Search Results (5,703)

The world has already been facing food, nutrition, and security challenges for the last few decades. The coronavirus 2019, COVID-19, has a significant impact on food security and agriculture, such as affecting food demand and the food supply chain, with the greatest consequences on the most vulnerable population. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of COVID-19 on global agriculture and food security, drawing on recent scientific publications, institutional reports, and policy documents from 2020 to 2026. The review examines the impact of the pandemic on cropping patterns, fruit and vegetable harvests, availability of farm inputs, connectivity of the agricultural system, food supply chains, food demand, and labor availability. Vegetable and fruit markets were most affected due to the spread of COVID-19. Due to the closing of markets and restaurants, produce distributors and farmers were required to transfer supplies entirely from the food production to the marketplace. These effects are additionally being felt in agriculture and food security. Almost 55% of researchers indicated that COVID-19 has the most impact on agriculture and its complete harvest during the season, and an additional 45% stated that COVID-19 has adversely affected food security. However, food has slowed down well to date in numerous nations. The spread of COVID-19 is beginning to disrupt the supply of agricultural products and food to consumers and the marketplace across and within borders. The different spring crops, such as sunflower, canola, maize, barley, spring wheat, and various field vegetables, cannot be grown during COVID-19. Consequently, COVID-19 has had a binding effect on the food supply chain and agriculture due to the disruption, which the government should have addressed promptly. Full article

Endothelial dysfunction is a key characteristic of many diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, cancer, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), peripheral vascular disease, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). To improve understanding of the roles of endothelial cells (ECs) in health and disease, EC-specific genome editing technologies have been developed in recent years. Therapeutic strategies that aim to restore a healthy endothelial monolayer include the inhibition of endothelial genes that cause EC injury and dysfunction and the induction or activation of endothelial genes that drive EC repair and regeneration. In this review, we describe established recombinase-mediated genetic modification technologies and emerging EC-specific genome editing technologies including viral and non-viral delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, and we summarize the strengths and limitations of each technology. We then discuss possible avenues for future research, including the development of organ-specific EC genome editing technologies. In short, EC-specific genome editing technologies can be used to modulate gene expression selectively in ECs and even within a specific vascular bed and/or distinctive EC subtype, and, in doing so, greatly improve the understanding of vascular biology and help develop precision genetic medicine targeting the disease-causing vascular bed(s) to effectively treat diseases caused by vascular endothelial dysfunction. Full article

