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Bibliography on: covid-19

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 12 Oct 2025 at 01:41 Created: 

covid-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2), a virus closely related to the SARS virus. The disease was discovered and named during the 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak. Those affected may develop a fever, dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. A sore throat, runny nose or sneezing is less common. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some can progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure. The infection is spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets produced from the airways, often during coughing or sneezing. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between 2 and 14 days, with an average of 5 days. The standard method of diagnosis is by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample, with results within a few hours to 2 days. Antibody assays can also be used, using a blood serum sample, with results within a few days. The infection can also be diagnosed from a combination of symptoms, risk factors and a chest CT scan showing features of pneumonia. Correct handwashing technique, maintaining distance from people who are coughing and not touching one's face with unwashed hands are measures recommended to prevent the disease. It is also recommended to cover one's nose and mouth with a tissue or a bent elbow when coughing. Those who suspect they carry the virus are recommended to wear a surgical face mask and seek medical advice by calling a doctor rather than visiting a clinic in person. Masks are also recommended for those who are taking care of someone with a suspected infection but not for the general public. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, with management involving treatment of symptoms, supportive care and experimental measures. The case fatality rate is estimated at between 1% and 3%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As of 29 February 2020, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United States are areas having evidence of community transmission of the disease.

NOTE: To obtain the entire bibliography (all 57576 citations) in bibtek format (a format that can be easily loaded into many different reference-manager software programs, click HERE.

Created with PubMed® Query: ( SARS-CoV-2 OR COVID-19 OR (wuhan AND coronavirus) AND review[SB] )NOT 40982904[pmid] NOT 40982965[pmid] NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2025-10-11

Meier RT, R Kapur (2025)

Antibody-mediated multicellular pathophysiology of HIT and VITT: the dynamic roles of platelets, neutrophils, endothelial cells, and monocytes.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH pii:S1538-7836(25)00605-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe immune-mediated reaction to heparin, characterized by thrombocytopenia and an increased risk of thrombosis. Its pathophysiology is centered around the formation of antibodies directed against platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes. These PF4/heparin-antibodies engage platelet-FcγRIIa, leading to platelet activation and subsequent degranulation, aggregation and the release of procoagulant extracellular vesicles (EVs). Activation of neutrophils, monocytes and endothelial cells have also been suggested to be important features of HIT; neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increasingly recognized as key contributors to thrombus propagation, monocytes may stimulate a prothrombotic state via FcγRIIa-mediated generation of tissue factor and thrombin, and endothelial activation may lead to the exposure of von Willebrand factor, further enhancing platelet recruitment and thrombosis. Importantly, interactions between different cell types, directly or indirectly, for instance via EVs or dynamic shuttling of PF4, may consequently influence HIT responses. Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), also a rare but serious complication of thrombocytopenia and thrombosis reported after administration of adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines, shares mechanistic parallels with HIT but is initiated by antibodies directed against PF4. These VITT antibodies also activate platelets via the FcγRIIa and may also induce the release of NETs, which could contribute to thrombus formation. Overall, in both HIT and VITT there appears to be a complex antibody-mediated interplay between various cells in promoting the regulation of thrombo-inflammatory responses. However, critical gaps remain regarding the precise cellular interactions driving thrombosis and/or thrombocytopenia. Further research is essential for developing improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these life-threatening complications.

RevDate: 2025-10-11

Lee SY, Schneider AB, Walton H, et al (2025)

Investigating links between long-term air pollution exposure and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) pii:S0269-7491(25)01596-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Air pollution exposure is suggested to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes. Available systematic reviews and meta-analyses included studies of various study designs which could be vulnerable to ecological bias. We systematically reviewed the association between particulate matter less than 2.5 aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalisation, and COVID-19 mortality, focusing on cohort studies with individual-level data. A systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE and Scopus in July 2023 and subsequently updated in April 2025. The risk of bias of eligible studies was assessed using a modified Risk of Bias assessment instrument developed by the World Health Organization. Qualitative synthesis was performed on all eligible studies, and random-effects meta-analyses were performed when more than three studies were available for an exposure-outcome pair, after removing studies with overlapping populations. Long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of all outcomes investigated (RR for SARS-CoV-2 infection: 1.04 [1.02-1.07], RR for COVID-19 hospitalisation: 1.11 [1.06-1.15], RR for COVID-19 mortality: 1.09 [1.03-1.15], per 1 μg/m[3] increase), whereas NO2 exposure was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation (RR: 1.02 [1.01-1.03], per 1 μg/m[3] increase) and COVID-19 mortality (RR: 1.01 [1.01-1.02], per 1 μg/m[3] increase). No associations were found for O3 exposure. Univariate meta-regression suggested that country of study accounted for a substantial proportion of the heterogeneity observed in meta-analyses. This review presents a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of the evidence regarding the adverse effects of air pollutant exposure on COVID-19 outcomes based on robustly conducted cohort studies with individual-level information.

RevDate: 2025-10-11

Zahedipour F, Gol TM, Wisser S, et al (2025)

Revolutionizing pediatric gene and cell therapy: The hope for lipid-based nanoparticles in blood disorders.

Current research in translational medicine, 73(4):103545 pii:S2452-3186(25)00054-6 [Epub ahead of print].

The rapidly advancing field of lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) as delivery systems for nucleic acids has the potential to revolutionize treatment strategies. LNPs have demonstrated exceptional versatility in delivering genetic material and therapeutic agents to target cells. In gene and cell therapy, LNPs could serve as efficient carriers for introducing genetic materials into the cells, addressing inherited genetic disorders at their root. Their minimal toxicity and immune response make them particularly suitable for pediatric applications. Additionally, the scalability and cost-effectiveness of LNP production offer practical advantages over methods such as viral vectors and electroporation (EP), improving accessibility to advanced therapies for children worldwide. In 2018, the first FDA-approved LNP-based siRNA therapy (Patisiran/ Onpattro®) for treating hereditary amyloidosis brought attention to the feasibility of LNPs for gene therapy. Eventually, authorization and approval of the mRNA-LNP vaccines against COVID-19 (Comirnaty® of BioNTech/Pfizer and SpikeVax® of Moderna) was another milestone for the development of LNP-based nucleic acid therapies. Later, LNPs were applied successfully for the delivery of pDNA, mRNA and siRNA in many types of genetic disorders and cancers. This innovative approach offers a brighter future for pediatric healthcare, where children can look forward to healthier and more fulfilling lives. This review paper provides an overview of the applications of LNPs in gene and cell therapies with a special focus on their pre-clinical application in primary cells, including natural killer cells, T cells, and hematopoietic stem cells, highlighting LNPs' efficacy, safety profile, and potential for transforming the landscape of pediatric healthcare in the future.

RevDate: 2025-10-11
CmpDate: 2025-10-11

Liu Y, Dong B, Yang YL, et al (2025)

Intestinal microbiota dynamics in piglets: the interplay with swine enteric coronavirus infections and implications for disease control.

Animal microbiome, 7(1):107.

Infections of swine enteric coronavirus (SECoV), including porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), cause severe diarrhea in piglets and result in substantial losses to the pig industry. The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in SECoV disease progression and outcomes, yet current research largely focuses on specific age groups or intestinal segments. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic microbiota changes in piglets after SECoV infections across different ages and intestinal regions. It discusses differential microbiota analyses, functional changes, metabolic products, alongside their effects on immune responses. Additionally, we explore fecal bacterial transplantation as a potential intervention and highlight the role of the microbiota in either promoting or inhibiting SECoV infections. The development of advanced research tools, including culturomics, sequencing technologies, and multi-omics approaches, is pivotal in understanding the intricate relationship between the porcine intestinal microbiota and SECoV infections, offering potential strategies for preventing and controlling SECoV-related diseases.

RevDate: 2025-10-11
CmpDate: 2025-10-11

Zuo P, Ramamurthy C, Gowing A, et al (2025)

Factors associated with mental health of Chinese international students in the global context: a systematic review.

BMC public health, 25(1):3460.

BACKGROUND: Chinese international students (CIS) form the biggest cohort in popular host countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, but research shows that their mental health is challenged by multifaceted stressors. Despite this, we are unaware of any previous systematic review that has synthesised both quantitative and qualitative findings on factors associated with their mental health across different countries, and no existing review has included studies done during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aims to answer the following questions: What are the factors associated with the mental health of CIS across different countries? Among identified factors which factors emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and which were exacerbated during the pandemic?

METHODS: This review follows PRISMA guidelines. Six English and three Chinese databases were searched in November 2023: PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. All types of empirical studies were eligible. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data were extracted and findings were narratively synthesised using a convergent approach.

RESULTS: Thirty-nine English language papers and one Chinese language paper were included. The mental health of CIS is associated with various factors, including academic issues, parents and family, language proficiency, social support, discrimination, acculturative stress, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors. Among these, academic-related issues are their main concern, intertwined with family expectation and Confucian cultural values. Language plays a fundamental role in their daily life. During COVID-19, other than pandemic-related fear, there was an increase in experiences of discrimination and social isolation, associated with poorer mental health. Satisfaction with online learning is related to better mental health. Concerns about face, self-esteem, perfectionism, physical health, green space usage, and other factors were also reported.

CONCLUSIONS: The mental health of CIS is associated with various factors, and it worsened during the pandemic. Universities, and professionals in education and mental health could provide resources for students to enhance language abilities, academic skills, and social networks. CIS could be more prepared academically and mentally. Suggestions on future research directions were also provided.

RevDate: 2025-10-11

Teffera ZH, Belay WY, Tegegne BA, et al (2025)

Efficacy of novel SARS-CoV2 vaccines in preventing SARS- CoV- 2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC infectious diseases, 25(1):1267.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Liu RY, Yin KF, He SY, et al (2025)

Viral infections and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review.

Translational psychiatry, 15(1):388.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs); however, evidence linking specific viruses to Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains inconclusive. This study conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to investigate these associations.

METHODS: Thorough searches were conducted across Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus until May 18, 2025, to identify observational studies investigating the relationship between viral infections and the risk of NDs, including AD, PD, and ALS. Meta-analyses were executed using a random-effects model with Stata MP18.0.

RESULTS: A total of 34,417 articles were identified, of which 73 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, and 48 were included in the systematic review. The analysis demonstrated that infections with cytomegalovirus (CMV) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.93), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.53, 2.32), hepatitis C virus (HCV) (OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.69), and human herpesvirus (HHV) (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.51) were associated with an increased risk of AD. Regarding PD, infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.35) and HCV (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.41) were identified as risk factors. Conversely, no significant correlation was found between any viral infection and the risk of ALS.

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the role of select viral infections in AD and PD pathogenesis. However, no association was found between viral infections and ALS, warranting further large, multicenter, and longitudinal studies to elucidate mechanisms and confirm causality.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Wang MC, Liu X, K Hu (2025)

[Intermittent hypoxia exposure in the rehabilitation of long COVID patients].

Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, 48(10):961-964.

Patients recovering from COVID-19 infection often experience "Long COVID", which is characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, reduced exercise capacity or dyspnea, and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms negatively impact their quality of life. Currently, there is a lack of widely recognized therapeutic approaches or specific pharmacological interventions for managing these conditions. During intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE), participants are alternated to hypoxic and normoxic exposure, which induced beneficial adaptive responses in the body. Emerging evidence suggests that IHE can alleviate symptoms of Long COVID through mechanisms such as improving ventilatory function, enhancing cardiopulmonary endurance, modulating immune responses, and reducing inflammation. These effects contribute to an improved quality of life and more holistic recovery, highlighting the promising potential of IHE in managing long COVID.

RevDate: 2025-10-10

Huang D, Zhang J, Zeng X, et al (2025)

RNA vaccines for cancer: revolutionizing immunization strategies.

Trends in cancer pii:S2405-8033(25)00231-6 [Epub ahead of print].

Cancer vaccines have emerged as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, capable of eliciting robust antitumor immune responses by targeting tumor-associated antigens or tumor-specific antigens. Among the various vaccine platforms, RNA-based vaccines have garnered substantial attention, especially in light of the success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review outlines the fundamental characteristics of different RNA vaccine modalities, summarizes recent clinical applications in cancer treatment, and highlights strategies aimed at improving their efficacy and safety. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges facing RNA vaccine development and offer perspectives on future directions in this rapidly advancing field.

RevDate: 2025-10-10

Kolarič A, Jukič M, U Bren (2025)

Machine learning in antiviral drug design.

Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 132:118426 pii:S0968-0896(25)00367-0 [Epub ahead of print].

Viral infections pose a significant health threat worldwide. Due to the high mutation rates of many viruses and their reliance on host cellular machinery, the development of effective antiviral therapies is particularly difficult. As a result, only a limited number of antiviral agents is currently available. In parallel to modern vaccines, traditional antiviral drug development is both time-consuming and costly, underscoring the need for faster, more efficient approaches. In recent years, particularly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, machine learning (ML) together with broader artificial intelligence (AI), have emerged as powerful methodologies for drug discovery and offer the potential to accelerate the identification and development of antiviral agents. This review examines the application of ML in the early stages of antiviral drug discovery, with a particular focus on recent studies where ML methods have successfully identified hit compounds with experimentally demonstrated activity in biological assays. By highlighting these successful case studies, the review illustrates the growing impact of ML in advancing the discovery of urgently needed novel antivirals.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Jano K, Babu TM, Kottkamp AC, et al (2025)

Historical Advances in Clinical Trial Design and Expanding Representation as the New Frontier for Innovation.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 81(Supplement_2):S117-S124.

Since its establishment in 1962, the Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs) have employed cutting-edge technologies to develop novel vaccines and therapeutics to mitigate emerging public health threats in the United States and globally. Clinical trial innovation has been the hallmark of these efforts as novel approaches to testing countermeasures are investigated in pace with advances in technology and evolving public health needs. The spectrum of trials conducted by the VTEUs ranges from proof-of-concept or first-in-human phase 1 to late-phase trials that establish efficacy and inform licensure decisions or "real world" vaccine usage such as with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rotavirus mix-and-match trials aimed to inform standard of care. The VTEUs have also been instrumental in developing experimental wild-type challenge studies to preliminarily assess vaccine immunogenicity against influenza, shigellosis, cholera, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, enteropathogenic E. coli, and malaria to help select promising vaccine candidates for further development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, novel strategies for recruitment and improved accessibility of vaccine clinical trials emerged. However, the pandemic also highlighted the need for improved representation in clinical trials and underscored the importance of community engagement. As we consider what challenges to address in the upcoming years, engagement of the population in clinical trials is critical to establishing safety and efficacy and community acceptance of vaccines and therapeutics. It is imperative to develop skills that engender community advocacy while staying on the cutting edge of science, henceforth serving as the guideposts for new frontiers in clinical trial innovation.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Atmar RL, Abate G, Deming ME, et al (2025)

Emerging and Pandemic Pathogens: Lessons Learned From a Clinical Research Network.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 81(Supplement_2):S89-S102.

Pathogens infecting humans continue to emerge or reemerge to cause outbreaks and widespread disease. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has funded Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Units (VTEUs) for more than 50 years. VTEUs perform clinical studies to assess the safety and immunogenicity of candidate vaccines and other interventions to mitigate the impact of emerging and ongoing infectious diseases. Here, we review clinical studies conducted in the VTEUs since 2000 that have addressed emerging pathogens and other infectious agents with pandemic potential or of bioterrorism concern. The studies conducted range from phase 1 to phase 3 clinical trials, and they have included vaccines, therapeutics, and epidemiological studies. The results of the trials have guided national and often international recommendations for treatment and prevention of many of the evaluated pathogens, culminating in coronavirus disease 2019 studies that began within three months of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 identification. The VTEU network continues to be a critical public health resource for addressing emerging pathogens and expediting the development of safe and effective vaccines and treatments to protect at-risk populations.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Ghandour M, Gerges NE, N Zeaiter (2025)

The Prevalence and Determinants of Mental Health Problems in Lebanon: A Meta-Analytic Study of 3957 Healthcare Workers.

Turk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry, 36:17.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare workers are continuously exposed to challenging environments, making them liable for poor mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this problem, however available data in Lebanon is scarce. We conducted this investigation to provide comprehensive evidence on the mental health of Lebanese healthcare workers.

METHODS: In this systematic review, we analyzed 3957 workers reported in 15 cross-sectional studies (10 during and five before the pandemic), identified after searching four databases. Examined mental health problems included depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poor sleep quality. STATA software was used to pool the prevalence across studies. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the pandemic status, severity of mental health problems, and healthcare worker type. Gender and marital status were analyzed as potential risk factors. The methodological quality of all included studies was good as per the National Institute of Health risk of bias tool.

