Browse publications by year: 2025

  1. Huang X, Lott PC, Hu D, Zavala VA, Jamal ZN, Vidaurre T, et al.
    Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2025 Feb 06;34(2):234-245.
    PMID: 39625644 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1247
    BACKGROUND: A substantial portion of the genetic predisposition for breast cancer is explained by multiple common genetic variants of relatively small effect. A subset of these variants, which have been identified mostly in individuals of European (EUR) and Asian ancestries, have been combined to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict breast cancer risk, but the prediction accuracy of existing PRSs in Hispanic/Latinx individuals (H/L) remain relatively low. We assessed the performance of several existing PRS panels with and without addition of H/L-specific variants among self-reported H/L women.

    METHODS: PRS performance was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and the area under the ROC curve.

    RESULTS: Both EUR and Asian PRSs performed worse in H/L samples compared with original reports. The best EUR PRS performed better than the best Asian PRS in pooled H/L samples. EUR PRSs had decreased performance with increasing Indigenous American (IA) ancestry, while Asian PRSs had increased performance with increasing IA ancestry. The addition of two H/L SNPs increased performance for all PRSs, most notably in the samples with high IA ancestry, and did not impact the performance of PRSs in individuals with lower IA ancestry.

    CONCLUSIONS: A single PRS that incorporates risk variants relevant to the multiple ancestral components of individuals from Latin America, instead of a set of ancestry-specific panels, could be used in clinical practice.

    IMPACT: The results highlight the importance of population-specific discovery and suggest a straightforward approach to integrate ancestry-specific variants into PRSs for clinical application.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Hispanic Americans/genetics; Hispanic Americans/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Latin America; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment/methods; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Multifactorial Inheritance; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  2. Nazar M, Ahmad A, Hussain SMS, Sulaimon AA, Moniruzzaman M
    Adv Colloid Interface Sci, 2025 Feb;336:103362.
    PMID: 39626337 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103362
    Oil spills have long-lasting and harmful impacts on the environment, particularly on aquatic ecosystems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of conventional methods for oil spill removal, highlighting both their advantages and limitations. Traditional methods for addressing oil spills, including physical, thermal, biological and chemical techniques, often prove insufficient, with chemical dispersants being the most popular approach. However, the concern about the toxicity and low biodegradability of these dispersants have led researchers to explore more effective and ecologically benign alternatives. Recently, surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) have gained interest due to their amphiphilic nature, green and biodegradable characteristics, and excellent performance under various temperature and salinity conditions. In this review, the molecular composition of SAILs, with a specific emphasis on the roles of their head groups, alkyl chains, and counter anions, has been discussed. Additionally, the aggregation behavior of SAILs, their ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT), and their potential to form stable emulsions, which are important for effective oil dispersion, has been also discussed in the paper. This review also examines key environmental factors such as temperature and salinity that influence the efficacy of oil dispersion using SAILs. The study investigates the possibilities of SAILs as an environmentally friendly substitute for conventional dispersants, while also discussing the challenges and possible future paths for the industry. However, the long-term environmental effects of SAILs and their degradation products are still uncertain, underscoring the necessity of future research. Insights into the optimization of SAIL formulations, their environmental impact, and the feasibility of large-scale application are also discussed, offering a forward-looking perspective on the development of next-generation oil spill remediation technologies.
  3. Zalota AK, Savchenko AS, Miroliubov AA, Waiho K, Fazhan H, Chan BKK, et al.
    Zoology (Jena), 2025 Jan;168:126234.
    PMID: 39626403 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2024.126234
    Coral reefs house a great variety of symbiotic associations, including parasitism. One of the crucial issues in the host-symbiont interactions is the parasites' feeding mode. Does the parasite/symbiont use the host's tissues for nutrition, steal food from the host's digestive system, or take food directly from the environment? However, most of the parasitism in corals is endosymbiotic (endoparasitic). Their trophic interactions are difficult to identify since they only occur in intact associations. This work uses stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen and morphological analysis to study the trophic relationship between the crustacean endoparasites, the Ascothoracida (genera Baccalaureus, Sessilogoga, and Zibrowia) and their various coral hosts ranging from Zoantharia (Palythoa) to Antipatharia (Antipathes), and Scleractinia (Dendrophyllia). The hosts belong to different coral taxa and obtain food from different sources, reflected in their stable isotope values. The SIA, supported by the morphological analysis, suggests that the Zibrowia parasite feeds directly on its Dendrophyllia host. Sessilogoga retains vagility within and around the black coral colony. It has typical generalized piercing mouth parts with numerous teeth and denticles. Sessilogoga may use antipatharian tissues for food directly as well as sucks food fluids from the host's gastrovascular system. There is no clear trophic shift trend between Palythoa and its parasite Baccalaureus. Such differences exclude the possibility of the parasite feeding predominantly on its host's tissues and suggest a broad spectrum of food sources. Thus, SIA reveals that endosymbiotic ascothoracidans may not always be true parasitic but also opportunistic feeders, which steal food directly from the host gastric cavity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions*; Malaysia; Symbiosis; Coral Reefs*
  4. Alasalvar C, Huang G, Bolling BW, Jantip PA, Pegg RB, Wong XK, et al.
    Food Chem, 2025 Mar 01;467:142222.
    PMID: 39626555 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142222
    This article presents a comprehensive overview of upcycling commercial nut byproducts (such as Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, peanut (also known as a legume), pecan, pine nut, pistachio, and walnut) for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. Upcycling nut byproducts, namely husk/hull, hard shell, brown skin, defatted flour/meal/cake, pine cone, cashew nut shell liquid, cashew apple, walnut septum, and dreg/okara, has great potential, not only to reduce/minimise waste, but also to fit within the circular economy concept. Each byproduct has its own unique functional properties, which can bring significant value. These byproducts can be used as value-added ingredients to promote better health and well-being, due to their rich sources of diverse bioactive components/phytochemicals, polysaccharides, fibre, lignin, prebiotics, oils, proteins, bioactive peptides, minerals, and vitamins, among other components. This comprehensive review provides a basis for future research and development of product applications for nut byproducts. More studies are needed on novel product development to valorise nut byproducts.
    MeSH terms: Food Handling; Humans; Waste Products/analysis
  5. Bijle MN, Sharaf D, Bahdar MAM, Daood U, Yiu C
    J Dent, 2025 Feb;153:105500.
    PMID: 39626842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105500
    OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of the study was to examine the potential of arginine (Arg)-enriched fancy waters in preventing erosive tooth wear.

