Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Yow HY, Lim KS, Fong SL, Lim AJ, Chow CT, Azizah Ariffin MA, et al.
    Seizure, 2025 Feb 18;127:16-24.
    PMID: 40022772 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2025.02.009
    OBJECTIVES: Despite intramuscular (IM) midazolam being recommended as a primary treatment for status epilepticus (SE), its usage in Malaysian prehospital settings remains suboptimal. This study aimed to explore the awareness, practice, and barriers among healthcare professionals regarding the use of IM midazolam as a rescue medication for prehospital SE in Malaysia and provide a consensus for its implementation.

    METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey and modified Delphi study was conducted among healthcare professionals across Malaysia from 22 March to 31 August 2024. A modified Delphi process was used to develop a consensus from existing literature, with two Delphi rounds assessing the relevance, clarity, and importance of each question. Consensus was achieved if 90 % or more participants agreed.

    RESULTS: Among 137 responses, 89.1 % of healthcare professionals were aware of rescue medications. However, only 62.0 % recognized the superior absorption and bioavailability of IM midazolam over rectal diazepam, and 78.1 % were aware of its efficacy in terminating seizures. Of those (69.3 %) involved in SE management, 29.5 % (n = 28) were engaged in prehospital management of SE. Only 35.7 % (n = 10) reported that prehospital personnel were permitted to use IM midazolam for SE management and all required physician endorsement. Notably, 78.9 % of participants reported that 25 % or fewer patients with SE were treated with IM midazolam. The main barriers include unfamiliarity (64.2 %) and lack of protocols (62.1 %). A strong consensus was reached on the recommendation of IM midazolam as a first-line treatment for SE management.

    CONCLUSION: While Malaysian healthcare professionals are aware of rescue medications for prehospital seizure emergencies, they lack an understanding of IM midazolam's benefits. Key barriers include unfamiliarity and lack of protocols despite strong consensus on its first-line use.

