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PubMed2026

MIC-based tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing using Sensititre MYCOTB: a diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis.

Accurate drug susceptibility testing (DST) is crucial for designing effective regimens for multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR TB). Sensititre MYCOTB enables simultaneous determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for multiple drugs, but its diagnostic performance varies across studies. This meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic performance of Sensititre MYCOTB for key MDR and pre-XDR TB drugs. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251230599). PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Scopus, ONOS, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and registries were systematically searched for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Studies comparing the Sensititre MYCOTB with reference DST for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) were included. Bias assessment and pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates were generated. Fourteen studies, including 1,728 isolates, were analyzed. Rifampicin and isoniazid demonstrated high sensitivity (0.976 [95% CI: 0.94-0.99] and 0.977 [95% CI: 0.95-0.99]) and specificity (0.958 [95% CI: 0.84-0.98] and 0.957 [95% CI: 0.83-0.99], respectively) with low heterogeneity. Amikacin, kanamycin, and ofloxacin demonstrate good diagnostic accuracy, with high specificity (>0.98 [95% CI]). Moderate diagnostic accuracy was observed for ethambutol, streptomycin, ethionamide, and rifabutin. Cycloserine, moxifloxacin, and para-aminosalicylic acid showed inconsistent performance despite excellent specificity (>0.97 [95% CI]). Sensitivity analysis partially improved pooled sensitivity for moxifloxacin 0.801 (95% CI: 0.585-0.924) and para-aminosalicylic acid 0.76 (95% CI: 0.518-0.894), whereas cycloserine remained at 0.436 (95% CI: 0.190-0.725), although heterogeneity persisted. Sensititre MYCOTB DST demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for MDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB drugs, while caution is required with cycloserine, moxifloxacin, and para-aminosalicylic acid. These findings support the integration of MIC-based testing into clinical decision-making.

Microbial Sensitivity Tests↗

PubMed2026

Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure on Azadirachta indica A. Juss. in an Urban Metropolitan: Ahmedabad, India.

Azadirachta indica (A. indica) A. Juss., commonly known as Neem, is a valuable multipurpose tree with profound medicinal properties and socioeconomic importance, widely recognized since ancient Ayurvedic times. Despite its prominence, knowledge about its genetic diversity within the metropolitan area of Ahmedabad is limited. This study marks the first in-depth exploration of the genetic diversity and population structure of A. indica in Ahmedabad. The authenticity of the species was validated through DNA barcoding, and a Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to collect the samples. A total of 35 A. indica accessions were analyzed using five Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers. Genetic diversity and population structure were evaluated using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers through polymorphism assessment, clustering, ordination, and Bayesian population structure analyses. ISSRs revealed a high level of polymorphism (75.66%), indicating substantial genetic variability among accessions. An analysis of genetic diversity indices revealed low to moderate diversity (Hs = 0.14, Ht = 0.217, I = 0.217). Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) analysis depicted 81% variation within the population and 19% among the population. Low to moderate genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.319) and moderate gene flow (Nm = 1.06) indicated that urban development has not hindered gene flow among populations. Mantel's test revealed a weak but significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances, suggesting limited isolation by distance. The estimated ΔK using STRUCTURE exhibited two subpopulations, representing two gene pools for A. indica accessions (K = 2). Collectively, these patterns indicate that urbanization has not severely disrupted genetic connectivity in A. indica, reflecting its resilience and adaptive potential in a metropolitan environment. These findings provide pivotal knowledge for further understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of A. indica in one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which can be utilized for new breeding programmes, sustainable development and future conservation strategies around the globe.

