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Bibliography on: covid-19

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Robert J. Robbins is a biologist, an educator, a science administrator, a publisher, an information technologist, and an IT leader and manager who specializes in advancing biomedical knowledge and supporting education through the application of information technology. More About:  RJR | OUR TEAM | OUR SERVICES | THIS WEBSITE

RJR: Recommended Bibliography 30 Oct 2025 at 01:43 Created: 

covid-19

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

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

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Barnes K, Faasse K, AL Geers (2025)

The COVID-19 pandemic: a special case of placebo and nocebo effects.

Handbook of clinical neurology, 213:247-262.

In late 2019, reports of pneumonia from an unknown cause marked the beginning of an unprecedented health crisis with far-reaching societal consequences. The ensuing global pandemic placed immense strain on healthcare systems, disrupted economies, and altered the way that we work, communicate, and interact. Importantly, as the SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) virus spread, so did a range of psychological stressors, including fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This chapter examines the trajectory of placebo- and nocebo-relevant factors during the early, mid, and late stages of the pandemic, highlighting their impact on health outcomes and human behavior. Understanding the interplay between psychological and physical health during the pandemic is crucial for minimizing maladaptive health outcomes in the future. We therefore review current strategies for mitigating the nocebo effect and leveraging the placebo effect that may be employed to enhance health and well-being and attenuate pandemic-related harms.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Dutta S, Ganguly A, S Ghosh Roy (2025)

The interplay between gamma delta (γδ) T cells and cellular stress pathways in the pathogenesis of emerging human viral zoonoses.

International review of cell and molecular biology, 398:99-149.

This chapter examines the intricate relationship between gamma-delta (γδ) T cells and cellular stress pathways in the context of emerging infectious diseases. γδ T cells, a distinct subset of lymphocytes, are integral to the innate immune response, as they can recognize a diverse array of antigens independently of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) restriction. They function as initial sentinels, secreting cytokines, and cytotoxic molecules to directly eradicate infected cells and regulate the immune system. This chapter examines the activation mechanisms of γδ T cells in response to viral infectious agents such as Influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2, West Nile Virus (WNV), Dengue virus, and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) emphasizing their role in pathogen control and disease progression. The document examines cellular stress pathways, specifically the unfolded protein response (UPR) and integrated stress response (ISR), which are frequently activated by pathogens. These pathways initiate protective mechanisms; however, their dysregulation may lead to pathological conditions. The chapter examines the mechanisms by which certain pathogens utilize host stress responses to enhance replication and evade immune detection. The impact of stress on γδ T cell functionality and immune responses is examined. The document examines the potential of γδ T cell-based therapies for diverse infections, highlighting the necessity for additional research to enhance delivery methods and reduce the risk of autoimmune disorders. Comprehending these interactions is essential for formulating innovative approaches to prevent and treat emerging infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2025-10-29

Gromer DJ, Kalash S, Tanios R, et al (2025)

The relationship between the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines: A narrative review.

Vaccine, 68:127892 pii:S0264-410X(25)01189-2 [Epub ahead of print].

The relationship between vaccine reactogenicity and immunogenicity remains an underexplored but increasingly critical area of vaccinology. This narrative review synthesizes evidence examining this relationship across a diverse array of vaccine platforms and pathogens. The available data suggest a modest but consistent positive association between systemic reactogenicity and humoral immunogenicity, particularly for mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Associations with innate and adaptive cellular immunity are less well studied. Local reactions are less consistently predictive of immune response than systemic ones. Reactogenicity appears more pronounced in younger adults, females, and those with certain HLA alleles-factors also associated with stronger immune responses. Whether the priming or booster dose of a vaccine series drives greater reactogenicity and immunogenicity appears to depend upon whether the vaccine is live-attenuated or not. However, substantial heterogeneity exists in study design, population, outcome measurement, and statistical analysis. This review emphasizes the need for harmonized tools to quantify vaccine reactogenicity and for study designs that account for pre-vaccination immune status to distinguish true associations from confounding factors and better clarify the relationship between post-vaccine symptoms and immunologic outcomes. Understanding the mechanistic links between innate immune activation, tolerability, and adaptive immune responses could inform vaccine development, clinical trial endpoints, and public communication strategies. As vaccine technologies evolve and tolerability becomes a differentiating factor, further research is needed to unravel the biological basis of vaccine-associated symptoms and their role in predicting protection.

RevDate: 2025-10-29

Garry RF (2025)

SARS-CoV-2 Spike displays multiple adaptive changes in addition to the furin cleavage site.

Virology, 614:110720 pii:S0042-6822(25)00334-4 [Epub ahead of print].

Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from bat sarbecoviruses involved multiple changes in Spike in addition to insertion of the furin cleavage site (FCS). Analysis of the closely related Spike of BANAL-20-52 reveals key adaptations in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike beyond the FCS that occurred prior to the spillover of SARS-CoV-2's immediate progenitor to humans. Bat sarbecoviruses have enteric tropism and spread mostly by the gastrointestinal route. Their Spike proteins predominantly assume the locked form, which is able to resist the low pH of the bat gastrointestinal tract. Initial changes during the SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary pathway included substitutions that expanded the host range of the sarbecovirus progenitor and allowed circulation in nonbat mammals. Adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 progenitors also involved remodeling of the amino-terminal domain. Respiratory adaptation occurred during circulation in nonbat animals and resulted in greater propensity for Spike to assume open forms that are less compact and more metastable than the locked or closed forms. Substitutions at monomer interfaces in the Spike trimer facilitate the open shift. Like FCS insertion, these substitutions make Spike more susceptible to low pH degradation and could not have occurred in bats. After SARS-CoV-2 spilled over to humans Spikes of the dominant lineage acquired an aspartic acid to glycine substitution at position 614 that further decreases interaction between monomers and promotes opening of the Spike trimer. A multi-stage evolutionary trajectory is also evident during cross-species transmissions of bat sarbecoviruses to pangolins and the first known spillovers of SARS-CoV via the wildlife trade.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Nor Isamuddin NH, AbuBakar S, Chin KL, et al (2025)

Heterologous immunity and antibody-dependent enhancement in respiratory virus infections.

Molecular biology reports, 53(1):27.

Respiratory viruses such as influenza viruses and coronaviruses pose persistent and evolving threats to global public health, driven by diverse mechanisms of immune evasion, cross-species transmission, and pandemic potential. Understanding the interplay between heterologous immunity and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is crucial in delineating both protective and pathogenic immune responses following infection or vaccination. This review synthesizes current advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying virus-agnostic innate defenses, adaptive receptor diversification via V(D)J recombination, and the structural and functional bases of T and B cell cross-reactivity. The dualistic nature of antibody responses is examined in the context of Fc receptor- and complement-mediated ADE, emphasizing the implications for immune protection versus immunopathology. The impact of pre-existing cross-reactive immunity, primed by prior exposures to antigenically distinct viruses or vaccines, is discussed with evidence from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and other seasonal respiratory outbreaks. Finally, the review evaluates recent progress and ongoing challenges in universal vaccine development, proposing that the rational harnessing of broad-spectrum and cross-reactive immune mechanisms will be essential for enhancing pandemic preparedness and mitigating the risks associated with immune enhancement phenomena.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Maldonado-Barrueco A, Quiles-Melero I, J García-Rodríguez (2025)

Current diagnostic approach to fungal infection in the critically ill patient.

Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia, 38 Suppl 1:32-37.

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, with an increasing global incidence and species diversity, especially after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Diagnosis relies on a combination of classical methods (microscopy, culture) and non-classical tools including biomarkers (1,3-β-D-glucan, galactomannan, mannan) and molecular assays. Fungal infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, pneumocystosis, and mucormycosis) requires tailored diagnostic strategies based on host risk factors, epidemiology and specimen type. Combining diagnostic tests improves sensitivity and negative predictive value, guiding timely antifungal treatment. An integrated, pathogen-specific approach is essential to improve outcomes in the critical ill patient.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Tie X, Li J, Wu H, et al (2025)

Advances in the structure-based design of protein vaccines for respiratory infectious diseases.

Computational and structural biotechnology journal, 29:259-270.

Respiratory infectious diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly affecting children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Traditional vaccine development approaches face limitations in addressing the rapid mutation and immune evasion mechanisms of respiratory pathogens. In recent years, structure-based protein vaccine design has emerged as a critical direction in vaccine research. This strategy utilizes the three-dimensional structural information of key pathogenic antigens, combined with reverse vaccinology, computational biology, and protein engineering to optimize antigen design and enhance immunogenicity. This review summarizes recent progress in structure-based protein vaccine development for major respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2. We highlight innovative vaccine platforms, including antigen optimization strategies, nanoparticle-based vaccines, and novel adjuvant development. Additionally, we discuss the major challenges in vaccine development-such as antigenic variability, immune durability, and large-scale manufacturing-and propose future directions for research and application.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Akingbola A, Adegbesan A, Tundealao S, et al (2025)

Post-pandemic era: global trends, benefits, and barriers in integrating artificial intelligence into public health education.

Frontiers in public health, 13:1648970.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge to public health systems globally, with African countries exhibiting a wide range of outcomes in terms of preparedness, response, and resilience. This review explores the public health strategies deployed across the African continent during the pandemic, highlighting key successes, identifying critical failures, and synthesizing lessons to inform future health emergency preparedness. Drawing on existing literature, policy documents, and epidemiological data, the study examines the roles of leadership, community engagement, health communication, diagnostic capacity, and vaccine deployment. While several African countries successfully leveraged past epidemic experience, decentralized health systems, and innovative communication strategies, others struggled with misinformation, weak surveillance, and limited critical care infrastructure. The review also discusses the role of international collaboration, local innovation, and donor dependence in shaping response outcomes. Lessons from Africa's handling of COVID-19 underline the importance of strengthening public health infrastructure, investing in health workforce development, improving health information systems, and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics. This paper contributes to the growing discourse on pandemic preparedness and highlights Africa's potential not only as a site of vulnerability but also of resilience and innovation in global public health.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Xie K, Zhang P, Li Y, et al (2025)

The post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae: manifestations, mechanisms and treatment strategies.

Journal of thoracic disease, 17(9):7414-7429.

Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may develop long-term sequelae of varying severity, collectively referred to as long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition. Pulmonary sequelae are particularly common, which significantly impair patients' quality of life. The mechanisms underlying post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae are complex and multifactorial, and their management is still at an exploratory stage. This review explores the manifestations, underlying mechanisms, and potential treatment approaches for post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae. Fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia, and sleep disturbances are the most commonly reported symptoms following COVID-19 infection, while anxiety and depression are also prevalent. Respiratory symptoms include dyspnoea, persistent cough, hypoxia, and reduced exercise capacity. Impaired lung diffusion capacity is the most frequently observed pulmonary function abnormality, and residual abnormalities on chest computed tomography (CT) commonly include ground-glass opacities (GGO) and fibrotic-like changes. Air trapping is also an important CT finding and has been reported to associated with impaired lung diffusion function. The potential mechanisms may include pulmonary fibrosis, chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, coagulation abnormalities and thrombosis, and persistent viral infection. Current treatment strategies encompass vaccination, pulmonary rehabilitation, and pharmacological interventions such as antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant therapies. A comprehensive understanding of the recovery trajectory and the mechanisms underlying post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Prakash S, Choudhury P, S Bisht (2025)

Diabetic cardiomyopathy and COVID-19: intersecting pathways and amplified cardiovascular risk.

Frontiers in pharmacology, 16:1683159.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a diabetes-induced heart condition characterized by ventricular dysfunction without other cardiac diseases. Chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic disturbances drive myocardial damage through renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, advanced glycation end product (AGE) accumulation, and persistent inflammation. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has intensified cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. The virus uses ACE2 receptors, abundant in the heart and other organs, enabling multi-organ injury. COVID-19 may worsen glucose control or induce new-onset diabetes via pancreatic injury, insulin resistance, and stress hyperglycemia. Pre-existing diabetes increases the risk of severe COVID-19, cytokine storms, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis. In combination, both conditions promote RAAS imbalance, exaggerated inflammation, and hypercoagulability, amplifying myocardial injury, fibrosis, and heart failure risk. This review highlights the intricate bidirectional relationship between DCM and COVID-19, emphasizing shared pathogenic mechanisms such as RAAS dysregulation, endothelial damage, cytokine overproduction, and coagulopathy. Understanding these overlapping pathways is crucial for developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes in this vulnerable population.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

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

Global Burden of Bloodstream Infections in COVID-19: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Mortality Risk.

Viruses, 17(10): pii:v17101353.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) complicate COVID-19 inpatients, increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), risk factors, and outcomes of BSIs in RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases.

METHODS: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and MDPI journals (January 2020-August 2025) following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Twenty-two observational studies (~123,500 patients, ~602,000 blood cultures) were included: 10 prospective and 12 retrospective. Random-effects models estimated pooled prevalence, odds ratios (ORs), and mean differences, with subgroup analyses (ICU, non-ICU, pediatric) and meta-regression.

RESULTS: Pooled BSI prevalence was 8.2% (95% CI: 5.7-11.0; I[2] = 50%). Subgroup prevalence was higher in ICU (12.5%) than non-ICU (5.2%) populations. Pediatric cohorts (n = 3) showed a prevalence of 10.8%. Gram-negative pathogens predominated (61%), particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae (26%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (21%). AMR rates were 36% for MRSA and 31% for ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. Risk factors included mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.6), immunosuppression (OR: 2.3), and corticosteroid use (OR: 2.4). BSIs were associated with increased mortality (OR: 2.6), prolonged hospitalization (+6.8 days), and higher ICU admission (OR: 3.1).

CONCLUSIONS: BSIs, largely driven by multidrug-resistant pathogens, substantially worsen COVID-19 outcomes. Variability in diagnostic criteria (CDC vs. ECDC) and reliance on retrospective designs are limitations, though moderate heterogeneity (I[2] = 50%) enhances generalizability across diverse populations. Strengthened infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship are urgently required.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Heath AM, D Li (2025)

Symptomatology of Long COVID Associated with Inherited and Acquired Thrombophilic Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Viruses, 17(10): pii:v17101315.

Thrombophilic conditions, conditions where blood has a tendency to form thrombi due to abnormal coagulatory processes, can affect the trajectory of diseases such as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection, better known as Long COVID (LC), by worsening symptoms and complicating outlooks. As a comorbidity in pro-coagulatory diseases such as COVID-19 and LC, patients with thrombophilic conditions may experience worse symptoms than their peers, due to this elevated level of hypercoagulation. A 15-week literature review through the public PubMed database was conducted to investigate the severity, mechanisms, and symptom profiles of thrombophilic patients with LC. Papers were only included if samples included participants with pre-existing tendencies for hypercoagulable states, and confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection via a Polymerase Chain Reaction test. Each paper included in this review was analyzed by topic and assessed for eligibility against the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal tool. Each paper was also assessed for biases. Results from the 6 papers included in this review showed that LC could be predicted following COVID-19 illness by a hypercoagulable blood profile, indicating that LC may be linked to chronic hypercoagulation and inflammation post-infection. Additionally, symptoms linked to microthrombi formation, such as hair loss, arrhythmia, and dizziness, were exhibited more frequently in patients with thrombophilia and/or thrombophilic conditions, indicating that those with thrombophilic conditions may exhibit unique LC symptom profiles compared to healthy controls. This paper's research is preliminary and thus is limited in the strength of its findings; However, further research into LC and its interactions with co-morbidities like thrombophilic conditions would aid in the development of better treatment plans for patients, such as the usage of anticoagulants or screening for hypercoagulable blood profiles post-COVID-19 to assess patient risk.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Prakash S, Karan S, Lekbach Y, et al (2025)

Insights into Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Reservoirs in Chronic Long COVID.

Viruses, 17(10): pii:v17101310.

Long COVID (LC), also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection (PASC), is a heterogeneous and debilitating chronic disease that currently affects 10 to 20 million people in the U.S. and over 420 million people globally. With no approved treatments, the long-term global health and economic impact of chronic LC remains high and growing. LC affects children, adolescents, and healthy adults and is characterized by over 200 diverse symptoms that persist for months to years after the acute COVID-19 infection is resolved. These symptoms target twelve major organ systems, causing dyspnea, vascular damage, cognitive impairments ("brain fog"), physical and mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression. This heterogeneity of LC symptoms, along with the lack of specific biomarkers and diagnostic tests, presents a significant challenge to the development of LC treatments. While several biological abnormalities have emerged as potential drivers of LC, a causative factor in a large subset of patients with LC, involves reservoirs of virus and/or viral RNA (vRNA) that persist months to years in multiple organs driving chronic inflammation, respiratory, muscular, cognitive, and cardiovascular damages, and provide continuous viral antigenic stimuli that overstimulate and exhaust CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cells. In this review, we (i) shed light on persisting virus and vRNA reservoirs detected, either directly (from biopsy, blood, stool, and autopsy samples) or indirectly through virus-specific B and T cell responses, in patients with LC and their association with the chronic symptomatology of LC; (ii) explore potential mechanisms of inflammation, immune evasion, and immune overstimulation in LC; (iii) review animal models of virus reservoirs in LC; (iv) discuss potential T cell immunotherapeutic strategies to reduce or eliminate persistent virus reservoirs, which would mitigate chronic inflammation and alleviate symptom severity in patients with LC.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Jach ME, Sajnaga E, Bumbul M, et al (2025)

The Role of Probiotics and Their Postbiotic Metabolites in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 30(20): pii:molecules30204130.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long-COVID, is characterized by a wide spectrum of persistent symptoms involving multiple body organs and systems, including fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and neurocognitive dysfunction. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis and disruption of the gut-brain axis play a central role in the pathophysiology of this condition. Probiotics and their metabolites (postbiotics) have gained increasing attention as potential therapeutic agents given their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the antiviral mechanisms of probiotics, including reinforcement of intestinal epithelial barrier function, direct virus inhibition, receptor competition, and immune system modulation. Special emphasis is placed on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins as key factors that contribute to these effects. SCFAs appear to be essential postbiotic compounds during post-COVID recovery. We also highlight recent clinical trials involving specific probiotic species, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum, and their potential role in alleviating long-term COVID symptoms. Although the current results are promising, further research is needed to clarify the most effective strains, dosages, and mechanisms of action in post-COVID therapeutic strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Delpino MV, J Quarleri (2025)

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Aging, HIV, and Long COVID: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 14(10): pii:pathogens14101045.

