A healthy diet is a crucial component for adolescents’ health and wellbeing. Current literature surrounding dietary intake and its effect on cognition, mental health and wellbeing has mainly focused on children, not adolescents. This review aims to synthesise findings from studies that explore the relationship between dietary intake and cognition, mental health and wellbeing in the adolescent population.
Electronic searches will date from 1 January 2000 to 7 October 2024 and will be conducted in CENTRAL, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCOHOST, ERIC, British Education Index, Child and Adolescent Studies, Education research complete, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Social Policy and Practice Embase, and APAPsychINFO via OvidSP. Articles will be screened using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed for eligibility by five independent reviewers. Discrepancies will be reviewed by a third reviewer. The selection process of included articles will be reported by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. A narrative summary will be used to report and synopsise the extracted data.
This systematic review does not require ethical approval. The dissemination strategy for this review comprises peer-reviewed publications, public health conference presentations and providing a valuable reference for healthy-food interventions in school and community-based settings as well as identifying gaps in the current literature and informing policy and practice.
CRD42025633083.
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of financial catastrophe and explore patients’ perceived effectiveness of the government support programme related to chronic kidney disease.
Cross-sectional mixed-method study.
A total of 120 patients receiving free regular haemodialysis under the government’s Deprived Citizen Support Programme for at least 6 months were included in the quantitative study, and 9 patients participated in the qualitative study.
Prevalence of financial catastrophe and factors associated with financial catastrophe among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis.
A convergent parallel mixed-method approach was carried out from 15 June to 15 December 2024, among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis at the National Kidney Center. Quantitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Financial catastrophe was defined as out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare payments ≥40% of a household’s disposable income, following the WHO-recommended threshold for severe financial burden. OOP expenditures were assessed over 6 months, and associations were tested using 2 and binary logistic regression at a 95% CI in SPSS V.25.0. For the qualitative arm, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine purposively selected patients, and inductive thematic analysis was applied to explore the perceived effectiveness of the government support programme. The quantitative and qualitative findings were then integrated to achieve convergence and divergence, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the extent and context of financial hardship among patients.
The prevalence of financial catastrophe was 72.5%. The factors associated with financial catastrophe were the presence of complications (adjusted OR (AOR): 3.67, 95% CI 1.019 to 13.27), patients without financial support (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.016 to 7.56) and reduction in food expenses (AOR: 0.313, 95% CI 0.109 to 0.896). Qualitative findings on awareness regarding government subsidies, financial strain, barriers to receiving treatment and perceived effectiveness of the programme revealed key aspects of utilisation and effectiveness of the government support programme.
The prevalence of financial catastrophe was substantially high, which highlights the importance of addressing economic challenges in chronic kidney disease care. The study emphasised the need to strengthen financial protection through the expansion of government subsidies and improved insurance coverage.
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) represent an unprecedented public health burden. These disorders are clinically heterogeneous and therapeutically challenging, but advances in discovery science and trial methodology offer hope for translation to new treatments. Against this background, there is an urgent unmet need for biomarkers to aid with early and accurate diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring throughout the care pathway and in clinical trials.
Investigations routinely used in clinical care and trials are often invasive, expensive, time-consuming, subjective and ordinal. Speech data represent a potentially scalable, non-invasive, objective and quantifiable digital biomarker that can be acquired remotely and cost-efficiently using mobile devices, and analysed using state-of-the-art speech signal processing and machine learning approaches. This prospective case–control observational study of multiple NDDs aims to deliver a deeply clinically phenotyped longitudinal speech dataset to facilitate development and evaluation of speech biomarkers.
People living with dementia, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are eligible to participate. Healthy individuals (including relatives or carers of participants with neurological disease) are also eligible to participate as controls. Participants complete a study app with standardised speech recording tasks (including reading, free speech, picture description and verbal fluency tasks) and patient-reported outcome measures of quality of life and mood (EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level, Patient Health Questionnaire 2) every 2 months at home or in clinic. Participants also complete disease severity scales, cognitive screening tests and provide optional samples for blood-based biomarkers at baseline and then 6-monthly. Follow-up is scheduled for up to 24 months. Initially, 30 participants will be recruited to each group. Speech recordings and contemporaneous clinical data will be used to create a dataset for development and evaluation of novel speech-based diagnosis and monitoring algorithms.
