Conectar
by Ana Caroline Bini de Lima, Vanessa Cristini Sebastião da Fé, Maria Simara Palermo Hernandes, Emily Caroline Pfeifer de Cristo, Ana Gabrieli dos Santos Fagundes Euzébio, Maria Vitória e Silva Sousa, Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara, Viviane Maria Oliveira dos Santos
This study aimed to evaluate the ability of social noncontact environmental enrichment to facilitate social buffering and to characterize the emotional experience of horses subjected to restraint in stock by assessing physiological parameters and facial expressions. Pantaneiro horses (n = 11) were evaluated in a crossover design with two treatments: social noncontact enrichment during stock restraint and social isolation during stock restraint. Physiological parameters (heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, ocular temperature by infrared thermography, and auricular temperature by infrared thermometer) and facial expressions (EquiFACS) were assessed throughout the 24-minute restraint period. When horses were accompanied by a conspecific, heart rate, respiratory rate, and eye temperature were lower (p nostril dilator (AD38), inner brow raiser (AU101), upper eyelid raiser (AU5), eye white increase (AD1), ears forward (EAD101), and ears back (EAD104), was also lower (pby Munawar Farooq, Uffaira Hafeez, Amir Ahmad, Susan Waller, Gabriel Andrade, Arif Alper Cevik, Syed Fahad Javaid
BackgroundStress is a prevalent issue among university students and is linked to adverse academic and emotional outcomes. While research emphasizes the roles of resilience, personality traits, and psychosocial factors, most studies are drawn from North American and European contexts.
ObjectivesThis is the first study of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exploring the relationship between perceived stress, resilience, and personality traits among university students, offering insights into region-specific influences on emotional well-being.
MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 168 students from two colleges at the United Arab Emirates University (79% College of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21% College of Information Technology; 72% female). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models in R version 4.2.0. Personality traits were assessed using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale, and resilience was evaluated with the Brief Resilience Scale.
ResultsThe median perceived stress score was 22 (IQR: 17–28), and 30% reported high stress. Multivariable analysis showed that heavier academic workload, financial difficulties, lack of social support, lower physical activity, and poorer academic performance significantly predicted higher perceived stress, whereas resilience and emotional stability were protective.
ConclusionUniversity students’ perceived stress is closely associated with modifiable factors, including academic workload, social support, resilience, and physical activity. Targeted interventions, such as resilience training, promoting physical activity, optimizing academic schedules, and strengthening support services, are vital to reducing perceived stress and enhancing student well-being.
by Emily Tufano, Kondaiah Palsa, Rebecka O. Serpa, Timothy B. Helmuth, Gabriela Remit-Berthet, Sara Mills-Huffnagle, Mathias Kant, Aurosman Sahu, James R. Connor
Iron is essential for normal physiological function, yet dysregulation of iron metabolism is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM). Recent clinical evidence suggests that systemic iron deficiency anemia (IDA) negatively impacts GBM outcomes in a sex-dependent manner, but the mechanisms linking systemic iron availability to tumor iron metabolism remain poorly understood. Here, we interrogate the impact of systemic iron through dietary modulation (control, iron deficiency (ID), and high iron diets), stratified by sex, on tumor iron handling and GBM outcomes utilizing an immune competent (C57BL/6) GBM (GL261) mouse model. Subsequently, we analyzed clinical samples to evaluate translational value. In the preclinical study, we show that iron deficiency decreased survival in males but conferred a slight survival advantage in females, consistent with prior clinical trends. Among circulating iron markers, only ferritin light chain (FTL), but not ferritin heavy chain (FTH) or serum iron, positively correlated with survival in males but not females. In the brain, contralateral iron levels reflected dietary iron status in males but not females, further supporting sex-dependent regulation of local and circulating iron. Notably, tumor iron content remained unchanged in males but was significantly elevated in ID female tumors, complemented by increased transferrin receptor (TfR1) and FTH expression. In clinical GBM samples, we observed non-statistically significant but similar survival trends across varying iron and ferritin levels, suggesting potential translational relevance of our exploratory model. These findings demonstrate that systemic iron availability exerts a sex-specific effect on tumor iron handling, highlighting a critical relationship between systemic and tumor iron regulation in GBM.To conduct a scoping review of nurse-led Knowledge Translation strategies aimed at promoting and enhancing patient safety in hospital settings.
