ABSTRACTBackground: Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugees is higher compared to the general population, and barriers in accessing mental health care are often experienced. With staggering numbers of people seeking refuge around the world, and 40% being 18 years or younger, effective trauma-focused therapies for refugee children with PTSD are highly needed.Objective: A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to provide an overview of, and to analyse, intervention studies using PTSD measures in young refugees, assessing treatment effectiveness and addressing efforts to mitigate barriers to mental health care.Method: Eleven databases were searched for studies evaluating trauma-focused treatments (TFT) for refugee children (0-18). Meta-analyses were conducted for all included studies grouped together; and second, per intervention type, using posttreatment measures and follow-up measures. Pooled between-group effect sizes (ESs) and pre-post ESs, using a random-effects model were calculated.Results: A total of 47 studies was retrieved, with 32 included in the meta-analyses. The narrative review highlighted positive outcomes in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms for CBT-based interventions, EMDR therapy, KIDNET, and other treatments such as art therapy. Meta-analyses revealed medium pooled pre-post ESs for CBT-based interventions (ES = -.55) and large for EMDR therapy (ES = -1.63). RCT and CT studies using follow-up measures showed promising outcomes for KIDNET (ES = -.49). High heterogeneity of the included studies limited interpretation of several other combined effects. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the generally low quality of the included studies. All studies addressed efforts to minimize treatment barriers.Conclusion: More high-quality studies are urgently needed to inform treatment recommendations. Evidence-based therapies, such as CBT-based interventions, EMDR therapy, and KIDNET, demonstrate promising findings but need further replication. Strategies to overcome barriers to treatment may be necessary to reach this population.

Background: Women report higher rates of trauma-related disorders compared to men. With women being disproportionately impacted by the consequences of natural hazards, this gender disparity may increase in their aftermath.Objective: This meta-analysis aimed at quantifying gender gaps in mental disorder prevalence following natural hazards, considering both the recent and long-term aftermath of natural hazards, the developmental status of affected countries, and type of hazard.Method: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science in February 2024. Random effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) based on point prevalences. OR adjusted for covariates were also descriptively reported.Results: In total, 141 reports (N = 3,726,153 independent participants) were included. The prevalence for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression (MD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) within the first year after the hazard were 24.95%, 8.11%, and 14.24%, respectively. More than one-year post-natural hazard the prevalence for PTSD and MD were 22.89% and 13.51%, respectively. Women had significantly higher odds for PTSD (OR = 1.85) and MD (OR = 1.52) within the first year after the hazard, as well as in later assessments (OR = 1.83 for PTSD, OR = 1.41 for MD). Only four studies reported on GAD gender differences in the recent aftermath of natural hazards, resulting in a non-significant OR of 1.85. Subgroup analyses indicated no differences between developmental status of affected countries and adjusted OR showed no systematic variations upon the inclusion of covariates. Gender differences were larger in the aftermath of earthquakes.Conclusions: Significant gender differences for mental disorders following natural hazards exist, although these differences appear similar to other contexts. Gender-sensitive disaster response plans for mental health are essential.

Background: As the number of older adults increases worldwide, understanding their mental health is crucial, including the impact of traumatic experiences that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, validated screening and diagnostic instruments for PTSD in older adults are limited.Objective: We sought to provide a comprehensive summary of the diagnostic accuracy of PTSD screening and diagnostic instruments used in older adults (Mage ≥ 60 years).Method: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases was conducted for January 1980 through 10 January 2025. Studies that focused on the psychometric properties of PTSD instruments in older adults were included.Results: Out of 21,197 publications screened, only 40 studies including 24 instruments met the eligibility criteria. Only seven were conducted with participants from the general population or primary care patient samples. There were 14 relevant studies in the last ten years, with only six based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. Validation studies conducted in non-Western and/or non-English speaking older adult samples are rare.Conclusions: There is a shortage of validation studies of PTSD screening and diagnostic tools in the general older adult population. We recommend using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 in clinical practice. It is the gold standard for assessing current and lifetime PTSD in the general population. Further research is required to establish evidence-based clinical cut-off scores and cross-cultural validity for PTSD screening in different populations of older adults. Future studies should also assess measures that consider the multimorbidity in this population (e.g. cognitive impairment and other psychiatric or medical disorders) and are easy to administer in clinical practice.

This study aims to identify and summarize existing qualitative empirical research on children's experiences of living with their mental ill-health.

A scoping review with a systematic search of the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO was conducted. The search generated 9,864 studies, which were screened by title, abstract, and full text.

Forty articles were included comprising 826 children aged 8-19 years. The key findings were described in four themes: Identifying oneself with mental ill-health, Managing suffering and daily challenges, Seeking supportive and caring relationships and Navigating a complex school environment. Being identified with mental ill-health brought challenges for children's everyday struggles. Their own coping strategies as well as supportive relationships with friends and adults were important. However, the balance between support and stress was complex.

Children have a desire to manage and comprehend their complex everyday lives of living with mental ill-health and wish for supported yet independent decision-making. Attitudes of friends, adults and professionals are important in providing understanding and non-judgemental support, valuable for children's well-being. Open conversations about mental health and providing accessible, child-centred interventions based on the needs expressed by children are necessary. This study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the central role of children's voices in matters of mental ill-health.

Haemophilia is a rare genetic disease that hinders blood clotting. We aimed to review model-based cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of haemophilia treatments, describe the sources of clinical evidence used by these CEAs, summarize the reported cost-effectiveness of different treatment strategies, and assess the quality and risk of bias.

We conducted a systematic literature review of model-based CEAs of haemophilia treatments by searching databases, the Tufts Medical Center CEA registry, and grey literature. We summarized and qualitatively synthesized the approaches and results of the included CEAs, without a meta-analysis due the diversity of the studies.

32 eligible studies were performed in 12 countries and reported 53 pairwise comparisons. Most studies analysed patients with haemophilia A rather than haemophilia B. Comparisons of prophylactic versus on-demand treatment indicated that prophylaxis may not be cost-effective, but there was no clear consensus. Emicizumab was generally cost-effective compared with clotting factor treatments and was always dominant for patients with inhibitors. Immune tolerance induction following a Malmö protocol was found to be cost-effective compared to bypassing agents, while there was no consensus for the other protocols. Gene therapies as well as treatment with extended half-life coagulation factors were always cost-effective over their comparators. Studies were highly heterogenous regarding their time horizons, model structures, the inclusion of bleeding-related mortality and quality-of-life impacts. This heterogeneity limited the comparability of the studies. 19 of the 32 included studies received industry funding, which may have biased their results.

It was not possible to perform a quantitative synthesis of the results due to the heterogeneity of the underlying studies.

