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School-based versus community-based interventions for promoting mental health among school-age children in marginalised or underserved populations: a systematic review protocol

Por: Oranye · N. O. · Dibaba · A. · Nwankwo · I. U. · Webb · L. · Lee · T. · Alexander · M. · Kagulire · J. · Landu-Adams · V. · Nnedum · O. A. · Abdalla · E. · Sodeke · S. · Underwood · J.
Introduction

School-aged children frequently experience psychological distress due to academic pressures, a challenge that is often more severe for those from underserved and minority communities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health interventions implemented in school and community settings for children aged 5 to 19. It also seeks to compare the outcomes between children from minority and underserved populations and their peers.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify relevant studies. Major databases will be searched using a structured search strategy developed by the research team. The review will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the impact of interventions conducted in school or community settings to prevent psychological distress—specifically depression, anxiety and stress. To minimise bias, two reviewers will independently select studies and extract data at various stages. The quality of included studies will be assessed. A meta-analysis will be conducted to compare intervention outcomes between children from underserved/minority communities and other children. Pooled prevalence rates and subgroup analyses will be used to explore differences in effectiveness. Heterogeneity among studies and publication bias will also be assessed. Meta-analyses of proportions, ORs and relative risks will be conducted using a random-effects model to estimate effect sizes from multivariate analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was not required, as this study involved secondary analysis of published literature and did not involve human participants. To date, no systematic review has comprehensively compared school-based and community-based interventions in terms of their effectiveness in addressing anxiety, depression and stress among school-aged children. This review aims to fill that gap by providing clinical insights into the comparative effectiveness of various intervention types and settings.

PROSPERO review registration

CRD42023479389.

Simulation and the Translation Into Clinical Practice of Nursing Students' Clinical Judgement, Knowledge of the Nursing Process and Self‐Confidence: A Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Study

ABSTRACT

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation on nursing students' translation into practice of clinical judgement, knowledge about the nursing process self-confidence and to comprehend the learning process and translation into clinical practice of competencies developed through clinical simulation in nursing students.

Design

Two-arm, experimental, randomized controlled study designed using the explanatory sequential mixed method with qualitative step anchored in grounded theory.

Methods

Eighty undergraduate nursing students were allocated in practice groups and the groups were randomly assigned to an experimental (simulation; n = 39) or control group (study case; n = 41) and, after the intervention, participated in 3-day clinical practice activities and were assessed regarding clinical judgement, knowledge of the nursing process and self-confidence. Students in the experimental group were invited to focus groups.

Results

Seventy-six students were analysed. The findings showed the effectiveness of simulation combined with clinical practice in the development and translation of clinical judgement (β = 5.03; p = 0.001) and knowledge of nursing process (β = 2.20; p < 0.001). There was no difference regarding self-confidence. A grounded theory emerged with three categories related to consolidation of prior knowledge, translating competencies into clinical practice and application of these competencies in nursing care that explain the theoretical category ‘learning and translating into clinical practice’.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that simulation combined with clinical practice can effectively enhance nursing students' clinical judgement and knowledge of the nursing process, facilitating the translation of these competencies into real-world practice. The qualitative findings suggest that simulation promotes meaningful learning and supports the practical application of nursing competencies.

Implications for Nursing Education

This study supports the integration of simulation into nursing curricula to enhance clinical judgement and nursing process competencies. By promoting meaningful learning and facilitating knowledge transfer to clinical settings, simulation prepares students for real-world decision-making and strengthens the quality and safety of nursing care delivery.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Registration

RBR-7v374c6 (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry) https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-7v374c6

Unequal harvests: AI-assisted evidence map of trends and gaps in global farmer health research along SDG 3 priorities

Por: Jäggi · L. · Falgas Bague · I. · Wey · H. · Rüfli · D. · Viglietti · P. G. · Fuhrimann · S.
Introduction

Ensuring the health of agricultural workers, the world’s largest labour force, is key for sustainable food production and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Methods

We conducted an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted evidence map of research records on global farmer health published from 2015 to 2024. We searched bibliographic databases and screened titles/abstracts using SWIFT-Active Screener, a collaborative review platform that uses machine-learning prioritisation to rank records for human review. We retrieved 32 006 records. After manually screening 8533 records and stopping when the tool estimated ≥94% recall of relevant records, we included 1684 studies. We mapped research output by health topic category (non-communicable diseases (NCDs), communicable diseases, injuries and mental health) country income groups and alignment with SDG 3 targets.

