Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Mussa A, Hamid M, Hajissa K, Murtadha AH, Al-Hatamleh MAI, Mokhtar NF, et al.
    J Transl Med, 2025 Jan 08;23(1):31.
    PMID: 39780231 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-06016-7
    BACKGROUND: Pharmacological vitamin C (Vit-C), or high-dose Vit-C has recently gained attention as a potential cancer therapeutic. However, the anticancer activity of Vit-C has not been investigated in realistic 3D models of human cancers, especially with respect to breast cancer (BC), and its potential benefits remain under debate. Herein, we investigate the activity and mechanism of action of pharmacological Vit-C on two BC tumor spheroids.

    METHODS: We developed two distinct types of BC tumor spheroids from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The spheroids underwent treatment with a range of concentrations of pharmacological Vit-C (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mM). Assessments were conducted to determine the cell viability, H2O2 levels, glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratios, and apoptosis. Both flow cytometry analyses of Annexin V/PI staining and caspase3/7 activity assay were used to check apoptosis.

    RESULTS: We showed that Vit-C induced dose-dependent cell death in both types of tumor spheroids, primarily driven by elevated H2O2 production and a concomitant oxidative stress imbalance induced by the GSH depletion. The high levels of H2O2 generated by Vit-C triggered the apoptosis of spheroids. In MCF-7 spheroids, Vit-C-induced H2O2 production was higher, with a more pronounced decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio, indicating greater susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced cell death. However, MDA-MB-231 spheroids exhibited a more severe cytotoxic response.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that Vit-C induces oxidative stress-mediated cell death in both non-aggressive and aggressive BC spheroids. Unlike traditional in vitro studies, this work provides novel insights into the response of two BC tumor subtypes to Vit-C, demonstrating its potential as a targeted common therapy for BC.

    MeSH terms: Cell Survival/drug effects; Enzyme Activation/drug effects; Female; Humans; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Cell Line, Tumor; MCF-7 Cells
  2. Yuetqi L, Lin GSS, Mamat RB, Noorani TY
    BMC Oral Health, 2025 Jan 08;25(1):43.
    PMID: 39780254 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-05354-8
    BACKGROUND: Limited studies have explored the use of the hybrid approach combining team-based learning (TBL) and case-based learning (CBL) in dental education. This study evaluates how students perceive the hybrid TBL-CBL approach to learning endodontics and determines whether gender and ethnicity impact students' perceptions.

    METHODS: The final-year undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students were invited to participate in a hybrid TBL-CBL session. They were randomly divided into six groups of six to seven students, and the session was conducted by one facilitator, supported by two lecturers. At the end of the session, a 23-item questionnaire consisting of four domains (perception of effectiveness, teacher, team interaction and learning environment) and open-ended questions was distributed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using IBM SPSS software version 27.0 for Mac (SPSS Inc.). Thematic analysis was used to code qualitative data. ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance) was used to evaluate the relationship between gender and ethnicity towards the students' perception of this hybrid TBL-CBL session, with a significant difference set at P 

