Search Results (5,479)

Damage caused by Frankliniella intonsa to sunflower seeds results in the emergence of rusty speckling on the seedcoat, severely compromising seed quality in recent years. Although chemical control has remained the primary management strategy, its application during the flowering period—when F. intonsa is the most active—poses significant risks to pollinating insects and natural enemies, highlighting the urgent need for effective and environmentally sustainable control alternatives. Previous studies have shown that F. intonsa is attracted by buckwheat and that it could be a promising trap crop for F. intonsa. Thus, the attractiveness of Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum to F. intonsa was compared, and the preference of F. intonsa between two buckwheat varieties was examined. Furthermore, the behavioral responses of F. intonsa to volatiles emitted by these plants in different developmental stages were assessed. The study results indicated that F. intonsa had a clear preference for F. tataricum over F. esculentum. In cage trials, the selection rates of 2nd instar nymphs and adults of F. intonsa for F. tataricum were 61.63% and 60.19% at the seedling stage, and 60.74% and 62.50% at the full-bloom stage, all significantly surpassing those of F. esculentum. Olfactory bioassays further confirmed that flowers of F. tataricum were notably more appealing to both 2nd instar nymphs and adults of F. intonsa, with selection rates of 64.17% and 61.67%, respectively. Twenty distinct floral volatiles of two buckwheat varieties were detected through the phytochemical analysis. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified seven key compounds that accounted for the observed behavioral differences. Both 2nd instar nymphs and adults of F. intonsa demonstrated a significant selection for Δ-Cadinene, with the highest selection rates of 75.00% and 76.67% recorded at a concentration of 0.1 μg/μL. Furthermore, F. intonsa exhibited a marked attraction to higher concentrations of Verbenone, which was unique to F. tataricum, and (S)-2-Methyl-1-butanol, which was unique to F. esculentum. Field intercropping experiments confirmed that F. tataricum outperformed F. esculentum in trapping F. intonsa within sunflower plots. In conclusion, the results indicated that F. tataricum possessed considerable potential as a trap crop for the integrated management of F. intonsa in sunflower cultivation systems. Full article

Fertilizer coating is an emerging strategy in fertilizer management in the quest to decrease their loss and environmental impact. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a significant greenhouse gas, and agricultural soils happen to be an important anthropogenic source of N₂O gases, mainly because of the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers such as urea. This study examined the effects of double urea coating with nano-sulfur (NS) and organic materials; lignite, biochar and compost on N₂O fluxes from silt loam and sandy loam soils. N₂O fluxes were measured using an N₂O analyzer in a controlled environment for a period of 26 days. Cumulative N₂O fluxes were calculated for different treatments (nano-sulfur; NS, NS + lignite, NS + biochar, and NS + compost) as coatings on urea fertilizer with propagated uncertainties. Sandy loam soil had higher maximum N₂O emission (155.64 µg N m⁻² h⁻¹) compared to silt loam soil (24.47 µg N m⁻² h⁻¹). Uncoated urea and urea + NS coating resulted in higher N₂O emissions in both soils. Meanwhile, NS + organic second layer coatings decreased the N₂O fluxes, especially in sandy loam soil. The second organic layer coatings lowered the N₂O emissions with relatively lower effects in silt loam soil (3.8–7.0%) and a higher reduction in sandy loam soil (35.2–41.5%). Among the second organic coating materials, NS + lignite performed best, followed by NS + biochar and NS + compost. The results indicate that the urea coating as fertilizer management strategy as well as soil texture have considerable effects on fertilizer-induced N₂O emissions. The present study does not address the individual effects of organic coatings on N₂O emissions; furthermore, the characterization of the size distribution and morphology of the synthesized nano-sulfur, as well as the physicochemical properties (e.g., particle size, pH, C/N ratio, elemental composition) of the lignite, biochar, and compost coating materials, are omitted. The results of these analyses, together with the physical and chemical characterization of the produced organo-mineral fertilizers, will be presented in a forthcoming paper. Full article

Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) increasingly rely on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and distributed sensing infrastructures to support cooperative driving and intelligent transportation services. While these capabilities improve traffic efficiency and safety, they also expand the attack surface of vehicular networks and expose in-vehicle communication systems such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to a wide range of cyber threats. Machine learning-based anomaly detection has emerged as a promising approach for identifying malicious CAN traffic patterns; however, conventional centralized learning requires large-scale data aggregation from vehicles, which raises privacy and scalability concerns. Federated learning (FL) enables collaborative model training across distributed vehicles without requiring the exchange of raw in-vehicle data, making it attractive for privacy-preserving vehicular security applications. Nevertheless, FL systems remain vulnerable to adversarial participants that manipulate local training data or model updates to poison the global model during aggregation. In this work, we present a systematic robustness evaluation of federated anomaly detection in connected vehicular networks under adversarial conditions. The study compares six aggregation strategies, including Federated Averaging (FedAvg), coordinate-wise Median, Trimmed Mean, Krum, Multi-Krum, and Geometric Median (GeoMed), within a non-IID federated CAN bus anomaly detection setting. The evaluation covers label-flipping attacks, gradient-scaling attacks, and a feature-triggered backdoor attack. In addition, the analysis examines malicious client participation, attack-strength variation, learning-rate sensitivity, Trimmed Mean beta sensitivity, multi-seed reliability, and server-side aggregation time. The results show that FedAvg is vulnerable under strong adversarial manipulation, while Trimmed Mean is sensitive to the selected trimming fraction. Median and GeoMed provide strong robustness against gradient-scaling attacks, whereas Multi-Krum achieves the strongest resistance to label-flipping and backdoor attacks. These findings demonstrate that no single aggregation strategy is optimal across all threat models. Instead, robust aggregation for federated CAV anomaly detection should be selected according to the expected attack type, reliability requirement, and computational overhead. Full article

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) continue to impose substantial health and productivity losses in grazing ruminants, and the accelerating emergence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) underscores the need for SWC strategies. Although multiple SWC approaches have been validated experimentally, their implementation across European livestock systems remains inconsistent, and limited evidence exists regarding the stakeholders’ perceptions that affect decision-making. This study conducted a multilingual cross-sectional survey of 1261 respondents, including farmers, veterinarians, advisors, and other professionals, across 13 European countries to evaluate perceived worm-control cost burdens and the economic feasibility of seven SWC strategies. Descriptive and regression analyses revealed that a majority of respondents (56.7%) considered diagnostic testing to be financially reasonable, although perceptions varied significantly between countries. Sustainable anthelmintic use, quarantine and strategic screening, and grazing management were perceived as the most viable strategies, whereas biological control and bioactive compound-based approaches elicited greater uncertainty. An aggregated SWC Attitude Score demonstrated systematically higher acceptance among veterinarians compared to farmers, while male and older respondents exhibited lower levels of agreement across practices. The overall findings suggest that economic considerations may not be perceived as the primary barrier to sustainable worm control adoption, but other practical factors may potentially limit implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the school setting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a time-efficient strategy to improve children’s physical fitness; however, different implementation modalities have not been compared. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an individual versus paired HIIT protocol based on functional bodyweight exercises on physical fitness-related and anthropometric outcomes in primary school children. Methods: Sixty-one children (11.6 ± 0.3 years) participated in a 10-week experimental study with three parallel groups: individual HIIT (EG1, n = 21), paired HIIT (EG2, n = 20), and a control group (CG, n = 20). Although both HIIT groups performed the same bodyweight functional exercises, in EG2 the exercises required coordinated movement between the partners. The HIIT protocol was integrated into the warm-up of Physical Education (PE) classes twice per week (Tabata-type protocol; 8 × 20 s/10 s/≤8 min per session). Body composition, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness (estimated VO₂max) were assessed at pre- and post-test, along with a rating of perceived exertion (1–10 scale) and enjoyment/motivation (1–5 scale) across several sessions (1, 7 and 14). Data were analyzed using pre-post comparisons, ANOVA, and ANCOVA models adjusted for baseline values. Results: Body fat percentage decreased in all groups. The individual HIIT group showed within-group improvements in VO₂max (+5.3%, p < 0.001), handgrip strength (+10.1%, p = 0.003), and standing long jump (+4.1%, p = 0.033), with moderate-to-large effect sizes, whereas the paired HIIT group showed smaller and statistically non-significant changes. Between-group comparisons suggested a tendency toward greater improvements in VO₂max and handgrip strength in the individual HIIT group compared with the paired group, although the overall ANOVA for VO₂max was not statistically significant. Perceived exertion declined over time in the paired group but remained relatively stable in the individual group. Conclusions: A low-volume HIIT program performed individually was associated with improvements in several physical fitness outcomes in schoolchildren. In contrast, paired execution showed smaller and mostly non-significant changes, together with a progressive reduction in perceived intensity. Full article

