Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Huang T, Fakurazi S, Cheah PS, Ling KH
    Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 22;15(1):2818.
    PMID: 39843579 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-87314-y
    Increasing shreds of evidence suggest that neurogenic-to-gliogenic shift may be critical to the abnormal neurodevelopment observed in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). REST, the Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription factor, regulates the differentiation and development of neural cells. Downregulation of REST may lead to defects in post-differentiation neuronal morphology in the brain of the DS fetal. This study aims to elucidate the role of REST in DS-derived NPCs using bioinformatics analyses and laboratory validations. We identified and validated vital REST-targeted DEGs: CD44, TGFB1, FN1, ITGB1, and COL1A1. Interestingly, these genes are involved in neurogenesis and gliogenesis in DS-derived NPCs. Furthermore, we identified nuclear REST loss and the neuroblast marker, DCX, was downregulated in DS human trisomic induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived NPCs, whereas the glioblast marker, NFIA, was upregulated. Our findings indicate that the loss of REST is critical in the neurogenic-to-gliogenic shift observed in DS-derived NPCs. REST and its target genes may collectively regulate the NPC phenotype.
    MeSH terms: Cell Differentiation/genetics; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Antigens, CD44; Antigens, CD29/genetics; Antigens, CD29/metabolism; Computational Biology/methods; NFI Transcription Factors/genetics; NFI Transcription Factors/metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism
  2. Zakaria NH, Abd Rahim NDE, Rosilan NF, Sung YY, Waiho K, Harun S, et al.
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2025 Jan 23;41(2):45.
    PMID: 39843643 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-025-04262-5
    Vibrio parahaemolyticus poses a notable threat to marine ecosystems and can cause infections and disease outbreaks in seafood species, which can affect humans upon consumption. The global impacts of such infections and outbreaks on human and animal health led to a growing number of studies from various countries discussing the prevention, control, treatment, and overall implications of V. parahaemolyticus. Hence, this study aims to retrieve relevant studies on V. parahaemolyticus using a bibliometric analysis to understand current research status, trends, and hotspots regarding this bacteria. Relevant literature was searched across the Scopus database, and the data were subsequently analyzed using Biblioshiny software. In addition, a manual examination was conducted to identify the hosts of V. parahaemolyticus and diseases caused by the bacteria. Overall, 7,096 records were obtained from Scopus from 1963 to 2023. A bibliometric analysis identified 17,220 authors, with China emerging as the global leader. The analysis also highlighted significant keywords such as "Vibrio parahaemolyticus," "Litopenaeus vannamei," and "innate immunity," suggesting a focus on the impact of V. parahaemolyticus on L. vannamei, specifically emphasizing the shrimp's innate immune responses. Host-disease interaction network also uncovered 53 interactions between hosts and diseases involving L. vannamei or Penaeus vannamei as the primary host, with acute hepatopancreas necrosis disease (AHPND) emerging as the most prevalent among them. This study can enhance our understanding of infections caused by V. parahaemolyticus and contribute to the development of effective strategies for their prevention and management.
    MeSH terms: Animals; China; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Vibrio parahaemolyticus*; Bibliometrics*; Seafood/microbiology; Penaeidae/microbiology; Host-Pathogen Interactions
  3. Lim BH, D'Ippoliti C, Dominik M, Hernández-Mondragón AC, Vermeir K, Chong KK, et al.
    Nature, 2025 Feb;638(8050):459-468.
    PMID: 39843736 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08422-9
    The assessment of research performance is widely seen as a vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress. Academic institutions need to take critical decisions on hiring and promotion, while facing external pressure by also being subject to research assessment1-4. Here we present an outlook on research assessment for career progression with specific focus on promotion to full professorship, based on 314 policies from 190 academic institutions and 218 policies from 58 government agencies, covering 32 countries in the Global North and 89 countries in the Global South. We investigated how frequently various promotion criteria are mentioned and carried out a statistical analysis to infer commonalities and differences across policies. Although quantitative methods of assessment remain popular, in agreement with what is found in more geographically restricted studies5-9, they are not omnipresent. We find differences between the Global North and the Global South as well as between institutional and national policies, but less so between disciplines. A preference for bibliometric indicators is more marked in upper-middle-income countries. Although we see some variation, many promotion policies are based on the assumption of specific career paths that become normative rather than embracing diversity. In turn, this restricts opportunities for researchers. These results challenge current practice and have strategic implications for researchers, research managers and national governments.
  4. Xiong Q, Chen Q, Tang S, Li Y
    Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 22;15(1):2879.
    PMID: 39843892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-85721-9
    Deep learning has achieved significant success in the field of defect detection; however, challenges remain in detecting small-sized, densely packed parts under complex working conditions, including occlusion and unstable lighting conditions. This paper introduces YOLOv8-n as the core network to propose VEE-YOLO, a robust and high-performance defect detection model. Firstly, GSConv was introduced to enhance feature extraction in depthwise separable convolution and establish the VOVGSCSP module, emphasizing feature reusability for more effective feature engineering. Secondly, improvements were made to the model's feature extraction quality by encoding inter-channel information using efficient multi-Scale attention to consider channel importance. Precise integration of spatial structural and channel information further enhanced the model's overall feature extraction capability. Finally, EIoU Loss replaced CIoU Loss to address bounding box aspect ratio variability and sample imbalance challenges, significantly improving overall detection task performance. The algorithm's performance was evaluated using a dataset to detect stranded elastic needle defects. The experimental results indicate that the enhanced VEE-YOLO model's size decreased from 6.096 M to 5.486 M, while the detection speed increased from 179FPS to 244FPS, achieving a mAP of 0.926. Remarkable advancements across multiple metrics make it well-suited for deploying deep detection models in complex industrial environments.
  5. Abdullah N, Goh YX, Khuzaimi AN, Kamalul Arifin AS, Mhd Yusuf NA, Abd Jalal N, et al.
    J Diabetes, 2025 Jan;17(1):e70039.
    PMID: 39843936 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.70039
    BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that the creatinine-to-body weight (Cre/BW) ratio is a predictor for incident diabetes in the Asian population. This study examined the association between Cre/BW ratio and incident diabetes, as well as the relationship between Cre/BW ratio and skeletal muscle and body fat mass in a multiethnic Malaysian cohort.

