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PubMed2026

Assessing the effects of non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tACS and tDCS) on electrophysiological sleep parameters - a systematic review.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), is considered a safe method to modulate cortical activity and endogenous brain oscillations. Given the therapeutic potential of tES across various clinical conditions and the central role of sleep in restoration and memory consolidation, numerous studies have investigated its effects on sleep and sleep-related parameters, yielding inconsistent results. This systematic review provides an up-to-date synthesis of 51 studies assessing the impact of tES on objectively measured electrophysiological sleep outcomes in both healthy individuals and clinical populations. The reviewed studies demonstrate heterogeneous effects, reflecting substantial variability in study designs. Nonetheless, consistent trends emerge, including reduced NREM1 and increases in total sleep time, NREM2, and NREM3 following tES. Moreover, slow-oscillatory tES increased slow-wave power during sleep. Here we show that tES, particularly slow-oscillatory tES, may positively influence sleep architecture and continuity by modulating endogenous brain oscillations. However, due to heterogeneous stimulation protocols, inconsistent findings, the limited number of significant effects and substantial risk of bias the current evidence remains inconclusive. Well-designed, large-scale trials targeting specific sleep outcomes are needed to clarify the therapeutic potential of tES.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

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 mg/kg loading dose and 0.125 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 = 98; placebo, n = 100). Intraoperative esketamine significantly improved QoR-15 scores on POD 2 (116.9 ± 9.4 vs. 110.2 ± 9.8, p < 0.001) and POD 3 (123.6 ± 7.2 vs. 116.8 ± 8.4, p < 0.001) compared with placebo. HADS-A and HADS-D scores were lower in the esketamine group on POD 1 to 3 (all p < 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 < 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).

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PubMed2026

Sarcomas: Research on Ultrarare Subtypes Gains Ground.

Rare cancers account for almost one fourth of all cancers. Sarcomas belong to the group of cancerous diseases with an incidence of less than 6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Over the past decade, activities were launched worldwide to elucidate the peculiarities of many of the more than 100 sarcoma subtypes described in the World Health Organization handbook. The major contributor to exact diagnosis is molecular pathology. The subgroup of ultrarare sarcomas (URS) poses a significant problem as each URS type has its own morphology, biology, natural history, and prognosis. In 2020, 35 international sarcoma centers agreed to standards of evaluating URS. The threshold was set to an incidence of less than 1 case per 1,000,000 inhabitants, and 77 URS subtypes were defined. Also quality criteria for centers to be selected for retrieving data to registries were consented. This issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention contains the first article to validate these principles of URS using the data from a nationwide cancer database. The authors from Taiwan also pointed out limitations of the approach. Combination with the national death database allowed to calculate overall survival (OS) and identified age as a significant factor for OS per URS type. These new data might foster future research on diagnosis and treatment of URS. See related article by Lee et al., p. 1654.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of phytosterols supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism and metabolic outcomes in obese rodent models: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to synthesize and quantitatively assess the available evidence on the effects of phytosterol supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism and obesity-related metabolic outcomes in obese rodent models, integrating biochemical, histological, and molecular evidence. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Data on study design, population, intervention, outcomes, and risk of bias were extracted and analyzed. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed. Meta-analysis showed reductions in body weight, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, glucose, liver weight, hepatic cholesterol, hepatic triglycerides, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. No significant changes were observed for adiposity index, HDL-C, insulin, or hepatic expression of PPARα, FAS, and SREBP1c. Conversely, CPT1A expression was significantly increased following PS supplementation. Subgroup analyses indicated that the beneficial effects on lipid and hepatic outcomes were generally consistent across rodent species (mice, rats, and hamsters), obesity induction models, and routes of administration, although the magnitude of responses varied between strains, with C57BL/6 mice showing more pronounced metabolic improvements. Additional analyses suggested that treatment duration and phytosterol composition may modulate specific outcomes, whereas dose-response meta-regression identified dose-dependent associations for serum and hepatic cholesterol, and PPARα expression in dietary supplementation studies. Overall, the available preclinical evidence suggests that phytosterol supplementation may improve several metabolic and hepatic outcomes in rodent models of obesity. However, the substantial heterogeneity across studies highlights the need for standardized experimental protocols and future clinical studies before these findings can be translated to human health.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Effect of protective ventilation throughout the intubation period on perioperative oxygenation in patients undergoing MIDCABG: a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG) requires prolonged one-lung ventilation (OLV), increasing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) risk. We investigated whether protective lung ventilation (PLV) throughout intubation benefits MIDCABG patients. METHODS: In this single-center randomized study, MIDCABG patients received PLV (low tidal volume of 6-8 mL·kg-1, PEEP of 6 cm H2O, alveolar recruitment maneuvers) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV, tidal volume of 8-10 mL·kg-1, without PEEP or maneuvers) from tracheal intubation to extubation. The primary outcome was perioperative oxygenation, assessed by the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. RESULTS: Sixty patients (n = 30 per group) were enrolled. Compared with CMV, PLV improved PaO2/FiO2 ratios (mean difference at OLV60: 34.56 mmHg; 95% CI: 11.78-57.33; p < 0.01), shortened median durations of postoperative mechanical ventilation (median difference: -4.5 h, 95% CI: -8.5 to -0.5; p = 0.013) and hospital stay (median difference: -3.0 days, 95% CI: -5.0 to -1.0; p = 0.019). PLV also reduced driving pressure, airway pressure and intrapulmonary shunt during OLV (all p < 0.05). Desaturation occurred in 23.3% of CMV patients and 13.3% of PLV patients (p = 0.506). Hemodynamic parameters were generally comparable between groups, except for lower MPAP and PVRI in the PLV group during OLV and after ICU admission (p < 0.05). The incidence of PPCs did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing MIDCABG, PLV applied throughout intubation improved perioperative oxygenation and shortened the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and hospital stay, but did not reduce PPCs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900022005.

