Search Results (3,629)

Bovine mastitis, particularly that caused by Staphylococcus aureus, presents a major challenge to dairy production worldwide due to its economic impact, animal welfare concerns, and zoonotic potential. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, resistance patterns, and control strategies related to S. aureus-associated mastitis in dairy cattle. It highlights the pathogen’s virulence mechanisms, such as biofilm formation, immune evasion, and toxin production, that facilitate persistent infections. The review compiles global prevalence data, revealing significant geographic variation and disparities between clinical and subclinical cases. Antimicrobial resistance, especially the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is extensively examined alongside resistance gene profiles. Diagnostic approaches, including culture, PCR, MALDI-TOF MS, and AI-based systems, are evaluated for their sensitivity and field applicability. Additionally, the review addresses public health implications, zoonotic risks, and One Health perspectives, culminating in an exploration of prevention strategies, including improved hygiene, vaccination, dry cow therapy, and AI-driven herd management. The findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated surveillance, precision diagnostics, and targeted interventions to mitigate the burden of S. aureus mastitis. Full article

New psychoactive substances (NPSs) have emerged as a significant global public health challenge due to their ability to mimic traditional drugs. Among these, mephedrone has gained attention because of its widespread use and associated toxicities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, pharmacokinetic properties, and metabolic pathways of mephedrone, highlighting its phase I and phase II metabolites as potential biomarkers for detection and forensic applications. A comprehensive literature search was performed without date restrictions. The search employed key terms such as “mephedrone metabolites”, “pharmacokinetics of mephedrone”, “phase I metabolites of mephedrone”, and “phase II metabolites of mephedrone”. Additionally, the reference lists of selected studies were screened to ensure a thorough review of the literature. Mephedrone is a chiral compound existing in two enantiomeric forms, exhibiting different affinities for monoamine transporters and distinct pharmacological profiles. In vivo animal studies indicate rapid absorption, significant tissue distribution, and the formation of multiple phase I metabolites (e.g., normephedrone, dihydromephedrone, 4-carboxymephedrone) that influence its neurochemical effects. Phase II metabolism involves conjugation reactions leading to metabolites such as N-succinyl-normephedrone and N-glutaryl-normephedrone, further complicating its metabolic profile. These findings underscore the importance of elucidating mephedrone’s metabolic pathways to improve detection methods, enhance our understanding of its toxicological risks, and inform future therapeutic strategies. Full article

This study presents an approach based on machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze the relationship between emergency room (ER) admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases (CRDs) and environmental factors. The aim of this study is the development and verification of an interpretable machine learning framework applied to environmental and health data to assess the relationship between environmental factors and daily emergency room admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases. The model’s predictive accuracy was evaluated by comparing simulated values with observed historical data, thereby identifying the most influential environmental variables and critical exposure thresholds. This approach supports public health surveillance and healthcare resource management optimization. The health and environmental data, collected through meteorological sensors and air quality monitoring stations, cover eleven years (2013–2023), including meteorological conditions and atmospheric pollutants. Four ML models were compared, with XGBoost showing the best predictive performance (R² = 0.901; MAE = 0.047). A 10-fold cross-validation was applied to improve reliability. Global model interpretability was assessed using SHAP, which highlighted that high levels of carbon monoxide and relative humidity, low atmospheric pressure, and mild temperatures are associated with an increase in CRD cases. The local analysis was further refined using LIME, whose application—followed by experimental verification—allowed for the identification of the critical thresholds beyond which a significant increase in the risk of hospital admission (above the 95th percentile) was observed: CO > 0.84 mg/m³, P_atm ≤ 1006.81 hPa, Tavg ≤ 17.19 °C, and RH > 70.33%. The findings emphasize the potential of interpretable ML models as tools for both epidemiological analysis and prevention support, offering a valuable framework for integrating environmental surveillance with healthcare planning. Full article