India↗

PubMed2026

A systematic review of qualitative research on HIV and food insecurity in high-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity leads to adverse health outcomes in people living with HIV, including obesity, poor mental health and viral non-suppression. Qualitative studies in low- and middle-income countries have described the impact of food insecurity on medication adherence. However, limited qualitative research exists on the lived experiences of food insecurity among people living with HIV in high-income countries (HICs). We aimed to synthesize qualitative literature on food insecurity among people living with HIV in HICs. DESIGN: Systematic review and textual narrative synthesis. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO, extracting data from included articles on a standardized form in Covidence. We synthesized literature using a textual narrative approach. We conducted quality appraisal (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist) and graded certainty of findings (GRADE-CERQual). RESULTS: We reviewed 2772 articles, reduced to 940 after deduplication, with 12 articles included after full text screening. Included articles reported on studies conducted in the United States ( n  = 7), and Canada ( n  = 5). We identified three key themes, each with their own sub-themes: the role of structural inequalities in shaping and navigating food insecurity; the impacts of food insecurity on health and wellbeing; and the labour of acquiring of food. CONCLUSIONS: Our review highlights the syndemic nature of food insecurity and HIV; intersecting experiences of multiple structural hardships constellate and interact synergistically to amplify poor health outcomes. Interventions should address the multiple and reinforcing social and structural conditions that shape food insecurity among people living with HIV.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Validation of the newly introduced Deauville score 5a for patients treated for advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Lugano Imaging Committee recently refined the Deauville score (DS), subdividing DS5 into DS5a (>2× liver uptake without new lesions) and DS5b (new lesions). We investigated whether this improves prognostic discrimination at interim positron emission tomography (PET) after 2 cycles (PET-2) in patients with advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (AS-cHL) treated in recent German Hodgkin Study Group randomized phase 3 trials. The primary analysis cohort was HD18 postamendment standard arms (uniform treatment with 6 cycles of escalated doses of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone [eBEACOPP]); sensitivity cohorts were HD18 intention-to-treat and HD21 eBEACOPP and brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dacarbazine, and dexamethasone arms. Progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed by landmark Cox models starting at PET-2. DS5a was infrequent (4%-6% across cohorts; 39/639, 67/1745, 33/568, and 29/560). In the primary cohort, DS5 was associated with inferior PFS vs DS1 to DS3 (hazard ratio [HR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-7.23) and vs DS1 to DS4 (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.01-5.50). Across sensitivity cohorts, DS5a remained adverse compared with DS1 to DS4 (HR range, 2.57-5.47), whereas DS4 according to the new definition did not consistently separate from DS1 to DS3, which is likely a result of PET-adapted treatment. Overall survival trends were concordant, but interpretation is limited by few events. To our knowledge, this is the first prognostic validation of the refined DS in prospectively randomized trial populations. The newly introduced DS5a isolates a small high-risk AS-cHL, which further supports risk assessment and adaptation using quantitative biomarkers from PET. The HD18 and HD21 trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00515554 and NCT02661503, respectively.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Facilitators and Barriers to Volunteers' Involvement in Palliative Care: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically synthesize qualitative evidence on facilitators and barriers to volunteer involvement in palliative care services, providing insights to inform strategies for strengthening volunteer support systems. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, EBSCO, ProQuest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, and Sinomed were searched from inception to December 2025 to identify qualitative studies examining factors influencing volunteer participation in palliative care. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Data were analyzed using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach and managed using NVivo 12.0 software, following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies involving 1042 participants were included, yielding 68 findings. Facilitators included intrinsic motivation and meaning-making at the individual level; supportive relationships and teamwork at the interpersonal level; structured support and professional recognition at the organizational level; social recognition and resource integration at the community level; and institutional safeguards and governmental incentives at the policy level. Barriers included emotional burden and limited competencies at the individual level; relationship conflicts and insufficient collaboration at the interpersonal level; management deficiencies at the organizational level; community resource imbalances at the community level; and inadequate regulations and incentives at the policy level. CONCLUSION: Volunteer participation in palliative care is influenced by multiple interacting factors. Strengthening training and support systems, enhancing team collaboration, and improving institutional frameworks may help sustain volunteer engagement and improve the quality of palliative care services.

