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Bibliography on: covid-19

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 28 Nov 2025 at 01:44 Created: 

covid-19

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

NOTE: To obtain the entire bibliography (all 58105 citations) in bibtek format (a format that can be easily loaded into many different reference-manager software programs, click HERE.

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

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Vitiello F, Lan R, Orsini G, et al (2025)

The Role of Saliva and Mouthwashes in the Detection and Reduction of Oral Viral Load: A Scoping Review.

Viruses, 17(11): pii:v17111509.

Background: The oral cavity is an entry site and a reservoir for viruses. Viral particles accumulate in saliva, which serves as a diagnostic fluid and vehicle for transmission (droplets and aerosols). Antiseptic mouthwashes were proposed as adjunctive measures to temporarily reduce oral viral load. Objectives: This scoping review aims to investigate the role of the oral cavity in viral infections, focusing on saliva and the use of antiseptic mouthwashes to reduce salivary viral load. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for human studies (2015-2025) investigating oral viral infections, saliva, or mouthwashes. Eligible studies were classified and analyzed for population, intervention, and outcomes. Results: Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria (sixteen randomized controlled trials and seven systematic reviews). All included studies focused exclusively on SARS-CoV-2, as no clinical evidence on other oral viruses met the eligibility criteria. Saliva was consistently identified as a reliable, non-invasive specimen reflecting disease dynamics and transmission potential. Mouthwashes containing povidone-iodine, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide or β-cyclodextrin-citrox produced measurable but short-lived reductions in salivary viral load. Heterogeneity and lack of standardized outcomes limited comparability. Conclusions: Antiseptic mouthwashes can provide a transient and complementary reduction in salivary viral load, particularly before aerosol-generating procedures; however, they should be regarded only as adjunctive measures and not as substitutes for standard infection-control protocols.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Tana C, Soloperto M, Giuliano G, et al (2025)

Artificial Intelligence for Predicting Lung Immune Responses to Viral Infections: From Mechanistic Insights to Clinical Applications.

Viruses, 17(11): pii:v17111482.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming biomedical research and patient care by integrating complex biological, radiological, and healthcare information. In the field of viral respiratory infections, AI-driven approaches have shown great promise in elucidating the complexity of lung immune responses and the dynamic interplay between host and pathogen. Applications include predicting cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), integrating imaging findings with immunological and laboratory data, and identifying molecular and cellular signatures through single-cell and multi-omics analyses. Similar methodologies have been applied to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), providing insights into the mechanisms distinguishing protective from maladaptive pulmonary immunity. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on how AI can evolve into a form of translational intelligence, capable of bridging mechanistic immunology with clinical application. The review explores AI-based models for disease severity prediction, patient stratification, and therapeutic response assessment, as well as emerging approaches in drug repurposing and vaccine response prediction. By integrating biological complexity with clinical context, AI offers new opportunities to uncover immune signatures predictive of antiviral or immunomodulatory efficacy and to guide personalized management strategies.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Cao G, Xu C, Wang L, et al (2025)

Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny.

Viruses, 17(11): pii:v17111457.

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants poses persistent challenges to global public health. As a sublineage of the XDV.1 variant, NB.1.8.1 has rapidly emerged as a dominant strain worldwide, triggering a new wave of infections. Representing a product of viral adaptation, this variant has acquired several critical amino acid mutations-including A435S and T478I-which enhance its transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities compared to the ancestral XDV.1 lineage. This review systematically summarizes the genomic characteristics, epidemiological features, and immune escape potential of NB.1.8.1. It emphasizes that sustained genomic surveillance and serological assessments are crucial for informing public health response strategies, guiding vaccine development, and optimizing containment measures.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Miftahof J, Bernauer B, CS Tan (2025)

Neurological Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2.

Viruses, 17(11): pii:v17111432.

Neurocognitive symptoms have emerged as notable sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). Although primarily a respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with central nervous system (CNS) changes observed in both clinical and experimental settings. To better understand these effects and their pathological mechanisms, we conducted a systematic literature search of published studies and employed a qualitative, analytical approach to identify and synthesize key findings from peer-reviewed studies, including large-scale retrospective clinical cohorts, human autopsy reports, animal models (murine, non-human primate), and in vitro brain organoid systems. While viral components were detected in post mortem central nervous system tissues, COVID-19 neuropathology appears to stem primarily from immune-mediated inflammation and vascular injury rather than direct CNS infection. Persistent glial activation and BBB disruption may underlie the long-term neurological symptoms reported in long COVID-19. Although animal models offer mechanistic insight, species-specific differences necessitate cautious extrapolation to human pathology. Further investigation into the chronic effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain is essential to guide long-term clinical management and therapeutic development.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Chiang KC, Chiu CEN, Altaf M, et al (2025)

Mechanisms of Cell-Cell Fusion in SARS-CoV-2: An Evolving Strategy for Transmission and Immune Evasion.

Viruses, 17(11): pii:v17111405.

Early studies on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 revealed mutations that favored host transmission of the virus and more efficient viral entry. However, cell-free virus spread is vulnerable to host-neutralizing antibodies. As population immunity developed, mutations that confer escape from neutralization were selected. Notably, cell syncytia formation wherein an infected cell fuses with a noninfected cell is a more efficient route of transmission that bypasses humoral immunity. Cell syncytia formation has been implicated in the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 infection whilst compromising host transmission due to impaired whole virion release. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of virus-mediated cell-cell fusion will aid in identifying and targeting more pathogenic strains of SARS-CoV-2. Whilst the general kinetics of cell-cell fusion have been known for decades, the specific mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 induces fusion are beginning to be elucidated. This is partially due to emergence of more reliable, high throughput methods of quantifying and comparing fusion efficiency in experimental models. Moreover, the ongoing inflammatory response and emerging health burden of long COVID may point to cell-cell fusion in the pathogenesis. In this review, we synthesize current understanding of SARS-CoV-2-mediated cell-cell fusion and its consequences on immune escape, viral persistence, and the innate immune response.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Chen L, QH Meng (2025)

Advancing Laboratory Diagnostics for Future Pandemics: Challenges and Innovations.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 14(11): pii:pathogens14111135.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, major epidemics and pandemics such as SARS, H1N1pdm09, Ebola, and COVID-19 have repeatedly challenged global systems of disease diagnostics and control. These crises exposed the weaknesses of traditional diagnostic models, including long turnaround times, uneven resource distribution, and supply chain bottlenecks. As a result, there is an urgent need for more advanced diagnostic technologies and integrated diagnostics strategies. Our review summarizes key lessons learned from four recent major outbreaks and highlights advances in diagnostic technologies. Among these, molecular techniques such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) have demonstrated significant advantages and are increasingly becoming core components of the detection framework. Antigen testing plays a critical role in rapid screening, particularly in settings such as schools, workplaces, and communities. Serological assays provide unique value for retrospective outbreak analysis and assessing population immunity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become a powerful tool for identifying novel pathogens and monitoring viral mutations. Furthermore, point-of-care testing (POCT), enhanced by miniaturization, biosensing, and artificial intelligence (AI), has extended diagnostic capacity to the front lines of epidemic control. In summary, the future of epidemic and pandemic response will not depend on a single technology, but rather on a multi-layered and complementary system. By combining laboratory diagnostics, distributed screening, and real-time monitoring, this system will form a global diagnostic network capable of rapid response, ensuring preparedness for the next global health crisis.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Calvo H, Islas-Díaz D, E Hernández-Laureano (2025)

Pattern Recognition Algorithms in Pharmacogenomics and Drug Repurposing-Case Study: Ribavirin and Lopinavir.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(11): pii:ph18111649.

Pattern recognition and machine learning algorithms have become integral to modern drug discovery, offering powerful tools to uncover complex patterns in biomedical data. This article provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art pattern recognition techniques-including traditional machine learning (e.g., support vector machines), deep learning approaches, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and biomarker discovery methods-as applied in pharmacogenomics and computational drug repurposing. We discuss how these methods facilitate the identification of genetic factors that influence drug response, as well as the in silico screening of existing drugs for new therapeutic uses. Two antiviral agents, ribavirin and lopinavir, are examined as extended case studies in the context of COVID-19, illustrating practical applications of pattern recognition algorithms in analyzing pharmacogenomic data and guiding drug repurposing efforts during a pandemic. We highlight successful approaches such as the machine learning-driven prediction of responders and the AI-assisted identification of repurposed drugs (exemplified by the case of baricitinib for COVID-19), alongside current limitations, including data scarcity, model interpretability, and translational gaps. Finally, we outline future directions for integrating multi-omics data, improving algorithmic interpretability, and enhancing the synergy between computational predictions and experimental validation. The insights presented highlight the promising role of pattern recognition algorithms in advancing precision medicine and accelerating drug discovery, while recognizing the challenges that must be addressed to fully realize their potential.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Kayembe-Mulumba B, N'gattia AK, MRD Belizaire (2025)

One Health, Many Gaps: Rethinking Epidemic Intelligence in Resource-Limited Settings to Prepare for the Global Threat of Disease X.

Microorganisms, 13(11): pii:microorganisms13112615.

The emergence of high-threat pathogens-such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and most recently SARS-CoV-2-has highlighted critical weaknesses in global surveillance systems, particularly in resource-limited settings where many zoonotic spillovers originate. Despite the World Health Organization's (WHO) prioritization of these diseases for research and development (R&D), the current surveillance infrastructures in these regions remain under-resourced, fragmented, and often reactive rather than anticipatory. This narrative review explored the literature and structured relevant findings in three key dimensions: (i) the structural and operational limitations of existing surveillance systems for the WHO priority diseases in resource-limited settings including challenges in data integration, laboratory capacity, workforce, and community engagement; (ii) how these surveillance gaps could delay detection and hinder the response to future emerging threats, particularly a hypothetical but inevitable Disease X; and (iii) innovative and context-adapted strategies to strengthen epidemic intelligence including integrated One Health surveillance, digital and genomic tools, participatory approaches, and regional data-sharing mechanisms. We argue that building agile, equity-centered, and decentralized surveillance systems is not only essential for managing known threats, but also foundational to the early detection and rapid containment of the next public health emergency in resource-limited settings. This review uniquely frames surveillance limitations in resource-limited settings as a global security concern and outlines context-adapted, equity-centered innovations to strengthen epidemic intelligence in preparation for Disease X.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Mateescu DM, Ilie AC, Cotet I, et al (2025)

Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diversity Indices, Taxa Alterations, and Mortality Risk.

Microorganisms, 13(11): pii:microorganisms13112570.

COVID-19 is associated with gut microbiome alterations that may influence disease outcomes through immune and inflammatory pathways. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated global evidence on gut dysbiosis in COVID-19. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to 5 October 2025 (PROSPERO CRD420251160970). Alpha-diversity indices and microbial taxa log-fold changes (logFC) were analyzed using random-effects models. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for the Shannon index was -0.69 (95% CI -0.84 to -0.54; I[2] = 42%), confirming reduced microbial diversity. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii showed a significant pooled depletion (logFC = -1.24; 95% CI -1.68 to -0.80; k = 10; I[2] = 74%), while Enterococcus spp. was increased (logFC = 1.45; 95% CI 1.12-1.78). Egger's test did not suggest publication bias (p = 0.32). Gut dysbiosis was consistently associated with reduced microbial diversity and enrichment of pathogenic taxa, correlating with increased disease severity and mortality (HR = 1.67). These findings highlight the potential of microbiome profiling as a prognostic tool in COVID-19, although clinical translation requires further validation.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Arruda ISA, Cavalcante CDS, Rubens RS, et al (2025)

Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Patients After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: What Do We Know?.

Microorganisms, 13(11): pii:microorganisms13112529.

COVID-19 can cause long-term symptoms, such as a post-infection syndrome, known as Long-COVID. Among the symptoms present during this period, the most reported are gastrointestinal symptoms. This study discusses the effects of changes in the gut microbiota of post-COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with significant alterations in gut microbial composition, disturbing its homeostasis and promoting a reduction in the abundance of beneficial symbiotic bacteria and an increase in the abundance of opportunistic pathogens. Furthermore, the composition of the gut microbiota may play a role in the prognosis of patients with post-COVID-19 infection. The microbiota of the intestinal tract and the respiratory tract influence each other; therefore, the gut-lung axis has attracted increasing interest in understanding COVID-19. Moreover, the brain-gut axis has been studied, since there have been reports of anxiety and depression along with post-COVID-19 gastrointestinal symptoms. Treatments options for intestinal dysbiosis in Long-COVID patients include probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. These treatments may serve as an approach to improve gastrointestinal symptoms during Long-COVID, increasing microbiome diversity, strengthening the integrity of intestinal barrier functions, and consequently influencing the treatment of COVID-19.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Yazici O, Vanetti C, Clerici M, et al (2025)

Experimental Models to Investigate Viral and Cellular Dynamics in Respiratory Viral Co-Infections.

Microorganisms, 13(11): pii:microorganisms13112444.

Respiratory viral co-infections by viruses such as influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are a significant clinical issue in high-risk populations such as children, elderly patients, and immunocompromised individuals. Sequential and simultaneous co-infections exacerbate disease severity, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality. Molecular and immunological interactions are complex, context-dependent, and largely unknown. Experimental models of infection that accurately mimic human respiratory physiology are required for the study of viral dynamics, virus-virus interactions, and virus-host interactions. This review outlines a range of complex in vitro and ex vivo models, including organoids, air-liquid interface cultures, lung-on-a-chip platforms, and in vivo animal models, highlighting their ability to simulate the complexity of respiratory co-infections and their limitations. The field has developed significantly, despite challenges like variability across viral strains, timing of infection, and non-standardization of models. Integration of multi-omics technologies and application of highly translational models such as non-human primates and lung-on-a-chip technology are promising avenues to uncover the molecular determinants of co-infection and guide development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Interrelatedness of experimental models and clinical outcomes is highly critical to improve prevention and treatment of respiratory viral co-infections mainly among high-risk populations.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Ramirez-Plascencia HHF, Colima-Fausto AG, Licona-Lasteros KC, et al (2025)

Presence of Microorganisms in the Environment: One Health Approach.

Microorganisms, 13(11): pii:microorganisms13112435.

The One Health approach offers an integrative framework to understand infectious threats, environmental factors, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and how their interactions affect the human-animal-environment interface. This review examines the epidemiology, transmission pathways, and mechanisms of microorganisms of public health importance (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses). It highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, where the environment plays a central role in the dissemination of pathogens, driven by climate change, globalization, agricultural intensification, and habitat degradation. AMR is a major concern, driven by the indiscriminate use of pharmaceuticals in human, veterinary, and agricultural settings, horizontal gene transfer through mobile genetic elements, and microbial evolution. The study of different pathogens is of great importance due to their high prevalence in different ecosystems, their virulence, clinical interest, and mortality rates produced. Some of them are ESKAPE bacteria, Candida auris, Plasmodium falciparum, and emerging viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which present complex transmission dynamics influenced by ecological and health determinants. The review also addresses the effects of climate change on the persistence and geographic spread of pathogens. Successful implementation of the One Health program requires intersectoral policies, integrated surveillance systems, prudent use of antimicrobials and investment in translational science. Coordinating these strategies is essential to limit the spread of pathogens, protect biodiversity, and save global health in the face of the growing threat of infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Styczeń A, Krysa M, Mertowska P, et al (2025)

The Role of Toll-like Receptors and Viral Infections in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-A Narrative Review.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(22): pii:ijms262211143.