Differences in results between previous CEAs may have been driven by heterogeneity in modelling approaches, clinical input data, and potential funding biases. A more consistent evidence base and modelling approach would enhance the comparability between CEAs.

Job satisfaction among healthcare workers is essential for maintaining high-quality care. Previous research has shown different levels of job satisfaction, but there is no comprehensive list of determinants of job satisfaction among healthcare workers. This study aims to provide a comprehensive list of determinants of job satisfaction in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar). A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across five databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and review using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) quality assessment checklist. The review was undertaken between 1 January 2012 and 4 November 2022. Five hundred titles and abstracts were screened, yielding 73 eligible studies for inclusion in this review. Of the included studies, 60 were carried out in Saudi Arabia (82.2%), six in Oman (8.2%), three in Qatar (4.1%), two in the United Arab Emirates (2.7%), one in Kuwait (1.4%), and one in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (1.4%). The analysis identified 14 key determinants of job satisfaction among healthcare workers in GCC: pay, promotion, co-workers, supervision, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, operating conditions, nature of work, communication, workload, leadership style, relation with patients, demographic variables, and others, such as hospital type. Thus, our study expands on Spector's nine determinants model of job satisfaction, hence providing a wider and more detail insight into job satisfaction in workplace.

The direct superior approach (DSA) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive substitute for the posterior approach (PA) in hip arthroplasty (HA), with the potential to provide better perioperative and functional outcomes. Nevertheless, the current evidence comparing the two approaches is limited and conflicting. Hence, we carried out this study to assess the DSA compared to PA in patients undergoing HA.

A comprehensive search, encompassing PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, was conducted from inception until April 2025. Studies that compare DSA to PA for patients undergoing HA were included. The primary outcome was the duration of hospital stay, while the secondary outcomes were incision length, functional outcomes, discharge, surgery revision rates, and complications. Mean difference (MD) with a 95 % confidence interval (C.I.) was employed for pooling the continuous variables, while the categorical data were analysed as risk ratio (RR) with a 95 % CI.

Twelve studies, incorporating 147,098 patients, constituted our review. Our pooled estimate favored the DSA in decreasing the duration of hospital stay (MD = -0.95, 95 % CI [-1.32 to -0.57], p = 0.001), and shortening the incision length (MD = -5.16, 95 % CI [-6.48 to -3.85], p = 0.001) compared to the PA. Furthermore, DSA showed notably lower VAS pain scores (MD = -0.39, 95 % CI [-0.69 to -0.09], p = 0.01) and a reduced risk of discharge to rehabilitation (RR = 0.55, 95 % CI [0.40 to 0.75], p = 0.001). However, our pooled analysis did not detect significant differences between the two approaches regarding functional scores, such as HOOS subscales, HHS, OHS, WOMAC, revision rate, and complications.

DSA was associated with a lower hospital stay, shorter incision length, and lower VAS pain scores than the PA. Additionally, no substantial differences were detected regarding functional parameters or complications.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular vancomycin powder in reducing prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in primary hip and knee arthroplasty through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

A research in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify randomized clinical trials comparing intra-articular vancomycin use to conventional antibiotic prophylaxis in total hip or knee arthroplasty patients, assessing postoperative infection rates, adverse drug reactions, and venous thrombotic events. Statistical analysis was performed using R (RStudio 2024.04.2), and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 test.

A total of 1485 patients from five randomized clinical trials were included, with 737 receiving intra-articular vancomycin. The infection rate was 0.54 % in the intervention group and 1.73 % in the control group (RR 0.37; 95 % CI 0.02-8.95; p = 0.369; I2 = 49 %), showing no statistically significant difference between the groups. Adverse reactions to the glycopeptide were reported in six cases (0.8 %) in the intervention group compared to four cases (0.5 %) in the control group (RR 1.50; 95 % CI 1.50-150; p = 0.001; I2 = 0 %). Regarding thrombotic events, there was one case in 647 patients in the intervention group and three cases in 660 patients in the control group (RR 0.45; 95 % CI 0.03-7.02; p = 0.169; I2 = 0 %).

Although no significant difference was found, the intervention group showed a trend toward lower infection rates. Additional RCTs with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings.

The prospective registration of the meta-analysis was conducted on PROSPERO in July 2024 with the protocol number 565988.

To provide an overview of available strategies and tools that support physiotherapists to recognise patients with LHL and to adapt the physiotherapeutic communication during the diagnostic phase.

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for publications appearing between 2000 and June 2024. Additional grey literature was searched up till October 2022. Studies were included if they described strategies and tools aimed at supporting communication with patients with Limited Health Literacy in physiotherapy. Exclusion criteria focusing on general health literacy prevalence, behavioural interventions, or basic communication training.

Out of the 9960 unique studies identified by our literature searches, 314 full-text studies were assessed and 98 met the inclusion criteria. The data on strategies and tools were extracted into the following six categories: verbal communication (n = 3), written communication (n = 34), digital device (n = 9), questionnaire (n=19), interpreter (n = 22), and other media (n = 2). Within these categories, tools and strategies were further classified based on the communication aims. Some tools and strategies were uncategorisable.

While various strategies and tools exist for recognising patients with limited Health Literacy, they are often generic and not tailored to the physiotherapeutic context. This scoping review identifies a gab in physiotherapeutic approaches, particularly on those that go beyond information provision.

To improve communication in physiotherapy practice, there is a need for the development of tailored strategies and tools that reflect the specific dynamic of the physiotherapeutic process. We recommend engaging in design-based research that involves both patient and physiotherapist to co-create tools and strategies. In the meantime, physiotherapists are advised to use general communication strategies and tools and refer to our resources to select tools that best align with their specific goals.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether the use of posts reduces failure rates in endodontically treated teeth compared to restorations without posts.

The systematic review followed the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions and adhered to the PRISMA checklist. The study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42021258906).

Electronic database searches were conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to October 2024, with supplementary searches in the grey literature (ProQuest and ClinicalTrials.gov). The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool, and certainty of the evidence was performed using GRADE. A meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 program, with the significance level set at P < .05.

The search identified 2352 articles, of which 23 articles were selected for full-text analysis, and 13 randomized clinical trials were included in the synthesis. Overall, restorations with posts showed significantly lower failure rates compared to those without posts (P = .001; Risk Ratio [RR]: 0.61). Subgroup analysis demonstrated favorable outcomes for post-use in indirect restorations (P < .001; RR: 0.44). whereas no significant differences were observed for direct restorations (P = .74; RR: 1.10). Further analysis revealed significant benefits only for prefabricated fiber posts (P < .001; RR: 0.54) and customizable fiberglass posts (P = .001; RR: 0.66). In contrast, cast post and core (P = .66; RR: 0.84) and prefabricated metallic posts (P = .67; RR: 1.19), showed no significant difference compared to restorations without posts. Five of the included studies had a low risk of bias, while seven were rated as having some concerns. The overall certainty of the evidence was classified as low due to the risk of bias, indirectness, and imprecision.

