Search Results (1,136)

Black Canadians are one of the fastest-growing groups in Canada, with 59% of this population comprising immigrants. Ongoing systemic racism and discrimination have serious consequences for the mental health of Black Canadians. While research and policy efforts to address the mental health needs of this population are ongoing, a greater understanding of the healing practices relevant to this diverse population is needed. This scoping review synthesized and discussed key features of culturally inclusive, affirming, and contextually relevant approaches and practices for mental health care and healing with Black Canadians, as well as identified limitations and gaps in the current research. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and conducted a search in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, SocINDEX, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Global Health in October 2023. A total of 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. The review identified that most studies were conducted in one Canadian province (i.e., Ontario) and involved diverse perspectives, including service users and providers. The thematic review of articles revealed limited research regarding specific interventions, but identified many commonly reported features of culturally and contextually relevant approaches to mental health care and healing for Black Canadians that broaden the scope of mental health care beyond Euro-Western clinical models, including taking a holistic and empowerment-based approach, engaging in culturally affirming care, a social justice approach, community-centred and collaborative healing, and the necessity of practitioner education. Recommendations for practice, policy, education, and research are provided to support more inclusive and responsive mental health care systems for Black Canadians. Full article

The integration of organoids with biosensors serves as a miniaturized model of human physiology and diseases, significantly transforming the research frameworks surrounding drug development, toxicity testing, and personalized medicine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for researchers to identify suitable technical approaches and to promote the advancement of organoid sensing towards enhanced biomimicry and intelligence. To this end, several primary methods for technology integration are systematically outlined and compared, which include microfluidic integrated systems, microelectrode array (MEA)-based electrophysiological recording systems, optical sensing systems, mechanical force sensing technologies, field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensing techniques, biohybrid systems based on synthetic biology tools, and label-free technologies, including impedance, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and mass spectrometry imaging. Through multimodal collaboration such as the combination of MEA for recording electrical signals from cardiac organoids with micropillar arrays for monitoring contractile force, these technologies can overcome the limitations inherent in singular sensing modalities and enable a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic responses of organoids. Furthermore, this review discusses strategies for integrating strategies of multimodal sensing approaches (e.g., the combination of microfluidics with MEA and optical methods) and highlights future challenges related to sensor implantation in vascularized organoids, signal stability during long-term culture, and the standardization of clinical translation. Full article

A greater understanding of health-promoting factors, such as hope, is crucial for preventing and enhancing the mental health of higher education students. The Herth Hope Index (HHI) is a 12-item tool that has been widely used to assess a comprehensive, non-temporal perception of hope. While this instrument has been used extensively in adult populations, most studies focus on clinical populations. Additionally, the HHI reveals inconsistencies in terms of scale dimensionality and items to be retained. Therefore, this study sought to assess the HHI’s psychometric characteristics in a sample of Portuguese Higher Education students. The person response validity, internal scale validity, unidimensionality, and uniform differential item functioning were assessed using a Rasch rating scale model. A total of 2227 higher education students participated during the e-survey activation period (spring semester of 2020). The mean age of the sample was 22.5 ± 6.2 years (range 18–59 years). Three of the twelve items (#3, #5, and #6) failed to satisfy the established criterion for goodness of fit. Following the elimination of these three items, the resultant nine-item scale exhibited satisfactory item fit to the model, appropriate unidimensionality (52.4% of the variance explained), enough person goodness of fit, sufficient separation, and the absence of differential item functioning. The 9-item version of the HHI had psychometric properties comparable to the original 12-item version. This study also underscores the importance of validated instruments for assessing hope-based interventions in academic contexts. Further research is necessary to explore the potential dimensions inherent to the hope concept and to identify variations in hope profiles among items influenced by cultural attributes. Full article