    METHODS: L-arginine (2 % w/v.) was added to five commercial fancy waters: Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint, Perrier-Lemon, Perrier-Grapefruit, Pellegrino-Lemon; and deionized water served as a negative control. The pH, buffer capacity of added Arg, and F- concentrations were measured. Tooth specimens were prepared and baseline volumetric assessment (T0) was conducted using micro-CT. Subsequently, the specimens were immersed in fancy waters for 72 h, kept in an incubator (37 ℃) and solutions were changed every 24 h. After the experimental cycle (T1), 3D volumetric analysis was performed, and 3D structural images were reconstructed for qualitative assessment.

    RESULTS: The pH and F- concentrations of fancy waters with Arg were significantly higher than the control (p < 0.001). The buffer capacity of added Arg with Perrier-Grapefruit was significantly higher than Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint & Pellegrino-Lemon (p < 0.05), except for Perrier-Lemon (p > 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume in Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than T0 (p < 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume of Oasis-Lemon Mint and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than Arg-containing fancy waters (p < 0.05). Surface contrast indicating wear was evident from T0 to T1 in specimens from the Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (- Arg).

    CONCLUSION: Incorporating Arg in fancy waters reduces the potential of erosive tooth wear associated with these beverages.

    CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Consuming fancy water beverages (flavoured sparkling/carbonated) can lead to erosive tooth wear in young people. Incorporating Arg in fancy water beverages can prevent the erosive wear potential of these beverages while alleviating the burden of oral care on individuals at risk to erosive wear.

