Search Results (260)

Background: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dietary landscapes of young adults have been profoundly reshaped. As social restrictions ease, the resurgence of dining out presents new behavioral shifts regarding health and safety. Objective: This study investigates the post-pandemic experiences of young adults in Hong Kong, focusing on the burgeoning phenomenon of eating out of home and its complex influence on eating habits and food hygiene consciousness. Methods: This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to explore participants’ lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 young adults in Hong Kong to gather narratives regarding their dining practices. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns associated with their return to public dining spaces. Results: Three core themes emerged: (i) confined palates: the remaking of the Hong Kong meal in the shadow of a pandemic; (ii) shared screen: mediating hunger from the home-as-hub; and (iii) watchful guard: the moralization of the meal amidst viral uncertainty. Conclusions: These findings dissect the critical, evolving relationship between contemporary consumption patterns and health maintenance. While the small size limits statistical generalizability, the study suggests that post-pandemic dining involves a modified reality of sustained hypervigilance. These insights offer a basis for developing sensitive and targeted public health strategies that resonate with the altered dietary realities of young adults in a post-pandemic world. Full article

Drug repurposing in oncology is often framed as a drug–target matching exercise, yet many candidates with plausible biological rationales fail in the clinic. In solid tumors, therapeutic outcomes are constrained not only by pharmacological target relevance but also by limited tumor accessibility, heterogeneous intratumoral exposure, loss of context-dependent activity, and dose-limiting systemic toxicity. This perspective argues that repurposing strategies should treat exposure engineering as a design principle alongside molecular selectivity. Peptides that bind cell- or matrix-associated molecules at the tumor site have the potential to implement spatial, temporal, and subcellular control over where and when a drug engages its pharmacological target, thereby enabling confinement of polypharmacology to tumor contexts. Mechanistic modes of peptide-enabled exposure selectivity (homing, anchoring/retention, conditional activation, penetration enhancement, and subcellular biasing), key failure modes, and translational constraints are discussed, together with an exposure-centric screening workflow to prioritize repurposed agents most amenable to peptide-guided rescue. Emphasizing the combination of exposure control and the addressing-element layer clarifies when and how pharmacologically promiscuous drugs may be repurposed safely and effectively. Full article

This study aimed to determine carbonyl compound concentrations and assess their potential health risk in indoor air at three homes in different areas of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sampling was conducted from March to April 2021, during the home office confinement period. Average concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, propionaldehyde, and butyraldehyde in living rooms ranged from 84.15 to 74.93 μg m⁻³, 66.49 to 50.20 μg m⁻³, 60.01 to 41.35 μg m⁻³, 74.58 to 63.02 μg m⁻³, 10.90 to 6.21 μg m⁻³, and 12.45 to 9.91 μg m⁻³, respectively. In bedrooms, concentrations ranged from 84.76 to 59.70 μg m⁻³, 50.12 to 51.73 μg m⁻³, 59.74 to 37.25 μg m⁻³, 76.62 to 59.72 μg m⁻³, 14.45 to 8.40 μg m⁻³, and 10.72 to 8.82 μg m⁻³, respectively. All measured carbonyls had significant indoor concentrations, exceeding those reported in other studies worldwide. From the statistical analysis, it was found that there were significant differences in carbonyl levels between the studied homes. This suggests diverse and prevalent sources in these environments. E-cigarette vapors clearly increased acrolein levels, and the use of personal care and household products (PCHPs) also contributed to higher carbonyl concentrations indoors. The lifetime cancer risk coefficient (LTCR) and hazard quotient (HQ) values for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde exceeded WHO and US EPA recommendations, indicating increased risks of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. Full article

This study focuses on the interplay between digital marketing and the F&B industry in Greece during the health crisis of COVID-19 in shaping consumer choices. The theoretical section discusses the most popular digital marketing methods and their importance, particularly during a crisis that confined most citizens to their homes and forced F&B stores to find new ways to attract customers. From an empirical perspective, a survey was conducted utilizing a structured questionnaire, involving 70 consumers in Athens, Greece. Participants expressed their views through closed-ended questions on the criteria for selecting F&B stores, the positive and negative aspects of digital marketing, and their preferences in general, as well as specifically for restaurants, bars, and cafés. The findings highlight that consumer confidence is a key priority (as the most important criterion for selecting F&B stores is the quality of the products) and that digital transformation of the F&B industry is essential as it can bolster resilience and drive growth in the F&B sector amid ongoing challenges. Full article