    METHODS: A total of 13 047 eligible participants were selected from 119 560 The Malaysian Cohort participants. Of these, 750 who developed diabetes were selected as cases, while 3750 controls were chosen randomly from healthy participants. This nested case-control study included 4500 eligible participants from The Malaysian Cohort, with a 1:5 case-to-control ratio. Participants were stratified into four groups based on Cre/BW ratio quartiles. The Cox proportional hazards model evaluated the effect of Cre/BW ratio on developing incident diabetes. The association between Cre/BW ratio and body composition was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

    RESULTS: Of the 13 047 eligible participants followed up over 5.3 years, 5.75% (n = 750) developed diabetes. Diabetes incidence decreased with increasing Cre/BW ratios. The Cre/BW ratio was inversely correlated with diabetes risk (HR: 0.403, 95% CI: 0.315-0.515, p 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Body Composition; Body Weight*; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Body Mass Index; Incidence; Case-Control Studies
  6. Shabil M, Gaidhane S, Roopashree R, Kaur M, Srivastava M, Barwal A, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2025 Jan 22;25(1):102.
    PMID: 39844097 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-10512-6
    BACKGROUND: Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that has seen a resurgence in recent years, with outbreaks reaching beyond its traditional endemic zones in Central and West Africa to parts of Europe and North America. The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and mpox outcomes, particularly hospitalization rates, remains underexplored despite the known immunosuppressive effects of HIV. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between HIV infection and the likelihood of hospitalization in mpox cases.

    METHODS: A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up until August 10, 2024. The eligibility criteria focused on observational studies that evaluated hospitalization rates among mpox cases, distinguishing between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for evaluating study quality. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model to accommodate expected study heterogeneity using R software (V. 4.4).

    RESULTS: The search yielded 686 records, with 14 studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria after screenings and full-text assessments. The pooled analysis revealed a 56.6% increased risk of hospitalization among HIV-positive mpox cases compared to HIV-negative individuals (95% CI: 18.0-107.7%). Notable heterogeneity (I² = 76%) was observed, likely reflecting variations in study settings and methodologies. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings, and no significant publication bias was detected (Egger's test p-value = 0.733).