Background: Home care (HC) has expanded globally, offering individualized care and reducing hospital demand, but the role of the family caregiver imposes a significant physical and emotional burden, particularly during health crises like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to analyze the performance and quality of life perspectives of family caregivers during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was conducted with 101 family caregivers from the Better at Home Program in Santo André, Brazil, between February and March 2021. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument was used to assess quality of life, and the Barthel Index was used to evaluate the degree of patient dependence. Results: The sample showed a predominance of women (mean age 56 years, SD = 12.541; 13.9% aged 20–40 years, 41.4% aged 43–59 years, 44.7% aged 60–84 years) convenience sample, with low education and family income up to two minimum wages. Most caregivers were fully dedicated to patients with high dependence (89.1% in total or severe dependence, mainly due to neurological disorders). Overall quality of life was classified as “needing to improve” or “regular” in 61.4% of cases, with the pandemic intensifying perceived difficulties and negatively impacting all quality of life domains. A high prevalence of untreated chronic diseases and low COVID-19 vaccination rates were concerning findings. Conclusions: Family caregivers represent a vulnerable population requiring public policies and integrated support strategies, including quality of life assessment, psychological support, financial assistance, and respite care to ensure continuity of humanized, quality care. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading global cause of death, with recent World Health Organization (WHO) data revealing that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections shows resistance to at least one antibiotic treatment. This review comprehensively analyzes the AMR landscape in 2026, detailing its evolution, mechanisms, and the innovative strategies being deployed to combat it. Driven by Darwinian selection and accelerated by factors like antibiotic overuse during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (predominantly in hospitalized patients with suspected bacterial co-infection), AMR is propelled by a diverse molecular arsenal in bacteria. Key mechanisms include enzymatic drug inactivation (e.g., the diversifying β-lactamase superfamily), target site modification (e.g., mcr genes conferring colistin resistance), efflux pumps, and biofilm formation. The rapid global spread of these traits is facilitated by a dynamic “mobilome”, a network of plasmids and transposons that shuttle resistance genes between species. This crisis has sparked a major scientific mobilization. Advances include the discovery of novel antibiotic scaffolds like lariocidin and the regulatory approval of critical new antibiotic/inhibitor combinations such as sulbactam/durlobactam and aztreonam/avibactam, which target highly resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the first-in-class antibiotic gepotidacin offers a new option for urinary tract infections. Beyond traditional drugs, the pipeline is diversifying to include phage therapy, antivirulence strategies, and artificial intelligence-guided drug discovery. This diversification is critical as it helps preserve the effectiveness of existing Medically Important Antimicrobials (MIAs), those deemed essential for human medicine, by providing alternative or adjunctive treatment options. However, scientific innovation alone is insufficient. This review argues that lasting success requires parallel progress in global policy and infrastructure. Strategic priorities beyond 2026 must include finalizing and funding updated global action plans, strengthening real-time surveillance and diagnostic capacity, especially in low-resource settings, and implementing new economic models to de-risk antibiotic development. Embedding effective antimicrobial stewardship within universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness plans is crucial. Ultimately, defeating AMR demands an unprecedented, coordinated global effort that outpaces the relentless adaptability of bacterial pathogens. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face occupational hazards that increase their risk of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to evaluate HCWs’ perceptions of the effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in preventing COVID-19 infection and to identify risk factors associated with HCW infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, with a structured, self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire to collect retrospective data for the period 2020 to 2022 at a tertiary hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Results: PPE was effective in reducing COVID-19 infection, according to 230 (57.07%) participants, while 173 (42.93%) disagreed. A significant association (p = 0.034) with a small effect size (Cramer’s V = 0.161) was found between the number of HCWs infected with COVID-19 and their perceptions of PPE’s effectiveness. White HCWs were more likely to perceive PPE as effective than Black HCWs (AOR = 3.82, p = 0.046). Support and clerical staff reported higher perceived effectiveness of PPE (AOR = 2.98, p = 0.040). Conclusions: HCWs encountered COVID-19 infections and various challenges that necessitate interventions and policies to safeguard them in hospital settings and ensure prompt virus management, including ensuring sufficient PPE supplies. The perceptions of PPE effectiveness among HCWs are shaped by an interplay of institutional practices, personal beliefs, and structural factors. These perceptions are closely tied to essential elements such as training, reliable PPE availability, and regular hand hygiene practices, underscoring the need to address both systemic and behavioral dimensions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers play a critical role in vaccination programs, yet vaccine hesitancy has been widely reported even among this group during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Previous studies have primarily focused on identifying factors associated with vaccine acceptance, offering limited insight into the processes underlying decision-making. This study aimed to synthesize qualitative studies on healthcare workers’ COVID-19 vaccination experiences to develop a comprehensive understanding of their decision-making processes. Methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted using the thematic synthesis approach proposed by Thomas and Harden. Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL were searched for qualitative studies published up to February 2026. Thirteen studies were included following PRISMA guidelines. Data were analyzed through line-by-line coding, followed by the development of descriptive and analytical themes. Results: Four analytical themes were identified: (1) vaccination as a dynamic risk–benefit negotiation process, (2) trust as a central mechanism shaping information interpretation, (3) socially embedded and relationally negotiated decision-making, and (4) moral identity as a driver of vaccination behavior. Healthcare workers’ vaccination decision-making was not a static choice but an evolving process shaped by continuous appraisal of risks and benefits, filtered through trust in information and institutions, influenced by social interactions, and guided by professional identity and ethical responsibility. Conclusions: Healthcare workers’ vaccination decision-making is a multidimensional process embedded in cognitive, social, and ethical contexts. Interventions should move beyond individual-level approaches and instead focus on building trust, leveraging social networks, and reinforcing professional identity with implications for future public health crises. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption to global tourism, exposing the structural vulnerability of tourism-dependent economies and leading to a sharp decline in international mobility. This study examines post-pandemic tourism recovery in Kazakhstan, focusing on the association between travel expenditure and tourism demand, and on regional disparities in recovery patterns. The empirical strategy combines time-series econometric modelling, infrastructure index construction, and regional cluster analysis. Using annual data for 2000–2023, a parsimonious autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is applied to estimate both short-run dynamics and long-run relationships. The results show a positive and statistically significant association between tourism demand and travel expenditure, supporting the interpretation of expenditure-related recovery dynamics. They also indicate persistence in demand and a significant negative association with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shock. The error correction mechanism indicates rapid adjustment toward long-run equilibrium. Infrastructure and regional analyses highlight substantial post-pandemic capacity expansion alongside pronounced spatial disparities, with activity concentrated in major urban centres. The findings suggest that recovery is closely associated with demand-side dynamics and accompanied by persistent structural and regional constraints, highlighting the need for coordinated policies that combine demand stimulation, infrastructure development, and balanced regional growth. Full article

