Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Nadarajan SS, Chui PL, Lee WL, Zaini NH
    BMC Nurs, 2025 Jan 27;24(1):93.
    PMID: 39865268 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-025-02736-3
    BACKGROUND: Nursing is a caring profession for which compassion is a core value. Increasing stress and declining job satisfaction are among the major challenges in nursing. Demographic and work-related factors may influence nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (i.e., burnout and secondary traumatic stress) levels. In this study, the level of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction and their associated factors were examined among nurses in a tertiary hospital.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The data were collected over a period of 6 months via online distribution of the Personal Information Form, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) version III and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) version V questionnaires. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency of the questionnaire scales was mostly acceptable and above 0.75. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic and rank domains of work environment-related factors for nurses and their levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Relationships between sociodemographic factors and the levels of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout were assessed by bivariate analyses. A p value 

  2. Ng YH, Jamil SNH, Sarian MN, Ahmed QU, Latip J, Lam SD, et al.
    Curr Neuropharmacol, 2025 Jan 24.
    PMID: 39865817 DOI: 10.2174/011570159X323666241029171256
    Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Antiseizure medications (ASM) remain a critical therapeutic intervention for treating epilepsy, notwithstanding the rapid development of other therapies. There have been substantial advances in epilepsy medications over the past three decades, with over 20 ASMs now available commercially. Here we describe the conventional and unique mechanisms of action of ASMs, focusing on everolimus, cannabidiol, cenobamate, fenfluramine, and ganaxolone, the five most recently marketed ASMs. Major obstacles in the development of ASMs are also addressed, particularly drug-resistant epilepsy as well as psychiatric and behavioral adverse effects of ASMs. Moreover, we delve into the mechanisms and comparative efficacy of ASM polytherapy, with remarks on the benefits and challenges in their application in clinical practice. In addition, the characteristics of the ideal ASM are outlined in this review. The review also discusses the development of new potential ASMs, including modifying existing ASMs to improve efficacy and tolerability. Furthermore, we expound on the modulation of γ- aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) as a strategy for the treatment of epilepsy and the identification of a GABAAR agonist, isoguvacine, as a potential ASM.
  3. Mohamed Jasim K, Malathi A, Bhardwaj S, Aw EC
    J Health Organ Manag, 2025 Jan 28.
    PMID: 39865955 DOI: 10.1108/JHOM-12-2023-0376
    PURPOSE: This systematic literature review aims to provide a comprehensive and structured synthesis of the existing knowledge about chatbots in healthcare from both a theoretical and methodological perspective.

    DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted with 89 articles selected through a SPAR-4-SLR systematic procedure. The document for this systematic review was collected from Scopus database. The VoSviewer software facilitates the analysis of keyword co-occurrence to form the fundamental structure of the subject field.

    FINDINGS: In addition, this study proposes a future research agenda revolving around three main themes such as (1) telemedicine, (2) mental health and (3) medical information.

    ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study underscores the significance, implications and predictors of chatbot usage in healthcare services. It is concluded that adopting the proposed future direction and further research on chatbots in healthcare will help to refine chatbot systems to better meet the needs of patients.