Aberrant activation of innate immunity promotes the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, the role of pattern recognition by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) within the pulmonary vasculature remains unclear. To consolidate knowledge (as of June 2025) about TLRs and their interactions with viruses in PAH and to identify therapeutic implications. A narrative review of experimental and clinical studies investigating ten TLRs in the context of the pulmonary vascular microenvironment and viral infections. Activation of TLR1/2, TLR4, TLR5/6, TLR7/8, and TLR9 converges on the MyD88-NF-κB/IL-6 axis, thereby enhancing endothelial-mesenchymal transition, smooth muscle proliferation, oxidative stress, thrombosis, and maladaptive inflammation, ultimately increasing pulmonary vascular resistance. Conversely, TLR3, through TRIF-IFN-I, preserves endothelial integrity and inhibits vascular remodeling; its downregulation correlates with PAH severity, and poly (I:C) restitution has been shown to improve hemodynamics and right ventricular function. HIV-1, EBV, HCV, endogenous retrovirus K, and SARS-CoV-2 infections modulate TLR circuits, either amplifying pro-remodeling cascades or attenuating protective pathways. The "TLR rheostat" is shaped by polymorphisms, ligand biochemistry, compartmentalization, and biomechanical forces. The balance between MyD88-dependent signaling and the TRIF-IFN-I axis determines the trajectory of PAH. Prospective therapeutic strategies may include TLR3 agonists, MyD88/NF-κB inhibitors, modulation of IL-6, and combination approaches integrating antiviral therapy with targeted immunomodulation in a precision approach.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Kononova SV, Bobkova NV, Poltavtseva RA, et al (2025)

ACE2: Friend or Foe in Post-COVID-19 Neurodegeneration?.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(22): pii:ijms262211104.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin system's counter-regulatory pathway. ACE2 is a multifunctional protein whose location and form determine its catalytic and non-catalytic functions, including amino acid transport, the creation of structural complexes, adhesion, and involvement in signaling pathways. In addition, ACE2 influences neurotransmitter systems in the brain. As the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 has been the subject of increasing research interest. Although ACE2 levels in the brain are low, brain damage from SARS-CoV-2 increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to clarify an important issue: does the temporary inactivation of ACE2 by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein play a role in Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration, meaning that the protein may serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target?

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Wilkinson L, Arjomandi Rad A, Oliver J, et al (2025)

From Pandemic to Practice: How COVID-19 Has Reshaped Haemostasis in Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(22): pii:jcm14228109.

The utilisation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery is often associated with complex haemostatic perturbations, frequently manifesting as a paradoxical risk of both bleeding and thrombosis. This is postulated to be driven by systemic inflammation, endothelial activation and contact activation of the coagulation cascade due to extracorporeal circulation. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed a unique hypercoagulable state, termed COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC), also observed in those vaccinated against COVID-19. CAC displays similar physiological manifestations to those of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), characterised by elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer values. The precise pathogenesis of CAC requires further elucidation though proposed mechanisms include: an exaggerated inflammatory response to COVID-19 infection or antibody proliferation due to vaccination, direct epithelial cell damage mediated by angiotensin converting enzyme 2, and 'hypoxithrombosis'. CAC has since provided a unique framework to understand and potentially mitigate coagulation complications encountered during CPB in the post-pandemic era, as it is no longer sufficient to view COVID-19 as a transient influence on surgical risk. Rather, it must be recognized as a persistent modifier of the haemostatic environment across the population, with direct implications upon patient selection, intraoperative management and postoperative care in cardiac surgery. This review examines the pathological drivers behind CAC alongside the insights obtained from CAC management during ECMO deployment, to investigate the potential translation of such knowledge into improved anticoagulation strategies and monitoring during cardiac surgery. The use of alternative anticoagulants including factor XI inhibitors and the modulation of heparinase activity offers promising avenues to attenuate coagulopathies more commonly observed during CPB in the post-pandemic climate, whilst anti-Xa assays and viscoelastic testing have offered applicability to modern perfusion practices. By bridging the knowledge gained during the pandemic with that of conventional CPB, this review aims to inform future strategies for haemostasis management in cardiac surgery in a novel cohort of surgical patients.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Adegoke K, Kayode T, Singh M, et al (2025)

Remote Work, Well-Being, and Healthy Labor Force Participation Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(11): pii:ijerph22111719.

Background: Aging populations make expanded workforce participation among older adults an economic and public health priority. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of virtual work, providing new opportunities for healthy aging in the workplace through increased flexibility and less physical strain. However, digital exclusion, ergonomically challenging tasks, and social isolation can limit these opportunities for older populations. Objective: This scoping review aimed to synthesize interdisciplinary research on the relationship between remote work and labor force participation among adults aged 45 years and older, focusing on health-related outcomes, barriers, and facilitators. Methods: Following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across seven databases for peer-reviewed and gray literature published between 2000 and 2025. Of 2108 records screened, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized charting tool and analyzed thematically. Results: Most studies were published after 2020 and originated in North America (45%) and Europe (40%). Core barriers included digital exclusion, ageism, and adverse ergonomic environments. Facilitators involved flexible working hours, a supportive organizational environment, and digital skills. Health-related outcomes such as stress reduction and improved well-being were commonly reported. However, only 18% of studies assessed policy effects, and very few examined intersectionality (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status). Conclusions: Remote and flexible work options can improve the health and participation of older adults in the workforce, but technology, infrastructure, and social barriers remain. Age-inclusive policies, digital equity efforts, and inclusive workplace practices are necessary to maximize the benefits of remote arrangements for aging populations.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Sui SX, L Yu (2025)

Patient and Professional Perspectives on Long COVID: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Synthesis.

International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(11): pii:ijerph22111620.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 condition ('long COVID') involves fluctuating symptoms across multiple organ systems and disability or functional loss, which may be episodic, continuous, or permanent. Qualitative research is essential to capture lived experiences and explain how social and health system contexts may influence improvement, recovery, and service use. We synthesised perspectives from people living with long COVID and healthcare professionals to inform service design and policy.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 1 January 2020 and 19 August 2025. Eligible studies reported qualitative data from adults with long COVID (≥12 weeks after acute infection) and/or healthcare professionals in any setting. We excluded non-qualitative, non-primary, or non-English reports. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted, and appraised studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were synthesised thematically. The protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework.

FINDINGS: Of 1544 records screened, 49 studies met the inclusion criteria: 41 involving patients, two involving professionals, and six involving both. Eight patient themes (including symptom burden, identity disruption and stigma) and four professional themes (including recognition, care coordination and holistic care models) were identified. Recognition emerged as a cross-cutting mechanism: validation and consistent pacing guidance facilitated engagement and safer activity, whereas invalidation and inconsistent advice were associated with distress, avoidance, and disengagement. Trajectories showed gradual expansion of multidisciplinary care models, but major capacity and equity gaps persisted. Most studies had low methodological concerns, although heterogeneity in populations and settings was substantial.

INTERPRETATION: Long COVID is a chronic, biological condition that also intersects with social and psychological dimensions, and may present with episodic, continuous, or progressive trajectories. Healthcare services must prioritise early validation, provide consistent pacing and relapse prevention guidance, expand access to multidisciplinary and peer-supported rehabilitation, integrate mental healthcare, strengthen coordinated pathways, and support graded return to work. Explicit attention to equity is required to avoid widening disparities.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Nikolova S, T Aleksandrova (2025)

Geospatial Insights into Healthcare Accessibility in Europe: A Scoping Review of GIS Applications.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 13(22): pii:healthcare13222865.

Background: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as a critical tool in healthcare research, facilitating the assessment of healthcare accessibility through spatial analysis and data visualisation. This scoping review synthesises literature published between 2020 and 2024, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid methodological innovation, providing a timely overview of how GIS has been applied to evaluate healthcare access across European countries. Methods: The review underscores the role of GIS methodologies in identifying geographic disparities, optimising resource distribution, and informing policy decisions. Results: Key findings highlight significant urban-rural differences in healthcare access, shaped by factors such as transportation infrastructure, population density, and healthcare facility distribution. Additionally, GIS has proven valuable in examining the link between healthcare accessibility and utilisation, with better access generally correlating with higher service use. Conclusions: Despite its potential, challenges including data availability, methodological variability, and uneven adoption across regions limit its broader implementation. The review emphasises the need for integrating advanced technologies to foster more equitable healthcare access throughout Europe.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Ivanovska M, Homadi MS, Angelova G, et al (2025)

Differential Characteristics and Comparison Between Long-COVID Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Biomedicines, 13(11): pii:biomedicines13112797.

Long-COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are disabling diseases characterised by ongoing fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome typically follows viral infections, whereas Long-COVID exclusively follows SARS-CoV-2 infection, with overlapping but distinct features. This review uses comprehensive searches of online databases to compare their clinical presentations, pathophysiologies, and treatments. Both Long-COVID and ME/CFS appear to involve multifactorial mechanisms, including viral persistence, immune dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, and autoimmunity, though their relative contributions remain uncertain. Symptom management strategies are consistent, however. Cognitive behaviour therapy has been successful, and there are minimal drug treatments. Graded exercise therapy occupies a contested place, recommending individualised pacing and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Common and exclusive mechanisms must be identified to formulate valuable therapies. A more significant body of research focusing on immune dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism for advancing the disease and enabling more effective therapies and diagnostics is needed.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Silva-Ríos AA, Mora-Ornelas CE, Flores-Medina LG, et al (2025)

Beyond Processing: Furin as a Central Hub in Viral Pathogenesis and Genetic Susceptibility.

Biomolecules, 15(11): pii:biom15111530.

Furin, a calcium-dependent serine endoprotease of the proprotein convertase family, plays a pivotal role in both physiological homeostasis and viral pathogenesis. By cleaving polybasic motifs within viral glycoproteins, furin enables the maturation of structural proteins essential for viral entry, fusion, and replication. This mechanism has been documented across a broad spectrum of human pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, flaviviruses, herpesviruses, and paramyxoviruses, highlighting furin as a conserved molecular hub in host-virus interactions. Genetic variability within the FURIN gene further modulates infection outcomes. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as rs6226 and rs1981458, are associated with altered COVID-19 severity, whereas variants like rs17514846 confer protection against human papilloma virus infection. Conversely, mutations predicted to reduce enzymatic activity have been linked to attenuated SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in certain populations. These findings underscore the importance of considering population genetics when evaluating viral susceptibility and disease progression. Despite advances, unresolved questions remain regarding furin's non-canonical roles in viral life cycles, tissue-specific regulation, and interactions with other host proteases and immune modulators. Targeted inhibition of furin and related convertases represents a promising avenue for broad-spectrum antiviral interventions. Collectively, current evidence positions furin as a central node at the intersection of viral pathogenesis, host genetic variability, and translational therapeutic potential.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Yamamoto Y, K Noguchi (2025)

Structural Insights into the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Its Implications for Antibody Resistance.

Biomolecules, 15(11): pii:biom15111489.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly affected global health and the economy. The emergence of variants with spike mutations, particularly within the receptor-binding domain (RBD), has reduced the efficacy of many neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), and recent variants, including KP.3 and other circulating strains, show partial escape from infection- or vaccine-induced immunity. To overcome this, developing broad-spectrum nAbs that target the conserved S2 subunit of the spike protein is crucial. Unlike the highly mutable RBD, the S2 region remains structurally conserved, providing a promising foundation for universal protection. Deeper insight into S2 structure and function, together with advances in bispecific antibody design, could facilitate the development of next-generation therapeutics resilient to viral evolution. This review examines the structural evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 spike, focusing on the therapeutic potential of S2-targeting antibodies and strategies to overcome antibody resistance.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Codru IR, L Vecerzan (2025)

When and for Whom Does Intensive Care Unit Admission Change the Prognosis in Oncology?-A Scoping Review.

Cancers, 17(22): pii:cancers17223636.

Background: The intersection between oncology and intensive care has shifted from predominantly end-of-life care to a therapeutic bridge that can preserve anticancer trajectories in carefully selected patients. Yet, criteria separating benefit from futility remain fragmented. Objective: This paper seeks to map contemporary evidence (2015-2025) on outcomes after Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission in adults with cancer and to identify clinical constellations in which ICU-level care still changes prognosis. Methods: PRISMA-ScR scoping review (PCC framework). PubMed search (2015-2025), dual screening, standardized extraction; narrative/thematic synthesis across six clusters (hematologic, solid tumors, sepsis/non-COVID-19 infection, COVID-19/viral pneumonia, novel/targeted-therapy toxicities, end-of-life/aggressive ICU) were used. No meta-analysis given heterogeneity. Results: Seventy-three studies (>170,000 ICU admissions) were included, mostly cohort designs across 27 countries. ICU mortality ranged 8-72% (weighted mean ≈ 41%); hospital ≈ 38%; 90-day ≈ 46%; 1-year ≈ 62%. About one third of ICU survivors resumed systemic therapy. Benefit concentrated in early admissions, single-organ failure, controlled/remission disease, postoperative/elective monitoring, and reversible treatment-related toxicities (e.g., ICI pneumonitis, CAR-T CRS/ICANS). Futility clustered around ≥3 organ supports, RRT > 7 days, refractory/progressive disease, and ECOG ≥ 3. Sepsis outcomes averaged 45-55% ICU mortality but improved with rapid recognition and source control; COVID-19 mortality was particularly high in hematologic malignancies early in the pandemic, with subsequent declines post-vaccination. Conclusions: In modern oncologic practice, ICU care changes prognosis when the acute physiological insult is reversible and cancer control remains plausible; conversely, high organ-support burden and refractory disease define practical futility thresholds. These signals support time-limited ICU trials, earlier ICU involvement for sepsis/irAEs, and embedded palliative care to align intensity with goals.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Kardjadj M (2025)

Advances in Point-of-Care Infectious Disease Diagnostics: Integration of Technologies, Validation, Artificial Intelligence, and Regulatory Oversight.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 15(22): pii:diagnostics15222845.

Point-of-care (POC) infectious disease diagnostics are reshaping global health by delivering rapid, decentralized, and clinically actionable results that link bedside testing to population-level surveillance. Valued at approximately USD 53 billion in 2024 and projected to nearly double by 2033, the global POC diagnostics market is driven by infectious disease assays and accelerated by innovations in molecular amplification, biosensors, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence (AI). This review integrates current evidence across technological, clinical, regulatory, and public health domains. Immunoassays remain the backbone of volume deployment, while molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and emerging CRISPR-based platforms achieve laboratory-grade sensitivity at the point of care. AI has transitioned from an experimental tool to an embedded analytical layer that enhances image interpretation, multiplex signal deconvolution, and automated quality control. Rigorous validation, including analytical accuracy, clinical performance in intended-use settings, and usability testing under CLIA guidance, remains central to ensuring reliability in decentralized environments. Regulatory frameworks are adapting in parallel: FDA's lifecycle oversight of AI-enabled devices, the European IVDR's expanded evidence requirements, and the WHO Prequalification all emphasize continuous post-market surveillance. From a public health perspective, POC diagnostics have improved early case detection, treatment initiation, and outbreak containment for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. Yet persistent challenges (including limited harmonization of standards, uneven reimbursement, and scarce real-world data from low- and middle-income countries) continue to constrain equitable adoption. POC infectious disease diagnostics are thus entering a pivotal phase of digitization and regulatory maturity. Addressing remaining gaps in validation, lifecycle monitoring, and implementation equity will determine whether these technologies achieve their full promise as clinical accelerators and as cornerstones of global infectious disease preparedness.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Chung A, Chong S, Chung D, et al (2025)

Addressing Social Determinants of Health Service Gaps in Chinese American Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Children (Basel, Switzerland), 12(11): pii:children12111499.

Background/Objectives: This study aims to understand gaps and strategies in Chinese Americans' utilization of SDOH services in the pediatric primary care context in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, from a patient-provider partnership perspective. Methods: The study was guided by an integrated Patient-Provider Partnership, Engagement, and Collaboration (PEC) framework that influenced patient-provider interaction during the provision of SDOH services. A qualitative study design was applied, and eight quality improvement interviews with healthcare providers were conducted to understand the existing community and health service system context. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with Mandarin-speaking Chinese American caregivers. Interviews were transcribed and coded in Mandarin and then translated into English. Results: Consistent with the PEC framework, we identified cognitive, affective, and communication gaps from both the patient and provider. Caregivers reported unaddressed needs in food, financial security, and mental health. Providers identified gaps in patient workflow, staffing, and the intake form process. Conclusions: Addressing social determinants of health among Chinese American immigrant populations is crucial for mitigating poor health outcomes in children and families. Multi-level community-engaged strategies are needed to alleviate the challenges facing this community. Recommendations for future research should consider the importance of language and cultural affinity, digital intake forms translated into the patient's language, and regular on-site staffing during SDOH screenings.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Dong T, Lucifora C, Massimino S, et al (2025)

Fight, Flight, or Vote Right? A Systematic Review of Threat Sensitivity in Political Conservatism.

