Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Gopalan N, Khan RI, Silverman HJ, Sugarman J, Vaswani V
    PMID: 40094774 DOI: 10.1177/15562646251323133
    Several Asian countries, including India, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Pakistan, face challenges aligning rapid healthcare and biomedical research growth with necessary ethics oversight. To help address this, the Fogarty International Center of the United States National Institutes of Health funded initiatives to enhance research ethics capacities in these countries. In India, the Yenepoya University's Master's in Research Ethics program was established in collaboration with Monash University. In Malaysia, the Master of Health Research Ethics (MOHRE) program, based at Universiti Malaya, was developed in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University. In Myanmar, a Diploma in Research Methodology and Research Ethics (DipRMRE) was introduced in cooperation with the University of Maryland Baltimore. In Pakistan, a Master of Bioethics (MBE) program was designed to address the country's unique ethical challenges in healthcare and research. Graduates from these programs have significantly contributed to health research and policy, enhancing research ethics infrastructure across these diverse Asian countries.
  2. Razalli II, Abdullah-Zawawi MR, Tamizi AA, Harun S, Zainal-Abidin RA, Jalal MIA, et al.
    Planta, 2025 Mar 17;261(4):92.
    PMID: 40095140 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-025-04666-5
    Big data and network biology infer functional coupling between genes. In combination with machine learning, network biology can dramatically accelerate the pace of gene discovery using modern transcriptomics approaches and be validated via genome editing technology for improving crops to stresses. Unlike other living things, plants are sessile and frequently face various environmental challenges due to climate change. The cumulative effects of combined stresses can significantly influence both plant growth and yields. In navigating the complexities of climate change, ensuring the nourishment of our growing population hinges on implementing precise agricultural systems. Conventional breeding methods have been commonly employed; however, their efficacy has been impeded by limitations in terms of time, cost, and infrastructure. Cutting-edge tools focussing on big data are being championed to usher in a new era in stress biology, aiming to cultivate crops that exhibit enhanced resilience to multifactorial stresses. Transcriptomics, combined with network biology and machine learning, is proving to be a powerful approach for identifying potential genes to target for gene editing, specifically to enhance stress tolerance. The integration of transcriptomic data with genome editing can yield significant benefits, such as gaining insights into gene function by modifying or manipulating of specific genes in the target plant. This review provides valuable insights into the use of transcriptomics platforms and the application of biological network analysis and machine learning in the discovery of novel genes, thereby enhancing the understanding of plant responses to combined or sequential stress. The transcriptomics as a forefront omics platform and how it is employed through biological networks and machine learning that lead to novel gene discoveries for producing multi-stress-tolerant crops, limitations, and future directions have also been discussed.
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning; Plant Breeding/methods; Stress, Physiological/genetics; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Regulatory Networks; Climate Change
  3. Suetsugu K, Okada H, Suleiman M, Tsukaya H
    Plant Biol (Stuttg), 2025 Mar 17.
    PMID: 40095580 DOI: 10.1111/plb.70004
    All orchids exhibit mycoheterotrophy during their early development stages, which predisposes certain species to retain this nutritional mode into adulthood. Consequently, many orchids adopt partial mycoheterotrophy, a mixotrophic strategy combining carbon acquisition through both autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy. However, whether this strategy represents an ancestral trait remains contested. This study examines the fungal symbionts and nutritional strategies of the early-diverging orchid Apostasia wallichii and a sympatric, photosynthetic orchid, Cystorchis variegata, in tropical Asia (Sabah, Malaysian Borneo). Specifically, we explored their potential nutritional modes and mycobionts by analysing δ13C and δ15N isotopic profiles and employing high-throughput DNA sequencing. Community profiling via metabarcoding revealed that the A. wallichii individuals investigated were predominantly associated with putatively saprotrophic Botryobasidium fungi, while C. variegata was simultaneously associated with non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias, saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi, and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Additionally, stable isotope analysis showed that both A. wallichii and C. variegata were significantly enriched in 13C and 15N compared to co-occurring autotrophic plants, indicating partial mycoheterotrophy. Our findings, particularly the discovery of partial mycoheterotrophy associated with non-ectomycorrhizal fungi in A. wallichii, suggest that partial mycoheterotrophy in green orchids may be more widespread than previously believed and could represent an ancestral trait intrinsic to orchids.
  4. Huang Z, Ismail IA, Ghazali AHA, D'Silva JL, Abdullah H, Zhang Z
    PLoS One, 2025;20(3):e0319742.
    PMID: 40096059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319742
    As vocational undergraduate students in China face increasing challenges in the job market, understanding the factors that shape their employment expectations is crucial. Psychological capital is considered a key factor influencing students' career outlooks. This study aims to examine the relationship between psychological capital (PC) and employment expectations (EE), while exploring the mediating roles of educational flow experience (EFE) and active coping style (ACS) in this relationship. Based on positive psychology and career development theories, a theoretical model was constructed to understand how psychological capital affects employment expectations through the chain mediation of educational flow experience and active coping style. A sample of 693 vocational undergraduate students (316 males and 377 females) from a university in Guangdong Province participated in the study. Participants completed the Psychological Capital Scale (PCS), the Career Expectation Scale (CES), the Educational Flow Experience Scale (EduFlow-2), and the Coping Style Scale (CSS). Results indicate that higher levels of psychological capital significantly predict stronger employment expectations. Moreover, educational flow experience and active coping style both serve as significant mediators in the relationship between psychological capital and employment expectations, with a chain mediation effect also observed. These findings provide valuable insights into the psychological processes that influence career expectations among vocational undergraduates, highlighting the importance of fostering psychological capital and creating supportive learning environments to improve students' employability. The results offer practical implications for educators and policymakers, suggesting that vocational institutions should integrate strategies to enhance psychological capital, promote educational flow experiences, and support active coping styles to better prepare students for the labor market.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*; Adolescent; Adult; Career Choice; China; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Vocational Education; Young Adult
  5. Muhamad NA, Ma'amor NH, Jamalluddin NH, Rosli IA, Leman FN, Tengku Baharudin Shah TPN, et al.
    PLoS One, 2025;20(3):e0319506.
    PMID: 40096081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319506
    BACKGROUND: Technostress is defined as a psychological state associated with the increased usage of advanced computer technologies on a daily basis. It is also defined as an anxiety feeling or mental strain due to excessive exposure or involvement with technologies.

