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Novel Proactive Speech-Language Intervention Is More Effective Than Usual Care: Randomized Controlled Trial of Babble Boot Camp for Infants With Classic Galactosemia.

PURPOSE: Speech and language disorders cannot be diagnosed and treated until children are approximately 2-4 years old. To investigate whether these disorders can be prevented, we developed and trialed Babble Boot Camp (BBC), the first proactive sustained intervention starting with precursor skills including cooing and babbling. METHOD: Participants were two randomly assigned groups of 22 infants with classic galactosemia, a metabolic disease with known risks for severe speech and language disorders. One group started BBC at under 6 months of age, and the other started at 15 months of age, both completing BBC at 24 months of age. Coached by a speech-language pathologist in weekly telehealth sessions, caregivers implemented BBC activities and routines daily at home. A typical control group and a group of children with classic galactosemia who received usual care participated as well. All children completed standardized assessments of speech and language at postintervention. RESULTS: Assessment scores showed that BBC was more effective than usual care for both intervention groups. Greatest benefits were seen in the group that started at or before 6 months of age, with a proportion of clinically concerning scores equal to that in the typically developing peers. No effects of sex, genotype, or milk consumption were evident in the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings motivate a paradigm shift from deficit-based to proactive approaches for infants with classic galactosemia. BBC is extensible to many other disorders, with trials currently underway for infants with Down syndrome and infants born preterm.

Humans

Epigenetic Gene Networks Governing Immune State Transitions Across the Lifespan.

Immune function across development, tissue repair, aging, and disease depends not only on signaling pathways but also on epigenetic architectures that determine whether coordinated transcriptional programs can be accessed and resolved. Increasing evidence indicates that epigenetic gene networks regulate the accessibility and reversibility of semi-stable immune states, shaping plastic, homeostatic, reparative, and degenerative configurations. We propose the concept of epigenetic transition windows, defined as temporally and contextually restricted intervals during which epigenetic constraints are relaxed, permitting coordinated and reversible transitions between immune states. During development, these windows are broad and support immune tolerance and adaptive plasticity. In adulthood they become spatially and temporally restricted, preserving stability while enabling conditional adaptation. With aging, they progressively narrow, contributing to chronic inflammation, impaired repair, and increased vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Conversely, pathological persistence of regulatory permissiveness may underlie immune evasion and sustained plasticity in cancer. We outline operational genomic readouts for quantifying transition windows, including chromatin accessibility variance, enhancer switching dynamics, reversibility metrics, and cross-cell coordination indices, and derive experimentally testable predictions that distinguish this model from pathway-centric or damage-centric explanations. By reframing immune dysfunction as a failure of regulated state transition rather than excessive signaling alone, this framework integrates inflammaging, trained immunity, immune resolution failure, and tumor immune escape within a unified regulatory architecture and provides a systems-level perspective on immune adaptability across the lifespan.

Epigenesis, Genetic

Pharmacokinetics of injectable favipiravir: phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy East Asian subjects.

Favipiravir, an oral antiviral medication, has been approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with novel or re-emerging influenza and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were conducted in an East Asian population to characterize the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of an injectable favipiravir formulation. In the single-ascending dose trial, subjects received a single intravenous (IV) dose of 300-2,400 mg of favipiravir. In the multiple dose trial, 1,800 mg was administered twice daily on the first day, followed by 800 mg twice daily for the subsequent 10 days, which is the approved tablet dose for SFTS in Japan. This multiple-dose trial was divided into a cohort receiving intravenous administration throughout the treatment period (IV cohort) and a cohort switching to oral administration from Day 6 (Switching cohort). After a single administration of ≤2,400 mg, the pharmacokinetic parameters increased in a dose-dependent manner but showed slight deviation from linearity. The geometric mean maximum plasma concentration following a single 2,400 mg dose was 126 (range: 110 to 138) μg/mL. In the IV cohort, the trough (at 12 h post-dose) plasma concentrations were maintained at approximately 85 μg/mL after Day 2. These concentrations were approximately 20% higher than those achieved with the same oral doses. In the Switching cohort, these concentrations were maintained throughout the treatment. No serious adverse events were observed. These findings support advancing injectable favipiravir into clinical evaluation.CLINICAL TRIALSThis study is registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials as jRCT2071210042 and jRCT2071210126.

