Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. See SA, Bhassu S, Tang SS, Yusoff K
    Dev Comp Immunol, 2025 Jan;162:105264.
    PMID: 39299363 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105264
    White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) causes highly destructive infection in crustacean aquaculture, often resulting in 100% mortality within a week. However, there is lack of studies addressing the safety issues of WSSV vaccines in shrimps. In this study, WSSV VP28 mRNA vaccines were developed using codon deoptimization approach. These vaccines were administered to Litopenaeus vannamei shrimps at various dosages to access their safety and the shrimps' immune responses using quantification PCR (qPCR). The findings of this study indicate that the expression level of codon deoptimized VP28 mRNA vaccines are lower compared to the wild type VP28 vaccines, as observed through a comparison of bioinformatic predictions and experimental results. Additionally, the total haemocyte count (THC) in shrimps injected with codon deoptimized VP28 vaccine was higher than those injected with wild type VP28 vaccines. Furthermore, the expression of immune-related genes differed between codon deoptimized and wild type VP28 vaccines. In summary, the results suggest that 0.01 μg codon deoptimized VP28-D1 mRNA vaccine is the most promising WSSV mRNA vaccine, displaying low pathogenicity and expression in shrimps. To the best of our knowledge, this research represents the first attempt to attenuate WSSV using codon deoptimization method and development of a potential mRNA vaccine for shrimp purpose. The study addresses an important gap in shrimp vaccine research, offering potential solutions for WSSV control in shrimps.
    MeSH terms: Animals; DNA Virus Infections/immunology; Vaccination*; Viral Envelope Proteins; Aquaculture
  2. Thian BYZ, Fatimah MNN, Wong CL, Ong HK, Mariatulqabtiah AR, Ho KL, et al.
    Dev Comp Immunol, 2025 Jan;162:105275.
    PMID: 39341478 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105275
    Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a persistent threat to poultry industry worldwide, despite the presence of vaccines. Additionally, reverse-zoonosis transmission potentially introduces human-originated IAVs into poultry and complicates the efforts to control the spread of influenza. Current avian influenza vaccines are primarily based upon the rapidly mutating hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins, which limit their efficacy against diverse strains of IAVs. Hence, the highly conserved ectodomains of matrix 2 protein (M2e) of IAVs are widely studied as alternatives to the HA and NA. However, the differences in the M2e amino acid sequences between avian and human IAVs generate antibodies that do not cross-react reciprocally with IAVs from other origins. To broaden and enhance the immunogenicity of M2e, we fused two copies each of the M2e derived from avian and human IAVs at the C-terminal end of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) capsid protein (NvC). Transmission electron microscopic and dynamic light scattering analyses revealed that the chimeric protein self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of chickens with the chimeric VLPs demonstrated a robust induction of broadly reactive immune responses against both the M2e of avian and human IAVs. Additionally, the chimeric VLPs elicited the production of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), macrophages, as well as a well-balanced Th1 and Th2 population, indicating their potential in activating cell-mediated immune responses in chickens. Furthermore, the chimeric VLPs triggered the production of both Th1- and Th2-cytokines, attesting their potential in mounting a robust and balanced immune response in avian species. This study demonstrated the potential of these chimeric VLPs in stimulating and broadening cross-reactive immune responses in chickens against both avian and human IAVs.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cross Reactions*; Humans; Immunization; Influenza, Human/immunology; Influenza, Human/prevention & control; Influenza, Human/virology
  3. Ong SQ, Høye TT
    Pest Manag Sci, 2025 Feb;81(2):654-666.
    PMID: 39377441 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8464
    BACKGROUND: The use of computer vision and deep learning models to automatically classify insect species on sticky traps has proven to be a cost- and time-efficient approach to pest monitoring. As different species are attracted to different colours, the variety of sticky trap colours poses a challenge to the performance of the models. However, the effectiveness of deep learning in classifying pests on different coloured sticky traps has not yet been sufficiently explored. In this study, we aim to investigate the influence of sticky trap colour and imaging devices on the performance of deep learning models in classifying pests on sticky traps.

    RESULTS: Our results show that using the MobileNetV2 architecture with transparent sticky traps as training data, the model predicted the pest species on transparent sticky traps with an accuracy of at least 0.95 and on other sticky trap colours with at least 0.85 of the F1 score. Using a generalised linear model (GLM) and a Boruta feature selection algorithm, we also showed that the colour and architecture of the sticky traps significantly influenced the performance of the model.