RESULTS: Anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, insomnia, and poor sleep quality were reported in 50%, 52%, 50%, 35%, 45%, and 41% of the population, respectively. Most cases had mild anxiety (40%), mild depression (45%), but severe stress (27%). Depression and anxiety were highest among pharmacists (69% and 56%) and nurses (49% and 45%), respectively. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, depression (36% vs. 62%) and anxiety (30% vs. 56%) rates were higher during the pandemic, while stress levels were lower (62% vs. 45%). Both gender and marital status were insignificant predictors of depression, anxiety, stress, or PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS: Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, insomnia, and poor sleep quality are experienced by approximately one in every two Lebanese healthcare workers. The rate of depression and anxiety almost doubled during the pandemic with higher rates among pharmacists and nurses than physicians and residents. Both gender and marital status were deemed insignificant predictors of reported mental health problems.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Yan C, Lu P, Jiang Y, et al (2025)

2B4/CD244 Signaling in Immune Regulation and Its Role in Infection, Cancer, and Immune Tolerance.

ImmunoTargets and therapy, 14:1111-1131.

2B4 (CD244), the fourth member of the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family, is expressed by virtually all human and murine hematopoietic lineages and functions as a context-dependent activating or inhibitory receptor. This review provides a comprehensive update on the gene organization, molecular architecture, glycosylation patterns, and alternatively spliced isoforms of 2B4, highlighting how these structural variables dictate ligand (CD48) affinity and downstream signaling outcome. The roles of 2B4 in natural killer (NK) cells, CD8[+] T cells, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, B cells, eosinophils, and basophils were then systematically demonstrated, emphasizing their dual capacity to either potentiate cytotoxicity and cytokine production or enforce immune tolerance and exhaustion. Mechanistically, the balance between SLAM-associated protein (SAP)-mediated activation and SHP-1/2/SHIP-driven inhibition emerges as a central rheostat that is dynamically tuned by SAP availability, and the microenvironment. Clinically, exaggerated 2B4 signaling is associated with viral persistence in MCMV, HCV, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2 infections, promotes tumor immune escape in melanoma, multiple myeloma, and head-and-neck cancer, and compromises maternal-fetal tolerance, whereas insufficient signaling weakens antimicrobial immunity. Parallel pre-clinical studies validate 2B4 blockade as a rational combinatorial strategy to reinvigorate exhausted CD8[+] T and NK cells, while soluble CD48 emerges as a dynamic biomarker of disease activity. Collectively, these insights redefine 2B4 as a systems-level integrator of immune homeostasis and a tractable precision-immunotherapy node whose therapeutic manipulation can rebalance immunity across infection, cancer, and pregnancy.

RevDate: 2025-10-10
CmpDate: 2025-10-10

Mathkor DM, Tawil S, Johargy AK, et al (2025)

Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections among Hajj pilgrims during the 2012-2025 seasons: A systematic review.

Journal of infection and public health, 18(11):102951.

INTRODUCTION: Hajj is the largest annual mass gathering in the world, attracting more than 2 million pilgrims from 184 countries. Adverse climatic conditions and close proximity of pilgrims during Hajj rituals create a facilitating environment for the transmission of infectious agents, including multi-drug resistant organisms. Although, several individual reports have been published on specific type of infections, there is a paucity of published work reflecting the overall picture of the prevalence of pathogenic infections during Hajj.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to examine the prevalence of Hajj-associated pathogenic respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) infections during the pilgrimage sessions of 2012-2025.

RESULTS: A total of 56 studies involving Hajj pilgrims and healthcare workers in close contact with them were included. Most common respiratory viruses detected among pilgrims included influenza and rhinovirus. Bacterial pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae were also detected among the subjects. However, acquisition of the coronaviruses, MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 remained very limited and systematic screening of pilgrims showed limited infections. Amongst the pilgrims with GI infections, Escherichia coli was found to be the commonest bacterial pathogen.

CONCLUSION: This study provides the most updated overview of the prevalence of pathogenic infections during Hajj. While it appears that well-conducted multinational follow-up and post-Hajj studies are necessary for further evaluation of the impact of the Hajj on the acquisition of these pathogens, pilgrims may be at high risk of infections and may carry and transfer them to their home countries. Preventive measures, including hygiene practices and vaccination for high-risk pilgrims should be mandated.

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Liu S, H Zhang (2025)

Risk Factors for Maltreatment of Adolescents in Asia: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.

Trauma, violence & abuse [Epub ahead of print].

Adolescent maltreatment is a public health issue with far-reaching consequences. This systematic review aimed to identify its risk factors within Asian settings. Seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ProQuest, CNKI, and Wanfang) were systematically searched for publications published before May 3, 2024. Twenty-four studies from nine Asian countries were included. Results revealed multilevel risk factors across ecological systems. At the individual level, younger age predicted physical abuse, while male gender was associated with higher neglect and overall maltreatment rates. Poor health condition, behavioral problems, and high-risk sexual behaviors/attitudes increased vulnerability. Parental substance use and addictive behaviors consistently predicted maltreatment, while family-level factors, including economic hardship and non-traditional structures, showed robust associations. Within microsystems, poor family relationships and negative parenting patterns were found to be significant. Mesosystem risks centered on academic underperformance, while exosystem influences consistently reflected patterns in neighborhood disorganization and migration status. Evidence at the macrosystem level remains scarce, while findings concerning chronosystem factors-including COVID-19 pandemic impacts and intergenerational transmission of abuse-remain preliminary. These findings underscore the need for both rigorous longitudinal research to establish causal relationships and macro-level investigations to examine societal, cultural, and policy influences in Asian contexts, thereby building comprehensive evidence to inform culturally appropriate and multilevel prevention strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Vavougios GD, Liampas A, Tseriotis VS, et al (2025)

SARS-CoV-2's influence on tau and Αβ1-42 measurements: A novel potential confounder for the AT(N) framework.

Brain, behavior, and immunity pii:S0889-1591(25)00373-3 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Grossi PA, Burra P, Cozzi E, et al (2025)

An update on SARS-CoV-2 prevention strategy in solid organ transplant recipients: an expert opinion.

Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.), 39(4):100966 pii:S0955-470X(25)00066-7 [Epub ahead of print].

Compared to immunocompetent individuals, solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) develop a weaker immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination. Although anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can prevent symptomatic and severe disease, the SOTR population remains at risk as long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate. To protect transplanted patients against severe COVID-19, two primary preventive strategies have been proposed: anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with monoclonal antibodies that possess neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. The effectiveness of vaccination varies depending on the type of organ transplanted and the immunosuppressive therapy used, whereas the effectiveness of PrEP does not depend on these factors. The timing of vaccination and PrEP administration is also crucial. A stronger immune response is observed when vaccination is conducted during the nadir of immunosuppressive therapy. However, when PrEP is administered concomitantly with the vaccine, the efficacy of the vaccination could be reduced, both in terms of antibody production and cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, PrEP should be administered at least 15 days after vaccine administration. In addition to the availability of various preventive measures against COVID-19 for the most vulnerable transplant patients, the scientific community strongly recommends adhering to protective measures, such as wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing. These expert recommendations offer crucial guidance on preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant patients and are applicable to everyday clinical practice.

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Andrews SJ, Gallagher O, Miles A, et al (2025)

Nursing leadership and pandemic preparedness via game-based learning simulation: A narrative review (Registered nurses and undergraduate nursing students).

Nurse education today, 156:106888 pii:S0260-6917(25)00325-9 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Early progression of newly registered nurses into leadership roles is commonplace in clinical settings. Nurses and student nurses can prepare for leadership by gaining exposure through simulation-based learning. A novel and expanding modality are game-based learning (GBL) simulation. Nurse leaders play a crucial role during pandemics, guiding their teams through crises and ensuring effective response strategies. Reviewing the literature to identify the content, structure, and effectiveness of current pandemic preparedness and GBL simulation in nursing education is necessary to identify lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic response to guide workforce preparation for future surge planning.

AIM: The aim of this narrative review was to explore the literature regarding current pandemic preparedness and GBL simulation in nursing education.

METHODS: This narrative review was conducted in accordance with the sequence outlined by Gregory and Denniss (2018). The review process adhered to the PRISMA protocol and used the population, concept, and context (PCC) framework to define inclusion and exclusion criteria. A search of five major healthcare databases: CINAHL Ultimate (EBSCO), Medline (Ovid), APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus was supplemented with a grey literature search via Google Scholar.

RESULTS: Screening and review identified 48 manuscripts that met inclusion criterion. Analysis revealed variation in duration of pandemic preparedness programs (n = 30 articles), theoretical versus practical content, and face-to-face or online modes of delivery. GBL simulation (n = 18 articles) was revealed as an emerging modality in nursing education curriculum.

DISCUSSION: Existing learning strategies in use within the nursing field comprise a raft of various teaching methods which facilitate preparedness of nurses for pandemics, leadership and workforce shortages. Despite implementation challenges such as considerable resource investment and ongoing maintenance, GBL simulation achieves significant improvements in knowledge, confidence, engagement, motivation and skill acquisition among nurses and nursing students.

CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence describing pandemic preparedness training of nursing students via GBL simulation. Further research is needed to identify if GBL simulation of real-world pandemic scenarios in a low-risk setting could provide learning benefit through integration into nursing education curricula.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Mohammed J, Parveen A, Ubaid Chhapra H, et al (2025)

Iron deficiency and vaccine efficacy: A mini-review of immunological interplay and evidence across vaccine types.

Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 21(1):2572195.

Iron deficiency (ID), the world's most prevalent micronutrient disorder, is known to impair immune function. However, its influence on vaccine efficacy remains under-explored. This mini-review examines the interplay between iron status and immunological responses to vaccines, synthesizing evidence from human and animal studies across various vaccine types. We highlight key immune mechanisms affected by iron, such as T-cell proliferation, B-cell differentiation, and cytokine modulation, and examine how these disruptions alter vaccine responsiveness. While some studies show clear negative effects of iron deficiency, particularly in pediatric and animal models, others find minimal impact, particularly with mRNA and COVID-19 vaccines. Iron supplementation appears to improve immune outcomes in several studies, though evidence varies by pathogen, vaccine type, and severity of deficiency. These findings carry important implications for global immunization strategies, especially in iron-deficient populations. We recommend that future vaccine policy and research incorporate iron status as a critical factor in optimizing vaccine effectiveness.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Chang CC, Li YH, Chen HH, et al (2025)

Clinical applications and molecular mechanisms for intravenous laser blood irradiation: a systematic review.

Lasers in medical science, 40(1):416.

Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood (ILIB) is a therapeutic approach that utilizes low-level laser energy to irradiate blood, showing potential clinical value in treating various diseases in recent years. This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine the basic principles, technological developments, biological effects, and clinical applications of ILIB, while analyzing the level of evidence and limitations of existing research. Through searching relevant literature in databases such as PubMed, this study collected research on ILIB applications in musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Results indicate that ILIB exhibits multiple biological effects, including improved blood rheological properties, enhanced erythrocyte oxygen-carrying capacity, immune regulation, and reduction of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Clinical studies suggest that ILIB has positive therapeutic effects on musculoskeletal pain, sleep disorders, pulmonary diseases, and long COVID-related cognitive impairments. However, existing research still has limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials, and non-standardized dosage parameters. Future research should focus on developing standardized treatment protocols, exploring mechanisms of action in depth, and strategies for combining with conventional therapies to further establish ILIB's position in clinical practice.

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Mohmad Misnan N, Muhamad A, Mohd Abd Razak MR, et al (2025)

How does NMR support SARS-CoV-2 protein-ligand interaction studies?.

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry [Epub ahead of print].

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for effective antiviral strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has played a critical role by providing detailed insights into protein-ligand interactions at atomic resolution. This review compiles and critically evaluates recent NMR-based findings, highlighting how these studies have supported the identification and optimization of antiviral compounds targeting viral proteins involved in replication and immune evasion. By revealing structural and dynamic details, NMR has significantly advanced structure-based drug design and enhanced the selection of promising antiviral candidates. Integration of NMR with complementary experimental methods has further improved our understanding of small molecule interactions and mechanisms of action. Looking forward, the review emphasizes the need for greater translational application of NMR findings through interdisciplinary collaboration and recommends increased integration with clinical and preclinical research. These recommendations aim to fully harness NMR's potential, thereby strengthening preparedness for future viral threats and guiding current therapeutic development efforts.

RevDate: 2025-10-09

Smith R, Brookes C, Morris M, et al (2025)

Twenty-Five Years of High-Throughput Screening of Biological Samples with Mass Spectrometry: Current Platforms and Emerging Methods.

Analytical chemistry [Epub ahead of print].

Robust high-throughput screening (HTS) approaches for discovering new chemical entities are desirable for research and translation. Applications for which high-throughput (HT) methods are particularly required also include the screening of potential therapeutics for drug discovery and development, profiling of biofluids for disease biomarker discovery, and clinical diagnostics. Complementing the demand for HTS from specific application areas are substantial technological advancements in the fields of automation, microfluidics, and ambient ionization that facilitate highly automated and sophisticated analytical workflows. The time period spanning 2000-2025 has witnessed a significant expansion in the mass spectrometry (MS) capabilities and technology. This has included novel ionization approaches that can achieve rapid analysis with minimal solvent and sample consumption, while retaining high sensitivity and specificity in the absence of chromatography. Despite the demand for HTS methods and the well-documented analytical capabilities of MS, optical methods dominate as the HTS detection methods of choice. This perspective provides an overview of the evolution of HTS-MS over the last 25 years, focusing on emerging approaches that also provide efficient and sustainable workflows that compete with optical detection. Additionally, this perspective will highlight challenges in the field that may hinder widespread adoption and consider lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of sustainability on the future of HTS-MS and analytical chemistry.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Escandell Rico FM, L Pérez Fernández (2025)

[Factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 vaccination in young adults: a systematic review].

Revista espanola de salud publica, 99: pii:e202510057.

OBJECTIVE: Young adults may be more likely to spread COVID-19 as they have low adherence to public health guidelines and are more reluctant to get vaccinated. The purpose of this review was to provide the most current evidence regarding the assessment of adherence to COVID-19 vaccination in young adults.

METHODS: The bibliographic search was carried out in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS, Scielo, MedLine/PubMed, Cochrane databases and in the Google Scholar search engine, with free and controlled language, using the MeSh search terms: "Treatment Adherence and Compliance", "COVID-19 Vaccines", "Young Adult". Ten selected articles were analyzed. The articles were selected based on their relevance, published in peer-reviewed academic journals and published between 2021 and 2024.

RESULTS: The main study tool represents the adherence of COVID-19 vaccines. The most important discussion topics extracted in the analyzed articles refer to concern about side effects, mistrust, beliefs or low income level.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate the need to carry out vaccination promotion programs to provide accessible, transparent and age-appropriate information. Thus, it could be considered a useful tool to improve adherence and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

El Zawily A, Eckert S, Adajar R, et al (2025)

Comprehensive review on COVID-19: etiology, pathogenicity, and treatment.

Frontiers in medicine, 12:1569013.

With the unprecedented surge of severe COVID-19 cases in early 2020, researchers and medical professionals worked actively to identify effective viral infection treatments based on a scientific understanding of viruses. Over the past few years, an enormous amount of research has investigated the viral infection and replication processes following the first SARS-CoV-2 case. With this knowledge, many drugs have been explicitly created to inhibit viral replication or decrease the severity of the immune response. Additionally, scientists have utilized decades of research and techniques to expedite SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. SARS-CoV-2, a positive-strand RNA virus, belongs to the Sarbecovirus subgroup of Betacoronaviruses. Its emergence is not unique; previous outbreaks like SARS and MERS have shaped our understanding of coronavirus-related diseases. Molecular clock analysis suggests that the ancestor of all current coronaviruses existed over 10,000 years ago, with subsequent evolution occurring around 3300-2400 BC. Researchers have explored synthetic and natural treatments alongside other antiviral therapies, corticosteroids, and immunotherapies. Additionally, using artificial intelligence and nano-based technologies enriched SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and management. In this comprehensive review, we provide recent literature on COVID-19, exploring its evolving etiology, pathogenicity, and pathophysiology, alongside developments in synthetic and natural therapeutic strategies, vaccines, artificial intelligence in diagnosis, and nano-based technologies.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Wolszczak-Biedrzycka B, Cieślikiewicz B, Studniarz F, et al (2025)

Chemokines as potential biomarkers for predicting the course of COVID-19 - a review of the literature.