Humans

Electrospun Nanofiber Dressings for Diabetic Wounds: From Single-Layer to Intelligent Composite Systems.

Diabetic chronic wounds have become a major challenge for clinical treatment due to their complex pathological microenvironment, including persistent inflammatory response, angiogenesis disorder, excessive oxidative stress, and susceptible infection. Traditional dressings as a passive barrier have difficulty meeting the above multiple treatment needs. Electrospinning technology, with its ability to mimic the fibrous network structure of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), offers a high specific surface area, controllable porosity, and excellent drug-loading capacity, making it an ideal platform for developing a new generation of multifunctional wound dressings. This article provides a systematic review of the research progress on electrospun nanofiber dressings in the treatment of diabetic wounds, focusing on the design evolution from basic single-layer structures to advanced complex structures and elucidating the mechanisms of action and quantifiable effects of each structural type in addressing specific pathological challenges. We also compared the current status of clinical translation for electrospun dressings with that of other advanced wound care platforms and proposed a standardized preclinical evaluation framework. A large number of research data show that these advanced designs can effectively improve the quality of healing. Finally, this paper points out the challenges faced by this field, such as scalable fabrication, in vivo reliability of smart systems, and long-term biosafety, and provides theoretical basis and technical reference for the design of efficient and intelligent electrostatic spinning diabetic wound dressings.

Nanofibers

Suicide in rural South Africa before and during COVID-19: evidence from forensic mortuary data in Limpopo Province.

Suicide is a growing public health concern in South Africa, with rural provinces such as Limpopo facing heightened vulnerability due to limited mental health services and socio-economic inequalities. Evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on suicide in rural contexts remains limited. This study examined suicide trends in Limpopo Province and changes associated with the COVID-19 period. A retrospective interrupted time series analysis was conducted using forensic mortality data from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021, allowing assessment of pre-existing trends and changes following COVID-19 lockdowns. Among 5770 unnatural deaths, 957 were suicides. The proportion of suicides increased from 29.5% in 2019 to 36.9% in 2021. Suicides predominantly occurred among males and young adults, with hanging accounting for over 90% of deaths throughout. Interrupted time series analysis revealed a significant downward trend in suicide cases during the strict national lockdown (Alert Level 5), with a 31% reduction in incidence (IRR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.98). Less restrictive lockdown levels showed no significant effects. Suicide mortality increased prior to COVID-19, with a subsequent decline during the strictest lockdown period. Stable demographic patterns and methods highlight persistent vulnerabilities and the need for sustained suicide-prevention strategies beyond pandemic.

Humans

Long-term efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with persistent insomnia. Previous meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can reduce depressive symptoms at post-treatment. However, the long-term maintenance of these improvements has never been systematically examined. To fill-in this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the long-term (&#x2265;3 months) effects of CBT-I on depressive symptoms. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251146061). Only RCTs in adults with insomnia were considered. Pubmed, Scopus, Psycinfo, CINAHL, and Medline were searched up to 12 September 2025 with no predefined time constraints. From 5359 records initially retrieved, we included 53 articles reporting on 13,608 individuals. After outliers removal, random effects meta-analysis showed that CBT-I was superior to control conditions in reducing depressive symptoms at 3 [k&#x202f;=&#x202f;29, d&#x202f;=&#x202f;-.35, [95% CI: -.49 to -.21], p&#x202f;<&#x202f;.001], 6 [k&#x202f;=&#x202f;29, d&#x202f;=&#x202f;-.32, [95% CI: -.59 to -.05], p&#x202f;=&#x202f;.018], and 12 [k&#x202f;=&#x202f;10, d&#x202f;=&#x202f;-.25, [95% CI: -.39 to -.12], p&#x202f;<&#x202f;.001] months follow-ups. Results demonstrate that the effects of CBT-I on depressive symptoms are sustained throughout the year following treatment, although effects may decline over time.