    AIM: This study aimed to determine the level of technostress associated with burnout and fatigue among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the state hospitals of Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to November 2023 among HCWs working in the 15-state hospitals in Malaysia. A standardized questionnaire was distributed among the HCWs in the state hospitals in Malaysia. The questionnaire contains information on socio-demography and topic-specific scales on technostress, burnout and fatigue.

    RESULTS: A total of 1620 HCWs were included in the analysis, of which 244 (15%) have high level of technostress, 1089 (67%) have moderate technostress, and 287 (18%) have low technostress. Burnout, and fatigue were significantly associated with technostress. HCWs with moderate burnout were less likely to have high technostress compared to those with high burnout (B =  -0.993, 95% CI; 0.231 - 0.594; p

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires
  6. Hasan MZ, Hanapi ZM, Zukarnain ZA, Huyop FH, Abdullah MDH
    PLoS One, 2025;20(3):e0309532.
    PMID: 40096085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309532
    In the realm of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), the detection and mitigation of sinkhole attacks remain pivotal for ensuring network integrity and efficiency. This paper introduces SFlexCrypt, an innovative approach tailored to address these security challenges while optimizing energy consumption in WSNs. SFlexCrypt stands out by seamlessly integrating advanced machine learning algorithms to achieve high-precision detection and effective mitigation of sinkhole attacks. Employing a dataset from Contiki-Cooja, SFlexCrypt has been rigorously tested, demonstrating a detection accuracy of 100% and a mitigation rate of 97.31%. This remarkable performance not only bolsters network security but also significantly extends network longevity and reduces energy expenditure, crucial factors in the sustainability of WSNs. The study contributes substantially to the field of IoT security, offering a comprehensive and efficient framework for implementing Internet-based security strategies. The results affirm that SFlexCrypt is a robust solution, capable of enhancing the resilience of WSNs against sinkhole attacks while maintaining optimal energy efficiency.
    MeSH terms: Machine Learning*; Algorithms; Computer Communication Networks*; Computer Security*; Wireless Technology*
  7. Petakh P, Oksenych V, Kamyshnyi O
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2025 Mar 17;19(3):e0012927.
    PMID: 40096152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012927
    Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that spreads through water and soil contaminated with infected animal urine. Soldiers have a higher risk of infection because they often work in wet and muddy conditions. This systematic review examines how common leptospirosis is among military personnel. Studies published between January 2000 and November 2024 were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, following PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies that used laboratory tests to confirm leptospirosis cases in soldiers. Out of 67 studies, three met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted in Malaysia, Hawaii, and Honduras, with sample sizes between 488 and 1,000 soldiers. The infection rate ranged from 1.4% to 16.2%, with higher rates in tropical regions. Leptospirosis is often underdiagnosed in military personnel because symptoms are similar to other diseases, and testing is not always available. More awareness, better protective measures, and improved laboratory tests are needed to prevent infections. This review highlights the importance of better surveillance and health strategies for soldiers at risk of leptospirosis.
  8. Thomma RCM, Halstead SK, de Koning LC, Wiegers EEJA, Gourlay DS, Tio-Gillen AP, et al.
    Brain, 2025 Mar 17.
    PMID: 40096525 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaf102
    Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy in which preceding infections often elicit the production of antibodies that target peripheral nerve antigens, principally gangliosides. Anti-ganglioside antibodies are thought to play a key role in the clinical diversity of the disease and can be helpful in clinical practice. Extensive research into clinical associations of individual anti-ganglioside antibody specificities has been performed. Recent research has highlighted glycolipid complexes, glycolipid combinations that may alter antibody binding, as targets. In this study, we investigated antibody reactivity patterns to glycolipids and glycolipid complexes using combinatorial array, in relation to clinical features in Guillain-Barré syndrome. In total, 1413 patients from the observational International Guillain-Barré syndrome Outcome Study (0-91 years, 60.3% male) and 1061 controls (healthy, family, infectious, vaccination, other neurological disease) were included. Acute-phase sera from patients were screened for IgM, IgG, and IgA reactivity against 15 glycolipids and one phospholipid and their heteromeric complexes, similarly to archived control sera. Antibody specificities and reactivity patterns were analysed in relation to clinical features. Of all patients, 1309 (92.6%) were positive for at least one anti-glycolipid (complex) antibody. Anti-GM1 and anti-GQ1b (complex) antibodies best distinguished motor Guillain-Barré syndrome and Miller Fisher syndrome from controls, with antibodies to glycolipid complexes outperforming antibodies to single glycolipids. Three models consisting of anti-glycolipid (complex) antibodies distinguished patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, the motor variant, and Miller Fisher syndrome from controls with high sensitivity and specificity, performing better than antibodies to single glycolipids used in clinical practice. Seven patient clusters with particular antibody reactivity patterns were identified. These clusters were distinguished by geographical region, clinical variants, preceding Campylobacter jejuni infection, electrophysiological subtypes, the Medical Research Council sum score at study entry, and the ability to walk 10 meters unaided at 26 weeks. Two patient clusters with distinct anti-GM1 (complex) reactivity (broad versus restricted) differed in frequency of the axonal subtype. In cumulative incidence analyses, 15 anti-glycolipid (complex) antibodies were associated with the time required to regain the ability to walk 10 meters unaided. After adjustment for known prognostic factors, IgG anti-GQ1b:GM4, GQ1b:PS, and GQ1b:Sulphatide remained associated with faster recovery. Addition of anti-glycolipid antibodies to clinical prognostic models slightly improved their discriminative capacity, though insufficiently to improve the models. Measurement of anti-glycolipid antibodies by combinatorial array increases the diagnostic yield compared to assaying single glycolipids, identifies clinically relevant antibody reactivity patterns to glycolipids and glycolipid complexes, and may be useful in outcome prediction in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
  9. Shi M, Mohamad Rasli R, Wang SL
    PLoS One, 2025;20(3):e0318939.
    PMID: 40096646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318939
    As the financial market becomes increasingly complex, stock prediction and anomaly data detection have emerged as crucial tasks in financial risk management. However, existing methods exhibit significant limitations in handling the intricate relationships between stocks and addressing anomalous data. This paper proposes the STAGE framework, which integrates the Graph Attention Network (GAT), Variational Autoencoder (VAE), and Sparse Spatiotemporal Convolutional Network (STCN), to enhance the accuracy of stock prediction and the robustness of anomaly data detection. Experimental results show that the complete STAGE framework achieved an accuracy of 85% after 20 training epochs, which is 10% to 20% higher than models with key algorithms removed. In the anomaly detection task, the STAGE framework further improved the accuracy to 95%, demonstrating fast convergence and stability. This framework offers an innovative solution for stock prediction, adapting to the complex dynamics of real-world markets.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Humans; Investments; Neural Networks (Computer)*; Models, Economic
  10. Boogaard S, Saniasiaya J, McCaffer C, Toll E, van der Meer G
    Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 2025 Mar 13;192:112308.
    PMID: 40096785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112308
    PURPOSE: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of minimally invasive treatment for juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP), a rare paediatric inflammatory condition affecting the parotid glands and characterised by recurrent episodes of glandular swelling and pain, at a tertiary care institution over a ten-year period.