Background and Objectives: Previous research shows that stress can alter eating habits. This study analyzed the impact of COVID-19 confinement on eating behaviors and weight in Spanish adults, as well as related factors. Methods: A total of 2834 adults (69.3% women, Mean age: 41.36) completed an online questionnaire assessing eating habits, weight, and sociodemographic variables. Results: Strict lockdown in Spain was linked to a general worsening of eating habits, particularly increased food intake and weight gain. Risk factors for less healthy eating and weight gain included being female (p < 0.001), under 35 years old (p < 0.001), overweight or obese (p < 0.001), caring for minors (p = 0.002), and experiencing nervousness or anxiety (p < 0.001). Conversely, maintaining pre-confinement eating habits and weight was more common among men (p < 0.001), individuals aged 50 years or older (p < 0.001), those with normal or underweight BMI (p < 0.001), those working outside the home (p < 0.013), and those without minors in their care (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Prolonged lockdowns associated with high stress may negatively influence diet and weight. Prevention strategies should therefore promote healthy eating during such periods, particularly targeting groups at higher risk of worsening habits and weight gain. Full article

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly the microsatellite-stable (MSS) subtype, remains largely unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) due to immune escape, tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) enrichment, and cytokine-driven suppression that sustain a TAM-dominant tumor microenvironment (TME). To overcome these barriers, a pH-responsive solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) system was engineered to co-deliver CB-5083 (a VCP/p97 inhibitor), miR-142 (a PD-L1-targeting microRNA), and imiquimod (R, a TLR7 agonist) for spatially confined induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and immune reprogramming in MSS CRC. Methods: The SLNs were coated with PEG–PGA for pH-triggered de-shielding and functionalized with PD-L1- and EGFR-binding peptides plus an ER-homing peptide, enabling tumor-selective and subcellular targeting. Results: The nanoplatform displayed acid-triggered PEG–PGA detachment, selective CRC/TAM uptake, and ER localization. CB-mediated VCP inhibition activated IRE1α/XBP1s/LC3II, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP, and JNK/Beclin signaling, driving apoptosis and autophagy, while miR-142 suppressed PD-L1 expression and epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers. R facilitated dendritic cell maturation and M1 polarization. Combined CB + miR + R/SLN-CSW suppressed IL-17, G-CSF, and CXCL1, increased infiltration of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, reduced Tregs and M2-TAMs, and inhibited tumor growth in CT-26 bearing mice. The treatment induced immunogenic cell death, reprogramming the TME into a T cell-permissive state and conferring resistance to tumor rechallenge. Biodistribution analysis confirmed tumor-preferential accumulation with minimal off-target exposure, and biosafety profiling demonstrated low systemic toxicity. Conclusions: This TME-responsive nanoplatform therefore integrates ERS induction, checkpoint modulation, and cytokine suppression to overcome immune exclusion in MSS CRC, representing a clinically translatable strategy for chemo-immunotherapy in immune-refractory tumors. Full article

Background: Current research on Alzheimer’s Disease has progressively focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as a pre-dementia state, as well as on Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC), as a potential early indicator of cognitive change. Consequently, timely interventions to prevent cognitive decline are essential and are most effective when combined with motor training. Nevertheless, motor-cognitive dual-task training often employs non-ecological tasks and is confined to clinical contexts lacking generalizability to daily life. The integration of 360° media could overcome these limitations. Therefore, the aim of the current work is twofold: (a) to present a dual-task training using 360° technology for its interactivity, versatility, and ecological validity, and (b) to propose a protocol to test its efficacy through a randomized clinical trial. Methods: This study will recruit 90 older adults (MCI and SMC). Participants will follow two phases of training: in-hospital rehabilitation and at-home rehabilitation. The experimental design will follow a 2 × 3 × 2 structure with 3 factors: type of treatment (360° training vs. traditional rehabilitation), time (baseline, post in-hospital training, and post at-home training), and group (SMC vs. MCI). Results: The expected outcome is an improvement in cognitive and motor functioning after the experimental training. Conclusion: This study will advance the literature on non-pharmacological interventions and innovative technological tools for cognitive trainings in the early stages of cognitive decline. Full article