Humans

Analysis of the Relationship between Early Clinical Factors and Glasgow Outcome Scale in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between early clinical factors and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 98 TBI patients who underwent emergency surgery between January 2021 and January 2024. Based on GOS scores at 6 months post-surgery, patients were classified into a favorable outcome group (GOS&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;4, defined as moderate disability or good recovery,&#xa0;n = 58) and an unfavorable outcome group (GOS < 4, i.e., death, persistent vegetative state, or severe disability,&#xa0;n = 40). Baseline and early clinical parameters were compared between groups. Statistically significant variables from univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: Significant intergroup differences were observed in age, time from injury to surgery, bleeding site, midline shift, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score at admission, blood glucose level, and D-dimer level (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, time from injury to surgery, GCS score, blood glucose, and D-dimer level were independent predictors of GOS (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early clinical factors, including age, time to surgery, GCS score, blood glucose, and D-dimer level, independently influence GOS in TBI patients. Time from injury to surgery&#xa0;emerged as a potentially modifiable factor in this cohort, suggesting that minimizing delays may improve outcomes.

Humans

Time Heals Some Wounds? Burnout but Not Secondary Traumatic Stress in Critical Care Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Burnout among new nurses has been widely documented. Less is known about how years of professional experience relate to distinct components of professional quality of life, including compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress. Early-career nurses appear particularly vulnerable to occupational strain, warranting examination of how years of experience may influence perceptions of professional well-being. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between years of nursing experience and professional quality of life among critical care nurses. METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using the Professional Quality of Life scale. A convenience sample of 55 nurses were recruited and consented from a rural hospital in the western United States. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations were used to examine relationships between years of experience and scores on the instrument's subscales. RESULTS: Forty nurses provided complete survey responses. Years of nursing experience correlated positively with compassion satisfaction and negatively with burnout. No significant relationship was found between years of experience and secondary traumatic stress. CONCLUSIONS: Greater professional experience was associated with higher compassion satisfaction and lower burnout but not with secondary traumatic stress. These findings suggest that experience may buffer against cumulative occupational strain, whereas trauma-related stress responses may persist across career stages. Structured mentoring and transition support may help to mitigate burnout among early-career nurses, and trauma-informed leadership approaches may warrant consideration in high-acuity environments.

Humans

Differences in Radiological Risk Perceptions Following Online and In-Person Workshops.

Nuclear energy is widely regarded as a critical part of the pathway toward a secure, low-carbon electricity grid, yet long-term management of used nuclear fuel remains a persistent challenge. Although technically viable options for interim and consolidated storage exist, public concern and community opposition - rooted in historical distrust and risk perception - continue to complicate siting decisions. In response, recent federal efforts have emphasized collaboration-based approaches and community engagement, though empirical evidence on the effectiveness of different engagement strategies remains limited. This study examines how the structure and delivery of community engagement influence changes in public attitudes toward hosting interim used nuclear fuel storage facilities. Using survey data from 13 educational workshops around the United States, we evaluate: (1) the inclusion of trust-building content prior to technical content, and (2) engagement format, comparing online and in-person workshops. Analyses focus on participant changes in perceptions of safety, risk, and support for hosting, using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and other non-parametric hypothesis tests on surveys conducted before and after workshops. Results indicate that workshop participation is associated with some measurable attitude changes, with significant (p < 0.05) differences in response variability for some questions across workshop formats. In particular, when comparing nuclear energy to other clean energy sources, in-person workshop participants are substantially more likely to gain a more favorable opinion of nuclear energy than online participants. These findings contribute empirical evidence on how trust-building and delivery mode shape outcomes in public engagement on complex and contested energy policy issues such as storage of used nuclear fuel.