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent responsible for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although case numbers declined after the initial outbreak, Brazil experienced slight increases in COVID-19 cases in 2024 and 2025, underscoring the persistent need for effective therapeutic interventions. Recently, proxalutamide—an androgen receptor antagonist—has been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent against COVID-19, as supported by several clinical studies. Methods: In the present work, we aimed to elucidate the molecular interactions between proxalutamide and key proteins involved in the viral fusion and replication processes of SARS-CoV-2. Computational techniques, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, were employed. Results: Our analyses indicated a high success rate, with stable conformations and favorable binding affinity values for ACE2 (−8.90 kcal/mol) and TMPRSS2 (−9.28 kcal/mol), resulting in strong docking scores. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of these complexes, as evidenced by consistent mean square deviation values, low structural flexibility, a stable radius of gyration, and maintained surface rigidity over a 100 ns simulation period. Conclusions: These combined docking and dynamics results suggest that proxalutamide interacts firmly with the active sites, indicating high binding affinity that may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 entry. Nevertheless, experimental validation and rigorous safety assessments are warranted to confirm this potential. Full article

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with an increased long-term cardiovascular risk, potentially mediated by magnitude of the acute inflammatory response inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) are key components of the inflammatory cascade and may serve as biomarkers of post-COVID cardiovascular vulnerability. This longitudinal observational study investigated the association between post- COVID-19 infection IL-6 and SAA levels and major cardiovascular events over a six-year follow-up period. A total of 97 individuals with documented prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Circulating IL-6 and SAA concentrations were measured in the acute phase. The composite endpoint included incident arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality. Biomarker distributions were right-skewed and were therefore analyzed using non-parametric methods and penalized logistic regression models. During follow-up, 14.4% of participants experienced the composite endpoint. Individuals with adverse outcomes had significantly higher IL-6 and SAA levels compared with event-free participants. IL-6 demonstrated the strongest association with mortality, whereas SAA showed particularly robust associations with the composite endpoint, and with myocardial infarction. Both biomarkers independently predicted long-term adverse events. Circulating IL-6 and SAA concentrations measured during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed in relation to long-term cardiovascular outcomes. These findings support the hypothesis that the magnitude of the acute inflammatory response during SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with long-term cardiovascular outcomes and suggest that combined assessment of IL-6 and SAA may have potential utility for hypothesis-generating prognostic signal requiring validation, pending validation in larger studies. Full article

Background: Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has emerged as a valuable tool for population-level monitoring of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, yet the interplay between sampling strategies and disease prevalence in shaping detection performance remains ambiguous. We investigated how grab and composite sampling influence SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection dynamics and predictive lag times across high- and low-prevalence communities in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A 28-week longitudinal study was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, comparing grab and composite wastewater sampling in communities with high and low Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevalence. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 348 samples was quantified using digital Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-dPCR), and viral lineages were characterized by Nanopore sequencing. Detection sensitivity and lead times relative to reported cases were evaluated. Results: In low-prevalence settings, grab sampling showed higher detection sensitivity than composite sampling (92.0% vs. 70.0%), whereas both methods achieved similarly high detection in high-prevalence areas (>97.0%). Lag-time analysis indicated that grab sampling in high-prevalence settings was significantly associated with case trends at potential two-week lead (p = 0.024), while composite sampling in low-prevalence settings showed the strongest association at a potential one-week lead (p = 0.0022). Overall, lag structures varied by both sampling strategy and prevalence context. Both sampling approaches captured the replacement of Omicron sublineages (XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.16) and identified additional circulating variants, including EG.5, that were not captured in the available clinical sequencing dataset during the same period. Conclusions: These findings reveal that local transmission intensity is associated with the utility of different sampling designs. Context-specific optimization of WBS sampling strategies enhances sensitivity, reduces detection lag, and strengthens early warning and genomic-tracking capacity in public health surveillance frameworks. Full article