  4. Nwaibeh EA, Ali MKM
    Infect Dis Model, 2025 Jun;10(2):505-521.
    PMID: 39866178 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2024.12.011
    Hybrid-immune and immunodeficient individuals have been identified by the World Health Organization as two vulnerable groups in the context of COVID-19, but their distinct characteristics remain underexplored. To address this gap, we developed an extended SIVS compartmental model that simulates the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of administering three doses of the vaccine (first, second, and booster). This study aims to provide insights into how these vulnerable populations respond to vaccination and the dynamics of waning immunity. Using real-time data from the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (May 2023-April 2024), we estimated key parameters through numerical methods and fitted the model to the data using MATLAB's lsqcurvefit package. We carried out stability and equilibrium analyses, computed the basic reproduction number (R 0), and identified conditions for Hopf bifurcation. Sensitivity analysis highlights the parameters with the greatest impact on infection dynamics. The calculated basic reproduction number and stability results suggest that with current vaccination rates, COVID-19 will persist in the population over an extended period. Our findings provide valuable information for public health agencies, offering recommendations for vaccination strategies targeting hybrid-immune and immunodeficient groups. These insights can inform decisions about vaccine booster schedules and resource allocation to better manage the pandemic.
  5. Mohd-Azhar NAE, Baharuddin H, Salmi MS, Ismail NF, Md Ali AS, Saidin S, et al.
    MethodsX, 2025 Jun;14:103133.
    PMID: 39866194 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.103133
    The Asian Arowana, Scleropages formosus (Müller and Schlegel, 1844) is a large majestic freshwater teleost, crowned as the king of aquariums with its bright charismatic appearance and magnificent swimming performance. The most expensive Asian arowana is the Golden Blue-based Malayan Arowana which is endemic to the Bukit Merah Lake and Kerian River Basin, Perak, Malaysia. S. formosus has been listed as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), regulated under Appendix 1 of the Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) for commercial trade. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has become widely accepted in biodiversity monitoring for the detection of rare and endangered species without harming any ecosystem or threatened species. Hence, the application of eDNA as wild population monitoring of S. formosus is possible for conservation and CITES enforcement program.•The species-specific primer of S. formosus was designed based on selected sequences obtained from GenBank•This report presents the potential application of eDNA in the management of the Malaysian 686 CITES Act for conservation monitoring of the Asian Arowana•The detection and wild population monitoring is possible through the eDNA method as complementary tools.
  6. Zhang JJ, Ye XR, Liu XS, Zhang HL, Qiao Q
    World J Cardiol, 2025 Jan 26;17(1):101491.
    PMID: 39866213 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v17.i1.101491
    Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors represent a cutting-edge class of oral antidiabetic therapeutics that operate through selective inhibition of glucose reabsorption in proximal renal tubules, consequently augmenting urinary glucose excretion and attenuating blood glucose levels. Extensive clinical investigations have demonstrated their profound cardiovascular efficacy. Parallel basic science research has elucidated the mechanistic pathways through which diverse SGLT-2 inhibitors beneficially modulate pulmonary vascular cells and arterial remodeling. Specifically, these inhibitors exhibit promising potential in enhancing pulmonary vascular endothelial cell function, suppressing pulmonary smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, reversing pulmonary arterial remodeling, and maintaining hemodynamic equilibrium. This comprehensive review synthesizes current literature to delineate the mechanisms by which SGLT-2 inhibitors enhance pulmonary vascular cell function and reverse pulmonary remodeling, thereby offering novel therapeutic perspectives for pulmonary vascular diseases.
  7. Heidarzadehpilehrood R, Hamid HA, Pirhoushiaran M
    Metabol Open, 2025 Mar;25:100343.
    PMID: 39866289 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2024.100343
    BACKGROUND: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been implicated in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite VDR gene polymorphisms importance and their risk for PCOS, they have not been extensively studied. The main objective was to evaluate the associations between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk for PCOS.

    METHODS: The current systematic review and meta-analysis examined VDR gene polymorphisms with PCOS in case-control and cohort studies. Relevant keywords were used to search Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed publications until July 1, 2024. Selected papers were assessed for risk bias and quality using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model. The association between VDR gene polymorphism(s) and PCOS in women was reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

    RESULTS: Twenty eligible studies, including 5618 subjects, were included in systematic review and meta-analysis. This study revealed a significant association between ApaI (rs7975232; OR = 1.18, 95 % CI = 1.06-1.30, p 