    CONCLUSION: HIV infection is associated with a statistically significant increased risk of hospitalization in mpox cases. There is a critical need for integrated care and enhanced surveillance, especially in populations with high HIV prevalence. Our findings emphasize the importance of ongoing research to better understand HIV and mpox co-infection and to refine management strategies for this vulnerable group. Future studies should focus on long-term outcomes and the effectiveness of various management strategies across different healthcare settings.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Zoonoses/epidemiology; Zoonoses/virology
  7. Hussain ASM, Ghadzi SMS, Sulaiman SAS, Alsahali SM, Khan SF
    J Health Popul Nutr, 2025 Jan 22;44(1):15.
    PMID: 39844331 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-025-00751-3
    BACKGROUND: Medication reconciliation has been acknowledged as a key intervention against medication errors. More than half of the medication errors that happen during care transitions are caused by unjustified medication discrepancies and up to one-third of these mistakes may be harmful. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of health care providers in on medication reconciliation process, pre and post educational intervention.

    METHODS: A hospital-based prospective quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 among 346 healthcare professionals (medical doctors, pharmacists and nurses) practicing in King Saud Hospital (KSH), Unayzah, Saudi Arabia. The subjects were recruited using the convenience sampling method.An educational intervention workshop was conducted among the healthcare professionals. The KAP was assessed before and after the educational intervention using a content and face validated self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to differentiate the mean response scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice domains, between pre and post intervention. Kruskal Wallis Test followed by Dunn's post hoc test was used to compare the mean response scores for knowledge, attitude and practice domains based on educational qualification and practicing experience for the pre and post-test period. The level of significance is determined at P 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Female; Health Personnel/education; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Saudi Arabia
  8. Barker JN, Casanova E, Choon SE, Foley P, Fujita H, Gonzalez C, et al.
    Br J Dermatol, 2025 Jan 23.
    PMID: 39844356 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae491
    BACKGROUND: Generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a chronic, systemic, neutrophilic inflammatory disease. A previous Delphi panel established areas of consensus on GPP, although patient perspectives were not included, and aspects of treatment goals remain unclear.

    OBJECTIVES: To identify and achieve consensus on refined, specific treatment goals for GPP treatment via a Delphi panel with patient participation.

    METHODS: Statements were generated based on a systematic literature review and revised by a Steering Committee. Statements were categorised into overarching principles, short-term treatment goals and long-term treatment goals. A global panel of 30 dermatologists and three patient representatives voted in agreement or disagreement with each statement. Consensus was defined as ≥80% approval by panellists.

    RESULTS: Consensus was reached in the first round of voting and ≥90% agreement was reached for 23/26 statements. In summary, GPP requires a timely, tailored treatment plan, co-developed by patients and physicians, that involves a multidisciplinary approach and addresses the complexity, heterogeneity and chronicity of the disease. Short-term treatment goals should include pustule clearance within 7 days and prevention of pustule recurrence, reduction of cutaneous symptom burden (≥ -4 points on the Itch and Skin Pain Numeric Rating Scale), improvement in systemic symptoms (e.g. resolution of fever within 3 days of treatment initiation and reduced fatigue), prevention of life-threatening complications, and progressive improvement of inflammatory biomarkers. In patients with comorbid psoriatic diseases, treatment decisions should prioritise GPP. Long-term treatment goals should include minimising disease activity through flare prevention and symptom control between flares, sustained disease control, management of comorbidities and improvement in quality of life (QoL). Small differences in perception between patients and physicians regarding the importance of certain treatment goals, e.g. avoiding hair and/or nail loss to improve QoL, reflect the complexity of assessing treatment goals and emphasise the need for a patient-centred approach.

    CONCLUSIONS: In the first global Delphi panel in GPP to include patient perspectives, consensus between dermatologists and patients was achieved on overarching principles of treatment, short-term and long-term treatment goals for GPP. These findings provide valuable insights for developing guidelines that consider the perspectives of both patients and physicians in the treatment of GPP.