Digital App for Speech and Health Monitoring Study was approved by the South Central—Hampshire B Ethics Committee (REC ref. 24/SC/0067), NHS Lothian (R&D ref. 2024/0034) and NHS Forth Valley (R&D ref. FV1494). Results of the study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Data from the study will be shared with other researchers and used to facilitate speech processing challenges for neurological disorders. Regular updates will be provided on the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic web page and social media platforms.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06450418 (pre-results).
by Caitlin D. October, Dzunisani P. Baloyi, Lario Viljoen, Rene Raad, Dillon T. Wademan, Megan Palmer, Juli Switala, Michaile G. Anthony, Karen Du Preez, Petra De Koker, Anneke C. Hesseling, Bronwyne Coetzee, Graeme Hoddinott
Children who are hospitalised for tuberculosis (TB) experience challenges that put them at risk of developing emotional, behavioural, and social difficulties. In this methodological paper, we showcase the development of a narrative intervention toolkit with key components of the resulting version 1.0 tool. The study design was participatory and pragmatic, with researchers working with the routine staff of TB hospital wards, children admitted and their caregivers, to iteratively understand and improve children’s experiences of hospitalisation. The project included three phases: (1) a situational analysis to map children and healthcare providers’ perspectives on priorities and potential intervention components, (2) co-development of a beta-version of the intervention, and (3) piloting and incremental refinement toward a version 1.0 of the intervention. The intervention toolkit combined a series of activities alongside the story of ‘Courageous Curly’ to facilitate children’s engagement with their own experiences of hospitalisation, including psychosocial and treatment challenges, captured, and described throughout data collection. We found that dividing the story into short chapters facilitated children’s engagement with the section of story that is being told on a specific day. Each chapter of the story follows/mimics a different stage children can expect during their treatment journey while hospitalised for TB care. Implementation and evaluation of such interventions can mitigate the psychosocial impact of TB in children and inform policies to improve their overall TB care.Many pregnant women have a history of trauma, such as abuse or violence, which can significantly impact their mental and physical health. Discussing these experiences in maternity care presents an opportunity to support women, reduce stigma and connect them with resources. However, concerns persist about stigmatisation, re-traumatisation and unwarranted safeguarding referrals.
The objective of this study was to explore how trauma discussions should be approached in maternity care, drawing on the perspectives of women with lived experience, voluntary sector representatives and healthcare providers in the UK. Findings aim to inform the development of a future intervention.
Semistructured interviews were conducted with women with trauma histories (experts by experience; n=4), representatives of voluntary sector organisations (n=7) and healthcare providers (n=12). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A qualitative content analysis approach was employed, supported by a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group (named as the ‘Research Collective’ for this study) comprising experts by experience, maternity care professionals and voluntary sector practitioners. The group contributed to both study design and data analysis.
Five descriptive categories emerged: (1) Rationale for discussions—whether and why trauma should be addressed; (2) Professionals and settings—who should lead discussions and in what environment; (3) Timing considerations—when discussions should occur; (4) Communicating about trauma—strategies to sensitively explore prior trauma; and (5) Supporting care providers—training and emotional support needs. Participants highlighted both the benefits of trauma discussions and the practical, emotional and systemic challenges involved.
Trauma discussions in maternity care are complex but essential. Findings provide practical, UK-specific insights into timing, communication and staff support considerations, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive, co-designed approaches to facilitate safe and effective trauma-informed care.
Next-generation imaging (NGI), particularly with prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA PET) tracers, enables earlier and more accurate detection of metastases. However, conventional imaging (CT and bone scan) remains more affordable and widely accessible and was the standard used in most pivotal trials that established current survival outcomes. As PSMA PET becomes more widely adopted, a stage migration effect is emerging. However, key uncertainties persist regarding the actual proportional employment of NGI in clinical practice, main indications for its use and the mid-term and long-term effects of an NGI-driven treatment pathway. Furthermore, when or whether CI alone might remain enough informative for the treatment decision-making is still unclear.
The European Registry of Next-Generation Imaging in Advanced Prostate Cancer is a non-profit, non-interventional, multi-centre, international, prospective, investigator-initiated registry that is intended to collect real-world data on how patients with prostate cancer at risk of harbouring metastasis (high-risk at initial diagnosis, or after primary treatment) are managed according to the type of imaging used for the systemic work-up. The registry is conducted in two phases: (1) cross-sectional analysis of imaging choices and their effect on clinical decision-making and (2) longitudinal follow-up evaluating survival outcomes such as progression-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and skeletal-related events (SSEs). Statistical analyses will include descriptive analysis of demographic and clinical variables, comparative analysis between different imaging pathways, survival and prognostic analyses using Kaplan–Meier tests. The expected minimum sample size of the registry is 600 patients, and the planned follow-up duration is 24 months for the longitudinal follow-up.
