Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Gey JW, Yap CK, Leow K, Lo YY
    Discov Ment Health, 2025 Mar 20;5(1):37.
    PMID: 40108032 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-025-00166-w
    Stress encompasses a complex interplay of physical, mental, and emotional responses triggered by demanding or challenging circumstances. Perceived stress refers to the subjective assessment of stress levels by an individual. As existing research indicates, this subjective experience of stress is intricately connected to emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience. Aligned with this knowledge, the present study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between EI and perceived stress levels. A cross-sectional online study was conducted involving 207 young adults from Malaysia (152 females and 55 males). Sex (gender) differences in perceived stress levels were evaluated using t-tests, revealing that females reported higher levels of perceived stress. Interestingly, EI did not exhibit an age-related increase. Results confirmed the predictive relationships among EI, resilience, and perceived stress. Mediational analyses uncovered a full mediation model, illustrating that resilience is pivotal in mediating the relationship between EI and perceived stress. The findings strongly indicate that individuals with elevated EI levels are more likely to possess higher resilience, resulting in lower perceived stress levels. These results underscore the importance of interventions targeting EI and resilience enhancement, as such interventions hold promise for positively impacting the mental well-being of young adults.
  2. Xiang M, Soh KG, Xu Y, Ahrari S, Zakaria NS
    Arch Sex Behav, 2025 Mar 19.
    PMID: 40108063 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-025-03107-4
    Sexual minority youth frequently encounter discrimination in sports, limiting their ability to fully access the physical, psychological, and social benefits of sports participation. This issue remains particularly underexplored in Asian contexts, creating a significant gap in the research on sexual minority youth in sports. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis and minority stress theory as a framework, this qualitative study examined the experiences and stress of sexual minority student-athletes (SMSAs) in China. Based on semi-structured interviews with 16 current and former SMSAs, the study identified three key themes: (1) Chinese cultural pressures and normative expectations, (2) Sports norms reinforcing the sex-gender-sexuality triad, and (3) Anticipated stigma and internalized stigma. While echoing global patterns of discrimination within sports, the findings highlight the unique cultural influences shaping SMSAs' experiences and stress in China. This study underscores the urgent need for inclusive sports policies, diversity training, and mental health support systems to create safer, more equitable environments for sexual minority athletes.
  3. Rajavel R, Krishnasamy L, Nagappan P, Moorthy U, Easwaramoorthy SV
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 19;15(1):9457.
    PMID: 40108264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92643-z
    Enforcing a trust management model in the broker-based negotiation context is identified as a foremost challenge. Creating such trust model is not a pure technical issue, but the technology should enhance the cloud service negotiation framework for improving the utility value and success rate between the bargaining participants (consumer, broker, and service provider) during their negotiation progression. In the existing negotiation frameworks, trusts were established using reputation, self-assessment, identity, evidence, and policy-based evaluation techniques for maximizing the negotiators (cloud participants) utility value and success rate. To further maximization, a Bayesian-based adaptive probabilistic trust management model is enforced in the future broker-based trusted cloud service negotiation framework. This adaptive model dynamically ranks the service provider agents by estimating the success rate, cooperation rate and honesty rate factors to effectively measure the trustworthiness among the participants. The measured trustworthiness