Search Results (7,007)

Black currants (Ribes nigrum L.) and their hybrid berries are distinguished by their exceptionally high content levels of anthocyanin and vitamin C, major phytochemicals with health-promoting properties. This study was designed to substantially reduce the HPLC runtime required for black currant anthocyanin analysis and clarify how key determinants, including morphological traits (berry size and peel proportion), genetic variation across 12 cultivars, and cryogenic milling, affect anthocyanin accumulation and quantification. A rapid HPLC protocol was developed that achieves the high-resolution separation of four major and eight minor anthocyanins in black currant within a 10 min run, enabling efficient, high-throughput analysis, very important in long-term breeding programs due to the large number of genotypes. Cryogenic grinding substantially enhanced the extraction yield and reproducibility relative to just blending. Using the improved extraction and analysis method, a set of anthocyanin content-related morphologic berry traits was systematically evaluated, providing information directly relevant to future phenotyping and breeding efforts. Smaller black currant berries generally have higher total anthocyanin content than larger berries, and these morphological attributes are tightly linked to the genotype. Although a higher peel proportion was related to higher anthocyanin content within genotype, there was no global trend, and anthocyanin contents were similar in different size berry peels. Full article

The widespread adoption of mobile health applications has increased the volume of sensitive personal and physiological data processed through interconnected devices. Ensuring privacy compliance in this context remains a challenge, as existing app stores and privacy labeling systems rely heavily on self-declared information. App-PI is a data-driven ecosystem designed to offer end users with tools they can easily manage and privacy researchers with structured and reliable app metadata. It is designed to automate the collection, analysis, and visualization of privacy-related metadata from mobile applications. Heterogeneous data sources are integrated into a unified repository (App-PIMD), enabling the empirical assessment of privacy risks. The data flow design is critical to ensure that the data used to assess privacy impact is of good quality, as well as the privacy indicators that end users will be offered. It is shown on a popular mHealth application, demonstrating the importance of data flow design in order to be able to obtain, from documents and files created for consumption by an operating system, a set of data and tools ready for consumption by the true recipients of health apps: people. Full article

The present study aimed to analyze the differences in psychopathological symptomatology between men and women who participate in online gambling, as well as to explore the relationship between this symptomatology and different risk profiles. The sample consisted of 382 participants, all university students from a province in Spain, of whom 261 were men (68.3%) and 121 were women (31.7%), with a mean age of 21.8 years (SD = 3.2; range = 18–30 years). Psychopathological symptomatology was assessed using the SAS-45, while gambling risk profiles were determined using an ad hoc questionnaire. The results of the risk profiles were formed by categorizing the SOG-RA Scale scores into non-risk gambler, at-risk gambler, and pathological gambler. The results evidenced that gender and risk profile are determining factors in the manifestation of psychopathological symptoms. It was observed that women tend to internalize their emotional problems, presenting higher levels of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity, while men exhibit a greater propensity to externalize their symptoms, manifesting hostility, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Furthermore, gamblers with high-risk profiles showed higher scores in both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Significant correlations were identified between risk profile, psychopathological symptomatology, and cognitive distortions, suggesting the need for comprehensive interventions differentiated by gender. These findings provide valuable information for the design of specific treatments that address the emotional and cognitive needs of problem gamblers, contributing to improving the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies in the context of problem gambling. University gambling is an emerging public health issue with consequences that extend beyond the individual, affecting educational, social, and economic well-being. This study addresses a critical gap by delineating gender-specific psychopathological profiles across gambling risk categories, providing actionable evidence to inform campus-based screening and targeted prevention strategies. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating gender-responsive interventions and upstream measures—such as early detection within student health services and harm-reduction messaging—to effectively mitigate gambling-related harm. Full article