The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Fundació Puigvert (#C2024/30), and ethics approval is required at all participating sites. All patients will provide written informed consent. The results will be disseminated widely and transparently to maximise their effect on clinical practice, research and patient care through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at international conferences as well as through patient advocacy groups and relevant patient websites.
by Anastasia Topalidou, Lauren Haworth, Raeesa Jassat, Morgan Hawcroft-Hurst
Pregnancy and childbirth involve profound biomechanical transformations, adaptations, and functional demands on the maternal body. Although biomechanical complications have been identified as a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, this remains one of the most under-researched areas in perinatal health. This systematic scoping review aimed to map and synthesise existing literature on the biomechanics of pregnancy and labour. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidance, comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and MIDIRS were conducted up to May 2025. Eligible sources were peer-reviewed empirical studies assessing musculoskeletal, kinematic, kinetic, postural, or dynamic parameters in pregnant or labouring women. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened against predefined eligibility criteria. Data were charted using a structured extraction form and synthesised narratively across key biomechanical themes. Eighty-seven studies were included, all of which focused on pregnancy. No studies conducted during labour were identified. Most were observational with small sample sizes and limited diversity. Ethnicity was reported in only one study. Four key themes emerged: (1) Posture and spinal curvature, (2) Gait and locomotor analysis, (3) Functional tasks and interventions, and (4) Balance and stability. Findings showed high individual variability and no consistent biomechanical pattern across pregnancy. Real-world, neuromuscular, and labour-related biomechanics remain largely unexplored. This review underscores a critical gap in perinatal research: while biomechanical adaptations during pregnancy have been increasingly studied, labour remains entirely unexamined from a biomechanical perspective. Current evidence is fragmented, methodologically narrow, and lacks diversity, offering limited clinical relevance. We are effectively operating in a biomechanical vacuum, without empirical data to guide safer, more efficient, and personalised birth practices. Existing clinical approaches rely heavily on tradition, anecdotal experience, and untested theoretical assumptions. Addressing this evidence void, particularly in labour biomechanics and ethnic representation, is essential to improve perinatal outcomes and support equity in maternal care.This study aims to create a comprehensive model for shaping well-being and healthy habits at work through tailored training in physical activity among remote or hybrid workers.
This is a three-arm randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effects of tailored and general physical activity interventions compared with a no-intervention control group. It is assumed that both types of physical activity (general and tailored) might reduce musculoskeletal problems and presenteeism and improve well-being in a short time. However, a tailored type of training, prepared to reduce pain in specific muscles associated with long-term sedentary work, along with a detailed explanation of how exercises influence the muscles, will allow the development of healthy work habits and decrease negative symptoms in a long-term period. Therefore, short-term effects on well-being, presenteeism and musculoskeletal problems will be tested immediately after training and long-term ones—3 months after the end of the training. Well-being at work, presenteeism, work habits and workstations will be measured using research questionnaires. The level of musculoskeletal complaints will also be assessed using a standardised questionnaire specifying the location and the level of pain caused by the ailments. In addition, objective assessment tools will be used—electromyography (measuring the level of fatigue of specific muscles) and myotonometry (determining the level of muscle stiffness).
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (the Rector’s Commission on Research Ethics at the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business; Ethical Committee Decision number: 10/2025) and will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The findings of this research will be disseminated in the original article.
ACTRN12624001311549.
Predicting the progression to severe dengue remains a critical yet challenging aspect of patient management. This umbrella review aims to identify biomarkers associated with the development of severe dengue. The primary objective is to determine which biomarkers can predict progression to severe disease in dengue-infected patients. Secondary objectives include identifying (a) early biomarkers (detected on days 1–3 of illness), (b) late biomarkers (detected after day 3), (c) biomarkers requiring further investigation and (d) differences in predictive biomarkers between patients aged
The review questions were formulated based on the Population, Concept and Context (PCC) framework. This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for umbrella reviews and be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Systematic Reviews guidelines. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251058284). MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, JBI Evidence Synthesis and DARE databases will be searched from 1/1/1990 to 1/6/2025. The findings are expected to support early risk stratification and guide future biomarker research in dengue infection. The systematic reviews included in this umbrella review may define severe dengue according to either the WHO 1997 or 2009 guidelines.