    METHODS: This study comprised a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with JRP at a tertiary care institute between January 2013 and January 2023. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of JRP, and treatment with at least one surgical intervention. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were analysed, and statistical correlations were evaluated to identify indicators of disease severity and assess the likelihood of re-intervention.

    RESULTS: This study enrolled 31 patients with a median age at symptom onset of 3.5 years. Māori children comprised 29 % of the cohort. Bilateral parotid gland involvement was observed in 74 % of cases, and patients experienced a median of six episodes annually. Lipiodol sialography was the most common initial intervention (61 %), associated with a 21 % re-intervention rate within one year. Sialendoscopy, an alternate treatment, required no re-interventions within the first year, but accounted for a smaller proportion of initial treatments due to limited expertise in the earlier years. Two patients (6 %) experienced major complications following lipiodol sialography.

    CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive techniques, particularly sialendoscopy, demonstrated promising outcomes in managing JRP. However, treatment approaches may vary based on expertise and equipment availability. Larger randomised studies are required to establish optimal management strategies and understand the natural history of JRP.

  11. Daood U, Fatima S, Litt M, Babar IM, Yiu C, Peters OA, et al.
    J Dent, 2025 Mar 15.
    PMID: 40096879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105693
    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyse development of hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals doped with glutamic acid and phosphorine residue (Ser-OPO3) having self-remineralization, biocompatible and optimum bonding properties MATERIALS AND METHODS: β-tri calcium phosphate, ammonium phosphate dibasic HAp was dissolved with strontium Flouride Glu or Ser-OPO3 components and utilised in two 0.1% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL and 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL groups. HAp formulation was evaluated for particle-size analysis, crystal size and indices using FTIR. Demineralized enamel specimens were treated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Xray diffraction (XRD), solid state NMR, and mechanical properties. MC3T3 mouse fibroblastic cells were evaluated for alkaline-phosphate activity (ALP). Human gingival fibroblasts (PGF) were evaluated for morphology. After modifying Universal adhesives, tensile force was assessed at 24 hr and 3 months.

    RESULT: Increasing concentrations of experimental solution exposure significantly affect mean diameter of HAp. The increasing FTIR intensity, were displayed; 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL > 0.1% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL> control. 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL revealed existence of distinct crystals, with planes orientated perpendicular to longer axis of tooth. XRD pattern indicated crystal growth with a rise in peak intensities in 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL group. The NMR spectra for Glu and Ser-OPO3 elucidated interactions between carbon atoms in amino acid and hydrogen atoms on HAp surfaces. Surface microhardness of 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL specimens showed significantly higher values on day 28 (p< 0.05). ALP density value of cells was significantly higher for 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL group on day 7 and 14. 0.1% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL and 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL enhanced migration of PGF cells in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). 0.1% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL and 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL groups showed significant differences in bond strength at different time points CONCLUSION: 0.1% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL and 0.2% TCPCa3(PO4)2 Str/FL were structurally integrated into the lattice demonstrating changes within the crystallite size and became conducive for adhesive bonding.

    CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The new amino acid-based hydroxyapatite formulation is chemically stable due to the substitution of OH- with F- and is crucial in the rehardening of caries and adhesive bonding.

  12. Embong SF, Adzahar S, Daud A, Nordin MH, Halim SA, Embong WZW, et al.
    Saudi Med J, 2025 Mar;46(3):292-298.
    PMID: 40096988 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2025.46.3.20240771
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of hemoglobin constant spring (Hb CS) in the Terengganu population, to evaluate the haematological parameters of individuals with heterozygous Hb CS, homozygous Hb CS, and compound heterozygous Hb CS, and to compare the effectiveness of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) in detecting Hb CS.

    METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional design involving Form 4 secondary school students from Terengganu. Hemoglobin variants were analyzed using CE (CAPILLARYS2 Flex-Piercing System) and HPLC (VARIANT II). Molecular testing, including multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplification refractory mutation system-PCR techniques, was carried out to detect alpha thalassemia mutations.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of Hb CS revealed 92.2% heterozygous (mean zone 2 CE peak value of 0.7%), 7.2% compound heterozygous (mean zone 2 CE peak value of 1.2%), and 0.5% homozygous cases (mean zone 2 CE peak value of 4.5%).

    CONCLUSION: The study highlights a significant prevalence of Hb CS among the Terengganu population, with heterozygous cases being the most common. The peak values in zone 2 CE varied significantly among the heterozygous, compound heterozygous, and homozygous HbCS cases, indicating the potential utility of these measurements in distinguishing between different clinical phenotypes.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Heterozygote; Homozygote; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Phenotype*; Students; Prevalence; Electrophoresis, Capillary*
  13. Ahmed S, Azli B, Razak MA, Hair-Bejo M, Omar AR, Ideris A, et al.
    Microb Pathog, 2025 Mar 15.
    PMID: 40097027 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107482
    Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) poses incessant outbreaks to poultry production worldwide, and Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is a predominant FAdV infectious disease. Currently, limited vaccines are available in Malaysia to fight against the local predominant FAdV strain 8b isolate (FAdV-8b), posing a desperate demand for efficient vaccine development. The fiber protein of FAdV is one of the major constituents of the adenoviral capsid involved in the virulence of pathogens. Hence, the aim was to modify the fiber gene of FAdV-8b UPMT27 to develop a live attenuated FAdV vaccine via the gene-editing CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Primary specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryonic liver cells (CELs) infected with the modified isolated (cfUPMT27) were reported with significantly reduced cytopathic effects, delayed viral localization into the nucleus, and low apoptotic rates. cfUPMT27 isolate also exhibited constant amino acid substitution of Y179D in subsequent passages. Meanwhile, the liver of cfUPMT27 inoculated-SPF chicken embryonic eggs (CEE) was observed with mild hydropericardium and reported with a delayed mortality at 6-days post-infection (dpi). This holistic, integrative study incorporating genetic, pathology, and immunology analysis proposed cfUPMT27 isolate as a candidate vaccine for FAdV infections, providing efficient future protection in chickens.
  14. Cimadamore A, Moschini M, Teoh J, Albisinni S, Adwin Z, Shen Ta W, et al.
    PMID: 40097100 DOI: 10.1016/j.acuroe.2025.501751
    INTRODUCTION: Collaboration between pathologists and urologists is crucial for accurate diagnostic reporting and patient management, particularly in urology. This study aims to evaluate international practices regarding pathology reporting of bladder specimens to identify areas for improvement.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based survey with 32 questions was developed in collaboration with the EAU Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Cancer Working Party. It was sent to urologists with more than five years of experience across different institutions globally. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the responses.

    RESULTS: A total of 157 responses were received from urologists, representing a response rate of 65%. Most respondents (64.3%) found pathological reports comprehensive, although 36% reported unclear reports in some cases. Pathologists were contacted for clarification in less than 20% of cases. Notably, the reporting of pathological subtypes and depth of invasion was inconsistent among institutions.

    CONCLUSION: The survey highlights variability in pathology report quality across centers. Standardized reporting, increased pathologist involvement in multidisciplinary teams, and adherence to international guidelines are necessary to improve the accuracy and clarity of pathology reports in urology.