Brain sciences, 15(11): pii:brainsci15111191.

BACKGROUND: Within the framework of social cognition, conservatism can be conceptualized as a strategy for addressing fundamental psychological needs. Therefore, it is hypothesized that individuals with conservative orientations exhibit stronger reactions to perceived threats compared to their less conservative counterparts.

AIM: To perform an exploratory scoping systematic review of existing literature examining behavioral, physiological, neurophysiological, and emotional responses associated with the relationship between conservatism and threat perception.

METHOD: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar primary databases, resulting in the inclusion of 19 relevant articles.

RESULTS: Approximately three-fifths (11 of 19 studies; 57.9%) provided empirical support for the hypothesis that conservatism is positively associated with threat sensitivity. These findings reveal a complex and nuanced relationship between conservatism and threat perception, with recent evidence-including large-scale longitudinal data and experimental manipulations of COVID-19-related threats-indicating weak or context-dependent associations. The overall pattern highlights substantial heterogeneity across methodological approaches, with mixed results particularly among physiological and priming studies.

CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of evidence supports a relationship between political conservatism and threat sensitivity, the magnitude of this association appears modest, emphasizing the importance of considering moderating variables such as cultural context, the type of threat, and methodological variations in measurement in future research.

RevDate: 2025-11-27

Mishra N, Goel T, Gangani N, et al (2025)

The virology of Omicron: pathophysiology, immune regulation, and clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 sub variants.

Virology journal pii:10.1186/s12985-025-03020-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Since its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into multiple variants with distinct genetic and clinical features. Among them, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) and its sublineages BA.2.75, JN.1.8, and KP.2 have shown enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion, while generally exhibiting reduced lower respiratory tract pathogenicity compared to earlier variants, thereby continuing to pose significant challenges to public health. In India, these variants have significantly shaped the trajectory of the pandemic, necessitating focused evaluation of their biological and clinical impact. This review aims to provide a comprehensive study on the virology, pathophysiology, and systemic manifestations of Omicron and its emerging subvariants upto July 2025. We discuss their mechanisms of entry and replication, interaction with ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors, and evasion of host immune responses. Particular emphasis is placed on multi-organ involvement beyond the respiratory system, including neuro-respiratory dysregulation, cardiovascular complications, hepatic injury, gastrointestinal disturbances, and renal dysfunction. Furthermore, we evaluate the effectiveness of available vaccines, antiviral therapies, and diagnostic tools, alongside emerging clinical strategies such as vagus nerve stimulation, thermal modulation, and respiratory muscle training. By integrating molecular insights with clinical outcomes, this review highlights the multifaceted and systemic nature of Omicron-induced disease. We underscore the urgent need for variant-specific immunisation, early intervention strategies, and robust genomic surveillance to mitigate long-term sequelae and guide preparedness for future outbreaks.

RevDate: 2025-11-27

Lee H, Kim Y, Chung MA, et al (2025)

Effectiveness and strategies of social prescribing in Korea using a machine learning topic modeling.

BMC health services research, 25(1):1530.

RevDate: 2025-11-27

Trombetta CM, E Montomoli (2025)

High-dose influenza vaccine: enhanced protection for the elderly.

Expert review of vaccines [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION: Seasonal influenza causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases and 15,000- 70,000 deaths annually within the European Union. While influenza affects all age groups, adults aged ≥65 years disproportionately experience high rates of influenza-related hospitalizations and complications. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of influenza prevention and the most effective intervention for reducing morbidity and mortality.

AREA COVERED: This review focuses on the high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine, an enhanced formulation recommended for the immunization of adults aged 60/65 and older. The high dose vaccine contains four times the hemagglutinin antigen compared to the standard dose vaccine, resulting in significantly higher and more sustained antibody responses. This increased immunogenicity is especially pronounced in adults aged ≥75 years and in those with cardiopulmonary diseases or immunocompromised states.

EXPERT OPINION: Expanding the use of the high-dose vaccine to adults aged 50-64 years may proactively address immunosenescence and enhance protection in this population. Moreover, the development of multicomponent vaccines targeting both influenza and COVID-19 within a single formulation could enhance vaccine uptake and streamline immunization programs. Ultimately, the high-dose vaccine has the potential to replace the standard-dose formulation in older adults, thereby optimizing influenza prevention and reducing disease burden.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Warke S, Katari O, S Jain (2025)

Current Status on the Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Formulation Development in Industry: A Review.

AAPS PharmSciTech, 27(1):44.

Since Pfizer developed the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for designing the vaccine, integrating AI and allied domains in the drug development process has escalated at an unimaginable rate. Owing to the complex and time-consuming process of drug development, many firms, including big pharma and medium-scale industries, are constantly looking for ways to reduce the time for providing lifesaving medications to patients in need without compromising the safety and efficacy of the product. Formulation of novel drug products in a pharmaceutical R&D and scaling up the process to a large-scale production involves a huge investment and an eye for detail in the intricacies of the processes. Intervention of AI and machine learning (ML) can solve many problems in this aspect. With the rise of Industry 4.0, the relative shift of industry towards process automation, accelerated development has become vital in all domains. The investments in R&D by the large pharmaceutical companies reached up to $190 bn in 2024, according to a report by IQVIA. There is a noted upsurge in investments in the domains interlinking AI and ML with pharmaceutical research. Pharmaceutical formulation development can excel in the early stages, and the productivity can witness a steady growth if AI and ML tools are utilized. Most of the research in this domain remains in the budding stages, and its adoption in the industry needs further refinement by delineating structured guidance from the experts and regulatory agencies. The current review speaks about the current studies reported in the arena of formulation development and also sheds light on some of the areas where the pharmaceutical product development on a larger scale can benefit from AI and ML.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Hedrich CM (2025)

Importance and Potential of Rare Disease Research in Pediatric Rheumatology and Beyond: Pushing Frontiers.

ACR open rheumatology, 7(12):e70138.

Although individually occurring in less than 1 in 2,000 people, cumulatively, more than 7,000 rare diseases affect approximately 6% of the population worldwide. Children and young people are disproportionally challenged in number and severity, which may be explained by the large proportion of genetic conditions among rare diseases (70%-80%). Indeed, an estimated 30% of children with rare diseases do not survive past their fifth birthday. Because rare diseases are frequently missed or diagnosed with a delay of several years and <5% of rare diseases have a licensed treatment, the impact of rare diseases on the indivual affected (independent of age) and wider society is significant. To address these challenges sufficiently, rare disease expert centers combining research activity with patient care are needed to develop diagnostic tests, prognostic tools, and new treatments. This expert-driven approach promises expedited diagnosis and efficacious treatment and care. Although restricted by chronic underfunding, rare disease research keeps delivering new exciting treatment options and technologies, some of which have revolutionized care not only in niche areas of medicine but also common diseases (the use of interleukin-1 blockers in gout or COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation, etc). However, rare disease research and care will only be successful in collaborative, mutidisciplinary and multiprofessional teams that involve patients and families as equal partners and span across institutional and national borders. Lastly, the use of state-of-the-art computational approaches to share knowledge and associate molecular with clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and disease outcomes will amplify our ability to serve patients and the society.

RevDate: 2025-11-26

Kumar R, Kommineni N, Aadil KR, et al (2025)

Lipid Nanoparticle-based mRNA therapeutics for infectious diseases.

International journal of pharmaceutics pii:S0378-5173(25)01257-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Infectious diseases remain one of the most pressing global health challenges, despite decades of therapeutic research. Many existing treatments are constrained by limited efficacy, adverse effects, and reduced adaptability to rapidly evolving pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in vaccine development, leading to the swift creation of mRNA vaccines delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNP-mRNA). Developed within a year and deployed globally, these vaccines demonstrated exceptional safety, efficacy, and scalability. Their success has driven significant interest in LNP-mRNA platforms for a broader range of infectious diseases. This manuscript presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in LNP-mRNA therapeutics targeting Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Zika virus, Rabies virus, and SARS-CoV-2. Key strategies to enhance mRNA stability, improve intracellular delivery, and enable controlled or targeted release are discussed. Advances in lipid nanoparticle formulation and mRNA sequence engineering are also examined, with emphasis on cell-specific and tissue-specific targeting. The manuscript further outlines current translational challenges, including optimization of LNP composition, biocompatibility, immune system interactions, and clinical development hurdles, supported by recent preclinical and clinical findings. Collectively, the findings discussed highlight the transformative potential of LNP-mRNA therapeutics in the development of next-generation, personalized treatments for infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2025-11-26

Hempel H, Xue H, La Shu S, et al (2025)

Cancer and COVID-19: A review of Immune Insights and Partnerships to Inform Public Health Strategy.

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases pii:S1201-9712(25)00474-6 [Epub ahead of print].

Cancer populations are highly vulnerable to respiratory viral infections (RVIs) due to disease- and treatment-related immunosuppression. SARS-CoV-2 is a particularly severe threat in this population and COVID-19 is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and mortality compared to immunocompetent individuals. Vaccination remains the most effective preventive method. However, immune responses to vaccination in cancer patients are often heterogeneous and weaker than healthy populations. While booster doses can improve the protection, vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, and some patients may not respond well, with significant variability across cancer types, cancer status and treatment regimens. These observations highlight the importance of more personalized vaccination strategies informed by a thorough understanding of immune correlates of protection, including humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity. Assessing different layers of immunity requires different experimental approaches, robust assay standardization and data harmonization. The collaborative efforts of consortia and the development of large, well-annotated biospecimen repositories can support high-resolution immune profiling, advance next-generation vaccine strategies and improve sustained protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in cancer populations.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Malebana LF, Sepadi MM, MI Mokgobu (2025)

Communicable Disease Surveillance in South Africa and LMICs: A Systematic Review of Systems, Challenges, and Integration with Environmental Health.

Tropical medicine and infectious disease, 10(11):.

Communicable disease surveillance systems are crucial for global health security, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where infectious disease burdens remain high. Despite disease surveillance systems being in place, the evidence on their implementation, challenges, and integration with environmental health remains fragmented. This systematic review assesses the design, implementation, and challenges of these systems across LMICs, with a focus on South Africa and the broader Sub-Saharan African region. Using PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS framework, searches across four databases identified 325 articles published between 2010 and 2025, of which 56 (17%) were included for analysis. Thematic synthesis revealed key trends, disease priorities, and surveillance tools. South Africa contributed the highest number of articles (25%), while Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 54% overall. COVID-19 was the most frequently studied disease (20%), followed by cholera, typhoid, and measles. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) framework appeared in 25% of articles, while District Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) was referenced in 11%, reflecting modest adoption of digital platforms. Reported challenges included underreporting, inconsistent case definitions, limited digital infrastructure, and weak feedback mechanisms. Although integration of environmental health was widely recommended, it was marginally implemented. Overall, LMICs surveillance systems remain constrained by operational and structural limitations, underscoring the need for digital investment, environmental indicators integration, and community-based approaches to strengthen epidemic preparedness.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Zhang B, Liu Y, Chen T, et al (2025)

Current Status and Challenges of Vaccine Development for Seasonal Human Coronaviruses.

Vaccines, 13(11):.

Seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs), including HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1, circulate globally in an epidemic pattern and account for a substantial proportion of common cold cases, particularly in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Although clinical manifestations are typically mild, these HCoVs exhibit ongoing antigenic drift and have demonstrated the potential to cause severe diseases in certain populations, underscoring the importance of developing targeted and broad-spectrum vaccines. This review systematically examines the pathogenesis, epidemiology, genomic architecture, and major antigenic determinants of seasonal HCoVs, highlighting key differences in receptor usage and the roles of structural proteins in modulating viral tropism and host immunity. We summarize recent advances across various vaccine platforms, including inactivated, DNA, mRNA, subunit, viral-vectored, and virus-like particle (VLP) approaches, in the development of seasonal HCoV vaccines. We specifically summarize preclinical and clinical findings demonstrating variable cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoV vaccines. Evidence indicates that cross-reactive humoral and cellular immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination predominantly target conserved epitopes of structural proteins, supporting strategies that incorporate conserved regions to achieve broad-spectrum protection. Finally, we discuss current challenges in pathogenesis research and vaccine development for seasonal HCoVs. We propose future directions for the development of innovative pan-coronavirus vaccines that integrate both humoral and cellular antigens, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate future zoonotic spillover threats.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Guedes-da-Silva FH, Roncaglia-Pereira VA, Torres S, et al (2025)

Antiviral Inactivated Vaccines: Looking to the Past to Face the Future-A Narrative Review.

Vaccines, 13(11):.

Throughout human history, contagious infectious diseases have significantly impacted societies, shaping the fate of great dynasties and challenging economic and political systems, social relations, and the overall well-being of the human species. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, emerging in the context of extreme globalization and rapid technological development. The speed of viral spread, the highest absolute mortality rate caused by a viral agent in the last 100 years, and the severe economic and social consequences imposed an urgent need for vaccine development on a previously unimaginable timescale. The proven safety and efficacy of inactivated vaccines enabled the development and large-scale application of the first immunizer against SARS-CoV-2 in less than a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic. In this review, we discuss the importance of inactivated antiviral vaccines and their historical impact in containing highly harmful diseases affecting humanity. We also explore the cellular mechanisms by which inactivated vaccines may induce immunogenic responses against viral pathogens. In addition, we bring to light a discussion about a fast, cost-effective, potentially efficient technology for large-scale immunizer production: High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), a method long supported by decades of preclinical studies and which is especially effective in the context of enveloped viruses. Finally, we discuss the role of inactivated antiviral vaccines in the face of advances in biotechnology and, therefore, the emergence of vaccines that use genetic engineering in their production, such as RNA, DNA and viral vaccines, which have gained special prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Iwu-Jaja C, Nkereuwem O, Iwu CD, et al (2025)

Mapping Eight Decades of Vaccination Social Science: Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends.

Vaccines, 13(11):.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing recognition of vaccination social science as essential to immunization strategies, the field's evolution, geographic distribution, and research patterns remain poorly characterized. This study provides the first comprehensive mapping of the social science literature on vaccination over eight decades.

METHODS: We conducted a bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed publications indexed in PubMed from their inception, using a systematic search strategy that combined vaccination and social science terms. Publications were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package (version 5.0) to examine temporal trends, author productivity, institutional contributions, geographic distribution, and thematic evolution globally.

RESULTS: We retrieved 8005 eligible publications. Analysis highlighted three chronological research phases: sporadic early work (1945-1980, n = 85), sustained growth (1981-2019, n = 2743), and unprecedented expansion since the COVID-19 era (2020-2024, n = 4563). Annual publications reached a peak in 2022 (n = 1686). Research spans 146 countries but remains concentrated in high-income countries, with the United States (n = 10,230), China (n = 3796), and Canada (n = 2288) leading production. The top 20 institutions were from the United States (n = 8), United Kingdom (n = 4), and Canada (n = 3), with a few institutions from African countries. International collaboration was moderate (19.44%). Thematic analysis revealed a clear evolution from biological science (1963-1999) to socio-behavioural science, with an emphasis on vaccine hesitancy, trust, communication, and health equity (2015-2024).

CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination social science has grown steadily over the decades, with a sharp rise in research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most studies were from high-income countries, underscoring the need for enhanced social science capacity in low- and middle-income countries. As the focus of immunization efforts shifts toward issues like vaccine hesitancy and trust, broader collaboration and inclusion will be key to improving vaccine uptake worldwide.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Parpa K, Michaelides MA, Paludo AC, et al (2025)

Impact of COVID-19 infection on physical performance of soccer players: a systematic review.

International journal of sports medicine, 46(14):1037-1048.