Results

Despite 98% of the agricultural workforce living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 52% of studies originate from high-income countries (HICs). Research focuses on NCDs (29%) and injuries (26%), with LMICs focusing on pesticide poisoning and HIC on accidents. Mental health emerges as a key topic in HICs, with the proportion of publications nearly doubling from 2021 to 2024 but remains underexplored in LMICs. Key gaps with high relevance to farming populations and climate change, such as heat-related illnesses, occupational injuries and musculoskeletal conditions, are not well represented in SDG 3 indicators.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight urgent needs for a more equitable and comprehensive global research agenda that integrates agricultural worker health into sustainability frameworks beyond the SDG era, ensuring the resilience and well-being of food producers worldwide.

Dengue severity and profiles of complement activation and immune mediators: A multicenter cohort study in Indonesia

by Ika Saptarini, Sri Masyeni, Alida Roswita Harahap, Astuti Giantini, Pringgodigdo Nugroho, Agus Handito, Harimat Hendarwan, Adityo Susilo, Sotianingsih Haryanto, Desi Fitriani, R. Tedjo Sasmono, Erni Juwita Nelwan

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) infection can manifest as dengue fever (DF) or dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), although DHF often becomes clinically apparent around defervescence. How complement components and other immune responses evolve over the course of illness from the febrile to recovery phase remains incompletely defined. This study characterized circulating complement activation and immune mediators in DF and DHF using paired febrile and early-recovery samples.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study at five hospitals in Indonesia between November 2024 and October 2025. Patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue were classified as DF or DHF. Plasma concentrations of PTX3, C5a, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, and CXCL10 were quantified in paired febrile and early recovery phase samples. Between-group differences, within-patient changes between the two time points, and correlations among immune mediators were assessed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results

We included 110 confirmed dengue cases in the analysis. PTX3 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in DHF than in DF during early recovery, whereas no mediator differed significantly between severity groups during the febrile phase. Across phases, C5a increased significantly from febrile to early recovery in DHF but not in DF, whereas PTX3 decreased significantly in DF but not in DHF. Correlations among mediators were generally weak to moderate, with a reproducible PTX3–IL-10–CXCL10 module observed across both phases.

Conclusion

The measured mediators did not distinguish DF from DHF during the febrile phase, but differences emerged in early recovery, with higher PTX3 and IL-10 in DHF. Across phases, C5a increased significantly from febrile to early recovery in DHF, whereas PTX3 decreased significantly only in DF. A PTX3–IL-10–CXCL10 module was observed at both time points. Together, these patterns suggest that within-patient changes around defervescence or in the early recovery may be informative and warrant evaluation in larger, prospectively timed cohorts.

Wearable Technologies for Detecting Near‐Falls: A Systematic Review With Implications for Geriatric Nursing Practice

ABSTRACT

Background

Near-falls, defined as events in which individuals momentarily lose their balance but avoid falling, are strong predictors of subsequent falls. Wearable technologies have the potential to accurately detect near-falls in both laboratory and real-world settings, providing opportunities for early intervention in geriatric nursing practice.

Aims

This study has a two-fold aim: (1) to appraise and synthesize current evidence on wearable sensor technologies for near-fall detection, and (2) to discuss their potential applications for monitoring near-fall risk and implementing prevention strategies in older adults.

Methods

This is a systematic review. Articles were searched in five electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore) that explored wearable sensors for near-fall detection. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

A total of 18 studies, mostly experimental or observational, were included. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were the most commonly used wearable technology, and the most frequently captured biomarker was linear acceleration. Lower-body placements (feet, ankles, and lower back) demonstrated superior performance in detecting near-falls. Single-sensor systems achieved sensitivities of 80%–98%, whereas multi-sensor configurations achieved 100% sensitivity, 99% specificity, and 100% accuracy.