  2. Abd Rahman F, Azwa FN
    Tissue Cell, 2025 Jun;94:102776.
    PMID: 40022908 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2025.102776
    Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells (PDLSCs) and Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into three lineages. One significant advantage of dental stem cells, such as PDLSCs and DPSCs, is their ease of harvest compared to other types of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). While MSCs are highly valued in bone tissue engineering, MSCs sourced from dental tissues, such as PDLSCs and DPSCs, offer promising options for periodontal regeneration because they are more easily accessible and can be collected through minimally invasive methods. Currently, PDLSCs and DPSCs exhibit a strong ability to undergo osteogenic differentiation when stimulated by factors such as growth factors, chemicals, and paracrine signaling. It has been shown that aspirin (ASA) can enhance the osteoblastic potential of PDLSCs and DPSCs, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. This article examines the origin and features of mesenchymal stem cells, the bone regeneration potential of DPSCs and PDLSCs, the factors that enhance their osteogenic differentiation, and a comparison of PDLSCs and DPSCs regarding their proliferation and differentiation abilities. Additionally, we will examine the effects of aspirin on PDLSCs and DPSCs. In conclusion, PDLSCs show a greater effect on osteoblast differentiation.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Stem Cells/cytology; Stem Cells/drug effects; Stem Cells/metabolism; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/metabolism
  3. Noiset P, Héger M, Salmon C, Kwapong P, Combey R, Thevan K, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2025 Mar 15;969:178945.
    PMID: 40022977 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178945
    Stingless bee honey (SBH) is a prime natural product consumed and used for diverse medicinal and traditional purposes by local communities across the (sub-)tropics. Despite its ecological and cultural significance, the drivers of its compositional variation within and among species remain poorly understood, particularly throughout Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing this issue at the global scale has the potential to inform broader and less explored eco-evolutionary and how variation in SBH across the (sub-)tropics has led human communities to develop diverse and sometimes specific patterns of practices that are now integral to their cultural and economic life. In this study, we aimed to disentangle the roles of evolutionary and environmental drivers of SBH compositional variation using a sampling design that combines honey profiling by H1-NMR spectroscopy with the collection of honeys from honey bees and stingless bees at the global scale. The results show a clear differentiation between the chemical composition and functional diversity of honey bee and stingless bee honeys, mainly due to the production of a range of bioproducts during sugar fermentation. The study of compositional variation of stingless bee honey showed that the role of ecological and evolutionary drivers and their joint effects varied within each tropical region, preventing the identification of a clear continental, phylogenetic or ecological pattern. We provide the first global and comprehensive characterization of SBH composition, a prerequisite for defining and accepting SBH in the different Codex Alimentarius. We also highlight the need for more interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral research adopting a holistic approach to investigate stingless bee honey characteristics.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bees; Biological Evolution
  4. Zumla A, Sahu S, Yeboah-Manu D, Goletti D, Nyasulu PS, Mfinanga S, et al.
    Lancet, 2025 Mar 22;405(10483):958-961.
    PMID: 40023179 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00335-6
  5. Hemmati S
    Biotechnol Adv, 2025 Feb 27;81:108545.
    PMID: 40023203 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108545
    The global cryopreservation market size rises exponentially due to increased demand for cell therapy-based products, assisted reproductive technology, and organ transplantation. Cryoprotectants (CPAs) are required to reduce ice-related damage, osmotic cell injury, and protein denaturation. Antioxidants are needed to hamper membrane lipid peroxidation under freezing stress, and antibiotics are added to the cryo-solutions to prevent contamination. The vitrification process for sized organs requires a high concentration of CPA, which is hardly achievable using conventional penetrating toxic CPAs like DMSO. Antifreeze peptides (AFpeps) are biocompatible CPAs leveraging inspiration from nature, such as freeze-tolerant and freeze-avoidant organisms, to circumvent logistic limitations in cryogenic conditions. This study aims to introduce the advances of AFpeps with cell-penetrating, antioxidant, and antimicrobial characteristics. We herein revisit the placement of AFpeps in the biobanking of cancer cells, immune cells, stem cells, blood cells, germ cells (sperms and oocytes), and probiotics. Implementing low-immunogenic AFpeps for allograft cryopreservation minimizes HLA mismatching risk after organ transplantation. Applying AFpeps to formulate bioinks with optimal rheology in extrusion-based 3D cryobiopriners expedites the bench-to-beside transition of bioprinted scaffolds. This study advocates that the fine-tuned synthetic or insect-derived AFpeps, forming round blunt-shape crystals, are biomedically broad-spectrum, and cell-permeable AFpeps from marine and plant sources, which result in sharp ice crystals, are appropriate for cryosurgery. Perspectives of the available room for developing peptide mimetics in favor of higher activity and stability and peptide-functionalized nanoparticles for enhanced delivery are delineated. Finally, antitumor immune activation by cryoimmunotherapy as an autologous in-vivo tumor lysate vaccine has been illustrated.