Ethical approval is not required since the work involves published documents. The review findings will be communicated to relevant stakeholders through conference presentations and publication in an open-access journal.
PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251058284. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251058284.
This study aimed to assess construct validity against commonly used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), test–retest reliability and responsiveness of seven Dutch-Flemish Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computerised adaptive testing (CATs) in Dutch adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and assess their acceptability in healthcare providers and people with T2D.
A cross-sectional observational study in people with T2D and qualitative study involving both people with T2D and healthcare professionals.
Participants with T2D were recruited from the ongoing Hoorn Diabetes Care System cohort in the West-Friesland area of the Netherlands. Additionally, people with T2D and advanced chronic kidney disease were recruited at the outpatient clinics of Amsterdam University Medical Centre and ‘Niercentrum aan de Amstel’, both in the Amsterdam area of the Netherlands. The healthcare professionals involved in the qualitative part were recruited at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre.
314 people with T2D (age 64.0±10.8 years, 63.7% men).
Participants completed seven PROMIS CATs (assessing (1) Physical Function, (2) Pain Interference, (3) Fatigue, (4) Sleep Disturbance, (5) Anxiety, (6) Depression and (7) Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities), and PROMs measuring similar constructs. After 2 weeks and 6 months, participants completed the CATs measures again, together with seven Global Rating Scales (GRS) on perceived change in each domain. Construct validity was assessed using Pearson’s correlations. Test–retest reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Measurement error was assessed by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Responsiveness was assessed by correlations between change scores on the PROMIS CAT and GRS. Acceptability was assessed through focus groups and interviews in healthcare providers and people with T2D.
Except for Fatigue, all PROMIS CAT domains demonstrated sufficient construct validity, since ≥75% of the results was in accordance with a priori hypotheses. All seven PROMIS CATs showed sufficient test–retest reliability (ICCs 0.73–0.91). SEM and MDC ranged from 2.1 to 2.7 and from 5.7 to 7.4, respectively. Responsiveness was rated as insufficient in this study design as there was almost no change in participants’ own rating of their health compared with 6 months ago according to a global rating of change.
During the focus groups and interviews, healthcare providers and people with T2D agreed that CATs could serve as a conversation starter in routine care, but should never replace personal consultations with a doctor. If implemented, participants would be willing to spend 15 min to complete the PROMIS CATs.
The PROMIS CATs showed sufficient construct validity and test–retest reliability in most domains in people with T2D. Responsiveness needs to be evaluated in a population with poorer diabetes control or in a study design with longer follow-up. The CATs are well accepted to be used in care to identify relevant topics, but should not replace personal contact with the doctor.
The article describes the outcomes of a single-centre investigation on the use of OZOILE to improve the healing process in patients with chronic diabetic ulcers. This is a non-randomised interventional study which aims to assess the differences between two groups (total 200 patients) by evaluating healing time at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days. Pain assessment with VAS scale at 15, 30 and 45 days, biofilm test and tissue regeneration by histological evaluation were also taken into consideration. The outcomes show faster healing, reduced pain, control of local infection, aesthetically pleasing and qualitatively better healing. Our treatment strategy involves applying OZOILE detergent without rinsing, Ozoile spray oil and Ozoile cream followed by a non-adherent dressing (paraffin gauze). This integrated protocol shows a safe and effective treatment for diabetic chronic wound healing in a cost-effective manner. The group treated with the Rigenoma/Ozoile protocol demonstrated significantly superior outcomes compared to the control group, including accelerated healing, reduced pain levels, effective management of unpleasant odour, and high levels of compliance from both patients and surgeons. Overall, Ozoile markedly reduced healing time compared with standard care, with results robust across multiple analytical approaches.