    MeSH terms: Arginine*; Buffers; Dental Enamel/chemistry; Fluorides/analysis; Fluorides/therapeutic use; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Water/chemistry; X-Ray Microtomography/methods; Tooth Wear/prevention & control
  6. Ewart KM, Sitam FT, Giarat Ali NANB, Ogden R, Morgan KI, Tran HM, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int Genet, 2025 Jan;74:103149.
    PMID: 39316956 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103149
    The illegal trade in tigers (Panthera tigris) and their derivatives, such as bones, teeth and pelts, is a major threat to the species' long-term persistence. As wild tiger populations have dwindled, a large proportion of trafficked tiger products now derive from captive breeding facilities found throughout Asia. Moreover, wild tigers have been poached and laundered into captive facilities, then falsely designated as captive-bred. The establishment of a DNA registration system is recognized as a key tool to monitor compliance of captive facilities, support tiger trade investigations and improve prosecution outcomes. Here, we present a standardised wildlife forensic DNA profiling system for captive tigers called TigerBase. TigerBase has been developed in four South-East Asia countries with captive tiger facilities: Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Lao PDR. TigerBase DNA profile data is based on 60 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, genotyped using two different TaqMan®-based approaches: OpenArray® chip (capable of genotyping 60 SNPs for 48 samples in a single chip), and singleplex TaqMan® assays (capable of genotyping one SNP for one sample per reaction). Of the 60 SNPs, 53 are autosomal nuclear markers, suitable for individualisation and parentage applications, two are sex-linked markers, suitable for sexing, and five are mtDNA markers, suitable for maternal subspecies identification. We conducted a series of validation experiments to investigate the reliability and limitations of these SNP genotyping platforms. We found that the OpenArray® chip platform is more appropriate for generating reference data given its greater throughput, while the singleplex TaqMan® assays are more appropriate for genotyping lower quality casework samples, given their higher sensitivity and throughput flexibility. Only 19 autosomal nuclear markers were validated as singleplex TaqMan® assays, which generally provides ample power for individualisation analysis (probability of identity among siblings was <6.9 ×10-4), but may lack power for specific parentage questions, such as determining parentage of an offspring when one of the parent's genotypes is missing. Further, we have developed pipelines to support standardised SNP calling and decrease the chance of genotyping errors through the use of analytical workflows and synthetic positive controls. We expect the implementation of TigerBase will enhance enforcement of tiger trafficking cases and encourage compliance among captive tiger facilities, together contributing to combatting the illegal tiger trade.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Conservation of Natural Resources/legislation & jurisprudence; DNA/genetics; Female; Genotype; DNA Fingerprinting; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  7. Lok SY, Sia WT, Morice D, Tanveer A
    Int J Surg Case Rep, 2025 Jan;126:110602.
    PMID: 39622180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.110602
    BACKGROUND: Obturator hernia is a rare type of pelvic hernia that often presents with vague symptoms that can easily be confused with other conditions. Delayed diagnosis can lead to increased morbidity and complications.

    CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with escalating right knee pain, unresponsive to increasing doses of opioids. She also reported mild abdominal discomfort. A knee X-ray was unremarkable, but an abdominopelvic CT scan revealed an incarcerated obturator hernia. Emergent laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) repair was performed, leading to significant postoperative improvement in her knee pain.

    DISCUSSION: This case highlights the unusual presentation of obturator hernia with referred knee pain, which could often be misdiagnosed as a musculoskeletal issue. The likely mechanism is obturator nerve impingement caused by the hernia, and surgical intervention successfully resolved the symptoms.

    CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider obturator hernia in the differential diagnosis of unexplained knee pain, particularly in patients with risk factors like advanced age, low body weight and the female gender, to avoid delayed diagnosis and prevent serious complications.

