Syafinaz Amin-Nordin

Advanced age and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major risk factors for severe COVID‐19, associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cytokine storm, and increased mortality. SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein (SP) binding to angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) potentially disrupts the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), promoting angiotensin II (Ang II) accumulation and vascular dysfunction. In individuals with preexisting endothelial dysfunction (ED), such as older adults with type 2 DM (T2DM), COVID‐19 may exacerbate inflammation, vascular permeability, and tissue damage. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which SP exacerbates diabetes‐associated ED using an in vitro aortic endothelial–bronchial epithelial co‐culture model. Serum from healthy adults and T2DM patients was used to stimulate human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs), with or without SP. ED was assessed via reactive oxygen species (ROS), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and endothelial permeability. ACE2 expression and Ang II levels were measured in ACE2‐transfected human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B ^ACE2‐eGFP ). Combined effects on lung injury and cytokines (CXCL8, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) were evaluated using a co‐culture system. T2DM serum significantly increased ROS (609.33 ± 108.23%; p = 0.0016), ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 expression (68.55 ± 5.47 copies/μL; p = 0.0011 and 84.77 ± 3.81 copies/μL; p < 0.0001, respectively), and permeability (3.86 × 10 ⁷ ± 4.8 × 10 ⁶ FU; p = 0.0119) in HAoECs. In BEAS‐2B ^ACE2‐eGFP , T2DM serum significantly increased ACE2 expression (5.45 ± 1.99 copies/μL; p = 0.0089), whereas co‐exposure to T2DM + SP markedly reduced ACE2 (0.97 ± 0.29 copies/μL; p = 0.0086) and elevated Ang II (111.60 ± 15.81 pg./mL; p = 0.1343). Co‐treatment with T2DM + SP further exacerbated ED, driving heightened inflammation, lung epithelial injury, and cytokine release. Diabetes‐associated ED synergizes with SP to aggravate vascular inflammation and lung injury, identifying adhesion molecules and pro‐inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers, and RAS dysregulation and endothelial activation as therapeutic targets for severe COVID‐19 in T2DM.

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy offers a reagent-minimal route for serum biochemical analysis, but quantitative modelling in serum is complicated by spectral congestion and the risk that unrestricted chemometric models exploit broad matrix covariance rather than analyte-linked information. This study evaluated a restriction-first chemometric workflow in which analyte-linked spectral windows were defined a priori using bounded vibrational localization and then modelled using ridge regression. Condensed serum chemistry external quality assessment materials with provider-assigned target values were analysed by diamond ATR-FTIR after matched-diluent correction. A 7-level training ladder was constructed from three real anchor vials and four volume-weighted intermediate levels, while independent validation used held-out real EQA vials. The analyte panel comprised total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, lactate, and uric acid. Training R² values ranged from 0.9917 to 0.9975, while held-out validation R² values ranged from 0.9443 to 0.9803. Replicate-level APS pass rates were 100.0% for albumin, 95.8% for urea and lactate, 91.7% for uric acid, 87.5% for total protein, and 83.3% for creatinine. Coefficient and feature-level analyses indicated chemically readable behaviour within predefined spectral windows, with albumin and urea showing the strongest overall profiles. These findings support vibrationally constrained ridge regression as an interpretable chemometric strategy for ATR-FTIR quantification in spectrally congested serum-like matrices and provide a baseline for later validation in commutable human serum.

Streptococcus agalactiae , or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) sequence type 283 (ST283), has emerged as a foodborne zoonotic pathogen of increasing concern, particularly in Southeast Asia. It gained global recognition following a major outbreak in Singapore in 2015, where it caused severe invasive infections such as meningitis, septic arthritis, and bacteremia, even in previously healthy adults, and was linked to the consumption of raw freshwater fish. Since then, outbreaks and sporadic cases of ST283 have been reported in China and Southeast Asia, with incidental reports in a growing number of countries. While ingestion of contaminated raw freshwater fish remains the primary transmission pathway, recent findings have identified a strong link between infections and handling of freshwater fish, as well as the possibility of contamination due to human shedding and human‐to‐human transmission. Although ST283 remains largely susceptible to first‐line antibiotics, delayed recognition in resource‐limited settings hampers timely response. This review synthesizes current knowledge on ST283 as an emerging zoonotic and foodborne threat, summarizing its epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, while highlighting research gaps and the need for strengthened surveillance and preventive measures.

Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy offers a reagent-minimal route for serum analysis, but full-spectrum chemometric models can exploit non-specific covariance in highly congested biological spectra. This study evaluated a vibrationally constrained chemometric strategy for quantification of routine serum biochemical analytes using assigned-value external quality assessment materials by restricting regression to analyte-linked spectral regions defined a priori and applying day-specific matrix correction with matched-diluent subtraction. Condensed serum external quality assessment materials were analysed as independent dried droplets on a diamond ATR platform. Baseline-corrected, interpolated absorbance profiles within the locked regions were used to train ridge regression models with training-only standardisation. Calibration performance across a six-analyte panel was high, with training R² values of 0.992 to 0.998. External verification against analytical performance specifications showed 95% acceptability for total protein, 100% acceptability for albumin, lactate, and uric acid, 90% acceptability for urea, and lower acceptability for creatinine at 40%. These findings show that vibrational restriction can reduce model degrees of freedom while retaining strong quantitative performance in congested serum spectra. The study supports vibrationally constrained chemometrics as an interpretable ATR-FTIR quantification strategy and provides an external quality assessment-based verification baseline for subsequent evaluation on commutable human serum.