Linking Evidence to Action

Integrating wearable technologies for near-fall detection into geriatric nursing practice may enhance early identification of older adults at high risk for falls and enable timely, personalized interventions. Future research should validate these technologies in real-world settings and assess their acceptability among nurses, caregivers, and older adults.

Association between physical fitness and anthropometric indicators according to area of residence in Chilean adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Background

Research has yielded contradictory results regarding differences in physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk between children and adolescents living in rural and urban areas.

Objectives

The present study aimed to analyse the moderating role of area of residence on the association of physical fitness and anthropometric parameters in Chilean adolescents.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative school-based sample from Chile.

Participants and measures

A total of 7,833 adolescents with an average age of 15.8±0.7 years participated in both rural (n=759) and urban (n=7,074) settings. Physical fitness tests were evaluated using the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA-Fitness) battery and anthropometric variables such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Generalised linear models with Gaussian distributions were constructed to estimate moderation models, with anthropometric-related variables as dependent variables, physical fitness variables as independent variables and area of residence as a moderator. Moderation analyses were conducted to examine whether the area of residence influences the association between physical fitness and anthropometric indicators (WC, WHtR and BMI).

Results

In all models, place of residence did not moderate the potential associations between physical fitness and anthropometric indicators; for example, cardiorespiratory fitness with WC (B=0.13, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.31; 0=0.160), WHtR (B=0.08, 95% CI –0.03 to 0.20; p=0.143) or BMI (B=0.08, 95% CI –0.03 to 0.20; p=0.207).

Conclusions

These findings suggest the associations between physical fitness and anthropometric outcomes do not differ significantly between rural and urban adolescents.

Gender‐Sensitive Nursing: An Operationalizing Concept Analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Gender biases in healthcare approaches lead to inequities in patient health outcomes, historically affecting women and gender minorities the most. In medicine, the concept of gender medicine explicitly addresses these disparities. Although Miers introduced the term gender-sensitive care in nursing two decades ago, there is still no consensus on how to define this phenomenon within the nursing discipline.

Objective

To conduct an operational concept analysis of gender-sensitive nursing.

Methods

A systematic literature review was performed using Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. This approach allowed for the identification of antecedents, defining attributes, empirical referents and consequences, as well as the proposal of model cases to illustrate the findings.

Results

A total of 34 articles were analysed. Three antecedents were identified: healthcare system accessibility, organizational commitment to equity and education from a gender perspective. Four defining attributes emerged: gender-aware nurses, legitimization of care, implementation of a gender-sensitive approach in nursing management and leadership, and the integration of gender assessment in the nursing process. Three key consequences were also identified: patient empowerment, harm prevention and minimization, and improvement in the quality and effectiveness of nursing care. Additionally, various instruments and strategies were found to operationalize the empirical referents of the concept. Model cases were proposed to exemplify the synthesized evidence.

Discussion

Far from being an abstract concept, gender-sensitive nursing is a measurable and actionable phenomenon that can be promoted in clinical practice through various empirical indicators.

Conclusions

Gender-sensitive nursing legitimizes individual experiences shaped by gender identity and fosters structural improvements that empower patients. Gender-sensitive nursing is a measurable and actionable phenomenon that can be promoted in clinical practice through various empirical indicators.

Effectiveness of interventions involving parents on childrens eating behaviours: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Khorramrouz · F. · Rae · S. · Kucab · M. · Uleryk · E. M. · Maguire · J. L. · Pechlivanoglou · P. · Thorpe · K. E. · Comelli · E. M. · Birken · C. S.
Background

Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their children’s food environment and eating behaviours. Involving parents in interventions designed to promote nutritional outcomes such as dietary intake in children has been shown to improve parental feeding practices. However, it remains unclear how such interventions influence children’s eating behaviour outcomes. This protocol describes the methods of a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of interventions involving parents in improving the eating behaviours of healthy children aged 0–12 years.

Methods and analysis

Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science will be searched from inception to September 2025. A search strategy is developed to identify randomised controlled trials directly involving parents and reporting eating behaviours in children as either primary or secondary outcomes. Two independent reviewers will screen identified records and extract data on study, participant and intervention characteristics. Study results relevant to our primary and secondary outcomes will also be extracted using a prepiloted standardised data extraction form. We will use the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB2) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess risk of bias and certainty of evidence, respectively. Where possible, meta-analysis using random-effects models will be performed; otherwise a qualitative summary will be provided.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this study as no primary data will be collected. The findings will provide valuable insights for stakeholders to inform and optimise public health policies and practices aimed at empowering families to promote healthy eating behaviours early in childhood. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD420251076540.