  8. Alauddin FDA, Aman A, Ghazali MF, Daud S
    Heliyon, 2025 Jan 15;11(1):e41491.
    PMID: 39866413 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41491
    Digital platforms have significantly transformed the labor market, particularly in the gig economy. Despite this issue's growing importance, no systematic literature review has explicitly examined the influence of digital platforms on gig workers. This study fills this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of 18 articles out of 81 published between 2019 and 2023, retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, using the PRISMA framework. Thematic analysis revealed 12 key themes that capture the complex influence of digital platforms on gig workers, suggesting that platforms offer both opportunities and challenges. Digital platforms provide low barriers to entry, facilitate task allocation, and offer flexible work arrangements. However, gig workers face significant challenges, such as a lack of social protections, algorithmic control, intense competition, and downward pressure on wages. The implications are significant for sustainable economic development in the platform economy, underscoring the importance of collective organizing, re-evaluating platform practices, and strengthening labor regulations. As the gig economy expands globally, researchers, platforms, and policymakers must work together to ensure that the benefits of digital platforms are shared more equitably and that gig workers can thrive in this new world of work. Given the scarcity of papers published about this topic, the study has no specific focus on region and industry. In addition, this study only extracts papers that are published in English.
  9. Zulkarnain M, Harny I, Damanhuri AAM
    Heliyon, 2025 Jan 15;11(1):e41621.
    PMID: 39866485 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41621
    This paper explores the electrical conductivity interphase of Ag/Epoxy composite using modified McLachlan theory and 3D finite element composite model through experimental verification. The model characteristic presents conductivity as a dynamic function influenced by particle content, particle electrical properties, electrical properties transition, and an exponent. This model was meticulously crafted, considering the intricate interplay between the polymer matrix and silver particles, the tunnelling distance between adjacent silver particles, and the interphase regions around particles. This model has proven its mettle through rigorous analysis of experimental results and the impact of various parameters on conductivity. The predictions have shown impressive alignment with the experimental data, highlighting the crucial roles played by the parameters in the conductivity of silver composites where the percolation threshold reached 6 vol % of filler loading. The experimental study demonstrated that the electrical conductivity was 3.84 × 10-1 S/cm for micro-sized particles and 1.32 × 10-2 S/cm for nano-sized particles. Notably, a large tunnelling distance drastically reduces conductivity, while higher and slighter surface energies of the polymer matrix and filler enhance conductivity. Furthermore, a thin interphase yields minimal conductivity, whereas a thick interphase and low waviness improve conductivity. The McLachlan-modified model falls slightly short in accuracy compared to the 3D finite element method models. Adjustments to the equations can enhance its alignment with experimental data.
  10. Sivanandy P, Yuk LS, Yi CS, Kaur I, Ern FHS, Manirajan P
    IJID Reg, 2025 Mar;14:100516.
    PMID: 39866847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100516
    A systematic review was conducted to critically analyze the outbreaks, efficacy, and safety of drugs used to treat various Salmonella infections. Four drugs-azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-are commonly used to treat Salmonella infections, and all four drugs were included in this review. This review found that, of these, azithromycin and ceftriaxone were more effective in treating Salmonella infections based on the patient's length of stay in the hospital and the rate at which the fever was resolved. Fluoroquinolones are also effective in treating Salmonella infection but are not approved for use in children. Azithromycin was found to be the physicians' preferred choice of medication for Salmonella infection due to its less resistance development. Almost all these drugs produce varying degrees of adverse events, but they are mild to moderate. However, azithromycin was shown to be comparatively safer than the other three drugs in terms of side effects, adverse events, and relapse associated with Salmonella treatment. Developing effective and safe therapies for all strains of Salmonella remains a priority, especially given the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant variants.
  11. Kumar RNH, Rao CR, Maradi R, Umakanth S, Sanju SVC, Balu PS
    Perspect Clin Res, 2025;16(1):31-37.
    PMID: 39867528 DOI: 10.4103/picr.picr_20_24
    AIM: The study aimed to determine the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) patients receiving daily drug regimen with fixed-dose combination treatment under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based prospective cohort study was carried out in the Udupi district. Over 12 months, all newly diagnosed TB patients of either gender were included from 63 primary health centers and 6 community health centers, and ADRs were recorded by personal interviews.

    RESULTS: A total of 710 patients were enrolled, among whom 453 (63.8%), were males, and 257 (36.2%) were females. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed among 510 (71.8%) and 200 (28.2%) were extrapulmonary cases. During the intensive phase (IP) of treatment, 480 (67.6%) patients reported at least one ADR and 79 (11.1%) experienced two ADRs during IP and 31 (6.5%) had ADRs during the continuation phase. Out of 480, 140 (29.2%) had gastritis, 132 (27.5%) had vomiting, 105 (21.9%) had nausea, 60 (12.5%) had skin rashes, 27 (5.6%) had drug-induced hepatitis, and 16 (3.3%) had vision problems. Among 480 patients with ADRs, 462 (96.3%) had successful treatment outcomes, the remaining 17 patients (3.5%) died, and one (0.2%) had treatment failure.