    CONCLUSION: Our results support the development of an automatic classification of pests on a sticky trap, which should focus on colour and deep learning architecture to achieve good results. Future studies could aim to incorporate the trap system into pest monitoring, providing more accurate and cost-effective results in a pest management programme. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Color*
  4. Benzouak T, Addar A, Prudencio-Brunello MA, Saed Aldien A, Amougou SE, AlShammari A, et al.
    J Urol, 2025 Feb;213(2):150-161.
    PMID: 39423101 DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000004297
    PURPOSE: As the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increases, the demand for surgical interventions that optimize patient outcomes while minimizing complications grows. This systematic review compares the efficacy, efficiency, and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) with robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP), providing insights for evidence-based surgical decision-making in BPH treatment.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the study protocol was registered with Prospero (CRD42024509627). Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature up to February 1, 2024, to include studies that compare HoLEP and RASP in patients with BPH. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

    RESULTS: HoLEP and RASP demonstrated equivalent effectiveness in treating BPH, as shown by similar functional outcomes such as maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual volume. However, HoLEP outperformed RASP in several operational efficiency metrics, reducing operative time by 49.48 minutes, hospitalization duration by 1.5 days, and catheterization period by 3.8 days. HoLEP also significantly reduced the risk of blood transfusions by 75%. Patients undergoing RASP were 1.87 times more at risk for grade 2 complications and 3.41 times more at risk for developing grade 3 or above complications.

    CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP and RASP are effective for managing BPH. HoLEP shows advantages in recovery metrics and lower blood transfusion rates, while RASP benefits from ease of implementation in robotic-equipped facilities. Optimizing surgical outcomes will depend on reducing disparities in technique adoption, improving surgical training, and aligning with evidence-based guidelines.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Male; Treatment Outcome; Laser Therapy/adverse effects; Laser Therapy/instrumentation; Laser Therapy/methods
  5. Montalvo S, Gonzalez MP, Dietze-Hermosa MS, Martinez A, Rodriguez S, Gomez M, et al.
    J Strength Cond Res, 2025 Feb 01;39(2):173-183.
    PMID: 39446677 DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004937
    Montalvo, S, Gonzalez, MP, Dietze-Hermosa, MS, Martinez, A, Rodriguez, S, Gomez, M, Ibarra-Mejia, G, Tan, E, and Dorgo, S. Effects of different stretching modalities on the antagonist and agonist muscles on isokinetic strength and vertical jump performance in young men. J Strength Cond Res 39(2): 173-183, 2025-Exercise warm-up may include static or dynamic stretching, impacting performance differently. This study investigated the effects of various stretching protocols on isokinetic strength, muscular activity, and vertical jump performance. Sixteen subjects, divided evenly between trained and untrained groups, underwent 8 distinct stretching conditions in random order. Outcomes measured included isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque and power, muscular activity (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris), and jump performance (jump height and modified reactive strength index [RSImod]). Responses to the stretching conditions were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. For isokinetic knee extension, dynamic stretching of both agonist and antagonist (DY-AG-ANT) and combined dynamic agonist with static antagonist stretching (DY-AG ST-ANT) produced significant improvements. Dynamic stretching of both agonist and antagonist increased peak torque by 12.72% and average torque by 30.80%, while DY-AG ST-ANT increased peak torque by 15.61% and average torque by 41.06%. Muscular activity also improved significantly; DY-AG ST-ANT increased EMG activity of the vastus lateralis by 29.43% and vastus medialis by 70.75%. Biceps femoris saw a 33.18% increase with DY-AG and a 22.15% increase with ST-AG. Countermovement jump height improved with DY-AG-ANT (12.6%) and static antagonist (ST-ANT) conditions (11.3%) ( p < 0.05). Dynamic stretching of both agonist and antagonist also enhanced average power knee extension by 32.41%, while ST-AG DY-ANT improved it by 31.09% ( p < 0.05). Dynamic stretching, especially when combined with static stretching, optimizes isokinetic strength, muscular activity, and jump height. Coaches should incorporate dynamic stretching, alone or with static antagonist stretching, to maximize performance.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Electromyography; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology; Torque; Young Adult
  6. Ahmad Izuren Shah NS, Abu Bakar MR, Taher M, Danial WH, Adam F, Abdul Rahim S
    Nat Prod Res, 2025 Jan 09.
    PMID: 39785562 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2449493
    Alpha-mangostin (AM) is a naturally occurring xanthone with remarkable pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant effects. The compound is commonly extracted from the pericarps of Garcinia mangostana L. fruits, but its seasonal availability is limited. Investigating the potential of using various organs of the tree for AM extraction can help mitigate limitations imposed by the seasonal availability of fruits. This study employs the Soxhlet extraction method and gravitational column chromatography for the preparation of AM from various plant organs. The purity of the compound in the extract was quantitatively determined using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The stem barks demonstrated the highest yield at 1.3%, with a concentration of 324.593 µg/mL and a purity of 95.215% for AM. The finding is expected to assist in uncovering alternative sources of AM and contribute to sustainable utilisation of the tree, as various plant organs could be employed in AM extraction.
  7. Xiong X, Huang H, Wang N, Zhou K, Song X
    J Bone Miner Metab, 2025 Jan 09.
    PMID: 39786573 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-024-01574-8
    INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder characterized by an imbalance in chondrocyte metabolism. Ferroptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of OA. The role of Sirt1, a deacetylase, in mediating deacetylation during ferroptosis in OA chondrocytes remains underexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which Sirt1 influences chondrocyte ferroptosis in the development of OA.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro and in vivo models of OA were established using IL-1β-induced mouse chondrocytes and a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model, respectively. Ferroptosis was evaluated through measurements of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, intracellular levels of Fe2+, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), propidium iodide staining, and Western blot analysis. The underlying mechanisms were further investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation (IP), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and glutathione-S-transferase pulldown assays. In vivo validation was performed via Safranin O staining.

