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ABSTRACT Cancer presents a significant global health burden. Traditional treatment modalities, especially radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have improved survival, but they have long‐term consequences. Treatment‐induced malignancies, a growing concern, pose risks to survivors. Often with limited treatment options, these tumors tend to have a worse survival rate. A thorough understanding of the main risk groups is critical for lifelong follow‐up and personalized care strategies. This review provides an update on the knowledge of treatment‐induced malignancies of the head and neck in cancer survivors; specifically, it discusses the risks, histological considerations, diagnosis and treatment strategies, follow‐up recommendations, and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary is a call for problematizing the concept of "empowerment" as it is often used in global health. The authors urge that scholars and policymakers use the concept as it is defined in specific contexts, particularly within communities in low to middle‐income countries. The authors also interrogate universalized assumptions about the use of "empowerment" as a political concept, as well as the use of social categories such as "women". Finally, the authors challenge and complicate the notion that empowerment is a concept which can be delivered from donors in high‐income countries to so‐called disempowered recipients in low‐income contexts. Key points: Global health is often defined and operated through northern institutions and researchers in HICs and is embedded in systems of power and a history of colonization.Conceptualizations of empowerment in global health are often popularized and depoliticized, and are rife with assumptions regarding the meaning of the term, as well as the aimed recipients. However, empowerment as a concept is often rooted in social movement approaches to dismantling structural forms of power.Decolonizing empowerment and categories can include challenging universalized assumptions regarding social categories, including the category of woman, but also intersectional and complex considerations of the ways in which diverse expressions and experiences of sexuality and gender are often invisibilized in global health interventions, often amplifying health disparities for specific groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic overshadowing refers to a phenomenon whereby people with mental health conditions encounter inadequate or delayed medical attention and misdiagnosis. This occurs when physical symptoms are mistakenly attributed to their mental health condition. This paper presents a scoping review focusing on direct causes and background factors of diagnostic overshadowing in the context of hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs and have concurrent mental health conditions. Despite significant strides in hepatitis C treatment with direct‐acting antiviral drugs, the complex interplay of mental health conditions and physical symptoms necessitates a nuanced approach for accurate diagnosis and effective screening. This review was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. The databases searched included Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Global Health, CINAHL and Scopus. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR). The search strategies identified 1995 records. Overall, 166 studies were excluded. Forty‐two (42) studies met the inclusion criteria. Three (n = 3) studies represented direct causes, and 39 (n = 39) with background factors related to diagnostic overshadowing. Studies highlighted six key themes encompassing diagnostic overshadowing, with communication barriers, stigma and knowledge deficiencies being the most prominent. Recognising and addressing diagnostic overshadowing in chronic hepatitis C will lead to increased screening, diagnosis and timely administration of life‐saving antiviral therapy, resulting in profound enhancements in well‐being and health outcomes. Moreover, this proactive approach will play a pivotal role in advancing the global effort towards eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) has adhered to the global plan for reducing the burden of neurological disorders and promoting brain health launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. This study reports the results of an EAN survey among national neurological societies (NNSs) on their awareness of brain health policies. Methods: The EAN survey on the current state of national brain health policies was conducted among the 47 presidents of the NNSs affiliated with the EAN, with the aim of developing the best strategy for close collaboration among stakeholders. Results: From June 2023 to February 2024, 36/47 responses (77%) were collected. Among respondents, 67% were in contact with their Ministry of Health and 78% were aware of and in contact with one or more national neurological patient organisation, while 17% had no contacts with any association. Ninety‐two percent declared a high to medium degree of awareness of the need to support brain health and of brain health plans and strategies in their country. Conclusions: Our findings suggest good awareness of the importance of brain health and of the strategies implemented at the national level among the EAN‐affiliated NNSs and representatives. Efforts towards improvement may be directed towards cooperation between NNSs and political institutions, as well as patient organisations, to optimise brain and global public health and neurological care in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoid ameloblastoma (AA) was recently recognised as a separate tumour type in the most recent World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of head and neck tumours. This decision has been considered controversial by several groups, who have described AA as a subtype of ameloblastoma, a hybrid odontogenic tumour or to fall within the spectrum of other recognised odontogenic tumours, including dentinogenic ghost cell tumour and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour. Here we review the reasons for the WHO decision to classify AA as a separate tumour type. We also critique molecular and histological findings from recent reports published since the WHO classification. While acknowledging that the classification of tumours is constantly evolving, the balance of current evidence suggests that AA should remain a distinct tumour type, and not a subtype of ameloblastoma, pending further molecular characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present systematic review with meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the global association between smokeless tobacco (SLT) use and periodontitis, considering significant effect size variation based on the income levels of countries. Methods: We searched seven databases to identify studies that assessed the prevalence of periodontitis in adult SLT users compared to non‐users. The quality of studies was evaluated using the 10‐item risk‐of‐bias tool, and publication bias was addressed through the trim‐and‐fill method. Sensitivity analysis utilized the leave‐one‐out approach. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression, stratified by country income, SLT type, and smoking status, employed robust variance estimation. Results: From an initial pool of 484 studies, 29 studies met the selection criteria and were subjected to qualitative synthesis. Subsequently, data from 19 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. SLT users exhibited a nearly threefold greater likelihood of periodontitis compared to non‐users (OR = 2.99; 95% CI: 2.10, 4.27; p <.01). The pooled estimate did not vary significantly based on the type of SLT used or concurrent smoking. However, the odds of periodontitis varied according to the economic level of the country; the pooled estimate was higher in high‐income countries (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.37; p <.01) and even higher in lower‐middle‐income and lower‐income countries (OR = 3.91; 95% CI: 2.66, 5.77; p <.01). Conclusions: Smokeless tobacco users have a higher likelihood of developing periodontitis. This study underscores global disparities in the SLT–periodontitis relationship, highlighting the need for targeted interventions, particularly in economically challenged areas where SLT use is largely unregulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the beginning of 2020, the entire world was shocked by a global health emergency. According to the literature, fear, high mortality and health restrictions had significant psychological consequences on the population. This study evaluates the French lockdown's impact on the grieving process and how people worked through their grief. Two semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 31 participants who had lost a loved one between March 2020, June, and September 2021 (T0) and 6 months later (T1). Subsequently, they were divided into two groups: those who lost someone during the first lockdown (Group 1) and those who lost someone outside the lockdown periods (Group 2). The interviews were analysed using the ALCESTE software, a statistical analysis tool for textual data based on word co‐occurrences. This research significantly advances the understanding of bereavement during crises, providing new perspectives and practical insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals and support organisations. Its methodological innovation and detailed analysis