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity as an extragastric reservoir and oral diseases in patients with or without gastritis. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central, and Embase databases (2010–2025) using MeSH terms and keywords related to H. pylori, the oral cavity, and oral diseases. Inclusion criteria included observational studies, clinical trials, and case–control studies. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Of the 298 records initially identified, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. The presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity (plaque, saliva) was variably associated with gastritis, periodontitis, dental caries, and halitosis. Detection rates varied widely (0–100%), influenced by methodological differences (PCR, culture, antigen tests). Some studies reported an improvement in oral health after eradication therapy, while others found no significant association. The oral cavity may serve as a reservoir for H. pylori, with implications for oral and systemic health. Standardized diagnostic methods and integrated treatment approaches (combining gastric eradication and oral hygiene) are needed to clarify their role and optimize clinical outcomes. Further research is warranted to establish causal relationships and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Over the past decade, patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as powerful in vitro models that closely recapitulate the histological, genetic, and functional features of their parental primary tissues, representing a ground-breaking tool for cancer research and precision medicine. This advancement has led to the development of living PDO biobanks, collections of organoids derived from a wide range of tumor types and patient populations, which serve as essential platforms for drug screening, biomarker discovery, and functional genomics. The classification and global distribution of these biobanks reflect a growing international effort to standardize protocols and broaden accessibility, supporting both basic and translational research. While their relevance to personalized medicine is increasingly recognized, the establishment and maintenance of PDO biobanks remain technically demanding, particularly in terms of optimizing long-term culture conditions, preserving sample viability, and mimicking the tumor microenvironment. In this context, this review provides an overview of the classification and worldwide distribution of tumor and paired healthy tissue-specific PDO biobanks, explores their translational applications, highlights recent advances in culture systems and media formulations, and discusses current challenges and future perspectives for their integration into clinical practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to translate the Child Coeliac Disease Food Attitudes and Behaviours Scale (Child CD-FAB) into Brazilian Portuguese and to evaluate its reproducibility and internal consistency. Methods: Three steps were carried out: (i) translation and cultural adaptation of the Child CD-FAB into Brazilian Portuguese; (ii) pre-test; and (iii) psychometric evaluation of the Child CD-FAB-BR. The Child CD-FAB was translated and back-translated, and then discussed with and approved by the author of the original instrument. The translated version was tested on five children and adolescents (aged 8 to 16 years) with coeliac disease to assess comprehension. Subsequently, psychometric evaluation used responses from 20 participants with the same characteristics, assessing reproducibility (test–retest reliability) via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and internal consistency via Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The Child CD-FAB was successfully translated to Brazilian Portuguese (Child CD-FAB-BR), and it presented good internal consistency (α = 0.892) and an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.923). Conclusions: The Child CD-FAB-BR is the first instrument to evaluate food attitudes and behaviours in Brazilian children and adolescents with CD, showing good psychometric properties. This instrument will support future research and clinical practice by guiding behaviour-based strategies to enhance nutritional education and public policies for this group. Full article

