@article {pmid41702131,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Z and Ren, B and Rawaf, S and Tabche, C},
title = {Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening in Europe: A systematic review of disruptions, barriers, and policy responses.},
journal = {Cancer treatment and research communications},
volume = {47},
number = {},
pages = {101115},
doi = {10.1016/j.ctarc.2026.101115},
pmid = {41702131},
issn = {2468-2942},
mesh = {Humans ; Europe/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data/methods ; *Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Health Policy ; Pandemics ; Mass Screening ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cancer screening is a cornerstone of cancer control, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to preventive healthcare worldwide. In Europe, national screening programmes were severely affected, with consequences extending beyond screening to diagnosis, treatment, and equity. While several country-specific studies exist, cross-regional syntheses remain scarce. Understanding the scale, determinants, and outcomes of these disruptions is crucial to building resilient, equiTable screening systems.

AIM/OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesises evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening across Europe, examining differences by cancer type, screening modality, and national context. It also explores downstream effects, barriers, enablers, and policy responses to guide future preparedness.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases and grey literature sources were searched for studies published between December 2019 and January 2025. Eligible studies included quantitative and qualitative analyses of screening activity during the pandemic. Data were extracted on study characteristics, outcomes, and contextual factors. Given the heterogeneity of measures, findings were summarised using descriptive statistics and thematic synthesis.

RESULT: Forty-five studies from 18 European countries revealed a 30-60 % reduction in screening participation at peak disruption, varying by cancer type and country. Consequences included delayed diagnoses, stage migration, increased projected mortality, and widening inequalities. Major barriers included service suspension, staff redeployment, and fear of infection. Enablers comprised adaptive communication, safety protocols, and digital innovations.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 caused substantial and uneven disruption to European cancer screening. Protecting continuity, institutionalising innovations, and addressing inequities are critical to enhancing resilience for future health crises.},
}

Humans
Europe/epidemiology
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data/methods
*Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Health Policy
Pandemics
Mass Screening

@article {pmid41702338,
year = {2026},
author = {Hazenberg, P and Duncan, CJ},
title = {Human genetics of susceptibility to live-attenuated viral vaccines.},
journal = {Current opinion in virology},
volume = {75},
number = {},
pages = {101512},
doi = {10.1016/j.coviro.2026.101512},
pmid = {41702338},
issn = {1879-6265},
mesh = {Humans ; *Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; *Viral Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; *Virus Diseases/prevention & control/immunology/genetics/virology ; Vaccination ; Human Genetics ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Alongside the development of antibiotics, vaccination is the medical innovation with arguably the greatest impact on human health. Testament to its success is the eradication of infectious diseases, such as smallpox, that devastated human populations for almost 4000 years. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAV), which retain the capacity for infection and replication, were the first to be developed and remain highly efficacious, underpinning successful human vaccination campaigns (e.g. polio virus, measles virus, yellow fever virus). The cost of this success is the capacity of LAVs to cause disease in a small proportion of recipients, typically owing to overt or previously unappreciated immunodeficiency. From the careful investigation of such rare events, major clinical and scientific lessons about human antiviral immunity have been drawn. Here, we review features of pathogenic LAV dissemination, which continue to inform our understanding of critical steps in the immune control of LAVs. We discuss recent data on specific variants identified in geographically isolated populations and reflect on more common phenocopies of these monogenic defects, with potential implications for vaccine practice and policy. Collectively, these insights may inform approaches to the growing population of individuals rendered more vulnerable to LAVs by aging, multimorbidity or medical intervention. They also serve to highlight the clinical need for therapeutic strategies to combat pathogenic LAV dissemination.},
}

Humans
*Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects
*Viral Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects
*Genetic Predisposition to Disease
*Virus Diseases/prevention & control/immunology/genetics/virology
Vaccination
Human Genetics
Animals

@article {pmid41702637,
year = {2026},
author = {Torres Munguía, JA and Martínez-Zarzoso, I},
title = {Global trends of pandemic-prone and epidemic-prone disease outbreaks in 2024.},
journal = {BMJ global health},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41702637},
issn = {2059-7908},
mesh = {Humans ; *Global Health/statistics & numerical data ; *Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Pandemics/statistics & numerical data ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {During 2024, the number of pandemic-prone and epidemic-prone disease outbreaks worldwide was estimated at 301. The data highlight a shift in disease outbreak patterns, with a decline in the number of countries reporting public health events of concern linked to COVID-19 and a rise in those reporting outbreaks of viral diseases transmitted by vectors.About 90% of the outbreaks in 2024 were associated with COVID-19, dengue, yellow fever, Oropouche virus disease and influenza (linked to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus). Although disease outbreaks can affect any country anywhere, they tend to disproportionately occur in countries facing many other socio-economic development, climatic and humanitarian challenges. In this regard, sub-Saharan Africa and the subregion of Latin America and the Caribbean-home to just 23.3% of the world's population-reported the highest number of disease outbreaks in 2024 with about 57% of the total. Particularly, the sub-Saharan Africa region has been the site of nearly 32% of recorded outbreaks since 1996. Future research should include efforts to improve the quality and availability of disease outbreaks data-particularly in the most exposed or vulnerable regions-and to promote the scientific use of such information for foresight purposes and for forecasting future health events of concern to support anticipatory action.},
}

Humans
*Global Health/statistics & numerical data
*Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Pandemics/statistics & numerical data
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41703981,
year = {2026},
author = {Tuschick, E and Smith, J and Harrison, B and Youngman, M and Giles, EL},
title = {Food Insecurity in Families With Children or Young People With Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.},
journal = {Nutrition bulletin},
volume = {51},
number = {2},
pages = {185-199},
doi = {10.1111/nbu.70047},
pmid = {41703981},
issn = {1467-3010},
abstract = {Food insecurity is frequently reported among families of children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), yet there is limited evidence synthesising its prevalence and impact. This systematic review aimed to examine and meta-analyse the existing literature on food insecurity in families of children and young people with ASC. A comprehensive search across nine databases identified 39 papers, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were included if they involved autistic children or young people under the age of 25 (and/or their family members) and focused on food insecurity. Eligible studies were critically appraised, and data were synthesised using both narrative and meta-analytic approaches. Meta-analyses of nine studies estimated a pooled prevalence of food insecurity at 29% (SE: 5%; 95% CI: 17%-40%; z = 5.35, p < 0.001), which increased to 31% following adjustment for publication bias. The review also found that food insecurity worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to increased caregiver stress and disruptions in eating behaviours. This review demonstrates the high prevalence of food insecurity among families of children with ASC and the complex interplay of social, economic and behavioural challenges they face. Addressing food insecurity in autistic households requires policy responses that extend beyond financial aid to consider the sensory, behavioural and nutritional needs specific to ASC. Future research should adopt standardised measures and prioritise the development and evaluation of inclusive, tailored food support systems that reflect the lived experiences of neurodiverse families.},
}

@article {pmid41705169,
year = {2025},
author = {Dost, G},
title = {Belongingness and loneliness in higher education: a meta-analysis of pre- and post-pandemic trends.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1625957},
pmid = {41705169},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: This meta-analysis seeks to explore how the complex relationship between loneliness and belongingness in higher education students can be explained by a set of pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic dynamics.

METHODS: A meta-analysis including 56 studies and involving a total of 30,062 participants was conducted, and the review explores direct relations and moderation through age, education, and country.

RESULTS: Results indicate a moderate-to-strong negative relationship between loneliness and belongingness (r = -0.48, 95% CI [-0.529, -0.422]), such that a consistent association was found across situations such that increases in one's level of loneliness is associated with decreases in one's level of belongingness. Nevertheless, there was no small-degree of inter-study heterogeneity (Q = 1058.86, p < 0.0001, I[2] = 94.33%), which is a potential reason for the differences in the study populations and methods, employing a random-effects model to account for these discrepancies. After further scrutiny of the results, location, and year of study, and country did not moderate the effect size, which in turn reflects the stability of the association across context and time. In the subgroup analysis the effect size of the relationship between the level of the Information Technology (IT) usage and the externalisation was lower in the time of the pandemic than in the time preceding the pandemic. The effect size of the pre-pandemic group is -0.515 (95% CI: -0.589 to -0.441, p < 0.001 < 0.001) and the effect size of pandemic group is slightly smaller with -0.427 (95% CI: -0.502 to -0.352, p < 0.001 < 0.001). This means that although the level of loneliness have normalised, there have been a subtonic influence on perceived belonging of the novelty stressor caused by breakdowns in social connection from pandemic-level influences. In addition, no significant publication bias was observed.

DISCUSSION: Overall, these findings confirm the strong negative association between loneliness and sense of belonging and emphasise the important role in providing community support for students, especially during social disruptions.},
}

@article {pmid41707545,
year = {2026},
author = {Goren, T and Vashdi, DR and Beeri, I},
title = {Political trust and health compliance during a health crisis: A systematic literature review from the COVID-19 pandemic.},
journal = {Social science & medicine (1982)},
volume = {395},
number = {},
pages = {119093},
doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119093},
pmid = {41707545},
issn = {1873-5347},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Trust/psychology ; *Politics ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {Political trust is considered crucial for enhancing civic compliance with government policies and instructions, particularly during a health crisis. However, evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic, a major global health crisis, suggest a more nuanced relationship. Aiming to explore and clarify the nature of and the conditions for the political trust and civic compliance relationship in the context of a health crisis in the general population, at the overall societal-level, this study systematically reviews relevant literature from the COVID-19 pandemic, across 62 countries. Our findings indicate that the positive relationship between political trust and compliance is not self-evident, as 42% of the reviewed studies (63 of 151) report non-significant, mixed or negative results. Moreover, conceptual and methodological features seem to affect the likelihood of this association, such as the object of trust and compliance behavior, the behavior's execution timeframe and its legal status, and the manner in which political trust and compliance are measured. Potential consequences are discussed.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Trust/psychology
*Politics
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41707618,
year = {2026},
author = {Xu, Q and Zhao, M and Wang, Q and He, Y and Ye, G and Yang, J and Huang, W and Ren, J},
title = {Chronic fatigue syndrome: From etiology and mechanism to diagnosis and treatment.},
journal = {Journal of psychiatric research},
volume = {196},
number = {},
pages = {171-184},
doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.02.026},
pmid = {41707618},
issn = {1879-1379},
mesh = {Humans ; *Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/diagnosis/therapy/etiology ; *COVID-19/complications ; },
abstract = {Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a long-lasting neurological disease. The cause of ME remains uncertain, characterized by unrelenting or recurring fatigue not alleviated by rest. In recent times, CFS incidence has been on the rise annually, showing a tendency towards younger sufferers. Especially post-COVID-19, its prevalence has surged, posing a significant threat to 21st-century health. CFS symptoms are intricate and diverse. Patients typically endure extreme fatigue lasting over six months, accompanied by physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms like sore throat, muscle/joint pain, anxiety, and distress. These severely disrupt daily life and work, heightening illness risks and financial strain. With the unknown etiology, current treatments have limited success and may induce psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. This paper delivers an extensive and thorough overview of the latest developments in the studies concerning the pathogenesis, diagnostic standards, and therapeutic approaches for chronic fatigue syndrome. Integrating and assessing the existing knowledge body related to this field systematically, we aim to facilitate continuous research and gain a deeper understanding of this complex medical problem whose mechanism remains largely unknown. Moreover, valuable insights and practical recommendations for future related treatments and research are also provided.},
}

Humans
*Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/diagnosis/therapy/etiology
*COVID-19/complications

@article {pmid41708119,
year = {2026},
author = {Radtke, T and Pham-Ngoc, H and Hua-Huy, T and Hsia, CCW and Dressel, H and Dinh-Xuan, AT},
title = {Pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide in disease: a scoping review.},
journal = {European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society},
volume = {35},
number = {179},
pages = {},
pmid = {41708119},
issn = {1600-0617},
mesh = {Humans ; *Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity ; *Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; *Lung/physiopathology/metabolism ; *COVID-19/physiopathology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to map the available studies on single-breath pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (D LNO) in various clinical diseases and identify gaps for future research.

METHODS: We followed the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library to identify studies on D LNO from 1983 to 2025. Two reviewers screened abstracts using Rayyan software and extracted data using standardised templates implemented into REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture).

RESULTS: We identified 1638 studies, of which 69 met the eligibility criteria. These studies represented respiratory (n=22), immunological/genetic/systemic (n=14), post-COVID-19 sequelae (n=13), cardiovascular (n=9), metabolic/endocrine/renal (n=6), environmental-related (n=3) and other (n=2) conditions. There was substantial heterogeneity in disease categories, sample sizes and reporting methods. Nearly half of the studies (49.3%) used convenience sampling, where participant selection processes are often poorly described; 62.3% included <50 participants. Only 18.8% reported a sample size calculation, and 10.1% registered or published a study protocol. Disparate findings within disease categories were often difficult to interpret; and small sample sizes limited generalisability. In some specific conditions, D LNO showed sensitivity in detecting interstitial and fibrotic changes compared to conventional single-breath pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (D LCO) while simultaneous D LNO-D LCO measurements permitted the detection of pulmonary vascular-haematological perturbations.

CONCLUSION: Single-breath D LNO-D LCO may provide additional pathophysiological insight by assessing the relative contributions from membrane and blood resistance of diffusion. Larger studies are required to clarify its interpretation across disease states.},
}

Humans
*Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity
*Nitric Oxide/metabolism
*Lung/physiopathology/metabolism
*COVID-19/physiopathology
Predictive Value of Tests

@article {pmid41709444,
year = {2026},
author = {Park, JJ and Na, SH and Park, H and Lee, J and Seo, Y},
title = {Layout Types and Efficiency Improvement Strategies for Open Points of Dispensing in Vaccine and Antibiotic Distribution: A Scoping Review.},
journal = {Prehospital and disaster medicine},
volume = {41},
number = {1},
pages = {e1},
doi = {10.1017/S1049023X26108838},
pmid = {41709444},
issn = {1945-1938},
mesh = {Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/supply & distribution ; *Vaccines/supply & distribution ; COVID-19/prevention & control ; *Efficiency, Organizational ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Regarding pandemics or bioterrorism incidents, prompt and secure distribution of vaccines and prophylactic antibiotics is crucial. Open Points of Dispensing (PODs) are established to serve the public, and their effectiveness depends on the internal spatial layout and operational workflow design. However, studies on systematic classifications of open POD configurations and comprehensive syntheses of strategies for enhancing operational efficiency are lacking.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to classify open POD layout types used for vaccine and antibiotic distribution and to consolidate strategies that improve efficiency across various workflow stations.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, spanning from January 2001 through July 2025. The search strategy involved incorporating keyword combinations related to "points of dispensing," "mass vaccination," "mass prophylaxis," and specific pathogens such as anthrax, influenza, and COVID-19. Extracted data included the POD layout typologies, process designs, and efficiency metrics. The findings were synthesized using a narrative approach.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Vaccine PODs were classified into four primary layouts, namely station-based sequential-flow, cell-based, fixed-seat service, and pop-up PODs. Antibiotic PODs were categorized into two types, namely sequential processing and selective-expedited processing. Each layout exhibited unique operational characteristics, including sequential versus integrated clinical stations (for vaccine PODs) and standard versus expedited dispensing lines (for antibiotic PODs). Efficiency enhancement strategies across workflow stations included task integration, use of digital tools, simplification of documentation, optimization of medication preparation, and staffing adjustments guided by simulation modeling.

CONCLUSION: This review provides a systematic classification of open POD layouts and summarizes the strategies for improving efficiency across workflow stations. The derived insights offer practical guidance for planning and operating PODs in future public health emergency responses.},
}

Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/supply & distribution
*Vaccines/supply & distribution
COVID-19/prevention & control
*Efficiency, Organizational
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41709949,
year = {2026},
author = {Vatankhah, H and Vatanparast, M and Royani, Z and Mansouri, G},
title = {Lessons from a Low-Resource Country: A Narrative Review of Virtual Learning Adoption and Challenges in Medical Education in Iran During COVID-19.},
journal = {Advances in medical education and practice},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {561822},
pmid = {41709949},
issn = {1179-7258},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the education system. Education shifted to virtual methods, while there was not enough time to plan and choose a proper educational platform. In this study, we present an up-to-date review of the most commonly used virtual education platforms in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: This narrative review systematically searched Persian and English articles (2020-2024) in Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, SID, CIVILICA, and PubMed using keywords: "COVID-19", "virtual learning", "online learning", "distance learning", "post-COVID infection", "real and virtual simulation", and "educational platforms".

RESULTS: Virtual classes have become increasingly popular during the pandemic. Adobe Connect, Sky Room, Skype, Big Blue Button, Google Meet, Gharar, Zoom, and Navaid System were the most commonly used platforms during the COVID pandemic in Iran. The most frequently utilized systems included Shad (predominant in general education and training) and Navid (leading in medical sciences). Shad had excelled in scalability and institutional integration but faced connectivity issues in rural areas. Despite its technical strengths, Navid was criticized because of insufficient interactivity and misalignment with learner needs in medical English.

DISCUSSION: During COVID-19, online medical education in Iran relied mainly on domestic platforms, which have some limitations. To ensure future equity and competency, a shift toward hybrid models incorporating offline-capable Learning Management Systems (LMS), simulation, and digital literacy training is essential.},
}

@article {pmid41710161,
year = {2026},
author = {Andreadis, I and Vasilopoulou, S},
title = {The populism-euroscepticism nexus in a contested Europe: The EUPopLink COST Action.},
journal = {Open research Europe},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {27},
pmid = {41710161},
issn = {2732-5121},
abstract = {The EUPopLink COST Action (CA23102) addresses the complex and changing relationship between populism and Euroscepticism in contemporary Europe. While often viewed as "two sides of the same coin," the nexus between these two phenomena is contingent and strategic rather than deterministic. Not all populists are Eurosceptic, and Euroscepticism is not always populist in nature. This publication synthesizes current scholarly debates, highlighting how the European Union (EU) is frequently framed as the populist "other", i.e., a remote, technocratic elite standing in opposition to the "pure people". The nature of this opposition varies significantly across the ideological spectrum, e.g. right-wing populism targets the EU primarily through a "traditionalist-authoritarian-nationalist" (TAN) lens, viewing it as a threat to national sovereignty and cultural identity, while left-wing populism critiques the EU based on socio-economic cleavages, challenging neoliberal governance and austerity while often advocating for a more democratic "Social Europe". The analysis further explores how the polycrisis era-marked by financial instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflict-has led to a sophisticated two-level strategy among populist actors. This involves increased institutional pragmatism coupled with radicalized, opportunistic communication, particularly on social media. Finally, the publication outlines the EUPopLink mandate, which seeks to standardize conceptual frameworks and generate an unprecedented body of comparative data through forthcoming country reports. By linking the supply and demand sides of electoral competition, the project aims to provide policymakers and scholars with the tools necessary to mitigate the negative consequences of these disruptive political forces.},
}

@article {pmid41710305,
year = {2026},
author = {Paterson, A and Spies, R and Zauchenberger, CZ and Cheyne, A and Olliaro, PL and Rojek, A},
title = {Effectiveness of stigma reduction interventions and outbreak response adaptations in infectious disease outbreaks: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1755092},
pmid = {41710305},
issn = {2296-2565},
mesh = {Humans ; *Social Stigma ; *Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control ; COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/psychology/epidemiology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/psychology/epidemiology ; *Communicable Diseases/psychology/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Stigma is a common and recurring feature of infectious disease outbreaks where it may have detrimental effects on individual wellbeing and undermine outbreak response. This systematic review explores stigma reduction interventions in infectious disease outbreaks.

METHODS: Eligible studies were searched for in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Global Health databases and through reference screening. Risk of bias was assessed using study design-specific tools and the results of included studies underwent narrative synthesis.

RESULTS: Eleven studies conducted across coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ebola disease, mpox, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and a hypothetical infectious-disease scenario, met the inclusion criteria. Five studies reported reductions in stigma, four reported mixed or null results, and two reported increases in stigma. The most promising strategies for outbreak-related stigma reduction were embedding anti-stigma messaging within health communication, providing psychosocial support, and fostering genuinely participatory community involvement.