value will be used by the broker agents for prioritization of trusted provider agents over the non-trusted provider agents which minimizes the bargaining conflict between the participants and enhance future bargaining progression. In addition, the proposed adaptive probabilistic trust management model formulates the sequence of bilateral negotiation process among the participants as a Bayesian learning process. Finally, the performance of the projected cloud-enabled e-commerce negotiation framework with Bayesian-based adaptive probabilistic trust management model is compared with the existing frameworks by validating under different levels of negotiation rounds.
  4. Bheel N, Chohan IM, Alraeeini AS, Alwetaishi M, Waheeb SA, Alkhattabi L, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 19;15(1):9428.
    PMID: 40108401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-94382-7
    Currently, chemical attacks, including acid attacks and sulphate attacks, pose a significant problem for the long-term durability of concrete infrastructures that encounter many types of water, including swamp water, marine water, sewage water, drinkable water, and groundwater. Therefore, the intention of this work is to enhance the durability and resistance of concrete against chemical attack by blending titanium dioxide (TiO2) as nanoparticles into designed cementitious composites. The purpose of current study is to obtain an appropriate TiO2 based on the cement's weight and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in composites using multi-objective optimisation. Thirteen mixtures comprising diverse combinations of variables (TiO2: 1-2%, PVA: 1-2%) were formulated utilising RSM modelling. Seven responses were assessed for these mixtures, including weight loss, compressive strength, expansion, a rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and a pH test. Analysis of variance, on the other hand, was utilised to construct and assess eight response models (one linear and six quadratics in nature). The R2 values for models spanning from 88 to 99%. The multi-objective optimisation generated optimal response values and ideal variable values (1% PVA and 1.5% TiO2). Experimental verification revealed that the predicted values correlated exceedingly well with the experimental data, with an error rate of less than 5%. The outcomes indicate that a 30% rise in compressive strength was noted when 1.5% TiO2 nanomaterial was incorporated into ECC. Furthermore, the expansion caused by sulphate attack decreases when TiO2 used as a nanomaterial increases in composites. Besides, when the concentration of TiO2 in ECC increased, the pH value, and weight loss caused by acid attack reduced. In addition, the RCPT is recorded reducing when the content of TiO2 increases but it increases with addition of PVA fiber. It has been shown that including 1.5% TiO2 and 1% PVA fiber yields the optimal results for the building sector.
  5. Raza SH, Norin U, Ogadimma EC, Zaman U, Shah AA, Khan S, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2025 Mar 19;25(1):1064.
    PMID: 40108565 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-22082-y
    BACKGROUND: World Health Organization (WHO) identified noncommunicable diseases as the foremost risk to public health globally and the cause of approximately 80% of premature deaths. However, Cardiovascular diseases account for most of these premature deaths and established threats to public health. Recently, digitization of health consultancy services through mHealth (e.g., mobile applications) using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Internet of Things has notably facilitated the accessibility of expert advice and continuous monitoring of Cardiac health on public health matters, making it more convenient for adoption in recent times. Nonetheless, scant attention has been paid to how digital media might encourage the adoption of digitally based health consulting services while accounting for the current IoT, Digital Divide, and Individual Trust conditions. Given this status quo, this study contributes to the body of literature by delving into an unexplored evaluation of the role digital media advertising plays in outlining the characteristics and effectiveness of AI-enabled IoT mHealth.

