Search Results (179)

Depression represents a growing public health concern globally, with the mental health of college students requiring targeted attention. Drawing on the social cure theory, self-determination theory, and the agency-communion model, the current study explored the mechanisms linking school identification to depressive mood among Chinese college students. Specifically, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between school identification and depressive mood, and whether social exclusion and sense of control mediate this relationship. A sample of 981 college students (464 males and 517 females) completed self-reported measures of school identification, depressive mood, social exclusion, and sense of control. Results showed that (1) School identification was negatively associated with college students’ depressive mood. (2) School identification affected depressive mood through three significant indirect pathways: the single mediating path via social exclusion, the single mediating path via sense of control, and the chain mediating path from social exclusion to sense of control. These findings reveal that the mechanism by which school identification alleviates depressive mood lies in first providing communion resources (reducing social exclusion) and then enhancing agency resources (increasing sense of control), thereby providing empirical support for the agency-communion model and offering practical implications for educational interventions targeting college students’ depressive mood. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scoliosis in children leads to complex physical, psychosocial, and functional impairments, yet evidence from low-resource settings is limited. To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Ethiopian children with scoliosis using WHODAS 2.0 and EQ-5D-Y, and to identify clinical and demographic correlates of disability. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia (1 April 2024–31 March 2025). Ninety-seven children aged 6–15 years with confirmed scoliosis were assessed. WHODAS 2.0 (36-item) captured disability across six domains, while EQ-5D-Y measured physical, psychosocial, and pain-related HRQoL. Clinical severity indicators (Cobb angle, trunk rotation, thoracic morphometrics, anthropometrics) were recorded. Analyses in Python 3.12 included descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression to examine associations between scoliosis severity and HRQoL outcomes. Results: Ninety-seven Ethiopian children diagnosed with scoliosis (mean age 11.4 years, mean Cobb angle 73.5°) were assessed; congenital scoliosis was most common (45.4%), followed by idiopathic (38.1%) and neuromuscular (16.5%). WHODAS 2.0 revealed substantial disability, particularly in mobility (46.4%) and social participation (62.8%), with life activities and participation as the strongest contributors. Greater deformity, younger age, and smaller body size were linked to worse outcomes, with neuromuscular and very severe thoracolumbar cases most affected. EQ-5D-Y showed marked HRQoL impairments across domains, with psychological distress (mean 2.24/3), pain, and self-care limitations emerging as key burdens. The mean EQ score was 8.89/15 (59.2%), indicating reduced quality of life. Regression analyses highlighted pain, psychological distress, and self-care limitations as the domains most strongly associated with poorer HRQoL, while greater Cobb angle and higher ATR degree were also correlated with reduced quality of life. Conclusions: Ethiopian children with scoliosis experience significant multidimensional impairments in HRQoL, with mobility, social participation, pain, and psychological distress as dominant burdens. WHODAS 2.0 and EQ-5D-Y proved complementary in capturing these impacts, supporting their use for early detection, clinical care, and public health planning in resource-limited settings. Full article

Introduction: Globally, disabled individuals experience persistent social inequalities and health inequities, yet the health and wellbeing of Deaf, DeafBlind, blind, and partially sighted (DDBBPS) people remain profoundly under-researched and excluded from social science and health policy agendas. Existing studies narrowly focus on narratives of hearing and vision impairments within a medical model of disability, which pathologizes difference and obscures the biomedical origins of social inequalities and health inequities experienced by these groups. Methods: Drawing on critical disability studies and community-based literature, this narrative review introduces and applies the concept of medical violence to examine how systemic ableism, audism, and ocularcentrism shape DDBBPS people’s healthcare experiences. Results: We identify six interrelated manifestations of medical violence: denied interpreting services, inaccessible health communication, harmful interpersonal practices, health inequities and medical avoidance, absence of DDBBPS practitioners, and gaps in community-based care. Conclusions: These conditions reinforce a cycle of exclusion and misrepresentation, wherein DDBBPS persons are denied equitable access to healthcare and are simultaneously constructed as objects of cure rather than as knowledge holders. We argue for a community-based participatory research agenda led by and for DDBBPS communities to challenge ableist research paradigms and advance health equity. Full article