We hypothesize that a unified mitochondrial perspective on aging, HIV, and long COVID reveals shared pathogenic mechanisms and specific therapeutic vulnerabilities that are overlooked when these conditions are treated independently. Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a common factor driving aging, HIV, and long COVID. Shared mechanisms-including oxidative stress, impaired mitophagy and dynamics, mtDNA damage, and metabolic reprogramming-contribute to ongoing energy failure and chronic inflammation. Recent advancements highlight new therapeutic strategies such as mitochondrial transfer, transplantation, and genome-level correction of mtDNA variants, with early preclinical and clinical studies providing proof-of-concept. This review summarizes current evidence on mitochondrial changes across aging and post-viral syndromes, examines emerging organelle-based therapies, and discusses key challenges related to safety, durability, and translation.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Mboowa G (2025)

Reimagining Tuberculosis Control in the Era of Genomics: The Case for Global Investment in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 14(10): pii:pathogens14100975.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a significant global public health threat. While whole-genome sequencing (WGS) holds immense promise for understanding transmission dynamics and drug resistance mechanisms, its integration into routine surveillance remains limited. Additionally, insights from WGS are increasingly contributing to vaccine discovery by identifying novel antigenic targets and understanding pathogen evolution. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed an unprecedented expansion of genomic capacity in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with public health institutions acquiring next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and developing local expertise in real-time pathogen surveillance. This hard-won capacity now represents a transformative opportunity to accelerate TB control enabling rapid detection of drug-resistant strains and high-resolution mapping of transmission networks that are critical for timely, targeted interventions. Furthermore, the integration of machine learning with genomic and clinical data offers a powerful avenue to improve the prediction of drug resistance and to tailor patient-specific TB management strategies. This article examines the practical challenges, emerging opportunities, and policy considerations necessary to embed genomic epidemiology within national TB control programs, particularly in high-burden, resource-constrained settings.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Li J, Lu H, Hu G, et al (2025)

How Does Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Escape Host Innate Immunity?.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 14(10): pii:pathogens14100971.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), the causative agent of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), induces vomiting, watery diarrhea, and severe dehydration in pigs. It exhibits particularly high lethality in neonatal piglets, posing a significant threat to the global swine industry and inflicting substantial economic losses. The host innate immune system serves as the primary defense against viral invasion; however, PEDV employs multiple strategies to evade this response. This review systematically summarizes the multiple molecular mechanisms by which PEDV evaded the host's innate immunity, including interfering with host intracellular signaling pathways by virally encoded proteins, antagonizing the host's antiviral factors and related immune genes to suppress the innate immune responses, and regulating the autophagy process of the host cells, thereby achieving the escape of the host's innate immunity. A comprehensive understanding of how PEDV subverts innate immunity is crucial for developing effective control strategies and therapeutics. This review aims to provide novel insights and potential targets for combating PED.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Lefter CL, Poddi S, A Rungatscher (2025)

Endocarditis: Rising Incidence in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Narrative Review.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(20): pii:jcm14207274.

Infective Endocarditis (IE) incidence has increased in recent years, driven by emerging risk factors affecting both elderly and young adults. Also, the role of Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis (NBTE) is gaining importance as it is a subtle, probably underdiagnosed entity. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the epidemiology of endocarditis, raising questions about their relationship, diagnosis, and management. Diagnosis of IE is sometimes challenging, and classic criteria are now being rediscussed. The aim of our study is to provide a narrative review about how and why IE incidence is rising, the role of NBTE, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endocarditis patterns, and the current diagnostic challenges we face in the post-pandemic era.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Qiu D, Cao W, Zhang Y, et al (2025)

COVID-19 Infection, Drugs, and Liver Injury.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(20): pii:jcm14207228.

Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is highly infectious and pathogenic. Novel coronavirus infection can not only cause respiratory diseases but also lead to multiple organ damage through direct or indirect mechanisms, in which the liver is one of the most frequently affected organs. It has been reported that 15-65% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients experience liver dysfunction, mainly manifested as mild to moderate elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Severe patients may progress to liver failure, develop hepatic encephalopathy, or have poor coagulation function. The mechanisms underlying this type of liver injury are complex. Pathways-including direct viral infection (via ACE2 receptors), immune-mediated responses (e.g., cytokine storm), ischemic/hypoxic liver damage, thrombosis, oxidative stress, neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis), and the gut-liver axis-remain largely speculative and lack robust clinical causal evidence. In contrast, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been established as a well-defined causative factor using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM). Treatment should simultaneously consider antiviral therapy and liver protection therapy. This article systematically reviewed the mechanism, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies of COVID-19-related liver injury and discussed the limitations of current research and the future directions, hoping to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of such patients.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Szebeni J (2025)

Unique Features and Collateral Immune Effects of mRNA-LNP COVID-19 Vaccines: Plausible Mechanisms of Adverse Events and Complications.

Pharmaceutics, 17(10): pii:pharmaceutics17101327.

A reassessment of the risk-benefit balance of the two lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based vaccines, Pfizer's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax, is currently underway. While the FDA has approved updated products, their administration is recommended only for individuals aged 65 years or older and for those aged 6 months or older who have at least one underlying medical condition associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19. Among other factors, this change in guidelines reflect an expanded spectrum and increased incidence of adverse events (AEs) and complications relative to other vaccines. Although severe AEs are relatively rare (occurring in <0.5%) in vaccinated individuals, the sheer scale of global vaccination has resulted in millions of vaccine injuries, rendering post-vaccination syndrome (PVS) both clinically significant and scientifically intriguing. Nevertheless, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these AEs are poorly understood. To better understand the phenomenon and to identify research needs, this review aims to highlight some theoretically plausible connections between the manifestations of PVS and some unique structural properties of mRNA-LNPs. The latter include (i) ribosomal synthesis of the antigenic spike protein (SP) without natural control over mRNA translation, diversifying antigen processing and presentation; (ii) stabilization of the mRNA by multiple chemical modification, abnormally increasing translation efficiency and frameshift mutation risk; (iii) encoding for SP, a protein with multiple toxic effects; (iv) promotion of innate immune activation and mRNA transfection in off-target tissues by the LNP, leading to systemic inflammation with autoimmune phenomena; (v) short post-reconstitution stability of vaccine nanoparticles contributing to whole-body distribution and mRNA transfection; (vi) immune reactivity and immunogenicity of PEG on the LNP surface increasing the risk of complement activation with LNP disintegration and anaphylaxis; (vii) GC enrichment and double proline modifications stabilize SP mRNA and prefusion SP, respectively; and (viii) contaminations with plasmid DNA and other organic and inorganic elements entailing toxicity with cancer risk. The collateral immune anomalies considered are innate immune activation, T-cell- and antibody-mediated cytotoxicities, dissemination of pseudo virus-like hybrid exosomes, somatic hypermutation, insertion mutagenesis, frameshift mutation, and reverse transcription. Lessons from mRNA-LNP vaccine-associated AEs may guide strategies for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of AEs, while informing the design of safer next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Bhatia L, Al Rekabi S, Janovskienė A, et al (2025)

Systematic Review of Post-Viral Delayed Inflammation Associated with Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 61(10): pii:medicina61101764.

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are among the most widely used injectable materials in esthetic medicine. They are generally safe, but delayed inflammatory reactions (DIRs) have been observed, particularly after viral infections or vaccinations. Such events have raised questions about the role of immune activation in filler-related complications. Objective: This review examined the available literature on DIRs to HA fillers that occurred in the context of viral illness or immunization, with attention to how these reactions present and how they are managed. Methods: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, ScienceDirect, ClinicalKey, and Google Scholar between October and November 2024. Only human case reports and case series were included. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251030918), and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Six publications met inclusion criteria: four case series and two case reports, describing 25 women between 22 and 65 years of age. Patients developed swelling, erythema, angioedema, or, in severe cases, marked facial edema after HA filler injections, with symptom onset ranging from several hours to several weeks following viral exposure. Corticosteroids and hyaluronidase were the most common treatments, though milder cases sometimes resolved without intervention. Study quality varied, with some reports providing limited detail on patient characteristics and follow-up. Conclusions: DIRs associated with viral infections or vaccinations remain uncommon but clinically relevant complications of HA filler use. Limited case-based evidence indicates potential effectiveness of corticosteroids and hyaluronidase, though management practices remain inconsistent. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and to establish standardized guidelines for treatment.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Periferakis AT, Adalis GM, Periferakis A, et al (2025)

The Multifaceted Antimicrobial Profile of Piperine in Infectious Disease Management: Current Perspectives and Potential.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(10): pii:ph18101581.

Piperine is an alkaloid found in plants of the genus Piper, and particularly in P. nigrum. This compound has been under extensive research lately for its antimicrobial, antiviral, and also anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anticancer, and positive metabolic properties. Regarding its antibacterial applications, current data show that piperine is effective against Bacillus sphaericus, Bacterioides fragilis, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae; its antifungal potency is exerted against Candida albicans and members of the Aspergillus family; antiviral activity has been documented against MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV2, EBOV, DENV, HCV, ZKV, and HPIV; and antiparasitic activity against Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and Trypanosoma spp. While such applications are promising, more research is required to elucidate the mechanisms of action and to discover new ways of administration.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Zouganeli C, Toubanaki DK, Karaoulani O, et al (2025)

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Europe: A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Trends.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(10): pii:ph18101535.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly intensified global concerns surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in relation to tuberculosis (TB). In the European Union (EU), the reallocation of healthcare resources towards managing COVID-19 led to a de-prioritization of TB surveillance and control. This shift contributed to delays in TB diagnosis and treatment, creating conditions favorable for the emergence and spread of drug-resistant TB strains. This meta-analysis aims to assess epidemiological trends of drug-resistant TB across EU countries before, during, and after the pandemic and quantify the impact of COVID-19 on Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance patterns. Methods: Data were obtained from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) covering 2015 to 2022. Following the TB incidence, the multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and rifampicin-resistant/MDR-TB (RR/MDR-TB) cases, as well as treatment success rates over 12- and 24-month periods, were analyzed. The analysis included 31 EU countries across three-time frames: pre-pandemic (2015-2019), pandemic onset (2020), and post-pandemic transition (2020-2022). Results: The pandemic was associated with a decrease in reported TB cases but a simultaneous increase in the proportion of MDR and RR/MDR cases. Treatment success rates showed a modest rise for 24-month regimens, while outcomes declined for 12-month therapies. Conclusions: These findings underscore the pandemic's disruptive impact on TB control and highlight the need for renewed investment in diagnostic capacity, treatment access, and antimicrobial stewardship, in order to reduce antimicrobial resistance occurrence. Continued monitoring beyond 2022 is essential to fully understand long-term effects and inform future public health strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Siewiorek K, Jasiński M, Izdebski B, et al (2025)

Challenges in the Treatment of HIV-Related Lymphomas Complicated by COVID-19: Case Study and Review of the Literature.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(10): pii:ph18101461.

Lymphomas remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients living with HIV. Although the introduction of antiretroviral therapy has led to a reduction in the incidence of AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL) and an overall improvement in prognosis, these malignancies continue to pose a considerable clinical challenge. Beyond the inherent complexity of lymphoma treatment itself, the management of comorbidities, particularly infections, represents a therapeutic obstacle. Here, we review the published evidence on ARL complicated by COVID-19. Despite the fact that nearly 800 million confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported so far, only five cases of ARL and COVID-19 have been published, among whom most patients experienced a mild course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with only one case progressing to severe COVID-19 that required oxygen therapy and prolonged hospitalization. Additionally, we present another case of a 49-year-old male patient with newly diagnosed ARL, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, complicated by prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although initially asymptomatic, the patient subsequently experienced transient respiratory failure. Despite administration of molnupiravir, both SARS-CoV-2 antigen and RT-qPCR tests remained positive for a minimum of 113 days. The prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection, in conjunction with other opportunistic infections, impeded the delivery of adequate chemotherapy dose intensity and contributed to disease progression and ultimately the patient's death. This case and review of the literature underscores the diversity of the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with ARL and highlights the associated challenges in delivering optimal anti-lymphoma therapy in those patients.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Perez DM (2025)

α1A-Adrenergic Receptor as a Target for Neurocognition: Cautionary Tale from Nicergoline and Quinazoline Non-Selective Blockers.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(10): pii:ph18101425.

Decades ago, previous studies that used non-selective ergot derivatives suggested that blockage of the α1A-adrenergic receptor mildly increased cognition through increased blood flow to the brain due to vasodilation and, thus, could be used as a treatment for dementia. However, further studies indicated that nicergoline was non-specific and hit many different targets. Today, a similar scenario is developing with the use of non-selective α1-AR antagonists of the quinazoline class, referred to as "osins", as potential treatments for COVID-19/SARS, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. While there is extensive evidence of neuroprotection from many clinical trials, the mechanism of action of quinazolines is often not α1-AR-mediated but keyed to its glycolysis-enhancing effects through activation of the enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1). These studies have incorrectly labeled the α1A-adrenergic receptor as an "old target" to treat Alzheimer's and other neurocognitive diseases, hampering drug development. This review will summarize these and other studies to indicate that activation, not blockage, of norepinephrine's actions, through α1A-AR, mediates cognitive, memory, and neuroprotective functions that may reverse the progression of neurocognitive diseases.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Ribić R (2025)

Mannose Derivatives as Anti-Infective Agents.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(20): pii:ijms262010230.

Mannose is a natural monosaccharide that plays a central role in host-pathogen interactions and has emerged as a versatile scaffold for designing anti-infective agents. This review summarizes recent advances in mannose-based glycoconjugates with antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity. In bacteria, FimH antagonists prevent Escherichia coli adhesion, while mannose-functionalized materials disrupt Pseudomonas and Burkholderia biofilms or enhance delivery of anti-tubercular drugs. In virology, mannose-containing dendrimers, glycopolymers, and nanoparticles inhibit HIV, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, HPV, and HSV by targeting viral glycoproteins or blocking lectin-mediated transmission. Mannose-decorated vaccines and nanocarriers also show promise against fungal pathogens and parasites. Continued optimization of presented structures could lead to the promising candidates for clinically applicable therapies.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Caliman-Sturdza OA, Hamamah S, Iatcu OC, et al (2025)

Microbiome and Long COVID-19: Current Evidence and Insights.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(20): pii:ijms262010120.

Long COVID, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is characterized by persistent multi-systemic symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and respiratory dysfunction. Accumulating evidence indicates that gut and oral microbiota play an important role in its pathogenesis. Patients with long COVID consistently exhibit reduced microbial diversity, depletion of beneficial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing species such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium spp. and enrichment of proinflammatory taxa including Ruminococcus gnavus, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Veillonella. These alterations may disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, sustain low-grade systemic inflammation, and influence host immune and neuroendocrine pathways through the gut-brain and gut-lung axes. Distinct microbial signatures have also been associated with symptom clusters, including neuropsychiatric, respiratory, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Proposed mechanisms linking dysbiosis to long COVID include impaired SCFA metabolism, tryptophan depletion, microbial translocation, and interactions with host immune and inflammatory responses, including autoantibody formation and viral antigen persistence. Preliminary interventional studies using probiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation suggest that microbiome-targeted therapies may alleviate symptoms, although evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. This review synthesizes current literature on the role of gut and oral microbiota in long COVID, highlights emerging microbial biomarkers, and discusses therapeutic implications. While causality remains to be firmly established, restoring microbial balance represents a promising avenue for diagnosis, prevention, and management of long COVID.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Refrigeri M, Tola A, Mogavero R, et al (2025)

Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Impairment by SARS-CoV-2 Proteins: A Nexus of Pathogenesis with Significant Biochemical and Clinical Implications.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(20): pii:ijms26209885.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) closely interacts with host cellular mechanisms, with mitochondria playing a crucial role in this process. As essential organelles that control cellular energy production, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and innate immune responses, mitochondria are vital to the development of COVID-19. However, the exact molecular interactions between mitochondria and SARS-CoV-2 remain under active investigation. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection is therefore essential for uncovering complex disease mechanisms, identifying prognostic biomarkers, and developing effective treatments. Ultimately, exploring these virus-host interactions may provide new insights into the fundamental and complex aspects of mitochondrial physiology and pathophysiology.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Crespo NC, Shifflett S, Kosta K, et al (2025)

Evidence of Face Masks and Masking Policies for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and COVID-19 in Real-World Settings: A Systematic Literature Review.

