@article {pmid40810099,
year = {2025},
author = {Hartwell-Kinnear, F},
title = {Food insecurity among older persons in the Southern African Development Community: a scoping review.},
journal = {JAR life},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {100021},
pmid = {40810099},
issn = {2534-773X},
abstract = {Despite the heterogenous challenges of growing older in low- and middle-income settings, there is a deficiency of research explicating food insecurity among older persons. Given rapid population ageing in Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside worsening deprivation, this paper offers an interrogation of existing evidence and exposes concomitant shortfalls in the knowledgebase. Scoping review methodology was employed using PRISMA Guidelines which systematically searched and screened three academic databases. At the global level, climate shifts and natural disasters, pandemics and epidemics such as Coronavirus-2019 and HIV/AIDS affect food insecurity. At a national level, food and welfare systems play a comparatively well-researched role in food insecurity among older persons. Community factors; levels of self-mobilisation or actions of civil society, and intrahousehold dynamics of kinship and associated resource distribution also proved important variables in determining food insecurity. Finally, demographic characteristics; age, marital status, gender, physical and cognitive abilities and coping mechanisms are discussed. In critical review, the work identifies two salient shortcomings in the understanding of food insecurity among older persons. One, extant research fails to account for path dependency, either within the lives of older persons, or socio-economic and political structures surrounding them. The findings, therefore, call for greater impetus upon the adoption of a life-course perspective. Two, scholars have failed to acknowledge older persons' role in shaping these structures and the food/welfare matrix at large. The work concludes by advocating for further theoretical development toward a comprehensive political economy of food insecurity, accounting for changes in the life-course of the individual, and the food, family and welfare systems in which they find themselves.},
}

@article {pmid40809776,
year = {2025},
author = {Vivas-Colmenares, GV and Ramírez-Iglesias, JR and Martínez-Pérez, AM},
title = {Telemedicine for educating parents or caregivers for postoperative care of pediatric patients: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1606211},
pmid = {40809776},
issn = {2296-2565},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine reduces in-person appointments and extends healthcare services to rural areas. Despite its extended use after the COVID-19 pandemic, further analysis of educational applications and strategies is needed to better prepare parents and caregivers for postoperative pediatric care beyond routine clinical follow-up. Therefore, this review systematically evaluates the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions in educating parents or caregivers after pediatric surgery, with respect to caregiver knowledge and self-efficacy in postoperative care, caregiver satisfaction, and postoperative clinical outcomes.

METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and LILACS, for articles published between 2013 and 2023 that involved patients aged 0-18 years who underwent surgery and caregivers who received some form of education through telemedicine. We evaluated the effectiveness of telemedicine for educational purposes by assessing caregiver knowledge, satisfaction, and patient morbidities. Bias was analyzed using the RoB2 and ROBINS-I tools. The certainty of the presented evidence was assessed using the GRADE guidelines. The SWiM guideline was employed to report a structured narrative synthesis from the combined results. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024545858).

RESULTS: Four studies were included from 2,163 records initially registered: two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two uncontrolled before-after (UCBAs) studies. In the RCTs, caregiver knowledge was significantly higher in the telemedicine intervention group (p < 0.05); in one UCBA, caregiver knowledge increased over time. All studies reported high satisfaction with telemedicine, with the RCTs showing significantly higher satisfaction levels than control groups (p < 0.05). One UCBA also reported a significant improvement in patient continence. Bias was assessed as moderate in the RCTs and high in the UCBAs. The GRADE criteria indicate a certainty of evidence moderate for satisfaction and caregiver knowledge, and very low for morbidity and rate of complications or adverse events.

DISCUSSION: Telemedicine-based educational tools show promise as a strategy for healthcare systems, achieving high acceptance levels. However, further research is required to refine the methodological approaches for implementing telemedicine in caregiver education within the postoperative setting.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024545858, identifier [CRD42024545858].},
}

@article {pmid40809451,
year = {2025},
author = {Havercamp, SM and Krahn, GL and Murray, AJ and Akobirshoev, I and Bellamy, CD and Bonardi, A and Breslin, ML and Zhǎngsūn Brown, LX and Costa, M and Dembo, RS and Ellsworth, D and Hall, JP and Horner-Johnson, W and Hughes, D and McGee, M and Mudrick, NR and Otstot, E and Parodi, G and Sluzalis, S and Yee, S},
title = {A call to action to include disability in intersectional health equity research and policy.},
journal = {Lancet regional health. Americas},
volume = {49},
number = {},
pages = {101199},
pmid = {40809451},
issn = {2667-193X},
abstract = {Disability status is rarely included in health research and policy, including intersectional research, perpetuating health inequities for this population. This paper calls on researchers and policymakers to take concrete steps to advance health equity for disabled people, including those at the intersections of disability, race, ethnicity, poverty, and other marginalized identities. We propose four strategies with recommendations to promote: a) meaningful engagement of disabled and multiply marginalized people in research and policy planning; b) cohesive, systemic disability data collection and analyses; c) use of intersectional approaches to examine structural drivers of health inequities; and d) leveraging of administrative data to improve disability healthcare policies and practices.},
}

@article {pmid40809128,
year = {2024},
author = {Sun, J and Aikawa, M and Ashktorab, H and Beckmann, ND and Enger, ML and Espinosa, JM and Gai, X and Horne, BD and Keim, P and Lasky-Su, J and Letts, R and Maier, CL and Mandal, M and Nichols, L and Roan, NR and Russell, MW and Rutter, J and Saade, GR and Sharma, K and Shiau, S and Thibodeau, SN and Yang, S and Miele, L and , },
title = {A multi-omics strategy to understand PASC through the RECOVER cohorts: a paradigm for a systems biology approach to the study of chronic conditions.},
journal = {Frontiers in systems biology},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1422384},
pmid = {40809128},
issn = {2674-0702},
abstract = {Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC or "Long COVID"), includes numerous chronic conditions associated with widespread morbidity and rising healthcare costs. PASC has highly variable clinical presentations, and likely includes multiple molecular subtypes, but it remains poorly understood from a molecular and mechanistic standpoint. This hampers the development of rationally targeted therapeutic strategies. The NIH-sponsored "Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery" (RECOVER) initiative includes several retrospective/prospective observational cohort studies enrolling adult, pregnant adult and pediatric patients respectively. RECOVER formed an "OMICS" multidisciplinary task force, including clinicians, pathologists, laboratory scientists and data scientists, charged with developing recommendations to apply cutting-edge system biology technologies to achieve the goals of RECOVER. The task force met biweekly over 14 months, to evaluate published evidence, examine the possible contribution of each "omics" technique to the study of PASC and develop study design recommendations. The OMICS task force recommended an integrated, longitudinal, simultaneous systems biology study of participant biospecimens on the entire RECOVER cohorts through centralized laboratories, as opposed to multiple smaller studies using one or few analytical techniques. The resulting multi-dimensional molecular dataset should be correlated with the deep clinical phenotyping performed through RECOVER, as well as with information on demographics, comorbidities, social determinants of health, the exposome and lifestyle factors that may contribute to the clinical presentations of PASC. This approach will minimize lab-to-lab technical variability, maximize sample size for class discovery, and enable the incorporation of as many relevant variables as possible into statistical models. Many of our recommendations have already been considered by the NIH through the peer-review process, resulting in the creation of a systems biology panel that is currently designing the studies we proposed. This system biology strategy, coupled with modern data science approaches, will dramatically improve our prospects for accurate disease subtype identification, biomarker discovery and therapeutic target identification for precision treatment. The resulting dataset should be made available to the scientific community for secondary analyses. Analogous system biology approaches should be built into the study designs of large observational studies whenever possible.},
}

@article {pmid40809065,
year = {2025},
author = {Patel, JC and Shukla, M and Shukla, M},
title = {From bench to bedside: translating mesenchymal stem cell therapies through preclinical and clinical evidence.},
journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1639439},
pmid = {40809065},
issn = {2296-4185},
abstract = {Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a powerful tool in regenerative medicine due to their ability to differentiate into mesenchymal lineages, such as bone, cartilage, and fat, along with their low immunogenicity and strong immunomodulatory properties. Unlike traditional cell therapies that rely on engraftment, MSCs primarily function through paracrine signaling-secreting bioactive molecules like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and exosomes. These factors contribute to tissue repair, promote angiogenesis, and modulate immune responses in damaged or inflamed tissues. Recent studies have identified mitochondrial transfer as a novel therapeutic mechanism, where MSCs donate mitochondria to injured cells, restoring their bioenergetic function. This has expanded the therapeutic potential of MSCs to include conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and myocardial ischemia. Clinically, MSCs have shown efficacy in diseases like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), Crohn's disease, and COVID-19. Trials such as REMODEL and REMEDY have demonstrated improved clinical outcomes, further validating MSC-based interventions. However, several challenges remain, including variability in cell potency, poor engraftment, and inconsistent results across clinical trials. Advances in genetic engineering such as CRISPR-modified MSCs and biomaterial scaffolds are being developed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and cell survival. Additionally, AI-driven platforms are being utilized to personalize MSC therapy and optimize cell selection. Innovative approaches like 3D bioprinting and scalable manufacturing are paving the way for more consistent and precise therapies. Moving forward, the integration of mechanistic insights with robust quality control and regulatory frameworks essential to translating MSC therapies from bench to bedside and ensuring their reliable application in clinical practice.},
}

@article {pmid40808732,
year = {2025},
author = {Lyn, NLW and Yeo, HY and Startup, CC and Koh, JMY and Tran-Chi, VL and Ho, CSH and Chee, TT},
title = {Stock and cryptocurrency trading and problem gambling behavior during early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative literature review.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1585094},
pmid = {40808732},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in a global shift in gambling and trading behaviors. At present, a gap exists in understanding the relationship between excessive trading behavior and problem gambling, especially during the COVID-19 period. This narrative review analyzed (1) the changes in trading and gambling activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) whether the pattern of trading activity resembles problem gambling, and (3) whether excessive trading and problem gambling share similar consequences.

METHODS: We searched databases such as Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords, and included 60 reports for narrative synthesis.

RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were major changes to trading behavior, possibly due to market sentiments and psychology, personal financial needs, social media influence, and the behavior of other investors. The progression of the pandemic led to an increase in brokerage account openings and an increase in trading activities among existing investors, likely due to the development of digital trading platforms that enhanced accessibility for technology-adept investors. There was also a shift from gambling at physical destinations to online gambling, with an increase in frequency and spending among individuals who continued gambling. Feelings of boredom, stress, and the need for relaxation may motivate people to engage in gambling.

CONCLUSION: Individuals who engaged in excessive trading and problem gambling shared similar traits and may thus face similar psychiatric consequences. The findings indicate that we can apply the diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling and gambling disorders to excessive trading, given that many of these individuals meet the criteria for an addictive disorder.},
}

@article {pmid40806930,
year = {2025},
author = {Rosset, F and Celoria, V and Delmonte, S and Mastorino, L and Sciamarrelli, N and Boskovic, S and Ribero, S and Quaglino, P},
title = {The Epidemiology of Syphilis Worldwide in the Last Decade.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {14},
number = {15},
pages = {},
pmid = {40806930},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Syphilis, a re-emerging global public health issue, has shown increasing incidence over the past decade, particularly among key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM), people living with HIV, and pregnant women. This narrative review aimed to synthesize global epidemiological trends of syphilis from 2015 to 2025, with a focus on surveillance gaps, regional disparities, and structural determinants. Methods: A broad narrative approach was used to collect and analyze epidemiological data from 2015 to 2025. The literature was retrieved from databases (PubMed, Scopus) and official reports from the WHO, CDC, and ECDC. Included materials span observational studies, surveillance reports, and modeling data relevant to global trends and public health responses. Results: Globally, syphilis incidence has increased, with notable surges in North America, Europe, and Asia. MSM remain disproportionately affected, while congenital syphilis is resurging even in high-income countries. Low- and middle-income countries report persistent burdens, especially among women of reproductive age, often exacerbated by limited screening and surveillance infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted syphilis-related services and further exacerbated underreporting, hindering timely detection and response efforts. Surveillance systems vary widely in their completeness and quality, which significantly hinders global data comparability and coordinated public health responses. Conclusions: Despite its curability, syphilis continues to spread due to fragmented prevention strategies, inequities in access to care, and insufficient surveillance. Strengthening diagnostic access, integrating prevention efforts into broader health systems, and addressing social determinants are essential. Improved surveillance, equitable access, and innovation-including diagnostics and potential vaccine research-are critical to controlling the global syphilis epidemic.},
}

@article {pmid40806851,
year = {2025},
author = {Mara, G and Nini, G and Frenț, SM and Cotoraci, C},
title = {Hematologic and Immunologic Overlap Between COVID-19 and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {14},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jcm14155229},
pmid = {40806851},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrosing lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation, vascular remodeling, and immune dysregulation. COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, shares several systemic immunohematologic disturbances with IPF, including cytokine storms, endothelial injury, and prothrombotic states. Unlike general comparisons of viral infections and chronic lung disease, this review offers a focused analysis of the shared hematologic and immunologic mechanisms between COVID-19 and IPF. Our aim is to better understand how SARS-CoV-2 infection may worsen disease progression in IPF and identify converging pathophysiological pathways that may inform clinical management. We conducted a narrative synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on clinical, experimental, and pathological studies addressing immune and coagulation abnormalities in both COVID-19 and IPF. Both diseases exhibit significant overlap in inflammatory and fibrotic signaling, particularly via the TGF-β, IL-6, and TNF-α pathways. COVID-19 amplifies coagulation disturbances and endothelial dysfunction already present in IPF, promoting microvascular thrombosis and acute exacerbations. Myeloid cell overactivation, impaired lymphocyte responses, and fibroblast proliferation are central to this shared pathophysiology. These synergistic mechanisms may accelerate fibrosis and increase mortality risk in IPF patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This review proposes an integrative framework for understanding the hematologic and immunologic convergence of COVID-19 and IPF. Such insights are essential for refining therapeutic targets, improving prognostic stratification, and guiding early interventions in this high-risk population.},
}

@article {pmid40806558,
year = {2025},
author = {Sighencea, MG and Trifu, SC},
title = {Unravelling the Viral Hypothesis of Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Evidence.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26157429},
pmid = {40806558},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Schizophrenia is a challenging multifactorial neuropsychiatric disease that involves interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental insults. Increasing evidence implicates viral infections as significant environmental contributors, particularly during sensitive neurodevelopmental periods. This review synthesises current findings on the viral hypothesis of schizophrenia, encompassing a wide array of neurotropic viruses, including influenza viruses, herpesviruses (HSV-1 and 2, CMV, VZV, EBV, HHV-6 and 8), hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, HERVs, HTLV, Zika virus, BoDV, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), and others. These pathogens can contribute to schizophrenia through mechanisms such as direct microinvasion, persistent central nervous system infection, immune-mediated neuroinflammation, molecular mimicry, and the disturbance of the blood-brain barrier. Prenatal exposure to viral infections can trigger maternal immune activation, resulting in cytokine-mediated alterations in the neurological development of the foetus that persist into adulthood. Genetic studies highlight the role of immune-related loci, including major histocompatibility complex polymorphisms, in modulating susceptibility to infection and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Clinical data also support the "mild encephalitis" hypothesis, suggesting that a subset of schizophrenia cases involve low-grade chronic neuroinflammation. Although antipsychotics have some immunomodulatory effects, adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapies show promise, particularly in treatment-resistant cases. Despite compelling associations, pathogen-specific links remain inconsistent, emphasising the need for longitudinal studies and integrative approaches such as viromics to unravel causal relationships. This review supports a "multi-hit" model in which viral infections interfere with hereditary and immunological susceptibilities, enhancing schizophrenia risk. Elucidating these virus-immune-brain interactions may facilitate the discovery of biomarkers, targeted prevention, and novel therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia.},
}

@article {pmid40805970,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, D and Xu, A and Yang, L},
title = {Virtual Care Perceptions and Experiences of Older Adults During COVID-19 in Canada: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare13151937},
pmid = {40805970},
issn = {2227-9032},
support = {892-2022-3086//Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Older adults (65+) are the fastest growing age group in Canada, comprising 18.8% of the country's population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, use of virtual care, including telehealth and tele-medicine, increased dramatically among older adults in Canada who often face higher health risks, mobility limitations, and many barriers to accessing healthcare. Despite the rapid expansion in virtual care, no systematic review has focused specifically on virtual care among older adults in Canada. This review aims to explore the factors influencing virtual care adoption and the experiences of older Canadians during the pandemic through a systematic review. Methods: Conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review involved a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, ESCBOHost, and Web of Science on 2 May 2025, yielding 281 unique citations. After screening and applying eligibility criteria, 15 studies employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods designs, with sample sizes ranging from 15 to 2,282,798, were included and appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: The review identified three domains of factors and the ways in which each factor shapes older adults' virtual care experiences: (1) personal factors influencing virtual care use and demand (e.g., age, education, language, income, immigration status, community sizes), (2) resource factors impacting virtual care adoption (e.g., technology access, support), and (3) varying virtual care experiences among older adults (e.g., in assessment and communication efficacy, privacy, care quality, convenience, safety, and costs). Conclusions: This review highlights the complexities of virtual care engagement among older adults and underscores the need for inclusive, tailored strategies to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of virtual care delivery in both pandemic and post-pandemic contexts.},
}

@article {pmid40805931,
year = {2025},
author = {Mazzonetto, LF and Cordeiro, JFC and Correia, IM and Oliveira, AS and Moraes, C and Brilhadori, J and Gomide, EBG and Kudlacek, M and Machado, DRL and Anjos, JRCD and Santos, APD},
title = {Physical Training Protocols for Improving Dyspnea and Fatigue in Long COVID: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare13151897},
pmid = {40805931},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {Objective: This study aimed to evaluate physical training protocols for alleviating long COVID symptoms, especially dyspnea and fatigue, through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Method: Data were collected from EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and grey literature (Google Scholar, medRxiv). Studies evaluating dyspnea and/or fatigue before and after physical rehabilitation, using validated questionnaires, were included. Studies lacking pre- and post-assessments or physical training were excluded. Two reviewers independently extracted data on intervention type, duration, frequency, intensity, and assessment methods for dyspnea and fatigue. Bias risk was evaluated using the Cochrane tool. Results: Combined methods, such as respiratory muscle training with strength and aerobic exercise, were common for long COVID symptoms. Aerobic exercise notably improved dyspnea and/or fatigue. Among 25 studies, four had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of two studies found no significant reduction in fatigue. Conclusion: Combined training methods, particularly aerobic exercise, alleviate dyspnea and fatigue in long COVID. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.},
}

@article {pmid40805905,
year = {2025},
author = {Aljinović-Vučić, V},
title = {Self-Medication as a Global Health Concern: Overview of Practices and Associated Factors-A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare13151872},
pmid = {40805905},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {Self-medication is a subject of global importance. If practiced responsibly, self-medication represents a part of self-care or positive care of an individual or a community in promoting their own health. However, today's practices of self-medication are often inappropriate and irresponsible, and as such appear all over the world. Inappropriate self-medication can be connected with possible serious health risks and consequences. Therefore, it represents a global health issue. It can even generate additional health problems, which will eventually become a burden to healthcare systems and can induce significant costs, which also raises socioeconomic concerns. Hence, self-medication attracts the attention of researchers and practitioners globally in efforts to clarify the current status and define feasible measures that should be implemented to address this issue. This narrative review aims to give an overview of the situation in the field of self-medication globally, including current practices and attitudes, as well as implications for actions needed to improve this problem. A PubMed/MEDLINE search was conducted for articles published in the period from 1995 up to March 2025 using keywords "self-medication" or "selfmedication" alone or in combinations with terms related to specific subthemes related to self-medication, such as COVID-19, antimicrobials, healthcare professionals, and storing habits of medicines at home. Studies were included if self-medication was their main focus. Publications that only mentioned self-medication in different contexts, but not as their main focus, were excluded. Considering the outcomes of research on self-medication in various contexts, increasing awareness of responsible self-medication through education and informing, together with surveillance of particular medicines and populations, could lead to more appropriate and beneficial self-medication in the future.},
}

