Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Khanday WA, Soon KA, Ahmed MJ, Hummadi EH
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Jan;285:138301.
    PMID: 39638171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138301
    Chitosan (CH) and pencil clay (CL) were utilized to prepare stable epichlorohydrin cross-linked chitosan-clay hybrid beads (CCHB) for the adsorptive removal of anionic reactive black 5 (RB5) dye. Among various percentage weight ratios of chitosan/clay hybrid beads, 40 % CH-60 % CL was selected as the best adsorbent owing to its stability and removal efficiency. The pore properties of CCHB in terms of surface area, total pore volume, and average pore width were 40.33 m2/g, 0.088 cm3/g, and 86.06 Å, respectively. The adsorption behavior of RB5 on CCHB followed Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models. Thermodynamic parameters confirm the endothermic and spontaneous nature of RB5 adsorption and the regeneration studies reveal a negligible decrease in removal efficiency of CCHB after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles. The CCHB exhibited adsorption capacities of 169.49, 200.00, and 227.27 mg/g for RB5, respectively, at 30, 40, and 50 °C. The prepared chitosan-clay hybrid bead adsorbent can be efficiently applied for anionic wastewater treatment.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Microspheres; Thermodynamics; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Water Purification/methods
  2. Rao H, Tan JBL
    Carbohydr Polym, 2025 Feb 01;349(Pt B):122966.
    PMID: 39638516 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122966
    Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common form of eczema and the most burdensome skin disease globally, affecting nearly 223 million. A major AD predisposition is genetic susceptibility, affecting skin barrier integrity and cell-mediated immunity. Manifesting as red, dry, and itchy skin, basic treatment involves skin hydration with emollients. Despite their effectiveness, poor patient compliance remains a major drawback. In severe cases, medicated emollients are used, but carry risks, including skin thinning, and immunosuppression. Hence, hydrogels have emerged as a promising alternative for AD management based on their ability to improve skin hydration, attributed to their hydrophilicity and high water retention capacity. Moreover, researchers have loaded hydrogels with various compounds for AD management; they also hold the potential to reduce systemic side effects of commercial drugs by enhancing dermal retention. Hydrogels address the challenges of patient compliance based on their non-greasy texture and reduced application frequency. Their appeal also stems from their versatility, as they can be fabricated from varying polymers. Due to their abundance, this review focuses on polysaccharides including alginate, cellulose, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid, which are preferred for fabricating natural and modified natural hydrogels for AD. It also briefly explores hydrogel application methods and key AD models.
    MeSH terms: Alginates/therapeutic use; Alginates/chemistry; Animals; Cellulose/chemistry; Emollients/therapeutic use; Emollients/chemistry; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry; Skin/drug effects; Skin/pathology; Chitosan/chemistry
  3. Chen C, Mat Isa NA, Liu X
    Comput Biol Med, 2025 Feb;185:109507.
    PMID: 39631108 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.109507
    This study systematically reviews CNN-based medical image classification methods. We surveyed 149 of the latest and most important papers published to date and conducted an in-depth analysis of the methods used therein. Based on the selected literature, we organized this review systematically. First, the development and evolution of CNN in the field of medical image classification are analyzed. Subsequently, we provide an in-depth overview of the main techniques of CNN applied to medical image classification, which is also the current research focus in this field, including data preprocessing, transfer learning, CNN architectures, and explainability, and their role in improving classification accuracy and efficiency. In addition, this overview summarizes the main public datasets for various diseases. Although CNN has great potential in medical image classification tasks and has achieved good results, clinical application is still difficult. Therefore, we conclude by discussing the main challenges faced by CNNs in medical image analysis and pointing out future research directions to address these challenges. This review will help researchers with their future studies and can promote the successful integration of deep learning into clinical practice and smart medical systems.
    MeSH terms: Diagnostic Imaging/methods; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods; Neural Networks (Computer)*
  4. BaHammam AS, Al-Abri MA, Al Oweidat K, Amra B, Chan JWY, Chirakalwasan N, et al.
    J Clin Sleep Med, 2025 Apr 01;21(4):627-638.
    PMID: 39625189 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11484
    STUDY OBJECTIVES: To develop a comprehensive Asian adult sleep medicine fellowship training curriculum to address the significant disparities in sleep medicine training across Asia, guided by the principle of "One Curriculum, Many Contexts," providing a standardized yet adaptable framework for sleep medicine education across the diverse health care landscapes of Asian countries.