    MeSH terms: Attitude of Health Personnel; Ethnic Groups; Female; Group Processes; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors
  3. Amat SO, Yunus NM, Wilfred CD
    R Soc Open Sci, 2025 Jan;12(1):240584.
    PMID: 39780976 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240584
    Six 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene-based ionic liquids (ILs) linked with ethyl or propyl hydroxyl cations, coupled with thiocyanate, dicyanamide and bistriflimide anions, were synthesized through a two-step reaction: quaternization and ion exchange. The characterization of the ILs was carried out using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The NMR results confirmed the structures of all the ILs, and these were supported by the FTIR results. In addition, the physicochemical properties, namely thermal stability, density and refractive index, were determined. The effects of the chain length in the cation and the identity of the anion on CO2 absorption were studied in a pressure drop equipment at different pressures. It was found that CO2 sorption increased with increasing pressure and the number of nitrile groups present. The highest CO2 sorption is reported to be 0.96 mol CO2 mol-1 IL at 20 bar.
  4. Lazim MRMLM, Chellappan K, Ugusman A, Isa WYHW, Mohamad MSF, Ahmad WANW, et al.
    Int J Med Sci, 2025;22(2):309-317.
    PMID: 39781517 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.103341
    Background: The finger photoplethysmography fitness index (PPGF), a marker of peripheral vascular function, has been linked to heart rate (HR) variability. However, the influence of acute HR changes on resting PPGF, a purported indicator of local blood flow, remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to determine the influence of acute HR changes on resting PPGF. Methods: A total of 22 pacemaker recipients (mean age: 52.27 ± 10.43 years) underwent a controlled study. Baseline assessments included demographics, blood pressure (BP), blood analysis, PPGF, and vascular functions. HR was progressively increased from 70 bpm to 90 bpm in 10 bpm increments with 20 min resting periods at baseline and between pacing intervals. HR, PPGF, and BP were recorded at each pacing level. Results: Systolic and diastolic BP increased with rising HR. Conversely, PPGF remained stable across different HR levels (70 bpm: 51.02 ± 11.52%, 80 bpm: 51.15 ± 11.82%, 90 bpm: 49.73 ± 11.55%; p > 0.05), suggesting that resting PPGF is independent of acute HR fluctuations. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that PPGF accurately reflects local blood flow, unaffected by short-term HR variations. This study supports the use of PPGF as a reliable marker for vascular health and age assessment, even in individuals with fluctuating HR, such as older adults with multiple comorbidities. Further research is warranted to establish the applicability of PPGF in younger, healthier populations.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pacemaker, Artificial*; Photoplethysmography*
  5. Dixon JB, Abdul Ghani R, Sbraccia P
    Obes Sci Pract, 2025 Feb;11(1):e70033.
    PMID: 39781548 DOI: 10.1002/osp4.70033
    OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a disease with severe health impacts on individuals and economic impacts on society, yet healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and policy makers often fail to address it. This survey was conducted to examine current global obesity care and perceptions influencing care delivery among HCPs and healthcare decision makers (HC DMs).

    METHODS: A survey with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 1200 HCPs (primary care providers, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and nurses) and 414 HC DMs from eight countries across five continents. Respondents' perceptions of obesity, characteristics of patient populations, obesity management practices, and obesity-related healthcare policies were collected. Surveys were administered online from June-July 2023. All respondent data were anonymized.

    RESULTS: Among HCPs, 26.4% and 29.0% of HC DMs considered obesity a chronic disease, and 44.6% of HCPs reported that obesity was recorded as a chronic disease in patients' medical records. The pattern of responses was consistent across countries and professional roles. Obesity care approaches focused on lifestyle concerns. HCPs and HC DMs appeared to overestimate the provision of obesity-related medical care for affected patients.

    CONCLUSION: These results corroborate prior findings that many HCPs do not consider obesity a disease, which hinders initiation of appropriate treatment, and also highlight challenges in obesity management, including gaps in obesity guidelines and accessibility to healthcare. These findings may help guide education and outreach by health authorities as well as HCPs.

  6. Mukhtar NA, Suleiman M, Al-Maqtari HM, Theva Das K, Bhat AR, Jamalis J
    Mini Rev Med Chem, 2025 Jan 07.
    PMID: 39781713 DOI: 10.2174/0113895575351704241120060746
    Indole, a ubiquitous structural motif in bioactive compounds, has played a pivotal role in drug discovery. Among indole derivatives, indole-3-carboxaldehyde (I3A) has emerged as a particularly promising scaffold for the development of therapeutic agents. This review delves into the recent advancements in the chemical modification of I3A and its derivatives, highlighting their potential applications in various therapeutic areas. I3A derivatives have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-leishmanial, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-HIV properties. The structural modifications introduced to the I3A scaffold, such as substitutions on the indole ring (alkylation/arylation/halogenation), variations in the aldehyde group via condensation (Aldol/Claisen/Knoevenagel), and molecular hybridization with other reputable bioactive compounds like coumarins, chalcones, triazoles, and thiophenes, contribute to these activities. Beyond its therapeutic potential, I3A has also found applications as a ligand for Schiff base synthesis, a polymer, and a chromophore. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on I3A and its derivatives, focusing on the key reactions, modification pathways, reaction conditions, yields, and associated therapeutic activities. By understanding these advancements, researchers can gain valuable insights into the potential applications and future directions for I3A-based drug discovery.
  7. Aljuaid LM, Althobaiti SF, Althobaiti AA, Alsufyani AH, Alotaibi MH, Elkhader BA, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2025 Mar;217:111664.
    PMID: 39764898 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111664
    This review explores the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric brain computed tomography (CT) examinations in Saudi Arabia and compares them with nine other countries. An extensive search strategy was employed across various databases, resulting in the inclusion of 9 studies. The studies included patient-based and phantom-based investigations into DRLs, highlighting variations across age groups and countries. Findings suggest notable differences in CT dose index (CTDI mGy) and dose length product (DLP mGy.cm) values. There was a difference in the classification of age group between Saudi food and drug administration (SFDA) and literature. For the age groups 0-5 years and 6-15 years, the DRLs for the SFDA were as follows: CTDI (28 and 42 mGy) and DLP (482 and 697 mGy cm). The discussion emphasizes the importance of age-specific DRLs to optimize radiation doses while ensuring patient safety and diagnostic efficacy. Recommendations include adopting globally accepted standards for dose optimization and continued research into factors influencing DRL variations. Limitations include varying age groupings among studies and limited access to some relevant literature. Overall, this study underscores the importance of standardizing DRLs for pediatric CT to improve patient care and safety.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Radiation Dosage*; Saudi Arabia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  8. Hong J, Crawford K, Cavanagh E, Clifton V, da Silva Costa F, Perkins AV, et al.
    Placenta, 2025 Feb;160:51-59.
    PMID: 39765048 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.12.025
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in circulating maternal placental biomarkers and fetoplacental Dopplers in women with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy (DIP) with prenatally identified small fetuses (defined as <20th centile for gestational age) compared to women with small fetuses without DIP.

    METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of women with DIP with small infants compared to a non-diabetic cohort with similarly small fetuses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of DIP on placental biomarkers, fetoplacental Dopplers, and adverse perinatal outcomes.

    RESULTS: There were 447 pregnancies in this study - 117 (26.2 %) had DIP and 330 (73.8 %) did not have diabetes. Of the DIP cohort, 57 (48.7 %) had early-onset and 27 (23.1 %) had late-onset FGR. Higher rates of low PlGF levels<100 ng/L (42.1 % vs. 25.7 %,p = 0.002), high sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (39.6 % vs. 25.4 %,p = 0.006), low MCA PI 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation/blood; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*; Diabetes, Gestational/blood; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Placenta Growth Factor/blood
  9. Sulaiman MS, Anuar ST, Ibrahim YS, Yusof KMKK, Mohamad Y, Khalik WMAWM, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2025 Jan 06;212:117527.
    PMID: 39765184 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117527
    Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a critical global environmental challenge, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and human health. This study investigates macroplastics distribution and characterization in the highly polluted Klang River, Malaysia, and proposes a protocol to compute total macroplastic yield in the river basin. A total of 240 macroplastic items were collected over a 20-km stretch from the river mouth inland, with an average of 0.91 ± 0.80 g/item (dry weight). Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that the macroplastics had weathered slowly in the environment, potentially breaking down into smaller microplastic particles. Biofilms and dead phytoplankton were observed on the plastic surfaces, suggesting that plastic debris may act as vectors for other pollutants. The study used SWAT modelling to simulate physical processes in the Klang River Basin and compute pollutant loads through a loading computation procedure. A macroplastic rating curve was created using river discharge, macroplastic loadings, and associate parameters to estimate plastic loading in the river. The fitted equation models macroplastic loading as a function of river discharge and width, expressed as: log(y) = 1.88216-7.36528log(x) - 4.00491log(x2). Here, log(x) represents the ratio of river discharge to river width, while log(y) denotes macroplastic loading adjusted for sampler width and river width. Results indicated that macroplastic transport in the river system is linked to flow rates and sediment yield, which vary due to topographical factors, with an estimated macroplastics yield in the Klang River Basin of 11,600 kg/day. The findings suggest that a river-specific monitoring programs should be conducted to generate comprehensive datasets, integrating both macroplastics and microplastics abundance, which can be utilized for projecting plastic emissions from Malaysian rivers and comparing data with other river basins in the Southeast Asia.
  10. Liu Y, Xiang L, Liu FY, Yahya N, Chai JN, Hamid HA, et al.
    Acad Radiol, 2025 Jan 06.
    PMID: 39765435 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2024.11.014
    RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) increase mortality and recurrence risk. Preoperative identification presents considerable challenges. Although radiomics has emerged as a potential tool for identifying ETE and BRAFV600E mutation, systematic evidence supporting its effectiveness remains insufficient. Therefore, this paper aims to determine the effectiveness of radiomics in detecting ETE and BRAFV600E mutations in PTC.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched until May 7th, 2024. The Radiomics Quality Score tool assessed bias risk. Subgroup analyses based on radiomics and clinical characteristics were conducted.