contribute to the ongoing discussion on grief and resilience in challenging circumstances. Ultimately, this study lays the foundation for improved support and intervention strategies tailored to the needs of bereaved individuals during crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Dr. Martin C. Mihm, Jr.'s innovative work on the dysplastic nevus achieved a milestone in his chapter in the World Health Organisation Classification of Skin Tumours (WHO‐C). WHO‐C presents a dichotomous classification (high‐grade versus low‐grade dysplastic nevi) and a quantitative metric to assess melanocytic nuclear enlargement. The Duke classification is a related approach that provides mostly quantitative histopathologic criteria for dysplastic nevi and gives due weight to architectural features as well as cytology. This paper proposes and illustrates updated criteria for scoring and grading melanocytic dysplasia, incorporating some of the definitions and categories of WHO‐C, while refining the quantitative and architectural elements of the Duke grading system to facilitate more detailed and precise assessment of dysplastic nevi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world still vividly recalls the previous monkeypox (mpox) outbreak that impacted over 120 countries worldwide with more than 99,000 cases in 2022, we are now facing a second wave of infections from the monkeypox virus (MPXV), characterized by an exponential increase in cases. The current 2024 outbreak has already recorded more than 20,000 cases in Africa, marking a dramatic escalation compared to previous outbreaks. The predominance of the newly identified clade Ib variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and now identified across multiple African nations and beyond, underscores its enhanced transmissibility and potential for international spread, evidenced by cases in Sweden and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for heightened global public health measures. The ongoing pattern of unusual, frequent, and extensive outbreaks of mpox with potential global implications poses significant questions. This review addresses, in the format of 50 questions and answers, the 2024 mpox outbreak, detailing its characteristics, epidemiological data, and impact compared to previous outbreaks. It comprehensively explores critical questions related to MPXV virological characteristics, immunological response, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnostics, and available treatments. The review also documents the significant and evolving challenges posed by the current mpox outbreak, highlighting its scale, spread, and public health response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live biotherapeutic products (LBPs), including engineered bacteria, are rapidly emerging as potential therapeutic interventions. These innovative therapies can serve as live in situ drug delivery platforms for the direct deposition of therapeutic payloads, including complex biologics, at sites of disease. This approach offers a platform likely to enhance therapeutic efficacy and decrease off‐target side effects. LBPs also can likely be distributed at a relatively low price point, as their production can be economically scaled up. LBPs represent an exciting new means for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well‐being for all ages, aligning with the World Health Organization's sustainable development goal 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistosomiasis causes severe hepatic fibrosis, making it a global health issue. Moringa oleifera seed oil extract, which had antiparasitic, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects, was investigated as an alternative treatment. The 50 mice were divided into control, infected, praziquantel‐treated, M. oleifera seed oil extract‐treated and combined treatment groups. These treatments were examined for their effects on egg granulomas, hepatic enzymes, total protein, albumin, antioxidant enzymes and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. M. oleifera seed oil and/or PZQ significantly reduced egg numbers, granuloma size and liver histopathology. M. oleifera seed oil reduced hepatic enzyme activity, increased total protein and albumin, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity while decreasing malondialdehyde. M. oleifera seed oil reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. M. oleifera seed oil may treat schistosomiasis instead of PZQ due to its antifibrotic, immunomodulatory and schistosomicidal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published new hemoglobin cutoff points for defining anemia and its measurement. This change could impact the prevalence of anemia, particularly in countries with populations living in high‐altitude areas. This study estimates the national prevalences of anemia in children aged 6–59 months using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1989 and WHO 2024 criteria. Data from 406,106 children in 48 countries (45 Demographic and Health Surveys [DHS Program] and 3 Andean [Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru]) were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of anemia was 61.4% according to the WHO 2024 criteria. Three countries showed changes in anemia prevalence, with shifts of 10 or more percentage points (Uganda, Rwanda, and Jordan). Across all the studied countries, the prevalence of anemia was higher at greater altitudes, rural areas, and children from households of low wealth quintiles, regardless of the criteria used. Moreover, changes in anemia prevalence were identified when stratified by altitude of residence, showing differences in the levels of public health significance across various political–administrative regions in Andean countries. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the epidemiology of anemia and highlight the need for continued surveillance and targeted interventions to effectively address this global health challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes over 1.27 million deaths annually, making it one of today's most urgent health threats. Given its urgency, there are often calls for large‐scale global initiatives to address AMR. However, theories of collective action have yet to be applied to the problem in a systematic and holistic manner. Fuller engagement with collective action theory is necessary to avoid three risks, namely: mischaracterizing the kinds of challenges that AMR presents; over‐simplifying the problem by reducing it to a single type of collective action problem while ignoring others; and overstating the ability of collective action theory to formulate effective solutions. This article relies on the work of Elinor Ostrom to develop an analytical framework for collective action problems around public and common goods. When analyzed through this framework, we find that AMR poses at least nine distinct collective action problems. This more granular framing of AMR provides, in our view, a better basis to develop policy solutions to address this multifaceted challenge. We conclude with proposals for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a global cause of gastroenteritis in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. However, the molecular mechanisms that control its susceptibility are not fully understood, as the functional receptor used by the virus has yet to be identified. Here, a genome‐wide CRISPR‐Cas9 library screen in Caco2 cells revealed that the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) can function as a receptor for classical HAstV (Mamastrovirus genotype 1). Deletion of FCGRT or B2M, which encode subunits of FcRn, rendered Caco2 cells and intestinal organoid cells resistant to HAstV infection. We also showed that human FcRn expression renders non‐susceptible cells permissive to viral infection and that FcRn binds directly to the HAstV spike protein. Therefore, our findings provide insight into the entry mechanism of HAstV into susceptible cells. We anticipate that this information can be used to develop new therapies targeting human astroviruses, providing new strategies to treat this global health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health concern with high prevalence and mortality. A marine alkaloid, AP‐427, has been reported to show potential for HCC treatment. However, its use is limited by low solubility and high toxicity. We aimed to investigate the preformulation parameters and develop AP‐427 liposomes to improve its clinical suitability. A stability‐indicating HPLC assay was established, and the physicochemical properties of AP‐427 were analyzed. Afterward, AP‐427 liposomes were prepared and characterized, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated. AP‐427 had a low solubility at physiological pH, a LogD of 2.56 ± 0.03, and a basic pKa of 3.24 ± 0.12. An entrapment efficiency of 52.71 ± 3.2% was achieved after optimization. The resulting AP‐427 liposomes were 147.2 ± 3.4 nm and stable up to three months when stored in a pellet form at 4°C. The crystallization of AP‐427 in liposomes became less ordered, and AP‐427 liposomes exhibited a controlled release fitted in Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating the release was driven by diffusion. Furthermore, AP‐427 liposomes showed a 3.6 times reduced cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells compared with free AP‐427, potentially enhancing its antitumor efficacy. In conclusion, the precise preformulation parameters advanced the AP‐427 liposomal formulation