International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(10): pii:ijerph22101590.

Objectives: Prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease COVID-19 is a public health priority. The efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as wearing face masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has been well established in controlled settings. However, evidence for the effectiveness of face masks in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission within real-world settings is limited and mixed. The present systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of face mask policies and mask wearing to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 in real-world settings. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, scientific databases, and gray literature, were searched through June 2023. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies/reports written in or translated to English; (2) prospectively assessed incidence of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19; (3) assessed the behavior and/or policy of mask-wearing; and (4) conducted in community/public settings (i.e., not laboratory). Studies were excluded if they did not parse out data specific to the effect of mask wearing (behavior and/or policy) and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission or COVID-19 disease or if they relied solely on statistical models to estimate the effects of mask wearing on transmission. A total of 2616 studies were initially identified, and 470 met inclusion and exclusion criteria for full-text review. The vote counting method was used to evaluate effectiveness, and risk of bias was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: A total of 79 unique studies met the final inclusion criteria, and their data were abstracted and evaluated. Study settings included community/neighborhood settings (n = 34, 43%), healthcare settings (n = 30, 38%), and school/universities (n = 15, 19%). A majority of studies (n = 61, 77%) provided evidence to support the effectiveness of wearing face masks and/or face mask policies to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and/or prevention of COVID-19. Effectiveness of mask wearing did not vary substantially by study design (67-100%), type of mask (77-100%), or setting (80-91%), while 85% of masking policies specifically reported a benefit. Conclusions: This systematic literature review supports public health recommendations and policies that encourage the public to wear face masks to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in multiple real-world settings. Effective communication strategies are needed to encourage and support the use of face masks by the general public, particularly during peak infection cycles.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Shek DTL (2025)

Mental Health of Young People in the Post-Pandemic Era: Perspective Based on Positive Psychology and Resilience.

International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(10): pii:ijerph22101574.

With the gradual decline in COVID-19 cases, there is a need to re-visit the mental health of adolescents and emerging adults in the post-pandemic period. Several observations can be highlighted from the scientific literature. First, while some studies suggest that mental health of young people has worsened in the post-pandemic period, there are inconsistent and conflicting findings. Second, there are more studies on psychological morbidity than on positive psychological attributes. Third, compared with the West, there are relatively fewer Chinese studies. Fourth, compared with adolescents, there are relatively fewer studies on emerging adults. Based on these observations of the existing literature, I have detailed several reflections on the mental health of young people, including enhancing positive psychological attributes in young people through positive youth development (PYD) programs, building up the individual resilience of young people, strengthening family resilience, adopting multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in understanding the mental health of young people, building more well-articulated theoretical models, charting future research directions, and developing intervention strategies in the post-pandemic period.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Cañedo-Figueroa DM, Calderón-Sandate DN, Hernández-Castillo J, et al (2025)

Natural Compounds with Antiviral Activity Against Clinically Relevant RNA Viruses: Advances of the Last Decade.

Biomolecules, 15(10): pii:biom15101467.

RNA viruses remain a significant public health concern due to their rapid evolution, genetic variability, and capacity to trigger recurrent epidemics and pandemics. Over the last decade, natural products have gained attention as a valuable source of antiviral candidates, offering structural diversity, accessibility, and favorable safety profiles. This review highlights key replication mechanisms of RNA viruses and their associated therapeutic targets, including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, viral proteases, and structural proteins mediating entry and maturation. We summarize recent advances in the identification of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, lectins, and polysaccharides that exhibit inhibitory activity against clinically relevant pathogens, including the Influenza A virus (IAV), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Special emphasis is placed on the integration of in silico screening, in vitro validation, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems that address challenges of stability, bioavailability, and specificity. Furthermore, the growing role of artificial intelligence, drug repurposing strategies, and curated antiviral databases is discussed as a means to accelerate therapeutic discovery. Despite persistent limitations in clinical translation and standardization, natural products represent a promising and sustainable platform for the development of next-generation antivirals against RNA viruses.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Owegie OC, Kennedy QP, Davizon-Castillo P, et al (2025)

Thiol Isomerases: Enzymatic Mechanisms, Models of Oxidation, and Antagonism by Galloylated Polyphenols.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(10): pii:antiox14101193.

Thiol isomerases are a family of enzymes that participate in oxidative protein folding. They contain highly reactive vicinal thiols in a CXXC motif within their catalytic domains to mediate thiol-disulfide switching as part of their reductase, oxidase, and isomerase activity. In addition, they participate in chaperone function by binding to partially folded or misfolded proteins and preventing aggregation, thereby facilitating correct protein folding. The CXXC motif is conducive to oxidative influence based on the sulfur nucleophilicity. Redox modification of the CXXC motif may influence the enzymatic function. In this review we briefly discuss the family of thiol isomerases as it relates to thrombotic disorders. We then discuss the chemical mechanisms of making and breaking disulfides by the enzymes. Enzymatic and chemical models of oxidizing the CXXC motif are proposed. Lastly, we highlight evidence that natural galloylated polyphenols can inhibit both the coronavirus main protease Mpro and thiol isomerases, supporting a therapeutic strategy for COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and thrombosis by targeting the CXXC motif with these anti-oxidative compounds.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Cianciulli A, Santoro E, Manente R, et al (2025)

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Against Health Misinformation: A Scoping Review of Public Health Responses.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 13(20): pii:healthcare13202623.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how infodemics-an excessive amount of both accurate and misleading information-undermine health responses. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools have been increasingly applied to monitor, detect, and counter health misinformation online. This scoping review aims to systematically map digital and AI-based interventions, describing their applications, outcomes, ethical and equity implications, and policy frameworks. Methods: This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported according to PRISMA-ScR. The protocol was preregistered on the Open Science Framework . Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL (January 2017-March 2025). Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts; disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Data extraction included study characteristics, populations, technologies, outcomes, thematic areas, and domains. Quantitative synthesis used descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 63 studies were included, most published between 2020 and 2024. The majority originated from the Americas (41.3%), followed by Europe (15.9%), the Western Pacific (9.5%), and other regions; 22.2% had a global scope. The most frequent thematic areas were monitoring/surveillance (54.0%) and health communication (42.9%), followed by education/training, AI/ML model development, and digital engagement tools. The domains most often addressed were applications (63.5%), responsiveness, policies/strategies, ethical concerns, and equity/accessibility. Conclusions: AI and digital tools provide significant contributions in detecting misinformation, strengthening surveillance, and promoting health literacy. However, evidence remains heterogeneous, with geographic imbalances, reliance on proxy outcomes, and limited focus on vulnerable groups. Scaling these interventions requires transparent governance, multilingual datasets, ethical safeguards, and integration into public health infrastructures.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Izhari MA, Alghamdi F, Alodeani EA, et al (2025)

Evolutionary Insight into Fatal Human Coronaviruses (hCoVs) with a Focus on Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs).

Biomedicines, 13(10): pii:biomedicines13102450.

The breach of an interspecies barrier by RNA viruses has facilitated the emergence of lethal hCoVs, particularly SARS-CoV-2, resulting in significant socioeconomic setbacks and public health risks globally in recent years. Moreover, the high evolutionary plasticity of hCoVs has led to the continuous emergence of diverse variants, complicating clinical management and public health responses. Studying the evolutionary trajectory of hCoVs, which provides a molecular roadmap for understanding viruses' adaptation, tissue tropism, spread, virulence, and immune evasion, is crucial for addressing the challenges of zoonotic spillover of viruses. Tracing the evolutionary trajectory of lethal hCoVs provides essential genomic insights required for risk stratification, variant/sub-variant classification, preparedness for outbreaks and pandemics, and the identification of critical viral elements for vaccine and therapeutic development. Therefore, this review examines the evolutionary landscape of the three known lethal hCoVs, presenting a focused narrative on SARS-CoV-2 variants under monitoring (VUMs) as of May 2025. Using advanced bioinformatics approaches and data visualization, the review highlights key spike protein substitutions, particularly within the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which drive transmissibility, immune escape, and potential resistance to therapeutics. The article highlights the importance of real-time genomic surveillance and intervention strategies in mitigating emerging variant/sub-variant risks within the ongoing COVID-19 landscape.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Yu L, Chen Z, Huang X, et al (2025)

The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mobile Phone Addiction in College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 15(10): pii:bs15101325.

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mobile phone addiction (MPA) in college students. Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched up to 20 January 2025. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate combined Pearson correlation coefficients (r) with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 29 studies were included in the analysis. A significant negative correlation was found between PA and MPA (r = -0.349; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed a larger effect size in alleviating MPA after the COVID-19 pandemic (r = -0.340; p = 0.008). Additionally, PA demonstrated a large effect size in improving sleep quality (r = -0.365; p < 0.001) and reducing depression and anxiety (r = -0.356; p = 0.024). The effect of PA on self-control was moderate (r = -0.267; p < 0.001), as was its effect on procrastination (r = -0.330; p = 0.016). In contrast, the effect of PA on academic burnout was small (r = -0.141; p < 0.001). In conclusion, increasing PA may reduce MPA by alleviating depression and anxiety and enhancing self-control. PA's benefits for MPA extend to improving sleep quality and reducing academic burnout and procrastination.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Meng J, Suárez L, Yip CCE, et al (2025)

White-Collar Workers in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Mental Well-Being.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 15(10): pii:bs15101313.

This narrative literature review aims to explore the risk and protective factors influencing the mental well-being of white-collar workers in the post-pandemic era. It investigates how factors vary across different phases, including pre-pandemic traditional work models, work-from-home or hybrid models during the pandemic, and the recovery phase of returning to the office in the post-pandemic era. This review highlights the diverse nature of related factors, examining constructs including stress, depression, burnout, thriving, work engagement, workaholism, motivation, workplace civility, and resilience. The Job Demands-Resources model, a recognized theoretical tool for analyzing and understanding the interactions between psychological constructs and their effects on employee well-being and turnover intention, is proposed as a useful framework to consider the relationships between the factors. By synthesizing existing research findings, this review contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between work-related factors and employee well-being in the evolving landscape of the post-pandemic world. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to support white-collar workers' mental well-being and productivity in the post-pandemic era.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Iezadi S, Kolivand P, Namdar P, et al (2025)

Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique, 83(1):261.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to systematically review and synthesize the evidence on the relationship between race/ethnicity and COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the general population.

METHODS: A comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases was conducted in May 2024 and updated in December 2024. Original research studies comparing COVID-19 vaccine uptake or vaccination rates in racial and ethnic minority populations with those of non-Hispanic White populations were eligible for inclusion. A descriptive synthesis of findings was presented in both narrative and tabular formats. Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled adjusted relative risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% credible intervals (CrIs) for COVID-19 vaccine uptake across racial and ethnic groups. Posterior distributions were also examined to explore patterns of disparities.

RESULTS: A total of 30 studies (21 cross-sectional and 9 cohort) were included in the systematic review, of which 10 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom. The majority of the studies reported that racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black, Hispanic, and Other/Mixed racial groups, had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to White populations. Meta-analysis results showed that Black individuals were 13% less likely to be vaccinated (RR: 0.87, 95% CrI: 0.81-0.93), and those of Mixed race were 7% less likely (RR: 0.93, 95% CrI: 0.90-0.97), compared to White individuals. For single-dose uptake, Black individuals were 16% less likely to be vaccinated than White individuals (RR: 0.84, 95% CrI: 0.76-0.92), representing the lowest pooled RR among all groups. Posterior distributions confirmed consistent disparities in vaccine uptake for Black and Mixed race populations across dose categories.

CONCLUSION: Most of the studies reported that racial and ethnic minority groups had lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination compared to White populations. Bayesian effect estimates reinforced these disparities for Black and Mixed race minority groups. While no significant differences were found for Asian, Hispanic, and Other race groups, wide credible intervals in some subgroups suggest the need for further research to explore potential contextual and regional variations not captured in the studies.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Ojukwu E, Pashaei A, Maia JC, et al (2025)

Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV care continuum across global income levels: a mixed-methods systematic review.

AIDS research and therapy, 22(1):115.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to global healthcare systems, including essential services along the HIV care continuum (HCC). While several studies have examined these impacts in specific countries or populations, limited evidence exists on cross-country differences in service disruptions, barriers, and facilitators stratified by national income levels.

METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CAB Direct for quantitative and qualitative studies published between March 2020 and January 2024. Eligible studies assessed the pandemic's impact on one or more stages of the HIV care continuum, including prevention, testing, linkage to care, treatment engagement, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and viral suppression. Data were extracted, appraised, and synthesized using a convergent integrated approach across low-, middle-, and high-income countries as defined by the World Bank.

RESULTS: A total of 200 studies were included. The most frequently disrupted services were HIV testing, prevention (including pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] use), and medical appointments, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. ART adherence and viral suppression showed greater resilience across all settings. Structural barriers, such as lockdowns, healthcare repurposing, and transportation limitations, were widespread, while digital exclusion, stigma, and socioeconomic inequities disproportionately affected marginalized populations. Key facilitators included telemedicine, multi-month dispensing of ART and PrEP, community-based service delivery, and national-level adaptations. The extent of disruption and success of mitigation strategies varied by income level, reflecting differences in health system preparedness and flexibility.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted HIV care globally, with variation across income levels and care continuum stages. Health system resilience, equity in access, and pre-existing adaptive infrastructure significantly shaped outcomes. Findings highlight the need to institutionalize flexible, decentralized, and equity-informed service models to strengthen routine HIV care and pandemic preparedness.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Sonmez G, Gunduz G, Esenboga S, et al (2025)

Lessons From COVID-19 on Inborn Errors of Immunity: A Five-Year Narrative Review.

Scandinavian journal of immunology, 102(5):e70064.

COVID-19 research now provides a coherent picture of the virus's immunological impacts, highlighting immune-evasion mechanisms, the particular vulnerabilities of patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), and evolving therapeutics for severe disease. SARS-CoV-2 exploits ACE2 for cell entry and can utilise CD147 to infect immune cells, undermining antiviral defences; recent work details cytokine storm biology, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and suppression of type I interferon responses. IEI patients are disproportionately affected, often with severe, prolonged courses and persistent PCR positivity. Therapeutic approaches such as convalescent plasma, anti-cytokine agents interferon alpha-2b, and plasma exchange show variable effectiveness, while vaccine performance is challenged by ongoing viral evolution. Together, these insights underscore the need for tailored treatment strategies for IEI populations, vigilant monitoring for immune-escape variants, and continuous adaptation of therapeutic and preventive measures. The aim of this review is to synthesise these findings, evaluate their implications for clinical management, and highlight future directions for research and patient care.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Call MJ, Call ME, X Wu (2025)

Insights from deep mutational scanning in the context of an emerging pathogen.

Biochemical Society transactions, 53(5):1169-1179.

Deep mutational scanning (DMS), a high-throughput method leveraging next-generation sequencing, has been crucial in mapping the functional landscapes of key severe acquired respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins. By systematically assessing thousands of amino acid changes, DMS provides a framework to understand Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding and immune evasion by the spike protein, mechanisms and drug escape potential of the main and papain-like viral proteases and has highlighted areas of concern in the nucleocapsid protein that may affect most currently available rapid antigen testing kits. Each application has required the design of bespoke assays in eukaryotic (yeast and mammalian) cell models, providing an exemplar for the application of this technique to future pandemics. This minireview examines how DMS has predicted key evolutionary changes in SARS-CoV-2 and affected our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology, specifically highlighting their relevance for therapeutics development.

RevDate: 2025-10-29
CmpDate: 2025-10-29

Perelmuter S, JH Shin (2025)

Enhancing endometriosis care with telehealth: Opportunities and challenges.

Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 31(10):1413-1417.

Endometriosis affects a significant portion of women during their reproductive years, causing substantial pain and impacting their quality of life. Telehealth services have emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing endometriosis care, especially in the post-COVID-19 era. For endometriosis patients, who often require frequent appointments and specialized care, telehealth offers a convenient and accessible solution, particularly for addressing pain management and interdisciplinary concerns. Despite the challenges posed by the lack of physical examinations in telehealth, studies show that it can be a viable option for endometriosis care. Integrating telehealth with in-person visits for initial assessments can build trust and ensure comprehensive care delivery. Moreover, telehealth facilitates collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, including gynecologists, psychologists, and physiotherapists, to provide holistic treatment plans addressing physical, psychological, and interpersonal aspects of endometriosis. Here, we explore the potential benefits of telehealth in managing endometriosis, highlighting its role in providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care while overcoming barriers like diagnostic delays and limited access to specialists. Further research and integration of telehealth into routine practice are warranted to maximize its benefits and address the complex challenges associated with endometriosis management.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

González L, V Soriano (2025)

Human ecology: a bridge between medical ethics and the 2030 Agenda.

AIDS reviews, 27(2):55-62.