Introduction: The potential impact of vitamin D deficiency on cancer risk and oncological management remains under investigation. The study aimed to analyse vitamin D information exposure, attitudes, and practices, including the use of vitamin D and other supplements as well as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(25(OH)D)] testing, among breast cancer and prostate cancer survivors in the context of patient–physician communication. Material and methods: This cross-sectional survey included 145 breast and prostate cancer survivors (mean age 62.2 ± 9.9 years) who participated using an original, validated questionnaire. Results: Between cancer diagnosis and survey completion, more than 52% of respondents reported vitamin D supplementation, and nearly 65% declared using supplements other than vitamin D in relation to their cancer. However, only 17.3% of respondents had been instructed by their physician to take vitamin D, and only 5.5% had been ordered by their physician to have their serum 25(OH)D levels tested. The majority of respondents (94%) perceived the need for physicians to routinely order vitamin D level tests for patients diagnosed with cancer. Only 39.5% of vitamin D users and 7.5% of other supplement users stated that their oncology care physicians knew about their supplement intake. The most common reason for patients not to inform their physician about taking vitamin D and/or other supplements was that the physician did not ask about this issue. Almost all aspects analysed showed greater health information exposure and better communication skills with physicians among women than among men. Conclusions: It appears reasonable to improve physician–patient communication and broaden consideration of patients’ needs, which suggests a direction for further studies on the role of routine 25(OH)D testing in the standard care of patients with breast and prostate cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: Every country and territory worldwide is affected by varying degrees of under- and overconsumption of food. A substantial share of the economic burden of unsustainable malnutrition arises from diet-related health impacts, although existing research has largely focused on environmental consequences. Methods: This study addresses this gap by combining cost-of-illness (COI) and True Cost Accounting (TCA) approaches, as well as Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, to estimate external diet-induced health costs. A comprehensive database covering 204 countries and territories is established, quantifying health costs by disease category and dietary risk factor. Results: The results indicate that USD 1719.94 billion in annual global health costs are attributable to poor diets. This corresponds to an average burden of USD 211.08 per capita per year. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute the largest share of costs, followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). In absolute and per capita terms, the United States contributes disproportionately. Regionally, North America bears 44.36% of the global monetary burden, while Oceania accounts for only 1.22%. The highest per-capita costs occur in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The most influential dietary risk factors are the overconsumption of processed and red meat, and the underconsumption of whole grains. A strong positive correlation is observed between diet-related health costs and national prosperity levels. Conclusions: This framework represents a novel approach to standardized and holistic valuation, providing a robust basis for deriving policy-relevant insights to inform sustainable nutrition strategies and advance the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the second SDG, zero hunger. Full article

This article analyses the professional routines of health journalists in Spain, and their role in tackling disinformation in health reporting targeted at people over the age of 74. It is based on the premise that this age group, being highly exposed to health issues and particularly vulnerable to health-related misinformation, requires content that is tailored, reliable and easy to understand. The research adopts an exploratory-descriptive approach through a self-administered questionnaire addressed to health journalists belonging to professional associations and working in both general and specialist media outlets. As this is an ongoing study, the preliminary results indicate that these professionals report applying rigorous verification mechanisms, which suggests a trend within the surveyed group towards the consolidation of practices against disinformation. The findings also reveal a preference for informative styles that avoid sensationalism and prioritise clarity, although there remains a tendency towards high-impact topics and those linked to media figures. In contrast, attention to the informational needs of older adults is limited and addressed only occasionally. The study concludes that, although the interviewed professionals consider that health journalism in Spain maintains high standards of rigor, it still faces the challenge of systematically adapting its communicative practices to the needs of vulnerable audiences. Full article

Visible-Near-Infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy, spanning approximately 400 to 2500 nm, is an innovative technology with growing relevance for diagnostics performed at the point of care (POC). This review explores the potential of Vis-NIR in veterinary medicine, highlighting its advantages over complex techniques like Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) by being rapid, non-invasive, reagent-free, and compatible with miniaturized, portable devices. The methodology involves directing a broadband light source, often using LEDs, toward the sample (e.g., blood, urine, faeces), collecting spectral information related to molecular vibrations, which is then analyzed using chemometric methods. Successful veterinary applications include hemogram analysis in dogs, cats, and Atlantic salmon, and quantifying blood in ovine faeces for parasite detection. Key limitations include spectral interference from strong absorbers like water and hemoglobin, and the limited penetration depth of light. However, combining Vis-NIR with Self-Learning Artificial Intelligence (SLAI) is shown to isolate and mitigate these multi-scale interferences. Vis-NIR spectroscopy serves as an important complement to centralized laboratory testing, holding significant potential to accelerate clinical decisions, minimize stress on animals during assessment, and improve diagnostic capabilities for both human and animal health, aligning with the One Health concept. Full article

