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  1. Ponnusamy K, Mohan M, Nagaraja HS
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:102.
    PMID: 19025005
    Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxic heavy metal and children in the developmental stage are particularly susceptible to toxic effects of lead exposure. The brain is the key organ involved in interpreting and responding to potential stressors. Epidemiological investigations have established the relationship between chronic lead exposure and cognitive impairments in young children. Excessive production of radical species plays an important role in neuronal pathology resulting from excitotoxic insults, therefore one plausible neuroprotective mechanism of bioflavonoids is partly relevant to their metal chelating and antioxidant properties. Centella asiatica (CA) is a tropical medicinal plant enriched with bioflavonoids and triterpenes and selenium, reported to rejuvenate the cells and promote physical and mental health. Bioflavonoids are claimed to be exert antimutagenic, neurotrophic and xenobiotics ameliorating and membrane molecular stabilizing effects. The objective of the present work is to study the protective antioxidant effect of pretreatment of CA extract (CAE) on lead acetate induced changes in oxidative biomarkers in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice.
  2. Parolia A, Mohan M, Kundabala M, Shenoy R
    J Dent Educ, 2012 Mar;76(3):366-71.
    PMID: 22383607
    Teaching and learning activities in the dental clinic or hospital are a challenging area for students as well as teachers. With various teaching methodologies being used in dental schools around the world, gaining greater understanding of students' attitudes toward these methodologies would be useful for dental educators. The objective of this study was to explore the preferences of dental students in India about various aspects of lecture courses. A structured survey consisting of ten closed-ended questions was developed, and 2,680 undergraduate students from forty-three dental schools in India were approached via e-mail with a follow-up postal mailing. Of these, 1,980 students responded, for a response rate of 73.8 percent. Most of the students reported preferring lectures with the aid of PowerPoint and chalkboard. They preferred morning lectures from 8 am to 10 am for a maximum of thirty to forty minutes for each lecture, and they preferred to receive information about the lecture topic in advance. The students said that delivery of clinical demonstrations was beneficial after the lectures, and they preferred learning-based rather than exam-oriented education. The respondents also said that attendance should be made compulsory and that numerical marking of examinations should not be replaced by a grading system.
  3. Wong YC, Mohan M, Pau A
    J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent, 2016 Oct-Dec;34(4):348-53.
    PMID: 27681398 DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.191415
    CONTEXT: To investigate the antibiotic prescribing training received by dental students, clinical experience in treating child patients, awareness of antibiotic prescribing guidelines, preparedness in antibiotic prescribing, and compliance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines for the management of dental infections in children.
    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving final year dental students from Malaysian and Asian dental schools. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of five clinical case scenarios was e-mailed to all final year students at selected dental schools. Students' responses were compared for each clinical case scenario with the prescribing guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Compliance in each scenario was tested for association with their preparedness in antibiotic prescribing, previous training on antibiotic prescribing and awareness of antibiotic prescribing guidelines using Chi-square test. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS statistics version 20.
    RESULTS: A total of 108 completed responses were received. About 74 (69%) students were from Malaysian dental schools. The compliance rate with prescribing guidelines ranged from 15.7% to 43.5%. Those attending Malaysian dental schools (47.3%) and those who had treated child patient more often (46.3%) were more likely (P < 0.05) to be aware of the guidelines. Those who had received antibiotic prescribing training (21.3%) were more likely to think they were well prepared in antibiotic prescribing (P < 0.05).
    CONCLUSIONS: Final year dental students had low awareness and compliance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines. Further research is needed to investigate how compliance with the guidelines may be enhanced.
  4. Vijay K, Anindya C, Bhanu P, Mohan M, Rao PLNG
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Mar;60(1):81-4.
    PMID: 16250285
    Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is an annoying postoperative complication. Though the diagnosis can be made easily, the role of conservative management in children is controversial. Hence a study was conducted to determine the role of conservative management, and to identify the factors that can predict / influence the outcome of conservative treatment in children with ASBO. Children admitted with ASBO from 1980 to 2002 (22 year period) formed the material for this study. The data was analyzed with respect to the influence of age at the time of presentation, primary disease for which original laparotomy was done, time interval between the primary surgery and the development of ASBO and the number of laparotomies prior to the development of ASBO on the outcome of conservative management. There were 74 episodes of ASBO in 69 children (Five children had two episodes). Out of 74 episodes, 5 episodes (6.75%) needed immediate laparotomy for suspected gangrene. All others were managed conservatively. Of the 69 episodes managed conservatively, 36 responded to conservative treatment (2-5 days) while 33 required subsequent surgical intervention, with 11 of them requiring bowel resection (two for gangrene and 9 for bowel damage during adhesiolysis) and in the rest 22 cases adhesiolysis. A substantial number of children with ASBO respond well to conservative treatment. Majority of the children developed ASBO within three months after the primary laparotomy. Children below the age of one year (at the time of presentation with ASBO) responded poorly to the conservative management. Children who had primary surgery for Hirschsprung's disease and intussusception also appeared to have responded poorly to conservative management, but statistically not significant. Time interval between the primary surgery and the number of laparotomies before the child developed ASBO did not influence the outcome of conservative management.
  5. Yue Yi EK, Siew Ying AL, Mohan M, Menon RK
    Int J Dent, 2021;2021:6664311.
    PMID: 34211554 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6664311
    The aim of the study was to identify the postoperative infection rates after tooth extraction in a university dental clinic and to identify the factors associated with an increased risk for postoperative infection. A retrospective study of case records of patients who underwent tooth extractions at the International Medical University's Oral Health Centre (IMU-OHC) over a span of 6 years was conducted. Data on demography, patient-related factors, and treatment-related factors were extracted from the case records. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the odds ratio of a patient having a postoperative infection or not, comparing it with each variable. A total of 1821 extractions, including simple and complex extractions, were performed over 6 years. Only 25 (1.4%) of the cases were reported to have a postoperative infection. The complexity of the extraction was the only variable that significantly affected the occurrence of postoperative infection after extraction; more complex extractions were reported with higher rates of infection (binary logistic regression, OR = 2.03, p = 0.004). None of the other factors, including antibiotic prescription, had a significant influence on the occurrence of postoperative infection. The prevalence of postoperative infection after dental extractions was low in IMU-OHC, and prescribing antibiotics had no added advantage in the prevention of postoperative infection.
  6. Mohan M, Lin KH, Parolia A, Pau A
    Int J Dent, 2021;2021:4573459.
    PMID: 34608391 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4573459
    Objectives: The research aimed to investigate if emotional intelligence (EI) scores of dental undergraduates influenced their patients' satisfaction with the treatment received.