Scoping review.
This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported according to PRISMA-ScR.
Twelve electronic databases and additional grey literature sources were searched for studies published between 2002 and 2023, with no language restrictions.
From 23,691 records identified, 59 studies were included. The majority (n = 56) employed multifaceted Knowledge Translation strategies, incorporating simulation, audits, digital tools and interprofessional education. The interventions focused on patient safety-related events, including falls, pressure injuries and catheter-associated complications. Nursing leadership emerged as a key component, particularly in team training, developing care protocols and delivering feedback. Outcomes included reductions in adverse events, improved adherence to clinical guidelines and cost savings. Yet, sustaining behaviour changes over time and limited interprofessional and family engagement remained recurrent challenges.
Nurse-led Knowledge Translation strategies were heterogeneous, with increasing use of simulations, technologies and multifaceted approaches. Evidence suggests potential associations with fewer adverse events, improved care quality, individualized planning and cost efficiency. Challenges related to the sustainability of interventions persist. Findings underscore the importance of investing in nursing leadership and capacity-building to strengthen patient safety.
Strengthening nurse-led KT capacities may enhance evidence-based care and improve safety outcomes. Investment in leadership and tailored implementation is critical.
What problem did the study address? The limited synthesis of how nurses lead KT strategies to improve patient safety in hospitals. What were the main findings? Most strategies were multifaceted, context-sensitive and associated with improved care processes and safety indicators. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Findings are relevant to hospital nurses, nurse educators, managers and health systems seeking to implement evidence-informed safety interventions.
This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR reporting guideline.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
Open Science Framework (OSF); registration identifier: 10.17605/OSF.IO/K3VJC
Ethnic minoritized women face cultural and systemic barriers in accessing antepartum and intrapartum care. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, but their perspectives and experiences in delivering culturally competent care remain underexplored.
To synthesise healthcare providers' experiences and perspectives on providing culturally competent antepartum and intrapartum care for ethnic minoritised women.
A qualitative meta-synthesis study design was employed. Six electronic databases were searched from their inception date till January 2025. The included studies were assessed using the method of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool, and findings were meta-synthesised using Sandelowski and Barroso's six-step approach. This review was registered via the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.
Overall, 38 studies were included, and three themes emerged. The first theme revealed how providers' biases and professional training distorted their ability to understand and respect cultural practices. The second theme underscored the impact of systemic barriers such as time constraints, resource scarcity and lack of representation among providers. The final theme highlighted healthcare providers' aspirations for improved communication, targeted training and guidance on building trust to enhance care delivery.
Healthcare providers encounter notable challenges in delivering culturally competent antepartum and intrapartum care, but remain hopeful about bridging gaps in communication and understanding. Practical recommendations include implementing mandatory cultural competency training at all levels of healthcare professional education, increasing resources for interpreters and cultural liaisons and fostering diversity within the healthcare workforce. Future research should explore patient-centred interventions and systemic reforms to improve care for ethnic minoritised women. These findings highlight the need for policies and practices that empower providers to deliver equitable, culturally respectful antepartum and intrapartum care.
No patient or public contribution.
Adnexal torsion is a gynaecological emergency in which prompt diagnosis and management are critical to preserving ovarian function. However, the clinical presentation is often non-specific, and diagnosis primarily relies on pelvic ultrasound, a modality with limited sensitivity that can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has emerged as a promising imaging technique that may enhance diagnostic accuracy by better characterising adnexal vascularisation.
The aim of this study is to assess whether the addition of CEUS to standard diagnostic procedures can reduce the rate of unnecessary emergency surgeries. Specifically, we compare two diagnostic strategies in cases of high clinical suspicion of adnexal torsion: the current standard approach versus an experimental strategy incorporating CEUS. The primary outcome is the rate of inappropriate surgical interventions, defined as emergency surgery performed within 6 hours without intraoperative confirmation of torsion.
