Search Results (3,957)

Background: Ankle sprains are one of the most frequent ligament injuries in elite sports. Despite their high incidence, current rehabilitation approaches are often based on time-based criteria and neglect the physiological status of the injured tissues. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive tool useful for detecting temperature asymmetries related to inflammation and tissue dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the temporal evolution of ankle temperature asymmetry during return-to-play (RTP). Methods: A retrospective observational study of 26 ankle injuries analyzed with thermography that met the inclusion criteria. Thermograms were processed with a software to calculate temperature asymmetry in the ankle region of interest (ankleROI). Statistical analyses included paired and one-sample t-tests, as well as linear regression models, to assess temporal changes throughout the RTP process. Results: A significant hyperthermic response was observed immediately after injury (Δ = +0.594 °C; p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.918). The first significant asymmetry reduction occurred between 21.5 and 28.5 days post-injury (Δ = –0.488 °C; p = 0.004), with a consistent weekly decrease of –0.109 °C (95% CI [–0.143, –0.078]). These findings indicate a progressive decrease in decrement on thermal asymmetry over approximately four weeks of RTP. Conclusions: IRT demonstrates potential as a physiological monitoring tool during the RTP process after ankle sprains. The observed pattern of temperature recovery provides objective reference thresholds that could complement existing functional and clinical criteria. Full article

Opioid overdoses in the United States remain a significant public health concern. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is stigmatized, exacerbating negative health outcomes. Reducing stigma in healthcare, including in pharmacies, is critical. The “Let’s Talk Stigma” program was collaboratively developed with two schools of pharmacy, a local health department, and individuals with lived drug use experience. It aimed to reduce OUD-related stigma among pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, and other allied health professionals. The program included six core components: a podcast, continuing education, a standardized curriculum for student pharmacists, training for pharmacy technicians and medical assistants, pharmacy outreach by student pharmacists, and partnerships with chain pharmacies. The anti-stigma podcast reached a global audience with nearly 22,000 listens, while local sessions engaged over 5000 individuals. These initiatives were integrated into Doctor of Pharmacy curricula, with student pharmacists distributing stigma-reduction kits in local pharmacies. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative data from participant reflections and quantitative data from surveys, podcast analytics, and attendance records, was used for program evaluation. Participants reported increased awareness of stigma, improved attitudes, and greater professional responsibility to reduce stigma. The program successfully leveraged partnerships, flexible delivery methods, and inclusion of people with lived drug use experience in its design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is characterised by progressive decline in language and communication. However, existing diagnostic frameworks and assessment tools are largely based on Indo-European languages, which limits their applicability to Chinese bilingual speakers whose linguistic profiles differ markedly in tonal phonology, logographic writing, and bilingual organisation. This review aimed to (a) describe how PPA presents in Chinese bilingual speakers, (b) evaluate how well current speech–language and neuropsychological assessments capture these impairments, and (c) identify linguistically and culturally informed strategies to improve clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO) were searched, complemented by backward and forward citation chaining. Eight empirical studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on participant characteristics, PPA variant, language background, speech–language and writing profiles, and assessment tools used. Thematic analysis was applied to address the research questions. Results: Across variants, Chinese bilingual speakers demonstrated universal PPA features expressed through language-specific pathways. Mandarin speakers exhibited tone-segment integration errors, tonal substitution, and disruptions in logographic writing. Lexical-semantic degradation reflected homophony and compounding characteristics. Bilingual individuals showed parallel or asymmetric decline influenced by dominance and usage. Standard English-based naming, repetition, and writing assessments did not reliably capture tone accuracy, radical-level writing errors, or bilingual patterns. Sociocultural factors, including stigma, delayed help-seeking, and family-centred care expectations, further shaped diagnostic pathways. Conclusions: Chinese PPA cannot be meaningfully assessed using tools designed for Indo-European languages. Findings highlight the need for tone-sensitive repetition tasks, logographic writing assessments, bilingual diagnostic protocols, and culturally responsive communication-partner support. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis to date on Chinese bilingual PPA and establishes a foundation for linguistically inclusive diagnostic and clinical models. Full article