This study investigated the association between serum hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) levels and clinical severity in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This prospective case–control study included 91 patients with confirmed COVID-19, of whom 51 had severe-critical disease with pneumonia and 40 had mild disease without pneumonia, as well as 39 healthy controls. Vital signs, including body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, were recorded. Biochemical parameters such as complete blood count, D-dimer, ferritin, creatinine, urea, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T were analyzed. Serum HIF-1α levels were measured using ELISA. Median HIF-1α levels were 132.9 pg/mL (IQR: 131.7–138.0) in the severe-critical disease group, 137.35 pg/mL (IQR: 131.65–152.75) in the mild disease group, and 136.6 pg/mL (IQR: 132.2–162.2) in controls. Significant differences were observed between groups (p = 0.012). ROC analysis showed a discriminatory performance for HIF-1α, with a sensitivity of 89.01% and specificity of 35.90% at a cut-off value of ≤154 pg/mL for distinguishing mild disease from controls, and a sensitivity of 86.3% and specificity of 42.5% at a cut-off value of ≤141.1 pg/mL for distinguishing severe-critical disease from mild disease. HIF-1α levels decreased with increasing disease severity. HIF-1α levels were found to be associated with disease severity; however, the low AUC values indicate that this parameter has limited discriminative ability for clinical use when used alone. Full article

This study examined alterations in serum redox biomarkers before and one month after administration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster (third) doses across four vaccine regimens. A longitudinal cohort of 410 adults was analyzed following homologous Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm [Vero Cell]-Inactivated, Sputnik V, or heterologous Sinopharm/Pfizer vaccination. Serum total proteins, albumin, total thiols, nitrites, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity were measured, with DPPH interpreted as an ex vivo surrogate of serum radical-scavenging capacity. Additional analyses included stratification by prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, multivariable regression, correlation analysis, effect-size estimation, and sensitivity testing. Booster vaccination was associated with modest but consistent decreases in DPPH activity, albumin, and total proteins, whereas FRAP, nitrite, and total thiol levels remained stable. This pattern supports a transient shift in antioxidant buffering capacity but, by itself, does not exclude oxidative stress, as direct oxidative damage markers were not assessed. The most pronounced changes were observed in Sinopharm-based regimens, particularly in the heterologous Sinopharm/Pfizer group. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection did not materially alter the qualitative response pattern, whereas older age and comorbidities were associated with greater declines in DPPH activity and albumin. Overall, the findings indicate a modest, transient redox-associated response following booster-induced immune activation and suggest that host-related factors, such as age and comorbidity burden, may accentuate short-term changes in antioxidant buffering capacity. Full article

Background: Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) nasal injections have been used to treat traumatic olfactory dysfunction related to Coronavirus disease 2019. Currently, however, platelet-rich plasma-derived exosomes (PREs) are emerging as key effectors of PRP activity and, when compared with PRP, exhibit superior stability and minimal immunogenicity. Case Presentation: We described a case of a 27-year-old woman who lost her olfactory function after hitting her head on 8 July 2022. A smell test demonstrated complete loss of olfactory function. She performed olfactory training and received PRP olfactory cleft injections three times, allowing her olfactory function to gain mild improvement. Subsequently, she received four additional PRE olfactory cleft injections, allowing her olfactory function to improve even further. Conclusions: This study presents a case of traumatic olfactory dysfunction treated with PRE olfactory cleft injections, but no real conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of PRE olfactory cleft injection on traumatic olfactory dysfunction by a single case report. Full article

Why do pandemics keep emerging despite decades of surveillance and response? Paleopathology, the study of disease traces in ancient remains, has been revolutionized by ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Reconstructing pathogen genomes from archaeological material enables the identification of extinct lineages, the refinement of disease chronologies, and the characterization of long-term host-pathogen co-evolution. This provides context for public health challenges, including the emergence of pandemics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Infectious diseases are increasingly understood as complex phenomena arising from biological, ecological, and sociopolitical forces. Integrating paleopathology, aDNA, and paleomicrobiology supports a deep-time syndemic framework, revealing how recurring biosocial drivers have structured infectious disease risk throughout history. Ancient resistome studies demonstrate that AMR predates modern antibiotic use, reframing resistance as an intrinsic ecological feature rather than solely a modern phenomenon. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reaffirmed how infection intersects with chronic disease, health system fragility, and social inequities. This review highlights how integrating evolutionary perspectives into One Health shifts surveillance from a reactive approach to upstream risk mitigation and spillover prevention. Full article