This is a prospective, open-label, multicentre, randomised (1:1), controlled, superiority trial. A total of 256 women presenting with a high clinical suspicion of adnexal torsion will be enrolled over a period of 36 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the standard diagnostic strategy or an experimental strategy that includes CEUS. The primary endpoint is the proportion of emergency surgical procedures (performed within 6 hours of hospital admission) in which adnexal torsion is not confirmed.
The study was approved by the French Ethics Committee, the CPP (Comité de Protection des Personnes) on 28 October 2024. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant national and international conferences. The ethical approval number from the CPP is 6115.
NCT06677554; 2024-511720-13-00.
Community support for individuals with mental health problems is a global public health issue. Poor mental health literacy and high levels of stigmatising attitudes among the general population can hinder both help-seeking behaviours and limit the capacity of community members to provide support to people experiencing mental health challenges. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course was created to educate community members to provide initial help towards a person developing a mental health problem. MHFA training has spread to high-income countries, but there is relatively little research on cultural adaptation to lower-resource settings. This study aims to fill that gap and is the first cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) assessing the effectiveness of MHFA training in Chile and Argentina.
The study involves a two-arm wait-list cRCT with 240 participants (120 in each country). The study will be conducted in three settings in each of Chile and Argentina (eg, universities, health services and workplaces). Two clusters per setting in each country will be paired and randomly allocated to the intervention (the MHFA training for Chile and Argentina) or the wait-list control group. Participants in the intervention arm will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline (T1), after training completion (T2) and 6 months after completion (T3), with control arm participants completing data collection at corresponding time points. The primary outcome will be intended support towards someone experiencing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Secondary outcome measures will include the ability to recognise depression and psychosis in vignettes; beliefs about the helpfulness of different types of interventions and helping actions, confidence in providing MHFA and stigmatising attitudes towards a person with depression or psychosis. Findings will demonstrate whether the culturally adapted MHFA training for Chile and Argentina can effectively enhance intended support, knowledge, attitudes and supportive actions towards other individuals within the community.
Ethics approval has been granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Melbourne (Australia), Proyecto Suma (Argentina) and the University of Chile (Chile). Dissemination will be via academic publications and conference presentations. These will also be made available to participants and other interested parties on request.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening genetic disorder traditionally mischaracterised as affecting only populations of European descent. This framing has contributed to under-recognition of CF in African populations, despite emerging evidence of both common and region-specific cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations across the continent. Diagnostic barriers, structural inequities and lack of surveillance further exacerbate disparities in care and visibility.
This scoping review aims to characterise CF in African populations by synthesising evidence on clinical presentation, diagnostic practices, genotypic diversity, prevalence and structural barriers to care. We will include case reports, cohort studies, registry analyses and other primary data sources involving individuals of African descent with suspected or confirmed CF. Key outcomes include clinical phenotype, age at diagnosis, mutation profile, diagnostic testing access and mortality. Data sources include Ovid Medline, Embase, Ebsco Global Health, CAB Abstracts and Web of Science Core Collection. Multiple-reviewer screening and extraction will be conducted. We will use narrative synthesis, thematic analysis and meta-analysis for prevalence where feasible.
No ethical approval is required as the review uses published data. Results will be shared with clinicians, researchers and CF networks in Africa and globally to inform diagnostic strategies and policy.
Nursing students experience heightened stress and emotional burden during clinical training, but opportunities for structured resilience skill development remain limited.
To explore undergraduate nursing students' lived experiences of participation in a resilience-enhancement program.
Qualitative descriptive phenomenology.
Undergraduate students participated in a resilience-enhancement pilot program adapted from Japan for American nursing students. Upon program completion, four semi-structured focus groups were conducted. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed inductively.
Three themes were identified: (1) Intrapersonal Resilience Strategies; (2) Interpersonal & Accountability Supports; and (3) Intervention Design & Delivery Factors. Students described increased emotional insight, stronger coping tools and the value of social accountability.
This study demonstrates that an undergraduate resilience-enhancement program grounded in mindfulness, journaling and peer support is both feasible and meaningful for nursing students. Integrating brief, scalable resilience interventions into nursing curricula may help prepare the next generation of nurses to care effectively for patients and navigate the emotional, ethical and interpersonal demands of a rapidly evolving global healthcare landscape.