by Danai Sangthong, Pradit Sangthong, Warin Rangubpit, Prapasiri Pongprayoon, Eukote Suwan, Kannika Wongpanit, Wissanuwat Chimnoi, Pacharathon Simking, Sinsamut Sae Ngow, Serge Morand, Roger W. Stich, Sathaporn Jittapalapong
Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses were conducted on tick specimens collected from cattle in northern, northeastern, central, and southern regions of Thailand. Morphological identification indicated these ticks consisted of three species, Rhipicephalus microplus from all four regions, R. sanguineus from the northern and northeastern regions, and a Haemaphysalis species only collected from the northeastern region. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences identified R. microplus clades A and C, while clade B was not detected in this study. The same analysis indicated specimens morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis were H. bispinosa, confirming previous reports of their prevalence in northeastern Thailand. H. bispinosa showed low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, suggesting either a bottleneck or founder effect. Both R. microplus clades displayed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity, a pattern associated with population expansion. Genetic structural analysis revealed significant genetic differences in R. microplus clade A, especially between mainland (northern, northeastern, and central regions) and peninsular (southern region) populations, which indicated limited gene flow between these areas while suggesting movement of these ticks across the mainland. The sequence analyses described in this report enhance understanding of the natural history of ticks in Thailand and are expected to guide and strengthen tick control strategies across Southeast Asia.To develop and validate a bilingual experience survey for use in any NHS healthcare setting, to support service improvement.
A prospective mixed-methods study.
Any healthcare setting in NHS Wales including primary, secondary, urgent and planned care.
An opportunistic sample of people with experience of using local healthcare services. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were held to develop a draft survey. These were followed by online data collection from a wide participant sample for statistical validation. The tool was translated and linguistically validated following recognised methods. Patient engagement leads were involved to ensure the tool met their needs.
We conducted and analysed five focus groups and four interviews, consisting of 33 people in total. 12 draft questions were developed related to key aspects of patient experience. A series of online surveys were conducted to test the draft questions, with 769 responses received. Data were analysed to assess completion rates, intra-rater reliability, internal consistency and convergent validity. One question had both sub-par intrarater reliability and poor convergent validity, and despite attempts to improve the wording, it failed to meet minimum requirements of validity and was subsequently removed. The final validated People’s Experience Survey (PES) was subsequently translated into Welsh and validated with service users.
The PES is a reliable and valid tool, suitable for use in any healthcare setting. The robust processes that have been undertaken ensure that the questions included are available bilingually to collect reliable, meaningful data to support service improvement work.
To explore the influence of broader cultural and social factors on clinicians' care delivery to patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the emergency department.
A qualitative exploratory study.
A social ecological perspective drawn from a Social Ecological Model was used to guide the study. Clinicians from two public hospital emergency departments in Southeast Queensland, Australia were recruited with purposive and snowballing sampling strategies. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken between October 2022 and September 2023. Data were analysed using a content analysis approach.
Seventeen clinicians participated in the interviews: nine nurses and eight doctors. Nine participants were born in a country outside of Australia. Three main themes were generated from the interview data: (i) cultural and religious diversity and challenges in care delivery; (ii) social interactions and communication in clinical care; and (iii) perception about care delivery, services and supports.
Findings from this study offer insight into clinicians' experiences and perspectives regarding the influence of cultural and religious diversity as well as cross-cultural communication and prejudice in care delivery. Social interactions and communication in clinical care were found to facilitate care delivery process and navigate challenges. Cultural competency training and multicultural services and resources can help support clinicians in providing culturally appropriate care in the emergency department.
The findings of this study may help inform the development of practical guidelines and strategies to support clinicians in care delivery. Appropriate training regarding cultural competency is essential to promote culturally appropriate care. Developing a tailored multicultural service and targeted resources in the emergency department is recommended in clinical practice.
The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist was used.
A health consumer representative was involved to provide advice on the study conceptualization and data interpretation.