Prefabricated or customized fiber posts effectively reduce failure risk in endodontically treated teeth in cases of indirect restorations. For direct restoration, the use of posts appears optional and should be determined based on case-specific factors. However, further well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings due to the low certainty of evidence.

Prefabricated or customized fiber posts are recommended for supporting coronal reconstruction in indirect restorations of endodontically treated teeth. In contrast, direct restorations allow for dental reconstruction without the use of intraradicular posts.

Maternal health disparities are recognized as a significant public health challenge, with pronounced disparities evident across racial, socioeconomic, and geographic dimensions. Although healthcare technologies have advanced, these disparities remain primarily unaddressed, indicating that enhanced analytical approaches are needed.

This review aims to evaluate the impact of machine learning (ML) and statistical methods on identifying and addressing maternal health disparities and to outline future research directions for enhancing these methodologies.

Following the PRISMA guidelines, the review of studies employing ML and statistical methods to analyze maternal health disparities within the United States was conducted. Publications between January 1, 2012, and February 2024 were systematically searched through PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria targeted studies conducted within the U.S., peer-reviewed articles published during the period, research covering the postpartum period up to one year post-delivery, and studies incorporating both maternal and infant health data with a focus primarily on maternal outcomes.

A total of 147 studies met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. Among these, 129 (88 %) utilized statistical methods in health sciences to analyze correlations, treatment effects, and public health initiatives, thus providing vital, actionable insights for policy and clinical decisions. Meanwhile, 18 articles (12 %) applied ML techniques to explore complex, nonlinear relationships in data. The findings indicate that while ML and statistical methods offer valuable insights into the factors contributing to health disparities, there are limitations regarding dataset diversity and methodological precision. Most studies concentrate on racial and socioeconomic inequalities, with fewer addressing the geographical aspects of maternal health. This review emphasizes the necessity for broader dataset utilization and methodology improvements to enhance the findings' predictive accuracy and applicability.

ML and statistical methods show great potential to transform maternal healthcare by identifying and addressing disparities. Future research should focus on broadening dataset diversity, improving methodological precision, and enhancing interdisciplinary efforts.

Background The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Arabic-speaking countries varies from 1.2 % (Jordan) to almost 40 % (Saudi Arabia). Untreated GDM increases the risk of poor maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Objective This systematic scoping review aims to examine the current literature to determine the effectiveness of interventions designed to manage and prevent GDM across Arabic-speaking countries. Design Systematic scoping review. Methods Employing the PRISMA-ScR and the AND-EAL for study quality and bias assessment, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using 12 databases and search terms relevant to GDM interventions conducted across the League of Arab states. The search period includes intervention studies published up to and including August 31st, 2024. Findings Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions conducted included those modeled on the Health Behavior Change model, Theory of Reasoned Action and the PRECEDE model, constructs of Social Cognitive Theory including self-efficacy, GDM self-management, lifestyle management and BASNEF model-based empowerment. The intervention studies had positive effect on GDM knowledge, self-efficacy, A1C levels, quality of life, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Conclusion Prevention and management of GDM is important in addressing maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Interventions designed with a theoretical framework and those that are culturally tailored are more likely to elicit behavior change.

To identify studies that explored pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes regarding Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Scopus, Medline (via Pubmed), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), and PsycINFO databases until July 2024. Cross-sectional studies that measured pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward AD using structure instruments were included. Two reviewers independently performed the selection of studies, data extraction, and methodological assessment.

Ten studies published between 2016 and 2024, involving 7810 participants, were included. Most studies were conducted in Asia (n = 5), in community pharmacies (n = 8), and used the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (n = 8). The response rate varied from 8 % to 100 %, while the percentage of correct responses about AD ranged from 50.1 % to 85.3 %. A knowledge gap was identified in areas such as recognizing symptoms, understanding risk factors for AD development, and providing effective patient care. Pharmacists demonstrated greater expertise in the pharmacological management of AD.

The findings suggest the need for training programs and interventions targeting pharmacists working in services that care for patients with AD.

In the last decade, water contamination by pesticides has become a global concern, and phytoremediation has gained increasing attention. This approach is cost-effective and ecologically beneficial, revealing the abilities of plants to remove, detoxify, or immobilize environmental contaminants. Despite the growing number of publications, some questions remain: (i) How effectively do aquatic plants reduce pesticides in water? (ii) How is the effectiveness of water phytoremediation influenced by plant characteristics, pesticide properties, and environmental/experimental conditions? To answer those questions, we conducted a meta-analysis with 405 extracted pairs of data points from 56 studies to systematically analyze and explore the efficiency of pesticide removal by aquatic plants. We found that, compared to the control without plants, aquatic vegetation increases pesticide removal from water by 38.86 % (95 % CI = 31.50-46.21 %). We conducted subgroup and meta-regression analyses to identify factors influencing the global effect size. The taxonomy (order) and the life form of the plants did not significantly influence the degree of pesticide removal. The removal efficiency was influenced by pesticides' type/mode of action, with insecticides being less efficiently removed than other pesticides. Additionally, we observed higher phytoremediation efficiency with increasing log KOW (lipophilicity), molecular mass, and in experiments conducted with contaminant mixtures. Environmental conditions also influenced removal efficiency, with higher temperatures and light intensity enhancing phytoremediation. Our results provide insights into the key factors determining the success of phytoremediation in aquatic environments contaminated by pesticides, thereby guiding decision-making on using this technology and directing new research toward developing strategies to enhance its effectiveness.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to investigate the association between Animal Protein Intake (API) and overweight/obesity across different age groups.

This review is registered in the International Prospective Register Of Systematic Reviews - PROSPERO database (CRD42023467451). Observational studies on the association between API and the outcome of overweight/obesity were included, up to September 2024, from ten databases. The risk of bias and study quality appraisal was assessed using the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) tools for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed with 14 and 11 studies, respectively, assessing individuals aged eight to 89 years, 55 % female. The meta-analysis indicated an increased likelihood of obesity with API in two cross-sectional studies (OR 1.18; 95 %CI 1.12-1.24; p < 0.001; I2: 0 %). Daily intake of animal protein ranging from 44.7 to 67.8 g/day (or 8.8 %-11.4 % of Kcal/day, on average) was associated with obesity. The risk of bias was considered low/moderate for most studies according to AHRQ, and four of the six cohort studies were rated as moderate quality by NOS.