  6. Lee YL, Jaafar NR, Huyop F, Bakar FDA, Rahman RA, Md Illias R
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2025 Feb 27;306(Pt 2):141492.
    PMID: 40023433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.141492
    Polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase-cross-linked enzyme aggregate cross-linked with amylopectin (IsPETase/Amy) was developed and successfully degraded polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the low enzyme efficiency of IsPETase/Amy may hamper its industrial application. Hence, the goal of this study is to improve the enzyme efficiency of IsPETase-CLEAs by using novel dialdehyde amylopectin (DAA) from maize as cross-linker. DAA with aldehyde content of 64.3 % was synthesized and used to cross-link IsPETase as IsPETase/DAA. Under best immobilization condition, the activity recovery achieved was 74.3 %. Furthermore, IsPETase/DAA achieved 3.0-, 2.63-, 1.72- and 2.4-fold better thermal stability compared to IsPETase/Amy at 35 °C, 40 °C, 45 °C and 50 °C respectively. Moreover, better pH stability (pH 5-10) was achieved by IsPETase/DAA, and the reusability was enhanced to 7 cycles. Besides, enzyme efficiency of IsPETase/DAA successfully improved 7-fold better than IsPETase/Amy. It was revealed that IsPETase/DAA exhibited better PET degradation that the MHET yield was 66.2 % and 28 % higher than free IsPETase and IsPETase/Amy respectively. Therefore, this study developed a new promising green biocatalyst in PET degradation to be applied in industry.
  7. George J, Chalmers JD, Coquelin KS, Frame L, Henderson CJ, Kapelyukh Y, et al.
    J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2025 Feb;392(2):100053.
    PMID: 40023599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpet.2024.100053
    The corticosteroid dexamethasone, which is used to treat numerous health conditions, remains the first-line treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring oxygen. Current British National Formulary prescribing advice warns of a "severe theoretical" or "severe anecdotal" risk of drug-drug interactions between dexamethasone and 138 different medications. In humans, dexamethasone is eliminated via the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system, particularly CYP3A4. It is also described as a human cytochrome P450-inducing agent. To establish factors that affect concomitant therapy and dexamethasone efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19, we used a unique mouse model humanized for cytochrome P450s and the transcription factors that regulate their expression, the pregnane X receptor, and the constitutive androstane receptor. We found that induction of CYP3A4 with the anticancer drug dabrafenib or the herbal medicine St John's wort profoundly reduced dexamethasone exposure. These data suggest that comedications that induce cytochrome P450 expression can have a marked effect on dexamethasone exposure and, potentially, clinical efficacy. We also observed that rather than increasing CYP3A4 expression, dexamethasone at doses equivalent to or higher than those used in the treatment of COVID-19 reduced CYP3A4 expression and increased exposure to dabrafenib. These data indicate the need for a clinical trial to establish the risk of overexposure to comedications during dexamethasone treatment, including the treatment of COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Current prescribing advice identifies a potential theoretical risk of severe side effects when dexamethasone, one of the most widely used drugs in clinical practice, is coadministered with many other drugs; it is, however, difficult to define the magnitude of this risk for specific drug combinations. We describe the use of cytochrome P450-humanized 8HUM mice to predict drug-drug interactions in patients on polypharmacy, a means of generating data that could better inform clinicians regarding foreseeable drug-drug interactions involving dexamethasone.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Interactions*; Humans; Mice
  8. Brodie JF, Freeman BG, Mannion PD, Hargreaves AL
    Trends Ecol Evol, 2025 Feb 28.
    PMID: 40023666 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2025.02.001
    Climate change is causing species ranges to shift, expand, and contract, with divergent and underappreciated consequences for local and global biodiversity. Widespread range shifts should increase local diversity in most areas but reduce it in the tropical lowlands. Widespread expansions should maintain diversity at low latitudes while increasing diversity elsewhere, leading to stable global biodiversity. Expansions and shifts are both common responses to climate change now and in the deep past. To understand how changing ranges will reshape Earth's biodiversity, we argue for three research directions: (i) leverage paleontological data to reveal long-term biodiversity responses, (ii) better monitor low-elevation and latitude limits to distinguish shifts from expansions, and (iii) incorporate dispersal barriers that can turn would-be shifts into contractions and extinctions.
  9. Agostoni P, Van Kuijk JP, Knaapen P, Fouladvand F, Hudec M, Nicosia A, et al.
    Cardiovasc Revasc Med, 2025 Feb 23.
    PMID: 40023706 DOI: 10.1016/j.carrev.2025.02.010
    BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of long coronary artery lesions (CAL) presents a puzzle, often requiring multiple stents. As the arteries twist and narrow, this becomes even more challenging with issues like potential distal overexpansion and proximal under expansion, and edge dissections. The study aims to assess the safety and performance of BioMime™ Morph sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in individuals with long CAL.