Postharvest technologies and supply chain management are critical to improving food security, reducing losses, and advancing sustainability in global agri-food systems. Nearly one-third of global food is lost after harvest, particularly in developing regions, underscoring the urgent need for efficient postharvest handling, cold chain integration, and sustainable logistics systems. This paper explores key components of effective postharvest systems, including harvesting, treatments, storage, and value-added processing. It highlights digital innovations IoT sensors, blockchain, AI, and digital twins that enhance traceability, forecasting, and operational efficiency. Case studies from South Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America emphasize region-specific solutions, highlighting low-cost technologies for smallholders and advanced systems for export chains. Sustainable practices such as renewable-powered cold chains, circular economy models, and eco-friendly packaging align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on zero hunger, responsible consumption, and climate action. This paper concludes that while technology is vital, systemic transformation requires inclusive policies and collaboration among governments, private sectors, researchers, and farming communities to build resilient, equitable food systems. Full article

This study examines how major global hotel groups construct sustainability through corporate communication, assessing both the thematic content and the internal coherence of their Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) narratives. The research question is How do international hotel corporations construct sustainability through their corporate communication and ESG reporting? The research applies qualitative content analysis of sustainability reports from ten international hotel corporations and a four-layer discursive coherence model (performance, operational, narrative, strategic), the study analyses 888 coded quotations and 205 sustainability-theme occurrences in ATLAS.ti version 25, a qualitative data-analysis software. Results show that while measurable, performance-based disclosures dominate—such as digital food-waste monitoring, emissions-intensity reductions, and responsible sourcing—symbolic language remains strategically deployed to reinforce identity, purpose, and legitimacy. Across the sector, sustainability discourse converges around four recurring pillars: environmental performance leadership, community resilience, responsible business governance, and inclusive economic empowerment. The study advances theoretical work on sustainability communication by conceptualizing discursive coherence as an indicator of organizational authenticity and offers actionable insights for enhancing credibility and stakeholder trust in corporate ESG reporting. Full article

Background: Use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) expanded from ICUs to internal medicine/respiratory wards during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, but safety and effectiveness in non-ICU settings remain uncertain. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of adults (≥18 years) initiated on HFNC in non-ICU wards. Primary outcomes were in-hospital (or 28-day) mortality and ICU transfer; where available, we compared mortality for HFNC vs. conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in do-not-intubate (DNI) cohorts. Observational studies and trials were eligible. Random-effects models synthesized proportions and risk ratios; risk of bias (ROBINS-I/RoB 2) and certainty (GRADE) were assessed. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria for any-ward HFNC; subsets contributed data to pooled analyses. Across all non-ICU wards (general wards plus step-up IMCU/HDU), pooled mortality was 14.0% (95% CI 4.6–35.5; I² ≈ 92%). Pooled ICU transfer after ward/step-up HFNC start was 20.0% (95% CI 6.3–48.1; I² ≈ 97%). Restricted to internal medicine/respiratory wards, pooled mortality was 19.8% (95% CI 7.1–44.2; I² ≈ 95%) and ICU transfer 31.2% (95% CI 9.9–65.0; I² ≈ 97%). In step-up units (IMCU/HDU), ICU transfer appeared lower and less variable (22.0% [95% CI 16.5–28.8]; I² ≈ 10%), suggesting environment-dependent outcomes. In a multicenter DNI COVID-19 cohort, HFNC vs. COT showed no clear mortality difference (RR ≈ 0.90, 95% CI 0.75–1.08; adjusted OR ≈ 0.72, 95% CI 0.34–1.54). Certainty of evidence for all critical outcomes was very low due to observational design, high inconsistency, and imprecision. Conclusions: HFNC outside the ICU is feasible, but it is related to nontrivial mortality and frequent escalation—particularly on general wards—while step-up units demonstrate more reproducible trajectories. Outcomes appear strongly conditioned by care environment, staffing, monitoring, and escalation pathways. Given very low certainty and substantial heterogeneity, institutions should pair ward HFNC with protocolized reassessment and rapid response/ICU outreach, and future research should prospectively compare ward HFNC pathways against optimized COT/NIV using standardized outcomes. Full article

Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and multisensory interaction are increasingly deployed to support the transmission and presentation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), particularly within tourism and heritage interpretation contexts. In cultural tourism, ICH is often encountered through museums, heritage sites, festivals, and digitally mediated experiences rather than through sustained community-based transmission, raising important challenges for interaction design, accessibility, and cultural representation. This study presents a narrative review of immersive human–computer interaction (HCI) research in the context ICH, with a particular focus on tourism-facing applications. An initial dataset of 145 records was identified through a structured search of major academic databases from their inception to 2024. Following staged screening based on relevance, publication type, and temporal criteria, 97 empirical or technical studies published after 2020 were included in the final analysis. The review synthesises how immersive technologies are applied across seven ICH domains and examines their deployment in key tourism-related settings, including museum interpretation, heritage sites, and sustainable cultural tourism experiences. The findings reveal persistent tensions between technological innovation, cultural authenticity, and user engagement, challenges that are especially pronounced in tourism context. The review also maps the dominant methodological approaches, including user-centred design, participatory frameworks, and mixed-method strategies. By integrating structured screening with narrative synthesis, the review highlights fragmentation in the field, uneven methodological rigour, and gaps in both cultural adaptability and long-term sustainability, and outlines future directions for culturally responsive and inclusive immersive HCI research in ICH tourism. Full article

Ageism remains a pervasive yet under-addressed form of workplace discrimination, affecting employees across age groups. This study, conducted within the framework of the EU-funded project SNAW–Say No to Ageism in the Workplace, presents findings from a cross-national survey in Germany, Romania, Ireland, Portugal, and Greece, with 511 participants including employees and employers. The survey examined five dimensions of workplace ageism (cognitive, emotional, behavioural, institutional, and outcome-related) through questions on stereotypes, experiences, organisational practices, and perceived impacts. Results indicate that age-based stereotypes are widely recognised, especially in Germany, Ireland, and Greece. Older workers were often portrayed as resistant to change or technologically outdated, while younger workers were described as inexperienced or unreliable. Despite some positive perceptions, these ambivalent views contribute to exclusionary dynamics. Employees consistently reported higher levels of ageism than employers, revealing a “perception gap”. Institutional responses were uneven: awareness of policies or initiatives promoting age diversity was low, and their effectiveness remained uncertain. Across countries, respondents linked ageism to reduced job satisfaction and productivity, though the perceived severity varied. The findings highlight ageism as a multifaceted challenge that undermines well-being and organisational performance. Counteracting it requires raising awareness, transparent communication, inclusive policies, and leadership engagement across Europe. Full article

The convergence of fashion and technology has created new opportunities for creativity, convenience, and sustainability through the integration of computer vision and artificial intelligence. This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, examines 200 studies published between 2017 and 2025 to analyze computational techniques for garment design, accessories, cosmetics, and outfit coordination across three key areas: generative design approaches, virtual simulation methods, and personalized recommendation systems. We comprehensively evaluate deep learning architectures, datasets, and performance metrics employed for fashion item synthesis, virtual try-on, cloth simulation, and outfit recommendation. Key findings reveal significant advances in Generative adversarial network (GAN)-based and diffusion-based fashion generation, physics-based simulations achieving real-time performance on mobile and virtual reality (VR) devices, and context-aware recommendation systems integrating multimodal data sources. However, persistent challenges remain, including data scarcity, computational constraints, privacy concerns, and algorithmic bias. We propose actionable directions for responsible AI development in fashion and textile applications, emphasizing the need for inclusive datasets, transparent algorithms, and sustainable computational practices. This review provides researchers and industry practitioners with a comprehensive synthesis of current capabilities, limitations, and future opportunities at the intersection of computer vision and fashion design. Full article