API appears to be associated with a higher likelihood of developing overweight/obesity, and increased Body Mass Index (BMI). Despite the multicausal nature of obesity, these findings suggest that reducing API may decrease the likelihood of overweight/obesity in the studied age groups.

Sarcopenia and intrinsic capacity are closely linked factors that impact the health and functional aging of older adults.

This systematic review aims to investigate the associations between the domains of IC and sarcopenia in older adults.

The study follows PRISMA guidelines and is registered on PROSPERO. The review included original studies (cohort, cross-sectional, or randomized controlled trials) with participants aged 60+ diagnosed with sarcopenia (based on EWGSOP or other recognized definitions). Intrinsic capacity (IC) was assessed based on the five domains defined within the IC framework-cognition, locomotion, sensory, psychological, and vitality. The Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach developed by the World Health Organization supports the optimization of IC and functional ability through person-centred and coordinated care. Exclusion criteria included studies with insufficient data on sarcopenia prevalence and IC scores, as well as reviews or studies unrelated to sarcopenia or IC.

A total of 397 articles were identified, with 5 meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies, involving 6651 participants aged 60 to 82 years (54.8 % male, 45.2 % female), examined the association between sarcopenia and intrinsic capacity in older adults, using the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia proposed by the EWGSOP and assessing IC based on its key components. Despite the limited number of studies, the findings suggest a significant link between declining intrinsic capacity and sarcopenia.

These results underscore the importance of a multifactorial approach in assessing and managing sarcopenia, which may improve early detection and support healthy aging.

Nitric oxide is a vasodilator molecule that acts on blood pressure (BP) control, and its production can occur through the reduction of nitrates by oral or intestinal nitrate-reducing bacteria. However, the relationship between nitrate-reducing bacteria and arterial hypertension (HTN) remains under debate.

Systematically review if there is an association between the abundance of oral and intestinal nitrate-reducing bacteria and the occurrence of HTN in humans.

MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, Web of Science, Livivo, ProQuest Dissertations, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible articles until February 10th, 2024. Studies were included if they: (1) were observational studies or clinical trials; (2) included adults (≥18 years old) with HTN (systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 80 mmHg and/or use of BP lowering medication); (3) compared (or not) to no-HTN adults; and (4) used next-generation sequencing microbiome analysis to identify bacterial taxa in the oral and/or gut nitrate-reducing bacteria.

The search identified 9365 articles, and 28 were included in the study after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria; 23 articles assessed the gut microbiota, 4 assessed the oral microbiota, and 1 assessed both. Depletion of nitrate-reducing bacteria was not consistently shown in the studies. The included studies reported reduction, increase, and no change in the nitrate-reducing bacteria genera or species in oral or gut microbiota.

We found no association between the abundance of oral and gut nitrate-reducing bacteria and the occurrence of HTN in humans.

PROSPERO identification number CRD42022315891.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) represents a growing health concern worldwide. Among the pursuit of therapeutic interventions, interest in natural bioactive compounds has intensified because of their potential hepatoprotective effects. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides on MAFLD through the current literatures, encompassing their mechanisms of action. Key outcomes evaluated included changes in liver enzymes, liver lipid content, inflammation markers, and histopathological improvements. Preliminary findings suggest a potential beneficial effect of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides on the improvement of MAFLD-related parameters, with mechanisms implicating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties. This review highlights emerging evidence supporting the potential therapeutic role of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides in the management of MAFLD. However, more well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations are warranted to elucidate their efficacy, optimal dose, and long-term safety.

Impairment in self-awareness (ISA) is an important obstacle in neurorehabilitation of severe acquired brain injury (ABI) patients since it can cause failure in adopting adequate compensatory strategies, or the implementation of ineffective or dangerous behaviors. Accordingly, it should be assessed as early and accurately as possible, even if, to date, no consensus exists on how best to measure SA, and on its explanatory models. The present systematic review aimed to address: (a) to which extent ISA has been assessed in studies enrolling severe ABI patients; (b) whether studies on assessment of SA after severe ABI considered any explanatory models of SA and which measures have been utilized accordingly; (c) possible gaps or criticism in the extant research on severe ABI patients; and (d) to provide a novel proposal for SA assessment/classification based on the results and discussion from the systematic review conducted in this well selected population of patients. A systematic review was carried out in the databases PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO; 701 studies were retrieved and finally 54 met the inclusion criteria. Our review evidenced the paucity of studies on assessment of SA in patients with severe ABI that specified the model and the level of SA. Only a few measures of SA went beyond its intellectual and declarative aspects, thus hindering an exhaustive assessment and a full comprehension of SA. Accordingly, we propose a more comprehensive classification of offline anticipatory SA, with some important implications in the neurorehabilitation field. The review demonstrated the need of measuring SA beyond its declarative level, differentiating between declarative and real anticipatory SA, as well as of assessing SA at both offline and online levels.

Menopause, a crucial transitioning stage for women, can significantly impact mood and wellbeing. We aimed to systematically examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on health outcomes, including menopausal symptoms, quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, anxiety, depressive symptoms, stress, mindfulness levels, and female sexual function index.

Eight databases were searched from inception to November 4, 2024 for randomized controlled trials. Two researchers independently selected, extracted, and appraised trials using the Cochrane Collaboration's 'risk of bias' tool. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression were performed using Stata 18.0. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the quality of evidence.

A total of 19 studies (1670 participants) published between 2011 and 2024 were identified. Of these, 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control group, The pooled analysis demonstrated that MBIs had statistically significant effects on menopausal symptoms (SMD, -2.10; 95 % CI, -3.49 to -0.70), QOL (SMD, -0.88; 95 % CI, -1.67 to -0.09), sleep quality (SMD, -0.92; 95 % CI, -1.65 to -0.20), anxiety (SMD, -1.03; 95 % CI, -1.42 to -0.66), depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.91; 95 % CI, -1.30 to -0.53), stress (SMD, -0.85; 95 % CI, -1.55 to -0.15), and mindfulness levels (SMD, 1.19; 95 % CI, 0.35 to 2.02). The overall quality of evidence for all pooled estimates were graded as low and moderate due to methodological limitations and small sample size. The low attrition rate (6 %) and relatively high adherence rate (79 %) highlight the acceptability of MBIs.

This systematic review and meta-analysis support using of MBIs to improve health outcomes in menopausal women. Rigorous randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up are needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking MBIs to menopausal health and strengthen evidence for clinical application.

Approximately 50% women who give birth after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) develop anal incontinence (AI) over their lifetime.