    METHODS: This prospective, single-arm, multi-center, observational, real-world registry, included 565 patients with long CAL (length 30 to ≤56 mm) in native coronary arteries (reference vessel diameters: 2.25 mm to 3.50 mm). Based on lesion length, patients were implanted with 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or 60 mm BioMime™ Morph SES. Primary endpoint was freedom of target lesion failure (TLF) at 6-month and up to 36-month.

    RESULTS: Over 65 % of patients had lesions requiring 50 mm and 60 mm stents. The follow-up length was up to 24-month for the whole cohort and up to 36-month only for 211 patients from seven selected centers. The freedom from TLF rate was 97.86 %, 97.26 %, 96.27 %, and 95.15 % at 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups, respectively. The cumulative rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were 2.74 % at 12-month, 3.73 % at 24-month and 4.85 % at 36-month. Additionally, the rates of ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization were 2.01 % at 12-month, 2.16 % at 24-month, and 3.88 % at 36-month. Lastly, stent thrombosis (ST) was reported in only 2 cases (0.97 %) at 36-month.

    CONCLUSION: The lower incidences of MACE and ST up to three-year follow-up indicate BioMime™ Morph SES is an effective and safe option for PCI in long CAL.

  10. Yin Y, Xu J, Shi Z, Pan D, Wu Z, Zeng X, et al.
    Food Chem, 2025 Feb 19;477:143476.
    PMID: 40023950 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143476
    This study investigated the role of thermal drive in the formation of soy protein isolate and whey protein isolate (SPI-WPI) complexes, as well as the stability effect of SPI-WPI complexes on high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs). The shift in the peaks in the infrared spectrum and the change in fluorescence intensity indicated the interaction between these two proteins, which implies that SPI-WPI is not two dispersed groups of particles. Maximum emulsification activity (10.65 m2/g) and the absolute value of potential (37.87 mV) were achieved at an SPI to WPI mass ratio of 7:3. As the concentration and pH of the SPI-WPI complex increased, the droplets become evenly uniform and compact. It is predicted that the high concentration conditions are more favorable for the formation of a gel network structure. This research provides an effective strategy for HIPPEs stabilization using complex proteins.
  11. Wong BC, Ling FY, Ayub Q, Tan HS
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2025 Mar 25;754:151546.
    PMID: 40023989 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151546
    Identifying essential genes in bacterial pathogens during infection can enhance knowledge and provide novel targets for antimicrobial agents' development. Currently, only Shigella flexneri essential genes during in vitro growth have been experimentally identified. This study used transposon insertion sequencing (TIS) to identify Shigella sonnei essential genes during Caenorhabditis elegans infection. 498 genes were predicted to be essential in S. sonnei during growth on nutrient-rich media. Some genes previously predicted to be essential in Shigella were found non-essential in S. sonnei, such as acetyl metabolism genes (aceEF, lpdA) and sulphate transport genes (cysA, cyst, cysW). Finally, 217 genes were predicted as S. sonnei virulence genes during infection, including acid resistance and biofilm formation genes which was not linked to S. sonnei virulence previously.
    MeSH terms: Acids/pharmacology; Animals; Dysentery, Bacillary/microbiology; Virulence/genetics; Mutagenesis, Insertional; Genes, Essential
  12. Luo Z, Lin X, Liu X, Hii KS, Li H, Li Y, et al.
    Mar Environ Res, 2025 Apr;206:107031.
    PMID: 40024170 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107031
    Gambierdiscus is a genus of benthic dinoflagellate commonly found in coral reef ecosystems. Some species produce neurotoxins, such as ciguatoxins (CTXs) and maitotoxins (MTXs), which have been linked to ciguatera poisoning (CP), an illness prevalent in tropical regions. In this study, three Gambierdiscus species, G. caribaeus, G. carpenteri, and G. vietnamensis were identified from coral reefs of the South China Sea based on detailed morphological and phylogenetic analyses. This is the first report of G. carpenteri along the Chinese coast, and a bloom of G. carpenteri in coral culture tank that caused coral mortality was documented. While no known CTXs and MTXs were detected in the newly isolated Gambierdiscus strains, 44-methylgambierone was present in all three species; further, G. carpenteri strains produced protonated adducts of Gambieric acids A and C. The results of MTT in vitro assay showed that G. vietnamensis exhibited the highest cytotoxicity to both cancerous and noncancerous cell lines, while G. caribaeus demonstrated moderate inhibition of noncancerous cells and colon adenocarcinoma, with lower toxicity against other colon cancer cell lines. In contrast, the bloom samples of G. carpenteri showed low cytotoxicity across all tested cell lines, suggesting that G. carpenteri may affect coral health through mechanisms beyond cytotoxicity. Higher nitrogen levels relative to phosphorus likely promoted the initiation of G. carpenteri blooms and sustained the high density in the culture tanks. The shading effect by the massive G. carpenteri mats likely limited the light intensity required by the corals, while elevated NH4+-N concentrations during the bloom period may further contribute to coral mortality. These findings underscore the effects of Gambierdiscus species influencing coral health, highlighting the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the impacts on the reef ecosystems.
    MeSH terms: Animals; China; Ciguatoxins/toxicity; Dinoflagellida*; Environmental Monitoring; Phylogeny*; Ciguatera Poisoning; Anthozoa*; Coral Reefs*
  13. Dee EC, Laversanne M, Bhoo-Pathy N, Ho FDV, Feliciano EJG, Eala MAB, et al.
    Lancet Oncol, 2025 Apr;26(4):516-528.
    PMID: 40024257 DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00017-8
    BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in southeast Asia. We aimed to present and interpret cancer incidence and mortality statistics in the 11 constituent countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam to inform research priorities, health services, and cancer policy.