Risk Profiles in Hospitalized Adults Based on Functional Capacity, Pressure Injury Risk, and Fall Risk: A Cluster and Multiple Correspondence Analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Patient safety is a global priority, as adverse events represent the 14th leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the most common complications in hospitalized adults are functional decline, pressure injuries, and falls, all of which increase hospital stays, healthcare costs, and mortality. Although these risks are typically assessed independently, their interaction has been scarcely explored, and the identification of integrated patient risk profiles could better guide nursing care.

Objective

To establish profiles of adult inpatients based simultaneously on their level of functional capacity, risk of pressure injuries, and risk of falls.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Participants

A total of 2.666 patients were admitted to adult inpatient units in a Spanish hospital.

Methods

Data from the Barthel, Braden, and Downton scales collected within 24 h of admission were analyzed. A hierarchical cluster analysis followed by the k-means method was used to classify patients. Relationship between profiles and clinical variables were explored through multiple correspondence analysis, and predictors for each profile were identified using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Three patient profiles were identified: profile 1 (low risk), minor dependency, low risk of pressure injuries and falls (68.5%); profile 2 (moderate risk), moderate dependency and intermediate risk (15.4%); and profile 3 (high risk), severe dependency with high risk of pressure injuries and falls (16.1%). Older age, female sex, and higher comorbidity were significantly associated with higher-risk profiles (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Hospitalized adults can be reliably classified into risk profiles based on functional capacity and the risk of pressure injuries and falls.

Implications

The identification of combined risk profiles may potentially guide nursing strategies to enhance patient safety, support individualized care planning, and contribute to optimizing resource distribution in hospital settings.

Impact

Loss of functional capacity, pressure injuries, and falls are key nursing-sensitive indicators of care quality. Profile-based stratification offers a new framework for personalized, data-driven, and safety-oriented nursing care.

Clinical Relevance

The identification of integrated risk profiles based on functional capacity, pressure injury risk, and fall risk may support more comprehensive nursing assessment in hospitalized adults. These profiles may help inform care prioritization, facilitate early identification of vulnerable patients, and contribute to more efficient allocation of nursing resources. Incorporating multidimensional risk stratification into clinical practice may enhance coordinated and patient-centered care planning.

ProHealth: a co-designed online home-based healthy eating and exercise programme for men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy - a study protocol for a feasibility and preliminary efficacy randomised controlled trial

Por: Baguley · B. · Daly · R. · Livingston · P. · Rawstorn · J. · White · V. · Koorts · H. · Fraser · S. · Gardner · J. · Atkins · L. · Steer · B. · O · E. · Heneka · N. · Abbott · G. · Russell · G. · McNamara · G. · Kiss · N.
Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves survival in advanced prostate cancer but may lead to debilitating side effects, including sarcopenic obesity and a 10–45% increased risk of other comorbidities. Guidelines recommend exercise and nutrition interventions during ADT, but access to these services is often limited, and referral pathways are unclear. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online, home-based, multi-faceted, exercise, nutrition and education programme (ProHealth) for men with prostate cancer treated with ADT. ProHealth was co-designed with consumers and healthcare professionals to include (i) education on prostate cancer and treatment-related side effects and (ii) multimedia behaviour change resources to support individualised nutrition and exercise behaviour change.

Methods and analysis

This 12-week randomised controlled trial (target n=50) will include men treated with ADT for >3 months or who have completed ADT in the last 24 months, are overweight or obese and are not under the care of a dietitian or exercise professional. Participants will be randomised (1:1) to the ProHealth intervention or usual care. The intervention group will receive four consultations with an Accredited Practising Dietitian to promote a high protein and energy reduced diet, and five consultations with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to follow a home-based progressive resistance training and aerobic exercise programme. The primary outcomes are feasibility (recruitment rate, retention, data completeness, reach, safety, consultation attendance and adherence, and usage of the ProHealth web platform), acceptability and satisfaction of the ProHealth intervention. Exploratory secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks and include changes in body weight and composition (total and appendicular fat-free mass, fat mass), quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)—General, FACT-Prostate, FACT-Fatigue), physical function (30-second sit-to-stand), dietary intake (3-day food diary) and physical activity (7-day accelerometer). Linear regression models will estimate differences between the intervention and usual care group. Qualitative interviews on participant satisfaction will be transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC2024-038) and registered on Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000874516). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific meetings and other public forums.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12624000874516.