Background: Subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smokers in regions with haze-affected regions is still under-recognized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smoking adults and examined its determinants and associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 244 non-smoking adults (18–65 years) from three rural districts underwent standardized spirometry and completed the Thai WHOQOL-BREF-26. Subclinical impairment was defined as an FEV₁/FVC < 0.70 or FVC < 80% predicted in the absence of symptoms. Demographic, occupational, and environmental information was obtained through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, univariate linear regression, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 37 participants (15.2%) had subclinical respiratory impairment. No demographic, occupational, or environmental factors such as sex, age, BMI category, agricultural work, marital status, and self-reported pollution exposure were found to be independently linked to impaired lung function. There was no correlation between spirometry indices and any WHOQOL-BREF domain. Elderly participants (>50 years) reported a higher level of physical and psychological HRQoL. Those with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) were more likely to have a lower environmental quality of life. Farmers reported a better QoL, while women reported a lower QoL than men. Conclusions: Subclinical respiratory impairment occurs frequently in non-smoking rural adults exposed to haze pollution in Chiang Mai, and isn’t presently assessed by general HRQoL instruments. These findings support early spirometry screening for asymptomatic adults in polluted regions, as well as more stringent air cleanliness strategies to prevent the evolution towards overt respiratory pathology. Full article

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with executive function deficits—such as planning, organization, and prospective memory—that impair autonomy and daily functioning, increase family stress, and create challenges in educational contexts. These consequences underscore the need for accessible and ecologically valid interventions addressing the cognitive, familial, and educational dimensions. Traditional approaches often lack ecological validity, and pharmacological treatment shows a limited impact on functional cognition. Objectives: This protocol outlines a feasibility study of DiverAcción, a web-based telerehabilitation system designed to enhance functional cognition through interactive and gamified tasks integrated into a comprehensive healthcare programme. Methods: A quasi-experimental feasibility study before and after the study will recruit 30 participants aged 9 to 17 years with ADHD. The study comprises an initial face-to-face session for instructions and baseline assessment (T0), followed by twelve supervised online sessions over six weeks. Therapeutic support is provided via integrated chat, email, and two scheduled videoconference check-ins. Feasibility Outcomes: include recruitment, adherence, retention, usability (SUS), acceptability (TAM), satisfaction, user-friendly design, therapeutic alliance (WAI-I), and professionals’ attitudes toward technology (e-TAP-T). Exploratory Measures: include parental self-efficacy (BPSES), parenting stress (PSI-4-SF), ADHD symptomatology (SNAP-IV), executive functioning (BRIEF-2), time management (Time-S), emotional regulation (ERQ-CA), prospective memory (PRMQ-C), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52). Analyses emphasize descriptive statistics for feasibility metrics (recruitment, adherence, retention, dropout and fidelity). Assessments are conducted post-intervention (T1) and at three-month follow-up (T2) and analyzed relative to baseline using repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests, depending on data distribution. Conclusions: This feasibility protocol will provide preliminary evidence on the usability, acceptability, and implementation of DiverAcción. Findings will guide refinements and inform the design of a subsequent randomized controlled trial. Full article

