Browse publications by year: 2025

Engineering a wirelessly self-powered neural scaffold based on primary battery principle to accelerate nerve cell differentiation

Li H, Shuai X, Chen Y, Xiong J, Zou Z, Peng S, et al.

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2025 May;249:114521.
PMID: 39823949 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2025.114521

Electrical stimulation displayed tremendous potential in promoting nerve regeneration. However, the current electrical stimulation therapy required complex traversing wires and external power sources, which significantly limited its practical application. Herein, a self-powered nerve scaffold based on primary battery principle was gradient printed by laser additive manufacturing technique. Specifically, poly-L-lactide (PLLA) containing Ag2O and Zn nanoparticles was prepared as the positive and negative electrode of the scaffold respectively, and PLLA/PPy was prepared as the middle conductive segment. In simulated body fluid, the negative electrode underwent oxidation to lose electrons and become positively charged. The lost electrons were transferred to the positive segment in a directed and orderly manner via the middle conductive segment, causing the positive electrode to be enriched electrons and become negatively charged. Subsequently, two segments can generate a potential difference to form an electric field, further generating current. Not merely, the redox process can release Ag+ and Zn2+ to endow the scaffold with antibacterial properties. Results showed that the scaffold could generate a current of up to 17.2 μA, which promoted a 14-fold increase in calcium ion influx and increased the mRNA expression of neuronal markers MAP2 by 24-fold. Moreover, the antibacterial rates of the scaffold against E. coli and S. aureus could reach 92.6 % and 91.9 %, respectively.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Differentiation*; Electrodes; Escherichia coli*; Particle Size; Electric Power Supplies; Zinc/pharmacology; Zinc/chemistry; Silver Compounds/pharmacology; Silver Compounds/chemistry; Rats; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry; Wireless Technology
Aspirin after completion of standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer (ASCOLT): an international, multicentre, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Chia JWK, Segelov E, Deng Y, Ho GF, Wang W, Han S, et al.

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2025 Mar;10(3):198-209.
PMID: 39824200 DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00387-X

BACKGROUND: Aspirin is a simple, globally available medication that has been shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aspirin in the secondary prevention of colorectal cancer.
METHODS: This phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 66 centres across 11 countries and territories (ten in Asia-Pacific; one in the Middle East). The trial included patients aged 18 years and older with Dukes' C or high-risk Dukes' B colon cancer or Dukes' B or C rectal cancer who had undergone resection and had completed standard adjuvant therapy (at least 3 months of chemotherapy). Patients with contraindications to aspirin, familial syndromes of colorectal cancer, recent other cancers, and clinically significant history of cardiovascular disease or stroke were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to aspirin 200 mg daily or placebo for 3 years, and were followed up for 5 years. Randomisation was stratified by study centre, tumour site and stage, and inclusion of oxaliplatin in adjuvant chemotherapy. The patients, study team, and sponsor were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival. The primary analysis used a stratified Cox model in those commencing study treatment (modified intention-to-treat population), analysing all events to March 31, 2023. Safety was analysed in the same population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00565708). The primary analysis has been completed, but translational studies of putative aspirin sensitivity biomarkers are ongoing.
FINDINGS: Between Feb 25, 2009, and June 30, 2021, 1587 patients underwent randomisation, of whom 1550 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 791 (51%) in the aspirin group and 759 (49%) in the placebo group. Of these patients, the median age was 57 years (IQR 48-65); 897 (58%) were male and 653 (42%) female; 271 (17%) had Dukes' B colon cancer, 770 (50%) Dukes' C colon cancer, and 509 (33%) rectal cancer. Median follow-up at data cutoff was 59·2 months (IQR 36·7-60·0). 5-year disease-free survival was 77·0% (95% CI 73·6-80·0) in the aspirin group and 74·8% (71·3-77·9) in the placebo group (hazard ratio of 0·91 [95% CI 0·73-1·13]; p=0·38). Any-grade adverse events were reported in 390 (49%) of 791 patients in the aspirin group versus 386 (51%) of 759 in the placebo group. Serious adverse events were reported in 95 (12%) patients in the aspirin group versus 107 (14%) in the placebo group. There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. Among adverse events of special interest, there were no cases of acute myocardial infarction in the aspirin group versus two in the placebo group; no ischaemic cerebrovascular events in the aspirin group versus two in the placebo group; and three major gastrointestinal bleeds in the aspirin group versus one in the placebo group.
INTERPRETATION: In patients with colorectal cancer, aspirin 200 mg daily for 3 years after completion of standard adjuvant therapy was well tolerated but did not significantly improve disease-free survival.
FUNDING: SingHealth Foundation, National Medical Research Council Singapore, National Cancer Centre Research Fund, Rising Tide Foundation, Lee Foundation, Lee Kim Tah Foundation, Duke-NUS Khoo Bridge Funding Award, Terry-Fox Run, Silent Foundation, Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer Australia, and Cancer Council NSW.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Asia/epidemiology; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
Hypomethylating agents as emerging therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer

Nik Amirah Auni NMA, Mohd Redzwan N, Fauzi AN, Yahya MM, Wong KK

Life Sci, 2025 Feb 15;363:123403.
PMID: 39824347 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2025.123403

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is recognized as the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Epigenetic silencing, such as DNA methylation mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) plays key roles in TNBC tumorigenesis. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) such as azacitidine, decitabine, and guadecitabine are key inhibitors of DNMTs, and accumulating evidence has shown their immunogenicity properties. In this review, the efficacy and anti-tumor immune responses triggered by HMAs in TNBC are presented and discussed. Essentially, overexpression of DNMTs is associated with poor prognosis and reduced TNBC survival rates, and these effects are negated by HMAs. In particular, HMAs could reverse epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes and enhance immune recognition of TNBC cells. Clinical trials of HMAs in TNBCs are limited but early-stage trials indicate that HMAs are safe and tolerable. More clinical studies are required to establish the effectiveness of HMAs against the disease, as supported by preclinical data substantiating their effectiveness especially guadecitabine. Future research should focus on optimizing dosing and exploring combinations with immunotherapies to maximize the potential of HMAs in TNBC treatment.

MeSH terms: Animals; Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives; Azacitidine/pharmacology; Azacitidine/therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
Alginate-based materials as adsorbent for sustainable water treatment

Siddiqui VU, Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Hamid NHA, Khoo PS, Chowdhury A, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Apr;298:139946.
PMID: 39824402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.139946

With the encroaching issue of water pollution, the use of involved chemicals to remove pollutants from water is not only a risk of chemical contamination, a potential hazard to the environment and human health but also requires significant investment in managing and improving the chemicals. Therefore, alginate as one of the nanomaterial-adorned polysaccharides-based entity that usually extract from brown algae has been used as novel and more efficient catalysts in the removal of a variety of aqueous pollutants from wastewater, including ionic metals and organic/inorganic pollutants by using the adsorption techniques. Adsorption is a technique used in water treatment where non-polar or particles less soluble in water are stuck to the surface of the adsorbent and therefore purifying it. An example of pollutant typically removed via this method is an organic dye. Alginate-based composites due to their ability to bind to metals like Cd, Au, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn, are a common low-cost and highly effective adsorbents used to remove heavy metals, industrial paints, pesticides, and antibiotics. This review focusses on augmenting the recent status, challenges, and further prospects in alginate-based materials for their potential role exclusively in wastewater treatment, including their modification as adsorbents and their adsorption behaviors. Various applications of alginate-based adsorbent are showcased and tabulated their role in treatment of diverse range of pollutants. It can be concluded that the role of alginate in wastewater treatment is indispensable in the future with its biodegradability, low cost, stability, and high-water permeability properties. However, some challenges need to be identified and overcome to ensure the application of alginate in wastewater treatment can be widely used throughout the world, especially in Malaysia, a country with an abundance of water.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Metals, Heavy/isolation & purification; Metals, Heavy/chemistry; Waste Water/chemistry
Ultrasonic collaborative pulse extraction of sugarcane polyphenol with good antiaging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Zhuo G, Xiong F, Ping-Ping W, Chin-Ping T, Chun C

Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Mar;297:139930.
PMID: 39824408 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.139930

Sugarcane, as one important and heavily planted industrial crop, is meaningful to develop its byproducts. In this paper, the ultrasonic collaborative pulse was beneficial for the yield improvement and good bioactivity protection. The sugarcane polyphenol extract (SPE) yield reached 2.42 ± 0.08 mg/g DW at the optimized conditions: pulse time of 60 s, pulse intensity of 2 kV/cm, ultrasonic time of 90 min, and ultrasonic power of 120 W. The SPE contained the total phenolic content of 6.01 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g extract and total flavonoids content of 7.15 ± 0.24 mg RE/g extract. The SPE was mainly composed of chlorogenic acid, schaftoside, hyperoside, quercitrin, and trans-3-hydroxycinnamic acid with 10.24 %, 14.92 %, 4.22 %, 12.05 %, 25.54 %, respectively. The SPE showed good radical scavenging activity with ORAC value of 134.57 μmol/g. The SPE could reduce the oxidative stress and extend the mean lifespan of nematodes by 7.19 % in vivo through increasing the activity of SOD and CAT to decrease the ROS level and MDA content. In addition, the SPE showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 of 0.53 mg/mL in a mixed inhibition type, which suggested that the SPE had good hypoglycemic potential.

MeSH terms: Ultrasonic Waves; alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism; Animals; Antioxidants/isolation & purification; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry; Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects; Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Fabrication and applications of biofunctional collagen biomaterials in tissue engineering

Ullah S, Zainol I

Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Apr;298:139952.
PMID: 39824416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.139952

Collagen is extensively used in tissue engineering for various organ tissue regeneration due to the main component of human organ extracellular matrix (ECM) and their inherent nature bioactivity. Collagen various types naturally exist in different organ ECMs. Collagen fabricated with natural ECM mimics architecture, composition and mechanical properties for various organ tissue regeneration. Collagen fabrication with organ-specific biofunctionality facilitated organ tissue engineering as compared to unmodified collagen biomaterials. Collagen biofunctionality improved by subjecting collagen to synthesis, fibers and surface modifications, and blending with other components. Furthermore, collagen is loaded with bioactive molecules, growth factors, drugs and cells also enhancing the biofunctionality of collagen biomaterials. In this review, we will explore the recent advancements in biofunctional collagen biomaterials fabrication with organ-specific biofunctionality in tissue engineering to resolve various organ tissue engineering issues and regeneration challenges. Biofunctional collagen biomaterials stimulate microenvironments inside and around the implants to excellently regulate cellular activities, differentiate cells into organ native cells, enhanced ECM production and remodeling to regenerate organ tissues with native structure, function and maturation. This review critically explored biofunctional collagen biomaterials fabrication in resolving various organ tissue engineering issues and regeneration challenges, and opening new directions of biofunctional collagen biomaterials fabrication, design and applications.

MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry
Microencapsulation using a novel wall material prepared via Maillard reaction-derived mung bean protein-peach gum conjugates to enhance stability and functionality of chia seed oil

Siddiquy M, Al-Maqtari QA, Ghamry M, Othman N, Li J, Hlaing KSS, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Apr;298:139959.
PMID: 39824431 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.139959

This study investigated the potential of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from mung bean protein isolate (MBPI) and peach gum (PG) conjugates as wall materials for microencapsulating chia seed oil (CSO). Four formulations (MMRP1%-4%) were prepared using spray-drying and compared to a commercial sample (CMMRP). The MMRP4% formulation exhibited the highest encapsulation yield (91 %) and encapsulation efficiency (96 %), along with favorable physical properties, including a spherical shape and smooth surface. All formulation showed significantly greater stability during storage at 4 °C compared to 25 °C. After 30 days of storage, the MMRP4% formulation exhibited significantly higher oxidative stability, as evidenced by lowest peroxide values (0.3 and 0.24 mEq O2/kg CSO at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively). Furthermore, the MMRP4% formulation displayed the slowest decrease in DPPH radical scavenging activity, reaching 6.6 % at 4 °C and 10.4 % at 25 °C after 30 days, compared to 14.2 % and 20.9 % for CMMRP samples, correspondingly. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the effectiveness of MRPs as encapsulants for CSO. Overall, the results suggest that CSO microencapsulated with MRPs of MBPI-PG can be a valuable addition to various food products for long-term storage.