This review sought to identify the impact of COVID-19 infection on the physical performance parameters of soccer players. The systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines. The following databases were searched up to the end of October 2024: MEDLINE, Scopus, Mendeley, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar. Studies conducted on professional and semi-professional adult male soccer players were considered. For a study to be included, it had to report at least one outcome measure both before and after COVID-19 infection. At the end of the screening procedure, a total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies on V̇O2 max showed mixed results. One study reported a significant (p<0.01) decrease 60 days post-infection, while others found no change or even an increase 1-year post-pandemic. Pulmonary function assessment revealed a significant (p<0.01) increase in respiratory work, whereas one study found no significant changes at rest. GPS (Global Positioning System) -based studies reported a significant (p<0.05) reduction in high-intensity accelerations, decelerations, and high-speed running post-COVID-19, while one study found no differences between infected and non-infected players. Strength, power, and anaerobic power showed no significant decline. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample sizes and limited number of studies.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Kawasaki T, Ikegawa M, T Kawai (2025)

Antigen-presenting cells and lung CD8[+] resident memory T cells coordinate local immune protection and shape responses to respiratory virus infection.

International immunology, 37(11):663-672.

The respiratory mucosa, encompassing the lungs and nasal tissues, serves as the primary barrier against respiratory viruses. While neutralizing antibodies are effective at preventing viral entry, virus-specific CD8[+] T cells play a vital role in eliminating infected cells and inducing an antiviral state, which curbs disease progression. Among these, CD8[+] tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells persist long-term in the lungs, where they serve as first responders and rapidly expand upon secondary respiratory virus infection to provide local protection. The establishment and maintenance of lung CD8[+] TRM cells require not only local cytokine signals but also antigen presentation. Specific subsets of antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, alveolar macrophages, monocytes, and endothelial cells also influence the quality and durability of CD8[+] TRM cell responses. This review summarizes key findings on CD8[+] T-cell dynamics during respiratory viral infections, with a particular focus on CD8[+] TRM-cell formation and function. We also highlight the importance of local antigen presentation in driving TRM development and discuss how this knowledge can inform vaccine strategies aimed at eliciting robust, long-lasting mucosal immunity.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Kaiser R, Gold C, K Stark (2025)

Recent Advances in Immunothrombosis and Thromboinflammation.

Thrombosis and haemostasis, 125(12):1181-1194.

Inflammation and thrombosis are traditionally considered two separate entities of acute host responses to barrier breaks. While inciting inflammatory responses is a prerequisite to fighting invading pathogens and subsequent restoration of tissue homeostasis, thrombus formation is a crucial step of the hemostatic response to prevent blood loss following vascular injury. Though originally designed to protect the host, excessive induction of either inflammatory signaling or thrombus formation and their reciprocal activation contribute to a plethora of disorders, including cardiovascular, autoimmune, and malignant diseases. In this state-of-the-art review, we summarize recent insights into the intricate interplay of inflammation and thrombosis. We focus on the protective aspects of immunothrombosis as well as evidence of detrimental sequelae of thromboinflammation, specifically regarding recent studies that elucidate its pathophysiology beyond coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We introduce recently identified molecular aspects of key cellular players like neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets that contribute to both immunothrombosis and thromboinflammation. Further, we describe the underlying mechanisms of activation involving circulating plasma proteins and immune complexes. We then illustrate how these factors skew the inflammatory state toward detrimental thromboinflammation across cardiovascular as well as septic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Finally, we discuss how the advent of new technologies and the integration with clinical data have been used to investigate the mechanisms and signaling cascades underlying immunothrombosis and thromboinflammation. This review highlights open questions that will need to be addressed by the field to translate our mechanistic understanding into clinically meaningful therapeutic targeting.

RevDate: 2025-11-27
CmpDate: 2025-11-27

Mahajan K, Pawar D, S Bhattacharya (2025)

Recent Advancements in the Delivery of Therapeutic Agents Targeting RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase of SARS-CoV-2.

Current medicinal chemistry, 32(30):6476-6496.

This study aimed to undertake a complete evaluation and analysis of all known data on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors, concentrating on their safety, efficacy, and current improvements in the delivery of therapeutic drugs targeting RdRp of SARS-CoV-2. The work has attempted to emphasise the necessity for future research into the development of nanocarrier-based targeted drug delivery methods for RdRp inhibitors in the treatment of COVID-19. In December 2019, a novel SARSCoV- 2 strain was discovered in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 is transferable among humans and has caused a global pandemic. The rapid global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and numerous deaths caused because of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) prompted the World Health Organization to announce a pandemic on March 12, 2020. COVID-19 is becoming a key concern that has a significant impact on an individual's life status. RdRp inhibitors are major pharmaceutical agents used in the treatment of COVID-19, which have various undesirable side effects, a greater risk of recurrence, lower bioavailability, as well as a lack of targeted therapy. Hence, the present article has provided a review on all known data on RdRp inhibitors, safety, and efficacy, and recent advances in the delivery of therapeutic agents targeting RdRp of SARS-CoV-2. An analysis has been done using a scientific data search engine, such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI/PubMed), Science Direct, Google Scholar, WIPO, Lens, etc. The information has emphasized the need for more research into the safety, efficacy, and development of nanocarrier-based targeted drug delivery systems for RdRp inhibitors in the treatment of COVID-19.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Peng M, Z Wang (2025)

Vaccine-Associated Autoimmunity: From Clinical Signals to Immune Pathways.

Vaccines, 13(11): pii:vaccines13111112.

COVID-19 vaccination has played a pivotal role in mitigating the global health crisis and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. While its public health benefits are unequivocal, the unprecedented scale of vaccination-reaching billions worldwide-has also enabled the detection of rare autoimmune events, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although such events occur in only a small subset of individuals, often influenced by genetic, environmental, or dosage-related factors, they underscore the importance of understanding immune tolerance mechanisms in vaccination. This review synthesizes clinical observations and immunological findings from the COVID-19 vaccination era, highlighting key mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, adjuvant-induced inflammation, bystander activation, epitope spreading, and polyclonal B cell activation. We also consider how novel vaccine platforms, particularly mRNA-based technologies, may influence immune regulation and self-tolerance. Importantly, we discuss the therapeutic management of vaccine-associated autoimmunity, including the use of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasma exchange, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and other immunosuppressive agents, many of which have led to favorable clinical outcomes. By integrating mechanistic insights with treatment strategies, this review emphasizes that the overall benefits of COVID-19 vaccination overwhelmingly outweigh the risks, while advocating for continued surveillance, mechanistic research, and risk stratification to inform safer and more targeted vaccination strategies in future pandemics.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Wang Q, Nader A, Peppercorn A, et al (2025)

Clinical Pharmacology Approaches to Predict Efficacy of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Clinical and translational science, 18(12):e70421.

The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) development, while the rapid mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and emergence of new variants presented a moving target for validation of efficacy. Since it is virtually impossible to conduct randomized controlled trials in the context of a continually evolving variant landscape, other sources of data can inform ongoing effectiveness and appropriate dosing of existing treatments against new variants. This may include data from in vitro neutralization testing, real-world studies, and clinical pharmacology studies. There are various clinical pharmacology approaches available to aid in dose selection of COVID-19 mAbs, and the approach used for initial dose selection may differ from that used to justify dose modifications in light of new variants. At present, there is no universally accepted approach that has been shown to work in all circumstances, and most of the available methods lack validation against clinical data. Here, we provide an overview of the different pharmacological approaches available for mAb dose selection or dose adjustments, outlining advantages and limitations of each as well as assumptions, data requirements, and key learnings for each method based on experiences with COVID-19 mAb development over the last 4 years. Future mAb development programs for COVID-19 or other viral infections with pandemic potential should take into consideration lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and devise clinical development programs that generate data to help address new emerging variants of concern in a rapidly evolving virus landscape.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Kutumova E, Akberdin I, Lavrik I, et al (2025)

Mathematical Modeling of Cell Death and Survival: Toward an Integrated Computational Framework for Multi-Decision Regulatory Dynamics.

Cells, 14(22): pii:cells14221792.

Mathematical modeling is essential for understanding the complex regulatory pathways governing cell death and survival, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, and immunogenic cell death (ICD)-a functional category comprising diverse morphological types capable of activating immune responses. The growing number of models describing individual signaling pathways poses the challenge of integrating them into a cohesive framework. This review aims to identify common components across existing ordinary differential equation models that could serve as key nodes to merge distinct signaling modalities. Proposed models highlight Bcl-2, Bax, Ca[2], and p53 as shared regulators linking autophagy and apoptosis. Necroptosis and apoptosis are interconnected via TNF signaling network and modulated by caspase-8, c-FLIP, and NFκB, with RIPK1 acting as a critical hub directing pathway choice. Pyroptosis and apoptosis are co-regulated by NFκB, tBid, and caspases, while ferroptosis is modeled exclusively as an independent process, separate from other forms of cell death. Furthermore, existing models indicate that ICD intersects with necroptosis during oncolytic virotherapy, with pyroptosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and with apoptosis in the context of chemotherapy. Although several models address crosstalk between pairs of cell fate decisions, creating comprehensive frameworks that encompass three or more death modes remains an open challenge.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Kumar A, Goel S, Chaudhary A, et al (2025)

Artificial Intelligence-Based Wearable Sensing Technologies for the Management of Cancer, Diabetes, and COVID-19.

Biosensors, 15(11): pii:bios15110756.

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with wearable sensor technologies can revolutionize the monitoring and management of various chronic diseases and acute conditions. AI-integrated wearables are categorized by their underlying sensing techniques, such as electrochemical, colorimetric, chemical, optical, and pressure/stain. AI algorithms enhance the efficacy of wearable sensors by offering personalized, continuous supervision and predictive analysis, assisting in time recognition, and optimizing therapeutic modalities. This manuscript explores the recent advances and developments in AI-powered wearable sensing technologies and their use in the management of chronic diseases, including COVID-19, Diabetes, and Cancer. AI-based wearables for heart rate and heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and temperature sensors are reviewed for their potential in managing COVID-19. For Diabetes management, AI-based wearables, including continuous glucose monitoring sensors, AI-driven insulin pumps, and closed-loop systems, are reviewed. The role of AI-based wearables in biomarker tracking and analysis, thermal imaging, and ultrasound device-based sensing for cancer management is reviewed. Ultimately, this report also highlights the current challenges and future directions for developing and deploying AI-integrated wearable sensors with accuracy, scalability, and integration into clinical practice for these critical health conditions.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Cao J, He K, Chen Z, et al (2025)

Interleukin-37 in respiratory diseases: molecular mechanisms and immune modulation.

Frontiers in immunology, 16:1675791.

Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial protective role in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases though its unique dual intracellular and extracellular action pathways. This review highlights the significance of IL-37 in common respiratory diseases. Specifically, IL-37 can alleviate asthma by inhibiting Th2/Th17 immune responses, inhibiting the release of epithelial-derived alarmins (TSLP and IL-33), and attenuating airway remodeling. In pulmonary infections, IL-37 modulates host responses by mitigating virus-induced hyperinflammation and inhibiting viral replication, as observed in COVID-19 and influenza, while also regulating immunopathology in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and fungal infections. Moreover, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), IL-37 directly suppresses tumor proliferation and migration, and restrains tumor progression through immunomodulation and angiogenesis regulation. In pulmonary fibrosis, IL-37 reduces collagen deposition and promotes autophagy, thereby counteracting interstitial fibrosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that IL-37 serves as a crucial immunomodulator in respiratory diseases, and targeting IL-37 offers novel insights and strategic opportunities for clinical intervention. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of IL-37 and discusses its clinical therapeutic potential.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Ellis Sandoval N, Peña Martinez MI, Fernandez Cea AB, et al (2025)

Effects on Prolonged Screen Time on Postural Health and Visual Health in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review.

Orthopedic research and reviews, 17:553-562.

PURPOSE: To explore the long-term impact of prolonged screen exposure on postural and visual health in children and adolescents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in December 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and BIREME, focusing on articles from 2019 to 2024 in English and Spanish. The studies were categorized into visual and postural health domains and synthesized through graphs and tables. A total of 27 articles were analyzed. The snowball method was used to complement the literature search.

RESULTS: The studies revealed a 55.3% increase in the use of portable electronic devices following the COVID-19 pandemic. Reported consequences included eye strain, computer vision syndrome, and musculoskeletal pain, especially in the cervical and lumbar regions. These effects were more prevalent in urban populations in Asia.

CONCLUSION: Prolonged screen time significantly affects children's visual and postural health. These findings highlight the need for public health policies to guide and regulate screen use in young populations and to educate parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

RevDate: 2025-11-26

Recker F, Neubauer R, Adams J, et al (2025)

Medical education in obstetrics and gynecology: A global update from 2025.

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

As medical knowledge and technologies rapidly evolve, curricula have become increasingly dense, and designing effective OB-GYN education that prepares learners for diverse medical careers within limited timeframes is a global challenge. This review provides an international overview of contemporary medical education in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development levels. A narrative review of recent peer-reviewed literature, international guidelines, and global initiatives (2023-2025) was conducted, identifying key innovations, trends, and challenges in OB-GYN education worldwide, with a focus on curriculum reforms, competency-based education, simulation, telemedicine, AI applications, global standardization, and equity-oriented initiatives. Undergraduate OB-GYN curricula are increasingly standardized, integrating core competencies, early clinical exposure, and reproductive health. Postgraduate training adopts competency-based frameworks, enhanced by simulation, virtual reality, and tele-education, while continuing medical education has shifted toward flexible digital platforms and structured credentialing. Innovations, such as AI-driven learning tools, simulation drills, and telemedicine-based training, have improved skill acquisition, and global bodies, such as FIGO, RCOG, and ACOG, promote curriculum harmonization and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption but revealed gaps in surgical training and support. Overall, OB-GYN education is in a transformative phase, marked by technology, standardization, and equity, yet significant disparities persist, especially in resource-limited settings. Continued global collaboration, investment in educational infrastructure, and adaptive curriculum development are essential to prepare OB-GYN professionals for evolving clinical demands and healthcare inequities in the postpandemic era.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Howes E, Smith SG, Gillies K, et al (2025)

'Lessons learned' from trialists who adapted a complex intervention for remote delivery within a trial as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

Trials, 26(1):548.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, complex interventions being evaluated in randomised controlled trials were often rapidly adapted from in-person to remote delivery. Such adaptations to intervention delivery have the potential to cause unintended consequences and affect important aspects of trial generalisability and interpretation. This scoping review aimed to identify the 'lessons learned' from trialists who adapted and remotely delivered a complex intervention within a trial because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaining a better understanding of trialists' experiences of adapting interventions for remote delivery will identify where more in-depth investigation and guidance is needed.

METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review guidelines were followed. The search was developed for MEDLINE and adapted for Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Cochrane. Data were extracted on study characteristics, methods reported to adapt interventions, and the challenges and facilitators of the process of adaptation and remote intervention delivery. Data on remote intervention delivery were organised using the upper level of the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology.

RESULTS: Fifteen articles were eligible for inclusion describing insights from 16 randomised controlled trials, across a range of populations and trial designs. Most discussion focused on challenges and facilitators of the remote delivery of the complex intervention. These included privacy and safety concerns of intervention delivery within the home setting, and technological issues of remote delivery via video call. The most frequently reported facilitator was the use of an environmental inventory before intervention delivery to check the space in which participants were located, and the materials available to them.

CONCLUSION: Suitability of an intervention for remote delivery depends not only on whether it is originally delivered via a digital technology, but also the extent to which it requires human facilitation and support. Privacy and safety concerns in the home environment could impact trial participation in a remotely delivered intervention. Further research is needed to explore how trialists can effectively prepare for and manage the challenges of remote intervention delivery. Guidance developed to support adaptation of an intervention for remote delivery within a trial should be specific to the mode of delivery used.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Roedl K, Warnke K, Hardel T, et al (2025)

[Awake prone position in critically ill patients-a practice recommendation].

Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin [Epub ahead of print].

In cases of severe pneumonia, prone positioning therapy has been shown to have a positive effect in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a positive effect was demonstrated in patients who did not yet require mechanical ventilation (endotracheal intubation) and who received prone positioning therapy before these measures were taken (awake prone positoning). Currently, the influence of awake prone positioning therapy in patients without COVID-19 has not been sufficiently investigated. This recommendation aims to explain the indications, side effects, contraindications, and implementation of awake prone positioning in conscious critically ill patients.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Liu C, Yang Q, Shen Y, et al (2025)

Multidimensional review of viral infectious ocular diseases: Post-Pandemic epidemiology and future directions for control.