    METHOD: The study used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 495 middle-aged adults.

    RESULTS: The findings showed that social influence, performance expectation, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions are critical factors in predicting intention to use mobile health applications. While the advertisements of mobile health are effective in ingraining the perception of their better performance regarding evading cardiovascular diseases added with the Internet of Things is an effective tool in adopting mobile health applications.

    CONCLUSION: The utilization of digital media to promote emerging elements like the AI-enabled Internet of Things in health consulting to counter noncommunicable diseases, e.g., cardiovascular disease, has not yet been thoroughly explored. Consequently, the effectiveness of these communication features promotion among middle-aged adults remains largely uncharted. This research examines how middle-aged adults respond to advertisements showcasing the AI-enabled Internet of Things in digital media. Drawing an analogy with a UTAUT-3 theory, this research investigates how digital media advertisement can effectively promote recently integrated AI-enabled Internet of Things mHealth consultation services. Remarkably, findings identified that trust in AI-enabled IoTs-based mHealth applications remained insignificant. However, the digital divide resulting from low digital literacy in the Global South, especially Pakistan, is the primary obstacle to adopting mHealth apps for digital health services. This study suggests organizations such as WHO, mHealth apps, and telemedicine service providers employ health messaging and instructional advertising to educate the public.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Advertising as Topic/methods; Artificial Intelligence*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telemedicine*; Trust*; Digital Divide*
  6. Li M, Li Z, Bai F, Woo HJ, Osman Z, Fei B
    Small, 2025 Mar 20.
    PMID: 40109133 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202500645
    Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a potential alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries due to the abundant sodium resources. Carbon anodes, with their stable structure, wide availability, low cost, excellent conductivity, and tunable morphology and pore structure, exhibit outstanding performance in SIBs. This review summarizes the research progress of hard carbon anodes in SIBs, emphasizing the innovative paths and advanced performances achieved through multitrack optimization, including dimensional engineering, heteroatom doping, and microstructural tailoring. Each dimension of carbon material-0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D-offers unique advantages: 0D materials ensure uniform dispersion, 1D materials have short Na+ diffusion paths, 2D materials possess large specific surface areas, and 3D materials provide e-/Na+ conductive networks. Heteroatom doping with elements such as N, S, and P can tune electronic distribution, expand interlayer spacing of carbon, and induce Fermi level shifts, thereby enhancing sodium storage capability. In addition, defect engineering improves electrochemical performance by modifying graphitic crystal structure. Furthermore, suitable pore structure design, particularly closed pore structures, can increase capacity, minimizes side reactions, and suppress degradation. In future studies, optimizing morphology design, exploring heteroatom co-doping, and developing environmentally friendly, low-cost carbon anode methods will drive the application of high-performance and long cycle life SIBs.
  7. Bahrami LS, Rahnama I, Chambari M, Norouzy A, Karav S, Arabi SM, et al.
    Phytother Res, 2025 Mar 20.
    PMID: 40109154 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8471
    This umbrella review of randomized clinical trials aims to provide a unique and detailed understanding of curcumin's effects on adipokines, adding a novel perspective to the existing body of research. We carried out a thorough search of international databases up to April 2024, including MEDLINE, SciVerse Scopus, and Clarivate Analytics Web of Science. A random-effects model was utilized to evaluate the impact of curcuminoid on adipokines. The umbrella review incorporated meta-analyses that examined the effects of curcuminoid supplementation on adipokines, presenting associated effect sizes (ES) and confidence intervals (CI). We applied the GRADE and AMSTAR (A Tool for Assessing the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews system) to assess the certainty of the evidence and the quality of the systematic reviews. Our analysis of one meta-analysis, including 14 RCTs plus 1 RCT not included in meta-analyses, revealed significant and impactful findings. We found a substantial increase in serum adiponectin levels with curcuminoid supplementation, indicating a positive effect (SMD: 0.9; 95% CI, 0.4 to 1.3, p 
  8. Young PJ, Bellomo R, Al-Fares A, Antognini DG, Arabi YM, Ashraf MS, et al.
    Crit Care Resusc, 2025 Mar;27(1):100095.
    PMID: 40109286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccrj.2024.12.001
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate intensive care doctors' views about a large-scale pragmatic minimum mean arterial pressure (MAP) targets trial and their attitudes and beliefs about minimum MAP targets in different clinical scenarios.

    DESIGN: An online survey was conducted.

    SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: An online survey was distributed to intensive care doctors in sites participating in a large-scale international randomised clinical trial evaluating oxygen therapy targets in 15 countries and to additional intensive care clinicians from Canada.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes included the expressed level of support for a large pragmatic trial to evaluate minimum MAP targets in critically ill adults and stated current practice and acceptability of minimum MAP for specific scenarios.