Home confinement due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to lifestyle changes that increased sleep disturbances, particularly in areas with higher infection and mortality rates. This study is a retrospective study based on data collected through an online survey conducted during the COVID-19 confinement. It aims to analyze changes in sleep quantity and quality and their association with lifestyle changes in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. A total of 899 adults from this area completed an online questionnaire between June 2020 and February 2021. This study assessed sleep quantity, sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and lifestyle changes during the confinement period. Results showed that sleep quantity increased (7.10 ± 1.37 vs. 7.43 ± 1.42 h, p < 0.0001), with more participants, especially young adults and women, reporting later bed and wake-up times. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased by 1.4 units, with poor sleep quality associated with lifestyle during confinement. Insomnia symptoms, sleep latency, and poor sleep quality also increased, particularly in women. Males and those without chronic comorbidities were less likely to experience poor sleep quality, while tobacco use and later bedtimes increased this risk. This study concludes that, while sleep quantity increased, sleep quality declined, particularly among young adults, women, and those with unhealthy lifestyles. These findings could guide sleep health initiatives tailored to specific lifestyle changes in different population groups. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic and the confinement experience have significantly affected the relationship between young adults and their parents. The present study focuses on the design and validation of the Perceived Young Adult Lockdown Parental Relationship Scale (PYALPRS), a measure assessing two dimensions of the child–parent relationship associated with the COVID-19 lockdown period: Oppression-Conflict and Closeness-Support. After a phase of construct definition and item design and purification, 100 Italian young adults (M = 24; SD = 3.9) were recruited to explore the factor structure of the scale. Then, a sample of 259 Italian young adults (aged 18–35; M = 24; SD = 3.8) was used to demonstrate the psychometric validity of the scale. The results of our confirmatory factor analysis, which resulted in high goodness of fit scores, support two identifiable factors reflecting the theory-based constructs of the PYALPRS. Moreover, internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity analyses show that the PYALPRS can be considered a reliable and valid instrument. ANOVA demonstrated that there were significant differences between being a cohabitant or single as well as between different perceptions of the home space during lockdown on the Oppression-Conflict dimension, while a larger home space perception was associated with the Closeness-Support dimension. Full article

This paper examines the critical role of indoor positioning for robots, with a particular focus on small and confined spaces such as homes, warehouses, and similar environments. We develop an algorithm by integrating deep neural networks (DNNs) with the extended Kalman filter (EKF) method, which is known as DNN-EKF, to obtain an accurate indoor localization for ensuring precise and reliable robot movements within the use of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. The study introduces a novel methodology that combines advanced technology, including DNN, filtering techniques, specifically the EKF and UWB technology, with the objective of enhancing the accuracy of indoor localization systems. The objective of integrating these technologies is to develop a more robust and dependable solution for robot navigation in challenging indoor environments. The proposed approach combines a DNN with the EKF to significantly improve indoor localization accuracy for mobile robots. The results clearly show that the proposed model outperforms existing methods, including NN-EKF, LPF-EKF, and other traditional approaches. In particular, the DNN-EKF method achieves optimal performance with the least distance loss compared to NN-EKF and LPF-EKF. These results highlight the superior effectiveness of the DNN-EKF method in providing precise localization in indoor environments, especially when utilizing UWB technology. This makes the model highly suitable for real-time robotic applications, particularly in dynamic and noisy environments. Full article

Background: The impact of prolonged digital device exposure on physical and mental health in children has been widely investigated by the scientific community. Additionally, the lockdown periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed children to screen time for e-learning activities. The aim of this systematic review (PROSPERO Registration: CRD42022315596) was to evaluate the effect of digital device exposure on children’s health. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was additionally explored to verify the further exposure of children due to the e-learning environment. Methods: Available online databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, BASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) were searched for study selection. The PICO model was followed by including a target population of children aged 2 to 12 years, exposed or not to any type of digital devices, while evaluating changes in both physical and mental health outcomes. The quality assessment was conducted by using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tool. Synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines were followed to provide data synthesis. Results: Forty studies with a total sample of 75,540 children were included in this systematic review. The study design was mainly cross-sectional (n = 28) and of moderate quality (n = 33). Overall, the quality score was reduced due to recall, selection, and detection biases; blinding procedures influenced the quality score of controlled trials, and outcome validity reduced the quality score of cohort studies. Digital device exposure affected physical activity engagement and adiposity parameters; sleep and behavioral problems emerged in children overexposed to digital devices. Ocular conditions were also reported and associated with higher screen exposure. Home confinement during COVID-19 further increased digital device exposure with additional negative effects. Conclusions: The prolonged use of digital devices has a significant negative impact on children aged 2 to 12, leading to decreased physical activity, sleep disturbances, behavioral issues, lower academic performance, socioemotional challenges, and eye strain, particularly following extended online learning during lockdowns. Full article

Two sporadic cases of legionellosis occurring in consecutive years were confirmed by positive antigenuria to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in individuals with limited mobility who were confined to their homes. Both cases had a history of using ultrasonic humidifiers and of low exposure to other possible sources of infection. This study was conducted through an expanded epidemiological survey and home inspection. Samples were collected from domestic hot water and humidifiers. Environmental isolates were characterised by immunoagglutination and immunofluorescence. The Dresden panel is employed for the determination of groups and subgroups of serogroup 1. The amoebae were isolated by water filtration and subsequent cultivation of the filters. Identification of the isolates was conducted through the sequencing of PCR products. In both cases, epidemiological studies identified the ultrasonic humidifiers as the probable source of infection. The presence of Legionella pneumophila was confirmed in the sanitary water installation and in the humidifiers, where high values of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 counts were also obtained. The isolates were characterised as Olda Oxford and Olda OLDA. Furthermore, in addition to the Legionella isolates, the presence of Vermamoeba vermiformis was also identified in samples obtained from domestic hot water and humidifiers in one of the residential addresses under investigation. It has been demonstrated that humidifiers can act as an amplification mechanism for pathogenic microorganisms when they are not cleaned and maintained correctly. This can pose a health danger, especially to people with previous respiratory pathologies, the immunosuppressed, and the elderly. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that professionals who recommend the therapeutic use of this equipment should issue warnings regarding the importance of its correct use, cleaning, and disinfection. Finally, humidifiers should be considered in epidemiological surveys and in the study of sporadic cases. Full article