development, which showed potential for HCC treatment. Practical Applications: The aaptamine derivative AP‐427 has shown cytotoxic effects against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the low solubility and high toxicity limit its clinical application. The present study aims to prepare liposomal formulation to solve the current problems. Results obtained from this study shed light on challenges related to drug solubility and have paved the way for the development of an effective AP‐427 liposomal formulation with promising application in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The brain age gap (BAG), calculated as the difference between a machine learning model‐based predicted brain age and chronological age, has been increasingly investigated in psychiatric disorders. Tobacco and alcohol use are associated with increased BAG; however, no studies have compared global and regional BAG across substances other than alcohol and tobacco. This study aimed to compare global and regional estimates of brain age in individuals with substance use disorders and healthy controls. Design: This was a cross‐sectional study. Setting: This is an Enhancing Neuro Imaging through Meta‐Analysis Consortium (ENIGMA) Addiction Working Group study including data from 38 global sites. Participants: This study included 2606 participants, of whom 1725 were cases with a substance use disorder and 881 healthy controls. Measurements: This study used the Kaufmann brain age prediction algorithms to generate global and regional brain age estimates using T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. We used linear mixed effects models to compare global and regional (FreeSurfer lobestrict output) BAG (i.e. predicted minus chronological age) between individuals with one of five primary substance use disorders as well as healthy controls. Findings Alcohol use disorder (β = −5.49, t = −5.51, p < 0.001) was associated with higher global BAG, whereas amphetamine‐type stimulant use disorder (β = 3.44, t = 2.42, p = 0.02) was associated with lower global BAG in the separate substance‐specific models. Conclusions: People with alcohol use disorder appear to have a higher brain‐age gap than people without alcohol use disorder, which is consistent with other evidence of the negative impact of alcohol on the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: People with opioid use disorder (OUD) commonly experience pain including chronic pain. Despite the high prevalence, few studies have systematically examined the prevalence and correlates of pain among people seeking or receiving opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for OUD. This review aimed to determine the prevalence of pain in this population globally, and estimate the association between chronic pain and other demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in three databases (Medline, Embase and PsycINFO) from the inception until October 2022. Eligible studies reported prevalence rates of current and/or chronic pain. Meta‐analyses examining the main prevalence estimates were conducted by Stata SE 18.0, and comorbid clinical conditions were analysed by Review Manager 5.4. Results: Fifty‐six studies (n participants = 35 267) from sixty‐seven publications were included. Prevalence estimates of current and chronic pain were reported in 27 (48.2%) and 40 studies (71.4%), respectively. Most studies were conducted in North America (71.4%, n = 40) and used cross‐sectional designs (64.3%, n = 36). Meta‐analyses revealed a pooled prevalence of 60.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.0–68.0) for current pain and 44.0% [95% CI: 40.0–49.0] for chronic pain. Chronic pain was positively associated with older age (mean deviation of mean age: 2.39 years, 95% CI: 1.40–3.37; I2 = 43%), unemployment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42–0.76; I2 = 78%), more severe mental health symptoms (e.g. more severe depression (standardised mean difference [SMD] of mean scores: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20–0.70; I2 = 48%) and anxiety symptoms (SMD: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.17–0.88; I2 = 67%), and hepatitis C (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03–1.94; I2 = 0%). No association was observed between chronic pain and the onset and type of OAT, geographic location, study design, survey year, participant age or use of specific pain assessment tools. Conclusions: There appears to be a high prevalence of pain among people seeking or receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder compared with the general population, with positive associations for older age, unemployment, hepatitis C and the severity of some mental health symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the research on children's right to participation has focused on formal settings, with less attention given to everyday contexts. The current study explores the scope of children's participation in everyday life in the family, school and community. Based on a sample of 46 000 children from 32 countries, children's participation was found to vary across the different contexts. Moreover, the quality of the children's relationships with adults was found to be positively related to the degree of their participation. Finally, some cross‐national differences were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global health crisis initiated by the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020–2021) brought to the fore issues around bodily health and safety within the internationalisation of higher education. Rarely have these concerns been discussed in relation to international students, despite them being a central issue for students themselves and their family members 'back home'. In this paper, we draw upon in‐depth interviews with UK‐based international postgraduate students to discuss how concepts of safety and bodily health are constructed geographically and transnationally, in conversation with family members 'back home' and, conversely, in their embedded and emplaced experiences as international students. The COVID‐19 pandemic provides a useful lens for considering these issues as it brought them into sharp relief as never before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has triggered unprecedented governmental responses worldwide, revealing weaknesses in health systems and public health policies due to lack of "complex thought" required to manage complex adaptive systems. Understanding COVID‐19 response strategies' multiple effects is particularly important now that pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) is on top of the global health political agenda. Here, we adopt a complex adaptive systems approach to critically analyze the literature and draw lessons from the COVID‐19 response to inform future PPR strategies. We observe that in many contexts, strategies implemented in response to COVID‐19 were poorly effective, inefficient, and inequitable. We explain the limitations of these prevailing measures and propose approaches and strategies to manage pandemics arising from a "systems thinking" perspective. PPR demands the adoption of an evolving, evidenced‐informed, and context‐specific strategy based on comprehensive approaches reflecting the complexities of health crises. This means moving away from single‐focused health security paradigms to consider the full range of health problems facing populations and adopting a package of interventions chosen via participatory and deliberative processes that are context‐specific and sensitive, as well as evidence‐driven, to ensure a fair balance between various pillars of pandemic responses: health promotion, non‐pharmaceutical interventions, prophylaxis, vaccines, and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic, driven by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, has posed a severe threat to global public health. Rapid, reliable, and easy‐to‐use detection methods for SARS‐CoV‐2 variants are critical for effective epidemic prevention and control. The N protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 serves as an ideal target for antigen detection. In this study, we achieved soluble expression of the recombinant SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein using an Escherichia coli expression system and generated specific monoclonal antibodies by immunizing BALB/c mice. We successfully developed 10 monoclonal antibodies against the N protein, designated 5B7, 5F2‐C11, 5E2‐E8, 6C3‐D8, 7C8, 9F2‐E9, 12H5‐D11, 13G2‐C10, 14E9‐F6, and 15H3‐E10. Using these antibodies, we established a sandwich ELISA with 6C3‐D8 as the capture antibody and 5F2‐C11 as the detection antibody. The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.78 ng/mL and showed no cross‐reactivity with MERS‐CoV, HCoV‐OC43, HCoV‐NL63, and HCoV‐229E. Furthermore, this method successfully detected both wild‐type SARS‐CoV‐2 and its variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. These findings indicate that our sandwich ELISA exhibits excellent sensitivity, specificity, and broad‐spectrum applicability, providing a robust tool for detecting SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are ubiquitous in our ecosystems, and microplastic accumulation in the environment is an emerging global health concern. Since available recycling technologies are not economically competitive with primary plastic production, global use is expected to reach 1231 megatons by 2060, with 493 megatons leeching into the environment each year. To