Molecular aspects of medicine, 106:101428 pii:S0098-2997(25)00092-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Viral Infectious Ocular Diseases (VIODs) remain a major global cause of vision loss, ranging from highly transmissible conjunctivitis to blinding keratitis and complex neuro-ophthalmic syndromes. Furthermore, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent reported ocular diseases have fundamentally changed the landscape of VIOD epidemiology and management. Epidemiological data indicate heterogeneous effects on common infections such as Adenoviral conjunctivitis due to varying compliance with hygiene measures. Concurrently, systemic immunological events, notably those induced by COVID-19 infection or certain vaccinations, have been linked to the reactivation of latent Alphaherpesviruses, including Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers a significantly improved diagnostic yield (up to 92.7 % in some cohorts) for complex infectious keratitis compared to conventional methods, providing an unbiased tool crucial for timely, targeted treatment. Therapeutic challenges are defined by the persistent threat of antiviral resistance, primarily driven by mutations in the viral Thymidine Kinase (TK) gene. To overcome poor ocular bioavailability, novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), such as Acyclovir-loaded Niosomes and Cubosomes, show promise by enabling sustained drug release and enhanced corneal permeation. Effective future VIOD control requires a multi-pronged strategy integrating robust global surveillance, rapid deployment of advanced molecular diagnostics, and the clinical implementation of resistance-beating therapies delivered via optimized nanocarrier platforms. This review provides the current understanding of VIODs, focusing on the epidemiological shifts observed post-2020, advancements in molecular diagnostics, challenges posed by antiviral resistance, and the emergence of next-generation therapeutic strategies.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Okoli GN, Askin N, R Rabbani (2025)

Treatment of Non-severe COVID-19 with Molnupiravir: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of the Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials.

Clinical drug investigation [Epub ahead of print].

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The evidence on molnupiravir for the treatment of adults with nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains underexplored. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) of clinically relevant outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of molnupiravir for treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 in adults.

METHODS: We searched for publications of RCTs of molnupiravir for nonsevere COVID-19 in appropriate bibliographic databases up to 1 February 2025. We pooled appropriate data utilizing an inverse variance, random-effects model, with results expressed as relative risk (RR) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and statistical heterogeneity between pooled estimates calculated using the I[2] statistic. We appropriately conducted risk of bias assessment for the included RCTs and graded the quality of pooled evidence for each outcome using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS: Out of 680 screened literature citations, nine RCTs involving a total of 30,971 patients met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. The majority (78%) of these RCTs were of a low risk of bias. We determined that there was more viral clearance with molnupiravir treatment compared with placebo or no treatment (RR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01-1.16], I[2] 40.8%, five RCTs, 1785 patients, moderate quality evidence) and that treatment with molnupiravir did not reduce the risk of hospitalization (RR 0.73 [95% CI 0.47-1.14], I[2] 58.3%, five RCTs, 28,626 patients; high quality evidence), and all-cause mortality (RR 0.51 [95% CI 0.15-1.69], I[2] 36.8%, four RCTs, 27,445 patients; high quality evidence). We also determined that molnupiravir did not increase adverse or serious adverse reactions. However, TSA suggested more RCTs should be conducted before any conclusions can be reached for viral clearance, all-cause mortality, and adverse reactions, but that further RCTs on the risk of hospitalization and serious adverse reactions may not be needed.

DISCUSSION: Notwithstanding a paucity of RCTs, our findings suggest that molnupiravir may only be efficacious for clearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; the virus responsible for COVID-19) in adults with nonsevere COVID-19 although the evidence is not sufficient for conclusions to be drawn. More high quality RCTs are needed for a stronger evidence base.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Medina-Inojosa JR, Chacin Suarez AS, Murtala AB, et al (2025)

COVID-19 Pandemic: Wake-up Call and Accelerator for Cardiac Rehabilitation.

The Canadian journal of cardiology pii:S0828-282X(25)01204-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a cornerstone of secondary prevention in cardiovascular care, improving survival, reducing rehospitalization, and enhancing quality of life. Despite robust evidence and strong guideline support, CR remains markedly underutilized in Canada and globally, with significant disparities by sex, race, geography, and socioeconomic status. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted more than three-quarters of CR programs worldwide, exposing deep-rooted limitations in access, infrastructure, and delivery models. At the same time, the pandemic served as a catalyst for innovation. Rapid implementation of virtual, home-based, and hybrid models demonstrated that CR could be delivered flexibly and effectively beyond traditional settings. This review synthesizes emerging evidence and policy responses, highlighting opportunities to modernize CR delivery while embedding equity, patient-centeredness, and digital innovation into routine care. We conclude that the future of CR must be inclusive, technology-enabled, and integrated into the broader continuum of preventive care. The lessons of the pandemic offer a roadmap-and a renewed imperative-to close longstanding gaps and reimagine cardiac rehabilitation for all who need it.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Casadevall A, Mattoon ER, Sullivan D, et al (2025)

Convalescent plasma for COVID-19: planning for the next pandemic using the worldwide experience.

Clinical microbiology reviews [Epub ahead of print].

SUMMARYCOVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) was the first specific therapy deployed for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection. CCP was successfully deployed in both resource-poor and resource-rich countries, establishing that convalescent plasma (CP) is a feasible option for combating the next pandemic. CCP reduced mortality and progression to hospitalization when used early in the disease with high-titer units. This knowledge was gained from a worldwide effort that included more than 50 countries. However, the deployment of CCP was haphazard and varied among countries. Clinical studies suffered from a lack of standardization regarding study design, CCP antibody dosing, timing of administration, and participant disease severity. Unfortunately, the hard-won knowledge from the serum therapy era in the early 20th century, which indicated that effective antibody therapy requires early use in the disease with a sufficient antibody dose, was largely forgotten. Many studies tested CCP late in the disease or without sufficient antibody titer and thus reported negative findings. Trial heterogeneity made it difficult to combine the results of studies. However, despite tremendous heterogeneity in study design and participant populations, meta-analysis revealed strong signals of efficacy when given early with high antiviral-specific antibody levels. When the next pandemic occurs, humanity is likely to resort to CP again. To avoid another chaotic rollout, planning for CP use should begin well before that emergency arrives and must involve both physician education on the principles of antibody therapy and clinical trial designs that test its efficacy in optimal conditions, which include early use with sufficient antibody doses.

RevDate: 2025-11-25
CmpDate: 2025-11-25

Sirjohn N, Sharma G, Chand D, et al (2025)

Harnessing microbial factories for withaferin-a: the future of plant-based oncotherapeutics.

3 Biotech, 15(12):446.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), a member of the Solanaceae family, produces bioactive metabolites known as withanolides, predominantly synthesized in its leaves and roots. Among these, Withaferin-A is a major pharmacologically active compound with demonstrated efficacy across diverse preclinical models. It exhibits anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-viral (including COVID-19), and neuroprotective activities through modulation of oncoproteins and cell signalling pathways. Notably, its specificity toward tumour-associated antigens and immune regulators positions Withaferin-A as a potential alternative to conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which often present severe side effects and resistance issues. This review critically explores the biosynthetic routes of Withaferin-A, encompassing chemical synthesis, natural extraction, and microbial production, while also emphasizing strategies for yield optimization through biotechnological interventions. Furthermore, we discuss the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic challenges of Withaferin-A, highlighting formulation and delivery strategies aimed at enhancing its clinical applicability. Overall, the review outlines its translational potential and provides a roadmap for future therapeutic and clinical integration.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Maher LC, Ryan PM, NM Caplice (2025)

Adipose Tissue in SARS-CoV-2 Viral Tropism, Viral Replication, and the Concept of a Viral Reservoir: An Update.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) [Epub ahead of print].

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity has been consistently associated with worse clinical outcomes. In 2020, we hypothesized that adipose tissue (AT) might serve as a viral reservoir and amplifier of immune responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Five years on, accumulating evidence supports this hypothesis. Recent autopsy and in vitro studies support that SARS-CoV-2 disseminates to and may replicate within human adipocytes. While several studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA and proteins in AT, the recovery of infectious virus from this tissue has not yet been demonstrated. This remains a critical gap in our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 viral tropism and replication within adipocytes. Viral entry is mediated via angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and neuropilin-1 receptors. Infected AT exhibits immune cell infiltration and cytokine activation, implicating it in systemic inflammation. Persistent viral RNA in AT correlates with prolonged metabolic dysfunction. These findings highlight the dual role of AT as a potential viral reservoir and immunometabolic organ. Understanding these mechanisms is critical to mitigating the long-term impact of COVID-19 and guiding responses to future pandemics involving metabolically active tissues.

RevDate: 2025-11-25

Felgner S, Handrock JF, Schroll CC, et al (2025)

Decision-making regarding dental treatments - What factors matter from patients' perspective? A systematic review.

BMC oral health pii:10.1186/s12903-025-07032-9 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Achieving oral health for the population should be a concern of public health care systems, as it may affect their expenditures in the long term. Patients often face individual challenges in dental care. Why patients decide for or against dental treatments can be determined by many factors, e.g., their own financial resources, preferences, and external circumstances. This cross-country study aims to identify those factors.

METHODS: We systematically searched for literature in the biomedical databases PubMed (including MEDLINE), the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify factors influencing dental treatment decisions across different countries. Factors of choice were extracted from relevant articles to develop a codebook for subsequent qualitative analysis using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) statements.

RESULTS: After multistage screening of N = 4,226 publications by two reviewers, N = 233 relevant articles of different study designs (qualitative (N = 42), quantitative (N = 177), and mixed-methods (N = 14)) were included in the analysis. Data collection was realized across different settings (e.g., dental practices (N = 18)) and approaches (e.g., interviews) in 49 countries. Included articles focused on specific treatments (e.g., caries treatment) or treatments in general (e.g., dental tourism). Across the countries, various factors of choice (n = 101) were identified, divided into three categories: (I) "Dentist & dental institution" (e.g., communication), (II) "Patient" (e.g., dental fear), and (III) "Treatment" (e.g., durability). The factors 'out-of-pocket payment' and 'dental fear' were identified in most of the articles (N = 136, N = 64) and were mentioned most frequently (code frequencies: n = 151, n = 73). In countries with the most articles (e.g., the UK (N = 28), Saudi Arabia (N = 23), the USA (N = 22), India (N = 19), and Brazil (N = 14)), also 'out-of-pocket payment' was identified most often (e.g., the UK: in 56% of the articles; India: 68%). Frequency of the factor 'dental fear' varied by country. One publication addressed the COVID-19 pandemic. It reported that treatment appointments were postponed and canceled by patients due to their fear of infection with SARS-CoV-2. The quality of the included studies varied considerably.

CONCLUSIONS: A range of factors influence patients' choice regarding dental treatments. Understanding patients' motivation for seeking dental care can guide the development of interventions (e.g., awareness campaigns and health literacy efforts) that support proactive dental care. To improve oral health outcomes and reduce access barriers, tailored regulatory and informational strategies are essential.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Adashi EY, O'Mahony DP, IG Cohen (2025)

National Drug Shortages: Remedial Executive and Legislative Initiatives.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 38(4):757-760 pii:jabfm.2024.240327R2.

Medication shortages constitute an ongoing threat to patient care across the United States and affect nearly every aspect of health care. National drug shortages have been a recurring challenge of the US health care system but were markedly aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal executive and legislative efforts to bolster the resiliency of the pharmaceutical supply chain have thus far fallen short. This Commentary reviews the leading executive and legislative initiatives proposed during the 118[th] Congress and the Biden administration to protect the national drug supply in the hope of avoiding future shortages. It will be up to the new (119th) Congress and presidential administration to take up this issue again and pursue remediation of the nation's drug shortage problem. The health of the nation demands action by policy makers to mitigate drug shortages that give rise to discontinuity of care and thereby to a compromise of the national state of health.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Djassemi N, Hanisch B, Motta C, et al (2025)

Harnessing virus-specific T cells: expanding therapeutic strategies across diverse populations.

Blood advances, 9(23):5965-5975.

Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) has been used for managing viral diseases in immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation. Clinical trials targeting viruses such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, and BK virus have demonstrated effective viral control without the toxicities associated with conventional antiviral therapies. This review explores the manufacturing, feasibility, safety, and efficacy of VSTs, complemented by 2 case studies illustrating their real-world application. We examine recent advancements in VST manufacturing that broaden their accessibility and applicability to a wider range of viral infections and immunocompromised populations. Key safety considerations, including cytokine release syndrome and graft-versus-host disease, are discussed. Lastly, we assess the expanding applications of VSTs against emerging viral targets, such as COVID-19, and address current barriers to their implementation beyond the research setting.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Scrivani K, JS Fu (2025)

A Systematic Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Communication Research: Implications for Resilience Communication and Organizing.

Health communication, 40(14):3021-3047.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the psychological response to experiencing and/or witnessing a traumatic event. With over 100 million of the global adult population afflicted with this disorder, more systematic research on PTSD is essential, and the COVID-19 pandemic increased that need. Extant research suggests communication lies at the center of PTSD prevention, symptom mitigation, and recovery, yet communication researchers have largely failed to address the disorder. To advance theory and empirical research, this paper presents a systematic review of PTSD studies in communication literature. Content and computational analyses of 84 relevant articles from three databases show that PTSD research primarily focuses on the military, journalists, and survivors of terrorist attacks. In addition, those with PTSD rely on social networks and support to combat social stigma and self-isolation. Based on these findings, we present four fruitful areas for future research on PTSD across diverse subfields: (1) social networks, (2) diverse populations, (3) social identity, and (4) resilience.

RevDate: 2025-11-26
CmpDate: 2025-11-26

Xu H, Bowblis JR, Li S, et al (2025)

Changes in Federal and State Policies on Visitation Restrictions in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 44(12):2027-2034.

Visitation restrictions in nursing homes were a major policy intervention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study conducted a systematic review of the changes in federal and state visitation policies. After the federal recommendations restricting all visitors and non-essential healthcare personnel, 31 states implemented state-wide indoor visitation bans in March and April of 2020. Federal guidance changed in September 2020 and again after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021. State visitation bans were lifted from 6/15/2020 to 11/2/2020, lasting an average of 163 days. When lifting bans, most states required that nursing homes have no resident COVID-19 cases and implement mitigation measures during the visit. Resident COVID-19 infection rates decreased by an average of 7.2 cases per 10,000 residents per week in the six weeks before state bans were lifted (p = .003). Large variations in state bans call for more consistent policy implementation in a future pandemic.

RevDate: 2025-11-25
CmpDate: 2025-11-25

Liu Y, Shukla D, Newman H, et al (2021)

Soft wearable sensors for monitoring symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases: a review.

Progress in biomedical engineering (Bristol, England), 4(1):.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put extraordinary stress on medical systems and global society more broadly. The condition of infected patients may deteriorate rapidly due to overburdened hospital systems. This raises an urgent need for real-time and remote monitoring of physiological parameters to address the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This review will present recent progress on soft wearable sensors that can potentially be used for monitoring respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. First, emerging monitoring devices and systems that can monitor key physiological parameters as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (e.g. body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation and body movement) are reviewed. Then, multimodal sensor systems consisting of two or more correlative sensors are presented. This review will conclude with challenges and future directions for wearable sensors for the diagnosis and therapy of respiratory diseases. While this review focuses on COVID-19, the sensing technologies reviewed can be applicable to other respiratory diseases such as H1N1 influenza.

RevDate: 2025-11-25
CmpDate: 2025-11-25

Leite A, Kislaya I, Machado A, et al (2025)

Use of quasi-experimental studies to evaluate causal effects of public health interventions in Portugal: a scoping review.

BMC medical research methodology, 25(1):263.

BACKGROUND: Quasi-experimental designs are a valid option to assess causal effects of public health interventions when randomized studies are unfeasible, but not widely used in Portugal. We identified and reviewed characteristics of studies employing quasi-experimental designs to evaluate causal effects of public health interventions in Portugal.

METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINHAL were searched, alongside grey literature, reference mining and contact of authors of eligible studies. We extracted information on the intervention assessed, study design, outcomes assessed, statistical analysis and reporting guidelines.