Introduction: Scrub typhus is a mite-borne infectious disease caused by “Orientia tsutsugamushi”, a bacterium that was formerly classified under the genus Rickettsia. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected chigger mites (larval trombiculid mites). However, clinical data on the cardiac manifestations of scrub typhus and their outcomes remain limited. Methods: This research was retrospectively conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. The study included all patients admitted from January 2016 to September 2021 who fulfilled the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of scrub typhus. Data were collected for 426 patients. Patients with previously diagnosed heart disease and mixed infections (leptospirosis, dengue fever, blood culture positivity, and COVID-19 positivity) were excluded. Comprehensive assessments of clinical presentation, electrocardiography (ECG), 2D echocardiography, and outcomes, including all-cause mortality and probable myocarditis, were performed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of all-cause mortality and probable myocarditis. Results: Out of 426 patients, 200 (46.9%) were male and 226 (53.1%) were female. The mean age at presentation was 49.29 ± 14.43 years. A total of 108 (25.4%) patients had diabetes and 82 (19.25%) had hypertension. Sinus tachycardia (29.3%) was the most frequent ECG finding. Echocardiographic evidence of probable myocarditis was observed in 20 (4.7%) patients, while 6 (1.4%) patients had isolated RV dysfunction, 4 (0.9%) had biventricular dysfunction, 7 (1.6%) had significant pulmonary hypertension, and 40 (9.4%) had trivial pericardial effusion. A total of 78 (18.3%) patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome. All-cause mortality was observed in 12 (2.8%) patients. A total of 56 (13.1%) patients developed multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) during their hospitalization. A total of 78 (18.3%) patients were documented to have acute kidney injury (AKI), and 22 (5.2%) patients underwent hemodialysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed that probable myocarditis and MODS were independent predictors of mortality among patients with scrub typhus, and age, female gender, and LV systolic dysfunction were identified as predictors of overall complications, including mortality, probable myocarditis, congestive heart failure, MODS, AKI, and the need for hemodialysis. Conclusions: Probable myocarditis was the most frequent cardiac manifestation noted in patients with scrub typhus, and in addition to MODS, probable myocarditis was an independent predictor of mortality in this cohort. Thus, it is crucial to maintain clinical vigilance regarding the cardiac status of such patients. Full article

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) has been used in complementary cancer therapy for decades, but its mechanisms remained poorly understood until recently. This review synthesizes transformative advances in mistletoe cancer research from 2020 to 2025, focusing on newly discovered molecular mechanisms, immunomodulatory properties, and clinical applications. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of controlled studies, mechanistic investigations, and real-world evidence published between 2020 and 2025. The discovery of mistletoe-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) represents a paradigm shift in understanding its anticancer effects. Mistletoe extracts trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to calreticulin exposure in 18–51% of cancer cells and a 7-fold increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release. Three-dimensional culture models revealed enhanced macrophage reprogramming effects, with a 15.8% increase in pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 and a 26.4% reduction in immunosuppressive IL-10. Real-world evidence from over 400 non-small-cell lung cancer patients shows that combining mistletoe with programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors doubles median overall survival (6.8 to 13.8 months), with biomarker-selected populations experiencing up to a 91.2% reduction in death risk. The Johns Hopkins Phase I trial established intravenous administration safety at 600 mg three times weekly. Advanced analytical approaches including metabolomics, chronobiology, and machine learning are enabling precision medicine applications. These findings position mistletoe as a scientifically validated component of integrative oncology, bridging traditional medicine with evidence-based cancer care. Future research should focus on ferroptosis mechanisms, single-cell immune profiling, and standardized clinical protocols. Full article

Cellular immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach in oncology, revolutionizing cancer treatment paradigms. Since the groundbreaking development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Yamanaka in 2008, significant progress has been made in generating various iPSCs-derived immunocytes, including T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and B cells. These engineered immune cells offer unprecedented opportunities for personalized cancer therapy as they can be derived from patients’ own cells to minimize immune rejection. In addition, various new techniques are being used for the induction and amplification of iPSCs-derived immunocytes, such as small-molecule techniques, 3D culture systems, nanotechnology, and animal models for the in vivo amplification of immunocytes. Of course, challenges remain in improving immunocyte characteristics. Targeting efficiency needs enhancement to better distinguish tumor cells from healthy tissue, while biological activity must be optimized for sustained antitumor effects. Safety concerns, particularly regarding potential off-target effects and cytokine release syndrome, require further investigation. The immunosuppressive nature of tumor microenvironment also poses significant hurdles for solid tumor treatment. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring the therapeutic potential of iPSCs-derived immunocytes, with researchers investigating combination therapies and genetic modifications to overcome current limitations. Full article