    RESULTS: The response rate to our survey for respondents who work in sites participating in the mega randomised registry trial research program was 265 out of 701 (37.8%), with an additional 56 out of 256 (21.8%) responses obtained from a direct email containing a link to the survey sent to intensive care clinicians in Canada. A total of 309 of 321 respondents (96.3%) were supportive, in principle, of conducting a very large pragmatic trial to evaluate MAP targets in intensive care unit patients receiving noradrenaline. The commonest response in all scenarios was to agree that the optimal minimum MAP target was uncertain. In all scenarios, except for active bleeding, the most common reported minimum MAP target was 65 mmHg; for patients who were actively bleeding, the most common reported target was 60 mmHg.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that intensive care clinicians are broadly supportive of a large-scale pragmatic minimum MAP targets in intensive care unit patients receiving noradrenaline.

  9. Gidado MJ, Gunny AAN, Gopinath SCB, Devi M, Jayavalli R, Ilyas RA
    J Food Sci Technol, 2025 Apr;62(4):612-622.
    PMID: 40109676 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-025-06214-1
    Fruits are a vital component of a healthy diet, offering essential nutrients and appealing sensory attributes. However, their high perishability leads to significant postharvest losses, which are influenced by factors such as physiological changes, microbial spoilage, and inadequate handling practices. These losses not only reduce fruit quality and marketability but also contribute to increased food waste. Edible coatings have emerged as a promising solution to extend shelf life by forming a protective barrier that reduces moisture loss and prevents microbial spoilage. Despite considerable research into edible coatings, there remains a notable gap in understanding the challenges related to material selection, safety, and scalability. This study critically reviews these challenges and highlights recent advancements in coating technologies. By examining material compatibility, safety concerns, and commercial scalability, the study aims to optimize edible coatings for more sustainable and efficient postharvest fruit preservation.
  10. Satapathy P, Chauhan S, Gaidhane S, Bishoyi AK, Priya GP, Jayabalan K, et al.
    Front Neurol, 2025;16:1514712.
    PMID: 40109844 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1514712
    BACKGROUND: Headache disorders, including migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH), are major contributors to global disability. In South Asia, where these conditions are often underdiagnosed, their burden has grown substantially. This study evaluates trends in headache disorders across eight South Asian countries from 1990 to 2021, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021.

    METHODS: Data from the GBD study were analysed to evaluate incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for headache disorders and their subtypes. Trends were assessed using absolute numbers and age-standardized rates, with demographic patterns by age and gender examined to identify vulnerable populations. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to detect significant temporal shifts.

    RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, headache disorders in South Asia rose from 114.2 million to 206.8 million in incidence, and from 367.4 million to 698.5 million in prevalence, with YLDs nearly doubling from 6.0 million to 11.6 million. Migraines accounted for 294.4 million cases, while TTH contributed 495.4 million cases, with YLDs increasing by 92.88 and 99.35%, respectively. Afghanistan saw the highest relative growth, while India contributed the largest absolute burden. Women and middle-aged adults were disproportionately affected, with the highest prevalence observed in females aged 30-34 years. The Maldives showed dramatic increases in TTH-related YLDs, highlighting disparities in smaller nations.

    CONCLUSION: The rising burden of headache disorders in South Asia highlights the need for region-specific strategies targeting high-burden subtypes, countries, and vulnerable populations to mitigate their disabling impacts.