The global rise in antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to public health, with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections expected to surpass cancer in mortality by 2050. As traditional antibiotic pipelines stagnate, novel therapeutic alternatives are critically needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), particularly those derived from marine organisms, have emerged as promising antimicrobial candidates due to their broad-spectrum activity, structural diversity, and distinctive mechanisms of action. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs can disrupt microbial membranes, inhibit biofilm formation, and even modulate immune responses, making them highly effective against resistant bacteria. This review highlights the potential of marine AMPs as next-generation therapeutics, emphasizing their efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens and biofilm-associated infections. Furthermore, marine AMPs show promise in combating persister cells and disrupting quorum sensing pathways, offering new strategies for tackling chronic infections. Despite their potential, challenges such as production scalability and limited clinical validation remain; nevertheless, the use of new technologies and bioinformatic tools is accelerating the discovery and optimization of these peptides, paving the way for bypassing these challenges. This review consolidates current findings on marine AMPs, advocating for their continued exploration as viable tools in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Hospital in the Home (HITH) programs are emerging as a key pillar of smart city healthcare infrastructure, leveraging technology to extend care beyond traditional hospital walls. The global healthcare sector has been conceptualizing the notion of a care without walls hospital, also called HITH, where virtual care takes precedence to address the multifaceted needs of an increasingly aging population grappling with a substantial burden of chronic disease. HITH programs have the potential to significantly reduce hospital bed occupancy, enabling hospitals to better manage the ever-increasing demand for inpatient care. Although many health providers and hospitals have established their own HITH programs, there is a lack of research that provides healthcare executives and HITH program managers with management models and frameworks for such initiatives. There is also a lack of research that provides strategies for improving HITH management in the health sector. To fill this gap, the current study ran a systematic literature review to explore state-of-the-art with regard to this topic. Out of 2631 articles in the pool of this systematic review, 20 articles were deemed to meet the eligibility criteria for the study. After analyzing these studies, nine management models were extracted, which were then categorized into three categories, namely, governance models, general models, and virtual models. Moreover, this study found 23 strategies and categorized them into five groups, namely, referral support, external support, care model support, technical support, and clinical team support. Finally, implications of findings for practitioners are carefully provided. These findings provide healthcare executives and HITH managers with practical frameworks for selecting appropriate management models and implementing evidence-based strategies to optimize program effectiveness, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes while addressing the growing demand for home-based care. Full article

Design Thinking (DT) has emerged as a relevant methodology for addressing global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study presents a systematic literature review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which analyzes 42 peer-reviewed publications from 2013 to 2023. Through inductive content analysis, 10 core DT principles—such as empathy, iteration, user-centeredness, and systems thinking—I identified and thematically mapped to specific SDGs, including goals related to health, education, innovation, and climate action. The study also presents five real-world cases from diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, and urban planning, illustrating how DT has been applied to address practical challenges aligned with the SDGs. However, the review identifies persistent gaps in the field: the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited integration across SDG domains, and weak adaptation of ethical and contextual considerations, particularly in vulnerable communities. As a response, this paper recommends the adoption of structured impact assessment tools (e.g., Cities2030, Responsible Design Thinking), integration of design justice principles, and the development of participatory, iterative ecosystems for innovation. By offering both conceptual synthesis and applied insights, this article positions Design Thinking as a strategic and systemic approach for driving sustainable transformation aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Invasive candidiasis (IC), characterized by the most common clinical manifestation of candidemia, is a fungal infection with a high mortality rate and a significant impact on global public health. It is estimated that each year there are between 227,000 and 250,000 hospitalizations related to IC, with more than 100,000 associated deaths. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C), the absence of a standardized surveillance system has led to multicenter studies documenting incidences ranging from 0.74 to 6.0 cases per 1000 hospital admissions, equivalent to 50,000–60,000 hospitalizations annually, with mortality rates of up to 60% in certain high-risk groups. Armed conflicts and structural violence in LA&C cause forced displacement, the collapse of health systems, and poor living conditions—such as overcrowding, malnutrition, and lack of sanitation—which increase vulnerability to opportunistic infections, such as IC. Insufficient specialized laboratories, diagnostic technology, and trained personnel impede pathogen identification and delay timely initiation of antifungal therapy. Furthermore, the empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the limited availability of echinocandins and lipid formulations of amphotericin B have promoted the emergence of resistant non-albicans strains, such as Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and, in recent outbreaks, Candidozyma auris. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes a major global health concern, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The current review explores sex-based differences in CRC epidemiology, risk factors, tumor biology, and clinical outcomes. Males exhibit a higher incidence and mortality rate, with left-sided (distal) CRC predominating, while females are more frequently diagnosed with right-sided (proximal) tumors, which tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to conventional chemotherapy. Genetic disparities, including microsatellite instability and X-chromosome tumor suppressor genes, contribute to sex-specific differences in tumor progression and treatment response. Immune variations also influence disease outcomes, with females exhibiting stronger immune surveillance but higher exhaustion markers. Lifestyle factors such as body mass index (BMI), smoking, and hormonal influences further modulate CRC risk. While males are more vulnerable to obesity-related CRC, central obesity (waist-to-hip ratio) emerges as a stronger predictor in females. Additionally, smoking increases CRC risk differentially by tumor location. These findings underscore the importance of sex-specific approaches in CRC prevention, screening, and treatment, advocating for personalized medicine strategies tailored to gender-based biological and clinical distinctions. Full article