@article {pmid40805896,
year = {2025},
author = {Valeiro, C and Silva, V and Balteiro, J and Patterson, D and Bezerra, G and Mealiff, K and Matos, C and Jesus, Â and Joaquim, J},
title = {Pharmacy Technicians in Immunization Services: Mapping Roles and Responsibilities Through a Scoping Review.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare13151862},
pmid = {40805896},
issn = {2227-9032},
support = {2024-1-BE01-KA210-VET-000251165//Erasmus+/ ; },
abstract = {Background: Pharmacy technicians are increasingly involved in immunization services, enhancing vaccine accessibility and reducing pharmacies' workload. This scoping review aims to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of pharmacy technicians' involvement in immunization services across various healthcare settings and countries, and (2) conduct a comparative analysis of training curricula for pharmacy technicians on immunization. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using keywords and MeSH terms such as "pharmacy technician(s)", "immunization", "vaccination", "role", and "involvement". Studies included assessed pharmacy technicians' roles in vaccine administration, training, and public health outcomes. Descriptive and thematic analyses were used to synthesize the findings. In addition, a supplementary analysis of immunization training curricula was conducted, reviewing programs from different countries to identify similarities, differences, and gaps in course structure, content, and delivery formats. Lastly, a comprehensive toolkit was developed, offering guidelines intended to facilitate the implementation of immunization training programs. Results: A total of 35 articles met the inclusion criteria, primarily from the United States of America (n = 30), Canada (n = 2), Ethiopia (n = 1), Denmark (n = 1) and United Kingdom (n = 1). The findings indicate that pharmacy technicians contribute significantly to vaccine administration, patient education, and workflow optimization, particularly in community pharmacies. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their involvement in immunization programs. Key challenges include regulatory barriers, a lack of standardized training, and resistance from other healthcare professionals. Facilitators include legislative support (e.g., the PREP Act), structured training programs, and collaborative pharmacist-technician models. Conclusions: Pharmacy technicians can play a vital role in expanding immunization services, improving vaccine uptake, and reducing pharmacist workload. Addressing regulatory inconsistencies, enhancing training, and fostering interprofessional collaboration are crucial for their effective integration of immunization programs. Since immunization by pharmacy technicians is not yet allowed in many EU countries, this review will provide a foundational basis to address their potential to support the healthcare workforce and improve access to immunization services.},
}

@article {pmid40805129,
year = {2025},
author = {Szymczyk, A and Drozd-Sokołowska, J and Hus, I},
title = {Infectious Complications in Patients with B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated with Bispecific Antibodies.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {17},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers17152426},
pmid = {40805129},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {Bispecific antibodies (BsABs) have become a new standard of treatment of refractory/relapsed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, being also intensively studied in other types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Since the therapy with BsABs results in profound B-cell depletion and T-cell exhaustion, it is associated with significantly increased risk of infections. Additional risk factors involve immune disorders caused by lymphoma itself and previous lines of therapy. In this review, we focus on the infectious complications in B-NHL patients treated BsABs, presenting their incidence in clinical trials, admittedly performed to a large extent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the proposals of infection prophylaxis.},
}

@article {pmid40804893,
year = {2025},
author = {Biuzzi, C and Modica, E and De Filippis, N and Pizzirani, D and Galgani, B and Di Chiaro, A and Marianello, D and Franchi, F and Taccone, FS and Scolletta, S},
title = {Old and New Definitions of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): An Overview of Practical Considerations and Clinical Implications.},
journal = {Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {15},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/diagnostics15151930},
pmid = {40804893},
issn = {2075-4418},
abstract = {Lower respiratory tract infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Intensive Care Unit patients, with severe cases often progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This life-threatening syndrome results from alveolar-capillary membrane injury, causing refractory hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Early detection and management are critical to treat the underlying cause, provide protective lung ventilation, and, eventually, improve patient outcomes. The 2012 Berlin definition standardized ARDS diagnosis but excluded patients on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) modalities, which are increasingly used, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. By excluding these patients, diagnostic delays can occur, risking the progression of lung injury despite ongoing support. Indeed, sustained, vigorous respiratory efforts under non-invasive modalities carry significant potential for patient self-inflicted lung injury (P-SILI), underscoring the need to broaden diagnostic criteria to encompass these increasingly common therapies. Recent proposals expand ARDS criteria to include NIV and HFNCs, lung ultrasound, and the SpO2/FiO2 ratio adaptations designed to improve diagnosis in resource-limited settings lacking arterial blood gases or advanced imaging. However, broader criteria risk overdiagnosis and create challenges in distinguishing ARDS from other causes of acute hypoxemic failure. Furthermore, inter-observer variability in imaging interpretation and inconsistencies in oxygenation assessment, particularly when relying on non-invasive measurements, may compromise diagnostic reliability. To overcome these limitations, a more nuanced diagnostic framework is needed-one that incorporates individualized therapeutic strategies, emphasizes lung-protective ventilation, and integrates advanced physiological or biomarker-based indicators like IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ, which are associated with worse outcomes. Such an approach has the potential to improve patient stratification, enable more targeted interventions, and ultimately support the design and conduct of more effective interventional studies.},
}

@article {pmid40804645,
year = {2025},
author = {Paval, NE and Căliman-Sturdza, OA and Lobiuc, A and Dimian, M and Sirbu, IO and Covasa, M},
title = {MicroRNAs in long COVID: roles, diagnostic biomarker potential and detection.},
journal = {Human genomics},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {90},
pmid = {40804645},
issn = {1479-7364},
support = {285/30.11.2022//Ministerul Cercetării, Inovării şi Digitalizării/ ; },
abstract = {Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), marked by persistent symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects multiple organ systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal systems. These prolonged effects stem from chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and direct viral injury. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-small non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation-play a pivotal role in this process by modulating immune responses, inflammation, and cellular stress. Altered miRNA expression patterns during and after infection contribute to the pathogenesis of Long COVID. While conventional miRNA detection techniques have been valuable, they face limitations in sensitivity, throughput, and detecting RNA modifications. This review highlights Oxford Nanopore Sequencing (ONS) as a promising alternative, offering real-time, long-read, amplification-free RNA sequencing that preserves native modifications. ONS enables direct sequencing of full-length miRNAs and their precursors, providing novel insights into miRNA processing and regulatory roles. Despite current challenges with short-read accuracy, ongoing technical advances are improving ONS performance. Its integration in miRNA profiling holds significant potential for uncovering novel regulatory interactions and advancing clinical biomarker discovery in Long COVID and other conditions.},
}

@article {pmid40804538,
year = {2025},
author = {Torres Montaguth, OE and Buddle, S and Morfopoulou, S and Breuer, J},
title = {Clinical metagenomics for diagnosis and surveillance of viral pathogens.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40804538},
issn = {1740-1534},
abstract = {Metagenomics is becoming more widely used for diagnosis of viral infections and surveillance of viruses. Its pathogen-agnostic approach makes metagenomics useful for unknown and novel infection diagnosis, outbreak investigation, and new and emerging pathogen surveillance. New metagenomics methods, such as the use of rapid sequencing technologies and approaches that can selectively enrich for a wide range of viruses, are expanding the range of clinical and public health scenarios in which metagenomics can be used. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing interest in viral surveillance worldwide, using clinical samples, potential zoonotic reservoirs and environmental sources, such as wastewater. Validation and accreditation of metagenomics protocols to ensure quality, together with further innovation in methods, will be necessary to bring metagenomics into routine service in clinical and public health laboratories.},
}

@article {pmid40804297,
year = {2025},
author = {Rehan, MW and Rehan, MM},
title = {Survey, taxonomy, and emerging paradigms of societal digital twins for public health preparedness.},
journal = {NPJ digital medicine},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {520},
pmid = {40804297},
issn = {2398-6352},
abstract = {The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has demonstrated the severe impact of infectious diseases on global society, politics, and economies. To mitigate future pandemics, preemptive measures for effectively managing infection outbreaks are essential. In this context, Societal Digital Twin (SDT) technology offers a promising solution. To the best of our knowledge, this survey is the premier to conceptualize an SDT framework for infection containment under a novel systematic taxonomy. The framework categorizes infection management into five stages, namely infection initiation, spread, control, combat, and recovery. It provides an overview of SDT approaches within each category, discussing their validation strategies, generalizability, and limitations. Additionally, the survey examines applications, data-driven design issues, key components, and limitations of DT technology in healthcare. Finally, it explores key challenges, open research directions, and emerging paradigms to advance DT applications in the healthcare domain, highlighting smart service paradigms such as SDT as a Smart Service (SDTaaSS) and Healthcare Metaverse as a Smart Service (HMaaSS).},
}

@article {pmid40803509,
year = {2025},
author = {Cocking, E and Daher, J and Alabbood, M},
title = {New-onset diabetes mellitus post COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Diabetes research and clinical practice},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {112417},
doi = {10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112417},
pmid = {40803509},
issn = {1872-8227},
abstract = {AIMS: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the relative risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in COVID-19 patients compared to individuals without COVID-19, with subgroup analyses based on diabetes type, age, severity of COVID-19 infection and corticosteroid use.

METHODS: PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus were systematically searched for peer-reviewed cohort studies comparing NODM incidence in COVID-19 patients against a control group without COVID-19. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relative risk of NODM following COVID-19 infection.

RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included, involving over 48 million participants. The risk of developing NODM was 41 % higher in patients following COVID-19 infection compared to the control group (RR 1.41; 95 % CI 1.07-1.84). Subgroup analysis revealed a higher incidence of type 2 compared to type 1 diabetes mellitus post COVID-19 infection, and increased risk of NODM in adults and patients with higher severity of disease.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection is associated with a significantly higher risk of NODM. Close monitoring for hyperglycaemia should be considered following COVID-19 infection, especially in adult patients requiring hospital or ICU admission.},
}

@article {pmid40803025,
year = {2025},
author = {Makins, A and Mahmood, H and Talbot, K and Hordern, C and Taghinejadi, N and Houlden, R and Bright, S and Arulkumaran, S},
title = {Reverse innovation - South to North learnings in the provision of postpartum contraception: implementation in a high-income setting.},
journal = {Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology},
volume = {102},
number = {},
pages = {102653},
doi = {10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2025.102653},
pmid = {40803025},
issn = {1532-1932},
abstract = {This article outlines a unique example of reverse innovation. Lessons from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) shaped healthcare practices in a high-income setting. We describe how the FIGO Postpartum Intrauterine Device Initiative, implemented across six LMICs, informed the development of a postpartum contraception program in a UK-based NHS trust. Despite the well-documented benefits of postpartum family planning (PPFP), implementing dedicated PPFP services in the UK has been challenging due to fragmented healthcare funding and cross service integration barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for adaptation, providing a unique opportunity to rapidly establish a comprehensive local PPFP service. We outline how strategies from LMICs - including task-sharing, provider training, and policy advocacy - were directly applied to overcome these barriers and drive successful implementation. This case study highlights the potential of South-to-North knowledge transfer in driving healthcare innovation, improving contraceptive access, and underscores the importance of global collaboration and adaptive learning in reproductive healthcare.},
}

@article {pmid40801977,
year = {2025},
author = {Aboalroub, AA},
title = {Pathogenic Proteins Through the Lens of NMR Spectroscopy: Structural and Functional Insights into Disease.},
journal = {Cell biochemistry and biophysics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40801977},
issn = {1559-0283},
}

@article {pmid40801926,
year = {2025},
author = {Anagnostopoulos, I and Lakic, T and Balague, O and Van den Brand, M and Dirnhofer, S and Gasljevic, G and Laurent, C and Ponzoni, M and Quintanilla-Martinez, L and Sander, B and Cook, JR},
title = {Atypical lymphoid proliferations associated with therapeutic intervention: a report of the 2024 EA4HP/SH lymphoma workshop.},
journal = {Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40801926},
issn = {1432-2307},
abstract = {The challenging boundaries between neoplastic and reactive lymphoproliferations were discussed during the 2024 European Association for Haematopathology/Society for Hematopathology workshop in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Session 3 focussed on the atypical lymphoid proliferations associated with therapeutic interventions. Forty-four cases were submitted representing a broad spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) encountered in the settings of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies, various interventions for solid tumor treatment, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphomas, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKI) for SLL/CLL treatment, ABL-kinase inhibitor dasatinib, and COVID-19 vaccination. The cases of this session highlighted the importance of having sufficient clinical information including drug history and distribution of disease in order to achieve reliable diagnosis. Among LPDs associated with immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies, the most challenging were T- and NK-derived infiltrates as they ranged from non-clonal to clonal. DRESS-associated lymphadenopathy exhibited variable histologic patterns with the most difficult differential diagnosis being with a T-cell lymphoma. LPDs observed after CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell neoplasms exhibited unexpected phenotypes resulting either from lineage switching/transdifferentiation, or from harvested T-cells already harbouring cancer-associated variants. Temporary interruption of BTKI treatment for CLL/SLL due to surgical procedures led to a "Pseudo-Richter transformation" that disappeared after reintroduction of therapy. Dasatinib led to a lymphadenopathy with a peculiar florid follicular hyperplasia that regressed after discontinuation of therapy. The findings of the few thoroughly studied COVID-19 vaccination associated lymphadenopathy cases reflected a disordered immune response. This report describes the most important features for diagnosis of these challenging cases.},
}

@article {pmid40801583,
year = {2025},
author = {Williams, JE and Mauya, Z and Walkup, V and Adderley, S and Evans, C and Wilson, K},
title = {Epigenetic Regulation of Neutrophils in ARDS.},
journal = {Cells},
volume = {14},
number = {15},
pages = {},
pmid = {40801583},
issn = {2073-4409},
support = {1R00GM147910-04/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an inflammatory pulmonary condition that remains at alarming rates of fatality, with neutrophils playing a vital role in its pathogenesis. Beyond their classical antimicrobial functions, neutrophils contribute to pulmonary injury via the release of reactive oxygen species, proteolytic enzymes, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). To identify targets for treatment, it was found that epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications, hypomethylation, hypermethylation, and non-coding RNAs, regulate neutrophil phenotypic plasticity, survival, and inflammatory potential. It has been identified that neutrophils in ARDS patients exhibit abnormal methylation patterns and are associated with altered gene expression and prolonged neutrophil activation, thereby contributing to sustained inflammation. Histone citrullination, particularly via PAD4, facilitates NETosis, while histone acetylation status modulates chromatin accessibility and inflammatory gene expression. MicroRNAs have also been shown to regulate neutrophil activity, with miR-223 and miR-146a potentially being biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Neutrophil heterogeneity, as evidenced by distinct subsets such as low-density neutrophils (LDNs), varies across ARDS etiologies, including COVID-19. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses, including the use of trajectory analysis, have revealed transcriptionally distinct neutrophil clusters with differential activation states. These studies support the use of epigenetic inhibitors, including PAD4, HDAC, and DNMT modulators, in therapeutic intervention. While the field has been enlightened with new findings, challenges in translational application remain an issue due to species differences, lack of stratification tools, and heterogeneity in ARDS presentation. This review describes how targeting neutrophil epigenetic regulators could help regulate hyperinflammation, making epigenetic modulation a promising area for precision therapeutics in ARDS.},
}

@article {pmid40801347,
year = {2025},
author = {Jin, A and Deng, M and Yang, HS and Li, Z},
title = {Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based microbial detection: a review of FDA-authorized tests and future perspectives.},
journal = {Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-23},
doi = {10.1080/10408363.2025.2542808},
pmid = {40801347},
issn = {1549-781X},
abstract = {Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a rapid and accessible alternative to traditional polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for nucleic acid amplification in research, significantly enhancing pathogen detection in infectious disease diagnostics. This review aims to bridge the gap in the literature regarding the real-world applications of LAMP assays and their potential to improve infectious disease diagnostics across various healthcare settings. We evaluated the current landscape of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized LAMP-based microbial tests, categorizing 30 such tests and detailing their regulatory pathways, such as 510(k) clearance and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We comprehensively examine the technical characteristics of LAMP assays, including sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, amplification processes, signal detection, device automation, and their analytical and clinical performance. We highlight the versatility of LAMP assays in diagnostic applications and their growing role in rapid infectious disease. We discuss the advantages and limitations of LAMP technology and identify future directions for its development in infectious disease diagnostics. By analyzing FDA-authorized LAMP-based microbial tests, this review aims to guide healthcare professionals and support future research and product development, ultimately improving patient care.},
}

@article {pmid40800075,
year = {2025},
author = {Tlhakanelo, JT and Ataguba, JE and Pagiwa, V and Ramabu, N and Kadimo, K and Molosiwa, D and Muriithi, GN and Achala, DM and Adote, ENA and Mbachu, CO and Beshah, SA and Masuka, N and Nwosu, CO and Akazili, J and Ifeanyi, C},
title = {Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in Botswana: a scoping review.},
journal = {Frontiers in health services},
volume = {5},
number = {},
pages = {1609089},
pmid = {40800075},
issn = {2813-0146},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Despite global market complexities, Botswana acquired about 2.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses between March 2021 and March 2022, 76% of which were purchased while 24% were donations. Thus, the study was envisaged to aggregate evidence on the case of Botswana's COVID-19 vaccine access patterns, hesitancy, and uptake.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping reviewof Botswana-based articles using a predetermined search strategy to search databases including Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The review included all the English-language written peer-reviewed and grey literature reporting on vaccination in Botswana, to broaden coverage in recognition of limited publications on COVID-19 vaccinartion in Botswana. Non-English articles were excluded due to limited translation resources. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, a narrative synthesis approach was used to collect, synthesize, and map the literature.

RESULTS: As of 31 December 2021, 80.6% of the Botswana national target of 1,390,856 people over 18 years had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 71.9% were fully vaccinated. Various vaccine distribution channels were utilized, including public facilities and outreaches, to improve access and uptake of vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was considered generally high (73.4% amongst adults), and found positively associated with the male gender, those with comorbidities, those with non-restrictive religious beliefs, and those aged 55-64 years who thought the vaccine was safe for use. COVID-19 vaccine delivery relied on existing Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) structures and therefore experienced to existing EPI challenges including, lack of transport, shortage of human resources, and vaccine stock-outs.

CONCLUSIONS: Under-performance of immunization programs at the district level, characterized by declining immunization coverage and inadequate outreach services, exacerbates disparities in vaccine access. Efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and expand outreach services are essential for reaching populations with limited access to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Collaboration with other government entities and the private sector improved vaccine access.},
}

@article {pmid40799952,
year = {2025},
author = {Di Micco, P and Siniscalchi, C and Imbalzano, E and Russo, V and Camporese, G and Lodigiani, C and Meschi, T and Perrella, A},
title = {COVID-19: A Disease Driven by Protease/Antiprotease Imbalance? A Specific Review Five Years into the Pandemic.},
journal = {Infection and drug resistance},
volume = {18},
number = {},
pages = {3967-3975},
pmid = {40799952},
issn = {1178-6973},
abstract = {COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global health since late 2019. Beyond respiratory complications, the disease involves systemic manifestations driven by immune dysregulation, inflammation, and coagulopathy. Among the many mechanisms implicated in severe disease, a growing body of evidence suggests a central role for the imbalance between proteases and antiproteases. This review examines how dysregulated protease activity contributes to viral entry, cytokine activation, vascular injury, and thrombosis. We focus on the integration of proteolytic systems such as the renin-angiotensin system, coagulation cascade, and neutrophil extracellular traps with established pathways like endothelial dysfunction and immune hyperactivation. Furthermore, we highlight therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring proteolytic balance and discuss the potential relevance of this paradigm in the management of long COVID.},
}

@article {pmid40799014,
year = {2025},
author = {Ojumu, A and Ibrahim, SA and Seale, AC and Fayehun, O and Gill, P},
title = {Understanding factors influencing the implementation and uptake of less-established adult vaccination programmes: A meta-ethnography of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria.},
journal = {Global public health},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {2544183},
doi = {10.1080/17441692.2025.2544183},
pmid = {40799014},
issn = {1744-1706},
abstract = {Before COVID-19, a few studies examined adult vaccination programmes for disease outbreaks in Nigeria. Recent studies explored vaccine uptake factors, but few examined implementation. We aimed to understand factors influencing the implementation and uptake of adult vaccination programmes in Nigeria, through the COVID-19 example, to support subsequent outbreak interventions. We systematically searched seven databases and conducted a meta-ethnography of eight studies published between 2022 and 2024, involving 207 participants. Through reciprocal and refutational translation, higher-order interpretations, a new line of argument and a conceptual model on factors influencing implementation and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria were developed. We reported findings using eMERGe guidance. We developed eight higher-order interpretations operating at individual, health system and policy levels. Four concerned vaccination uptake: an ethical paradox, self-preservation, socioeconomic characteristics and trust. Another four concerned vaccination implementation and uptake: policy actions, local leadership from government, supply chain challenges and health services information. Our findings suggest that improved vaccination programme implementation during disease outbreaks in Nigeria would support enhanced vaccine uptake by adults. Our findings can inform vaccine implementation strategies for successful rollout and uptake of adult vaccines in future outbreaks.},
}

@article {pmid40796992,
year = {2025},
author = {Mohamed, HM and Elkholy, YY and Mokhtar, YM and Orady, MA and Elmetwaly, HS and Abdelwahab, HM and Abdelrady, YS and Elgohary, MM and Elmahdy, MK},
title = {COVID-19 in comorbid chronic diseased patients, pregnant and lactating women: pathophysiology, available drug treatment, and the most suitable protocol regimen in each group.},
journal = {Inflammopharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40796992},
issn = {1568-5608},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Comorbidities such as diabetes, chronic cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, liver diseases, and renal diseases exacerbate the disease, particularly in older patients, pregnant and lactating women.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review to identify all studies reporting on risks associated with these comorbidities to detect the cause of severity of COVID-19 in these diseases and further selection of the most suitable treatment in each disease.

METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases gathering all available articles. We only selected case-control studies that met inclusion criteria and that focused on high-risk chronic diseased patients, pregnant and lactating women that being infected with COVID-19. Selected studies were grouped into 8 broad categories for review and analysis: (1) pathophysiology of COVID-19, (2) characteristics of COVID-19, (3) common laboratory markers of COVID-19, (4) commonly approved and used treatment of COVID-19, and (5) recommended protocol regimen adjustment in comorbid diseases, pregnant and lactating women.

CONCLUSION: This review focused on pathophysiology of COVID-19 especially in comorbid chronic diseased patients, pregnant and lactating women with the most suitable protocol regimen adjustment in each group.},
}

@article {pmid40796823,
year = {2025},
author = {Tan, F and Li, C and Hu, J and Liu, S and Peng, W and Peng, H and Hou, C and Wu, C and Zhou, Z and Xiao, Y},
title = {Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: a meta-analysis of observational studies.},
journal = {BMC pulmonary medicine},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {386},
pmid = {40796823},
issn = {1471-2466},
support = {2018YFE0114500//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 82270891//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022JJ40689//the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province for Youths/ ; kq2202404//the Natural Science Foundation of Changsha/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a serious respiratory complication observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, and people with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. However, whether DM is a risk factor for post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) remains unknown.

METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the association between DM and the development of PCPF. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies published before February 1, 2023, without language or publication type restrictions. We calculated odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to compare the prevalence of DM among COVID-19 patients with PCPF with that among non-PCPF controls.

RESULTS: This meta-analysis included a total of 5,088 COVID-19 patients. We found a significant association between DM and the development of PCPF (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.15-4.13, P < 0.001), with high heterogeneity among the studies (I[2] = 82.2%). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between DM and PCPF was consistent across different geographic regions, study designs, sample sizes, mean ages, DM types, assessment times after COVID-19 onset, and NOS quality ratings.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis offers evidence supporting a correlation between DM and the development of PCPF among COVID-19 patients. Despite the considerable heterogeneity in this studies, this research retains significant implications for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. DM is a potential risk factor for PCPF. It is imperative for clinicians to remain vigilant regarding the development of PCPF in COVID-19 patients who complicated with DM.},
}

@article {pmid40794529,
year = {2025},
author = {Hamidniya, P and Sedighian, H and Farzanehpour, M and Fallah, A and Molaee, H and Mahboobi, M},
title = {The relationship between respiratory tract infections caused by toxin-producing bacteria in burn patients during COVID-19: pathogenesis, diagnostics and novel therapies.},
journal = {Journal of medical microbiology},
volume = {74},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/jmm.0.001997},
pmid = {40794529},
issn = {1473-5644},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Burns/complications/microbiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiology/therapy/diagnosis ; *Coinfection/microbiology/therapy ; Bacterial Toxins/metabolism ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity ; Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity ; },
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the complexity of managing burn patients, who are particularly susceptible to bacterial co-infections due to their compromised skin barriers and immune dysregulation. Toxin-producing bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pose severe risks by producing virulence factors that impair immune function, delay wound healing and exacerbate systemic inflammation. These challenges are amplified in the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as the viral-induced immune dysregulation and cytokine storms worsen clinical outcomes, leading to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. This review explores the interplay between viral and bacterial infections in burn patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the role of bacterial toxins, including superantigens from S. aureus and exotoxins from P. aeruginosa in driving hyperinflammatory responses. These synergistic effects complicate treatment by increasing the likelihood of systemic complications, prolonged hospital stays and MDR infections. To address these challenges, we discuss innovative therapeutic strategies, including endotoxin adsorption therapy to reduce systemic inflammation, immunomodulatory treatments to control cytokine storms and bacteriophage therapy for targeting MDR pathogens. Advanced wound care techniques and rapid diagnostic tools, such as CRISPR-based molecular assays, are highlighted as essential for timely and effective intervention. This review underscores the urgent need for integrated approaches that combine targeted diagnostics, advanced therapeutics and robust infection control measures. These insights aim to improve outcomes for burn patients co-infected with bacterial pathogens and SARS-CoV-2, offering valuable guidance for future pandemic preparedness and burn care protocols.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications
*Burns/complications/microbiology
SARS-CoV-2
*Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiology/therapy/diagnosis
*Coinfection/microbiology/therapy
Bacterial Toxins/metabolism
Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity
Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity

@article {pmid40792264,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, D and Wang, T and Wu, H and Dong, Y and Huang, Z and Zhang, J and Zhang, W},
title = {Trends and hotspots in global influenza and intestinal flora research based on bibliometrics.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1630924},
pmid = {40792264},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Influenza (hereinafter referred to as influenza) is a pandemic and seasonal respiratory infectious disease that can lead to a global pandemic, posing a major threat to global public health. Studies have shown that influenza can lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora, and disruption of the intestinal flora can exacerbate the progression of the disease, suggesting a potential link between influenza and intestinal flora. There is still a lack of systematic summary of bibliometric analysis in this field, therefore, this study aims to reveal the research dynamics, collaborative networks and cutting-edge hotspots in the field of influenza-intestinal flora association through bibliometric methods.

METHODS: Bibliometric analysis was used to retrieve 554 papers on influenza and intestinal flora from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2011 to 2025. After screening, 283 papers were included, and co-occurrence and clustering analyses of countries, authors, institutions, journals, references, and keywords were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix; statistical visualization was performed via Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS: China is the country with the highest number of published papers and the leading CSI in terms of international collaboration intensity. The most popular journal in this field is Frontiers in Microbiology with 20 publications, while the most influential journal is Nature with 605 citations. Zhejiang University was the institution with the highest number of publications and Francois Trottein was the most prolific author. Keyword co-occurrence analysis showed that gut microbiota, influenza, probiotics, intestinal microbiota and COVID-19 were the core research hotspots, and clustering analysis further revealed the "intestinal-pulmonary axis of immunoregulation," such as Cluster analysis further revealed the "intestinal-lung axis immunoregulation," such as Th17/Treg balance, short-chain fatty acids and probiotics, as the cutting edge.

CONCLUSION: This study is the first to systematically map the bibliometrics of influenza and gut flora. The most influential countries, research institutions and researchers were identified through bibliometric analysis, showing the current research trends and hotspots in influenza and intestinal flora control. The results can provide theoretical guidance for future influenza prevention and control strategies targeting flora.},
}

@article {pmid40791597,
year = {2025},
author = {Jung, Y and Grainger, H and Yang, S and Mondal, S and Lukong, KE and Conn, K and Wu, Y},
title = {Catch me if you can: viral nucleic acids to host sensors.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1632283},
pmid = {40791597},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *RNA, Viral/immunology ; *Virus Diseases/immunology/virology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; COVID-19/immunology/virology ; *DNA, Viral/immunology ; *Viruses/immunology/genetics ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; },
abstract = {The 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can is a cat-and-mouse story in which Frank Abagnale Jr. successfully conned his way into several high-profile jobs while evading capture by FBI agent Carl Hanratty. Similarly, after entering host cells, viruses interact with or hijack host cellular machinery to replicate their genetical materials and assemble themselves for the next round of infection. Analogous to an FBI agent, host cells have numerous molecular "detectives" that recognize viral nucleic acids (NAs). These include RIG-I, MDA5, LGP2, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, DHX36, DICER1, PKR, OAS1, ZAP, and NLRP1/6 for viral RNA, as well as cGAS, TLR9, AIM2, IFI16, IFIX, Ku70, MRE11, RNA polymerase III, hnRNPA2B1, LRRFIP1, DAI, DHX9 and DDX41 for viral DNA. However, much like the brilliant Frank Abagnale Jr., viruses have developed various strategies to evade host cellular surveillance-for example, by sequestering or modifying viral NAs and inhibiting or degrading host sensors. In this review, we will summarize the host sensors identified so far, discuss the latest understandings of the various strategies employed by viruses, and highlight the challenges associated with drug development to target virus or host factors. Considering recent global health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and undergoing measles outbreak, understanding virus-host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels remains essential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.},
}

Humans
Animals
*RNA, Viral/immunology
*Virus Diseases/immunology/virology
*Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
COVID-19/immunology/virology
*DNA, Viral/immunology
*Viruses/immunology/genetics
SARS-CoV-2/immunology

@article {pmid40791049,
year = {2025},
author = {Catapano, P and Di Vincenzo, M and Cipolla, S and Murolo, R and Cirino, A and Boiano, A and Prota, B and Cavaliere, S and Volpicelli, A and Della Rocca, B and Luciano, M and Fiorillo, A and Sampogna, G},
title = {Was the COVID-19 Pandemic a Triggering Factor for PTSD in Adults? Results From A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Actas espanolas de psiquiatria},
volume = {53},
number = {4},
pages = {868-901},
doi = {10.62641/aep.v53i4.1882},
pmid = {40791049},
issn = {1578-2735},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology ; *Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Prevalence ; Pandemics ; Female ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a traumatic event for the general population, being associated with significant levels of uncertainty for the future, anxiety and depressive symptoms, especially in the first months of the health crisis. The adoption of strict containment measures, lockdown and interruption of all unnecessary activities have had a significant impact on the mental health of the general population. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has been considered a very stressful event (which could be defined as ''traumatic''), being associated with significant morbidity and mortality and being completely unpredictable. Based on such premises, we conducted a systematic review of the available literature in order to identify all studies providing epidemiological data and statistics on the prevalence and characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: An extensive literature search has been conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from the inception of each database until 15 November 2024.

RESULTS: Forty-one papers have been included in the review; the majority of the studies have been conducted in Italy and China. A significant heterogeneity in prevalence rates, ranging from 0.5% to 70.2%, and psychometric tool used was found. The most common risk factors for developing PTSD in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic included: female gender, social isolation, impact on daily routine. The most relevant protective factor includes older age.

CONCLUSIONS: Future research should aim to standardize assessment tools and criteria to enhance the comparability and reliability of findings in the field of trauma-related research studies.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology
*Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology/etiology
Risk Factors
Adult
Prevalence
Pandemics
Female

@article {pmid40790563,
year = {2025},
author = {Chandipwisa, C and Uwishema, O and Debebe, A and Abdalmotalib, MM and Barakat, R and Oumer, A and John, M and Taa, L and Onyeaka, H},
title = {Climate change and the global food chain: a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases?.},
journal = {International journal of emergency medicine},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {149},
pmid = {40790563},
issn = {1865-1372},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Climate change is disrupting the global food chain, affecting food production, delivery and safety. Extreme weather events disrupt the quality of food and water, while rising temperatures accelerate the spread of microbes. Habitat destruction also forces wildlife in close proximity to people, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Threatening global health seriously, these disturbances also increase the probability of infectious and food-borne diseases.

METHOD: A narrative review of literature data from WHO publications, Google Scholar and PubMed. The review examines the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food supply systems, and the associated transmission of infectious disease - specifically zoonotic and food-borne diseases.

RESULTS: As temperatures increase, the germs multiply easily - and the risk of E. coli and Salmonella goes up. Waterborne diseases such as Norovirus and Hepatitis A are more likely to spread in typified extreme weather conditions such as floods. Ecosystem changes push humans and animals into a closer relationship that can lead to zoonotic spillovers, such as the Nipah virus and COVID-19. The growth of animal production and international trade exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues, imposing challenges to disease control.

CONCLUSION: Climate change is a critical public health emergency with risks of zoonotic and food-borne illnesses alarmingly on the rise. This is an important step toward a One Health approach, which also addresses the integration of human, animal, and environmental health, as well as strengthens food safety regulations and enhances disease surveillance. It needs immediate international cooperation to construct a robust and sustainable food system that reduces health hazards.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.},
}

@article {pmid40790389,
year = {2025},
author = {Stepanova, G and Ghosal, S},
title = {COVID-19 and dysregulated cholesterol levels in Type I and Type II diabetes: focus on the difference.},
journal = {Biologia futura},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40790389},
issn = {2676-8607},
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a profound global impact on individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). This review examines the interplay between COVID-19, cholesterol metabolism, and diabetes, focusing on the differences in lipid regulation between Type I (T1DM) and Type II diabetes (T2DM). Diabetes, characterized by impaired glucose regulation and lipid homeostasis, has been identified as a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, including increased rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is often present in diabetic patients and exacerbates the severity of COVID-19. We explore the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection affects cholesterol pathways, highlighting the role of cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in viral entry and replication. The review also discusses the potential therapeutic implications of targeting cholesterol metabolism in managing COVID-19 in diabetic populations. Understanding these complex interactions may provide insights into better clinical management strategies and improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients with diabetes.},
}

@article {pmid40788451,
year = {2025},
author = {Kumar, V and Martinez-Martin, N and Olson, NW},
title = {Ethical Issues in Rural Health Research: A Scoping Review.},
journal = {Journal of bioethical inquiry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40788451},
issn = {1872-4353},
support = {K01 MH118375-01A1/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Rural communities experience well-documented systemic disparities in health access and outcomes in comparison to urban populations. However, the ethical dimensions of these disparities have received only limited attention, and ethical issues related to rural health research have received even less. With the COVID-19 pandemic casting new light on these inequities, we conducted a scoping review to determine how much has been written on ethical issues in rural health research and which ethical issues are most prevalent. Four overarching ethical themes emerged through the search: resource inequity, underrepresentation, the benefits of community-based research, and challenges related to participant autonomy. Additionally, the search revealed a dearth of articles on ethical issues in rural health research, particularly in the United States. Thus, we propose four recommendations to revitalize and guide ethics discussions of research in rural communities, including growing the literature on ethical issues in rural U.S. communities, encouraging collaboration between rural health and bioethics researchers, improving recognition of rural heterogeneity, and addressing new issues in light of COVID-19. Acting on these recommendations would expand and support rural research efforts and ultimately help ameliorate rural-urban health inequities.},
}

@article {pmid40788384,
year = {2025},
author = {Silva, TTSD and de Araújo Aguiar, GJ and Machado Santos, S and Florencio, L},
title = {A review on recent developments in sustainable healthcare waste management.},
journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40788384},
issn = {1614-7499},
support = {IBPG-0531-3.01/21//Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco/ ; },
abstract = {This study addresses specific research gaps in the literature regarding HCW management by systematically analyzing the integration of sustainability and material circularity. It employs the PRISMA method and bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer, providing a clear structure for understanding current research trends. In this context, six thematic groups were identified: (i) management for decision-making, (ii) circular economy, (iii) COVID-19 pandemic, (iv) risk analysis, (v) governance, and (vi) disposal and treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp rise in hazardous waste generation, requiring urgent policy adaptations, stricter strategies, and adequate investments to mitigate health risks and environmental impacts. Adopting the circular economy in HCW management requires effective regulation and cross-sector collaboration. To reduce costs, mitigate risks, and enhance resilience in the health sector, reintegrating recoverable HCW into the production cycle is essential. However, challenges remain due to the preference for single-use devices and hazardous waste management.},
}

@article {pmid40788382,
year = {2025},
author = {Fernández-Rojas, MA and Salazar, AM and Ostrosky-Wegman, P and Flisser, A and Mendlovic, F},
title = {A feedback loop between DNA damage, genomic instability, and cytoplasmic DNA sensing contributes to cytokine production in COVID-19.},
journal = {Archives of virology},
volume = {170},
number = {9},
pages = {192},
pmid = {40788382},
issn = {1432-8798},
support = {IN216121//DGAPA PAPIIT UNAM/ ; UNAM Postdoctoral Program//Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology/genetics/virology ; *SARS-CoV-2/genetics/immunology ; *Genomic Instability ; *DNA Damage ; *Cytokines/metabolism/biosynthesis ; Cytoplasm/metabolism/genetics ; *DNA/immunology ; Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Inflammation ; },
abstract = {Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have investigated the inflammatory responses triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 2021, it was proposed that the cytokine storm observed in patients with severe COVID-19 may be initiated by sensing of cytoplasmic DNA released by micronuclei, which arises as a consequence of virus-induced genomic instability. Subsequent studies have described the presence of micronuclei and other genotoxic and cytotoxic markers in COVID-19 patients. However, the association between the development of a cytokine storm and cytoplasmic DNA sensing remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize current evidence on the dysregulated cytokine production in response to the detection of genetic material during SARS-CoV-2 infection. We focused mainly on the dysregulated production of cytokines induced by the activation of cytosolic DNA sensing pathways that promote inflammation. We emphasize the need to analyze the contribution of these signaling complexes to COVID-19 pathophysiology. DNA sensing amplifies the inflammatory response and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of severe disease manifestations observed in infected patients. Understanding this complex interplay can provide insights into potential therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating the hyper-inflammatory responses seen in severe COVID-19 cases.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology/genetics/virology
*SARS-CoV-2/genetics/immunology
*Genomic Instability
*DNA Damage
*Cytokines/metabolism/biosynthesis
Cytoplasm/metabolism/genetics
*DNA/immunology
Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology
Signal Transduction
Inflammation

@article {pmid40788370,
year = {2025},
author = {Wissmann, IB and Coelho, RCD and Baseggio, L and Cardoso, AM},
title = {Adenosine receptors and acute kidney injury: perspectives for future therapy.},
journal = {Purinergic signalling},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40788370},
issn = {1573-9546},
support = {154/GR/UFFS/2024 and 73/GR/UFFS/2023//Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul/ ; },
abstract = {Adenosine is a key modulator in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly through its influence on inflammatory pathways and renal hemodynamics. This nucleoside exerts its effects via four G protein-coupled receptors-A1, A2A, A2B, and A3-each displaying distinct roles during renal injury. The A1 receptor primarily protects renal tissue under ischemic conditions by reducing metabolic demand, while the A2A receptor promotes anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects, improving renal perfusion and attenuating leukocyte infiltration. The A2B receptor, upregulated under hypoxic or injury conditions, is involved in anti-inflammatory actions and vascular integrity, especially in renal tubular and endothelial cells. Conversely, activation of the A3 receptor is generally linked to adverse outcomes, including increased apoptosis and greater tissue damage. Therapeutic strategies targeting adenosine receptors are being actively explored: selective A1 and A2A agonists show potential for promoting renal recovery, while A3 antagonists helped counteract the harmful effects of A3 activation. The review also discusses advances from recent studies (2022-2024), including insights on COVID-19-associated AKI and the nuanced roles of A1 and A3 receptors in different pathological contexts. Additionally, the therapeutic promise of inhibiting adenosine-degrading enzymes, such as ADA and adenosine kinase (ADK), is highlighted. Novel mechanistic insights and recent literature are integrated, providing a comprehensive overview that expands upon previous reviews. Although adenosine receptor modulation holds significant promise as a therapeutic strategy for AKI, further clinical research is necessary to validate efficacy and safety in human populations.},
}

