International Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IJBB)

Integration of Protein Language Model Embeddings and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Descriptors in a Gradient Boosting Framework for Antimicrobial Peptide Classification

2026-07-22T04:01:30+00:00

In this work, we developed a hybrid eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) framework for antimicrobial peptide (AMP) classification using a dataset of 20,968 sequences (2,001 AMPs). The framework combines embeddings from the ESM-2 protein language model with five quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) features (net charge, hydrophobicity, length, positive residue count and hydrophobic residue ratio). Using five‑fold nested cross‑validation to avoid data leakage and scale_pos_weight to handle class imbalance, we conducted a systematic comparison of our hybrid model against three baselines: amino acid composition (AAC)-only, QSAR-only, and ESM-only. The hybrid model achieved an average AUC of 0.9137 and MCC of 0.6446, outperforming all three baselines. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis identified sequence length as the most important feature, followed by several ESM-2 dimensions, with QSAR features playing a supporting role. This lightweight, interpretable framework offers a practical tool for computational AMP screening.

Effectiveness of a Self-Empowerment Intervention Based on the Successful Aging Framework in Enhancing Self-Efficacy Among Older Adults at the Belimbing Primary Health Center, Padang City, Indonesia

2026-06-15T03:44:27+00:00

Background: The accelerating global aging trend has intensified psychosocial challenges among older adults, among which declining self-efficacy is a well-established predictor of deteriorating self-care capability and diminished quality of life. However, primary healthcare services in developing countries such as Indonesia rarely provide structured, brief psychosocial interventions capable of addressing this problem within routine community-based elderly care. Baseline data from the Belimbing Primary Health Center (Puskesmas), Padang City, revealed that 61.4% of registered older adults exhibited low self-efficacy levels, while the existing Posyandu Lansia program remained focused predominantly on physical health screening, underscoring an urgent service gap and the need for a feasible, structured psychosocial intervention.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-empowerment intervention grounded in the successful aging framework on self-efficacy among older adults at the Belimbing Primary Health Center, Padang City, Indonesia.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study employing a one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted among 34 older adults, recruited via purposive sampling with allowance for an anticipated 10% dropout rate. Self-efficacy was assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10; score range 10-40). The intervention consisted of four structured psychoeducation sessions delivered over two weeks. Data were analyzed using the paired sample t-test (alpha = 0.05).

Results: The mean GSE-10 score improved significantly from 24.1 (SD = 4.5) at pretest to 30.6 (SD = 3.8) at posttest, representing an absolute gain of 6.5 points. The paired t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference (t(33) = -7.84; p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.56). Statistical power analysis yielded a power of 0.99.

Conclusion: The self-empowerment intervention based on successful aging produced a statistically significant and large improvement in self-efficacy among older adults in a primary healthcare setting. As this was a single-group, non-controlled design, these findings should be regarded as preliminary and hypothesis-generating; nonetheless, this brief, structured model holds promise for integration into existing Posyandu Lansia (community elderly health post) programs and warrants confirmation through randomized controlled trials.

Early Detection of High-Risk Pregnancy Through Antenatal Care Monitoring: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

2026-06-04T03:54:57+00:00

ABSTRACT

Background: Early detection of high-risk pregnancy is essential for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Antenatal care (ANC) monitoring plays a vital role in maternal health surveillance by facilitating the timely identification and management of pregnancy-related risks. However, evidence regarding its contribution to early risk detection remains fragmented.

Objective: This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the role of ANC monitoring in the early detection of high-risk pregnancy and identify opportunities for strengthening maternal health surveillance.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2020 and 2025. After screening and eligibility assessment, 20 studies were included and analyzed using a thematic narrative synthesis approach.

Results: Six major themes emerged: ANC monitoring practices, risk detection during pregnancy, maternal knowledge and awareness, family and community support, barriers to ANC monitoring, and digital innovations. The findings indicate that comprehensive ANC monitoring improves maternal surveillance, supports early identification of pregnancy complications, and facilitates timely referral and management. Maternal awareness, family support, and women’s participation in healthcare decision-making were associated with better ANC utilization. Limited healthcare access, financial constraints, and low health literacy were identified as key barriers. Digital health interventions, particularly mHealth technologies, demonstrated potential to enhance monitoring and early risk detection.

Conclusion: Effective ANC monitoring is fundamental to the early detection of high-risk pregnancy. Integrating quality clinical care, maternal education, social support, and digital health innovations may strengthen maternal health surveillance and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Awareness of Antibiotic Use in Aquaculture Products among Bangladeshi Students in Malaysia

2026-06-19T00:30:13+00:00

The unnecessary or excessive use of antibiotics in fish farming gradually makes bacteria resistant, a phenomenon known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This cross-sectional descriptive study examined Bangladeshi students living in Malaysia regarding the use of antibiotics in fish farming products by collecting data on their awareness, perceptions, and attitudes. A structured online questionnaire was used, consisting of 25 questions organized into five sections, which was delivered to participants using Google Forms, and their responses were collected. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test of independence (α = 0.05) were used to analyze the data of 120 respondents. Descriptive statistics summarized the participants' data, and a Chi-square test was used to determine if the p-value was statistically significant, with a p-value below 0.05. 76.7% of all respondents who participated in the study knew or had heard before that antibiotics are used in fish farming. Among the 5 Chi-square tests, only one has a significant association between fish consumption frequency and concern about antibiotic residues (χ²= 41.365, df =9,p = <0.001). The results of this study indicate that there is a lack of food safety knowledge among expatriate Bangladeshi students; therefore, it is important to introduce planned food safety education programs for them.

Effectiveness of Communication-Based Interventions on Self-Management in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

2026-06-19T00:54:15+00:00

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common chronic condition among older adults, often accompanied by multimorbidity and cognitive decline, which can hinder effective self-management. Communication-based interventions, including face-to-face, digital, and telecommunication approaches, have been used to support self-care behaviors, but evidence on their effectiveness in older adults remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of communication-based interventions on self-management in older adults with T2DM.
Methods: A targeted search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2021 and 2026 that evaluated the effects of communication-based interventions on self-management in older adults with T2DM. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for RCTs.
Results: Ten studies involving participants from various countries were included, with sample sizes ranging from 36 to 742. Communication interventions included face-to-face education, digital communication, and telecommunication. These interventions improved self-management behaviors, with approaches combining regular communication, personalized feedback, and behavioral support showing the highest effectiveness.
Conclusion: Communication-based interventions effectively enhance self-management in older adults with T2DM. These findings support the development of targeted programs that promote sustained self-care and improve patient health outcomes in this high-risk population.