  9. Kambach S, Bruelheide H, Comita LS, Condit R, Wright SJ, Aguilar S, et al.
    Ecology, 2025 Jan;106(1):e4527.
    PMID: 39844593 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4527
    All species must partition resources among the processes that underly growth, survival, and reproduction. The resulting demographic trade-offs constrain the range of viable life-history strategies and are hypothesized to promote local coexistence. Tropical forests pose ideal systems to study demographic trade-offs as they have a high diversity of coexisting tree species whose life-history strategies tend to align along two orthogonal axes of variation: a growth-survival trade-off that separates species with fast growth from species with high survival and a stature-recruitment trade-off that separates species that achieve large stature from species with high recruitment. As these trade-offs have typically been explored for trees ≥1 cm dbh, it is unclear how species' growth and survival during earliest seedling stages are related to the trade-offs for trees ≥1 cm dbh. Here, we used principal components and correlation analyses to (1) determine the main demographic trade-offs among seed-to-seedling transition rates and growth and survival rates from the seedling to overstory size classes of 1188 tree species from large-scale forest dynamics plots in Panama, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Taiwan, and Malaysia and (2) quantify the predictive power of maximum dbh, wood density, seed mass, and specific leaf area for species' position along these demographic trade-off gradients. In four out of five forests, the growth-survival trade-off was the most important demographic trade-off and encompassed growth and survival of both seedlings and trees ≥1 cm dbh. The second most important trade-off separated species with relatively fast growth and high survival at the seedling stage from species with relatively fast growth and high survival ≥1 cm dbh. The relationship between seed-to-seedling transition rates and these two trade-off aces differed between sites. All four traits were significant predictors for species' position along the two trade-off gradients, albeit with varying importance. We concluded that, after accounting for the species' position along the growth-survival trade-off, tree species tend to trade off growth and survival at the seedling with later life stages. This ontogenetic trade-off offers a mechanistic explanation for the stature-recruitment trade-off that constitutes an additional ontogenetic dimension of life-history variation in species-rich ecosystems.
    MeSH terms: Ecuador; Malaysia; Panama; Population Dynamics; Taiwan; Trees/growth & development; Trees/physiology; Tropical Climate*; Forests*
  10. Buhari SB, Ghahremani Nezhad N, Normi YM, Mohd Shariff F, Leow TC
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2025 Jan 23.
    PMID: 39844700 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2440646
    The quest for sustainable solutions to plastic pollution has driven research into plastic-degrading enzymes, offering promising avenues for polymer recycling applications. However, enzymes derived from natural sources often exhibit suboptimal thermostability, hindering their industrial viability. Protein engineering techniques have emerged as a powerful approach to enhance the desired properties of these biocatalysts. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the thermostability of Vibrio palustris PETase (VpPETase) through an integrated computational approach encompassing homology modeling, site-specific molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and comparative evaluation of a single-point mutation (V195F) against the wild-type enzyme. Homology modeling was used to predict VpPETase model using multiple templates. Model quality was rigorously assessed using Ramachandran plot analysis, ProSA, Verify 3D, and ERRAT. Molecular docking elucidated the catalytic region comprising residues His149, Asp117, and Ser71, while highlighting the pivotal roles of His149, Tyr1, and Ser71 in substrate binding affinity. MD simulations at various temperatures revealed higher stability at 313.15 K over a 100 ns trajectory, as evidenced by analyses of root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), hydrogen bonding, and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF). The V195F mutant exhibited a slight increase in stability compared to wild-type. While this study provides valuable insights into the thermostability of VpPETase, further investigations, including experimental validation of thermostability enhancements and in vitro characterization, are warranted to fully exploit the potential of this enzyme for industrial applications in plastic recycling.
  11. Zafar M, Sakidin H, Hussain A, Ullah F, Sheremet M, Dzulkarnain I, et al.
    Heliyon, 2025 Jan 15;11(1):e41512.