@article {pmid40788115,
year = {2025},
author = {Tomeh, MA and Smith, RK and Watkinson, A},
title = {Recent Developments of RNA Vaccines and Therapeutics: Reagents, Formulations, and Characterization.},
journal = {Molecular pharmaceutics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5c00670},
pmid = {40788115},
issn = {1543-8392},
abstract = {The past few years have shown significant clinical success for RNA vaccines in humans. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 into a global pandemic has boosted the transition of many RNAs to clinical trials and accelerated the development process of various types of RNA-based therapeutics, including vaccines, not only for respiratory illnesses but also for a wide range of diseases. Many studies have designed promising RNAs in various forms (small interfering RNA, mRNA, and self-amplifying RNA) or presented novel nanocarriers to maximize the performance of RNA-based therapeutics. There are several crucial aspects that must be covered during RNA vaccine development, including RNA design and synthesis, formulation optimization, and characterization. This paper aims to shed light on RNA vaccines and therapeutics with various properties and applications and provide a comprehensive review of the recent developments of formulation, analytics, and characterization studies.},
}

@article {pmid40787873,
year = {2025},
author = {He, JC and Yang, ZX and Chen, JH and Chen, Y},
title = {[Impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive health: Etiological principles based on traditional Chinese and Western medicines].},
journal = {Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology},
volume = {31},
number = {3},
pages = {246-251},
pmid = {40787873},
issn = {1009-3591},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; *COVID-19/complications ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology ; Infertility, Male/etiology ; *Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; *Reproductive Health ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is a serious acute infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) infection, with fever, dry cough and fatigue as the main symptoms. In recent years, studies have suggested that the male reproductive system can be directly invaded by novel coronavirus, with the testis as one of its target organs. Therefore, infection with novel coronavirus can cause the development and aggravation of such diseases as male erectile dysfunction, male infertility, prostatitis, etc. However, no consensus has been reached whether such impacts will be mitigated or remain after recovery from COVID-19, and few reports are available on the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 inducing male reproductive diseases based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. This review systematically summarizes the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive health and the etiological principles in the perspective of both TCM and Western medicine.},
}

Humans
Male
*COVID-19/complications
Erectile Dysfunction/etiology
Infertility, Male/etiology
*Medicine, Chinese Traditional
*Reproductive Health
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid40787318,
year = {2025},
author = {García Ramos, J and de Souza Júnior, RS and Borges, EM},
title = {How Digital Images Are Transforming Chemical Education: A Review of Laboratory-Based Applications.},
journal = {ACS omega},
volume = {10},
number = {30},
pages = {32651-32672},
pmid = {40787318},
issn = {2470-1343},
abstract = {This review explores the transformative role of digital imaging technologies(?)including smartphones, webcams, scanners, and digital cameras(?)in contemporary chemical education and laboratory-based analysis. These tools have emerged as accessible and cost-effective alternatives to traditional spectrophotometric instruments, enabling the capture and quantification of color changes in chemical reactions through RGB value extraction. The review presents a comprehensive overview of the technical principles underlying digital image acquisition, addressing factors such as lighting conditions, device variability, color spaces, and image formats, and examines their impact on analytical accuracy and reproducibility. A wide array of laboratory experiments is discussed, spanning analytical and physical chemistry, with applications in colorimetric assays, fluorescence, flame emission, titrations, and chemical equilibrium studies. Digital imaging has been successfully applied to quantify various analytes, including food dyes, proteins, pharmaceuticals, cations, and anions. The review also emphasizes the pedagogical benefits of these approaches, particularly in remote and resource-limited settings where students can perform meaningful scientific investigations using their own devices. The integration of digital imaging into laboratory instruction promotes student engagement, autonomy, and inquiry-based learning. Its widespread adoption was further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the feasibility of at-home experimentation. As imaging technologies continue to advance, their potential to democratize access to scientific tools and enhance chemical education is expected to expand, fostering a more inclusive, innovative, and effective approach to laboratory science.},
}

@article {pmid40787016,
year = {2025},
author = {Scafe, M and Kanya, M and Flynn, M and Chettiar, R},
title = {Anxiety and Depression in Today's Youth: A Current Look into Assessment and Treatment.},
journal = {Missouri medicine},
volume = {122},
number = {4},
pages = {283-290},
pmid = {40787016},
issn = {0026-6620},
mesh = {Humans ; Adolescent ; *Anxiety/diagnosis/therapy/epidemiology ; *Depression/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology ; Child ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Mass Screening/methods ; },
abstract = {Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Rates of anxiety and depression in youth continue at unprecedented levels, contributing to rising numbers of suicide attempts and lowered school attendance. Though many medical providers are trained to assess and provide recommendations for anxiety and depression, many report feeling ill-equipped to address these concerns in a timely, feasible, and effective manner. We review the existing literature on screening for anxiety and depression in the medical setting and provide evidence-based tools for providers to support patients, with acknowledgments of special populations. Additionally, we review multi-disciplinary models of treatment, such as one used by the Depression and Anxiety in Youth (DAY) program at Children's Mercy Kansas City.},
}

Humans
Adolescent
*Anxiety/diagnosis/therapy/epidemiology
*Depression/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology
*COVID-19/psychology/epidemiology
Child
SARS-CoV-2
Mass Screening/methods

@article {pmid40786362,
year = {2025},
author = {Chowdhury, A and Bhasin, G and Ganti, L},
title = {Bibliometric Analysis of the Epidemiological Research on Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {7},
pages = {e87484},
pmid = {40786362},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Alzheimer's disease presents a complex global health issue. It is characterized by a decline in cognitive function, starting with memory impairment, and extending to impact reasoning, language abilities, and spatial awareness. Despite decades of research, Alzheimer's disease remains a global challenge lacking long-term treatments. Institutions like the Karolinska Institutet, Columbia University, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and the University of Pittsburgh contribute significantly to Alzheimer's research, with a growth in publications in 2022 post-COVID-19. While current treatments offer symptomatic relief, there's a need for disease-modifying therapies targeting its mechanisms. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the available research and medical literature on Alzheimer's disease by employing bibliometric methods to identify publication trends, leading research institutions, and the evolving focus from symptomatic treatments to disease-modifying therapies. This paper seeks to analyze the research papers on Alzheimer's disease and catalog the metadata associated with each paper.},
}

@article {pmid40300093,
year = {2025},
author = {Rane Levendovszky, S and Patel, P and Zhu, C and Rutman, AM and Basha, MM},
title = {Neuroimaging biomarkers of post-acute sequelae of Coronavirus Disease 2019.},
journal = {The British journal of radiology},
volume = {98},
number = {1172},
pages = {1165-1175},
doi = {10.1093/bjr/tqaf090},
pmid = {40300093},
issn = {1748-880X},
support = {R01 HL162743/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; //Chronic Post COVID-19 Infection Neuroimaging and Cerebrovascular Imaging/ ; //Bayer Healthcare LLC/ ; //Long terms effects of COVID-19/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/diagnostic imaging ; *Neuroimaging/methods ; *Brain/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Biomarkers ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; },
abstract = {COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to the condition known as Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), where individuals experience persistent debilitating symptoms long after the initial infection. We provide here a comprehensive review of findings in the central nervous system associated with PASC. Neuroimaging has been instrumental in identifying brain changes associated with PASC. Structural MRI studies consistently reveal grey matter volume reductions in the frontal and temporal lobes and white matter hyperintensities, particularly in the periventricular regions. Studies especially found these changes to correlate strongly with cognitive deficits. Diffusion tensor imaging has shown increased tissue damage and oedema in the brain's white matter tracts, particularly in the sagittal stratum and thalamic radiation. Resting-state functional MRI studies indicate altered brain connectivity in PASC patients, especially in those with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Reduced connectivity within and between critical networks, such as the default mode network and the executive control network, has been observed. These changes correlate with cognitive impairments, such as attention and memory deficits. Dynamic functional connectivity analyses further reveal that PASC patients spend less time in states with rich inter-regional connectivity, and transitions between connectivity states were linked to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Positron emission tomography scans have shown hypometabolism in the frontal and temporal lobes, particularly in regions associated with memory and executive functions. Hypometabolism in the hippocampus and thalamus is linked to symptoms like anosmia and fatigue. Despite the heterogeneity in clinical presentations and diagnostic criteria, these neuroimaging findings underscore the significant impact of COVID-19 on brain structure and function. Continued research using advanced imaging techniques is essential for a deeper understanding of PASC's neurological effects. This will aid in developing targeted interventions and improving outcomes for those affected by Long COVID and inform studies investigating downstream effects of viral infections on the brain.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications/diagnostic imaging
*Neuroimaging/methods
*Brain/diagnostic imaging/pathology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2
Biomarkers
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
Diffusion Tensor Imaging

@article {pmid39039685,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, J and Goyal, R and Gautam, RK and Garg, K and Husain, S and Chopra, H and Dubey, AK and Rayan, RA and Kamal, MA and Mishra, DK and Gundamaraju, R and Shen, B and Singla, RK},
title = {Decoding and Unravelling Mpox, Herpes, and Syphilis Infections: A State of Art Review.},
journal = {Current pharmaceutical biotechnology},
volume = {26},
number = {10},
pages = {1532-1548},
pmid = {39039685},
issn = {1873-4316},
mesh = {Humans ; *Syphilis/transmission/diagnosis/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Herpes Simplex/transmission/epidemiology/diagnosis ; *Smallpox/transmission/epidemiology/diagnosis ; },
abstract = {As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, a resurgence in MPXV cases is causing serious concern. The early clinical similarity of MPXV to common ailments like the flu and cold, coupled with the resemblances of its progressing rash to other infections, underscores the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis. Among the infections, smallpox is clinically closest to MPXV, and rashes similar to MPXV stages also appear in syphilis and varicella zoster. A comprehensive review of MPXV, herpes, and syphilis was carried out, including structural and morphological features, origins, transmission modes, and computational studies. PubMed literature search on MPXV, using MeSH key terms, yielded 1904 results, with the analysis revealing prominent links to sexually transmitted diseases. More in-depth exploration of MPXV, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and Syphilis revealed further disease interconnections and geographical correlations. These findings emphasize the need for a holistic understanding of these interconnected infectious agents for better control and management.},
}

Humans
*Syphilis/transmission/diagnosis/epidemiology
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Herpes Simplex/transmission/epidemiology/diagnosis
*Smallpox/transmission/epidemiology/diagnosis

@article {pmid38123660,
year = {2024},
author = {Yuan, X and Ruan, W and Bobrow, B and Carmeliet, P and Eltzschig, HK},
title = {Targeting hypoxia-inducible factors: therapeutic opportunities and challenges.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Drug discovery},
volume = {23},
number = {3},
pages = {175-200},
pmid = {38123660},
issn = {1474-1784},
support = {R01 DK122796/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM135118/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01HL154720-03S1/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL169519/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL165748/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL155950/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL154720/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; Hypoxia/drug therapy/metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; *Neoplasms/drug therapy ; Oxygen ; },
abstract = {Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are highly conserved transcription factors that are crucial for adaptation of metazoans to limited oxygen availability. Recently, HIF activation and inhibition have emerged as therapeutic targets in various human diseases. Pharmacologically desirable effects of HIF activation include erythropoiesis stimulation, cellular metabolism optimization during hypoxia and adaptive responses during ischaemia and inflammation. By contrast, HIF inhibition has been explored as a therapy for various cancers, retinal neovascularization and pulmonary hypertension. This Review discusses the biochemical mechanisms that control HIF stabilization and the molecular strategies that can be exploited pharmacologically to activate or inhibit HIFs. In addition, we examine medical conditions that benefit from targeting HIFs, the potential side effects of HIF activation or inhibition and future challenges in this field.},
}

Humans
*Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
Hypoxia/drug therapy/metabolism
Transcription Factors
*Neoplasms/drug therapy
Oxygen

@article {pmid40786276,
year = {2025},
author = {Zahyan, AM and Alhakami, HH and Khormi, AH and Alhufayyan, NS and AlQarni, MA and Alrashidi, AM},
title = {Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19 in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {7},
pages = {e87675},
pmid = {40786276},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in athletes. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library using the terms ("COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2") AND ("athletes" OR "athlete") AND ("pericarditis" OR "myocarditis" OR "pericardial effusion" OR "cardiovascular" OR "cardiac"). Of 671 records, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly reported cardiovascular abnormality was pericardial effusion, with a pooled prevalence of 1.9% (95% CI 0.08-4.4), followed by myocarditis (1.5%; 95% CI 0.9-2.7), pericarditis (1.3%; 95% CI 0.8-2.1), and myopericarditis (0.9%; 95% CI 0.2-3.4). No cases of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality were reported among athletes with COVID-19. These findings suggest that cardiovascular complications are rare in athletic populations following COVID-19 infection, potentially reflecting the protective effect of a robust immune system and high baseline cardiovascular fitness.},
}

@article {pmid40786062,
year = {2025},
author = {Ibrahim, AU and Pwavodi, PC and Oszoz, M and Duwa, BB and Irkham, I and Hartati, YW},
title = {Nano-modified biosensors for detection of pathogenic diseases: The prospect of smart, multiplex and point-of-care testing.},
journal = {ADMET & DMPK},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {2799},
pmid = {40786062},
issn = {1848-7718},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: The world has witnessed several outbreaks, emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases throughout the 21[st] century as a result of climate change, urbanization and migration. Several infectious diseases caused by pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Dengue, Marburg viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, etc. have caused a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods around the world. To counter these diseases, medical experts rely on conventional techniques, which include microscopy and serological testing. However, these conventional methods are hindered by several trade-offs, including high cost, longer processing times, low sensitivity, and a likelihood of false positive results. Biomedical sensors have gained momentum in clinical diagnostics due to their low cost, portability, and sensitivity, among other advantages. To improve their performance, scientists have incorporated nanomaterials. Other techniques used to enhance the performance of nanobiosensors include multiplex testing, point-of-care testing (POCT), and smart sensing.

METHODOLOGY: Thus, in this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art nanobiosensors for detecting infectious diseases. The review covers key topics that are centred around the application of nanotechnology in biosensing, multiplex testing, POCT and smart nano-enhanced biosensors.

FINDINGS: The findings of this review highlighted the advantages of biosensors over conventional approaches, with a limit of detection ranging from nanomolar to attomolar concentrations and a time response ranging from 1 to 3 hours.

CONCLUSION: Despite the prospect of nanobiosensors, several limitations exist, including complexity, extensive processing time, and others. Moreover, the integration of smart technologies in nanobiosensors can offer several benefits, including high accuracy and faster detection and prediction.},
}

@article {pmid40785780,
year = {2025},
author = {Gilmore, NT and Metz, T},
title = {Prevention of Catheter-Related Infections and Complications: A Narrative Literature Review of Vascular Care and Maintenance.},
journal = {International journal of vascular medicine},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {1427129},
pmid = {40785780},
issn = {2090-2824},
abstract = {Objectives: This review assessed the burden of catheter-related infections (CRI), existing gaps in catheter care, and prevention recommendations for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). The review further discusses how the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) influenced CRBSI rates and prevention strategies in the post-COVID-19 era. Methods: A targeted literature search was conducted of Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and EBM Reviews. Where applicable, supplemental hand searches were performed to identify evidence for gaps in the targeted search results. The authors reviewed each study and selected those for inclusion based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) criteria. Relevant studies were assessed for inclusion in the present review. Results: Both "active" methods (scrubbing, flushing, and locking) and "passive" methods (disinfection caps) have consistently been shown to reduce CRBSI risk when assessed individually. These practices have markedly improved CRBSI rates over the past two decades, although there are ongoing gaps in catheter care and adherence to best practices. COVID-19 reversed the trend towards improving CRBSI rates, and persistent challenges for nurse staffing and training have resulted in a failure to return to pre-COVID-19 CRBSI rates in the current post-COVID-19 era. These challenges are further compounded by limited rigorous comparative evidence assessing the relative efficacy of individual CRBSI prevention methods. Conclusions: Improving adherence to hub disinfection, along with catheter care and maintenance protocols, is essential for the prevention of CRIs. Further, innovative approaches for simplifying protocols and "forcing function" may increase compliance with CRBSI prevention strategies. In our practice, we routinely use disinfection caps in addition to standard scrubbing and flushing, alongside increased training and monitoring procedures. Additional studies are needed to assess which individual or combination prevention strategies are most efficacious and feasible in the post-COVID-19 era.},
}

@article {pmid40784940,
year = {2025},
author = {Mazzoni, A and Berrueta, M and Pingray, V and Babinska, M and Nigri, C and Ortega, V and Salva, F and Ciapponi, A and Bonet, M},
title = {A systematic review of maternal and perinatal health outcomes in the context of epidemic threats: towards the development of a core outcome set.},
journal = {Maternal health, neonatology and perinatology},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {23},
pmid = {40784940},
issn = {2054-958X},
support = {INV-041181 WHO//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To systematically identify and classify maternal and perinatal health outcomes reported in research conducted in the epidemic and pandemic context.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a systematic review following Cochrane Methods. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, SCI-EXPANDED, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, AMED, ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP, between January 2015 and March 2023. Experimental, quasi-experimental, observational studies, phase IV trials, and post-marketing studies, published protocols and ongoing registered studies reporting maternal and perinatal health outcomes were included. Studies only reporting coverage of interventions, access to routine health services, clinical presentation of infectious diseases, and reviews were excluded. A sampling strategy was used for COVID-19 studies, due to their very high numbers. Outcome verbatims were extracted and categorized in unique outcome, and further classified into domains and subdomains. Frequency of outcome reporting was calculated.