by Maria Cecilia Rasuk, Alfonsina Palladini, Andrea Moyano, Viviana Díaz, Antonella Giudice, Gisela Castillo, Solana Abraham, Juan Rull, Anja Poehlein, Rolf Daniel, Julian Rafael Dib
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied.) is an agricultural pest of significant economic importance. This species has been globally managed using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Insects, including tephritid flies, harbor a diverse gut microbiota that plays critical roles in their physiology, behavior, and overall fitness, suggesting that microbial communities may profoundly influence the biology of this pest. The aim of this study was to characterize the fungal and bacterial gut microbial communities of C. capitata from Tucumán, Argentina, and to assess their response to antimicrobial treatment using amplicon-based 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequencing. Both control and treated flies were dominated by Proteobacteria (bacteria) and Zygosaccharomyces (fungi). Antimicrobial treatment induced significant shifts in bacterial and fungal composition, reducing diversity and altering gut community structure. Untreated flies exhibited a diverse and structured bacterial gut community dominated by the family Enterobacteriaceae, while antibiotic-treated communities were dominated by Rhizobiaceae. Despite these shifts, fungal communities in both treated and untreated groups were consistently dominated by the genus Zygosaccharomyces. Functional predictions revealed notable changes in metabolic pathways following antibiotic treatment, including increased gene abundance for ABC transporters and the phosphotransferase system, and decreased representation of genes involved in antibiotic biosynthesis and two-component systems. These results indicate significant alterations in bacterial metabolism and stress response mechanisms induced by the treatment. Such changes may help explain the underperformance of irradiated, mass-reared males within the context of SIT. This study provides new insights into the structural and functional dynamics of the C. capitata gut microbiome under disturbance. These findings have implications for understanding the ecological roles of microbial communities in this pest and their potential impact on fly health and fitness. Identification of dominant gut bacterial and fungal groups may support the development of probiotic diets, enhancing the efficiency of SIT application.by Salman H. Choudhry, Keegan D’Mello, George Kim, Robin Mackin, Amrit Kirpalani
The study examines the influence of Asian sub-ethnic identity on the experiences of pre-medical students in the United States and Canada, aiming to understand how early interactions with the medical education system shape their pursuit of medicine. The researchers analyzed 132 discussion threads from popular online premedical school forums between June 2018 and 2023. The Asian Critical Theory framework guided the analysis along with cyclical inductive coding. Two major themes emerged: the homogenization of diverse Asian sub-ethnicities and external pressure related to sociocultural values. Terms like “over-represented minorities” contributed to the perception of Asians as a monolithic group, while expressions such as “Asian Parents” highlighted unique familial expectations. Non-Asian users often dismissed these barriers, reinforcing the model minority myth. The study emphasizes the negative consequences of framing Asians as a homogenous group in medical school admissions policies, perpetuating stereotypes, and overlooking the diversity within Asian sub-ethnic communities. The term “overrepresented” is critiqued for its role in homogenizing Asian identities and undermining the complexity of their experiences. These findings highlight the need for greater recognition of the nuanced challenges faced by Asian sub-ethnic medical trainees and the importance of dismantling stereotypes in medical education.Drug and vaccine safety information relevant to pregnant individuals is typically insufficient, especially so for persons living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pregnancy exposure registries (PERs) and similar systems are used to monitor medical products safety. A better understanding of the landscape of PERs in LMICs can support medicines regulatory system strengthening and preparation for new vaccine and drug introductions.
To identify PERs and related health data collection platforms in LMICs that systematically record pregnancy exposures to medical products and pregnancy outcomes to inform how future efforts, such as new vaccine introductions and treatment programmes, can better support maternal populations in these countries.
Scoping review based on methodology outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute manual for scoping reviews.
Electronic search of Medline/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Global Index Medicus in June 2022, and key informants via online survey in July 2022 and interviews.
Eligible resources included registries, surveillance systems and databases that collect information on exposures to medical products during pregnancy and on subsequent maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes in populations located entirely or partially in LMICs. Eligible records were published from January 2000 through June 2022.
Search results were screened and data extracted using a standardised form by two independent reviewers. Instances of discordance were resolved by a third reviewer. Identified systems were categorised by resource type.
A total of 7515 records from electronic searches were screened, with 396 selected for full-text review and 47 additional records obtained from other sources. From these, 45 data collection systems located in African, Asian and Latin American LMICs were identified, with 36 currently in operation. These resources were grouped into six categories based on structure and approach and summarised according to key features, strengths and weaknesses.
This scoping review identified several resources in LMICs dedicated to drug and vaccine safety in pregnancy, but findings indicate that more investment will be needed to ensure such efforts are widespread and sustainable. Understanding the current landscape of such resources in these settings is an important step towards improving safe, world-wide access to life-saving interventions for pregnant populations.
The protocol for this review has been registered with Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FU5AT).
Cognitive impairments, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, are considered a significant public health challenge as they affect mental functions like memory, attention, language and decision-making. With the growing number of older individuals, the prevalence of these diseases is also increasing and is projected to reach 152 million worldwide by 2050. These disorders result in difficulties with judgement, communication and daily activities, leading to more hospitalisations and risks such as disorientation in the environment and a higher likelihood of falls. Current hospital safety assessment tools mainly focus on physical aspects and overlook other crucial factors. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the concept of safety challenges for patients with cognitive impairment and to develop and psychometrically validate a multidimensional instrument for use in hospital settings.
