic solvents. However, many ILs are non-biodegradable and inherently toxic, which is the most significant challenge in developing IL-based drug formulations and delivery systems. Biocompatible ILs comprising biocompatible cations and anions mainly derived from bio-renewable sources are considered a green alternative to both conventional ILs and organic/inorganic solvents. This review covers the technologies and strategies developed to design biocompatible ILs, focusing on the design of biocompatible IL-based drug formulations and delivery systems, and discusses the advantages of these ILs in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Furthermore, this review will provide guidance on transitioning to biocompatible ILs rather than commonly used toxic ILs and organic solvents in fields ranging from chemical synthesis to pharmaceutics.
  8. Fulltext Aortic valve repair in the pediatric population: emerging role of aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo procedure)
    Haranal M, Sivalingam S
    Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2023 May;39(3):262-270.
    PMID: 37124595 DOI: 10.1007/s12055-023-01473-z
    Management of aortic valve diseases in children is challenging owing to the quality and quantity of the native tissue for repair, limitations in the currently available biological materials to supplement the repair and to achieve a long-lasting durable repair in an annulus where there is still growth potential. The aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) procedure has emerged as a versatile alternative strategy in the armamentarium of pediatric aortic valve reconstructions that are currently available. In this review article, the focus of the discussion will be on the various aortic valve repair procedures in the pediatric population, with a special emphasis on the emerging role of AVNeo procedure in pediatrics and its outcomes.
  9. Fulltext Clinical role of intrarenal venous flow patterns in decompensated heart failure with worsening renal function
    Poh KW, Ngan CH, Tan SN, Burhan AA, Wong JY, Er CK, et al.
    Ultrasound, 2023 May;31(2):119-125.
    PMID: 37144225 DOI: 10.1177/1742271X221124467
    INTRODUCTION: The clinical implication of intrarenal venous flow patterns in decompensated heart failure with worsening renal function is unknown. We aimed to study the relationship between intrarenal venous flow patterns, inferior vena cava volume status, caval index, clinical degree of congestion and the renal outcome in patients with decompensated heart failure and worsening renal function. Secondary objectives were to study the combined endpoint of readmission and mortality rate within 30 days (after the last scan) among intrarenal venous flow patterns and the effect of congestion status on the renal outcome.

    METHODS: Twenty-three patients admitted for decompensated heart failure (ejection fraction ⩽40%) with worsening renal function (absolute increase in serum creatinine of 26.5 µmol/L or ⩾1.5-fold increment from baseline) were enrolled in this study. A total of 64 scans were performed. Patients were visited on day 0, 2, 4 and 7 (or earlier if discharged). Patients were called 30 days after discharge to evaluate readmission or mortality. Intrarenal venous flow patterns were ranked from continuous, interrupted, biphasic, to monophasic. Clinical congestion was scored from 0 to 7.

    RESULTS: Intrarenal venous flow patterns had statistically significant positive correlations with inferior vena cava volume status (Spearman's ρ, 0.51; p 