RESULTS: 94 maternal and pregnancy and 47 unique neonatal outcomes were identified, from a total of 917 and 657 verbatims, respectively, reported across 440 included studies. At least 20% of included studies reported maternal and pregnancy outcomes of mode of delivery (56.1%), stillbirth (33.0%), preterm birth (28.6%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (26.6%), and maternal death (20.7%). These outcomes were identified across all three types of studies identified (epidemiological, product development or post-authorization surveillance). Gestational age at birth (29.8%), congenital malformations of the nervous system (26.1%), birth weight (23.4%), neonatal admission to intensive care unit (23.2%), and neonatal death (19.1%) were the most frequently reported neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the basis for developing a core outcome set to measure maternal and perinatal health during outbreaks, which would help improve data collection of harmonized data, data synthesis, and timely development of informed public health guidance and clinical care responding to the needs of pregnant women.},
}

@article {pmid40781782,
year = {2025},
author = {Sahoo, JK and Agrawal, A},
title = {Severe Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Children: Exploring the Role of Adenovirus and Potential Cofactors.},
journal = {Journal of paediatrics and child health},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jpc.70160},
pmid = {40781782},
issn = {1440-1754},
abstract = {Adenoviruses are a known cause of self-limiting respiratory, ocular, and gastrointestinal infections in children. However, during the recent outbreak in 2021-2022, the identification of human adenoviruses (HAdV), particularly type F41, as a potential cause of severe acute hepatitis in immunocompetent children has sparked global debate. The unusual severity of liver injury and clustering of cases in immunocompetent children have prompted investigations into whether HAdV is truly hepatotropic or merely an incidental finding. Several hypotheses have been proposed, including adenovirus infection, prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV2) with a helper virus (HAdV) co-infection. We aim to review the emerging literature on adenovirus and other cofactors as a potential cause of the recent outbreaks of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children (AHUO).},
}

@article {pmid40781542,
year = {2025},
author = {Goyal, A and Thakkar, K and Abbasi, HQ and Shamim, U and Saeed, H and Hurjkaliani, S and Gil, TE and Rangel, DN and Sohail, AH and Daoud, M and Sheikh, AB},
title = {Utilization of telemedicine in healthcare delivery to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) populations: a scoping review.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {29010},
pmid = {40781542},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Humans ; *Telemedicine ; *Sexual and Gender Minorities/psychology ; *Delivery of Health Care ; Male ; Female ; HIV Infections/diagnosis ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis ; Health Services Accessibility ; },
abstract = {This scoping review examines how telemedicine addresses healthcare needs in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) community, focusing on gender-affirming care, mental health, and testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted to identify studies published until March 2024 focusing on telemedicine services for LGBTQIA + individuals. Data extraction captured study characteristics, telemedicine applications, and patient and provider satisfaction, and was synthesized to map current knowledge and identify gaps. Thirty-eight studies, comprising observational studies and one randomized controlled trial, were included, encompassing 21,774 participants. Telemedicine facilitated access to gender-affirming care, reduced mental health disparities, and supported HIV and STI testing, with high satisfaction reported among patients and providers. It was particularly effective in reducing appointment no-show rates, enabling remote initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, and offering mental health support through virtual counseling. The studies also highlighted increased telemedicine adoption for follow-up visits and medication management. However, challenges like digital privacy concerns, technological accessibility, and cultural competence were identified. Telemedicine holds significant potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes for LGBTQIA + populations, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Future efforts should focus on enhancing provider training, ensuring digital equity, and developing culturally competent telehealth models to fully realize these benefits. The findings can inform the design of inclusive telemedicine policies and services tailored to the needs of LGBTQIA + individuals.},
}

Humans
*Telemedicine
*Sexual and Gender Minorities/psychology
*Delivery of Health Care
Male
Female
HIV Infections/diagnosis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis
Health Services Accessibility

@article {pmid40780833,
year = {2025},
author = {Avendano, EE and Blackmon, SA and Nirmala, N and Chan, CW and Morin, RA and Balaji, S and McNulty, L and Argaw, SA and Doron, S and Nadimpalli, ML},
title = {Race, ethnicity and risk for colonisation and infection with key bacterial pathogens: a scoping review.},
journal = {BMJ global health},
volume = {10},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017404},
pmid = {40780833},
issn = {2059-7908},
mesh = {Humans ; *Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data ; *Bacterial Infections/ethnology/microbiology ; COVID-19/ethnology/epidemiology ; *Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data ; Community-Acquired Infections/ethnology/microbiology ; Risk Factors ; *Health Status Disparities ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic disparities in infectious disease burden have been reported in the USA and globally, most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear whether such disparities also exist for priority bacterial pathogens that are increasingly antimicrobial-resistant. We conducted a scoping review to summarise published studies that report on colonisation or community-acquired infection with pathogens among different races and ethnicities.

METHODS: We conducted an electronic literature search of MEDLINE, Daily, Global Health, Embase, Cochrane Central and Web of Science from inception to March 2024 for eligible observational studies. Abstracts and full-text publications were screened in duplicate for studies that reported data for race or ethnicity for at least one of the pathogens of interest.

RESULTS: 62 observational studies in 68 publications met our inclusion criteria. Studies reported results for Staphylococcus aureus (n=61), Escherichia coli (n=9), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=2), Enterobacterales (n=1), Enterococcus faecium (n=1) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1) and were conducted in the USA (n=48), Israel (n=6), New Zealand (n=4), Australia (n=3) and Brazil (n=1). US studies most often examined Black and Hispanic minority groups and regularly reported a higher risk of these pathogens in Black persons and mixed results for Hispanic persons. Ethnic minority groups were often reported to be at a higher risk in other countries.

CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient evidence was identified to justify systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the relationship between race, ethnicity and community-acquired S. aureus and E. coli, although data were rare for other pathogens. We recommend that future studies clarify whether race and ethnicity data are self-reported, collect race and ethnicity data in conjunction with the social determinants of health and make a concerted effort to include non-English speakers and Indigenous populations from the Americas, when possible.},
}

Humans
*Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data
*Bacterial Infections/ethnology/microbiology
COVID-19/ethnology/epidemiology
*Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data
Community-Acquired Infections/ethnology/microbiology
Risk Factors
*Health Status Disparities

@article {pmid40780723,
year = {2025},
author = {Sultani, K and Smeulers, M and de Vries, R and Zonderhuis, BM and Nanayakkara, PWB},
title = {Transforming acute care: a scoping review on the effectiveness, safety and implementation challenges of Hospital-at-Home models.},
journal = {BMJ open},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {e098411},
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098411},
pmid = {40780723},
issn = {2044-6055},
mesh = {Humans ; *Home Care Services, Hospital-Based/organization & administration/standards ; Patient Discharge ; Patient Safety ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The hospital-at-home (HaH) model has gained traction as a viable alternative to traditional inpatient care, allowing patients to receive care in their own homes. Despite its growing popularity, there is a lack of comprehensive research addressing effectiveness, safety and factors critical to the successful implementation of HaH programmes. We conducted a scoping review to comprehensively map and summarise the evidence on both admission avoidance and early-supported discharge up until now.

DESIGN: A scoping review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science were systematically searched up to July 2024 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included English-language RCTs published from 2005 onwards, involving adults (≥18 years) receiving acute care at home who would otherwise require hospital admission. Eligible studies evaluated admission avoidance or early supported discharge within HaH settings for acutely ill patients. Studies focusing on outpatient care, non-acute conditions or interventions not aligning with the widely accepted HaH definition were excluded. COVID-19-related studies were also excluded to avoid context-specific bias.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, interventions and outcomes including mortality, length of stay, escalation rates, costs and patient and caregiver satisfaction. Implementation facilitators and barriers were also collected. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Results were synthesised descriptively in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

RESULTS: Nine RCTs were identified. The review shows that the HaH model is at least as safe as usual care, with lower or comparable mortality rates. Length of stay varied, with some studies reporting longer stays in the HaH group due to cautious clinical practices. Cost analyses often indicate lower healthcare costs with staffing as the largest expense. Patient and caregiver satisfaction was high, but essential implementation factors were not clearly addressed.

CONCLUSION: The HaH model represents a promising alternative to acute inpatient care for suitable patients. Future research should focus on conducting larger RCTs, expanding the range of conditions suitable for HaH. Despite favourable clinical outcomes, substantial implementation barriers remain underexplored in current RCTs. This underscores the need to identify strategies for successful implementation, including the integration of technological advancements and qualitative insights into patient and caregiver experiences.},
}

Humans
*Home Care Services, Hospital-Based/organization & administration/standards
Patient Discharge
Patient Safety
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

@article {pmid40780538,
year = {2025},
author = {Adediran, E and Ikhoyameh, M and Gbadebo, OS},
title = {From inhibition to degradation: cutting-edge technology in COVID-19 drug discovery.},
journal = {Annales pharmaceutiques francaises},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.pharma.2025.08.002},
pmid = {40780538},
issn = {0003-4509},
abstract = {Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) molecules are hetero-bifunctional chemical entities with three different units which include a ligand that binds to a protein of interest; a second ligand that binds to the E3 ubiquitin Ligase; and a linker that conjugates the two ligands together. The technology utilizes the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to target a specific protein and induce its degradation in the cell. PROTAC has drawn the interest of researchers in anti-cancer drug discovery and has yielded a better outcome in degrading regulatory proteins, kinases, nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and enzymes. This paper discusses this technology and its application to COVID-19 drug discovery. In 2019, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), an infectious agent emerged from Wuhan resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. The WHO declared it a global pandemic because of its fast transmissibility and infectivity across the continents. To curtail this menace, efforts were made to develop therapeutics and inhibitors very quickly. Vaccines and therapeutics discovery were fast-tracked, and already FDA-approved drug molecules were also repurposed - many of which were protein inhibitors. However, PROTAC technology offers a more direct and sustainable contribution to anti-COVID drug discovery than protein inhibition-based therapeutics.},
}

@article {pmid40780504,
year = {2025},
author = {Neumann, JA and Zimmermann, J and Frese, M and Dirksen-Fischer, M and Kleine-Kampmann, S and Harth, V and Heidrich, J and , },
title = {Infectious diseases on passenger ships: Port preparedness and response - A narrative systematic review.},
journal = {Travel medicine and infectious disease},
volume = {67},
number = {},
pages = {102886},
doi = {10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102886},
pmid = {40780504},
issn = {1873-0442},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ships are environments conducive to the spread of infectious diseases among passengers and crew members. In this context, it is essential to establish effective prevention and control measures to protect the health of passengers and crew members while ensuring that shipping minimizes its contribution to the global spread of disease via ship-to-shore interactions. The aim of this review is to provide knowledge on the impact of infectious diseases on board large passenger ships on the port, the port community and other land-based operations.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted, searching the PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases and including additional articles from hand searches up to July 2024. Peer-reviewed studies of infectious disease outbreaks related to large passenger ship travel that described ship-shore interaction, port preparedness and impact on the port community were included. Article selection and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS: A total of 593 publications were initially identified, with 23 articles included in the analysis. Most studies reported COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships; other communicable diseases reported were influenza, gastroenteritis, and varicella. The articles highlighted the importance of comprehensive management plans and proactive risk assessment during infectious disease outbreaks that impact ship-to-shore interactions.

CONCLUSIONS: Effective stakeholder collaboration, ship-to-shore communication, coordination of diagnostic testing and medical transport, isolation, and quarantine measures are essential components of infectious disease prevention, mitigation, and management in passenger shipping within the port environment.},
}

@article {pmid40779079,
year = {2025},
author = {Hemamalani, AU and Thangam, T and Prakashini, RS and Kumar, PA and Parthasarathy, K},
title = {Viral ecology in chiroptera: human-wildlife interactions and pandemic risk.},
journal = {Veterinary research communications},
volume = {49},
number = {5},
pages = {275},
pmid = {40779079},
issn = {1573-7446},
support = {6/9-7(328)/2023/ECD-II, VIR/COVID-19/33/2021/ECD-I//Indian Council of Medical Research/ ; },
mesh = {*Chiroptera/virology ; Animals ; Humans ; *Pandemics/veterinary ; Animals, Wild/virology ; Zoonoses/virology/transmission ; *Virome ; *Virus Diseases/veterinary/transmission/epidemiology/virology ; Disease Reservoirs/virology/veterinary ; },
abstract = {Bats (Order Chiroptera) are ecologically essential and evolutionarily unique mammals, acting as a natural reservoir for innumerable viruses, including several with a high degree of zoonotic significance. The complex and intricate ecology of bat viromes results largely from species diversity, roosting patterns, social structures, immunological adaptations, and their remarkable longevity, especially compared to other small mammals such as rodents. These traits allow bats to carry pathogenic viruses without visible clinical symptoms over extended periods. This review delves into the virome of bat populations focusing on major families like Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Paramyxoviridae and the evolutionary processes leading to their diversity, persistence within populations, and spill-over. The human-induced environmental disturbance in the form of deforestation, cultivation, urbanization, and wildlife trade has increased direct or indirect contact among bats, humans, and domestic animals, increasing the chances of spill-over. The study of historical events in the form of SARS, MERS, Nipah, Ebola is used for practical implications. We also discuss the behavioral and seasonal variations among intra-colony transmission, the role of intermediate hosts, and the critical need of having an effective One Health-based surveillance system. The understanding of ecological and evolutionary drives behind bat virome is necessary for anticipating zoonotic spill-over events, which can be used as a foundation for public health strategies. Finally, the necessity of integrating virology, ecology, and global health policy perspective in human health policy-making is also discussed, in the context of bat virome research, to prevent future pandemics.},
}

*Chiroptera/virology
Animals
Humans
*Pandemics/veterinary
Animals, Wild/virology
Zoonoses/virology/transmission
*Virome
*Virus Diseases/veterinary/transmission/epidemiology/virology
Disease Reservoirs/virology/veterinary

@article {pmid40777633,
year = {2025},
author = {Ogundiran, O and Abbate, JL and Kim, S and Diallo, MSK and Muteba, M and Camara, DCP and Bianchi, L and Balde, T and Oyugi, B and Fortin, A and Baykika-Tusiime, J and Williams, GS and Mboussou, F and Okot, C and Mutoka Banza, F and Laundry, K and Ejiofor, EN and Kanyowa, TM and Kamara, R and Atuhebwe, P and Gumede, N and Herring, BL and Woldetsadik, S and Okeibunor, J and Koua, E and Chamla, D and Braka, F and Gueye, AS},
title = {Assessing the utility of the COVID-19 epidemic Situations of Concern classification system in guiding operational responses to the pandemic in the WHO African region: retrospective analysis.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1562525},
pmid = {40777633},
issn = {2296-2565},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; World Health Organization ; Africa/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Public Health ; },
abstract = {During a public health emergency, early implementation of response activities is crucial for saving lives and protecting livelihoods. The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, posed a global public health crisis that required timely decision-making despite limited data and capacity. In this context, WHO's Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) developed the Situations of Concern (SOC) classification system to assess and monitor epidemiological risk across its 47 Member States. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the performance and operational utility of the SOC system. Using weekly country-level COVID-19 surveillance data, we found that the system demonstrated strong alignment with epidemic wave patterns, with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 88%. SOC classifications supported timely operational decision-making in over 70% of documented support instances. Effective management of limited resources through SOC assessments also helped ensure fair distribution of support across communities. Our findings suggest that adaptable classification systems like SOC can provide effective decision-support under conditions of limited data availability, improving outbreak preparedness and response in resource-constrained settings.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
Retrospective Studies
World Health Organization
Africa/epidemiology
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Public Health

@article {pmid40640033,
year = {2025},
author = {Giunta, S and Giuliani, A and Sabbatinelli, J and Olivieri, F},
title = {A multidimensional immunological perspective on long COVID.},
journal = {Cytokine & growth factor reviews},
volume = {84},
number = {},
pages = {1-11},
doi = {10.1016/j.cytogfr.2025.07.001},
pmid = {40640033},
issn = {1879-0305},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology/complications ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Inflammation/immunology ; Cytokines/immunology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Autoantibodies/immunology/blood ; },
abstract = {Long COVID is a chronic condition that arises after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is characterized by persistent and often debilitating symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog"), dyspnea, and autonomic disturbances. Increasing evidence suggests that Long COVID shares key immunopathological mechanisms with autoimmune diseases, primarily sustained immune dysregulation. In individuals with genetic or immunological susceptibility, SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger the production of autoantibodies targeting cytokines, membrane receptors, and components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), thereby disrupting neuroimmune homeostasis. This immune imbalance may impair anti-inflammatory regulatory pathways, such as the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), and may contribute to a chronic state of inflammation and autoimmunity. One proposed contributor to this process is inflammaging - a chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging - which may not only predispose individuals to Long COVID but may also be amplified by the persistent immune activation seen in this condition. In this perspective, we propose a conceptual framework in which inflammaging, immune-tolerance breakdown, and autonomic dysfunctions interact to sustain the pathophysiology of Long COVID. We discuss emerging biomarkers across these axes, including inflammatory cytokines, circulating autoantibodies, immune cell phenotypes, epigenetic modifications, and heart rate variability. Advances in inflammaging-related biomarkers and biological clocks may support early identification of individuals at higher risk for persistent immune and autonomic dysregulation, ultimately informing more precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Long COVID.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology/complications
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Inflammation/immunology
Cytokines/immunology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Autoantibodies/immunology/blood

@article {pmid40777584,
year = {2025},
author = {Yunita, A and Pratama, MI and Almuzakki, MZ and Ramadhan, H and Akhir, EAP and Firdausiah Mansur, AB and Basori, AH},
title = {Performance analysis of neural network architectures for time series forecasting: A comparative study of RNN, LSTM, GRU, and hybrid models.},
journal = {MethodsX},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {103462},
pmid = {40777584},
issn = {2215-0161},
abstract = {Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs) have gained significant popularity in time series forecasting across diverse domains including healthcare, astronomy, and engineering. However, the inherent variability in model performance due to random weight initialization raises questions about the reliability and consistency of these architectures for time series analysis. This study addresses this concern by conducting a comprehensive benchmark evaluation of nine neural network architectures: vanilla RNN, LSTM, GRU, and six hybrid configurations (RNN-LSTM, RNN-GRU, LSTM-RNN, GRU-RNN, LSTM-GRU, and GRU-LSTM). Performance evaluation was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation with 100 iterations across three real-world datasets: sunspot activity, Indonesian COVID-19 cases, and dissolved oxygen concentration measurements. Statistical analysis employed the Friedman test to assess performance differences across architectures. Results showed no statistically significant differences among the nine architectures. Despite the lack of statistical significance, consistent performance patterns emerged favoring LSTM-based hybrid architectures. The LSTM-GRU and LSTM-RNN configurations demonstrated superior performance across multiple evaluation metrics, with LSTM-RNN excelling in sunspot and dissolved oxygen forecasting, while standalone LSTM showed optimal performance for COVID-19 prediction. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for architecture selection in time series forecasting applications, suggesting that while statistical equivalence exists among architectures, LSTM-based hybrids offer practical advantages in terms of consistency and robustness across diverse temporal patterns.},
}

@article {pmid40776715,
year = {2025},
author = {Appel, K and Nackerdien, F and Christian, CS},
title = {Access to tuberculosis care in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.},
journal = {African journal of primary health care & family medicine},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {e1-e8},
doi = {10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4944},
pmid = {40776715},
issn = {2071-2936},
mesh = {Humans ; South Africa/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Health Services Accessibility ; *Tuberculosis/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; Delivery of Health Care ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue in South Africa, a high-burden TB country. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated challenges in accessing essential TB services. This scoping review explores how access to TB care was impacted during the pandemic.

AIM:  This research aimed to review original studies on access to TB care in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic using a scoping review methodology.

METHOD:  A scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Five databases were systematically searched for original peer-reviewed research published between 2020 and 2022. Data were extracted and synthesised using the Penchansky and Thomas framework of healthcare access.

RESULTS:  Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The review identified significant disruptions in TB service delivery during the pandemic, including reduced diagnostic capacity, healthcare facility closures and economic barriers. Patients reported delayed diagnoses and increased stigma, while healthcare workers faced resource shortages and operational challenges.

CONCLUSION:  The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing barriers to TB care in South Africa, highlighting critical gaps in healthcare delivery. This review provides insights into the challenges faced and emphasises the need for resilient health systems to sustain TB care during future health crises. Contribution: This article highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB care access in South Africa, identifying key barriers across healthcare access dimensions and offering recommendations to improve TB care delivery during public health emergencies.},
}

Humans
South Africa/epidemiology
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Health Services Accessibility
*Tuberculosis/therapy/diagnosis/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Pandemics
Delivery of Health Care

@article {pmid40776683,
year = {2025},
author = {Davies, T and Hampton, T},
title = {Have we made any undergraduate medical education improvements since COVID-19? A systematic review of undergraduate ENT teaching.},
journal = {The Journal of laryngology and otology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-19},
doi = {10.1017/S002221512510296X},
pmid = {40776683},
issn = {1748-5460},
}

@article {pmid40775546,
year = {2025},
author = {Grates, M},
title = {[Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related digital inequalities].},
journal = {Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40775546},
issn = {1435-1269},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Health impairments in people in the second half of life are generally associated with lower online activities; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic individuals with health-related limitations in daily activities may have perceived an added benefit in internet use, potentially leading to a reduction in health-related digital inequalities.

OBJECTIVE: The study examines whether and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the relationship between limitations in daily activities and online access as well as the use of the internet for information seeking and maintaining social contacts.

METHODS: Linear probability models were estimated using data from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) from waves 6 (2017) and 7 (2020/2021).

RESULTS: After controlling for gender, age, education, social network and income, it was found that health-related inequalities regarding internet access slightly decreased during the pandemic, while there was no significant effect of the wave on the relationship between health impairments and online activities for information seeking and maintaining contacts.

CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic internet access rates and online activities increased among people with limitations in daily activities; however, health-related inequalities partially persisted. Reducing barriers to internet usage and ensuring social participation through analogue means must continue to be advanced.},
}

@article {pmid40775203,
year = {2025},
author = {Stepanenko, OV and Sulatsky, MI and Sulatskaya, AI and Stepanenko, OV},
title = {An unexpected insight into the cause of olfactory dysfunction: fibrillogenesis of odorant-binding proteins.},
journal = {Cell death discovery},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {370},
pmid = {40775203},
issn = {2058-7716},
support = {NO. 24-24-00247//Russian Science Foundation (RSF)/ ; },
abstract = {Olfactory dysfunction is a common complication of serious pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19, and others. Despite the widespread prevalence of olfactory disorders, the pathophysiological mechanisms of their development, as well as the molecular basis of their association with the underlying disease, remain incompletely understood. The current work formulates a new concept of the origin of olfactory disorders, linking a decrease in the activation of olfactory neurons and their death to the fibrillogenesis of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), which are the primary participants of olfactory perception. The potential triggers of OBPs' amyloidogenesis in vivo are discussed, such as molecular crowding, components of nasal medications, environmental factors, and cross-seeding with viral and bacterial amyloids. Several ways of impairment of olfactory signaling as a result of fibrillogenesis of OBPs are formulated: complete loss of OBPs functionality following amyloid formation; mechanical blockage of the membranes of sensory neurons and damage to chemoreceptors on their surface, preventing olfactory signaling; cytotoxic effect of OBPs' amyloid on sensory neurons and other cells of the olfactory epithelium. The proposed concept offers a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of olfactory dysfunction, as well as its possible association with amyloidoses, including in neurodegenerations, and infectious diseases. It opens prospects for the development of new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of olfactory disorders.},
}

@article {pmid40774301,
year = {2025},
author = {Schwicht, C and von Bergwelt-Baildon, M and Spiekermann, K},
title = {[Immunosuppression in Cancer: Strategies for Infection Prevention].},
journal = {Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)},
volume = {150},
number = {17},
pages = {1013-1018},
doi = {10.1055/a-2414-8494},
pmid = {40774301},
issn = {1439-4413},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neoplasms/immunology/complications/therapy ; COVID-19/prevention & control ; *Immunocompromised Host ; },
abstract = {Antimicrobial prophylaxis is an important cornerstone for reducing morbidity and mortality of cancer patients. Important strides have been made in recent years in vaccination, drug prophylaxes and the use of growth-factor support. We detail these changes to the respective recommendations here.Patients with malignant disease are recommended to receive vaccinations against common respiratory pathogens (COVID-19, influenza, pneumococci, and RSV). For both influenza (now trivalent vaccine) and pneumococci (now PCV20), the preferred vaccine has changed. A VZV vaccination using an inactivated virus-subunit is also recommended to prevent reactivations. The profound B-cell depletion caused by CAR-T cell therapy is increasingly being considered in vaccination recommendations.In high-risk situations, antibiotic prophylaxis using fluoroquinolones can be used. However, due to increasing resistance and significant side effects, this approach is being critically evaluated.Posaconazole is recommended as the standard prophylaxis for patients with neutropenia >7 days (<0,5G/L) and hematologic malignancies. Isavuconazole offers an effective alternative for patients who cannot tolerate posaconazole. Interactions between antifungal agents and oncological therapies are becoming increasingly relevant, with particular attention to the CYP-450-enzyme inducing/inhibiting substances. Non-pharmacological measures to prevent fungal infections are now part of the recommendations. These include smoking cessation.Pharmacological prophylaxis for COVID-19 is generally not recommended.The thresholds for primary growth-factor-support have been lowered: G-CSF is generally recommended if the risk of febrile neutropenia is >20%, or, if patient inherent risk factors are present, >10%. A new long-acting, non-PEG-containing G-CSF preparation was approved in 2024.Good collaboration between oncologists and general practitioners is essential to translate these recommendations into clinical practice.},
}

Humans
*Neoplasms/immunology/complications/therapy
COVID-19/prevention & control
*Immunocompromised Host

@article {pmid40379243,
year = {2025},
author = {Devonshire, AL and Guilbert, T and Bauer, CS and Schmidt, H and Davis, S and Hernandez, M and Fitzpatrick, AM and Gaffin, JM and Kattan, M and De, A and Jackson, DJ and Mauger, D and Phipatanakul, W and Schwartz, JT and Sheehan, W and Long, D and Juarez, L and Bacharier, LB and Stokes, JR and Teach, SJ and Morgan, WJ and Martinez, FD and , },
title = {Evaluating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Asthma Incidence.},
journal = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {1952-1959},
doi = {10.1016/j.jaip.2025.04.056},
pmid = {40379243},
issn = {2213-2201},
support = {UL1 TR001425/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *Asthma/epidemiology ; Incidence ; Child ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Pandemics ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects ; },
abstract = {Multiple early life environmental exposures are thought to influence childhood asthma incidence. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in changes in air pollution levels and a marked disruption in the circulation of childhood respiratory viruses. Both air pollution and respiratory viruses have been implicated in the development of asthma and early childhood wheeze. Human behavior and daily routine practices, including family gatherings and daycare attendance, were impacted profoundly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated mitigation measures. The changes to human behavior and social interactions that occurred during the pandemic have and will likely continue to impact chronic diseases, including the development of asthma. This rostrum explores how childhood asthma incidence might be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health mitigation measures. Recently completed and ongoing clinical trials being conducted in the infant and toddler population and assessing allergic outcomes may be well positioned to examine the impact of the pandemic on asthma incidence and time to asthma onset.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control
*Asthma/epidemiology
Incidence
Child
SARS-CoV-2
Child, Preschool
Infant
Pandemics
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects

@article {pmid39467573,
year = {2025},
author = {Favaloro, EJ and Pasalic, L and Lippi, G},
title = {Laboratory Testing for ADAMTS13 for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura and Beyond.},
journal = {Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis},
volume = {51},
number = {6},
pages = {687-697},
doi = {10.1055/s-0044-1792003},
pmid = {39467573},
issn = {1098-9064},
mesh = {Humans ; *ADAMTS13 Protein/blood/deficiency ; *Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/diagnosis/blood ; *COVID-19/blood/complications ; von Willebrand Factor/metabolism ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13), also called von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease, acts as a moderator of VWF activity. ADAMTS13 cleaves VWF multimers, thereby reducing VWF activity in blood. When ADAMTS13 is absent (e.g., in patients with TTP [thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura]), accumulation of VWF in plasma can occur, particularly as "ultra-large" VWF multimers, with this leading to adverse outcomes such as thrombosis. Relative ADAMTS13 deficiencies also occur in several other conditions, including secondary thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA), cancer, and with severe infections such as in COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). These situations might therefore be accompanied with relative loss of ADAMTS13, thereby potentially also leading to pathological VWF accumulation, with this then generating a prothrombotic milieu, thus contributing to enhance the risk of thrombosis. Laboratory testing for ADAMTS13 can aid in the diagnosis of such disorders (i.e., TTP, TMA), and help guide their management, with testing now accomplished using various assays. As most presentations of TTP reflect an acquired condition due to anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies, there may also be a need to test for these, as this will also influence clinical management. We herein provide an overview of TTP, note other conditions in which low levels of ADAMTS13 may be present, and then detail laboratory testing for both ADAMTS13 and associated inhibitors.},
}

Humans
*ADAMTS13 Protein/blood/deficiency
*Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/diagnosis/blood
*COVID-19/blood/complications
von Willebrand Factor/metabolism
*SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid39349096,
year = {2025},
author = {Pizzioli, E and Minutolo, A and Balestrieri, E and Matteucci, C and Magiorkinis, G and Horvat, B},
title = {Crosstalk between human endogenous retroviruses and exogenous viruses.},
journal = {Microbes and infection},
volume = {27},
number = {5-6},
pages = {105427},
doi = {10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105427},
pmid = {39349096},
issn = {1769-714X},
mesh = {Humans ; *Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics/physiology ; HIV-1/physiology ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology ; COVID-19/virology ; RNA, Viral/genetics ; },
abstract = {Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections of human germ-line cells, which are mostly silenced during evolution, but could be de-repressed and play a pathological role. Infection with some exogenous viruses, including herpesviruses, HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, was demonstrated to induce the expression of HERV RNAs and proteins.},
}

Humans
*Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics/physiology
HIV-1/physiology
SARS-CoV-2/physiology
COVID-19/virology
RNA, Viral/genetics

@article {pmid38428840,
year = {2025},
author = {Favaloro, EJ and Arunachalam, S and Dean, E},
title = {Variable Performance of D-dimer Testing by Hemostasis Laboratories: The Australasian/Asia-Pacific Experience.},
journal = {Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis},
volume = {51},
number = {6},
pages = {629-640},
doi = {10.1055/s-0044-1781450},
pmid = {38428840},
issn = {1098-9064},
mesh = {*Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis/metabolism ; Humans ; *COVID-19/blood/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Australasia ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; *Hemostasis ; Asia ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/diagnosis ; Laboratories/standards ; },
abstract = {D-dimers represent the breakdown products of fibrin. Thus, elevated plasma D-dimers will arise following a thrombotic event, such as a deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism, and therefore, a nonelevated D-dimer is used to effectively exclude such events. D-dimers are also elevated in a range of other conditions, for example, during disseminated intravascular coagulation. D-dimer levels may also be associated with prognostic value. For example, highly raised D-dimer levels can be associated with worsening clinical features in coronavirus disease 2019. Thus, D-dimer testing represents a commonly requested hemostasis test, often performed in 24/7 laboratories. Unfortunately, D-dimer testing is neither standardized nor harmonized across manufacturers or laboratories. Indeed, considering reporting units and the magnitude of units, up to 28 different combinations may be reported by laboratories. We provide updated findings for D-dimer testing in our geographic region, using recent data from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs, an international external quality assessment program, currently with over 450 participants in the D-dimer module. Data show a wide variety of assays in use and variable outcomes in reported numerical values when assessing proficiency samples. D-dimer testing mostly comprised reagents from three main manufacturing suppliers, with a small number of users of reagents from other manufacturers. Reported results showed important differences in numerical values for the same homogeneous tested samples when normalized to a single reporting unit (e.g., mg/L). Nevertheless, despite using different test reagents and reporting, most participants uniformly identified D-dimer values as below or above a "detection" cut-off for samples that were constructed to be below or above most cut-off values. As expected, mixed findings were reported for samples containing levels around expected cut-off values. We hope that our findings, reflecting on the heterogeneity of test reagents and test data, help improve diagnostic testing for D-dimer testing and facilitate harmonization and standardization, in the future.},
}

*Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis/metabolism
Humans
*COVID-19/blood/diagnosis/epidemiology
Australasia
*SARS-CoV-2
*Hemostasis
Asia
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/diagnosis
Laboratories/standards

@article {pmid40773381,
year = {2025},
author = {Subramaniam, S and Saville, JW and Feng, F and Freiburger, L},
title = {Therapeutic Antibodies for Infectious Diseases: Recent Past, Present, and Future.},
journal = {Biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00192},
pmid = {40773381},
issn = {1520-4995},
abstract = {A central goal of modern infectious disease research is to discover safe prophylactic vaccines that can prevent infection. When this is not possible, or when preventive vaccines are still in development, it is critical to have interventions that can mitigate the spread of the disease both within infected individuals and in the population. In this short review, we explore the recent history of therapeutic antibody use, highlighting antibodies used over the last five years to treat COVID-19. We outline some of the challenges in developing antibodies rapidly in response to pandemic threats and suggest that emerging technologies for AI-driven design may offer exciting opportunities for the development of a broad class of protein therapies.},
}

@article {pmid40773022,
year = {2025},
author = {Castellana, E and Budau, PM and Chiappetta, MR},
title = {Pharmacovigilance: Overview of Italian and European regulations, tools, and perspectives.},
journal = {The International journal of risk & safety in medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {9246479251366836},
doi = {10.1177/09246479251366836},
pmid = {40773022},
issn = {1878-6847},
abstract = {BackgroundThis study provides a concise overview of the Italian and European pharmacovigilance (PV) systems.ObjectiveTo evaluate the regulatory frameworks of above mentioned systems, operational tools, and recent trends in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting. The primary objective is to highlight the strengths and critical issues of the current system in improving drug safety and protecting public health.MethodsOur analysis confirms a progressive increase in ADR reporting in Italy over the past decade, with a peak in 2021 during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, followed by a subsequent decline.ResultsHospital physicians and pharmacists remain the primary reporters, while patient reports account for around 10%. The causality assessment process continues to rely heavily on tools such as the Naranjo algorithm and the WHO-UMC criteria, although no single gold standard exists. Despite regulatory improvements and digital infrastructure development, key limitations persist, notably underreporting, inconsistent report quality, and lack of population exposure data.ConclusionWhile Italy's PV system has evolved considerably, a more integrated, proactive, and technology-enhanced approach is required to improve the sensitivity and timeliness of signal detection. Future directions should include the use of artificial intelligence, electronic health records, and real-world evidence to enhance pharmacovigilance performance.},
}

@article {pmid40772993,
year = {2025},
author = {Siqueira, IFB and Figueiredo, LA and Fernandes, CEM and Cintra, LP and de Oliveira, GF and Rios, MA and Maciel, R and Ferretjans, R and Guimarães, NS and Magno, LAV},
title = {Metabolic brain changes in post-acute COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis of [18F]-FDG-PET findings.},
journal = {Brain structure & function},
volume = {230},
number = {7},
pages = {128},
pmid = {40772993},
issn = {1863-2661},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/metabolism/diagnostic imaging/complications ; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; *Brain/metabolism/diagnostic imaging ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Glucose/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Individuals with long COVID exhibit neurological and psychiatric symptoms that often persist well beyond the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies using [18F]-FDG positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) have revealed diverse abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism during the post-acute phase of COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the spatial distribution and heterogeneity of brain metabolic changes in patients in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 relative to controls. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases in June 2025 for studies reporting FDG-PET data in patients with post-acute COVID-19 who have persistent neurological symptoms. Of the 14 eligible studies (584 scans), 13 reported glucose hypometabolism across frontoparietal regions, with the frontal cortex being the most consistently affected. This finding was confirmed by meta-analysis, which revealed a large and significant effect in the frontal cortex (Hedges' g = 1.34; 95% CI: 0.79-1.88; p < 0.001), despite high heterogeneity (I[2] = 93.6%). The systematic review indicates that brain metabolism generally improves over time, with widely varying recovery timelines, and consistently correlates hypometabolism with neurological symptom burden. These findings underscore the clinical relevance of frontoparietal hypometabolism in post-acute COVID-19 and its association with neurocognitive deficits, highlighting the need for longitudinal, quantitative PET studies to elucidate temporal dynamics and inform therapeutic development.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/metabolism/diagnostic imaging/complications
Positron-Emission Tomography/methods
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
*Brain/metabolism/diagnostic imaging
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2
Radiopharmaceuticals
Glucose/metabolism

@article {pmid40772671,
year = {2025},
author = {Trinh, H and Stevens, N and Adams, G and Chee, R and Ha, T and Knesl, M and Mitchell, J and Nagpal, S and Sia, E and Xing, D and , },
title = {Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2022 Workforce Census.},
journal = {Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1754-9485.13883},
pmid = {40772671},
issn = {1754-9485},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: This paper reports the key findings of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2022 workforce census. This is the first census since the COVID-19 pandemic and questions have been updated to assess the impact on RANZCR trainees and fellows. This report focuses on the analysis of respondents from Australia, New Zealand and overseas members, with a separate paper to follow focusing exclusively on New Zealand respondents.

METHOD: The census was conducted in mid-late 2022 with many questions repeated from previous censuses. New questions were asked about theranostics, working remotely, hypofractionation and the impact of COVID-19 on work practices.

RESULTS: The census was sent to 591 radiation oncologists with an overall response rate of 52%. Almost half of respondents (n = 94/210; 45%) indicated that COVID-19 had no impact on the uptake of hypofractionation. Hypofractionation was most used by respondents in breast and prostate treatment (n = 134/200; 67% and n = 112/194; 58% respectively). Five respondents (n = 5/270; 2%) currently practise in theranostics, with the majority treating thyroid cancers within the public sector. Just under half (n = 81/167; 49%) of invited trainees responded. The majority felt that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their training. There has been a decrease in the number of new fellows seeking to complete further fellowships. Employment remains at very high levels for new fellows (> 98%).

CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID-19 on local practices and workloads was not as significant as seen overseas. There continues to be an increasing trend of radiation oncologists working in the private sector. The lack of indigenous representation within our profession continues to be an area that needs further attention.},
}

@article {pmid40772015,
year = {2025},
author = {Du, S and Chang, J and Zhou, Z},
title = {A Comprehensive Review of Theaflavins: Physiological Activities, Synthesis Techniques, and Future Challenges.},
journal = {Food science & nutrition},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {e70762},
pmid = {40772015},
issn = {2048-7177},
abstract = {Theaflavins (TFs), which are polyphenolic compounds characterized by a benzotropolone structure, serve as the primary quality and health-promoting components in black tea. Recent investigations have disclosed various health advantages linked to TFs, especially their potential to act as lead compounds in the formulation of therapeutic drugs targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), positioning them as a significant area of focus within food science and nutrition research. This review initially examines the primary physiological activities, mechanisms of action, and challenges related to TFs. It subsequently details the formation mechanism of enzyme-catalyzed TFs from catechins. Building upon this groundwork, this review assesses the recent advancements in two in vitro synthesis methods of TFs: enzymatic oxidation and nonenzymatic synthesis. Finally, the challenges that arise during the large-scale industrial implementation of these synthesis techniques are analyzed, and research strategies aimed at mitigating these issues are suggested. The primary goal of this review was to provide insightful perspectives and guidance for prospective research and industrial utilization of TFs.},
}

@article {pmid40771914,
year = {2025},
author = {Wołowiec, Ł and Osiak-Gwiazdowska, J and Jaśniak, A and Janiak, M and Wydeheft, L and Łukasiak, M and Pellowska, M and Grześk, G},
title = {Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, interactions with other drugs, toxicity and clinical effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors.},
journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1507812},
pmid = {40771914},
issn = {1663-9812},
abstract = {The document comprehensively reviews proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), focusing on their pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, toxicity, and clinical efficacy. PPIs irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme in gastric parietal cells, effectively reducing gastric acid secretion. These drugs are widely prescribed for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, eradication of Helicobacter pylori and as a prevention against bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. The review article highlights significant drug interactions associated with PPIs. Omeprazole, for instance, can interfere with the metabolism of clopidogrel, reducing its antiplatelet efficacy, which may have clinical implications. The article also discusses other drug interactions, including anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as the side effects associated with taking PPIs. Long-term use of PPIs is linked to plenty of adverse effects, such as vitamin B12 and calcium deficiencies, which can lead to bone fractures. An increased risk of infections, including Clostridium difficile and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), is also noted. Cardiovascular risks, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, are observed in some patients on high-dose or prolonged PPI therapy. In rare cases, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity are reported. Additionally, the document examines the potential role of PPIs in exacerbating certain cancers, such as gastric adenocarcinoma, and in influencing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. PPIs are proven effective in treating GERD and preventing complications from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly in reducing the risk of NSAID-induced ulcers. The document stresses the importance of understanding drug interactions and the need for individualized treatment to minimize adverse effects. Ongoing research into PPIs' long-term safety and efficacy remains essential, particularly given their widespread use in clinical practice.},
}

@article {pmid40771482,
year = {2025},
author = {Saxena, SG and Tisdell, E and Farace, E and Godfrey, T and Aumiller, B and Dell, E and Razzak, OP and Kumar, BN and Sznajder, KK},
title = {Achieving equity for International Medical Graduates: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {1601492},
pmid = {40771482},
issn = {2296-858X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Foreign-born and foreign trained International Medical Graduates (FIMGs) face greater challenges in acculturation to their host countries than IMGs who train abroad and return to practice in their home country. As FIMGs are likely to fulfill a shortage of physicians in High Income Countries in the foreseeable future, we conducted a systematic review of literature to identify acculturation interventions that help FIMGs assimilate better in their host country health systems. This improves their productivity and satisfaction, allows health systems to be more accepting of FIMGs, and most importantly, enhances patient outcomes.