The United Nations (UN) 2030 agenda is a developing program that aligns all human activities with the goodness and fullness of our planet. Sustainable development goals are grouped into categories, including planet, people, and partnership. Whereas ecology refers to caring for all elements of creation, human ecology points out that man specifically is part of it. It is at this point that medical ethics intersects with ecology. The responsibility of humans for the environment, living beings (animals and plants), and other men is needed for driving all creation to flourishing. Disregarding any of these elements would compromise the whole fulfillment by creatures on Earth, given their close interrelationship. Human abuse, instrumentalization, or exploitation of creatures-including one's own human being-would ultimately destroy our planet. Rather than empowering us with no limits, we should view creation as a gift and we, humans, as caregivers. Given the transformative power of human actions, concerns and regulations are required. This is why medical ethics should guide biotechnological advances, and the cautionary principle should prevail in human research. In this regard, ecology should be understood as the ethics of care. In a pyramidal way, caring should begin with human beings, followed by animals and plants, and finally consider the habitat we live in. In medicine, promoting "one health" underscores the need to expand caring beyond our own species, attending to the consequences of our actions on the environment and other living beings on our planet. The recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the risk of zoonoses and the need for confronting human diseases globally.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Barrientos-Gutiérrez T, Hernández-Rivas L, López-Martínez I, et al (2025)

[Not Available].

Salud publica de Mexico, 67(4, jul-ago):369-380.

Los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica y monitoreo, incluyendo la función de los laboratorios, son esenciales para detectar tempranamente una enfermedad emergente con potencial pandémico y responder adecuadamente ante una crisis sanitaria de interés nacional o internacional potencial o declarada. Por lo tanto, la fortaleza de la estructura y operación de estos sistemas requieren que funcionen con alto desempeño y calidad de manera rutinaria durante estabilidad sanitaria, nutriendo con información en tiempo y forma al sistema de salud para garantizar la orientación adecuada de los programas de prevención y control y, de esta manera, la detección oportuna y atención adecuada de una pandemia. Los planes de preparación y respuesta ante crisis de salud pública, como es el caso de enfermedades emergentes con potencial pandémico o ante pandemias declaradas, requieren sistemas de vigilancia, monitoreo e información con la suficiente flexibilidad para adaptarse y expandirse de acuerdo con las necesidades. Entre otros, se requiere vincular los modelos de vigilancia establecidos con nuevos modelos que permitan la caracterización y aportar detalles de la situación de emergencia de manera dinámica, ya que la información es necesaria para realizar el análisis de riesgo inicial y continuo que debe orientar las acciones de respuesta y recuperación. En este manuscrito se presenta la revisión, análisis y actualización de un ejercicio previo realizado en 2022, donde se delinearon las estrategias y acciones requeridas, así como los hitos esperables derivados de cada una de ellas.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Wassilak SGF, Mohamed A, JP Bigouette (2025)

Impediments to Progress Toward Polio Eradication During 2014-2024: Effectively Addressing the Current Challenges.

Vaccines, 13(10): pii:vaccines13101060.

When the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) began in 1988, the year 2000 target was clearly ambitious. Nonetheless, among 20 countries with endemic wild poliovirus transmission in 2000, only Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan remained endemic in 2014; successful global eradication was anticipated within years. Transmission was interrupted in Nigeria after implementing innovative activities; unfortunately, transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan has continued into 2025. An additional challenge has been controlling outbreaks and interrupting persistent transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 detected after global withdrawal of the use of Sabin strain type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine. The impediments to progress since 2014 are detailed and the challenges that the GPEI must successfully mitigate are reviewed herein. Primary challenges since the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic include the loss of a sense of urgency and political will/national ownership in stopping poliovirus transmission, lower childhood routine immunization coverage and the decreased quality of outbreak response campaigns. These facets need to be strengthened. Ongoing security challenges require continued vigilance in affected areas of wild poliovirus-endemic countries as well as in countries with persistent transmission of vaccine-derived poliovirus. Eradication can be achieved if the multiple challenges mentioned are urgently and more effectively mitigated. Decreased funding for the GPEI in 2025 represents the primary, acute challenge that, if not urgently addressed, may allow for the reversal of all progress to date.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Mansilla C, Kamlongera A, I Dadari (2025)

Gender Barriers to Immunization: A Synthesis of UNICEF's Analyses to Advance Equity and Coverage.

Vaccines, 13(10): pii:vaccines13101059.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite global efforts to improve childhood immunization rates, gender-related barriers continue to hinder equitable access to vaccines worldwide. This study synthesizes gender barrier analyses conducted in various countries to better understand these challenges. This evidence synthesis aims to (1) identify the main gender-related barriers affecting immunization focusing on zero-dose targets, HPV, and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns; and (2) summarize key recommendations and lessons that have emerged from countries to overcome those gender barriers.

METHODS: A documentary analysis was used by reviewing data from gender barrier analyses that were conducted by multiple governments with UNICEF support. The study classified barriers using the socio-ecological model (SEM), encompassing systemic, health service, community, household, and individual-level gender barriers. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic coding were used to analyze data.

RESULTS: This synthesis includes 24 documents representing gender barrier analyses across 29 countries. Findings highlight multiple barriers, including systemic discrimination against women in public and healthcare spaces, limited political will to address gender disparities, and limited (sex)-disaggregated and gender data. At the community and household levels, social norms restrict women's autonomy in seeking immunization services, while household duties (culturally assigned to women) also restrict their access to immunization services. Adolescents face additional challenges, particularly regarding HPV vaccination, due to misconceptions and stigma from families and peers.

CONCLUSIONS: Addressing gender-related barriers requires a multi-level approach, integrating gender-responsive policies, and comprehensively addressing gender barriers that are hindering the progress of vaccination efforts. UNICEF's commitment to gender-responsive immunization strategies is critical for achieving the Immunization Agenda 2030 and ensuring equitable vaccine access for all.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Al Ghafri T, Al Balushi L, Al Balushi Z, et al (2025)

The Experience of an Accelerated COVID-19 Immunization Campaign in Oman: A Review Within the WHO Health System Building Blocks Framework.

Vaccines, 13(10): pii:vaccines13101002.

Oman launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in December 2020, navigating significant public health challenges with resilience and adaptability. The country faced global vaccine shortages, community hesitancy to receive the vaccine, and diverse sociocultural and infrastructural obstacles. Despite these issues, Oman scaled up its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, administering over 7 million doses, covering approximately 71% of the population by mid-2022. The campaign, which operated through more than 44 vaccination centers nationwide, exemplified rapid vaccine implementation, strategic prioritization, and a coordinated pandemic response. This study examined the field experience of Oman's accelerated COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign through the World Health Organization's Health System Building Blocks framework. The key domains addressed included (1) multi-sectoral collaboration underpinned by strong governance structures; (2) the role of primary healthcare facilities as essential first responders during health crises, and safe handling of vaccination procedures; (3) transparency and active community engagement, particularly through local leaders and social media, to address vaccine hesitancy; (4) the integration of digital health information systems to ensure unified and efficient data management; (5) building a resilient healthcare workforce by enhancing vaccination capacity and mental health support; and (6) the importance of financial alternatives. Additionally, the critical role of global and regional partnerships in vaccine production and distribution was highlighted. Drawing on Oman's experience, this descriptive review offers context-specific lessons for enhancing health system preparedness and guiding effective responses to public health emergencies.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Hazan A, Lee HY, Tiong V, et al (2025)

Bacillus subtilis Spores as a Vaccine Delivery Platform: A Tool for Resilient Health Defense in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Vaccines, 13(10): pii:vaccines13100995.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the urgent need for innovative tools to strengthen pandemic preparedness and health defense, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While vaccination has been the cornerstone of the defense strategy against many infectious agents, there is a critical gap in vaccine equity, ensuring it is accessible to all, especially among the most vulnerable populations. The conventional vaccine delivery platforms, through parenteral administration, face notable limitations, including reliance on trained personnel, sterile conditions, and cold chain logistics. The parenteral vaccines often fail to induce robust mucosal immunity, which is critical for preventing infections at mucosal surfaces, the primary entry point for many pathogens. Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, has emerged as a promising platform for mucosal vaccine delivery owing to its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. Its robust spores are highly resilient to harsh environmental conditions, which may eliminate the need for cold chain storage and further facilitate distribution in LMICs. This review explores the potential of B. subtilis as a next-generation vaccine delivery platform, focusing on its unique characteristics, mechanisms of action, and applications in addressing global health challenges. This review also examines existing research demonstrating the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of B. subtilis spore-based vaccines while identifying limitations and future directions for optimization as a scalable and adaptable solution for resilient health defense, particularly in LMICs.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Nasiri A, Alshammari M, Alqahtani R, et al (2025)

Next-Generation Anticoagulants: Precision Strategies for Patient-Centered Thromboprophylaxis.

Journal of personalized medicine, 15(10): pii:jpm15100490.

Thrombosis remains a leading preventable cause of global morbidity and mortality, with conditions like venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation affecting millions worldwide. Traditional anticoagulants (heparins, vitamin K antagonists) require careful monitoring due to narrow therapeutic windows. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) greatly improved convenience and reduced certain hemorrhagic complications (notably intracranial hemorrhage) compared to warfarin, but bleeding, drug-drug interactions, and unmet needs in special populations persist. This review highlights emerging strategies to decouple antithrombotic efficacy from bleeding risk. Novel agents targeting factor XI or XII (small molecules, antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides) have shown in early trials robust thromboembolism prevention with low bleeding. Advances in pharmacogenomics, biomarker-guided dosing, artificial intelligence risk prediction, and digital monitoring promise to personalize therapy. We discuss optimized approaches for high-risk subgroups (cancer-associated thrombosis, extremes of body weight, renal/hepatic dysfunction, pregnancy, perioperative care, and COVID-19) with citations to current evidence. Finally, we outline critical systems-level considerations, including drug accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and educational strategies, that are necessary to realize precision anticoagulation. Our synthesis is grounded in recent peer-reviewed literature and emphasizes innovations likely to improve safety and efficacy of thromboprophylaxis.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Zhou Z, Cho IH, US Kadam (2025)

CRISPR-Cas-Based Diagnostics in Biomedicine: Principles, Applications, and Future Trajectories.

Biosensors, 15(10): pii:bios15100660.

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) systems, originally identified as prokaryotic adaptive immune mechanisms, have rapidly evolved into powerful tools for molecular diagnostics. Leveraging their precise nucleic acid targeting capabilities, CRISPR diagnostics offer rapid, sensitive, and specific detection solutions for a wide array of targets. This review delves into the fundamental principles of various Cas proteins (e.g., Cas9, Cas12a, Cas13a) and their distinct mechanisms of action (cis- and trans-cleavage). It highlights the diverse applications spanning infectious disease surveillance, cancer biomarker detection, and genetic disorder screening, emphasizing key advantages such as speed, high sensitivity, specificity, portability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly for point-of-care (POC) testing in resource-limited settings. The report also addresses current challenges, including sensitivity limitations without pre-amplification, specificity issues, and complex sample preparation, while exploring promising future trajectories like the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of universal diagnostic platforms to enhance clinical translation.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Mara G, Nini G, Frent SM, et al (2025)

Thrombophilic Changes and Hematological Complications in Asthmatic Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 13(10): pii:diseases13100333.

Background/Objectives: The interplay between asthma and COVID-19 raises critical clinical questions, particularly regarding the risk of hematological complications in patients affected by both conditions. While COVID-19 is known to cause coagulopathy and thromboembolic events, it remains unclear whether asthma independently influences these risks. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on hematological abnormalities-including D-dimer elevation, thrombocytopenia, and venous thromboembolism (VTE)-in asthmatic patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting hematologic outcomes in asthmatic patients with COVID-19. After duplicate removal, 139 unique articles were screened, with 40 studies meeting inclusion criteria. These included observational cohorts, retrospective analyses, and clinical investigations. Data were synthesized in a systematic review with qualitative synthesis due to heterogeneity in design and reporting. Results: The review identified variable patterns of D-dimer elevation and thrombotic events among asthmatic COVID-19 patients. Some studies reported a higher incidence of ICU admission, elevated inflammatory and coagulation markers, and increased thromboembolic risk in asthmatic individuals-particularly those with poor disease control or non-allergic phenotypes. However, findings were inconsistent and often limited by the absence of asthma stratification, standardized outcome measures, and prospective designs. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support a definitive link between asthma and increased thrombotic risk in COVID-19. Further research with prospective, phenotype-stratified methodologies and harmonized hematologic endpoints is needed to clarify whether asthma modifies the hematologic trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Pal S, Dutta Gupta S, Guha PS, et al (2025)

Microplastics as emerging stressors in plants: biochemical and metabolic responses.

Environmental geochemistry and health, 47(12):530.

Plastics have become an integral part of modern life, driving global production to a new level and contributing to widespread environmental pollution due to inadequate recycling and waste management systems. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis by increasing the use of single-use plastics, countering earlier attempts to reduce plastic use. A critical concern with plastic pollution is its progressive degradation into microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), which can disperse through air, water, and soil and reach every part of ecosystems. The application of sewage sludge, the breakdown of plastic mulch, and wastewater irrigation have made agricultural soils into important MP sinks, with grave consequences for soil health and food safety. MPs and NPs in particular present significant concerns because of their tiny size, high mobility, and capacity to interact with pollutants in the soil, enter plant tissues, and interfere with metabolic, physiological, and biochemical processes. Recent studies have highlighted their uptake in diverse crops, demonstrating oxidative stress, impaired growth, and significant metabolic reprogramming. This review critically examines the pathways of microplastic uptake and transport in plants, resulting in physiological and biochemical alterations, and the underlying metabolic responses. Microplastics are found to interfere with soil microbes and nutrient cycling, as well as plant metabolism. It is essential to comprehend these changes using multi-omics techniques in order to create resilient crops and successful mitigation plans. By identifying current knowledge gaps, it outlines future research directions to deepen our understanding of plant-microplastic interactions and their broader consequences for agriculture and ecosystem sustainability.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Yuan L, Wang B, YW Huang (2025)

Regulation of Apoptosis and PANoptosis by Coronavirus: An Overview.

Journal of medical virology, 97(11):e70672.

Coronaviruses are a class of RNA viruses that cause disease in animals and humans. Zoonotic coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, can cross species barriers and cause high mortality rates in humans. Coronavirus infection can cause different forms of cell death, among which apoptosis is the earliest and most systematic cell death. PANoptosis is a newly discovered inflammatory programmed cell death regulated by the supramolecular complex known as the PANoptosome. The cell death not only eliminates virus-infected cells but also further promotes innate and adaptive immune processes. Recent studies have shown that the important signaling pathways of apoptosis and PANoptosis induced by coronavirus infection are closely cross-linked, which plays a key role in regulating the replication and pathogenicity of coronavirus. In this review, we first revisit the molecular biology and the replication cycle of coronaviruses, summarize the definitions and characteristics of apoptosis and PANoptosis, and then focus on the current mechanisms of coronavirus-induced apoptosis and PANoptosis, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of these pathways for coronaviruses. We are exploring the detailed molecular mechanism between multiple programmed cell death pathways to provide new ideas for the pathogenic mechanism and drug development of coronavirus.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Tatz GS, Ochodo EA, Fox T, et al (2025)

Molnupiravir for treating COVID-19.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 10:CD015381.

RATIONALE: Five years from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, morbidity and mortality have subsided. Vaccines have contributed to reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. However, new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, and the role of oral antivirals such as molnupiravir in preventing progression of disease or hospitalisation must be assessed.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of molnupiravir in people with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and mild to moderate symptoms.

SEARCH METHODS: We identified all relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) by searching the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, Science Citation Index Expanded, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease database, and the COVID Network Meta-Analysis database with no language restrictions up to 26 April 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We considered full-text articles, preprints, abstracts, trial registry records, and reports of ongoing trials. Cluster-RCTs were eligible for inclusion, but cross-over trials were ineligible. Participants had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with or without risk factors for severe disease. The intervention was molnupiravir 800 mg taken orally every 12 hours for five days, and control was no treatment, placebo, or standard of care, as defined by the study authors. We excluded studies comparing molnupiravir with treatment strategies that included molnupiravir.

OUTCOMES: Our critical outcomes were all-cause mortality and hospitalisation. Our important outcomes were change in clinical status, viral clearance, quality of life, adverse events, and serious adverse events.

RISK OF BIAS: Two review authors independently assessed the risk of bias in each included study using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2). Disagreements were resolved through discussion.

SYNTHESIS METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis where two or more studies with reasonably similar clinical and methodological characteristics reported the same outcome. We used data from intention-to-treat analysis where available. We analysed all outcomes at the participant level using the generic inverse variance method, applying a random-effects model. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

INCLUDED STUDIES: This review included 11 studies (31,272 participants). Eight studies recruited outpatients and three recruited inpatients. We did not meta-analyse inpatient studies, as characteristics varied widely. All outpatient studies included participants with mild to moderate COVID-19, with a mean age ranging from 35 years to 57 years and variable prevalences of comorbidities and COVID-19 vaccination. We excluded suboptimal molnupiravir dosing arms in four outpatient studies and one inpatient study.

SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS: Outpatients Molnupiravir compared to placebo or usual care probably results in little to no difference in all-cause mortality at 28 to 30 days (risk ratio (RR) 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.65; 7 RCTs, 29,238 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The absolute reduction in mortality is nine fewer deaths per 10,000 people treated (95% CI 10 fewer to four fewer per 10,000), which we consider clinically insignificant. Molnupiravir may result in little to no difference in hospitalisation (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.12; 6 RCTs, 29,228 participants; low-certainty evidence), symptom resolution by day 14 (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.71; 3 RCTs, 22,400 participants; low-certainty evidence), and symptom resolution by day 28 (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.26; 3 RCTs, 24,728 participants; low-certainty evidence). Four studies reported viral clearance by day 5, which was higher in people receiving molnupiravir compared with those receiving placebo or usual care (RR 3.40, 95% CI 2.15 to 5.36; 3067 participants). The effect size decreased by day 10 (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.34; 2 RCTs, 2438 participants) and indicated little to no difference between molnupiravir and control by day 14 to 15 (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.13; 4 RCTs, 3062 participants). The results at day 28 to 30 again showed higher virus clearance in the molnupiravir arm (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.19; 3 RCTs, 397 participants), although there were few participants in this analysis. Molnupiravir probably results in little to no difference in adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.15; 7 RCTs, 4304 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Molnupiravir results in little to no difference in serious adverse events (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.21; 8 RCTs, 30,009 participants; high-certainty evidence). Inpatients The effect of molnupiravir in inpatients is unclear; substantial heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Risk of bias and certainty of the evidence We assigned high risk of bias judgements to one of seven RCTs for all-cause mortality, one of six RCTs for hospitalisation, two of three RCTs for symptom resolution at 14 days and 28 days, three of seven RCTs for adverse events, and three of eight RCTs for serious adverse events. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence for serious indirectness as well as risk of bias, as the populations across trials differed by vaccination status. There was no serious imprecision identified for any outcome. Publication bias is likely high in this review, as we identified 16 unpublished trials. Six were listed as complete, but only one had available data.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19, molnupiravir 800 mg taken orally every 12 hours for five days probably results in little to no difference in all-cause mortality and may result in little to no difference in rates of hospitalisation and symptom resolution. There is evidence of increased viral clearance by day 5, but the clinical relevance of this finding is unclear. There is probably little to no difference in adverse events, and there is little to no difference in serious adverse events, with molnupiravir versus placebo or standard care. Inpatient data are lacking, and there is no evidence of benefit of molnupiravir in this population. Further research involving inpatients may change this.

FUNDING: The editorial base of the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group is funded by UK aid from the UK Government for the benefit of low- and middle-income countries (project number 300342-104). The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the UK Government's official policies.

REGISTRATION: Protocol available at https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015381.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Huang S, Wang D, Wang Y, et al (2025)

Bibliometric Analysis of MSC-based Therapies for Non-COVID-19 ARDS.

Current stem cell research & therapy, 20(6):660-672.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) poses a significant challenge as it lacks specific treatments and can occur due to various etiologies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising cell-based therapy for ARDS due to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. Despite encouraging findings from preclinical studies, clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of MSCs in non-COVID-19 ARDS remains insufficient.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of three major databases (Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PubMed) to identify original articles focusing on MSCs in non-COVID-19 ARDS. Subsequently, we employed the bibliometric package in R Studio to analyze and visualize bibliometric indicators derived from the retrieved articles.

RESULTS: Our analysis of 244 original studies revealed a notable trend in research on MSCs and non-COVID-19 ARDS. While the number of publications in this area saw an increase beginning in 2007, it exhibited a decline after 2019, with only 20 articles published in 2022. Notably, a significant proportion (131/244) of these studies originated from Chinese scholars. MSC derivatives emerged as a recent research focus due to their unique advantages as an alternative to MSCs. Specifically, umbilical cord/placental-derived MSCs have gained traction, surpassing the use of bone marrow-derived MSCs by 2022. The route of delivery is still mainly intravenous. Despite the potential advantages of the intratracheal route for lung-related diseases, the intravenous route remains the preferred mode of drug delivery.

CONCLUSION: Research on non-COVID-19 ARDS deserves further attention and investments. Existing studies have primarily focused on MSC derivatives that have shown clinical efficacy. Furthermore, umbilical cord/placental-derived MSCs are expected to replace traditional bone marrow- derived MSCs in research. Intratracheal delivery, which offers advantages for treating pulmonary diseases, still requires extensive experiments to validate.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Dudek A, Bursy M, Szkudlarek W, et al (2025)

Chronic Cardiovascular Disorders Associated With COVID-19: A Literature Review.

Cureus, 17(9):e93271.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is now widely recognized for causing several long-term effects known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) or long COVID (LC). This presents a growing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. This narrative review summarizes original peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed and published between January 2020 and August 2025. It focuses on adult populations unless stated otherwise. We included studies that provided primary clinical or imaging data on chronic cardiovascular outcomes after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We excluded case reports, pediatric-only cohorts, and non-peer-reviewed sources. Among the various cardiovascular issues related to LC, we focused on heart fibrosis (HF), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), new-onset hypertension (HT), and coagulopathy. These conditions consistently show up in the reports and are significant in terms of illness, potential long-term disability, and public health impact. Although these issues are distinct in their underlying causes, they share common mechanisms. These include ongoing inflammation of the endothelium, disruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), immune-related tissue damage, and an ongoing state that promotes blood clots. These processes can lead to measurable myocardial fibrosis that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can detect, autonomic dysfunction often seen as POTS, a greater risk of developing hypertension shortly after infection, and a long-term rise in thromboembolic events due to increased clotting and resistant microclots. Current management is mostly focused on relief of symptoms and involves a team approach. It uses repurposed medications and tailored physical rehabilitation since no specific cure is available yet. Promising but still experimental methods, such as endothelial-protective agents like sulodexide and targeting inflammatory pathways, need thorough testing. There are significant gaps in our understanding of the long-term risk of hypertension, the natural progression of fibrosis, and the best treatment for POTS. This highlights urgent needs for future research. Beyond caring for individual patients, these ongoing cardiovascular problems raise important public health concerns. They include higher healthcare use, long-term disability, and economic costs. This situation requires increased clinical attention and proactive cardiovascular monitoring for those recovering from COVID-19.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Sujith S, N Gatzke (2025)

An overview of clinical presentation and management of long COVID.

The Nurse practitioner, 50(11):38-42.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the 21st century's most significant public health emergency. In addition to the acute symptoms of COVID-19, many individuals are facing long-term health issues related to the infection. The terms "long COVID," "postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection," "postacute COVID syndrome," and "long-haul COVID-19" refer to long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms may persist for weeks or months, reducing quality of life. Health practitioners must stay updated and take proactive measures to manage long COVID effectively. This manuscript provides an overview of risk factors, diagnostic tools, and management strategies, which serve as a resource for understanding and managing long COVID.

RevDate: 2025-10-27

Gleeson-Hammerton T, Pearce J, Eckert M, et al (2025)

Paramedic assessment and referral of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the out-of-hospital environment: a scoping review.

Australasian emergency care pii:S2588-994X(25)00076-4 [Epub ahead of print].

OBJECTIVE: To collate assessment tools, diagnostic/screening methods, referral pathways, and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) available to paramedics managing suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital (OOH) setting, and to examine the evidence cited in these resources.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 presents with varied severity and has caused over seven million deaths since 2020. Ambulance Health Services (AHSs) have faced sustained demand and implemented new measures for patient care, often without evidence-based guidance. This review explores how paramedics assess, diagnose, and refer these patients, and what evidence supports these practices.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Sources from January 2020 to October 2024 were included, with grey literature from six countries eligible until April 2025. Participants were patients of any age assessed or referred by paramedics in OOH settings.

METHODS: Following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR, literature was sourced from databases and ambulance organisations. Data were extracted using Covidence and customised tools, then synthesised narratively and in tables.

RESULTS: Sixty-seven sources from 20 countries were included. Six screening tools, 29 assessment tools, and 13 referral pathways were identified. Few AHS resources cited evidence.

CONCLUSIONS: Paramedic practice is significantly heterogenous and most CPGs lack supporting evidence. This review can aide further evidence-mapping and validation of clinical tools and patient pathways.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Hussain MS, Sultana A, Bisht AS, et al (2025)

Groundbreaking mRNA Lung Cancer Vaccine Trials: A New Dawn in Cancer Treatment.

Current cancer drug targets, 25(8):962-967.

The advent of mRNA vaccines has heralded a transformative era in oncology, exemplified by the BNT116 mRNA lung cancer vaccine. Leveraging the same groundbreaking technology as COVID-19 vaccines, BNT116 delivers tumor-specific genetic instructions to the immune system, targeting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent lung cancer subtype. This approach contrasts with conventional therapies that lack precision and often damage healthy tissues. By encoding tumor antigens, BNT116 educates cytotoxic T cells to recognize and eradicate malignant cells, aligning with the principles of precision medicine. Early-phase clinical trials (e.g., NCT05142189) have demonstrated a favorable safety profile and promising antitumor activity, with ongoing research exploring its use in combination therapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors. Despite logistical challenges, such as mRNA instability and cold chain requirements, advances in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems are enhancing vaccine stability and efficacy. The adaptability of mRNA technology positions it as a cornerstone for personalized oncology, with potential applications extending to other cancers. Success in the BNT116 trials could redefine NSCLC treatment paradigms, offering a targeted, less cytotoxic alternative. This innovation can not only improve therapeutic outcomes, but also pave the way for preventive cancer vaccines, signaling a new dawn in cancer treatment.

RevDate: 2025-10-28
CmpDate: 2025-10-28

Singh M, Deokar K, Sinha BP, et al (2025)

Infective pulmonary diseases and the eye: a narrative review.

Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace, 95(3):.

Several infectious pulmonary diseases affect the eye. An understanding of the association between infectious pulmonary and ocular diseases is pivotal to their successful management. We aimed to review the infections affecting both the lungs and the eye. The electronic database PubMed and the search engine Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles. Ocular tuberculosis (TB), usually not associated with clinical evidence of pulmonary TB, can affect almost all the ocular structures. Confirmation of the diagnosis of ocular TB requires demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in ocular fluids/tissues. Among the drugs used to treat TB, ethambutol, isoniazid, and linezolid may cause toxic optic neuropathy. The elderly, those with renal disease, diabetes mellitus, malnourished, alcoholics, and those who will receive ethambutol at doses greater than 15 mg/kg/day and for prolonged periods are at high risk of developing toxic optic neuropathy. These individuals should be referred to an ophthalmologist before initiating anti-tuberculous treatment for a baseline ophthalmic evaluation. Linezolid may also cause toxic retinal neuropathy. Rifampicin may cause yellowish-orange discoloration of tears and contact lenses. Adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus exhibit both pulmonary and ocular tropism. Pneumocystis jirovecii choroiditis is rare and mainly seen when aerosolized pentamidine is used for pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis. Further research is needed to develop non-interventional strategies to diagnose ocular TB. Biomarkers for early detection of toxic optic neuropathy are a need of the hour. Genetic factors and mechanisms behind the development of ethambutol, isoniazid, and linezolid-induced toxic optic neuropathy need further study.

RevDate: 2025-10-27

Monteiro Belo Dos Santos S, Van Tricht C, Lammertyn J, et al (2025)

Zoonotic disease detection at the point-of-care: the best of RPA and CRISPR-Cas.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 293:118139 pii:S0956-5663(25)01016-4 [Epub ahead of print].

Biosensors are increasingly crucial in detecting biomarkers for emerging zoonotic diseases at the point-of-care (POC). This imminence was recently highlighted by the deficient response during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the common nucleic acid (NA) testing method for zoonotic diseases in laboratory settings, it is impractical for the POC settings due to the equipment-related cost, lack of portability and user-friendliness. Recent advances in NA amplification introduced isothermal methods, such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), which is known for its low temperature (37-42 °C), short incubation time (5-20 min) and suitability for integration in miniaturized, portable, low-cost, highly sensitive diagnostic platforms. However, RPA susceptibility to false positive results steered to its combination with CRISPR-Cas12/13, leading to the rise of SHERLOCK and DETECTR. This review first explores RPA-CRISPR-Cas bioassay development as either two- or one-step. This is followed by a discussion on the integration of canonical RPA, or its combination with CRISPR-Cas, into different diagnostic platforms towards NA amplification at the POC (e.g., mobile laboratories, centrifugal, or pump-free platforms). Finally, the advantages, limitations, and outlook for POC-based diagnostics of zoonotic diseases with RPA(-CRISPR-Cas) are discussed, highlighting the need for innovative technologies to address global health challenges. While promising, many of these approaches still require further research to achieve streamlined, single-step reactions and seamless integration into diagnostic platforms. Moreover, despite two decades of RPA(-CRISPR-Cas) development, technology readiness is limited, still missing validated platforms, integrated sample preparation, and AI-powered results analysis enabling real time epidemiological monitoring.

RevDate: 2025-10-27

Raju L, Tiz DB, Iles A, et al (2025)

Deuteration of Six-Membered N-Heteroarenes: Chemistry and Applications.

Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].

Six-membered N-heteroarenes ("6NHetAr") play pivotal roles in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials science industries. In recent times, deuterium (D)-labelled 6NHetAr have demonstrated enhanced performance over their unlabelled counterparts. For example, VV116 and VX-984, approved therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 and cancer, and deuterated functional materials for use as ligands in catalysts and organometallic light-emitters. As interest in this field continues to grow, there is a corresponding need to develop more efficient, scalable, and sustainable approaches to deuterate 6NHetAr. In this work, we comprehensively review approaches developed for the incorporation of D into 6NHetAr, their fused counterparts, and complex compounds containing 6NHetAr. We also provide an overview of established and emerging applications for these materials.

RevDate: 2025-10-27

Dutta A, Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L, et al (2025)

Efficacy of Yoga Nidra in Managing Sleep Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Journal of integrative and complementary medicine [Epub ahead of print].

Background: Sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent and significantly impact physical and mental health. Yoga Nidra, a guided meditative practice, has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance sleep quality. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of Yoga Nidra in managing sleep disorders across diverse populations. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Yoga Nidra for sleep-related outcomes, published up to March 31, 2025. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of Yoga Nidra on sleep quality and related psychological outcomes. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane RoB tool (in seven domains). Results: Six RCTs (n = 244) were included, involving participants with chronic insomnia, hypertension, acute insomnia, COVID-19 health care workers, and sportspersons. Most studies reported significant improvements in key sleep parameters such as sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency among participants practicing Yoga Nidra. Improvements were observed compared to various control interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, progressive muscle relaxation, and music-based relaxation. However, heterogeneity was noted in intervention protocols, outcome measures, and duration. Most studies had moderate to high RoB, primarily due to lack of blinding and incomplete outcome reporting. Moreover, there was a lack of accurate reporting of adverse events and safety data across the studies. Conclusion: Yoga Nidra appears to show promise as a therapeutic intervention for improving sleep and related mental health outcomes. Nevertheless, high-quality, methodologically robust RCTs are needed to confirm its efficacy and support its integration into evidence-based clinical practice.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Shchelokova EE, Kogan EA, Avraamova ST, et al (2025)

[Features of lung cancer carcinogenesis involving cancer stem cells in COVID-19. Effects of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cancer and COVID-19].

Arkhiv patologii, 87(5):65-73.

Lung cancer occupies a leading position among malignant neoplasms throughout the world, and the issue of carcinogenesis of this disease today still remains relevant. This review examines in detail the issue of the participation of cancer stem cells in the development of lung cancer, the concept of the stem cell niche, and options for their detection using molecular and immunohistochemical studies. A separate section examines the impact of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 on CSC and lung cancer carcinogenesis in general, as well as the successful results of the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of both diseases.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Kerobe W, Msellem AS, Sabuni PA, et al (2025)

Impact of temperature and humidity on SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Frontiers in public health, 13:1570002.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic remains crucial for understanding the epidemiology of future respiratory infections. Gaining insights into the climatic factors influencing the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 is an important public health issue in the control and prevention of the disease. Hence, this study aimed to assess the association between SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and both humidity and temperature.

METHODS: Articles published between December 2019 and August 2024 were identified from PubMed, Africa Journal Online, Science Direct, and Hinari databases following PRISMA guidelines. The focus was on studies that reported transmissibility based on basic reproductive number, specifically correlation coefficients between basic reproductive number and temperature, or humidity, or corresponding regression coefficients, and their standard errors. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. Random effect models were applied. The meta-analysis was done in R version 4.3.0.

RESULTS: 9 studies qualified, but 5 were excluded for missing coefficients, leaving 4 for meta-analysis. The study analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between temperature and SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility (r = -0.509, 95% CI: -0.680 to -0.338, p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant but weaker negative correlation was found between humidity and SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility (r = -0.426, 95% CI: -0.548 to -0.303, p < 0.001). A unit increase in humidity measured in percentage was associated with a decrease in transmissibility by 0.006 (95% CI: -0.007 to -0.004, p < 0.001), while a unit increase in temperature in Celsius (°C) was associated with a reduction of transmissibility by 0.008 (95% CI: -0.030 to -0.030, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Temperature and humidity were negatively associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility; thus, disease transmissibility decreased as temperature or humidity increased. Climatic factors are important considerations for effective disease surveillance and preparedness strategies.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, CRD42025637440.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Thambiraj G, Bazoukis G, Ghabousian A, et al (2025)

Use of artificial intelligence in predicting in-hospital cardiac and respiratory arrest in an acute care environment-implications for clinical practice.

Frontiers in medical technology, 7:1681059.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI)-based models can augment clinical decision-making, including prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, in all aspects of medicine.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The current systematic review aims to provide a summary of existing data about the role of machine learning (ML) techniques in predicting in-hospital cardiac arrest, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and respiratory arrest.