Social enrichment mitigates facial expressions and physiological indicators of short-term stress in horses

by Ana Caroline Bini de Lima, Vanessa Cristini Sebastião da Fé, Maria Simara Palermo Hernandes, Emily Caroline Pfeifer de Cristo, Ana Gabrieli dos Santos Fagundes Euzébio, Maria Vitória e Silva Sousa, Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara, Viviane Maria Oliveira dos Santos

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of social noncontact environmental enrichment to facilitate social buffering and to characterize the emotional experience of horses subjected to restraint in stock by assessing physiological parameters and facial expressions. Pantaneiro horses (n = 11) were evaluated in a crossover design with two treatments: social noncontact enrichment during stock restraint and social isolation during stock restraint. Physiological parameters (heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, ocular temperature by infrared thermography, and auricular temperature by infrared thermometer) and facial expressions (EquiFACS) were assessed throughout the 24-minute restraint period. When horses were accompanied by a conspecific, heart rate, respiratory rate, and eye temperature were lower (p nostril dilator (AD38), inner brow raiser (AU101), upper eyelid raiser (AU5), eye white increase (AD1), ears forward (EAD101), and ears back (EAD104), was also lower (p 

Implementation of a digital tool for monitoring and managing the emotional and cognitive sequelae of post-intensive care syndrome: ICURA study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Por: Llabres-Alvarez · E. · Riera-Sagrera · M. · Llompart-Casasnovas · A. · Salva · P. · Castro · A. · Godoy-Gonzalez · M. · Dona-Lopez · E. · Lopez-Aguilar · J. · Jodar · M. · Navarra-Ventura · G. · Gili · M. · Roca · M. · Fernandez-Gonzalo · S.
Introduction

Intensive care units (ICUs) can be a particularly challenging environment for patients who are mentally vulnerable. In addition to the physical stress associated with critical illness and its management, there are physiological and psychosocial factors that can negatively impact a patient’s mental health. Approximately half of ICU survivors will experience post-intensive care syndrome, a set of emotional, neuropsychological and physical sequelae that can significantly affect patients’ functionality and quality of life, both in the short and long term. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the ICU Recovery Answers (ICURA) digital follow-up platform can effectively detect emotional and cognitive problems in critically ill patients and its impact on functionality and health-related quality of life during the first year after ICU discharge.

Methods and analysis

Multicentre longitudinal prospective study involving ICU adult patients, with randomised follow-up comparing a telemedicine monitoring programme versus usual medical care during 1 year after discharge. A total of 360 participants will be recruited during their ICU admission in two hospitals in Spain. Efficacy outcomes will focus on participants’ level of functioning, assessed with the WHO Short Disability Assessment Schedule, and quality of life, measured with the 12-Item Short Form Survey at 1, 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. Emotional state and cognitive impairment will be evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Treatment-Outcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment by telephone at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ICU discharge.

Ethics and dissemination

The implementation of this project is expected to have a direct impact on the satisfaction of ICU survivors, improving their well-being, personalised follow-up and quality of life. Results from this study will be disseminated at various scientific conferences, national and international meetings, and will be shared with the general public and other relevant parties. The dissemination of these results will occur through scientific publications, allowing the medical and scientific community to benefit from the study’s findings. Ethics approval from the Ethics Board of Parc Taulí Foundation and Balearic Islands with reference numbers 2022/3031 and IB 5072/22 PI: Protocol version 1 of 18 November 2022.

Trial registration number

NCT06504979.

Evaluation of Nurse‐Led Triage in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To assess the quality of the Spanish Triage System performed by nurses according to the triage code assigned to each patient and to examine factors associated with the need for re-evaluation after completion of triage.

