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Exploring the experiences, views, and needs of family members of emergency response workers: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Background: Emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, face workplace challenges that may harm their well-being. They typically rely on family members for support, which may have damaging effects on the family system. While the experiences of emergency responders are well established, their families' subsequent struggles are less well explored.Objective: This review explores the experiences, views, and needs of family members, through determining the mental health and well-being issues that they face, and establishing ways in which family members could be supported.Method: We searched five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, Scopus, and ProQuest) for qualitative papers exploring experiences of family members of emergency responders. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were meta-synthesized using thematic analysis.Results: Six themes and two subthemes were identified from the meta-synthesis. 'Experiences of emotional strain' reflected worry over safety and coping with volatile moods. 'Increased responsibilities' involved safeguarding emergency responders' well-being and managing household duties, at the expense of family members' own needs. Families felt 'devoted yet invisible', with sacrifices overlooked by both emergency responders and society. 'Impacts on the family dynamic' included relational detachment and frustration. 'Support for emergency responder families' from fellow emergency responder families was valued, but organizational support was limited. 'Media portrayal and societal perceptions' varied, as police families faced hostility, while firefighter and paramedic families garnered respect, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions: This review highlights that family members play a central role in maintaining the well-being of emergency responders, yet simultaneously face hardships associated with their family member's work and feel undervalued despite their support. This lack of recognition extends to limited professional support. There is a critical need for targeted mental health interventions to support family members, alongside family support measures from emergency responder organizations to assist with the practical difficulties faced by families.

Humans

Same-day initiation of tenofovir alafenamide-based pre-exposure prophylaxis with drug-level feedback for transgender women in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of same-day initiation of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and test the impact of drug-level feedback on PrEP adherence among transgender women (TGW) in Uganda. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: HIV-negative TGW were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to intervention (drug-level feedback with tailored adherence counseling) or standard-of-care (SOC), and followed quarterly for 12 months (November 2021-July 2023; NCT04491422). Quarterly clinic visits included demographic and socio-behavioral data collection, PrEP refills, STI testing, and quarterly PrEP adherence assessment using tenofovir levels in dried blood spots (DBS; long-term) and urine (short-term). RESULTS: We enrolled 200 TGW (100 per arm), median age 21 years. Same-day F/TAF PrEP initiation was 100%. Tenofovir detection in urine (intervention arm) was 79, 80, 85, and 70% at the 3, 6, 9, and 12-month visits, respectively. Tenofovir detection in DBS was 46, 40, 35, and 31% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Median tenofovir DBS concentrations were 40.6 and 47.0 fmol/punch in intervention and SOC arms, respectively. There was no intervention effect on PrEP adherence (DBS tenofovir levels) [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 1.06; 95% CI: 0.82-1.37]. Never being harassed by police for being transgender (aIRR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.24-2.23), history of taking daily medication for more than 7 days (aIRR 1.51; 95% CI: 1.18-1.93) and higher monthly income (aIRR 1.44; 95% CI: 1.10-2.04) were associated with PrEP adherence. CONCLUSION: Oral F/TAF PrEP adherence among TGW in Uganda was low and not affected by drug-level feedback or tailored adherence counseling. Long-acting injectable PrEP formulations should be considered for this population.

Humans

A randomized trial of omega-3 fatty acids plus inositol versus N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of depression and mania in emotionally dysregulated youth age 5-17 with and without autism traits.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the nutraceutical treatments combined omega-3 fatty acid plus inositol (O3I) versus N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in children and adolescents with emotional dysregulation and the impact of the co-occurrence of autism traits (AT). Participants were male and female children (5-17) with emotional dysregulation and the presence/absence of AT, as defined by Child Behavior Checklist score, randomized to receive open-label O3I (1020 mg EPA and 1000-2000 mg Inositol) or NAC (1800-2700 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Clinicians measured severity and improvement of depression and mania with the NIMH Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI). Parents completed Parent-Youth Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Both O3I and NAC resulted in modest improvements in mania and depression and did not differ significantly in between group comparison in their effectiveness. Participants taking O3I, but not NAC, demonstrated statistically significant within group improvement in depression per CDI. Participants taking NAC had a greater decrease in P-YMRS scores versus O3I, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In the presence of AT, NAC was more effective than O3I for mania but not for depression. Further, participants taking NAC, but not O3I, demonstrated significant within group improvement in SRS and BRIEF scores. These results suggest that O3I and NAC may be beneficial for mania and depression in youth, with trends towards O3I more effective for depression and NAC more effective for mania. The presence of AT in youth with emotional dysregulation may moderate the impact of NAC.

Humans

Short-term aerobic exercise as an adjunct treatment for depression in acute geriatric psychiatry: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled trial examined whether short-term aerobic exercise provided additional clinical benefit over an active control in older inpatients with depression in geriatric psychiatry. METHODS: 100 patients (mean age 76&#xa0;years) were randomized to 2-week supervised aerobic ergometer training (intervention group, IG) or a flexibility program (control group, CG), both delivered in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). Adherence, training exposure and adverse events were recorded to assess feasibility. The primary outcome was clinical improvement measured with the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI). Secondary outcomes included depressive symptom severity assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and clinician-rated Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), physical activity, 6-min walk test (6MWT) performance, and fluoxetine-equivalent antidepressant dose (FLX). RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants attended at least 80% of sessions, with lower adherence in the IG. Weekly training duration differed between groups (74.0&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;31.9 vs. 95.0&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;25.3&#xa0;min/week, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;.003). CGI did not differ between groups (IG: MD -0.31, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.05; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;.069). Depressive symptom severity decreased over time in both groups (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001), without significant between-group differences for HAMD (MD -0.22, 95% CI -2.55 to 2.12) or BDI-II (MD -0.62, 95% CI -3.68 to 2.45). 6MWT and FLX increased over time (both p&#xa0;<&#xa0;.001), without group differences (6MWT: MD -1.08&#xa0;m, 95% CI -20.04 to 17.89; FLX: MD 5.69&#xa0;mg/day, 95% CI -2.40 to 13.77). CONCLUSION: Short-term aerobic exercise was deliverable, but showed no additional clinical benefit over low-intensity flexibility during TAU. Further research should determine dose, duration and adherence for clinically relevant effects.

Humans

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Individualized Physical Therapy on Pain and Function in Individuals With Chronic Knee Pain: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Noninvasive brain stimulation is a promising neuromodulatory intervention for chronic pain. This study aimed to determine the impact that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with individualized physical therapy (PT) has on pain and function in individuals with chronic knee pain. METHODS: This study was a preliminary pragmatic, triple-blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial performed in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic. Participants participated in 5 sessions of active or sham tDCS followed by individualized PT intervention. Pain outcomes included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Movement-Evoked Pain, pressure pain thresholds (PPT), and the Central Sensitization Inventory. Functional outcomes included the 2-minute walk test, 5-time sit-to-stand test, quadriceps strength, knee range of motion, Patient Specific Functional Scale, and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. RESULTS: Thirty participants with chronic knee pain completed the study. There were no significant differences observed for primary patient-centered pain and functional outcomes. For secondary outcomes, the active tDCS group had a significant effect (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) on percent change in lateral joint line PPT and a significant multivariate effect of group on PPT change scores for 3-site and 5-site clusters (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Exploratory responder analyses demonstrated that the active tDCS group was 12.8 times more likely to achieve the minimum detectable change in quadriceps strength improvement compared with the sham tDCS group (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). DISCUSSION: There were no significant between-group differences for primary pain and functional outcomes. However, the active tDCS group showed improvements in pain sensitivity, as measured by PPT, and quadriceps strength, which were superior to those seen in the sham tDCS group. These preliminary findings provide insight into possible mechanisms of tDCS in addressing pain as opposed to efficacy. Given that there were no clear between-group differences in patient-centered outcomes, there is insufficient evidence for routine tDCS use for chronic knee pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06132412.

Humans

Effects of low-dose esketamine on early quality of recovery following minimally invasive esophagectomy: a multicenter, randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) frequently experience moderate-to-severe postoperative pain and anxiety-depressive symptoms, compromising postoperative quality of recovery (QoR). Esketamine is a promising adjunct for analgesia and anxiolysis; however, the effect of low-dose esketamine on patient-centered recovery outcomes in MIE remains unclear. METHODS: In this double-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients scheduled for elective McKeown esophagectomy were allocated to esketamine (0.25&#x2009;mg/kg loading dose and 0.125&#x2009;mg/kg/h continuous infusion during surgery) or placebo (equivalent volume and rate of saline). The primary outcome was the QoR-15 score on postoperative day (POD) 2. Secondary outcomes included QoR-15 scores on POD 1, 3, 7 and 30. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A) and Depression Subscale (HADS-D) scores, numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scores on POD 1 to 3, and safety evaluations. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were analyzed (esketamine, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;98; placebo, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;100). Intraoperative esketamine significantly improved QoR-15 scores on POD 2 (116.9&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;9.4 vs. 110.2&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;9.8, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and POD 3 (123.6&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;7.2 vs. 116.8&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;8.4, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) compared with placebo. HADS-A and HADS-D scores were lower in the esketamine group on POD 1 to 3 (all p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Additionally, esketamine recipients reported significantly lower NRS scores at rest and during movement and BPI scores for pain severity and pain interference items (all p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in safety outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative low-dose esketamine improved early, patient-reported recovery after MIE by enhancing analgesia and reducing postoperative anxiety and depression without increasing adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register (identifier: ChiCTR2400088916).

Humans

Effectiveness and usability of artificial intelligence-powered assistive technologies in Supporting daily activities of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the main cause of motor disabilities in childhood, necessitating innovative approaches to rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). Simultaneously, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into devices to create more adaptive, personalized, and effective AT. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of AI-powered assistive technologies designed to support daily activities and rehabilitation in children with CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and IEEE Xplore, were systematically searched, and 23 articles were included in the final analysis. Articles were identified, selected, and categorized into emerging thematic areas based on the primary function and application of the technology. RESULTS: Five key thematic topics were identified: 1) AI-driven motor rehabilitation and gait training for functional mobility; 2) intelligent assessment and monitoring systems for clinical decision support; 3) AI-supported communication, social interaction, and intention recognition tools; 4) gamified and virtual reality-based interventions to enhance engagement and usability; and 5) smart assistive systems supporting daily living and independent mobility. The findings demonstrate a strong trend toward the application of AI technologies in personalized, engaging, and data-driven interventions for children with CP. However, the field is predominantly in the proof-of-concept stage, with limitations including small sample sizes, lack of long-term clinical validation, challenges in user-centered design, and usability for children with CP. CONCLUSION: AI-powered assistive technologies hold significant potential for transforming the care of children with CP by enabling highly personalized and engaging interventions. To actualize this potential, future work must realize that practical application remains challenging owing to limited clinical validation, technological integration, and usability barriers for children with CP. Future research must prioritize user-centered design and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI and robotic advancements improve the usability and quality of life for children with CP.

Humans

Multicenter randomized effectiveness/implementation trial of a digital self-management support tool to improve the quality of life during adjuvant hormonal therapy for patients with early breast cancer: The HOPE trial.

BACKGROUND: For patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive early breast cancer (BC), adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) represents the cornerstone of treatment. However, 75% of patients experience ET-related symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life (QOL). Despite their high prevalence, these symptoms are often underestimated and under-addressed during consultations. As a result, non-adherence to ET is common and remains a major barrier for optimal disease and survival outcomes. METHODS: National, prospective, randomized, open-label hybrid type 1 effectiveness/implementation trial conducted in France comparing a personalized digital health pathway plus standard of care (SoC) vs. SoC alone in patients with HR+ early BC reporting ET-related symptoms. 180 patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 12&#xa0;weeks of the digital health pathway or 12&#xa0;weeks of SoC. The intervention is anchored by the Resilience&#xa9; digital companion including remote symptom and needs assessment, an introductory nurse-navigator phone call, and access to personalized, symptom-specific online educational and self-management programs (physical activity, yoga, meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy). In both arms, patients will be invited to wear a wearable device to objectively monitor behavioral parameters. The primary endpoint is the ET symptoms scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR45 over 12-weeks. Secondary endpoints include other QOL domains, self-reported ET adherence, eHealth literacy, self-efficacy, and evaluation of the implementation process. DISCUSSION: This study should provide evidence on the effectiveness and real-world implementation of a personalized digital health pathway to improve QOL in patients experiencing ET-related symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06781996; Protocol version 3.0.

Humans

Metagenome-scale modeling to assess microbiome metabolic complementarity for precision microbiota transplantation therapies.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds therapeutic promise beyond recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, but clinical outcomes remain unpredictable and donor-selection strategies remain limited, in part because the role of donor&#x2012;recipient metabolic interactions in shaping the post-FMT community remains poorly understood. Here, we leverage metagenome-scale metabolic modeling to quantify metabolic niche complementarity between donor and recipient microbiomes and predict post-FMT community composition. Using MICOM-derived metabolic models, we show that donor genomes whose metabolic flux profiles are more dissimilar from the recipient community colonize at significantly higher rates in a murine FMT model. In a human IBS trial, the same metric predicted post-FMT community composition via leave-one-out cross-validation and captured known disease-associated alterations in short-chain fatty acid, sulfur, and gas metabolism. We then performed 2,548 in silico FMT simulations between IBS-D/M patients and donors from the OpenBiome biobank to evaluate personalized donor screening, identifying super-donors characterized by high taxonomic diversity, broad metabolic niche coverage, and community interaction networks dominated by cross-feeding rather than competition. Together, these results support metabolic niche complementarity as a potential determinant of post-FMT community composition and provide a mechanistic basis for evaluating donor-recipient metabolic compatibility. This framework offers a scalable approach for generating testable hypotheses for personalized donor selection.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

Measuring Coping Strategies in Daily Life: A Systematic Review of Experience Sampling Methodology and Daily Diary Studies.

Advances in daily diary methods and experience sampling method (ESM) have improved the study of coping strategies in daily life and their role in shaping health and well-being. In this review, we examine study designs, measurement approaches, and analytical practices used to investigate coping in natural contexts. We performed a systematic review of studies published before 5 December 2025 that used daily diary or ESM to measure coping strategies over multiple days or moments. Studies were examined with regard to sampling schemes, assessment frequency and duration, measurement of coping strategies, incorporation of stressor appraisals, and analytic techniques used to model coping processes. Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that 80% employed end-of-day diary designs, generally lasting 1-3 weeks, whereas higher-frequency ESM protocols were less common and ranged 2-14&#xa0;days. Coping strategies were often assessed using abbreviated or single-item measures, frequently adapted from established questionnaires. Many studies incorporated appraisals such as perceived stressor intensity or controllability, enabling tests of coping flexibility. Multilevel modelling was the dominant analytic approach, allowing researchers to distinguish within-person dynamics from between-person differences. However, analyses were predominantly concurrent, and temporally ordered models remained comparatively rare. Overall, the literature demonstrates substantial progress in capturing coping in everyday contexts, yet heterogeneity in measurement and limited use of temporal modelling constrain cumulative knowledge about the temporal links between coping and psychological and physiological health outcomes. Future research would benefit from greater alignment between theoretical assumptions, assessment strategies, and analytic methods.

Humans

Microplastic contamination in South Asian commercially important seafood: A comprehensive assessment of occurrence, source, and human health risk.

Seafood is a cornerstone of global food security and human nutrition, serving as the primary source of animal protein for more than one-fourth of the global population, with South Asia representing one of the world's fastest-growing seafood-consuming regions. However, escalating microplastic (MP) pollution in marine ecosystems poses an emerging threat to seafood safety and human health, yet a comprehensive regional assessment of MP contamination in South Asian seafood remains lacking. This study presents the first region-wide systematic synthesis of the literature on MP contamination in commercially important seafood across South Asia, integrating occurrence patterns, human exposure assessment, polymer-specific hazard evaluation, and bibliometric analysis to address this critical knowledge gap. The meta-analysis estimated an average microplastic exposure of 145&#xa0;particles/person/day through seafood consumption in South Asia, with fish contributing the highest intake (121 particles/person/day). The detected polymers were classified into PHI hazard levels I-IV, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and polyacrylamide (PAM) representing the highest hazard categories. The mean pollution load index (PLI) was 7.71 (Category I), with crustaceans exhibiting the highest contamination (PLI&#xa0;=&#xa0;10.07). Polypropylene was the predominant polymer, whereas fragments and blue particles were the most frequently reported microplastic characteristics. These findings provide the first regional baseline for assessing microplastic contamination, polymer-associated hazards, and human exposure through seafood consumption in South Asia, underscoring the need for standardized monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to safeguard seafood safety and public health.

Animals

Neuroimaging anxious children and adolescents before and after cognitive behavioral therapy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review investigates brain changes in youths with anxiety disorders following cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neural markers that predict CBT responses. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest. The inclusion deadline was set to October 27, 2025. We included fifteen peer-reviewed neuroimaging studies that examined the effects of CBT in youths under 19 years old with a primary clinical diagnosis of an anxiety disorder based on DSM-5 criteria. RESULTS: Although the existing literature is marked by substantial diversity in methods and outcomes, task-related neural response in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC, 2/8, 25.0%), insula (1/8, 12.5%) increased from pre to post CBT and these changes were further correlated with clinical symptom improvements. Moreover, CBT outcomes were predicted by pre-treatment activity or connectivity in the ACC and amygdala (3/13, 23.0%). A smaller proportion of studies (2/13, 15.3%) found that activity or connectivity in the insula, precuneus/cuneus, postcentral gyrus, and activity or structure in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) predicted response to CBT. The low consistency of these findings was driven by methodological variability, low reliability of the neural markers, and relatively small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights promises of neural predictors and outcomes to enhance anxiety disorder treatments in children and adolescents, facilitating future personalized and effective CBT. Beyond this initial promise, the field is hindered by methodological inconsistencies and limited replications. While longitudinal and personalized approaches are important next steps, the central challenge remains: identifying neural markers that are both reliable and robust.

Adolescent

Financial incentives and social messaging for repeat SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among the underserved: A randomized trial.

Financial incentives may influence health behavior beyond their expected monetary value, and their effectiveness may depend on how the behavior is framed. Behavioral theories of decision making suggest that individuals may value protection against small-stakes losses more than expected utility predicts, while theories of family-centered health behavior suggest that messages emphasizing benefits to family members may strengthen participation in preventive health activities. We tested these ideas in a 2&#xd7;2 factorial randomized trial involving 625 households recruited from a Federally Qualified Health Center serving low-income Latino/Hispanic communities. Participants completed repeat SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. The trial crossed two messaging strategies (Family vs. Personal) with two incentive structures (Loss Protection vs. Lottery) that offered equivalent expected monetary value. Family Messaging emphasized protecting one's family from COVID-19, whereas Personal Messaging emphasized protecting oneself. Loss Protection allowed participants to secure an at-risk reward through repeat testing, whereas the Lottery condition offered a chance of a large reward. Repeat testing was approximately 8 percentage points higher under Family Messaging and 7 percentage points higher under Loss Protection. Baseline trust in medical providers, financial barriers to vaccination, and risk aversion were associated with initial testing, whereas household characteristics were not associated with repeat testing. Incentive design may matter beyond expected monetary value and that framing health behaviors in terms of family welfare may increase participation in repeated healthy activities. Broadly, the results support behavioral theories emphasizing loss aversion, anticipated regret, and family-centered motivations, and suggest practical approaches for improving engagement in repeat health behaviors. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER:: NCT01901624.

Adult

A hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to integrate precision skin cancer risk feedback in federally qualified health centers.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer in the United States, occur in all segments of the population, and are preventable. Our previous research with primary care patients' demonstrated interest in and efficacy of a precision prevention intervention providing feedback on MC1R risk level (higher versus average) in combination with prevention education materials relative to a standard educational intervention. Our current study is a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial deployed at six federally-qualified health centers. This paper presents the study protocol. METHODS: A community advisory panel will guide development of study materials and measures. Staff training at each clinic will be completed in-person. Patients will be approached and screened in-person. Those completing genetic testing and the baseline survey will be randomized to the precision versus standard intervention for each risk level with a target sample size of 286 for each combination. Primary outcomes of effectiveness, assessed at 6 and 12&#xa0;months, include a tanning score (5 items assessing intentional and unintentional tanning), number of sunburns, conduct of a skin self-examination, and electronic health record documentation of clinician-patient communication about skin cancer prevention. Effectiveness comparisons will focus on the precision relative to the standard intervention among higher risk participants. Implementation data will be collected to identify barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Effectiveness and implementation outcomes will be evaluated following study completion. CONCLUSIONS: Results will guide subsequent scale-up of the precision intervention, including modifications of the intervention as well as methods for implementation. CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER: NCT07222995.

Humans

Efficacy and Safety of Psychedelic Microdosing on Psychological Outcomes in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Psychedelic microdosing has gained increasing popularity for enhancing mood and cognition, yet its effects on psychological outcomes in healthy adults remain unclear. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of psychedelic microdosing on psychological outcomes in healthy/non-clinical adult&#xa0;population. METHODS: This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD420251035294). We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO from inception to February 2026 for original studies in healthy adults using sub-hallucinogenic psychedelic doses on separate days. We included randomized studies, nonrandomized prospective studies, cross-sectional studies, and observational longitudinal designs and stratified meta-analyses by design. Random-effects models were used; safety in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was pooled as risk differences (RDs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools appropriate for each study design. RESULTS: 24 studies (3,681 participants) met inclusion criteria, 6 contributed to meta-analyses. RCTs of psilocybin and LSD microdosing showed subjective and neurophysiological effects but minimal impact on cognition, creativity, or sustained mood. Psilocybin altered EEG and speech with little behavioral change, while LSD caused transient mood and minor physiological effects without lasting cognitive or personality benefits. Observational studies indicated mood and personality improvements, likely influenced by expectancy or lifestyle factors. Meta-analyses included two parallel RCTs (3 comparisons; n = 117) and three non-RCT studies (n = 1,013). Adverse event analyses included two RCTs (4 comparisons; n = 109). RCTs showed no clear evidence of immediate symptom reduction: depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.19; 95% CI -0.56, 0.19; I2 = 0%), anxiety (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI -1.11, 0.71; I2 = 82.3%),and stress (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI -0.39, 0.43; I2 = 0%). Non-RCT within-arm estimates were imprecise and heterogeneous for depressive symptoms (SMCC -0.33; 95% CI -0.75, 0.08) and anxiety (SMCC -0.29; 95% CI-0.84, 0.26). Exploratory pooling across all designs suggested decreases in depressive symptoms and stress, while anxiety remained uncertain. Adverse event risks were similar between treatment and control. CONCLUSIONS: Microdosing does not show consistent immediate benefits for depressive, anxiety, or stress symptoms in healthy adults, and evidence from RCTs remains inconclusive. Although improvements were observed in some studies, these effects were not significantly different from placebo. Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of psychedelic microdosing beyond placebo.

Humans

Chronic postsurgical pain: risk assessment and mitigation.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and persistent postoperative opioid use (PPOU) are two of the most common complications of a number of surgical interventions, which can cause significant personal and economic negative consequences. This review outlines known and potential risk factors for CPSP and PPOU and approaches to reduce these risk factors. RECENT FINDINGS: Modifiable risk factors for developing CPSP include psychological distress, preoperative pain intensity, and perioperative opioid exposure. Although less studied, psychological comorbidities are also risk factors for PPOU. Evidence-based mitigation strategies include psychological interventions and perioperative opioid sparing. SUMMARY: A number of perioperative risk factors for developing CPSP and PPOU have been identified, and anesthesiologists should be cognizant of these risk factors and potential risk mitigation strategies. Additional prospective studies are needed to further develop easily adoptable, evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of CPSP and PPOU.

Humans

Exploring determinants of vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aims to assess determinants of vaccine hesitancy (VH) among healthcare professionals, to identify knowledge gaps and inform targeted training programs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted in February 2024. PRISMA criteria were applied, and methodological quality was assessed using a cross-sectional study evaluation tool. Studies addressing HCWs' VH determinants, including knowledge, attitudes, communication, and organizational factors, were included. RESULTS: Out of 1394 records, 221 articles were included. Reported prevalence of VH among HCWs varied across studies, reflecting differences in professional roles, settings, and vaccines studied. Key determinants included gaps in knowledge, personal beliefs, organizational barriers, and communication skills. The review highlights the importance of evidence-based information, continuing education, and effective communication in addressing VH among HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: Educational and organizational interventions are essential to improve HCWs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccination. Strengthening vaccine education, fostering effective communication, and addressing organizational challenges can reduce hesitancy and support HCWs in promoting vaccination among patients. Future initiatives should consider the diversity of educational settings, professional roles, and training requirements across healthcare systems.

Humans

Advanced mitigation strategies for acrylamide formation in foods: Mechanistic insights, emerging innovations, and future perspectives.

Acrylamide is a heat-induced contaminant formed predominantly in carbohydrate-rich foods during high-temperature processing, posing significant concerns due to its potential carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic effects. This review critically examines the mechanisms of acrylamide formation, emphasizing the role of the Maillard reaction and key precursors such as asparagine and reducing sugars, along with the influence of processing conditions including temperature, time, pH, and moisture. Various mitigation strategies are comprehensively discussed, ranging from raw material selection and genetic approaches to enzymatic treatments such as asparaginase and the application of natural and chemical inhibitors. Advances in processing technologies, including optimization of conventional thermal methods and emerging non-thermal techniques such as cold plasma and ultrasound, are evaluated for their effectiveness. The review also highlights the role of food additives, functional ingredients, and fermentation in reducing acrylamide formation. Furthermore, recent developments in analytical techniques, including chromatographic methods, biosensors, and artificial intelligence-based predictive models, are explored for improved detection and control. Risk assessment, toxicological implications, and global regulatory frameworks are also examined. Finally, future perspectives focusing on genetic engineering, personalized nutrition, and digital technologies such as AI and blockchain are discussed to support sustainable and industry-applicable mitigation strategies.

Acrylamide