People living with and beyond cancer often face ongoing challenges related to nutrition, wellbeing, and long-term health. Many individuals express a need for evidence-based, tailored dietary support, yet practical approaches to sustaining healthy eating behaviours remain limited. Culinary nutrition interventions, which integrate nutrition education with hands-on culinary skills, may help address these needs; however, their effects have not been systematically synthesised. This systematic review evaluates the impact of culinary nutrition interventions, delivered alone or in combination with physical activity or mental health components, on dietary intake, psychosocial and health-related outcomes, anthropometric measures, clinical and metabolic markers, and feasibility among individuals living with or beyond cancer. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies were identified across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science (last searched in April 2025) and narratively synthesised. A total of 1173 participants were included, with sample sizes ranging from 4 to 190 participants per intervention. Interventions were well received and rated as highly acceptable, with strong engagement and minimal adverse effects. Across studies, statistically significant improvements were reported in dietary intake (7/13 studies), quality of life (4/5), mental health (5/6), self-efficacy (2/3), symptom management (3/4), self-reported cognitive health (1/1), food-related behaviours (2/2), selected anthropometric measures (4/8), and selected metabolic biomarkers (4/6). The evidence suggests that culinary nutrition interventions hold promise as supportive, behaviour-focused strategies aligned with oncology nutrition guidelines and responsive to patient needs. However, due to heterogeneity across interventions and outcomes, and variability in methodological quality as assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, quantification of effects was not possible, limiting interpretation of the evidence. Further high-quality studies using comparable outcome measures and longer-term follow-up are needed to quantify the magnitude of effects, assess their durability over time, and inform the integration of culinary nutrition programmes into cancer care. This systematic review is registered under the PROSPERO ID CRD42024567041 and was funded by the RCSI Research Summer School Fund. Full article

Background/Objectives: Across geographical and cultural contexts, how individuals identify, communicate and help-seek for distress is often shaped by how mental health itself is understood. Insight into how adolescents and adults in their routine environment, such as teachers, understand mental health is crucial for developing context-specific mental health promotion strategies to young people. Sri Lanka, a country that navigates the dual legacies of pre-and-post-colonial mental health frameworks, has this need. The aim was to explore Sri Lankan school-going adolescents’ and their teachers’ perspectives of mental health and its determinants. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 school-going adolescents in grades 10–12/13 and 14 of their school teachers, from seven secondary schools in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Interviews were transcribed, translated, coded inductively and analysed thematically. Results: All participants drew on culturally meaningful language that is rooted in Buddhist perspectives to conceptualise mental health. Causes and risk factors of poor mental health were attributed to individual, immediate environmental and structural factors. School environment played a central role in exacerbating other risk factors. Adolescents exhibited more knowledge of informal care avenues for mental health-related concerns. Conclusions: Findings highlight several implications including opportunities to leverage culturally contextualised language/frameworks when promoting mental health to Sri Lankan adolescents, diversifying mental health research and initiating school-based mental health programmes that integrate mental health promotion into routine educational practice to transform learning institutions across Sri Lanka to become mental health-promoting schools. Full article

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used analgesics. However, their inappropriate or excessive use may lead to serious adverse effects. The aim of the study was to analyze behavioral patterns and attitudes toward the use of over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, as well as the perception of risks associated with their use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 567 respondents. An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 26 items was used, addressing sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of reading drug information leaflets, frequency of NSAID use, and awareness of potential adverse effects associated with these medications. Results: The demographic factors significantly influenced NSAID-related behaviors. Women were significantly more likely than men to read drug information leaflets and reported more frequent use of OTC NSAIDs. Older respondents exhibited greater adherence to the principles of responsible NSAID use. Higher educational attainment was associated with more frequent and attentive reading of drug information leaflets. Urban residents reported higher median frequencies of NSAID use, whereas students demonstrated greater awareness of potential NSAID adverse effects compared with non-students. Conclusions: The results reveal complex patterns of NSAID consumption and underscore the need for implementing targeted public health interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: HPV vaccination is safe, effective, and recommended at ages 11–12, yet uptake remains suboptimal. Serious video games may offer an innovative strategy to deliver brief, engaging education during clinic visits. This qualitative paper, embedded within a mixed-methods study, examined adolescents’, parents’, and healthcare providers’ (HCPs’) perceptions of the acceptability, usability, and perceived clinical applicability of HPV Detective, a tablet-based digital game designed to provide HPV-related education to parent–child dyads during pediatric clinic wait times. Methods: Eight adolescent–parent dyads (N = 16) and three HCPs from university-affiliated pediatric clinics participated in 30–60-min semi-structured Zoom interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed by two coders, with discrepancies resolved by consensus and reviewed by a third researcher. Results: Participants identified five key dyadic themes and four HCP themes. Adolescents described the gameplay as intuitive and enjoyable, highlighting interactive challenges and realistic avatars. Parents valued the clarity of HPV information and noted that the game helped initiate health-related conversations. Both adolescents and parents suggested enhancements including voice narration and greater customization and agreed that the game was well suited for 10–15-min clinic wait times, with text messaging preferred for follow-up. HCPs emphasized challenges such as parental hesitancy and competing clinical demands and viewed the game as a feasible adjunct to support vaccine-related discussions. Conclusions: Findings suggest the acceptability, usability, and perceived clinical applicability of a brief, clinic-based digital game for HPV-related education and engagement among adolescents and their parents. Full article