MeSH terms: Prunus armeniaca/chemistry; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Drug Compounding/methods; Oxidation-Reduction; Maillard Reaction*; Salvia/chemistry; Vigna/chemistry
Diabetic foot ulcer in the Western Pacific Region: Current data on ulceration rates and microbial profiles, gaps and charting strategies

Lim QH, Loy LC, Abdul Hadi H, Faheem NAN, Shaharuddin IS, Sri La Ponnampalavanar S, et al.

Prim Care Diabetes, 2025 Apr;19(2):133-142.
PMID: 39824708 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2024.12.012

The Western Pacific Region hosts the largest proportion of people with diabetes. Despite being a key diabetes-related complication, diabetic foot ulcer has been neglected in both prevention and treatment efforts. This narrative review highlights available data on the burden (either prevalence or incidence), as well as microbial profiles of diabetic foot ulcers in the Western Pacific Region, identifies data gaps, and discusses strategies to address these gaps. There are substantial gaps in epidemiological data and microbial profiles for many countries in the Western Pacific Region. Addressing these gaps require developing and strengthening data collection systems for effective surveillance and benchmarking of diabetes care.

MeSH terms: Bacteria/isolation & purification; Female; Humans; Male; Pacific Islands/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Incidence; Prevalence
Investigating the impact of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes exposure on enzymatic activities and histopathological variations in Swiss albino mice

Nasim I, Ghani N, Nawaz R, Mateev E, Bin Jardan YA

Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 17;15(1):2324.
PMID: 39824850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-77526-z

Present study was conducted to evaluate the detrimental impacts of exposure of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT-NP) on enzymatic activities and tissue structures in Swiss albino mice. The experimental groups of mice received MWCNT-NP for specific time period (seven or fourteen days). Two distinct doses of the MWCNT-NP solution were given orally: 0.45 µg and 0.90 µg, and the distilled water was given to the control group. Serum samples were extracted at 7 and 14 days after the experiment by centrifuging whole blood for 15 min at 3,000 rpm. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) was used to measure many enzyme assays, such as Angiotensin Converting Enzymes (ACE), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzyme. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining of tissue samples was done along with a histopathological examination. During a 14-day exposure, ACE, NADPH Oxidase, ALT, and AST enzyme levels were significantly higher in the exposed groups (0.45 µg and 0.90 µg) than in the control group (p

MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase/blood; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism; Liver/drug effects; Liver/enzymology; Liver/pathology; Male; NADPH Oxidase/metabolism; Mice
Fulltext Highly sensitive split ring resonator-based sensor for quality monitoring of edible oils

Khalil MA, Yong WH, Batool T, Hoque A, Chiong LY, Goh HH, et al.

Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 17;15(1):2283.
PMID: 39825064 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-85800-x

This research presents the design and analysis of a compact metamaterial (MTM)-based star-shaped split-ring resonator (SRR) enclosed in a square, constructed on a cost-effective substrate for liquid chemical sensing applications. The designed structure has dimensions of 10 × 10 mm2 and is optimized for detecting adulteration in edible oils. When the sample holder is filled with different percentages of oil samples, the resonance frequency of the MTM-based SRR sensor shift significantly. The measured results demonstrate that the proposed SRR sensor is superior in terms of sensitivity and quality factor compared to studies in the literature. The proposed sensor shows superior performance in sensitivity and quality factor (Q-factor) compared to existing sensors in the literature. It exhibits a remarkable sensitivity of 0.92 with a frequency shift of 760 MHz for adulteration detection, which is higher than sensors with shifts ranging from 140 to 600 MHz reported in previous studies. Additionally, the design has a high Q-factor of 149, indicating its efficiency in determining adulteration in edible oils. Additionally, the error rate in detecting adulteration is minimal at 3.1%, a significant improvement over prior sensors, which have error rates as high as 8%. These enhancements highlight the sensor's potential in applications requiring precise, efficient, and cost-effective detection of edible oil adulteration, thus offering a significant advancement in both performance and practical utility over traditional methods.
Prevalence and associated factors of healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults in Lishui city, China: a cross-sectional study