Frontiers in immunology, 16:1662643.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, research has been ongoing to find the best diagnostic parameters to identify patients with a high risk of severe infection. Numerous studies have examined chemokine biomarkers in COVID-19 as a biomarker for high risk patients. The four main structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2, spike protein, membrane protein, envelope protein and nucleocapsid protein enable the virus to penetrate host cells and stimulate the immune system. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells via ACE2 in upper respiratory tract the virus entries by binding to the spike protein. Uncontrolled activation and enhancement of the immune response leads to massive release of cytokines and chemokines known as cytokine storm (CS). Chemokines are described as important cytokines in COVID-19 with a potential role as prognostic factor particularly for the severity of the infection and the risk of death from complications, to identify high-risk patients. Our review contains chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL10), which level is significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 infection vs control individuals.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Aghajafari F, Guzek D, Kamal H, et al (2025)

Vaccination models of delivery for refugees and migrants: a global scoping review.

BMC public health, 25(1):3396.

BACKGROUND: Refugees and migrants face inequities in healthcare and vaccination access. Diverse vaccination programs have been implemented globally among refugee and migrant populations targeting vaccine hesitancy and other barriers to vaccination. The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of current models of vaccination delivery of COVID-19 and other vaccines to inform best practices of vaccine delivery for refugee and migrant populations.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Eleven electronic databases, including SCOPUS, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science, as well as grey literature, were searched with keywords including: 'COVID-19', 'vaccines','immunizations', 'refugees', 'asylum seekers', and 'migrants'. The search included all studies published between January 2000 and October 2023 to capture COVID-19 and other vaccine models of delivery. The main outcome was models of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines for refugee or migrant populations. Models of vaccination delivery were reviewed and analyzed with the 2022 World Health Organization's Strengthening COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake in refugees and migrants: An operational guide (2022 WHO Guide) as a guiding framework.

RESULTS: A total of n = 11,825 unique studies were identified through database searches. Thirty-three (n = 33) studies were included in this review. Fifteen studies (n = 15) related to the COVID-19 vaccine and eighteen studies (n = 18) focused on other vaccines. Studies were mainly implemented in high-income countries with the majority from the United States (n = 17). Studies targeted various migrant groupings (i.e., migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers), ethnic groups, and age groups globally, including various underserved populations including migrant populations. There was general alignment with most of the 2022 WHO Guide priority action areas across both COVID-19 and other vaccine studies, pointing to ongoing understandings of the importance of administratively accessible and culturally/linguistically appropriate models of vaccine delivery for refugee and migrant populations. Increasingly dominant approaches in the COVID-19 pandemic include multipronged strategies with wide community and multisectoral collaborations to co-design strategies addressing barriers. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccination models increasingly utilized innovative social media and customization strategies, including targeted communication campaigns responsive to misinformation. Although there are increased calls for the use of data to design and evaluate interventions, notable gaps remain in the collection, use and reporting of data used to conduct interventions.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings summarize vaccination models of delivery for COVID-19 and other vaccines for diverse refugee and migrant populations globally. Healthcare professionals, policy makers, and vaccination campaign planners can draw and build from strategies employed in other settings as aligned with WHO priority actions to increase equitable access to vaccines for refugee and migrant communities. Further collection and use of disaggregated and real-time data to inform and evaluate customized strategies for specific migrant groups is recommended to improve understandings of equitable vaccine delivery models.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Prasannan A, Venkatachalam K, A Binesh (2025)

Factor VIII beyond haemophilia: a hidden regulator of venous thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction.

Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis, 36(7):335-346.

Factor VIII (FVIII), a critical cofactor protein traditionally acknowledged for its deficiency in haemophilia A (HA), has been attracting interest for its substantial role in vascular disease. Recent data highlights its essential role beyond haemostasis, in the development of venous thrombosis (VT) and endothelial dysfunction influenced by genetic and acquired factors. This review summarizes the biology, synthesis, and activation of FVIII, emphasizing its role in thrombin generation and endothelial dysfunction. FVIII is implicated in inflammatory and thrombotic disorders, such as COVID-19, sepsis, and cancer-associated thrombosis. Although anticoagulant medication indirectly reduces elevated FVIII levels, direct intervention is constrained by the associated bleeding risks. Novel approaches like RNA interference, gene editing, and endothelial-specific modulation might offer compelling opportunities for the regulation of FVIII. This study highlights the potential of FVIII as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in thrombosis by integrating molecular insights with clinical data, hence promoting future precision-based therapies.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Bachy E, K Linton (2025)

Frontline treatment of follicular lymphoma: what will it take to change current practice?.

Blood, 146(15):1770-1781.

Follicular lymphoma is the most common subtype of indolent lymphoma. Despite multiple trials over the past decades showing improved progression-free survival with new first-line therapeutic strategies, such as anti-CD20 maintenance therapy and new glycoengineered anti-CD20 antibodies, no standardized approach has been widely adopted in routine clinical practice. Several factors may explain this, including the increased incidence of infectious adverse events associated with these therapies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lack of overall survival benefit despite long-term follow-up. A consensus has emerged acknowledging the high prognostic variability of follicular lymphoma, which complicates the adoption of a one-size-fits-all first-line treatment strategy. A plethora of prognostic scores (Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index [FLIPI], FLIPI2, PRIMA-Prognostic Index, m7-FLIPI, FLEX [Follicular Lymphoma Evaluation Index], 23-gene score, etc) has been proposed but none can reliably identify the ∼20% of patients who will die within 10 years of first-line immunochemotherapy and for whom a critical medical need remains despite recent therapeutic improvements. Consequently, current prognostic models mainly serve as tools to cross-compare and stratify clinical trials. In this review, we highlight current and future strategies aimed at reshaping frontline treatment paradigms to improve outcomes, including tailored approaches based on risk- or response-adapted designs, development of new predictive, rather than prognostic, tools, approaches to reduce adverse events to enhance health-related quality of life, and the potential use of T-cell-engaging therapies to improve survival in the highest risk patients.

RevDate: 2025-10-09
CmpDate: 2025-10-09

Walsh KA, O'Donnell H, O'Loughlin M, et al (2024)

Duration of protective immunity following COVID-19 vaccination of individuals with underlying health conditions: A rapid review.

Reviews in medical virology, 34(2):e2504.

The World Health Organization has stated that the primary goal of immunisation in the COVID-19 pandemic remains to protect against hospitalisation, severe disease and death. Vaccination is particularly important for those with underlying health conditions given the high risk of severe disease in this population. The aim of this review was to examine the change in efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination over time in individuals with underlying conditions. A rapid review was undertaken in Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Europe PMC, MedRxiv and Google Scholar from 01/01/2020 to 27/10/2021. A total of 14 unique studies (3 randomised controlled trials and 11 observational studies) were included. Overall, there was limited and inconsistent evidence regarding vaccine efficacy and effectiveness in those with underlying health conditions. However, the evidence suggests potentially faster waning of vaccine effectiveness against infection, severe disease and death in individuals with underlying conditions, particularly for older adults with these conditions, and in those who are immunocompromised. Protection in younger age groups with underlying conditions who are not immunocompromised, may be largely comparable to that observed in the general population, though this is uncertain. Given the significant burden of infection on individuals with underlying conditions, any small decrease in protection is likely to have a substantial impact in this population. Hence, the evidence supports a policy of providing additional doses to those who are immunocompromised, and boosters to all those with underlying health conditions. Further research is required to understand the impact of new variants on vaccine efficacy/effectiveness in this population.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Derakhshani N, Aghdam ET, Nafar H, et al (2025)

Identifying the effective strategies in reducing the effects of mental health issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare providers: a systematic review.

BMC health services research, 25(1):1323.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was among the most stressful global events that caused a significant workload on healthcare systems and profoundly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of strategies to reduce the effects of mental health issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers.

METHODS: The current research is a systematic review. The required data was obtained from the databases ProQuest, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar search engine using related keywords. The study had no time limit. EndNote 20 was used to manage the articles. Various quality appraisal JBI tools were used to assess the quality of studies. Content analysis was used to analyze the obtained data.

FINDINGS: Out of the total 7933 primary articles, 20 were selected and entered the current study. The implemented interventions were analyzed based on the utilized strategies and categorized into four primary groups: comprehensive support package strategy, psychological training, psychological support with online consultations, and strategies related to sports and music therapy. These interventions were generally effective in promoting the mental health of healthcare providers in the short term.

CONCLUSION: The results indicated that appropriate interventions for critical conditions and the utilization of modern technologies positively affected healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve the sustainability and effectiveness of such interventions, it is recommended that healthcare systems institutionalize psychosocial support within occupational health programs, develop organizational policies for continuous mental health support, and enhance access to digital platforms. Furthermore, incorporating mental health education, conducting regular psychological assessments, and adapting interventions to local socio-cultural contexts can foster greater acceptance and lead to more sustainable outcomes.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Kisa A, S Kisa (2025)

Structural racism as a fundamental cause of health inequities: a scoping review.

International journal for equity in health, 24(1):257.

BACKGROUND: Structural racism is increasingly recognized as a fundamental cause of health inequities. It operates through laws, institutional policies, and systemic practices that disproportionately disadvantage racially and ethnically minoritized populations. Although the body of evidence on structural racism and health is expanding, much of it remains fragmented across disciplines and sectors. This scoping review synthesized peer-reviewed research by examining the pathways through which structural racism affects health, the most frequent outcomes, and the interventions and policies implemented to address these disparities.

METHODS: The review adhered to frameworks by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al., and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were searched for English-language, peer-reviewed studies published before February 15, 2025, examining structural, systemic, or institutional racism in relation to health. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data, and findings were analyzed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS: Eighty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, covering healthcare, housing, the criminal legal system, environmental exposures, and other intersecting sectors. Structural racism was consistently associated with adverse outcomes in maternal and infant health, cancer, cardiovascular disease, HIV care, mental health, and COVID-19. Key mechanisms included redlining, residential segregation, carceral practices, discriminatory clinical treatment, and environmental injustice. Intersectional burdens were most pronounced among Black, Indigenous, LGBQ, immigrant, and socioeconomically marginalized groups. Although some promising interventions were identified, including culturally tailored perinatal care, community health worker models, and equity-focused quality improvement, few had been rigorously evaluated or embedded in broader structural policy changes.

CONCLUSION: Structural racism was found to operate across institutional and societal systems to perpetuate health disparities. While targeted interventions show promise, significant gaps remain in the development and implementation of scalable, evidence-based reforms. To achieve health equity, public health strategies must prioritize cross-sectoral actions for confronting and dismantling the structural conditions that maintain racial injustice. This synthesis highlights the urgent need for scalable policy reforms and structural accountability measures across sectors.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Björk S, Brännström M, U Isaksson (2025)

Psychometric properties of instruments measuring ethical climate among healthcare professionals in care settings pre-pandemic: a systematic review.

BMC medical ethics, 26(1):125.

BACKGROUND: The ethical climate in healthcare is part of the work environment and a basis for professional nursing practice. The ethical climate is crucial as it is closely associated with staff job satisfaction, the quality-of-care provision, and nurses' intention to stay in their current occupation and position. Even though several instruments assessing ethical climate in healthcare have been developed over the years, their psychometric properties have not been systematically reviewed.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to identify and critically appraise the psychometric properties of instruments used to measure the ethical climate among healthcare professionals in care settings prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed, covering papers published between 1994 and 2019, excluding grey literature sources. The literature search was performed in October 2019 in Cinahl, PsychINFO, PubMed, and SocIndex. Empirical studies were included describing the psychometric properties of instruments measuring the ethical climate among healthcare professionals in healthcare settings. Data on psychometric properties were extracted and a quality assessment was performed following the quality criteria for measurement properties proposed by Terwee et al. criteria 2007.

RESULT: Our search yielded 15,150 publications. After title and abstract screening, 611 studies were retained for full-text analysis, of which eight studies describing five instruments were included (five instrument development studies and three translation studies). Four studies concerned the Hospital Environment Climate Scale (HECS). All instruments had been assessed for content validity and internal consistency. Information concerning criterion validity, construct validity, and reproducibility was lacking or intermediate. No information concerning floor/ceiling effect or interpretability was reported in most cases. One study reported having performed a test-retest analysis. None of the included studies fulfilled all the Terwee et al. criteria.

CONCLUSION: Five instruments were identified as having undergone psychometric testing; however, none fulfilled all the criteria outlined by Terwee et al. Also, only one of the instruments had been subjected to the well-established test-retest analysis. This highlights a need for further well-structured validation studies of instruments assessing the ethical climate among healthcare professionals in care settings.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Kovačič T, Haas H, Stotsky-Oterin L, et al (2025)

The impact of chemical reactivity on the quality and stability of RNA-LNP pharmaceuticals.

Nature reviews. Chemistry [Epub ahead of print].

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the most established platform for delivery of mRNA payloads. Their tunability and streamlined manufacturing facilitated an unprecedentedly rapid scale-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, being multicomponent, complex systems also poses a challenge of controlling their quality and safety. Analytical checkpoints need to be established to characterize LNPs on multiple levels during development and commercialization. This Perspective centres on the chemical reactivity and purity of mRNA-LNP components, which need to be addressed as raw materials, drug substance, excipients, and the fully formed and stored product. Herein, we describe such appropriate orthogonal analytics to design and analyse LNP formulations. For such novel biopharmaceuticals, better controls that go beyond the current analytical workflow and address the nuanced chemical stability, which helps ensure reproducibility, stability and safety, need to be established.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

George A, Tikka T, D Conway (2025)

Innovative Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis.

Otolaryngologic clinics of North America pii:S0030-6665(25)00121-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Diagnosis, positioned between disease prevention and treatment, is essential for head and neck cancer management. Delays in diagnosis contribute to disease upstaging, leading to more complex treatment with poorer survival and functional outcomes. This article focuses on current and future innovative diagnostic approaches, which vary in maturity and implementation, to promote early diagnosis. These include symptom-based triaging, telemedicine, diagnostic hubs, machine learning, and circulating tumor markers. COVID-19 brought about new diagnostic pathways, many of which remained in place, generating encouraging evidence of pathway efficiency. However, nuanced diagnostic tools for early cancer detection remain far from implementation in a real-world setting.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Houweling L, Rots I, Bloemsma LD, et al (2025)

Impact of air pollution on COVID-19 severity: a systematic review of underlying biological mechanisms.

European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society, 34(178): pii:34/178/250070.

BACKGROUND: Our recent systematic review highlighted key associations between ambient air pollution (AAP) exposure and COVID-19 severity. This systematic review aims to summarise toxicological studies on the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.

METHODS: On 17 July 2025, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for in vitro, in vivo and in silico studies that examined the biological mechanisms of AAP exposure on COVID-19 health outcomes. Two independent reviewers engaged in the selection and data extraction process. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Toxicological Data Reliability Assessment Tool. The Integrated Network and Dynamical Reasoning Assembler (INDRA) was used to provide visual biomechanistic summaries of the included studies by creating knowledge graphs of the described mechanisms.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included in this review. Findings consistently indicated that AAP exposure can worsen COVID-19 severity through two key mechanisms 1) increased expression of viral entry factors (e.g. angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2), facilitating infection, and 2) immune dysregulation, resulting in increased inflammation and oxidative stress. These key mechanisms were also identified in the INDRA networks. While studies commonly focused on particulate matter (n=15), similar effects were seen with ultrafine particles and ozone.

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the impact of AAP exposure on COVID-19 health outcomes on the molecular level. The findings of this review illustrate the urgent need for air quality improvements to help shape public health strategies to reduce and prevent future health impacts caused by AAP exposure.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Daniels S, Wei H, McElvenny DM, et al (2025)

Return to work with long COVID: a rapid review of support and challenges.

BMJ open, 15(10):e101698 pii:bmjopen-2025-101698.

OBJECTIVES: To explore existing evidence for the provision of support for return to work (RTW) in long COVID (LC) patients and the barriers and facilitators to taking up this support.

DESIGN: A rapid review reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The study was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023478126).

DATA SOURCES: Searches were completed in June 2024 across major databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, evidence-based medicine reviews, Web of Science and Google Scholar.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Included studies focused on people with LC (PwLC) symptoms lasting over 12 weeks and addressed either: (1) non-workplace- or workplace-based support for RTW and/or (2) barriers and facilitators to RTW in this population.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: A quality assessment was conducted using the JBI Systematic Reviews critical appraisal tool. The data were summarised in tabular format and a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. While many studies demonstrated rigorous methodologies and low risk of bias levels, some had high and medium risk levels. Non-workplace-based support was mostly measured quantitatively and included interdisciplinary healthcare programmes, clinical interventions and rehabilitation programmes focusing on pacing and breathing strategies. Compensation and insurance schemes were important funders of these interventions.Workplace-based support was mostly measured qualitatively. Barriers to the provision of support at organisational level included lack of understanding of LC symptoms, insufficient workplace guidance and educational gaps among managers. Individual barriers included threat of income loss, remote working and disconnection from the workplace. Facilitators for support included recognition and validation of LC and its symptoms, and eligibility for disability benefits associated with work.