Objective: This study provides the first systematic synthesis of the burden of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and invasive disease in Nigeria, with emphasis on prevalence, serotypes, and sequence types (STs). Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251155310). Searches were conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, Dimensions, and African Journals Online, as well as in Google Scholar and Google to identify relevant articles. In total, 426 records were retrieved, of which 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled prevalence. Result: The pooled prevalence of GBS colonization in Nigeria was 12.0% (95% CI: 9.0–15.0%). Higher colonization rates were observed in Southern Nigeria (13.0%) than in Northern Nigeria (9.0%). The neonatal colonization rate was 16.0%. Colonization rates were 13.0% in pregnant women and 8.0% in non-pregnant individuals. Human immunodeficiency virus status showed no significant association with GBS colonization among pregnant women (OR = 1.47, p = 0.17). Invasive GBS disease was uncommon (3.0%) and occurred only in neonates. Across included studies, serotypes V and II were the most frequently reported, with ST19, ST182, and ST28 being the predominant STs. Conclusions: GBS colonization is common in Nigeria, with marked regional variation and heightened neonatal vulnerability to invasive GBS infections. Notably, nineteen states lacked surveillance data, highlighting substantial gaps in national monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening prevention strategies, expanding surveillance coverage, and implementing maternal screening and immunization programs to mitigate the burden of GBS.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pathogen of global relevance in neonatal and maternal disease as well as bovine mastitis. Two closely related clonal groups, denoted 103 and 314 (CG103/314) have been detected in humans and cattle on multiple continents in recent decades but are poorly characterised compared to other host-generalist clades. We examined their potential origins, host-switching events and presence of a suite of genetic markers for antimicrobial resistance, virulence and host association using a newly assembled dataset of 248 CG103/314 genomes from humans, cattle, and food originating from five continents. We detected multiple host switches between humans and cattle, and significant regional differences in AMR gene distribution, possibly reflecting local differences in antimicrobial use across countries and hosts and indicating a capacity for regional adaptation to selective pressures. Across the evolutionary history of CG103/314 from both host species, the prevalence of the Lac.2 operon, a genetic marker associated with bovine host adaptation, was high, whereas the prevalence of the scpB-lmb gene pair, a genetic marker of human host adaptation in other GBS clonal groups, was very low. All isolates with scpB-lmb were associated with human disease rather than carriage. Our dataset displayed biases typical of research into multi-host pathogens, when sampling is often focused on a specific host species or setting. Consistent, balanced, contemporaneous and sympatric sampling efforts across host species and sources are needed for a full understanding of the distribution and emergence of CG103/314 and similar multi-host pathogens impacting food safety and public health.

Chan HS, et al. J Vet Sci. 2026 ;27:e92. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.26024

The proliferation of digital technologies offers innovative avenues for public health education. This study evaluates the usability of FOODAlyzer © , a web-based application designed to enhance food safety awareness among Generation Z university students in Peninsular Malaysia. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers collected data from 419 Gen Z students via online questionnaires. The study comprehensively assessed the app’s effectiveness in improving knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception regarding food poisoning prevention. The results demonstrated significant positive outcomes. Majority of respondents (94.8%) acknowledged FOODAlyzer© utility in selecting quality food premises. The app demonstrated strong performance across key usability metrics, with participants reporting high levels of interactivity, accessibility, and ease of learning. Notably, 89.7% of respondents expressed intentions to utilize the app before ordering food, and 90.6% would recommend it to others. While the app demonstrated strong potential, user feedback revealed critical areas for improvement, which were categorized into two main themes: Technical enhancements and food safety education advancements. Key findings highlighted five technical improvement themes. Users called for greater accessibility and inclusivity, including multilingual support, a dedicated mobile app, and features accommodating diverse age groups. Suggestions for interface design focused on improving icon clarity, tooltip implementation, and visual readability. To boost engagement, users recommended an interactive experience with embedded multimedia, peer review systems, and instant feedback mechanisms. Enhancements in functionality, such as a more reliable system and streamlined login process, were also prioritized. Finally, users proposed interconnectedness with external services and government platforms to extend its reach and credibility. Regarding food safety education, three key themes emerge. Users suggested enhancing educational content with clearer criteria to educate both consumers and premise owners. Incorporating reward-based motivation through gamification, quizzes, and promotional incentives was recommended to encourage consistent use. Finally, users emphasized the need for clearer evaluation tools, advocating for simplified question formats, intuitive scales and reduced questionnaire length to minimize user fatigue and improve accuracy. This research provides a user-centered roadmap for developing effective digital public health tools. By addressing these identified limitations and incorporating stakeholder feedback, FOODAlyzer © can be optimized to better serve as a model for future digital interventions aimed at improving food safety practices among young adults and the broader community.

Obesity is among the most prevalent risk factors in the severe forms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. COVID-19 patients with obesity often face severe complications that might be associated with overexpression of adiponectin, inflammatory cytokines, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in visceral fat. The pre-existing subclinical inflammation associated with obesity can also lead to severe inflammatory responses. Elevation of proinflammatory cytokines considerably activates coagulation cascades, including the tissue factor (TF) pathway. The hypercoagulable state in COVID-19 is presented with severe pulmonary complications such as venous thromboembolism (VTE), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and disruption of vascular endothelial cells, which can lead to severe complications and death. The interaction between inflammatory response and coagulation mechanism in COVID-19 patients with obesity warrants a further understanding of prognosis and potential therapeutic approaches. This review discusses the crosstalk between inflammation and coagulopathy in obesity-related severe COVID-19 infection.