    Methods: A 33-item EI questionnaire was completed by 46 dental undergraduates in a cross-sectional study. Responses, measured on a five-point Likert scale, were summed to yield EI scores. Patients treated by the same undergraduates were invited to complete a patient satisfaction (PS) questionnaire. EI and PS scores were calculated and compared by undergraduates' gender and the patients' age and education status. The four EI factors (optimism/mood regulation, appraisal of emotions, utilization of emotions, and social skills of students) were correlated with PS using Spearman's correlation test with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

    Results: EI scores did not differ significantly between male (N = 23) and female (N = 23) undergraduates (p=0.218). PS was not associated with patients' gender, but those educated to the secondary school level were more likely to be satisfied compared to those educated to the college/university level (p=0.022). Of the four EI factors, optimism/mood regulation was positively correlated with PS (p=0.049).

    Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the EI of the students can influence PS. Practical Implications. Interventions to enhance EI can be developed to improve the patient experience.

  7. Mohan D, Iype T, Varghese S, Usha A, Mohan M
    BMJ Open, 2019 03 20;9(3):e025473.
    PMID: 30898818 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025473
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among older adults in an urban area of South India.

    SETTING: The study was conducted in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram in the South Indian state of Kerala.

    PARTICIPANTS: The study participants were community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years and above.

    PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: MCI was the primary outcome measure and was defined using the criteria by European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium. Cognitive assessment was done using the Malayalam version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination tool. Data were also collected on sociodemographic variables, self-reported comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes, lifestyle factors, depression, anxiety and activities of daily living.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of MCI was found to be 26.06% (95% CI of 22.12 to 30.43). History of imbalance on walking (adjusted OR 2.75; 95 % CI of 1.46 to 5.17), presence of depression (adjusted OR 2.17, 95 % CI of 1.21 to 3.89), anxiety (adjusted OR 2.22; 95 % CI of 1.21 to 4.05) and alcohol use (adjusted OR 1.99; 95 % CI of 1.02 to 3.86) were positively associated with MCI while leisure activities at home (adjusted OR 0.33; 95 % CI of 0.11 to 0.95) were negatively associated.

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MCI is high in Kerala. It is important that the health system and the government take up urgent measures to tackle this emerging public health issue.

  8. Gupta S, Parolia A, Jain A, Kundabala M, Mohan M, de Moraes Porto IC
    J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent, 2015 Jul-Sep;33(3):245-9.
    PMID: 26156281 DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.160402
    The aim of this in vitro study was an attempt to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength between pre-existing composite and repair composite resin.
  9. Teh GC, Sahabudin RM, Lim TC, Chong WL, Woo S, Mohan M, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2001 Jun;56(2):186-95.
    PMID: 11771079
    Objective: To study the prevalence of symptomatic BPE among Malaysian men age 50 and above attending prostate health awareness campaign and to identify differences in prevalence between different ethnic groups residing within metropolitan Kuala Lumpur.
    Materials and Methods: Demographic data and the completed International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal uroflow rate (Qmax) and prostate size of volunteers, aged 50 and above, who attended the prostate health awareness campaign were analyzed. Subjects with known prostate diseases or prostate surgery, bladder disorders and neurological disorders were excluded.
    Results: 2086 volunteers attended the campaign. 575 men fulfilled the inclusion criteria and their demographic data, IPSS; peak flow rate and prostate volume were analysed. Overall, 18.9% and 39.6% of the men were severely and moderately symptomatic, respectively. The prevalence of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Malays, Chinese and Indians were 70%, 59% and 50% respectively (p=0.004). The commonest bothersome symptoms were nocturia (56%), frequency (50.4%) and sense of incomplete voiding (43.5%). The mean peak flow rate of the subjects was 15.4ml/s. 20.9% and 55.2% of the subjects had peak flow less than 10ml/sec and 15ml/sec respectively. The mean prostate size was 25.1cc. There is no significant difference in term of maximal flow rate and prostate size among Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia. A good correlation was found between the total symptom score and the single disease-specific quality of life question (r=0.69, p<0.001). The correlation between IPSS and peak flow rate (r=-0.22, p<0.001) and prostate volume (r=0.11, p=0.009) was weak. There was no correlation between IPSS and age (r=0.06, p=0.17). The prevalence of symptomatic benign prostate enlargement (BPE) was 39.3%. The prevalence increased 8% per decade from 41.7% for men aged 50 to 59 to 65.4% for men aged 70 or more. There is no significant difference in prevalence of symptomatic BPE among the three ethnic groups. The prevalence of BPO was 15.8%.
    Conclusion: The correlation between symptom score, maximal flow rate and prostate size was poor and one cannot predict the value of one parameter by knowing one or more of the other parameters. There is a high prevalence of LUTS suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction in the apparently healthy Malaysian aged 50 and above attending the prostate health awareness campaign.

  10. Ravikumar OV, Marunganathan V, Kumar MSK, Mohan M, Shaik MR, Shaik B, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2024 Feb 24;51(1):352.
    PMID: 38400866 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09289-9
    BACKGROUND: Oral diseases are often attributed to dental pathogens such as S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. In this research work, a novel approach was employed to combat these pathogens by preparing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) capped with cinnamic acid (CA) plant compounds.

    METHODS: The synthesized ZnO-CA NPs were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD to validate their composition and structural features. The antioxidant activity of ZnO-CA NPs was confirmed using DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. The antimicrobial effects of ZnO-CA NPs were validated using a zone of inhibition assay against dental pathogens. Autodock tool was used to identify the interaction of cinnamic acid with dental pathogen receptors.