CONCLUSIONS: RTW is an important outcome of health-related absence and should be systematically recorded in studies of PwLC. The heterogeneity and unpredictability of LC symptoms create challenges for supporting working age populations. Further research is crucial to better understand the specific RTW needs for PwLC and address potential barriers and facilitators to workplace-based support, particularly through interventions, organisational practices and employ-led policies that enable sustained RTW. Consistent guidelines on LC's definition and disability status may facilitate the provision of support and the development of interventions.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023478126.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Sujova K, V Frecer (2025)

SARS-CoV-2 N7-Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Towards Selective and Potent Antivirals.

European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences pii:S0928-0987(25)00310-0 [Epub ahead of print].

Recent studies have identified nsp14 N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) as a promising therapeutic target for the development of new antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. Utilising S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor, N7-MTase mediates the first methylation step in viral RNA capping, which is necessary for the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and its immune evasion. To design selective and potent inhibitors of CoV nsp14 N7-MTase, various research groups have focused on targeting the nsp14 binding site for SAM. In this paper, promising CoV N7-MTase inhibitors designed to date are analysed with a particular focus on SAM/S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) analogues, which can be further extended to occupy the RNA binding site and/or the adjacent lateral cavity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) data and binding modes of the inhibitors are also investigated. This study highlights limitations that currently hinder the development of effective antiviral agents, notably limited selectivity and cellular activity, and discusses potential strategies to address them. In particular, the design of C-nucleosides has shown promising results, although no inhibitor has reached clinical trials yet. Thus, further efforts are necessary to identify viable drug candidates.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Wodka-Natkaniec E, Sówka J, Skoczek-Sygiet J, et al (2025)

Digitalization and physical activity in the aspects of health and physiotherapy. Using digital methods to improve physical fitness.

Folia medica Cracoviensia, 65(1):143-156.

BACKGROUND: An important task also faces "lifestyle medicine", in connection with the development of IT services and digital possibilities. Practicing physical activity is an important basis for improving the physical and mental condition of patients. The aim of the work was to determine the usefulness of remote and digital forms to improve physical fitness in currently diverse groups of respondents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of scientific literature was conducted based on popular science databases Medline, PubMed. Only articles from the last 8 years (2017-2025.03) were taken into account. The search criteria were the following phrases: digital health, sport, physiotherapy, activity. 32 studies containing the above phrases in keywords and article content were included in the study. Papers not related to physical activation or physiotherapy through digital or remote form were rejected.

RESULTS: Almost all studies indicated the usefulness of digital physical activation and, through it, improving physical fitness in various types of subjects. Two of the studies indicated that digital activation should be additionally personalized for specific groups of subjects and that the integration of e-exercise with the stationary form should be improved or e-coaching should be used. One study did not ultimately confirm the effectiveness of the digital physical activation program due to COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to optimize the recommendations of online exercise programs and expand existing programs for different groups of exercisers. Digital activation of movement: improves physical fitness, eliminates stress, helps to shape movement habits, is a form of relaxation or fun, is a form of encouragement and motivation, allows to monitor changes or progress of health.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Gaspar Botelho Funari de Faria M, De Paula Andrade Gonçalves RL, Maria Lopes L, et al (2025)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the temporal trend of indicators for access to tuberculosis diagnosis: A systematic review.

Journal of infection in developing countries, 19(9):1314-1321.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the behaviour of numerous diseases, overloading health systems and weakening public health infrastructure and access.

METHODOLOGY: This study aimed to analyse the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis diagnosis indicators. A systematic review was conducted, examining studies published between 2020 and 2024 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish across five databases and Google Scholar. The search, performed in March 2024, led to the identification of 6,378 studies, of which 23 were included after an independent review of titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized following a methodological quality assessment.

RESULTS: The review revealed significant declines in TB incidence, detection, notification, and diagnosis during the pandemic, alongside reduced etiological confirmation of cases.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight a need to reorganize and enhance health service responses to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Strengthening these services is crucial to recover missed TB cases and improve indicators, supporting the goal of eliminating TB by 2030.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Santos WSD, Carrión-Torres O, Mussalem MGVB, et al (2025)

Association between the use of midazolam, fentanyl, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine and the incidence of delirium in elderly patients in intensive care units: a systematic review.

Sao Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina, 143(6):e20240311 pii:S1516-31802025000600204.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common and serious complication among elderly patients in intensive care units (ICUs), and is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The choice of sedoanalgesic may influence the incidence of delirium; however, the evidence remains unclear, particularly in the elderly population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between the use of different sedoanalgesics and the incidence of delirium in elderly ICU patients, based on data from randomized clinical trials.

DESIGN AND SETTING: This systematic review was conducted using data from randomized clinical trials performed in various ICU settings.

METHODS: A systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases was performed in January 2024. The review included randomized clinical trials involving patients aged 60 years or older that examined the relationship between sedoanalgesics (midazolam, fentanyl, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine) and delirium incidence. Studies involving COVID-19 patients and non-randomized studies were excluded.

RESULTS: A total of 1,331 patients from six studies were included. The mean age of the patients ranged from 71 to 74.7 years. Four studies compared dexmedetomidine with propofol; two found no significant difference in delirium incidence, whereas two suggested a lower incidence with dexmedetomidine. The remaining studies compared propofol with ketamine and dexmedetomidine with midazolam and showed no significant differences in the incidence of delirium.

CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine may be associated with a lower incidence of delirium than propofol or midazolam in elderly ICU patients. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the factors contributing to delirium in this population.

Registered with PROSPERO, CRD42024575693, available at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=575693.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Onocko-Campos R, Salgado JD, Rover BO, et al (2025)

Mental Health Studies Published in the last five years in the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva: time as king.

Ciencia & saude coletiva, 30(9):e12842025.

Systematic review of articles on mental health published between 2020 and 2025 in the journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva. Building on a previous study covering the first twenty-five years of the journal's publications, this review aimed to identify continuities and changes in the most frequent approaches, as well as the emergence of underexplored themes such as mental health in relation to race, gender, violence, and the climate crisis. A total of 162 articles were analyzed, categorized into: epidemiological studies/psychiatric classifications; sociocultural transformations of madness; clinical care in substitute services; implementation and expansion of the service network; the role of Primary Health Care; mental health of children and adolescents; substance use; legislative changes; and others (including mental health of workers, the COVID-19 pandemic, the prison system, housing, race, and therapeutic communities). A significant increase was observed in discussions about child and adolescent mental health, along with advances in topics related to Primary Health Care and clinical practices in substitute services. However, emerging issues such as gender, race, aging, and mental health related to disasters and the environment remain underrepresented in the journal's publications.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Heath V, CL Price (2025)

Addressing Health Disparities: How Having a More Diverse Biomedical Workforce Can Contribute to Addressing Health Disparities in Communities that Are Often Underrepresented in the Healthcare System.

British journal of biomedical science, 82:14973.

Health disparities that are seen in underserved and underrepresented communities are a pressing issue in healthcare. These disparities are embedded into our society through structural inequalities that lead to poorer health outcomes in those from minoritised communities. In its place as the heart of modern healthcare, the biomedical science workforce has the potential to play a crucial role in mitigating these disparities by fostering greater cultural competence, improving patient outcomes and driving innovative solutions. This study reviewed the current literature on the impact of diversity within the biomedical science workforce on health disparities in underserved communities. The review demonstrated where embedded inequities in healthcare lead to worse health outcomes for underserved communities. These disparities are found across healthcare education, diagnostic processes as well as within research and innovation, and this work uses the COVID-19 Pandemic as an example of where health disparities have significant consequences for the communities impacted. This review demonstrates that a diverse biomedical science workforce can not only contribute to better health outcomes, but also to inclusive research agendas and clinical studies by ensuring that research priorities are more representative of a broader population. A more diverse biomedical science workforce can serve as role models and mentors, inspiring the next-generation of biomedical scientists from underrepresented backgrounds creating a continuous cycle of inclusion and representation, helping to reduce health disparities over time. Therefore, a key strategy in promoting health equity is by increasing diversity in the biomedical science field. After review of current published works, the authors have proposed a list of recommendations that outline steps institutions, professional bodies and policymakers could take to a strategic and sustained commitment to improving biomedical science workforce diversity in an effort to reduce health disparities.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Muto T, Machida S, Imaizumi S, et al (2025)

Relationship Between COVID-19 and Retinal Vein Occlusions.

Journal of ophthalmology, 2025:6507997.

The relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination and retinal vein occlusions (RVOs) remains controversial. RVOs include central and branch RVOs. Previous studies have indicated a link between RVOs and COVID-19. RVOs develop when the retinal blood vessels are clogged by thrombin or lipid deposition. The retina, an important component of the visual apparatus, relays the visual information to the brain after light stimulation. When retinal veins are clogged, the damage can range from slightly reduced vision to complete blindness. SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19, leads to endothelial dysfunction and increased von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen levels in the blood, which activate the coagulation process and platelet aggregation. Activation of tissue factors initiates the coagulation cascade, leading to fibrin formation through thrombin. Because arteries and veins sometimes cross in the retina, the vein, with its thin vessel wall, may be compressed. As a result, blood flow slows due to venous constriction, and clotting is more likely to occur at the crossing point. RVO ultimately develops through these processes. Patients with COVID-19 have significantly elevated levels of VWF antigen and activity, which likely contribute to the increased risk of thrombosis observed in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. As RVOs align with conventional approaches, ophthalmologists should consider COVID-19 as a potential etiological factor when evaluating patients presenting with acute vision loss. Enhanced awareness of this association may facilitate timely diagnosis and tailored patient care in affected populations.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Valencia-Arias A, Jimenez Garcia JA, Agudelo-Ceballos E, et al (2025)

Machine learning applications in risk management: Trends and research agenda.

F1000Research, 14:233.

BACKGROUND: Currently, risk management is positioned as a key issue in industries, which is why machine learning technologies have been integrated for impact assessment, prevention, and decision making in different sectors. However, there are still important research gaps, so the aim is to investigate research trends related to the use of machine learning in risk management.

METHODS: A bibliometric analysis is proposed based on the PRISMA-2020 declaration in the Scopus and Web of Science databases.

RESULTS: The results show a growing interest in the use of machine learning for risk management in the scientific literature. China, South Korea and the United States lead the research. The thematic development reflects emerging topics such as urban trees and Covid-19. Key terms include random forest, SVM, and credit risk assessment, while others such as prediction, postpartum depression, big data, and security are considered emerging topics, reflecting the cross-cutting nature and applicability of the topic across different sectors of society. Deep learning and feature selection are also priorities for enhancing machine learning applications in risk management.

CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning in risk management has grown exponentially, shifting focus from stacking to urban trees and Covid-19. Key contributors, journals, and nations shape this evolving research landscape.

RevDate: 2025-10-08

Delli Carpini G, Mammadov Z, Leeson S, et al (2025)

The effect of healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic on colposcopy services and practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION: The healthcare reorganization during the COVID-19 pandemic affected colposcopy services and cervical cancer prevention, particularly in those countries where healthcare systems were already under-resourced. This review aimed to quantify the reduction in colposcopy services across countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine whether the data source per study and cervical cancer screening coverage per country influenced the extent of these reductions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Studies reporting comparative data on colposcopy services between the COVID-19 pre-pandemic and pandemic period were included. MEDLINE, Embase, EMCare, Covid-19 Research, British Nursing Index, APA PsycINFO, and Allied and Complimentary Medicine databases were searched for studies published from March 2020 to December 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for risk of bias assessment. The number of colposcopies, cervical treatments, pre-invasive lesions diagnoses, and cervical cancer diagnoses per month were compared between the pre-pandemic (before March 2020) and pandemic period (after March 2020). The effect measure was the standardized mean difference. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the chi-squared test and quantified with the I[2] method. A meta-regression was performed, considering the data source (regional/national databases/registries or institutional databases) and the screening coverage according to World Health Organization data (≥70% or <70%) as moderators. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023447188).

RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Twelve were of good/high quality according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The standardized mean difference between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods was -1.60 (95% CI -2.49 to -0.72, p = 0.004) for colposcopies (4 studies, I[2] = 60.97%, p = 0.075), -1.70 (95% CI -2.50 to -0.90, p < 0.001) for cervical treatments (5 studies, I[2] = 52.92%, p = 0.081), -4.61 (95% CI -7.90 to -1.33, p = 0.006) for pre-invasive lesion diagnoses (4 studies, I[2] = 92.45%, p < 0.001), and -0.85 (95% CI -1.52 to -0.19, p = 0.012) for cervical cancer diagnoses (9 studies, I[2] = 71.07%, p = 0.002). At meta-regression, further reductions for cervical treatments and pre-invasive lesion diagnoses were observed in the case of screening coverage <70%.

CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in colposcopies, cervical treatments, pre-invasive lesions diagnoses, and invasive cancer diagnoses was observed. Since a screening coverage of <70% heightened these declines, increasing such coverage could lead to better resilience of cervical cancer prevention services to future crises.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Nicolai M, Ullrich A, Ruck J, et al (2025)

Unravelling the complexities: a scoping review of the collateral effects on bereaved relatives during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

BMC palliative care, 24(1):244.

The dying phase and the loss of a loved one, as well as the grief that follows, are a difficult process in the lives of relatives. These processes have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as numerous restrictions on contact and care for the dying and deceased have placed an additional burden on relatives. A review was conducted to identify these specific stress factors and their risk factors, as well as support options for bereaved individuals who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews, and the search was conducted in April 2024 (PubMed, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, and EBSCO Host, including APA PsychArticles, APA PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Medline). Studies involving adults who had lost a loved one during the official period of the COVID-19 pandemic were included, as well as various quantitative and qualitative study types. Studies that focused exclusively on palliative care and the evaluation of interventions were excluded. Studies were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) phases. A total of 58 primary studies and five review articles with a total of 118,062 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The main findings were that the pandemic and the associated measures placed additional burdens on bereaved individuals and exacerbated mental health problems. Visiting restrictions during the dying phase and restrictions on funerals were perceived as particularly stressful. Participants primarily experienced isolation and loneliness, as well as a lack of professional (e.g., from staff accompanying the dying process and the initial grieving process) and social support (e.g., from family and friends). In addition to personal resources and finding meaning, professional and social support were described as the most important factors in coping with grief during and after the pandemic. Consequently, professional, flexible, and comprehensive support from medical and nursing staff in cooperation with counselling centres and psychologists, as well as promotion of social support through networking services, are key issues for future crises.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Lok KH, Loo HL, LH Chuah (2025)

Topical and transdermal lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPN): an integration in advancing dermatological treatments.

Drug delivery and translational research, 15(11):4277-4313.

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPN) are an integration or "collaboration" between the two distinct drug delivery platforms of lipid and polymeric carriers. The idea centres on coining the advantages of both materials while attempting to overcome the limitations inherent to each component, thus improving biocompatibility, drug loading, stability, size uniformity, and controlled release properties. Since their emergence over two decades ago, LPN have attracted growing interest in various therapeutic areas such as cancer, neurological disorders, osteoarthritis, and COVID-19 viral infections. Their structural diversity has expanded from the classical polymeric core-lipid shell to its inverse structure of lipid core-polymeric shell and homogeneous lipid-polymer blends, producing nine types of LPN under these structural classes. Correspondingly, preparation strategies have evolved from two-step methods to integrated one-step method of nanoprecipitation, single-emulsification-solvent evaporation, and double-emulsification-solvent evaporation in the early 2010s. More recently, novel methods such as self-assembly, modified ionic gelation, modified ethanolic injection, film rehydration, and hot-melt emulsification have been introduced, with hot-melt emulsification showing particular promise for scalability. In this context, the present review proactively introduces an updated structural classification and proposes a revision of existing formulation strategies by expanding the one-step and two-step framework to incorporate emerging methods tailored for dermatological applications. While LPN are often portrayed as a better version of lipid and polymeric-based nanoparticles, their practical applicability in dermatological treatments remains an open question. Therefore, this review evaluates LPN's clinical and translational potential in dermatology applications such as, wounds, skin infections, dermatitis, psoriasis, skin cancer, pain management, and cosmetic applications.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Shaibie NA, Mohammad Faizal NDF, Buang F, et al (2025)

Inhaled biologics for respiratory diseases: clinical potential and emerging technologies.

Drug delivery and translational research, 15(11):4098-4114.