Background: Effective doctor–patient communication is essential for high-quality care, especially for patients with chronic conditions requiring hemodialysis. However, there is a lack of validated tools in the Malay language to measure this communication. This study aimed to translate and validate the Doctor–Patient Communication Questionnaire (DPCQ) into Malay (MyD-PCQ) for use among patients receiving hemodialysis in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 patients receiving hemodialysis at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. The original English DPCQ was translated and culturally adapted into Malay following international guidelines, including forward and backward translation, expert review, and cognitive debriefing. Data were collected using the Malay version of the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the construct validity, while Raykov’s rho measured internal consistency. Results: The Malay version of the DPCQ demonstrated excellent model fit in CFA (χ²/df = 1.25, p = 0.053; SRMR = 0.037; RMSEA = 0.029; CFI = 0.982; and TLI = 0.979). Factor loadings ranged from 0.493 to 0.640. The internal consistency was high, with Raykov’s rho of 0.887. The average total score among participants was 37.31 out of 60, indicating moderate perceived communication quality. Conclusions: The Malay Doctor–Patient Communication Questionnaire (MyD-PCQ) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing communication between doctors and patients receiving hemodialysis in Malaysia. Its use can help identify communication gaps, support training initiatives, and improve patient-centered care in clinical practice. Future research should evaluate its use in other settings and patient populations. Full article

Background: China has the largest number of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide, and the chronic complications and economic burden associated with T2D are becoming increasingly severe. Developing accurate and widely applicable risk prediction models is of great significance for the early identification of and intervention in high-risk populations. However, current Chinese models still have many shortcomings in terms of methodological design and clinical application. Objective: This study conducts a systematic review and narrative synthesis of existing risk prediction models for type 2 diabetes in China, aiming to identify issues with existing models and provide references with which Chinese scholars can develop higher-quality risk prediction models. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines to conduct a systematic search of the literature related to T2D risk prediction models in China published in English journals from October 2019 to October 2024. The databases included PubMed, CNKI and Web of Science. Included studies had to meet criteria such as clear modeling objectives, detailed model development and validation processes, and a focus on non-diabetic populations in China. A total of 20 studies were ultimately selected and comprehensively analyzed based on model type, variable selection, validation methods, and performance metrics. Results: The 20 included studies employed various modeling methods, including statistical and machine learning approaches. The AUC values of the models ranged from 0.728 to 0.977, indicating overall good predictive capability. However, only one study conducted external validation, and 45% (9/20) of the studies binned continuous variables, which may have reduced the models’ generalization ability and predictive performance. Additionally, most models did not include key variables such as lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and cultural background, resulting in limited data representativeness and adaptability. Conclusions: Chinese T2DM risk prediction models remain in the developmental stage, with issues such as insufficient validation, inconsistent variable handling, and incomplete coverage of key influencing factors. Future research should focus on strengthening multicenter external validation, standardizing modeling processes, and incorporating multidimensional social and behavioral variables to enhance the clinical utility and cross-population applicability of these models. Registration ID: CRD420251072143. Full article

Sexual dysfunction affects an estimated 50–70% of cancer survivors but remains underrecognized and undertreated, impacting quality of life and emotional well-being. This narrative review involves a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for English-language publications (January 2010–May 2025), using combined MeSH and free-text terms for ‘sexual health’, ‘cancer’, ‘nursing’, ‘roles of nurses’, ‘immunotherapy’, ‘targeted therapy’, ‘sexual health’, ‘sexual dysfunction’, ‘vaginal dryness’, ‘genitourinary syndrome of menopause’, ‘sexual desire’, ‘body image’, ‘erectile dysfunction’, ‘climacturia’, ‘ejaculatory disorders’, ‘dyspareunia’, and ‘oncology’. We used the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) approach to identify 1245 records and screen titles and abstracts. Fifty studies ultimately met the inclusion criteria (original research, reviews, and clinical guidelines on oncology nursing and sexual health). Results: All the treatments contributed to reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, dyspareunia, and body image concerns, with a prevalence of 57.5% across genders. Oncology nurses can provide sex education and counseling. Barriers (limited training, cultural stigma, and the absence of protocols) hinder effective intervention. Addressing these issues through sexual health curricula, formal referral systems, and policy reforms can enhance nursing care. Future research should assess the impact of targeted nurse education and the institutional integration of sexual health into cancer care. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) is a standardised assessment tool used to evaluate upper limb (UL) performance in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). It consists of 15 timed movement tasks, two strength measures, and a functional ability scale that assesses the quality of movement from 0 to 5. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the WMFT for Spanish-speaking individuals with ABI. Methods: The translation and cultural adaptation process followed established guidelines and involved researchers from the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) and from the Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO) group. A joint committee of experts from both research groups unified two previous versions into the final Spanish version of the WMFT. The pilot study included 60 ABI survivors, who were evaluated for the clarity and usability of the adapted test. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate participant characteristics and test performance, with the results summarised for both the less-affected and most-affected UL. Results: The final version of the tool features inclusive language and a unified administration procedure. In the pilot study, execution times were longer when using the most-affected UL, particularly for tasks involving object manipulation, while grip strength was lower. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the WMFT is a suitable tool for evaluating UL function in ABI survivors and shows promising clinical and research implications. Full article