  8. Dinter C, Gumprecht A, Menze MA, Azizan A, Hansen S, Büchs J
    Biotechnol Bioeng, 2025 Mar;122(3):509-524.
    PMID: 39614833 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28892
    Culture broth with secreted macromolecules and culture broth of filamentous fungi showing disperse growth exhibit elevated viscosity, usually with shear-thinning flow behavior. High viscosity, however, poses a serious challenge in the production and research of these compounds and organisms. It commonly causes insufficient mixing and oxygen transfer in large- and small-scale bioreactors. Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) has been proven to be a valuable tool for the computation of important bioprocess parameters. The published literature for small-scale shaken bioreactors, especially shake flasks, however, almost exclusively focuses on water-like viscosity. In this paper, a previously published CFD model for 250 mL shake flasks was used to simulate experiments at high viscosities of up to 100 mPa·s. Compared to experimental data, the CFD model accurately predicted the liquid distribution and computed the volumetric power input with a deviation of less than 7% and the kLa value within a factor of two, compared to the kLa correlation from Henzler and Schedel. Furthermore, a novel approach to compute the shear rate was tested. Lastly, new insights into the out-of-phase phenomenon were gained. The presented data confirms the usefulness of the already established critical phase numbers of 0.91 and 1.26, while underlying the fundamentally smooth transition from in-phase to out-of-phase operating conditions.
    MeSH terms: Computer Simulation; Culture Media/chemistry; Viscosity; Hydrodynamics*
  9. Cysique LA, Levin J, Howard C, Taylor J, Rule J, Costello J, et al.
    Lancet HIV, 2025 Jan;12(1):e71-e80.
    PMID: 39615509 DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00248-0
    Prevalence and incidence of HIV among people aged 50 years and older continue to rise worldwide, generating increasing awareness among care providers, scientists, and the HIV community about the importance of brain health in older adults with HIV. Many age-related factors that adversely affect brain health can occur earlier and more often among people with HIV, including epigenetic ageing, chronic medical conditions (eg, cardiovascular disease), and age-related syndromes (eg, frailty). Extensive dialogue between HIV community leaders, health-care providers, and scientists has led to the development of a multidimensional response strategy to protect and enhance brain health in people ageing with HIV that spans across public health, clinical spaces, and research spaces. This response strategy was informed by integrated ageing care frameworks and is centred on prevention, early detection, and management of brain health issues associated with HIV (eg, neurocognitive disorders), with specific considerations for low-resource or middle-resource countries. A collaborative, international, and data-informed update of the diagnostic criteria for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is a cornerstone of the proposed response strategy. The proposed response strategy includes a dynamic, international, online knowledge hub that will provide a crucial community resource for emerging evidence on the brain health of people ageing with HIV.
    MeSH terms: Cognitive Aging/physiology; Aged; Aging/physiology; Humans; Middle Aged
  10. Ng KT, Kwok PE, Lim WE, Teoh WY, Hasan MS, Zainal Abidin MF
    Braz J Anesthesiol, 2025;75(1):844580.
    PMID: 39615751 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjane.2024.844580
    OBJECTIVES: Methylene blue exerts its vasopressor properties by inhibiting nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. Recent studies have advocated the use of methylene blue as a rescue therapy for patients with septic shock. The primary aim was to investigate the effect of methylene blue on the mean arterial pressure among adult patients with septic shock.

    METHODS: Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from their inception date until October 2023. Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) comparing methylene blue and placebo in adults with septic shock were included.

    RESULTS: Our systematic review included 5 studies (n = 257) for data analysis. As compared to the placebo, our pooled analysis showed that methylene blue significantly increased mean arterial pressure (MD: 1.34 mmHg, 95% CI 0.15 to 2.53, p = 0.03, level of evidence: very low). Patients who were given methylene blue were associated with statistically lower mortality rate (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.88, p = 0.02, level of evidence: low), reduced serum lactate levels (MD: -0.76 mmoL.L-1, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.31, p = 0.0009, level of evidence: low), reduced length of hospital stay (MD: -1.94 days, 95% CI -3.79 to -0.08, p = 0.04, level of evidence: low), and increased PaO2/FiO2 (MD: 34.78, 95% CI 8.94 to 60.61, p = 0.008, level of evidence: low).

    CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrated that methylene blue administration was associated with an increased in mean arterial pressure and PaO2/FiO2 ratio, along with a reduction in mortality rates, serum lactate levels, and length of hospital stay. However, substantial degree of heterogeneity and inadequate number of studies with low level of evidence warrant future adequately powered RCTs to affirm our results.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Length of Stay; Vasoconstrictor Agents/administration & dosage; Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*; Lactic Acid/blood; Arterial Pressure/drug effects
  11. Munir R, Khan IU, Kamal Y, Asghar S, Irfan M, Alshammari A, et al.
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2025 Mar;247:114407.
    PMID: 39616935 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114407
    Arthritic disease is one of the most common diseases in adults and a leading cause of joint degeneration. Dexibuprofen (DEX) is routinely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, acute postoperative pain, primary dysmenorrheal, and in lower back pain. However, it is poorly water soluble with compromised bioavailability, and hence has limited therapeutic activity. In order to overcome these issues, we studied the formulation and characterization of nanoemulsion based system i.e nanoemulgel of DEX. This study aimed to prepare topical nanoemulgel containing 2 % DEX and solubility-enhanced DEX via ternary inclusion complexation (DEX-SE-T) and to compare it with commercially available 5 % Ibuprofen gel as there is no topical formulation of DEX is available in the market currently. A pseudoternary phase diagram was constructed using the spontaneous water titration method. Blank and drug-loaded nanoemulgel were prepared using a high-speed homogenization method. All the formulations were evaluated in terms of particle size, pH, conductivity, viscosity, zeta potential, and ex vivo drug permeation. DEX loaded nanoemulgel yield enhanced in vitro skin permeation than the commercially available 5 % ibuprofen gel. The optimized nanoemulgel formulation (DEX-SE-T) was tested in in vivo anti-inflammatory models including cotton pellets-induced abdominal granuloma (chronic inflammation) and carrageenan-induced paw edema (acute inflammation). DEX-SE-T loaded nanoemulgel has improved in vivo anti-inflammatory activity as compared to ibuprofen gel. DEX-SE-T could be a promising option for effective topical treatment of inflammatory conditions.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemistry; Carrageenan/chemistry; Edema/chemically induced; Edema/drug therapy; Male; Particle Size; Skin/drug effects; Skin/metabolism; Skin/pathology; Skin Absorption/drug effects; Solubility; Viscosity; Rats, Wistar; Rats; Nanoparticles/chemistry
  12. Chittapun S, Suwanmanee K, Kongsinkaew C, Pornpukdeewattana S, Chisti Y, Charoenrat T
    J Biotechnol, 2025 Feb;398:76-86.
    PMID: 39617332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.11.018
    The natural blue colorant C-phycocyanin (C-PC) has many potential applications but its poor heat stability limits its commercial use. This study compares the production and thermal stability of C-PC from two cyanobacteria: the thermophilic Thermosynechococcus sp. TUBT-T01 and the mesophilic Synechococcus cedrorum TISTR8589. Thermosynechococcus sp. produced nearly 1.9-fold more C-PC than S. cedrorum. Batch adsorption using a chromatographic cationic ion exchange resin (Streamline Direct HST1) was used to effectively purify the C-PC. The equilibrium adsorption capacity (Qeq) of the resin for C-PC was the highest at pH 5. At this pH, the Qeq for the thermophilic C-PC was 5.5 ± 0.1 mg mL⁻¹ , whereas for the mesophilic C-PC it was 1.5 ± 0.2 mg mL⁻¹ . Purification increased the concentration of the thermophilic C-PC by 5.9-fold, and that of mesophilic C-PC by 4.2-fold. The purity ratios of the final products from the two cyanobacteria were similar at ∼2.2. At 60 °C and pH 7, the C-PC of Thermosynechococcus sp. had ∼12-times longer half-life than the mesophilic C-PC; however, the productivity of the thermophilic C-PC was comparatively low because of a low biomass productivity of Thermosynechococcus sp.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Hot Temperature; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics
  13. Farshid S, Buckland BC, Shanmuganathan S, Low GK
    Respir Med, 2025 Jan;236:107891.
    PMID: 39617353 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107891
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Accurate severity assessment in acute asthma is vital to guide patient management and disposition. End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) has been proposed as a real-time measure for this purpose. This study aimed to systematically review literature on EtCO2 measurement in assessing the severity of acute asthma exacerbations.

    METHODS: Five databases were searched. Studies with patients of any age with acute asthma exacerbations and at least one clinical outcome measure were included. Studies on intubated patients and outpatients were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and then full texts for eligibility.

    RESULTS: 1242 records were identified and 11 studies were included in the review. Three out of five studies found significant differences in capnography measures between patients eventually admitted and those discharged from the emergency department. Patients with lower initial EtCO2 were more likely to require hospital admission. Other components of the capnography waveform were associated with disposition, including a larger alpha angle and a lower ratio between phase III duration and respiratory rate being associated with hospital admission. Seven studies examined correlations between capnography measures and other markers of airway obstruction and weak or absent correlations were generally found. Three studies reported significant change in capnography measures after treatment.