    METHODS: The curriculum development process involved a gap analysis, comprehensive literature review, and expert consensus through a modified RAND/UCLA appropriateness method/Delphi survey.

    RESULTS: The curriculum offers 2 flexible tracks: a 1-year program (Track A) and a 2-year program (Track B), accommodating varied educational pathways and health care system structures across Asia. Key features of the curriculum include detailed learning outcomes, competency-based educational content, and recommendations for teaching and learning activities. The assessment strategy incorporates summative and formative methods, with standard setting and program evaluation guidelines. The curriculum also provides recommendations for program accreditation, fellow-faculty ratios, and funding considerations.

    CONCLUSIONS: The Asian adult sleep medicine fellowship training curriculum provides a standardized yet adaptable framework for sleep medicine education across diverse Asian health care landscapes. By emphasizing flexibility and customization while maintaining high training standards, the curriculum aims to bridge the gap in sleep medicine training across Asia, ultimately improving the quality of sleep health care and patient outcomes throughout the region.

    CITATION: BaHammam AS, Al-Abri MA, Al Oweidat K, et al. Asian adult sleep medicine fellowship training curriculum: one curriculum, many contexts. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(4):627-638.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia; Curriculum*; Education, Medical, Graduate; Humans
  5. Huang X, Lott PC, Hu D, Zavala VA, Jamal ZN, Vidaurre T, et al.
    Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2025 Feb 06;34(2):234-245.
    PMID: 39625644 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1247
    BACKGROUND: A substantial portion of the genetic predisposition for breast cancer is explained by multiple common genetic variants of relatively small effect. A subset of these variants, which have been identified mostly in individuals of European (EUR) and Asian ancestries, have been combined to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict breast cancer risk, but the prediction accuracy of existing PRSs in Hispanic/Latinx individuals (H/L) remain relatively low. We assessed the performance of several existing PRS panels with and without addition of H/L-specific variants among self-reported H/L women.

    METHODS: PRS performance was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and the area under the ROC curve.

    RESULTS: Both EUR and Asian PRSs performed worse in H/L samples compared with original reports. The best EUR PRS performed better than the best Asian PRS in pooled H/L samples. EUR PRSs had decreased performance with increasing Indigenous American (IA) ancestry, while Asian PRSs had increased performance with increasing IA ancestry. The addition of two H/L SNPs increased performance for all PRSs, most notably in the samples with high IA ancestry, and did not impact the performance of PRSs in individuals with lower IA ancestry.

    CONCLUSIONS: A single PRS that incorporates risk variants relevant to the multiple ancestral components of individuals from Latin America, instead of a set of ancestry-specific panels, could be used in clinical practice.