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PubMed2026

The Impact of Video Game Experience on Surgical Performance: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether video gaming experience is associated with improved surgical performance in the surgeon population across laparoscopic, robotic, and other surgical modalities, and evaluate its implications on surgical training and education. METHODS: A structured literature search was conducted across five databases on 29th November 2024 in adherence to PRISMA guidelines. Comparative studies evaluating surgical performance outcome data between surgeons with differing video game experience were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes evaluated were time to complete task, error rate, accuracy, economy of motion, and overall score. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias using ROBINS-I and RoB 2. RESULTS: 15 studies involving 641 participants were included, comprising one randomized controlled trial and 14 nonrandomized studies. All nonrandomized studies were judged to be at moderate or serious risk of bias, and the single randomized controlled trial was judged to be at serious risk of bias. Differences in study design and outcome measures meant that quantitative synthesis could not be performed. Across laparoscopic studies, video gaming experience was associated with improved overall score and time to task completion predominantly in the period prior to structured training interventions, with accuracy findings consistently favoring gamers in the two studies reporting this outcome. Error rate and economy of motion findings were inconsistent or predominantly nonsignificant. No meaningful association was identified across nonlaparoscopic modalities. CONCLUSIONS: Video gaming may be associated with improved surgical performance in surgeons, though this appears restricted to laparoscopic tasks and the pretraining intervention period. As a low-cost and accessible activity, video gaming may represent a practical informal adjunct to formal surgical training to help ease the transition into structured technical training. Surgical program directors need not alter existing selection criteria or training modules based on the available literature.

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PubMed2026

Influence of microplastics on microalgal performance during wastewater polishing.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that are increasingly accumulating in aquatic ecosystems due to excessive anthropogenic activity and insufficient mitigation strategies, posing serious environmental and public health risks. Their impact on wastewater (WW) treatment processes remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of five MPs commonly found in WW - polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene - on the physiology and bioremediation performance of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris in synthetic WW (SWW). Metabolic responses were assessed via esterase activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), while nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and glucose removal were monitored to evaluate bioremediation efficiency. MPs inhibited esterase activity and elevated ROS levels, indicating oxidative stress. Nevertheless, C. vulgaris maintained a high bioremediation capacity (> 75 % N, > 60 % P, and > 70 % for glucose). Environmental conditions modulated microalga response to MPs exposure. Under N-limited conditions, C. vulgaris exhibited enhanced nutrient uptake and biomass production, but a 12 h/12 h light/dark photoperiod reduced N removal but stimulated glucose consumption via heterotrophic metabolism. In contrast, C-limited conditions exacerbated oxidative stress and compromised nutrient removal, resulting in residual concentrations exceeding legal limits. These findings highlight that environmental factors can either mitigate or exacerbate the physiological stress induced by MPs, ultimately affecting WW polishing. This work provides a comprehensive insight into the cellular and metabolic effects of MPs on microalgae and supports C. vulgaris as a resilient and sustainable approach for nutrient and carbon removal in MP-contaminated WW systems.

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PubMed2026

Comprehensive study on pesticide residues and mycotoxins in freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries.