  15. Ghanem MM, Leong XY, Veettil SK, Jada AA, Saeed M, Menon RK
    BDJ Open, 2025 Mar 17;11(1):25.
    PMID: 40097381 DOI: 10.1038/s41405-025-00315-x
    INTRODUCTION: Pre-fabricated fibre posts facilitate post-endodontic restoration of endodontically treated teeth with insufficient coronal tooth structure. Recent advancements in digital dentistry have led to the introduction of custom-made fibre posts fabricated with computer-aided design-computer-aided manufactured (CAD-CAM) technology. However, evidence on the comparative performance of the different post-types is lacking. This systematic review with network meta-analysis aimed to analyse the current evidence on in-vitro studies comparing bond strength, catastrophic failures, fracture resistance, and cement film thickness between CAD-CAM fibre posts and other post types, including pre-fabricated fibre and custom-made cast-metal posts.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Studies for in-vitro studies from inception until December 2023 (PROSPERO: CRD42024501614). Network meta-analysis and pairwise meta-analysis were performed. The ranking was performed using the surface area under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) guidelines.

    RESULTS: Seven hundred forty-one articles were identified, of which 80 duplicates were removed, and 585 were excluded by screening the titles and abstracts. A total of 76 articles were assessed by full-text reading, and 16 were included in the quantitative synthesis. CAD-CAM fibre posts (SMD = 1.09 [95% CI: 0.01, 2.17]) P = 0.04 demonstrated higher bond strength when compared to pre-fabricated posts. CAD-CAM fibre posts (RR = 0.39 [95% CI: 0.23, 0.69]) P 