    METHODS: The number of new incident cases and deaths for all cancers combined and for leading cancers were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the 11 countries in southeast Asia. For comparison, we extracted estimates from China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, and the USA. We estimated age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100 000 person-years; projections to 2050 were also estimated by multiplying ASIR and ASMR estimates for 2022 by the expected population for 2050. Data on race or ethnicity were not collected.

    FINDINGS: Data were extracted on Dec 5, 2024. For the 11 countries in southeast Asia for all cancers combined, 545 725 (47·6%) of a total of 1 146 810 incident cases were estimated in men and 601 085 (52·4%) incident cases were estimated in women in 2022. In the same period, 385 430 (53·8%) of a total of 716 116 deaths were estimated in men and 330 686 (46·2%) deaths were estimated in women. The total cancer ASIR in men and women was highest in Singapore (235·89 per 100 000 and 231·01 per 100 000 respectively), while the corresponding ASMR was greatest in Laos for men (132·91 per 100 000) and Brunei for women (104·20 per 100 000). Breast cancer was the most common cancer among women in all countries (highest ASIRs in Singapore [72·61 per 100 000] and the Philippines [60·34 per 100 000]), and the most common cause of cancer mortality among women in the Philippines (ASMR 21·47 per 100 000), Malaysia (19·30 per 100 000), Singapore (17·82 per 100 000), Viet Nam (14·67 per 100 000), Indonesia (14·35 per 100 000), and Timor-Leste (10·24 per 100 000). Among men, lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the Philippines (ASIR 37·66 per 100 000), Malaysia (23·23 per 100 000), Myanmar (21·59 per 100 000), and Indonesia (21·30 per 100 000), and the leading cause of death due to cancer in the Philippines (ASMR 33·59 per 100 000), Singapore (31·94 per 100 000), Brunei (23·84 per 100 000), Malaysia (20·42 per 100 000), Myanmar (19·91 per 100 000), Indonesia (18·96 per 100 000), and Timor-Leste (12·95 per 100 000). Liver cancer contributed the greatest incidence and mortality in men in Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, and Thailand, and was also the leading cause of death due to cancer among women in Laos (ASMR 13·49 per 100 000), Cambodia (13·34 per 100 000), and Thailand (12·14 per 100 000). Cervical cancer was the leading cause of death due to cancer in women in Myanmar (ASMR 13·37 per 100 000); colorectal cancer was the most common cancer in men in Singapore (ASIR 39·41 per 100 00) and Brunei (37·70 per 100 000). By 2050, 2·03 million new cases of cancer are anticipated in southeast Asia annually, an 89·2% increase in men and a 65·6% increase in women, relative to 2022.

    INTERPRETATION: The current patterns of cancer incidence and mortality in southeast Asia are primarily driven by breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men, but infection-related cancers (liver and cervix) are common in some countries. Regional collaborations must be strengthened to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, care, and research in southeast Asia.