Polymer-based nanoparticle systems have emerged as a versatile platform for advancing precision medicine by enabling controlled, targeted, and multifunctional drug delivery. This narrative review synthesizes recent progress in the design, functionalization, and clinical translation of polymer-based nanoparticles, with a focused scope on drug delivery, diagnostics, theranostics, nanosponges, and regenerative medicine. Specifically, it highlights three key insights: (i) surface engineering strategies, including ligand conjugation and stealth coatings, substantially enhance targeting specificity and reduce off-target toxicity; (ii) stimulus-responsive polymers enable spatiotemporally controlled drug release, improving therapeutic outcomes in complex disease microenvironments; and (iii) integration with artificial intelligence (AI) supports the rational design of personalized nanomedicines based on patient-specific molecular profiles. The innovative nature of this review lies in its comprehensive approach, which combines material design parameters with clinical outcomes and the barriers to implementation. Despite significant progress, serious challenges remain, including scalable and reproducible manufacturing, regulatory harmonization, and comprehensive long-term biosafety assessment. In the future, the priority should be to develop reliable manufacturing processes, a harmonized regulatory framework, and data-driven, clinically validated design methodologies. Overall, polymer-based nanoparticles are poised to redefine targeted therapy, but their clinical impact will depend on bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and scalable, safe, and personalized medical applications. Full article

Huanglongbing (HLB), primarily caused by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), threatens global citrus production. Deciphering the molecular interplay between citrus and CLas is crucial for successful control. This review synthesizes current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying citrus-CLas interactions, providing a comprehensive overview that spans immune signaling, hormonal and metabolic reprogramming, non-coding RNA-mediated regulation, pathogen effector biology, and emerging biotechnological interventions. We detail the hierarchical host response: initial immune recognition via pattern recognition receptors, triggering reactive oxygen species bursts and calcium signaling. Moreover, hormonal network reprogramming and their complex interplay in defense/susceptibility are examined. Transcriptomic studies have revealed key features of metabolic reprogramming, including suppression of photosynthesis and impairment of phloem function. Additionally, long-term strategies like cell wall reinforcement, accumulation of defensive compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids, and roles of post-transcriptional regulation of microRNAs are discussed. Conversely, CLas counter-defense, notably effector-mediated immunity suppression and host metabolism manipulation, is also considered. Comparative transcriptomics between tolerant and susceptible varieties identifies tolerance or resistance genes/pathways for breeding and engineering. Despite this progress, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the precise molecular mechanisms of CLas immune evasion and effector-mediated suppression, the genetic basis of natural tolerance, and the field-level efficacy of defense priming strategies. Future research directions should integrate single-cell omics, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, nano-enabled delivery, and microbiome engineering to bridge these gaps and accelerate HLB-tolerant/resistant citrus development. This review synthesizes how molecular profiling advances understanding of citrus defense mechanisms against HLB, and underscores the imperative for interdisciplinary research and global collaboration. Full article