    PMID: 39844996 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41512
    Although oil extraction is indispensable for meeting worldwide energy demands and ensuring industrial sustainability, various hazards are observed. Therefore, this study examined the chemical oil recovery-related environmental consequences concerning water, soil, ecosystem, and human health damages. A numerical analysis explored the mathematical model for oil extraction from unconventional sources by utilising 3D porous prism geometries under high-temperature conditions. This unique methodology utilised environmentally friendly TiO2-SiO2 hybrid nanoparticles, which were not previously investigated. The optimal conditions for oil extraction were then determined by simulations performed at 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C for 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 12 h. This study also explored the optimisation of recovery rates by analysing several variables using ANSYS Fluent software, such as flow rate, porosity, and volume fraction. Consequently, these green TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles presented an oil recovery rate that was 28 % and 6 % higher than water-flooding and conventional monofluid injection techniques, respectively. This outcome suggested that these TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles could enhance efficiency and minimise environmental damage.
  12. Khan MI, Sufian S, Hassan F, Shamsuddin R, Farooq M
    RSC Adv, 2025 Jan 16;15(3):1989-2010.
    PMID: 39845118 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra05782a
    In this study, a binary composite adsorbent based on activated carbon and phosphoric acid geopolymer foam (ACP) was prepared by combining phosphoric acid geopolymer (PAGP) with activated carbon (AC) and applied for the removal of methylene blue (MB). Activated carbon was thoroughly mixed with a mixture of fly ash and metakaolin in varying ratios, followed by phosphoric acid activation and thermal curing. The ACP adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), surface area analyser (SAP), and thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). Batch analysis was performed to examine the effects of various adsorption parameters including pH (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10), adsorbent dosage (0.06-0.2 g), MB concentration (50-250 mg L-1), contact duration (up to 240 minutes), and temperature (25-55 °C). The ACP with 70% PAGP and 30% AC was found to be the most suitable adsorbent as it maintained its structure and exhibited better MB adsorption. The ACP had a surface area of 47.36 m2 g-1 and a pore size of 5.6 nm and was found to be amorphous in nature. The adsorption equilibrium reached in 240 minutes at pH 7, indicating an efficient adsorption process. The adsorption increased with the initial dye concentration and decreased with the increase in temperature. The ideal parameters for adsorption of MB using ACP include 0.2 g of adsorbent, 25 °C, pH 10, and 240 minutes. The adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm, pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics model, and three-step intraparticle diffusion (IPD) model. The adsorption capacity calculated using the Langmuir isotherm was 204.8 mg g-1 with an R 2 = 0.989. Thermodynamics parameters showed that the adsorption process was exothermic, energetically favourable, and associated with a decrease in entropy. According to the FTIR findings, pH effect, Langmuir isotherm, PSO kinetics, IPD model, and thermodynamics factors, chemisorption is identified as the predominant process. Different machine learning models, i.e., gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR and SVR-rbf), random forest regression (RFR), decision tree regression (DTR) and artificial neural network (ANN), were trained and tested using adsorption capacity and % removal data. The ANN model (random search) demonstrated better performance compared to other models, achieving an R 2 value of 0.873 for adsorption capacity and 0.799 for % removal on test data.
  13. Ing SK, Lee YH, Ngu NH, Wong KKY, Ismail AMB, Chai CS, et al.
    Breathe (Sheff), 2025 Jan;21(1):240125.
    PMID: 39845436 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0125-2024
    Patients with multisystemic presentation including respiratory symptoms and generalised lymphadenopathy should alert the clinician to this potential diagnosis https://bit.ly/4eJ0PHT.
  14. Rosmawati R, Sari SF, Asnani A, Embe W, Asjun A, Wibowo D, et al.
    Int J Food Sci, 2025;2025:7568352.
    PMID: 39845694 DOI: 10.1155/ijfo/7568352