    RESULTS: IL-1β induced ferroptosis and increased histone acetylation, effects that were partially reversed by Sirt1 overexpression. Mechanistically, Sirt1 overexpression upregulated ferritin light polypeptide (Ftl) expression by deacetylating Ftl at the K181 residue. Ftl knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis-enhancing effect of Sirt1 overexpression in chondrocytes. In vivo studies showed that Sirt1 overexpression mitigated the progression of OA and reduced ferroptosis in the DMM-induced OA mouse model.

    CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that Sirt1 overexpression promotes Ftl expression through deacetylation at the K181 site, thereby suppressing chondrocyte ferroptosis and attenuating the progression of OA. These results suggest a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment.

  8. Satapathy P, Gaidhane S, Bishoyi AK, Ganesan S, Jayabalan K, Mishra S, et al.
    Int Urol Nephrol, 2025 Jan 09.
    PMID: 39786704 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-025-04370-z
    BACKGROUND: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plays a critical role in regulating androgen bioavailability and has been hypothesized to influence prostate cancer risk, though existing evidence is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk.

    METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published up to December 1, 2024. Observational studies assessing SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk were included. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic, and quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.4.

    RESULTS: Sixteen studies, including 720,298 participants and 90,799 prostate cancer cases, were analyzed. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for prostate cancer risk per unit increase in SHBG was 0.907 (95% CI 0.799-1.030), indicating no statistically significant association. Substantial heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I2 = 79%; P 

  9. Spence J, Devereaux PJ, Bashir S, Brady K, Sun T, Chan MTV, et al.
    Anesthesiology, 2025 Apr 01;142(4):716-725.
    PMID: 39786937 DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005368
    BACKGROUND: Delirium is an acute state of confusion associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. Delirium is diagnosed clinically using screening tools; most cases go undetected. Identifying a delirium biomarker would allow for accurate diagnosis, application of therapies, and insight into causal pathways. To agnostically discover novel biomarkers of delirium, a case-control substudy was conducted using the Vascular Events in Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation (VISION) Cardiac Surgery Biobank. The objective was to identify candidate biomarkers to investigate in future studies.

    METHODS: The study gathered a convenience sample of 30 patients with delirium on postoperative day 1 matched to 30 controls by age, sex, ethnicity, center, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. The Olink Explore 3K platform was used to identify blood protein alterations on postoperative day 3. Protein concentrations were expressed as normalized protein expression units (log 2 fold scale). Protein expression was compared between cases and controls using a paired t test and identified significantly different biomarkers based on a false discovery rate-adjusted P value of less than 0.05.