  10. Adult idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis presenting with gastroduodenal intussusception: A rare case report
    Guo Hou L, Nadia Nafasha B, Sultan Mohamed Arif H, Reynu R, Kosai Nik R, Hamidi Lizawati R
    Turk J Surg, 2023 Dec;39(4):377-382.
    PMID: 38694524 DOI: 10.47717/turkjsurg.2023.4552
    Adult idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (AIHPS) is a rare entity first described by Cruveilhier in 1835. There are only approximately 200 cases reported in the English literature to date. Histologically, it may be mistaken for spindle cell neoplasms such as gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Patients with AIHPS usually present with early satiety, abdominal fullness, postprandial vomiting, epigastric pain, and eructations. Adult intussusception is rare and only accounts for 5% of all intussusceptions. Gastroduodenal intussusception is one of the rare types of adult intussusception. This is more likely to occur when a benign or malignant stomach lesion acts as a lead point. We report a case of AIHPS in a 70-year-old lady presenting with gastroduodenal intussusception. An oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) was performed, and it revealed a diffusely thickened and narrowed pyloric antrum. A contrasted computed tomography (CECT) of the thorax and abdomen showed a distended stomach with circumferential thickening of the pylorus. The pre-pyloric antrum was intussuscepting into the pylorus, and the apex is seen within the first part of duodenum. She underwent distal gastrectomy with a Roux-en-y reconstruction via laparoscopic approach and was discharged well. AIHPS is a rare condition and should be a differential in adults presenting with gastric outlet obstruction. We believe in cases of AIHPS presenting with gastroduodenal intussusception, a distal gastrectomy with reconstruction is a reasonable approach. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to obtain the best outcome.
  11. Estimation of Total Body Surface Area Burned: A Comparison Between Burn Unit and Referring Facilities
    Ho HL, Halim AS, Sulaiman WAW, Fatimah MJ
    Ann Burns Fire Disasters, 2023 Mar;36(1):19-28.
    PMID: 38680901
    Accuracy of burn size estimation is critical in acute burn management because it directly affects the patient's outcome and prognosis. This study aims to quantify the discrepancies of total body surface area (TBSA) burned between the burn unit (TBSAb) and the referring facilities (TBSAr). Data of all referred adult and paediatric patients admitted to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia Burn Unit within 24 hours post burn were retrospectively reviewed from 2015 to 2019. %TBSA discrepancies were calculated by the differences between TBSAb and TBSAr. A total of 208 patients (111 adults and 97 paediatric patients) were recruited in this study. Of these, the TBSA was overestimated in 60.58% cases, underestimated in 13.46% cases, accurate in 7.69% cases, and in 18.27% cases the referrals had no TBSAr stated. The %TBSA discrepancy was the highest in severe burns (mean 10.80% in adults and 7.59 in paediatric patients; P<0.001). The time interval between referral and reassessment and patients' body mass index (BMI) were not statistically significant for the magnitude of TBSA discrepancy. The number of burn areas involved correlated with the %TBSA discrepancies, with the highest recorded discrepancy being 21.50% in whole body involvement. There were significant discrepancies in TBSA estimations between the referring facilities and those of the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) burn unit, especially among the paediatric patients and those with severe burns. Implementation of educational programs by burn care experts and agreement on a universal method of TBSA assessment are necessary in reducing the discrepancies.
  12. Fulltext Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550-1613
    Crous PW, Costa MM, Kandemir H, Vermaas M, Vu D, Zhao L, et al.
    Persoonia, 2023 Jun;51:280-417.
    PMID: 38665977 DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08
    Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Argentina, Neocamarosporium halophilum in leaf spots of Atriplex undulata. Australia, Aschersonia merianiae on scale insect (Coccoidea), Curvularia huamulaniae isolated from air, Hevansia mainiae on dead spider, Ophiocordyceps poecilometigena on Poecilometis sp. Bolivia, Lecanora menthoides on sandstone, in open semi-desert montane areas, Sticta monlueckiorum corticolous in a forest, Trichonectria epimegalosporae on apothecia of corticolous Megalospora sulphurata var. sulphurata, Trichonectria puncteliae on the thallus of Punctelia borreri. Brazil, Catenomargarita pseudocercosporicola (incl. Catenomargarita gen. nov.) hyperparasitic on Pseudocercospora fijiensis on leaves of Musa acuminata, Tulasnella restingae on protocorms and roots of Epidendrum fulgens. Bulgaria, Anthracoidea umbrosae on Carex spp. Croatia, Hymenoscyphus radicis from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of Microthlaspi erraticum, Orbilia multiserpentina on wood of decorticated branches of Quercus pubescens. France, Calosporella punctatispora on dead corticated twigs of Aceropalus. French West Indies (Martinique), Eutypella lechatii on dead corticated palm stem. Germany, Arrhenia alcalinophila on loamy soil. Iceland, Cistella blauvikensis on dead grass (Poaceae). India, Fulvifomes maritimus on living Peltophorum pterocarpum, Fulvifomes natarajanii on dead wood of Prosopis juliflora, Fulvifomes subazonatus on trunk of Azadirachta indica, Macrolepiota bharadwajii on moist soil near the forest, Narcissea delicata on decaying elephant dung, Paramyrothecium indicum on living leaves of Hibiscus hispidissimus, Trichoglossum syamviswanathii on moist soil near the base of a bamboo plantation. Iran, Vacuiphoma astragalicola from stem canker of Astragalus sarcocolla. Malaysia, Neoeriomycopsis fissistigmae (incl. Neoeriomycopsidaceae fam. nov.) on leaf spots on flower Fissistigma sp. Namibia, Exophiala lichenicola lichenicolous on Acarospora cf. luederitzensis. Netherlands, Entoloma occultatum on soil, Extremus caricis on dead leaves of Carex sp., Inocybe pseudomytiliodora on loamy soil. Norway, Inocybe guldeniae on calcareous soil, Inocybe rupestroides on gravelly soil. Pakistan, Hymenagaricus brunneodiscus on soil. Philippines, Ophiocordyceps philippinensis parasitic on Asilus sp. Poland, Hawksworthiomyces ciconiae isolated from Ciconia ciconia nest, Plectosphaerella vigrensis from leaf spots on Impatiens noli-tangere, Xenoramularia epitaxicola from sooty mould community on Taxus baccata. Portugal, Inocybe dagamae on clay soil. Saudi Arabia, Diaporthe jazanensis on branches of Coffea arabica. South Africa, Alternaria moraeae on dead leaves of Moraea sp., Bonitomyces buffels-kloofinus (incl. Bonitomyces gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, Constrictochalara koukolii on living leaves of Itea rhamnoides colonised by a Meliola sp., Cylindromonium lichenophilum on Parmelina tiliacea, Gamszarella buffelskloofina (incl. Gamszarella gen. nov.) on dead insect, Isthmosporiella africana (incl. Isthmosporiella gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, Nothoeucasphaeria buffelskloofina (incl. Nothoeucasphaeria gen. nov.), on dead twigs of unknown tree, Nothomicrothyrium beaucarneae (incl. Nothomicrothyrium gen. nov.) on dead leaves of Beaucarnea stricta, Paramycosphaerella proteae on living leaves of Protea caffra, Querciphoma foliicola on leaf litter, Rachicladosporium conostomii on dead twigs of Conostomium natalense var. glabrum, Rhamphoriopsis synnematosa on dead twig of unknown tree, Waltergamsia mpumalanga on dead leaves of unknown tree. Spain, Amanita fulvogrisea on limestone soil, in mixed forest, Amanita herculis in open Quercus forest, Vuilleminia beltraniae on Cistus symphytifolius. Sweden, Pachyella pulchella on decaying wood on sand-silt riverbank. Thailand, Deniquelata cassiae on dead stem of Cassia fistula, Stomiopeltis thailandica on dead twigs of Magnolia champaca. Ukraine, Circinaria podoliana on natural limestone outcrops, Neonematogonum carpinicola (incl. Neonematogonum gen. nov.) on dead branches of Carpinus betulus. USA, Exophiala wilsonii water from cooling tower, Hygrophorus aesculeticola on soil in mixed forest, and Neocelosporium aereum from air in a house attic. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Costa MM, Kandemir H, et al. 2023. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550-1613. Persoonia 51: 280-417. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08.
  13. Fulltext The path of ideological and political education in fulfilling the function of psychological nurturing
    Xue F, Wei N, Wu X
    Front Psychol, 2023;14:1202408.
    PMID: 38655498 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1202408
    INTRODUCTION: The risk of college students facing psychological problems, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, has increased, which may have a negative impact ontheir academic performance and overall well-being, especially after the outbreakof the pandemic.