RESULTS: We identified 1143 studies; 25 were eligible. Studies assessed interventions in various areas, mainly healthcare services (28.0%), drugs/tobacco consumption policy (20.0%), and COVID-19 related restrictions (20.0%). Studies employed interrupted time series (56.0%) and difference-in-differences designs (44.0%). Analyses utilised regression-based models, namely linear (48.0%), negative binominal (20.0%) and logistic (12.0%). Studies analysed 53 outcomes, with two outcomes per study on average. No reporting guidelines were mentioned.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a limited number of studies using quasi-experimental designs to estimate the causal effects of public health interventions in Portugal, mainly interrupted time series and difference-in-differences. Training in this area might promote the adequate use and dissemination of quasi-experimental studies.

RevDate: 2025-11-25
CmpDate: 2025-11-25

Green R, Marjenberg Z, Lip GYH, et al (2025)

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of vaccination on prevention of long COVID.

Nature communications, 16(1):10326.

Long COVID affects millions worldwide and its prevention is a critical public health strategy. While prior analyses show primary vaccination prevents long COVID in subsequent infections, the effect of booster vaccination on long COVID after Omicron infections is unclear. This systematic review identifies 31 observational studies, of which 11 are suitable for pairwise meta-analyses. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of long COVID in those vaccinated (any dose) versus unvaccinated is 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.85; p < 0.0001; 10 studies). ORs were also lower for primary course vaccination versus unvaccinated (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.79-0.83; p < 0.0001; 3 studies), booster vaccination versus unvaccinated (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63-0.86; p = 0.0001; 4 studies), and booster vaccination versus primary course vaccination (OR 77; 95% CI 0.65-0.92; p = 0.0044; 3 studies). These findings indicate that booster vaccination can provide additional protection against long COVID, highlighting the importance of seasonal vaccination against new SARS-CoV-2 variants. They should, however, be interpreted cautiously, given the small number of studies and the low quality of evidence.

RevDate: 2025-11-24

Lou J, Wu Z, Cheng Y, et al (2025)

Recent advances in freeze-drying technologies for mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases.

International journal of pharmaceutics pii:S0378-5173(25)01263-3 [Epub ahead of print].

Currently, the storage and transportation of mRNA vaccines typically rely on ultra-low temperature conditions. To improve their stability and extend shelf life, recent studies have been devoted to converting liquid formulations into solid forms using drying technology. Among them, freeze-drying (lyophilization) is an effective strategy that freezes samples and removes moisture through primary (sublimation) and secondary (desorption) drying stages, maximally preserving the structural integrity and biological activity of mRNA vaccines. The significant reduction in moisture content effectively inhibits the rate of hydrolysis of mRNA, which is considered the primary factor contributing to the instability of mRNA vaccines. However, the freeze-drying process itself and its accompanying stresses pose key challenges, involving many critical variables closely related to formulation composition, process parameters, and manufacturing environment. This paper systematically reviews the application of different freeze-drying technologies in mRNA vaccines and the optimization strategy of lyophilized mRNA vaccines, aiming to provide theoretical foundation and guidance for optimizing freeze-drying processes, enhancing vaccine stability and expanding their application scope.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Matthews R, Ellul MA, McKeever S, et al (2025)

Global & Community Health: What Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Teach Us About Neurologic Surveillance Approaches, and How Should We Be Better Prepared?.

Neurology, 105(12):e214431.

It is well recognized that many pandemic viruses are associated with neurologic complications, most recently with COVID-19. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, neurologic surveillance platforms were implemented to characterize the complications of COVID-19. Surveillance platforms are invaluable in providing timely data, informing clinical practice, and directing future research. Lessons learned from recent neurologic surveillance networks include the importance of global and cross-specialty collaboration. It is critical for future surveillance systems to consider these aspects, as it will also serve to improve representation of low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and communities. Trainees played a critical role in the success of neurologic surveillance networks; as frontline health care workers, they were able to provide timely data collection, and their fresh insights are important for future pandemic surveillance system development. In this article, we review the methods of recent neurologic surveillance networks and discuss their strengths and limitations. We explore the outlook for pandemic surveillance platforms and the crucial role global collaboration plays in ensuring that LMICs are represented. We review the role of trainees in pandemic surveillance networks and discuss how it is vital to encourage their continued involvement to ensure that, as future health care leaders, they are prepared to manage future pandemics effectively.

RevDate: 2025-11-24

Pineda RC, Martin P, Khor K, et al (2025)

Interprofessional collaboration competency development in healthcare students during clinical placements in the time of COVID-19: a mixed methods systematic review.

Journal of interprofessional care [Epub ahead of print].

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented challenges to the clinical education of healthcare students. Although alternative clinical placements were developed and introduced, it is unclear whether students successfully acquired interprofessional competencies required to be collaborative practice-ready healthcare workers. We examined interprofessional collaboration competency acquisition from adapted and alternative clinical placements that were made available to pre-qualification healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information searches from online databases and supplementary sources identified 20 articles that met criteria. Student perceptions indicate that these alternative placements supported the learning of interprofessional collaboration competencies. Outcomes mapped against the updated Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative Competency Framework indicate that the most frequently reported interprofessional collaboration competency was team communication and the least reported were collaborative leadership and team differences/disagreements processing. Although gains in interprofessional collaboration competencies were reported across the studies, their methodological shortcomings make it difficult to determine whether alternative placements (e.g. online and telephone-based) were better or comparable to traditional placements (i.e. with face-to-face interactions), for interprofessional collaboration competency development. These findings suggest the need for further research assessing the effectiveness and sustainability of alternative placement models. A greater understanding of clinical placement alternatives could inform educational practices in future pandemics or other unprecedented events.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Patra S, Rajadurai R, Fayyaz S, et al (2025)

Silent Threats: Understanding the Impact of Respiratory Viruses on the Ageing Population.

British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005), 86(11):1-31.

Respiratory viruses are an important cause of acute respiratory illnesses in older adults. The spectrum of illness may range from pneumonia to an exacerbation of underlying respiratory disease or acute bronchitis. Respiratory viruses can account for a significant proportion of chest infections. However, respiratory viruses, either acting as primary pathogens or in conjunction with bacterial infections, are often underdiagnosed due to less frequent viral testing compared to bacterial infections. Hitherto neglected, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought into sharp focus and generated interest in respiratory viruses and their burden in all age groups. This article addresses this interest and summarises the most prevalent and emerging respiratory viruses affecting the elderly. There is a general overview as well as specific information on how to approach, identify, and treat these viruses. We will also discuss the latest guidance on vaccination, as well as adjunctive tests like procalcitonin and point-of-care testing and the niche that these occupy in the diagnosis and management of chest infections.

RevDate: 2025-11-24

Pinar Kuzucu E, Ates MB, Agbas A, et al (2025)

Viral tubulointerstitial nephritis in children: A narrative review with a focus on adenovirus.

Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].

Viral infections are well-known causes of systemic illness in children, but their kidney involvement, particularly acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), remain underdiagnosed and clinically underestimated. A wide range of viruses has been implicated in pediatric TIN, including Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, BK virus, parvovirus B19, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2. Among these, adenovirus stands out for its potential to cause severe kidney injury. Delayed diagnosis remains a challenge due to nonspecific symptoms and limited use of kidney biopsy. Heightened clinical suspicion and early virologic work-up are essential to enable timely intervention and improve outcomes. This narrative review aims to raise awareness of viral-associated TIN in the pediatric population, with a specific focus on adenovirus. In addition to summarizing cases identified from the existing literature, we present two pediatric cases with biopsy-confirmed TIN: one in a kidney transplant recipient and the other in a previously healthy infant, illustrating the broad clinical spectrum of the disease.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Castañeda-Casimiro J, Vallejo-Castillo L, Peregrino ES, et al (2025)

N-Glycosylation of Antibodies: Biological Effects During Infections and Therapeutic Applications.

Antibodies (Basel, Switzerland), 14(4):.

Antibodies are produced by cells of the adaptive immune response and recognize epitopes of microbial structures with high affinity and specificity. Antibodies are recognized by Fc fragment receptors (FcRs) found on the surface of phagocytic cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages) and NK cells, among others. Hence, antibodies link the adaptive immune response with the innate immune response. The functions of antibodies are related to the N-glycosylation profile of these proteins. In this review, we describe how N-glycosylation of the Fc fragment of the different antibody classes is carried out, and which oligosaccharides are most commonly found in these antibodies. Subsequently, we summarize the biological effects of N-glycosylation of antibodies: on the binding of antibodies to FcRs (which affects various functions, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent phagocytosis, and the production of pro- or anti-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines), on the ability of antibodies to activate complement and on the ability of some antibodies to directly neutralize the adhesion of bacteria and viruses to host cells (independently of Fab recognition). We describe how the N-glycosylation profile of antibodies is modified during certain infections (such as tuberculosis, COVID-19, influenza and dengue) and in response to vaccination, and the potential use of this profile to identify the stage and severity of an infection. Finally, we review the importance of N-glycosylation for the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Zar LA, Hamran S, Alremawi I, et al (2025)

Exit Meta-Analysis on the Effect of HIV on COVID-19 Mortality, Hospitalization, and ICU Admission.

Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 13(4):.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the publication of numerous primary studies and meta-analyses; however, conclusive evidence on whether HIV infection influences COVID-19 outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is still lacking. This research uses a novel technique, the exit meta-analysis, to conclusively update the evidence of HIV's impact on COVID-19-related mortality, hospitalization, and need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission in severe disease. Methods: A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews (CDSR), SCOPUS, CINAHL reviews and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to the 18 January 2024 for meta-analyses and observational studies that reported adjusted associations for the effect of HIV on COVID-19 related mortality, hospitalization, and ICU admission. Evidence from existing meta-analyses was summarized narratively, and an updated meta-analysis was carried out using a bias-adjusted inverse variance heterogeneity model. Subgroup analysis was carried out for age groups and geographical regions. Results: Of 3153 records identified, 20 meta-analyses and 56 primary studies, with a total of 27,936,428 participants, including 655,882 PLHIV, were included. A review of the meta-analyses showed conflicting results for all outcomes. In the updated synthesis, HIV was associated with higher odds of mortality (aOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01-1.86, I[2] = 90.7%) and ICU admission (aOR 1.49, 95% CI: 0.67-2.30, I[2] = 88.8%), but not hospitalization (aOR 1.11, 95% CI: 0.78-1.48, I[2] = 97.5%). The results for both ICU admission and hospitalization include the null value, leading to lower certainty. The exit meta-analysis suggested conclusive results for mortality (DAts score = -0.012) and hospitalization (DAts score = -0.014), but not for ICU admission. Conclusions: This exit meta-analysis provides conclusive evidence that HIV increases mortality in people with COVID-19; however, more studies may be required to address ICU admission and hospitalization.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Zheng S, Xue T, Li S, et al (2025)

Mechanistic insights into traditional Chinese medicine for viral pneumonia treatment: signaling pathway perspectives.

Frontiers in pharmacology, 16:1577580.

Since December 2019, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 outbreak in the World as a highly contagious respiratory disease poses a significant challenge to the world. The main symptoms of patients are cough, fever, diarrhea, etc. In addition, the COVID-19 genome has strong plasticity, and there is a risk of cross-species transmission. The use of western medicine antibiotics brings good therapeutic effects, but also accompanied by many adverse reactions of physical and mental damage. At present, TCM has achieved remarkable results in the treatment of COVID-19. In addition to enriching the cognitive theories of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of COVID-19, studies on the cell signal transduction mechanism of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 have developed rapidly from the perspective of molecular biology. Through literature search, it is found that the occurrence of COVID-19 is closely related to cellular inflammatory response, immune response, apoptosis, proliferation and other physiological and pathological processes. This study systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine treats COVID-19 by regulating key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and mTOR. It not only effectively alleviates COVID-19 symptoms and suppresses pulmonary inflammation but also reduces complications and drug-related adverse reactions. The integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine model demonstrates significant synergistic effects in antiviral treatment and overall regulation. Future research should further explore the cross-mechanisms of signaling pathways, strengthen evidence-based medical validation, promote the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, and provide safer and more effective treatment strategies for global pandemic control.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Irigoyen-Amparan CW, Gonzalez KD, Pennathur A, et al (2025)

Organizational challenges persist, and new research directions emerge in the study of burnout in healthcare: Bibliometric analysis.

Journal of public health research, 14(4):22799036251395259.

BACKGROUND: Between 35% and 45% of nurses and 40%-54% of physicians in the United States experienced burnout over the past decade, underscoring the need to examine trends and patterns in healthcare burnout research to identify contributors and formulate recommendations. Our objectives were to (1) understand whether the problem of burnout is widespread and studied globally, (2) assess the extent of research collaboration, (3) examine the focus of healthcare burnout themes prior to 2019 and after 2019 and assess similarities between themes to identify persistent problems, and (4) assess differences in themes to identify new research directions triggered by COVID-19.

DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a literature search in Web of Science, followed by bibliometric and manual comparative analyses of publications data. We analyzed trends in publications, countries, and organizations where healthcare burnout was studied, constructed co-authorship networks, and evaluated theme similarities and differences between the periods.

RESULTS: Studies have investigated longstanding system and organizational problems, including poor workplace conditions and unsupportive leadership and management, as contributors to burnout. Research collaborations on healthcare burnout across countries have increased post-pandemic. Studies conducted after 2019 have investigated new research directions, including workplace adaptations, workplace aggression, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that workplace conditions and organizational factors such as leadership and management remain persistent challenges, with workplace violence and workplace aggression increasingly associated with burnout. Design improvements to the work system and emerging technologies hold promise as interventions for preventing and mitigating burnout.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Leivaditis V, Mulita F, Baikoussis N, et al (2025)

Forged in conflict: how wars and crises shaped cardiovascular surgery.

Indian journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 41(12):1733-1747.

Wars and crises have historically acted as powerful catalysts for advances in cardiovascular surgery. Throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, periods of armed conflict and global emergencies have driven surgical innovation, accelerated technological development, and reshaped clinical priorities. This review explores how wartime conditions, with their urgent need for effective treatment of vascular and cardiac injuries, fostered the emergence of new techniques such as arterial repair, cardiopulmonary bypass, and heart valve replacement. It also examines how public health crises, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, further transformed cardiovascular surgical practice by introducing new protocols, technologies, and logistical frameworks. Drawing on historical milestones, surgical breakthroughs, and lessons learned under extreme conditions, this article highlights the enduring impact of crises on the evolution of cardiovascular surgery and reflects on how these experiences continue to influence contemporary surgical strategies.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Parmar V, Arias Castro A, Singh I, et al (2025)

Prevalence of Suicide Among Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Cureus, 17(11):e97166.

This systematic review examines the prevalence of adolescent suicide before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzes associated changes and contributing factors. A literature search was conducted for studies published between 2019 and 2023 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on populations aged 12-19 years that reported suicide prevalence both before and during the pandemic. Only peer-reviewed studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. A total of 20 studies met the criteria and were included. The findings indicate a significant increase in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents, particularly females. Major contributing factors included social isolation, academic stress, and reduced access to mental healthcare. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on adolescent mental health. This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and strengthened support systems to prevent suicide and promote resilience in this vulnerable population.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Zulla RT, Nicholas DB, Sutherland S, et al (2025)

Synchronous virtual care in children's health care: a scoping review.

Frontiers in pediatrics, 13:1610407.

OBJECTIVE: Synchronous virtual care comprises real-time, online-mediated healthcare. This approach has increasingly been used in pediatrics, largely implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence is limited on the impacts of this mode of care delivery on patient and family experience and care quality. To our knowledge, this is the first scoping review to amalgamate existing knowledge about the perceived impact of synchronous virtual care as it is experienced by children and their families across multiple disciplines.

METHODS: Following guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute, a search of the peer reviewed, published literature was conducted employing multiple databases: APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, EBSCO, Embase, and OVID. Reviewed articles were published in English from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2023, and addressed virtual care for children and their families. The initial search generated 1,079 articles, which underwent abstract and then full-text screening. A total of 157 full text articles were screened, yielding 117 articles from which data was extracted.