A sequential exploratory study with mixed methods will be conducted. In the first qualitative phase, based on a content analysis approach, the aim is to explain and clarify safety issues in patients with cognitive impairment. Participants will be purposively selected until saturation is reached in educational-therapeutic centres affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences, and unstructured in-depth interviews will be conducted. The data will be analysed simultaneously using MAXQDA V.20 software. Additionally, a literature review on safety issues in patients with cognitive impairment will be conducted to supplement aspects that may not have emerged in the interviews.
In the second phase, an instrument based on the inductive–deductive method will be developed. The items will be created based on the participants’ experiences and the literature review. Face, content and construct validity, as well as reliability, will be assessed. Data synthesis will involve a linkage strategy, where the qualitative data will be linked to the quantitative data immediately after the completion of the qualitative phase, once the protocols are developed.
This study is part of a postdoctoral project approved by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Board (IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1403.006). Findings will be disseminated at the local, national and international levels.
Updating recent reviews and enriching the available evidence with expert opinions on the challenges and expected reforms needed in doctoral education across Europe.
A dual design based on a rapid review and an online survey.
The PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between January 2020 and June 2025 using the terms “PhD” AND “nursing”. In parallel, an online survey with open-ended questions was distributed to a purposive sample of academic experts in each European country. Findings from the literature were juxtaposed and integrated with the data from the expert survey and integrated.
A total of 23 studies and 26 expert opinions. Doctoral nursing education in Europe is facing seven key challenges regarding: (1) institutions and their structure, (2) supervision, (3) candidates, (4) research process and outcomes, (5) professional development and career progression, (6) international collaboration and (7) paradigm-related concerns. Six anticipated changes/recommendations were identified in (1) structural and policy reforms, (2) supervision and mentoring, (3) candidate recruitment, retention and support, (4) financial and institutional support, (5) professional development and career recognition, (6) collaboration and internationalisation. While some challenges and changes were confirmed by the literature, others emerged from the experts' insights.
Complex challenges are faced by European doctoral nursing education, some under-researched as issues of supervision and candidate experience. Strengthening structures, mentorship and international collaboration is essential to align education with academic standards and healthcare needs.
Efforts are needed at the European level to strengthen doctoral education in nursing to ensure well-prepared academic and clinical nurses.
Findings may support in the development of more cohesive and high-quality doctoral nursing programs across Europe and inform targeted reforms.
The rapid review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
To describe the factors that characterise nursing programs that continue to attract a high number of applicants even though the total number of applicants is declining.
A qualitative embedded case study in Italy on 2025.
A purposive sample of four undergraduate nursing programs for which there were more applicants than places in the last three academic years, compared to the rest of the macro-region, where an average ratio of 0.8 applicants/place was documented. Key informants (dean, clinical practice coordinator, nurse educators, students) from each program were involved. A semi-structured, open-ended interview was conducted focusing on the factors that make the identified nursing programs attractive. The recorded interviews (n = 19) were analysed thematically by triangulating the data. A member check was also conducted.
Five factors make a nursing program attractive: (1) the strategic location of the university, (2) the reputation and influence of the nursing program, (3) the structured, innovative, and open-oriented nursing curriculum, (4) the quality of the tutorial system and (5) the program's commitment to student support and development.
Even in times of declining enrollment and fewer applicants, certain factors can make a nursing program magnetic.
The map of emerging factors can serve as a strategy to help nursing programs attract students and improve their overall appeal.
What problem did the study address? ○
In some countries, there is a downward trend in applicants to the nursing profession, raising serious concerns about the growing global nursing workforce gap.
○With the decline in applicants, the long-term sustainability of nursing programs is also at risk.
○No study has investigated the factors that characterise nursing degree programs, which attract even more applicants in a context of declining attractiveness.
What were the main findings? ○
Five magnetic factors have emerged, one of which is external and the others internal to the nursing program.
○The external factors relate to the program itself—and are embedded in the social, civic and academic environment of the host university and the city.
○The internal factors relate to the strong leadership and commitment of the nursing programme to promote its quality.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact on? ○
Findings may inform actions at the policy, university and individual nursing program levels.
COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative Research Checklist.
Data collection and validation involved citizens (students) attending the identified nursing programs.