Background: Traditional orthopaedic casting has remained the cornerstone of non-surgical fracture management for more than a century. Although plaster and fiberglass casts reliably stabilize fractures, they are associated with physical, psychological, emotional, social, and economic burdens that extend beyond bone healing. Children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing vulnerabilities may be disproportionately affected. Despite increasing recognition of these complications, existing orthopaedic literature has historically prioritized radiographic healing and biomechanical stability, with limited synthesis of the broader multidimensional patient impact of traditional casting. Emerging technologies such as light-cured polymer mesh (LCPM) systems and 3D-printed lattice immobilizers have been developed to address these limitations and better align fracture care with patient-centered principles. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using a structured and transparent literature identification approach informed by PRISMA reporting principles; however, this study was not conducted as a formal systematic review and did not include risk-of-bias assessment or quantitative synthesis. A broad search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed for studies published between January 2000 and July 2025. Search strategies combined MeSH terms and free-text keywords relating to orthopaedic casting, complications, psychosocial impacts, LCPM, and 3D-printed immobilizers. Following duplicate removal and a structured review process, 87 studies were included in the final narrative synthesis. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, observational studies, qualitative research, case series, and systematic reviews. Data were synthesized narratively across five domains: physical, psychological, emotional/social, economic, and technological alternatives. Results: Traditional plaster and fiberglass casts were consistently associated with musculoskeletal deterioration, joint stiffness, dermatological complications, and hygiene challenges. Psychological and emotional consequences included cast-induced anxiety, claustrophobia, depressive symptoms, and diminished autonomy. Social participation was frequently reduced due to mobility restrictions and perceived stigma, while economic impacts included hidden out-of-pocket expenses, caregiver burden, lost wages, and disparities in access to follow-up care. In contrast, emerging alternatives demonstrated promising advantages. LCPM systems improved ventilation, comfort, and hygiene, while reducing saw-related anxiety. Preliminary evidence suggests that both LCPM and 3D-printed systems may support improved patient experience and earlier return to selected activities, although larger comparative studies are needed to confirm effects on complication rates and long-term outcomes. Over time, these benefits may help offset higher upfront material costs. Conclusions: Fracture care should be evaluated not only by radiographic healing but also by patient-centered outcomes such as comfort, independence, and quality of life. Traditional casting imposes significant multidimensional burdens, whereas newer technologies such as LCPM and 3D-printed systems may offer a more holistic approach to immobilization while maintaining acceptable fracture stability in appropriately selected patient populations. While current evidence indicates potential physical, psychological, and economic advantages, large-scale comparative trials remain necessary to confirm long-term clinical, psychosocial, and cost-effectiveness outcomes across diverse populations. Future integration of emerging immobilization technologies into clinical practice may support more patient-centered, function-oriented, and cost-conscious approaches to fracture care. Full article

Background/Objectives: People aging with HIV (PAWHs) face distinct health challenges, including early onset of aging and heightened risk for chronic comorbidities despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, significant gaps persist in understanding the lived experience and how PAWHs perceive the interplay between their controlled HIV and the aging process. This study examined PAWHs’ illness perceptions of aging, health, and relationship of HIV to other health conditions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 25 PAWHs (mean age 63.5; mean time living with HIV 22.3 years; 24 virally suppressed) recruited through an academic HIV specialty clinic. Demographic and clinical data were collected from Electronic Health Records (EHRs), and interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: A central finding was the disconnect between participants’ illness perceptions of controlled HIV and other aging-related health concerns. Absence of acute somatic symptoms and sustained viral suppression fostered a view of HIV as chronologically remote, leading to an apparent unawareness of HIV’s systemic links to accelerated aging and comorbidities. Two primary themes around aging emerged: acceptance/disengagement and fear of future debility (prevalent among older, socially isolated individuals concerned about dementia and finances). Conclusions: This pervasive disconnect, understandable through the lens of the Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation, highlights a critical need to adjust health counseling strategies for PAWHs. Clinicians can leverage existing trusted provider relationships to explicitly address and refine PAWHs’ illness models, clarifying that viral suppression is not a cure and educating on HIV’s systemic links to chronic conditions (e.g., ‘inflammaging’). Tailored educational interventions are crucial for fostering shared decision-making, encouraging early screening, and improving health outcomes for this vulnerable and growing population. Generalizability may be limited by sample characteristics. Full article