identify new nylon‐recycling biotechnologies, targeted genome mining was used to identify thermostable enzymes capable of degrading polyamides. Here, we describe the characterization of a novel protein sourced from Thermovenabulum gondwanense: TvgC. TvgC is extremely stable, exhibiting a melting temperature of 93 °C and no detectable losses in hydrolytic activity after one week at 60 °C. While nylonases primarily process nylon‐6, TvgC catalysed the degradation of both nylon‐6 and nylon‐6,6 films, which are considerably more difficult to degrade. Finally, conversion experiments demonstrate that TvgC achieves a 1.2 wt % conversion of nylon‐6 film, comparable to that of the most highly engineered nylonases. This novel hyperthermostable protein represents an excellent starting point for future engineering of increasingly efficient nylonases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Design Results Conclusion Despite a brief decline during the COVID‐19 pandemic, vaping behaviors among adolescents continue to be an international public health concern because of associated health risks and harms. A thorough investigation of existing interventions preventing adolescent vaping is needed to help address this public health crisis and reduce serious and avoidable vaping‐related health risks. We reviewed the literature to identify public health interventions aimed at preventing adolescent vaping and summarized their key components and outcome measures.We conducted a scoping review of the literature using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology searching in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Two reviewers screened 589 records for relevance. Studies from any location, reported in English, and described vaping prevention interventions targeting adolescents were included. Records were excluded if they were reported in other languages, published outside the review timeframe, lacked an evaluation, focused on cessation‐based interventions, or were review articles. Data extracted included intervention type, key components, and outcome measures.Thirty‐eight included articles were identified and categorized into three intervention categories: school‐based, public education/risk communication campaigns, and public policies/government regulations. Key components of the interventions included format, duration, and topics. Formats varied from single to multi‐sessions. Prominent topics covered included risks and harms associated with vaping, and the most frequently reported outcome measures used were knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs.Our findings summarize existing public health interventions found in the literature and insights into approaches used to address the global adolescent vaping crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across bacterial pathogens presents a serious threat to global health. This threat is further exacerbated in tuberculosis (TB), mainly due to a protracted treatment regimen involving a combination of drugs. A diversity of factors contributes to the emergence of drug resistance in TB, which is caused by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). While the traditional genetic mutation‐driven drug resistance mechanisms operate in Mtb, there are also several additional unique features of drug resistance in this pathogen. Research in the past decade has enriched our understanding of such unconventional factors as efflux pumps, bacterial heterogeneity, metabolic states, and host microenvironment. Given that the discovery of new antibiotics is outpaced by the emergence of drug resistance patterns displayed by the pathogen, newer strategies for combating drug resistance are desperately needed. In the context of TB, such approaches include targeting the efflux capability of the pathogen, modulating the host environment to prevent bacterial drug tolerance, and activating the host anti‐mycobacterial pathways. In this review, we discuss the traditional mechanisms of drug resistance in Mtb, newer understandings and the shaping of a set of unconventional approaches to target both the emergence and treatment of drug resistance in TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender‐based violence (GBV), a global health and human rights concern, often intensifies during emergencies. This paper explores the evolution of GBV coordination in Lebanon's protracted Syrian refugee crisis from 2012–22. Utilising 38 in‐depth interviews and a document review, the findings were analysed using the framework for effective GBV coordination. Lebanon provides a positive yet complicated example of GBV coordination. Initially established to address the refugee crisis, it matured into a collaborative national coordination mechanism, fostering trust and advancing localisation amidst sectarian complexities. However, the volatile, restrictive policy context hindered government co‐leadership and engagement with refugee‐led organisations. While essential GBV response services were expanded nationwide, lack of an interagency strategy on GBV risk mitigation and prevention compromised lasting change. The paper emphasises the importance of dedicated GBV coordinators, multi‐year funding, and increased attention to GBV prevention. The findings underscore the transformative potential of humanitarian responses and advocate for enhanced engagement with national stakeholders to promote sustainability in protracted crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCV infection poses a global health threat, with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examines HCV trends in a large Italian region from 2015 to 2022, considering demographic changes, evolving clinical profiles, treatment regimens and outcomes, including the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic. This multicentre retrospective study analysed demographics, clinical histories and risk factors in 6882 HCV patients. The study spanned before and after the direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) era, and the COVID‐19 period, focusing on treatment outcomes (SVR12, non‐SVR12 and patients lost to follow‐up). Statistical methods included ANOVA, multinomial logistic regression, Kruskal–Wallis test and chi‐square analysis, and were conducted adhering to the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) principle. The cohort, mainly Italian males (average age 58.88), showed Genotype 1 dominance (56.6%) and a high SVR12 rate (97.5%). The pandemic increased follow‐up losses, yet SVR12 rates remained stable, influenced by factors like age, gender, cirrhosis and comorbidities. Despite COVID‐19 challenges, the region sustained high SVR12 rates in HCV care, emphasising the importance of sustained efforts in HCV care. Continuous screening and targeted interventions in high‐risk populations are crucial for achieving WHO elimination targets. The study highlights the resilience of HCV care during the pandemic and provides insights for future public health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer will continue to be a major source of morbidity and mortality globally during the foreseeable future. Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related cancer is now a serious problem in both women and men. The most common HPV‐related cancer is cervical cancer in females and oropharyngeal cancer in males. Eastern Africa has a high age‐standardized incidence of HPV‐related cancers, followed in order by Southern Africa, Central Africa, and then the rest of Africa. Among Asian and Oceania countries, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Maldives, and Myanmar have extremely high age‐standardized incidences and mortality. Oropharyngeal cancer is less common than cervical cancer, but the age‐standardized incidence, for both females and males, is higher in Western Europe, Northern Europe, North America, and Australia/New Zealand. Oropharyngeal cancer incidence rates differ significantly from the rates of cervical cancer within the same countries. In Asia and Oceania, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is particularly high among females in Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Australia, and it is highest among males in Bangladesh, New Caledonia, Australia, and French Polynesia. To a certain extent, cervical cancer can be reduced through the development of cervical screening programs and improvements in screening uptake. On the other hand, for oropharyngeal cancer, as of yet, no effective means of cancer screening has been established. Widespread uptake of HPV vaccine will contribute to the reduction of HPV‐related cancers in Asia and Oceania, but also in the rest of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Engaging youth in mental health research and intervention design has the potential to improve their relevance and effectiveness. Frameworks like Roger Hart's ladder of participation, Shier's pathways to participation and Lundy's voice and influence model aim to balance power between youth and adults. Hart's Ladder, specifically, is underutilized in global mental health research, presenting new opportunities to examine power dynamics across various contexts. Drawing on Hart's ladder, our study examined youth engagement in mental health research across high‐ and middle‐income countries using Internet‐based technologies, evaluating youth involvement in decision‐making and presenting research stages that illustrate these engagements. Methods: We conducted a directed content analysis of youth engagement in the study using primary data from project documents, weekly AirTable updates and discussions and interviews with youth and the research consortium. Using Hart's Ladder as a framework, we describe youth engagement along rungs throughout different research stages: cross‐cutting research process, onboarding, formative research and quantitative and qualitative study designs. Results: Youth engagement in the MindKind study fluctuated between Rung 4 ('Assign, but informed') and Rung 7 ('Youth initiated and directed') on Hart's Ladder. Engagement was minimal in the early project stages as project structures and goals were defined, with some youth feeling that their experiences were underutilized and many decisions being adult‐led. Communication challenges and structural constraints, like tight timelines and limited budget, hindered youth engagement in highest ladder rungs. Despite these obstacles, youth engagement increased, particularly in developing recruitment strategies and in shaping data governance models and the qualitative study design. Youth helped refine research tools and protocols, resulting in moderate to substantial engagement in the later research stages. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the value of youth–adult partnerships, which offer promise in amplifying voices and nurturing skills, leadership and inclusiveness of young people. Youth engagement in project decision‐making progressed from lower to higher rungs on Hart's Ladder over time; however, this was not linear. Effective youth engagement requires dynamic strategies, transparent communication and mutual respect, shaping outcomes that authentically reflect diverse perspectives and mental health experiences. Patient or Public Contribution: There was substantial patient and public involvement in this study. This paper reports findings on youth engagement conducted with 35 young people from India, South Africa and the United Kingdom, all of whom had lived experience of mental health challenges. Youth engagement in the MindKind study was coordinated and led by three professional youth advisors (PYAs) in these contexts, who were also young people with lived experience of mental health challenges. Each of the three study sites embedded a full‐time, community‐based PYA within their study team to inform all aspects of the research project, including the development of informational materials and the facilitation of Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG) sessions referenced in this paper. Each PYA also consulted with a site‐specific YPAG that met bi‐monthly throughout the project, shaping the formation of study materials and serving as a test group in both the quantitative and qualitative studies. Youth participants in this study also contributed extensively, engaging in data collection and manuscript writing. The following youth advisory panels members (J.B., L.B., D.O.J., M.V.) and all PYAs (E.B., S.R., R.S.) in the MindKind study contributed to the writing of this manuscript and are acknowledged as co‐authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine efficacy varies globally, often showing reduced immune responses in low‐ and middle‐income countries, possibly due to the immunomodulatory effects of parasitic infections like malaria. This systematic review evaluates the impact of malaria on immune responses to unrelated vaccines in humans and animals. We systematically searched five databases—MEDLINE, Web of Science, Global Health, Scopus and Embase—up to 5th December 2023. Eligible studies compared immune responses to WHO‐approved vaccines between malaria‐infected and uninfected groups, or between antimalarial‐treated and untreated groups. Meta‐analysis was performed using random‐effects models with standardised mean differences (SMDs) as summary statistics. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022298053). Twenty‐four articles (17 human, 7 animal) met the inclusion criteria, with 13 human articles contributing data for the meta‐analysis. Significant heterogeneity was observed. Vaccine responses were higher in malaria uninfected individuals (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.60, I2 = 87.15%) with weaker differences between antimalarial‐treated and untreated groups (SMD 0.07, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.16, I2 = 85.01%). The overall SMD for malaria uninfected/treated vs. infected/untreated was 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.26, I2 = 90.91. Narrative analysis suggested malaria's adverse impact on vaccine responses in animals. Malaria infection may impair vaccines responses; with preventive treatment of malaria partially reversing these effects, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review aimed to investigate the potential association between climate change and the rise of antibiotic resistance while also exploring the elements of climate change that may be involved. A scoping review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, comprehensively searching scientific literature up to 31 January 2024. Multiple databases were utilized, including MEDLINE, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Various search strategies were employed, and selection criteria were established to include articles relevant to antibiotic resistance and climate change. The review included 30 selected articles published predominantly after 2019. Findings from these studies collectively suggest that rising temperatures associated with climate change can contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, affecting diverse ecosystems. This phenomenon is observed in soil, glaciers, rivers and clinical settings. Rising temperatures are associated with a rise in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance across various environments, raising concerns for global health. However, these studies provide valuable insights but do not establish a definitive causal link between environmental temperature and antibiotic resistance. The selective pressure exerted by antibiotics and their residues in ecosystems further complicates the issue. Rising temperatures due to climate change facilitate the proliferation of bacteria. Additionally, the presence of antibiotic residues as contaminants reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics against these bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing safe and effective drugs and other medical products is a complex and costly process. Drug development has been, historically, commonly competitive and uncollaborative, and this tendency toward a lack of interaction between stakeholders—the pharmaceutical industry, academia, regulatory agencies, healthcare providers, and communities, among others—can lead to missed opportunities to improve efficiency and, ultimately, public health. The Forum for Collaborative Research was established in 1997 to address current scientific, policy, and regulatory issues in global health through multistakeholder engagement and dialogue. By providing a neutral and safe space for discussion, the Forum's model has impacted how clinical trials in diverse health areas are conducted, supported broader and more equitable clinical trial participation, and accelerated delivery of new drugs. The Forum's focus and directions have shifted over time, and this responsiveness to the needs of the global health community will be critical to ensure that the Forum continues to support collaboration in global health. In this article, we present lessons learned from this innovative model of collaborative research and regulatory science, pioneered by the Forum for over 25 years, including the importance of collective ownership and governance by all stakeholders, and emphasis on common goals and advantages of collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advances in analytics, as well as scientific and regulatory knowledge and experience gained from biosimilar development/approvals over the last decade, enabled the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 to revise its guidelines on the evaluation of biosimilars. Among the revisions, there is more reliance on analytical and functional aspects to prove similarity (and likely fewer clinical requirements). WHO international reference standards for biosimilars provide additional confidence to regulators looking for evidence‐ and data‐based regulatory convergence in scientific and technical measures of quality attributes. These standards serve as a benchmark for harmonizing the bioactivity or potency of biosimilars, ensuring their future sustainability. This article discusses the availability and role of WHO international reference standards throughout the product life cycle of biosimilars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been receiving a lot of attention from scientists and clinicians because it is an extremely common clinical condition. Due to its special hemodynamic changes, AF has a high rate of disability and mortality. So far, although AF has some therapeutic means, it is still an incurable disease because of its complex risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms, which is a difficult problem for global public health. Age is an important independent risk factor for AF, and the incidence of AF increases with age. To date, there is no comprehensive review on aging‐associated AF. In this review, we systematically discuss the pathophysiologic evidence for aging‐associated AF, and in particular explore the pathophysiologic mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, disabled macroautophagy, and gut dysbiosis involved in recent