This study addresses the global challenge of preparing nursing students for the emotional and relational demands of contemporary healthcare. The program's scalability and alignment with global workforce priorities highlight its potential relevance for nursing education internationally.
This study adhered to the SRQR guidelines.
None.
To develop and psychometrically test a comprehensive Cancer Nurse Self-Assessment Tool (CaN-SAT).
Modified Delphi to assess content validity and cross-sectional survey to assess reliability and validity.
Phase 1: An expert group developed the tool structure and item content. Phase 2: Through a modified Delphi, cancer nursing experts rated the importance of each element of practice and assessed the relevance and clarity of each item. Content Validation Indexes (CVI) were calculated, and a CVI of ≥ 0.78 was required for items to be included. Phase 3: Cancer nurses participated in a survey to test internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha coefficients) and known-group validity (through Mann–Whitney U tests). This study was reported using the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS) checklist.
The CaN-SAT underwent two rounds of Delphi with 24 then 15 cancer nursing experts. All elements of practice were rated as important. Only three items achieved a CVI < 0.78 after round one; however, based on open-ended comments, 26 items were revised and one new item added. After round two, all items received a CVI above 0.78. The final tool consisted of 93 items across 15 elements of practice. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between 0.92 and 0.98 indicating good reliability. Mann–Whitney U tests demonstrated significant differences between clinical nurses and advanced practice nurses across 13 out of 15 elements of practice.
The CaN-SAT is a comprehensive, valid and reliable tool that can be used for cancer nurses to self-assess current skill levels, identify their learning needs and inform decisions about educational opportunities to optimise cancer care provision.
The research team included three patient advocates from Cancer Voices NSW, who were actively involved in all aspects of the study and are listed as authors.
To analyse predictors of burnout in nursing professionals during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cohort study.
A two-phase study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic's peak (2020) and post-vaccination period (2022). Data from nursing professionals of four hospitals in southern Brazil included sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle, and health variables, and Maslach Burnout Inventory responses. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of burnout syndrome. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (approval no. 4.152.027).
A sample of 163 participants were assessed at two distinct time points. In 2020, 9.2% of nursing professionals experienced burnout syndrome, decreasing slightly to 7.4% in 2022. As for the burnout dimensions, emotional exhaustion was reported by 27% of professionals in 2020 and 26.4% in 2022. Depersonalisation affected 28.2% during the pandemic and 25.2% afterward. Low professional accomplishment was identified in 29.4% of professionals in 2020, increasing to 30.1% in 2022. Distinct predictors were identified for overall burnout and its specific dimensions. The main predictors included: perceiving a mental health impact from the pandemic, previous mental health issues, recent medical leave, and working directly with COVID-19 patients.
Burnout syndrome remained stable post-pandemic. Key predictors were identified, highlighting the need for preventive mental health interventions.
Identifying predictors of burnout in nursing professionals supports the development of targeted interventions to protect mental health, improve job satisfaction, and enhance the quality of patient care during and after health crises.
This study fills a gap in post-pandemic research by identifying predictors of burnout in nursing professionals. It supports the development of policies and interventions to protect mental health and improve working conditions in Brazilian hospitals.
STROBE guidelines for cohort studies.
Participants contributed only through data collection.
by Eléna Payen Schalkens, Maxime Acien, Andrée-Anne Marchand, Pier-Luc Isabelle, Jacques Abboud, Gabriel Moisan
BackgroundChronic metatarsalgia (CM) causes significant pain and disability, affecting quality of life. Foot orthoses (FOs) including medially wedged designs with a metatarsal pad decrease excessive plantar pressure under the metatarsal heads, which is a suggested risk factor for developing CM. This FOs model may be effective in diminishing pain and improving function in these individuals. Thus, the objective of this trial will be to compare the effects of medially wedged FOs with a metatarsal pad and sham FOs on pain and foot function in individuals with CM.