The pulmonary route has gained significant attention as a drug delivery method, particularly for managing respiratory diseases. This approach provides several benefits, such as rapid therapeutic action, minimized systemic exposure, improved patient adherence, and the ability to deliver high drug concentrations directly to the lungs. Advances in inhalation devices, including pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and nebulizers, have established the pulmonary route as effective for administering both small-molecule drugs and complex biologics. Recent research has showcased the successful use of inhaled biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, and protein-based treatments in conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These treatments employ innovative mechanisms, such as muco-trapping and immune modulation, to optimize site-specific drug delivery and minimize systemic side effects. As technologies for pulmonary administration continue to evolve, they provide a non-invasive and highly promising platform for enhancing respiratory therapies and broadening the applications of biologics.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Idres YM, Idris A, W Gao (2025)

Preclinical testing of antiviral siRNA therapeutics delivered in lipid nanoparticles in animal models - a comprehensive review.

Drug delivery and translational research, 15(11):3899-3916.

The advent of RNA interference (RNAi) technology through the use of short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) represents a paradigm shift in the fight against viral infections. siRNAs, with their ability to directly target and silence specific posttranscriptional genes, offer a novel mechanism of action distinct from that of traditional pharmacotherapeutics. This review delves into the growing field of siRNA therapeutics against viral infections, highlighting their critical role in contemporary antiviral strategies. Importantly, this review will solely focus on the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as the ideal antiviral siRNA delivery agent for use in vivo. We discuss the challenges of siRNA delivery and how LNPs have emerged as a pivotal solution to enhance antiviral efficacy. Specifically, this review focuses on work that have preclinically tested LNP formulated siRNA on virus infection animal models. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a resurgence in the field of RNA-based therapies, including siRNAs against viruses including, SARS-CoV-2. Notably, the critical importance of LNPs as the ideal carrier for precious 'RNA cargo' can no longer be ignored with the advent of mRNA-LNP based COVID-19 vaccines. siRNA-based therapeutics represents an emerging class of anti-infective drugs with a foreseeable future as suitable antiviral agents.

RevDate: 2025-10-08
CmpDate: 2025-10-08

Giri A, S Tamgadge (2025)

Red Blood Cells in Health and Disease.

Journal of microscopy and ultrastructure, 13(3):130-136.

Red blood cells (RBCs) play a crucial role in the normal functioning of the human body, primarily through their ability to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Various diseases, including anemia and other hemolytic disorders, can arise when there is an abnormality in RBC structure or function. The pathophysiology of other conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease can also involve changes in RBCs. Advances in RBC research have led to a better understanding of their structure, function, and pathophysiology. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the critical role of RBCs in disease pathology, with research suggesting that RBCs may be directly affected by the virus. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of RBCs in health and disease, including recent advances in diagnosis, treatment, and the role of RBCs in disease pathology.

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Gidey K, Niriayo YL, Asgedom SW, et al (2025)

Health-related quality of life in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of EQ-5D studies.

Health and quality of life outcomes, 23(1):97.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has affected millions globally, with a significant proportion experiencing long-COVID and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the existing literature on HRQoL in COVID-19 patients.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between December 2019 and March 2025. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed and assessed HRQoL in COVID-19 patients using the EQ-5D instrument. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled health utility values were estimated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed via I[2] statistics. Predictors of poor HRQoL were qualitatively narrated.

RESULTS: Out of 3539 references, 187 studies with 116,525 participants were analyzed. The majority (80.2%) used the EQ-5D-5 L version. The pooled mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.79, I[2] = 99.9%) while the mean EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was 70.76 (95% CI 68.48-73.04; I[2] = 99.7%). Pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were the most affected domains, reported by 51% and 46% of patients, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in HRQoL based on national income status (p = 0.038) and geographic region (p < 0.001). Common predictors of lower HRQoL included older age, female gender, disease severity, comorbidities, and post-COVID-19 symptoms.

CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrates a substantial reduction in HRQoL among COVID-19 patients compared to the general population. The pooled utility values of COVID-19 contribute to understanding patients' HRQoL and can assist in calculating Quality-Adjusted Life Years. This provides essential data for future economic evaluations and informs health policy decisions.

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Bessaguet C, Bonilla A, Polin C, et al (2025)

A systematic review to find link between past psychiatric history and development of long covid.

BMC psychiatry, 25(1):942.

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 is a pandemic acute infectious disease that emerged in 2019. It is estimated that 10-20% will develop persistent symptoms, known as long Covid or post-Covid syndrome. The risk factors for the development of this syndrome are still being studied. Psychosocial factors are known to increase the duration and severity of respiratory infections.

AIMS: (i) to review current knowledge of the link between past psychiatric history and the development of long Covid; (ii) to obtain information on the psychological experience of the initial infection; (iii) to establish a link between the presence of psychiatric symptoms during the acute phase and the development of long Covid.

METHOD: We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA standards using the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scopus databases. We included observational studies of adult subjects with long Covid whose psychiatric and/or addictive histories were searched.

RESULTS: A total of 36 articles were included in our review. Depression and anxiety appear to be risk factors for the development of long Covid. There is no consensus on the contribution of smoking to the onset of the syndrome. The negative psychological experience of the acute infection favours the persistence of symptoms. Psychological symptoms during the acute phase, studied in only one of our articles, seem to contribute to the persistence of concentration and attention problems.

CONCLUSION: Psychological comorbidities pre-existing COVID-19 infection, in particular depression and anxiety, as well as a poor psychological experience of the acute phase, may favour the development of long Covid.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration number CRD42023391720.

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Mousavi SM, Younesian S, Yunesian M, et al (2025)

The efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC infectious diseases, 25(1):1245.

BACKGROUND: With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive data on vaccine effectiveness disaggregated by country. Such information will provide insights into national immunization policy differences and lay the groundwork for future pandemic readiness plans. This study evaluates the efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Iran.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to February 1, 2025. Studies assessing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness or efficacy in Iran without restrictions on variants or vaccine platforms were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis using the random effects model was performed to estimate the pooled effectiveness of combined vaccination platforms against hospital admission and death outcomes.

RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 11 observational studies were included in the systematic review, and five observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. Based on the meta-analysis, considering all vaccination platforms combined, the pooled effectiveness of 2-dose COVID-19 vaccines against hospital admission and death was 51.1% (21.8 to 69.5) and 55.7% (-1.5 to 80.7), respectively. Against infection, RCTs reported efficacies of 50.2% and 49.7%, while observational studies reported effectiveness ranging from 63.9% to 87.1% for different vaccines.

CONCLUSION: Vaccine effectiveness varied substantially across the studies, with unique patterns related to Iran's situation during the pandemic, including the high number of different deployed vaccines. The lack of sufficient studies and high heterogeneity between the included studies have limited the understanding of COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness in Iran.

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Viswanathan V, AJ Boulton (2025)

Introduction "global progress in diabetic foot care".

Diabetes research and clinical practice pii:S0168-8227(25)00947-7 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Klapper P, Kulasegaran-Shylini R, Dodgson A, et al (2025)

Climate change and diagnostic samples - Opening Pandora's (post) box.

Public health, 249:105983 pii:S0033-3506(25)00429-9 [Epub ahead of print].

OBJECTIVES: To reflect on how climate change is reshaping the practicalities of diagnostic testing, using the UK's COVID-19 home-based testing programme as a case study, and to call for an urgent review of international standards governing the transport of biological samples.

STUDY DESIGN: Narrative-based analysis drawing on operational experience during the UK National Testing Programme's response to COVID-19.

METHODS: We examine the design and implementation of a large-scale home testing model for COVID-19, which relied on the routine postal service to transport biological samples from homes to laboratories. These samples were transported without temperature control, across widely varying environmental conditions. This approach tested the limits of existing logistical assumptions and exposed critical regulatory gaps.

RESULTS: Despite the lack of temperature-controlled logistics, the UK's home testing programme functioned at scale, with internal validation assuring sample stability during both winter and summer extremes. However, this success occurred in the absence of any applicable international standards-such as ISO guidelines-that account for environmental factors in postal transport of biological samples. The experience highlighted a significant blind spot in regulatory frameworks, which currently assume controlled conditions that do not reflect real-world practice in emergency or climate-affected contexts.

CONCLUSIONS: The changing climate and evolving models of healthcare delivery-particularly the move toward near-patient and home-based diagnostics-require a rethinking of how we assure the quality and reliability of biological samples in transit. Existing international standards are no longer fit for purpose in this regard. There is an urgent need to acknowledge environmental resilience as a core requirement in diagnostic logistics, and to develop new standards that are robust to the realities of climate variability and decentralised healthcare.

RevDate: 2025-10-07

Felix E, JG Green (2025)

Changes in Child and Youth Mental Health Following the Return To In-Person Learning Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.

Current psychiatry reports [Epub ahead of print].

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Changes in youth mental health during the pandemic have been well documented globally, but research on how mental health changed when schools returned to in-person learning is just emerging. This review summarizes the available global research on child and youth mental health following school reopening for in-person learning.

RECENT FINDINGS: Results varied by the mental health indicator being assessed and by subgroups of children and youth, with age-related differences, and possible gender-related influences. Some modifiable risk and protective factors examined included time spent on homework; internet and social media use; physical activity; communication/conflict with others; optimism; social relationships with family, teacher and peers; parental mental health; and inconsistent discipline. Some youth fared better when schools reopened in-person, but for others mental health challenges persisted. Mental health services shifted during the height of the pandemic, and some supports are no longer available. Continued monitoring is needed to help with recovery and resilience.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-07

Ren S, Li T, Zhang Y, et al (2025)

Preparing for Potential Health and Safety Risks at the Olympic Games: Scoping Review.

JMIR public health and surveillance, 11:e66829 pii:v11i1e66829.

BACKGROUND: The Olympic Games are an example of a mass gathering that involves a complex and large crowd composition, with a large number of illnesses and injuries occurring at previous Olympic Games, and the Olympic Games also becoming a target for terrorist attacks.

OBJECTIVE: With the help of mass-gathering medicine as a guide, this study aims to critically summarize and analyze the state of illness, injury, and terrorism during the Olympic Games in order to reduce the incidence of illnesses and injuries in crowds and to offer lessons for the organization of major international sporting events such as the Olympics.

METHODS: The procedure for this scoping review followed the 5-step methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley. We searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. We extracted, summarized, and categorized general information on each study, game characteristics, illness and injury profiles, terrorism characteristics, preventive measures, and surveillance paradigms.

RESULTS: We conducted a database search and retrieved a total of 9587 studies on 2 occasions. After removing duplicates and screening, we included 120 studies. Only 12 studies on the Summer, Winter, and Paralympic Games published before 2000, and 108 studies from 2000 onward, comprise the 120 studies, marking an unprecedented number of studies in this field of research, particularly in recent times. Of the 120 studies, 80 were illness-related, 81 were injury-related, and 2 were terrorism-related. Nine studies explicitly assessed body parts, including shoulders, feet, and dentistry; 26 studies specifically investigated certain illnesses and injuries, such as COVID-19 disease, heat-related illnesses, and concussions. Of the 120 research studies, 18 specifically analyzed sports such as gymnastics and weight lifting, with 11 studies focusing especially on COVID-19 disease. The most studied games were the Tokyo 2021 Olympic or Paralympic Games, the London 2012 Olympic or Paralympic Games, and the Rio 2016 Olympic or Paralympic Games. The system of injury and illness surveillance in the Olympic Games goes through 3 stages of development: the first trial of information technology, the construction of networks, and the enhancement of intelligence.

CONCLUSIONS: A critical summary of studies of illness, injury, and terrorist attacks at previous Olympic Games is important for injury and terrorism prevention at major sporting events such as the Olympic Games. Surveillance methods require improvements in surveillance technology, data sharing, and privacy protection.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-07

Focosi D, Franchini M, Maggi F, et al (2025)

The Emergence of Escape Mutations in COVID-19 Following Anti-Spike Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: How Do We Tackle It?.

Infection and drug resistance, 18:5207-5217.

Treatment-emergent resistance to anti-Spike monoclonal antibody (mAb) was a largely unexpected and dramatic finding along the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergence of resistant strains was particularly common in immunocompromised patients, who often harbored very high SARS-CoV-2 loads when treated with mAb monotherapies. Concerns were raised regarding the risk for some of those resistant variants to propagate in communities. In this review, we will summarize the experience thus far and suggest recommendations to prevent and manage mAb treatment-emergent resistance such as comboing and reliance over polyclonal immunoglobulins.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-07

Muthuka JK, Mbari-Fondo DK, Wambura FM, et al (2025)

Effects of Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Maternal Anemia in the Advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JMIRx med, 6:e57626 pii:v6i1e57626.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic presented many unknowns for pregnant women, with anemia potentially worsening pregnancy outcomes due to multiple factors.

OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to determine the pooled effect of maternal anemia interventions and associated factors during the pandemic.

METHODS: Eligible studies were observational and included reproductive-age women receiving anemia-related interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exclusion criteria comprised non-English publications, reviews, editorials, case reports, studies with insufficient data, sample sizes below 50, and those lacking DOIs. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified articles published between December 2019 and August 2022. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized trials and the National Institutes of Health's assessment tool for observational studies. Pooled rate ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated in Review Manager 5.4.1. Synthesis included subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias checks to assess intervention effectiveness.

RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 11 studies with 6129 pregnant women. Of these, 3591 (59%) were in the intervention group and 2538 (41%) were in the comparator group. Effects were recorded for 1921 (53.4%) women in the intervention group and 1350 (53.1%) in the comparator group. The cumulative impact ranged from 23% to 81%, averaging 56%. The initial analysis showed no significant effect on anemia prevention (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.61-1.02; P=.07), with high heterogeneity (I²=97%). Sensitivity analysis excluding 4 outlier studies improved the effect size to a significant level at 39% (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.87; P=.006). Subgroup analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity (I²=87.2%). Intravenous sucrose had a poor impact (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17-1.47; P<.001), while medicinal or herbal interventions showed benefit (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.90; P=.006). Educational interventions yielded a 28% effect (RR 0.72), medicinal administration 19% (RR 0.81), iron supplementation 17% (RR 0.83), and intravenous ferric carboxylmaltose 15% (RR 0.85; P<.02). Additional sensitivity analysis confirmed a pooled positive effect of 17% (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79-0.88; P<.001), with minimal heterogeneity (I²=0%). Regionally, effectiveness was highest in Africa (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79-0.89; P<.001). Multicenter studies and those with 2020 data were predictive of better outcomes (RR 0.84 and RR 0.50, respectively). Despite initial heterogeneity and publication bias, interventions showed utility in mitigating maternal anemia in targeted subgroups and regions.

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal anemia interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic showed modest, context-specific effectiveness, with declining impact from 2020 to 2022. Although high heterogeneity and study inconsistencies limited generalizability, significant benefits were observed particularly in African and multicenter studies. The pandemic exposed gaps in maternal health systems, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions, stronger data infrastructure, and resilient care strategies in future global crises.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-07

Morrison C, Natale I, Branchflower A, et al (2025)

Harm reduction approaches for the use of benzodiazepines: a scoping review.

Harm reduction journal, 22(1):162.

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed but are associated with significant risks, particularly when used long-term. The anxiolytic and hypnotic properties of these medications increase their risk of dependence, which can lead to nonmedical and illicit use. Illicit use further compounds these harms, particularly with the emergence of potent novel benzodiazepines on the unregulated market. While tapering remains the standard treatment, not all individuals seek discontinuation. In such cases, harm reduction becomes a key approach to minimise associated risks. This review aimed to identify and synthesise existing harm reduction approaches for people using benzodiazepines.

METHOD: A systematic search was conducted across four databases, PsycINFO (n = 183), MEDLINE (n = 345), Web of Science (n = 382), and Embase (n = 940), following the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were carried out between February 14 and March 30, 2024, using terms related to harm reduction and benzodiazepines. The search was re-run on July 7, 2025, using the same strategy across all four databases.

RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were included and grouped into the following themes: direct interventions (n = 16), policy approaches (n = 9), and population-specific approaches (n = 10). Among direct interventions, drug checking was the most frequently reported approach, with advanced techniques improving the detection of novel benzodiazepines and prompting safer use practices. Benzodiazepine agonist prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded positive outcomes; conversely, policy responses such as rescheduling and prescribing changes indicated mixed results. While some studies reported reduced use and improved treatment engagement, others highlighted unintended consequences that may displace or exacerbate harm. Specific populations, such as young people, those who inject benzodiazepines, and members of online communities, highlight the diverse demographics of people who use benzodiazepines and emphasise the importance of developing tailored responses to address unique needs.

CONCLUSION: Drug checking emerged as the most widely reported harm reduction approach for benzodiazepine use, with consistent positive outcomes across studies. Prescribing and policy interventions demonstrated variable impacts, often influenced by broader systemic factors. Critically, a clear gap remains in harm reduction approaches for those not seeking treatment, highlighting a need for inclusive, flexible and pragmatic responses. There is also a need for more robust evaluation of harm reduction interventions to strengthen the evidence base and inform practice.