This scoping review examines public health communication across nine Eastern European and Central Asian states—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—highlighting how these systems have transitioned from Soviet-era legacies to contemporary practices. Eligibility criteria included the English- and Russian-language literature published from 1998 onwards, focusing on nine post-Soviet states. Sources of evidence comprised searches in Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SSRN, Heliyon, MEDLINE/PubMed, and official government websites. Data were charted by three independent reviewers using a standardized form, with discrepancies resolved by senior reviewers. The review identifies persistent gaps in communication during health crises, with a particular focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, where centralized and hierarchical information flows often undermine transparency and responsiveness, as well as further increased health inequalities between rural and urban health outcomes. Despite ongoing reforms, the communication dimension of healthcare systems remains underdeveloped. Findings reveal that centralized and top-down communication remains a dominant feature across the region, hindering timely dissemination of information and limiting the capacity to counter misinformation, as both misinformation and disinformation sometimes emerge from the government. Ultimately, this review contributes a critical analysis of these systematic communication failures and underscores the need to strengthen public health communication and reduce health inequalities. To do it, governments must prioritize transparency, disclose decision-making processes, and rely on evidence-based messaging to build trust. Effective crisis response requires not only government leadership but also the active engagement of the medical and patient communities, supported by civil society and independent media. This review points out the need for more inclusive, transparent, and trust-oriented communication strategies to enhance public health preparedness and resilience in nine Eastern European and Central Asian contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: The nursing profession is experiencing a global shortage of nurses. Early-Career Nurses (ECNs) assist in addressing the shortage; however, a significant number are leaving their workplaces and the profession. The aim of the review is to explore the factors that impact early-career nurses thriving at work, including their motivation and intention to stay in employment and the profession. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The objectives, analysis, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were informed by PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to ensure accurate and complete reporting of findings. The target population were ECNs who are in the first five years of practice. Databases including CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify the literature on ECN thriving between 1985 and 2025. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of the identified studies were screened by two independent reviewers, and thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the data. Results: A total of 190 studies was initially identified, and after screening and review, a total of 16 articles met the inclusion criteria and explored factors related to thriving and retention. Key themes identified within the literature that contribute to ECNs thriving at work encompass the work environment, work–life balance, and education, where generational differences may also create unique nuances between ECNs. Conclusions: ECNs encounter many challenges in the early stages of their nursing career. Organisational support may be responsive and provide conducive work environments that nurture growth, career development, and thriving for ECNs. However, future research is needed to further confirm drivers of thriving, along with understanding the impact of targeted interventions to better support ECN thriving and retention. Future search will include stakeholders to validate the findings. Full article

Cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic syndrome (CKMS) represents the intricate interconnection of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders, with systemic inflammation now recognized as a key driver of both pathogenesis and prognosis. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with CKMS. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted to identify studies published between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2025, following the recognition of CKMS as a distinct syndrome in December 2023. Eligible studies included adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with CKMS, that assesses one or more inflammatory markers and reported prognostic outcomes such as mortality or disease progression. Data extracted included study characteristics, biomarker types, outcome measures, and key findings. In addition to longitudinal cohorts, we included a small number of cross-sectional studies and treated them as association (non-prognostic) evidence analyzed in a separate stream from prognostic cohorts. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool. Due to considerable variability in prognostic outcomes, follow-up durations, and inflammatory indices, a meta-analysis was not feasible. Instead, a narrative synthesis was undertaken to summarize the evidence, identify consistent associations, and emphasize the need for standardized approaches and biomarker validation in future CKMS research. Analysis was conducted in line with the SWiM guidelines. Thirteen studies (n = 13) comprising 282,016 participants (100,590 males; 97,295 females) were included from 1404 initial records. Five of the studies were cross-sectional, providing information on associations rather than prognostic outcomes. Most were large-scale cohort studies conducted in the USA and China. Frequently assessed biomarkers included systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (hs-CRP/HDL-C), dietary inflammatory index (DII), and triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index. Elevated levels of these biomarkers were consistently associated with higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, CKMS progression, and adverse metabolic outcomes. This review highlights systemic inflammation as a critical and associated marker of CKMS prognosis. Inflammatory biomarkers may assist in hypothesis generation, but clinical utility remains to be established pending standardized adjustment and external validation. Because CKMS has only recently been operationalized, we limited inclusion to studies published from 1 January 2024 onward, enhancing definitional comparability but narrowing the evidence base and potentially emphasizing early-adopter regions (predominantly the U.S. and China). Accordingly, these findings should be interpreted as early signals that require replication in diverse settings and confirmation through longitudinal and interventional studies to inform integrative CKMS management strategies. Across observational studies, the certainty of evidence is low to moderate due to indirectness and imprecision; findings should be treated as associational signals pending external validation. Full article