nuclear fuel cycle

Adjuvant apatinib therapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with high-risk nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, prospective phase 2 study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with apatinib in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, phase II study enrolled patients with newly histologically confirmed LA-NPC, who were randomly assigned to receive CCRT followed by adjuvant apatinib (investigational arm) or CCRT alone (control arm). The investigational arm received 250 mg/day of oral apatinib administered every 28 days for up to six cycles after CCRT. The primary endpoint was 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints of overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of 3-year, and safety. RESULTS: From July 2018 to September 2020, 44 and 44 patients were randomized into the CCRT-alone and CCRT and apatinib groups, respectively. The median follow-up duration 56 (range: 40.0-58.6) months. The survival outcomes were the 3-year PFS, OS, and DMFS rates in the adjuvant apatinib following CCRT group were significantly higher than those observed in the CCRT-alone group((PFS, 78.6%vs. 54.5%, p = 0.027; OS, 88.1% vs. 75.0%, p = 0.029; DMFS, 85.4%vs. 59.1%, p = 0.009). The 3-year LRFS was similar between the groups. The grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs) were higher in the former group than in the latter. The most common grade 3-4 non-hematology-related adverse events were hypertension (14.3%), hand-foot syndrome (9.5%), increased transaminase levels (7.1%), and headache (7.1%). CONCLUSION: Apatinib significantly improved the treatment effects of CCRT for high-risk LA-NPC patients. Therefore, CCRT and adjuvant apatinib may represent a promising option for this patient population.

Adjuvant therapy

Power as equal ability, knowledge and resistance: Systematic review of experiences of adults with noncommunicable diseases.

PURPOSE: To analyse subjective experiences of power of adults with noncommunicable diseases in relationships with healthcare practitioners as well as underlying facilitators and barriers of these experiences. METHODS: Systematic review (4 databases) of experiences using reflexive thematic analysis underpinned by critical realist approach. The analysis was conducted with an abductive reasoning using previous theories on social power as well as retroduction. RESULTS: Based on 24 studies, we formed three themes, which depict experiences of power as 1) the position, equal ability and freedom to make one's own choices and (re)negotiate within shared dialogue, 2) the ability to use knowledge to claim one's rights, 3) resistance. Facilitators were connected to acknowledgement as an equally valuable individual, positive healthcare practitioner attitudes and actions towards patient activity and views, safety in the relationship as well as to sufficient, clear and varied information. Main barriers were experiences of dehumanisation, negative healthcare practitioner attitudes and actions, perceived or assumed practitioner domination in interactions, lack of or incomprehensible knowledge and testimonial smothering. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that adults with noncommunicable diseases may experience power primarily as a positive power: being acknowledged as having legitimate position to make decisions and being in possession of varied knowledge through which they can gain agency to protect and claim their rights, by resisting, if necessary. Healthcare practitioners are in key position to support these experiences through positive transforming actions, while knowledge asymmetries, persistent inequality and paternalistic structures continue to hinder it.

Humans

Divergent trajectories of genome architecture and chromosome evolution in ferns and angiosperms.

Ferns and angiosperms represent the two largest vascular plant lineages but exhibit striking genomic and ecological contrasts. We investigated whether differences in genome size, chromosome architecture, GC content, and stomatal traits reveal divergent evolutionary trajectories between these lineages. We assembled the most comprehensive dataset to date, integrating genome size, chromosome number and size, GC content, and stomatal traits for over 1100 fern species and compared it with an extensive angiosperm dataset. Ferns exhibited markedly lower variability and c. 16-fold slower rates of chromosome size evolution than angiosperms. A persistent positive relationship between genome size and chromosome number in ferns suggests limited cytological post-polyploid diploidization. While ferns generally possess larger stomata, this difference disappears after accounting for genome size, indicating that nucleotypic constraints, rather than lineage-specific physiology, dictate stomatal dimensions. Both groups share a unimodal GC-genome size relationship peaking at c. 14 Gbp. Larger fern chromosomes imply lower genome-wide recombination rates, potentially limiting genetic reshuffling and adaptive potential. Our results highlight fundamentally divergent evolutionary trajectories, likely shaped by meiotic symmetry in ferns and meiotic asymmetry, possibly centromere drive, and post-polyploid diploidization in angiosperms, defining the functional and genomic landscapes of these lineages across deep evolutionary timescales.

Genome, Plant

Maternal transfer of nonylphenol drives oxidative, immune, and epigenetic dysregulation in zebrafish offspring.