Chen JH, Mohd Zain N, Yusuf A, Ying BH

BMC Public Health, 2025 Jan 16;25(1):184.
PMID: 39825240 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21420-4

BACKGROUND: Identifying the level of healthy aging and exploring its associated factors are prerequisites in the planning of effective measures among the elderly population. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of healthy aging and determine its associated factors among community-dwelling older adults from mountain areas in Lishui, China.
METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted. Participants were recruited by a multi-stage stratified cluster-sampling procedure from a mountainous region in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China. A validated questionnaire of Healthy Aging Instruments (HAI), Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction (BPNS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Ascertain Dementia 8 questionnaire (AD8), Family Adaption Scale (FAS), Community-Based Health Promotion Activity Questionnaires (HPAQ), Social Function Questionnaire for Chinese Older Adults (SFQCOA), Adult Health Self-Management Skills (ability) Rating Scale (AHSMSRS) was incorporated. The questionnaire also captured sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and Self-Perceived Healthy Ageing (SPHA). Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was performed.
RESULTS: The mean score of the Healthy Aging index was 136.5 (18.22). The majority of the participants have a high level of healthy aging (65.5%). Regression analysis showed 12 predictors of healthy aging: self-perceived economic independence, lifestyle-related behaviors, subjective physical health, psychological health, better competence of BPNS, frequency of community-based HPA participation, lower HPA-perceived barriers, social support, social engagement, and Health Self-Management (HSM) ability with two dimensions HSM-Consciousness and HSM-Behavior, as well as SPHA (P

MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Independent Living*
Effect of music therapy on emotional resilience, well-being, and employability: a quantitative investigation of mediation and moderation

Feng Y, Wang M

BMC Psychol, 2025 Jan 17;13(1):47.
PMID: 39825434 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-02336-x

This study explores the impact of music therapy on emotional resilience, well-being, and employability. Through an 8-week music therapy intervention involving 256 participants, the results demonstrated that music therapy significantly enhanced participants' emotional resilience, which in turn improved their well-being and employability. A significant positive correlation was found between emotional resilience, well-being, and employability, with well-being mediating the relationship between emotional resilience and employability. Additionally, the study identified moderating effects of age and education level, revealing that younger individuals and those with higher education levels benefit more from emotional resilience in terms of well-being and employability. These findings suggest that music therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing emotional resilience and career development, with well-being playing a crucial role in this process. Future research should continue to investigate the long-term benefits of music therapy, explore its effects across diverse populations, and incorporate objective measures and longitudinal designs to validate and expand upon these findings.

MeSH terms: Adult; Emotions; Employment/psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personal Satisfaction; Resilience, Psychological*; Young Adult
Online interest in ADHD predicts ADHD medication prescriptions in Australia from 2004 to 2023: A time-series analysis revealing COVID-19-related acceleration