Methods/designThis participant- and assessor-blinded superiority randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel groups will be conducted in Trois-Rivières, Canada. Sixty-four participants with CM will be recruited from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières outpatient podiatry clinic and via social media invitations. They will be randomized into intervention (customized FOs) or control (sham FOs) groups and will be evaluated at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be: (1) mean pain during walking for the most painful foot during the past week. The secondary outcomes will be: (1) Foot Function Index, (2) Global rating of change and (3) the 5-level EQ-5D.
DiscussionMedially wedged FOs with a metatarsal pad are expected to provide a greater reduction in pain and improvement in foot function compared to sham FOs. This trial will help guide FOs prescription recommendations for managing foot pain in individuals with CM in the future.
Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06962475
by Gabrielle H. Achtymichuk, Kaitlyn M. Fish, Maud C. O. Ferrari
To optimize fitness when facing predation, animals perform threat-sensitive predator avoidance whereby they match the magnitude of the antipredator response to the severity of the perceived threat. Injury-released chemical alarm cues are a reliable indicator of predation risk in aquatic organisms, triggering overt antipredator responses upon detection by conspecifics. Animals with threat sensitivity typically have graded responses to increasing concentrations of these cues which plateau when a maximal response is reached, however, this is undocumented in crayfish. Furthermore, most research currently uses alarm cue exposures consisting of one crushed crayfish diluted in 100–400 mL of water, while it could be ecologically relevant for them to respond to lower concentrations, especially given that predation events can consist of bites or lacerations which would release less alarm cues. The quantity of cue administered into the tank (exposure concentration) is also highly variable, making experimental comparisons difficult. In our study, we collected crayfish alarm cues by rinsing five cut sites (to mimic laceration wounds) and diluting the cues in 100 mL to 100 L of water. Over two experiments, we determined the antipredator response of crayfish exposed to one of five alarm cue concentrations or a water control. During these trials, 20 mL of the cues were administered into 10 L of water, thereby standardizing the test subject’s exposure to the cues. While we failed to find evidence of graded responses, we discovered that alarm cues elicited overt antipredator behaviour when diluted in up to 10 L of water, but this response was lost when cues were diluted in 100 L. Furthermore, this study is the first to successfully use frozen-thawed alarm cues in crayfish. These findings can help direct future research, providing information on the ecologically relevant range of chemical cues and improving welfare by reducing lab-animal sacrifice.Implantable neuromodulation therapies are offered to patients with certain refractory pain syndromes. These therapies are resource-intensive and effort-intensive and may be associated with significant adverse effects. Change in pain intensity score, an unidimensional measurement tool, is currently the most used eligibility criteria for patients to receive implanted neuromodulation devices. However, pain is a biopsychosocial phenomenon, and assessment of effectiveness of neuromodulation therapies using tools that incorporate multiple pain-related domains may be more relevant and accurate. Composite measures integrate multiple domains of patient well-being, enabling a clinically relevant assessment of treatment effects. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature on the clinical utility and reliability of composite outcomes as a means to assess efficacy of implantable neuromodulation therapies for refractory pain.
We will search Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Searches will be limited to from inception of each database to 31 December 2025. Studies published in English will be considered eligible if they used composite outcomes to evaluate the efficacy and/or effectiveness of implantable neuromodulation therapies for treating refractory pain. The studies should investigate adult populations (aged ≥18 years) undergoing implantation for chronic refractory pain of moderate-to-severe intensity. Two reviewers will independently screen articles, extract data and review the risk of bias and the grade of evidence provided in the studies. Extracted data will include study details (author, year, country of origin), participant demographics (age, sex), sample sizes and intervention details. Outcome measures include pain intensity, physical health, mental health, quality of life, medication use and neuromodulation device explantation rates. Data will be collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post-implantation where available. A meta-analysis will be formed if there is sufficient homogeneity in the studies and their data.
As this study is a systematic review using data that has already been published in scientific literature or is publicly available, ethics approval is not required. For dissemination, we plan to share the findings of our review through multiple academic and clinical channels. The completed review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal relevant to pain medicine or neuromodulation.
CRD42025631488.
To explore the existential lived experiences of emerging adult siblings of children with complex care needs.