Palliative Care↗

PubMed2026

Contemporary surgical decision-making for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus in Switzerland: A national cross-sectional survey using standardized clinical scenarios.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus is influenced by deformity severity, surgeon training, and evolving techniques. Previous surveys in Australia (2012), Switzerland (2015), and Israel (2023) using identical hypothetical cases demonstrated marked regional differences and a recent rise in minimally invasive Chevron-Akin (MICA). Whether these advances have altered contemporary Swiss practice remains unclear. METHODS: An electronic survey replicating the original questionnaire was distributed to members of the Swiss Foot and Ankle Society. Three standardized clinical cases were presented: mild hallux valgus, severe hallux valgus, and hallux valgus et rigidus. Respondents selected nonoperative versus operative management and specified procedures and fixation methods. Demographics, subspecialty training, and surgical volume were recorded. Current results were compared with prior Swiss data to assess temporal change. RESULTS: Eighty surgeons completed the survey (94% foot and ankle specialists). For mild hallux valgus, 87.7% recommended surgery; Scarf osteotomy remained most common (49.4%), followed by Chevron (21.0%) and Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus correction (14.8%). Minimally Invasive adopters were predominantly mid-career (83% aged 41-50), high-volume surgeons. For severe hallux valgus, 95.1% favoured surgery; MTPJ arthrodesis was preferred (50.6% isolated; 11.1% with Lapidus), while Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus correction was rarely chosen (2.5%). In hallux valgus et rigidus, 96% selected MTPJ fusion, most commonly plate-and-screw fixation (45.1%). Compared with 2015, fixation strategies evolved, yet procedure selection remained largely unchanged. CONCLUSION: Despite global expansion of minimally invasive bunion surgery, Swiss surgeons continue to favour established open techniques, particularly Scarf osteotomy and fusion-based strategies. Adoption of MIS remains limited and concentrated among high-volume, mid-career specialists, indicating a cautious national diffusion pattern. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, survey study.