    METHODS: This paper summarizes the potential psychological issues thatuniversity students may face and the corresponding coping measures. Basedon this, a theoretical model of ideological and political education to enhancepsychological education was established.

    RESULTS: There was a total of 446 participantsin the study, with a mean age of 21.4 years and 44.6 per cent male. With 406 valid survey responses, the theoretical model was examined using the structuralequation modeling method. The results showed that education and teaching, practical activities, counseling services, prevention and intervention, and multilevelplatforms are effective measures to protect the psychological health ofuniversity students.

    DISCUSSION: Based on the insights gained from this study, policies canbe implemented to help university students improve their mental health andinspire higher education institutions to prioritize psychological education.

  14. Extraction and surface modification of cellulose fibers and its reinforcement in starch-based film for packaging composites
    Hafid HS, Omar FN, Bahrin EK, Wakisaka M
    Bioresour Bioprocess, 2023 Jan 25;10(1):7.
    PMID: 38647891 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-023-00631-w
    BACKGROUND: Cellulose extraction from gloss art paper (GAP) waste is a recycling strategy for the abundance of gloss art paper waste. Here, a study was conducted on the impact of ultrasonic homogenization for cellulose extraction from GAP waste to improve the particle size, crystallinity, and thermal stability.

    RESULTS: At treatment temperature of 75.8 °C, ultrasonic power level of 70.3% and 1.4 h duration, cellulose with properties of 516.4 nm particle size, 71.5% crystallinity, and thermal stability of 355.2 °C were extracted. Surface modification of cellulose GAP waste with H3PO4 hydrolysis and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) oxidation was done followed by starch reinforcement. Surface hydrophobicity and mechanical strength were increased for H3PO4 hydrolysis and TEMPO oxidation starch-cellulose. No reduction of thermal properties observed during the treatment, while increment of crystallinity index up to 47.65-59.6% was shown. Neat starch film was more transparent, followed by starch-TEMPO film and starch-H3PO4 film, due to better homogeneity.

    CONCLUSIONS: The cellulose GAP reinforced starch film shows potential in developing packaging materials and simultaneously provide an alternative solution of GAP waste recycling.

  15. Ce-Zr-based mixed oxide catalyst for oxidative depolymerization of kenaf stalk (biomass) into vanillin
    Rouf H, Ramli A, Anuar NASIK, Yunus NM
    Bioresour Bioprocess, 2023 Nov 07;10(1):76.
    PMID: 38647992 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-023-00698-5
    Since petroleum became depleted, rapid attention has been devoted to renewable energy sources such as lignocellulosic biomass to produce useful chemicals for industry (for instance vanillin). Three primary components of lignocellulose are lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. This paper uses microwave-assisted technology to oxidize the kenaf stalk (lignocellulosic biomass) and extract lignin to produce vanillin. Catalysts with variable acid-base and redox properties are essential for the mentioned effective conversion, for this reason, CeO2-CA, ZrO2-CA, and CeZrO2-CA catalysts were synthesized. The citrate complexation method was used for the catalyst synthesis and the physicochemical characteristics were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, TEM, BET, and TPO. The characterization results demonstrated that CeZrO2-CA shows the smallest sized crystallites with a large specific surface area among the other chosen catalysts. For vanillin production, the effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst loading was studied. It was observed that compared to other catalysts, CeZrO2-CA produced the highest vanillin yield of 9.90% for kenaf stalk for 5 wt% of CeZrO2-CA at 160 °C for 30 min. Furthermore, vanillin production using extracted lignin is studied keeping CeZrO2-CA as a catalyst and with the same operating parameters, which yielded 14.3% of vanillin. Afterward, the change in yield with respect to pH is also presented. Finally, the recyclability of catalyst is also studied, which showed that it has a strong metal support and greater stability which may give industrial applications a significant boost.
  16. Fulltext Mapping the venture capital and private equity research: a bibliometric review and future research agenda
    Cumming D, Kumar S, Lim WM, Pandey N
    Small Bus Econ (Dordr), 2023;61(1):173-221.
    PMID: 38625235 DOI: 10.1007/s11187-022-00684-9
    The fields of venture capital and private equity are rooted in financing research on capital budgeting and initial public offering (IPO). Both fields have grown considerably in recent times with a heterogenous set of themes being explored. This review presents an analysis of research in both fields. Using a large corpus from the Web of Science, this study used bibliometric analysis to present a comprehensive encapsulation of the fields' geographical focus, methodological choices, prominent themes, and future research directions. Noteworthily, the foundational themes in venture capital research are venture capital adoption and financing processes, venture capital roles in business, venture capital governance, venture capital syndication, and venture capital and creation of public organizations. In private equity research, style drift into venture capital emerges as a key theme alongside buyouts and privatization, and valuation and performance of private equity investment.
  17. Myrtle: a versatile medicinal plant
    Gorjian H, Khaligh NG
    Nutrire, 2023;48(1):10.
    PMID: 38625264 DOI: 10.1186/s41110-023-00194-y
    Myrtus, commonly called myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants in the Myrtaceae family. This study aimed to review myrtle's pharmaceutical, food, and other uses. The pharmacological effects of myrtle for antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities, reduction of COVID-19 symptoms, anti-diabetic in the animal model, hepatoprotective in the rat model, antihypertensive, control of intestinal helminthiasis in mice model, inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity, protective effect on oxidative metabolism in the hypothyroidism model, and reducing the damage caused by skin burns are reviewed. In addition, the food uses of this plant such as improving the oxidative and microbial stability of products containing salmon, antimicrobial activity in meat and dairy products, flavoring in sea salt, microbial improvement of fresh fruits during post-harvest storage, animal nutrition, and bio-oil production are summarized.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41110-023-00194-y.