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved from a fundamental optical phenomenon to a powerful, molecule-specific analytical technique capable of detecting ultra-trace-level species across biomedicine, catalysis, environmental monitoring, and national security applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in SERS probe design and fabrication along three major directions: (i) engineering plasmonic hotspots with enhanced field confinement to achieve stronger and more uniform signals; (ii) analyte-directed strategies that precisely position and retain target molecules via tailored surface chemistries, nanoscale confinement, and on-surface reactions for single hotspot SERS; and (iii) hybrid architectures integrating plasmonic metals with functional materials, including high entropy materials, semiconductors, and graphene and other 2D materials, to synergistically couple electromagnetic and chemical enhancement mechanisms. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain for practical applications outside laboratories, including substrate reproducibility and stability, diverse analyte compatibility, unknown molecule identification and standardized quantitative performance in complex environments. We highlight emerging solutions, such as large-area nanomanufacturing for controlled nanoscale gaps, high-resolution Raman mapping for spatial–temporal characterization, density-functional-theory-guided molecular interpretation, and machine-learning-enabled spectral analysis. Advances in foundational AI models and data-driven discovery are positioning SERS to become an increasingly versatile platform, from decoding unknown molecular structures to analyzing complicated multi-component systems for environmental, biomedical, and national security applications with high sensitivity and selectivity. Full article

Articular cartilage is characterized by its avascular, aneural, and alymphatic nature, which confers a limited intrinsic capacity for self-repair. Current regenerative strategies primarily focus on alleviating pain, mitigating symptoms, and restoring joint function. However, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain. Cartilage tissue engineering has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional therapies, offering innovative solutions for articular cartilage regeneration. Central to this approach is the development of functional biomaterials capable of supporting chondrogenic cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, thereby facilitating effective cartilage repair. In this study, we introduce a novel protein-based recombinant spider silk (RSS) as a potential biomaterial for modulating chondrocyte behavior and enabling engineered cartilage formation both in vitro and in vivo. RSS was generated through molecular cloning and processed into silk fibers using biomimetic spinning and acidic coagulation techniques. In micromass cultures of murine chondrocytes, RSS significantly promoted cell aggregation, resulting in increased cell density. Alcian blue and Oil Red O staining demonstrated that RSS-treated cultures produced abundant glycosaminoglycans, a hallmark of chondrogenic activity, while exhibiting minimal lipid accumulation. These findings suggest that RSS supports chondrogenic differentiation and suppresses adipogenic lineage commitment. Real-time PCR analysis revealed upregulation of the chondrogenesis-related gene Sox9 and downregulation of the adipogenic marker PPARγ and the hypertrophic marker Runx2 in RSS-treated micromass cultures. RNA sequencing further corroborated these observations, underscoring the role of RSS in modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in chondrocytes. In a subcutaneous transplantation model using severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, chondrocytes encapsulated in three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds containing RSS exhibited significantly enhanced ECM accumulation compared to RSS-free controls, indicating that RSS supports the maintenance of the chondrocyte phenotype and promotes cartilage formation in vivo, and underscoring its promising potential as a component of hydrogel composite systems. These findings highlight the potential of RSS as a functional biomaterial to preserve chondrocyte functionality and advance engineered cartilage formation, presenting a promising avenue for cartilage tissue engineering and regeneration. Full article

In the context of rapid technological evolution and increasing market uncertainty, technoparks have emerged as critical ecosystems for bridging scientific research and high-tech industrial production; however, their effectiveness is often constrained by limited flexibility, fragmented control mechanisms, and delayed decision-making processes. Motivated by these challenges, this article investigates the automation of control processes in research-driven and flexible manufacturing environments within technopark infrastructures, positioning automation as a strategic lever for enhancing operational adaptability and innovation throughput. The study conceptualizes control process automation as a multi-stage framework encompassing data acquisition, processing, intelligent analysis, and real-time decision execution and examines the role of enabling technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cyber-physical systems in supporting this paradigm. The analysis demonstrates that the integration of these technologies significantly improves production flexibility, resource optimization, and responsiveness to dynamic conditions, while simultaneously accelerating the transformation of scientific and research outputs into measurable economic value. By combining theoretical foundations with illustrative practical applications, the article substantiates the effectiveness of automated control systems and highlights their strategic relevance for increasing the competitiveness of technoparks, fostering sustainable technological innovation, and shaping resilient long-term development strategies. Full article

Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavonoid glycoside from Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo), exhibits multi-organ pharmacological effects and has emerged as a promising candidate for osteoporosis therapy and bone tissue regeneration because of its capacity to modulate diverse osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic signaling pathways. Preclinical studies in osteoporotic models suggest that ICA improves trabecular microarchitecture and increases bone mineral density. Mechanistically, ICA modulates bone remodeling bidirectionally: it promotes osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization via activation of pro-osteogenic pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling, while simultaneously inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by suppressing RANKL-mediated NF-κB activation, thus reestablishing remodeling equilibrium. Despite these benefits, clinical advancement is hindered by the suboptimal oral bioavailability of ICA, stemming from poor intestinal absorption and extensive first-pass metabolism. To address this, innovative delivery systems have been engineered to enhance localized bioavailability and sustain therapeutic efficacy, such as hydrogel depots, nanoparticle formulations, and 3D-printed scaffolds enabling precise, controlled release. In bone tissue engineering applications, ICA-incorporated biomaterials—either standalone or in combination with osteogenic factors or exosomes—foster a regenerative niche by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, while synergistically promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis, thereby expediting bone defect healing and osseointegration. Overall, these mechanistic elucidations and delivery advancements underscore ICA’s potential as a translational candidate for osteoporosis treatment and bone regenerative therapies. This review aims to critically and systematically synthesize current evidence on ICA-mediated bone repair and regeneration, with a particular emphasis on the molecular regulation of osteogenic signaling, the restoration of bone-remodeling homeostasis, and delivery-system-enabled strategies that may facilitate translational application. Full article

Background/Objectives: The blood–brain barrier (BBB) presents a major challenge for delivering therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS) due to its highly selective permeability. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs), the principal cellular component of the BBB, tightly regulate molecular transport and restrict the entry of many CNS-targeted therapies. Lipid-based nanoparticles have emerged as promising carriers for BBB transport because of their biocompatibility, tunable surface properties, and cargo encapsulation capabilities. One strategy to enhance nanoparticle transport involves surface functionalization with ligands that exploit endogenous transcytosis pathways. Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), a glycan implicated in the brain entry of certain proteins and viruses, represents a potential targeting ligand for this purpose. Methods: In this study, we established a physiologically relevant in vitro BBB model using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (hiPSC-BMECs) to evaluate M6P-functionalized liposomes for BBB transport. Fluorophore-labeled liposomes were used to monitor nanoparticle uptake and transcytosis. Results: M6P-functionalized liposomes exhibited significantly enhanced uptake in hiPSC-BMECs compared with non-functionalized control liposomes. Pharmacological inhibition studies supported the involvement of a clathrin-sensitive endocytic pathway. Transcytosis assays demonstrated enhanced BBB crossing of M6P-functionalized liposomes, with transport increasing according to ligand density and reaching approximately 55% of the transport observed for transferrin under the same experimental conditions. Following transcytosis, intact M6P-functionalized liposomes showed significantly higher uptake by downstream hiPSC-derived neurons and astrocytoma cells compared with control formulations. Conclusions: Together, these findings support M6P-functionalization as a promising strategy to enhance liposome uptake and transcytosis across a human-relevant in vitro BBB model. This work provides a proof-of-concept framework for the development and optimization of glycan-functionalized nanocarriers for CNS-directed delivery. Full article