This article explores the structural paradox of the byeong-gut (Korean shamanic healing ritual): why it adheres to the rigid and canonical format of the jaesu-gut (shamanic blessing ritual) instead of adopting a specialized clinical procedure. Critiquing the instrumental trap of previous scholarship that reduces shamanic healing to psychological comfort or social liberation, this study proposes a relational displacement model by integrating Roy Rappaport’s theory of ritual invariance with the relational ontologies of Bruno Latour and Tim Ingold. The article demonstrates that shamanic healing operates through a dual mechanism. First, at the non-discursive (material) level, the ritual functions as an ontological technology that objectifies and displaces individual suffering onto external surrogates. Second, at the discursive (linguistic) level, a meticulous analysis of the manse-baji (invocation chant) illustrates how the patient’s fragmented life is re-assembled into a meshwork of human and non-human agencies. Ultimately, this article argues that the byeong-gut transcends mere functional curing; it serves as a sophisticated knowledge system that re-maps the isolated ego onto a relational cosmology, transforming the Geertzian bafflement of suffering into an intelligible event within a shared and sacred cosmic order. Full article

Rammed earth has long been recognised for its economic, environmental, and social advantages, and it is increasingly considered a sustainable alternative within the construction industry. Its primary benefit lies in the use of local soils, thereby minimising environmental impacts associated with material transport. At present, the assessment of soil suitability relies primarily on particle size distribution (PSD) envelopes or the maximum dry density achieved in compaction tests. Although the mechanical performance of unstabilised rammed earth (URE)—most notably its unconfined compressive strength (UCS)—depends heavily on soil clay content due to clay’s role as a natural binder, clay-rich soils are often excluded by existing criteria, despite reports of acceptable strength in such materials. In this study, URE specimens were prepared from a single local soil by systematically varying its clay fraction. The optimum moisture content (OMC) of all mixtures was determined, and all specimens were cured under controlled conditions for 28 days before being subjected to UCS testing. One-way ANOVA confirmed a statistically significant influence of clay content on UCS, and a logarithmic regression model was developed and benchmarked against published data. The results indicate that, under the controlled material and curing conditions investigated, the clay fraction can serve as a practical first-order indicator of compressive strength and related physical parameters in URE, although its predictive capacity must be interpreted together with mineralogy, moisture state, compaction conditions, and soil fabric. Full article

Despite extensive research on concrete pavement performance, integrating early-age mechanical behavior with multidimensional sustainability assessment remains limited, particularly in tropical environments where rapid moisture loss increases the risk of cracking. Existing approaches often focus on long-term performance or isolated indicators, lacking a unified framework that links early-age reliability to economic, environmental, and social outcomes. This study proposes a reliability-based framework to evaluate early-age performance and sustainability across curing methods. Stress–strength ratio (SSR) relationships (R² > 0.96) were derived from HIPERPAV simulations under tropical conditions, with SSR expressed as a function of structural reliability (75–99%). Mechanical performance was linked to economic costs, environmental impacts (kg CO₂-eq), and a social index, and integrated through a multicriteria approach. The results show that the selection of the curing method strongly influences both early reliability and sustainability. Cotton blankets maintain an SSR of about 70% even at 99% reliability, whereas the no-curing condition exceeds the failure threshold (>100%) at high reliability levels (≥95%). The single-layer curing compound provides the best cost–performance balance, while plastic sheeting and no curing perform worst. The main contribution is a transferable framework that integrates early-age cracking risk with sustainability indicators, enabling consistent evaluation of curing strategies across varying reliability levels in tropical contexts. Full article

The spread of unverified health claims about drugs, dietary supplements, and alternative remedies on social media poses a growing public health concern. In this study, we present a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipeline that uses large language models (LLMs) grounded in biomedical evidence from PubMed, openFDA adverse event reports, and NIH/NCCIH dietary supplement fact sheets to detect and classify health product misinformation. A total of 3493 health-related posts were collected from Reddit (948 posts across 12 subreddits) and YouTube (2545 video descriptions and comments), from which 8250 structured claims were extracted using Claude Haiku. Each claim was matched to biomedical evidence from three authoritative sources, achieving 79.4% evidence coverage, and classified into one of five veracity categories: supported (7.0%), unsupported (59.9%), exaggerated (22.4%), contradicted (2.0%), or dangerous (8.6%), together with an associated risk tier. Overall, 13.5% of claims were assigned high or critical risk. Cross-platform analysis showed that YouTube contained higher proportions of dangerous (11.3% vs. 2.9%) and exaggerated (27.0% vs. 12.4%) claims than Reddit. Compared with keyword-based and zero-shot transformer baselines, the LLM+RAG pipeline produced a more balanced and fine-grained classification of unsupported, exaggerated, contradicted, and dangerous claims. The most frequently implicated products were ashwagandha, kratom, black seed oil, turmeric, and ivermectin, with disease cure claims showing the highest dangerous classification rate (30.1%). These model-assigned results suggest that evidence-grounded LLM pipelines can support health misinformation surveillance, while also highlighting the need for expert validation and broader cross-platform evaluation. Full article