  11. Boonhok R, Senghoi W, Sangkanu S, Lim CL, Pudla M, Pereira ML, et al.
    Scientifica (Cairo), 2025;2025:3430892.
    PMID: 40109888 DOI: 10.1155/sci5/3430892
    Noncanonical autophagy including unconventional protein secretion has been extensively studied. Our work focused on a leaderless IL-1β protein secretion from human macrophage in response to Acanthamoeba castellanii components, Acanthamoeba culture supernatant (CS) and cell lysate (CL), as well as its association with macrophage autophagy. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced THP-1 macrophages were treated with Acanthamoeba components of pathogenic (ATCC50739) and nonpathogenic (ATCC30010) strains in vitro. The data showed that Acanthamoeba treatment resulted in low IL-1β secretion from macrophages. In addition, Acanthamoeba CL of both strains was able to upregulate autophagy-related (Atg) protein 8, an autophagy marker, whereas Acanthamoeba CS downregulated Atg8 expression. We further manipulated autophagy and found that autophagy induction by starvation diminished IL-1β secretion while autophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine (3MA) increased IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, in the presence of Acanthamoeba components either under starvation or 3MA treatment, IL-1β secretion was significantly reduced. Transcriptional expression of other ATG genes, i.e., ATG6, ATG7, and ATG5, were investigated and showed that their mRNA expression was maintained at the basal level under A. castellanii CS or CL treatment. Inflammasome-related genes, NLRP3 and CASPASE1, were upregulated following A. castellanii 50739 CS treatment but not in A. castellanii 50739 CL-treated condition. However, both conditions were able to increase IL-1β mRNA expression. TEM micrographs revealed that 3MA treatment induced the formation of large vacuoles and accumulation of autophagosome at the edge of THP-1 macrophages. However, the number and size of their structures were declined in the presence of A. castellanii 50739 CS with 3MA. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining demonstrated the association between Atg8/LC3 and IL-1β expression, where downregulation of Atg8 by A. castellanii 50739 CS led to the upregulation of IL-1β. Altogether, the data indicate that Acanthamoeba can manipulate macrophage autophagy, thereby controlling low IL-1β secretion. The expression of autophagy- and inflammasome-related genes also indicates multiple mechanisms in IL-1β secretion in response to Acanthamoeba components. However, further characterization of Atg proteins and investigations into other intracellular pathways or defense mechanisms are needed to fully understand the unconventional secretion of IL-1β in macrophages. This knowledge could eventually lead to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against Acanthamoeba infection by modulating autophagy or macrophage responses.
  12. Annate S, Ng TH, Sutcharit C, Panha S
    Zookeys, 2025;1231:69-83.
    PMID: 40109891 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1231.138263
    The apple snail Pilapesmei is an economically valuable freshwater snail in mainland Southeast Asia whose populations have recently dramatically declined. Although conservation concerns have been rising in the region, the lack of basic knowledge of its reproductive biology remains an obstacle to its conservation. This study describes the mating and egg-laying behaviours of P.pesmei under laboratory conditions using continuous video recordings. Fifteen mating behaviours were recorded in four mating phases: pre-courtship, courtship, copulation, and post-copulation. Mating sequences were variable, especially in the courtship phase. However, many males performed a common courtship sequence of mate probing, mounting, shell circling, and positioning. When a female performed a variety of actions against the male's approach, males then performed various alternative courtship sequences. The egg-laying process was similar among different females. They burrowed into the soil substrate to lay eggs. A total of six behaviours were recorded in the egg-laying process: crawling, resting, withdrawal, burrowing, egg depositing, and aestivating. Females did not return to the water after laying eggs but remained in the egg-laying cavity with their egg masses. This behaviour has not been reported in any other Pila species to date. Overall, our examination revealed the previously unknown mating and egg-laying processes in P.pesmei, which included some distinct behaviours and increased the basic knowledge of its reproductive biology.
  13. Tang C, Nahar AM, Teo EW, Khoo S
    Int J Womens Health, 2025;17:761-769.
    PMID: 40109957 DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S497927
    PURPOSE: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cardiovascular disease leading to global mortality and is a major contributor to disability. As CHD is the main cause of death among women, early prediction of the risk of coronary heart disease would be useful. The Framingham risk score, waist-height ratio, and heart rate recovery have been used to predict CHD risk. The Framingham risk score is used to evaluate 10-year absolute risk of developing CHD. Waist Height Ratio is useful for early detection of the risk of heart disease in Malaysia, where obesity and metabolic syndrome are common across various demographics, because it is a reliable indicator of abdominal fat distribution. Heart Rate Recovery is a useful non-invasive method for early assessment of heart disease risk, featuring simplicity and the ability to represent both cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system function. However, no study has compared waist-height ratio and heart-rate recovery as effective methods for predicting coronary heart disease. There is an increasing trend of CHD in Malaysia, particularly among females. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of waist-height ratio and heart-rate recovery in predicting the risk of coronary heart disease among working Malaysian women.

    METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Data on the Framingham risk score, waist-height measurement, and the 6-minute walk test (heart-rate recovery) were collected from 134 working women.

    RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 39.13 ± 7.06 years. The results showed that the waist-to-height ratio had a weak but significant correlation with Framingham risk score (r = 0.18). However, heart rate recovery showed a negative correlation (r = -0.029) with the Framingham risk score.

    CONCLUSION: The waist-height ratio is considered a more effective risk assessment method than heart-rate recovery for identifying the risk of coronary heart disease in working Malaysian women.

  14. Kehinde SA, Olajide AT, Fatokun TP, Fouad D, Hadi NR, Elgazzar AM, et al.
    Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol, 2025 Mar;398(3):2833-2843.
    PMID: 39287675 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03454-4
    Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) has been associated with the development of allergies, asthma, and allergic airway inflammation. Through a complex interplay of signals and feedback mechanisms, the lungs communicate with the heart to ensure maintenance of homeostasis and supporting the body's metabolic demands. In the current study, we assessed the crosstalk between DiNP-induced asthma and cardiac cellular respiration, oxidative stress, apoptotic potential, and induction of oncogenic factors. Ten male BALB/c mice with a weight range of 20-30 g were divided into two groups, each comprising five mice. Group 1 (control), was administered saline orally for a duration of 30 days. In contrast, group 2 (DiNP group), received 50 mg/kg of DiNP to induce asthma. After the final administration and asthma induction, the mice were euthanized, and their hearts were excised, processed, and subjected to biochemical analyses. The DiNP group had downregulated (P 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal*; Energy Metabolism/drug effects; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C*; Mitochondria, Heart/drug effects; Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism; Mitochondria, Heart/pathology; Myocardium/metabolism; Myocardium/pathology; Phthalic Acids/toxicity; Signal Transduction*; Mice
  15. Pourmozaffar S, Reverter M, Jahromi ST, Harikrishnan R, Pazir MK, Barzkar N, et al.
    J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 2025 Mar;109(2):291-337.
    PMID: 39385627 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.14049
    Diseases are major constraints to developing large-scale aquaculture practices in many countries. For decades, synthetic chemotherapeutic agents have been widely applied both as prophylactics and therapeutics to inhibit and control aquatic disease outbreaks. However, their use has become more restricted due to the negative impacts they have on the environment, the host and humans, as well as their limitations in preventing the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants and seaweeds as potential alternatives to antibiotics and other synthetic chemotherapeutics. Medicinal plants and seaweeds can enhance the immune systems of animals, thereby providing protection against numerous diseases while minimizing the adverse effects associated with synthetic chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, the advantages of medicinal plants and seaweeds, such as their effectiveness, easy availability and ability to be applied on a large scale, make them appealing for use in the aquaculture industry. The main goal of this study was to review the existing knowledge of the effects of medicinal plants and seaweeds, as well as their extracts, on shrimp growth, immune response and disease resistance against bacterial and viral agents. Moreover, this paper discusses the application of seaweeds in shrimp culture. We also conducted a literature review to identify gaps in the research and provide recommendations for further advancement in this field of study. Further studies should focus on evaluating other physiological aspects, such as feed and mineral utilization, enzyme activities and histological examination.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Aquaculture*; Penaeidae
  16. Nagy L, Koós M, Kraus DSW, Demetrovics Z, Potenza MN, Ballester-Arnal R, et al.
    Assessment, 2025 Mar 18.
    PMID: 40099831 DOI: 10.1177/10731911241312757