DISCUSSION: Evidence on how to effectively reduce stigma during outbreaks remains limited. Strengthening the theoretical foundations, measurement tools, and evaluation designs of stigma-reduction interventions will be essential to inform evidence-based outbreak preparedness and response policies. This would help decision-makers ensure that risk communication, community engagement, and service delivery minimise stigma and improve uptake of testing, care, and preventive measures.},
}

Humans
*Social Stigma
*Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/psychology/epidemiology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/psychology/epidemiology
*Communicable Diseases/psychology/epidemiology

@article {pmid41710320,
year = {2026},
author = {Kerai, T and Woolhouse, M and Nyazema, NZ and Mutapi, F},
title = {A narrative review of heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and vaccine efficacy: strategizing pandemic preparedness in Africa.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1761547},
pmid = {41710320},
issn = {2296-2565},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control/immunology ; Africa/epidemiology ; *Vaccine Efficacy ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology ; *Pandemics/prevention & control ; Pandemic Preparedness ; },
abstract = {Disease epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic differed greatly across the globe. In contrast to early pandemic predictions, Africa recorded the fewest SARS-CoV-2 related hospitalizations and deaths. Hypotheses proposed to explain this paradox include underreporting, age demographics, climate, national mitigation strategies, lifestyle factors, pre-existing cross-reactive protection, and host genetic determinants. This traditional, narrative review evaluates these hypotheses investigated in the published literature, and highlights knowledge gaps which limit our understanding and obscure validation of potential explanations. It also discusses how responses to vaccines, the primary intervention sought to control infectious disease outbreaks, may vary both within the African population and across other continents. Potential explanations in the literature include pre-existing immunity, poor nutrition, immune modulating co-infections, comorbidities, microbiome composition, genetic polymorphisms, and demographic factors. Previous studies have shown that pre-existing (infection-derived) immunity or cross-reactive immune responses can augment vaccine-elicited positive responses and can protect against reinfection in a way similar to immunization. Conversely, there are also studies showing that prior immunity interferes with the efficacy of new vaccines through mechanisms like original antigenic sin and immune imprinting. Thus, there is need for more immunology studies to understand the relative contribution of pre-existing cross-reactive immune responses to the epidemiology of new pathogens. These studies are particularly essential to understand the differences between pandemic preparedness and population vulnerability, as well as to inform vaccine development and vaccine effectiveness monitoring studies. SARS-CoV-2 serves as an important case study to understand heterogeneity between and within populations in immune responses to both the pathogen and to vaccination. This understanding is crucial in informing vaccine research and development aimed at supporting the 100-day mission for when the next pandemic threat emerges.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control/immunology
Africa/epidemiology
*Vaccine Efficacy
SARS-CoV-2
*COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
*Pandemics/prevention & control
Pandemic Preparedness

@article {pmid41710557,
year = {2025},
author = {Muzard, C and Seguin, J and Bonnefoy, J and Salkini, N and Serra, V and Alhareth, K and Lemdani, K and Mignet, N},
title = {Pre-clinical evaluation of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles' potency and toxicity: current practices and future directions.},
journal = {In vitro models},
volume = {4},
number = {3-4},
pages = {177-194},
pmid = {41710557},
issn = {2731-3441},
abstract = {Over the last few years, the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines has resulted in the emergence of RNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with promising prospects for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the rapid development of vaccines with abbreviated non-clinical programs. However, there are currently no official guidelines defining the required standards for global marketing of mRNA based therapeutic products. Nevertheless, to guarantee a well-controlled product, it is essential to characterize both the drug substance and the final product in terms of their structure, composition, formulation, physico-chemical features, potency, and safety. This lack of guidance has resulted in a wide variety of heterogeneous in vitro tests being used to assess the potency and cytotoxicity of RNA-LNP. This review discusses the commonly used in vitro assays, primarily 2D monolayer assays, employed to evaluate the biological properties of RNA-LNP. We then explore novel alternative methods to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo results. We summarize (i) co-culture models, (ii) multilayer 3D assays and (iii) in vivo replacement models, exploring their potential applications in assessing the potency and safety of RNA-LNPs. Finally, we discuss the use of in silico and machine learning as models for optimizing and predicting the biological behavior of RNA-LNPs.},
}

@article {pmid41710600,
year = {2026},
author = {Almohammadi, AA},
title = {The role of vaccination and infection prevention in reducing perioperative complications: A public health-anesthesia nexus.},
journal = {Saudi journal of anaesthesia},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {166-173},
pmid = {41710600},
issn = {1658-354X},
abstract = {The intersection of vaccination strategies, infection prevention protocols, and perioperative care represents a critical nexus in modern anesthetic practice and public health. This comprehensive review examines the evolving role of immunization and infection control measures in reducing perioperative complications, with particular emphasis on the Saudi Arabian healthcare context. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccination timing in relation to elective surgery, while established infection prevention practices continue to form the cornerstone of safe perioperative care. In Saudi Arabia, national initiatives have demonstrated significant improvements in healthcare-associated infection rates, with central line-associated bloodstream infections decreasing from 2.5 per 1000 catheter-days in 2021 to 1.28 per 1000 catheter-days by 2024. The implementation of evidence-based vaccination protocols and comprehensive infection prevention strategies has shown measurable benefits in reducing surgical site infections, respiratory complications, and overall perioperative morbidity. Anesthesiologists play a pivotal role in this public health framework, serving as key stakeholders in perioperative optimization through vaccination status assessment, infection control adherence, and risk stratification. The Saudi healthcare system's commitment to infection prevention excellence, aligned with Vision 2030 objectives, provides a unique model for integrating public health principles into anesthetic practice. Current evidence supports the strategic timing of vaccinations relative to elective procedures, with recommendations for postponing elective surgery 3-7 days after inactivated vaccines and 14-21 days following live vaccines. This review synthesizes current evidence, identifies best practices, and proposes future directions for optimizing the vaccination-infection prevention-anesthesia nexus to improve patient outcomes and advance public health goals within the Saudi healthcare landscape.},
}

@article {pmid41710641,
year = {2026},
author = {Alabdulhadi, O and Almashari, Y and Alharbi, M},
title = {Virtual hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A scoping review.},
journal = {Saudi journal of anaesthesia},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {188-196},
pmid = {41710641},
issn = {1658-354X},
abstract = {Virtual health hospitals have been on the rise significantly since COVID-19 globally. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established several initiatives as part of Vision 2030, where Tele/Virtual Health is key part of this vision. The purpose of this review is to evaluate and establish the expected challenges and the potential value in virtual hospitals in Saudi Arabia. It also aims to identify and analyze gaps in existing knowledge to ideally aid the planning and commissioning of future research on this subject. Results of this review highlight several themes from the literature evolved as follow: 1) need for improvement in Saudi healthcare, 2) emergence of virtual healthcare due to COVID-19, 3) Virtual healthcare has many pros and cons to consider, and, 4) Virtual healthcare has many challenges.},
}

@article {pmid41710827,
year = {2026},
author = {Chapman, SR and Willner, L and Abouafech, A and Roberti, C and Willner, C},
title = {Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence in Detecting COVID-19 Pneumonia on Chest Imaging.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {e101775},
pmid = {41710827},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, accurate, and accessible diagnostic tools. Chest imaging modalities, including chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT), provided valuable diagnostic information and prompted the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to support image interpretation and improve workflow efficiency. This literature review synthesizes current evidence on the diagnostic performance, limitations, and clinical implications of AI models in COVID-19 pneumonia detection through CXR and CT evaluation. A PubMed search was conducted through October 2025 to identify studies evaluating AI systems for the detection of COVID-19 pneumonia using CXR and CT. Studies reporting diagnostic performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, or area under the curve (AUC), were included. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. CXR-based AI systems demonstrated sensitivities from 80% to 98% and specificities from 82% to 96%, often comparable to radiologist performance. CT-based AI models achieved accuracies between 90% and 96%. AI models demonstrated strong internal diagnostic performance on CXR and CT but showed reduced accuracy with external validation, underscoring limitations related to generalizability and retrospective study designs. AI models demonstrate promising diagnostic performance for detecting COVID-19 pneumonia on chest imaging and may enhance radiologist efficiency. However, challenges related to generalizability, model adaptability, and clinician trust remain. Future research should prioritize external validation and transparent reporting to ensure the safe and effective integration of AI into clinical practice.},
}

@article {pmid41710956,
year = {2026},
author = {Hatchett, R and MacLennan, CA},
title = {Lessons from COVID-19: the 100 Days Mission and antimicrobial resistance.},
journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences},
volume = {381},
number = {1944},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1098/rstb.2025.0008},
pmid = {41710956},
issn = {1471-2970},
support = {GAMRIF//UK Department of Health and Social Care/ ; GAMRIF//UKRI/MRC Wellcome/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology ; Pandemic Preparedness ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; *Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the capacity of the world to rapidly mobilize resources and political will when faced with an immediate, visible global threat. The accelerated development of effective vaccines inspired the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to promote the 100 Days Mission (100DM), an initiative to enable deployment of medical countermeasures within 100 days of identifying a pandemic threat. The success of the 100DM in uniting stakeholders highlights the power of framing challenges to inspire collective action. On the other hand, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has had insufficient visibility and urgency to galvanize similar levels of political action. Framing AMR in a way that highlights the urgency, aligns incentives and builds multisectoral coalitions can help overcome some of these barriers. Ultimately, pandemic preparedness and AMR are both collective action problems, requiring sustained political will and systemic change. The AMR community must build systems that are agile and resilient and, by creating a unifying vision for AMR analogous to the 100DM, may promote global commitment to combating this slow-moving but devastating health crisis. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Vaccines and antimicrobial resistance: from science to policy'.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology
Pandemic Preparedness
*SARS-CoV-2
*Drug Resistance, Microbial
Pandemics

@article {pmid41712028,
year = {2026},
author = {Chakraborty, C and Bhattacharya, M and Chatterjee, S and Lee, SS},
title = {Long COVID-associated neurological symptoms and brain fog: Understanding the mechanism of neuroinflammation, BBB disruption, diagnostics, and therapeutics.},
journal = {Molecular biology reports},
volume = {53},
number = {1},
pages = {401},
pmid = {41712028},
issn = {1573-4978},
mesh = {Humans ; *Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology/metabolism/virology ; *COVID-19/complications/diagnosis/therapy ; *Neuroinflammatory Diseases/diagnosis/therapy/virology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Animals ; Brain/pathology/virology ; *Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis/therapy/etiology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; },
abstract = {Long COVID affects at least 10% of those with severe disease, and many experience neurological symptoms and brain fog. More than 200 symptoms are reported, yet a detailed understanding remains limited. This article summarizes current knowledge of neurological symptoms, brain fog, molecular mechanisms, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, diagnostics, and available therapeutics. Our review highlights the lack of diagnostics and treatments for these patients. We catalog the ongoing clinical trials, identify the urgent need for further therapeutics, and stress that advances in understanding pathophysiology will drive new treatments. We urge prioritizing animal model studies and improving diagnostics to accelerate the discovery and delivery of effective treatments for long COVID neurological symptoms.},
}

Humans
*Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology/metabolism/virology
*COVID-19/complications/diagnosis/therapy
*Neuroinflammatory Diseases/diagnosis/therapy/virology
SARS-CoV-2
Animals
Brain/pathology/virology
*Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis/therapy/etiology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

@article {pmid41712936,
year = {2026},
author = {Jamieson, DJ and Munoz, FM and Rasmussen, SA},
title = {Maternal Immunization.},
journal = {Obstetrics and gynecology},
volume = {147},
number = {5},
pages = {661-678},
pmid = {41712936},
issn = {1873-233X},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; *Immunity, Maternally-Acquired ; *Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control ; *Immunization/methods ; *Vaccination/methods ; },
abstract = {Vaccines administered to women during pregnancy can provide protection against serious infectious diseases for the mother, the child, or both. Maternal immunization boosts the concentration of maternal antibodies that can be transferred across the placenta to directly protect children too young to be immunized. In addition, indirect protection through prevention of maternal infection and breast-milk antibodies can be achieved through maternal immunization. In general, inactivated vaccines are considered safe for pregnant women and fetuses, whereas live attenuated vaccines are avoided due to the theoretical potential risk of infection to the fetus. However, the potential risks of vaccines need to be weighed against the risk of the disease itself and the benefits of vaccination in terms of protection of the mother and child against infectious disease. Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap); influenza; coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines are routinely recommended for all pregnant women in the United States. Maternal immunization has the potential to improve the health of mothers and young children; therefore, other diseases of relevance during this period are now targets of active research and vaccine development, including group B streptococcus (GBS). Similarly, several vaccines can be administered during pregnancy in special circumstances when maternal health, travel, or other special situations arise. This article reviews the current recommendations for vaccination of women during pregnancy.},
}

Humans
Female
Pregnancy
*Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
*Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control
*Immunization/methods
*Vaccination/methods

@article {pmid41712960,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Xie, Y and Chen, X and Yang, J and Li, R and Gao, W and Yan, Z and Zhou, H and Ye, Z},
title = {Securing Federated Learning With Blockchain in the Medical Field: Systematic Literature Review.},
journal = {Journal of medical Internet research},
volume = {28},
number = {},
pages = {e79052},
pmid = {41712960},
issn = {1438-8871},
mesh = {*Federated Learning ; *Blockchain ; Humans ; Computer Security ; Information Dissemination ; Telemedicine ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The exponential growth of medical data and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated the development of data-driven health care. However, the secure and efficient sharing of sensitive medical data across institutions remains a major challenge due to privacy concerns, data silos, and regulatory restrictions. Traditional centralized systems are prone to data breaches and single points of failure, while existing privacy-preserving techniques face high computational and communication costs.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances in blockchain-based federated learning (BCFL) within the medical field. By exploring the synergistic integration of federated learning and blockchain, this review evaluates how BCFL enhances data security, supports privacy-preserving cross-institutional collaboration, and facilitates practical applications in health care, including medical data sharing, Internet of Medical Things, public health surveillance, and telemedicine.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review using databases such as PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Boolean logic and domain-specific keywords were used to retrieve studies from 2018 to 2025. After automated deduplication and multistage manual screening, over 100 high-quality papers were included. These works cover BCFL's theoretical foundations, system architectures, application domains, limitations, and future directions.

RESULTS: BCFL frameworks combine the decentralized trust and auditability of blockchain with the privacy-preserving collaborative learning capabilities of federated learning. This integration mitigates risks such as model tampering, data leakage, and a lack of incentives in federated systems. Applications span across cross-institutional medical data sharing, Internet of Medical Things, epidemic forecasting, and telemedicine. Architectures including fully coupled, flexibly coupled, and loosely coupled models offer varying trade-offs between efficiency, scalability, and security.

CONCLUSIONS: BCFL represents a transformative paradigm for secure, collaborative, and privacy-preserving medical AI. By combining decentralized trust, incentive-driven participation, and privacy-enhancing machine learning, BCFL paves the way for next-generation smart health care systems. Despite current technical and practical challenges, BCFL demonstrates strong potential to support precision medicine, global health data collaboration, and large-scale AI deployment in health care.},
}

*Federated Learning
*Blockchain
Humans
Computer Security
Information Dissemination
Telemedicine

@article {pmid41713622,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, X and Xu, Y and Jiang, Y and Huang, J and Li, X},
title = {From 2020 to 2025: Comprehensive review Decoding novel structural inhibitors for M[pro] of SARS-CoV-2.},
journal = {Biochemical pharmacology},
volume = {248},
number = {},
pages = {117791},
doi = {10.1016/j.bcp.2026.117791},
pmid = {41713622},
issn = {1873-2968},
mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/drug effects/enzymology ; *Antiviral Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Coronavirus 3C Proteases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism/chemistry ; *COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *Protease Inhibitors/pharmacology/chemistry ; COVID-19 ; Peptidomimetics/pharmacology/chemistry ; },
abstract = {While the immediate global threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has subsided, the virus remains a persistent cause of regional outbreaks and public health concerns. The main protease (M[pro]), essential for viral polyprotein processing and replication, remains one of the most validated and strategically important antiviral targets. In this comprehensive review, we critically evaluate the landscape of M[pro] inhibitor development from 2020 to 2025, encompassing four key categories: peptidomimetic inhibitors, non-peptide small molecules, natural product-derived compounds, and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). By integrating mechanistic insights with structural and technological advancements, this work highlights emerging opportunities for the rational design of next-generation M[pro]-targeted antivirals capable of addressing both current and future coronavirus threats.},
}

Humans
*SARS-CoV-2/drug effects/enzymology
*Antiviral Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
*Coronavirus 3C Proteases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism/chemistry
*COVID-19 Drug Treatment
*Protease Inhibitors/pharmacology/chemistry
COVID-19
Peptidomimetics/pharmacology/chemistry

@article {pmid41714597,
year = {2026},
author = {Kasai, M and Sakuma, H and Suzuki, M and Nishiyama, M and Kawata, N and Lin, JJ and Lin, KL and Han, V and Mohammad, SS and Dale, RC and Thomas, T and Muramatsu, K and Mitani, O and Kobayashi, Y and Ishida, K and Abe, Y and Kuki, I and Takanashi, JI},
title = {Life-Threatening SARS-CoV-2-Associated Encephalopathy and Multiorgan Failure in Children, Asia and Oceania, 2022-2024.},
journal = {Emerging infectious diseases},
volume = {32},
number = {2},
pages = {169-179},
pmid = {41714597},
issn = {1080-6059},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; *Multiple Organ Failure/virology/epidemiology/etiology/mortality ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; *Brain Diseases/virology/epidemiology ; Infant ; Brain Edema/virology/etiology ; Adolescent ; Pandemics ; Asia/epidemiology ; Japan/epidemiology ; Australia/epidemiology ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Taiwan/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 infections in children occasionally manifest with severe neurologic signs. We report a case series of life-threatening encephalopathy associated with SARS-CoV-2 in 25 children in Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan during February 2022-January 2024. All children had severe encephalopathy develop, characterized by rapidly progressive cerebral edema, conditions known as acute shock with encephalopathy and multiorgan failure or acute fulminant cerebral edema. Among the 25 patients, 22 (88%) eventually died; 11 (44%) children died within 24 hours of hospitalization. In addition, 18 (72%) had illness manifest with shock, and 14 (56%) had multiorgan failure develop within 6 hours of neurologic onset. Serum concentrations of cytokines/chemokines including interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly higher within 24 hours of onset than for controls. SARS-CoV-2-associated encephalopathy cases such as those described here represent an emerging neurologic crisis with high mortality rate resulting from rapidly progressive brain edema and multiorgan failure.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications/epidemiology
*Multiple Organ Failure/virology/epidemiology/etiology/mortality
SARS-CoV-2
Male
Female
Child
Child, Preschool
*Brain Diseases/virology/epidemiology
Infant
Brain Edema/virology/etiology
Adolescent
Pandemics
Asia/epidemiology
Japan/epidemiology
Australia/epidemiology
Singapore/epidemiology
Taiwan/epidemiology

@article {pmid41715908,
year = {2026},
author = {Qtait, M and Farajalla, F and Alqaissi, N and Jaradat, Y},
title = {Implementation and Impact of Tele-Intensive Care Unit (Tele-ICU) Models on Critical Care Outcomes: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Nursing in critical care},
volume = {31},
number = {2},
pages = {e70401},
doi = {10.1111/nicc.70401},
pmid = {41715908},
issn = {1478-5153},
mesh = {Humans ; *Telemedicine/organization & administration ; *Intensive Care Units/organization & administration ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Critical Care/organization & administration ; *Critical Care Outcomes ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Critical Care Nursing ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tele-Intensive Care Unit (Tele-ICU) models have expanded rapidly in response to global critical care workforce shortages, rising patient acuity and the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemporary evidence shows substantial variation in Tele-ICU configurations and outcomes, underscoring the need for an updated synthesis that evaluates clinical, staff-related and system-level effects across diverse settings.

AIM: To examine the implementation and impact of Tele-ICU models on critical care outcomes and to compare results across hub-and-spoke, hybrid, consultative and tele-recovery configurations.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA 2020 and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and October 2025. Owing to heterogeneity in Tele-ICU models, outcomes and effect measures, a narrative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies published between 2020 and 2025 were included, comprising quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods designs conducted across high-, middle- and low-resource healthcare settings. Overall, Tele-ICU implementation was associated with reductions in ICU and hospital mortality, improved adherence to evidence-based clinical protocols, enhanced interprofessional communication and reduced clinician documentation burden. Hub-and-spoke and hybrid Tele-ICU models demonstrated the most consistent clinical and workforce benefits, whereas consultative and low-cost models primarily improved access to specialist care in resource-limited contexts. Across studies, nursing roles expanded to include digital patient surveillance, tele-round coordination, protocol facilitation and virtual family communication. Evidence regarding long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness was limited and inconsistently reported.

CONCLUSIONS: Tele-ICU models enhance clinical performance, support nursing practice and improve system-level responsiveness across diverse contexts. While benefits are consistent, outcomes vary by model design, local infrastructure and implementation readiness. Longitudinal and economic evaluations are needed to inform sustainable, scalable Tele-ICU strategies.

Tele-ICU models support bedside nurses by improving access to specialist input, strengthening adherence to evidence-based care and enhancing patient safety. Evidence shows that Tele-ICU reduces workload, improves communication and enables nurses to coordinate digital monitoring and family updates, contributing to more consistent and equitable critical care delivery, particularly in high-acuity and resource-limited settings.},
}

Humans
*Telemedicine/organization & administration
*Intensive Care Units/organization & administration
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Critical Care/organization & administration
*Critical Care Outcomes
SARS-CoV-2
Critical Care Nursing

@article {pmid41716011,
year = {2026},
author = {Roe, K},
title = {Lymphocyte Suppression and Exhaustion, Conventional, and Accelerated.},
journal = {APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica},
volume = {134},
number = {2},
pages = {e70175},
doi = {10.1111/apm.70175},
pmid = {41716011},
issn = {1600-0463},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; Animals ; Neoplasms/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; *Lymphocytes/immunology ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {The essential mammalian immune system lymphocytes include T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. Any impairments of their functionalities can have severe consequences, since these lymphocytes each contribute as an interactive team in responding to pathogen infections or cancers. Such impairments include lymphocyte exhaustion, such as T cell, B cell, or natural killer cell exhaustion, or lymphocyte suppression impairing one or more of these cells. Lymphocyte exhaustion can have any intensity from mild to severe, having a severity scale worsened by various exposures and time periods of constant antigenic activation. Lymphocyte exhaustion can potentially have a conventional timing pathway or a hypothesized accelerated (pipelined) timing pathway. Lymphocyte suppressions initiated from pathogen infections are also possible, and this can also impair multiple types of lymphocytes. Finally, accelerated T cell exhaustion is possible, and this can explain several puzzling characteristics of virulent viral pandemics, especially in individuals having pathogen or cancer comorbidities. For instance, accelerated T cell exhaustion can explain a substantial percentage of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic fatalities and also explain the relatively small, but significant, numbers of hyperinflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases which were initiated in small percentages of individuals by SARS-CoV-2 infections.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
T-Lymphocytes/immunology
Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
Animals
Neoplasms/immunology
B-Lymphocytes/immunology
*Lymphocytes/immunology
Pandemics

@article {pmid41716714,
year = {2026},
author = {Bannister-Tyrrell, M and Teague, K and Strachan, DL and Barrett, A and Marthias, T and Strachan, CE and Doungngern, P and Thakur, N and Kamal, M and Brindle, H and Jinnai, Y and Kato, M and Vogt, F},
title = {Performance and utility of contact tracing for COVID-19 in the WHO South-East Asia Region: implications for future pandemic preparedness.},
journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia},
volume = {45},
number = {},
pages = {100728},
pmid = {41716714},
issn = {2772-3682},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Contact tracing was widely implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its real-world performance and utility for decision-making remain poorly understood. A qualitative study was conducted to appraise the performance and utility of contact tracing for COVID-19 in the WHO South-East Asia Region, based on interviews with government and non-governmental organisation technical staff and decision makers in Indonesia, Nepal and Thailand. Our findings highlight the good performance of contact tracing when sufficiently resourced and when case load is low, but reveal declining utility as case incidence increases. This study presents key definitions and a pragmatic approach for appraising contact tracing performance and utility throughout a major health emergency response. Countries should prospectively define objectives for contact tracing, establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks, adjust their contact tracing approaches informed by risk assessments, and consider other available public health interventions when its performance and utility decline.