Home has been recognized as a health infrastructure through hospital-at-home, home care, and direct-to-consumer wellness and fitness products. However, the patient home environment has been largely overlooked by healthcare as a means to improve therapy outcomes for difficult-to-treat chronic conditions, such as migraine; high-impact pain; and treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or insomnia. Growing research evidence enables the formulation of a therapeutic home environment standard consisting of three pillars: biophilic design, indoor environmental quality, and intentional self-care spaces that serve as habit cues and foster sleep hygiene, stress management, relaxation, physical activity, and social interactions. Together, these environmental and behavioral interventions can transform real-world inputs into clinical benefits through autonomic, circadian, and emotional regulation. We also highlight the converging roles of self-management, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and self-compassion in sustaining patient engagement and healing at home. The applicability of the therapeutic home environment as an adjunct is illustrated in the case of chronic migraine, a debilitating neurological condition commonly associated with comorbidities. Current challenges in achieving migraine freedom with FDA-approved pharmacotherapies, neuromodulation devices, and digital health technologies are underscored by the high prevalence of refractory, chronic, episodic, and pediatric migraine. Perspectives on developing a personalized, multimodal cure for migraine are illustrated through a hypothetical drug + digital combination therapy comprising anti-CGRP drugs and an AI-powered digital health platform that promotes daily self-care practices within the therapeutic home environments. In conclusion, achieving sustained freedom from high-morbidity conditions requires end-to-end care ecosystems that integrate pharmacological, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental interventions into real-world settings. Full article

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect about 1% of children globally. While there is currently no cure, early detection and targeted interventions can significantly enhance the well-being and daily functioning of children with ASD. This paper presents an intelligent, content-based recommender system designed to suggest personalized activities aligned with each child’s preferences and developmental needs. The proposed system integrates social stories, educational videos, and interactive exercises supported by machine learning techniques to foster communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and cognitive development—while reducing the need for constant parental supervision. Unlike traditional content-based systems, our approach incorporates the child’s emotional state (mood) to provide more diverse and context-aware recommendations, avoiding the filter bubble effect and enhancing personalization and engagement. A key contribution of this work lies in its focus on personalized and interactive learning experiences, made possible through the combination of multiple assistive technologies. Additionally, the study addresses the problem of data scarcity by providing a publicly available dataset to facilitate further research in ASD-focused intelligent systems. Preliminary feedback from therapists and parents indicates that the system holds strong potential to substantially improve the educational, communicative, and emotional skills of children with ASD. These promising results motivate future large-scale empirical evaluations to validate its effectiveness and establish it as a valuable tool for ASD intervention and inclusive education. Full article

Introduction: End-of-life (EOL) HIV cure-related research offers a unique opportunity to advance scientific discovery while honoring the values, dignity, and legacy of people with HIV. However, participation remains demographically skewed, mirroring long-standing inequities in who is informed, invited, and supported to take part. Synthesizing eight years of experience, published literature reviews, and community engagement from the University of California San Diego’s Last Gift program, we propose strategies to embed justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (JEDIA) throughout the design and implementation of EOL HIV cure-related studies. Discussion: Using intersectionality as a structural analytic framework, we examine how interlocking systems and social determinants shape access, consent, and participant experience, and we translate ethics into action across three themes and eight domains. As examples, we facilitate equitable access by implementing solutions that address gaps limiting awareness and feasibility of participation. We establish ongoing consent through multi-session consent processes with teach-back methods, clear healthcare proxy pathways, and explicit separation of research activities from clinical care. We center lived experiences by partnering with people with HIV and community groups, customizing participation, and honoring cultural and spiritual needs. We enable real-time course correction by using a dashboard that monitors enrollment patterns and representation. Conclusions: An intersectionality-informed, participant-centered approach is both feasible and essential to ensure HIV cure-related research advances with fairness, trust, and global relevance. Programs such as the Last Gift show that scientific rigor, integrity, and participant dignity can coexist, establishing a model for equitable HIV cure discovery. Full article