    CONCLUSION: Lower EtCO2 may predict poorer outcome in acute asthma exacerbations. Other measures taken from the capnography waveform appear to be useful indicators of severity. Addressing patient selection issues and conducting prognostic accuracy studies of EtCO2 with clinical endpoints may provide meaningful evidence for clinical practice.

    MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index*; Disease Progression; Point-of-Care Systems; Respiratory Rate/physiology
  14. Elsayed N, How CW, Foo JB
    Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 2025 Feb;207:114599.
    PMID: 39617356 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114599
    Zerumbone (ZER), a compound derived from the rhizome of Zingiber Zerumbet (L.) Smith, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties but suffers from poor water solubility, limiting its clinical application. While ZER's effects on lung inflammation are known, its role in lung fibrosis remains unexplored. Herein, ZER was encapsulated in pH-sensitive liposomes formulated with oleic acid, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol to enhance ZER solubility and delivery to the acidic environment of lung fibrosis. The liposomes were optimized using Box-Behnken design, resulting in an average diameter of 87.8 ± 3.5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.16 ± 0.2, and a zeta potential of -24 ± 0.32 mV. ZER release from the carrier followed zero-order kinetics and showed higher release in acidic settings. Cascade impactor and HPLC analyses confirmed that ZER liposome powder produced by freeze-drying reached stage 7, indicating effective delivery to deep lung regions. The uptake of ZER liposomes was concentration and pH-dependent, being higher in acidic conditions and greater in MRC-5 cells compared to A549 cells. Notably, ZER liposomes reduced cell migration and downregulated fibrotic markers such as fibronectin, MMP-2, and α-SMA in MRC-5 and A549 cells. This study suggests that ZER liposomes hold promise for treating lung fibrosis and merit further investigation.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Inhalation; Cholesterol/chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liposomes*; Particle Size; Solubility; 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/chemistry; Oleic Acid/chemistry; Drug Liberation; A549 Cells
  15. Soluk-Tekkesin M, Bologna-Molina R, Magliocca K, van Heerden W, Robinson L, Bilodeau EA, et al.
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2025 Jan;54(1):76-79.
    PMID: 39617625 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13592
    BACKGROUND: The terminology surrounding developmental lesions in the oral cavity is widely applied, often leading to confusion in differentiating between developmental malformations and neoplasia. Odontogenic tumor classification includes both true neoplasms and malformations which make it very complex and dynamic.

    METHOD AND CONCLUSION: In this brief report, we will first discuss the concepts of malformations and neoplasia and then focusing on their relevance to odontogenic tumors, which impacts their classification and treatment, particularly mixed odontogenic lesions.

    MeSH terms: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Mouth Abnormalities/pathology; Terminology as Topic; Tooth Abnormalities/pathology
  16. Abel AG, Shamarina S, Hisham MNMN, Hafiz ARA
    Afr J Infect Dis, 2025;19(1):45-56.
    PMID: 39618539 DOI: 10.21010/Ajidv19i1.6
    BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HB), caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), remains a critical public health challenge in Nigeria. Globally, the HBV infects approximately 296 million people, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality, with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer ranking as the 11th and 24th leading causes of death, respectively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and the associated risk factors within the Lafia Metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2023, utilizing a validated questionnaire to assess 461 randomly selected participants from four communities (Azuba, Bukan Sidi, Danka Sarki, and Doka), representing diverse sociodemographic profiles and varying degrees of exposure to risk factors associated with HBV infection. Data were analyzed using chi-square (χ2) tests with IBM SPSS statistical software version 28.0 at a significance level of p < 0.05.

    RESULTS: The findings showed that the overall prevalence of HBV infection was 7.8%. A significant association was observed between the prevalence of HBV infection and monthly income (p < 0.01). However, no associations were found with age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation, or religion. Regarding risk factors, a significant association was found between HBV infection and awareness of one's HBV status (p < 0.03).

    CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and policies aimed at reducing HBV transmission among high-risk sociodemographic groups in Lafia Metropolis. This approach could potentially reduce the burden of HBV and improve health outcomes in affected communities.

  17. Ladwig KH, Marten-Mittag B, Olliges E, Johar H, Atasoy S, Holdenrieder S, et al.
    J Affect Disord, 2025 Jan 15;369:174-181.
    PMID: 39321975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.146
    BACKGROUND: Leptin, an adipokine suspected to play a role in coronary artery disease (CAD), may also be associated with deteriorated mental health. We investigated the prospective impact of recurrent depressed mood (RDM) on heightened plasma leptin levels in CAD patients.

    METHODS: Derived from the randomized SPIRR-CAD trial, plasma leptin were measured by the Human Leptin DuoSet ELISA at baseline in 539 patients (including 115 (21.3 %) women and 424 (78.7 %) men) and in 373 participants after 18-months follow up (T3). RDM was based on the clinical course from baseline to follow-up assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). Multivariate binary logistic regression models identified predictors for heightened leptin at T3.

    RESULTS: At baseline, highest leptin level (3rd tertile) was associated with type 2 diabetes (p = 0.009), heart failure symptoms (NYHA III) (p 

    MeSH terms: Aged; Depression/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Failure/blood; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments/blood; Prospective Studies; Recurrence*; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Body Mass Index; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood
  18. Xie P, Wang F, Zhou J, Lee YY, Zhang Y, Zou S, et al.
    Food Chem, 2025 Feb 28;466:142196.
    PMID: 39612838 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142196
    Compared to lard-based shortenings, diacylglycerol (DAG)-based shortenings have demonstrated beneficial effects, such as lowering blood lipids, and reducing postprandial blood glucose levels. In this study, different chain-length DAG oils were blended with lower melting point peanut oil DAG oil (PO-DAG-oil). The blend ratios for the three types of DAG-based shortenings were determined based on the solid fat content (SFC) of lard. Subsequently, 1 % of various emulsifiers were added, and the crystallization properties, rheological and textural characteristics, polymorphism, microstructure, water-absorbing capacity, and plasticity of the four shortening systems were examined. The emulsifiers found to be suitable for lard shortening, long chain fatty acid DAG (LCD-shortening), medium chain fatty acid DAG (MCD-shortening), and medium and long chain fatty acid DAG (MLCD-shortening) were Span60, PGFE, PGFE, and MAG, respectively. Cakes baked using DAG-based shortenings exhibited superior textural properties compared to those made with lard-based shortenings, supporting the application of high-melting-point DAG oils in shortening formulations.
    MeSH terms: Cooking; Fatty Acids/chemistry; Food Handling; Plant Oils/chemistry; Rheology; Emulsifying Agents/chemistry
  19. Jabbari S, Zakaria ZA, de Menezes IRA, Mohammadi S
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2025 Jan 13;339:119174.
    PMID: 39613005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.119174
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fritillaria imperialis L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as "Laleh vazhgon", ethnomedicinally utilized in Iranian traditional medicine to treat joint pain, chronic daily headaches, and back pain.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antinociceptive, anti-neuropathic, and anti-migraine activities of Fritillaria imperialis bulbs essential oil (FIEO) as well as to uncover the potential mechanisms of action involved.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antinociceptive activity of FIEO and its main constituent, Verticinone (Vt), was assessed using the formalin-induced paw licking assay. The potential mechanisms of antinociception were investigated through various antagonists. Additionally, their antineuropathic activity was examined using the cervical spinal cord contusion (CCS) technique and the possible role of Stat3 was evaluated using Western blot analysis. The nitroglycerin-induced model (NTG) was also employed for the evaluation of migraine.

    RESULTS: FIEO demonstrated significant antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin-induced test. However, the FIEO activity was more pronounced effect observed in the second phase. Modulators of the NO-cGMP-K+ channel pathway significantly reversed the antinociceptive activity of FIEO (P 

    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Formaldehyde; Male; Nitric Oxide/metabolism; Oils, Volatile/isolation & purification; Oils, Volatile/pharmacology; Pain/drug therapy; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Rats, Sprague-Dawley*; Plant Roots/chemistry; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism; Rats
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