    RESULTS: Of 2,865 unique serum proteins, 26 (0.9%) were significantly associated with delirium status; all were elevated in cases versus controls at a false discovery rate of less than 0.05. Pathway analysis identified calcium-release channel activity ( Padj = 0.02) and GTP-binding ( Padj = 0.005) functions as characteristic of proteins associated with delirium. The top three differentially expressed biomarkers were FKBP1B ( Padj = 0.003), C2CD2L ( Padj = 0.004), and RAB6B ( Padj = 0.004). The inflammatory biomarker interleukin-8 (CXCL8; mean difference = 2.36; P = 3.6 × 10- 4 ) was also associated with delirium.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study identified 26 biomarkers significantly associated with delirium; all are novel except for interleukin-8. An association between delirium and recognized neuroinflammatory proteins or markers of brain injury was not identifed, which supports using biomarkers to differentiate between delirium and other neurologic conditions. While exploratory, the study's findings support using biomarkers to diagnose postoperative delirium and validate using agnostic screens to identify potential delirium biomarkers.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Blood Proteins/analysis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Cohort Studies; Case-Control Studies; Biological Specimen Banks*
  10. Jha N, Kafle S, Joshi M, Pandey A, Koirala P, Bhandary S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2025;20(1):e0317092.
    PMID: 39787140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317092
    INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant problem in developing, low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. Community engagement can be an important means to address the problem. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence of women regarding antibiotics and AMR was studied.

    METHODS: This baseline study was conducted in two urban municipalities of Lalitpur district as preparation for a larger intervention study (Mahalaxmi municipality will be the intervention and Godawari the comparison/control area). The study population was women belonging to the mother's groups of 45 female community health volunteers (FCHVs) from each municipality. The study was done from September 2023 to January 2024. A total of 1207 individuals (580 in Mahalaxmi and 627 in Godawari) were involved. Data on demographics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence was collected using a pre-validated structured questionnaire.

    RESULTS: The average age, educational status, monthly income, occupation, presence of respiratory disease, chronic diseases and communicable diseases were found to be not different among the two municipalities. Work experience, presence of respiratory disease and of health worker in the household was different in the baseline survey among the two locations. Knowledge was higher in Mahalaxmi municipality, but adherence was higher in Godawari municipality (p <0.0001). No significant difference was seen in attitude and practice scales. Knowledge, attitude, practice and adherence scores among different subgroups of respondents in the two municipalities were found to be significantly different for occupation (p <0.0001), and education (p <0.0001). The attitude scores were also significantly different according to presence/absence of respiratory disease in the household (p = 0.027).