Hair dyes are widely used across all socioeconomic groups and regions worldwide. However, some studies indicate that these products contain substances known to be toxic to a wide variety of organisms. Moreover, dyeing practices generate effluents that may carry the toxicity of hair dyes into the environment. Due to these facts, there is great concern about the impacts these products may have on the environment, as well as on the health of their users and professionals in the field of cosmetology. This scoping review analyzed 184 publications from major databases (PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE). Ultimately, 126 scientific studies published between 1981 and 2024 were included based on methodological rigor and their relevance to the One Health framework. According to the literature, the components of hair dyes can induce adverse responses in biological systems, ranging from reversible topical irritations to severe systemic effects. Among the studies evaluated, more than half reported significant toxicological or genotoxic associations related to oxidative dye components such as p-phenylenediamine and its derivatives. These compounds are frequently associated with various types of human cancers, including breast, prostate, bladder, skin, ocular cancers, and brain tumors. In addition to their effects on humans, hair dyes exhibit ecotoxicity, which may threaten the maintenance of ecosystems exposed to their residues. The reported environmental impacts result from effluent emissions after successive hair washes that release unreacted dye residues. Due to the low biodegradability of these compounds, conventional wastewater treatment methods are often ineffective, leading to environmental accumulation and changes in aquatic ecosystems, soil fertility, and trophic balance. Data on the toxicity of hair dye effluents remain scarce and sometimes contradictory, particularly regarding the effects of their transformation products and metabolites. Overall, the evidence underscores the need for continuous monitoring, updated risk assessments, and the adoption of advanced treatment technologies specific to beauty salon effluents. The information presented in this work may support further studies and guide public management agencies in developing policies for mitigating the impacts of hair dye pollutants within the One Health perspective. Full article

Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by skeletal muscle loss concurrent with adipose tissue accumulation, has emerged as a global health threat. Exercise is established as an effective intervention; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its protective effects remain incompletely defined. This study investigated whether exercise mitigates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced sarcopenic obesity, and whether the mechanism was related to the activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Acetyl-CoA carboxylase pathway (ACC) pathway and the inhibition of ferroptosis. Cell experiments demonstrated that palmitic acid induced ferroptosis in C2C12 mouse myoblasts. Animal experiments confirmed that HFD promoted skeletal muscle ferroptosis in C57BL/6 mice, evidenced by iron metabolism imbalance (solute carrier family 39 member14 upregulation, ferroportin downregulation), impaired antioxidant capacity (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase 4), and elevated lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde). Meanwhile, both flat treadmill running and uphill treadmill running may reverse these changes by activating AMPK/ACC phosphorylation, reducing non-transferrin iron uptake, enhancing iron export and storage, and improving antioxidant status, jointly inhibiting ferroptosis and attenuating muscle mass loss and lipid deposition. These findings confirm that ferroptosis acts as one of the key pathogenic drivers in sarcopenic obesity and suggests that exercise may improve sarcopenic obesity by activating the AMPK/ACC pathway and inhibiting ferroptosis. This study provides novel mechanistic insights into exercise-mediated regulation of iron-lipid metabolism crosstalk and informs targeted interventions for sarcopenic obesity. Full article