    RESULTS: ZnO-CA NPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays, suggesting their potential as powerful antioxidants. The minimal inhibitory concentration of ZnO-CA NPs against dental pathogens was found 25 µg/mL, indicating their effective antimicrobial properties. Further, ZnO-CA NPs showed better binding affinity and amino acid interaction with dental pathogen receptors. Also, the ZnO-CA NPs exhibited dose-dependent (5 µg/mL, 15 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL) anticancer activity against Human Oral Epidermal Carcinoma KB cells. The mechanism of action of apoptotic activity of ZnO-CA NPs on the KB cells was identified through the upregulation of BCL-2, BAX, and P53 genes.

    CONCLUSIONS: This research establishes the potential utility of ZnO-CA NPs as a promising candidate for dental applications. The potent antioxidant, anticancer, and effective antimicrobial properties of ZnO-CA NPs make them a valuable option for combating dental pathogens.

  11. See WL, Khoo TL, Mohan M, Nimbalkar S, Patil PG
    J Prosthet Dent, 2024 Apr 22.
    PMID: 38653688 DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.03.021
    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Standard surgical and prosthodontic protocols for managing partially dentate patients with implant-supported removable partial dentures (ISRPDs) are lacking.

    PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients provided with ISRPDs in distal edentulous arches based on different surgical and prosthodontic protocols.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic and manual literature search was conducted in 3 databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library, for clinical studies on distal extension ISRPDs related to clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Kennedy Class I and II arches described in articles published from January 2000 to December 2023 were included. Clinical parameters regarding implant type, location, loading protocols, and implant survival rate and PROMs including masticatory performance, esthetics, and overall satisfaction were compared. The risk of bias was determined by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2.0).

    RESULTS: An initial total of 103 studies were identified, but only 11 articles were selected after implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ten studies evaluated PROMs, and 6 studies evaluated clinical outcomes (5 studies evaluated both). The implant survival rate ranged from 91.7% to 100%, with no clear differentiation among the studies with immediate or delayed loading protocols. Most studies described implants positioned in the molar region. In general, patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) improved significantly with ISRPDs compared with conventional removable partial dentures (RPDs) or RPDs with healing abutments. Posttreatment clinical outcomes revealed stable peri-implant health with no significant bone loss or prosthetic complications. No specific implant configuration, including implant type and location or attachment system, appeared to be better than another. Ball attachments were the commonly used attachments. Two studies were of high risk and 3 studies of low risk. The remaining 6 studies were judged to have some concerns based on the RoB 2.0 analysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Providing an ISRPD improved patient satisfaction, OHRQoL, and the clinical outcomes in distal extension situations, with most studies positioning the implants in the molar region. The type of attachment did not significantly affect the outcomes, although ball attachments were the most used attachment in ISRPDs.

  12. Sahay M, Jasuja S, Tang SCW, Alexander S, Jha V, Vachharajani T, et al.
    Nephrology (Carlton), 2021 Feb;26(2):142-152.
    PMID: 33169890 DOI: 10.1111/nep.13825
    AIM: There is paucity of data on the epidemiology of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from South Asia and South-East Asia. The objective of this study was to assess the aetiology, practice patterns and disease burden and growth of ESKD in the region comparing the economies.

    METHODS: The national nephrology societies of the region; responded to the questionnaire; based on latest registries, acceptable community-based studies and society perceptions. The countries in the region were classified into Group 1 (High|higher-middle-income) and Group 2 (lower|lowermiddle income). Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used for comparison.

    RESULTS: Fifteen countries provided the data. The average incidence of ESKD was estimated at 226.7 per million population (pmp), (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 305.8 vs. 167.8 pmp) and average prevalence at 940.8 pmp (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 1306 vs. 321 pmp). Group 1 countries had a higher incidence and prevalence of ESKD. Diabetes, hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis were most common causes. The mean age in Group 2 was lower by a decade (Group 1 vs. Group 2-59.45 vs 47.7 years).

