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Allergic asthma is associated with chronic airway inflammation and progressive airway remodelling. The sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden (Tiger Milk mushroom) is used traditionally to treat various illnesses, including asthma in Southeast Asia. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of L. rhinocerotis extract (LRE) on airway inflammation and remodelling in a chronic model of asthma. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of LRE on airway inflammation and remodelling in prolonged allergen challenged model in allergic asthma. Female Balb/C mice were sensitised using ovalbumin (OVA) on day 0 and 7, followed by OVA-challenged (3 times/week) for 2, 6 and 10 weeks. LRE (125, 250, 500 mg/kg) were administered by oral gavage one hour after every challenge. One group of mice were left untreated after the final challenge for two weeks. LRE suppressed inflammatory cells and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in BALF and reduced IgE level in the serum. LRE also attenuated eosinophils infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissues; as well as ameliorated airway remodelling by reducing smooth muscle thickness and reducing the expressions of TGF-β1 and Activin A positive cell in the lung tissues. LRE attenuated airway inflammation and remodelling in the prolonged allergen challenge of allergic asthma model. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of LRE as an alternative for the management of allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most smartphones currently in the market have complicated user interfaces (UIs) that elderly users find difficult to use. Such difficulties often lead to triggering usability problems for the elderly when interacting with the smartphone UI. In this study, we present a design framework for fabricating smartphones with usable UIs for elderly users. We developed a framework-based prototype and experimentally compared the usability of the prototype's UI design with that of an Android-based UI. We considered the summative concept of usability based on the measurements of effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of the elderly. Twelve elderly participants were given tasks to perform on the Android and prototype, and their performances (in terms of effectiveness and efficiency) and satisfaction were measured. We measured the effectiveness using the task completion rate, the efficiency using the task completion time and the participants' satisfaction using the After-Scenario Questionnaire. The results showed that the design of the prototype UI outperformed the design of its Android counterpart in most aspects of the participants' performances and their satisfaction. The design framework has shown to be an effective tool for fabricating smartphones with usable UI designs for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically, timely reperfusion strategies to re-establish oxygenated blood flow in ischemic heart diseases seem to salvage viable myocardium effectively. Despite the remarkable improvement in cardiac function, reperfusion therapy could paradoxically trigger hypoxic cellular injury and dysfunction. Experimental laboratory models have been developed over the years to explain better the pathophysiology of cardiac ischemia–reperfusion injury, including the in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation cardiac injury model. Furthermore, the use of nutritional myocardial conditioning techniques have been successful. The cardioprotective potential of flavonoids have been greatly linked to its anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. While several studies have reviewed the cardioprotective properties of flavonoids, there is a scarce evidence of their function in the hypoxia-reoxygenation injury cell culture model. Hence, the aim of this review was to lay out and summarize our current understanding of flavonoids' function in mitigating hypoxia-reoxygenation cardiac injury based on evidence from the last five years. We also discussed the possible mechanisms of flavonoids in modulating the cardioprotective effects as such information would provide invaluable insight on future therapeutic application of flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important cause of mortality across the globe. Early risk prediction of CAD would be able to reduce the death rate by allowing early and targeted treatments. In healthcare, some studies applied data mining techniques and machine learning algorithms on the risk prediction of CAD using patient data collected by hospitals and medical centers. However, most of these studies used all the attributes in the datasets which might reduce the performance of prediction models due to data redundancy. The objective of this research is to identify significant features to build models for predicting the risk level of patients with CAD. In this research, significant features were selected using three methods (i.e., Chi-squared test, recursive feature elimination, and Embedded Decision Tree). Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) oversampling technique was implemented to address the imbalanced dataset issue. The prediction models were built based on the identified significant features and eight machine learning algorithms, utilizing Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) datasets provided by National Cardiovascular Disease Database (NCVD) Malaysia. The prediction models were evaluated and compared using six performance evaluation metrics, and the top-performing models have achieved AUC more than 90%. Graphical abstract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent clinical trials have raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of ABSORB™ bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS). The difference in the vascular healing process between SYNERGY™ bioabsorbable polymer-coated everolimus-eluting stents (BP-EES) and BVS remains unclear. The aim of the ENHANCE study was to compare vascular healing on BP-EES versus BVS by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy (CAS) at 4- and 12-month follow-ups. This is a prospective, non-randomized, single center clinical trial. Thirteen eligible patients with multivessel disease were enrolled. BP-EES and BVS were simultaneously implanted in the same patients, but in different coronary vessels. Imaging follow-up with both OCT and CAS was completed in 11 patients at 12 months. Neointimal coverage rates were similar between the two groups based on OCT measurements. The neointimal thickness of BP-EES was significantly thicker at the 12th month than at the 4th month, whereas the neointimal thickness of BVS did not change between the measurements taken at the 4th and 12th month. Existence of intra-stent thrombus was significantly higher in the BVS group, compared to the BP-EES group. On the other hand, CAS revealed that red-thrombi and yellow-plaque were more frequently observed in BVS at 4 months and up to 12-month follow-ups than in BP-EES. These findings suggested that the evidence of instability