METHODS: The study was conducted in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science without any restriction were searched to extract relevant manuscripts until October 20, 2023. Additionally, the reference list of all potential studies was searched to identify further relevant articles. Original publications were regarded as eligible if they only recruited adult patients (≥18 years of age), employed AI/ML algorithms for predicting cardiac arrest, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and respiratory arrest in the setting of critical care, used data gathered from wards with critically ill patients (ICUs, cardiac ICUs, and emergency departments), and were published in English. The following information was extracted: first author, journal, ward, sample size, performance and features of ML and conventional models, and outcomes.

RESULTS: ML algorithms have been used for cardiac arrest prediction using easily obtained variables as inputs. ML algorithms showed promising results (AUC 0.73-0.96) in predicting cardiac arrest in different settings, including critically ill ICU patients, patients in the emergency department and patients with sepsis, they demonstrated variable performance (AUC 0.54-0.94) in predicting respiratory arrest in COVID-19 patients, as well as other clinical settings.

CONCLUSION: ML algorithms have shown promising results in predicting in-hospital cardiac and respiratory arrest using readily available clinical data. These algorithms may enhance early identification of high risk patients and support timely interventions, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity rates. However, the prospective validation of these algorithms and their integration into clinical workflows need further exploration.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Negari IP, Khoerunnisa AN, Tarwadi , et al (2025)

Delivery and adjuvant: liposomes for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Biotechnologia, 106(3):339-360.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of vaccines in controlling infectious diseases, with liposome-based formulations emerging as a pivotal advancement in vaccine technology. Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of lipid bilayers that serve as drug delivery systems and versatile adjuvants, enhancing vaccine efficacy through improved antigen stability, targeted delivery, and immunogenicity. This review explores the potential of liposomes as adjuvants in both mRNA and protein subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, detailing their composition and dual impact on innate and adaptive immune responses. Notably, liposome-based mRNA vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer and Moderna, have demonstrated high efficacy by utilizing lipid nanoparticles to encapsulate mRNA and stimulate antigen-presenting cells, thereby inducing robust immune responses. Despite their advantages, challenges remain, including the optimization of lipid compositions and the mitigation of adverse immune effects. This review also examines the broad applications of liposomes in nanomedicine - from cancer therapy to antifungal treatments - and their potential for future vaccine development. By bridging the gap between engineering and immunology, the study of liposomes underscores their transformative potential in addressing current and emerging global health challenges.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Belayneh AG, Andargie GA, Seid K, et al (2025)

Treatment outcome and associated factors of acute heart failure in East Africa, an Ethiopian perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

American heart journal plus : cardiology research and practice, 59:100637.

BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure is a major global health issue, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Despite its burden, comprehensive data on acute heart failure in East Africa remains scarce.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the treatment outcome of acute heart failure and associated factors in East Africa with a focus on Ethiopia.

METHODS: Relevant studies were searched in major databases, including PubMed/Medline, Hinari, Science Direct, EMBASE, Scopus, AJOL, Cochrane Library, and local sources from July 5-25, 2024. Both published and unpublished studies in English were included without restrictions on publication date, following PRISMA-2020 protocols. Data quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and meta-analysis was conducted using Stata version 18.

RESULTS: A total of 9 articles involving 1107 participants were included. The pooled mortality of acute heart failure was 16.36 % (95 % CI: 12.39, 20.33) with heterogeneity (I[2)] value of 85.86 %. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), smoking, and hypotension were the factors significantly associated with the pooled mortality rate of acute heart failure.

CONCLUSION: This review reveals a high mortality of acute heart failure among hospitalized patients in Ethiopia. Factors such as increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), smoking, and hypotension contribute to death due to acute heart failure. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the burden of acute heart failure and improve patient survival in Ethiopia by addressing the identified predictors of poor outcomes and integrating global best practices into local healthcare systems.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Irfan B, Khleif A, Badarneh J, et al (2025)

Considering Islamic Frameworks to Infectious Disease Prevention.

Open forum infectious diseases, 12(10):ofaf011.

Infectious diseases remain a significant global health challenge, particularly in Muslim-majority countries, where socioeconomic disparities, urbanization, and conflict exacerbate the spread of illnesses such as dengue, cholera, malaria, and coronavirus disease 2019. This review explores the potential of Islamic concepts such as taharah (cleanliness), la darar wa la dirar (prevention of harm), and maṣlaḥa (communal benefit) as frameworks for infectious disease prevention. These values may align with public health goals, offering religiously resonant approaches to health promotion while addressing the ethical complexities of integrating religious beliefs with biomedical imperatives. This review examines how community health workers and religious leaders can collaborate to deliver health education, promote vaccination, and manage disease outbreaks, particularly in underserved regions where trust in certain institutions is limited. Challenges arise in ensuring inclusivity, avoiding stigmatization, and balancing the utility of religion in optimal medical end goals. The ethical implications of using religious messaging in public health campaigns are critically analyzed, emphasizing the need for careful framing to avoid coercion while addressing public benefit. By synthesizing existing literature and case studies, this review highlights how Islamic frameworks may be used to support effective, ethical, and sustainable infectious disease prevention for various stakeholders, offering valuable insights for public health strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Ahmad Hilmi SB, Chellappan DK, AP Kunnath (2025)

Non-Malignant Granulocyte and Monocyte Disorders: An Update.

British journal of biomedical science, 82:15072.

Non-malignant disorders of granulocytes and monocytes include a range of conditions characterized by either quantitative issues (such as cytopenias or cytophilias) or qualitative defects in innate immune cells. These disorders encompass neutropenias, monocytopenias, eosinophilic syndromes, and defects in granulocyte maturation. They can result from genetic mutations (including ELANE, HAX1, GATA2, and CSF3R), autoimmune dysregulation, or idiopathic mechanisms. The clinical manifestations of these disorders vary and can include recurrent infections, inflammatory complications, and organ damage. These issues arise from disrupted granulopoiesis, abnormal apoptosis, or dysfunctional chemotaxis. Recent innovations underscore how molecular diagnostics inform both mutation detection and risk stratification in congenital neutropenias. Take ELANE-associated severe congenital neutropenia: such variants not only establish the disorder but also highlight the subsequent hazard of myelodysplastic progression. In contrast, GATA2 deficiency generates isolated monocytopenia, correlating with a broadened window for opportunistic pathogens. Frontline practice now advocates for prompt, integrative assessment using next-generation sequencing alongside quantitative flow cytometry, thereby parsing mild benign states from early clonal hematopoiesis. Management hurdles persist, especially in patients with refractory neutropenia and the calibrated use of immunosuppression in autoimmune etiologies. The COVID-19 pandemic incidentally reiterated the extent of infectious susceptibility within this cohort, prompting the refinement of absolute, personalized prophylactic strategies. This review synthesizes the molecular mechanisms, genetic basis, and therapeutic innovations in non-malignant granulocyte/monocyte disorders, offering a roadmap for personalized management. By bridging mechanistic insights with clinical practice, it addresses unmet needs in diagnostics, risk prediction, and novel biologics, ultimately improving outcomes for these underrecognized yet impactful conditions.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Zhang R, Liu L, G Wang (2025)

Medical Policy Reform in the Digital Age: Responding to Health Crises Shaped by Internet Public Opinion.

Risk management and healthcare policy, 18:3387-3396.

The evolution of digital media over recent decades has fundamentally reshaped how health crises are communicated and managed, significantly influencing medical policy reforms. The increasing prominence of social media platforms has created new opportunities and challenges in health crisis management. This review examines how online discourse surrounding health crises, including both accurate information and misinformation, has shaped public health policy by influencing public trust and complicating policy implementation. Through an analysis of case studies and crisis communication literature, this review identifies the key factors driving policy changes in response to digital public opinion. The role of misinformation, viral content, and digital activism in driving or hindering health policy reforms is discussed, with a focus on how governments and health agencies have adapted their communication strategies to maintain public trust and ensure effective policy implementation. Notable examples include South Korea's digital health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and the United States responses to vaccine eligibility confusion, which illustrate the dynamic relationship between digital mobilisation and policy shifts. The review advocates for the integration of digital engagement strategies into health policy development, emphasising transparency, real-time feedback, and active stakeholder participation. Best practices in digital crisis management, such as social media monitoring, data-informed decision-making, and transparent communication, are highlighted. As digital media continues to shape public opinion, agile, transparent, and responsive communication has become critical. Policymakers must now consider digital engagement not only as a tool for crisis management but as an essential component of the policymaking process.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Alfonso Arvez MJ, Tan GSQ, Leung MTY, et al (2025)

SGLT2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Infections in Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Real-World Evidence.

Journal of diabetes research, 2025:5888495.

BACKGROUND: People with diabetes are at increased risk of infections. Emerging evidence suggests sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have pleiotropic effects that may protect against certain infections. We systematically reviewed real-world evidence on the association between SGLT2 inhibitors and infections among adults with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 1, 2012 to March 18, 2024 for observational studies conducted in adults with Type 2 diabetes published in English. The exposure was SGLT2 inhibitors, and comparators were nonusers or users of other glucose-lowering medications. Studies reporting outcome estimates for specific non-genitourinary infections were included. The study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023492265).

RESULTS: From 6827 records, 28 studies were included in qualitative synthesis and 14 in meta-analyses. There was no association with COVID-19-related mortality in seven studies (OR 0.91; 95% CI: 0.57-1.46) or COVID-19-related hospitalisation in three studies (OR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.67-1.20). A reduced risk of pneumonia was observed in three studies (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.57-0.66), a reduced risk of pneumonia-related mortality in two studies (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.35-0.67), and a reduced risk of sepsis in three studies (HR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.30-0.68).

CONCLUSION: Real-world evidence suggests SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with lower risk of pneumonia, pneumonia-related mortality and sepsis. Given the high burden of infection in this population, these associations deserve further research.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Moreal C, Angelini J, Venturini S, et al (2025)

Management of Invasive Fungal Infection: Clinical Strategies in Critical Care from a Multidisciplinary Consensus.

The new microbiologica, 48(3):211-214.

Fungal infections pose a growing threat in hospital settings, particularly among critically ill or immunocompromised patients. A multidisciplinary consensus among fifteen clinical experts from Northern Italy examined the increasing challenge of invasive fungal infections, especially in patients with high-risk complications and in critical settings. The report emphasizes early diagnostic integration through clinical assessment, biomarker evaluation, and the essential role of therapeutic drug monitoring in optimizing outcomes. This consensus aims to consolidate clinical strategies for timely diagnosis, personalized pharmacologic intervention, and antifungal stewardship. Azoles are identified as first-line treatment options. Isavuconazole emerged as a preferred therapeutic agent due to its favorable pharmacokinetic profile, safety in renal impairment, and lack of QT interval prolongation. This consensus supports integrated strategies combining early recognition, rapid diagnostics, individualized pharmacology, and antifungal stewardship to improve outcomes, particularly in critical care settings.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Madjitey P, Hunt M, A Andermann (2025)

Exploring the Ethical Tensions Experienced by Health Care Workers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Critical Interpretive Review of the Literature.

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 19:e304 pii:S1935789325102292.

OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to map the main ethical tensions experienced by health workers in low- and middle-income countries during infectious disease outbreaks.

METHODS: We conducted a critical interpretive review of qualitative research studies. After searching 3 databases, 4445 articles were exported to Rayyan, deduplicated, and screened for eligibility. Of the 98 articles retained for full review, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted to an Excel spreadsheet and key ethical tensions were identified using a descriptive content and thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS: Twenty-three of the studies focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and two addressed Ebola epidemics. Three major ethical tensions were experienced by health workers, which involved conflicts between their professional duty to patients, colleagues, and communities, as against their concerns for personal safety, the well-being of their families, and facing stigma and discrimination. Secondary tensions arose when health workers seeking to manage these primary ethical tensions experienced further uncertainty about whether to disclose information about their professional roles with family members or community.

CONCLUSIONS: Ethical tensions are unavoidable during contagions, and may be amplified due to structural features. Authorities must take steps to support health workers as they navigate ethical tensions during localized epidemics or global pandemics.

RevDate: 2025-10-27

Chandrasekaran K, Chitathoor S, Deshpande A, et al (2025)

Oral Cavity Involvement in Mucormycosis: A Systematic Review.

Ear, nose, & throat journal [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening fungal infection. While rhinocerebral forms are well-documented, oral cavity involvement remains underreported and misdiagnosed, despite its potential for rapid progression and serious complications.

AIM: This systematic review aimed to evaluate and synthesize available evidence on the clinical presentation, anatomical patterns, diagnostic methods, outcomes, and management strategies associated with oral cavity involvement in mucormycosis.

METHODOLOGY: Literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to 2025. Eligible human studies were included. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and risk of bias was evaluated with the ROBINS-I tool with 7 included studies.

RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 451 cases were analyzed. Most patients were middle-aged males with diabetes and a recent post-COVID-19 status. Common clinical features included palatal ulcers, eschar, tooth mobility, and necrotic lesions. Diagnosis relied on potassium hydroxide mount, histopathology, and imaging. Amphotericin B was the mainstay of antifungal therapy, often combined with surgical debridement or maxillectomy. Mortality varied widely across studies, with better outcomes linked to early diagnosis and combined treatment.

CONCLUSION: Oral Mucormycosis is a critical yet often underrecognized condition. Timely identification in high-risk patients is essential to prevent progression.

RevDate: 2025-10-25

Hamilton FL, Imran S, Mahmood A, et al (2025)

Design and deployment of digital health interventions to reduce the risk of the digital divide and to inform development of the living with COVID recovery: a systematic scoping review.

Health and social care delivery research [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions can support health-related knowledge transfer, for example through websites or mobile applications, and may reduce health inequalities by making health care available, where access is difficult, and by translating content to overcome language barriers. However, digital health intervention can also increase health inequalities due to the digital divide. To reach digitally excluded populations, design and delivery mechanisms need to specifically address this issue. This review was conducted during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and informed the rapid design, deployment and evaluation of a post-COVID-19 rehabilitation digital health intervention: 'Living with COVID Recovery' (LWCR). LWCR needed to be engaging and usable for patients and to avoid exacerbating health inequalities. LWCR was introduced as a service into 33 NHS clinics, was used by 7679 patients, and evaluation ran from August 2020 to December 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To identify evidence-based digital health intervention design and deployment features conducive to mitigating the digital divide.

METHODS: Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Evidence, PROSPERO, PubMed (with MEDLINE and Europe PMC) and Turning Research into Practice; OpenGrey and Google Scholar were searched for primary research studies published in English from 1 October 2011 to 1 October 2021.

SETTING AND POPULATION: Adults who were likely to be affected by the digital divide, including older age, minority ethnic groups, lower income/education level and in any healthcare setting.

INTERVENTIONS: Any digital health intervention with features of design and/or deployment intended to enable access and engagement by the population of focus.

COMPARATORS: Any or none.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Any related to participants' access and/or use of digital health intervention and/or change in digital skills and confidence.

ANALYSIS: Data from studies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted, narratively synthesised and thematically analysed.

RESULTS: Twenty-two papers met the inclusion criteria. Digital health interventions evaluated included telehealth, text message interventions, virtual assistants, self-management programmes and decision aids.

DESIGN THEMES INCLUDE: Co-development with end-users, user testing through iterative design cycles, digital health interventions that also helped improve digital skills and digital health literacy, tailoring for low literacy through animations, pictures, videos and writing for low reading ages; virtual assistants to collect information from patients and guide the use of a digital health intervention.

DEPLOYMENT THEMES INCLUDED: Free devices and data, or signposting to sources of cheap/free devices and Wi-Fi, text message interventions, providing 'human support', providing tailored digital skills education as part of the intervention and enabling peer/family support.

LIMITATIONS: Our search extended to late 2021, and there has been a massive increase in the literature following the pandemic. However, as our review was undertaken to inform the LWCR digital health intervention design and deployment, we have reported the results that informed this work. The studies included in the review were heterogeneous, so generalisability may be limited. Few randomised controlled trials assessed the digital health intervention's impact on digital health skills by using validated measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the design and deployment findings described above when developing digital health interventions may help overcome the digital divide. Beyond informing the LWCR digital health intervention development, the review findings have wider implications for the equitable design, delivery and evaluation of digital health interventions.

FUNDING: This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme as award number NIHR132243.

RevDate: 2025-10-27
CmpDate: 2025-10-27

Maeda T, Komine G, Noda R, et al (2025)

Adult-onset Still's disease following COVID-19: a case report and literature review.

Modern rheumatology case reports, 9(2):.

A 59-year-old man developed adult-onset Still's disease 11 days after contracting COVID-19. He presented with high fever, polyarthritis, erythema, sore throat, and high levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin; treatment with glucocorticoids and methotrexate led to disease remission. We reviewed the clinical characteristics of 12 cases (11 from the literature and the present case) of adult-onset Still's disease following COVID-19. Eight cases involved females, with a median age of 54 years (19-59 years), and the median time from COVID-19 to Still's disease onset was 12.5 days. Frequencies of high fever, arthralgia, typical skin lesion, sore throat, liver damage, and increased neutrophil count did not differ from cases of non-COVID-related adult-onset Still's disease. Serum ferritin levels were increased in all cases (median 6354 ng/ml). Complications were infrequent, with macrophage activation syndrome reported in one case. Immunosuppressive drugs and biologic agents were used in five and three cases, respectively, and all cases had good outcomes. Our review suggests that adult-onset Still's disease develops early after COVID-19, presenting with clinical findings similar to non-COVID-19-related cases, and has few severe complications and a good prognosis.