A qualitative phenomenological design.
In-depth conversational interviews were conducted between February and June 2022 with nine emerging adult siblings (aged 16–27), who grew up with a brother or sister with complex care needs. Data were analysed using van Manen's phenomenology of practice approach.
Five core themes were identified: Loss of a familiar world: the profound changes and disruptions in siblings' lives. The sibling bond: endured and enduring love. Embracing the load: balancing responsibilities. Being behind the scenes: a lonely childhood. Jigsaw falling into place: siblings finding clarity and forging their own paths.
Early experiences of growing up with a sibling who has complex care needs, may resurface or shift in meaning, impacting long-term existential well-being, particularly when siblings feel overlooked by families, educators, and healthcare professionals. These silenced experiences often persist into emerging adulthood, shaping emotional health, relationships, and life choices.
The underrecognized existential needs of these siblings call for intentional, person-centred care. Our research advocates early, targeted interventions, emphasizing the pivotal role of nurses. A lifeworld-led phenomenological approach equips nurses to more effectively attend to the unmet needs of siblings within family care settings.
The research followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.
Emerging adult siblings with lived experience of growing up alongside a brother or sister with complex care needs contributed important insights into the interpretation of findings, ensuring relevance to clinical nursing.
by Thomas Buyinza, Edward Buzigi, Joshua Kitimbo, Gabriel Ssabika, Mary Mbuliro, Julius Kiwanuka, Justine Bukenya, David Guwatudde, Rawlance Ndejjo
IntroductionAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) worldwide display poor dietary behaviors, including high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables. These issues are more pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as rural Eastern Uganda, where 45.3% of adolescents eat low-diversity diets high in refined grains and fats. Such diets raise the risk of malnutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is limited contextual evidence on the multi-level factors influencing AYAs’ dietary behaviors in rural Uganda. This study examined socio-ecological factors shaping dietary behaviors among AYAs in this setting.
MethodsA qualitative study guided by the socio-ecological model (SEM) was conducted in Mayuge District, Eastern Uganda. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with AYAs, including male and female, aged 10–14, 15–19, and 20–24 years. To have a nuanced understanding of how AYAs’ dietary behaviours are shaped, additional FGDs were conducted with parents or guardians and teachers, and key informant interviews with the district education officer, nutrition focal person, civil society staff, and food vendors. Data were analyzed in ATLAS.ti using both inductive and deductive thematic approaches: data-driven sub-themes were first identified inductively, then deductively mapped onto pre-determined themes of the SEM.
ResultsDietary behaviors were shaped by satiety, energy needs, sensory appeal, and nutrition knowledge at the individual level. Peer influence, parental control, and food’s perceived link to attractiveness acted interpersonally, while community factors included gendered cultural taboos, norms, and health worker advice. At the societal level, cultural identity, ancestral restrictions, and media exposure strongly influenced choices.
ConclusionsThis study contributes novel rural-specific evidence from rural Uganda, where AYAs’ diets are uniquely constrained by satiety demands, parental dominance, cultural taboos, and seasonal scarcity; contrasting with urban contexts where convenience, autonomy, and wider food environments prevail. Multi-level interventions integrating nutrition education, family and peer engagement, cultural dialogue, and household food security support are essential for promoting healthier diets in resource-limited rural settings.
To assess the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among engineering students.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence surveys using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
PubMed, Index Medicus Global, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO were searched from 1 January 2003 to 28 June 2024.
Studies were included if they: (1) reported the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among engineering students, (2) used a validated instrument with defined cut-off points to assess depression or depressive symptoms and (3) were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Two researchers independently extracted data using a standardised spreadsheet, collecting information on country of data collection, survey years, year of training, sample size, mean age of participants, number and percentage of male participants, assessment instrument, cut-off points and prevalence estimates. Discrepancies were resolved by a third researcher. Risk of bias was assessed with the Risk of Bias for Studies of the Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders tool. Prevalence estimates were synthesised using random-effects meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with ² tests and the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to severity cut-off points, and meta-regression was used to explore the influence of study-level characteristics on prevalence estimates.