Design

Retrospective longitudinal observational study.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients triaged in the emergency department between 2018 and 2023. Patients triaged by other healthcare professionals and those who did not receive a triage priority level were excluded.

Results

493,211 episodes were analysed. Most were low/intermediate acuity (Level IV 65.4%, Level III 23.9%; Level I 0.1%). Mean time-to-first physician record entry increased as acuity decreased (38 min Level I vs. 81 min Level V), yet recorded time-target compliance was lowest in Levels I–II (23.8% and 14.7%). Re-evaluation occurred more often in high-acuity levels and was independently associated with older age, male sex, lower oxygen saturation and longer emergency department length of stay; compared with Level I, Levels II–III and lower adjusted odds of re-evaluation.

Conclusion

Nurse-led triage demonstrated coherent clinical and operational stratification; however, the lowest recorded time-target compliance in the sickest patients suggests a gap between immediate care and electronic documentation.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Streamline documentation workflows for high-acuity cases and use re-evaluation risk profiles to prioritize monitoring and escalation.

Impact

Evidence on nurse-led Spanish Triage System performance and time-documentation quality is limited. Acuity and flow metrics showed expected gradients, but target-time compliance was lowest in Levels I–II; predictors of re-evaluation were also identified. Findings support emergency department nursing, quality improvement and potential benefits for patients attending emergency departments.

Reporting Method

STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Estimating the velocity and direction of African Swine Fever spread in wild boar populations in South Korea using Trend-Surface Analysis

by Cecilia Aguilar-Vega, Jaime Bosch, Satoshi Ito, Benjamin Ivorra, Hyunkyu Jeong, José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal disease of swine that has spread across Asia since its introduction in 2018. South Korea first reported the disease in September 2019 in domestic pigs, and since then, more than 4,000 cases have been reported in wild boars during its expansion up to August 2024. Due to the high number of ASF notifications in wild boars in South Korea, contrasted with their scarcity in most Asian countries, analyzing the spatiotemporal spread of the disease in a setting with active surveillance provides valuable insights. In this study, we performed a trend-surface analysis on temporally gridded case data to characterize the overall geographic spread and direction of ASF in wild boars across South Korea, from its emergence to August 2022. Additionally, we propose a novel approach distinct from previous studies, to estimate spread velocity by incorporating an upper threshold to avoid unrealistic values. The model described the spread of ASF in the study area. The disease showed greater expansion in the east of the country. Initially, a south and eastward direction was estimated. The estimated median velocity was 19.53 km/month, with cell-level velocities ranging from 2.45 to 69.99 km/month. Velocity increased notably from autumn 2021 onward and varied substantially across years. Our results show the dynamics of ASF in wild boars of South Korea, providing new evidence of their role in the epidemiology of the disease.

Development and Internal Validation of a Gradient Boosting Model for Pressure Injury Risk in the ICU

ABSTRACT

Pressure injury (PI) is common in the ICU and not well captured by single-risk tools such as the Braden scale. We aimed to develop and internally validate a machine-learning model to predict new-onset PI using routinely collected ICU data. This retrospective single-centre cohort included adult ICU patients with length of stay ≥ 48 h (2018–2023). The primary outcome was new-onset PI during ICU stay. Candidate predictors were pre-specified: minimum albumin, maximum lactate, SOFA, APACHE II, first recorded Braden score, age, BMI, a nutrition score and treatment indicators. Missing values were imputed (median/mode). A gradient boosting model (GBM) was evaluated with stratified 3-fold cross-validation; a random forest (RF) served as a benchmark (stratified 70/30 train–test split). Discrimination (AUC) was primary; calibration, Brier score, decision-curve analysis (DCA) and feature importance were secondary. Logistic regression quantified independent associations. Among included ICU stays, 14.6% developed PI. On multivariable analysis, higher lactate, lower albumin, lower Braden scores, older age, CRRT, prone positioning, enteral nutrition and analgesic exposure were associated with increased PI risk, whereas sedatives showed an inverse association. The GBM achieved AUC≈0.69 with acceptable calibration and net clinical benefit across thresholds commonly used in preventive workflows (≈0.10–0.50). Single markers or simple combinations displayed only modest discrimination. A GBM built from routine ICU data provided moderate, well-calibrated discrimination for predicting new-onset PI and demonstrated decision-relevant net benefit. The model can complement Braden-based screening by refining risk stratification and prioritising intensified prevention for patients most likely to benefit. External validation and prospective evaluation are warranted.