remained up to 12 months in the vascular healing with BVS, compared to that with BP-EES. Vascular healing of the stented wall was recognized at the very early phase after BP-EES implantation. However, vascular healing with BVS was still incomplete after 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro level economic and social indicators indicate disengagements between objective measurements and subjective consumer perceptions of the Malaysian economy. Objective measures show positive signals while subjective consumer perceptions depict pessimistic feelings about the economy. To provide more insights on this disparity, data is collected from 1867 Malaysian households to assess their subjective financial well-being (SFWB). In this vein, this study first examines the level of SFWB, financial stress, financial behaviour, financial knowledge, and locus of control (LOC) among Malaysians across three household income groups. Second, the study examines the association between financial stress, financial behaviour, financial knowledge, and LOC, with SFWB. For both objectives, the sample is split into three household income groups (low, middle and high income households, or the B40, M40 and T20, respectively) to analyse the differences. The results show that SFWB is at an average level of 5.2 out of 10 for the overall sample, with significant differences observed between the B40, M40 and T20 groups with SFWB scores of 4.3, 5.1 and 6.2 respectively. Financial behaviour and LOC have a significant positive relationship with SFWB, while financial stress and financial knowledge have a significant negative relationship with SFWB across all households. However, among the B40 group, financial knowledge had no significant relationship with SFWB. Lastly, the findings are discussed and policy recommendations for policymakers are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Information is lacking on prescribing of preventative cardiovascular pharmacotherapies for patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in the Asian region. This study examined the prescribing rate of these pharmacotherapies, comparing NSTEMI to STEMI, and variations across demographics and clinical factors within the NSTEMI group in the multi-ethnic Malaysian population.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database-Acute Coronary Syndrome registry from year 2006 to 2013 (n = 30,873). On-discharge pharmacotherapies examined were aspirin, ADP-antagonists, statins, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin-II-receptor blockers, and beta-blockers. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio of receiving individual pharmacotherapies according to patients’ characteristics in NSTEMI patients (n = 11,390).Results: Prescribing rates for cardiovascular pharmacotherapies had significantly increased especially for ADP-antagonists (76%) in NSTEMI patients. More than 85% were prescribed statins and antiplatelets but rates remained significantly lower compared to STEMI. Women and those over 65 years old were less likely to be prescribed these pharmacotherapies compared to men and younger NSTEMI patients. Chinese and Indians were more likely to receive selected pharmacotherapies compared to Malays (main ethnicity). Geographical variations were observed; East Malaysian (Malaysian Borneo) patients were less likely to receive these compared to Western region of Malaysian Peninsular. Underprescribing in patients with risk factors such as diabetes were observed with other co-morbidities influencing prescribing selectively.Conclusion: This study uncovers demographic and clinical variations in cardiovascular pharmacotherapies prescribing for NSTEMI. Concerted efforts by policy makers, specialty societies, and physicians are required focusing on elderly, women, Malays, East Malaysians, and high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete dietary fish oil replacement with palm or poultry oil in barramundi ( Lates calcarifer) had no detrimental effects on growth or hepatosomatic index of juvenile fish up to an average size of ~50 g. However, it significantly decreased the omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the fish muscle (fillet) lipids. This was particularly true for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are recognised for their health beneficial effects in the human diet. As a result of their decreased EPA and DHA content, the peroxidation index of the muscle lipids was also decreased. This was associated with increased simulated retail storage shelf life as indicated by decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in muscle samples from fish fed the palm or poultry oil-based diets. Concomitantly, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, but not glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity or reduced glutathione concentration, was significantly reduced in the liver of barramundi fed the palm or poultry oil-based diets as compared with the fish fed the fish oil-based diet. Furthermore, GPx and GST activity were very low in muscle, much lower than in gastrointestinal tract, liver or swim bladder. Therefore, we propose that liver GPx activity may be a good predictor of fillet shelf life in barramundi and other fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the application of Neodymium (Nd) doped barium titanate thin films (BaNd) TiO with x = 0 and 0.07 as dielectric resonator antenna. The films were prepared using the sol-gel method and dip-coating technique. Barium acetate, titanium (IV) isopropoxide and neodymium (III) acetate hydrate were used as precursors while glacial acetic acid and acetylacetone were used as solvents. Si wafers were used as a substrate with dipping times varying from 10, 30, and 50 s. The 0.07 films were >800 nm thick and crystallized after being annealed at 800°C for 30 min. The films were tested as dielectric resonator antenna. It was found that, on the actual antenna circuit, the resonant frequency decreased as the (BaNd) TiO films thickness increased (from 0.8379, to 5.4525 μm). All samples resonate in the range of 8.68-8.83 GHz with quasi omni-directional radiation patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acknowledgement also goes to the Ministry of Health Malaysia and National Heart Association of Malaysia for funding the NCVD Registry database. The online version of the original article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-020-02268-9 B Correction to: Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing (2020) 58:3123-3140 b https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-020-02268-9 Acknowledgments should be presented as below: Acknowledgments This research was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE)'s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Project Code: FRGS/1/2017/ICT01/UM/02/4. The authors would like to thank the Governance Board member of the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database (NCVD) Registry for providing us with the Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) dataset to be used for the research. [Extracted from the article]