Freeze-dried fruit has gained popularity because it preserves the flavour and nutritional value of fresh fruit while providing extended shelf life. Despite this, there are concerns regarding its chemical safety. This study evaluated 58 freeze-dried fruit products from the Czech retail market, focusing on potential contamination. Pesticide residues and mycotoxins were determined using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Overall, 111 pesticide residues (or their metabolites) and 3 mycotoxins were quantified. After applying processing factors, 12 pesticide residues exceeded EU maximum residue limits. Prohibited substances, including carbofuran, omethoate, and haloxyfop, were detected. Tenuazonic acid was found in 71% of samples, while alternariol and tentoxin were detected less frequently. More than half (54%) of strawberry samples contained 10 or more pesticide residues, indicating potential cumulative exposure concerns, particularly for children with lower body weight. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring of freeze-dried fruits and further assessment of dietary exposure.

Pesticide Residues↗

PubMed2026

A review on the environmental distribution, toxic effects, bioaccumulation characteristics and risk assessment of short-chain chlorinated paraffins.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are synthetic chemicals, widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers. As emerging contaminants, short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their persistence, chronic toxicity, long-range transport potential and bioaccumulation potential. This review synthesizes global data on SCCPs' environmental occurrence, toxicological impacts, and bioaccumulation characteristics. SCCPs are ubiquitously detected in various environmental media, including water, sediment, air, soil, and biota. Ecotoxicological studies reveal that SCCPs have lethality, carcinogenicity, growth and developmental toxicities, organs toxicities and endocrine-disrupting effects across species, which pose risks to ecological systems and human health. In addition, the bioaccumulation effects of SCCPs in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems were analyzed, and proposed the key factors affecting the bioaccumulation of SCCPs. Finally, the risk assessment of SCCPs contamination in the surface water and the soil was carried out, and all soil and most water bodies were found to be low risk. The present study could provide scientific basis and reference for environmental management of CPs products.

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PubMed2026

One-carbon metabolism and chemotherapy-induced toxicities in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a target of the chemotherapeutic agent capecitabine. OBJECTIVES: We investigated OCM biomarker concentrations in relation to capecitabine-induced toxicities in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer. METHODS: Within a prospective cohort, 297 patients receiving adjuvant capecitabine-based chemotherapy were included. Pretreatment plasma concentrations of the OCM biomarkers folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, total homocysteine, methionine, serine, and glycine were determined. We also investigated whether associations differed according to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes. Chemotherapy-induced toxicities were defined as toxicity-induced modifications of capecitabine treatment. To allow for inspection of shapes of the associations, restricted cubic splines and Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: In total, 156 (53%) patients experienced toxicity-induced modifications of capecitabine treatment. Folate was not associated with toxicities in the overall population. Higher folate concentrations were associated with a lower risk of toxicities in patients with MTHFR C677T CT/TT genotype (HRperdoubling: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.98) but not in patients with CC genotype (HRperdoubling: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.63). Higher concentrations of vitamin B2 were associated with a lower risk of toxicities (HRperdoubling: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99), whereas higher glycine concentrations were associated with a higher risk of toxicities (HRperdoubling: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.94). The association between vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and toxicities appeared nonlinear. Homocysteine, methionine, and serine were not associated with toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies investigating whether nutrition-guided optimization of OCM biomarkers will result in improved treatment tolerance are warranted.

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PubMed2026

Evidence of genome-wide relaxed selection on mildly deleterious mutations in an ancient subterranean catfish.

About one hundred subterranean catfish species have been described, resulting from repeated colonization of cave environments by multiple surface lineages. Most cave-dwelling species are found in the Americas, in particular in South America, but a few species also live in Central and North America. Despite the availability of high-quality genome assemblies for two cave species, the Mexican blind catfish Prietella phreatophila and the Colombian blind catfish Trichomycterus rosablanca, genomic approaches to investigate genetic changes associated with subterranean life or to estimate cave colonization times remain largely unexplored. To fill this gap, we additionally sequenced the genomes of four blind and depigmented subterranean catfishes from Peru (three Trichomycterus and one Astroblepus), as well as the genomes of four close surface relatives. We first extracted a large set of light-related genes, such as phototransduction and crystallin genes, and found contrasting decays of these sequences in different cave species, from 1% of pseudogenes in T. rosablanca to 48% in P. phreatophila. Two independent molecular dating methods gave congruent ages, indicating that these catfishes colonized subterranean habitats at different times, ranging from Early Pliocene to Late Pleistocene, supporting the hypothesis that surface catfishes repeatedly and rapidly adapted to subterranean habitats. The oldest cave species, P. phreatophila, appears to have been thriving in the dark for over 3.5 million years. Moreover, a genome-wide analysis of protein-coding genes suggests weaker purifying selection on mildly deleterious mutations in this cavefish than in other catfish lineages, likely reflecting a long-term small effective population size.