Hallux Valgus↗

PubMed2026

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of post-stroke seizures following reperfusion therapy: a retrospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke seizures (PSS) are a recognized complication of ischemic stroke and may adversely affect functional outcomes and survival; however, their characteristics in patients receiving contemporary reperfusion therapy remain incompletely defined. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients who developed PSS following reperfusion therapy and to compare early- and late-onset seizure subgroups. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included adult patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IV-tPA), mechanical thrombectomy (MT), or combined therapy between January 2020 and September 2025. Early seizures were defined as occurring within 7 days of stroke onset. Clinical, radiological, and treatment-related variables were analyzed, and functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. RESULTS: Of 1242 patients who received reperfusion therapy, 53 (4.27 %; 95 % CI 3.28-5.54) developed PSS. Observed seizure rates were 3.39 % in the MT group, 4.06 % in the IV-tPA group, and 7.02 % in the combined therapy group; these observed rates did not differ significantly across treatment modalities. Early seizures occurred in 23 patients and late seizures in 30. No significant differences were found between early- and late-onset seizure subgroups in demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, stroke severity, reperfusion success, or clinical outcomes, with the exception of an isolated, exploratory difference in stroke laterality. Three-month mortality among patients with PSS was 45.28 % (95 % CI 32.66-58.55), and in-hospital mortality was 20.75 %. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center cohort, the incidence of PSS after reperfusion therapy was comparable to previously reported rates, with no marked differences across treatment modalities. The high mortality among patients with PSS likely reflects underlying stroke severity rather than a treatment-specific risk.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Age-dependent reorganization of behavioral and striatal function in Cntnap2 knockout mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. While ASD has a neurodevelopmental origin, it remains a lifelong condition, yet little is known about how its behavioral and neural features evolve across adulthood. Here, we investigated behavioral, synaptic, and structural alterations across the transition from early to mature adulthood in Cntnap2 knockout mice, a widely used model of ASD. Using a longitudinal behavioral approach combined with electrophysiological recordings and morphological analysis, we show that KO mice exhibit increased stereotyped and repetitive behaviors and reduced exploratory activity at both ages. However, detailed analysis of behavioral patterns revealed age-dependent differences, with early adult KO mice displaying increased behavioral persistence that later evolved into distinct patterns of behavioral sequences. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), including changes in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) frequency and temporal structure. In parallel, mature adult KO mice showed structural remodeling of spiny projection neurons, characterized by increased distal dendritic arborization and age-dependent organization of dendritic spines. Together, our findings demonstrate that ASD-related alterations are not static but evolve across adulthood, revealing a multi-level reorganization of behavioral, synaptic, and structural features. These results highlight the importance of considering adulthood stages in ASD and provide new insights into the dynamic nature of the condition.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Examining the impact on quality-of-life of those living with inherited optic neuropathies: an updated systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Inherited optic neuropathies (IONs) cause progressive visual loss and substantially affect quality of life. This updated systematic review aims to synthesize and evaluate evidence on the patient experience of living with IONs, identify currently used assessment tools, and highlight areas for improvement in research and clinical care. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus for studies on (i) inherited optic neuropathies; (ii) quality of life or health status; (iii) patient-reported outcome measures; and/or (iv) qualitative research. Inclusion was restricted to peer-reviewed studies. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted using Covidence. RESULTS: From 1775 unique records, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria. They evaluated quality-of-life outcomes in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy or autosomal-dominant optic neuropathy across 6 countries. Patient-reported outcome measures used included National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-39, National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25, Short-Form 12 Health Survey, Beck Depression Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Only one study used qualitative interviews to explore the emotional, social, and financial impacts on patients and families. DISCUSSION: This updated systematic review builds upon previous work to further characterize the impact of ION on patients living with these conditions and the tools currently used to assess them. We highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to ION management, combining medical treatment with comprehensive psychosocial support to work toward more patient-centred care and improved quality of life for those living with these challenging conditions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower: Maintenance of Reading Outcomes for Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Following a Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study examined whether the effects of Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower (FRAME), a functional, strategy-based reading comprehension intervention for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), were maintained 6 months following the completion of the intervention and explored participants' perceptions of the intervention's feasibility, relevance, and perceived impact. METHOD: Participants were 44 young adults with IDDs (ages 18-26 years) who participated in a previously reported randomized controlled trial (FRAME participants: n = 23; controls: n = 21). Trial outcomes were assessed via telepractice at pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Six-month maintenance analyses focused on outcomes that demonstrated significant posttest group differences: use of (a) reading comprehension strategies (proximal) and (b) reading comprehension questions (distal). Participant perceptions (social validity) were collected post-intervention from FRAME participants using a structured interview protocol with closed- and open-ended items. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, FRAME participants demonstrated sustained but reduced improvements in strategy use relative to controls (p = .040). Between-groups differences were not maintained for reading comprehension questions (p = .091). Participants reported high acceptability and perceived relevance of FRAME, with qualitative themes reflecting perceived improvements in comprehension, self-improvement, and increased independence. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that FRAME supports sustainable gains in reading comprehension strategy use and is perceived as meaningful and feasible for young adults with IDDs, although additional supports may be needed to promote sustained improvements in distal comprehension outcomes. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.33307218.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Ageing effects on chemical, physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of clear aligners - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Clear aligner (CA) therapy has experienced rapid use over the past two decades to treat orthodontic malocclusions. However, evidence on CA material degradation in the oral environment remains limited and often focuses on single brands or isolated material properties. OBJECTIVES: To investigate CA ageing characteristics across different materials and brands and evaluate the chemical, physical, mechanical, and morphological changes following simulated or intraoral ageing. SEARCH METHODS: Five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE [Ovid], ProQuest, and Scopus) were searched to 18 March 2026, with no restrictions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies assessing CA properties after intraoral use or simulated ageing (thermocycling, cyclic loading, or liquid immersion) were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Study selection followed PRISMA 2020. RoB was assessed using QUIN for purely in vitro studies, JBI for cohort in vivo studies, and Cochrane RoB 2 for RCTs. Results were synthesised narratively and organised by property domain, as substantial methodological heterogeneity precluded formal meta-analysis. Where protocols were comparable, a simple pooled weighted mean was calculated and presented graphically. RESULTS: Ninety-five studies were included. RoB was low in eight studies, moderate in sixty-two, and high in twenty-five. Chemical composition remained largely stable during ageing, though some brands showed trace elemental release. Physical, mechanical, and morphological properties showed material-dependent deterioration. Pooled discolouration was greatest with coffee (weighted mean ΔE = 70.9), versus tea (ΔE = 18.4) and red wine (ΔE = 11.5), with Invisalign® consistently exceeding the clinically perceptible threshold. Force decay of 40-90% typically occurred within 48 h. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based and directly printed aligners (DPAs) generally showed greater susceptibility than polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG)-based aligners, though findings on hardness, roughness, and stiffness were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: CA materials undergo clinically relevant degradation during use, particularly in TPU-based and DPAs aligners. Clinicians may need to prioritise material-specific protocols, reinforce dietary and cleaning instructions, and consider force decay when determining aligner replacement intervals. PROSPERO number: CRD420251110248.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Understanding psychosocial adjustment in military-to-civilian transition: A latent profile analysis of ex-serving Australian Defence Force members.