FUNDING: Governments of Germany and Australia.},
}

@article {pmid41716970,
year = {2026},
author = {Palwankar, P and Palaniappan, J and Kuttappan, K and Pandey, R and Verma, S and Bhardwaj, A and Shunmugavelu, K},
title = {Oral and maxillofacial manifestations of COVID-19.},
journal = {GMS hygiene and infection control},
volume = {21},
number = {},
pages = {Doc05},
pmid = {41716970},
issn = {2196-5226},
abstract = {An overview of oral and maxillofacial manifestations associated with COVID-19 is provided. The symptoms range from white, red and mixed inflamed mucosal areas, necrosis, swelling, ulcers, vesicle, bulla, pustule, pigmentation, depapillated and fissured tongue and bleeding in the ulcers. Pre-COVID symptoms included complete loss of taste, along with reduced sense of taste and alterations in the taste perception.},
}

@article {pmid41717886,
year = {2026},
author = {Cucunawangsih, C and Ansori, ANM and Vatvani, AD and Hariyanto, TI},
title = {Impact of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir on the risk of long COVID in outpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Expert review of anti-infective therapy},
volume = {24},
number = {2},
pages = {271-284},
doi = {10.1080/14787210.2026.2636175},
pmid = {41717886},
issn = {1744-8336},
mesh = {Humans ; *Ritonavir/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology ; Outpatients ; *Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage ; Drug Combinations ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: This study systematically synthesized existing evidence to evaluate whether outpatient treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir during the acute phase reduces the incidence of long COVID.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of Europe PMC, Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 15 September 2025. Eligible studies compared COVID-19 outpatients prescribed nirmatrelvir/ritonavir during the acute phase with those who did not receive the drug. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir use during acute infection was associated with a significant reduction in the likelihood of developing post-COVID-19 condition (OR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.91; p < 0.00001; I[2] = 99%). Protective effects were consistently observed across multiple clinical domains, including cardiovascular (arrhythmia, ischemic disease, heart failure), pulmonary (dyspnea, COPD), thromboembolic (DVT, PE), neurological (stroke, cognitive impairment, headache), psychiatric (depression), gastrointestinal, metabolic (new-onset diabetes), renal (AKI), and general symptoms (malaise and fatigue). Conversely, no significant differences were noted for cough, asthma, dysautonomia, anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal pain, or olfactory/gustatory dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Early outpatient treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir may mitigate the risk of developing several domains of long COVID, though its benefits are not uniform across all symptom categories.},
}

Humans
*Ritonavir/administration & dosage
*COVID-19 Drug Treatment
*COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology
Outpatients
*Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
Drug Combinations

@article {pmid41718104,
year = {2026},
author = {Nebuwa, CN and Orjichukwu, CK and Orjichukwu, RO and Akpunonu, PK and Ugwu, PC and Nnabuife, SG},
title = {Cardiovascular Complications of Seasonal Influenza in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Era: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications.},
journal = {Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41718104},
issn = {2076-3271},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/complications ; *Influenza, Human/complications/epidemiology ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/etiology ; Seasons ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {Influenza has long been a well-documented contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly among high-risk groups. COVID-19 has notably altered the seasonality and natural history of pandemic influenza, with broad implications for related cardiac complications. This review examines the interaction between influenza and cardiovascular illness, especially myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, and other acute cardiac events. We review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza transmission dynamics, public health policy, and the evolving burden of cardiovascular complications. New evidence indicates that both diseases exacerbate endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and prothrombotic states, thereby increasing cardiovascular risk. A comparative analysis of pre- and post-COVID-19 influenza-related cardiac complications clarifies evolving trends and guides future preventive strategies. In light of the recent resurgence of influenza following the relaxation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, maximizing vaccine coverage and collaborating to manage viral infections in patients with cardiovascular disease are critical. This review focuses on key research needs to understand long-term cardiac consequences and the urgent requirement for targeted public health strategies to counter viral-mediated cardiovascular threats. In the post-COVID era, integrating influenza and COVID-19 vaccination strategies into cardiovascular risk management may represent a critical opportunity to reduce virus-triggered cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/complications
*Influenza, Human/complications/epidemiology
*Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/etiology
Seasons
SARS-CoV-2
Pandemics

@article {pmid41718141,
year = {2026},
author = {Manole, OM and Petre, BA and Onofrei, V},
title = {Proteomic Insights into Venous Thromboembolism.},
journal = {Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41718141},
issn = {2076-3271},
mesh = {Humans ; *Venous Thromboembolism/metabolism/diagnosis ; *Proteomics/methods ; Biomarkers/metabolism/blood ; Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis/metabolism ; Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis/metabolism ; COVID-19/complications ; },
abstract = {Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant clinical challenges in diagnosis and risk stratification. Traditional diagnostic tools, including clinical prediction scores, D-dimer testing, and imaging, are limited by suboptimal specificity or sensitivity. In this context, proteomics-based approaches have emerged as powerful tools to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of VTE and to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review synthesizes recent advances in proteomic research relevant to VTE. We searched four databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Nature, and Wiley) using the keywords "acute pulmonary embolism", "acute venous thromboembolism", and "proteomics". Thirty proteomic studies investigating VTE were examined. Across these studies, proteomic profiling consistently revealed alterations in pathways related to coagulation, inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and fibrin clot structure. Multiple protein classes, including acute-phase reactants, complement components, coagulation factors, and platelet-derived proteins, have demonstrated potential value in improving diagnostic accuracy and refining prognostic stratification. Proteomic analyses have also revealed distinct molecular signatures between isolated PE and isolated DVT, supporting the concept of biologically heterogeneous VTE phenotypes. Furthermore, emerging evidence from COVID-19-associated thrombosis, cancer-associated VTE, and non-invasive sources such as exhaled breath condensate underscores the expanding clinical relevance of proteomic approaches. Although technical limitations and heterogeneity across studies remain challenges, the integration of proteomic data with clinical and genetic information holds promise for advancing precision medicine in VTE.},
}

Humans
*Venous Thromboembolism/metabolism/diagnosis
*Proteomics/methods
Biomarkers/metabolism/blood
Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis/metabolism
Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis/metabolism
COVID-19/complications

@article {pmid41718962,
year = {2026},
author = {Sheikhi, RA and Heidari, M and Kahrizsangi, MB},
title = {Mosques as Community Resilience Centers During Disasters: A Systematic Review of COVID-19 Interventions.},
journal = {Journal of community health},
volume = {51},
number = {3},
pages = {400-412},
pmid = {41718962},
issn = {1573-3610},
support = {6867//Sahrekord University of Medical Sciences/ ; },
}

@article {pmid41719175,
year = {2026},
author = {Martins Bruno, AC and José de Castro Moura Duarte, F},
title = {Designing Hybrid Work Organization in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Systematic Literature Review.},
journal = {Work (Reading, Mass.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {10519815261423140},
doi = {10.1177/10519815261423140},
pmid = {41719175},
issn = {1875-9270},
abstract = {BackgroundIn the post-COVID-19 context, hybrid work (HW) expanded rapidly, often without systematic organizational design or alignment to task demands, generating conceptual ambiguities and limited guidance for configuring HW as an organizational system.ObjectiveTo update the conceptualization of HW and identify elements for designing hybrid work organization (HWO) from a task-based perspective.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted from June to August 2025 following PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed English-language articles (2020-2025) were retrieved from Scopus, and grey literature (2022-2025) was incorporated through complementary searches and snowballing. Research quality was appraised using MMAT and AACODS tools. Of 363 records screened, 110 full texts were assessed, and 25 met inclusion criteria.ResultsHW emerges as a sociotechnical phenomenon embedded in the digital transformation of work. A multidimensional lens - spatial, temporal, digital/virtual, and social - applied to task categories (individual, collaborative, coordination) identified key designable elements for HWO. Findings indicate that HW extends beyond fixed remote-on-site ratios, emphasizing intentional alternation, task-fit configurations, and dynamic adjustments as work evolves.ConclusionsHWO is context-specific and adaptive, shaped by task requirements rather than predefined schedules or locations. No single model prevails; instead, tailored configurations reflect the variability of real work. Advancing HW as a sociotechnical system requires rethinking organizational culture and management logic, shifting from presence and control-oriented paradigms toward flexible, task-driven, and performance-focused approaches. Progress depends on treating organizational design as a participatory process that aligns arrangements with demands.},
}

@article {pmid41719864,
year = {2026},
author = {Chandra, LA and Nugroho, DB and Thobari, JA and Dimaguila, GL and Buttery, J},
title = {Active surveillance methods to identify adverse events of special interest (AESIs) following vaccination against pandemic diseases: A scoping review.},
journal = {Vaccine},
volume = {77},
number = {},
pages = {128341},
doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128341},
pmid = {41719864},
issn = {1873-2518},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; *Influenza Vaccines/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; *Vaccination/adverse effects ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control ; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems ; *Product Surveillance, Postmarketing/methods ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Active post-vaccination surveillance is vital for ensuring vaccine safety, particularly in monitoring Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs). This scoping review synthesises evidence on methodologies employed in active surveillance studies, with a focus on influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

METHODS: Literature was identified via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and manual searches, using key terms including influenza, COVID-19, vaccine, and AESI. Two authors independently screened studies and extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. Findings were synthesised narratively and presented in tables and figures, following the PRISMA-ScR guideline.

RESULTS: Of 427 included studies, most were published after 2020 (74.0%) and focused on COVID-19 vaccines (69.3%), particularly mRNA platforms (51.3%). The majority were conducted in North America and Europe, with 85.5% from high-income countries; multinational studies accounted for 6.6%, and single-centre studies with national or subnational coverage for 63.0%. Cohort designs predominated (40.5%), mostly retrospective (74.2%), utilising registries (24.0%) and electronic health records (22.4%), including artificial intelligence for signal detection and prediction (2.7%). Nearly half (49.6%) linked multiple data sources, though outcome verification was reported in fewer than half (45.9%). Incidence rates (16.5%) and risk/hazard ratios (14.8%) were the most reported measures. Neurological (21.8%) and cardiac (21.3%) AESIs, particularly Guillain-Barré Syndrome and myocarditis, were most frequently investigated.

CONCLUSION: Active surveillance for vaccine safety has increased but remains concentrated in high-income countries. Methodological approaches to detection, verification, and validation vary widely. Introducing active surveillance methodologies in low- and middle-income countries is crucial to achieving more equitable global monitoring of vaccine safety.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects/administration & dosage
*Influenza Vaccines/adverse effects/administration & dosage
*COVID-19/prevention & control
*Vaccination/adverse effects
Influenza, Human/prevention & control
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
*Product Surveillance, Postmarketing/methods
Pandemics/prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2
*Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology

@article {pmid41721085,
year = {2026},
author = {Alvarado-Gamarra, G and Alcala-Marcos, K and Celis, CR and Balmaceda-Nieto, P and Cieza, L and Morán-Mariños, C and Grados-Espinoza, P and Alva-Díaz, C and Ecker, L and Ochoa, TJ and Franchi, LM and Howard, LM and Grijalva, CG and Lanata, CF},
title = {Post-MIS-C cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review.},
journal = {European journal of pediatrics},
volume = {185},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {41721085},
issn = {1432-1076},
support = {D43 TW012468/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; D43TW012468/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Child ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/complications ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {Limited knowledge and variability in findings exist regarding the resolution of cardiovascular outcomes following Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). We conducted a systematic review to estimate the frequency of cardiovascular outcomes following MIS-C. A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, SciELO, LILACS, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and medRxiv were searched up to February 2024. We included studies reporting cardiovascular events that began in acute MIS-C and persisted after discharge. Screening and data extraction were performed by independent reviewers. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Eighty-four studies (n = 4,778) were included; seven had a comparator group. The frequency of cardiovascular outcomes-including coronary abnormalities (Z-score ≥ 2), left ventricle ejection fraction < 55%, diastolic dysfunction, myocarditis, and pericardial effusion-decreased over time, with most resolving by 6 to 9 months. However, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies identified myocardial edema and/or fibrosis persisting up to 12 months, and two studies reported coronary abnormalities at 18- to 24-month follow-up. Evidence certainty was very low. Compared to children with COVID-19 or healthy controls, MIS-C showed more cardiovascular events and greater subclinical myocardial dysfunction, as assessed by strain analysis, during a 6-month follow-up. Compared with other etiologies of myocarditis, MIS-C myocarditis was associated with better cardiovascular outcomes but shorter exercise duration and lower aerobic capacity on stress testing. Conclusions: Cardiovascular outcomes following MIS-C improved over time, but certain subclinical cardiac abnormalities persisted up to 12 to 24 months. These findings may support long-term follow-up after MIS-C.Trial registration: Protocol registration number: PROSPERO, CRD42022336784.},
}

Humans
Child
*COVID-19/complications
*Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/complications
*Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41722060,
year = {2026},
author = {Mousavi, T and Moosazadeh, M and Jalali, H},
title = {Comparison of Azvudine and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Hospitalised Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.},
journal = {Reviews in medical virology},
volume = {36},
number = {2},
pages = {e70114},
doi = {10.1002/rmv.70114},
pmid = {41722060},
issn = {1099-1654},
mesh = {Humans ; *Ritonavir/therapeutic use ; *COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects ; *Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Hospitalization ; Drug Combinations ; COVID-19/virology ; Lactams ; Leucine ; Nitriles ; Proline ; },
abstract = {Azvudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and belongs to the family of 2', 3'-dideoxynucleoside (ddNs) that can mimic natural nucleosides and block viral DNA or RNA chain synthesis and prevent viral replication. Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Azvudine has been used to treat patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of this meta-analysis study was to compare Azvudine and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in hospitalised patients. The global online databases were used to identify relevant studies published between January 2019 and October 2024. The quality of all articles was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist. In this study, heterogeneity assay was assessed using the Cochran's Q-test and the I2 index, and STATA software version.14 (StataCorp) was used for statistical analysis. Egger's test, Begg's test, and funnel plot were performed to estimate of the publication bias, and the impact of each study on the overall estimate was assessed using sensitivity analysis. In this study, 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the relative risk of death in the Azvudine treatment group compared with the Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir treatment group was 0.64 (95% CI: 0. 44, 0. 93). These results suggest that treatment with Azvudine may provide significant clinical benefit in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.},
}

Humans
*Ritonavir/therapeutic use
*COVID-19 Drug Treatment
SARS-CoV-2/drug effects
*Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
Hospitalization
Drug Combinations
COVID-19/virology
Lactams
Leucine
Nitriles
Proline

@article {pmid41723336,
year = {2026},
author = {Huang, X and Huang, D and Wang, W and Huang, Y and Huang, C and Wang, G},
title = {Prevalence, risk factors, and early prediction of refractory pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {European journal of pediatrics},
volume = {185},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {41723336},
issn = {1432-1076},
support = {2024B1020//Social Public Welfare and Basic Research Special Project of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/epidemiology/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Risk Factors ; Child ; Prevalence ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; *Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Adolescent ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (rMPP) poses significant challenges in pediatric care due to delayed recognition and limited systematic evidence. This meta-analysis evaluates the prevalence, risk factors, and predictive accuracy of models for rMPP. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until November 2024 for observational studies involving children aged 0-18 years with rMPP. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa and JBI scales. Data were analyzed via R4.4.2. Fifty-three studies (n = 35,275) revealed an overall rMPP prevalence of 37.8% (95% CI 30.5-45.5%), with significant temporal variation: 33.1% pre-COVID-19, 42.0% during, and 86.5% post-pandemic. Independent risk factors included elevated lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 1.018), C-reactive protein (OR = 1.106), procalcitonin (OR = 1.825), interleukin-6 (OR = 2.440), neutrophil count (OR = 2.955), pleural effusion (OR = 4.469), mucus plugs (OR = 5.456), and older age (OR = 1.188). Eleven prediction models demonstrated high accuracy, with ROC-AUCs of 0.913 (training) and 0.895 (validation).

CONCLUSION:  The prevalence of rMPP in children is significant and has increased markedly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Key biomarkers and clinical features facilitate early risk stratification, and validated predictive models improve clinical decision-making. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted surveillance and customized interventions for high-risk populations.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children can be effectively controlled by first-line macrolide therapy. • However, there is still a proportion of children who do not respond well to this treatment regimen and develop refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae due to macrolide resistance.

WHAT IS NEW: • This review and meta-analysis show the incidence of refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia and its potential risk factors. • Finding the feasibility of constructing a predictive model that facilitates early prediction, to provide evidence-based evidence for further in-depth clinical understanding of this disease.},
}

Humans
*Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/epidemiology/diagnosis/drug therapy
Risk Factors
Child
Prevalence
Child, Preschool
Infant
*Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Adolescent
COVID-19/epidemiology
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use

@article {pmid41723349,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, D and Li, Y and Chen, P and Zhu, K and Cao, C},
title = {Comparison of the efficacy and safety of selective COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41723349},
issn = {1471-2334},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The global epidemic of novel coronaviruses remains severe, and COX-2 selective inhibitors have attracted attention due to their promising clinical potential.

METHODS: Pertinent articles published up to 1 April 2025 were systematically searched and retrieved, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. To assess the efficacy of COX-2 selective inhibitors versus other NSAIDs, we analysed five aspects, including death, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, oxygen uptake, and composite adverse effects.

RESULTS: The results showed that COX-2 selective inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of death, with third-highest SUCRA ranking. Regarding the risk of mechanical ventilation, COX-2 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk and ranked first according to SUCRA compared with other interventions. COX-2 inhibitors were also effective in reducing the risk of ICU admission and endotracheal intubation, again ranking first by SUCRA. In addition, COX-2 inhibitors demonstrated therapeutic potential in reducing the risk of composite adverse effects compared with other NSAIDs.

CONCLUSION: Although this study shows that COX-2 inhibitors have good promise for the treatment of COVID-19, there is still a lack of high-quality RCTs to support the conclusions, and there is still room for improvement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: (PROSPERO. CRD CRD42023445987)

THE CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-026-12883-w.},
}

@article {pmid41723405,
year = {2026},
author = {Tosanguan, K and Kessomboon, N and Udomaksorn, K and Nerapusee, O and Laichapis, M and Sakulbumrungsil, R},
title = {Bridging public health emergency and pharmaceutical supply chain preparedness: a scoping review and framework synthesis.},
journal = {BMC health services research},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41723405},
issn = {1472-6963},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale natural disasters, have exposed vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical and health-product supply chains. These events demonstrate that preparedness relies not only on surveillance or clinical capacity but also on the effective management of medicine logistics systems. This scoping review aimed to identify existing assessment tools for public health emergency (PHE) preparedness and health supply chain (HSC) management and to develop an integrated framework that links these two areas to support more comprehensive evaluation of system readiness.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus were searched for records published between January 2002 and July 2024, complemented by grey literature searches and expert consultation. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and data were mapped using the Flower Framework, which combines domains of PHE management with pharmaceutical supply chain functions.

RESULTS: Of 3,965 records identified (3,920 from databases and 45 from grey literature), 23 assessment tools met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen tools were developed in academic or research settings and nine in policy or programmatic grey literature. Instruments focused on PHE preparedness tended to emphasize governance, coordination, and core public health capacities, whereas HSC tools highlighted forecasting, procurement, inventory management, and warehousing. Only a few instruments bridged both perspectives.

CONCLUSION: This scoping review reveals that no single instrument currently provides a comprehensive assessment of pharmaceutical system readiness across governance, regulatory, and operational dimensions. While existing tools offer situational benchmarking, they often fail to capture functional synergy and pharmaceutical-specific requirements like cold-chain integrity and regulatory constraints. Synthesizing findings through the Flower Framework, this study proposes an integrated model that bridges the gap between static capacity and real-world resilience, emphasizing the need for functional evaluations—such as stress tests and simulations—to more accurately reflect system adaptability during crises.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14176-z.},
}

@article {pmid41723461,
year = {2026},
author = {Mulumba, M and Oga, J and Baguma, C and Nantaba, J and Ruano, AL},
title = {Health equity and the global social contract: beyond incrementalism and illusionary solidarity.},
journal = {International journal for equity in health},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41723461},
issn = {1475-9276},
abstract = {The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been celebrated as global social contracts, yet their reliance on voluntary commitments and aspirational targets conceals a structural flaw. By divorcing poverty and inequity from colonial histories, debt regimes, and extractive global finance, these frameworks function as a neocolonial placebo: soothing global conscience while entrenching asymmetries of power and resources. Drawing on examples from debt distress, vaccine apartheid, and intellectual property monopolies during COVID-19, this commentary demonstrates that global health governance operates less as solidarity than as economic containment. Reparative justice provides the necessary rupture. A post-2030 Global Social Contract must impose enforceable obligations on former colonial powers, embed structural restitution through debt and tax justice, and democratise health governance under the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. Anything less risks reproducing selective generosity while abandoning equity to the logics of extraction and impunity.},
}

@article {pmid41723495,
year = {2026},
author = {Abreu, AR and Gonçalves, F and Oliveira, S and Ribeiro, I},
title = {Workplace violence against healthcare workers: a scoping review of reporting practices, barriers to reporting and institutional responses (2020-2025).},
journal = {BMC health services research},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41723495},
issn = {1472-6963},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a widespread global problem that has gained increasing attention due to its substantial impact on HCWs well-being and the quality of care they provide. This scoping review aimed to identify current reporting practices, institutional and organisational barriers to reporting violent incidents against HCWs, and critical research gaps in this area, integrating global evidence with a specific focus on Portugal.