To evaluate current evidence for a protective benefit of planned caesarean section (CS) to prevent AI after OASI.

MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase 1974-2024, CINAHL and Cochrane to 7 February 2024 (PROSPERO CRD42022372442).

All studies reporting outcomes after OASI and a subsequent birth, by any mode.

Eighty-six of 2646 screened studies met inclusion criteria, with nine studies suitable to meta-analyse the primary outcome of 'adjusted AI' after OASI and subsequent birth. Subgroups: short-term AI, long-term AI, AI in asymptomatic women.

total AI, quality of life, satisfaction/regret, solid/liquid/flatal incontinence, faecal urgency, AI in women with and without subsequent birth, change in AI pre- to post- subsequent birth.

There was no evidence of a difference in adjusted AI after subsequent vaginal birth compared with CS after OASI across all time periods (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.72-1.20; 9 studies, 2104 participants, I2 = 0% p = 0.58), for subgroup analyses or secondary outcomes. There was no evidence of a difference in AI in women with or without subsequent birth (OR = 1.00 95% CI 0.65-1.54; 10 studies, 970 participants, I2 = 35% p = 0.99), or pre- to post- subsequent birth (OR = 0.79 95% CI 0.51-1.25; 13 studies, 5496 participants, I2 = 73% p = 0.31).

Due to low evidence quality, we are unable to determine whether planned caesarean is protective against AI after OASI. Higher quality evidence is required to guide personalised decision-making for asymptomatic women and to determine the effect of subsequent birth mode on long-term AI outcomes.

The potential introduction of cultivated meat products to the market, framed as sustainable alternative to conventional animal-source foods, underscores the need to examine psychological barriers and predisposing factors influencing consumer acceptance. Familiarity is often considered a facilitating factor, based on the premise that higher familiarity with cultivated meat is associated with greater acceptance. However, evidence remains contradictory and poorly integrated. This review examines and organizes the literature on familiarity with cultivated meat and its influence on consumer acceptance. A scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted on June 7, 2024, following PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Comprehensive searches across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo included no restrictions on participant type, geographic location, social and cultural contexts, language, or publication time. 63 articles were analyzed to examine (i) definitions of familiarity, (ii) methodologies measuring familiarity with cultivated meat, and (iii) evidence regarding its influence on consumer acceptance of cultivated meat. Results indicate that current research on familiarity is largely based on non-representative samples, with data recency limitations, and inconsistent operationalization. Familiarity is often conflated with the related yet distinct constructs of awareness and knowledge, revealing a lack of clarity in literature. The review also identified various approaches for assessing familiarity, all lacking psychometric rigor, hindering replicability and comparability of findings. This review highlights the need for further research to clarify the theoretical and operational definition of familiarity and its role in consumer acceptance of cultivated meat.

Aerobic exercise improves cognitive functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), while dance, combining music and synchronized movement, offers additional cognitive benefits. Despite music's potential role in enhancing cognitive outcomes, most research on aerobic exercise has not considered the impact of accompanying music. This review compared the effectiveness of aerobic exercise with music, aerobic exercise without music, and dance on cognitive function in adults with MCI. A total of 38 papers from 25 randomized controlled trials (N = 2048) were synthesized. The multilevel meta-analyses showed that compared to the control group, global cognition was improved by aerobic exercise with music (g = 1.2 [0.47, 1.94]), aerobic exercise without music (g = 0.48 [0.18, 0.79]), and dance (g = 0.55 [0.13, 0.96]). Dance also enhanced short-term memory (g = 0.41 [0.24, 0.59]), learning efficiency (g = 0.39 [0.14, 0.65]), and retrieval fluency (g = 0.7 [0.19, 1.22]). Bayesian network meta-analyses indicated that aerobic exercise with music had the highest probability of being the most effective for improving global cognition, executive function, and processing speed. Dance was likely to be the most beneficial for enhancing short-term memory, learning efficiency, and retrieval fluency. This study supports that incorporating music in exercise amplifies the cognitive benefits beyond exercise alone for individuals with MCI. The "Music Exercise Synergy Model" is proposed to explain the cognitive benefits of combining music with exercise. Dance strategically uses music for coordination, offering psychological, social, cognitive, and neurobiological benefits and contributing to the observed enhancements in memory functions.

The production of chemical pesticides poses a critical threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide, with sub-lethal impacts evident at even relatively low concentrations. Historically, ecotoxicologists have ignored an organism's social context when investigating the effects of pesticide exposure and, instead, have tended to focus on individual-level impacts. Recently, however, there has been a growing interest in understanding the impacts of pesticide exposure on social behaviour. Despite this shift, a holistic understanding of how pesticides impact conspecific interactions (i.e., social behaviour towards individuals of the same species) is lacking due to the multitude of behaviours, pesticides and species currently investigated. In this meta-analysis, we examine the effects of pesticide exposure on conspecific interactions in fish by using data collected from 37 studies on 31 pesticides and 11 species. Our results indicate that pesticide exposure generally reduces the expression of conspecific interactions, but it does not affect the variability of responses between individuals. Courtship behaviour was the most impaired, suggesting that pesticide exposure could weaken how matings are partitioned among individuals in a population. Triazoles and organochlorines were the most impactful pesticide classes for mean differences in behaviour, while triazoles and organophosphates had the greatest effects on response variability. These findings indicate that endocrine-disrupting and neurotoxic pesticides can impact fish conspecific interactions, regardless of their chemical class. Unfortunately, there is a large taxonomic bias in the literature, with most studies using zebrafish as a model, which, in turn, provides scope for studies using a broader range of fish species. We found little statistical evidence of publication biases in our dataset and our results were validated by sensitivity analyses. Overall, our synthesis suggests that pesticides broadly reduce the expression of social behaviours, though effects vary across behaviours, pesticide types, and fish species.

This study assessed the impact of radiotherapy (RT) techniques on chronic skin reactions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients, comparing conventional RT with modern techniques such as intensity-modulated RT (IMRT).

A comprehensive search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to April 26, 2024. Conventional RT, which uses 2D or 3D imaging to shape radiation beams without dynamic intensity modulation, was compared with alternate RT techniques for adjuvant breast cancer treatment. Primary outcomes included chronic grade ≥ 2 skin toxicities (hyperpigmentation, breast fibrosis, telangiectasia, edema, and atrophy/retraction) and HRQoL, assessed mainly with EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules. Pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model.