    CONCLUSION: At baseline the two study sites were broadly comparable in terms of participants' demographic characteristics. There was higher knowledge and lower adherence in Mahalaxmi municipality. An educational intervention to improve KAP and adherence is required and will be conducted.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Cities; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Middle Aged; Nepal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Population; Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
  11. Hamza MN, Tariqul Islam M, Lavadiya S, Ud Din I, Sanches B, Koziel S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2025;20(1):e0313874.
    PMID: 39787168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313874
    Cancer and its diverse variations pose one of the most significant threats to human health and well-being. One of the most aggressive forms is blood cancer, originating from bone marrow cells and disrupting the production of normal blood cells. The incidence of blood cancer is steadily increasing, driven by both genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, early detection is crucial as it enhances treatment outcomes and improves success rates. However, accurate diagnosis is challenging due to the inherent similarities between normal and cancerous cells. Although various techniques are available for blood cancer identification, high-frequency imaging techniques have recently shown promise, particularly for real-time monitoring. Notably, terahertz (THz) frequencies offer unique advantages for biomedical applications. This research proposes an innovative terahertz metamaterial-based biosensor for high-efficacy blood cancer detection. The proposed structure is ultra-compact and operates across five bands within the range of 0.6 to 1.2 THz. It is constructed using a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) dielectric layer and two aluminum (Al) layers, with the top layer serving as a base for the THz-range resonator. Careful design, architectural arrangement, and optimization of the geometry parameters allow for achieving nearly perfect absorption rates (>95%) across all operating bands. The properties of the proposed sensor are extensively evaluated through full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis, which includes assessing the refractive index and the distribution of the electric field at individual working frequencies. The suitability for blood cancer diagnosis has been validated by integrating the sensor into a microwave imaging (MWI) system and conducting comprehensive simulation studies. These studies underscore the device's capability to detect abnormalities, particularly in distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells. Benchmarking against state-of-the-art biosensors in recent literature indicates that the proposed sensor is highly competitive in terms of major performance indicators while maintaining a compact size.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Neoplasms/blood; Neoplasms/diagnosis; Polyethylene Terephthalates/chemistry
  12. Marsh CJ, Turner EC, Blonder BW, Bongalov B, Both S, Cruz RS, et al.
    Science, 2025 Jan 10;387(6730):171-175.
    PMID: 39787239 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf9856
    The impacts of degradation and deforestation on tropical forests are poorly understood, particularly at landscape scales. We present an extensive ecosystem analysis of the impacts of logging and conversion of tropical forest to oil palm from a large-scale study in Borneo, synthesizing responses from 82 variables categorized into four ecological levels spanning a broad suite of ecosystem properties: (i) structure and environment, (ii) species traits, (iii) biodiversity, and (iv) ecosystem functions. Responses were highly heterogeneous and often complex and nonlinear. Variables that were directly impacted by the physical process of timber extraction, such as soil structure, were sensitive to even moderate amounts of logging, whereas measures of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning were generally resilient to logging but more affected by conversion to oil palm plantation.
    MeSH terms: Borneo; Conservation of Natural Resources*; Soil/chemistry; Trees; Tropical Climate*; Forestry*; Arecaceae; Biodiversity*; Forests*
  13. Foong PY, Voon CH, Lim BY, Teh PL, Yeoh CK, Parmin NA, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2025 Jan 20;36(11).
    PMID: 39787627 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ada7ff
    Most previously reported susceptors for microwave welding are in powder form. In this study, a thin-film susceptor was employed due to its uniform heating rate and ease of handling. Silicon carbide nanowhisker (SiCNW) were incorporated into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix to create a nanocomposite thin film, which served as the susceptor. The microwave welding process involved three straightforward steps: fabrication of the PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin film, application of the nanocomposite film to the target area, and subsequent microwave heating. Upon cooling, a robust microwave-welded joint was formed. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded joints were characterized using single-lap shear tests, three-point bending tests, and scanning electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that the shear strength and elastic modulus of the welded joints were optimized with increased heating time and SiCNW filler loading. This optimization is attributed to the formation of a SiCNW-filled polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite layer of increasing thickness at the welded joint interface. However, the incorporation of SiCNW also constrained the mobility of the PP chains, reducing the joint's flexibility. Furthermore, the welded joint formed with the PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin-film susceptor exhibited an 18.82% improvement in shear strength compared to joints formed with a powdered SiCNW susceptor. This study not only demonstrates the potential of PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin films as efficient susceptors for microwave welding but also paves the way for developing high-performance polymer-based composite joints with improved mechanical properties for applications in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.
  14. Bezak E, Sharrad KJ, Marcu LG, Stoeva M, Lhotska L, Barabino G, et al.
    Phys Med, 2025 Feb;130:104897.
    PMID: 39787677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2025.104897
    BACKGROUND: Working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic was perceived differently by men and women working in STEM fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the unexpected benefits generated by working from home during the pandemic.

    METHODS: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey. The survey designed and conducted by WiMPBME targeted both males and females working in medical-related STEM fields (physics and engineering) and was answered by 921 individuals from 76 countries across all continents. This report analysed the responses to one open-ended question of the survey, namely: "What is the one positive that you have learnt/experienced as a result of working from home during this pandemic?".

    RESULTS: 594 responded to the question of interest. Access to home office was reported by 72.2% of survey participants. Males were more likely than females to report no positives of working from home (62.9%). Females were more likely to cite quality time, physical and mental health as positive factors than males, and to mention children in their responses. The most commonly coded thematic unit for males was remote working, with many males reporting the feasibility of working from home. Increased work productivity, better time management and work organisation were other common themes highlighted by responders irrespective of gender.

    CONCLUSION: The findings of the survey show the diversity of perceptions about remote working in STEM fields, while highlighting the importance of considering family dynamics, individual circumstances as well as gender when evaluating varied experiences of STEM professionals.