Insects represent powerful experimental systems for investigating host–microorganism interactions, providing valuable insights into bacterial pathogenicity, immune regulation, symbiosis, and antimicrobial discovery. This review examines the complex relationships between insects and bacteria, focusing on the mechanisms that control infection, immune activation, and microbial adaptation. Particular attention is given to the routes of pathogen entry and to the conserved innate immune pathways that coordinate host defenses, including the Toll, Imd, Duox, and Jak/Stat signaling cascades. The review illustrates how bacterial pathogens exploit toxins, immune evasion strategies, and metabolic adaptation to overcome host defenses, while insects rely on tightly regulated cellular and humoral responses, antimicrobial peptides, melanization, and microbiota-mediated homeostasis. Interactions between pathogenic and commensal bacteria in the insect gut are discussed in the context of immune tolerance, dysbiosis, and ecological adaptation. The dual role of bacterial virulence factors in both pathogenesis and symbiosis is highlighted through examples involving entomopathogenic bacteria such as Photorhabdus spp., Xenorhabdus spp., and Bacillus thuringiensis. In addition, the review summarizes the use of insect models, including Drosophila melanogaster, Galleria mellonella, Bombyx mori, and Apis mellifera, in experimental infections aimed at studying virulence mechanisms, host immune responses, and antimicrobial efficacy. Finally, multi-omic approaches, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, and single-cell technologies are discussed as transformative tools for dissecting host–microbe interactions at molecular and systems levels. Overall, insect–bacteria interactions emerge as dynamic and evolutionarily shaped systems in which immunity, metabolism, microbiota composition, and environmental factors are closely interconnected, offering important perspectives for both basic research and the development of sustainable biocontrol and antimicrobial strategies. Full article

The emerging demand for water pollution control has driven a significant interest in advanced porous materials for sustainable and effective wastewater treatment technologies. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been employed as promising substrates due to their versatile properties, especially their high surface area, tunable properties, and chemical functionality. However, their practical applications are often limited by poor aqueous stability, instability during recovery, and high production costs. Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is an abundant, low-cost, and renewable resource, primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, offering a sustainable solution for these challenges. This review critically examines the recent advances in design and applications of LCB-MOF materials for wastewater remediation. Several synthesis strategies, including in situ growth, ex situ impregnation, and post-synthetic modification, are systematically discussed in relation to their significance in enhancing stability, recyclability, and dispersibility of MOFs. The key, structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of these LCB-MOFs were analyzed, along with their performance in removing organic dyes and heavy metal ions. Current drawbacks in long-term stability, scalability, and real-world wastewater performance are highlighted. Overall, LCB-MOFs demonstrate a promising class of sustainable materials that align with the principles of the circular economy and green chemistry, making them ideal for next-generation wastewater remediation technologies. Full article

Background: Arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases and a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its burden remains particularly high in rural and resource-limited settings, where access to healthcare is often constrained by shortages of healthcare professionals, geographical barriers, and underdeveloped infrastructure. These factors may contribute to delayed diagnosis, suboptimal disease control, and increased risk of complications. In this context, telemedicine has emerged as a useful approach to supporting hypertension management and improving access to care in rural populations. Methods: This study presents a narrative review of the literature focusing on the application of telemedicine in the management of arterial hypertension in rural populations. A structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted for studies published between 2015 and 2025. The review included randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies evaluating telemedicine interventions, including remote blood pressure monitoring, mobile health applications, and teleconsultations. Study selection was guided by relevance to the research objective, with particular attention to rural and resource-limited contexts. Results: Telemedicine interventions have been associated with improvements in blood pressure control, treatment adherence, and access to healthcare services. Evidence from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggests modest reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with standard care. However, a substantial proportion of the available evidence originates from studies conducted in general or mixed populations rather than exclusively rural settings. Therefore, the applicability of these findings to rural contexts remains limited and should be interpreted with caution. The effectiveness of telemedicine may vary depending on differences in healthcare infrastructure, resource availability, digital accessibility, and organizational models across healthcare systems. Integrated care approaches involving primary healthcare providers and specialist support may contribute to improved continuity of care, although their impact appears to be context-dependent. Key barriers include limited telecommunication infrastructure, digital literacy challenges, and difficulties in integrating telemedicine into routine clinical practice. Conclusions: Telemedicine may represent a useful approach to supporting hypertension management in rural populations. However, its implementation requires careful consideration of local healthcare systems, patient characteristics, and organizational context. Telemedicine should be viewed as a context-dependent strategy rather than a uniform solution. Further context-specific research is needed to evaluate the long-term clinical, organizational, and economic impact of telemedicine interventions in rural hypertension management. Full article