    CONCLUSION: Haemodialysis was the most common kidney replacement therapy in both groups and conservative management of ESKD was the second commonest available treatment option within Group 2. The disease burden was expected to grow >20% in 50% of Group 1 countries and 78% of Group 2 countries along with the parallel growth in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

  13. Ewane EB, Bajaj S, Velasquez-Camacho L, Srinivasan S, Maeng J, Singla A, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Oct;9(10):e20408.
    PMID: 37842597 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20408
    Urban forests provide direct and indirect benefits to human well-being that are increasingly captured in residential property values. Remote Sensing (RS) can be used to measure a wide range of forest and vegetation parameters that allows for a more detailed and better understanding of their specific influences on housing prices. Herein, through a systematic literature review approach, we reviewed 89 papers (from 2010 to 2022) from 21 different countries that used RS data to quantify vegetation indices, forest and tree parameters of urban forests and estimated their influence on residential property values. The main aim of this study was to understand and provide insights into how urban forests influence residential property values based on RS studies. Although more studies were conducted in developed (n = 55, 61.7%) than developing countries (n = 34, 38.3%), the results indicated for the most part that increasing tree canopy cover on property and neighborhood level, forest size, type, greenness, and proximity to urban forests increased housing prices. RS studies benefited from spatially explicit repetitive data that offer superior efficiency to quantify vegetation, forest, and tree parameters of urban forests over large areas and longer periods compared to studies that used field inventory data. Through this work, we identify and underscore that urban forest benefits outweigh management costs and have a mostly positive influence on housing prices. Thus, we encourage further discussions about prioritizing reforestation and conservation of urban forests during the urban planning of cities and suburbs, which could support UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urban policy reforms.
  14. Alexander S, Jasuja S, Gallieni M, Sahay M, Rana DS, Jha V, et al.
    Int J Nephrol, 2021;2021:6665901.
    PMID: 34035962 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6665901
    Background: The association between economic status and kidney disease is incompletely explored even in countries with higher economy (HE); the situation is complex in lower economies (LE) of South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA and SEA).

    Methods: Fifteen countries of SA and SEA categorized as HE and LE, represented by the representatives of the national nephrology societies, participated in this questionnaire and interview-based assessment of the impact of economic status on renal care.

    Results: Average incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) per million population (pmp) are 1.8 times and 3.3 times higher in HE. Hemodialysis is the main renal replacement therapy (RRT) (HE-68%, LE-63%). Funding of dialysis in HE is mainly by state (65%) or insurance bodies (30%); out of pocket expenses (OOPE) are high in LE (41%). Highest cost for hemodialysis is in Brunei and Singapore, and lowest in Myanmar and Nepal. Median number of dialysis machines/1000 ESKD population is 110 in HE and 53 in LE. Average number of machines/dialysis units in HE is 2.7 times higher than LE. The HE countries have 9 times more dialysis centers pmp (median HE-17, LE-02) and 16 times more nephrologist density (median HE-14.8 ppm, LE-0.94 ppm). Dialysis sessions >2/week is frequently followed in HE (84%) and <2/week in LE (64%). "On-demand" hemodialysis (<2 sessions/week) is prevalent in LE. Hemodialysis dropout rates at one year are lower in HE (12.3%; LE 53.4%), death being the major cause (HE-93.6%; LE-43.8%); renal transplants constitute 4% (Brunei) to 39% (Hong Kong) of the RRT in HE. ESKD burden is expected to increase >10% in all the HE countries except Taiwan, 10%-20% in the majority of LE countries.

    Conclusion: Economic disparity in SA and SEA is reflected by poor dialysis infrastructure and penetration, inadequate manpower, higher OOPE, higher dialysis dropout rates, and lesser renal transplantations in LE countries. Utility of RRT can be improved by state funding and better insurance coverage.

  15. Bhargava V, Jasuja S, Tang SC, Bhalla AK, Sagar G, Jha V, et al.
    Nephrology (Carlton), 2021 Nov;26(11):898-906.
    PMID: 34313370 DOI: 10.1111/nep.13949
    BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is largely underutilized globally. We analyzed PD utilization, impact of economic status, projected growth and impact of state policy(s) on PD growth in South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA&SEA) region.