cavefishes↗

PubMed2026

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Receiving a Prescription for a Direct Oral Anticoagulant Among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation on Hospice Admission.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent in hospice care, but anticoagulation decisions in this population are not well understood. In this cross-sectional study, we described the prevalence and characteristics associated with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescription on hospice admission. We used electronic health data from adult decedents with AF in a large, for-profit hospice chain in the United States between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. We used multivariable logistic regression with results reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among 13,233 decedents, mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 84.2 (9.9) years, 53.6% were female, 65.1% were White, and 56.1% were referred to hospice from a hospital. Mean (SD) CHA2DS2-VASc score were 3.8 (1.4) for males and 4.8 (1.3) for females, and mean (SD) HAS-BLED score was 2.2 (1.0). Overall, 8% of patients received a DOAC prescription on hospice admission. Characteristics associated with receiving a DOAC prescription included PPS scores of ≥ 20% (compared to scores < 20%), and receiving hospice care at home, nursing home, assisted living facility, or residential care home (compared to inpatient hospice). Further studies about the risks and benefits of DOAC use are needed to optimize decision-making in this population.

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PubMed2026

Effects of automated massage chair therapy on mental health and physical health: A comprehensive study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Automated massage chair therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention widely believed to enhance wellness, yet evidence regarding its effects remains limited. This 3-part study evaluated the effects of automated massage chair therapy on mental and physical health. METHODS: In Part 1, 20 moderately stressed students were randomized to receive a 20-minute automated massage chair therapy session followed by a 20-minute control session, or vice versa, with a 48-hour washout period. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), electroencephalogram (EEG), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured. In Part 2, 20 hypertensive hospital staff received three 20-minute automated massage chair therapy sessions on alternate days. BP, HR, and skin blood flow (SBF) were measured. In Part 3, 20 hospital staff with chronic low back pain received three 20-minute automated massage chair therapy sessions on alternate days. Electromyogram (EMG) and VAS were measured. RESULTS: Automated massage chair therapy significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP), HR, stress, and anxiety among moderately stressed students. In hospital staff with hypertension, SBF did not change significantly, whereas BP and HR decreased significantly after automated massage chair therapy. In hospital staff with chronic low back pain, low back function improved, and pain was significantly reduced after automated massage chair therapy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that automated massage chair therapy may help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and alleviate low back pain.

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PubMed2026

The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Pain and Foot Function Index in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that originates from the heel, and its inflammation is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) is a non-invasive modality in the field of physiotherapy. This study aimed to determine the effects of PEMF on pain scores and the Foot Function Index (FFI) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). In this clinical trial study, 40 patients with PF, aged between 20 and 68 years, were randomly assigned in a block design into two groups: the Conventional Physiotherapy (CP) group and the CP plus PEMF (CPP) group. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the FFI questionnaire were used to assess the pain score (morning and evening pain) and foot function, respectively. Assessments were conducted before the study, at the tenth session of the CP and CPP groups, and 4 weeks later. The study variables in both the CP and CPP groups changed significantly (p < 0.05). In comparing the results between the two groups, the reduction in evening pain scores in the CPP group was significant compared to the CP group (p < 0.05). In comparison, there was no significant difference in morning pain scores between the two groups. The FFI score in the CPP group significantly decreased compared to the CP group. Both CP and CPP are effective in reducing pain and the FFI in patients with PF. The addition of PEMF to CP demonstrates a more significant effect on reducing evening pain and somewhat on reducing the FFI in patients compared to CP alone. However, it did not have an additional effect on reducing morning pain. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation with and without positive mood induction on worry and transdiagnostic cognitive-emotional processes: A randomized controlled trial.

The present study investigated the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), with and without positive mood induction, on worry and key transdiagnostic cognitive-emotional processes, including attentional bias, working memory, problem solving, and emotion regulation, in individuals with high levels of worry. This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 45 individuals with high levels of worry. After a structured clinical interview, participants were randomly assigned, with gender balancing, to one of three groups: (1) tDCS alone, (2) tDCS combined with positive mood induction, or (3) a sham control group. Outcome measures were administered at three time points (pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up) and assessed attentional bias (Dot Probe Task), working memory (1-back task), problem solving (Tower of London task), emotion regulation (Gross's Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and worry severity (Penn State Worry Questionnaire; PSWQ). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that both active groups (tDCS alone and tDCS + positive mood induction) significantly improved attentional bias, worry, working memory, problem solving, and emotion regulation compared to controls (p < 0.05). The combined intervention produced significantly greater gains than tDCS alone in working memory, problem solving, emotion regulation (p < 0.05), and reductions in attentional bias and worry (p < 0.001). All effects persisted at one-month follow-up (p < 0.05). tDCS reduces worry and attentional bias and enhances cognition and emotion regulation in individuals with high levels of worry. The combined intervention produced larger and more sustained improvements than tDCS alone across the assessed behavioral outcomes. These findings support further investigation of combining tDCS with structured positive mood induction while the mechanisms underlying the additional benefits remain to be established.