    FUNDING: National Cancer Institute and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality/trends; Incidence; Young Adult
  14. Gazaem MAH, Othman WNNW, Shah SAA, Salihu M, Zahari A, Sadiran SH, et al.
    Steroids, 2025 Apr;216:109584.
    PMID: 40024463 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2025.109584
    Biotransformations catalysed by microbes are promising approach for producing a vast library of structurally diverse chemical molecules with applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The biotransformation of 11α-acetoxyprogesterone (1) by Phyllosticta sp. 16L1 has not been previously reported. In this study, the biotransformation of 11α-acetoxyprogesterone (1) was performed for the first time using the Phyllosticta sp. 16L1 strain. After an 8-day fermentation period, a new biotransformation metabolite, named as 11α-acetoxy-16α-hydroxyprogesterone (16α-hydroxy-3,20-dioxopregn-4-en-11α-yl acetate) (2) was isolated from the culture broth, along with its known isomer, 11α-acetoxy-15α-hydroxyprogesterone (3). The structure determination of the biotransformed products relied on comprehensive spectroscopic data, encompassing 1D and 2D-NMR, as well as LCMS analyses. The cytotoxic activity of the two biotransformed metabolites was assessed against selective human cancer cell lines, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), and lung adenocarcinoma (A549). The results demonstrated that both metabolites 2 and 3 exhibited cytotoxic effects on the evaluated cell lines. Metabolite 2 showed stronger cytotoxic potential, with IC50 values ranging from 6.65 to 27.75 μM, while metabolite 3 displayed lower potency, with IC50 values between 38.20 and 162.53 μM. Notably, both metabolites exhibited minimal toxicity towards the normal liver Chang cells. Molecular docking studies were conducted to predict the binding modes and affinities of the metabolites against two targets (PDB: 5EM8 and 6V6O), both in 2D and 3D representations, with binding energies ranging from -8.5 to -7.2 kcal/mol. The results revealed that metabolites 2 and 3 interacted with key clinically significant amino acid residues, Lys745 and Met793, through conventional hydrogen bonding.
    MeSH terms: Ascomycota/metabolism; Ascomycota/chemistry; Biotransformation*; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Hydroxylation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  15. Fu M, Kumar P, Sazili AQ, Ismail-Fitry MR
    Appetite, 2025 Apr 01;208:107949.
    PMID: 40024589 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2025.107949
    Functional meat products to reduce appetite is a feasible approach to decreasing meat consumption, especially in the current global pandemic of overweight and sustainability issues in meat production. The meat itself is highly satiating because of its high protein content. Dietary fibre and plant protein, both naturally occurring macromolecular compounds with appetite-suppressant properties, work synergistically with the meat itself to create a feeling of fullness. Dietary fibre consumption induces satiety by improving structural complexity and chewing time. Increasing protein content improves the volume and texture of the product. The overall effect on appetite varies widely with ingredient and meat product types. By-products, mycoproteins, and insects have the potential to generate functional and sustainable meat products. The incorporation of functional ingredients improves the yield and textural complexity of meat products, albeit at the expense of sensory properties. The complex interactions among food structure, texture, oral processing, and satiety/palatability warrant additional study to inform the design of meat products that maximise the contribution to appetite control. This review aims to provide an overview of the types of ingredients used in the preparation of functional meat products and their effect on controlling appetite.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Appetite; Appetite Regulation*; Dietary Proteins/analysis; Humans; Hyperphagia; Satiation; Functional Food
  16. Chin EW, Goh LC, Lau MN, Abu Bakar MZ
    Sleep Breath, 2025 Mar 01;29(1):118.
    PMID: 40024936 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-025-03278-3
    PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the facial morphology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) individuals by using a handheld blue light three-dimensional (3D) scanner (HBL-3DS) in comparison to conventional lateral cephalometric radiography (LCR). Moreover, our research question is to explores the correlation between 3D facial and neck measurements with OSA indices, encompassing the hypoxic burden.

    METHOD: This prospective cross-sectional study included forty-four adults with OSA. We compared three measurements between LCR and HBL-3DS images: modified facial profile angle (MFPA), nasolabial angle (NLA), and mandibular length (ML). Additionally, the 3D images of thirty-four participants with OSA indices were analysed for seventeen parameters, such as angles, ratios, and linear distances.