METHODS: Following the PRISMA statement, we searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science for all peer-reviewed articles using keywords "international medical graduate", "overseas trained doctor", "overseas trained physician", "foreign trained doctor", "foreign trained physician" (group A); and "discrimination" and "microaggressions" (group B) published between January 1st, 2000 to October 24th, 2021.

RESULTS: The 46 studies included in this review fall into three groups - acculturation interventions for FIMGs, FIMG's perceptions of what they found useful, and trainers' perspectives on 'what works'. This review also includes interventions that pivoted to the online mode during the Covid-19 pandemic, making the findings relevant, as this is likely to the norm in the future. Acculturation requires training on clinical protocols, host country and health system culture and norms and communication, language and self-awareness skills.

DISCUSSION: Much work remains to be done. Interventions need to be tailored to suit the unique needs of FIMGs from 150+ countries, trainings require a foundation of theoretical frameworks, additional professional, personal and social support to be provided, life course related changing needs demand attention and the preparedness of host country health systems to accept FIMGs require enhancement.},
}

@article {pmid40770795,
year = {2025},
author = {Mostafavi Zadeh, SM and Noroozi, E and Gheytanchi, E and Tajik, F and Madjd, Z and Ahmadvand, D},
title = {The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on melanoma diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of global evidence.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {2684},
pmid = {40770795},
issn = {1471-2458},
mesh = {Humans ; *Melanoma/diagnosis/pathology/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Pandemics ; Global Health ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare systems worldwide. Prioritizing emergency responses resulted in the postponement of routine medical care, including melanoma diagnoses. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the pandemic's effect on diagnosis rates, Breslow thickness, stage at presentation, ulceration, histologic subtypes, and patient age.

METHOD: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to 10 September 2024 for observational studies comparing melanoma outcomes in the pre-COVID era (before March 2020) with the COVID era (March 2020 onwards). Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data on diagnostic counts, patient age, Breslow thickness, ulceration, and histopathological subtype, and assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random-effects models pooled rate ratios (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs); fixed-effects models pooled mean differences (MDs). Heterogeneity was evaluated with I², and sensitivity analyses were restricted to high-quality studies (NOS ≥ 7).

RESULTS: Sixty-two studies (38,676 pre-COVID and 46,846 COVID-era melanomas) met inclusion criteria. New melanoma diagnoses fell by 19% during the pandemic (RR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.86; I² = 98%). Mean age at diagnosis rose by 0.86 years (95% CI 0.58-1.14; I² = 45%). Tumors were thicker (MD = 0.24 mm, 95% CI 0.02-0.47; I² = 92%) and more frequently ulcerated (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.15-1.44; I² = 31%). Nodular melanoma, an aggressive subtype, became more common (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.08-1.67; I² = 81%), whereas superficial spreading, acral lentiginous, and lentigo-maligna subtypes showed no significant change. All the key findings persisted in good-quality-only analyses.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19-related service disruptions were associated with fewer melanoma diagnoses but a shift toward older patients and biologically adverse tumor features, signaling delayed detection at the population level. Strengthening resilient, rapid-access skin cancer pathways and integrating tele-dermatology with triaged in-person assessment are public-health priorities for future crises.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42022361569.},
}

Humans
*Melanoma/diagnosis/pathology/epidemiology
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis
Pandemics
Global Health

@article {pmid40770695,
year = {2025},
author = {Ali Sheikhi, R and Heidari, M and Doosti, P},
title = {The role of religious leaders in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations: a systematic review.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {2683},
pmid = {40770695},
issn = {1471-2458},
support = {6743//Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran/ ; 6743//Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran/ ; 6743//Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; *Leadership ; *Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology ; *Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; *Vaccination/psychology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The development of COVID-19 vaccines was progressing rapidly, but vaccination acceptance posed many challenges in different communities. This study systematically reviewed the impact of religious leaders on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations. It also examined religious leaders' role in shaping their followers' vaccination decisions and explored the strategies religious organizations use to promote vaccination against COVID-19.

METHOD: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary databases used to search the literature were PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. To identify relevant published literature, the title of this systematic review was divided into two key components: keywords related to COVID-19 vaccination and religious leaders, along with their synonyms.

RESULTS: This review analyzed seven articles using content analysis to explore the diverse roles of religious leaders in COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. The analysis identified two key themes: the positive contributions of religious leaders in promoting vaccination and their negative or neutral roles, highlighting differing perspectives on their influence during the pandemic.

CONCLUSION: Engaging religious leaders in disseminating and adopting national and global health initiatives, such as capacity building, training, trust building, collaboration with health providers, and dialogue with the community about the COVID-19 vaccination program, is a powerful strategy to advance the World Health Organization (WHO) goals.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
*COVID-19/prevention & control
*Leadership
*Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology
*Patient Acceptance of Health Care
*Vaccination/psychology

@article {pmid40770644,
year = {2025},
author = {Shipton, A and Shang, F and Wake, M and Goldfeld, S and Mensah, F},
title = {Lessons for the Next Global Health Crisis: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Women's Experiences of the Perinatal Period During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia.},
journal = {The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/ajo.70054},
pmid = {40770644},
issn = {1479-828X},
support = {//Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program/ ; //Murdoch Children's Research Institute/ ; //University of Melbourne/ ; //Royal Australasian College of Physicians/ ; 1160906//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 2026263//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pregnant women and new mothers in Australia experienced extreme pandemic societal responses but low SARS-CoV-2 incidence. This offers one of the few opportunities internationally to learn from the pandemic's indirect effects on maternal health, informing future policy.

AIMS: To explore women's qualitative experiences of pregnancy to the 12 postpartum months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search followed PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PubMed were searched from 1 January 2020, to 13 August 2023, using four categories of terms: 'COVID-19', 'perinatal', 'qualitative', 'Australia'. Studies were scored using the CASP checklist and common themes identified from thematic synthesis. The ENTREQ reporting statement was followed.

RESULTS: From eight peer-reviewed studies, four themes were identified: (1) 'No one can give you any answers': Provision of information was inadequate in supporting women to make health-related decisions; (2) 'Very isolated' or 'It brought us closer': Social distancing restrictions caused major changes within women's informal support networks; (3) 'Have they seen enough of me?': Women felt unsupported during disruptions in maternal health services; (4) 'All you want to do is keep safe': Safeguarding family from SARS-CoV-2 added cognitive strain to women's daily decision-making and routine. All studies were of a good or high quality.

CONCLUSIONS: Three lessons were highlighted. First, women need accurate, accessible health information to make informed decisions. Second, policies should support family bonding and social connections during government restrictions. Finally, health services must be strengthened to ensure continuous, high-quality, accessible care during global crises.},
}

@article {pmid40769733,
year = {2025},
author = {Wilson, CM and Boright, LE and Henshaw, AM and Naccarato, A},
title = {Role of rehabilitation in palliative care after the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review.},
journal = {Annals of palliative medicine},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {379-392},
doi = {10.21037/apm-25-6},
pmid = {40769733},
issn = {2224-5839},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/rehabilitation/epidemiology ; *Palliative Care/organization & administration ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in an historic disruption and transformation of the healthcare system, including the management of individuals with serious illness. Rehabilitation for patients facing serious or life-threatening illness is underutilized and poorly understood, resulting in unwarranted suffering, disability, and poorly coordinated care. This narrative review aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the role and scope of rehabilitation within the context of serious illness and palliative care.

METHODS: A focused review of the literature included selected articles identified from three databases published from January 2020 to January 2025. Findings were synthesized narratively, with a focus on identifying themes and gaps in the literature related to two main topics: (I) the evidence related to rehabilitation for those with serious or life-threatening COVID-19 during the pandemic and (II) how rehabilitation for patients with serious illness has been transformed after emerging from the pandemic (including non-COVID diagnoses such as cancer, neurologic conditions, etc.).

KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: The key themes identified during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for early rehabilitation, interdisciplinary care, and an emphasis on cardiopulmonary principles for rehabilitation. Themes identified during the pandemic also included the emerging role of telerehabilitation, and need for evidence and clinical guidelines for serious illnesses (including long COVID). Themes related to the transformative effect on palliative rehabilitation after the pandemic included an increased importance and focus on coordination of care and interdisciplinary care for those with serious illness and increased focus on mental health and social determinants of health (SDOH). Additionally, there appears to be increased infrastructure and activity related to research, advocacy, and awareness for palliative rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 global pandemic highlighted the need for high quality, coordinated palliative care, including rehabilitation services, for patients facing a serious or life-threatening illness. Due to the benefits to a person's quality of life (QoL), dignity, and comfort, there is increasing evidence of the importance of seamless, ongoing access to rehabilitation services for patients with serious illness.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/rehabilitation/epidemiology
*Palliative Care/organization & administration
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid40769663,
year = {2025},
author = {Shamoun, R and Asirwatham, A and Leftwich, HK},
title = {From Inflammation to Flooding: COVID-19, Asthma, and Pulmonary Edema.},
journal = {Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America},
volume = {52},
number = {3},
pages = {547-563},
doi = {10.1016/j.ogc.2025.05.011},
pmid = {40769663},
issn = {1558-0474},
mesh = {Humans ; *Asthma/therapy/physiopathology/diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; *COVID-19/therapy/physiopathology ; Female ; *Pulmonary Edema/therapy/diagnosis/physiopathology/etiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Pregnancy Complications/therapy/physiopathology/diagnosis ; Risk Factors ; *Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy/physiopathology ; },
abstract = {The respiratory system, like many other body systems, undergoes significant changes during pregnancy to support the needs of the growing fetus. This article begins by providing a detailed overview of these normal physiologic changes, highlighting how the respiratory system adjusts to the increased metabolic demands and altered hormonal environment of pregnancy. The article will then cover updated guidelines for managing asthma, the most common respiratory condition affecting pregnant individuals. Lastly, we will briefly touch on pulmonary edema in pregnancy, reviewing possibly etiologies and risk factors as well as diagnosis and management.},
}

Humans
*Asthma/therapy/physiopathology/diagnosis
Pregnancy
*COVID-19/therapy/physiopathology
Female
*Pulmonary Edema/therapy/diagnosis/physiopathology/etiology
SARS-CoV-2
*Pregnancy Complications/therapy/physiopathology/diagnosis
Risk Factors
*Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy/physiopathology

@article {pmid40769605,
year = {2025},
author = {Anlacan, VMM and Gabriel, FGC and Jamora, RDG and Villanueva Iii, EQ and Sy, MCC and Lee Yu, MHL and Espiritu, AI},
title = {Association between encephalopathy and clinical outcomes of COVID-19: Findings from the Philippine CORONA Study.},
journal = {Neurologia},
volume = {40},
number = {6},
pages = {567-576},
doi = {10.1016/j.nrleng.2025.06.009},
pmid = {40769605},
issn = {2173-5808},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/mortality/therapy/epidemiology ; Philippines/epidemiology ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; *Brain Diseases/epidemiology/mortality ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Respiratory Insufficiency/epidemiology/etiology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Respiration, Artificial/statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine whether encephalopathy is associated with such COVID-19 outcomes as disease severity, mortality, respiratory failure, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, duration of ventilator dependence, and length of ICU and hospital stay.

METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis comparing outcomes in patients with and without encephalopathy, based on data from a nationwide retrospective cohort study among adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at 37 hospital sites in the Philippines. The patient outcomes included for analysis were disease severity, mortality, respiratory failure, ICU admission, duration of ventilator dependence, and length of ICU and hospital stay.

RESULTS: Of a total of 10881 COVID-19 admissions, 622 patients had encephalopathy. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for mortality among mild and severe cases were 9.26 and 1.63 times greater (P<.001), respectively, in the encephalopathy group compared to the no-encephalopathy group. Encephalopathy was associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.95; P<.001), respiratory failure (aHR: 5.40; P<.001), longer hospital stays (aOR: 1.36; P<.001), and admission to the ICU (aOR: 4.26; P<.001). We found no sufficient evidence that encephalopathy was associated with length of ICU stay (aOR: 1.11; P=.522) or duration of ventilator dependence (aOR: 0.88; P=.428).

CONCLUSIONS: Encephalopathy was associated with COVID-19 severity, mortality, respiratory failure, ICU admission, and longer hospital stays.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications/mortality/therapy/epidemiology
Philippines/epidemiology
Female
Male
Retrospective Studies
Middle Aged
*Brain Diseases/epidemiology/mortality
Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data
Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data
Aged
Respiratory Insufficiency/epidemiology/etiology
Severity of Illness Index
Respiration, Artificial/statistics & numerical data
Adult
SARS-CoV-2
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data

@article {pmid40769540,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, Y and Su, S and Wang, Z and Wu, J and Chen, H and Yang, H},
title = {[Research progress in active substances and their mechanisms of action against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus].},
journal = {Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology},
volume = {41},
number = {7},
pages = {2519-2533},
doi = {10.13345/j.cjb.250129},
pmid = {40769540},
issn = {1872-2075},
mesh = {*Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/drug effects/immunology ; Animals ; Swine ; *Swine Diseases/virology/prevention & control ; *Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; *Coronavirus Infections/veterinary/prevention & control/virology ; Viral Vaccines/immunology ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; },
abstract = {Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an intestinal coronavirus that can cause porcine epidemic diarrhea, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and even death in piglets. Due to the diversity of PEDV strains, traditional vaccines are difficult to sustainably and effectively prevent and control PEDV. This article reviews the strategies and mechanisms of active substances in regulating intracellular signaling pathways, viral proteins, and microbial metabolites to enhance the host immune function against PEDV. It emphasizes the prevention of PEDV resistance and the potential harm of PEDV breaking through interspecies barriers to the human society, aiming to provide reliable theoretical support for the development of new antiviral drugs or vaccines.},
}

*Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/drug effects/immunology
Animals
Swine
*Swine Diseases/virology/prevention & control
*Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
*Coronavirus Infections/veterinary/prevention & control/virology
Viral Vaccines/immunology
Humans
Signal Transduction

@article {pmid40769234,
year = {2025},
author = {Sterpetti, AV and Miceli, F and Digirolamo, A and Bozzani, A and Arici, V and Ascione, M and Marzo, LD},
title = {INFLAMMATION, ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM ENLARGEMENT AND RUPTURE. LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COVID19 PANDEMIC.},
journal = {Current problems in cardiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {103151},
doi = {10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103151},
pmid = {40769234},
issn = {1535-6280},
abstract = {Patients with moderate-severe COVID19 infection suffer from several cardiovascular diseases: heart failure (3%-33%), myocardial ischemia (0.9%-11%), ventricular dysfunction (10%-47%), arrhythmias (9%-17%), venous thrombo-embolism (25%) and arterial thrombosis (1%-3%). Although intracranial and coronary arterial aneurysms have been described in adults and children with COVID19, few reports have correlated COVID19 infection and sudden degeneration of aortic aneurysms and dissections. We analyzed the risk factor for enlargement and rupture of aortic aneurysms in patrients with moderate-severe COVID19 infection. Several COVID19 related mechanisms may impact aortic aneurysm progression: increased elastin and collagen digestion by enzymes triggered by viral spike proteins in ACE2-negative myeloid cells and/or by inflammatory cytokines; hypoxemia related to thrombosis of micro vessels of the aneurismal wall; dysregulation of the immune system. Patients with known arterial aneurysm may be at risk for sudden increase of dimensions and rupture during moderate-severe COVID19 infection.},
}

@article {pmid40769229,
year = {2025},
author = {Amrani, BL and Zawari, NS and Abd Rahman, NZA and Azman, AS and Nor Rashid, N and Khairat, JE},
title = {Unlocking nature's hidden treasures: Actinomycetota's arsenal of potent antiviral compounds against human viral infections.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {208},
number = {},
pages = {107953},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107953},
pmid = {40769229},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {The global emergence of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, Mpox, MERS, Ebola, dengue, Zika, and avian influenza, alongside the escalation of antimicrobial resistance, has made the discovery of novel antiviral agents an urgent priority. Actinomycetota, a diverse group of microorganisms known for their medicinal properties and antibiotic production, stand out as a promising source of antiviral compounds. Since the 20th century, studies on the antiviral potential of Actinomycetota-derived secondary metabolites have shown efficacy against various human viruses, such as influenza viruses (IVs), human coronaviruses (hCoVs), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika virusZIKV), dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)), and monkeypox virus (MPXV). This review provides a comprehensive summary of key findings from the literature, emphasizing the theurapeutic potential of these compounds and the importance of further research to elucidate their mechanisms of action and enhance their production. Unlocking the antiviral arsenal of Actinomycetota may pave the way for the development of novel and effective antiviral therapies to combat human viral diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40768894,
year = {2025},
author = {Ding, J and Liu, Z and Chao, M},
title = {The association between problematic social media use and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Journal of psychiatric research},
volume = {189},
number = {},
pages = {544-553},
doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.07.009},
pmid = {40768894},
issn = {1879-1379},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Problematic social media use (PSMU) is becoming increasingly common, with various studies highlighting a notable correlation with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology.

METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies from the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and ProQuest. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta Analysis software with a random effects model.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 15 studies with a total of 35,223 participants. The analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between ADHD symptomatology and PSMU (r = 0.361, 95 % CI [0.297, 0.421]). Subgroup analyses identified several significant moderators: data collection timing (rAfter-COVID-19>rBefore-COVID-19), assessment tools for PSMU (rBSMAS > rSMDS > rOthers), and assessment tools for ADHD (rASRS > rOthers). Additionally, the mean age of participants emerged as a significant moderator in the meta-regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence supports a significant association between ADHD symptomatology and PSMU. These findings have implications for future research and clinical practice.},
}

@article {pmid40767628,
year = {2025},
author = {Luo, J and Luo, J and Fang, Z and Fu, Y and Xu, BB},
title = {Insights Into Effects of Natural Bioactive Components on Inflammatory Diseases in Respiratory Tract.},
journal = {Phytotherapy research : PTR},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ptr.8367},
pmid = {40767628},
issn = {1099-1573},
support = {UICR0400016-24//BNU-HKBU United International College/ ; 2023VPPC-R10//Open Research Project of the Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Education/ ; },
abstract = {The increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract worldwide has raised concerns, and due to its high prevalence and poor prognosis, it remains a clinical focus and research hotspot. These inflammatory diseases include airway inflammation, asthma, bacterial antigens-induced tonsil epithelial inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), COVID-19, acute lung injury, and lung cancer. This review summarizes the relevant molecular mechanisms of inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract and the progress of natural bioactive components in inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract. The natural bioactive components have good therapeutic or intervention effects on inflammatory airway diseases in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials. The information on inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract and natural bioactive ingredients in anti-inflammatory diseases were collected from famous literature databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, with keywords including bioactive components, inflammatory diseases, respiratory tract, and so forth. The bioactive phytochemicals, such as curcumin, ginsenoside, safranal, melatonin, could improve inflammatory diseases through the regulation of PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, NRF2/HO-1, MAPK, cAMP-PKA, and MEK/ERK Signaling pathways. Further high-quality studies are still needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of bioactive ingredients. This review provides new insight for future research on functional food or drug-lead compound development on natural products improving inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract.},
}

@article {pmid40767138,
year = {2025},
author = {Pinte, L and Dumitru, AC and Usurelu, AC and Niculae, CM and Draghici, A and Cotet, MA and Baicus, C},
title = {Low eosinophils and their dynamic as a predictor of death in patients with infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.},
journal = {Annals of medicine},
volume = {57},
number = {1},
pages = {2541084},
doi = {10.1080/07853890.2025.2541084},
pmid = {40767138},
issn = {1365-2060},
mesh = {Humans ; *Eosinophils ; *COVID-19/mortality/blood ; Prognosis ; *Sepsis/mortality/blood ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cohort Studies ; Leukocyte Count ; Clostridium Infections/mortality/blood ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality/blood ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Eosinophils prognostic significance in predicting mortality has become particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of peripheral low eosinophil (eosinopenia) with focus on their dynamics (eosinophil recovery) in patients with infections.

METHODS: We searched databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) and additional sources from inception to 1 December 2023. Cohort studies involving adult patients hospitalized with infections were evaluated using dual-reviewer methodology.