Military-to-civilian transition is a critical life stage that can expose veterans to elevated risks of psychological distress, social difficulties, and reduced wellbeing. Although psychosocial factors are central to successful reintegration, little is known about distinct patterns of needs among ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. This study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify psychosocial needs profiles across five domains of the Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure (M-CARM) in a sample of 725 ex-serving ADF members. The optimal three-class solution identified: a Low Adjustment Need (LAN) group (20.7%) reporting minimal reintegration challenges; a Cultural Adjustment Need (CAN) group (42.9%) characterized by cultural adaptation difficulties, particularly beliefs about civilians and regimentation; and a Cultural and Psychological Need (CPN) group (36.4%) showing broader challenges across beliefs about civilians, purpose and connection, regimentation, and resentment and regret. The CAN group was more likely to be male, have lower educational attainment, and have no combat deployment history. The CPN group was similarly male dominated with lower education, and was additionally characterized by Navy service, unemployment or not being in the labor force, and medical discharge. Compared with the LAN group, both CAN and CPN groups reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and nightmare distress, as well as poorer quality of life and greater functional impairment. These findings highlight persistent reintegration challenges among veterans and support the need for stratified support models, ranging from psychoeducation to intensive multidisciplinary care, to better address diverse psychosocial needs of ex-serving ADF members.

Australian defense force↗

PubMed2026

Genomic diversity and thermal niches of Aspergillus molds disrupting rind formation of surface-ripened cheeses.

Filamentous fungi play important roles in the development of surface-ripened cheese microbial communities and contribute to the aesthetics and flavors of these products. Much is known about the diversity and ecology of desirable cheese fungi, but our understanding of the natural history of cheese spoilage molds is limited. The goal of this work was to characterize the genomic diversity of Aspergillus species contaminating artisan cheeses and to identify how the abiotic environment of cheese (the substrate itself and temperature) may constrain the growth of Aspergillus. Comparative genomics identified two main species of Aspergillus, A. westerdijkiae and A. ostianus, as the spoilage molds across three different facilities in the Northeastern United States that experienced contamination events. Multiple genomic types of A. westerdijkiae were found across the different cheese production facilities, indicating that these contamination events are not caused by a single clonal strain. All A. westerdijkiae isolates produced ochratoxin A, but concentrations varied greatly across strains. RNA-sequencing of A. westerdijkiae on nutrient-rich lab media (malt extract agar) versus cheese curd agar identified a suite of pathways enriched in expression on cheese, including degradation of amino and fatty acids. Experiments measuring growth over a range of temperatures identified that spoilage Aspergillus species have a higher optimal growth temperature compared to desirable fungal species in cheese rinds and are outcompeted by Penicillium species at temperatures lower than 15°C. Global fungal metabarcoding databases suggest that A. westerdijkiae is not normally found in natural habitats of the Northeastern United States, and it may be introduced to this region.IMPORTANCEOver the past decade, disruptive contamination events of Aspergillus spoilage molds have occurred at cheese production facilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont in the United States, causing aesthetic, flavor, and potential safety issues. Our work highlights independent introductions of different strains of A. westerdijkiae into multiple cheese facilities and suggests that temperature could be used to control the abundance of Aspergillus spoilage molds. Based on our analysis of the global distribution of A. westerdijkiae, it is not invading cheese facilities from local fungal populations and may be a contaminant in materials used for cheese production.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed2026