    METHODS: The National Nephrology Societies of the region responded to a questionnaire on KRT practices. The responses were based on the latest registry data, acceptable community-based studies and societal perceptions. The representative countries were divided into high income and higher-middle income (HI & HMI) and low income and lower-middle income (LI & LMI) groups.

    RESULTS: Data provided by 15 countries showed almost similar percentage of GDP as health expenditure (4%-7%). But there was a significant difference in per capita income (HI & HMI -US$ 28 129 vs. LI & LMI - US$ 1710.2) between the groups. Even after having no significant difference in monthly cost of haemodialysis (HD) and PD in LI & LMI countries, they have poorer PD utilization as compared to HI & HMI countries (3.4% vs. 10.1%); the reason being lack of formal training/incentives and time constraints for the nephrologist while lack of reimbursement and poor general awareness of modalities has been a snag for the patients. The region expects ≥10% PD growth in the near future. Hong Kong and Thailand with 'PD first' policy have the highest PD utilization.

    CONCLUSION: Important deterrents to PD underutilization were lack of PD centric policies, lackadaisical patient/physician's attitude, lack of structured patient awareness programs, formal training programs and affordability.

  16. Blanton A, Mohan M, Galgamuwa GAP, Watt MS, Montenegro JF, Mills F, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Feb 14;352:119921.
    PMID: 38219661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119921
    Tropical rainforests of Latin America (LATAM) are one of the world's largest carbon sinks, with substantial future carbon sequestration potential and contributing a major proportion of the global supply of forest carbon credits. LATAM is poised to contribute predominantly towards high-quality forest carbon offset projects designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, halt biodiversity loss, and provide equitable conservation benefits to people. Thus, carbon markets, including compliance carbon markets and voluntary carbon markets continue to expand in LATAM. However, the extent of the growth and status of forest carbon markets, pricing initiatives, stakeholders, amongst others, are yet to be explored and extensively reviewed for the entire LATAM region. Against this backdrop, we reviewed a total of 299 articles, including peer-reviewed and non-scientific gray literature sources, from January 2010 to March 2023. Herein, based on the extensive literature review, we present the results and provide perspectives classified into five categories: (i) the status and recent trends of forest carbon markets (ii) the interested parties and their role in the forest carbon markets, (iii) the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) approaches and role of remote sensing, (iv) the challenges, and (v) the benefits, opportunities, future directions and recommendations to enhance forest carbon markets in LATAM. Despite the substantial challenges, better governance structures for forest carbon markets can increase the number, quality and integrity of projects and support the carbon sequestration capacity of the rainforests of LATAM. Due to the complex and extensive nature of forest carbon projects in LATAM, emerging technologies like remote sensing can enable scale and reduce technical barriers to MRV, if properly benchmarked. The future directions and recommendations provided are intended to improve upon the existing infrastructure and governance mechanisms, and encourage further participation from the public and private sectors in forest carbon markets in LATAM.
  17. Joannides A, Korhonen TK, Clark D, Gnanakumar S, Venturini S, Mohan M, et al.
    NIHR Open Res, 2023;3:34.
    PMID: 37881453 DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.13377.1
    BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is unclear - it is estimated to affect 27-69 million individuals yearly with the bulk of the TBI burden in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Research has highlighted significant between-hospital variability in TBI outcomes following emergency surgery, but the overall incidence and epidemiology of TBI remains unclear. To address this need, we established the Global Epidemiology and Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury (GEO-TBI) registry, enabling recording of all TBI cases requiring admission irrespective of surgical treatment.

    OBJECTIVE: The GEO-TBI: Incidence study aims to describe TBI epidemiology and outcomes according to development indices, and to highlight best practices to facilitate further comparative research.

    DESIGN: Multi-centre, international, registry-based, prospective cohort study.

    SUBJECTS: Any unit managing TBI and participating in the GEO-TBI registry will be eligible to join the study. Each unit will select a 90-day study period. All TBI patients meeting the registry inclusion criteria (neurosurgical/ICU admission or neurosurgical operation) during the selected study period will be included in the GEO-TBI: Incidence.