RESULTS: Virtual care interventions, generally appearing in the last decade (2013-2023), have been largely studied using quantitative approaches. They tend to be positively viewed by youth and parents as indicated by identified benefits and general satisfaction. However, articles report both facilitating and hindering elements of virtual care, and barriers are reported that reflect inequities associated with social determinants of health. Such barriers are shown to impede the use of virtual care among some marginalized communities. The review indicates that effective virtual care approaches require (a) program/organizational infrastructure support, (b) training for both service providers and users, and (c) tailoring to clinical needs.

CONCLUSION: Considering virtual care "fit" for target patients and families is important. Implications for clinical care as well as guidelines for future research are offered.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Chen Y, Mollayeva T, Fitzpatrick R, et al (2025)

The Global Impact of COVID-19 Control Measures on People With Dementia Living at Home and Their Carers: A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Across 27 Countries.

Brain and behavior, 15(11):e71100.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 control measures have had a unique impact on people with dementia (PWD) and their carers living at home. Yet, uncertainty exists regarding the global impact of such measures and whether differences exist between countries and global regions. We aimed to synthesize evidence on this topic.

METHODS: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Latin American and Caribbean Health Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and EM Premium from the start of the pandemic to July 2022. At least two researchers independently screened citations and performed quality assessment following recommended criteria for critical appraisal according to study methodology. We analyzed data by country and region and synthesized results descriptively.

RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies met inclusion criteria (74% quantitative and 26% qualitative; 22% included PWD, 44% carers of PWD, and 4% dyads), with a total of 209,738 participants. Most studies were conducted in Europe (59%), followed by Asia and North America (15% each), South America (7%), and Oceania (1%). Two studies presented data from multiple regions (3%). The quality of the studies varied, with the majority (62%) being of moderate quality. Across the study populations and global regions, COVID-19 control measures had implications for PWD and carers' access to health services, physical and mental health and daily routine, cognition, behavior, with accompanying social and economic costs. The impact on mental health for PWD and on loneliness and well-being for carers were the two most frequently studied outcomes.

CONCLUSION: People with dementia and their carers represent a heterogeneous group of people across countries and communities; despite that, the impacts of COVID-19 control measures on PWD and their carers were broadly consistent across regions. Our evidence synthesis highlights the critical need for decision-makers to account for the needs of PWD and their carers when designing and implementing public health measures.

OTHER: This work was funded by the JPND Call for Expert Working Groups: The Impact of COVID-19 on Neurodegenerative Diseases in partnership with the CIHR-Institute of Aging and the Public Health Agency (CIHR #02342-000). PROSPERO CRD42024554701.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Pugazhenthi DP, Ramya A, Murugavel D, et al (2025)

A Review of the Efficacy of Nanodrug Delivery Systems: Is It Worth the Hype?.

The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 73(11):80-82.

Nanodrug delivery systems are gradually becoming the current "talk of the town" due to their efficiency in treating different diseases in a more advanced manner when compared to conventional drug-delivery systems. It is well known that drugs can be given through various routes of administration, such as the popular oral, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. It is quite surprising that formulating these same drugs as nanoparticles (NPs) and administering them to the patient could produce better results. Different studies have shown the effects of nanodrug delivery systems in targeting cancer cells, ameliorating pulmonary arterial hypertension, and providing improved treatments for ophthalmic conditions such as glaucoma. In most studies, nanodrug delivery systems have been shown to exhibit targeted action at the desired site or organ, low toxicity, and fewer systemic side effects. These new insights can provide an enhanced understanding of the benefits of NP formulations of drugs, as well as open up new pathways for future creative techniques in addressing emerging medical conditions. Furthermore, these formulations generally consist of polymer- or liposome-based or coated NPs, as they are easily biodegradable, meaning they have a higher ability to disintegrate and, at the same time, are not harmful to living tissues, thereby displaying greater compatibility. New connections can be established through the utilization of NPs in the treatment of emerging diseases worldwide. Data from these studies could provide a foundation for groundbreaking and innovative strategies in coping with or fighting even the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

RevDate: 2025-11-23

Kaboré BWO, Gouba N, Ilboudo AK, et al (2025)

Viral etiology of acute respiratory infections in Sub-Saharan Africa during the pre-COVID-19 period (2006-2019): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC infectious diseases pii:10.1186/s12879-025-12122-8 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2025-11-23
CmpDate: 2025-11-23

Thomas SJ, Dulek DE, Gans HA, et al (2025)

Updates on Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Viral Infections in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Pediatric transplantation, 29(8):e70231.

The global burden of acute lower respiratory tract infections, including viral etiologies, equated to 725 557 deaths in 2021 in children under 4 years of age. Community-acquired respiratory viral infections (RVI) also carry a high burden among pediatric solid organ transplant recipients (PSOTR), accounting for 14.5% of hospitalizations in the first year post-transplant in an American cohort. This mini review on behalf of the International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) infectious diseases committee discusses novel preventative and prophylactic strategies and includes pertinent updates for vaccine-preventable RVI including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV in PSOTR.

RevDate: 2025-11-23

Flasbeck V, Engler H, Marková V, et al (2025)

Between Care and Contagion: Insights from the Endotoxin Model into the Social Facets of Sickness.

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews pii:S0149-7634(25)00487-7 [Epub ahead of print].

The ability to recognize sick and potentially contagious conspecifics is crucial for survival, particularly in social species where close contact increases the risk for disease transmission. This creates an evolutionary trade-off between avoiding infection and maintaining care for sick group members. This narrative review summarizes research using bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) to experimentally induce sickness, focusing on its effects on social behavior in animals and humans. LPS-treated animals generally show reduced social exploration of healthy conspecifics, while healthy conspecifics tend to avoid them. Such avoidance behavior is influenced by environmental factors such as housing conditions, health status, and social hierarchy. Some species, when sick, show a preference for familiar individuals, and exhibit more affiliative, less aggressive behaviors. In humans, LPS-induced sickness leads to heightened sensitivity to both positive and negative social cues, which may reflect an adaptive response to increased vulnerability. Individuals under LPS also demonstrate an enhanced ability to regulate emotional responses and reduced empathy for others' psychological pain, suggesting a shift towards a more self-focused, energy-conserving state. Sick individuals additionally tend to seek care from those with a history of supportive behavior. Humans can detect sickness in others through olfactory and visual cues, such as odor, facial expressions and posture. As observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged social isolation negatively affects both infected individuals and their caregivers. Future research should therefore investigate the impact of sickness on higher level social cognitive functioning, as well as the role of modulating variables such as familiarity, sickness severity and sample demographics.

RevDate: 2025-11-23

Wadhwa R, Tang E, Wong LYR, et al (2025)

Airway immunometabolic responses during pulmonary bacterial and viral infections.

Cell reports, 44(12):116614 pii:S2211-1247(25)01386-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Airway infections caused by viral and bacterial pathogens pose a significant threat to human health, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a stark reminder of their detrimental impact. This review explores the critical role of metabolism in determining the outcome of respiratory infections. It covers fundamental concepts in immunometabolism and details how common pathogens exploit the host metabolism to dysregulate immune responses or evade immune clearance. We further consider how immune-signaling metabolites can directly drive pathogen evolution, emphasizing the importance of a better understanding of host-pathogen metabolic interactions in developing effective new therapies.

RevDate: 2025-11-22

Fakherpour A, Jahangiri M, A Haghighi (2025)

A systematic review of fit improvement strategies for respirators: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

BMC public health pii:10.1186/s12889-025-24867-7 [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION: The use of respirators and masks has increased dramatically during outbreaks of respiratory infections, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Both filtration efficiency and respirator fit testing influence the provision of effective respiratory protection to users. If healthcare workers (HCWs) do not have access to tight-fitting N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) or if fit testing procedures are not feasible, some cost‒benefit fit improvement strategies (FISs) could benefit HCW respiratory protection against respiratory infection pandemics.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the importance of fit testing and to identify the optimal factors influencing respirator or mask fit characteristics, particularly in emergency situations.

METHODS: We searched four databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct from February 5, 2020, to December 7, 2024, covering the COVID-19 pandemic period. Finally, a gray literature search was conducted to ensure that no further studies were missed. Additionally, quality assessment of the included studies was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS: A total of 39 full texts were included in the systematic review. Seven categories of FISs included fitters or braces, double masking with cloth or medical masks over FFRs, ear loop knotting and tucking or using ear guards (hooks, clips), adhesive tape, skin protectants/dressings, wearing goggles over FFRs, and using cloths over facial hair to improve fit. Each FIS has its own advantages and disadvantages. Overall, there was an improvement in fitting after the application of the FISs.

CONCLUSIONS: Among all, mask frame, ear loop strap modification, medical tape, thin dressings, double masking, and goggles donning modification are considered as pleasant FISs during performing the occupational activity. Among all, the mask frame and medical tape outperformed the other FISs. It is crucial that all respirators modified with FISs undergo standard fit testing procedures to avoid a false sense of security and prevent exposure to hazardous respiratory substances. Both safety and ergonomic factors are of great importance when applying each FIS.

RevDate: 2025-11-22

Ning YX, Liang S, Cai XM, et al (2025)

Mental health among athletes: A bibliometric and visual analysis of research hotspots and trends.

Acta psychologica, 261:106002 pii:S0001-6918(25)01316-2 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Mental health among elite athletes is a critical and growing focus, recognized for its profound impact on their well-being and performance trajectories.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric and visual analysis of athlete mental health research from 2015 to 2024, aiming to identify key contributors, established hotspots, and emerging trends to guide future investigations and interventions.

METHODS: Articles published between 2015 and 2024 were systematically retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus databases. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were utilized for bibliometric and visual analysis.

RESULTS: A corpus of 2508 unique articles revealed an upward publication trend. The United States, Harvard Medical School, and Gouttebarge were identified as leading contributors. Co-citation analysis yielded 20 primary research clusters, encompassing common psychological challenges (e.g., depression, eating disorders), positive psychological traits (e.g., mindfulness, mental toughness), specific stressors (e.g., concussion, overtraining, career uncertainty), and social support systems. Keyword burst detection highlighted emerging directions: the long-term mental health impacts of COVID-19, mental health in student athletes and competitive contexts, methodological trends like retrospective studies, and the interplay of physiological stress, distress, and attention.

CONCLUSION: This study offers valuable, data-driven insights into the evolving landscape of athlete mental health research. By mapping key hotspots and emerging trends, it provides a crucial roadmap for future investigations, enhancing understanding and guiding the development of effective interventions to safeguard athletes' overall well-being and optimize their performance.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-22

Morton S, Surman K, Bayliss R, et al (2025)

FPHC Wellbeing Charter: The 'Whys' and 'Hows' of the Charter.

Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine, 33(1):187.

BACKGROUND: In 2022 the Faculty of Pre-hospital Care (FPHC) report on "Valuing Staff, Valuing Patients" was published, outlining the need to "seek out and remedy secondary stressors", such as training burdens or financial costs. Since that original publication, COVID-19 and the increased demand for healthcare have presented additional challenges, and staff wellbeing remains an increasing concern. The aim of the FPHC Wellbeing Group was to develop a FPHC Wellbeing Charter, to put the recommendations of the report into practice in a document that outlines achievable measures for all pre-hospital organisations to improve their staff and volunteers' wellbeing.

METHODS: Questionnaires and focus groups, alongside a literature search and the original FPHC report were utilised to develop the Charter. This was led by the FPHC Wellbeing Group. Participants were sought from a range of pre-hospital organisations including National Health Service ambulance trusts, air ambulance organisations and voluntary organisations such as Mountain Rescue. The Charter has been reviewed by the FPHC Executive Committee.

RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-one responses to the questionnaire were obtained and six focus groups were held representing the majority of pre-hospital organisations. As a result of this a FPHC Wellbeing Charter has been developed with four main sections: policies for a good organisation; facilities for a good organisation; support for colleagues in a good organisation and continued professional development, study leave and examination support in a good organisation. Within the policies section there are four sub-sections: rotas and rest; illness/return to work; patient outcome follow-up and parental leave (including maternity policies).

CONCLUSION: The FPHC Wellbeing Charter outlines 'why' and 'how' organisations can take measures to improve their staff and volunteer's wellbeing. Much of the emphasis of the Charter is on reducing secondary stressors by improving simple things, recognising that whilst pre-hospital clinicians and volunteers are often involved in difficult events, daily stresses have a significant cumulative impact. It is anticipated that this will not be a static document; however, a minimum baseline has been set.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-22

Dückers MLA (2025)

Exposing the loci of bias: a taxonomical exploration of sources of bias in population mental health research.

Population health metrics, 23(1):64.

All studies are inherently biased, but some are more biased than others. This variation on a key theme from George Orwell's Animal Farm underscores a significant issue in public health. Ultimately, optimizing public health begins with understanding population health-particularly when assessing the impact of specific health risks that are often intertwined with both benign and malign health determinants. The objective of this contribution is to provide an overview of sources of bias in epidemiological research, drawing inspiration from the work of Rudolph Agricola-Northern Europe's first humanist and a homo universalis. Agricola's methodological approach distinguished between different categories of informational sources, which he deliberately employed as instruments for structured argumentation. This article presents a contemporary variation of that approach in the form of a complementary taxonomy, outlining examples of material and procedural bias sources that, individually or in combination, can affect estimates of mental health problems. These include the nature of the outcome itself and the context of the sample-covering its vulnerability and exposure profile, as well as broader population characteristics-along with data collection methods and analytical techniques. The value of this structured approach to disentangling bias in modern population health research is illustrated with examples from recent studies on the impacts of disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers are encouraged to be modest, to carefully consider "locations" or "origins" of bias, and to interpret study findings with caution-especially when using them to inform public health policy or to make arguments about the nature and severity of population health issues.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Li N, Rambod B, Dukers-Muijrers N, et al (2026)

General population preferences for health-related protective behaviors during infectious disease emergencies: a systematic review of conjoint-analysis studies.

Social science & medicine (1982), 388:118721.

OBJECTIVE: To primarily systematically review the evidence from conjoint analysis (CA) studies on general population preferences for health-related protective behavioral measures during infectious disease emergencies, to secondarily assess the role of social networks in shaping decisions and to synthesize quantitative data to inform behaviorally responsive epidemiological models.

METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant CA studies published up to June 2025. In addition to study characteristics, the scope of protective measures of included studies were examined and categorized according to seven pre-defined groups; the relative importance of attributes in each study was ranked and compared across studies and the heterogeneity of preferences was explored. The ISPOR checklist was used to assess the quality of reporting of included studies.

RESULTS: Of 2,523 articles identified, 16 studies were included. The quality of included studies was high with an average score of 24.7 out of 30 (range 18.5-28.5). Lockdown and restriction-related measures were most frequently perceived as important. A moderate level, targeted lockdown in a short period was preferred over severe or no restrictions. Face mask wearing and physical distancing were generally highly valued and preferred; for these measures, there was a clear preference for voluntary compliance over mandatory enforcement. Selective public spaces closures were preferred over broader shutdowns. Long-lasting, mandatory, and broadly applied quarantine was generally less preferred, while targeted quarantine was more acceptable. Substantial heterogeneity in preferences across populations was identified; age- and risk-based discrepancies in preferences were reported.

CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates the complexity of public preferences for protective measures and highlights the importance of aligning public health strategies with individual preferences by taking into account substantial heterogeneity. Incorporating these insights into policy and mathematical modelling frameworks would be helpful to enhance the acceptability and adherence of health-related protective measures in future pandemic preparedness.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Vetrugno L, D'Ardes D, Deana C, et al (2025)

Lung ultrasound and community-acquired pneumonia: from complementary tool to clinical game-changer.