studies with aging‐associated AF. We hope that by exploring the various dimensions of aging‐associated AF, we can better understand the specific relationship between age and AF, which may be crucial for innovative treatments of aging‐associated AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, there has been an increasing focus within scientific research on how to assist people affected by the negative consequences of trauma and crises around the globe. As many countries struggle with a lack of resources to deliver mental health interventions, scalable strategies have been developed to help more people in need. These scalable strategies were the theme of the 39th annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). The presidential panel, chaired by Marit Sijbrandij during her ISTSS presidency, brought together a group of experts in the field of scalable interventions: Kenneth Carswell, Syed Usman Hamdani, Judy Bass, and Eirini Karyotaki. The panel highlighted the current state of the evidence on scalable interventions for adults and children and outlined important next steps for research and implementation. These recommendations include further improving the availability of, and evidence for, scalable interventions through increased training and sustained funding; conducting more studies in underrepresented samples, such as children and adolescents; and promoting open access availability of research findings worldwide. In this paper, we provide an overview of the topics discussed in the panel as well as the key takeaways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of subtyping (type 1 vs 2) of papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) in patients treated with targeted therapy, as well as the concordance, sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of local review pathology review. Methods: Patients with advanced refractory PRCC were randomised to receive sunitinib or cabozantinib, crizotinib or savolitinib, stratified by PRCC subtype (type 1, type 2, or not otherwise specified [NOS]/mixed) by local review. Central review was retrospectively conducted by three expert genitourinary pathologists who independently reviewed cases. The sensitivity and PPV of local review were estimated and outcomes [objective response rate (ORR), progression‐free survival (PFS)] were summarised for treatment groups stratified by subtypes by central review. Results: Amongst the 147 patients reviewed, the prevalence of individual subtypes varied by local or central review (type 1: 17.7% vs 29.3%; type 2: 53.1% vs 45.6%; NOS/mixed: 29.3% vs 25.2%), respectively. Individual cases were frequently reclassified and local pathology review demonstrated low sensitivity (type 1: 48%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 33, 65; type 2: 67%, 95% CI 55, 78; NOS/mixed: 43%, 95% CI 27, 61). The PPVs of local review were 80%, 57.7% and 37% for type 1, 2 and NOS/mixed, respectively. Compared to sunitinib, cabozantinib demonstrated improved PFS for both type 1 and type 2 PRCC subgroups (7.4 vs 9.0 and 2.9 vs 5.6 months, respectfully) as well as higher ORR. Conclusions: The PRCC subtype assignment did not identify a subset of patients with greater clinical benefit from cabozantinib, with significant discordance between local and central review. Our findings confirm the limited clinical value of pathological subtyping of metastatic PRCC, in line with the recent World Health Organisation 2022 guidelines. Patient summary: In this study, categorising papillary renal cell carcinoma into type 1 or 2 subtypes showed limited concordance between central and local pathological review and did not enrich for patients more likely to benefit from cabozantinib in the S1500 PAPMET trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of COVID‐19 and the enhanced internal control requirements (Korea Sarbanes‐Oxley or K‐SOX) on audit effort in Korea. The results show that both COVID‐19 and K‐SOX led to increases in audit effort. Regarding the comparative magnitude of these two shocks, COVID‐19 is associated with greater total audit effort, whereas K‐SOX is linked to greater IT audit effort. This study also finds that Big 4 firms negatively moderate the increase in total audit effort and IT audit effort caused by COVID‐19. Additionally, Big 4 firms moderate the effect of K‐SOX on mid‐sized clients. Specifically, Big 4 firms positively moderate the increase in total audit effort, whereas they negatively moderate the increase in IT audit effort caused by K‐SOX. This study also investigates the effects of COVID‐19 and K‐SOX on various ranks of auditors and the effects of these exogenous events observed across different industry sectors. Our findings provide insights into the impact of an unpredicted global health crisis and predicted stringent regulations on audit effort when they occur simultaneously, an area that has never been addressed due to its unprecedented nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To (i) assess the prevalence, incidence, and burden of severe periodontitis and edentulism in 2021, and (ii) forecast their rates in 2050. Methods: Prevalence, incidence, and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) for severe periodontitis and edentulism in 2021 were gathered globally, covering 204 countries, seven super regions, and 21 regions from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study. Prevalence, incidence, and YLDs due to periodontitis and edentulism to 2050 were projected using mixed‐effects models with the socio‐demographic index as the main covariate. Results: In 2021, over 1 billion people were affected by severe periodontitis (1066.95 million; 95% UI: 896.55–1234.84), with a global age‐standardized prevalence of 12.50% (10.53–14.49). South Asia had the highest prevalence rate, at 17.57% (14.73; 20.14). Edentulism affected 353 million people globally (300.60–416.20), resulting in an age‐standardized prevalence of 4.11% (3.50; 4.83). The highest edentulism prevalence was found in Latin America and the Caribbean, at 7.39% (6.44; 8.39). By 2050, more than 1.5 billion people (+44.32%) are projected to have severe periodontitis, and over 660 million (+84.40%) to be edentulous. In the same year, 19.67% (130.23 million) of the edentulous people worldwide will be located in China. Severe periodontitis is expected to move up one position, and edentulism nine positions, among the most impactful Level 4 diseases/conditions affecting YLDs worldwide by 2050. Conclusion: Severe periodontitis and edentulism remain major public health challenges in 2021, with the number of affected individuals projected to rise significantly in the coming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetal alcohol exposure is a growing public health concern. However, ascertaining its true extent remains challenging as maternal self‐reports may lack validity. Increasingly, interest has turned to more objective measures of prenatal alcohol use (PAU) of which one, meconium, is recognized as a valuable tool. This review assesses both the international prevalence of PAU obtained using meconium biomarkers in general maternity populations and, when feasible, the level of agreement between meconium biomarkers and self‐reported PAU. A systematic literature search for studies reporting the prevalence of PAU, as determined by meconium biomarker testing, was conducted using multiple electronic databases from 1990 to 2023. Seventeen studies were identified for inclusion and evaluated for methodological quality. Using fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) meconium biomarkers, PAU prevalence varied from 2.4% to 44%. Rates based on EtG (ethyl glucuronide) analysis ranged from 0% to 16.3%, and EtS (ethyl sulfate) analysis from 7.8% to 16.7%. Studies were of moderate quality with high heterogeneity. Prevalence rates based on self‐report data ranged from 0% to 46.4%. When reported, none of the reviewed studies identified agreement between meconium‐based and self‐report‐based PAU prevalence rates. Using both self‐reports to detect early pregnancy alcohol use, and meconium biomarkers to detect the occurrence of alcohol use later in pregnancy, may provide a more complete picture of PAU prevalence. Furthermore, research is warranted to develop stringent guidance on the ascertainment, storage, analysis, and reporting required in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Rwanda, a nationwide shortage of surgeons necessitates general practitioners (GPs) perform many common procedures and minor surgeries. However, GPs only receive a 1‐year internship to prepare them to provide this care. We performed a Delphi survey of practicing GPs to assess essential content for a surgical curriculum for Rwandan interns to better prepare them for general practice. Methods: We invited 56 practicing GPs to participate in a two‐round anonymous electronic survey in February 2023. The first round assessed demographics and solicited free‐text responses to gather knowledge and procedural content suggestions for the curriculum. The second round refined these responses into key content areas. Results: Thirty‐one GPs responded to both rounds of the Delphi survey. They provided insight into the most commonly performed procedures, most important technical skills, and the top areas of surgical knowledge necessary for general practice. They expressed a need for more exposure to a variety of surgical pathologies and interventions across multiple specialties, highlighting the value of foundational skills in trauma, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics, both