METHODS: Following the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005), refined by Levac et al. (2010), and reported per PRISMA-ScR (2018) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2020–June 2025). Studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish addressing reporting practices, barriers to reporting, digital platforms, or policies regarding WPV against HCWs were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data using a structured matrix, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Results were summarized narratively with frequency analysis.

RESULTS: From the initial 232 records, 35 studies met inclusion criteria, from 19 geographic areas across 5 continents. Most studies originated from Asia and Europe. Verbal violence was the most frequently reported form (20–91%), and over half reported underreporting rates exceeding 50%. The most frequently reported individual barrier was the belief that reporting is ineffective (60%), while the most cited systemic barrier was ineffective reporting systems (63%). National digital platforms reporting included the WVIRS system (California), the Synergic system (Sweden), the White Code system (Turkey), and the NOTIFICA, SAGRIS and HER+ systems (Portugal). Effective strategies to reporting combined staff training with awareness campaigns, supported by leadership engagement and policy frameworks. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified workplace tensions and may have influenced both the occurrence and reporting of violent incidents.

CONCLUSION: Underreporting of workplace violence persists despite the existence of policies and reporting platforms. This review highlights persistent barriers to reporting workplace violence among HCWs and emphasizes the need for user-friendly and supportive reporting systems. Findings call for institutional accountability, better feedback mechanisms, and targeted policies to foster a culture of safety and transparency, both globally and in Portugal.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14244-4.},
}

@article {pmid41723921,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, R and Vafeiadis, M and Shen, F and Hou, Z},
title = {The role of health beliefs in COVID-19 vaccination acceptance: A Meta-analysis.},
journal = {Vaccine},
volume = {77},
number = {},
pages = {128379},
doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128379},
pmid = {41723921},
issn = {1873-2518},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/psychology ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage ; *Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology ; *Vaccination/psychology ; *Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; *Health Belief Model ; Adult ; },
abstract = {This study employed a meta-analytic approach to examine the relationships between the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. A comprehensive literature search identified 77 eligible studies with a combined sample size of 83,995 participants. Quantitative synthesis of the extracted data revealed that perceived benefits (r = 0.40) was the strongest positive predictor of individuals' vaccine acceptance, indicating a medium-to-large effect. Perceived severity (r = 0.17) and susceptibility (r = 0.18) to COVID-19 were also significant positive predictors, each with small-to-medium effect sizes. Cues to action (r = 0.11) and self-efficacy (r = 0.10) were also positively associated with vaccine acceptance, although the effects were small. In contrast, perceived barriers to vaccination (r = -0.25) were negatively associated with vaccine acceptance, approaching a medium effect in size. Several of these associations were moderated by study characteristics, including how the variables were operationalized (intention, hesitancy, refusal, etc.), the vulnerability of the study sample, the respondent type (parents vaccinating children vs. adults vaccinating themselves), the vaccine development stage, and the variant phase. Overall, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, and offer practical implications for developing targeted communication strategies to promote COVID-19 and other vaccinations.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/prevention & control/psychology
*COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
*Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology
*Vaccination/psychology
*Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
*Health Belief Model
Adult

@article {pmid41724028,
year = {2026},
author = {Moreta-Gil, E and Rivera-Picón, C and Conty-Serrano, R and Polonio-López, B and Martín-Conty, JL and Martín-Rodríguez, F and Sanz-García, A},
title = {Prehospital early warning scores for predicting clinical deterioration of COVID-19 patients: An integrative review.},
journal = {Enfermeria intensiva},
volume = {37},
number = {2},
pages = {500584},
doi = {10.1016/j.enfie.2026.500584},
pmid = {41724028},
issn = {2529-9840},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Triage, and in particular scales, are a tool that allows patients with clinical risk to be managed for early, effective and efficient care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most precise and specific prehospital score for the detection of clinical worsening risk in COVID19 patients.

METHODS: The protocol followed for the integrative review was the PRISMA method 2020. A literature search was performed in five databases: Scopus, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Embase, Prospero and Lit covid-nih-nlm. Based on 19 keywords, 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion points. Finally, 22 articles were selected.

RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were identified that addressed effective outcomes for early measures such as telephone triage, web, protocols or tools such as scales. We compared the functionality of 12 scales in patients with Covid-19, showing that the most important variables for this early assessment of clinical worsening were systolic blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation and the need for oxygen supplementation. The best predictive value for clinical deterioration and mortality was obtained by NEWS score, with sensitivities and specificities ranging from 77% to 88%.

CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital scales are still under development, with few research studies and a relative confidence in their statistical values. Nonetheless, it has been observed that the scale that best fit the covid-19 was NEWS with an optimal prediction for patients. This could pave the way for its use under other relevant clinical scenarios, such as acute respiratory infections, exacerbations of chronic diseases or future health emergencies.},
}

@article {pmid41724302,
year = {2026},
author = {Pascual-Alonso, I and Arrebola-Sánchez, Y and Almeida-García, F and Frómeta-Fuentes, T and Acén-Ravelo, T and Del Valle-Pelaiz, S and Escandel-Barreto, A and Ojeda Del Sol, D and Valdés-Tresanco, ME and Sánchez-Ramírez, B and Bergado, G and Chao, L and Fundora Barrios, T and Melchy, E and Chipres-Naranjo, LE and Gutiérrez-Mariscal, M and Charli, JL and Rosenstein, Y},
title = {Biochemistry, physiology and implications in human diseases of mammalian aminopeptidase N: A review.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {350},
number = {},
pages = {151030},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151030},
pmid = {41724302},
issn = {1879-0003},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *CD13 Antigens/chemistry/metabolism/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors ; Neoplasms/enzymology ; },
abstract = {Aminopeptidases are proteases that selectively hydrolyze an amino acid residue from the amino terminus of proteins and peptides, leading to their activation or inactivation. These enzymes are predominantly metallopeptidases. One of them, membrane alanyl aminopeptidase, also known as aminopeptidase N (APN, EC 3.4.11.2), a M1 family metallo-aminopeptidase, plays essential roles in mammals. APN regulates pain sensitivity, central nervous system control of blood pressure, the final steps of protein degradation, cell motility and adhesion, and coronavirus entry. Furthermore, upregulated expression of APN has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various human disorders, including cancers, inflammation, and pressure dysregulation. APN is a multifunctional protein, and its ligation or inhibition of enzymatic activity may have therapeutic applications. Here, we focus on human and porcine enzymes as models to review the most important structural and functional features of mammalian APN, its roles in mammalian physiology, and the pathophysiological aspects in humans, with particular emphasis on cancer. We illustrate how APN is a tool for diagnosing and monitoring cancer and other pathologies, and discuss the obstacles to the therapeutic use of its inhibitors.},
}

Humans
Animals
*CD13 Antigens/chemistry/metabolism/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors
Neoplasms/enzymology

@article {pmid41724536,
year = {2026},
author = {Carbotti, G and van den Berg, DM and Carvalho, AL and Senore, C and Heijnsdijk, EA and de Koning, HJ and Lansdorp-Vogelaar, I and , },
title = {Developments in the roll-out and performance of CRC screening in Europe.},
journal = {Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology},
volume = {80},
number = {},
pages = {102043},
doi = {10.1016/j.bpg.2025.102043},
pmid = {41724536},
issn = {1532-1916},
mesh = {Humans ; *Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/mortality ; Europe/epidemiology ; *Early Detection of Cancer/trends/methods/standards ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Incidence ; *Mass Screening ; },
abstract = {The heterogeneous implementation of colorectal cancer screening programs across Europe makes performance comparison challenging. This study computed and analyzed seven key indicators of screening performance for eighteen European programs between 2011 and 2022. Trends in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality were also examined in relation to when each screening program was introduced. Coverage indicators showed considerable variation across programs but generally increased until the onset of the COVID pandemic. Yield indicators remained stable overall, whereas jumps were associated to protocol changes. In most countries, a decline in incidence followed the introduction of the screening program, whereas the connection of screening with mortality was less evident. The analysis of comparable screening performance indicators over time allows for cross-country and longitudinal monitoring of the programs. The observed decline in incidence following the implementation of fully rolled-out programs highlights the importance and effectiveness of well-organized screening in reducing the burden of the disease.},
}

Humans
*Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/mortality
Europe/epidemiology
*Early Detection of Cancer/trends/methods/standards
*COVID-19/epidemiology
Incidence
*Mass Screening

@article {pmid41724540,
year = {2026},
author = {de Jonge, L and Lansdorp-Vogelaar, I and Doria-Rose, VP and Portillo, I and Novak Mlakar, D and Buron, A and Quintin, C and Espinàs, JA and Plaine, J and Škrjanec, AL and Kofol Bric, T and Binefa, G and Font, R and Bulliard, JL and Chubak, J and Ziebell, R and McCurdy, BR and Rabeneck, L and Senore, C and , },
title = {Global impact of COVID-19 on organized CRC screening programs: lessons learned.},
journal = {Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology},
volume = {80},
number = {},
pages = {102047},
doi = {10.1016/j.bpg.2025.102047},
pmid = {41724540},
issn = {1532-1916},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology ; *Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data/trends/methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Global Health ; *Mass Screening/organization & administration/statistics & numerical data ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Aged ; Female ; },
abstract = {Using a standardized data template, this study retrospectively collected data about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening activity in 2020 and 2021 to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (2018 or 2019). Data were collected from 17 programs in 14 countries of which 15 were population-based programs. Invitation coverage was decreased by up to 53.7 % in 2020. Participation among those invited was similar in both periods for all programs. The maximum backlog in invitations was less than 7.4 months in 2020 and 3.3 months for 2021. Nine out of 15 programs observed a decrease in the number of detected CRCs in 2020. Four programs showed a positive percentage change in CRCs detected in 2021 relative to the pre-pandemic period. Half of the countries observed a worse stage-distribution in 2020/2021. Overall, organized CRC screening programs operated at lower screening activity, but screening outcomes were similar compared to the pre-pandemic period.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology
*Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data/trends/methods
Retrospective Studies
Global Health
*Mass Screening/organization & administration/statistics & numerical data
SARS-CoV-2
Male
Middle Aged
Pandemics
Aged
Female

@article {pmid41727479,
year = {2026},
author = {Parra-González, M and Nájera-Maldonado, L and Peralta-Cuevas, E and Gutierrez-Onofre, A and Jaimes-López, LA and Juarez-Antonio, JA and Degollado-Hernández, NY and Garcia-Atutxa, I and Villanueva-Flores, F},
title = {Dengue-SARS-CoV-2 interactions: immune crosstalk, variant emergence, and clinical outcomes.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1650425},
pmid = {41727479},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology/epidemiology/virology ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology/genetics/physiology ; *Dengue/immunology/epidemiology/virology ; *Dengue Virus/immunology ; *Coinfection/immunology/virology ; Antibody-Dependent Enhancement ; Cross Reactions ; },
abstract = {This review aims to provide an overview of dengue-COVID-19 co-infection, emphasizing recently described immunological, genomic, and eco-epidemiological interactions that may influence clinical outcomes and viral evolution. It brings together molecular evidence, immunological perspectives, and epidemiological insights to summarize current hypotheses and working models of these complex disease interactions. We summarize and critically discuss evidence on antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), cross-reactive immune responses, and cytokine amplification pathways, and propose mechanisms that could underlie exacerbated disease severity. Published clinical data indicate heterogeneity in co-infection outcomes globally, from mild presentations to severe complications, such as hemorrhagic stroke, acute kidney injury, and increased mortality, particularly among populations with prior dengue exposure. Diagnostic complexities arising from serological cross-reactivity underscore the need for simultaneous molecular testing to ensure accurate pathogen identification. Additionally, we review current evidence on reciprocal selective pressures between SARS-CoV-2 variants and dengue serotypes, highlighting potential evolutionary impacts arising from their co-circulation. The available evidence suggests that co-infection may exacerbate inflammatory pathways, lead to increased vascular and organ damage, and complicate patient management. However, definitive clinical evidence for ADE remains inconclusive, underscoring an ongoing need for targeted mechanistic studies. By outlining significant knowledge gaps and summarizing proposed research directions, this review aims to provide a valuable reference for clinicians, immunologists, epidemiologists, and policymakers managing concurrent dengue and COVID-19 outbreaks.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology/epidemiology/virology
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology/genetics/physiology
*Dengue/immunology/epidemiology/virology
*Dengue Virus/immunology
*Coinfection/immunology/virology
Antibody-Dependent Enhancement
Cross Reactions

@article {pmid41727556,
year = {2026},
author = {Millar, BC and Cates, MJ and Torrisi, MS and Round, AJ and Warde, A and Lowery, CJ and Moore, JE},
title = {Antimicrobial Resistance: The Answers.},
journal = {British journal of biomedical science},
volume = {83},
number = {},
pages = {15559},
pmid = {41727556},
issn = {2474-0896},
mesh = {Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has caused a global public health crisis, contributing to approximately five million deaths in 2019 and predicted deaths of approximately ten million annually by 2050. This equates to approximately 1.4-fold more deaths annually from AMR in 2050 than the entire COVID-19 pandemic to date. To tackle this AMR pandemic, regulatory and policy frameworks have been prepared at local, national and international levels with multi-faceted proposals and advances encompassing surveillance, diagnostics, infection prevention, antibiotic prescribing and variation of existing and novel treatment approaches. This narrative review primarily focuses on research and development which have been documented over the last five years in relation to therapeutic approaches at various stages in clinical development and the potential role that vaccines can play in the fight against AMR. This review provides an overview on antibacterial drugs, including novel classes of antibiotics, which have been recently approved, as well as combination antibiotic therapy and the potential of repurposed drugs. The potential role of novel antimicrobial, antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitors, such as antimicrobial peptides, nanomaterials and compounds from the extreme and natural environments, as well as ethnopharmacology including the antimicrobial effects of plants, spices, honey and venoms are explored. Novel therapeutic approaches are critically discussed in terms of their realistic clinical potential, detailing recent and ongoing trials to highlight the current interest of these approaches, including immunotherapy, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy (aSDT), nitric oxide therapy and microbiome manipulation including faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The potential of predatory bacteria as living antimicrobial agents is also discussed. Importantly, there have been many technological developments which have enhanced bioprospecting and research and development of novel antimicrobials which this review draws attention to, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and Organ-on-a-Chip devices. Finally, key messages from the recent World Health Organization report into the role of vaccines against AMR provides an interesting perspective relating to prevention which can be of significance in tackling the AMR burden.},
}

Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use/pharmacology
*Drug Resistance, Bacterial
COVID-19/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41728596,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, CT and Lim, LJH and Lee, CTM and Heah, AJE and Yeo, DST and Tan, SM},
title = {The utilization of virtual reality in the training of de-escalation of aggression for both providers and users of public and healthcare services from the new millennium to the COVID-19 era: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1657986},
pmid = {41728596},
issn = {2296-858X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality (VR) is a promising modality for the effective delivery of training in the de-escalation of aggression. This review aims to assess how VR has been utilized in training for the de-escalation of aggression among both providers and users of public and healthcare services from the new millennium to the COVID-19 era (2000-2022).

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with a pre-registered protocol and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seven key databases were searched, yielding 2373 studies for screening, of which 15 were included. Quality appraisal was performed using the widely used Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool.

RESULTS: VR training for the de-escalation of aggression was implemented using a variety of approaches, ranging from verbal interaction and emotion-recognition tasks to selection from multiple-choice response menus. Most studies assessed participants' responses to the intervention, but none evaluated whether VR training had an impact at the organizational level. Overall, VR training content, modes of interaction, and reported improvements in participants' confidence were viewed positively. However, some studies reported limitations related to the emotional impact, realism of virtual characters, and learning effectiveness. Additional features that may enhance the VR experience were discussed, with personalized, context-specific scenarios identified as an important area for development.

CONCLUSION: Larger-scale studies are required to determine which specific training domains may benefit most from VR-based approaches, given the heterogeneity of populations and methodologies across studies conducted between 2000 and 2022.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42022307138, identifier CRD42022307138.},
}

@article {pmid41729334,
year = {2026},
author = {Gaddafi, MS and Lawal, H and Musawa, IA and Garba, B and Goni, MD and Jolayemi, KO and El-Yakub, AU and Jibril, AH and Saeed, SI and Bitrus, AA and Salman, M and Fasina, FO and Yakubu, Y},
title = {Serological and virological evidence of MERS-CoV infection among dromedary camels in Africa: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.},
journal = {Veterinary research communications},
volume = {50},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41729334},
issn = {1573-7446},
}

@article {pmid41729699,
year = {2026},
author = {Hoy-Schulz, YE and Damhorst, GL and Lam, WA},
title = {Accelerating Diagnostics for Pandemic Preparedness.},
journal = {Annual review of analytical chemistry (Palo Alto, Calif.)},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {279-306},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-anchem-082824-031734},
pmid = {41729699},
issn = {1936-1335},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/diagnosis/virology ; *Pandemics ; *SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification/genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods ; COVID-19 Testing/methods ; Pandemic Preparedness ; },
abstract = {Diagnostics are central to pandemic preparedness, guiding surveillance, clinical care, and public health response. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed limitations in diagnostic infrastructure but also accelerated innovation across assay types, created accessible testing mechanisms, and demonstrated the value of public-private partnerships. This review outlines the critical roles diagnostics play across pandemic phases, from early detection to post recovery surveillance. We review the current diagnostic landscape for pandemic priority pathogens and unmet needs and challenges and examine recent advances in analytical technologies, including isothermal amplification, CRISPR-based methods, alternative sample types, and novel platforms, with a focus on their potential for rapid deployment and field use. We also explore the emergence of diagnostic accelerators and biorepositories that support assay validation and global test availability. For analytical chemists, pandemic preparedness presents a call to action: to develop, validate, and translate innovative tools that can adapt to meet urgent diagnostic needs during future health emergencies.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/diagnosis/virology
*Pandemics
*SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification/genetics
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods
COVID-19 Testing/methods
Pandemic Preparedness

@article {pmid41730209,
year = {2026},
author = {Dobrescu, A and Pinte, L and Sharifan, A and Gadinger, A and Moser, I and Cooper, C and Gartlehner, G},
title = {Effectiveness, Comparative Effectiveness, and Harms of COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults Who Are Not Pregnant or Immunocompromised: A Rapid Review for the American College of Physicians.},
journal = {Annals of internal medicine},
volume = {179},
number = {5},
pages = {673-684},
doi = {10.7326/ANNALS-25-05044},
pmid = {41730209},
issn = {1539-3704},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/mortality ; *Vaccine Efficacy ; Adult ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data ; United States ; Immunocompromised Host ; Female ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant continues to pose a global health burden.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness, comparative effectiveness, and harms of COVID-19 vaccines in nonpregnant, nonimmunocompromised adults.

DATA SOURCES: Medline via Ovid and DynaMedex from January 2022 to September 2025.

STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies of interventions (NRSIs).

DATA EXTRACTION: One reviewer extracted data and assessed the certainty of evidence (CoE), and a second reviewer verified; 2 reviewers independently assessed risk of bias.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Five RCTs and 18 NRSIs were included. In adults of all ages, Omicron-adapted vaccination probably reduces all-cause mortality (vaccine effectiveness [VE] ranged from 26.6% [95% CI, 5.5% to 42.3%] to 75.2% [CI, 70.6% to 79.9%]; moderate CoE) and COVID-19-related hospitalization (VE ranged from 16.6% [CI, 6.5% to 25.8%] to 67.8% [CI, 63.1% to 72.5%]; moderate CoE) compared with no Omicron-adapted vaccination. When administered more than 365 days after the prior vaccine, it probably reduces all-cause mortality (VE, 36.1% [CI, 14.8% to 54.1%]; moderate CoE) and COVID-19-related hospitalization (VE, 22.2% [CI, 11.4% to 32.0%]; moderate CoE). When administered earlier, it may result in no difference in COVID-19-related hospitalization. Omicron-adapted vaccination may increase myocarditis (incidence rate ratio, 2.7 [CI, 1.0 to 7.0]; low CoE) in adults aged 50 years or older. The mRNA-1283.222 bivalent vaccine probably results in no difference in all-cause mortality or serious adverse events compared with mRNA-1273.222 in adults of all ages.

LIMITATIONS: No RCTs assessed the effectiveness of Omicron-adapted versus no Omicron-adapted vaccination. Evidence on harms was limited.