    Two plasticizers with distinct properties are carefully studied in this research for their suitability in creating biocomposite edible film products. The study uncovers films' physical, tensile, and biodegradability attributes, using snakehead gelatin and ĸ-carrageenan in different concentrations, with sorbitol or glycerol as plasticizers. The biomaterials of the edible film consist of snakehead gelatin (Channa striata) 2% (w/v); ĸ-carrageenan at concentrations of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% (w/v); and sorbitol/glycerol 15% (v/v). The addition of ĸ-carrageenan up to 2% in the formulation increased the film thickness to 0.046 ± 0.005 mm, tensile strength to 2.05 ± 0.56 MPa, and elongation at break to 35.00% ± 2.92% while decreasing the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) to 0.17 ± 0.00 g/mm2/h (p < 0.05). The effect of glycerol in the composite did not affect thickness and luminosity (L ∗) (p > 0.05), but the tensile strength increased from 0.18 ± 0.17 to 1.03 ± 0.40 MPa (p > 0.05). Sorbitol increased the value of color difference, elongation at break, and WVTR, namely, 19.77 ± 1.02, 25.20% ± 1.79%, and 0.28 ± 0.02 g/mm2/h, respectively (p < 0.05). The swelling index of the films increased with ĸ-carrageenan concentration, whereas the water content decreased (p < 0.05). The addition of sorbitol reduced the solubility of the film from 71.43% ± 12.39% to 42.67% ± 15.44% (p < 0.05), while glycerol did not affect changes in film solubility (p > 0.05). The presence of sorbitol had no significant effect on the contact angle (p > 0.05) and was more affected by the addition of glycerol at higher ĸ-carrageenan concentrations (p < 0.05). The ability to decompose after 28 days was more remarkable for films containing glycerol than sorbitol. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the functional group structures of all samples, indicating that no new compounds were formed in them. The surface structure of the sorbitol-plasticized film was predicted to be rougher and easily cracked, but more compact and dense, while the glycerol-plasticized film tended to be smoother with fainter cracks due to its hygroscopic properties.
  15. Suleiman AK, Ming LC
    J Pharm Policy Pract, 2025;18(1):2449051.
    PMID: 39845746 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2449051
    Vision 2030 represents Saudi Arabia's strategic socio-economic plan aimed at promoting economic diversification and enhancing living standards. Launched in April 2016, this vision describes an innovative healthcare plan to improve services and outcomes. The merits and drawbacks of public hospitals' 'Model of Care' are examined in this study. This assessment summarises Vision 2030s healthcare revolution. This study explores the innovative 'Model of Care' and its potential to change Saudi healthcare. Prior to Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's healthcare system grappled with escalating costs and a heavy reliance on foreign labour, signalling a need for transformative change. Vision 2030s patient-centric framework emphasises individualised treatment, and the National Guidelines Center's role in standardising healthcare processes is examined in this review. In addition, we also explored the new initiative of Electronic Health Records and telemedicine services. Additionally, we addressed the challenges associated with it, such as the imperative to address the digital divide and ensure data security. Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia brought about a significant transformation in the provision of healthcare. Despite the presence of challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient personnel, and resistance to change, this vision offers a robust foundation for effectively tackling these concerns. The implementation of these improvements is expected to enhance the calibre and accessibility of healthcare services. This transitional change ensures healthcare is both innovative and inclusive, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. This measure is expected to enhance the general welfare and economic success of the population in Saudi Arabia. The future of healthcare in the Kingdom hinges on the effective implementation of evidence-based therapy, collaborative cooperation, and equitable practices. The healthcare sector possesses significant potential for substantial positive transformation, notwithstanding its continuous nature.
  16. Prasetya AIP, Ammarullah MI, Winarni TI, Pramono A, Jamari J, Kamarul T, et al.
    Health Sci Rep, 2025 Jan;8(1):e70305.
    PMID: 39846047 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70305
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High contact stresses involving the hip have been shown to increase the risk of developing hip osteoarthritis (OA). Although several risk factors have been identified for OA, a holistic approach to predicting contributed factors toward increased hip contact stresses have not been explored. This study was conducted to comprehensively understand the effects of physical activity on high hip contact stress as predisposing factors of OA.