Respiratory medicine and research, 88:101203.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a major global health concern, traditionally diagnosed through chest X-ray (CXR). However, lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly emerging as a transformative tool in both diagnosis and management. Evidence from recent meta-analyses reveals that LUS outperforms CXR in sensitivity and rivals it in specificity, with pooled diagnostic accuracies exceeding 90 %. Unlike CXR, LUS is radiation-free, cost-effective, and ideal for bedside use, making it particularly valuable in emergency departments, intensive care units, pediatric and geriatric populations, and resource-limited settings. In children, LUS spares radiation exposure, while in elderly patients, contrast-enhanced ultrasound improves diagnostic specificity. Beyond diagnosis, LUS enables dynamic monitoring, prognostic scoring (e.g., LUS score, CPIS-PLUS), and supports treatment decisions such as ventilator weaning and antibiotic stewardship. Recent applications during the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated its effectiveness in triage and outcome prediction. Despite challenges such as operator dependency and reduced penetration for deep lesions, technological advances-particularly artificial intelligence and handheld devices-are mitigating these limitations. Deep learning models now interpret LUS images with high accuracy, enhancing reproducibility and accessibility for general practitioners. In low- and middle-income countries, LUS serves as a crucial diagnostic bridge, improving access and reducing reliance on costly imaging modalities. As training programs and standardized scoring systems evolve, LUS is becoming a frontline tool rather than a supplementary option. Its integration into clinical practice promises to reshape pneumonia care through rapid, accurate, and scalable diagnostics. In light of these advancements, LUS is not just complementary to radiography-it is redefining the diagnostic landscape of pneumonia.

RevDate: 2025-11-24
CmpDate: 2025-11-24

Morimoto Y, Higashi H, Izumi H, et al (2025)

[Preventive measures against infections, including viruses in the workplace].

Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health, 67(6):253-264.

Pandemics such as COVID-19 have wreaked havoc on society in general, and they are still having a lasting impact, with peak infections in summer and winter. Novel emerging infectious diseases and re-emerging ones that are attracting renewed attention will continue to affect workplaces in the future. Herein, we focus on the latest reports on COVID-19 and explain what preventive measures are necessary in the workplace, taking into account the route of virus infection. Although droplets and airborne exposure are the main infection routes, contact infection cannot be overlooked. Infection prevention measures include the uses of natural and mechanical ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and masks as well as the recommendation of vaccination, all of which have reported effectiveness However, since indoor environments vary, we do not recommend preventive control through any one measure alone. Instead, implementing infection control by using a combination of measures is important for adaptation to various situations.

RevDate: 2025-11-22

Dornas W, Reis JP, Belilo TE, et al (2025)

Persistent inflammatory cytokine signature in long Covid-19 patients: a meta-analysis.

Inflammopharmacology [Epub ahead of print].

Post-acute sequelae of Covid-19 (PASC) refer to persistent symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, identifying biological mechanisms, potential therapeutic targets, and modifiable environmental risk factors remains necessary. Here, we analyzed cytokine levels in patients with PASC through a systematic literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, including articles published up to December 2024. A total of 33 studies (comprising 3294 patients) were included, addressing the long-term sequelae following acute Covid-19 infection. Levels of IL-6, IL-2, MCP-1/CCL2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IP-10/CXCL10 were higher in Covid-19 patients with PASC compared to those without PASC, suggesting an inflammatory basis for the persistence of symptoms. Conversely, little or no difference was observed for IL-1β, IL-7, IL-10, IL-4, IL-17A, IL-8, and IL-1α. To assess the duration of the sustained inflammatory response post-infection, cytokine measurements were categorized as < 6 months or ≥ 6 months after diagnosis. IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ remained elevated in both time windows, while IL-1β, IL-8, IP-10/CXCL10, IL-2, and IL-10 showed increased levels beyond 6 months post-Covid-19 diagnosis. Our findings indicate that persistent elevation of inflammatory cytokine is associated with PASC, contributing to a better understanding of the immune pathology underlying chronic dysfunction related to Covid-19.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Bansal A (2025)

Economic burden of long COVID: macroeconomic, cost-of-illness and microeconomic impacts.

NPJ primary care respiratory medicine, 35(1):53.

Long COVID, defined by symptoms persisting three months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents a significant global health and economic challenge, with global prevalence estimated at 36% (ranging from 1-92%). This brief communication consolidates current knowledge on its economic impacts, including macroeconomic, cost-of-illness, and microeconomic impacts, which are estimated at an average annual burden of $1 trillion globally and $9000 per patient in the USA, with some individuals covering substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Annual lost earnings in the USA alone are estimated at approximately $170 billion. Long COVID was associated with increased unemployment, financial distress, and work impairment for up to three years post-infection. This paper highlights discrepancies in impact estimation methodologies and calls for standardised metrics especially in emerging economies. Key research gaps include the absence of comprehensive longitudinal studies on individual and aggregated economic burden, specific long COVID phenotypes and biomarkers, and cost-effectiveness evaluations of interventions.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Cussen A, K Littler (2025)

Trial characteristics, methods and reported challenges of decentralised clinical trials: a scoping review.

BMJ open, 15(11):e106823 pii:bmjopen-2025-106823.

OBJECTIVES: To map the landscape of decentralised clinical trials (DCTs) by summarising characteristics, methods and reported challenges of published DCTs.

DESIGN: Scoping review, reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist.

DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed were searched through to 21 August 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included reports of completed DCTs (defined as a trial of an intervention, with a comparison arm, in which some or all trial activities occurred away from the trial centre). All intervention types were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: A single reviewer extracted data to a structured extraction sheet. Descriptive statistics (frequencies) are reported for study characteristics and the terminology used to describe trial methods. Decentralised methods used were coded separately for each trial stage.

RESULTS: 53 papers met inclusion criteria. Most studies (34/53) were conducted in the USA. Mental health (18 studies) and COVID-19 (11 studies) were the predominant research areas. 24 (of 53) studies investigated pharmaceutical interventions, while others examined nutritional interventions, medical devices and behavioural interventions. Recruitment, screening and consent were commonly conducted remotely. A range of methods, including online, in-person and telemedicine, was used to collect outcome measures. Several studies experienced challenges related to participant retention and biased recruitment. Terminology regarding decentralisation was inconsistent across studies.

CONCLUSIONS: DCTs are rapidly increasing in use, and commonly cited advantages include reduced costs and reduced participant burden. This review identifies key research areas using DCTs and highlights a need for standardised terminology, comprehensive reporting of methods and limitations, and robust regulatory frameworks. Development of formal ethical and reporting standards is essential to ensure effective and responsible implementation of DCTs in clinical research.

RevDate: 2025-11-21

Clark JR, AW Maresso (2025)

Sewers to Solutions: A Guide to Wastewater Pathogen Monitoring.

Annual review of medicine [Epub ahead of print].

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is the analysis of wastewater to detect pathogen levels or activity for public health awareness or action. Pioneered in the 1940s, WBE underwent a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing important information about number of cases, outbreaks, and seasonal impact. With advancements in detection technologies and growing interest in environmental surveillance, WBE is poised to become a standard practice in public health monitoring. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of the art of pathogen WBE, including methods of molecular detection, analysis of wastewater data, real-world applications and programs, public health interventions, and benefits and challenges for the field.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Alvarez-Galvez J, Carretero-Bravo J, Lagares-Franco C, et al (2025)

Development of a Conceptual Framework of Health Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of Reviews.

JMIR public health and surveillance, 11:e62693 pii:v11i1e62693.

BACKGROUND: Despite the wide variety of studies that have focused on the recent COVID-19 infodemic, defining health mis- or disinformation remains a challenge due to the dynamic nature of the social media ecosystem and, in particular, the different terminologies from different fields of knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: In this work, we aim to develop a conceptual framework of health misinformation during pandemic contexts that will enable the establishment of an interoperable definition of this concept and consequently a better management of these problems in the future.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of reviews to develop a conceptual framework for health misinformation during the pandemic context as a case study.

RESULTS: This review comprises 51 reviews from which we developed a conceptual framework that integrates 6 key domains-sources, drivers, content, dissemination channels, target audiences, and health-related effects of mis- or disinformation-offering a structured approach to analyze and categorize health misinformation. These 6 domains collectively form the basis of our proposed conceptual framework.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the complexity and multifaceted nature of health disinformation and underscore the need for a common language across disciplines addressing this global problem in order to use interoperable definitions and advance this evolving field of study. By offering a structured conceptual framework, we also provide a valuable foundation for interventions aimed at surveillance, public communication, and digital content moderation in future health emergencies.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Marin C, Alobid I, López-Chacón M, et al (2025)

Olfactory Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline: Are They Related?.

Current allergy and asthma reports, 25(1):56.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Olfactory function is certainly associated with cognitive health, and the severity of loss of smell (LoS) has been associated with the rate of cognitive decline. In this review, we describe the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and cognitive decline, focusing on its relevance in type 2 and non-type 2 inflammatory upper respiratory diseases. We also highlight the relevant correlation between the alteration of the components of olfaction, such as odor identification, and the progression in cognitive decline leading to dementia.

RECENT FINDINGS: A relevant number of studies suggest that olfactory identification impairment may predict the progression of cognitive decline from normal aging to mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In this review, we describe the association between olfactory dysfunction and cognitive decline, focusing in its relevance in type 2 and non-type 2 inflammatory upper respiratory diseases.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Harbsmeier AN, Schultz M, Ekenberg C, et al (2025)

[Vaccination of older adults].

Ugeskrift for laeger, 187(46): pii:V04250252.

This review presents vaccination as an effective measure in preventing hospitalisation and death in older adults. Older adults are at higher risk of severe infections due to several factors, including immunosenescence, multiple comorbidities and frailty. In Denmark, there is a free seasonal vaccination program against influenza and COVID-19 for individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Other relevant vaccines are available for this age group, including against pneumococcal disease, RSV and herpes zoster. Awareness of the benefits of vaccination in the elderly can help protect this vulnerable group from severe infections and their consequences.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Moseholm E, N Weis (2025)

[Vaccination in pregnancy].

Ugeskrift for laeger, 187(46): pii:V03250236.

Vaccination during pregnancy is an effective and safe way to protect both the pregnant individual and the child from serious infections as presented in this review. Influenza, COVID-19, and pertussis vaccines are routinely recommended and provide proven benefits for both mother and newborn. While inactivated and recombinant vaccines are safe to use, live-attenuated vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy. Despite their importance, pregnant individuals are often excluded from clinical vaccine studies, highlighting the need for more research on maternal antibody transfer and optimal vaccination strategies in pregnancy.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Dillman RO, Nistor GI, HS Keirstead (2025)

A review of vaccinology and ex vivo antigen-loaded dendritic cells: A different approach to infectious disease vaccines.

Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 21(1):2588861.

Vaccinology originated with 18[th] century efforts to prevent smallpox by injecting healthy individuals with the infectious contents of cutaneous lesions from smallpox patients (variolation) or from individuals afflicted with cowpox (vaccination). In the late 19[th] century, vaccination was extended to other diseases after the development of chemical methods to kill pathogens (inactivation) and cell-culture passaging to decrease their virulence (attenuation). Since 1970, advances in immunology, cell subunit purification, and recombinant-DNA genetic engineering have enabled antigen-specific vaccines. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, mRNA and DNA-based vaccines were introduced. Vaccinating with ex vivo-antigen-loaded autologous dendritic cells (DC) is appealing because DCs rapidly induce an adaptive immune response by circumventing the need for in vivo antigen-presenting cells to migrate to the injection site to load antigens. DC vaccines against HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and Herpes simplex have yielded encouraging results. During the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic, DC vaccines emerged as a viable vaccine platform against infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Calleja-Conde J, Echeverry-Alzate V, Sánchez-Diez S, et al (2025)

Severe alcohol use and COVID-19: implications for physical and mental health.

Frontiers in psychiatry, 16:1640207.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and intensified the vulnerability of individuals with pre-existing medical and behavioral conditions, notably those related to substance use. Among these, chronic alcohol consumption represents a clinically significant, yet often under-addressed, vulnerability factor that may exacerbate both the acute severity and long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This narrative review examines the biological and clinical intersections between alcohol use and COVID-19, focusing on shared mechanisms of immune dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and disruption of the gut-brain axis. We synthesize current findings showing that both conditions compromise innate and adaptive immune responses, alter cytokine signaling, and weaken mucosal and blood-brain barriers. These changes contribute to cognitive and emotional dysregulation and may increase the risk of persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms, including those observed in Long COVID. In addition, we discuss how chronic alcohol use may alter host susceptibility to infection and affect the immune response to vaccination, with implications for treatment outcomes and recovery. Our findings highlight the need to integrate alcohol use disorder into COVID-19 risk assessments, clinical management, and long-term mental health care planning. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to address the overlapping biological pathways that link alcohol-related vulnerability to COVID-19 outcomes.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Kundu A, Feore A, Abu-Zarour N, et al (2025)

Evidence update on the respiratory health effects of vaping e-cigarettes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tobacco induced diseases, 23:.

INTRODUCTION: In this review, we aimed to explore whether nicotine e-cigarette or vaping product use impact respiratory health.

METHODS: We searched CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed and Cochrane library databases initially in January 2023 and updated the search in January 2024. We included peer-reviewed human, animal, cell/in vitro original studies published between July 2021 and December 2023 but excluded qualitative studies. Three types of e-cigarette exposure were examined: acute, short-to-medium term, and long-term.

RESULTS: We included 119 studies in the main analysis, and 5 in meta-analysis. Over half of the studies had low risk of bias. Non-smoker current vapers had higher incident risk of respiratory symptoms (relative risk, RR=1.90; 95% CI: 1.28-2.83) but statistically non-significant risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (RR=2.53; 95% CI: 0.96-6.67) compared to never users. They also had lower incident risk of respiratory symptoms compared to non-vaper current smokers (RR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.64-0.89) and dual users (dual use vs vaping, RR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.03-1.55). Dual users had higher risk of incidence of respiratory symptoms and prevalence of COPD compared to never users (RR=2.53; 95% CI: 1.44-4.45 and RR=3.86; 95% CI: 1.49-10.02, respectively), and the risk was statistically similar to non-vaper current smokers (RR=0.97; 95% CI: 0.84-1.14 and RR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.00-1.33, respectively). All meta-analysis findings were of 'very low' to 'low' certainty evidence. Of the studies not included in meta-analysis, we found 'moderate' certainty evidence of higher risk of respiratory symptoms, COPD, asthma, lung inflammation and damage in non-smoker current vapers compared to non-users, inconsistent findings on the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, and no significant association with e-cigarette associated lung injury.

CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarettes are associated with harms to the respiratory system. Further longitudinal research with special attention to measuring effects in different e-cigarette user populations are warranted.

RevDate: 2025-11-21
CmpDate: 2025-11-21

Mankayi E, Chiliza TE, NE Mvubu (2025)

Novel Strategies to Profile SARS-CoV-2 and Human Lung Proteome: Inflammatory Pathways in the Spotlight.

BioMed research international, 2025:5571277.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, has caused widespread morbidity and mortality worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers innate and adaptive immune responses, but excessive cytokine release can drive hyperinflammation, acute respiratory distress syndrome and poor clinical outcomes. Although serological and molecular assays, such as ELISA and RT-qPCR, remain central to COVID-19 diagnostics, they have limited capacity to reveal host-pathogen interactions at the tissue level. Therefore, profiling the human lung proteome offers a powerful strategy to identify molecular signatures associated with viral pathogenesis and disease severity. This review emphasises emerging technologies that advance lung proteome profiling during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Novel strategies include phage display for high-throughput identification of antibody-antigen interactions, yeast two-hybrid for mapping virus-host protein interactions and lateral flow immunoassays for rapid, point-of-care detection. Conversely, omics-based technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing, microarrays and mass spectrometry are transforming our understanding of the lung proteome by revealing patterns of gene expression, protein abundance and immune heterogeneity. Therefore, comparing these conventional diagnostic assays with innovative approaches, we highlight their unique contributions to lung proteome research. These tools not only improve diagnostic precision but also hold the potential to uncover biomarkers for early risk stratification and therapeutic targeting. Prioritising integrative proteome-focused strategies may ultimately guide personalised interventions and enhance preparedness for future viral outbreaks.

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ESP Quick Facts

ESP Origins

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

ESP Support

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

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

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

ESP Usage

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

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

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

ESP Plans

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

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

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Papers in Classical Genetics

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

Digital Books

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

Timelines

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

Biographies

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

Selected Bibliographies

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

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