RevDate: 2025-10-25
CmpDate: 2025-10-25

Reis J, Öztürk Ş, Buguet A, et al (2025)

Stroke, infections, and New Mechanisms: a Narrative Review.

Current neurology and neuroscience reports, 25(1):74.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Infections as a risk factor for stroke remain an underrecognized issue within the medical community although this link was identified for more than 60 years. Preceding infections acting as triggers or even causal factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were assessed notably for tropical infections.

RECENT FINDINGS: Since the COVID 19 pandemic, the interest for all kind of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasitosis) is becoming an emerging concern worldwide. Surprisingly, this risk is addressed only in classification of causes concerning young adults and children. In addition, the seasonality of meteorological conditions (temperature, humidity, rain patterns) probably obscured the underlying causes such as epidemic infections and air pollution peaks (which can act in synergy, notably for respiratory infections). Greater recognition of infection-related stroke risk is essential, especially given the potential for increased incidence driven by global warming, the availability of biomarkers for risk assessment, and the opportunities improving preventive and therapeutic strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-24

Vera-Torres A, Cortes-Mejia NA, de la Hoz-Valle JA, et al (2025)

Challenges of high-quality clinical research in Colombia: an example of a clinical trial amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Journal of public health policy [Epub ahead of print].

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant disparities in health research across regions, particularly in Latin America. This viewpoint explores the challenges encountered during a randomized clinical trial in Colombia designed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous Alprostadil for treating moderate-to-severe COVID-19. The trial, aimed to address the urgent need for effective treatments, ultimately became undermined by bureaucratic barriers. This experience of regulatory delays and prolonged setbacks highlighted broader systemic issues in health research across Latin America, such as tangled regulatory frameworks, insufficient skilled staff, and limited research infrastructure. These obstacles, combined with financial constraints, prevent timely research, impairing Latin America's ability to address health crises independently. To improve health research policies in the region, lessons from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, where regulatory processes have been streamlined, suggest that reforms promoting efficient approval systems, policy alignment, and enhanced collaboration are vital for strengthening health research capacity in Latin America.

RevDate: 2025-10-25
CmpDate: 2025-10-25

Zhang X, Tong X, Hou R, et al (2025)

Unveiling the secret of cellular metamorphosis: the crucial role of EndMT mechanisms in COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Inflammopharmacology, 33(10):6251-6260.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in several long-term complications, with COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis being a significant concern. Despite increasing recognition, the mechanisms underlying its development, effective treatment strategies, and long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. Emerging research highlights the direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 on vascular endothelial cells, identifying endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as a key factor in the progression of COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews addressing the link between EndMT and COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This review seeks to fill that gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the relationship between EndMT and fibrosis, examining relevant risk factors and molecular pathways. Our findings offer critical insights that could inform the development of targeted anti-fibrotic therapies aimed at mitigating COVID-19-related pulmonary fibrosis. Ultimately, this review aims to advance understanding of the role of EndMT in pulmonary fibrosis and to guide future research and treatment approaches.

RevDate: 2025-10-25
CmpDate: 2025-10-25

Meschino D, Lindsay D, Tang GH, et al (2025)

Evaluating the combined effect of antifibrinolytics and estrogen on the risk of thromboembolism: a scoping review.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH, 23(11):3540-3560.

BACKGROUND: Up to 30% of reproductive-aged women seek medical attention for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Estrogen-containing contraceptives and antifibrinolytics are first-line treatments. Despite evidence for these agents for HMB and for antifibrinolytics in other high-estrogen states (eg, postpartum), many antifibrinolytic monographs warn against use with concurrent estrogen-containing contraception given theoretical thromboembolic risk.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the literature that explores the combined effect of pharmacologic or high physiologic estrogen and antifibrinolytic agents on thromboembolic risk in women of reproductive age when used for heavy menstrual or postpartum bleeding.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed of records until April 2023. Publications written in English describing risk or reported cases of thromboembolism in reproductive-age women prescribed antifibrinolytics with estrogen-containing contraceptives or with a physiologic estrogenic state were included.

RESULTS: We identified 4302 publications; 55 publications with 199 228 participants were included. Two case reports and one case series described thromboembolism with concomitant estrogen-containing contraceptives and antifibrinolytic use. Four of 5 patients in the case series had other thrombotic risk factors. Fifty-two publications investigated antifibrinolytic use postpartum. Four RCTs of postpartum antifibrinolytic use assessed thromboembolism as a secondary outcome, none of which reported increased risk with antifibrinolytics. One case report suggested possible thrombotic risk wherein the patient had other provoking risk factors.

CONCLUSION: We found no strong evidence that intermittent antifibrinolytic use in physiologic estrogenic states is associated with increased reported cases or risk of thromboembolic events. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the thrombotic risk of combined estrogen-containing contraceptives and antifibrinolytics.

RevDate: 2025-10-25
CmpDate: 2025-10-25

Summerbell R, J Scott (2025)

Emerging Human Health Problems Caused by Pathogenic and Immuno-activating Fungi.

Current topics in microbiology and immunology, 446:201-241.

In recent years, several types of novel fungal health problems have been emerging in parallel. Antifungal-drug-resistant opportunistic pathogens have emerged both in previously unknown lineages, notably Candida auris, and in traditional pathogens and opportunists such as the Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex and Aspergillus fumigatus. Emergence of resistance in Aspergillus is clearly connected to agricultural use of fungicides related to medical antifungals, but is brought into further prominence by the simultaneous emergence of immunosuppressive viral effects connected to influenza and SARS CoV 2 infections. The sources of drug resistance phenotypes in Candida auris and Trichophyton indotineae are unclear, but neither climate change nor drug misuse can be clearly implicated. In Onygenalean endemic mycoses, however, climate change is under suspicion of causing range extension in Coccidioides immitis. Decimation of some North American bat species associated with Histoplasma hot spots has not had a perceptible effect on this fungus so far. Historical reading suggests that it may have survived a previous loss of conditioned habitat when the passenger pigeon became extinct. Emergence of Emergomyces and new Blastomyces species appears mainly to be related to enhanced recognition. Two separate sporotrichosis outbreaks in cats in South America and Southeast Asia suggest a little-discussed mechanism of pathogen emergence, opportunity trawling, i.e. ingress of new potential hosts into pathogen habitats leading to novel epizootics. In the investigations of non-pathogenic fungi connected to immunologically or toxicologically mediated symptomatology in indoor environments, the slow augmentation of difficult-to-obtain evidence has clarified that indoor dampness and mould can cause diverse health effects, ranging from novel advent of asthmatic conditions to eczema-like skin disturbances. The methodology used to evaluate indoor mould symptomatology shares some of the deficiencies that racked medical evaluations of causality during the SARS CoV 2 outbreak. Pertinent epidemiological connections may be obscured by an excessive positivistic demand for proof where the combination of valid evidence and judicious attention to the precautionary principle would better serve the community.

RevDate: 2025-10-25
CmpDate: 2025-10-25

Wei P, Wang X, Han J, et al (2025)

A bibliometric and visualized analysis of ischemic optic neuropathy from 2014 to 2024.

European journal of ophthalmology, 35(6):2259-2271.

ObjectiveIschemic optic neuropathy (ION) is one of major causes of blindness or severe visual impairment. However, controversies persist regarding its pathogenesis, clinical features and management. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis to provide an assessment of current status and emerging trends in the field of ION.MethodsPublications spanning from January 2014 to Jun 2024 were retrieved, using the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric and visualized analyses were performed employing the bibliometrix, CiteSpace and VOSviewer.ResultsA total of 776 papers met the inclusion criteria and a fluctuated publication trend was observed. The United States was the leading country. Research topics in ION field encompassed non-arteritic anterior ION (NAION), optical coherence tomography angiography, neuroprotection, optical coherence tomography, spine surgery, giant cell arteritis (GCA), optic disc diameter, peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures, vaccination, and branch retinal vein occlusion, based on the co-citation references analysis. The keywords "COVID-19", "oxidative stress", "inflammation" and "optic neuritis" experienced burst lasting until 2024.ConclusionDuring the past decade, advancements in in vivo imaging techniques are continually enhancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of ION and facilitating accurate diagnosis. NAION has been a prominent research topic, covering its pathogenesis, clinical features, and management. Studies on arteritic ION and GCA have garnered widespread attention, especially due to advances in treatments. Future research is warranted to identify standardized therapies for non-arteritic ION, potentially incorporating neuroprotective agents, and to formulate steroid-sparing treatment strategies aimed at preventing vision loss in arteritic ION, rather than merely addressing GCA.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Sherman AC, Gray GE, Cao B, et al (2025)

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Nature reviews. Disease primers, 11(1):75.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory pathogen that emerged in December 2019 and caused a global pandemic by March 2020, with >7 million deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally as of September 2025. The clinical syndrome of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe disease with pneumonia and death. SARS-CoV-2 variant type, inoculum, previous exposure and host factors influence the clinical trajectory. Identification of key structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and insights into the pathophysiology of the immune response to infection led to the development of effective preventive (vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) and therapeutic (antivirals and immunomodulatory agents) agents. Antiviral agents, such as remdesivir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, inhibit viral replication and immunomodulatory agents, such as tocilizumab and baricitinib, act to reduce a dysregulated immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The pandemic had economic and socio-cultural consequences that affected the quality of life and overall life expectancy of individuals. As the emergency phase of the pandemic concludes, robust monitoring and surveillance systems must be sustained and research to improve vaccines and therapeutics must continue to maintain control of SARS-CoV-2 in the population and be prepared for emerging pathogens with pandemic potential.

RevDate: 2025-10-24

Briggs EE, Chau IJ, Nguyen SA, et al (2025)

Acute mastoiditis in children during the Covid era: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 198:112613 pii:S0165-5876(25)00401-X [Epub ahead of print].

OBJECTIVE: Explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric acute mastoiditis (AM).

DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus.

METHODS: Literature was searched from 2014 to 2025 for articles reporting AM in children. Specific outcomes included clinical presentation, bacterial epidemiology, complications, and management. Primary outcome measures included continuous measures (mean), proportions (%), mean difference (Δ), and relative risk (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: There were seven included studies (N = 1001 children) with 632 patients in the pre-COVID cohort and 369 in the COVID-era cohort. There was a significant difference in the proportion of intracranial complications with a 20 % greater risk of having an intracranial complication after the COVID pandemic than before (RR: 1.2 [95 % CI: 0.6-2.3], p = 0.0097). There was also a significant decrease in the proportion of cases treated conservatively with antibiotics after the pandemic (mean difference 10.8 % [95 % CI: 2.9 %-18.0 %], p < 0.01). Bacterial epidemiology also experienced a significant shift in composition following the pandemic.

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in intracranial complications in pediatric AM, with fewer cases being treated solely with antibiotics. Additionally, the pandemic has altered the bacterial epidemiological patterns of AM, highlighting opportunities for further investigation into the characteristics of AM during and after this period to inform and improve future management strategies.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Alshareefi AH, Zaid MH, Hamdi HA, et al (2025)

A Systematic Review of COVID-19 Vaccination Side Effects, Acceptance, and Attitudes Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.

British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005), 86(10):1-18.

Aims/Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health and the economy. Vaccination is crucial for controlling its spread, and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia prioritize vaccination. This systematic review aimed to: (1) evaluate the reported side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs in Saudi, (2) assess vaccine acceptance rates and their temporal changes, and (3) identify the factors influencing vaccine uptake and hesitancy. Methods We conducted a systematic review following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol included: (1) systematic searching of five major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) up to 25 November 2024; (2) independent screening and selection by three reviewers using predefined inclusion criteria; (3) quality assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool; and (4) standardized data extraction and synthesis focusing on vaccine side effects, acceptance rates, and influencing factors among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. Results Of the 220 citations, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Studies have revealed predominantly mild to moderate side effects, with severity patterns varying by professional role and demographic factors. Vaccine acceptance showed significant improvement over time, which was attributed to public health campaigns, peer influence, and improved accessibility. Higher acceptance was correlated with professional experience and education levels, while hesitancy stemmed from safety concerns and efficacy doubts. Conclusion Understanding these patterns supports the development of targeted interventions, suggesting a need for evidence-based communication and peer-led education programs. Healthcare institutions should focus on transparent safety communication and address specific misconceptions to enhance vaccine confidence among HCWs.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Báscolo E, Houghton N, S Bennett (2025)

Political economy of primary health care resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean: insights from the WB/PAHO Commission recommendations.

Lancet regional health. Americas, 50:101241.

The World Bank-PAHO Lancet Regional Health Americas Commission, launched in January 2024, aims to transform primary health care (PHC) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to enhance resilience against public health emergencies. The Commission's 2025 report offer recommendations to strengthen integrated care, community empowerment, resilient financing, and intersectoral collaboration. Implementing these recommendations requires understanding political and economic factors. Political economy analysis provides insights into how stakeholder interests, institutions, ideologies, and political dynamics affect health policy implementation. Key factors include the influence of interest groups, the role of institutions, the conceptualization of PHC, and political ideologies. Historical legacies and institutional path dependence often hinder reform, but crises like the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of robust, equitable health systems. Addressing political polarization and strengthening social participation will be crucial for building resilient PHC systems that respond to future health crises. Policymakers and advocates must consider these factors to implement the Commission's recommendations effectively.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Tarasenko A, Josy G, Minnis H, et al (2025)

Mental health of children and young people in the WHO Europe region.

The Lancet regional health. Europe, 57:101459.

Most mental health disorders start before adulthood. They are highly prevalent, disabling and often treatable. This Series paper discusses the current problems that contribute to the growing child, adolescent and youth mental health crisis in Europe. These include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating military conflicts, the climate crisis, and unregulated digital environments. Mental health problems in youths are further compounded by a changing landscape of how children and young people engage with the world, healthcare and other services. We outline a comprehensive list of recommendations to address mental health problems through the integration of creative prevention and treatment approaches with the help of community-based services and support systems, as well as robust research and implementation strategies to ensure cost-effective, evidence-based care.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Xue J, Wang X, Wang H, et al (2025)

Unraveled role of TLR7-mediated interferon signaling activation in COVID-19.

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 15:1658249.

Emerging evidence underscores the critical role of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)-mediated interferon (IFN) signaling in host defense against viral infections including SARS-CoV-2, through the modulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. However, the specific mechanisms by which TLR7 activation shapes SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses, particularly via IRF-IFN pathways, remain incompletely elucidated. This review synthesizes current findings on how intrinsic TLR7-driven IFN signaling influences viral clearance, modulates adaptive immunity, and contributes to autoantibody production in COVID-19. A deeper understanding of these processes is essential for developing targeted therapeutic interventions and improved vaccines aimed at mitigating severe COVID-19 and preventing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Zhang L, Jin S, Ma D, et al (2025)

The global trends and clinical progress in influenza co-infection: a visualization and bibliometric analysis (2005-2025).

Frontiers in microbiology, 16:1658752.

OBJECTIVES: Influenza co-infection, characterized by concurrent or sequential infection with influenza and other pathogens, lacks comprehensive quantitative analysis. This study evaluates the status, key hotspots, and clinical advancements in influenza co-infection research from 2005 to 2025 to guide future investigations.

METHODS: We analyzed articles from 2005 to 2025 sourced from the Web of Science database using R, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. Concurrently, we extracted clinical trials from PubMed within the same timeframe to assess advancements in the field.

RESULTS: The study analyzed 3,058 articles, noting a consistent rise in publications on influenza co-infection from 2005 to 2025, with a significant spike between 2020 and 2021. The United States led in publication numbers, followed by China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. Among these, the United Kingdom exhibited the highest international collaboration. Key collaborative centers included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "PLOS ONE" and "BMC Infectious Diseases" published the most articles, while "Journal of Virology" and "Journal of Infectious Diseases" were the most cited. Keywords such as "infection", "virus", "COVID-19", "children", and "respiratory syncytial virus" highlighted research hotspots and emerging trends in influenza co-infection. The study of pathogenic mechanisms and immune interactions in influenza-bacterial co-infection remains crucial. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified research on the epidemiological shifts and clinical impacts of co-infection. Emphasis has also been placed on the significance of pediatric populations in influenza and respiratory viral co-infections. Clinical trials have mainly targeted preventive strategies for high-risk groups and the effects of influenza vaccination on the respiratory microbiome.

CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively analyzes the current research landscape and identifies key hotspots in influenza co-infection. The findings offer crucial guidance for future studies in this field.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Elson WH, Forbes A, Jamie G, et al (2025)

A Systematic Review of the Markers of Severity in Acute Respiratory Infections to Inform Primary Care Surveillance.

Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 19(10):e70172.

BACKGROUND: Primary care computerised medical records (CMR) are used to report the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) for public health surveillance. These systems could increase their utility by also reporting population-level severity of ARI; however, this is rarely done.

OBJECTIVES: To identify candidate markers of ARI severity suitable for use in primary care CMR-based surveillance.

METHODS: We undertook a systematic review of bibliographic databases and grey literature. Eligible studies reported characteristics for > 500 patients with ARI, severe ARI, influenza-like illness or suspected COVID-19. Studies had to report at least one potential marker of severity. A panel of clinical primary care informaticians reviewed candidate severity markers and assessed each for severity, specificity, relevance to primary care and whether it was likely to be recorded in a CMR.