RevDate: 2025-10-07
CmpDate: 2025-10-07

Hidalgo JL, Kumar VK, Akech SO, et al (2025)

The Sepsis Chain of Survival: A Comprehensive Framework for Improving Sepsis Outcomes.

Critical care medicine, 53(10):e1886-e1892.

The "Chain of Survival" concept, developed for cardiac arrest, emphasizes a seamless and interconnected set, of time-critical interventions that are not strictly linear, to improve survival. This paradigm of urgent recognition and response to life-threatening conditions has evolved to apply to acute medical conditions, including sepsis. The "Sepsis Chain of Survival" underscores the importance of early recognition, prompt emergency medical services activation, timely antimicrobial administration and appropriate fluid resuscitation, optimized critical care management, effective source control and infection management, and comprehensive post-sepsis care. By adopting this approach, healthcare systems can improve sepsis outcomes through a coordinated, multifaceted strategy. This model highlights the critical role of public and healthcare worker awareness, education, community response, and continuous monitoring. Addressing the importance and interdependence of each link, this framework aims to improve survival rates and patient recovery by ensuring timely and effective sepsis management across diverse resource settings in infants, children, and adults.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Ulaş S, İ Seçer (2025)

Secondary traumatic stress and burnout in healthcare professional: systematic review and a meta-analysis based on correlation coefficient.

Scientific reports, 15(1):34680.

The challenging conditions faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the pandemic have been extensively discussed in the literature, particularly concerning Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Burnout (BO). This study systematically compiled studies meeting the inclusion criteria and examining the relationship between STS and BO between 2019 and 2024 in the Web of Science and PubMed databases, conducting a correlational meta-analysis. While the PRISMA was adhered to in all stages of this manuscript, the Quality Assessment and Validity Tool for Correlational Studies was adhered to in evaluating the articles that met the inclusion criteria. This analysis included 61 publications involving 33.906 HCPs. When raw r coefficients were transformed into Fisher's z values, the correlation coefficients ranged between 0.1820 and 1.1881, with a 100% positive direction, and the weighted correlation coefficient was 0.6305 (95% CI: 0.5888 to 0.6721). The results indicate a strong positive relationship between the levels of STS and BO among HCPs during the pandemic. The validation of the strong relationship between STS and BO during the COVID-19 period underscores the critical need for the development of information dissemination, resources, support, or policies to strengthen HCPs against STS and BO in the face of future epidemics, pandemics, or situations that could negatively impact the functioning of the healthcare system. In other words, it can be suggested to develop training and awareness programs for HCPs in terms of STS and BO, strengthen support systems, improve workload and working conditions, ensure continuity in monitoring and evaluating HCPs in terms of BO and STS, etc.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Mauti E, Hosseinichimeh N, Abedi V, et al (2025)

Factors associated with post-stroke readmission: a systematic review and meta analysis.

Scientific reports, 15(1):34772.

Readmissions following strokes are a significant concern due to their association with adverse outcomes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regard hospital readmissions as a measure of suboptimal hospital care and have made reducing readmission rates a national healthcare reform goal. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify factors associated with 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year ischemic stroke readmissions. We reviewed the databases PubMed and Web of Science for English-language studies on stroke readmissions published between January 1, 2000, and February 5, 2024. A total of 135 studies from 18 countries met the inclusion criteria. Higher 30-day readmissions were linked to advanced age, insurance type, employment status, socioeconomic disadvantage, discharge destination, and conditions such as heart failure and diabetes. Reduced 30-day readmissions were associated with effective discharge planning, post-primary care visits, and thrombolytic therapy administration. Weekend admissions and the COVID-19 period were not significant contributing factors. Our meta-analysis on 30-day readmissions in the U.S. found increased odds with atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.12-1.36]), and cancer (OR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.19-1.89]), while discharge to home (OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.55-1.02]) and private insurance (OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.66-0.75]) decreased the odds. Advanced age, comorbidities, and discharge planning impacted 90-day readmissions, while 1-year readmissions were influenced by advanced age, discharge location, functional independence, and diseases including diabetes and coronary artery disease. The study highlights the importance of hospital discharge procedures and follow-up care as modifiable factors for mitigating the risk of readmission in stroke patients. Prioritization in care transition enhancements and proper discharge planning for at-risk patients could help improve stroke readmission rates.

RevDate: 2025-10-06

Xu H, Li B, Tang K, et al (2025)

Privileged scaffold repurposed: the evolving role of quinolone derivatives in antiviral therapy.

Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters pii:S0960-894X(25)00336-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Significant advancements have been made in the field of antiviral drug development; however, existing therapies still face considerable challenges regarding safety and efficacy. Moreover, with the frequent emergence of outbreaks caused by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox virus, and Chikungunya virus in recent years, there is an urgent need to develop novel antiviral drugs that are highly effective, low-toxic, and possess broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant strains. Exploring antiviral agents from privileged structures has long been a tacit shortcut for researchers, and quinolone derivatives, as a class of privileged structures with diverse antiviral activities, have attracted extensive attention in recent years, providing a crucial material basis for the development of next-generation antiviral drugs. This review focuses on the discovery, mechanisms of action, potential clinical applications, and research progress of quinolone derivatives with typical structural characteristics or potent antiviral activity, aiming to provide insights for current and future antiviral drug research.

RevDate: 2025-10-06

Ghadirian MZ, Sarmiento I, Reinoso Chávez N, et al (2025)

Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Nigeria: A Scoping Review of the Literature Contextualized With Local Knowledge Using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping.

Community health equity research & policy [Epub ahead of print].

AimCollate and summarise published evidence of the non-clinical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nigeria and compare the findings with community stakeholder experiences.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) for peer-reviewed papers published up to January 2024. Included studies used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of rural Nigerians. Two reviewers conducted title, abstract, and full-text screening independently. We used narrative descriptions and fuzzy cognitive maps to summarise the findings of the review and compared the maps with those previously created by stakeholders in rural communities in Bauchi State, rural Nigeria.ResultsPoverty, hunger and lack of food, and stress and mental health problems were leading themes in both the literature and stakeholder maps. Stakeholder maps highlighted job loss and household conflicts. These topics were rarely explored in the literature, which emphasized reduced health services.ConclusionThis review and stakeholder perspectives confirm the importance of non-clinical impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nigeria. Some issues highlighted by local community stakeholders were absent in the literature. Contextualizing published research with local experience provides specific insights to inform recovery policies.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Lin C, Jennison AV, Leong LEX, et al (2025)

Communicable diseases genomics network: promoting and harmonising pathogen genomics implementation for public health in Australia.

The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific, 63:101692.

Globally, the utility of pathogen genomics for public health was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approaches to enhance coordination and improve implementation of pathogen genomics for public health are needed. The Communicable Diseases Genomics Network (CDGN) was established in 2015 in Australia. The network, embedded at the public health laboratory interface and supported by the Australian Government, has facilitated a coordinated model in Australia for public health pathogen genomics. CDGN activities have facilitated pilot projects to demonstrate use cases, harmonisation of data sharing and governance arrangements, outbreak and pandemic response, translational research, policy development and workforce capacity building. The impact of CDGN has been enabling the significant progress towards public health genomics implementation in Australia, and providing a model that could be applied in other federated settings, aligned with international best practice.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Kapar A, Li H, He Q, et al (2025)

Real-World Evaluation Study of Azvudine for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale, 2025:3645253.

Background: Azvudine, as an antiviral drug, has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19, and multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective cohort studies have been conducted. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Azvudine in treating COVID-19 patients. Methods: As of December 1, 2023, we searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, ICTRP, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, MedRxiv, and Springer Link for relevant RCTs and retrospective cohort studies. EndNote X9 was used for literature screening and management, and R software was employed for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 1142 COVID-19 patients from five RCTs were included, with 575 patients receiving Azvudine treatment. Azvudine significantly reduced the hospitalization time and the time to nucleic acid conversion to negative in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. However, compared to the control group, Azvudine did not significantly reduce the incidence of adverse events (AEs) (risk ratio: 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80, 1.00). Additionally, eight ongoing clinical trials were included to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Azvudine. In fourteen retrospective cohort studies, a total of 6602 COVID-19 patients were analyzed, with 3118 patients receiving Azvudine treatment. Azvudine significantly reduced all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.63). The incidence of AEs in the Azvudine group and the Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir group was 4.13% (60/1453) and 5.08% (67/1319), respectively, indicating that Azvudine significantly reduced the incidence of AEs compared to Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.98). Conclusions: Azvudine significantly reduced the hospitalization time and the time to nucleic acid conversion to negative in COVID-19 patients and significantly lowered all-cause mortality (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE]: high-certainty evidence). In terms of safety, Azvudine demonstrated a favorable safety profile (GRADE: moderate-certainty evidence because of suspected publication bias and residual confounding). Further large-scale studies are needed to validate its efficacy and safety.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Pedraza A, Bonnice S, Won MN, et al (2025)

Impact of COVID-19 on the Gut Microbiome: A Review.

Cureus, 17(9):e91470.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in over 6 million deaths worldwide in fewer than four years and is a result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The protein that mediates SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is highly expressed on the membrane of gastrointestinal (GI) cells. Consequently, infection can lead to direct damage to the GI tract and gut dysbiosis, which is associated with an imbalance of microbiota, inflammation, and other systemic infections and diseases. In this review, we will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the GI system. We will examine the pathophysiology of gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients, as well as emphasize the significance of probiotics in addressing this condition. Additionally, we will identify key areas of interest that warrant further investigation.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Castellano B, Castellano C, Sobczak A, et al (2025)

Long-Term Manifestations of COVID-19: A Review.

Cureus, 17(9):e91492.

Although most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases resolve within a few weeks after the onset of infection, a considerable number of patients still suffer from prolonged or recurrent symptoms evident after weeks or months post-COVID-19 recovery. This paper analyzed the current literature related to long-term manifestations of COVID-19 and aimed to identify the common symptoms reported four weeks or more after the initial onset of the disease. COVID-19 has been shown to have lasting systemic effects on an array of organ systems, such as the lungs, heart, brain, and gastrointestinal systems. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, fatigue, brain fog, respiratory difficulties, and loss of taste and smell. The impact of COVID-19 on multiple organ systems is thought to be associated with its ability to bind angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors throughout the body and promote cytokine release. This study provides insight into common long-term manifestations of COVID-19. Future studies should look at how long COVID-19 syndrome affects various subpopulations differently.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Gao Y, J Zhang (2025)

The role of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in innate immune regulation: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic implications.

Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B, 15(9):4497-4510.

The main protease (M[pro]) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a pivotal role in viral replication and immune evasion. Accumulating evidence highlights its significant role in suppressing innate immunity. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of how M[pro] modulates host innate immune responses, including its interference with retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signaling pathways, inhibition of interferon production, and disruption of inflammasome activities. As a protease, M[pro] cleaves a variety of host proteins to attenuate antiviral innate immunity, a process dependent on its catalytic dyad (Cys145-His41), which is crucial for its proteolytic activity. Meanwhile, M[pro] also exerts innate immune regulatory functions in a protease-independent manner. Notably, inhibitors targeting M[pro] have demonstrated efficacy in restoring immune functions and suppressing viral replication, offering potential therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Wang Y, Zhu J, Ma Q, et al (2025)

Trends in mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles clinical trials 2014-2024: is efficacy optimal in a narrow dose range?.

Frontiers in medicine, 12:1625787.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are emerging as promising cell-free therapeutic agents due to their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. However, the lack of standardized protocols and dose optimization strategies has limited their clinical translation. While procedures for the isolation, expansion, and therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been standardized, there remains a lack of standardized protocols for the isolation and purification of EVs and exosomes (Exos).

METHODS: This review Comprehensive statistical summary global clinical trials involving MSC-EVs and Exos registered between 2014 and 2024, with a particular focus on dose-effect relationships and administration routes. Data were collected from ClinicalTrials.gov, the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and the Cochrane Register of Studies. A total of 66 eligible trials were included after screening.

RESULTS: Intravenous infusion and aerosolized inhalation were identified as the predominant administration methods, especially in trials targeting respiratory diseases. Notably, dose-effect results revealed that nebulization therapy achieved therapeutic effects at doses around 108 particles, significantly lower than those required for intravenous routes. This suggests a relatively narrow and route-dependent effective dose window. However, large variations in EVs characterization, dose units, and outcome measures were observed across trials, underscoring the lack of harmonized reporting standards.

CONCLUSION: This review highlights dose-response as a critical but underappreciated gap in current MSC-EVs clinical research. The findings emphasize the urgent need for standardized dosing frameworks, potency assays, and harmonized clinical protocols to advance the safe and effective translation of MSC-EVs therapies. The analysis underscores the need for standardized protocols, global collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying MSC-EVs and Exos therapies to advance clinical applications and ensure safety and efficacy.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Ferreira DBB, Santos RMS, Machado MCL, et al (2025)

Suicidality and self-harm in adolescents before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

Frontiers in psychiatry, 16:1643145.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent mental health, self-harm, and suicidality are critical concerns during this developmental stage, marked by intense physical, emotional, and social changes. The COVID - 19 pandemic has further intensified these vulnerabilities by disrupting daily routines, increasing social isolation, limiting access to mental health services, and exacerbating academic and emotional stressors.

METHODS: This systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and employed the PECO strategy to identify relevant studies. A total of 55 quantitative studies published between 2010 and 2024 were included. These studies examined the prevalence and risk factors of self-harm and suicidal behaviors among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, comparing findings from the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Psychosocial, economic, and cultural determinants were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed a consistent increase in self-harm and suicidality during the pandemic, with adolescent girls being disproportionately affected. Gender disparities were observed across diverse cultural contexts. Contributing factors included social isolation, excessive screen time, reduced access to education and healthcare, and increased family or financial stress. Cultural variability shaped both prevalence and clinical expression.

DISCUSSION: These findings underscore the amplifying effect of the COVID - 19 pandemic on adolescent mental health vulnerabilities and highlight the need for culturally sensitive, gender-informed preventive strategies. Public policies should prioritize mental health support for youth and address systemic inequities to mitigate the psychological consequences of global crises. This review offers important insights into adolescent mental health in times of collective adversity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024538641, identifier CRD42024538641.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Abdul-Mutakabbir JC (2025)

Area-based Deprivation Indices and Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Narrative Review of Evidence.

Current infectious disease reports, 27(1):20.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic started, there has been a rise in published studies using area-based deprivation indices to explore the link between neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDoH) and susceptibility to infectious diseases. However, questions remain about how these deprivation indices were developed and how effective they are at identifying and addressing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) disparities. This review aims to clarify the origins of the most commonly used deprivation indices in HAI epidemiology research and to offer key considerations and recommendations for their use to enhance prevention strategies and advocacy efforts.

RECENT FINDINGS: The two most frequently used area-based deprivation indices in HAI epidemiology research are the area deprivation index and the social vulnerability index. Of interest, both indices use data from the American Community Survey disseminated by the US Census Bureau to describe area-level socioeconomic and material deprivation across various geographic areas nationwide. Researchers have combined these area-based indices with clinical and individual-level sociodemographic variables and found that higher levels of disadvantage correlate with an increased occurrence of HAIs. Despite similarities in findings when using these indices, they have distinct differences that should be considered.

SUMMARY: Area-level deprivation can increase an individual's risk of HAIs, and deprivation indices are tools that can quantify this relationship. Despite the availability of relevant data, there is a need to expand the existing literature using deprivation indices in HAI research. Ultimately, this exploratory research has the potential to inform prevention strategies and policy reforms aimed at reducing disparities in HAIs.

RevDate: 2025-10-06
CmpDate: 2025-10-06

Verma A, Naidu SV, Sulthana H, et al (2025)

Musculoskeletal manifestations in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Frontiers in public health, 13:1662953.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a spectrum of long-term sequelae, with musculoskeletal symptoms being a substantial component of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence and nature of musculoskeletal manifestations in individuals recovering from COVID-19.

METHODS: A systematic search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed up to February 15, 2024, to identify studies reporting on musculoskeletal symptoms post-COVID-19. Observational studies which reported any musculoskeletal symptoms of PASC were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the incidence of symptoms, with subgroup analyses based on time since infection. Statistical analysis were conducted in R software (V 4.3).