    METHODS: All units will form a study team, that will gain local approval, identify eligible patients and input data. Data will be collected via the secure registry platform and validated after collection. Identifiers may be collected if required for local utility in accordance with the GEO-TBI protocol.

    DATA: Data related to initial presentation, interventions and short-term outcomes will be collected in line with the GEO-TBI core dataset, developed following consensus from an iterative survey and feedback process. Patient demographics, injury details, timing and nature of interventions and post-injury care will be collected alongside associated complications. The primary outcome measures for the study will be the Glasgow Outcome at Discharge Scale (GODS) and 14-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures will be mortality and extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) at the most recent follow-up timepoint.

  18. Joannides AJ, Korhonen TK, Clark D, Gnanakumar S, Venturini S, Mohan M, et al.
    Neurosurgery, 2024 Feb 01;94(2):278-288.
    PMID: 37747225 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002661
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Global disparity exists in the demographics, pathology, management, and outcomes of surgically treated traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the factors underlying these differences, including intervention effectiveness, remain unclear. Establishing a more accurate global picture of the burden of TBI represents a challenging task requiring systematic and ongoing data collection of patients with TBI across all management modalities. The objective of this study was to establish a global registry that would enable local service benchmarking against a global standard, identification of unmet need in TBI management, and its evidence-based prioritization in policymaking.

    METHODS: The registry was developed in an iterative consensus-based manner by a panel of neurotrauma professionals. Proposed registry objectives, structure, and data points were established in 2 international multidisciplinary neurotrauma meetings, after which a survey consisting of the same data points was circulated within the global neurotrauma community. The survey results were disseminated in a final meeting to reach a consensus on the most pertinent registry variables.

    RESULTS: A total of 156 professionals from 53 countries, including both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, responded to the survey. The final consensus-based registry includes patients with TBI who required neurosurgical admission, a neurosurgical procedure, or a critical care admission. The data set comprised clinically pertinent information on demographics, injury characteristics, imaging, treatments, and short-term outcomes. Based on the consensus, the Global Epidemiology and Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury (GEO-TBI) registry was established.

    CONCLUSION: The GEO-TBI registry will enable high-quality data collection, clinical auditing, and research activity, and it is supported by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the National Institute of Health Research Global Health Program. The GEO-TBI registry ( https://geotbi.org ) is now open for participant site recruitment. Any center involved in TBI management is welcome to join the collaboration to access the registry.

  19. Blanton A, Ewane EB, McTavish F, Watt MS, Rogers K, Daneil R, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Aug;365:121529.
    PMID: 38963961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121529
    Mangroves in Southeast Asia provide numerous supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that are crucial to the environment and local livelihoods since they support biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience. However, Southeast Asia mangroves face deforestation threats from the expansion of commercial aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development, along with climate change-related natural processes. Ecotourism has gained prominence as a financial incentive tool to support mangrove conservation and restoration. Through a systematic literature review approach, we examined the relationships between ecotourism and mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia based on scientific papers published from 2010 to 2022. Most of the studies were reported in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, respectively, which were associated with the highest number of vibrant mangrove ecotourism sites and largest mangrove areas compared to the other countries of Southeast Asia. Mangrove-related ecotourism activities in the above countries mainly include boat tours, bird and wildlife watching, mangrove planting, kayaking, eating seafood, and snorkeling. The economic benefits, such as an increase in income associated with mangrove ecotourism, have stimulated infrastructural development in ecotourism destinations. Local communities benefited from increased access to social amenities such as clean water, electricity, transportation networks, schools, and health services that are intended to make destinations more attractive to tourists. Economic benefits from mangrove ecotourism motivated the implementation of several community-based mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives, which attracted international financial incentives and public-private partnerships. Since mangroves are mostly located on the land occupied by indigenous people and local communities, ensuring respect for their land rights and equity in economic benefit sharing may increase their intrinsic motivation and participation in mangrove restoration and conservation initiatives. Remote sensing tools for mangrove monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, and integrated education and awareness campaigns can ensure the long-term conservation of mangroves while sustaining ecotourism's economic infrastructure and social amenities benefits.
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