    CONCLUSIONS: Adverse events were more common in the 1st few months of treatment than in subsequent months. All mild-to-moderate ADRs were effectively managed, and most had successful treatment outcomes.

  12. Arshed M, Mahmud AB, Umer MF, Mashhadi F, Kawish AB
    Pak J Med Sci, 2025 Jan;41(1):22-28.
    PMID: 39867791 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.41.1.9272
    BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Poor medication adherence is an essential contributor to Pakistan's high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. This study will be aimed to assess the efficacy of a one-of-a-kind developed intervention in improving medication adherence and treatment outcomes in hypertension patients.

    METHODS: Twleve months duration long randomized controlled trial from January to December 2021 will be carried out at Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex (SZMC), Lahore. A total of 440 patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with hypertension in the last month with non- adherence to antihypertensive therapy <80% of pills used in the last 30 days and have access to a smartphone will be randomized into either the intervention group (n=220) or the control group (n=220). For the intervention arm, a comprehensive intervention, the "Multi-Aid-Package," consisting of seven items: written, voice, and graphics messages, animated video, educational material, and a 24/7 help service, has been designed. Standard care will be provided to the control group. The primary outcome will be improved adherence to antihypertensive medication, while the secondary outcome will be an alteration in systolic blood pressure (SBP). The analysis will be intention to treat.

    CONCLUSION: According to this study, if the multifunctional Multi-Aid-Package proves to be a useful mobile health tool for improving hypertension patients' medication adherence, it will also significantly affect systolic blood pressure. In Pakistan and other comparable low- and middle-income countries LMICs, the Multi-Aid-Package ought to be taken into consideration as a means of enhancing adherence to medications among hypertension patients.

  13. Bushi G, Balaraman AK, Gaidhane S, Ballal S, Kumar S, Bhat M, et al.
    Brain Behav Immun Health, 2025 Feb;43:100931.
    PMID: 39867846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100931
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, presents major health challenges worldwide, leading to serious neurological and musculoskeletal issues that impact patients' lives and healthcare systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence and link between Lyme disease and these complications, aiming to enhance clinical and public health approaches.

    METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up until April 01, 2024, to find studies reporting the prevalence and severity of neurological and musculoskeletal complications associated with Lyme disease. Screening and data extraction were conducted using Nested Knowledge software. Two independent reviewers performed the quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses were performed using R software v4.3, employing a random-effects model.

    RESULTS: Out of 3576 records, 17 studies were included, involving 3932 participants. These studies revealed significant prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (21.1%) and neurological disabilities (18%) among Lyme disease patients. The analysis showed a notable increase in risk for both complications in individuals with Lyme disease, with pooled Risk Ratios (RR) of 1.82 for musculoskeletal symptoms and 1.64 for neurological disabilities, indicating a significantly higher risk compared to control groups. Although heterogeneity across the studies was high, sensitivity analysis confirmed the consistency of our findings. Additionally, there was evidence of publication bias.

    CONCLUSION: The study reveals significant neurological and musculoskeletal complications in Lyme disease patients, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and supportive care. The noted heterogeneity and potential publication bias highlight the need for transparent research and further study on long-term outcomes.

  14. Bashari MH, Agung MUK, Ariyanto EF, Al Muqarrabun LMR, Salsabila S, Chahyadi A, et al.
    J Exp Pharmacol, 2025;17:37-50.
    PMID: 39867869 DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S494777
    PURPOSE: A promising feature of marine sponges is the potential anticancer efficacy of their secondary metabolites. The objective of this study was to explore the anticancer activities of compounds from the fungal symbiont of Aaptos suberitoides on breast cancer cells.

    METHODS: In the present research, Aspergillus unguis, an endophytic fungal strain derived from the marine sponge A. suberitoides was successfully isolated and characterized. Subsequently, ethyl acetate extraction and isolation of chemical constituents produced was performed. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified using several spectroscopic methods, ie, UV, NMR, and mass spectrometry. Thereafter, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HaCat cells were treated with the isolated compounds. Not only viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle analyses were conducted, but also the mRNA expression of MCL1, BCL2L1, AKT1 and CDK2 were evaluated.