Nonylphenol (NP), a widespread surfactant and endocrine-disrupting pollutant, poses significant ecological and public health risks globally; however, its transgenerational effects remain poorly understood. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio), we compared chronic maternal NP exposure (50 and 100 &#xb5;g/L, 28 days) with acute embryonic exposure (0.22 &#xb5;mol/L) during 0-3 days post-fertilization (dpf) to delineate mechanistic differences in toxicity. Maternal NP exposure produced severe developmental defects in offspring, including edema, axial curvature, impaired swim bladder inflation, reduced growth, cardiac dysfunction, and decreased viability. These phenotypes were accompanied by systemic molecular disruptions including oxidative stress, altered estrogen receptor (ER) expression, dysregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and suppressed innate immune response characterized by attenuated neutrophil/macrophage density, reduced CD68 and complement protein C3 expression, diminished nitrite load, and downregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators at both transcript and protein levels. Maternal exposure further induced apoptosis and persistent epigenetic reprogramming (alterations in DNA methylation and histone-modifying enzymes), hallmarks of transgenerational toxicity. In contrast, direct embryonic NP exposure elicited morphological abnormalities without significant lethality, accompanied by induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and MAPK activation, reflecting an augmented inflammatory response. These mechanistic contrasts reveal that maternal NP exposure is a potent driver of systemic, heritable molecular reprogramming, whereas embryonic exposure triggers acute inflammatory pathways. Together, our findings underscore the global relevance of NP as a transgenerational toxicant, advocating for its urgent inclusion in ecotoxicological risk assessments and regulatory frameworks.

Animals

Artificial Intelligence for Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Prognosis of Neuroblastoma - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To synthesizes evidence on artificial intelligence (AI) performance in neuroblastoma (NB) diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis, and genomic characterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024539475) across five databases. Meta-analyses used random-effects models with logit-transformed Area Under the Curve (AUCs) and cluster-robust standard errors. AI models were classified as Machine Learning Models (MLM) or Hybrid Nomograms (HN) based on their construction methodology. RESULTS: Of 3,742 articles identified, 53 were included. MLMs demonstrated higher point estimates than radiologists in differential diagnosis (AUC: 0.87 vs. 0.83), though this difference was not statistically significant and carried substantial uncertainty. HNs achieved stronger performance in risk stratification (AUC: 0.87). AI-derived nomograms (AUC: 0.9) and gene signatures (AUC: 0.8) outperformed conventional prognostic markers descriptively. Chemotherapy response prediction remained below clinical utility thresholds across all model types. Only 33.9% of models reported calibration and 24.5% underwent external validation. CONCLUSIONS: AI demonstrates proof-of-concept across multiple NB clinical domains. However, clinical adoption remains premature given persistent gaps in external validation, calibration, dataset size, and pediatric-specific model development. Future studies should test these models prospectively in multicenter pediatric cohorts, ideally through COG or SIOPEN, using shared definitions for diagnosis, risk group, treatment response, and survival outcomes.

Humans

Distinct cell morphotypes of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN exhibit differential functional profiles in promoting maize growth.

Black yeast-like fungi of the genus Aureobasidium exhibit morphological plasticity, but whether distinct cellular states within the same genetic background are associated with different plant growth-promoting functions remains unclear. Here, yeast-like cells (YL), swollen cells (SC), and chlamydospores (CH) of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN were characterized. YL was associated mainly with siderophore production and laccase activity, SC with extracellular polysaccharide accumulation, and CH with phosphate mobilization and higher ammonia and IAA production. Whole-genome and comparative genomic analyses revealed a shared repertoire related to nutrient acquisition, auxin-associated metabolism, extracellular oxidation, and carbohydrate remodeling, with expansions in nutrient- and cell-surface-related gene families. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed distinct deployment of these capacities, with CH exhibiting broad reprogramming of tryptophan-associated, nitrogen, phosphate, central-carbon, and amino-acid metabolism. In maize, CH at the optimal inoculation concentration of 105 CFU&#xb7;mL-1 produced the strongest growth promotion, increasing plant height, dry biomass, root length, root surface area, and root volume by 58.6%, 365.1%, 191.0%, 194.3%, and 222.4%, respectively. Consistent with this pronounced growth phenotype, maize root transcriptomics showed coordinated CH-induced responses involving root development, nutrient transport, redox regulation, and root-interface remodeling. Root-zone tracking showed greater short-term stability and persistence of CH. These findings identify cellular state as an important functional dimension of Aureobasidium-plant interactions and provide a basis for developing fungal inoculants with defined beneficial cellular states.