    METHODS: The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42022296638 and conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. Full articles that matched our inclusion criteria were selected using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search engines and keywords such as "hip contact stress," "hip contact force," and/or "hip contact pressure." Category of factors, experimental design, results of the study, and evidence from each article were analyzed.

    RESULTS: In total 7972 papers were screened, identified, and reviewed. Two independent authors read the collected fulltext of eligible articles resulting in 21 papers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this systematic review.

    CONCLUSION: Types of physical activity (n = 21) have correlation with high hip joint contact stress in various manner. Based on the research findings obtained from various inclusion papers, it can be broadly concluded that the more intense the physical activity, such as running and stair climbing, the greater the impact on the increase in hip contact stress values. However, the reviewed studies vary in their methods. This finding suggested that this area is not well investigated and warrants future research.

  17. Ramamoorthi L, Jeyabalan S, Sankar S, Begum MY, Duraipandian C, Sekar M, et al.
    Biomol Concepts, 2025 Jan 01;16(1).
    PMID: 39846213 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0050
    Seaweeds have been utilized as food, fodder, fertilizer, and medicine since ancient times; nevertheless, they have received only a little attention. In the current work, we extracted the sulfated polysaccharide from a marine source and investigated its anti-arthritic potential in vivo. The isolated and freeze-dried polysaccharide was tested for acute oral toxicity based on OECD 423. This step was followed by investigations on clinical signs and gross pathological alterations seen. A complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis was used to test the in vivo activity in female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into five groups: (1) normal control, (2) arthritic control, (3) methotrexate treatment (0.1 mg/kg), (4) crude sulfated polysaccharide (CSP) (5 mg/kg), and (5) CSP (10 mg/kg). CSP was from the marine brown algae Sargassum ilicifolium from the Gulf of Mannar. The body weight, paw volume, and biochemical markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, and C-reactive protein levels) were also measured for each group coupled with histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies. The acute toxicity investigation indicated that the lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of the polysaccharide was more than 2,000 mg/kg. In addition, animals from the methotrexate and CSP (5 mg/kg, p.o.) groups had a substantial reduction in paw volume compared to other treatment groups. Methotrexate and CSP treatment dramatically decreased the levels of the investigated marker enzymes. Histopathology revealed that low-dose CSP (5 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the severity of synovitis, panniculitis, liver necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cortical and paracortical necrotic foci in node, compared to the high dose (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Immunohistochemical studies revealed that CSP (5 mg/kg) significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-2, and CD4 cells. Overall, it can be concluded that a low-dose CSP (5 mg/kg) is an efficient anti-arthritic agent that confers its effects via the cytokine pathway.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy; Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism; Arthritis, Experimental/pathology; Female; Methotrexate/pharmacology; Sulfates/chemistry; Rats, Sprague-Dawley*; Rats
  18. Sreeramareddy CT, Shu Syuen MO, Hon MI, Daher AM
    Nicotine Tob Res, 2025 Jan 22;27(2):254-261.
    PMID: 39110887 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae187
    INTRODUCTION: Data on e-cigarette (EC) and heated tobacco product (HTP) use and the reasons for their use are useful for policy making. We report comparable nationally representative estimates of EC and HTP use and their associated factors.

    AIMS AND METHODS: Global Adult Tobacco Survey data from Indonesia (2021), Kazakhstan (2019), and the Philippines (2021) were analyzed. The weighted prevalence rates and 95% CI of EC and HTP awareness, current use, and ever use, and their distribution by cigarette smoking status were calculated. Binary logistic regression analyses assessed socioeconomic, and tobacco control factors associated with EC and HTP use.

    RESULTS: The prevalence (%) of EC awareness, ever use and current use were 48.7-69.4, 3.6-8.8, and 1.9-3.0, respectively. The prevalence(%) of HTP awareness, ever use and current use were 2.7-21.7, 0.2-2.1, and 0.1-1.2, respectively. The main reasons for EC and HTP use were attractive flavors(45.8%-73.9%), less harmful than smoking(23.0%-70.1%), and enjoyment(40.8%-76.7%). Avoiding going back to smoking(0.9%-54.4%) and quitting smoking(19.4%-49.8%) were less frequently cited reasons (except in the Philippines). EC/HTP use was associated with younger age, higher education and wealth, current/past smoking, exposure to information about the dangers of tobacco use, and advertisements about tobacco products and smoke-free rules at home.

    CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EC and HTP use was higher among younger men with higher education and wealth, and current/past smoking. EC and HTP use should be closely monitored. Regulations to restrict the widespread marketing and sales of EC and HTP are needed to prevent the escalation of their use.

    IMPLICATIONS: The population-level data provide the benchmark for future monitoring use of e-cigarettes and HTPs and identify population subgroups for future surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. The association of EC/HTP use with tobacco control-related factors provides leads for policies that should be formulated and implemented to regulate the product contents, marketing, and sales of EC and HTP.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Indonesia/epidemiology; Kazakhstan/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Philippines/epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Young Adult; Tobacco Use/epidemiology; Electronic Cigarettes/statistics & numerical data; Vaping/epidemiology
  19. Ab Rahman N, Chellapan K, Ong PY, Adnan A, Md Din N
    Retina, 2025 Feb 01;45(2):310-317.
    PMID: 39442016 DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004297
    PURPOSE: To evaluate systemic vascular fitness measured by finger photoplethysmography in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study on patients with Type II diabetes mellitus from October 2020 to May 2021. Data collected include systolic/diastolic blood pressure, visual acuity, glycated hemoglobin, and central macular thickness. Diabetic retinopathy severity was categorized using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study classification. Photoplethysmography signals were acquired using pulse-oximeter modules (OEM-60; Dolphin Medical, Inc) measured for 90 seconds at 275 Hz sampling rate and 16-bit resolution, which records photoplethysmography fitness index, vascular risk prediction index, and vascular age.

    RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one patients were equally distributed into six DR categories. Mean age was 58.8 ± 9.9 years, with female-to-male ratio of 1.27. There were significant differences in mean systolic (125.5 ± 10.0 mmHg, P = 0.007) and diastolic blood pressure (80.0 ± 8.8 mmHg), mean glycated hemoglobin (7.6 ± 1.9%, P = 0.005), median log unit of minimal angle of resolution (0.3, interquartile range: 0.2-0.5, P < 0.001), and central macular thickness ( P = 0.003) across DR severity. Significant differences were also seen in photoplethysmography fitness index ( P = 0.001), vascular risk prediction index ( P < 0.001), and vascular age ( P = 0.001), with poorer values in severe compared with mild/moderate DR. After adjusting for age, blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin, photoplethysmography fitness reduces by 3.3% (regression coefficient, b = -3.27, P < 0.001), vascular age increases by 2.5 years ( b = 2.54, P = 0.002), and vascular risk prediction index increases by 3.1 ( b = 3.08, P < 0.001) with every DR worsening.

    CONCLUSION: More severe DR stages were associated with poorer photoplethysmography vascular markers.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Blood Pressure/physiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Visual Acuity/physiology
  20. Loganath K, Craig NJ, Everett RJ, Bing R, Tsampasian V, Molek P, et al.
    JAMA, 2025 Jan 21;333(3):213-221.
    PMID: 39466640 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.22730
    IMPORTANCE: Development of myocardial fibrosis in patients with aortic stenosis precedes left ventricular decompensation and is associated with an adverse long-term prognosis.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether early valve intervention reduced the incidence of all-cause death or unplanned aortic stenosis-related hospitalization in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and myocardial fibrosis.

    DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective, randomized, open-label, masked end point trial was conducted between August 2017 and October 2022 at 24 cardiac centers across the UK and Australia. Asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and myocardial fibrosis were included. The final date of follow-up was July 26, 2024.

    INTERVENTION: Early valve intervention with transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement or guideline-directed conservative management.

    MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or unplanned aortic stenosis-related hospitalization in a time-to-first-event intention-to-treat analysis. There were 9 secondary outcomes, including the components of the primary outcome and symptom status at 12 months.

    RESULTS: The trial enrolled 224 eligible patients (mean [SD] age, 73 [9] years; 63 women [28%]; mean [SD] aortic valve peak velocity of 4.3 [0.5] m/s) of the originally planned sample size of 356 patients. The primary end point occurred in 20 of 113 patients (18%) in the early intervention group and 25 of 111 patients (23%) in the guideline-directed conservative management group (hazard ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.44-1.43]; P = .44; between-group difference, -4.82% [95% CI, -15.31% to 5.66%]). Of 9 prespecified secondary end points, 7 showed no significant difference. All-cause death occurred in 16 of 113 patients (14%) in the early intervention group and 14 of 111 (13%) in the guideline-directed group (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.59-2.51]) and unplanned aortic stenosis hospitalization occurred in 7 of 113 patients (6%) and 19 of 111 patients (17%), respectively (hazard ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.16-0.88]). Early intervention was associated with a lower 12-month rate of New York Heart Association class II-IV symptoms than guideline-directed conservative management (21 [19.7%] vs 39 [37.9%]; odds ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.20-0.70]).

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and myocardial fibrosis, early aortic valve intervention had no demonstrable effect on all-cause death or unplanned aortic stenosis-related hospitalization. The trial had a wide 95% CI around the primary end point, with further research needed to confirm these findings.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03094143.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Valve/pathology; Aortic Valve/surgery; Aortic Valve Stenosis*; Cause of Death; Female; Fibrosis*; Hospitalization*; Humans; Male; Myocardium/pathology; Prospective Studies; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Intention to Treat Analysis; Asymptomatic Diseases; Early Medical Intervention; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Conservative Treatment
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