Symptom assessment and health-related quality of life in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) significantly impacts children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but key determinants of this impairment remain incompletely understood within a patient-centered framework. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 272 children with LUTD. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and HRQoL via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scales. RESULTS: The mean total PedsQL score was 83.66 ± 16.07, with the School Functioning domain being the most impaired (73.75 ± 20.94). Univariate analysis identified older age (≥11 years), daytime urinary leakage, overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, and abnormal DVSS scores as factors associated with reduced HRQoL (all P < 0.05); multivariate regression further confirmed only older age and abnormal DVSS were independent influencing factors (both P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation existed between the total DVSS score and the total PedsQL score (r = -0.390, P < 0.01), indicating that greater symptom severity predicts poorer overall HRQoL. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in children with LUTD, the severity of voiding dysfunction (quantified by DVSS) is inversely correlated with HRQoL. Voiding dysfunction impairs multiple domains of daily functioning, including physical well-being, emotional adjustment, social interaction, and school performance. Shifting from a symptom-focused to a patient-centered care model and integrating routine HRQoL assessment into standard clinical management can optimize clinical practice for pediatric LUTD.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Predicting training outcomes for developmental dyslexia from EEG data.

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is characterised by lower-than-average reading abilities and is diagnosed in approximately 10% of individuals. The societal barriers may limit professional fulfilment and psychological wellbeing of individuals with DD, calling for the development of effective interventions to counteract them. As DD is associated with challenges in both phonological and visuo-attentional domains, different longitudinal training approaches were developed to strengthen them. However, they require a considerable amount of personal, social and economic resources and the outcomes may vary depending on individual differences in behavioural and neurophysiological functionality. Hence, predicting training outcomes might help in developing personalised treatment protocols and optimising the use of resources. In the present work we applied machine learning to resting-state EEG to predict longitudinal training outcomes in adults with DD enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. In particular, one group received a visuo-attentional training combined with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), another group received visuo-attentional training with sham/placebo stimulation, and the third group received a phonological training with sham/placebo stimulation. The improvement in text reading speed was associated with spectral power in low-beta and individual frequencies in the alpha (IAF) and beta (IBF) bands, while the improvement in pseudoword reading was associated with IBF. The findings highlight the potential of capturing neural markers of treatment responsiveness in DD. Future studies should focus on the generalisability of predictive models to real-world settings, while investigating whether specific EEG markers predict responsiveness to distinct remediation protocols, thus supporting the development of personalised interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Barriers and Facilitators of Help-Seeking for LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review.

People who identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus) are known to experience similar or higher levels of sexual violence compared to their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. However, sexual violence research has largely focused on heterosexual female survivors of male perpetrated crime. Thus, the unique support needs and help-seeking patterns of LGBTQ+ survivors are poorly understood. This review addresses this gap by systematically exploring literature on barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence. Four databases (PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) were searched to identify relevant material, with 35 articles (30 qualitative, 1 quantitative, and 4 mixed-methods) meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analyzed using a narrative synthesis. The topic was investigated almost exclusively cross-sectionally. Barriers included discrimination experiences, myths and stereotypes, feelings of shame and self-blame, and rejection of victim status. Additional barriers were reported by survivors who hold multiple minority identities, in particular LGBTQ+ people of color and sex workers. Facilitators to help-seeking included the intrinsic need to connect with others, social encouragement and empowerment, and positive disclosure experiences. The Power Threat Meaning framework provides insight into these findings by presenting help-seeking behaviors as adaptive responses to increase a sense of safety following a traumatic experience. The analyzed data indicate several implications for the development and improvement services to support LGBTQ+ survivors. They further serve to highlight the need for additional robust research, conducted with an intersectional lens, to explore the needs of sexual and gender minority survivors of sexual violence.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Journey Mapping of the Patient Experience from Diagnosis to End of Life in Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically synthesize the lived experiences and journey narratives of lung cancer patients across disease stages, and identify key tasks and pain points during the disease course through patient journey mapping, providing evidence for comprehensive disease management throughout the patient journey. METHODS: Ten databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and SinoMed, were systematically searched, with a search period from database inception to August 15, 2025. The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies was used to evaluate the quality of studies, and the results were integrated using a meta-aggregative approach. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Based on the patient journey mapping, the lung cancer patient journey comprises four potential stages: evaluation and diagnosis, initial treatment, maintenance therapy, and end-of-life. A total of 30 themes emerged within three dimensions: tasks, emotions, and pain points. Each dimension of each stage consists of 2-3 themes. CONCLUSION: The journey of lung cancer patients is protracted and complex, characterized by stage-specific needs and challenges. Future management strategies should be tailored to these distinct phases, providing precision supportive care to optimize treatment outcomes and enhance patients' quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This Patient Journey Map integrates routine clinical pathways with patients' lived experiences across each stage, revealing stage-specific challenges and providing targets for tailored nursing interventions. The framework promotes multidisciplinary, digitally enabled supportive care and indicates the importance of including patients' social circles to enhance patient-centered outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Contrast Heat-Cold Versus Thermoneutral Showering in Trained Combat Sport Athletes: A Randomized Field Trial of Recovery Outcomes.

Contrast heat-cold showering is popular for recovery, but multisystem evidence and persistence after cessation remain unclear. To evaluate whether a 4-week post-training contrast heat-cold shower intervention produces an integrated recovery profile across four domains (autonomic, endocrine, perceptual, and microvascular) rather than testing a single isolated physiological pathway, across baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 2-week wash-out (T2). Sixty combat-sport athletes were randomized to contrast showers (10 min alternating warm 38-40°C and cold 13-15°C) or an active thermoneutral-shower comparator (10 min, 32-34°C) after training for 4 weeks. Primary analyses were per-protocol (≥ 75% compliance; n = 57), with intention-to-treat sensitivity analyses. Outcomes were Total Quality Recovery (TQR), morning salivary cortisol (two mornings averaged), resting HRV, and post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). From T0 to T1, favorable between-group changes were observed for resting HR (ΔΔ -2.10 bpm, 95% CI -2.24 to -1.96; g -0.65; p < 0.001), lnRMSSD (ΔΔ 0.123 log units, 95% CI 0.108 to 0.137; g 0.74; p < 0.001), with similar T1 effects for RMSSD and SDNN, and TQR (ΔΔ 0.61 points, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.95; g 0.80; p < 0.001). These T1 autonomic and perceptual changes were not maintained at T2 (all T2-T0 ΔΔ p > 0.05). Cortisol and PORH-derived outcomes showed no statistically clear between-group differences at T1 or T2 (all p > 0.05). Compared with thermoneutral showering, 4 weeks of post-training contrast heat-cold showering produced short-term favorable between-group changes in autonomic regulation and perceived recovery, but not in morning cortisol or PORH-derived microvascular reactivity. These effects were not maintained after wash-out; therefore, causal attribution to the shower intervention alone and claims of persistent physiological adaptation should be made cautiously. Trial registration: ISRCTN15418049.

Humans↗