    RESULTS: This study revealed significant strong correlations (p 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cephalometry*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Face*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  17. Nur AM, Aljunid SM, Tolma EL, Annaka M, Alwotayan R, Elbasmi A, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 01;15(1):7354.
    PMID: 40025065 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91119-4
    Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant health challenge in Kuwait, ranking as the second most common cancer with the incidence rate 13.2 cases per 100,000 people in year 2019. This study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of three colorectal cancer (CRC) screening methods in Kuwait from the perspective of Kuwait's healthcare providers. Using a Decision Tree Analysis Model, the study compared three screening modalities: Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) followed by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy alone, sigmoidoscopy alone and alongside no screening. Over a 10-year period post-diagnosis, the model tracked costs and outcomes based on CRC patients' life expectancy, expressing results using Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs). Colorectal cancer screening using FOBT followed by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy resulted in 7.7 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost of USD 3,573. In contrast, no screening achieved 7.2 QALYs but was more expensive, costing USD 4,084. Screening with only sigmoidoscopy or only colonoscopy provided 6.8 QALYs each, at costs of USD 4,905 and USD 5,002, respectively. Sensitivity analyses explored uncertainties in cost and outcome estimates. FOBT followed by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy can be considered as an efficient and effective approach towards early detection of CRC. This approach can be used by healthcare policymakers in Kuwait, in the development of population-based CRC screening programs to optimize resource allocation and improve public health outcomes.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Cost-Benefit Analysis*; Female; Humans; Kuwait/epidemiology; Male; Mass Screening/economics; Mass Screening/methods; Middle Aged; Occult Blood*; Quality-Adjusted Life Years*
  18. Kumar D, Gaikwad K, Gunnale R, Vishwakarma S, Shukla S, Srivastava S, et al.
    NPJ Vaccines, 2025 Mar 01;10(1):42.
    PMID: 40025095 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01076-2
    Selecting a booster vaccine strategy that generates cellular immune breadth is crucial for effectively recalling cellular reservoirs upon infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. This post hoc analysis from a multicentre, randomized phase 3 study (CTRI/2022/10/046475) compared the cellular immune breadth induced by self-replicating mRNA (samRNA) vaccine GEMCOVAC-OM, encoding Omicron B.1.1.529 Spike protein, with the adenovector vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, encoding Wuhan variant Spike protein, when administered as a booster. GEMCOVAC-OM elicited significant expansion of memory B-cells (MBCs) specific to Omicron B.1.1.529, compared to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. GEMCOVAC-OM also induced more B-cells reactive to Omicron XBB.1.5 and BA.2.86 Spike proteins. Additionally, GEMCOVAC-OM triggered higher frequencies of Omicron-Spike-specific T-cells, including stem cell, central, and effector memory subsets. In summary, while ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 showed some cross-reactivity, GEMCOVAC-OM induced a more targeted immune response. GEMCOVAC-OM offers a broader, longer-lasting immunity, making it a promising candidate for future vaccine development and global distribution.
  19. Bohang L, Li N, Yang J, Alfarraj O, Albelhai F, Tolba A, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 01;15(1):7340.
    PMID: 40025136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92082-w
    Image steganalysis, detecting hidden data in digital images, is essential for enhancing digital security. Traditional steganalysis methods typically rely on large, pre-labeled image datasets, which are difficult and costly to compile. To address this, this paper introduces an innovative approach that combines active learning and off-policy Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) to improve image steganalysis with minimal labeled data. Active learning allows the model to intelligently choose which unlabeled images should be annotated, thus reducing the amount of labeled data needed for effective training. Traditional active learning strategies often use static selection methods that restrict flexibility and do not adjust well to dynamic environments. To overcome this, our method incorporates off-policy DRL for strategic data selection. The off-policy in DRL can increase sample efficiency and significantly enhance learning outcomes. We also use the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm to fine-tune the hyperparameters of the model, reducing its sensitivity to different settings and ensuring more stable results. Our testing on the extensive BossBase 1.01 and BOWS-2 datasets demonstrates the robust ability of the approach to distinguish between unaltered and steganographic images, achieving an average F-measure of 93.152% on BossBase 1.01 and 91.834% on the BOWS-2 dataset. In summary, this research enhances digital security by employing advanced image steganalysis to detect hidden data, significantly improving detection accuracy with minimal labeled data.
  20. Mills K, Sosdian S, Muir DD, John EH, Santodomingo N, Johnson K, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2025 Mar 02;15(1):7365.
    PMID: 40025147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90614-y
    Marine calcifying organisms on coral reefs face significant threats from various anthropogenic stressors. To better understand how these organisms will respond to a rapidly changing ocean, it is crucial to investigate their biomineralization across different reef environments. Despite their resilience and potential as conservation hotspots, turbid reefs-projected to expand throughout the 21st century-remain understudied, including a limited knowledge of biomineralization processes within these environments. Herein, for the first time, we assess the crystallographic and geochemical signatures of aragonite giant clam shells Tridacna squamosa from high and low turbid reefs in the Coral Triangle. Shell composition is strongly influenced by turbidity and biominerals formed in a high turbid reef show a more organized crystal orientation and significantly lower element-to-calcium ratios (magnesium/calcium, strontium/calcium). We hypothesize that these variations are driven by physiological changes related to the trophic flexibility of T. squamosa, utilizing both autotrophic and heterotrophic mechanisms. Observed differences may have implications for biomechanical and defense responses of shells, important in their ability to survive future change.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Calcium/analysis; Calcium/metabolism; Calcium Carbonate/chemistry; Crystallography; Magnesium/analysis; Magnesium/chemistry; Strontium/analysis; Strontium/chemistry; Coral Reefs*; Animal Shells/chemistry
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