CONCLUSION: Omicron-adapted vaccines improve protection compared with no Omicron-adapted vaccines, particularly when administered more than 365 days after the prior vaccination.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: American College of Physicians. (PROSPERO: CRD420251136017).},
}

Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects
*COVID-19/prevention & control/mortality
*Vaccine Efficacy
Adult
SARS-CoV-2
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data
United States
Immunocompromised Host
Female

@article {pmid41730387,
year = {2026},
author = {Lefere, S and Koot, BGP and Mann, JP and Bufler, P and De Bruyne, R and Hudert, CA},
title = {Update in clinical science: MASLD in children and adolescents.},
journal = {Journal of hepatology},
volume = {84},
number = {6},
pages = {1164-1177},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhep.2026.02.016},
pmid = {41730387},
issn = {1600-0641},
mesh = {Humans ; Child ; Adolescent ; *Fatty Liver/epidemiology/therapy/diagnosis/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Prevalence ; COVID-19/complications ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; },
abstract = {Paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an increasingly common liver disease, with an estimated global prevalence of up to 7.5% and growing concern regarding hepatic and extrahepatic complications even in early life. In this paper, we review recent advances in epidemiology, genetics, early-life risk factors, natural history and comorbidities, focusing on emerging data published in the last 3 years. We also outline a practical approach to the management of MASLD in children, integrating newly developed non-invasive tests. Lastly, we highlight key research questions to be studied in the coming years.},
}

Humans
Child
Adolescent
*Fatty Liver/epidemiology/therapy/diagnosis/etiology
Risk Factors
Prevalence
COVID-19/complications
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

@article {pmid41732619,
year = {2026},
author = {Manoukian, G and Kundukulam, S and Asatorian, G and Johnson, DM and Masood, MH and Venugopal, A and Manoukian, M and Aswathappa, S},
title = {Post-COVID Syndrome in Patients With Comorbid Hypertension or Diabetes: A Narrative Review of Long-Term Outcomes.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {e102117},
pmid = {41732619},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Post-COVID syndrome (PCS), or long COVID, refers to a cluster of enduring symptoms that extend beyond the acute phase of the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute infection predominantly impacts the respiratory tract, but there is growing evidence for the multisystem involvement, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological, to be responsible for the prolonged presentation in PCS. Underlying cardiometabolic vulnerability may contribute to a high degree of susceptibility in patients with comorbidities like hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). This narrative review summarizes current literature regarding PCS in patients with HTN and/or DM, focusing on proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and reported long-term outcomes. In these populations, PCS has been linked across studies to processes including endothelial dysfunction, chronic low-grade inflammation, autonomic imbalance, and potential dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Persistent cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive symptoms are reported, but the magnitude and patterns of risk vary across studies, while comparative findings across HTN and DM remain heterogeneous. Symptoms reported frequently include fatigue, cognitive impairment ("brain fog"), and psychological distress, supporting the multisystem complexity of PCS. Although, previous work has indicated that cardiometabolic comorbidities could interact and moderate PCS severity and persistence, there is an important shortfall of both causality and prognosis, as well as the management of PCS. Longitudinal studies are needed for future research regarding risk stratification, disease course, and targeted interventions in individuals with PCS with comorbid high blood pressure and diabetes.},
}

@article {pmid41733396,
year = {2026},
author = {Henjeroei, FM and Nosratabadi, N and Pourghadamyari, H and Anaeigoudari, A and Sedghy, F and Nosratabadi, R},
title = {Neutrophils in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Guardians or Triggers of Immunopathology?.},
journal = {Cell biochemistry and function},
volume = {44},
number = {2},
pages = {e70186},
doi = {10.1002/cbf.70186},
pmid = {41733396},
issn = {1099-0844},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology/pathology ; *Neutrophils/immunology/pathology ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Extracellular Traps/immunology ; Immunity, Innate ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism/immunology ; },
abstract = {COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a respiratory viral disease with a wide range of clinical symptoms that emerged in December 2019. Innate immunity serves as a rapid immune system that can fight off pathogens before they can spread and cause an active infection. Neutrophils, the most abundant innate immune cells, are the first cells to migrate to the site of infection, where they defend against invading pathogens. Once activated at the inflammatory site, neutrophils mediate host protection through multiple mechanisms, including the phagocytosis of pathogens, the release of antimicrobial and pro-inflammatory enzymes, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the extrusion of their chromatin to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that bind to extracellular pathogens. Furthermore, neutrophils can move toward the source of the stimulus through a mechanism called chemotaxis, which is mediated by adhesion molecules and chemokine-chemokine receptor axes. However, neutrophil overactivation can have deleterious effects on various organs through the induction of cytokine storms, ROS production, and NET formation. Moreover, the contribution of distinct neutrophil subsets and their plasticity over the course of infection and recovery remain poorly understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the interplay between neutrophils and SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the most important mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, to advance our understanding of this disease.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology/pathology
*Neutrophils/immunology/pathology
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Extracellular Traps/immunology
Immunity, Innate
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism/immunology

@article {pmid41734553,
year = {2025},
author = {Xiao, K and Li, L and Zhang, X and Ye, Y and Yao, Y and Liu, Y and Chen, W and Wang, X and Gu, C and He, M and Liang, L and Liu, YC and Zhu, Z},
title = {Global prevalence of dry Eye: A systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Contact lens & anterior eye : the journal of the British Contact Lens Association},
volume = {49},
number = {2},
pages = {102627},
doi = {10.1016/j.clae.2026.102627},
pmid = {41734553},
issn = {1476-5411},
mesh = {Humans ; *Dry Eye Syndromes/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; *Global Health/statistics & numerical data ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Female ; Male ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Dry eye significantly impacts global quality of life and productivity, yet existing epidemiological data remain fragmented and outdated, hindering effective prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of dry eye and examine variations across regions, demographics, diagnostic criteria, study settings, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library identified 119 cohort or cross-sectional studies involving 15,251,528 participants. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. A random-effects model pooled prevalence estimates, with subgroup analyses exploring heterogeneity.

RESULTS: The global pooled prevalence of dry eye was 34.6% (95% CI: 30.2%-39.4%). Regional disparities were pronounced, with the highest prevalence in Africa 43.9% (95% CI: 31.5%-57.2%) and the lowest in North America 20.9% (95% CI: 8.2%-43.8%). Higher rates were observed in females 39.1% (95% CI: 32.8%-45.8%) vs. males 30.8% (95% CI: 24.8%-37.7%), individuals aged > 40 years 37.0% (95% CI: 29.1%-45.7%) vs. ≤ 40 years 35.0% (95% CI: 25.4%-46.0%), institutional settings 45.2% (95% CI: 36.2%-54.5%), and during COVID-19 44.5% (95% CI: 28.0%-62.2%). Diagnostic criteria significantly influenced estimates, ranging from 6.9% (95% CI: 1.9%-21.7%) (ICD-9-based) to 53.8% (95% CI: 46.7%-60.8%) (OSDI ≥ 13).

CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye represents a major global public health challenge, with prevalence shaped by geographic, demographic, environmental, and methodological factors. The pandemic exacerbated dry eye burden, underscoring the urgency for standardized diagnostic protocols and targeted interventions to mitigate its growing impact.},
}

Humans
*Dry Eye Syndromes/epidemiology
Prevalence
*Global Health/statistics & numerical data
*COVID-19/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Female
Male
Pandemics

@article {pmid41735249,
year = {2026},
author = {Du, S and Hu, X and Li, P and Xu, S and Kim, M and Liu, X and Zhan, P},
title = {Antiviral drug discovery and development: challenges and future directions.},
journal = {Signal transduction and targeted therapy},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41735249},
issn = {2059-3635},
mesh = {Humans ; *Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use/chemistry ; *Drug Discovery/trends/methods ; *SARS-CoV-2/drug effects ; *COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *COVID-19/virology ; Artificial Intelligence ; *Drug Development ; },
abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stimulated extensive endeavors toward the development of therapeutic interventions targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human proteins for viral infection control, encompassing numerous potential drugs and thousands of patients participating in clinical trials. These concerted efforts have resulted in significant advancements in antiviral drug discovery and development. In this review, we present a comprehensive timeline detailing the development of antiviral drugs, tracing the progression from early viral inhibitors to modern broad-spectrum antiviral agents. We also outline the current status of advancements in antiviral drug discovery, encompassing target-based strategies, innovative mechanism-based approaches, and pharmacokinetic optimization. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and future prospects gained from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, covering knowledge of artificial intelligence strategies, the utilization of medicinal chemistry tools, and advancements in nanotechnology applications. The application of artificial intelligence in drug discovery is increasingly prevalent, particularly in the areas of protein structure prediction, drug target identification, and bioactivity forecasting. Nanotechnology has played a crucial role in the delivery of antiviral drugs and the development of vaccines, exemplified by the use of lipid nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines. Additionally, we highlight potential future directions for drug discovery, such as targeting membraneless organelles (liquid‒liquid phase separation).},
}

Humans
*Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use/chemistry
*Drug Discovery/trends/methods
*SARS-CoV-2/drug effects
*COVID-19 Drug Treatment
*COVID-19/virology
Artificial Intelligence
*Drug Development

@article {pmid41735986,
year = {2026},
author = {Lutz, CS and Zhang, H and Knoll, MD and Sparrow, EG and Chen, H and Feikin, DR},
title = {Respiratory syncytial virus positivity among hospital admissions for acute respiratory illness in children younger than 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41735986},
issn = {1471-2458},
support = {INV-005318/GATES/Gates Foundation/United States ; INV-005318/GATES/Gates Foundation/United States ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion RSV-positive among children aged < 5 years hospitalized with ARI in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where 97% of RSV mortality occurs.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search for studies conducted pre-COVID-19 and published 2010—2022 (PROSPERO registration CRD42022361351). We estimated the RSV percent positivity and 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects meta-analyses. We assessed heterogeneity in RSV percent positivity using subgroup analyses and univariable meta-regression models. We assessed the influence of study sample size in sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS: Seventy-three studies conducted in 37 LMICs were included. The summary estimate of percent RSV-positive from the meta-analysis of children < 5 years hospitalized with ARI was 26.2% (95% CI: 24.3–28.3%), ranging from 18.9% (16.4–21.6%) among children 6– < 60 months to 41.3% (36.4–46.4%) among children 0– < 6 months. Only five studies included children aged < 2 months, but RSV positivity was high among this group (40.2% [35.8–44.7%]). Percent positivity stratified by WHO region ranged from 23.6% in the Africa and Southeast Asian regions to 37.5% in the European region. RSV positivity was similar across country income groups. Univariable meta-regression models indicated that there was significant heterogeneity in RSV percent positivity across subgroups defined by mid-year of the study period, WHO region, number of study sites, recruitment method, hospital type, and specimen type (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: RSV detection was high among children aged < 5 years hospitalized with ARI in LMICs across all WHO regions, especially among infants aged < 6 months, among whom RSV may account for almost up to one-half of all ARI hospital admissions. Recent WHO-recommended RSV immunization for all countries may protect young infants aged < 6 months against severe RSV disease.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-026-26743-4.},
}

@article {pmid41736159,
year = {2026},
author = {Soriano Puig, A and Monforte, V and Camprubí-Rimblas, M and Artigas, A and Ceccato, A},
title = {Biomarker-guided use of corticosteroids in pneumonia.},
journal = {Pneumonia (Nathan Qld.)},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41736159},
issn = {2200-6133},
abstract = {Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although corticosteroids have been proposed as immunomodulatory, controversies surrounding the results of clinical trials have limited their widespread use. This review aims to determine which biomarker-guided corticosteroid treatment for CAP is generally agreed upon in the latest published studies and to discuss the main aspects to be taken into consideration based on lessons learnt from patients with conditions such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 infection or the recently identified subphenotypes in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Most studies have demonstrated that high C-reactive protein concentrations at the time of admission are associated with a hyperinflammatory state and that patients are more likely to benefit from corticosteroid treatment if they have high concentrations. High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were used as an inclusion criterion in one clinical trial, demonstrating that treatment failure was reduced in the corticosteroid group. A post-hoc analysis of the results of several studies also showed that CRP levels above 200 mg/L were associated with benefits in patients receiving corticosteroids. Recent guidelines have proposed the use of corticosteroids in patients with severe CAP or septic shock. Corticosteroids could be more beneficial for patients with a hyperinflammatory subphenotype; however, there are currently no prospective studies evaluating this approach. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of biomarkers in personalised medicine for patients with CAP. In the meantime, patients with severe CAP or high CRP levels should be treated with corticosteroids.},
}

@article {pmid41736834,
year = {2026},
author = {Souza, ECSG and Dos Santos Junior, AG and Félix, AMS and Borges, JPA and de Oliveira, LB and Carneiro, LM and de Sousa, AFL},
title = {Use of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Education for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.},
journal = {Annals of global health},
volume = {92},
number = {1},
pages = {21},
pmid = {41736834},
issn = {2214-9996},
mesh = {Humans ; *Artificial Intelligence ; *Pandemics/prevention & control ; *Public Health/education ; *Health Education/methods ; COVID-19 ; *Disaster Planning ; Civil Defense/education ; Pandemic Preparedness ; },
abstract = {Background: The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled new approaches for health education, particularly during public health emergencies. However, evidence remains fragmented on how AI-based educational strategies support preparedness, response, and recovery phases of pandemics and epidemics. Objective: To map the use of AI-based technologies in health education strategies addressing preparedness, response, and recovery during public health emergencies, identifying target populations, intervention characteristics, outcomes, scalability, and knowledge gaps. Methods: This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, IEEE Xplore, and LILACS, complemented by gray literature from Google Scholar. Studies published from 2010 onward in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included. Eligible designs comprised primary studies, methodological or implementation research, and reviews with explicit educational components. Data extraction covered context, populations, AI modalities, educational purposes, delivery channels, supervision requirements, pandemic-cycle phase, scalability, outcomes, and evidence gaps. Results: Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Conversational AI (chatbots and large language models) and algorithmic curation tools using machine learning and natural language processing predominated. Most interventions supported health literacy, risk communication, and misinformation management; others addressed personalized learning, microtraining, and clinical simulation for students and health professionals. Delivery channels included mobile applications, messaging platforms, websites/YouTube, and clinical AI systems. Human oversight (expert validation and curation) was consistently reported as essential for safety and reliability. Interventions mainly targeted the response phase, with emerging applications for preparedness. Major gaps included standardized learning measures, cost-effectiveness evaluations, equity analyses, and governance frameworks ensuring privacy, transparency, and bias control. Conclusions: AI-enabled educational technologies can strengthen rapid, scalable, and personalized learning during health emergencies. Future research should prioritize multicenter studies using standardized indicators, economic and equity assessments, and robust governance frameworks to ensure ethical, safe, and inclusive adoption.},
}

Humans
*Artificial Intelligence
*Pandemics/prevention & control
*Public Health/education
*Health Education/methods
COVID-19
*Disaster Planning
Civil Defense/education
Pandemic Preparedness

@article {pmid41737288,
year = {2026},
author = {Muto, T and Machida, S and Imaizumi, S and Kamoi, K},
title = {Relationship Between COVID-19 and Retinal Artery Occlusions.},
journal = {Journal of ophthalmology},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {5545707},
pmid = {41737288},
issn = {2090-004X},
abstract = {The relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination and retinal artery occlusions (RAOs) remains controversial. COVID-19 infection or vaccination can sometimes cause thrombin formation. RAOs occur due to thrombin in the retinal artery. The average age of occurrence after COVID-19 infection was 48.7 ± 17.2 years in central RAO (CRAO) and 41.3 ± 17.8 years in branch RAO (BRAO). After COVID-19 vaccination, the average age was 54.7 ± 17.1 years in CRAO and 62.3 ± 21.2 years in BRAO. The mean time from COVID-19 diagnosis to symptom onset was 10.5 ± 9.3 days in CRAO and 48.3 ± 39.6 days in BRAO. After vaccination, the mean time was 7.3 ± 6.8 days in CRAO and 21.0 ± 24.9 days in BRAO. Initial visual acuity (VA) after COVID-19 infection was 2.53 ± 0.65 in CRAO and 0.09 ± 0.07 in BRAO. Final VA was 2.73 ± 0.12 in CRAO, but data for BRAO were unavailable. After vaccination, initial VA was 2.28 ± 0.97 in CRAO and -0.02 ± 0.16 in BRAO. Final VA was 2.12 ± 1.24 in CRAO and could not be calculated in BRAO. The relationship between COVID-19 or its vaccination and RAOs was investigated through past case reports. Two types of reports existed regarding RAO incidence after the COVID-19 pandemic-some indicated an increase, while others found no change. No reports suggested a decrease in RAO occurrence. The current evidence does not clarify the relationship between COVID-19 or its vaccine and RAOs. However, this relationship cannot be ruled out. Further investigations are necessary, as future infectious disease pandemics may occur.},
}

@article {pmid41737593,
year = {2026},
author = {Thangaleela, S and Wang, CK},
title = {Impact of nutrition on long COVID.},
journal = {Sports medicine and health science},
volume = {8},
number = {2},
pages = {128-144},
pmid = {41737593},
issn = {2666-3376},
abstract = {Long COVID is characterized by a group of persistent symptoms following the acute SARS-COV2 infection, which presented a multifaceted challenge to the healthcare systems all over the globe. The long COVID symptoms span various organ systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation play crucial roles in the long COVID pathophysiology. Recently nutritional intervention gained much attention in managing post-viral syndromes. Effective interventions like supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid, macro and micro nutrients, and vitamins help to reduce systemic inflammation and counteract muscle wasting. Other approaches like nutritional recovery, dietetic interventions, continuous nutritional care post-hospital discharge, nutritional rehabilitation programs, whole-diet approaches like Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet, and caloric optimization, improve overall functional recovery. Physical activity and exercise regimes have been shown to improve fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive function. Tailored exercise regimes may promote safe rehabilitation. Certain ineffective interventions, such as non-personalized approaches, high dose of antioxidants, use of herbal products that are not clinically validated need to be addressed. Dietary interventions such as personalized nutritional counseling have been demonstrated to improve physical performance in long COVID patients. Further research is needed to refine protocols and identify optimal combinations of dietary and movement-based therapies to support the recovery of long-COVID patients. This narrative review focuses on the ongoing researches that reveals the intricate relationship between nutrition and long COVID recovery and also establishes effective protocols for nutritional care.},
}

@article {pmid41738365,
year = {2026},
author = {Akhavan, M and Yousefi, P and Tabibzadeh, A},
title = {Exacerbations and Management of Asthma in Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: The Significance of Immunoglobulin E.},
journal = {Immunity, inflammation and disease},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {e70386},
pmid = {41738365},
issn = {2050-4527},
mesh = {Humans ; *Asthma/immunology/therapy ; *Immunoglobulin E/immunology/blood ; *Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology/complications/virology ; *COVID-19/immunology/complications ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Th2 Cells/immunology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Viral-respiratory infections are the most prevalent illness among humans. A viral infection affecting lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) is a critical health concern worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted respiratory health, particularly in individuals with asthma. Other viral respiratory infections and asthma are critical concerns, either. The current study aimed to discuss how elevated IgE levels can influence viral LRTI and potentially exacerbate asthma symptoms, as well as biological treatments targeting IgE in managing asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search was conducted in electronical databases (including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and so on). all obtained documents were listed and reviewed by two independent authors. All relevant studies were included and used for final assessment and data collection.

RESULTS: IgE is a crucial mediator in the pathophysiology of asthma, particularly in type 2-high (T2-high) asthma, where it drives allergic responses and airway inflammation. The interaction between COVID-19 and asthma has illustrated that asthmatic patients may experience increased respiratory symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Interestingly, T2-high asthmatics may have had some protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of asthma management during and after the pandemic.

CONCLUSION: Viral infections, particularly those caused by human rhinoviruses, are a significant trigger for asthma exacerbations. These infections can lead to heightened serum IgE levels, which play a vital role in the immune response and the worsening of asthma symptoms. The Th2 inflammatory pathway is frequently upregulated during these infections, associated with increased production of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which aggravate asthma symptoms. Additionally, viral infections can compromise the airway epithelium, resulting in greater exposure to allergens and irritants, and disrupt the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines, leading to more severe exacerbations.},
}

Humans
*Asthma/immunology/therapy
*Immunoglobulin E/immunology/blood
*Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology/complications/virology
*COVID-19/immunology/complications
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Th2 Cells/immunology

@article {pmid41739653,
year = {2026},
author = {Sharma, L and Maheshwari, N and Maheshwari, N and Teli, G and Chelvam, V},
title = {Therapeutic Approaches to Treat SARS-CoV-2.},
journal = {ChemMedChem},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {e202500387},
doi = {10.1002/cmdc.202500387},
pmid = {41739653},
issn = {1860-7187},
support = {IITI 2023-25//Indian Institute of Technology Indore/ ; },
abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19, spread across the globe, leading to a pandemic. Initially, the drug remdesivir is approved by the FDA for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Significant efforts have been directed toward epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to discover potential drug targets that may contribute to the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. The structure and functions of SARS-CoV-2 proteins that may be potential drug targets, including the spike protein, main protease, papain-like protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, host proteins like angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and transmembrane protease and serine 2, have been thoroughly studied. Biological screening platforms and repurposing have resulted in the discovery of drugs such as nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir (Veklury), molnupiravir (Lagevrio), anakinra (Kineret), vilobelimab (Gohibic), baricitinib (Olumiant), and tocilizumab (Actemra). The present analysis provides details on the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and potential treatment options currently available worldwide.},
}

@article {pmid41740281,
year = {2026},
author = {Dandotiya, J and Sadhu, S and Chandwaskar, RR and Awasthi, A},
title = {Emerging roles of IL-9 and Th9 cells in respiratory viral illnesses.},
journal = {Seminars in immunology},
volume = {81},
number = {},
pages = {102017},
doi = {10.1016/j.smim.2026.102017},
pmid = {41740281},
issn = {1096-3618},
mesh = {*Interleukin-9/metabolism/immunology/genetics ; Animals ; Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *COVID-19/immunology ; *T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism ; *Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology/virology ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/immunology ; *T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology/metabolism ; *Virus Diseases/immunology ; Mice ; },
abstract = {Upon antigenic stimulation and cytokine cues, CD4[+] T cells differentiate into specialized helper subsets, giving rise to Th1, Th2, Th9 and Th17 cell lineages. These subsets orchestrate distinct immune functions that protect the host but can also drive immunopathology when dysregulated. The classical Th1-Th2 paradigm expanded with the discovery of Th17 and Th9 cells, revealing greater diversity and complexity in Th cell biology. Th9 cells, generated under the influence of TGF-β and IL-4, are defined by robust production of interleukin-9 (IL-9). IL-9 is now recognized as a multifunctional mediator produced by Th9 cells, mast cells, ILC2s, Tregs and certain Th17 subsets. Fate-mapping and reporter mouse models have improved our understanding of IL-9-producing immunocytes, though limitations remain in defining temporal and tissue-specific dynamics. As shown earlier, IL-9 promotes mastcell proliferation, mucus hypersecretion, epithelial changes and airway remodelling in allergic inflammation and asthma. Genetic studies have linked IL-9/IL-9 receptor variants to increased susceptibility to allergic diseases such as asthma. Similarly, during respiratory viral infections, including RSV and COVID-19, IL-9 amplifies type 2 inflammation, granulocyte recruitment and mucus production, exacerbating airway obstruction. In fact, emerging evidence implicates a Foxo1-IL-9 axis in COVID-19, where IL-9 enhances lung inflammation and impairs antiviral interferon-stimulated gene responses. Collectively, IL-9 represents a context-dependent driver of virus-induced lung pathology and a promising therapeutic target requiring deeper mechanistic and translational investigation.},
}