    MeSH terms: Engineering; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Pandemics
  15. El Shahed AI, Branson HM, Chacko A, Terumalay S, Zheng X, Pang EW, et al.
    Early Hum Dev, 2025 Feb;201:106189.
    PMID: 39787883 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106189
    OBJECTIVES: To build an early, prognostic model for adverse outcome in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH) based on brain magnetic resonance images (MRI), electrophysiological tests and clinical assessments were performed during the first 5 days of life.

    METHODS: Retrospective study of 182 neonates with HIE and managed with TH. The predominant pattern of HIE brain injury on MRI performed following cooling was scored by neuroradiologists. The electroencephalogram (EEG) background and evoked potential (EP) response, were analyzed. Area under the curve (AUC) of these tools for adverse outcome including death and/or moderate disabilities using the Bayley-III at 36 months were calculated. A stepwise model approach was used to reach the final most efficient predictive model.

    RESULTS: Of 182 neonates, 99 were male (54.4 %), with median gestational age of 39 weeks (IQR 38-40) and median weight of 3.3 kg (IQR 2.9-3.7). On admission, 47 (26 %), 104 (57 %) and 31(17 %) neonates presented with mild, moderate and severe encephalopathy respectively. In multivariate analysis of 129 infants who received all prognostic modalities, the predictive value of a model of EEG plus MRI, AUC = 84 %) is equivalent to models of EEG plus MRI with added EP and clinical assessment at discharge (AUC = 84 and 85 % respectively).

    CONCLUSION: In the era of cooling for neonatal HIE, the combination of EEG background and MRI during the first few days of life, provide an objective and highly reliable model for prediction of death and long-term disabilities.

    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies
  16. Harraz AM, Aldousari S, Eltafahny AI, Almoumen A, Thahir A, Ajrawi F, et al.
    Low Urin Tract Symptoms, 2025 Jan;17(1):e70006.
    PMID: 39788152 DOI: 10.1111/luts.70006
    OBJECTIVES: During holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLEP), blunt dissection (BD) by pushing the tip of the scope may exert mechanical force on the sphincter that could be avoided by adopting laser dissection (LD). This study evaluates the continence recovery in consecutive patients who underwent BD and LD.

    METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients who underwent LD was compared with a retrospective control that underwent BD. In both groups, early apical release was performed, and the adenoma was split at 12 O'clock after complete enucleation. In LD, a trans-capsular plane was sharply created by LD and is guided by the circular capsular fibers. A mechanical push with the resectoscope tip was used to create and maintain the ideal surgical plane in the BD group while the laser energy was used to achieve timely hemostasis. The primary outcome was stress urinary incontinence (SUI), defined as the need to use any number of pads, immediately after catheter removal, at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.

    RESULTS: Consecutive 51 (48.6%) and 54 (51.4%) patients underwent BD and LD, respectively. The LD group tends to be older while other demographics were comparable. Both groups were comparable regarding the estimated prostate volume, enucleation time, and postoperative resolution of symptoms. Continence recovery was in favor of the LD group immediately after removing the catheter (77.8% vs. 43.1%; p 