    RESULTS: The extract showed cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cells. Two novel compounds were successfully isolated and identified, ie, Unguisol A (15.1 mg) and Unguisol B (97.9 mg). Both compounds share the same basic skeleton and comprise an aromatic ring which is attached to a sulphur-containing, seven-membered ring via an oxygen atom. This marked the first-time isolation of Unguisol A and Unguisol B from A. unguis, highlighting their novelty. Both compounds induced early apoptosis (p < 0.01) and cell cycle arrest at the S phase (p < 0.05) in MDA-MB-231 cells, but not in HaCat cells. Both compounds suppressed BCL2L1 and AKT1 mRNA expression (p < 0.01).

    CONCLUSION: Two novel compounds were isolated from A. unguis. Unguisol A and Unguisol B induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via BCL2L1 mRNA downregulation, while both compounds induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase through AKT1 mRNA downregulation.

  15. Zahedi A, Katembu S, Sind SM, Sommer U, Kimamo C, Sommer W
    Appetite, 2025 Feb 01;206:107839.
    PMID: 39736414 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107839
    The ongoing obesity epidemic is an indicator that traditional efforts towards diet change are insufficient, and interventions focusing mainly on restrictions of unhealthy food are of limited success. Therefore, approaches targeting food preferences should be integral in counteracting the current epidemic. However, food preferences are affected by a multitude of factors and are usually resistant to changes later in life. Hence, we tested whether the food choices of preschool children can be changed by a child-appropriate, interactive, fairytale-like narrative. We used two interactive stories: the first (experimental) story was about how two protagonists of similar age as the participants saved their hometown from being drained of color with the help of magic fruits or vegetables, while the second (control) story consisted of a similar plot that did not mention food. In Experiment 1, we used a crossover design with a one-week baseline measurement. After the experimental stories, healthy food choices (i.e., pieces of fruit vs. cookies, sweets, or cake) increased significantly relative to the one-week baseline, whereas no change was observed after the control story. In preregistered Experiment 2, we replicated these results with vegetables as healthy options using a random control design and investigated the longevity of the effects. The food-story effect on vegetable choices was similar to fruits (Exp. 1) and lasted for two weeks. These findings demonstrate that appropriate narratives about food can have a strong and lasting effect on the healthy food choices of preschool children and might promote healthy food consumption if incorporated into nutrition education.
    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Choice Behavior*; Female; Fruit; Humans; Male; Vegetables*; Cross-Over Studies; Narration; Healthy Diet/psychology
  16. Joshi DC, Chavan MB, Gurow K, Gupta M, Dhaliwal JS, Ming LC
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2025 Feb;183:117827.
    PMID: 39854819 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.117827
    Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and psychiatric disturbances. A common feature of neurodegenerative disorders is mitochondrial dysfunction, which affects the brain's sensitivity to oxidative damage and its high oxygen demand. This dysfunction may plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. HD is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, which leads to the production of a toxic mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein. This disruption in mitochondrial function compromises energy metabolism and increases oxidative stress, resulting in mitochondrial DNA abnormalities, impaired calcium homeostasis, and altered mitochondrial dynamics. These effects ultimately may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and cell death, underscoring the importance of targeting mitochondrial function in developing therapeutic strategies for HD. This review discusses the mechanistic role of mitochondrial dysfunction in Huntington's disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a crucial factor in HD, making mitochondrial-targeted therapies a promising approach for treatment. We explore therapies that address bioenergy deficits, antioxidants that reduce reactive oxygen species, calcium modulators that restore calcium homeostasis, and treatments that enhance mitochondrial dynamics to rejuvenate mitochondrial function. We also highlight innovative treatment approaches such as gene editing and stem cell therapy, which offer hope for more personalized strategies. In conclusion, understanding mitochondrial dysfunction in Huntington's disease may guide potential treatment strategies. Targeting this dysfunction may help to slow disease progression and enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by Huntington's disease.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Energy Metabolism/drug effects; Humans; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Oxidative Stress
  17. Yu X, Lim KS, Tang LY, David P, Ong ZQ, Wong KY, et al.
    Epilepsy Behav, 2025 Jan 23;164:110262.
    PMID: 39854827 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110262
    OBJECTIVES: Caregiving for adults with epilepsy (AWE) imposes a different degree and scope of challenges than for children and teenagers with epilepsy, and it remains understudied. This study aimed to identify the types of caregiver burdens, needs, and coping strategies in caregiving for AWE.