Compassion in Practice: A Realist Review of Mentorship as a Catalyst for Healthy Workplaces

ABSTRACT

Aim

To examine the contexts and mechanisms that enable compassionate mentorship in healthcare, in order to generate evidence-informed insights for fostering healthier, more sustainable work environments.

Design

A rapid realist review.

Data Sources

Systematic searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE (1946–December 2024), Embase (1974–December 2024) and CINAHL (1981–December 2024). Additional sources included Google Scholar searches, reference list scanning and grey literature (e.g., practice guidelines, policy briefs, professional reports). The review was conducted between August 2024 and July 2025.

Review Methods

Realist review methods were applied to answer the question: What works, for whom, under what circumstances and why? The review proceeded in four stages: defining scope and research questions with an expert panel; iterative searching and screening; data extraction and synthesis into context–mechanism–outcome configurations (CMOCs); and development of a programme theory.

Results

Twenty-two documents were included, spanning nursing, medicine, allied health and interdisciplinary contexts. Six CMOCs were identified, encompassing the following themes: (1) relationship compatibility; (2) vulnerability and self-exploration; (3) growth through untapped strengths; (4) anti-oppression and equity; (5) mentors' pride and confidence; and (6) culture of mentorship. The resulting programme theory conceptualises compassionate mentorship as a dynamic, multi-level process with cumulative impacts on individual well-being, professional development and organisational culture.

Conclusion

Compassionate mentorship represents not only a relational practice but also a structural intervention for healthier workplaces. Programmes should prioritise compatibility, cultivate psychological safety, invest in mentee growth, embed equity, recognise mentor contributions and institutionalise mentorship culture.

Impact

These strategies offer actionable pathways to strengthen workforce resilience, retention and sustainability.

Patient or Public Contribution

One co-author is a retired nurse, ethicist and person with lived experience in the healthcare system. This co-author was integral to this project, serving on the scientific steering committee from project conceptualisation and funding application through study conduct and publication.

Health worker capacity-building interventions and quality of primary healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol

Por: Amu · H. · Dzadza · A. E. L. A. · Glover · R. M. · Akpene · D. A. · Tiah · J. A. Y. · Agula · C. · Bawah · A. A.
Background

Achieving high-quality primary healthcare (PHC) remains essential to improving health systems performance and advancing progress towards attainment of universal health coverage, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where gaps in service delivery persist. Capacity-building interventions, such as mentorship, in-service training and supportive supervision, have been widely employed to improve the quality of PHC delivery. The evidence base is, however, fragmented across diverse settings, intervention types and outcome measures. This systematic review will examine the evidence on how capacity-building interventions improve the quality of PHC services in SSA, with a focus on the domains of effectiveness, safety, people-centredness, timeliness, equity, integration and efficiency as propounded by the WHO.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review using established evidence synthesis methods and report the findings in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies will include peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English between 2000 and 2025, focusing on capacity-building interventions aimed at improving PHC quality in SSA. We will search databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and the African Journals Online. Study selection will follow the Population (PHC providers), Exposure (capacity-building interventions) and Outcome (quality of PHC delivery across WHO domains) framework. Quality assessment will use the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data will be narratively synthesised using Atlas.ti software.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because there will be no collection of primary data. Only published studies/records available on peer-reviewed literature and grey sources will be included. Findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal, academic conferences and stakeholder platforms in SSA.

Registration

The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251131534) and reported according to PRISMA-P guidelines.

Association of eating disorders and/or insulin omission with impaired glycaemic control in persons living with type 1 diabetes: cross-sectional analysis of the French SFDT1 study

Por: Ritz · P.-J. · Aguayo · G. A. · Cosson · E. · Canha · D. · Renard · E. · Merwin · R. M. · Amouyal · C. · Arnault · G. · Bilariki · K. · Borot · S. · Chevalier · N. · Lemoine · A. · Franc · S. · Fremy · B. · Gouet · D. · Julla · J.-B. · Marchand · L. · Pinto · S. · Rigalleau · V. · Sonnet · E.
Objective

To address whether eating disorders (ED) or insulin omission (IOM) in adult persons living with type 1 diabetes (pwT1D) are associated with impaired glycaemic control.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis.

Settings

The French-Speaking Diabetes Society—Type 1 Diabetes Cohort (SFDT1) is an ongoing epidemiological cohort study that includes pwT1D in France who attend hospitals or private ambulatory diabetes centres.

Participants

Adult participants from the SFDT1 study, with data on ED and IOM. The current analysis was performed on data collected during the baseline visit in participants enrolled between December 2020 and March 2024.

Main outcome measures

Using the SCOFF, a self-reported questionnaire to screen for ED, and a single question on IOM to screen for IOM, we described four categories of pwT1D: no ED & no IOM, ED & no IOM, no ED & IOM and ED & IOM. We performed unadjusted and adjusted (for age, sex, diabetes duration, social vulnerability, smoking, alcohol status and insulin treatment) multinomial logistic regression models with the four categories as the outcome and glycaemic variables as explanatory variables, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) variables and HbA1c. No ED & no IOM was the reference outcome for all comparisons. We stratified each model by sex and fear of hypoglycaemia.

Results

We included 1113 participants, 51% males, median (IQR) age 38 (29–50) years, diabetes duration 21 (12–32) years. Prevalences were as follows: no ED & no IOM: 68% (n=758), ED & no IOM: 11% (n=124), no ED & IOM: 16% (n=177) and ED & IOM: 5% (n=54). With the fully adjusted model, and compared with the group no ED & no IOM, time in range (OR (95% CI) 0.5 (0.4 to 0.7)) and time below range (0.5 (0.3 to 0.8)) were inversely associated with ED & IOM. Moreover, time in range (0.4 (0.4 to 0.5)) was associated with IOM & no ED. Time above range (2.2 (1.6 to 2.9)), Glycaemic Risk Index (1.8 (1.3 to 2.5)), glucose monitoring indicator (2.2 (1.7 to 2.9)) and HbA1c (2.0 (1.5 to 2.5)) were directly associated with ED & IOM. We did not observe associations between CGM variables and ED & no IOM. Most associations were valid in both men and women. The associations were stronger in participants with a fear of hypoglycaemia. However, the associations remained even in people with a fear of hypoglycaemia.

Conclusions

Both ED and IOM are frequent in pwT1D, and IOM seems to be associated with impaired glycaemic control. As our analysis was cross-sectional, we cannot infer causality and cannot know whether IOM was a result of glycaemic control or the inverse (reverse causality). Our results suggest that IOM should be systematically screened in clinical practice. Further research is needed to better identify and care for EDs, with or without IOM, in T1D.

Trial registration number

NCT04657783.

Exploring the role of diagnostic stewardship concepts outside of antimicrobial stewardship: protocol for a scoping review

Por: Siragusa · L. M. · Gamba · M. · Wertli · M. M. · Hug · B.
Introduction

Diagnostic stewardship is an emerging concept, so far primarily associated with microbiology, specifically antibiotic stewardship. However, its core idea, ensuring ‘the right test at the right time for the right patient’, holds relevance across all areas of clinical medicine. By optimising the diagnostic process, diagnostic stewardship aims to enhance clinical decision-making and promote more effective, efficient and patient-centred care. Key objectives are the reduction of diagnostic errors, namely overdiagnosis, underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, as well as optimal resource management. The aim of our review was to establish whether and how diagnostic stewardship has been implemented outside the area of antibiotic stewardship.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and Proquest Thesis and Dissertation will be searched using a search strategy based on the population, concept, context (PCC) framework, adding an outcome variable. Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers and reported using the PRISMA flowchart. Included will be studies starting from 2015, which will describe stewardship interventions in different diagnostic modalities. Excluded will be results regarding antimicrobial stewardship. No language restriction will be applied. Information on the definition and application of the concept of diagnostic stewardship, as well as general study characteristics, will be extracted using a previously developed and piloted data extraction form. Extracted data will be analysed and reported using narrative and descriptive analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. Dissemination activities include peer-reviewed journal publication and conference presentations.

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