at the beginning of their internship, as well as at the beginning of their general practice. Conclusions: GPs emphasized the importance of broad exposure to common acute surgical pathology and interventions across several surgical subspecialties, as well as a need for foundational technical skills and surgical knowledge. The results of our study underscore the necessity of a surgical education providing a solid basis in the foundational knowledge and techniques of surgical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to healthcare is inequitable. Poverty, natural disasters and war disproportionally effect those most vulnerable, including children. Non‐governmental organizations (NGO) hold a vital role in providing pediatric care in these contexts. Here we describe the delivery and challenges of Pediatric Anesthesia with two such non‐governmental organizations; Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Mercy Ships. Descriptions of both are followed by case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summaries: Age, Sex, and Constitutional Factors Whittle et al. identify how sex impacts mental health service use for women with intellectual disability.Sheerin et al. highlight how age‐specific needs are unmet due to service gaps.Burke et al. identify how age‐related healthcare risks for bone health are different for people with intellectual disability. Living and Working Conditions van den Bemd et al. reported the recording of management of long‐term conditions for patients with intellectual disabilities in long‐term care appears suboptimal.Skoss et al. report on the infrastructure of group home settings in Australia and how after COVID‐19 people living in these settings receive fewer healthcare services. Individual Lifestyle Factors Lunsky et al. explored the use of a 'check‐in tool' to support people with intellectual disability proactively. Community and Social Networks Donaldson et al. and Karas et al. highlight systemic issues with eyecare and examine the impact of peer‐to‐peer support and community advocacy on improving access to eye care.Schormans et al. examine the lack of social and community support for homeless youth with intellectual disability.Sykes et al. highlight reasonable adjustments and influence of community and familial attitudes in influencing breast and cervical cancer screening access.Earle et al. detail how broader societal and cultural norms affect menstrual health support.Heslop and Lauer found limited evidence about preventing specific avoidable causes of death in people with intellectual disability and outline the need for 'whole population' policy changes.Iffland et al. found that lung infections, choking, flu and heart problems were much more likely to be a contributing cause of deaths for people with intellectual disability.Hatton et al. explore the impact of COVID‐19 on access to health services and highlight severe disruptions during the pandemic which persisted and worsened postpandemic.Beeken et al. detail how stakeholder engagement in research and policymaking can improve health and address health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: This study presents the first comprehensive analysis and mapping of scientific research on point‐of‐care testing (POCT) in infectious diseases, filling a gap in understanding the evolving landscape of this field. The identification of research themes and global contributions offers valuable insights. Aims and Objectives: This manuscript aims to analyse and map scientific research on POCT in the context of infectious diseases. Methods: The study employed a comprehensive search strategy using terms related to POCT and infectious diseases. The search was conducted on the Scopus database, refining results based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The dataset of 1719 research articles was then subjected to descriptive analysis and mapping using VOSviewer. Results: The research findings indicate an exponential growth in POCT‐related publications, with 46.8% published post the COVID‐19 pandemic. Plos One journal led in publication frequency, and Biosensors and Bioelectronics received the highest citations per article. North America and Western Europe dominated contributions, with notable participation from China, South Africa, and India. The research landscape revealed the following research themes: detection technologies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, antibiotic optimisation, and schistosomiasis. Clinical trials focused on antibiotic prescribing, HIV, STIs, and specific infections. The findings suggest a shifting landscape towards POCT, emphasising the need for future planning and investment in healthcare systems. The research identifies areas for future exploration, such as the impact of POCT on antibiotic prescribing and its role in combating infectious diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Conclusion: Implementation of POCT has the potential to revolutionise infectious disease management, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the global burden of diseases. Better public awareness, healthcare team management, and planning for POCT at entry points are crucial for societal benefit. Results demonstrated the evolving role of POCT in infectious disease management and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recovery from sexual trauma can be complex and multi‐faceted. Most current psychological treatment protocols for trauma use a cognitive model of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, sexual trauma may include specific complexities beyond that of a cognitive model of PTSD, such as relational factors. The distress experienced after sexual abuse may involve variables not exclusive to a PTSD model. Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is an approach that incorporates evolutionary, relational and social perspectives. This study explored the relationships between variables associated with CFT, PTSD and distress in survivors of sexual abuse to determine the role of CFT‐related variables. Methods: 155 adults who had experienced sexual abuse or any unwanted sexual experience at any point in their lives completed online questionnaires pertaining to various CFT variables (self‐compassion, receiving compassion from others, having a fear of compassion from others, having a fear of compassion from the self, shame and self‐criticism) and questionnaires measuring global distress as the outcome of sexual abuse and PTSD symptoms. Results: An exploratory model involving CFT‐related variables explained significantly more of the variance (4.4%) in global distress than PTSD symptomology alone. Self‐criticism was found to be the variable with significant contribution. Conclusions: That CFT treatments, targeting self‐criticism, should be developed alongside the standard cognitive model of PTSD based treatments for survivors of sexual abuse was supported. Future research may explore experimental designs utilizing CFT in this population, as well as further investigations on the roles of these specific CFT variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017, the World Health Organization initiated a global effort to improve rehabilitative services by 2030, with the overall goal of helping individuals with disabilities achieve maximal independence and improved well‐being. Though more than 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability, a significant portion do not have access to appropriate rehabilitative services. In low‐income countries, such as Zambia, where rehabilitative services are greatly lacking, disability can further exacerbate economic disparities in the context of personal, cultural, and environmental factors that limit participation in society. Therefore, expansion of rehabilitative services in low‐income countries is a pressing global need, and such efforts must be tailored to the societal and cultural framework in which they are implemented. Community‐based rehabilitation programs are uniquely poised to provide services in similar low‐to‐middle‐income countries as they eliminate travel barriers to care, allow for regular follow‐up, and address the societal determinants of disability by encouraging greater community engagement and by decreasing cultural stigma around disability. Special Hope Network (SHN), a community‐based rehabilitation organization in Lusaka, Zambia that serves families caring for children with physical and cognitive disabilities, represents a cost‐effective, sustainable, and culturally practical model to provide rehabilitative care. We propose this organization's model as one that can be reproduced and expanded upon in other low‐to‐middle‐income countries to answer the World Health Organization's call to action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for functional food is rising in tandem with the prevalence of chronic diseases. Probiotics play a crucial role in functional food development, yet their ability to confer health benefits to the host remains a topic of debate according to Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization requirements. The application of culturomics, innovative isolation techniques, within the realm of probiotics is increasingly deemed essential for fully harnessing the latent potential of microbial reservoirs. Nevertheless, its application remains confined predominantly to human fecal sources. Following the integration of probiogenomics, significant advancements have been made in the safety assessment of probiotics. However, the adoption of novel