*Interleukin-9/metabolism/immunology/genetics
Animals
Humans
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*COVID-19/immunology
*T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism
*Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology/virology
*Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/immunology
*T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology/metabolism
*Virus Diseases/immunology
Mice

@article {pmid41740316,
year = {2026},
author = {Spedding, M and Aerts, J and Alexander, S and Bellozzi Woestelandt, AG and Chiricozzi, E and Henriques, A and Lledo, PM and Loeffler, JP and Perera, R and Platt, FM and Pradat, PF and Rene, F and Schapira, A and St Clair, L and Talbot, K and Taquet, M and Toborek, M and Turner, B and Zandi, M and Gressens, P},
title = {Links between COVID-19, long COVID, and neurodegeneration: The role of glycosphingolipids.},
journal = {Pharmacological reviews},
volume = {78},
number = {2},
pages = {100113},
doi = {10.1016/j.pharmr.2026.100113},
pmid = {41740316},
issn = {1521-0081},
support = {T32AI007417-28//NIH/National Institute of Health NIAID/ ; F32AI186453-01//NIH/National Institute of Health NIAID/ ; L70AG084124-01//NIH National Institute of Health /NIA/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/metabolism/complications ; *Glycosphingolipids/metabolism ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism/virology/etiology ; Animals ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) play major roles in viral infections by mediating viral entry and egress from cells in lipid rafts; however, GSLs are also important in neurodegenerative diseases. The role of GSLs in acute COVID-19 infection is critical but remains less-studied in the sequelae of long COVID (post-COVID condition); because the same enzymes that regulate GSL metabolism are critical for viral entry and exit, neuromuscular junctions, neurological function, and cellular metabolism, it is important to determine whether long COVID may increase the risk of subsequent neurodegeneration. SARS-CoV-2 infection alters lipid metabolism and oxygen use and can bind to and modify the expression of neurotrophic GSLs such as GM1 ganglioside. GM1 (N-acetylneuraminic acid) is human-specific and probably evolved as a result of a pandemic 3-2.5 million years ago that drove its selection. GM1 functions as a coreceptor with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 for SARS-CoV-2 while also being a neurotrophin. Viral multiplication takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi apparatus, where GSLs are synthesized. This review defines the complex interaction between viruses, GSLs, and neurodegeneration, which provides new perspectives on the interlinked metabolic changes. A European working group has been set up to assess the risks of neurodegeneration with long COVID, based on potential GSL-mediated mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in a large number of subjects living with long-term consequences (long COVID). Glycosphingolipids and gangliosides are involved in both viral infections and neurodegeneration; hence, it is important to evaluate whether long COVID may increase the risk of neurodegeneration via this route. This study is the result of a European consortium formed to evaluate this possibility.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/metabolism/complications
*Glycosphingolipids/metabolism
SARS-CoV-2
*Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism/virology/etiology
Animals
Pandemics

@article {pmid41740458,
year = {2026},
author = {Sohn, WY and Goody, SMG and Reid, DW and Edwards, DK and Urdaneta, V and Doyle, BP and Straus, WL and Henry, C and Rizkalla, B},
title = {Evidence-based assessment of safety and mechanistic questions Related to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines.},
journal = {Vaccine},
volume = {77},
number = {},
pages = {128394},
doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128394},
pmid = {41740458},
issn = {1873-2518},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects/immunology/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; mRNA Vaccines/adverse effects ; Vaccines, Synthetic/adverse effects/immunology ; RNA, Messenger/immunology ; },
abstract = {Messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally at unprecedented scale and have demonstrated strong effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Extensive safety monitoring across randomized clinical trials, national surveillance systems, and global pharmacovigilance programs has consistently supported a favorable benefit-risk profile for these vaccines. Despite this evidence, a range of questions and mechanistic hypotheses continue to circulate, including assertions of increased risk of malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and all-cause mortality, as well as proposed mechanisms involving product-related impurities (e.g. DNA contamination), biodistribution and antigen persistence, non-canonical translation (e.g. ribosomal frame-shifting), and immune modulation. This targeted narrative review synthesizes nonclinical, clinical, pharmacoepidemiologic, and regulatory evidence relevant to these mechanistic and safety related questions. Published literature, regulatory assessments, and surveillance data were qualitatively evaluated in the context of biological plausibility, methodological rigor, and consistency across independent data sources. Across the body of evidence, findings do not support increased long-term mortality, malignancy, autoimmune disease, genotoxicity or other long-term safety issues attributable to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. On the contrary, several large population-based studies have reported lower all-cause mortality among vaccinated individuals. Residual DNA levels are within established regulatory limits when measured using validated methods, and no credible mechanism supports genomic integration. Biodistribution studies demonstrate expected localization to the injection site and lymphoid tissues with no persistence. Immunologic findings, including IgG4 subclass responses, have not been associated with impaired protection in real-world vaccine effectiveness studies. Collectively, the evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Ongoing surveillance and rigorous evaluation remain essential to inform public health policy. Importantly, vaccine safety questions should be assessed using transparent, structured frameworks that systematically weigh benefits, harms, quality of evidence, values, and feasibility.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects/immunology/administration & dosage
*COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
mRNA Vaccines/adverse effects
Vaccines, Synthetic/adverse effects/immunology
RNA, Messenger/immunology

@article {pmid41740848,
year = {2026},
author = {Lee, GM and Yun, S and Jung, YW and Kim, JH and Chae, YM},
title = {Cancer care disruptions among vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.},
journal = {Journal of cancer policy},
volume = {48},
number = {},
pages = {100716},
doi = {10.1016/j.jcpo.2026.100716},
pmid = {41740848},
issn = {2213-5383},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Vulnerable Populations/statistics & numerical data ; *Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Female ; Pandemics ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data ; Socioeconomic Disparities in Health ; Early Detection of Cancer ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Infectious disease outbreaks, particularly COVID-19, have disrupted cancer care worldwide and disproportionately affected vulnerable populations.

OBJECTIVE: To identify vulnerable groups and characterize patterns of disruption in cancer screening and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework, we conducted a scoping review of studies published between 2002 and 2023. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Thirty-four studies were included and analyzed with a focus on healthcare utilization, screening delays, and treatment disruptions across the cancer care continuum.

RESULTS: Older adults, women, immigrant and ethnic minority populations, individuals with low income or education, and patients with comorbidities were most frequently identified as vulnerable. Screening disruptions were more commonly associated with lower educational attainment, whereas treatment delays were concentrated among low-income individuals, newly diagnosed patients, and those with comorbidities. Health system strain, mobility restrictions, fear of infection, and socioeconomic barriers were key contributing factors.

CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates that vulnerability in cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic is stage-specific and shaped by both population-level and health system-level factors. Mapping these patterns provides evidence to inform stage-specific and population-sensitive strategies to protect cancer care continuity during future public health emergencies.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Vulnerable Populations/statistics & numerical data
*Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Female
Pandemics
Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data
Socioeconomic Disparities in Health
Early Detection of Cancer

@article {pmid41741003,
year = {2026},
author = {Michaelchuk, W and Soril, LJJ and Chiarieri-Hirsch, D and Giroux, E and Shatto, J and Gershon, AS and Gupta, S and Stickland, MK and Lam, GY},
title = {Assessment and management of post-COVID-19 pulmonary complications: a rapid review.},
journal = {European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society},
volume = {35},
number = {179},
pages = {},
pmid = {41741003},
issn = {1600-0617},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/therapy/epidemiology/diagnosis ; *Lung Diseases/therapy/diagnosis/etiology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {The rising global prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) underscores the substantial and ongoing burden faced by individuals following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The volume of emerging evidence regarding pulmonary-related PCC complications highlights the urgent need for current, evidence-informed guidelines to ensure timely assessment and effective treatment for those affected by PCC. Thus, the aim of this review was to synthesise existing research on the management and treatment of pulmonary complications in individuals with PCC. A rapid review of published and grey literature focused on pulmonary-related PCC complications was completed in November 2023 and updated in June 2025, in accordance with PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. We identified 73 unique articles, including 12 guidance documents, 24 secondary studies (including 11 systematic reviews with meta-analyses, eight systematic reviews and three scoping reviews) and 37 primary research studies (13 randomised controlled trials) and narratively synthesised their findings. Guidance documents addressed workup and management for pulmonary-related PCC complications, recommending the use of pulmonary function testing with diffusing capacity and the importance of ruling out other conditions. Although evidence regarding the use of medical and pharmacological interventions for treatment of pulmonary-related PCC complications were limited and inconclusive, the current evidence base suggested potential effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach for pulmonary-related PCC treatment, involving specialist consultations and tailored rehabilitation programmes. The heterogeneity in study quality and risk of bias warrants cautious interpretation of the findings. The current evidence and evolving healthcare landscape suggest the need for updated, evidence-informed clinical guidance.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications/therapy/epidemiology/diagnosis
*Lung Diseases/therapy/diagnosis/etiology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid41742211,
year = {2026},
author = {Ortiz-Prado, E and Cadena-Padilla, MP and Vélez-Páez, JL and Vasconez-Gonzalez, J and Izquierdo-Condoy, JS and Vergara, M and Viscor, G},
title = {Chronic hypoxia adaptation at high altitude: a perspective on Its potential role in mortality in viral pneumonia-associated ARDS and implications for personalized critical care.},
journal = {Critical care (London, England)},
volume = {30},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41742211},
issn = {1466-609X},
abstract = {Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to viral pneumonias, predominantly COVID-19 but also influenza and adenovirus, remains a major ICU mortality driver, with rates exceeding 40%. Chronic high-altitude adaptation (≥ 2,500 m) modifies human pulmonary physiology through hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α/2α) stabilization, ACE2 downregulation, enhanced capillary recruitment, and anti-inflammatory shifts, potentially reducing ARDS severity. Across published observational studies, findings remain heterogeneous; however, several cohorts have reported lower mortality at moderate-to-high altitude (approximately 30–50% in some reports), along with proposed altitude-appropriate SpO2 targets (89–93%) and alternative interpretations of oxygenation indices (e.g., barometric pressure–adjusted P/F ratios). Protection is strongest in younger, comorbidity-free patients, but attenuates in diabetics/hypertensives. In this perspective, we critically examine the evidence on how altitude may influence the clinical course and survival of critically ill patients, exploring potential pulmonary adaptive mechanisms and reflecting on their implications for monitoring and management in intensive care units.},
}

@article {pmid41743132,
year = {2026},
author = {Qu, J and Liu, M and Zhou, C},
title = {Rewriting the viral script: post-translational modifications orchestrating SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and immune evasion.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1748470},
pmid = {41743132},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 reprograms host cell biology not solely through its genomic content but also through a sophisticated arsenal of post-translational modifications (PTMs) that modulate viral protein function, host signaling networks, and immune responses. Despite increasing recognition of PTMs as dynamic regulators of infection, their full functional breadth and therapeutic potential remain incompletely defined. Here, we provide a comprehensive, PTM-centric synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, detailing how phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, glycosylation, acetylation, succinylation, ISGylation, and ADP-ribosylation cooperatively shape virus-host interplay. We dissect the mechanistic roles of individual modifications, such as phosphorylation-mediated transitions in nucleocapsid function, ubiquitin-driven degradation of immune factors, and SUMOylation-guided viral assembly, while revealing higher-order regulatory circuits and crosstalk among PTMs. Additionally, we highlight emerging computational tools for PTM site prediction and identify shared enzymatic nodes exploitable for host-directed antiviral strategies. This integrative framework positions PTMs as not merely bystanders but as central modulators of viral fitness and host vulnerability, offering novel avenues for therapeutic intervention against SARS-CoV-2 and future pandemic threats.},
}

@article {pmid41743347,
year = {2026},
author = {Miyano, S and Nozaki, I and Hachiya, M and Miyamoto, T and Takei, T},
title = {Regional health security architecture in ASEAN countries: Lessons from regional CDC models and Japan's strategic partnership for ACPHEED development.},
journal = {Global health & medicine},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {1-7},
pmid = {41743347},
issn = {2434-9194},
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in regional health security mechanisms, prompting ASEAN to establish the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), with functions distributed across Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This policy analysis examines strategic development approaches for ACPHEED through comprehensive benchmarking of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and Gulf CDC, supported by consultations in Indonesia (2024) and Sweden (2025) involving ASEAN member states and international partners. A comparative analysis reveals distinct organizational models: the ECDC operates within European Union (EU) institutional frameworks emphasizing functional specialization; the Africa CDC employs decentralized Regional Coordination Centers; and the Gulf CDC implements hybrid governance via Permanent Communication Networks. Each model offers valuable lessons for ACPHEED's development, particularly concerning governance structures that balance regional coordination with national sovereignty. ACPHEED faces unique challenges due to ASEAN's consensus-based, nonlegislative institutional nature and its tri-country operational structure. Critical success factors include phased surveillance emphasizing a defined scope and capacity building; inclusive governance mechanisms ensuring equitable member-state ownership; and operational frameworks applying subsidiarity principles to complement existing ASEAN mechanisms. Sustainable financing remains paramount given ASEAN's limited budgetary authority. Japan's strategic partnership should capitalize on its technical expertise in laboratory systems, digital surveillance, and disaster preparedness through comprehensive institutional support. ACPHEED's success depends on sustained political commitment, realistic financial arrangements, and effective integration into global health security architectures. This analysis provides a strategic roadmap for ACPHEED's preparatory phase so that it can serve as a regional health security leader while addressing ASEAN-specific institutional constraints.},
}

@article {pmid41743408,
year = {2026},
author = {Bsat, D and Safi, D and Arabi, M},
title = {Remdesivir in COVID-19: A Focus on Pediatric Cardiac Patients.},
journal = {The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {4700812},
pmid = {41743408},
issn = {1712-9532},
abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented a significant global health challenge that necessitated the immediate search for various therapeutic modalities. Remdesivir, an antiviral drug inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), was among the most heavily used drugs against COVID-19. Of the several randomized controlled trials studying the efficacy of remdesivir, the vast majority were studied on the adult population. Results remain contradictory, with some studies supporting the high efficacy of remdesivir while others highlighting the lack of significance of its antiviral effects. Given the lack of focus on the pediatric population, the antiviral effects of remdesivir in cardiac pediatric patients, who are particularly vulnerable, remain especially under-investigated. This literature review explores current literature on remdesivir's mechanism of action and efficacy against COVID-19, especially in the pediatric cardiac population. Therefore, by combining results of studies from randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies in the adult and pediatric populations, this literature review underlines current knowledge gaps and highlights the need for studies targeting specific ages and comorbidities to effectively treat patients at higher risk of adverse events.},
}

@article {pmid41743708,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, W and Gai, Q and Yang, J and Chen, J and Lyu, Z},
title = {PhIP-Seq: unveiling the complexity of antibody repertoires in health and disease.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1735735},
pmid = {41743708},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods ; *Immunoprecipitation/methods ; COVID-19/immunology ; Peptide Library ; Computational Biology ; Animals ; Cell Surface Display Techniques/methods ; Plasmodium falciparum/immunology ; Epitopes/immunology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology ; },
abstract = {Phage-Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (PhIP-Seq) merges phage display with next-generation sequencing to enable high-throughput profiling of antibody repertoires. This review synthesizes the technical evolution of the PhIP-Seq platform, critically assessing the workflow from peptide library design and immunoprecipitation to bioinformatics analysis. We evaluate strategies for optimizing library diversity and minimizing non-specific binding, while addressing inherent limitations such as the detection of conformational epitopes and post-translational modifications. The clinical utility of PhIP-Seq is examined through its application in identifying novel autoantigens in systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, mapping viral epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 and Plasmodium falciparum, and detecting tumor-associated antigens. Finally, we discuss the trajectory of the field toward integration with multi-omics datasets and the development of point-of-care diagnostic tools.},
}

Humans
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods
*Immunoprecipitation/methods
COVID-19/immunology
Peptide Library
Computational Biology
Animals
Cell Surface Display Techniques/methods
Plasmodium falciparum/immunology
Epitopes/immunology
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology

@article {pmid41744151,
year = {2026},
author = {Domachowske, JB and Zimet, GD and Hanage, W and Beck, E and Sule, P and Wahid, R and Vicic, N},
title = {Preventing COVID-19 in at-risk populations: moving toward next-generation mRNA-1283 COVID-19 vaccine to address current challenges.},
journal = {Expert review of vaccines},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {2632657},
doi = {10.1080/14760584.2026.2632657},
pmid = {41744151},
issn = {1744-8395},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology/epidemiology ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Vaccine Efficacy ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology ; 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Next-generation COVID-19 vaccines hold promise to reduce severe outcomes in populations most at risk. While the original mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273, targets the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, mRNA-1283 is a novel next-generation mRNA COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets immunodominant domains within the spike protein.

AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes literature on the development of mRNA-1283, from its design and preclinical evaluation to phase 1-3 clinical trial findings, with a particular focus on immunogenicity and efficacy in at-risk populations, specifically older adults and adults with comorbidities. The potential public health impact of this next-generation vaccine is explored, along with ongoing challenges facing COVID-19 vaccination.

EXPERT OPINION: Phase 1-3 clinical trials demonstrated that mRNA-1283 was well-tolerated and no safety concerns were identified. Furthermore, mRNA-1283 demonstrated higher point estimates of immunogenicity and relative vaccine efficacy than mRNA-1273, including among older adults and individuals with underlying conditions who are most susceptible to severe COVID-19. Initial modeling studies indicate that mRNA-1283 could prevent more hospitalizations than current COVID-19 vaccines. Evidence to date suggests that the novel next-generation mRNA-1283 vaccine holds promise to advance progress in reducing the ongoing burden of COVID-19 across vulnerable populations.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology/epidemiology
*COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage/adverse effects
Vaccine Efficacy
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Immunogenicity, Vaccine

@article {pmid41744596,
year = {2026},
author = {Barbinta-Patrascu, ME and Negut, I and Bita, B},
title = {Virus Biomimetic-Delivery Systems for the Production of Vaccines.},
journal = {Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41744596},
issn = {2313-7673},
abstract = {The persistent emergence of infectious diseases has underscored the critical demand for next-generation vaccine technologies that are safe, effective, and scalable. This review explores virus biomimetic delivery systems, focusing on virus-like particles (VLPs) and virosomes as promising platforms for vaccine and therapeutic development. VLPs are self-assembled nanostructures composed of viral structural proteins that mimic native virions without carrying genetic material, while virosomes are reconstituted viral envelopes that retain functional glycoproteins but lack a nucleocapsid. Both systems provide strong immunogenicity and safety by mimicking viral architecture while eliminating the risk of replication. The paper examines various expression platforms for VLP production, including bacterial, yeast, insect, mammalian, and plant-based systems, highlighting their respective advantages, challenges, and optimization strategies. Mechanistic insights into antigen presentation, immune activation, and cellular uptake pathways are discussed to explain their superior performance in eliciting humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, current applications of VLPs and virosomes in vaccines against major pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, Newcastle disease virus, malaria, hepatitis, and respiratory syncytial virus are reviewed, demonstrating their versatility and clinical potential. By integrating molecular engineering, nanotechnology, and biofabrication strategies, virus biomimetic systems represent a transformative frontier in vaccinology, immunotherapy, and targeted drug delivery.},
}

@article {pmid41745098,
year = {2026},
author = {Zoccali, F and Fratini, C and Pennacchia, F and Cascone, F and de Vincentiis, M and Petrella, C and Barbato, C and Minni, A},
title = {Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Long COVID Symptoms: A Breath of Fresh Air.},
journal = {Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41745098},
issn = {2079-9721},
abstract = {Long COVID is defined as "the continuation or development of new symptoms 3 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, with these symptoms lasting for at least 2 months with no other explanations", as reported by the World Health Organization. A growing number of people are dealing with a variety of lingering symptoms even after recovering from an acute infection. These can include fatigue, muscle pain, shortness of breath, headaches, cognitive issues, neurodegenerative symptoms, anxiety, depression, and a feeling of hopelessness, and therapeutic options for long COVID are investigated. The potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to improve chronic fatigue, cognitive impairments, and neurological disorders has been established; therefore, the use of HBOT to treat long COVID has also been studied. The aim of this literature search is to analyze the state of the art of a potential role of HBOT to improve chronic fatigue, cognitive impairments and neurological disorders. A literature analysis was performed, focusing on the clinical efficacy of HBOT for treating long COVID symptoms. The results from January 2021 to October 2025, using a standard registry database, showed 21 studies, including one case report, ten randomized controlled trial, eight systematic reviews and three studies regarding the molecular mechanism and markers changing after HBOT. They suggested that HBOT can improve quality of life, fatigue, cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms and cardiopulmonary functions. HBOT is a safe treatment and has shown some benefits for long COVID symptoms. To precisely define indications, protocols, and post-treatment evaluations, we need to conduct more in-depth, large-scale studies.},
}

@article {pmid41745309,
year = {2026},
author = {Kostev, K and Konrad, M and Luedde, M},
title = {Real-World Cardiovascular Research Using the German IQVIA Disease Analyzer Database: Methods, Evidence, and Limitations (2000-2025).},
journal = {Journal of cardiovascular development and disease},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41745309},
issn = {2308-3425},
abstract = {Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This increases the demand for real-world evidence to complement findings from randomized controlled trials. The German IQVIA Disease Analyzer (DA) database, which is populated with anonymized electronic medical records from general practitioners and specialists, has become an increasingly valuable source for cardiovascular research. Over the past two decades, and especially between 2020 and 2025, numerous epidemiological studies have used this database to explore associations between cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, therapeutic patterns, and cardiovascular outcomes in large, broadly representative outpatient populations. This review synthesizes evidence from 13 selected DA-based studies examining atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cardiometabolic disease, lipid management, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related cardiovascular risks, cerebrovascular complications, COVID-19-associated vascular events, and modifiable behavioral and anthropometric factors. These studies were selected based on predefined criteria including cardiovascular relevance, methodological rigor, large sample size, and representativeness of key disease domains across the 2000-2025 period. Eligible studies were identified through targeted searches of peer-reviewed literature using the German IQVIA Disease Analyzer database and were selected to reflect major cardiovascular disease domains, risk factors, and therapeutic areas. Across disease domains, the reviewed studies consistently demonstrate the DA database's capacity to identify reproducible associations between cardiometabolic risk factors, comorbidities, and cardiovascular outcomes in routine outpatient care. While causal inference is not possible, the database enables the identification of clinically meaningful associations that inform hypothesis generation, help quantify disease burden, and highlight gaps in prevention or treatment. The database's strengths include large sample sizes (often exceeding 100,000 patients), long follow-up periods, and high external validity, while limitations relate to coding accuracy, residual confounding, and the absence of detailed clinical measures. Collectively, the evidence underscores the importance of the DA database as a crucial platform for real-world cardiovascular research.},
}