Sy-Cherng Woon L, Smith D, Alllison S, Looi JC, Bastiampillai T

Australas Psychiatry, 2025 Jan 18.
PMID: 39825766 DOI: 10.1177/10398562251315006

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescriptions in Australia have grown sharply in recent years. We examined the association between online interest in ADHD and prescriptions.
METHODS: Monthly Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS (RPBS) Item Reports of ADHD prescriptions and Australian ADHD-related Google Trends (GT) data (2004-2023) were sourced. We modelled the lagged effect of GT on ADHD medication prescriptions, using an autoregressive moving average model with autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity, adjusting for COVID-19 lockdown effects. Results were compared to a model of GT for pain-related searches and PBS/RPBS opioid prescriptions, and counterfactual alternatives: (1) ADHD-related GT and opioid prescriptions and (2) pain-related GT and ADHD prescriptions. We descriptively analysed additional ADHD-related online news data.
RESULTS: Annual prescriptions doubled from 1,424,904 in 2020 to 3,112,072 in 2023. ADHD medication prescriptions and ADHD-related GT considerably increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. GT had a statistically significant positive lagged association with ADHD prescriptions. Comparator models did not show statistically significant associations between GT and prescriptions. Online news data supported recently increased public interest in ADHD.
CONCLUSIONS: ADHD-related online interest predicts increased ADHD prescriptions, which was accentuated during the pandemic. Studies are needed to evaluate causal pathways, health information quality and sociodemographic determinants.
Magnetic resonance imaging safety in Asia-Oceania: call for action

Choorakuttil RM, Kan EYL, Hallinan JTPD, Cuenza TR, Ho ELM, Afrin R, et al.

Jpn J Radiol, 2025 Jan 18.
PMID: 39826087 DOI: 10.1007/s11604-024-01729-7

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) safety is a critical concern in the Asia-Oceania region, as it is elsewhere in the world, due to the unique and complex MRI environment that demands attention. This call-for-action outlines ten critical steps to enhance MRI safety and promote a culture of responsibility and accountability in the Asia-Oceania region. Key focus areas include strengthening education and expertise, improving quality assurance, fostering collaboration, increasing public awareness, and establishing national safety boards. By implementing these actions, we aim to significantly reduce MRI-related incidents and create a culture of safety across diverse healthcare settings in the Asia-Oceania Region.
High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries with Graphene: An Overview of Recent Developments and Design

Kumar SSA, Nujud Badawi M, Liew J, Prasankumar T, Ramesh K, Ramesh S, et al.

ChemSusChem, 2025 Jan 14;18(2):e202400958.
PMID: 39137130 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400958

Due to their low production cost, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered attractive alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for next generation sustainable and large-scale energy storage systems. However, during the charge/discharge cycle, a large volume strain is resulted due to the presence of a large radius of sodium ions and high molar compared to lithium ions, which further leads to poor cyclic stability and lower reversible capacity. In the past, researchers have devoted significant efforts to explore various anode materials to achieve SIBs with high energy density. Hence, as a promising anode material for SIBs, the two-dimensional (2D) materials including graphene and its derivatives and metal oxides have attracted remarkable attention due to their layered structure and superior physical and chemical properties. The inclusion of graphene and metal oxides with other nanomaterials in electrodes have led to the significant enhancements in electrical conductivity, reaction kinetics, capacity, rate performance and accommodating the large volume change respectively. Moreover, these 2D materials facilitated large surface areas and shorter paths for sodium ion adsorption and transportation respectively. In this review article, the fabrication techniques, structural configuration, sodium ion storage mechanism and its electrochemical performances will be introduced. Subsequently, an insight into the recent advancements in SIBs associated with 2D anode materials (graphene, graphene oxide (GO), transition metal oxides etc.) and other graphene-like elementary analogues (germanene, stanine etc.) as anode materials respectively will be discussed. Finally, the key challenges and future perspectives of SIBs towards enhancing the sodium storage performance of graphene-based electrode materials are discussed. In summary, we believe that this review will shed light on the path towards achieving long-cycling life, low operation cost and safe SIBs with high energy density using 2D anode materials and to be suitably commercialized for large-scale energy storage applications in the future.
Investigation of Phytochemical Composition, Radical Scavenging Potential, Anti-Obesogenic Effects, and Anti-Diabetic Activities of Kaempferia parviflora Rhizomes

Prabakaran S, Saad HM, Tan CH, Syed Abdul Rahman SN, Sim KS

Chem Biodivers, 2025 Jan;22(1):e202401086.
PMID: 39289837 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401086

Kaempferia parviflora or commonly known as "Kunyit hitam" by locals, is an edible plant, native to tropical regions, has been extensively utilized for culinary and medicinal applications. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and biological activities of the rhizomes of K. parviflora. The ethanol crude and fractionated extracts (hexane and chloroform) of the rhizomes were evaluated for their total phenolic content, total steroidal content, as well as antioxidant, anti-obesogenic, and anti-diabetic activities. The chloroform extract demonstrated the highest concentration of plant sterols (432±0.23 mg BSE/g extract) and a substantial amount of phenolic compounds (1.19×103±0.41 mg GAE/g extract). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed that the chloroform extract of the rhizomes is predominantly composed of bioactive flavonoids including tectochrysin (1), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (2), 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone (3), 3,4',5,7-tetramethoxyflavone (4), and 4',5,7-trimethoxyflavone (5). Furthermore, the chloroform extract exhibited the highest overall radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, which can be attributed to the presence of compounds 1-5 in the extract. Collectively, these findings suggest that the chloroform extract of the rhizomes of K. parviflora is a potentially valuable source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-obesogenic, and anti-diabetic properties, with potential application in therapeutics and functional foods.

MeSH terms: alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism; Animals; Antioxidants/isolation & purification; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Mice; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/isolation & purification; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemistry
Exploring the suitability of a ward-based clinical pharmacy activity collection tool for ambulatory care practice: a mixed-methods study

Ishak I, Cheng C, Greenland L, Bates I

Int J Clin Pharm, 2025 Feb;47(1):166-177.
PMID: 39495445 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-024-01820-z

BACKGROUND: At a London-based hospital, a validated ward-based clinical pharmacy activity collection tool has been used to monitor activities of clinical pharmacy teams across all settings, including ambulatory care services. No data confirm its representativeness for the full range of ambulatory clinical pharmacy services, and pharmacists share this concern.
AIM: This study aimed to identify the range of clinical pharmacy activities in ambulatory care, assess the suitability of the existing ward-based tool for capturing these activities, and recommend modifications.
METHOD: Non-participant direct observations were conducted to record pharmacists' clinical activities in ambulatory clinics and multidisciplinary meetings. These observations were compared to the existing ward-based tool to identify discrepancies. Semi-structured interviews with eight ambulatory pharmacists were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed inductively to explore the tool's representativeness of their routine clinical activities.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine clinical pharmacy activities were observed in ambulatory services. Only fifteen were captured by the existing tool, with therapy monitoring and recommending therapeutic changes not accurately captured. Pharmacists agreed that the tool was not fully representative and included irrelevant activities. Four common uncaptured activities were multidisciplinary meeting-specific activities, arranging laboratory tests, monitoring patient outcomes, and liaising with community healthcare professionals. This study identified 33 candidate ambulatory clinical pharmacy activities.
CONCLUSION: The existing ward-based tool does not fully capture the full range of ambulatory care clinical pharmacy activities, highlighting the need for an improved tool. Pharmacists recommended including the uncaptured activities. The candidate activities provide a foundation for standardised measurement of relevant ambulatory care activities to enable effective workforce deployment and improve patient outcomes.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; London; Male; Professional Role
Physio-Mechanic and Microscopic Analyses of Bioactive Glass-Based Resin Infiltrants

Ahmed SZ, Khan AS, Nasser WW, Alrushaid MA, Alfaraj ZM, Aljeshi MM, et al.

Microsc Res Tech, 2025 Feb;88(2):595-610.
PMID: 39501540 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24725

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and durability of bioactive glass-based dental resin infiltrants. Resin infiltrants were formulated by combining photoinitiated dimethacrylate monomers with three variations of bioactive glass: 45S5 Bioglass (RIS), boron-substituted (RIB), fluoride-substituted (RIF), and pure resins (PR), whereby TOOTH group (TH) and ICON (CN) served as commercial control groups. Teeth samples were prepared, and experimental and control infiltrants were applied on demineralized human-extracted teeth. All the samples were subjected to immersion in artificial saliva and pH cycling for 30 days. The samples from another group underwent tooth brushing simulation for 9600 cycles. Following artificial saliva immersion, the samples' hardness values showed that RIB had the highest values (318.44 ± 3.83) while PR (212.52 ± 9.02) had the lowest values. After immersing into the pH cycling solution, the RIF showed the highest hardness (286.86 ± 5.11), while the lowest values for the CN (143.76 ± 3.50). After the tooth brushing simulation, the teeth samples with RIB showed maximum microhardness values (312.06 ± 16.30) and the weakest for the TH (189.60 ± 6.43). The commercial and experimental enamel resin infiltrants showed almost similar results overall, with RIB demonstrating better microhardness and comparable surface roughness. In contrast, RIF proved more resistant to pH cycling, exhibited higher microhardness, and performed better in surface roughness analysis. These findings suggest that resin infiltrant materials, especially RIF, have promising potential for effectively and esthetically managing white spot lesions.

MeSH terms: Ceramics/chemistry; Composite Resins/chemistry; Dental Enamel/chemistry; Dental Materials/chemistry; Hardness; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Materials Testing*; Resins, Synthetic/chemistry; Saliva, Artificial/chemistry; Surface Properties; Tooth/chemistry
Fulltext Understanding What Matters: Stakeholder Views on Decision Criteria for Cancer Drug Selection in the Public Sector in Malaysia

Chandriah H, Shafie AA, Thiagarajan M

Value Health Reg Issues, 2025 Mar;46:101052.
PMID: 39503701 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.101052

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine stakeholders' decision criteria preferences for formulary decisions of cancer drugs in the Ministry of Health. The secondary objective was to identify the outcome measures of interest for assessment of clinical benefits for cancer drugs.
METHODS: A survey questionnaire was administered online and as hard copy using purposive sampling to 32 healthcare facilities providing cancer services and the Formulary Management Branch in the Ministry of Health. Respondents reported whether a criterion "will be considered" and weighted its relative importance on a 5-point scale. The choice of safety and efficacy/effectiveness outcomes were ranked from 1 to 5, and the minimum value of benefit for the efficacy/effectiveness outcome ranked 1 was provided. Trade-offs between survival and quality of life were also explored. Inferential statistics were used to explore difference in responses.
RESULTS: A total of 316 healthcare professionals responded to the survey. The most important criteria for value assessment of cancer drug were safety and effectiveness. Other criteria deemed important were quality of evidence, disease severity, and patient-reported outcomes. There was no difference in the criteria preference and weights across the various respondent groups. Overall survival was the most preferred clinical benefit outcome. Overall, willingness to pay was higher for life-prolonging treatment than treatment that improved quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that a wide range of criteria beyond the traditional decision-making criteria of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness are important for value assessment of cancer drugs for the purpose of formulary decisions.

MeSH terms: Adult; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Decision Making*; Female; Health Personnel/psychology; Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/drug therapy; Quality of Life/psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Public Sector*
Shell-based agricultural wastes biomass valorization for biofuel production: a bibliometric analysis into the circular bioeconomy

Adeleke AO, Babatunde KA, Kasavan S, Omar RC, Dele-Afolabi TT

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2025 Jan;32(3):1095-1119.
PMID: 39739169 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35766-6

The valorization of shell-based agricultural waste biomass for biofuel production represents a promising approach within the circular bioeconomy. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to investigate research trends and identify key developments in the field from 1997 to 2023, using data from the Web of Science and VOSviewer for scientific mapping. A total of 1333 research articles were examined, revealing notable shifts in research focus: from pyrolysis and biomass energy (1997-2005) to gasification (2006-2014), and more recently, to enzymatic hydrolysis and lignocellulosic biomass gasification (2015-2023). Findings highlight the critical role of pre-treatment processes such as combustion, pyrolysis, and torrefaction in enhancing biofuel yields. The analysis also underscores Asia's leading role in research contributions, with collaborative networks strengthening across various global institutions. Future research is encouraged to explore innovative and cost-effective pre-treatment methods, fostering sustainable, large-scale biofuel production from agricultural waste shells.

MeSH terms: Agriculture*; Bibliometrics*; Biomass*; Biofuels*

External Links