    MeSH terms: Aged; Dissection/adverse effects; Dissection/methods; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Prostatectomy/adverse effects; Prostatectomy/methods; Retrospective Studies; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/surgery; Treatment Outcome; Recovery of Function; Laser Therapy/adverse effects; Laser Therapy/methods
  17. Saad MFS, Abdullah MNH, Lim V, Bahari H, Khoo BY, Tan JJ, et al.
    Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 2025 Feb;495:117227.
    PMID: 39788208 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117227
    Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is linked to cancer progression in estrogen-responsive tissues, but its role in promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) progression in the context of obesity remains underexplored. This study examines BPA's influence on CRC in obese Sprague-Dawley rats using network toxicology and experimental models. Computational analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery identified pathways such as "CRC" and "chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation", implicating the PI3K-AKT pathway in IL-1 beta upregulation and BPA's role in CRC during obesity. Thirty male rats were grouped (n = 6) as follows: N (normal diet), NC (normal diet + CRC), HC (high-fat diet + CRC), NCB (normal diet + CRC + BPA), and HCB (high-fat diet + CRC + BPA). CRC was induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (40 mg/kg), and BPA (25 mg/kg) was administered for 19 weeks. Although BPA exposure did not affect body weight or biochemical parameters, the HCB group exhibited significant histopathological changes in the colon, including lymphoid hyperplasia, liver damage, and increased IL-1β levels. Furthermore, diet influenced adipocyte size, exacerbating BPA's effects on CRC progression. Findings suggest BPA may worsen CRC progression in obese rats through identified pathways, promoting multi-organ pathology and underscoring the need for stricter regulations, especially for vulnerable populations. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Bisphenol A (BPA), a widespread environmental contaminant, is increasingly linked to serious health issues, including cancer, in susceptible populations. Our study highlights BPA's role in promoting obesity-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, demonstrating its carcinogenic potential in high-risk contexts. These findings emphasize the urgent need for regulatory scrutiny of BPA exposure, particularly in obese individuals, and support the development of safer alternatives. Addressing BPA's impact can contribute to preventive health strategies and inform policies aimed at reducing environmental and public health risks associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Obesity*; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Rats, Sprague-Dawley*; Disease Progression*; Rats; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism
  18. Okwaraku SI, Norddin MNAM, Oseh JO, ALBajalan AR, Agi A, Oladapo O, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Mar;295:139467.
    PMID: 39788244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.139467
    Chromium-based lignosulfonate (CrLS) deflocculants that are commonly used in water-based drilling muds (WBDMs) to deflocculate bentonites under high temperature (HT), high-pressure (HP), and high-salinity (HS) oil well drilling conditions have been found to contain heavy metals such as chromium, which is toxic and degrades rapidly. However, different ways of addressing this issue have been proffered, including the use of natural polymers such as starch, cellulose, or anionic inorganic agents such as sodium polyphosphates with little or no impact. Other lignosulfonate (LS)-based deflocculants, like sodium-based LS and bio-based LS, have shown a number of benefits, such as being better for the environment, more soluble and evenly distributed in WBDMs, more resistant to salt contamination, easily biodegradable, safe, and able to go through different chemical changes. This is due to its abundant functional groups, which make it a suitable alternative to chrome-based deflocculants. This review discusses LS-based deflocculants as possible additives to WBDMs in comparison with some non-LS-based deflocculants under HTHP and HS conditions. This could address the need for safer alternatives to natural polymers or inorganic agents. Based on recently reviewed studies, the advantages, uses, research obstacles, green synthesis, and potential of incorporating nanotechnology-based modification for LS-based deflocculants improvement in WBDMs under HTHP and HS drilling conditions are discussed.
  19. Narayanan SN, Kumar RS, Kumar N, Prabhakar P, Nayak SB, Bhat PG
    Behav Brain Res, 2025 Mar 12;481:115424.
    PMID: 39788457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2025.115424
    Whilst the world sees the tremendous growth of mobile phone technology, radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) induced possible health effects have emerged as a topic of recent day debate. The current study is designed to test the hypothesis that chronic 900 MHz radiation exposure would potentially dysregulate the stress response system (HPA axis) in vivo, via, its non-thermal mechanisms, leading to alterations in the microarchitecture of the adrenal gland, vulnerable brain regions such as the hippocampus which may results in altered behaviours in rats. Male albino Wistar rats aged four weeks, weighing 50-60 g were subjected to 900 MHz radiation from a mobile phone for four weeks at a rate of one hour per day. On the 29th day, animals from the control, sham exposed and RF-EMR exposed groups were tested for contextual fear conditioning. They were later euthanized to study hippocampal and adrenal gland cytoarchitecture. Bright and dark compartment transitions in the avoidance box were considerably elevated in the RF-EMR exposed group and they exhibited a significant decrease in the latency to enter the dark compartment during the contextual fear conditioning test. Apoptosis was apparent in the CA3 region and perivascular space was significantly increased in the hippocampus of the radiation-exposed group. In addition to lymphocytic infiltrates, congested sinusoids, apoptotic-like changes were evident in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland. However, the cytoarchitecture of the adrenal medulla was comparable in all three groups. Chronic RF-EMR exposure caused changes in contextual fear conditioning, enlargement of hippocampal perivascular space, apparent CA3 apoptosis, and apoptotic-like changes in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland in rats.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Avoidance Learning/physiology; Avoidance Learning/radiation effects; Conditioning, Classical/physiology; Conditioning, Classical/radiation effects; Male; Radio Waves/adverse effects; Rats, Wistar*; Cell Phones; Rats; Electromagnetic Radiation*
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