@article {pmid41746040,
year = {2026},
author = {Timmer, MSM and Connor, LM and Stocker, BL},
title = {Targeting the MR1-MAIT Cell Axis for Vaccination Against Infectious Disease.},
journal = {Vaccines},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41746040},
issn = {2076-393X},
support = {24-VUW-152//Royal Society Te Apārangi/ ; },
abstract = {Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells exist in high numbers in the body and have a unique and highly conserved T cell receptor (TCR). They can be activated in a TCR-dependent manner by ligands presented on the monomorphic protein MHC class I-related protein 1 (MR1) which is found on many cell types, including professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) and epithelial cells. This has sparked interest in the potential to exploit the MR1-MAIT cell axis for the development of vaccines against infectious disease. Within this context an MR1 ligand, typically 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-d-ribitylaminouracil (5-OP-RU), is administered with or without a Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand or cytokine in a pan vaccination approach that would prime the immune response to provide protection against a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens. This strategy has led to enhanced protection in murine models of Legionella longbeachae, Francisella tularensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza infection. However, studies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection have proven less successful. The second vaccination approach involves pairing the MR1 ligand with more conventional antigens that could activate CD4[+] and/or CD8[+] T cells. This approach has been successful in murine models of cholera, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, including in the context of subunit vaccines. However, there are several challenges when using MR1-MAIT cell-mediated vaccine adjuvants. These include the inherent instability of 5-OP-RU and the need for more advanced studies to better understand how the use of MR1 ligands would translate to applications in humans. This review will discuss these aspects and highlight the mechanistic studies that have been undertaken to understand how MAIT cells might elicit their effects within the context of MAIT cell-mediated vaccines for infectious disease.},
}

@article {pmid41746075,
year = {2026},
author = {Sarabia, LE and Williams, E and Date, K and Méroc, E and Eeuwijk, J and Gessner, B and Bresee, J and Fry, A and Begier, E},
title = {Vaccination Strategies Against Respiratory Pathogens in the Adult Population: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Vaccines},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41746075},
issn = {2076-393X},
support = {NA//Pfizer (United Kingdom)/ ; },
abstract = {Respiratory infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults and other at-risk adult populations. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, adult vaccination coverage remains suboptimal. This narrative review examines strategies designed to improve vaccine uptake among non-pregnant adults aged ≥18 years and inform future adult vaccination strategies. We conducted a targeted literature search using keywords for vaccination, respiratory diseases, strategy/program/implementation, and adults in PubMed database and CDC, WHO, and ECDC websites, between 2014 and 2024. A snowball search of literature reviews and key references was also performed to identify additional relevant studies. Eligible publications focused on vaccination strategies against influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal disease targeting non-pregnant adults (≥18 years). We categorized the strategies by intervention type to describe their influence on vaccination campaigns and vaccine uptake/coverage. We included 45 publications, encompassing strategies focused on individual decision-making, healthcare system functions, and national policy. Educational and awareness interventions (such as healthcare worker/provider recommendations during consultation, phone calls, letters, text messages, and social media outreach) reportedly raised vaccination rates. Access-related factors, including convenient vaccination sites and free or subsidized vaccines, were reported to be important factors in improving coverage in underserved communities. Within healthcare settings, strategies such as continuous vaccine provider training and workflow/process optimization were shown to enhance vaccination delivery. At the local or national policy levels, legislation governing program targets shaped immunization efforts and facilitated collaborations and partnerships to expand campaign reach. The findings may inform policymakers and public health/immunization practitioners in designing context-specific immunization initiatives that effectively reach adult populations.},
}

@article {pmid41746079,
year = {2026},
author = {Oh, T},
title = {Advances in Spatial Transcriptomics for Infectious Disease Research: Insight for Vaccine Development.},
journal = {Vaccines},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41746079},
issn = {2076-393X},
support = {2025//Dankook University/ ; },
abstract = {Spatial transcriptomics (ST) enables genome-wide gene expression profiling while preserving tissue architecture, bridging the gap between bulk, single-cell, and histological analyses. Originating in 2016 and rapidly evolving since, ST has transformed infectious disease research by mapping host-pathogen interactions directly within intact tissues. Current platforms fall into two categories: sequencing-based methods (Visium, GeoMx, Stereo-seq) offering whole-transcriptome coverage at modest resolution and imaging-based platforms (Xenium, CosMx, MERFISH) providing single-cell or subcellular detail with targeted gene panels. These technologies reveal spatially organized immune responses, local tissue remodeling, and pathogen niches across viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In viral infection, ST uncovered heterogeneity in COVID-19 lung microenvironments, spatial immune activation in lymphoid tissues, and variant-specific inflammatory patterns. In bacterial disease, ST delineated granuloma architecture in tuberculosis and mapped vaccine-induced lung responses in Shigella studies. Parasitic infection studies identified localized inflammatory hotspots and microenvironmental control of T-cell differentiation in malaria. Despite powerful insights, ST faces constraints including RNA quality limitations, tradeoffs between resolution and transcript breadth, high cost, and analytical complexity. Nonetheless, ST increasingly informs vaccine design by identifying tissue-specific immune programs and protective microenvironments and is poised to become a standard tool for infectious disease biology.},
}

@article {pmid41746093,
year = {2026},
author = {Karczmarzyk, K and Kęsik-Brodacka, M},
title = {Challenges and Prospects in the Development of a Universal SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine.},
journal = {Vaccines},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41746093},
issn = {2076-393X},
support = {2019/35/B/NZ6/04002//National Science Centre/ ; },
abstract = {The development of a universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine holds great promise for achieving broad and durable protection against existing and future coronavirus variants. The identification, selection, and rational redesign of conserved viral epitopes constitute the direct immunological foundation of universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. The breadth and durability of protection are therefore primarily determined at the level of antigen and epitope design, whereas adjuvants, delivery platforms, and routes of administration serve as enabling and amplifying components rather than primary drivers of universality. Accordingly, this review discusses key determinants of universal vaccine design, including antigen selection, adjuvant utilization, and route of administration. The spike protein, particularly its receptor-binding domain, is a major antigenic target, but its high mutation rate challenges long-term vaccine efficacy. Strategies focusing on conserved epitopes in antigen designs show potential to elicit cross-neutralizing immune responses. Nanoparticle-based vaccines capable of presenting multiple homologous or heterologous antigens have demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity, broad protection in preclinical models and safety in clinical trials. The addition of next-generation adjuvants further amplifies humoral and cellular immunity beyond the capabilities of traditional aluminum-based adjuvants. Moreover, mucosal vaccine delivery may provide superior local protection at viral entry sites and limit transmission. Importantly, integrating these technological advances with epitope-centered antigen design and immunological data from vaccinated individuals will accelerate the identification of conserved epitopes and inform future vaccine design. A multidisciplinary approach combining optimized antigen engineering, novel adjuvant systems, and innovative delivery strategies is essential for the realization of a broadly protective universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.},
}

@article {pmid41747602,
year = {2026},
author = {Cui, Y and Song, P and Zhao, X and Tong, Z and Gao, GF},
title = {Virus-induced onychomadesis: Exploring the role of viral infection in nail shedding.},
journal = {Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology},
volume = {183},
number = {},
pages = {105928},
doi = {10.1016/j.jcv.2026.105928},
pmid = {41747602},
issn = {1873-5967},
mesh = {Humans ; *Nail Diseases/virology ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/virology/complications ; *Nails/virology/pathology ; *Virus Diseases/complications/virology ; Enterovirus/pathogenicity ; },
abstract = {Onychomadesis, characterized by proximal detachment of the nail plate due to temporary arrest of matrix proliferation, has been increasingly recognized as a complication following viral infections. Enterovirus-associated hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is the most frequently reported cause. Recent studies demonstrate that some enteroviruses, including Coxsackievirus A10, utilize the host receptor KREMEN1 (KRM1) to impair Wnt/β-catenin signaling and suppress nail stem cell differentiation, thereby providing a molecular basis for infection-induced nail shedding. Additionally, cases of onychomadesis linked to other viral infections, including KRM1-independent enteroviruses, influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, varicella-zoster virus, and co-infections involving HIV and mpox, have also been documented. Despite growing recognition of the virus-induced onychomadesis, in most cases the exact pathogeneses are yet elusive, thereof lack of approved treatments. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of onychomadesis and other sequelae can enhance diagnostics and therapies, guiding future drug development for virus-induced nail disorders and related complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed up to Dec 2025, including the search terms: onychomadesis, Beau's line, infection or virus, and follow-up. This review aims to explore the molecular pathophysiology of virus-induced onychomadesis and to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms, including the roles of viral receptors and signaling pathways in nail stem cell differentiation. It scrutinizes the currently available literatures of link between viral infections, particularly HFMD, and onychomadesis, focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved, and explores potential therapeutic insights.},
}

Humans
*Nail Diseases/virology
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/virology/complications
*Nails/virology/pathology
*Virus Diseases/complications/virology
Enterovirus/pathogenicity

@article {pmid41748273,
year = {2026},
author = {Evaborhene, NA and Oga, J and Adebisi, YA and Udokanma, EE and Runyowa, N and Kafuko, Z and Bandara, S and Onyeaghala, C},
title = {The WHO pandemic agreement-securing Africa's leadership in a fragmenting global order.},
journal = {BMJ global health},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41748273},
issn = {2059-7908},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *Leadership ; Africa/epidemiology ; *International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence ; *Pandemics/prevention & control ; *World Health Organization/organization & administration ; *Global Health ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Social Responsibility ; },
abstract = {In May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement, aimed at strengthening global pandemic preparedness and equity. This legally binding treaty emerged from years of negotiation shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic's stark inequities-particularly those experienced by African nations. While the treaty introduces important innovations, notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system, significant challenges remain. Ambiguities in equity commitments, geopolitical fragmentation and rising nationalism threaten effective implementation. For Africa, realising the treaty's promise requires robust legal frameworks, enhanced manufacturing and regulatory capacities and sustainable financing mechanisms that reduce donor dependency. This analysis critically examines the treaty's provisions and political economy, emphasising the need for enforceable obligations, continental leadership and multi-sectoral accountability. We propose the establishment of a Pandemic Peer Review Mechanism to embed political accountability at national and regional levels. Only through coordinated African leadership, institutional investment and global solidarity can the Pandemic Agreement deliver equitable health outcomes in a fracturing global order.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control
*Leadership
Africa/epidemiology
*International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence
*Pandemics/prevention & control
*World Health Organization/organization & administration
*Global Health
SARS-CoV-2
Social Responsibility

@article {pmid41748726,
year = {2026},
author = {Smith, EA and Fleming, DF and Lackritz, EM and Ulrich, AK},
title = {Inequities and global declines in SARS-CoV-2 genomic data availability hinder response to emerging variants.},
journal = {Npj viruses},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {41748726},
issn = {2948-1767},
abstract = {Genomic epidemiology has transformed the way public health scientists detect, monitor, and respond to infectious disease threats such as SARS-CoV-2 on a global scale. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, vast inequities in whole-genome sequence data availability between high- and low-income countries were highlighted, but the persistence of these disparities five years into a global pandemic has not been quantified. Also, while it is generally known that genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 largely declined following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, this has not been formally measured, and how it impacts our ability to detect and characterize new variants, remains unknown. Therefore, we performed an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequence submissions on the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) platform from 2020 to 2025, by country and World Bank income classification. There were large differences in SARS-CoV-2 sequence submissions by income classification, indicating a disparity in our ability to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution worldwide, which has important consequences for preventative measures such as vaccine strain selection. Nevertheless, there are important barriers to sustainable sharing of SARS-CoV-2 sequence data, which we discuss in detail, along with their relevance to other pathogens of public health importance. Also, the decrease in sequence submissions in high income countries from 577 million at the peak of the pandemic, to under 50 million in 2024, represents a loss of capacity to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution in countries with known capabilities. Ultimately, data drive the impact of genomic epidemiology, and long-term investments in genomic surveillance programs, as well as incentives for timely data sharing, are urgently needed to detect and characterize new viral variants worldwide.},
}

@article {pmid41749676,
year = {2026},
author = {Farì, G and Quarta, F and Bressi, F and La Russa, R and Paolucci, T and Bernetti, A},
title = {Effects of Exercise-Based Telerehabilitation for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and a Study Protocol.},
journal = {Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41749676},
issn = {2306-5354},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis causes considerable pain and disability. Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising treatment option, especially after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, but it still faces challenges regarding solid scientific evidence about its multiple benefits. This systematic review aimed to analyze the reported beneficial effects of telerehabilitation based on therapeutic exercise for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Methodsː PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were used to identify eligible studies. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered at PROSPERO (n° CRD42024579836). The selected studies underwent a qualitative assessment using the Modified Jadad Score.

RESULTS: Ten studies, including a total of 1354 participants, were included. From the selected studies, a wide variety of outcome measures emerged to evaluate the efficacy of telerehabilitation in the relief of pain and its clinical consequences. Seven studies specifically assessed pain, with four showing significant improvements in pain reduction in the intervention group compared with the control group. Telerehabilitation was found to be more effective or non-inferior to traditional rehabilitation in relieving pain, as reported across various pain scales. Limitations include the heterogeneity of interventions, the exclusion of non-recent studies, and the exclusive focus on therapeutic exercise. Conclusionsː The results of this systematic review suggest that telerehabilitation provides pain relief, improves physical function, and enhances quality of life, while preliminary evidence indicates potential cost-related advantages. However, some studies did not find TR to be superior to control interventions, highlighting mixed evidence. Additional high-quality studies are required to better support this promising rehabilitation approach.},
}

@article {pmid41750353,
year = {2026},
author = {Makki, R and Kassem-Moussa, S and Al Nemer, F and El Majzoub, R and Fayyad-Kazan, H and Rachidi, W and Badran, B and Fayyad-Kazan, M},
title = {MicroRNAs in Long COVID: Key Regulators, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets of Post-SARS-CoV-2 Sequelae.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41750353},
issn = {2218-273X},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/genetics/complications/virology/metabolism ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism/blood ; Biomarkers/metabolism/blood ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; },
abstract = {COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is clinically defined by persistent symptoms that endure beyond acute infection and affect multiple organ systems, including the immune, cardiopulmonary, neurological, and metabolic axes. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly resolved, limiting the development of targeted diagnostics and therapeutics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, control inflammatory networks, antiviral responses, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and fibrotic pathways, all of which are implicated in long COVID pathogenesis. Recent studies show durable changes in circulating miRNA signatures months after recovery from the acute phase, suggesting a role in maintaining chronic immune activation and metabolic dysfunction. Importantly, circulating miRNAs are stable, quantifiable in biofluids, and reflect systems-level dysregulation, positioning them as promising biomarker candidates for patient stratification, symptom clustering, and disease monitoring. Moreover, miRNA-directed interventions, such as mimics and antagomiRs, represent an emerging precision-medicine strategy to correct sustained molecular disturbances. This review summarizes current evidence linking miRNAs to long COVID, highlights their biomarker potential, and discusses therapeutic avenues that may help advance mechanism-based interventions for this globally emerging chronic condition.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/genetics/complications/virology/metabolism
*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism/blood
Biomarkers/metabolism/blood
SARS-CoV-2
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

@article {pmid41750595,
year = {2026},
author = {Dawi, J and Affa, S and Misakyan, Y and Gonzalez, E and Affa, S and Venketaraman, V},
title = {Glutathione-Mediated Redox Regulation of Immune Dysfunction in COVID-19 and Tuberculosis.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41750595},
issn = {2076-3921},
support = {R15 HL143545/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Tuberculosis and coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, remain major global health challenges that disproportionately affect individuals with metabolic disorders, chronic inflammation, and limited access to healthcare. Although these diseases are caused by different pathogens, they share important host-related determinants of severity, including immune dysfunction, oxidative stress, endothelial injury, and maladaptive inflammatory responses. Glutathione, the primary intracellular antioxidant and a key regulator of redox balance, has emerged as an important host factor connecting these processes across infectious diseases. This review integrates experimental, translational, and clinical evidence supporting the role of glutathione in regulating immune function, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in tuberculosis and COVID-19. In tuberculosis, glutathione deficiency compromises macrophage antimicrobial activity, disrupts granuloma structure, and alters T helper cell responses, leading to impaired immune containment and disease progression. In COVID-19, reduced glutathione levels are associated with redox imbalance, excessive cytokine signaling, endothelial dysfunction, and thromboinflammatory complications, especially in high-risk populations. In both diseases, glutathione depletion reduces host resilience and increases vulnerability to severe outcomes through shared immune and vascular pathways. By unifying disease-specific findings within a host-directed framework, this review highlights glutathione and redox signaling as common vulnerability pathways that help explain overlapping risk profiles for severe tuberculosis and COVID-19. It also places glutathione biology within the broader context of host-directed immunotherapy, emphasizing its potential role in prevention-focused and resilience-based strategies that complement pathogen-targeted treatments. Although current evidence does not support simple claims of disease prevention, it provides strong mechanistic justification for further investigation of glutathione as a modifiable host factor in high-risk populations.},
}

@article {pmid41751338,
year = {2026},
author = {Notarte, KI and Catahay, JA and Velasco, JV and Ver, AT and Lee, J and Rizk, JG and Lippi, G and Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C},
title = {Complement System Dysregulation in the Immunopathogenesis of Long COVID: Systematic Evidence Synthesis.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41751338},
issn = {2227-9059},
abstract = {Background/Objective: Long COVID is an important cause of disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection; yet, its underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. One proposed mechanism is the long-lasting dysregulation of the immune complement system. This systematic review is the first to summarize the current evidence and evaluate the potential role of long-lasting complement activation in people with long COVID. Methods: A systematic electronic search on PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted up to 15 October 2025, to identify studies investigating complement activation in people with the post-COVID-19 condition. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias and methodological quality. Results: Among the 247 studies initially identified, eleven met the inclusion criteria, comprising 1435 individuals (age: 48.5 years, 70% females) with long COVID and 1124 controls (age: 43.6 years, 60% females). All studies were of a high quality, with scores ranging from 7 to 8 stars (mean: 7.6 ± 0.5). The activation of the classical complement pathway was investigated in nine studies, whereas the lectin, alternative, and terminal complement pathways were each assessed in three studies. Multiple studies investigated several complement pathways. The results were heterogeneous since several markers of complement activation spanning the classical (C2, C4a, C4b, and C1s-C1INH), alternative (Ba, iC3b, and Factor D), and terminal (C5bC6, C5a, C9, and TCC) pathways were elevated, whereas other markers were not significantly different (C3, C4, and C4d) between patients with/without long COVID. In addition, markers spanning the lectin complement pathway (MBL, and MASP1-C1INH) were not significantly different between individuals with and without long COVID. Conclusions: The current evidence suggests potential long-lasting complement system dysregulation in individuals with long COVID, although the clinical significance remains controversial, due to heterogenous findings. Specific post-COVID symptom clusters, such as fatigue, dyspnea, or brain fog, have been linked to a distinct pattern of complement dysregulation. Substantial methodological heterogeneity, including differences in follow-up periods, complement markers, assessment methods, and control groups, along with the small number of available studies, underscores the need for further research to clarify the mechanisms linking complement dysregulation to long COVID.},
}

@article {pmid41751767,
year = {2026},
author = {Zieniuk, B and Wierzchowska, K and Jasińska, K and Kobus, J and Piotrowicz, A and Uğur, Ş and Fabiszewska, A},
title = {Yeast as a Model for Human Disease.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41751767},
issn = {1422-0067},
mesh = {Humans ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; *Models, Biological ; *Yeasts/genetics/metabolism ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Yeasts, especially the conventional species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, as well as some unconventional species such as Pichia pastoris, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Yarrowia lipolytica, have become fundamental model organisms for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases. Their eukaryotic cell organization, genetic simplicity, and strong conservation of essential biological pathways make them indispensable in biomedical research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of different yeast species in modeling human disorders, highlighting historical milestones and groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped current knowledge. The article discusses the applications of yeast models in studying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's, as well as metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and mitochondrial disorders, and their growing importance in cancer research and drug discovery. Special attention is given to humanized yeast models, which enable the expression and functional analysis of human genes and the heterologous synthesis of human proteins within yeast cells. Finally, the paper addresses the limitations and challenges of yeast as a model system while outlining future directions and emphasizing the organism's continued relevance in personalized medicine and functional genomics.},
}

Humans
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism
*Models, Biological
*Yeasts/genetics/metabolism
Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism

@article {pmid41752703,
year = {2026},
author = {Hostiuc, S and Gherghiceanu, F},
title = {Burnout, PTSD, and Medical Error: The Medico-Legal Implications of the Mental Health Crisis Among Frontline Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19.},
journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)},
volume = {62},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41752703},
issn = {1648-9144},
mesh = {Humans ; *Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology/psychology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology ; *Burnout, Professional/epidemiology/psychology ; *Health Personnel/psychology/legislation & jurisprudence/statistics & numerical data ; *Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data/psychology/legislation & jurisprudence ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Prevalence ; Mental Health ; },
abstract = {Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented mental health crisis among workers in the healthcare field, with average burnout rates increasing from about 32% before the pandemic to 46-52% during peak times and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting 24-34% of frontline staff. The primary objective of this article is to synthesize evidence on the prevalence of burnout and PTSD among healthcare workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objectives are: (a) to examine the mechanisms and empirical evidence linking clinician mental health to medical errors and patient safety outcomes and (b) to analyze the medico-legal implications of this relationship, including malpractice liability, institutional responsibility, and opportunities for policy reform. Materials and Methods: We conducted a narrative review searching PubMed (November 2025-January 2026) using predefined keyword combinations. Inclusion criteria comprised original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses examining mental health outcomes or patient safety among clinical staff. Data were synthesized narratively across five thematic domains. Results: Burnout prevalence increased from approximately 32% pre-pandemic to 46-52% during peak periods, with emotional exhaustion reaching 67.5% in some settings. PTSD rates rose to 24-34% among frontline staff, exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 15-20%, with ICU staff particularly affected (27-40%). Substantial overlap exists between conditions (86-98% comorbidity). Physician burnout is associated with 2.72 times higher odds of self-reported errors (95% CI: 2.19-3.37), with each point increase in emotional exhaustion raising the error risk by 5-11%. Mechanisms include cognitive impairment (reduced executive function, g = -0.39; impaired working memory, g = -0.36) and sleep disturbance. Malpractice litigation compounds psychological harm, increasing depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusions: This review, synthesizing data from over 500,000 healthcare workers, demonstrates bidirectional relationships among burnout, PTSD, and medical errors with significant medico-legal ramifications. Addressing this crisis requires systemic interventions including workload management, psychological support, blame-free reporting cultures, and policy reforms balancing accountability with recognition of system-level contributors to error.},
}

Humans
*Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology/psychology
*COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology
*Burnout, Professional/epidemiology/psychology
*Health Personnel/psychology/legislation & jurisprudence/statistics & numerical data
*Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data/psychology/legislation & jurisprudence
SARS-CoV-2
Prevalence
Mental Health

@article {pmid41752709,
year = {2026},
author = {Pah, AM and Gavrilescu, DM and Mateescu, DM and Cotet, IG and Craciun, ML and Florescu, E and Crisan, S and Avram, A},
title = {Association of Chronic Hyperglycemia and Glycemic Variability with Mortality in COVID-19: Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.},
journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)},
volume = {62},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41752709},
issn = {1648-9144},
support = {Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara//Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/mortality/blood/complications ; *Hyperglycemia/mortality/complications ; *Blood Glucose/analysis ; Observational Studies as Topic ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Chronic Disease ; Cohort Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; },
abstract = {Background and Objectives: Dysglycemia is a major determinant of adverse outcomes in COVID-19, yet the separate contributions of poor glycemic control and glycemic variability (GV) remain incompletely defined. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies (both prospective and retrospective) to quantify the impact of chronic hyperglycemia and glucose instability on disease severity, intensive care requirements, and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2020 to October 2024 for observational cohort studies reporting clinically relevant COVID-19 outcomes stratified by glycemic control or GV. Dysglycemia definitions varied across studies (HbA1c-based chronic hyperglycemia, fasting glucose, or admission/in-hospital hyperglycemia). GV was assessed using metrics including mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), or maximum daily glucose difference. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis; five studies were eligible for quantitative synthesis of clinical outcomes. Random-effects DerSimonian-Laird models were applied due to anticipated clinical heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q, τ[2], and I[2] statistics. Results: Overall, 12 observational studies (9 prospective and 3 retrospective cohorts; n = 1,008,310 patients) were included. In quantitative analyses of five eligible cohorts, poor glycemic control was associated with a significantly increased risk of severe or critical COVID-19 (pooled RR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.45-2.11; I[2] = 29%), ICU admission (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.18-2.01), and mechanical ventilation (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.31-2.26). Three studies evaluating GV demonstrated a strong association with adverse outcomes (pooled RR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.71-2.50; I[2] = 0%); this low heterogeneity should be interpreted cautiously given the limited number of studies. GV remained associated with mortality in multivariable models, indicating that glycemic variability is separately associated with mortality as a clinically relevant prognostic risk marker in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Both chronic hyperglycemia and elevated glycemic variability are each associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Glycemic variability appeared to be a consistent, low-heterogeneity prognostic marker of mortality, being separately associated with higher death risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, highlighting its potential utility as a dynamic metabolic biomarker. Early identification and targeted management of dysglycemia-especially glucose instability-may improve prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. PROSPERO: CRD420251250718.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/mortality/blood/complications
*Hyperglycemia/mortality/complications
*Blood Glucose/analysis
Observational Studies as Topic
SARS-CoV-2
Chronic Disease
Cohort Studies
Retrospective Studies

@article {pmid41752904,
year = {2026},
author = {Siliste, RN and Benea, S and Homentcovschi, C and Deaconu, T and Caruntu, C and Savulescu-Fiedler, I},
title = {Myocardial and Vascular Involvement in COVID-19 and Post-Vaccination States: Understanding Injury Pathways and Clinical Implications.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41752904},
issn = {2075-1729},
abstract = {Myocardial and vascular injury secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination has emerged as a clinically relevant phenomenon, with distinct but overlapping mechanisms. Myocardial injury in COVID-19 results from a complex interplay between direct viral effects and immune-mediated inflammation, supported by histopathological studies revealing macrophage-rich infiltrates, microthrombosis, and supporting fibrosis in isolated areas. In contrast, vaccine-associated myocarditis-reported predominantly following mRNA vaccines-has a self-limiting clinical course, with mechanisms likely involving molecular mimicry, aberrant immune activation, or hypersensitivity reactions, although these pathways require further validation. Although mRNA vaccines have been associated with a small increase in myocarditis, particularly in young men, the risk is significantly lower than that associated with COVID-19 infection, and the cardiovascular benefits of vaccination far outweigh these rare adverse events in most populations. After the end of the pandemic, the number of patients with severe forms of COVID-19 has decreased significantly, but we consider that cardiac involvement remains an important issue for the acute and long-term prognosis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our paper synthesizes the latest epidemiological and mechanistic evidence on the link between COVID-19, vaccination, and myocardial and/or vascular injuries, highlighting the clinical implications and providing practical recommendations for management, as well as future perspectives on risk assessment, targeted immunotherapy, advanced diagnostic tools, and long-term monitoring.},
}

@article {pmid41753016,
year = {2026},
author = {Cadena Barberis, ED and Oh, HR and Vélez Ordóñez, LD and Calvopiña, VS and Rodas, JA and Leon-Rojas, JE},
title = {Relationship Between Substance Use and Suicide Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Random-Effects Proportions Meta-Analysis.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41753016},
issn = {2077-0383},
support = {592.A.XVII.25//Universidad de Las Américas/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social structures, healthcare access, and psychological well-being, potentially intensifying substance use and suicidal behavior. Although both phenomena have been independently studied, their co-occurrence during the pandemic has not been systematically synthesized. To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of suicidal behavior among individuals with substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic through a systematic review and random-effects proportions meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host was conducted from 11 March 2020 to 15 October 2022 for studies published between March 2020 and October 2022. Eligible studies included observational designs reporting substance use and suicidal behavior in adults during the pandemic. Risk of bias was assessed using National Institutes of Health tools. Proportional meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I[2] statistic. Results: Twenty studies comprising 70,684 individuals were included. Substance use during the pandemic was reported in 24.6 percent of participants, while 30.7 percent exhibited suicidal behavior. A total of 16.1 percent presented with both substance use and suicidal behavior. The pooled prevalence of any suicidal behavior among individuals with substance use was 33.8 percent (95 percent CI, 22.8 to 45.7), with substantial heterogeneity. Alcohol showed a pooled prevalence of 36.2 percent, cannabis 48.1 percent, and tobacco 11.5 percent. Suicidal ideation was the most frequent outcome, with a pooled prevalence of 36.8 percent among substance users. Most studies reported an increased association between substance use and suicidal behavior compared with pre-pandemic periods. Conclusions: Substance use and suicidal behavior frequently co-occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly suicidal ideation and alcohol use. These findings highlight the need for integrated mental health and substance use interventions during public health crises.},
}

@article {pmid41753114,
year = {2026},
author = {Kloni, M and Heraclides, A and Panteli, T and Klonis, A and Rentzias, P and Karagiannis, C},
title = {Incentive Spirometer in COVID-19: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41753114},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: COVID-19 and its sequelae have affected millions worldwide, with many individuals experiencing persistent symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue and reduced quality of life. Respiratory physiotherapy is commonly used to support patients with pulmonary conditions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of the incentive spirometer on cardiopulmonary, functional and patient-reported outcomes in adults during the acute and post-COVID-19 phases. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Clinical Trials.gov and Google Scholar to identify studies published between January 2020 and April 2025. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in study design, populations, interventions and outcome measures, quantitative synthesis was not feasible and findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Twelve studies involving 573 participants were included. Within-group analyses showed improvements in pulmonary outcomes (including FEV1, FVC, and oxygen saturation), reductions in dyspnea, and improvements in quality of life following incentive spirometer. Improvements in pulmonary function were reported primarily in post-COVID-19 populations, whereas reductions in anxiety and improvements in quality of life were reported mainly in acute COVID-19 settings. Between-group comparisons demonstrated statistically significant differences in favor of the incentive spirometer for selected pulmonary and functional outcomes (including FVC, DLCO, oxygen saturation, six-minute walk test, and 30 s sit-to-stand test), while no significant differences were observed for other outcomes such as peak expiratory flow, respiratory rate, or heart rate variability. Randomized controlled trials were judged to have a moderate risk of bias, non-randomized studies a moderate-to-serious risk, and certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusions: Incentive spirometer may support respiratory, functional, and psychological recovery in adults during the acute and post-COVID-19 phases. However, effects vary across outcomes and comparator interventions, and the overall certainty of evidence is low to moderate. Further high-quality research is required to confirm effectiveness and guide optimal clinical use.},
}

@article {pmid41753604,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, M and Ren, W and Wu, X and Khan, JM and Nazir, H and Rehman, SU and Ali, F and Li, J},
title = {Insights into Monkeypox Virus: Host Immunity, Viral Immune Evasion, Recent Advances in Vaccines, Therapeutic Development, and Future Perspectives.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41753604},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Monkeypox (Mpox), a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Monkeypox Virus (MPXV), has gained significant attention in recent years due to its increasing incidence and the grave threat it poses to global health. MPXV has spread at a rapid pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing 10,000+ confirmed cases and ~300 fatalities in 122 countries. This virus comprises two major clades, Clade I (Central African), which is evidently more virulent, and Clade II (West African), which has caused the recent outbreaks across the world and caused fewer deaths. Clinically, Mpox presents as a milder form with fever, lymphadenopathy, and vesiculopustular rash similar to smallpox. Diagnostic measures such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are the main diagnostic confirmatory tools. Advanced diagnostics involve electronic microscopy, serology, and immunohistochemistry. Alternative drugs like tecovirimat and brincidofovir have demonstrated potential for treating smallpox, but there is scanty evidence on their efficacy against MPXV. Most recent advancements in the study of vaccines have resulted in the creation and introduction of MVA-BN (JYNNEOS/Imvanex/Imvamune) and ACAM2000 vaccines, which conferred cross-protection against MPXV. MVA-BN is suggested to perform better than other types due to its enhanced safety and immunogenicity. Researchers are also developing DNA and protein subunit vaccines against Mpox to induce specific immune responses by presenting viral proteins. The discovery of novel vaccine candidates and antiviral treatments will be needed to prevent future outbreaks and reduce the global health burden of Mpox. This review focuses on the characterization of MPXV, summarizing current knowledge on its genomic structure, pathogenesis, replication, potential targets of anti-MPXV drugs, clinical features, and epidemiological patterns, along with recent advances in vaccine development.},
}

@article {pmid41753974,
year = {2026},
author = {Haimi, M},
title = {Nurse-Led Telephone Triage in Contemporary Healthcare: Bridging the Gap Between Patient Need and Resource Allocation.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41753974},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {Background: Nurse teletriage has emerged as a component of modern healthcare delivery, utilizing telecommunication technologies to assess patient conditions remotely and guide appropriate care decisions. As healthcare systems face increasing demand and the need for cost-effective care delivery, teletriage services have expanded, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This narrative review examines the current state of nurse teletriage practice, its effectiveness, safety outcomes, and implementation considerations. A comparative analysis with physician-led teletriage models is provided, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence is explored. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through searches of multiple databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This approach was selected due to the heterogeneous nature of the teletriage literature, which spans diverse study designs, populations, and outcomes that are not amenable to formal systematic synthesis. Peer-reviewed articles published between 1970 and 2024 examining safety outcomes, effectiveness, and implementation frameworks were reviewed. Results: The available evidence suggests that nurse-led teletriage systems, particularly when supported by computerized decision support systems, can improve patient access to care while maintaining safety standards. Studies indicate that telephone triage nursing does not increase mortality, hospitalization rates, or emergency department referrals when properly implemented. One well-documented physician-led model in Israel reported diagnosis accuracy rates of 98.5% and decision reasonableness rates of 92%, though generalizability across settings requires caution. Key success factors appear to include the use of evidence-based protocols, staff training, technology infrastructure, and quality assurance programs. While these findings are promising, the heterogeneous nature of the included studies and absence of formal quality assessment warrant cautious interpretation. Conclusions: Nurse teletriage appears to be an effective and safe approach to healthcare delivery that addresses challenges in modern healthcare systems. The choice between nurse-led and physician-led models should consider population complexity, case types, available resources, and economic factors. Artificial intelligence technologies offer potential opportunities to enhance teletriage, though careful validation is essential. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, comparative effectiveness across healthcare systems, and rigorous evaluation of AI applications. Highlights: Telephone triage services, where nurses or physicians assess patients remotely and guide them to appropriate care, have become increasingly important in modern healthcare. This narrative review examines the evidence on nurse-led telephone triage, comparing it with physician-led models and exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. The available evidence suggests that nurse-led systems, when supported by appropriate protocols and training, can safely improve patient access to care while reducing healthcare costs. Physician-led models may offer advantages for complex cases but at higher costs. While artificial intelligence shows promise for enhancing triage accuracy, current evidence specific to telephone triage remains limited. Healthcare organizations should carefully consider their population needs, available resources, and local context when implementing teletriage services.},
}

@article {pmid41754057,
year = {2026},
author = {Malik, Z and Skapetis, T},
title = {A Contemporary Mini-Review of Interprofessional Education and Technology-Assisted Management of Dental Emergencies in the Emergency Department.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41754057},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dental emergencies are increasing in frequency. Numerous studies have reported minimal knowledge and/or skills by emergency department staff regarding dental emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a paradigm shift in emergency dental care management away from traditional management approaches. However, there have been no reviews of contemporary literature pertaining to either technology-assisted or interprofessional education and dental emergency management in the emergency department setting. This mini-review aimed to synthesise current evidence of interprofessional education, utilising technology-assisted modalities, for the management of dental emergencies in hospital emergency departments.

METHODS: A comprehensive search was carried out across four electronic databases, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from 2018 to 2025.

RESULTS: A total of three papers were identified and included in the mini-review. Two of the three papers addressed the subject of dental emergencies in the emergency department as a primary finding.

DISCUSSION: Included papers were of low-quality evidence and referenced simulation-based education, tele-dentistry, and artificial intelligence as contemporary approaches relating to dental emergency management.

CONCLUSIONS: This mini-review revealed minimal advances in contemporary approaches relating to both the use of technology-assisted modalities and interprofessional education for the management of dental emergencies within the hospital emergency department setting. This review provides a timely literature update for both the medical and dental professions and identifies a large gap in research surrounding this topic.},
}

@article {pmid41754151,
year = {2026},
author = {Caliman-Sturdza, OA and Gheorghita, RE and Soldanescu, I and Dimian, M and Mangul, S},
title = {Vitamin D in Infectious Diseases: A Narrative Review Focusing on COVID-19, Long COVID, and Influenza.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {41754151},
issn = {2072-6643},
mesh = {Humans ; *Vitamin D/therapeutic use/blood/administration & dosage/analogs & derivatives ; *COVID-19/immunology/complications ; *Influenza, Human/immunology/drug therapy ; *Vitamin D Deficiency/immunology/complications/drug therapy ; Dietary Supplements ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Immunity, Innate/drug effects ; Vitamins ; },
abstract = {Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone traditionally recognized for its role in bone and mineral metabolism, but it is increasingly understood to also function as an important immunomodulator influencing susceptibility to and outcomes of infectious diseases. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the immunological, clinical, and preventive effects of vitamin D in the context of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID), and influenza. Mechanistically, vitamin D enhances innate immune defenses through the induction of antimicrobial peptides, including cathelicidin and defensins, and modulates adaptive immunity by suppressing maladaptive Th1/Th17 responses while promoting regulatory T-cell activity. Observational studies have frequently associated vitamin D deficiency with more severe COVID-19 outcomes; however, these associations may be influenced by confounding factors and reverse causality. Some meta-analyses suggest that vitamin D supplementation reduced rates of intensive care unit admission and ventilatory support, particularly among older adults and individuals with low baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Emerging evidence also indicates that inadequate vitamin D status may be associated with an increased risk and symptom burden of long COVID, although causality has not been established. In the case of influenza, a limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses report a modest but statistically significant reduction in infection risk, especially with daily or weekly vitamin D supplementation in populations with low baseline vitamin D levels. Clinical guidelines consistently recommend maintaining adequate vitamin D status for general health but do not endorse high-dose vitamin D as a treatment for COVID-19 due to inconsistent trial findings. Overall, vitamin D should not be considered a standalone therapeutic agent; rather, maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels represents a low-risk, potentially beneficial strategy to support immune resilience against respiratory viral infections.},
}

Humans
*Vitamin D/therapeutic use/blood/administration & dosage/analogs & derivatives
*COVID-19/immunology/complications
*Influenza, Human/immunology/drug therapy
*Vitamin D Deficiency/immunology/complications/drug therapy
Dietary Supplements
SARS-CoV-2
Immunity, Innate/drug effects
Vitamins

@article {pmid41754526,
year = {2026},
author = {Siniscalchi, C and Basaglia, M and Imbalzano, E and Di Micco, P},
title = {The Platelet-Virus Axis in Human Disease.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41754526},
issn = {1999-4915},
mesh = {Humans ; *Blood Platelets/virology/immunology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Virus Diseases/immunology/virology ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology ; COVID-19/immunology ; Platelet Activation ; Thrombosis/virology ; },
abstract = {Platelets have traditionally been viewed as passive cellular elements involved in hemostasis and vascular integrity. However, growing evidence over the last decade has radically changed this paradigm, revealing platelets as dynamic immune and inflammatory effectors that actively participate in host-pathogen interactions. In viral infections, platelets are not merely innocent bystanders but represent key players in a bidirectional and tightly regulated platelet-virus axis that influences viral dissemination, immune activation, endothelial dysfunction, and the development of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Several clinically relevant viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, HIV, dengue virus, and viral hemorrhagic fever-associated pathogens, have been shown to directly or indirectly interact with platelets through surface receptors, immune complexes, and inflammatory mediators, leading to platelet activation, phenotypic reprogramming, and accelerated clearance. These processes contribute to the paradoxical coexistence of thrombocytopenia and hypercoagulability that characterizes many severe viral diseases. Moreover, platelets can act as immune sentinels by sensing viral components, releasing cytokines and chemokines, forming platelet-leukocyte aggregates, and modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby shaping the clinical course of infection. In this review, we synthesize current evidence on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing virus-platelet interactions, with particular emphasis on their role in immune-thrombosis, endothelial injury, and organ dysfunction. We further discuss the clinical implications of platelet dysregulation in viral infections, including its potential value as a biomarker of disease severity and as a therapeutic target. Understanding the platelet-virus axis provides a unifying framework to explain the thrombo-inflammatory phenotype of viral diseases and may open new avenues for risk stratification and targeted interventions in affected patients.},
}

Humans
*Blood Platelets/virology/immunology
*Host-Pathogen Interactions
*Virus Diseases/immunology/virology
SARS-CoV-2/physiology
COVID-19/immunology
Platelet Activation
Thrombosis/virology

@article {pmid41754548,
year = {2026},
author = {Deák, G and Lupu, L and Prangate, R},
title = {A Systematic Review of Methodological Approaches to SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {41754548},
issn = {1999-4915},
support = {Support to Member States for the establishment of national systems, local collection points and digital infrastructure for the monitoring of COVID-19 and its variants in wastewater-Romania//This work was supported by the European Commission DG Environment [060701/2021/864662/SUB/ENV]. C2] Emergency Support under Council Regulation (EU) 2016/369 as amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2020/521/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification/genetics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/virology/diagnosis ; *Wastewater/virology ; RNA, Viral/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring ; },
abstract = {Following the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have increasingly focused on monitoring the spread of the virus and improving methods to detect changes in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Although clinical surveillance provides direct and reliable results, it has limited applicability. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has therefore emerged as a valuable, non-invasive complementary tool for disease surveillance. It provides a comprehensive picture of virus circulation in a population, including asymptomatic individuals and those who do not seek healthcare. In addition, it facilitates early detection of outbreaks and the collection of epidemiologic data at the community level. However, WBE also presents technical challenges, including variations in sampling and testing protocols, the presence of inhibitors that affect viral RNA extraction, and the need for standardised procedures between studies. These challenges should be addressed for possible future infectious disease outbreaks. One of the challenges facing researchers was to develop efficient methods that could overcome the extraction and detection problems related to inhibitors present in wastewater. To this aim, this systematic review highlights the potential use of WBE, the variety of techniques, and the most effective methods for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples. A reproducible electronic search of the literature was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) and PubMed databases for articles published between 2020 and 2024. Our search revealed that the majority of observed WBE applications emphasised a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration trends in wastewater and epidemiological data. Another relevant issue that the articles often discussed and compared was the techniques used in different steps of sample processing, such as sample collection, concentration and detection, hence the lack of standardised procedures. This paper provides a framework regarding previous research on WBE to gain a better understanding that will lead to functional solutions.},
}

Humans
*SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification/genetics
*COVID-19/epidemiology/virology/diagnosis
*Wastewater/virology
RNA, Viral/isolation & purification/genetics
*Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring