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PubMed2026

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation in Invasively Ventilated Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is increasingly used in invasively ventilated adults in the intensive care unit (ICU), yet its therapeutic efficacy and safety remain uncertain due to inconsistent evidence. AIM: To synthesize evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of MI-E in this population and to examine methodological and clinical heterogeneity underlying reported outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies (including RCTs and randomized crossover trials), conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with risk of bias assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials involving 310 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) significantly increased sputum clearance (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.32-0.93; p < 0.00011; I2 = 38%) without affecting oxygenation (MD = 0.28, 95% CI, -0.53 to 1.09; p = 0.50; I2 = 9%). Data on respiratory mechanics, ventilation duration and ICU stay could not be pooled. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: MI-E significantly improves sputum clearance in invasively ventilated critically ill adults, with no severe adverse events reported in the included studies. Its effects on other outcomes remain inconclusive due to limited data and heterogeneity. Standardized protocols and larger trials are needed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinicians may consider MI-E as an adjunct for respiratory secretion management. Application should be guided by structured patient assessment and individualized parameter adjustment. Future research should standardize interventions and target well-defined patient subgroups to inform clear practice guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, with registration number CRD42023403299.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Educational Effects of Electronic Documents and Videos on Parents' Responses to Acute Illness in Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM: This study compared changes associated with electronic document-based and video-based education for parents responding to acute illness in young children, focusing on self-reported knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention measurements was conducted among 140 adults in Japan who self-reported raising a child under 3 years of age and having experienced their child's acute illness. Participants were assigned to an electronic document group or a video group (n = 70 each). Self-reported knowledge was assessed using a researcher-developed questionnaire, and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pre-post changes and between-group differences in change scores were examined. RESULTS: Total self-reported knowledge scores increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01), with no significant between-group difference. The video group showed significant improvements in items related to symptoms requiring attention at home and information sources, whereas the electronic document group improved in items related to symptoms requiring medical consultation and emergency calls. State and trait anxiety did not change significantly in either group. Satisfaction was high in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both educational formats may support parents' learning about responses to acute illness in young children, although appropriate formats may differ according to the educational content. Information provision alone may have limited effects on anxiety; therefore, future parent education should incorporate interactive and reassurance-focused approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000056457.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Are Adverse Childhood Experiences Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Severe Mental Illness?

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe mental disorders (SMD) are at substantially elevated risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS), contributing to excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with dysregulation of metabolic pathways, yet their contribution to MetS risk in SMD remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between ACEs and MetS in outpatients with bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) in clinical remission and to identify independent and incremental predictors of MetS using a hierarchical analytical framework. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 140 outpatients with SMD (96 with BD and 44 with SZ) in clinical remission, recruited from a university hospital in Eastern Turkey. MetS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, and ACEs were assessed using the Turkish version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE-TR). Hierarchical and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with MetS. RESULTS: MetS was highly prevalent in this sample (46.4%). ACE-TR total score was independently and consistently associated with MetS across all hierarchical models (odds ratio [OR] range: 1.68-1.77), with each one-unit increase conferring approximately 71% higher odds in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.32; P = 0.001). The number of hospitalizations was the only other independently associated variable (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.02-1.39). Sexual abuse (16.9% vs. 2.7%; P = 0.004), emotional neglect (63.1% vs. 30.7%; P < 0.001), and physical neglect (30.8% vs. 14.7%; P = 0.022) were significantly more prevalent in the MetS group. ACE-TR total score was positively correlated with waist circumference and triglyceride levels. CONCLUSION: The strong and consistent association between ACEs and MetS underscores the importance of trauma-informed care models in psychiatric practice, where metabolic comorbidity remains a leading cause of premature mortality.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessing the accuracy and efficiency of an electronic platform for managing childhood illnesses in rural China: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) faces challenges in capacity building and quality control. This trial aims to assess an electronic IMCI (eIMCI) platform in improving the effectiveness and efficiency in disease classification and management by community health workers (CHWs). DESIGN: Cluster randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Rural western China. PARTICIPANTS: 24 CHWs and 72 ill children aged 2 months to 5 years (3 children per CHW). CHWs were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention CHWs received online training and performed disease management using the eIMCI platform featuring integrated training modules and decision-support tools. The control group received traditional face-to-face training and used paper-based IMCI protocols. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of children correctly diagnosed or classified by CHWs, as determined by a pediatric specialist. Relative risk (RR) between groups was estimated using Poisson Generalized Linear Mixed Models incorporating a random intercept for CHW to account for clustering of children within individual CHWs and adjusting for key covariates at both the CHW and child levels. RESULTS: The intervention group (13 CHWs, 39 children) had a higher rate of correct classification (64.1%) compared to the control group (11 CHWs, 33 children) (39.4%, P = .056). Multivariable regression analysis confirmed this (RR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-3.1; P < .001). No significant difference was found in correct treatment rates (38.5% vs. 27.3%, P = .316). Online training reduced time and costs by approximately 80%, though with a slight decrease in post-training evaluation scores. CONCLUSIONS: The eIMCI platform shows potential in enhancing IMCI implementation and significantly reducing the training burden in resource-limited settings. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100042533, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=119995.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Empirical Meropenem Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Critically Ill Adults With Sepsis: Feasibility of a Randomised Trial.

BACKGROUND: Meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam are commonly used empirical antibiotics in critically ill adults with sepsis, but whether one is superior to the other is uncertain. METHODS: The Empirical Meropenem versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Adult Patients with Sepsis (EMPRESS) trial is an ongoing investigator-initiated, randomised, open-label, adaptive clinical trial with an integrated feasibility phase comparing empirical treatment with meropenem versus piperacillin/tazobactam in critically ill adults with sepsis. The integrated feasibility phase enrolled 200 participants across 10 intensive care units (ICUs) in Denmark between 28 June and 12 December 2025. Five pre-specified feasibility criteria were evaluated; if all feasibility criteria were met, the trial would proceed unaltered, whereas failure to meet one or more criteria would require intervention and re-evaluation. RESULTS: We randomised 200 of 284 screened patients (70.4%). The median age was 70 years (interquartile range (IQR): 60-77), 65.5% were males. At randomisation, 80.0% received vasopressors or inotropes, and 43.5% were on invasive mechanical ventilation. Four of five pre-specified feasibility criteria were met: time to completion of the feasibility phase (5.5 months vs. threshold < 12.0 months), recruitment proportion (70.4% vs. threshold ≥ 50.0%), proportion of participants without consent to the continued collection of data (2.5% vs. threshold < 5.0%) and protocol adherence (81.0% vs. threshold ≥ 75.0%). The proportion of participants with timely primary outcome data availability (30-day mortality) within 45 days was 85.5% and below the pre-specified threshold of ≥ 95.0%. The proportions were low in the first 3 months (33.3%, 22.2% and 30.8%, respectively), increasing to 95.8% in the last month of the feasibility phase. All-cause mortality at 30 days was 30.5%, and specific serious adverse reactions occurred in 4.0% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: In this integrated feasibility evaluation of the EMPRESS trial comparing empirical meropenem versus piperacillin/tazobactam in critically ill adults with sepsis, four of five pre-specified feasibility criteria were met. The unmet criterion, timely primary outcome data availability, improved substantially during the feasibility phase. We consider the trial feasible and will proceed without modifications. EDITORIAL COMMENT: This feasibility study assessed recruitment, randomised allocation and data collection for the multicentre EMPRESS trial. For adaptive trials on trial platforms, careful interim checking of trial design functions is an important and necessary process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Information System EUCT number: 2023-509703-33-00; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06184659; Universal Trial Number: U1111-1301-6379.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Behaviourally informed text message reminders to increase cervical screening attendance in people with severe mental illness: the OPTIMISE pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the feasibility of both the delivery and evaluation of 'enhanced' (behaviourally informed) text message reminders containing links to existing co-designed resources supporting decision-making for people with severe mental illness (SMI) regarding attendance of cervical screening. DESIGN: A pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). SETTING: 13 General Practice (GP) practices in London were recruited. PARTICIPANTS: GP practices identified people with SMI aged 24-64 years who were overdue cervical screening. Target sample size was 120 participants (60 per arm) based on existing guidance for pilot trials. INTERVENTION: In March 2025, participants were randomised (1:1) to receive either the enhanced (intervention) or the standard (control) SMS reminder. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: 18 weeks later, feasibility outcomes were collected (primary outcomes) and data analysis for a definitive RCT was rehearsed (secondary outcome). RESULTS: Of the 150 participants across 13 GP practices that were randomised (n=75 per arm), 132 (88%) texts delivered (intervention n=64/75 (85%), control n=68/75 (91%)). 10 practices (76.9%) provided follow-up data for 102 participants (intervention n=50, control n=52). Five participants (intervention n=4, control n=1) attended screening within the trial period. Participant survey response rate was low (9/132 (7%), intervention n=5, control n=4). Both SMS messages were low cost, with the intervention SMS a 50% higher cost to deliver (7.5p vs 5p per SMS). Primary feasibility measures of recruitment rate of GP practices (27%), retention of GP practices (77%) and participants (100%), SMS delivery (88%) and data completeness (64%) indicated viability, although survey response rate (7%) did not. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving adequate recruitment and retention, data completeness and comparable groups is viable with some amendments, although an alternative method is required to assess fidelity. Behaviourally informed SMS reminders are feasible to deliver to people with SMI, although it is uncertain if the extra resources are accessed and used. With changes to data collection, a definitive trial could be feasible. Given the low observed cervical screening attendance, additional intervention is needed for this group. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN12558681.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Nurse-Led Home-Based Mobile Health Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This 12-week randomized controlled trial evaluated a nurse-led mHealth intervention for patients with chronic heart failure, conceptually informed by Riegel's middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness. The program integrated wearable activity tracking with weekly nurse-led behavioral coaching, reflecting the core self-care processes of monitoring, maintenance, and management. Compared with usual care, the intervention significantly improved daily step count, 6-minute walk distance, metabolic equivalents, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Findings highlight the effectiveness of theory-informed, nurse-delivered mHealth strategies in enhancing physical activity and cardiopulmonary function, while underscoring the critical role of advanced practice nurses in home-based chronic disease management.

Aged↗

PubMed2026

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation Program on Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Forgiveness Tendencies of Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study examined the effects of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation program on mindfulness, self-compassion, and forgiveness in patients with bipolar disorder using a pretest-posttest randomized controlled experimental design. The study sample comprised of 40 patients (experimental group, n = 20; control group, n = 20). A mindfulness-based psychoeducation program was administered to the experimental group, while no intervention was administered to the control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Mindfulness Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale. The study revealed that the experimental group's mean scores on the mindfulness, self-compassion, and forgiveness scales following the intervention were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < .05). This study found that a mindfulness-based psychoeducation program increased mindfulness, self-compassion, and forgiveness in patients with bipolar disorder. The findings are limited to a small outpatient sample from a single CMHC and may not be generalizable to hospitalized patients with more severe clinical presentations. Mindfulness-based educational programs may enhance mental health, improve illness insight, support symptom management, and strengthen social functioning in individuals with bipolar disorder. The results emphasize the importance of integrating these programs into treatment processes and reveal the necessity for psychiatric nurses to actively implement mindfulness-based interventions. Psychiatric nurses should consider incorporating mindfulness-based techniques into their practice to improve the mental health of individuals with bipolar disorder, better understand the disorder, control symptoms, and improve social interactions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Meaning in Life in Palliative Cancer Care: Psychosocial and Existential Outcomes-A Systematic Review.

BackgroundExistential distress, marked by hopelessness, loss of meaning, and spiritual suffering, is prevalent among patients with advanced illness, and is associated with psychological burden and a wish to hasten death (WTHD).PurposeThis systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on meaning in life (MIL) in adult palliative care (PC) populations, focusing on its associations with quality of life (QOL), mental health, existential and spiritual well-being (SWB), and WTHD.MethodsMEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies (English, 2016-2024) involving adult cancer patients receiving PC. MIL was examined as a central intervention component or outcome. Risk of bias was assessed: findings were synthesized narratively. The review was registered in PROSPERO.ResultsEight studies (n = 1733 participants) were included: four cross-sectional, two randomized controlled trials, one longitudinal observational study, and one qualitative study. Several studies had small samples and substantial attrition. Risk of bias was high (n = 7), and moderate in one cross-sectional study. MIL was inversely associated with depression, anxiety, demoralization, and WTHD; and positively associated with QOL and SWB. MIL may also mediate psychological outcomes (eg, purpose, coherence, and personal values). However, heterogeneity in MIL conceptualization and measurement, combined with low methodological quality, limited comparability and certainty of findings.ConclusionMIL may be relevant to psychosocial/existential outcomes in PC. Conclusions are constrained by a small and methodologically weak evidence base. Further high-quality, longitudinal research is needed before MIL-centered interventions can be recommended for routine clinical practice.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure in Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia Severity in Middle-Aged and Older Women in Taiwan.

Poor sleep quality impacts cognition, emotions, and immunity. This study evaluated the efficacy of auricular acupressure in improving sleep conditions. Eighty-eight women aged ≥40 years with insomnia were randomly assigned to acupoint, sham, or comparison groups. Magnetic pellets were applied to heart, liver, and shenmen acupoints for the acupoint group and were offset by 1 to 2 cm for the sham group. Participants pressed pellets thrice daily for 1 month. In the acupoint and sham groups, insomnia was reduced and sleep quality improved dramatically in the acupoint group at 4 weeks. Auricular acupressure may improve sleep and support equitable, cultural patient-centered care.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Complicated urinary tract infections: evolving definitions, clinical burden, and treatment landscape amid antimicrobial resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) is a common and heterogeneous infection associated with substantial morbidity, high healthcare utilization, and increasing antimicrobial resistance. Evolving definitions, increasing device use, and changing patient populations have altered its epidemiology and management. Marked variability in diagnostic criteria, clinical trial endpoints within and outside registrational settings, and treatment strategies complicates clinical decision-making and interpretation of therapeutic advances. AREAS COVERED: This review examines contemporary cUTI epidemiology, classification frameworks, and drivers of disease burden. It evaluates resistance trends and their therapeutic implications, alongside stewardship-based management strategies, including empiric antibiotic selection, intravenous-to-oral transition, treatment duration, and source control. Challenges in catheter-associated infection, recurrence, and regulatory endpoint design are discussed, together with the emerging role of novel agents targeting resistant Gram-negative pathogens. EXPERT OPINION: Rising multidrug resistance and limited oral options are reshaping cUTI management, necessitating individualized, stewardship-aligned therapy guided by illness severity and local epidemiology. Current regulatory endpoints inadequately reflect patient-centered outcomes, particularly in the context of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Expanding availability of effective oral agents may enable earlier discharge and outpatient care. Integration of rapid diagnostics and risk stratification will be essential to optimize therapy, limit resistance, and improve outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A narrative systematic review of definitions and diagnostic criteria for disordered eating and eating disorders in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) affects 8-37.1% of adults and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The absence of a standardised case definition of T1DE and its severity hinders effective screening, diagnosis and treatment. This systematic review aimed to (1) synthesise existing case definitions and diagnostic criteria for T1DE in adults and (2) identify key characteristics to inform consensus for future diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) with type 1 diabetes assessing disordered eating; paediatric studies, mixed samples without disaggregated data, non-empirical designs and non-English publications were excluded. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched up to November 2025 for peer-reviewed studies involving adults with T1DE. Qualitative and quantitative data on definitions, diagnostic criteria and assessment tools were extracted. Study quality was appraised using a modified Graphical Appraisal Tool for Epidemiological studies (GATE) checklist. Due to heterogeneity of data, a narrative synthesis of findings was performed to describe current definitions of T1DE. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, with a pooled sample of 111,208 participants (76% women) from over 22 countries. T1DE was defined using a heterogeneous array of terms, diagnostic frameworks and assessment tools (29 distinct methods). The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) was the most used questionnaire, but many studies relied on criteria adapted from general eating disorder classifications or generic questionnaires. Approximately three-quarters of the studies assessed insulin omission behaviours, but the operationalisation of the cognitions for insulin omission varied widely. Beyond physiological markers such as HbA1c and BMI, studies explored various diabetes-related and psychological constructs, although often considering diabetes and disordered eating separately rather than as an integrated condition. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This systematic review highlights the lack of a unified, evidence-based definition of T1DE, resulting in inconsistent screening, diagnostic and reporting practices. Establishing clear, consistent, evidence-based diagnostic criteria and screening questionnaires for T1DE is critical to improving early detection and developing targeted interventions. These findings provide a foundation for refining T1DE definitions as a stepping stone to an international consensus definition. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD420250223622 FUNDING: King's College London and King's College Hospital through the KMRT KCH Joint Research Committee studentship. This work was also conducted as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR; CS-2017-17-023)-funded STEADY project (Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY). NZ's salary was part-funded by the NIHR via the NIHR Clinician Scientist award to MS; JT and KI are part-funded by the NIHR Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London. MS was funded through her NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship (CS-2017-17-023).

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Mediators of the Association Between a Parent's Experience of Trauma and Their Children's Well-Being: A Systematic Review.

At present, our understanding of trauma's complexity is underdeveloped, particularly with regard to intergenerational effects. In this paper, we review peer-reviewed literature on parental trauma and child well-being, focusing on mediating factors. We conducted a global systematic review of longitudinal, observational studies assessing mediators between a parent's traumatic exposure and their children's well-being. The primary outcome of the review was quantitative measures of child well-being (physical and psycho-social) assessed when the child was 18 years or under. We considered the following experiences as trauma exposures: intimate partner violence, rape, sexual assault, victimization during violent crime, childhood abuse, and exposure to direct, immediate threats to personal survival during war, political unrest, natural disasters, and sudden, critical injury/illness. Thirty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. The two most common mediator categories were caregiver mental health (n = 13) and parenting behavior (n = 10). Other studies measured aspects of the parent-child relationship (n = 9), maternal stress factors (n = 5), parental physical health (n = 2), and child-level factors (n = 6) as mediators. Almost all included studies (n = 28) detected a mediation effect. The majority of studies (n = 21) cited robust theoretical frameworks to support their mediator and outcome choices. Studies varied in quality, but most used appropriate, formal mediation analyses. Several study designs could be enhanced by methods to improve precision and reduce bias. Currently, there is little consistency in how similar constructs are measured between mediation studies. We did not locate any studies in low-income countries, and few studies examined aspects of family dynamics, physical health, environmental characteristics, or paternal factors.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effect of Narrative-Based Palliative Care on Psychological Stress, Quality of Life, and End-of-Life Acceptance in Elderly Terminal Cancer Patients and Their Families.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to preliminarily evaluate the impacts of narrative-based palliative care on psychological stress, end-of-life acceptance, and quality of life in elderly terminally ill cancer patients and their family caregivers.MethodsThis single-center, small-sample randomized controlled study enrolled 50 elderly terminal cancer patients. Patients were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group (n = 25 each). The observation group received narrative-based palliative care, while the control group received routine standard care. Family psychological stress was assessed using the Relative Stress Scale (RSS), and patients' perceived stress was evaluated with the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Caregiver satisfaction was measured using a hospital-developed questionnaire. Patients' quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36, Chinese Version of the Death Attitude Profile (DAP-C), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively.ResultsBaseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > .05). Post-intervention, the observation group demonstrated significantly lower psychological stress among family members and higher caregiver satisfaction (P < .05). Patients in the observation group reported better quality of life, improved sleep, and greater acceptance of death than those in the control group (P < .05).ConclusionAs a small-sample, single-center study, these findings offer preliminary evidence that narrative-based palliative care may reduce psychological stress in elderly terminal cancer patients and caregivers while enhancing patients' quality of life, sleep quality, and acceptance of death. However, the limited sample size, single-site design, and narrow inclusion criteria restrict generalizability. Larger multicenter trials are needed to confirm these results.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Healthcare Access and Safety Training Gaps Among H-2 A Visa Agricultural Workers in Georgia.

The H-2 A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program, which supplies seasonal labor essential to U.S. food security, has grown over 230% in the past decade but is excluded from the National Agricultural Workers Survey. Although safety training is federally mandated and H-2 A workers are eligible for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace coverage, compliance and healthcare access among these workers remain poorly documented. The aim of this pilot study was to assess workplace safety training, heat acclimatization practices, health insurance awareness and enrollment, and healthcare utilization among H-2 A workers in Georgia. In summer 2024, bilingual research assistants orally administered a cross-sectional Spanish-language survey to 51 H-2 A workers at a South Georgia laundromat, in partnership with the Latino Community Fund Georgia. The survey assessed demographics, occupational characteristics, safety training, heat acclimatization, health insurance awareness and enrollment, and healthcare utilization. Findings are self-reported. Among participants, 41% reported not receiving federally mandated pesticide safety training, and 59% received heat illness prevention training. Heat acclimatization was inadequate for 53% (29% received none). Additionally, 53% did not know the nearest hospital, 43% reported having health insurance, and 25% were unsure of their health insurance status. Overall, 71% had never visited a doctor's office, and of 22 insured workers, only 1 (2%) had used benefits this season. Substantial gaps in workplace safety training, heat acclimatization, and healthcare access were observed in this pilot study, consistent with prior evidence of persistent disparities in this population. Community-based outreach, bilingual health navigation, and market-based labor accountability models warrant further investigation to improve protections for H-2 A workers.

Agricultural workers↗

PubMed2026

Closed-loop vasopressor systems for hemodynamic control in perioperative and critical care settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Maintaining mean arterial pressure (MAP) within a predefined target is central to haemodynamic management in surgical and critically ill adults receiving vasopressors. Closed-loop vasopressor (CLV) systems automate titration to optimise blood pressure control, but their clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing CLV with manual titration. This PRISMA 2020-compliant review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250655697). MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and the Cochrane Library were searched (January 2000-June 2025). Randomised controlled trials enrolling adults receiving vasopressors in perioperative or intensive care settings were included. Primary outcomes were time within the MAP target range and time spent in hypotension or hypertension. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Random- or fixed-effects models were selected according to heterogeneity. Six randomized controlled trials (215 patients) were included in the systematic review, whereas five perioperative trials contributed to the meta-analysis of haemodynamic control outcomes, and one ICU-based study was summarized narratively because it did not report comparable MAP control endpoints. CLV increased time within the MAP target range (mean difference [MD] 33.94%, 95% CI 20.41-47.46; I2 = 77%) and reduced time in hypotension (MD - 18.24%, 95% CI - 28.95 to - 7.53; I2 = 73%). There was no significant difference in time in hypertension, cumulative norepinephrine dose, or major/minor adverse events. ICU length of stay was not pooled because of clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Certainty of evidence ranged from low to high (moderate for haemodynamic control outcomes). CLV systems improved haemodynamic control, primarily in perioperative settings, but heterogeneity and small samples limit confidence in effect size and generalisability. Evidence in critically ill populations remains limited, and larger trials are needed to determine whether improvements in these physiological surrogate endpoints translate into meaningful patient-centred outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Addressing racism as a clinical competence: Robert Wilson, Jr. (1867-1946).

Addressing health inequity is now recognized as a clinical competency in medical education. We examined the career and writings of Robert Wilson Jr. (1867-1946), longtime dean of the Medical College of the State of South Carolina during the Jim Crow Era, using primary and secondary sources within the context of systemic and structural racism, particularly in South Carolina. Wilson used public health data to refute the "Black Extinction Hypothesis" rooted in social Darwinism. He challenged assumptions of inherent Black susceptibility to tuberculosis, linking disease instead to social determinants of health. He also identified disproportionate mortality from kidney and cardiovascular disease among Black populations, anticipating modern health disparities research. Wilson further acknowledged systemic injustice and implicated structural conditions, including housing, in shaping outcomes. In an era of continuing health inequity and racial health disparities, Wilson applied empirical evidence to reject biological determinism, identify outcomes disparities, and advocate for racial justice.

History, 20th Century↗

PubMed2025

The mediating role of protective factors in relationship between caregiving components and psychosocial adjustment among young carers: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Higher youth caregiving is associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes in young carers; hence a research priority is to investigate protective factors that mitigate the adverse effects of youth caregiving. This systematic review with meta-analysis examined the relationships among youth caregiving components and young carer psychosocial adjustment and protective factors, as well as the mediating role of the protective factors in the relationship between caregiving components and psychosocial adjustment. METHODS: Three electronic databases were searched until April 2024 and 10,244 unique publications were identified. Following abstract and title screening, 422 publications were subjected to full-text screening and 60 quantitative studies were included in this study. RESULTS: Meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) results revealed positive direct effects of caregiving responsibilities and caregiving experiences on benefit finding (β = .43, 95% CI [.074, .782], p < .05) and emotion regulation (β = .72, 95% CI [.44, 1.00], p < .001), respectively. However, there was neither a significant direct effect of caregiving components on psychosocial adjustment nor a significant indirect effect of caregiving components on psychosocial adjustment through benefit finding or emotion regulation. CONCLUSION: Findings revealed a need for research into how caregiving contextual factors affect relations among youth caregiving, protective factors, and adjustment.

Humans↗