    METHODS: Previous studies relevant to this topic were identified from 7 databases. Searches were performed in PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection (PBSC), Embase, PsychINFO from 1 Jan 1980 to 31 December 2023. The findings were reported according to caregiver burden, caregiver needs, and coping strategies.

    RESULTS: 22 studies were included in this review, including 14 quantitative and 8 qualitative studies. Six types of burdens were identified: psychological, physical, medical, economic, social, and family. The predominantly reported burden was the psychological burden in developed and developing countries. However, caregivers in developing countries reported additional physical, social, and economic burdens due to cultural and socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, inaccessible and unaffordable health care with a lack of medical knowledge exacerbated the challenges. Stigma and misconceptions led to more psychological distress and social restriction. There is a need for psychological, social, and family support as well as medical information to promote self-efficacy among caregivers. Most caregivers develop their own coping strategies for dealing with caregiving stress.

    CONCLUSION: The caregiving burden for AWE is an understudied area that needs to be addressed by healthcare professionals. The caregivers are experiencing unaddressed psychological and other types of burdens, together with a lack of appropriate interventions and healthcare information.

  18. Alkhadher SAA, Sidek LM, Zakaria MP, Al-Gradi M, Suratman S, Khan MSJ, et al.
    Aquat Toxicol, 2025 Feb;279:107254.
    PMID: 39854961 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107254
    This review article provides a thorough examination of an interaction between linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and ecosystems. The review covers various aspects of LABs' impact on ecosystems, focusing on detection and treatment strategies to mitigate ecological consequences. It delves into LABs' role as molecular markers for sewage pollution, their physicochemical properties contributing to persistence, and their effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including disruptions to endocrine systems. The diverse sources of LABs, including domestic wastewater and industrial effluents, are explored, along with their ratios in different matrices for assessing contamination origins. Biodegradation pathways of LABs, both aerobic and anaerobic, are scrutinized, considering their interaction with microbes. Distribution patterns in aquatic environments are discussed, encompassing sediment, water, sewage, and soils. An investigation is conducted on the relationship between LABs and total organic carbon (TOC) as a means of evaluating sewage pollution. It is assessed how sewage treatment facilities (STPs) contribute to biodegradation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Benzene Derivatives/analysis; Biodegradation, Environmental*; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Sewage/chemistry; Ecosystem*; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Waste Water/chemistry
  19. Karmakar S, Riya KK, Jolly YN, Akter S, Mamun KM, Kabir J, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2025 Jan 23;212:117587.
    PMID: 39855060 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117587
    The pervasive and escalating issue of toxic metal pollution has gathered global attention, necessitating the exploration of innovative ecological strategies like phytoremediation. This study explored the extent of potentially toxic metal contamination status and the effectiveness of three planted mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza,and Excoecaria agallocha) in phytoremediation efforts to reduce pollution level. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of elements in the sediment of the area followed a descending sequence: Fe (27,136.67 ± 929.57 mg/kg) > Ti (3371.53 ± 228.08 mg/kg) > Sr (198.59 ± 37.43 mg/kg) > Zr (159.49 ± 22.35 mg/kg) > Rb (159.11 ± 17.63 mg/kg) > Cu (82.73 ± 5.01 mg/kg) > Zn (61.29 ± 2.42 mg/kg). The comprehensive assessment of pollution indices, encompassing enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo), elucidated a low to medium contamination level, particularly regarding Cu, primarily attributed to anthropogenic sources. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) unveiled the influence of anthropogenic activities on heavy metal distribution. Evaluating the phytoremediation potentiality via bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) revealed limited metal accumulation in plant tissues, yet TF values exceeding 1 demonstrated efficient metal translocation from roots to aerial parts. Remarkably, Excoecaria agallocha exhibited the greatest phytoremediation potential, effectively translocating metals such as Cu and Zn to aerial parts (TF > 1). Thus, the intricate interplay between mangrove species and their environmental setting emerges as pivotal in curbing heavy metal transfer to neighboring estuarine and marine ecosystems.
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