Despite advances in medicine, cancer remains one of the foremost global health concerns. Conventional treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have advanced with the emergence of targeted and immunotherapy approaches. However, therapeutic resistance and relapse remain major barriers to long-term success in cancer treatment, often driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs). These rare, resilient cells can survive therapy and drive tumour regrowth, urging deeper investigation into the mechanisms underlying their persistence. CSCs express ion channels typical of excitable tissues, which, beyond electrophysiology, critically regulate CSC fate. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of these channels in CSCs remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. Nevertheless, the therapeutic potential of targeting CSC ion channels is immense, as it offers a powerful strategy to disrupt vital signalling pathways involved in numerous pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the diverse repertoire of ion channels expressed in CSCs and highlight recent mechanistic insights into how these channels modulate CSC behaviours, dynamics, and functions. We present a concise overview of ion channel-mediated CSC regulation, emphasizing their potential as novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, and identifying key areas for future research. Full article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains a persistent threat to global poultry production and public health. Current vaccine platforms show limited cross-clade efficacy and often fail to induce mucosal immunity. Recent advances in microbiome research reveal critical roles for gut commensals in modulating vaccine-induced immunity, including enhancement of mucosal IgA production, CD8⁺ T-cell activation, and modulation of systemic immune responses. Engineered commensal bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis have emerged as promising live vectors for antigen delivery. Postbiotic and synbiotic strategies further enhance protective efficacy through targeted modulation of the gut microbiota. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools enable predictive modeling of host–microbiome interactions, antigen design optimization, and early detection of viral antigenic drift. These integrative technologies offer a new framework for mucosal, broadly protective, and field-deployable vaccines for HPAI control. However, species-specific microbiome variation, ecological safety concerns, and scalable manufacturing remain critical challenges. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on microbiome–immune crosstalk, commensal vector platforms, and AI-enhanced vaccine development, emphasizing the urgent need for One Health integration to mitigate zoonotic adaptation and pandemic emergence. Full article

Heart failure (HF) is a major global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and frequent hospital readmissions. Despite the advent of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMTs), the burden of HF continues to grow, necessitating a shift toward comprehensive, multidisciplinary care models. Heart Failure Disease Management Programs (HF-DMPs) have emerged as structured frameworks that integrate evidence-based medical therapy, patient education, telemonitoring, and support for social determinants of health to optimize outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. This review outlines the key components of HF-DMPs, including patient identification and risk stratification, pharmacologic optimization, team-based care, transitional follow-up, remote monitoring, performance metrics, and social support systems. Incorporating tools such as artificial intelligence, pharmacist-led titration, and community health worker support, HF-DMPs represent a scalable approach to improving care delivery. The success of these programs depends on tailored interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health equity-driven strategies. Full article