RESULTS: Out of 15,066 screened papers, 151 studies met the inclusion criteria, with 107 focused on COVID-19, 14 on sepsis, 9 on Clostridioides difficile, 6 on acute COPD exacerbations, and 17 on other infections. The majority of studies reported significantly lower admission eosinophil levels in non-survivors compared to survivors. Random-effects model meta-analysis showed mean eosinophil difference between deceased and survivors -15.31 (95% CI: -18.72 to -11.90) for COVID-19 and -44.6 (95% CI: -95.62 to 6.41) for sepsis (I[2] > 90%). Mortality with eosinopenia showed low certainty of evidence for C. difficile (0 cells/mm³ cut-off: RR 2.35; 95% CI: 1.84-2.99) and very low for COVID-19 when considering different cut-offs (0 cells/mm³: RR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.86-3.01; 20 cells/mm³: RR 2.90; 95% CI: 1.59-5.28; 50 cells/mm³: RR 2.70; 95% CI: 1.33-5.49). Survivors generally showed an increase in eosinophil counts within the first 2-5 days of hospitalization, while the deceased had persistently low levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Eosinopenia, particularly the trajectory of eosinophil recovery, may serve as a cost-effective and accessible prognostic marker for mortality in patients with infections.},
}

Humans
*Eosinophils
*COVID-19/mortality/blood
Prognosis
*Sepsis/mortality/blood
SARS-CoV-2
Cohort Studies
Leukocyte Count
Clostridium Infections/mortality/blood
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality/blood

@article {pmid40765543,
year = {2025},
author = {Reddy, M and Kulkarni, M and Kanakalakshmi, ST and Shenoy, L and KrishnaBhat, RR},
title = {Non-invasive SpO2/FiO2 ratio (SFR) as surrogate for PaO2/FiO2 ratio (PFR): A scoping review.},
journal = {Journal of critical care medicine (Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie din Targu-Mures)},
volume = {11},
number = {3},
pages = {221-232},
pmid = {40765543},
issn = {2393-1809},
abstract = {Patient oxygenation significantly impacts clinical outcomes, and continuous monitoring is essential, especially in critical care settings where hypoxia is the leading cause of mortality. PFR (PaO2/FiO2 ratio or P/F ratio) is an invasive method for measuring oxygenation requiring arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling, however it carries complications making non-invasive methods more desirable. SFR (SpO2/FiO2 ratio or S/F ratio), a non-invasive tool based on pulse oximetry, provides a cost-effective and rapid way to monitor oxygenation status, especially in settings where advanced methods are unavailable. A total of 575 articles were screened from databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and CINAHL, with 32 articles meeting the inclusion criteria for this scoping review wherein SFR was used as a surrogate for PFR and a diagnostic tool for acute lung injury and ARDS. A total of 81,637 patient records were analyzed, including ABG values, pulse oximetry readings, mechanical ventilator settings, and patient diagnoses. The study population included adults, pediatric patients, and neonates admitted to critical care units, with common diagnoses including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, ARDS, and COVID-19. In the context of COVID-19, SFR was used to predict the need for mechanical ventilation, with a cut-off of 300 indicating a threshold for imminent ventilation requirement. The studies demonstrated statistically significant sensitivity and specificity for SFR, highlighting its utility as a non-invasive tool for assessing oxygenation status. SFR has shown potential as a reliable non-invasive surrogate for determining oxygenation status across all populations.},
}

@article {pmid40765331,
year = {2025},
author = {Chavda, VP and Mehta, AA and Zafar, H and Raza, F and Paiva-Santos, AC and Balar, PC and Apostolopoulos, V and Vora, L},
title = {Adenovirus-Based Single-Dose Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: A Review.},
journal = {Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)},
volume = {30},
number = {7},
pages = {25094},
doi = {10.31083/FBL25094},
pmid = {40765331},
issn = {2768-6698},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *Adenoviridae/genetics/immunology ; Genetic Vectors ; },
abstract = {The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has many unexpected implications, but the scientific community remains optimistic about overcoming these obstacles. Adenoviruses (Ad) are considered the most suitable vectors for transferring specific antigens to mammalian cells since they can induce both innate and adaptive immune responses. Ad-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). vaccines were granted emergency use authorization in the COVID-19 pandemic. Many features of the Ad vector render it an appealing vaccine carrier for contagious diseases, including high titer, ease of processing, high effectiveness, low immunogenicity in clinical trials, and consistency in pharmaceutical packaging and shipment processes. Ad-based vaccines are generally effective and have few side effects since Ad induces minor infections in humans, and genetic modifications can block viral replication. These single-dose vaccines are effective not only in young individuals but also in adults. Clinical trials of these single-dose vaccines are commendable and have shown excellent safety and efficacy profiles. This review provides a summary of the development of single-dose vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage
*COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*Adenoviridae/genetics/immunology
Genetic Vectors

@article {pmid40764711,
year = {2025},
author = {Blackmur, JP and Re, C and Stewart, GD},
title = {What has the COVID-19 pandemic taught us about safety of surgical wait times in urological oncology?.},
journal = {BJU international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/bju.16881},
pmid = {40764711},
issn = {1464-410X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To review papers assessing the impact of surgical delay in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluate what has been learnt about the safety of surgical waiting times in urological oncology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medline and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 1 January 2020 and 1 November 2024. Studies included were those reporting treatment delay effects on surgical or oncological outcomes, or patient experience with reference to COVID-19. Priority was given to studies deriving their cohort after the start of the pandemic. Studies were also included in which the cohort was derived before the pandemic, but where recommendations were made on COVID-19 treatment delay. Data were extracted regarding duration of delay and authors' reported impact of delay on outcome (quantified, and simplified as negative/neutral/positive).

RESULTS: A total of 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies included data collected after the start of the pandemic and 21 exclusively included cohorts derived prior to the pandemic but made recommendations about COVID-19-related treatment delays. Six studies on urothelial cancer reported negative clinical outcomes for delays between 2 weeks and 3 months, while three reported a neutral impact. Four studies on kidney cancer reported negative outcomes with 1-3-month delay, while two reported a neutral impact. Eleven studies on prostate cancer reported that a 3-12-month delay had neutral effects, while one reported negative outcomes. One study on penile cancer reported worse survival with delays in treatment. No studies on testicular cancer were identified. Five studies reported negative patient experience with delays, while one reported a positive patient experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have reported the impacts of COVID-19-related delayed treatment; this was a missed opportunity. While most prostate cancer treatment can be deferred up to 180 days, diagnostic cystoscopy, transurethral resection of bladder tumour and nephrectomy for cT2+ renal masses should be expedited to occur within 30 days. Treatment of cT1 renal masses, carcinoma invading bladder muscle, upper tract urothelial carcinoma and high-risk prostate cancer should commence within 90 days.},
}

@article {pmid40764277,
year = {2025},
author = {Pimenta, PDC and de Aquino Lima, TC and Geraldine, VGS and Tourinho, FS and do Nascimento, MC and Novaes, RD and Dias, LMRP},
title = {COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Events by Country Income Level: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.},
journal = {American journal of health promotion : AJHP},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {8901171251365229},
doi = {10.1177/08901171251365229},
pmid = {40764277},
issn = {2168-6602},
abstract = {PurposeTo synthesize evidence on the incidence of COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse events across countries by income level.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.SettingStudies published 2020-2025, retrieved from EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus.SampleEleven trials with 7841 participants; seven from high-income and four from upper-middle-income countries.MeasuresIncidence per 100 vaccinated. Countries by income: low (≤$1145), lower-middle ($1146-4515), upper-middle ($4516-14,005), high (>$14,005). Inter-reviewer agreement assessed by kappa (0.684). Risk of bias evaluated with Cochrane RoB 2.AnalysisMantel-Haenszel random-effects models estimated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity assessed by I[2]. Subgroup analyses by income and dose.ResultsAEFI incidence was consistently higher in high-income vs upper-middle-income countries, especially after dose 2. Injection-site pain (68.1 vs 26.3 per 100), headache (45.7 vs 14.1), myalgia (42.5 vs 9.2), and fatigue (33.8 vs 11.4) were most common. Meta-analyses showed higher pooled RR in high-income settings: any AEFI after dose 1, RR = 1.83 (95% CI: 1.39-2.42); local, RR = 3.15; systemic, RR = 2.05. After dose 2, overall RR reached 2.94; local, 4.37; systemic, 2.48. All subgroup differences were significant.ConclusionHigher-income countries showed a greater incidence of mostly mild adverse events, particularly after the second dose. mRNA vaccines had the highest rates. Findings reveal income-based disparities and inform equitable post-vaccination monitoring.},
}

@article {pmid40763909,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, P and Chen, Y and Zhou, S and Li, F},
title = {Microbial modulation of tryptophan metabolism links gut microbiota to disease and its treatment.},
journal = {Pharmacological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107896},
doi = {10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107896},
pmid = {40763909},
issn = {1096-1186},
abstract = {Emerging studies have demonstrated that tryptophan (Trp) metabolism plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic homeostasis. Trp metabolism is involved in diseases such as metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal cancers, neurological disorders, and viral diseases. The gut microbiota is crucial for regulating Trp metabolism, thereby influencing host health. Conversely, Trp metabolism can also modulate the composition and function of the gut microbiota. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms through which gut microbiota-regulated Trp metabolism contributes to disease development. We also discuss how external factors, such as antibiotics and diet, influence Trp metabolism and may offer protective effects against disease, including Covid-19. These advances have facilitated the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting Trp metabolic dysfunction.},
}

@article {pmid40763823,
year = {2025},
author = {Xu, L and Wu, X},
title = {Viral detection using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein and Argonaute nucleases.},
journal = {Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {120526},
doi = {10.1016/j.cca.2025.120526},
pmid = {40763823},
issn = {1873-3492},
abstract = {Viral pandemics pose severe threats to human health and societal stability, exemplified by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019. Conventional viral detection methods such as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typically require trained personnel, expensive equipment, and 2-4 h for processing. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) and Argonaute (Ago) system-based detection methods achieve attomolar sensitivity or single-copy detection limits with single-base specificity within 1 h, without requiring complex or costly instruments. This review firstly introduces the mechanisms and functions of CRISPR/Cas systems (Cas9, Cas12, Cas13) and Ago systems. It also introduces viruses with significant social impact, and continued with reviewing applications of these systems in single and multiplex virus detection. Single viral detection includes recently developed DNA/RNA-activated Cas9 detection (DACD/RACD) using Cas9 trans-cleavage activity, Cas12-based DNA Endonuclease-targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter (DETECTR) with attomolar sensitivity, CRISPR/Cas13a-based Fluorescent Nanoparticle SARS-CoV-2 (CFNS) achieving 1 copy/mL sensitivity with quantum dot reporters, and amplification-free mobile phone detection detecting 31 copies/μL without amplification. Multiplex viral detection includes Microfluidic Device Integrated with CRISPR/Cas12a and Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (MiCaR) enabling 30-plex detection through microfluidic chips with spatial discrimination, PfAgo-mediated Nucleic acid Detection (PAND) utilizing Ago-produced guide sequences for 5-plex detection, Specific High-Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing v2 (SHERLOCKv2) achieving 4-plex detection with multi-enzyme single-reaction systems, and Multiplexed Evaluation of Nucleic acids (CARMEN) supporting over 100 target assays. Finally, this review discusses challenges in CRISPR/Cas and Ago-based detection methods, including Protospacer Adjacent Motif (PAM) sequence requirements for Cas9/12, prolonged reaction times due to nucleic acid extraction/amplification, and instability of core components like nucleases and crRNAs. Detection specificity and multiplex capabilities could be further improved. Future directions are outlined for improving detection specificity, developing multiplex capabilities and advancing POCT. Developing diagnostic tools using CRISPR/Cas and Ago systems could transform molecular diagnostics, such tools promise to be easily accessible worldwide. They are essential for precise identification and strategic containment of infectious disease transmission.},
}

@article {pmid40762988,
year = {2025},
author = {Gusmão, ACS and Scaléa, ACR and Uehara, SCDSA},
title = {Symptoms of long COVID in children and adolescents: a scoping review.},
journal = {Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P},
volume = {59},
number = {},
pages = {e20240435},
doi = {10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2024-0435en},
pmid = {40762988},
issn = {1980-220X},
mesh = {Humans ; Adolescent ; Child ; *COVID-19/complications/diagnosis/epidemiology/physiopathology ; Age Factors ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To map the symptoms of Long Covid (LC) presented by children and adolescents.

METHOD: This is a scoping review, using the search engines Web of Science, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, and PUBMED, following the principles of the Joanna Briggs Institute.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were selected, which showed that fatigue, headache, dyspnea, and cough were the most frequent symptoms of LC. There is a tendency for the development of child-adolescent LC related to the increase in age range, and the correlation between LC and predominant sex proved to be inconclusive. The presence of comorbidities, such as obesity, respiratory, neurological and renal diseases, was the most reported and a study showed an association between Covid-19 vaccine protection and LC.

CONCLUSION: This review points to a plurality of symptomatic manifestations of LC in children and adolescents, changing according to age group and health history.},
}

Humans
Adolescent
Child
*COVID-19/complications/diagnosis/epidemiology/physiopathology
Age Factors

@article {pmid40762948,
year = {2025},
author = {Palmer, M and Seekins, D and Avigan, M and Marcinak, J and Rockey, DC and Regev, A and Shastri, VK and Lewis, JH and Dash, A},
title = {The Impact of COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination on Detection, Assessment, and Management of Suspected Acute Drug-Induced Liver Injury Occurring during Clinical Trials: Consensus Recommendations from the IQ DILI Initiative.},
journal = {Drug safety},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40762948},
issn = {1179-1942},
abstract = {While the acute impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has waned, implications for clinical trials remain. In particular, guidance for evaluation of elevated liver tests due to COVID-19, its treatments, and COVID-19 vaccination is lacking. The IQ DILI Initiative, composed of experts from academia, regulatory agencies, and industry herein propose recommendations to address this gap. Extensive literature review was conducted and structured discussions were held between IQ DILI industry members, regulators, and academic experts in hepatology and DILI. Liver-related manifestations in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 are highly varied. Evidence of liver injury may occur after COVID-19 symptoms resolve and testing is negative. Treatments for COVID-19 may cause liver injury or alter pharmacokinetics. COVID-19 vaccination has been associated with rare but clear hepatotoxicity, typically consistent with drug-induced autoimmune-like hepatitis, although other presentations, severity, latency, and time to resolution have been reported. Liver injury occurred with mRNA and viral vector vaccines, and in individuals with and without underlying autoimmune or liver diseases. Drug developers and investigators should be aware of the potential liver-related manifestations related to COVID-19, its treatments, and COVID-19 vaccination, as this may impact study eligibility and causality assessment during a trial. COVID-19 testing should be considered part of DILI causality assessment, as a positive test may prevent premature termination of the investigational drug. Since clinical trial participants may not consider vaccinations in their medical history, specific inquiry about their receipt is important when liver tests are abnormal during screening and as part of DILI causality assessment.},
}

@article {pmid40762665,
year = {2025},
author = {Heller, AR and Wurmb, T and Franke, A and , },
title = {[Medical decision-making in clinical disaster medicine and in healthcare crises : Applying ethics and law in resource allocation].},
journal = {Unfallchirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40762665},
issn = {2731-703X},
abstract = {In health crises marked by severe resource scarcity, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic and in anticipated scenarios of national or state defence, hospitals face the challenge of maintaining the best possible medical care under ethically and legally responsible conditions. This article analyzes the ethical, legal and operational foundations of resource allocation in clinical disaster medicine. Central to this are the principles of utility maximization, fairness and transparency, which necessitate a shift from standard individual-centered care to a population-oriented crisis response. Medical indication forms the cornerstone of any treatment and must be evidence-based and patient-centered, even under crisis conditions. Therapeutic goals and prognostic assessment within the given resource constraints serve as key criteria for prioritization and allocation decisions. The use of triage category IV (blue) and the implementation of tertiary (ex-post) triage within hospitals are only conceivable under conditions of existential scarcity and require clear legal and ethical justification. Clinical ethics committees and independent triage teams play a pivotal role in decision-making and communication. The legal interpretation, particularly in the context of § 5c of the German Infection Protection Act, remains controversial and demands nuanced evaluation. The article underlines the necessity of consistent decision-making processes, structured documentation and the inclusion of vulnerable populations in crisis planning. Finally, operational strategies, such as tactical abbreviated surgical care (TASC), are presented as resource-efficient approaches to care. The overarching goal is to enable as many patients as possible to access the best achievable medical care, even under extreme conditions, while upholding ethical standards.},
}

@article {pmid40761748,
year = {2025},
author = {Usher, S and Allin, S and Gautier, L and Fierlbeck, K and Sriram, V and Bodner, A and Trapé, C and Shipton, L and Montecalvo, A and Berman, P},
title = {The influence of public health organization on response to the COVID-19 pandemic in four Canadian provinces: A comparative qualitative analysis.},
journal = {Health policy OPEN},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {100146},
pmid = {40761748},
issn = {2590-2296},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Studies of COVID-19 pandemic responses reveal shortcomings that may relate to the organization of public health systems.

OBJECTIVE: This study uncovers the organizational factors that may strengthen pandemic responses in high-income countries through a comparative analysis of four Canadian provinces.

METHODS: We undertook a qualitative multiple case study, collecting data through document review and 103 interviews with government and non-governmental actors involved in pandemic response. Analysis explored how differences in the organization of provincial public health systems influenced decision-making, advisory, coordination and adaptation processes.

RESULTS: The scale of the pandemic positioned the Premier as legitimate decision-maker in all provinces regardless of the distribution of authority in their public health systems. Capacity for generating public health advice was increased through existing or new organizations and highlighted the advantage of links to university expertise. All public health systems relied on healthcare resources for testing programs despite differences in the integration of public health under healthcare governance structures; centralization of healthcare governance was a facilitator. Adapting pandemic control measures to population needs was supported by linkages between organizations capable of apprehending needs and organizations that made decisions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study builds on the literature of pandemic responses across high-income countries and uncovers organizational factors that may enhance agility to rapidly expand capacities, connect actors for emergency responses, and strengthen public health systems.},
}

@article {pmid40760496,
year = {2025},
author = {Rae, JD and Chen, W and Diarra, S and Nghiem, N and Chisholm, RH and Tran-Duy, A and Shearer, F and Devine, A},
title = {Web-based models to inform health policy: A scoping review.},
journal = {Health research policy and systems},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {99},
pmid = {40760496},
issn = {1478-4505},
support = {2025362//Australian National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Health Policy ; *Internet ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Malaria/epidemiology ; *Models, Theoretical ; *Policy Making ; },
abstract = {Health policies must be continually updated as new evidence is generated to ensure the optimal delivery of health interventions and prevention measures. Models are often used to study health problems, but their complexity limits their use by policy-makers. One way to facilitate their use among non-modellers is to develop user-friendly interfaces and make them available online. We conducted a scoping review of journal articles to identify and describe the currently available, interactive, freely available web-based health models that aim to inform health policy relevant to any disease or health issue affecting human populations. This scoping review included 16 web-based models covering 13 diseases or health issues, of which the most common were coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and malaria. The most common model outputs were epidemiological indicators (14/16), such as case numbers, incidences, or results from diagnostic screening, followed by the cost of implementing the intervention or health measure of interest (10/16). Model validation was performed in 6 of the 16 studies by comparing the model results with the previously published evidence or comparing simulated outcomes with observed data. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted for 62.5% of models (10/16); however, in most cases, the user can perform these analyses by changing the model parameters in the user interface. This review explores the potential of web-based models to support health policy decisions and resource allocation. Despite their limited number, the 16 interactive web-based health models provide valuable insights into various health issues, primarily infectious diseases. The usability of the currently available web-based health models is impacted by the accuracy of the model description, the ability of the user to alter parameter values and the model assumptions that limit their generalizability. Such models must be validated and incorporate appropriate sensitivity analyses to be reliable and helpful to policy-makers.},
}

Humans
*Health Policy
*Internet
COVID-19/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Malaria/epidemiology
*Models, Theoretical
*Policy Making