RESULTS: Sixty-four studies were included, demonstrating a pooled prevalence of muscle pain at 28% (95% CI: 22%-35%), which increased to 25.9% (95% CI: 20.7%-31.7%) at 12 months post-infection. Joint pain showed a pooled prevalence of 14.8% (95% CI: 10.6%-20.2%), with no significant temporal change. Muscle weakness was observed in 12.9% (95% CI: 4.2%-32.9%) of patients. Notable heterogeneity was observed across studies (I [2] > 89% for all symptoms).

CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent in individuals with PASC, with muscle pain being the most common. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive clinical management and continuous research to create targeted treatments and revise care protocols as the pandemic evolves.

RevDate: 2025-10-06

Pariano M, Puccetti M, Fabi C, et al (2025)

Updates on Candida albicans infections: pathogenesis, resistance, and emerging nanopharmaceutical strategies.

Expert review of anti-infective therapy [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION: Candidiasis comprises a spectrum of infections ranging from superficial mucosal to life-threatening systemic infections caused by the opportunistic yeast, Candida, a genus containing several species of heterogeneous behavior and unique pathogenesis in the human host. Candida albicans is the most prevalent species. The aim of this review is to provide an update on pathogenesis, resistance and emerging therapeutic strategies in candidiasis, with a focus on C. albicans.

AREAS COVERED: We discuss recent advancements that have deepened our understanding of Candida pathogenesis, particularly the roles of morphological plasticity, metabolic flexibility, biofilm formation, multidrug resistance and gut dysbiosis. We interrogated three major databases, mainly PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for the latest (with emphasis on the works published in the last 5 years) developments in antifungal resistance trends, diagnostic innovations, and novel therapeutic strategies, including next-generation antifungals, combination therapies and nanopharmaceuticals. Additionally, we explore emerging strategies, such as probiotics, vaccines, and antifungal stewardship, and discuss the impact of post-COVID-19 immunosuppression, cancer therapies, and climate change on candidiasis epidemiology.

EXPERT OPINION: The future of C. albicans management lies in personalized approaches, leveraging genomics, host-pathogen interactions and advanced drug-delivery platforms to combat resistance, overcome the limitations of current systemic therapy and improve patient outcomes.

RevDate: 2025-10-05

Fadaee M, Mahrooghi D, Lahouty M, et al (2025)

Postbiotics and extracellular vesicles: Mechanisms of action and clinical promise in respiratory infections and inflammation.

Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases pii:S1567-1348(25)00126-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Postbiotics are bioactive metabolites and structural components derived from probiotic microorganisms that exert health benefits without the requirement for live bacteria. These include short-chain fatty acids, peptides, polysaccharides, and bacterial cell wall fragments, all of which demonstrate immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Compared with probiotics, postbiotics are more stable, safer, and increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic agents. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by probiotics have likewise emerged as important mediators of host-microbe interactions. In respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, influenza, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), asthma, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and allergic rhinitis, postbiotics strengthen epithelial barriers, regulate immune responses, disrupt pathogenic biofilms, and enhance the effectiveness of conventional therapies. Their capacity to influence the gut-lung axis further extends their benefits beyond the respiratory system, contributing to systemic immune balance and microbiota homeostasis. Moreover, postbiotics show potential in mitigating antimicrobial resistance by selectively targeting pathogens while preserving commensal microbes. Taken together, the safety, versatility, and therapeutic promise of postbiotics highlight their potential as adjuncts to standard treatments and as innovative strategies for infection control and respiratory health management.

RevDate: 2025-10-05

Khabarov IA, Sergazy SD, Amanzhan A, et al (2025)

Polyphenolic phytosomes for targeted drug delivery.

Fitoterapia pii:S0367-326X(25)00546-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Currently, the attention of researchers is attracted by natural polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids, which exhibit pronounced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. More than 8500 phenolic compounds have been isolated and characterized from plant sources. Despite their therapeutic potential, clinical translation is limited by low water solubility, poor membrane permeability, and extensive first-pass metabolism, resulting in suboptimal bioavailability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of phytosome technology, including the mechanism of complex formation, structural advantages compared to traditional nanocarriers, and its impact on pharmacokinetics and bioefficacy. Polyphenolic compounds, such as silybin, curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and grape seed proanthocyanidins, have been successfully formulated into phytosomes, resulting in a significant enhancement of oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies. It also highlights evidence from clinical trials involving phytosomal formulations in various disease contexts, including cancer, liver and metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and COVID-19. The safety profile of phytosomes is favorable, with most formulations well-tolerated even under long-term use. Current limitations, including formulation instability, lack of regulatory clarity, and challenges in industrial scale-up, are discussed alongside future directions in targeted delivery and combination therapies. Phytosomes represent a clinically viable platform that bridges natural product pharmacology with modern drug delivery technologies, offering a scalable and biocompatible strategy for improving the clinical impact of polyphenols.

RevDate: 2025-10-04

Mutsonziwa GA, Glew P, R Pillay (2025)

The influences of nursing students' prevention and control practice behaviours on emerging and re-emerging respiratory viral illnesses: An integrative review and narrative synthesis.

Nurse education in practice pii:S1471-5953(25)00321-X [Epub ahead of print].

AIM: To gather, analyse and synthesise empirical evidence regarding the influences of Infection Prevention and Control practice (IPC) behaviours for nursing students on emerging and re-emerging respiratory viral illnesses.

BACKGROUND: In many countries, undergraduate nursing students are often deployed at the point-of-care, as part of their Professional Experience Placement; where they provide direct care to patients with respiratory viral illnesses. Despite this exceptional situation offering learning opportunities for them, nursing students often endure challenging experiences that have an impact on their learning trajectories. To set up strategies for improvement, an understanding of the influences of their behaviours on IPC practices and care responsibilities in the context of common respiratory viral illnesses is warranted.

DESIGN: An integrative systematic review and narrative synthesis.

METHODS: Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) five-step framework was adopted. The databases searched were CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and PsycINFO (August to November 2024). The search process identified sixteen studies, which were screened for quality using the Covidence tool and appraised using Joanna Briggs' checklist. A Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) reporting tool was used to ensure transparency in the review process.

RESULTS: The review included sixteen studies that explored the topic in the context of COVID-19, MERS and Influenza. The overarching influences emerged as Academic Support, Personal Attributes and Point-of-Care Support.

CONCLUSION: Academic Support, Personal Attributes and Point-of-Care Support influences emphasise a direction for the future nursing workforce's readiness to respond effectively to existing and re-emerging respiratory viral illnesses. Reinvisioning IPC practices for nursing students is crucial for promoting a strong safety culture.

RevDate: 2025-10-04

Ristroph KD, Pinkerton NM, Markwalter CE, et al (2025)

20 years of flash nanoprecipitation - from controlled precipitation to global medicine.

Advanced drug delivery reviews pii:S0169-409X(25)00185-1 [Epub ahead of print].

In the twenty years since the development of Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) technology, an antisolvent precipitation technique that uses rapid turbulent mixing to drive self-assembly of polymeric or lipid nanoparticles, the platform has been used for a wide variety of drug delivery applications in research and industry - most notably as the enabling technology for the global manufacture of the Pfizer-BioNTech COMIRNATY® mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, this makes FNP the only publicly-known manufacturing technology for global commercial-scale lipid nanoparticle formulation. This situation makes the technique remarkable and noteworthy and worth discussing broadly, which this article aims to do. It also sets FNP mixing as the benchmark technology against which other LNP manufacturing processes should be compared. Here we review the principles underpinning this continuous antisolvent precipitation technique, its scalability and use with downstream unit operations, and its utility in nanomedicine research. We discuss the current intellectual property landscape surrounding FNP technology and give examples of its industrial implementation for SARS-CoV-2 and low-cost antimalarial formulations. We end with a survey on recent improvements and extensions to the platform that enable the encapsulation of new classes of molecules and greater flexibility in manufacturing as FNP moves into its third decade.

RevDate: 2025-10-04

Inoda A, Suzuki K, Tomita H, et al (2025)

Glycocalyx shedding as a clinical biomarker in critical illness.

Experimental and molecular pathology, 144:104997 pii:S0014-4800(25)00047-4 [Epub ahead of print].

The endothelial glycocalyx, a carbohydrate-rich layer lining the vascular endothelium, plays a critical role in maintaining vascular homeostasis by regulating permeability, leukocyte adhesion, and inflammatory signaling. Its degradation has been implicated in endothelial dysfunction and organ damage in various diseases. Biomarkers derived from glycocalyx components, particularly Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) and heparan sulfate (HS), can be detected in blood and urine, providing a potential window into vascular injury. In this narrative review, we explore the clinical potential of glycocalyx-derived biomarkers, with a focus on SDC-1, in a broad spectrum of conditions, including sepsis, coronavirus disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney diseases, cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, trauma, and pregnancy-related complications. We highlight the pathophysiological mechanisms of glycocalyx degradation, assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of SDC-1, and summarize emerging therapeutic strategies to preserve glycocalyx integrity. Given their strong association with disease severity and outcomes, glycocalyx-derived biomarkers may enable earlier diagnosis, improved risk stratification, and personalized treatment, supporting more informed clinical decision-making across diverse medical conditions.

RevDate: 2025-10-04
CmpDate: 2025-10-04

Ahmed H, Abideen ZU, Azmat A, et al (2025)

Impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria: a literature review and meta-analysis.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 118(11):165.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the global healthcare delivery system, raising concerns about its influence on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of MDR bacteria in different healthcare environments. A systematic search was carried out in PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, BIOSIS, Scopus, and Google Scholar for articles published from December 2019 to January 2024. After screening 77 full-text studies, 28 studies were included in the analysis. The inclusion criteria included original human studies presenting MDR bacteria incidence before and during/after COVID-19 with reference to Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci, Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The overall odds ratio (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.70-1.17) indicates no significant change in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection between the pre-COVID-19 and the COVID-19 period. There was no significant change in the prevalence of MRSA, ESBL, and VRE pre- and post-COVID. However, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of CR-Ab, CRE, and CRPA pre- and during/after-COVID-19. MDR prevalence was significantly increased in Asia (18%) while it decreased slightly in North America (10.3%), showing variations in antibiotic use. The findings show that COVID-19 has different effects on the prevalence of MDR bacteria across geographical regions and healthcare facilities.

RevDate: 2025-10-04

Longacre MM, JC Ibla (2025)

TEG and ROTEM: Technology and Clinical Applications, 2026 Update.

American journal of hematology [Epub ahead of print].

Viscoelastic testing (VET) has evolved significantly since its inception in the mid-20th century, when it was first developed to guide transfusion strategies in trauma and surgical patients. Initially, VET technologies such as TEG and ROTEM assessed clot formation by measuring the mechanical resistance of a pin or piston within a blood sample. Recent advances have introduced automated, cartridge-based systems and novel detection methods-including resonance frequency and ultrasound-based sonorheometry-these new systems allow for more precise, rapid, and user-friendly assessment of clot dynamics at the point of care. VET is now indicated for a wide range of clinical scenarios where complex coagulopathy is anticipated, including trauma, cardiac surgery, liver transplantation, obstetric hemorrhage, and hematologic disorders such as DIC. Its use is expanding into new populations, including pediatric cardiac surgery, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and those with COVID-19. However, VET remains limited in its ability to reliably detect therapeutic anticoagulants and certain congenital bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease and deficiencies of protein C, S, and antithrombin. Technical limitations, including potential discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo clot formation, and lack of FDA approval for pediatric use have imposed implementation barriers to centers interested in pediatric VET. Looking forward, the integration of VET data with electronic medical records, the development of predictive models, artificial intelligence, and continued innovation in platelet function assessment and detection technologies are poised to enhance the clinical utility of VET. As guidelines and evidence continue to evolve, VET is positioned to become an increasingly important tool for real-time, individualized management of coagulopathy in diverse patient populations.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-04

Nayak S, Reddy BN, SV Kintali (2025)

The invisible agitators: exploring the viral interplay in psoriatic immune dysregulation.

Immunologic research, 73(1):140.

This review explores the complex interplay between viral infections and psoriasis. It emphasizes how viruses like HIV, hepatitis, herpes, human papillomavirus, and SARS-CoV-2 can provoke and worsen psoriatic inflammation by disturbing immune balance. A key focus of the discussion is the IL-23/Th-17 pathway, which drives the production of proinflammatory cytokines that promote keratinocyte overgrowth and perpetuate chronic skin inflammation. Our article further investigates how disrupted intracellular pathways-such as those involving PI3K, Wnt signaling, and caveolin-affect the severity of the disease. This review supports the idea that viral infections can not only trigger psoriatic lesions but may also increase the risk of additional viral reactivation, thereby complicating the clinical picture of psoriasis. This thorough evaluation highlights the necessity for focused research to create innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at these viral triggers.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Barański J (2025)

Mobile Technologies in Infectious Disease Monitoring: Benefits and limitations.

Przeglad epidemiologiczny, 79(2):263-279.

Infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Zika virus, malaria, and Ebola, pose a serious threat to public health worldwide. Their impact on society can be significant, especially in the context of globalization, migration, and climate change. These diseases can spread quickly and efficiently, which requires the use of modern monitoring and control tools. In this context, mobile technologies can play a crucial role in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. This article will discuss both the benefits and limitations of using mobile technologies in monitoring and combating infectious diseases, such as contact-tracing apps, systems for collecting epidemiological data, and platforms supporting health education.

RevDate: 2025-10-03

McElrone M, Holden E, Brown C, et al (2025)

Evaluating the Implementation of Public Health Strategies to Address COVID-19 Disparities in a Community Setting: A Qualitative Study Using the RE-AIM Framework.

Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.) [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Health disparities, particularly among racial and ethnic minority populations, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to factors like social determinants of health, vaccine hesitancy, and pre-existing health conditions. Local government leaders within an urban city received federal funds to address these disparities by improving health literacy and engaging in culturally responsive outreach and education among Black and Latinx communities within a mid-sized city in the southeastern United States.

OBJECTIVE: To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing public health strategies aimed at addressing COVID-19 health disparities in a community guided by the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework.

DESIGN: The research team conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews via telephone, Zoom, or in person between March 20th and April 12th, 2024.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Fifteen participants, including local governmental health office staff (e.g., nurse navigators, administrative staff) and employees from community center partner sites, were included in the study.

ANALYSIS: Two coders applied both a priori codes guided by the RE-AIM framework and data-driven inductive codes to transcripts in NVivo 14. A final interrater reliability measurement, Cohen's kappa coefficient (k = 0.74), was calculated, indicating a moderate level of agreement between coders. NVivo 14 data visualization tools (e.g., coding matrices) were used to inform thematic content analysis.

RESULTS: Themes were identified within each RE-AIM dimension, highlighting various facilitators and barriers to implementing the selected public health strategies. Working in synergy with community center staff and other community partners to create tailored services and resources was vital for successful implementation. Transparency and timely communication, additional full-time program implementers (i.e., nurse navigators), and sustainable funding sources were identified as key elements to enhance effective implementation.

CONCLUSIONS: Insights from the local governmental health office and community center staff's experiences in this study highlight recommendations for effective implementation of locally tailored public health strategies to address COVID-19 health disparities in similar community-based settings. Future research should capture the perceptions and experiences of community members to better understand acceptability, accessibility, and utilization in similar initiatives.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Theofilou PE, Bonotis P, P Angelidis (2025)

Real-World Breast Cancer Mobile Applications for Patients in the Treatment Stage: A Post-Pandemic Scoping Review.

Studies in health technology and informatics, 332:93-97.

Many current digital health tools are not designed to support the complex needs of breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment, even though they frequently endure severe physical and emotional burdens. This gap is particularly important given the growing dependence on mobile health (mHealth) technologies, which have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review aims to identify mobile health applications for breast cancer published since 2020, and to analyze their core functionalities, target populations, and reported limitations. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we included primary studies describing real-world use beyond prototype or pilot phases. Five unique apps were identified, most offering lifestyle coaching, symptom tracking, or psycho-oncological support. This review serves as an initial step toward understanding the current digital landscape, with the goal of informing the development of a new application grounded in real patient needs and designed through participatory methodologies.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Dascalu S, Raiu CV, Olteanu E, et al (2025)

The deadly triple M (mistrust, misinformation, and missed opportunities): understanding Romania's COVID-19 vaccination campaign and its lasting impact on public health.

Frontiers in public health, 13:1631799.