From 1305 screened studies, nine articles representing seven studies (2418 patients), including three randomized controlled trials, met inclusion criteria. Most studies used conventional fractionation (45-50 Gray in 25 fractions). IMRT was associated with a lower incidence of chronic grade ≥ 2 hyperpigmentation (RR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.17-0.89, I2 = 0%) compared to conventional RT. No significant differences were found for grade ≥ 2 breast fibrosis, telangiectasia, edema, and atrophy/retraction. Cosmetic outcomes from IMRT were favorable in the short term, with no long-term differences. Three studies reported no significant HRQoL differences between IMRT and conventional RT.

IMRT may reduce certain chronic skin toxicities compared to conventional RT. However, consistent long-term differences in cosmetic outcomes or HRQoL were not observed. These findings are limited by the small number of studies and variability in reporting standards.

The consumption of nuts has beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, body composition, cognitive functions, the intestinal microbiota, and satiety control, but how nuts and their nutrients impact related gene expression is unclear.

We analyzed the effects of nut consumption on human gene expression as investigated in controlled clinical trials.

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The databases used in the search were MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials conducted to date that evaluated the effect of nut consumption on the mRNA expression of human genes were evaluated according to eligible criteria. Two authors screened and determined the quality of the studies; disagreements were resolved by the third author between May and June 2024. All authors were involved in analyzing the compiled data.

We selected 13 original articles. Most studies evaluated the effects of Brazil nuts, followed by studies using combinations of two or more nuts, with an interventional duration of six weeks to one year. The consumption of hazelnuts and Brazil nuts increased expression in antioxidant-related genes, while beneficial regulation of proinflammatory pathways (tumor necrosis factor - TNF, interleukin-6 - IL-6, and toll-like receptors 2 and 4 - TLR2 and TLR4) was reported after consumption of Brazil nuts. Genes involved in vascular inflammation (eg, ciclooxygenase-2 - COX-2) were downregulated after the consumption of mixed nuts, and the expression of selenoprotein - SELENOP and glutathione peroxidase 1 - GPX1 were regulated according to the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms after the consumption of Brazil nuts. Finally, pistachio consumption reduced telomere oxidation (telomerase reverse transcriptase - TERT and WD repeat containing antisense to TP53 - WRAP53) and downregulated resistin and IL-6 genes.

The consumption of nuts has beneficial effects on human health, modulating gene expression involved in the progression of chronic diseases, with emphasis on the pathways of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular health.

PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024505199.

Strengthening policy research and its translation is essential to improving sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) health. We conducted a scoping review of studies testing the relationship between policy and health for SGMY (aged 13-26) living in the United States to document the scope of research in this area and identify opportunities to advance research in SGMY health policy. Guided by the Population, Concept, and Context framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist, we searched seven databases for English peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 that tested the association between individual or composite measures of policy and mental health, substance use, or sexual health for SGMY aged 26 or younger. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were cross-sectional and heavily relied on Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Eighteen studies observed significant associations between policy and health for SGMY; only two assessed this association specifically for transgender youth. SGMY health and policy scholarship would advance through improved sexual orientation and (in particular) gender identity data collection in national data sources, measurement guidance and design testing, a greater use of longitudinal and quasiexperimental methods, and assessment of proximal mechanisms and implementation strategies through which policies impact health.

This systematic review aimed to consolidate existing MRI findings in penile Mondor's disease (PMD) cases, establish optimal imaging indications, and explore their clinical value.

The protocol for this review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42024592190). Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar on December 1, 2024. Eligible studies included those with clinically diagnosed PMD and MRI findings. Data on patient characteristics, MRI sequences, thrombus stage, and study quality were extracted and assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for case reports.

From 710 records, 4 studies were included, encompassing 4 patients with PMD. The median age of the 4 patients was 35.5 years old (25-53), and 2 were from Turkey. MRI findings highlighted variable thrombus stages (1 acute, 2 subacute, and 1 chronic) and heterogeneous imaging protocols. Only 1 study explicitly mentioned MRI indications. MRI provided detailed assessments of penile anatomy and thrombus characteristics but lacked consistency in usage, timing, and sequence protocols. No studies received a good quality rating; 2 were rated poor, and 1 was fair.

MRI's role in PMD diagnosis is limited, with its utility primarily in complex or atypical cases. Standardized MRI indications and sequence protocols are warranted to optimize its clinical application. More extensive studies are needed to validate its diagnostic and therapeutic impact.

MRI is primarily utilized for complex cases of PMD; however, more systematic documentation of its indications could guide clinicians in determining when MRI is appropriate for PMD patients.

Sleep disturbances are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), significantly impacting quality of life. Melatonin may help, but evidence regarding dosage, formulation, and treatment duration remains inconclusive.

To quantitatively analyze the effect of melatonin on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in patients with PD.

We comprehensively searched multiple databases up to February 2025, selecting relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RevMan software was used for analysis. Subgroup analyses included treatment duration (4 weeks vs. 8-12 weeks), dose (≤4 mg vs. >4 mg), and formulation (immediate-release vs. prolonged-release).

Five RCTs (206 patients) were included. Doses ≤4 mg showed no significant improvement in total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores (MD = -1.26, 95 % CI: -2.72 to 0.20). Doses >4 mg demonstrated a stronger effect (MD = -2.90, 95 % CI: -4.02 to -1.78). Short-term use (4 weeks) significantly improved PSQI scores (MD = -2.43, 95 % CI: -3.98 to -0.88), whereas longer treatment (8-12 weeks) showed a non-significant effect (MD = -1.24, 95 % CI: -3.15 to 0.67). Immediate-release formulations significantly improved PSQI scores (MD = -2.20, 95 % CI: -3.32 to -1.08), while prolonged-release formulations showed no significant effect (MD = -0.61, 95 % CI: -4.15 to 2.93). Melatonin modestly reduced excessive daytime sleepiness measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (MD: -0.97, 95 % CI: -1.81, -0.14).

Melatonin may improve sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness in PD patients, particularly with short-term use of immediate-release formulations.

This bibliometric analysis aims to explore scientific data on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Head and Neck Cancer (HNC).

AI-related HNC articles from the Web of Science Core Collection were searched. VosViewer and Biblioshiny/Bibiometrix for R Studio were used for data synthesis. This analysis covered key characteristics such as sources, authors, affiliations, countries, citations and top cited articles, keyword analysis, and trending topics.

A total of 1,019 papers from 1995 to 2024 were included. Among them, 71.6% were original research articles, 7.6% were reviews, and 20.8% took other forms. The fifty most cited documents highlighted radiology as the most explored specialty, with an emphasis on deep learning models for segmentation. The publications have been increasing, with an annual growth rate of 94.4% after 2016. Among the 20 most productive countries, 14 are high-income economies. The keywords of strong citation revealed 2 main clusters: radiomics and radiotherapy. The most frequently keywords include machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence, and head and neck cancer, with recent emphasis on diagnosis, survival prediction, and histopathology.