Zea mays

Status of dementia care among healthcare practitioners in Nigerian tertiary hospitals: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dementia is an escalating public health concern globally. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers to dementia care among healthcare practitioners in Nigerian tertiary hospitals, aiming to identify practitioner-related sociodemographic predictors and systemic barriers affecting dementia care delivery. METHODS: We collected data from May 2024 to May 2025 for this cross-sectional study in 12 purposively selected tertiary hospitals across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Participants included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals involved in geriatric psychiatric care. Using multistage and convenience sampling, 394 respondents were recruited (response rate: 99.5%). Data were collected via a validated Dementia Care Practice Questionnaire (Cronbach's &#x3b1; = 0.84) and analyzed with SPSS v22. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and odds ratios (ORs) identified associations (significance: p &#x2264; 0.05). RESULTS: Of 394 respondents, 51.5% were aged &#x2265;40 years, and 54.8% were female. While 62.9% demonstrated adequate knowledge, negative perceptions (51.3%) and attitudes (56.9%) were common. Despite this, 71.3% reported engagement in dementia care, and 75.6% demonstrated appropriate professional help-seeking behaviour when confronted with dementia care challenges. Practitioner-reported barriers included limited training opportunities, geographical barriers affecting patient access to dementia services, and inadequate staffing. Predictors of desirable care practices among healthcare practitioners included age &#x2265;40 years, female gender, Christian affiliation, and &#x2265;5 years of professional experience. CONCLUSION: Although many healthcare practitioners are involved in dementia care, gaps in perceptions, attitudes, and structural support persist. Interventions should focus on targeted training, system strengthening, and policy reform to improve dementia care outcomes.

Barriers to care

Long-term mortality in pediatric sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric sepsis represents a significant factor in the mortality rates among children, with survivors remaining highly fragile during the period following discharge. While in-hospital and short-term mortality have been widely studied, the long-term mortality of pediatric sepsis is not adequately synthesized or appreciated. This study aims to estimate the long-term mortality associated with pediatric sepsis, providing a basis for optimizing post-discharge surveillance and care protocols. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251137504). Exhaustive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for studies published from the inception of each database to June 30, 2025. Studies reporting long-term mortality in pediatric sepsis patients diagnosed using international consensus criteria were included. After literature screening, long-term mortality was pooled using a random effects meta-analysis in R statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 72,065 records were identified through database searching. After removing duplicates and screening, six studies comprising 11,318 pediatric sepsis patients were included. The pooled long-term mortality in pediatric sepsis was 11% (95% CI: 7-16%), though significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 98.2%, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results, and evidence of publication bias was limited. CONCLUSION: Long-term mortality after pediatric sepsis was 11%, highlighting the persistent risk of mortality after hospital discharge. Further high-quality longitudinal studies are required to identify modifiable risk factors and guide evidence-based follow-up and personalized care.

Humans

Evaluation of Prevalence of Obstetric Violence and its Associated Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstetric violence (OV) begins with a woman's initial contact with a health institution and can persist throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Despite this, previous research has largely focused on the labor process. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of OV experienced by women during pregnancy, labor, or the postpartum period. We conducted systematic searches in five electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE Ultimate, and OVID) between April 27 and August 7, 2024. Studies were included if they involved women aged 18 and above who experienced mistreatment, abuse, disrespect, or OV during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period; employed quantitative cohort, descriptive, or cross-sectional designs; were written in English; reported the prevalence of OV and/or associated factors; and were published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2023. Data synthesis involved meta-analysis, meta-regression, and narrative synthesis methods. A total of 41 studies, including 43,977 participants from 17 countries, were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of OV was 61.7% (95% CI [0.549, 0.680]; I&#xb2;: 99.258%). The meta-regression analysis showed that variables such as the country of study, income level of countries, study setting, study design, and risk of bias had statistically significant effects on OV. In addition, 40 risk factors and 14 protective factors were identified through narrative synthesis. This highlights the high prevalence of OV and the need to address the associated factors.

Humans