    Sexual assertiveness (SA) is an important concept in understanding sexual well-being and decision-making. However, psychometric evaluation of existing measures of SA in diverse populations is largely lacking, hindering cross-cultural and comparative studies. This study validated the short version of the Sexual Assertiveness Questionnaire (SAQ-9) and examined its measurement invariance across several languages, countries, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship statuses among 65,448 sexually-active adults (Mage = 32.98 years, SD = 12.08, 58% women, 2.74% gender-diverse individuals) taking part in the International Sex Survey. The scale demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. Measurement invariance tests indicated that the SAQ-9 is suitable for comparing individuals from different cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship statuses, and significant group differences were also noted (e.g., gender-diverse individuals reported the highest levels of SA). Findings suggest that the SAQ-9 is a reliable and valid measure of SA and appropriate for use in diverse populations, with specific populations exhibiting varying levels of SA.
  17. Liu Y, Xia C, Chen BJ, Li X, Wu X, Ismail A, et al.
    Int J Med Mushrooms, 2025;27(6):61-79.
    PMID: 40100232 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2025058111
    The objective of this study was to assess the bioactivities of flavonoids extracted from two distinct sections of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma species. The flavonoids were extracted from the cap and stem of four Ganoderma species using a methanolic extraction method. The extraction rate, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activities, in vitro hypoglycemic effects, and antimicrobial activity of flavonoids derived from the wild and cultivated Ganoderma extracts were determined and analyzed. The findings indicated that the extract derived from cultivated black Ganoderma stem exhibited the most favorable outcomes among the four sample extracts. The lowest EC50 value of the DPPH radical scavenging assay was 36.9 μg/mL, and the extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase (35.88 μg/mL). However, the cap extract of the cultivated black Ganoderma demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity of α-amylase, with the IC50 value of 34.69 μg/mL. The cap extracts of the cultivated red Ganoderma exhibited the most pronounced antimicrobial activity. These findings indicate notable differences in the bioactivities of flavonoids extracted from the caps and stems of the four Ganoderma species. Consequently, the Ganoderma flavonoids have the potential to serve as potent bioactive ingredients with disease-prevention properties.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/antagonists & inhibitors; Anti-Infective Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry; Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal/chemistry; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/isolation & purification; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemistry
  18. Dedouit F, Ducloyer M, Elifritz J, Adolphi NL, Yi-Li GW, Decker S, et al.
    Int J Legal Med, 2025 Mar 18.
    PMID: 40100352 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-025-03464-8
    Clinical forensic imaging could be defined as the use of imaging first realised for medical care as evidence for a judicial purpose. It requires both forensic experts and clinical radiologists to have a good understanding of imaging modalities and indications and a solid knowledge of the correct terminology. This second part of the review describes the main situations in which imaging may be used for forensic purposes, i.e. blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, asphyxia, physical abuse and neglect.
  19. Alfawaz Altamimi AS, Arockia Babu M, Afzal M, Bishoyi AK, Roopashree R, Saini S, et al.
    Med Oncol, 2025 Mar 18;42(4):114.
    PMID: 40100465 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-025-02647-y
    Natural killer cell-derived exosomes (NK-Exos) hold great promise as immune modulators and immunotherapeutics against cancer due to their intrinsically latent anti-tumor effects. They use these nanosized vesicles to deliver cytotoxic molecules, such as perforin, granzymes, and miRNAs, directly to cancer cells to kill them, avoiding immune suppression. NK-Exos has particular efficacy for treating aggressive breast cancer by modulating the TME to activate the immune response and suppress immunosuppressive factors. Bioengineering advances have extended the therapeutic potential of NK-Exos, which permits precise tumor cell targeting and efficient delivery of therapeutic payloads, including small RNAs and chemotherapeutic agents. In engineered NK-Exos, sensitization of cancer cells to apoptosis, reduction of tumor growth, and resistance to drugs have been demonstrated to be highly effective. When combined, NK-Exos synergizes with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or checkpoint inhibitors, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing systemic toxicity. This review emphasizes the critical role of NK-Exos in breast cancer treatment, their integration into combination therapies, and the need for further research to overcome existing limitations and fully realize their clinical potential.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
External Links