There has been an increase in the use of AI in HNC research since 2016 and indicated a notable disparity in publication quantity between high-income and low/middle-income countries. Future research should prioritize clinical validation and standardization to facilitate the integration of AI in HNC management, particularly in underrepresented regions.

This review aimed to analyze and present information on the color of natural teeth and its distribution based on color measurement methods, types of studies, and research areas. Additionally, it identified knowledge gaps in dental color science and suggested areas for future research.

This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist.

An electronic search was conducted in Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science - all databases using the keywords: human, tooth, color, color difference, spectrophotometer, colorimeter, spectroradiometer. The review included exclusively English-written research articles published after 1979, focusing on those in-vivo protocols that instrumentally evaluated the color of natural human teeth and provided CIEL*a*b*, CIEL*C*h° color coordinates, and/or shade guide designation.

The initial database search yielded 2501 results: Medline/Pubmed: n = 482; Scopus: n = 334; and Web of Science All databases: n = 1685. After selection, 53 research articles were included in the review.

Dental color is a complex phenomenon to objectively record, communicate, and reproduce. Although studies have reported color coordinates based on age, gender, ethnicity, and tooth type, there is no consensus within the scientific community. Most studies are cross-sectional, limiting the understanding of tooth color changes over time. Longitudinal studies involving diverse cultures with adequate sample sizes and consistent methodologies are necessary for objective color recording.

Studies assessing the color of in-vivo natural teeth show a high level of heterogeneity due to the diversity in the type of measurement devices used, experimental conditions, illuminant, number of teeth used, area of measurement, and color coordinates reported. Future research must consider more extensive and representative population samples, with standardized reporting of demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity), and more detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria. It is crucial to prioritize the standardization of measurement conditions, using a non-contact instrument, calibration, and detailed reporting of color.

Sex crimes (CS) are a global public health problem with profound negative consequences for victims, their families, and society. The perpetrator's testimony is crucial for case outcomes because sexual offenses are frequently underreported, often due to limited evidence and lack of victim testimonies. Therefore, perpetrator investigative interviews play a decisive role in criminal investigations. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and describe evidence-based investigative interview techniques for gathering testimony from SC perpetrators using a structured methodology. Studies were identified through manual reference checking and in five electronic databases: Scopus, B-On, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies focused on rape and child sexual abuse. Five studies presented interview protocols, while three focused on interview techniques that interviewers should employ to elicit more information. It was possible to conclude that both the presented interviews and the techniques share a similar general structure. Clinical, forensic, and criminal implications are elaborated.

Subanesthetic-dose ketamine has recently been reported to improve hedonic pleasures associated with social interactions and altruism in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. However, whether ketamine-among other glutamate receptor modulators-also improves empathy and/or prosocial behavior in humans remains unknown. Under a framework grounded in neurobiology that proposes that prosocial behavior is preceded by empathy, this systematic review sought to: (1) explore the entactogenic effects of glutamate receptor modulators observed in clinical trials (as either primary or secondary outcomes), and (2) synthesize the findings regarding which glutamate receptor modulators produce entactogenic effects. Thirty studies that included self-reported ratings, neuroimaging, and/or behavioral task outcomes met inclusion criteria suggesting potential entactogenic effects associated with ketamine and, to less convincing extent, d-cycloserine (DCS). The findings suggest that ketamine and DCS may modulate self- and other-perception, involving changes in activity in brain regions involved in empathetic concerns and mentalizing, the ability to understand one's own and others' thoughts and feelings. These findings may guide potential therapeutic interventions for neuropsychiatric conditions associated with impaired empathy and prosocial behavior, including mood disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.

Hemodynamic depression (HD) regularly occurs during carotid artery stenting(CAS) for treating carotid stenosis and it could result in adverse clinical events. This review aimed to clarify the incidence and risk factors for HD.

We searched four comprehensive databases for studies that reported the incidence or risk factors for HD during CAS. We used a modified version of Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. We pooled the prevalence rates of HD and related risk factors from individual studies with a generic inverse variance weighted using the randomized effects model. We reported the results using OR with 95 % CI. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were used to assess the publication bias.

Our meta-analysis enrolled 53 articles and revealed that the incidence of HD was 35 %. Patients who had diabetes (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI: 1.07 to 1.54), stenosis-to-bifurcation <10 mm (OR = 2.11, 95 % CI: 1.29 to 3.48), stenosis involving the carotid bulb (OR = 1.9, 95 % CI: 1.07 to 3.38), calcified plaque (OR = 2.06, 95 % CI: 1.32 to 3.22), eccentric plaque (OR = 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.05 to 2.05), severe stenosis (OR = 1.64, 95 % CI: 1.1 to 2.43), contralateral stenosis (OR = 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.18 to 3.46), open-cell stents (OR = 1.5, 95 % CI: 1.04 to 2.15), and bilateral stenting (OR = 2.32, 95 % CI: 1.56 to 3.44) showed a higher risk of HD.

Diabetes, stenosis-to-bifurcation <10 mm, stenosis involving the carotid bulb, calcified plaque, eccentric plaque, severe stenosis, contralateral stenosis, open-cell stents, and bilateral carotid stenting were associated with HD during CAS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating motor neuron disorder characterized by muscle weakness, atrophy, and spasticity. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Arimoclomol in patients with ALS.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted on 3 databases to discover articles published up to August 2024. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data was analysed using Review Manager (v5.4). Cochrane Risk of Bias-2 (RoB-2) was adopted to assess the quality of RCTs.

A total of 359 patients were analysed, with 239 individuals in the Arimoclomol group and 120 individuals in the placebo group. The pooled analysis of the primary outcome, change in Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score from baseline, did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference favoring the Arimoclomol group (MD = 0.4495; 95% CI: -0.39, 1.27; p = 0.30). Similarly, secondary outcomes, including the Combined Assessment of Function and Survival (CAFS) rank score (MD = 1.00; 95% CI: -2.68, 4.67; p = 0.60), increase in transaminases (RR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.19, 5.70; p = 0.95), mortality rate (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.55, 1.34; p = 0.50), and adverse events (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.55, 1.34; p = 0.50), showed no statistically significant differences between the groups.

This study does not conclusively demonstrate that Arimoclomol has beneficial effects on ALS patients' physical functionality but shows promise for safety. Further clinical trials are needed to explore the neuroprotective effects of Arimoclomol in the treatment of ALS.

Noncardiac arterial procedures (NCAPs) are associated with a high risk of bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used among surgical disciplines to reduce blood loss; however, its effectiveness and safety in NCAP remain unclear. This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of TXA during NCAP.

Systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Literature searches in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases (October 2023 and October 2024) identified studies investigating TXA in open and endovascular NCAP. Meta-analyses were conducted using Cochrane's Review Manager.

Five studies (n = 4304) were identified. One randomized controlled trial of TXA in noncardiac surgery (n = 9535), including a vascular cohort (14.8%; n = 699 TXA, n = 700 placebo), showed lower composite bleeding outcomes in the overall cohort receiving TXA (9.5% vs 11.7%; P < 0.001), but not in the vascular cohort (hazard ratio 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.13). Another trial found no difference in blood loss or transfusion rates in 100 patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Both trials reported no increased cardiovascular or thromboembolic complications (TECs) or 30-day mortality. A prospective study showed similar thrombosis-related technical failure rates in traumatic vascular injury patients (TXA 6.3% vs 3.8%, P = 0.14) and no significant differences in bleeding or hematoma (TXA 11.4% vs 4.3%, P = 0.13). In 297 carotid endarterectomy (CEA) patients, TXA significantly reduced postoperative hematoma (7.9% vs 1.3%; P = 0.01) without increasing TEC or stroke. TXA during an intraoperative hemostasis protocol during CEA (TXA n = 8) reported similar results. Meta-analysis showed no significant differences in TEC (risk ratio [RR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.71-1.70) or reoperation rates (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.19-1.63).

TXA does not increase the risk of TEC in NCAP. However, there is currently insufficient evidence that TXA reduces bleeding complications.

Evidence suggests that psychological interventions during the peri-operative period can help reduce the development of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP); however, there is no evidence of their effects on other important pain-related variables.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of peri-operative psychological interventions for the reduction of postsurgical pain intensity, depression, anxiety, stress and pain catastrophising.

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses (registration number: CRD42023403384). The search for studies was carried out in Web of Science, PsychINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL up to March 2023.

RCTs comparing peri-operative psychological interventions with usual care or nonpsychological control interventions in adult patients with any type of surgery. The main outcome was pain intensity reduction after surgery. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported depression, anxiety, stress and pain catastrophising after surgery.

Twenty-seven RCTs (psychological intervention: 1462 patients; control: 1528 patients) were included in the systematic review and 17 studies for the meta-analysis. Random-effect models were used to combine the effect sizes of the studies. Compared with usual care or control interventions, psychological interventions reduced pain intensity, d = -0.45 95% CI, (-0.77 to -0.13) and anxiety, d = -0.33 95% CI, (-0.54 to -0.11) after surgery. Moderator analyses revealed that psychological interventions delivered by a psychologist were more effective than those delivered by other professionals. CBT seemed the most beneficial for surgical patients. The findings in other moderator analyses were heterogeneous.

Moderate-quality evidence exists that peri-operative psychological interventions can significantly reduce pain intensity and anxiety postsurgery. However, results should be interpreted with caution because of the presence of a high risk of bias in many trials.

We evaluated the efficacy of applying repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rTACS) to patients suffering from visual defects, especially homonymous hemianopia.

Stroke or optic neuropathy would result in vision loss or Visual field defect (VFD) and homonymous hemianopia. Recently, one of the commonly used procedures to relieve VFD is non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS).

A comprehensive search covering publications in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus, spanning until September 2023 was performed. Relevant Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected, and their data were extracted and analyzed. Pooled mean difference (MD) was calculated for change in the high-resolution perimetry detection accuracy (HRP DA) and fixation accuracy (HRP FA), static automated perimetry foveal threshold (SAP FT), and visual acuity (VA) of near vision outcomes.

We pooled in our analysis 4 RCTs. Compared to the sham group, rTACS patients had a significantly higher HRP DA (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI [0.003,0.694] P = 0.048). However, the analysis did not favor any of the compared groups in HRP FA, SAP FT, VA of near vision, and mean threshold (SMD = 0.14; 95% CI [-0.21,0.48] P = 0.43], (SMD = 0.17; 95% CI [-0.11,0.45] P = 0.23), (SMD = 0.32; 95%CI [-0.24,0.88] P = 0.26), and (SMD = 0.31; 95% CI [-0.04,0.65] P = 0.08) respectively.

Current evidence suggests that rTACS exhibits a promising approach in homonymous hemianopia patients, where it significantly increased HRP DA. Despite the results' failure to attain statistical significance in some outcomes, it underscores the necessity for larger RCTs with longer follow-up periods.

To map and critically appraise the literature on the feasibility and current use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess cortical activity, functional connectivity, and neuroplasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

A scoping review methodology was prospectively registered and reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in four databases. Empirical studies using fNIRS to assess neural activity, functional connectivity, or neuroplasticity in individuals with CP aged 3 years or older were included.

Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Individuals with CP (age range = 3-43 years; 70% unilateral CP) underwent fNIRS-based assessment for task-evoked activity (studies [n] = 15) and/or resting-state functional connectivity (n = 3). Preliminary observations suggest greater magnitude, extent, and ipsilateral hemispheric lateralization of sensorimotor cortex activity in CP, while magnitude and patterns of prefrontal cortex activity in CP appear dependent on task demands. Normalization of fNIRS-based activity metrics observed postintervention (n = 3) paralleled improvements in functional outcomes, highlighting their potential as promising biomarkers for functional gains in CP.

This review details the use of fNIRS in CP, highlights research gaps and technical limitations, and offers recommendations to support fNIRS implementation for ecologically valid functional neuroimaging in individuals with CP.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive decline represent significant health challenges with increasing prevalence and significant socioeconomic implications. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between AF and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Inflammation has emerged as a key mediator in cardiovascular and neurological diseases, encouraging an investigation into its role in the atrial fibrillation-cognition association. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating possible inflammatory mechanisms bridging AF and cognitive decline. Studies were assessed for quality and relevance, and data were synthesized using a narrative approach. Five papers were included, with only two longitudinal studies. Inflammatory biomarkers emerged as significant factors associated with both AF and cognitive decline. Three studies revealed a correlation between high-sensitivity CRP (HS-CRP) levels and cognitive decline in patients with AF, AF patients with cerebral infarction, and elderly individuals with AF. However, conflicting results were observed, as one study did not identify any associations between cognitive decline and HS-CRP levels. The scientific literature on this topic is scarce, and the results of existing studies often lack consistency in their findings, highlighting the need for further research to better understand and prevent this significant health burden in patients with AF. So, the results of this study are expected to inform future research directions and cognitive decline risk stratification, guiding the development of targeted interventions aimed at preserving cognitive function and improving outcomes in patients with AF.