Self-care is a critical component of chronic disease management and is linked to better health outcomes. The Hypertension Self-Care Profile (HBP SCP) is one of the few validated instruments designed to assess not only behaviors but also self-efficacy and motivation in HBP self-care. This scoping review synthesized published research using the HBP SCP to examine its scope and utility across diverse populations. A total of 48 studies were reviewed—34 non-validation studies and 14 validation studies—spanning regions including Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. The HBP SCP showed strong psychometric performance across multiple cultural adaptations, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.73 to 0.99. Several correlates of HBP self-care emerged, including self-efficacy, social support, health literacy, and education. Findings also revealed that HBP self-care remains suboptimal, particularly among rural populations and low- and middle-income countries. The HBP SCP has proven to be a versatile and culturally adaptable instrument for evaluating HBP self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, and motivation. Its consistently demonstrated validity and reliability across diverse contexts, combined with its responsiveness in randomized controlled trials, affirm its value as both a clinical assessment tool and a research outcome measure in interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health. Full article

Background: Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Ex-CBT) is widely seen as the gold-standard treatment for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Yet, minoritized youth are underrepresented in efficacy studies, raising questions about the applicability of Ex-CBT to minoritized youth. Effectiveness data suggest systematic adaptation of Ex-CBT to address youth culture and context is likely needed, and many clinicians make adaptations and augmentations in practice. However, research on the specific strategies clinicians use to address their youth clients’ culture and context within anxiety and OCD treatment is lacking. In the current study, we assess practice-based adaptations, augmentations, and process-based approaches utilized when delivering treatment to youth for OCD and anxiety in public mental health clinics. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 16 clinicians from both specialty anxiety and general mental health clinics serving youth with anxiety or OCD in the public mental health system. Participating clinicians had a mean age of 32.19 (SD = 5.87) and 69% of therapists identified as female; 69% identified as White, 25% identified as Asian, and 6% as Black or African American. In qualitative interviews, clinicians shared how they addressed clients’ culture and context (e.g., social identities, stressors and strengths related to social identities and lived environment). Thematic analysis identified the strategies clinicians employed to address culture and context. Results: Clinicians reported incorporating culture and context through process-based approaches (e.g., building trust gradually, considering clients’ social identity stressors, engaging in self-awareness to facilitate cultural responsiveness) and through culturally adapting and augmenting treatment to promote person-centered care. Core strategies included proactive and ongoing assessment of clients’ cultural and contextual factors, adapting exposures and augmenting Ex-CBT with strategies such as case management and discussion of cultural context, and taking a systems-informed approach to care. Conclusions: Examining practice-based adaptations, augmentations, and process-based approaches to treatment for minoritized youth with OCD or anxiety can inform efforts to understand what comprises person-centered culturally responsive Ex-CBT. Empirical testing of identified strategies is a needed area of future research. Full article