Dengue remains a public health concern in Singapore, with endemic transmission and recurring outbreaks. This study presents results from a Singapore-focused subgroup of the Growth and Emerging Markets Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (GEMKAP) cross-sectional survey, which assessed public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) levels related to dengue and prevention. A total of 400 adult respondents from Singapore participated in an online survey conducted between September and October 2022. Overall KAP scores were 48% (Knowledge), 61% (Attitudes), and 36% (Practices). Awareness of dengue transmission was widespread (96% identified mosquitoes as the vector and 97% recognised stagnant water breeding), while fewer respondents recognised the availability of a dengue vaccine (23%) or the absence of a medicinal cure (38%). Trust in the government’s dengue control efforts was high, though respondents practised an average of 5.1 out of 10 recommended prevention measures. Of the respondents, 25% had a high willingness to vaccinate against dengue. Multivariate analysis revealed that positive vaccine perceptions, past dengue experience, automatic motivation, and social opportunity were associated with willingness to vaccinate. Respondents supported a multi-pronged dengue management approach combining education, vector control, and vaccination. Future efforts should integrate behaviour change strategies, enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration, and empower communities to ensure sustainable impact. Full article

Background: The history of radical hernia repair involves a period of intense surgical activity, influenced by factors of the time such as social development, hygiene, anesthesia, and antisepsis. Subcutaneous surgery, the initial option designed to avoid infections and peritonitis, was modified after the introduction of antisepsis, eventually leading to dissection surgery. Objective: We aim to analyze the publications from the period of radical hernia cures using current methodology, verifying when and how the transition occurred from subcutaneous surgery to dissection surgery. Methods: A literature review of the databases PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane Library, “Google” and university libraries is conducted. The following keywords were used: “anatomy and surgery”. A critical analysis of the known literature about this historical topic is carried out. Results: Under-vision dissection surgery, through incision of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle, began in England by Durham in 1866, almost 20 years before it was performed in France by Lucas-Championnière in 1885. Recurrences decreased after the introduction of the principle of closing the walls of the inguinal canal (Wood, 1860). The surgeon–anatomist Wood should be considered the first specialist in abdominal wall surgery, due to his extensive contributions from the pre-antiseptic era. The evolution of the radical cure of hernias was made possible by combining the knowledge of several countries: England, Germany, and Italy. Conclusions: Dissection surgery was initiated in England, Germany, and Italy, not in France. The influence of the French literature on the history of hernias is evident, to the detriment of the contributions of surgeons from other countries. Full article

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the retentive forces and oral health-related quality of life of completely edentulous subjects wearing heat-cured, 3D-printed, and polyamide complete denture (CD) bases at different intervals. Subjects and Methods: For this crossover study, 45 CDs were constructed for 15 completely edentulous male subjects, and subjects were randomly allocated to 3 equal groups (n = 5/group, 3 CDs/subject). Each subject was randomized to receive one manufactured CD—either heat-cured, polyamide, or 3D-printed. After 3 months, subjects crossed over to the other set, with 4 weeks’ rest between each CD. The retentive force (primary outcome) was measured for each maxillary CD base at baseline, after the first and third months; however, the oral health-related quality of life (second outcome) was evaluated for each CD after the first and third months using the oral health impact profile in the completely edentulous patient (OHIP-EDENT) questionnaire. Results: There were significant differences in retention forces between the polyamide CD and the other two CDs (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was observed between the heat-cured and 3D-printed CDs at different intervals (p > 0.05). After 3 months of follow-up, significant differences in oral health-related quality of life were observed between polyamide and both 3D-printed and heat-cured CDs (p < 0.05). Additionally, the comparison between heat-cured and 3D-printed CDs revealed no significant variation in the overall OHIP-EDENT scores (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The retention of polyamide bases was higher than that of heat-cured and 3D-printed CDs. Additionally, oral health-related quality of life with polyamide dentures was superior to that of 3D-printed and heat-cured CDs across all OHIP-EDENT measures, except for social disability. Both 3D-printed and heat-cured CD bases provide retention and patient satisfaction within acceptable clinical measures. Full article