    RESULTS: Our systematic review included 19 studies, encompassing 5337 PTC cases. Among these, 12 articles focused on ETE and seven articles focused on BRAFV600E mutations. For the identification of ETE in the validation set, the summarized machine learning (ML) models demonstrated 0.80c-index (95%CI: 0.77-0.83), 0.77 sensitivity (95%CI: 0.72-0.81), and 0.78 specificity (95%CI: 0.73-0.82). Radiomics based on ultrasound demonstrated 0.82c-index (95%CI: 0.78-0.86), 0.77 sensitivity (95%CI: 0.68-0.84), and 0.84 specificity (95%CI: 0.75-0.91). For the identification of BRAFV600E mutations in the validation set, the summarized ML models showed 0.80c-index (95%CI: 0.72-0.87), 0.76 sensitivity (95%CI: 0.67-0.84), and 0.88 specificity (95%CI: 0.77-0.94). ML models based on ultrasound-guided radiomics had 0.81c-index (95%CI: 0.74-0.89), 0.79 sensitivity (95%CI: 0.71-0.86), and 0.87 specificity (95%CI: 0.74-0.94).

    CONCLUSION: Radiomics in identifying ETE and BRAFV600E mutation have high c-index, sensitivity, and specificity, especially images from ultrasound, demonstrating the potential for diagnosing ETE and BRAFV600E mutations in PTC.

  11. Ng JM, Lee YY, Chippagiri P, Ahanin E, Parolia A
    Restor Dent Endod, 2025 Jan 07.
    PMID: 39772291 DOI: 10.5395/rde.2025.50.e3
    OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the number and quality of working length (WL) and master cone (MC) radiographs taken during root canal treatment by dental undergraduates, and their associations with the technical quality of root canal fillings (TQRCF) and endodontic outcomes (EO).

    METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of radiographs from 303 root canal-treated teeth in 231 patients was conducted, with 72 patients attending recall visits to assess EO. The chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests were performed.

    RESULTS: A total of 505 WL and 557 MC radiographs were reviewed, with 72.9% and 75% deemed satisfactory, respectively. Satisfactory TQRCF was achieved in 60.4% of cases. Significant associations were found between the extension of the file in WL and gutta-percha in MC radiographs and TQRCF (p = 0.000). Misinterpretation of these radiographs resulted in poor TQRCF. Furthermore, 64.2% of teeth had satisfactory EO. A significant relationship was noted between the quality of MC radiographs and both TQRCF (p = 0.043) and EO (p = 0.003).

    CONCLUSIONS: Unsatisfactory MC radiographs were linked to poor TQRCF and unfavorable EO. Regular radiographic training is recommended to enhance EO.

  12. Parul P, Joseph B, Datta S, Rahman MA
    Community Ment Health J, 2025 Jan;61(1):147-157.
    PMID: 39126555 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01336-w
    Tobacco use among people with mental illness is one of the contributing risk factors for premature morbidity and mortality. Two in three people with mental illness are current smokers with deteriorating physical health and quality of life. This review outlines the prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among people with mental illness in Asia. Twenty-five cross-sectional studies were selected from the exhaustive search of databases. Ten countries emerged based on the number of studies conducted within Asia among people diagnosed with mental illness and tobacco use, namely, India (8), China (7), Pakistan (2), Singapore (2), Sri Lanka (01), Japan (01), Jordan (01), Malaysia (01), Korea (01), and Taiwan (01). The prevalence of tobacco use was in the range of 3.6% to 89.4%, with the measure of precision at 95% confidence. The highest and lowest prevalence was reported in China, followed by India. Being male, separated, lower education, unemployed, lack of family support, a psychotic diagnosis, lack of knowledge, motivation, and a coping mechanism were predictors of tobacco use. This review emphasized the extent and predictors of tobacco use among this vulnerable group that need to be reflected while initiating and implementing cessation strategies by healthcare providers.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Risk Factors; Prevalence
  13. Anuar MSK, Hashim AM, Sundram S, Rahman SRA, Ho CL, Wong MY, et al.
    J Basic Microbiol, 2025 Jan;65(1):e2400312.
    PMID: 39304989 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202400312
    The globally vital oil palm, a major oil producer, confronts productivity challenges due to Ganoderma boninense (Gb), causing output decline. Chemical control efforts have proven ineffective, prompting exploration of microbial-based biocontrol. While single fungal biocontrol research exists, the impact of employing multiple biocontrols concurrently to combat Ganoderma and enhance oil palm growth remains uncharted. This study examined four soil-derived fungal isolates for their ability to antagonize Gb PER71 in vitro. Molecular identification categorized them as Talaromyces spp. and Penicillium sp. Moreover, all isolates were revealed to have at least three plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and were shown to have phosphoric hydrolase, ester hydrolase, peptide hydrolase, and glycosidase activities which are essential for plant growth. Furthermore, the synergistic evaluation of fungal isolates was tested against Gb PER71. One out of six combinations of fungal isolates showed a synergistic effect in vitro, and two showed a synergistic effect in planta. The application of single and combined fungal isolates tested in planta also suppressed Gb PER71 and enhanced oil palm growth compared to control groups. The findings indicate the promising potential of these isolates as biocontrol agents (BCAs) and bioformulations against Gb in oil palm cultivation.
    MeSH terms: Antibiosis; Penicillium/growth & development; Penicillium/isolation & purification; Plant Diseases/microbiology; Plant Diseases/prevention & control; Soil Microbiology*; Talaromyces/genetics; Talaromyces/growth & development; Talaromyces/isolation & purification; Biological Control Agents
  14. Lim SY, Pajo AT, Dy Closas AMF, Hor JW, Toh TS, Ngim SJ, et al.
    Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2025 Jan;130:107162.
    PMID: 39406616 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.107162
    Recent studies highlight an over-representation of progressive supranuclear palsy, with atypical features, in South Asians. We offer additional insights, including an over-representation of PSP among Malaysian patients of Indian compared to other Asian ancestries. However, RBD symptoms, hallucinations, and early onset were not more frequent in Indians vs. Chinese.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia/ethnology
  15. Meier D, Andreini D, Cosyns B, Skalidis I, Storozhenko T, Mahendiran T, et al.
    EuroIntervention, 2025 Jan 06;21(1):73-81.
    PMID: 39468963 DOI: 10.4244/EIJ-D-24-00779
    BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived from CCTA (FFR-CT) may provide a means of reducing unnecessary invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with suspected non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

    AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of FFR-CT and CCTA to rule out significant lesions in high-risk NSTE-ACS patients, using ICA with invasive FFR as the gold standard.

    METHODS: High-risk NSTE-ACS patients admitted to 4 European centres were enrolled in this single-arm, prospective core lab-adjudicated study. Patients underwent CCTA with FFR-CT analysis, followed by ICA with invasive FFR.

    RESULTS: Out of the 250 initially planned NSTE-ACS patients, 168 were included, of whom 151 (92%) had sufficient CCTA image quality to undergo CCTA and FFR-CT analysis. The median high-sensitivity troponin T level at 1 hour post-hospitalisation was 5.3 (interquartile range: 1.8-18.6) times the upper reference limit. At the patient level, the diagnostic performance of FFR-CT was numerically higher as compared to CCTA though not statistically significant (sensitivity: 94% vs 93%, specificity: 63% vs 54%, positive predictive value: 83% vs 79%, negative predictive value: 85% vs 80% and accuracy: 83% vs 79%; p=0.58), suggesting an enhanced capability to avoid unnecessary ICA. At the lesion level, the ability of FFR-CT to detect significant lesions was significantly better than that of CCTA (receiver operating characteristic curves: 0.84 vs 0.65 respectively; p<0.01).

    CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS, FFR-CT offers better diagnostic accuracy - though not statistically significant - and a higher ability to rule out haemodynamically significant stenoses as compared to CCTA. This indicates that FFR-CT can reduce unnecessary invasive procedures by more accurately identifying patients requiring further intervention.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Coronary Artery Disease/physiopathology; Female; Hemodynamics; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Coronary Stenosis/diagnosis; Coronary Stenosis/physiopathology; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging
  16. Ang SH, Lim LL, Mustapha FI, Ahmad E, Rampal S
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2025 Feb;220:111976.
    PMID: 39742922 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111976
    AIMS: We examined the association between sex, age, temporal trends, and glycemic control among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a multi-ethnic middle-income Asian country.