Introduction: The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of millions of people around the world, and even more so among children. Contracting SARS-CoV-2, resulting in home confinement and restrictions on daily and school activities, led to negative effects on the mental health of the paediatric population. Although children suffering from COVID-19 had milder general symptoms compared to adults, impairments in cognitive, neuropsychological, and emotional-behavioural development were noted. Objective: The main aim of the present study was to detect possible changes in the neuropsychological and emotional-behavioural development of children after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The second aim was to investigate possible relationships between cognitive abilities and psychosocial characteristics. Methods: A total of 40 patients aged 8–9 years were recruited and divided into two groups: children who contracted (CG) and did not contract (NCG) SARS-CoV-2. The BVN 5–11 (Neuropsychological evaluation battery for developmental age from 5 to 11 years) instrument was administered to assess attention, memory, verbal recall, planning, phonemics, and categorical fluency domains in the paediatric population. Data on changes in emotional-behavioural profile and daily activities were collected through a questionnaire to parents. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a significant change in mood after the COVID-19 period only in the CG participants (p = 0.019). However, the neuropsychological performance of the two identified groups on BVN 5–11 sub-items was below the cutoff of clinical significance. Correlations were found between sub-items of the BVN 5–11 battery, extracurricular activities, and children’s psycho-motor development. Significant positive correlations were observed between Naming on visual presentation and Reading time (p = 0.006), backward digit span and time of motor activity (p = 0.009), Visual attention and Reading time (p = 0.048), and Phonemic fluency and time observed using devices (p = 0.030). Positive statistically significant correlations were also found between Mood and Free behaviour (p = 0.000), between Mood and Structured behaviour (p = 0.005), and between Mood and peer Interaction (p = 0.013). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively affected the emotional development of children contracting the virus. The neuropsychological functioning of the paediatric population was influenced by psychosocial variables and time spent on daily activities, which played a protective role in children’s cognitive development. Full article

People with lower incomes often live in homes with poor thermal properties, making it difficult for them to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This vulnerability is closely related to the quality and maintenance of housing, which negatively affects indoor environmental comfort, especially in terms of energy usage, having an impact on health and well-being. Studying energy poverty from a qualitative perspective allows us to delve deeper into the experience of these people. A qualitative study was carried out through a case study of women in a situation of household vulnerability and energy poverty. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women-led households and two key informants before and after the COVID-19 confinement, in one of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods of Madrid. Unveiling the complexity of this topic, three categories were identified: household composition and economic resources, perception and proposals for household improvements, and household health and well-being. Furthermore, the results suggest that reliance on inefficient solutions such as electric radiators or butane-cylinder heaters for space heating in winter (more affordable in the short term, but unsustainable in the long one) shows evidence of energy precariousness, which, together with other poor housing conditions and users’ behaviours, impact clearly on health, generating or worsening chronic diseases. Research in vulnerable populations requires interventions beyond visibility, supported by key informants. Social workers and educators are essential to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable people; however, they need social policies and adequate intervention plans and strategies to support and make their efforts effective. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 lockdown represented an immense impact on human health, which was characterized by lifestyle and dietary changes, social distancing and isolation at home. Some evidence suggests that these consequences mainly affected women and altered relevant ongoing clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status and changes in diet, physical activity (PA), sleep and self-reported health status (SRH) as perceived by older adult men and women with metabolic syndrome during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: We analyzed data from 4681 Spanish adults with metabolic syndrome. We carried out a telephone survey during May and June 2020 to collect information on demographics, dietary habits, PA, sleep, SRH and anthropometric data. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.9 years at recruitment, and 52% of participants were men. Most participants (64.1%) perceived a decrease in their PA during confinement. Regarding gender-specific differences, a higher proportion of women than men perceived a decrease in their PA (67.5% vs. 61.1%), Mediterranean diet adherence (20.9% vs. 16.8%), sleep hours (30.3% vs. 19.1%), sleep quality (31.6% vs. 18.2%) and SRH (25.9% vs. 11.9%) (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown affected women more negatively, particularly their self-reported diet, PA, sleep and health status. Full article