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality often linked to late-stage detection and metastatic disease. The progression of these malignancies is critically driven by angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, and the surrounding dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex ecosystem comprising various cell types and non-cellular components. This comprehensive review, based on a systematic search of the PubMed database, synthesizes the existing literature to define the intertwined roles of angiogenesis and the TME in GI tumorigenesis. The TME’s influence creates conditions favorable for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, but sometimes induces resistance to current therapies. Available therapeutic strategies for inhibiting angiogenesis involve antibodies and oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors, while immune modulation within the tumor microenvironment is mainly achieved through checkpoint inhibitor antibodies and chemotherapy. Creative emerging strategies encompassing cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, and new targets such as CD40, DLL4, and Ang2, amongst others, are focused on inhibiting proangiogenic pathways more profoundly, reversing resistance to prior drugs, and modulating the TME to enhance therapeutic efficacy. A deeper understanding of the complex interactions between components of the TME is crucial for addressing the unmet need for novel and effective therapeutic interventions against aggressive GI cancers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The social importance of health literacy (HL) is widely understood, and its measurement is the subject of various studies. Due to the recent pandemic, several instruments for measuring HL about COVID-19 have been proposed in different countries, including the HLS-COVID-Q22 questionnaire. The diversity of cultures and languages necessitates the cross-cultural adaptation of this instrument. Thus, the present study translates, adapts, and validates the psychometric properties of the HLS-COVID-Q22 questionnaire to provide its cross-cultural adaptation from English to Spanish (Peru). Methods: As part of ensuring that the final questionnaire accommodates the cultural nuances and idiosyncrasies of the target language, the following activities were carried out: (a) a survey of 40 respondents; and (b) a focus group with 10 participants, followed by expert approval. In addition, the validity and reliability of the health instrument have been ascertained through a further pilot test administered to 490 people in the city of Tacna in southern Peru. Results: The resulting questionnaire helps measure HL in Peru, aiding better-informed decision-making for individual health choices. Conclusions: The presence of such a tool is advantageous in case of similar global health emergencies, when the questionnaire can be made readily available to support a promotion of strategies towards better self-care. Moreover, it encourages other Latin American stakeholders to adjust the instrument to their own cultural, language, and socio-economic contexts, thus invigorating the regional and global expansion of the HL study network. Full article

Boron-containing compounds (BCCs) have emerged as potential drugs. Their drug-like effects are mainly explained by their mechanisms of action in enzymes. Nowadays, some experimental data support the effects of specific BCCs on GPCRs, provided there are crystal structures that show them bound to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Some BCCs are recognized as potential ligands of GPCRs—the drug targets of many diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to collecte up-to-date data on the interactions of BCCs with GPCRs. Methods: Data were collected from the National Center of Biotechnology Information, PubMed, Global Health, Embase, the Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases and reviewed. Results: Some experimental reports support the interactions of BCCs with several GPCRs, acting as their labels, agonists, or antagonists. These interactions can be inferred based on in silico and in vitro results if there are no available crystal structures for validating them. Conclusions: The actions of BCCs on GPCRs are no longer hypothetical, as the existing evidence supports BCCs’ interactions with and actions on GPCRs. Full article

SARS-CoV-2 undergoes frequent mutations that drive viral evolution and genomic diversity, influencing transmissibility, immune escape, and disease severity. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing on SARS-CoV-2 isolates from patients in New York City and identified several globally rare mutations across multiple viral lineages. The isolates analyzed for rare mutations belonged to three lineages: B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.526 (Iota), and B.1.623. We identified 16 rare mutations (global incidence <1000) in non-structural protein genes, including nsp2, nsp3, nsp4, nsp6, nsp8, nsp13, nsp14, ORF7a, and ORF8. Three of these mutations—located in nsp2, nsp13, and ORF8—have been reported in fewer than 100 individuals worldwide. We also detected five rare mutations in structural proteins (S, M, and N), including two—one in M and one in N—previously reported in fewer than 100 cases globally. We present clinical profiles of three patients, each infected with genetically distinct viral isolates from the three lineages studied. Furthermore, we illustrate a local transmission chain inferred from unique mutation patterns identified in the Omicron genome. These findings underscore the importance of whole-genome sequencing for detecting rare mutations, tracking community spread, and identifying emerging variants with clinical and public health significance. Full article