    METHODS: Using the National Diabetes Registry (2011-2020), we analyzed data for 221,769 adult Malaysians with T2D.We used quantile regressions to estimate the association of sex, age, and their interaction on HbA1clevels at the 5th, 50th, and 95thpercentile and logistic regression to estimate the odds of good control (HbA1c 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Blood Glucose/analysis; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data
  17. Selim HMRM, Gomaa FAM, Alshahrani MY, Aboshanab KM
    Curr Microbiol, 2025 Jan 03;82(2):68.
    PMID: 39753822 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-04049-1
    Fortimicins (FTMs) are fortamine-containing aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGAs) produced by M. olivasterospora DSM 43868 with excellent bactericidal activities against a wide range of Enterobacteriaceae and synergistic activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Fortimicin-A (FTM-A), the most active member of FTMs, has the lowest susceptibility to inactivation by the aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of FTM-A alone or in combination with other antibiotics against 18 non-clonal clinically relevant MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. This study also aimed to statistically optimize various environmental factors affecting its production using the response surface D-optimal design. Results showed that FTM-A/meropenem combination showed the highest synergistic bactericidal activity (61.1%) followed by its combination with cefotaxime and cefepime (38.8% each). However, FTM-A/gentamicin and FTM-A/doxycycline combinations showed mostly additive effects in 66.6% and 50% of the tested isolates, respectively. For FTM-A production optimization, maximum specific activity (µg/mg) to cell growth was achieved using aminoglycoside production medium followed by yeast extract-malt extract and M65 production medium. A D-optimal quadratic model consisting of 27 different media composition variations was used to predict an optimal composition for FTM-A production and verified experimentally. Lab verification of the model was carried out using HPLC analysis, resulting in a 10.5-fold increase in their production compared to the un-optimized conditions. The model revealed that the initial pH, incubation temperature, and incubation time significantly affected FTMs production (P-value  0.05). In conclusion, the D-optimal design resulted in an effective model and optimized FTMs production on the shake flask level. FTM-A combinations with meropenem, cefotaxime, cefepime, and gentamicin showed mostly synergistic/additive effects and are advised for clinical evaluation.
    MeSH terms: Aminoglycosides/pharmacology; Culture Media/chemistry; Drug Synergism*; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  18. Loo YY, Lee MY, Shaheed S, Maul T, Clink DJ
    J Acoust Soc Am, 2025 Jan 01;157(1):1-16.
    PMID: 39760518 DOI: 10.1121/10.0034638
    Rapid urban development impacts the integrity of tropical ecosystems on broad spatiotemporal scales. However, sustained long-term monitoring poses significant challenges, particularly in tropical regions. In this context, ecoacoustics emerges as a promising approach to address this gap. Yet, harnessing insights from extensive acoustic datasets presents its own set of challenges, such as the time and expertise needed to label species information in recordings. Here, this study presents an approach to investigating soundscapes: the use of a deep neural network trained on time-of-day estimation. This research endeavors to (1) provide a qualitative analysis of the temporal variation (daily and monthly) of the soundscape using conventional ecoacoustic indices and deep ecoacoustic embeddings, (2) compare the predictive power of both methods for time-of-day estimation, and (3) compare the performance of both methods for supervised classification and unsupervised clustering to the specific recording site, habitat type, and season. The study's findings reveal that conventional acoustic indices and the proposed deep ecoacoustic embeddings approach exhibit overall comparable performance. This article concludes by discussing potential avenues for further refinement of the proposed method, which will further contribute to understanding of soundscape variation across time and space.
    MeSH terms: Acoustics*; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Malaysia; Seasons; Sound; Sound Spectrography; Time Factors; Neural Networks (Computer); Rainforest*
  19. Anees MT, Abu Bakar AFB, Khan MMA, Akhtar N, Khan MR, Khan MS
    Environ Geochem Health, 2025 Jan 06;47(2):42.
    PMID: 39760768 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02347-y
    The effect of open-pit bauxite mining on beach sediment contamination in the urban coastal environment of Kuantan City, Malaysia, was investigated. The contents of 11 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, As, Ni, Cr, and Ag) in 30 samples from Kuantan beach sediment zones (supratidal, intertidal, and subtidal) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry followed by contamination indexes, Pearson's correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results indicated that Cd, As, Ni, and Ag values in beach sediment zones were significantly higher compared to background values. Contamination indexes suggest that Cd, As, Ni, and Ag were highly contaminated, and moderate to extremely enriched near the Kuantan Port. However, these heavy metal concentrations are lower compared to previous studies in the region. Sediment quality guidelines highlighted the occasional presence of Cd and Ag. Based on Pearson's correlation analysis, PCA, and cluster analysis, sources of these heavy metals in beach sediments were likely from agricultural runoff, uncontrolled industrial and residential discharge, and unprotected mine waste near the Kuantan Port. Furthermore, effective management of mining practices and ongoing monitoring are essential to reduce contamination risks.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide/analysis; Bathing Beaches; Malaysia; Mining*; Principal Component Analysis
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