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PubMed2026

Ten-Year Update of Nurse Practitioner Service Impact on Patient and Health Service Outcomes in Emergency Care Settings-A Systematic Review.

AIMS: To provide a 10-year update on the best available evidence evaluating the impact of nurse practitioner services on cost, waiting times, patient satisfaction, representation rates, and length of stay in emergency and urgent care settings. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: The search was completed on January 28, 2025, in Embase (Elsevier), Medline (EBSCOhost), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library (Wiley), Emcare (Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate) and Scopus (Elsevier). The data range (2014-2024) was used to limit the search. METHODS: The search was conducted with results imported into Covidence. In Covidence, two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal of articles, and findings were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. Eligible studies examined nurse practitioner services in emergency or urgent care settings, reporting outcomes of cost, waiting times, patient satisfaction, representation rates, and length of stay. RESULTS: Title and abstract screening were performed on 2329 records. Of these, 236 full-text articles were reviewed, and 17 underwent critical appraisal and data extraction. Narrative analysis of outcome measures yielded mixed results, with both favourable and unfavourable findings reported regarding nurse practitioner services. CONCLUSIONS: Global evaluation of nurse practitioner services in emergency care remains inconsistent. Nevertheless, emerging evidence supports their positive impact, particularly in improving patient outcomes. To effectively inform policy, workforce planning and clinical integration, there is a need for professional benchmarks that provide clear frameworks for the evaluation of patient-centred outcomes and operational impacts in emergency departments. IMPLICATIONS: Evidence related to nurse practitioner services in emergency and urgent care clinics highlights the positive impact of nurse practitioner services on patient wait times and satisfaction; however, there is limited and variable evidence of impact on health care costs and outcomes. IMPACT: This paper recommends that evaluating emergency nurse practitioner services requires homogeneous research using consistent professional benchmarks and evaluation frameworks. REPORTING METHOD: This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting. TRAIL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2025 CRD420250645148.

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PubMed2026

Oliceridine used for patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oliceridine, a novel biased μ-opioid receptor agonist, is widely used perioperatively, yet limited data exists regarding its impact on postoperative quality of recovery. This study investigated the effect of oliceridine-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) on postoperative quality of recovery among patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection. METHODS: Ninety‑four female patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection were included. Patients were randomized to two groups: oliceridine group (loading dose 1.5 mg, PCIA 0.55 mg/kg) or sufentanil group (loading dose 10 μg, PCIA 3 μg/kg). The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) score on postoperative day 1. The secondary outcomes included the QoR-40 score, the numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) score, the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of weight (FRAIL) index and adverse events within 3 postoperative days. RESULTS: Higher QoR-40 scores were found in the oliceridine group on postoperative day 1 (182.9 ± 3.1 versus 177.5 ± 3.9, p < 0.001). Compared with the sufentanil group, the oliceridine group showed better QoR-40 scores within 3 days after operation. No significant differences were observed in NRS pain scores or HADS-A scores between the two groups (all p > 0.05). However, the median FRAIL score in the oliceridine group was lower on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Oliceridine used in PCIA improves early postoperative recovery quality of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection. It provides analgesic effect comparable to sufentanil and lowers incidences of postoperative frailty, nausea and vomiting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2400094271.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The impact of alcohol sale restrictions on unnatural deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The COVID-19-related restrictions on the sale of alcohol in South Africa presented a unique opportunity to examine the association between alcohol availability and the prevalence of unnatural deaths. The study sample included all unnatural deaths investigated by the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-Legal Laboratory during the four COVID-19 alcohol restriction periods compared to the same time periods in the previous year when there were no restrictions. When alcohol sales were initially prohibited, there was a 54.2% decrease in cases of unnatural deaths (p < 0.05), suggesting a link between alcohol use and the occurrence of such deaths. Over all four periods of alcohol sale bans, there was a total reduction of unnatural deaths by 26.4% with declining frequencies in all demographics. There were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the frequency of deaths in males, Black and Coloured individuals, and the 21-40 years age group. Deaths whose circumstances were a result of motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian vehicle accidents, and firearm discharges decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The cause of death due to blunt forces trauma and gunshot wounds also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). This study highlights the significant impact alcohol consumption has on mortality in South Africa.

Humans↗