    IMPACT: The results highlight the importance of population-specific discovery and suggest a straightforward approach to integrate ancestry-specific variants into PRSs for clinical application.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Hispanic Americans/genetics; Hispanic Americans/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Latin America; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment/methods; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Multifactorial Inheritance; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  6. Nazar M, Ahmad A, Hussain SMS, Sulaimon AA, Moniruzzaman M
    Adv Colloid Interface Sci, 2025 Feb;336:103362.
    PMID: 39626337 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103362
    Oil spills have long-lasting and harmful impacts on the environment, particularly on aquatic ecosystems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of conventional methods for oil spill removal, highlighting both their advantages and limitations. Traditional methods for addressing oil spills, including physical, thermal, biological and chemical techniques, often prove insufficient, with chemical dispersants being the most popular approach. However, the concern about the toxicity and low biodegradability of these dispersants have led researchers to explore more effective and ecologically benign alternatives. Recently, surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) have gained interest due to their amphiphilic nature, green and biodegradable characteristics, and excellent performance under various temperature and salinity conditions. In this review, the molecular composition of SAILs, with a specific emphasis on the roles of their head groups, alkyl chains, and counter anions, has been discussed. Additionally, the aggregation behavior of SAILs, their ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT), and their potential to form stable emulsions, which are important for effective oil dispersion, has been also discussed in the paper. This review also examines key environmental factors such as temperature and salinity that influence the efficacy of oil dispersion using SAILs. The study investigates the possibilities of SAILs as an environmentally friendly substitute for conventional dispersants, while also discussing the challenges and possible future paths for the industry. However, the long-term environmental effects of SAILs and their degradation products are still uncertain, underscoring the necessity of future research. Insights into the optimization of SAIL formulations, their environmental impact, and the feasibility of large-scale application are also discussed, offering a forward-looking perspective on the development of next-generation oil spill remediation technologies.
  7. Zalota AK, Savchenko AS, Miroliubov AA, Waiho K, Fazhan H, Chan BKK, et al.
    Zoology (Jena), 2025 Jan;168:126234.
    PMID: 39626403 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2024.126234
    Coral reefs house a great variety of symbiotic associations, including parasitism. One of the crucial issues in the host-symbiont interactions is the parasites' feeding mode. Does the parasite/symbiont use the host's tissues for nutrition, steal food from the host's digestive system, or take food directly from the environment? However, most of the parasitism in corals is endosymbiotic (endoparasitic). Their trophic interactions are difficult to identify since they only occur in intact associations. This work uses stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen and morphological analysis to study the trophic relationship between the crustacean endoparasites, the Ascothoracida (genera Baccalaureus, Sessilogoga, and Zibrowia) and their various coral hosts ranging from Zoantharia (Palythoa) to Antipatharia (Antipathes), and Scleractinia (Dendrophyllia). The hosts belong to different coral taxa and obtain food from different sources, reflected in their stable isotope values. The SIA, supported by the morphological analysis, suggests that the Zibrowia parasite feeds directly on its Dendrophyllia host. Sessilogoga retains vagility within and around the black coral colony. It has typical generalized piercing mouth parts with numerous teeth and denticles. Sessilogoga may use antipatharian tissues for food directly as well as sucks food fluids from the host's gastrovascular system. There is no clear trophic shift trend between Palythoa and its parasite Baccalaureus. Such differences exclude the possibility of the parasite feeding predominantly on its host's tissues and suggest a broad spectrum of food sources. Thus, SIA reveals that endosymbiotic ascothoracidans may not always be true parasitic but also opportunistic feeders, which steal food directly from the host gastric cavity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions*; Malaysia; Symbiosis; Coral Reefs*
  8. Alasalvar C, Huang G, Bolling BW, Jantip PA, Pegg RB, Wong XK, et al.
    Food Chem, 2025 Mar 01;467:142222.
    PMID: 39626555 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142222
    This article presents a comprehensive overview of upcycling commercial nut byproducts (such as Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, peanut (also known as a legume), pecan, pine nut, pistachio, and walnut) for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. Upcycling nut byproducts, namely husk/hull, hard shell, brown skin, defatted flour/meal/cake, pine cone, cashew nut shell liquid, cashew apple, walnut septum, and dreg/okara, has great potential, not only to reduce/minimise waste, but also to fit within the circular economy concept. Each byproduct has its own unique functional properties, which can bring significant value. These byproducts can be used as value-added ingredients to promote better health and well-being, due to their rich sources of diverse bioactive components/phytochemicals, polysaccharides, fibre, lignin, prebiotics, oils, proteins, bioactive peptides, minerals, and vitamins, among other components. This comprehensive review provides a basis for future research and development of product applications for nut byproducts. More studies are needed on novel product development to valorise nut byproducts.
    MeSH terms: Food Handling; Humans; Waste Products/analysis
  9. Bijle MN, Sharaf D, Bahdar MAM, Daood U, Yiu C
    J Dent, 2025 Feb;153:105500.
    PMID: 39626842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105500
    OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of the study was to examine the potential of arginine (Arg)-enriched fancy waters in preventing erosive tooth wear.