This study aimed to identify scientific evidence that addresses women’s experiences in the process of illness and care during tuberculosis treatment. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, SciVerse Scopus, and LILACS databases. The following descriptors were used: “Women,” “Tuberculosis,” “Gender Perspective,” and “Qualitative Approach.” Studies reporting the experiences of women with active tuberculosis, published in any language, without time restrictions, were included. Of the 16,029 studies initially identified, 7079 duplicates were removed and 8895 were excluded after title and abstract screening. A total of 55 studies were read in full, of which 41 did not meet the eligibility criteria, resulting in a final inclusion of 14 studies. Most selected studies were conducted in high-tuberculosis-burden, low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2024. All studies focused on pulmonary tuberculosis, with one addressing drug-resistant tuberculosis. The results revealed that women’s experiences with tuberculosis are shaped by the following four thematic categories: (1) stigma and social vulnerability of women with tuberculosis; (2) gender factors in access to health services and in the interruption of tuberculosis treatment among women; (3) intersectionality and social determinants of health; and (4) the importance of social, family, and healthcare support in the experience of tuberculosis illness. The experience of illness due to tuberculosis among women is profoundly shaped by vulnerabilities related to gender, stigma, and social class, which intensify social exclusion, hinder access to diagnosis and treatment, and deepen physical and emotional suffering. Stigma reinforces isolation and weakens support networks, while the burden of domestic labor, caregiving responsibilities, and economic dependence makes it difficult for women to prioritize their own health. In this context, family support and gender-sensitive, humanized healthcare are essential. Therefore, the implementation of public policies that address these specificities and confront structural inequalities is urgent to ensure comprehensive care and a dignified, effective recovery for women with tuberculosis. Full article

Urban resilience has emerged as a crucial objective for achieving sustainable urban development. However, its practical integration into planning remains limited. This study evaluates the extent to which resilience thinking is integrated into Chengdu’s urban planning system by combining policy-theoretical analysis with empirical evidence. Drawing on a framework of nine resilience attributes, we conduct content analysis of Chengdu’s three types of statutory plan documents (Socioeconomic Development Plan, Urban and Rural Plan, and Land Use Plan) and a questionnaire survey of 70 expert planners. The results reveal that resilience is reflected implicitly in the plans through engineering-oriented attributes such as robustness, efficiency, and connectivity. In contrast, social and ecological attributes like inclusion, redundancy, and innovation are largely absent. Planners demonstrate moderate awareness of resilience, yet associate it predominantly with rapid response and infrastructure robustness rather than long-term adaptation or community capacity-building. These findings indicate the dominant top-down, growth-centric planning logic that constrains the adoption of broader socio-ecological resilience concepts. This paper concludes with policy recommendations for institutionalizing resilience in Chinese urban planning through legal mandates; multi-sectoral coordination; and participatory, adaptive planning frameworks. Full article

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect the world’s most marginalised populations, yet programmes aiming to control and eliminate NTDs often fail to fully address the structural, social, and political dimensions of exclusion. This narrative review examines the concept of inclusion within NTD programming, with a particular focus on intersecting forms of marginalisation, including poverty, gender, disability, and displacement. Drawing on studies from 2010 to 2025, from various databases such as google scholar, PubMed and PLOS, this review synthesises evidence on barriers to equitable healthcare access, the role of community-driven approaches, and the integration of inclusive strategies within NTD programming and broader health systems. Key themes include the impact of structural inequalities such as racism and poverty, the need for gender-responsive services, the marginalisation of displaced communities, and the critical role of community empowerment through mechanisms like peer support and community drug distribution of NTD medicines. The review proposes a working definition of inclusion in NTDs as the intentional integration of underserved groups into all levels of programming, policy, and service delivery. It highlights the urgency of reframing NTDs not just as biomedical challenges but as deeply embedded social justice issues. By embedding inclusion into programme design, implementation, and evaluation, stakeholders can better align NTD responses with global equity goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article