  18. Impact of House Price on Economic Stability: Some Lessons from OECD Countries
    Asadov AI, Ibrahim MH, Yildirim R
    J Real Estate Financ Econ (Dordr), 2023 Mar 01.
    PMID: 38625359 DOI: 10.1007/s11146-023-09945-0
    Despite having abundant literature blaming a faulty financial system and exuberant‎ price expectations as the primary causes of housing bubbles, there is a lack of research that looks at the impact of house price instability on the economy. This study aims to fill this gap by thoroughly examining the connection between house prices and economic output, and the effect of house price volatility on economic stability. Drawing from long-spanning quarterly data from 17 OECD countries from 1970 to 2019, the study develops and tests economic growth and volatility models to uncover significant insights. The empirical results show that house price returns have a significant asymmetric impact on economic growth, with negative returns having twice the effect of positive ones. Moreover, the results indicate that house price volatility significantly contributes to economic instability. In light of these findings, the paper concludes with valuable policy recommendations to enhance the housing market and improve overall economic stability. This study provides a compelling argument for the importance of closely monitoring and regulating the real estate market in order to maintain a healthy and stable economy.
  19. Mental Health Status during COVID-19 Pandemic and its Relationship with Economic Hardship and Financial Threat among Rural Population in Sarawak, Malaysia
    Amirah N, Rahman R
    Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2023;21(82):149-155.
    PMID: 38628007
    Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, job and income loss, social isolation may aggravate mental health, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. Objective To assess the current mental health situation among the rural population in Samarahan district and determine the relationship between economic hardships, financial threats, and mental health status. Method This study was a cross-sectional study conducted among the 530 households in the Samarahan district. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the participants in this study. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. The mental health status was assessed by using a validated and translated DASS-21 scale. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 27.0. A p-value of ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. Result Analysis showed that two-thirds of the respondents (66.6%) had no mental health problem. Meanwhile, 22.4% had anxiety, 1% had depression, and 0.19% had stress. Anxiety and depression accounted for 5.8% and stress and anxiety 1.3%. However, 2.64% had stress, anxiety, and depression. In bivariate analysis, age, monthly income, type of job, economic hardship, and expenditure difference appeared to be significant predictors of mental health problems (p < .05). Conclusion Depression, anxiety, and stress pose a significant threat to the rural population's health. Therefore, public health practitioners and policymakers need to address this to minimise the pandemic's impact on mental health and provide psychological support, particularly among the most affected group.
    MeSH terms: Anxiety/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression/epidemiology; Health Status; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Rural Population; Pandemics
  20. Mysterious Case of Drooling Infant - Hidden Foreign Body over Hard Palate
    Gan BC
    Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2023;21(82):235-237.
    PMID: 38628021
    Foreign body over the hard palate is a rare clinical entity that happen almost exclusively in young pediatric age group with only about 40 odd cases ever reported. Most cases in the literature are described as incidental findings of hard palate mass causing heightened anxiety to parents and clinicians alike during routine oral cavity examination. Owing to its rarity and lackluster presenting symptoms, this simple condition are often overlooked but has high propensity to develop into life threatening condition if dislodged into the airway.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Infant; Sialorrhea*; Palate, Hard
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