    METHODS: L-arginine (2 % w/v.) was added to five commercial fancy waters: Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint, Perrier-Lemon, Perrier-Grapefruit, Pellegrino-Lemon; and deionized water served as a negative control. The pH, buffer capacity of added Arg, and F- concentrations were measured. Tooth specimens were prepared and baseline volumetric assessment (T0) was conducted using micro-CT. Subsequently, the specimens were immersed in fancy waters for 72 h, kept in an incubator (37 ℃) and solutions were changed every 24 h. After the experimental cycle (T1), 3D volumetric analysis was performed, and 3D structural images were reconstructed for qualitative assessment.

    RESULTS: The pH and F- concentrations of fancy waters with Arg were significantly higher than the control (p < 0.001). The buffer capacity of added Arg with Perrier-Grapefruit was significantly higher than Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint & Pellegrino-Lemon (p < 0.05), except for Perrier-Lemon (p > 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume in Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than T0 (p < 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume of Oasis-Lemon Mint and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than Arg-containing fancy waters (p < 0.05). Surface contrast indicating wear was evident from T0 to T1 in specimens from the Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (- Arg).

    CONCLUSION: Incorporating Arg in fancy waters reduces the potential of erosive tooth wear associated with these beverages.

    CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Consuming fancy water beverages (flavoured sparkling/carbonated) can lead to erosive tooth wear in young people. Incorporating Arg in fancy water beverages can prevent the erosive wear potential of these beverages while alleviating the burden of oral care on individuals at risk to erosive wear.

    MeSH terms: Arginine*; Buffers; Dental Enamel/chemistry; Fluorides/analysis; Fluorides/therapeutic use; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Water/chemistry; X-Ray Microtomography/methods; Tooth Wear/prevention & control
  10. Wood B, Garton K, Milsom P, Baker P, Anastasiou K, Clark J, et al.
    Obes Rev, 2025 Apr;26(4):e13877.
    PMID: 39627009 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13877
    A key driver of obesity and diet-related illness globally has been the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This paper aimed to identify the key actors, structures, incentives, and dynamics that characterize the global UPF system and have led to the dominance of UPFs in population diets. Based on a narrative review and using a systems thinking approach, we developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) of the global UPF system. The CLD comprises nine reinforcing loops: the commodification of diets; increasing market concentration; increasing UPF levels in food retail environments; the financialization of diets; direct corporate political influence; increasing capture of science, public opinion, and policy narratives; shifts from private to public food governance; state accommodation of corporate power; and an "agricultural regime" promoting the production of relatively cheap UPF inputs. The CLD also contains two balancing loops relating to market saturation and public health policies that curb UPF consumption and a countervailing reinforcing loop depicting other forms of food systems in tension with the UPF system. This study suggests the need for innovative and expansive government policies to protect and promote healthy, sustainable diets and coordinated advocacy efforts among those seeking to challenge the exploitative aspects of corporate food systems.
    MeSH terms: Diet; Food Handling; Humans; Obesity/prevention & control; Systems Analysis; Global Health; Nutrition Policy; Fast Foods*
  11. Torimitsu S, Nakazawa A, Flavel A, Iwase H, Makino Y, Hisham S, et al.
    Int J Legal Med, 2025 Mar;139(2):863-873.
    PMID: 39627577 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03386-x
    It is imperative in a forensic investigation to determine the identity of an unidentified corpse, for which a crucial starting point is to establish population affinity as part of the biological profile supplied by the forensic anthropologist. The present study investigates the feasibility of using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images to quantify craniometric variation between Japanese and Malay populations relative to the estimation of population affinity in a forensic context. The Japanese and Malay samples comprise MDCT scans of 252 (122 female; 130 male) and 182 (84 female; 98 male) adult individuals, respectively. A total of 18 measurements were acquired, and two machine learning methods (random forest modeling, RFM; support vector machine, SVM) were applied to classify population affinity. The accuracy of the two-way pooled-sex model was 88.0% for RFM and 94.5% for SVM, respectively. The four-way population and sex model produced an overall classification accuracy of 81.3% for RFM and 91.7% for SVM. The sex-specific models of population affinity showed correct rates of classification of more than 90% in both females (90.8% for RFM and 97.6% for SVM) and males (91.2% for RFM and 97.4% for SVM). Our findings clearly indicate that the cranial measurements acquired in MDCT images can be used for the forensic classification of Japanese and Malay individuals and thus serve as a reference for forensic anthropologists attempting to identify unidentified remains.
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Adult; Aged; Cephalometry; Female; Humans; Japan; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Support Vector Machine*; Multidetector Computed Tomography*
  12. Koh HP, Lai SN, Chong WW, Mohd Pauzi Z
    J Asthma, 2025 Apr;62(4):694-704.
    PMID: 39629659 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2438094
    BACKGROUND: The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has suggested the need for more studies on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-formoterol in the Emergency Department (ED).

    OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the outcomes of budesonide/formoterol (160/4.5 mcg/inhalation) turbuhaler versus pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) salbutamol (100 mcg/puff) in acute asthma in the outpatient ED.

    METHODS: This single-centre, prospective, randomized, and open-label study involved adult asthma patients with mild to moderate asthma exacerbation who attended the outpatient ED of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The intervention arm received budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort® 160/4.5 mcg) turbuhaler, while the control arm received pMDI salbutamol with a valved holding chamber. Stratified randomization with variable baseline ICS use was employed. Direct discharge rate from outpatient ED was the primary outcome. Vital signs pre- and post-treatment between the two arms were also compared.

    RESULTS: Seventy-four (n = 37 for each arm) asthma patients were recruited. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the two arms. Direct discharge rates from ED were comparable between the intervention (94.6%) and the control (91.9%) arms (p = 1.000). Post-treatment outcomes (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, peak expiratory flow rate) were similar between the two arms, except for the higher increment of heart rate (p 

    MeSH terms: Formoterol Fumarate/administration & dosage; Formoterol Fumarate/therapeutic use; Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination/administration & dosage; Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination/therapeutic use; Acute Disease; Administration, Inhalation; Adult; Emergency Service, Hospital*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Metered Dose Inhalers*; Young Adult
  13. Ewart KM, Sitam FT, Giarat Ali NANB, Ogden R, Morgan KI, Tran HM, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int Genet, 2025 Jan;74:103149.
    PMID: 39316956 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103149
    The illegal trade in tigers (Panthera tigris) and their derivatives, such as bones, teeth and pelts, is a major threat to the species' long-term persistence. As wild tiger populations have dwindled, a large proportion of trafficked tiger products now derive from captive breeding facilities found throughout Asia. Moreover, wild tigers have been poached and laundered into captive facilities, then falsely designated as captive-bred. The establishment of a DNA registration system is recognized as a key tool to monitor compliance of captive facilities, support tiger trade investigations and improve prosecution outcomes. Here, we present a standardised wildlife forensic DNA profiling system for captive tigers called TigerBase. TigerBase has been developed in four South-East Asia countries with captive tiger facilities: Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Lao PDR. TigerBase DNA profile data is based on 60 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, genotyped using two different TaqMan®-based approaches: OpenArray® chip (capable of genotyping 60 SNPs for 48 samples in a single chip), and singleplex TaqMan® assays (capable of genotyping one SNP for one sample per reaction). Of the 60 SNPs, 53 are autosomal nuclear markers, suitable for individualisation and parentage applications, two are sex-linked markers, suitable for sexing, and five are mtDNA markers, suitable for maternal subspecies identification. We conducted a series of validation experiments to investigate the reliability and limitations of these SNP genotyping platforms. We found that the OpenArray® chip platform is more appropriate for generating reference data given its greater throughput, while the singleplex TaqMan® assays are more appropriate for genotyping lower quality casework samples, given their higher sensitivity and throughput flexibility. Only 19 autosomal nuclear markers were validated as singleplex TaqMan® assays, which generally provides ample power for individualisation analysis (probability of identity among siblings was <6.9 ×10-4), but may lack power for specific parentage questions, such as determining parentage of an offspring when one of the parent's genotypes is missing. Further, we have developed pipelines to support standardised SNP calling and decrease the chance of genotyping errors through the use of analytical workflows and synthetic positive controls. We expect the implementation of TigerBase will enhance enforcement of tiger trafficking cases and encourage compliance among captive tiger facilities, together contributing to combatting the illegal tiger trade.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Conservation of Natural Resources/legislation & jurisprudence; DNA/genetics; Female; Genotype; DNA Fingerprinting; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  14. Teoh XY, Mashor Mansor M, Mohd Affandi A, Awang A, Faizah Baharom Z
    Leuk Lymphoma, 2025 Apr;66(4):794-796.
    PMID: 39621840 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2433616
  15. Lok SY, Sia WT, Morice D, Tanveer A
    Int J Surg Case Rep, 2025 Jan;126:110602.
    PMID: 39622180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.110602
    BACKGROUND: Obturator hernia is a rare type of pelvic hernia that often presents with vague symptoms that can easily be confused with other conditions. Delayed diagnosis can lead to increased morbidity and complications.

    CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with escalating right knee pain, unresponsive to increasing doses of opioids. She also reported mild abdominal discomfort. A knee X-ray was unremarkable, but an abdominopelvic CT scan revealed an incarcerated obturator hernia. Emergent laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) repair was performed, leading to significant postoperative improvement in her knee pain.

    DISCUSSION: This case highlights the unusual presentation of obturator hernia with referred knee pain, which could often be misdiagnosed as a musculoskeletal issue. The likely mechanism is obturator nerve impingement caused by the hernia, and surgical intervention successfully resolved the symptoms.

    CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider obturator hernia in the differential diagnosis of unexplained knee pain, particularly in patients with risk factors like advanced age, low body weight and the female gender, to avoid delayed diagnosis and prevent serious complications.

  16. Dinter C, Gumprecht A, Menze MA, Azizan A, Hansen S, Büchs J
    Biotechnol Bioeng, 2025 Mar;122(3):509-524.
    PMID: 39614833 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28892
    Culture broth with secreted macromolecules and culture broth of filamentous fungi showing disperse growth exhibit elevated viscosity, usually with shear-thinning flow behavior. High viscosity, however, poses a serious challenge in the production and research of these compounds and organisms. It commonly causes insufficient mixing and oxygen transfer in large- and small-scale bioreactors. Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) has been proven to be a valuable tool for the computation of important bioprocess parameters. The published literature for small-scale shaken bioreactors, especially shake flasks, however, almost exclusively focuses on water-like viscosity. In this paper, a previously published CFD model for 250 mL shake flasks was used to simulate experiments at high viscosities of up to 100 mPa·s. Compared to experimental data, the CFD model accurately predicted the liquid distribution and computed the volumetric power input with a deviation of less than 7% and the kLa value within a factor of two, compared to the kLa correlation from Henzler and Schedel. Furthermore, a novel approach to compute the shear rate was tested. Lastly, new insights into the out-of-phase phenomenon were gained. The presented data confirms the usefulness of the already established critical phase numbers of 0.91 and 1.26, while underlying the fundamentally smooth transition from in-phase to out-of-phase operating conditions.
    MeSH terms: Computer Simulation; Culture Media/chemistry; Viscosity; Hydrodynamics*
  17. Cysique LA, Levin J, Howard C, Taylor J, Rule J, Costello J, et al.
    Lancet HIV, 2025 Jan;12(1):e71-e80.
    PMID: 39615509 DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00248-0
    Prevalence and incidence of HIV among people aged 50 years and older continue to rise worldwide, generating increasing awareness among care providers, scientists, and the HIV community about the importance of brain health in older adults with HIV. Many age-related factors that adversely affect brain health can occur earlier and more often among people with HIV, including epigenetic ageing, chronic medical conditions (eg, cardiovascular disease), and age-related syndromes (eg, frailty). Extensive dialogue between HIV community leaders, health-care providers, and scientists has led to the development of a multidimensional response strategy to protect and enhance brain health in people ageing with HIV that spans across public health, clinical spaces, and research spaces. This response strategy was informed by integrated ageing care frameworks and is centred on prevention, early detection, and management of brain health issues associated with HIV (eg, neurocognitive disorders), with specific considerations for low-resource or middle-resource countries. A collaborative, international, and data-informed update of the diagnostic criteria for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is a cornerstone of the proposed response strategy. The proposed response strategy includes a dynamic, international, online knowledge hub that will provide a crucial community resource for emerging evidence on the brain health of people ageing with HIV.
    MeSH terms: Cognitive Aging/physiology; Aged; Aging/physiology; Humans; Middle Aged
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