  16. Tang R, Tang J, Talip MSA, Aridas NK, Xu X
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 17;15(1):9139.
    PMID: 40097450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-88145-7
    This study proposes an enhanced multi-agent swarm control algorithm (EN-MASCA) to solve the problem of efficient patrolling of drone swarms in complex durian orchard environments. It introduces a virtual navigator model to dynamically adjust the patrol path of the drone swarm and perform obstacle avoidance and path optimization in real time according to environmental changes. Different from traditional algorithms that only rely on fixed path planning, the virtual navigator model significantly improves the flexibility and stability of the drone swarm in complex environments. It also applies deep reinforcement learning algorithms to path planning and obstacle avoidance of drone swarms for the first time, improving the algorithm's adaptability and optimization capabilities by learning dynamic information in complex environments. This innovation significantly improves the applicability of existing methods in complex terrain and dynamic obstacle environments. Finally, it incorporates the simulation characteristics of biological swarm behavior, and on this basis, comprehensively optimizes the flight path, obstacle avoidance and swarm stability of the drone swarm. By improving control strategies and parameter design, it improves the trajectory consistency and mission completion efficiency of the UAV swarm during flight. In the experimental part, this study verified in detail the advantages of the EN-MASCA algorithm in terms of flight trajectory, flight stability, cluster consistency and task completion efficiency by constructing a six-degree-of-freedom UAV motion simulation model and real environment simulation. It provides an efficient and intelligent solution for collaborative patrol operations of drones in durian orchards, which has important practical application value and promotion prospects.
  17. Li L, Arip MA, Hong PC
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 17;15(1):9114.
    PMID: 40097513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92044-2
    This study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of the coordinated development between carbon productivity (CP) and high-quality economic development (HQED) across 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2021. Using the entropy weight method, coupling coordination degree (CCD), kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and spatial econometric models, the research identifies several key findings: first, a coupling and coordination relationship characterized by mutual influence and restraint exists between carbon productivity and high-quality economic development. Both carbon productivity and high-quality economic development, along with their coupling coordination degree, have exhibited continuous growth, demonstrating a spatial distribution pattern of "higher in the east than in the west, and higher in the south than in the north," accompanied by expanding spatial concentration and pronounced regional disparities. Second, the global Moran's I for the coupling coordination degree is positive, indicating significant spatial effects between carbon productivity and high-quality economic development. The LISA map highlights that high-high clusters are concentrated in the economically advanced eastern coastal areas, while low-low clusters are predominantly located in underdeveloped central and western regions and energy-dependent heavy industrial provinces. Third, the spatial effects of coupling coordination degree are influenced by factors such as economic development level, urbanization, technological progress, environmental regulation, the proportion of the secondary industry, and marketization level. The significance of these factors varies in the decomposition effect. Finally, this study provides policy recommendations. Within the framework of China's "dual-carbon" goals, promoting the coupling and coordinated development of carbon productivity and high-quality economic development, while fostering balanced regional growth, holds substantial practical importance.
  18. Kim L, Maijan P, Yeo SF
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 17;15(1):9115.
    PMID: 40097660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93940-3
    A society risks experiencing inadequate educational services from higher education institutions if severe shortages of lecturers persist. Addressing such a critical social issue necessitates prioritizing lecturer satisfaction, as it is intrinsically linked to lecturer retention, reduced turnover rates, institutional cohesion, lecturer well-being, professional teaching development, and enhanced research and publication outcomes. The study aims to investigate the spillover effects of work-family conflict on job-related consequences, specifically stress and burnout, which subsequently shape work attitudes such as lecturer satisfaction, with occupational experience examined as a moderating variable. Data were collected from 450 Thai lecturers through a survey questionnaire, and a path analysis technique was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that work-family conflict significantly influenced lecturer stress, which, in turn, was a key predictor of burnout. Additionally, burnout was found to significantly impact lecturer satisfaction, whereas stress did not directly influence satisfaction making burnout act as the mediator between stress and satisfaction. Furthermore, occupational experience moderated the relationship between burnout and lecturer satisfaction, highlighting its critical role in mitigating the adverse effects of burnout on overall work attitudes.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude; Family/psychology; Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction*; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thailand; Work-Life Balance
  19. Hasan R, Biswas B, Samiun M, Saleh MA, Prabha M, Akter J, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 17;15(1):9122.
    PMID: 40097688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93447-x
    The increasing prevalence of malware presents a critical challenge to cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for robust detection methods. This study uses a binary tabular classification dataset to evaluate the impact of feature selection, feature scaling, and machine learning (ML) models on malware detection. The methodology involves experimenting with three feature scaling techniques (no scaling, normalization, and min-max scaling), three feature selection methods (no selection, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA)), and twelve ML models, including traditional algorithms and ensemble methods. A publicly available dataset with 11,598 samples and 139 features is utilized, and model performance is assessed using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC-ROC. Results reveal that the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) achieves the highest accuracy of 97.16% when PCA and either min-max scaling or normalization are applied. Additionally, ensemble models consistently outperform traditional ML models, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing malware detection. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing preprocessing and model selection strategies for developing reliable and efficient malware detection systems.
  20. Arulappen AL, Khan AH, Danial M, Hasan SS, Chow TS, Ahmed NJ, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2025 Mar 17;25(1):369.
    PMID: 40097937 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-10752-6
    BACKGROUND: The alarming rate of bacterial resistance has urged for vigorous antibiotic de-escalation cultures worldwide. However, the art of de-escalation remains challenging as most clinicians have the fear or stigma that antibiotic de-escalation is strongly associated with higher mortality. This study aimed to determine the factors strongly correlated with higher mortality rates after antibiotic de-escalation and possibly serve as a benchmark study for developing a validated antibiotic de-escalation tool in the near future.

    METHOD: This retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit of a referral tertiary care center and subjected to antibiotics de-escalation over five years. Independent factors associated with mortality post antibiotics de-escalation were assessed. Various data were collected, including patient demographics, admission and discharge dates, a primary source of infection and free of infection status, choices of antibiotic used and de-escalation history, vital signs, data on X-ray changes, relevant laboratory investigations, microbiological culture history, mortality status, history of COVID-19 infection, presence of central line, number of vasopressors used, ventilator settings and respective SOFA scores.

    RESULTS: Prevalence of mortality among patients continued on broad-spectrum antibiotics empirically is remarkable. Through this study, it was found that the significant factors associated with mortality post antibiotic de-escalation were hospital-acquired infection (HAI) (Adjusted OR: 12.56; 95% CI: 2.88,54.98; p 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy; Bacterial Infections/mortality; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units*; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers
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