Romania's COVID-19 vaccination campaign presents a compelling case study on the intersection of public health policy, societal dynamics, and political influences in pandemic response. Despite an initially promising rollout, Romania ultimately achieved one of the lowest vaccination rates in the European Union, with severe consequences during the subsequent pandemic waves. This review examines the key factors contributing to the campaign's shortcomings, including pre-existing vaccine hesitancy, widespread misinformation, inadequate governmental communication strategies, and the politicisation of public health efforts. We explore the deep-seated mistrust in governmental institutions, exacerbated by restrictive measures implemented without adequate public engagement, as well as the influential role of religious communities and the rise of populist political forces that actively opposed vaccination efforts. Additionally, we discuss the impact of media sensationalism, conspiracy theories, and the failure to regulate anti-vaccine rhetoric within the medical profession. While logistical and infrastructural challenges were largely addressed, the inability to effectively engage key societal stakeholders led to lagging of vaccine uptake. The consequences of this failure extended beyond COVID-19, contributing to a severe measles outbreak in 2023, which underscored the long-term deleterious effects of vaccine hesitancy. Drawing from Romania's experience, we highlight critical lessons for future public health campaigns, emphasising the need for trust-building initiatives, targeted misinformation countermeasures, stronger community engagement, and enhanced collaboration with religious and cultural institutions. By addressing these challenges, countries worldwide can strengthen their public health frameworks and improve the resilience of their immunisation programmes in the face of future crises.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Chen Z, Wan C, Chen B, et al (2025)

Immunogenicity and safety of the booster COVID-19 vaccine among people with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Frontiers in immunology, 16:1668576.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and COVID-19 continue to pose significant global public health challenges. Although vaccination is essential for preventing COVID-19 in people with HIV (PWH), evidence on the immunogenicity and safety of booster doses remains limited. This systematic review aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 booster vaccination in PWH.

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included PWH who had received three or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

RESULTS: Across 54 included studies, 4,685 of 5,229 PWH achieved seroconversion following a third or subsequent COVID-19 vaccine dose-an improvement over rates observed after the primary vaccine series. In 23 studies comparing 2,284 PWH with 1,813 healthy controls (HC), no significant differences in seroconversion rates were found (p ≥ 0.05). Among PWH, 22 studies reported significantly higher seroconversion rates in individuals with CD4[+] T cell counts >200 cells/mm³ compared to those with counts <200 cells/mm³. Booster vaccination enhanced CD4[+] T cell responses to levels comparable to HC, although CD8[+] T cell responses remained markedly lower. Five studies reported adverse events following booster doses, none of which were classified as serious.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 booster vaccination is effective in enhancing immune protection and reducing severe disease in PWH. Optimal vaccine dosing is especially important in individuals with low CD4[+] T cell counts. Tailoring booster strategies may improve seroconversion and overall immune response in this population.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024605151.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Jiang Q, Jiang M, Lv Y, et al (2025)

Disulfiram as an anti-inflammatory agent: mechanisms, nano-delivery strategies, and applications in non-oncologic diseases.

RSC advances, 15(43):36344-36364.

Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved drug for alcoholism, has recently emerged as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. It achieves this by targeting gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis, a key driver of inflammatory responses. This review explores the multifaceted anti-inflammatory mechanisms of DSF, including its inhibition of GSDMD pore formation, modulation of the STING pathway, suppression of RIPK1-dependent necroptosis, and disruption of FROUNT-mediated macrophage migration. Despite its promising in vitro efficacy, DSF's clinical application is hindered by its poor solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid metabolism. To overcome these limitations, advanced nano-delivery carriers-such as lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric carriers, metal-organic frameworks, and peptide conjugates-have been developed to enhance targeted delivery, prolong circulation, and reduce off-target effects. These innovations hold significant promise for the treatment of diverse inflammatory diseases, including respiratory disorders (e.g., COVID-19 and acute lung injury), autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus and graft-versus-host disease), and metabolic ailments (e.g., hepatitis and colitis). While challenges remain in clinical translation, integrating DSF with nanotechnology offers a transformative approach to harnessing its anti-inflammatory properties. This review highlights current advancements, unresolved questions, and future directions for optimizing DSF-based therapies in inflammation management.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Bhardwaj P, Joshi NK, Bhati Y, et al (2025)

Effectiveness of pressure swing adsorption oxygen plants: A scoping review in Indian context.

Journal of family medicine and primary care, 14(8):3179-3185.

CONTEXT: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a gas separation technique that separates some gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure based on the species' molecular characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for medical oxygen was critical due to the overwhelming surge in respiratory-related cases. The establishment of PSA plants across the country was a strategic move to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of oxygen to healthcare facilities.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to systematically collect and assess evidence regarding the effectiveness of PSA.

DESIGN: A scoping review was carried out using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist.

STUDY SELECTION: Studies, reports, review articles, and gray literature that addressed the economic viability, ease of operation, overall feasibility, and reliability of PSA plants in the Indian context were particularly considered for inclusion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This review aims to assess the effectiveness of PSA technology, focusing on its cost efficiency, user-friendliness, overall feasibility, and reliability. The goal is to offer a clear understanding of the practical implications and outcomes related to the adoption of PSA plants in the Indian context.

RESULTS: Sixty-four relevant records were reviewed and analyzed. After considering all the eligibility criteria 33 records were included. The scoping review revealed the different characteristics of PSA plant. A total of six studies from the reviewed literature collectively state that this advancement marks a significant progress toward establishing a dependable and renewable supply of medical-grade oxygen, eliminating the dependency on external sources, and thereby enhancing hospital security.

CONCLUSION: This review showed that properly maintained, and operated, PSA oxygen plants can be highly effective in providing a reliable source of medical-grade oxygen, especially in higher level of health facility where patient load is more.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Odoom A, Obeng EM, CKO Dzuvor (2025)

Multivalent decoy receptor therapeutics to combat viral pandemics and evolution.

Trends in pharmacological sciences, 46(10):935-939.

Viruses are likely to cause future pandemics due to their inherent ability to evolve and spread rapidly, with limited treatment options. Engineered multivalent decoy receptors (EMDRs) offer a broad-spectrum alternative treatment option. We propose and evaluate EMDRs and their delivery methods to guide future efforts toward pandemic preparedness.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Marchetta M, Golino M, Markley JD, et al (2025)

Rare but Severe Cardiovascular Complications of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: A Call for Awareness.

Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 86(4):317-320 pii:00005344-990000000-00475.

The extensive use of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines has played a crucial role in controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, underscoring the remarkable advantages and efficacy of novel vaccine technologies. However, rare but life-threatening cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and thrombosis have emerged, predominantly affecting young males after their second vaccine dose. These adverse events highlight the importance of continued pharmacovigilance and transparent communication about potential risks. Because the global epidemiologic context has shifted, now characterized by widespread natural, vaccine-induced, or hybrid immunity, it is important to re-evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of repeated vaccine administration in low-risk individuals. Data regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines complications are still largely based on the early phases of the pandemic (2020-2021), when population-level immunity was minimal and severe coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes more frequent. Today, such comparisons may no longer be appropriate. Updated real-world evidence is needed to better inform decision making and ensure that public health strategies remain aligned with the contemporary risk landscape.

RevDate: 2025-10-03
CmpDate: 2025-10-03

Kapur R, Okumura K, Ohira S, et al (2025)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Heart Transplant Recipients and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies: Experience, Lessons Learnt, and Future Challenges.

Cardiology in review, 33(6):522-530.

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), including heart transplant (HT) recipients, infected with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at higher risk of hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, or death when compared with general population. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have reduced COVID-19-related mortality rates from ~30% in the early pandemic to <3% in 2022 among HT recipients. We performed a retrospective chart review including adult HT recipients at Westchester Medical Center from January 1, 2020 to December 10, 2022, who received anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and those who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab for preexposure prophylaxis. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature involving SOTRs who received mAbs for COVID-19 was conducted. In this largest single-center study in this population, 42 adult HT recipients received casirivimab/imdevimab (36%), sotrovimab (31%), or bebtelovimab (29%) for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Among these recipients, no infusion-associated adverse effects, progression of disease, COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, or death were noted. Preexposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab was given to 63 HT recipients in a dedicated infusion center (40%), inpatient setting (33%), or at time of annual heart biopsy (27%). No immediate adverse events were noted. There were 11 breakthrough infections, all mild. Overall, the data suggests that HT recipients receiving mAbs have reduced rates of hospitalization, need for intensive care unit care, or death. Use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs in SOTRs is resource intensive and requires a programmatic team approach for optimal administration and to minimize any risk of disparities in their use.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Katzmarzyk D, Holle D, M Roes (2025)

Implementing PTSD interventions for hospital nurses and physicians during COVID-19: A scoping review.

Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique, 83(1):235.

BACKGROUND: Nurses and physicians in hospitals are particularly affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as shown in the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To handle the urgent and high demand for psychological support, PTSD-related interventions had to be applied rapidly. Thus, interventions that were already evidence-based were adapted to pandemic conditions, or new interventions were developed. To implement these interventions sustainably, and be prepared for future disease outbreaks, we need to identify which strategies are necessary for the successful implementation. From this perspective, four years after the COVID-19 outbreak, we address the following: What are the [1] interventions that address symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in hospital-based nurses and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic? What are the [2] implementation strategies for the identified interventions?

METHODS: We used a scoping review approach and conducted a literature search from February to April 2023 in PubMed, PsychINFO and CINHAL. Primary studies (protocols) and concept papers focused on PTSD-related interventions for nurses and physicians and their implementation in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and published between 2020 and 2023 were included. Data extraction and analysis were performed in MaxQDA using deductive content analysis based on the (a) template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) and the (b) Expert recommendations for implementing change (ERIC) framework.

RESULTS: A total of 16 interventions were adapted or developed world wide during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2023. Evidence of effectiveness exist in only six of the 16 interventions. Most of them were designed using digital approaches and were primarly delivered through iterative implementation cycles, whereas the implementation of face-to-face interventions focused on interactions with various stakeholders.

CONCLUSION: Our findings can be used to support the implementation of PTSD-related interventions for nurses and physicians in hospitals under pandemic conditions. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions and identifying strategies for a beneficial and sustainable implementation.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Sänger N, Elling JM, Hetzel C, et al (2025)

Return to work for people with chronic health conditions after medical or vocational rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

BMC public health, 25(1):3292.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Chilton CH, Viprey V, Normington C, et al (2025)

Clostridioides difficile pathogenesis and control.

Nature reviews. Microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) continues to be a notable burden worldwide, both in terms of patient mortality and morbidity, and the economic costs associated with treatment, diagnosis and management. The epidemiology of C. difficile has changed markedly over the decades, with high CDI rates driven by clinical pressures exacerbated by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic, antibiotic resistance and selective pressures caused by antimicrobial use. C. difficile is challenging to diagnose and treat as it forms spores and can persist asymptomatically within the gut. Some strains express multiple virulence factors, including adhesins and toxins. The gut microbiota is crucially important in CDI, as a healthy microbiota is resistant to colonization with C. difficile. Dysbiosis, often caused by antimicrobial exposure, enables C. difficile spores to germinate and produce toxin, causing symptoms that can range from mild diarrhoea to fulminant colitis and death. This Review describes changes in epidemiology and effects on diagnosis, discusses recent breakthroughs in the understanding of pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance and explores the role of microbiota dysbiosis in CDI and novel microbiota therapies in CDI treatment.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Thomas D, Yang PC, Wu JC, et al (2025)

Decoding long COVID-associated cardiovascular dysfunction: Mechanisms, models, and new approach methodologies.

Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology pii:S0022-2828(25)00178-6 [Epub ahead of print].

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection extends well beyond the acute phase, with long-term sequelae affecting multiple organ systems, most notably, the cardiovascular system. Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, and palpitations, which can last for months or even years after initial recovery. Increasing evidence implicates immune dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, persistent viral antigens, and coagulopathy as central drivers of cardiovascular complications. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that direct viral infection of cardiac and vascular cells, along with autoantibody formation and cytokine-mediated injury, contribute to myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and arrhythmias. Sex-based immunological differences and underlying comorbidities further influence individual susceptibility and disease trajectory. Large-scale epidemiological studies have confirmed significantly increased risks of pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, dysrhythmias, and heart failure among COVID-19 survivors. In parallel, the emergence of advanced preclinical platforms, including patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based cardiac organoids, engineered heart tissues, and organ-on-a-chip systems has enabled mechanistic dissection of Long COVID pathophysiology. These human-relevant models, when integrated with clinical datasets and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics, offer powerful tools for biomarker discovery, risk stratification, and precision therapeutic development. This review synthesizes the current understanding of cardiovascular involvement in Long COVID, highlights key mechanistic insights from both clinical and preclinical studies, and outlines future directions for diagnostic and therapeutic innovation.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Beran RK, Vijjapurapu A, Nair V, et al (2025)

Host-targeted antivirals as broad-spectrum inhibitors of respiratory viruses.

Current opinion in virology, 73:101492 pii:S1879-6257(25)00042-2 [Epub ahead of print].

Respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, are among the leading causes of acute respiratory infections worldwide. Strategies for antiviral drug development include direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which inhibit viral proteins, or host-targeting antivirals (HTAs), which target host factors required for the viral life cycle. DAAs are often virus-specific, leaving gaps for emerging viruses such as novel coronaviruses and influenza viruses, or less common respiratory viruses such as human metapneumovirus. Moreover, DAAs are prone to viral resistance due to the low fidelity of viral polymerases, whereas HTAs act on conserved host proteins that are less susceptible to viral escape due to greater genetic stability. A variety of HTAs are currently being investigated that target viral entry, replication, assembly, or egress. The key challenges for the development of effective broad-spectrum HTAs are related to safety and translation of in vitro potency to in vivo efficacy. This review examines host factors crucial for respiratory virus lifecycles - including sialic acid receptors, lipids, phosphoinositide kinases, mitogen-activated protein kinases, cellular helicases, and nucleotide biosynthesis pathways - and the small-molecule inhibitors and biologics that are being explored to target them.

RevDate: 2025-10-02

Muñoz J, Ruíz-Cacho R, Fernández-Araujo NJ, et al (2025)

Systematic review and meta-analysis of artificial intelligence models for diagnosing and subphenotyping ARDS in adults.

Heart & lung : the journal of critical care, 75:144-163 pii:S0147-9563(25)00206-7 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool to improve the diagnosis and characterization of ARDS, including the identification of subphenotypes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and methodological quality of AI models for identifying ARDS and its subphenotypes in adults.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 63 studies (n = 135,762) published between 2013 and 2024 in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Extracted outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, AUROC, and validation methods. Risk of bias was assessed with PROBAST, and AI-specific metrics (overfitting, generalization, interpretability, discrimination, calibration) were reported.

RESULTS: Pooled sensitivity was 0.89 (95 % CI 0.84-0.93), specificity 0.88 (95 % CI 0.83-0.92), and AUROC 0.90 (95 % CI 0.86-0.94), with high heterogeneity (I² > 85 %). Twenty-two studies (31 %) were rated high quality, with sensitivity 0.86 (95 % CI 0.82-0.89) and specificity 0.82 (95 % CI 0.78-0.85). Deep learning models (n = 14) achieved sensitivity 0.91, while machine learning models (n = 19) showed 0.87. Imaging-based models (n = 15) outperformed non-imaging approaches. COVID-19 studies (n = 9) reported sensitivity 0.90 with comparable AUROC and specificity. Only seven studies (18 %) investigated subphenotyping, identifying hyperinflammatory and hypoinflammatory profiles with potential therapeutic relevance. Calibration reporting was missing in 47 % and external validation in most (29/63).

CONCLUSION: AI models for ARDS demonstrate promising diagnostic accuracy but are limited by poor calibration and scarce external validation. Subphenotyping remains exploratory but suggests opportunities for real-time patient stratification. Prospective validation and standardized reporting are essential for clinical adoption.

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ESP Origins

In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

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In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

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Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

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In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

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Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.

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When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.

ESP Help

Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.

ESP Plans

With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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With the world now in the middle of a new and rapidly spreading pandemic, now is the time to read this book, originally published in 2012, that describes animal infections and the next human pandemic (that's actually the book's subtitle). You would be hard pressed to find a more relevant explanation of how this got started and why there will be more after this one. R. Robbins

Electronic Scholarly Publishing
961 Red Tail Lane
Bellingham, WA 98226

E-mail: RJR8222 @ gmail.com

Papers in Classical Genetics

The ESP began as an effort to share a handful of key papers from the early days of classical genetics. Now the collection has grown to include hundreds of papers, in full-text format.

Digital Books

Along with papers on classical genetics, ESP offers a collection of full-text digital books, including many works by Darwin and even a collection of poetry — Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg.

Timelines

ESP now offers a large collection of user-selected side-by-side timelines (e.g., all science vs. all other categories, or arts and culture vs. world history), designed to provide a comparative context for appreciating world events.

Biographies

Biographical information about many key scientists (e.g., Walter Sutton).

Selected Bibliographies

Bibliographies on several topics of potential interest to the ESP community are automatically maintained and generated on the ESP site.

ESP Picks from Around the Web (updated 28 JUL 2024 )