RESULTS: We included 126 studies from 84 countries. Seventy-seven candidate severity markers were identified across 11 groups. These included four outcome groups (complications, hospital events, intensive care events and death) and seven predictor groups (symptoms, signs, scores, investigations, treatments, absenteeism and treatment-seeking behaviour). Thirty markers were considered most suitable for primary care CMR-based ARI surveillance: 7 outcomes (such as hospital admission, attendance and death) and 23 predictors (such as shortness of breath, oxygen levels, work absence and antibiotics). Predictors were generally considered more timely, as they are likely recorded during the consultation.

CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a list of severity markers that could support the development of population-level severity indicators for ARI surveillance in primary care. This could improve real-time situational awareness during respiratory outbreaks.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Trojnacki A, Nguinkal JA, May J, et al (2025)

Assessing rapid response mobile laboratory (RRML) capacities in Europe and Africa to improve One Health disease surveillance activities and pandemic preparedness across two continents.

One health outlook, 7(1):53.

BACKGROUND: Europe and Africa are increasingly affected by (re-)emerging risk group 3 and 4, zoonotic viral disease epidemics, which not only require diagnostic BSL-3/4 laboratory capacity but also a One Health-based control strategy for efficient outbreak containment. In many European and African countries such laboratory capacity is often not readily available, and rapid response mobile laboratories (RRMLs) can play important, complementary roles in outbreak responses and pandemic preparedness activities on national, regional and international level.

MAIN BODY: The aim of the present review was to assess whether existing European and African RRML infrastructure is prepared for future One Health outbreak responses and to identify potential diagnostic gaps. Based on a literature review (2007-2021), we identified 291 mobile laboratories (Europe: 192, Africa: 99) and assessed them in respect to purpose (e.g. military, civilian), design (suitcase, modular, vehicle mounted), biosafety level, laboratory equipment, diagnostic portfolio, sample types analyzed (human, animal) and quality assurance measures. Following peaks in 2014 (Ebola/West Africa) and 2020 (COVID-19), mobile laboratory numbers have steadily increased. Whilst laboratories were originally designed to diagnose viral haemorrhagic fevers, there has been an increased focus on SARS-CoV-2 since 2020. Recently, there was a shift of African countries to develop an independent mobile laboratory capacity, rather than relying on external support for outbreak responses.

CONCLUSION: We identified key shortcomings of existing laboratories, as the majority only process samples of human origin (not compliant with One Health principles), only 5% have sufficient capacity to diagnose emerging risk group 3/4 (arbo)viruses, 1-10% have accredited quality assurance systems in place, and mobile laboratories are not interconnected to allow concerted national and international responses. Our results reveal the gaps that should be addressed to make future responses to zoonotic, high-consequence pathogens more effective.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Ogieuhi IJ, Ajekiigbe VO, Agbo CE, et al (2025)

COVID-19 infection and cancer regression: a review of current evidence, potential mechanisms, and clinical perspectives on a Paradoxical phenomenon.

Infectious agents and cancer, 20(1):74.

Since its emergence, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has been a pandemic responsible for about 7 million deaths worldwide. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the virus's multiorgan system involvement, particularly its relation to cancer biology. Spontaneous regression of cancer has been observed in some patients with the coronavirus, which may be attributed to the virus's ability to trigger specific immune responses that can be oncolytic and help reduce and eliminate oncogenic cells. This study aims to explore the paradoxical effects of COVID-19 in inducing cancer regression. The paradoxical effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been attributed to the possibility of a heightened immune activation possibly triggered by the virus, and some of these include increased levels of cytokines such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as the activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. COVID-19-induced cancer regression presents new perspectives on the relationship between viral infections and the immune system's antitumor capabilities. This would help foster future research investigating specific immune pathways activated during SARS-CoV-2 and discover how these can be therapeutically harnessed to aid cancer regression.

RevDate: 2025-10-24
CmpDate: 2025-10-24

Huang L, Li M, Niu T, et al (2025)

Anti-plasma cell therapy in patients with monoclonal gammopathy-associated refractory pure red cell aplasia: A report of three cases and literature review.

Annals of hematology, 104(9):4837-4841.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA) is a clinical syndrome that may be secondary to a diverse array of diseases. It is rarely secondary to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Currently, there is no consensus on when to initiate anti-plasma cell therapy. This study reports three cases of patients with MGUS-associated aPRCA who responded to anti-plasma cell therapy after failing conventional immunosuppressive treatment. Patient 1 achieved complete remission after treatment with the BD (bortezomib and dexamethasone) and BRD (bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) regimens. She subsequently received lenalidomide as maintenance treatment. She has remained in treatment-free survival (TFS) for 22 months to date. Patient 2 achieved complete remission after treatment with the BRD regimen and was maintained with lenalidomide. She has maintained TFS for 16 months so far. Patient 3 was treated with the BD regimen and became transfusion-independent, but relapsed after treatment discontinuation due to COVID-19 infection.This study suggests that anti-plasma cell therapy may be an effective strategy for aPRCA patients unresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive therapy and exhibiting monoclonal protein (M-protein). However, further studies are needed to explore the optimal timing and duration of such therapy.

RevDate: 2025-10-23

Atlas D (2025)

Targeting neurodegeneration and inflammation with thioredoxin-mimetic peptides.

Redox biology, 87:103899 pii:S2213-2317(25)00412-4 [Epub ahead of print].

Neurodegenerative and degenerative disorders are in part, driven by imbalances in cellular inflammatory and oxidation-reduction (redox) states. This vulnerability triggers the activation of highly selective and tightly regulated cellular defense networks against oxidative stress (OS), primarily involving the glutathione (GSH) and the thioredoxin (Trx) enzymatic complexes. These systems operate through reversible oxidation/reduction reactions involving the thiol groups of cysteine (Cys) residues, maintaining redox homeostasis and protecting cells from oxidative damage. To reinforce this defense under pathological conditions, a family of thioredoxin-mimetic (TXM) tri- and tetra-peptides was developed, based on the redox-active sequence motif of thioredoxin. These low-molecular-weight amino peptides each bearing two thiol groups, serve as a versatile platform of diverse redox-active molecules. Structurally optimized with blocked N- and C-termini, the TXM peptides exhibit enhanced cell permeability and are capable of crossing the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), thereby enabling therapeutic protection in both systemic degenerative and neurodegenerative disorders. Upon cellular entry, TXM peptides may undergo hydrolysis, potentially generating a cluster of 10-15 Cys-containing fragments including Cys, a precursor of GSH, which could further enhance and prolong their redox activity. This review summarizes key findings on the functional activity of various TXM-peptides, as demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo models. Particular emphasis is given to TXM-CB3, which has shown protective effects across a wide range of animal models, including those of asthma, mild traumatic brain injury, obesity, viral infection, epilepsy, wound healing, myocardial infarction, aging, and inflammatory bowel-disease. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of TXM-peptides in protecting cellular function under diverse pathological conditions.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-23

Ameratunga R, Leung EY, Woon ST, et al (2025)

COVID-19 is a living example of Darwinian natural selection, and SARS-CoV-2 evolution is occurring under (and in) our noses.

The New Zealand medical journal, 138(162):65-75.

This review explores COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) from the perspective of Darwinian natural selection and consequent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). COVID-19 has caused unprecedented societal and economic turmoil. The human host population has responded with widespread vaccination, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, convalescent plasma and antiviral drugs. SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated remarkable resilience and has been able to quickly adapt to its rapidly changing habitat. SARS-CoV-2 has generated new antibody and vaccine evasive mutations in its genome, while simultaneously optimising its infectivity by improving its affinity to the ACE2 receptor and host proteases. Molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated natural selection of advantageous mutations in both individual patients with chronic COVID-19 infection and at a host population level, leading to extinction of less fit strains. COVID-19 is living proof of Darwinian evolution, which is occurring in observable time rather than over millions of years. Viewing COVID-19 from an evolutionary perspective will help mitigate the current and future pandemics. The aim of this article is to illustrate these concepts, using examples from the human host peer-reviewed literature.

RevDate: 2025-10-23

Yılmaz M, Gökçe A, O Öztürk (2025)

What Is the Real Impact of Smoking on Diseases Alleged to Benefit from It?.

European addiction research pii:000549064 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite its well-known harms, epidemiological studies have reported potential protective associations between smoking and certain diseases, necessitating a critical appraisal of these claims.

SUMMARY: This review evaluates evidence on smoking's impact across eight conditions: endometrial carcinoma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Parkinson's disease, uterine leiomyoma, preeclampsia, COVID-19, and psychological stress. While observational data suggest inverse associations in some cases, such effects are often modest, mechanistically unclear, and confounded by biases. The review underscores the scarcity of randomized clinical trials and highlights the complexity of disentangling nicotine's biological actions from the broader toxic effects of tobacco smoke.

KEY MESSAGES: The potential "protective" effects of smoking do not outweigh its well-established detrimental health consequences. Smoking cessation remains paramount, and further rigorous clinical research is needed to clarify these paradoxical findings and to explore the therapeutic potential of nicotine independent of tobacco use.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-23

Mohiuddin M, Asghar T, Hameed H, et al (2025)

The psychobiotic revolution: comprehending the optimistic role of gut microbiota on gut-brain axis during neurological and Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology, 41(10):401.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a complex central nexus, intricately communicating with human health, affecting neurophysiological and cognitive processes. In this review article, the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics is comprehensively examined as a relatively new category of probiotics that have been shown to have beneficial effects on mental health, particularly in the context of the increasing prevalence of neurological and gastrointestinal pathologies in developing economies particularly Pakistan. This current discussion examines the pathways through which psychobiotics are postulated to influence their beneficial effect such as their role in biosynthesis of neuroactive substances, the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and inflammatory response. Some specific strains of bacteria including Lactobacillus plantarum PS128, Lactobacillus helveticus NS8, Bifidobacterium longum 1714, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB-1), and Bifidobacterium infantis (35624) play an important role in overcoming anxiety and mood disorders. The neuroactive chemicals (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and serotonin) are extracted from gut microbes and have the ability to alter the brain activity. Other metabolites and intermediate substances, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier and control the immune system and inflammatory response. The psychobiotic food pyramid aims to protect gut and mental health while psychobiotic supplements are been known to alleviate chronic stress and anxiety. They are used to treat different types of mental conditions, such as neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and GI disorders as well. Mental health disorders (with depression having the highest percentage) are increasing in various countries including Pakistan every day, with women being affected more than men. The review incorporates existing evidence based on both preclinical and clinical studies and clarifies the nexus of critical importance between the disorder of gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of mental health disorders that were aggravated in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is imperative in determining the long-term effectiveness and safety of psychobiotic interventions, particularly against a diverse population and different socioeconomic environments. This study therefore, contributes to highlighting the tremendous potential of psychobiotics as a cost-effective and innovative approach to supplementing traditional mental healthcare modalities.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-23

Chen HB, Xu AM, Qiu HB, et al (2025)

Single-Cell Sequencing Redefines Immune Heterogeneity and Communication Networks in ARDS: Toward Precision Therapeutics.

International journal of genomics, 2025:9902676.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical condition characterized by diffuse alveolar damage and intense inflammatory responses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its incidence and mortality have remained persistently high. Conventional approaches have struggled to uncover the complex cellular heterogeneity and dynamic inflammatory networks underlying ARDS. The advent of single-cell sequencing technologies has revolutionized our ability to dissect the molecular mechanisms of ARDS. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the application of single-cell sequencing in studying pulmonary inflammation in ARDS, with a focus on its strengths in elucidating immune cell heterogeneity, reconstructing intercellular communication networks, and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we discuss current technical limitations and translational challenges, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and future direction for translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine for ARDS.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-23

Shabbir R, Shabbir Z, Parente PEL, et al (2025)

Vaccine hesitancy and bone health: Musculoskeletal sequelae of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia, 11(3):83-91.

Vaccine hesitancy threatens global health by diminishing herd immunity and permitting the return of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) including poliomyelitis, measles and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These infections carry short-term and long-term musculoskeletal consequences, such as paralysis, limb deformities, septic or reactive arthritis, osteomyelitis and chronic pain, that place an ever increasing burden on orthopaedic services. This narrative review synthesizes clinical and epidemiological evidence linking sub-optimal immunization to orthopaedic morbidity caused by major VPDs. Outbreak data show that low vaccination coverage precipitates spikes in invasive bacterial disease after varicella, post-polio deformities, tetanus-related fractures, rubella-associated arthritis and COVID-19-related avascular necrosis (AVN). This impact is amplified in rapidly ageing regions such as Asia, where the population ≥ 60 years will nearly double by 2050, significantly increasing the prevalence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that exacerbate VPD complications. Although orthopaedic surgeons are not primary vaccinators, they routinely manage these downstream effects and hold a trusted position in society from which they are able to strongly advocate for immunization. Integrating brief vaccine counselling, perioperative vaccination checks, and public health initiatives into orthopaedic practice can improve uptake and reduce preventable disability. Strengthening immunization programs and countering hesitancy are essentially critical not only for infection control but also for safeguarding a rapidly declining global musculoskeletal health. A coordinated strategy involving public-health authorities, primary-care providers, and specialists, including orthopaedic surgeons, is essential to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and its orthopaedic sequelae.

RevDate: 2025-10-23
CmpDate: 2025-10-23

Ebrahimi B, Kargar Jahromi H, Shafiei Jahromi N, et al (2025)

A Systematic Review of Ocular Complications Following Different Types of Covid-19 Vaccines.

Journal of immunology research, 2025:8766021.

INTRODUCTION: More than 6 million deaths from the novel coronavirus, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, have prompted the development of several prophylactic vaccines of COVID-19. This systematic review summarizes the ocular complications of various COVID-19 vaccinations, diseases diagnosed, treatment, and risk factors.

METHODS: The search was done in PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Google Scholar databases. Manifestations were classified depending on the type of vaccines and the interval between vaccination and the onset of symptoms. Other data such as patients' age, gender, underlying diseases, and follow-up data were also extracted.

RESULTS: Initially, 10,242 articles were identified and 76 articles were eligible that among them 107 cases were reported. Ocular complications were diagnosed more often in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) recipients than in others.

CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights a wide range of ocular complications reported after COVID-19 vaccination, the most common of which is uveitis. While most cases were mild and self-limiting, some involved reactivation of preexisting inflammatory diseases. These findings emphasize the importance of postvaccination ocular surveillance. This is particularly important in individuals with a history of ocular inflammation and suggests a potential immunological mechanism that requires further investigation.

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RJR Experience and Expertise

Researcher

Robbins holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in the life sciences. He served as a tenured faculty member in the Zoology and Biological Science departments at Michigan State University. He is currently exploring the intersection between genomics, microbial ecology, and biodiversity — an area that promises to transform our understanding of the biosphere.

Educator

Robbins has extensive experience in college-level education: At MSU he taught introductory biology, genetics, and population genetics. At JHU, he was an instructor for a special course on biological database design. At FHCRC, he team-taught a graduate-level course on the history of genetics. At Bellevue College he taught medical informatics.

Administrator

Robbins has been involved in science administration at both the federal and the institutional levels. At NSF he was a program officer for database activities in the life sciences, at DOE he was a program officer for information infrastructure in the human genome project. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he served as a vice president for fifteen years.

Technologist

Robbins has been involved with information technology since writing his first Fortran program as a college student. At NSF he was the first program officer for database activities in the life sciences. At JHU he held an appointment in the CS department and served as director of the informatics core for the Genome Data Base. At the FHCRC he was VP for Information Technology.

Publisher

While still at Michigan State, Robbins started his first publishing venture, founding a small company that addressed the short-run publishing needs of instructors in very large undergraduate classes. For more than 20 years, Robbins has been operating The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project, a web site dedicated to the digital publishing of critical works in science, especially classical genetics.

Speaker

Robbins is well-known for his speaking abilities and is often called upon to provide keynote or plenary addresses at international meetings. For example, in July, 2012, he gave a well-received keynote address at the Global Biodiversity Informatics Congress, sponsored by GBIF and held in Copenhagen. The slides from that talk can be seen HERE.

Facilitator

Robbins is a skilled meeting facilitator. He prefers a participatory approach, with part of the meeting involving dynamic breakout groups, created by the participants in real time: (1) individuals propose breakout groups; (2) everyone signs up for one (or more) groups; (3) the groups with the most interested parties then meet, with reports from each group presented and discussed in a subsequent plenary session.

Designer

Robbins has been engaged with photography and design since the 1960s, when he worked for a professional photography laboratory. He now prefers digital photography and tools for their precision and reproducibility. He designed his first web site more than 20 years ago and he personally designed and implemented this web site. He engages in graphic design as a hobby.

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

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Collection of publications by R J Robbins

Reprints and preprints of publications, slide presentations, instructional materials, and data compilations written or prepared by Robert Robbins. Most papers deal with computational biology, genome informatics, using information technology to support biomedical research, and related matters.

Research Gate page for R J Robbins

ResearchGate is a social networking site for scientists and researchers to share papers, ask and answer questions, and find collaborators. According to a study by Nature and an article in Times Higher Education , it is the largest academic social network in terms of active users.

Curriculum Vitae for R J Robbins

short personal version

Curriculum Vitae for R J Robbins

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