probiotic microorganisms has yet to match the requisite pace. Progress in research concerning host–probiotic interactions by employing omics technologies, particularly in animal models, is notable. Nonetheless, the comprehensive elucidation of mechanisms of action and human trial studies are lagging behind. Additionally, the viability of probiotics, spanning from their production as functional foods to their transit to the human colon, has markedly improved through encapsulation techniques. Nevertheless, opportunities for exploration persist regarding alternative coating materials and diverse encapsulation methodologies. Furthermore, there is a discernible transition in the domain of probiotic‐based functional foods, shifting away from a primarily dairy‐centric focus toward inclusion in a broader array of food categories. This comprehensive review addresses critical issues ranging from isolation sources and novel techniques to the final functional food developments. while doing so, it explores probiogenomics applications for probiotic characterization, investigations into host–probiotic interactions, and strategies for probiotic stabilization under harsh environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When international agencies make claims of an "existential threat" to humanity and advocate for urgent action from countries, it should be a safe assumption that they are consistent with their own data. However, a review of the data and evidentiary citations underlying the claims of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Group of Twenty (G20) reveals a troubling picture in which the stated urgency and burden of infectious disease outbreaks, namely those of pandemic threat, is grossly misrepresented. These discrepancies in key documents and subsequent recitations in pandemic preparedness proposals have significant policy and financial implications. Disproportionate pandemic preparedness based on these false premises risks a significant opportunity cost through unnecessary diversion of financial and political resources away from global health priorities of higher burden. As WHO Member States plan to transform the way international health emergencies are managed at the World Health Assembly in May 2024, there is a crucial need to pause, rethink, and ensure future policy reflects evidence of need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an expanded analysis of NATO security burden sharing by including a variety of conglomerate security terms that involve subsets of military expenditure (ME), UN and non‐UN peacekeeping contributions, global health spending, UN environmental support, and official development assistance. In so doing, we identify components of security spending that promote or inhibit free riding on allies' security spillovers. Additionally, we examine security burden sharing when the NATO alliance is conceptually augmented to include three key Asia‐Pacific allies – Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The paper's statistical tests for security burden sharing rely on spatial‐lag panel models that account for ally connectiveness based on alliance membership, contiguity and US power projection, and allies' relative locations. Security subsets containing ME display robust free riding or reliance on other allies' security spillovers, while security subsets not containing ME indicate allies responding positively to security spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past two decades have seen growing calls for the “tobacco endgame.” Its advocates are united by their commitment to two ideas. First, tobacco‐related harms represent a catastrophic health emergency, and second, current tobacco‐control approaches are an inadequate response to the scale of that emergency. To endgame advocates, tobacco policy should have more ambitious goals than merely “controlling” tobacco. Instead, it should aim to bring about a smoke‐free world. While a range of different policies are included under the umbrella of the “tobacco endgame,” the most radical proposal is for a complete ban on tobacco. Its advocates argue that in addition to improving global public health, an effective ban on tobacco would also promote overall autonomy and would have important egalitarian benefits. This article critically examines these arguments for a tobacco ban. I argue that they rely on idealizing assumptions about the likely effects of a ban. Because an effective ban would require robust enforcement to control the illegal market in tobacco, it would be more likely to undermine autonomy and equality than it would be to promote them. By relying on idealizing assumptions and ignoring the likely consequences of a tobacco ban, advocates of a ban obscure, rather than clarify, both the policy debate and the ethical stakes. I conclude by considering the ways that idealizing assumptions should—and should not—play a role in debates about ethical issues in public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has emerged as a significant global health concern. The relationship between MS and the risk of cancer doesn't seem clear, whether examining by components or in combination. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between MS, its components, and the overall risk of cancer, including the risk of 13 specific cancer types. Methods: We included 3,918,781 individuals aged 40 years or older sourced from the SIDIAP database between 2008 and 2017. Cox models were employed with MS components and their combinations. A subsample was created using a matched cohort (by age and sex). Incidence curves were computed to determine the time elapsed between the date of having 1–5 MS components and cancer incidence, compared to matched participants with no MS components, which showed that individuals who had one MS component experienced a greater incidence of cancer over 5 and 10 years than individuals with no MS, and the incidence rose with an increase in the number of MS components. Results: Individuals exposed to MS components were diagnosed with cancer earlier than those who were not exposed to them. In the Cox model, HDL (HR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.41–1.52) and Glycemia (HR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.37–1.44) were the individual combinations with the highest risk of overall cancer. In combinations with two components, the highest HR was HDL+Glycemia (HR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.45–1.59) and Glycemia+HBP (HR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.45–1.50). In combinations with three components, the highest HR was HDL+Glycemia+HBP (HR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.55–1.62). Conclusion: In summary, having one or more MS components raises the risk of developing at least 11 cancer types and these risk differ according to type of component included. Some sex differences are also observed. Our findings suggest that implementing prevention measures aimed at specific MS components may lower the risk of various cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic plasticity, including long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD), is an essential phenomenon in memory formation as well as maintenance along with many other cognitive functions, such as those needed for coping with external stimuli. Synaptic plasticity consists of gradual changes in the biochemistry and morphology of pre‐ and postsynaptic neurons, particularly in the hippocampus. Consuming marijuana as a primary source of exocannabinoids immediately impairs attention and working memory‐related tasks. Evidence regarding the effects of cannabinoids on LTP and memory is contradictory. While cannabinoids can affect a variety of specific cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and nonspecific receptors throughout the body and brain, they exert miscellaneous systemic and local cerebral effects. Given the increasing use of cannabis, mainly among the young population, plus its potential adverse long‐term effects on learning and memory processes, it could be a future global health challenge. Indeed, the impact of cannabinoids on memory is multifactorial and depends on the dosage, timing, formula, and route of consumption, plus the background complex interaction of the endocannabinoids system with other cerebral networks. Herein, we review how exogenously administrated organic cannabinoids, CBRs agonists or antagonists, and endocannabinoids can affect LTP and synaptic plasticity through various receptors in interaction with other cerebral pathways and primary neurotransmitters. Significance statement: Synaptic plasticity, including LTP and LTD, is an essential phenomenon in memory formation and maintenance, along with many other cognitive functions. Consuming marijuana as a primary source of exocannabinoids immediately impairs attention and working memory‐related tasks. Cannabinoids can affect a variety of specific and nonspecific receptors throughout the body and brain, they exert anxiolytic, anti‐inflammatory, psychoactive, and cognitive effects. Given the increasing use of cannabis, mainly among the young population plus its potential adverse long‐term effects on learning and memory processes, it could be a future global health challenge. In this work, we review how exogenously administrated cannabinoids, CBRs agonists or antagonists, and endocannabinoids can affect LTP and synaptic plasticity through various receptors in interaction with other cerebral pathways and primary neurotransmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]