23 studies involving 12 758 students across 11 countries were analysed. All studies used validated scales with cut-off points to assess depression or depressive symptoms. The overall pooled prevalence was 42.6% (95% CI 32.7 to 53.1) for studies using symptom severity cut-off points at mild or above, and 33.1% (95% CI 25.2 to 42.0) for studies using symptom severity cut-off points at moderate or above. Meta-regression indicated a progressive annual increase in prevalence (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.28, p=0.034) across studies conducted from 2014 to 2024.
Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms is high among engineering students, at levels comparable to medical students. Given the substantial impact, further research should investigate risk factors and evaluate preventive, early detection and treatment strategies tailored to engineering students.
CRD42024571131.
Research indicates that leadership in the health professions can facilitate improvement of quality and efficiency of healthcare services. In the Philippines, leadership in the health professions plays a critical role in driving improvements in healthcare delivery and health professions education. Thus, the landscape of leadership in the health professions merits continuous exploration and deeper understanding. This scoping review aims to explore the landscape of leadership in the health professions in the Philippines. The scoping review will include published and unpublished research papers of any kind, such as primary research studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, letters, guidelines, websites, blogs and grey literature that report about leadership in the health professions in the Philippines. Exclusions are leadership studies on the health professions that discuss the professions outside the scope and context of the practice.
The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological framework for scoping review will be used in this review. A three-step search strategy will be used consisting of an initial search, full search and screening of reference lists. The databases that will be included are Cinahl Ultimate, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Emcare, Web of Science, JBI Evidence-based Practice Database, PubMed/Medline, ERIC, local journals and grey literature to determine pertinent sources about the topic. Sources searched will be screened by two independent reviewers and data will be extracted using a data extraction table. Disagreements will be resolved by a discussion through a third reviewer. The results of the search and the study inclusion process will be reported in full in the final scoping review and presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review flow diagram. Search strategy using the included databases started in August to September 2025, data extraction will start by October 2025, data analysis will start by November 2025 and the review is expected to be completed by December 2025.
This study does not involve human participants and has been reviewed and classified for exempted review by the University of the Philippines Manila Research Ethics Board, which is a committee whose task is to make sure that research participants are protected from harm. The findings of the scoping review will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in a scientific journal.
by Giulia Simbula, Frederico M. Barroso, Enerit Saçdanaku, Gabriel Ene, Geanina Fănaru, Lekshmi B. Sreelatha, Miruna-Gabriela Vizireanu, Myrto Roumelioti, Nikoletta-Maria Boskovits, Sabina E. Vlad, Prem Aguilar, Miguel A. Carretero
Mesocosms, outdoor replicated ecological experiments within a controlled environment, have become a valuable tool for investigating a broad range of ecological questions across various sub-disciplines. This study presents a medium-sized mesocosm system (MS) designed for individual-level responses to abiotic factors and basic intraspecific interactions in small ground-dwelling reptiles, offering a practical alternative to large-scale facilities for resource-limited settings. Unlike large-scale facilities that are ideal for meta-community dynamics but impractical due to high costs and complexity, this system targets research contexts with limited resources requiring replicated experimental units. To validate the MS design, 16 units were constructed using cost-effective, widely available materials and equipped with a programmable irrigation system. A pilot test using Podarcis bocagei lizards provided a preliminary biological evaluation of the design and its suitability in housing wild-caught medium-small reptiles under semi-natural conditions over 7 months. Despite minor maintenance, the MS was resilient to environmental conditions, warranting an expansion to 32 units in subsequent years. Most individuals maintained or recovered body mass during the activity season, and displayed natural behaviours such as basking and foraging. The system’s modularity and adaptability offer a practical reference for ecological studies with similar constraints.by Temitope Ruth Folorunso, Gabriel Silva, Marilis E. Girón, Tess Lindow, Micah Persyn, Lori Eckhardt, Janna R. Willoughby
Effective culturing and DNA extraction protocols are essential for advancing research on fungal pathogens of brown spot needle blight (BSNB) that infect loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and other Pinus species. We evaluated the performance of four widely used fungal media, including Sabouraud dextrose, malt extract, potato dextrose, and yeast extract peptone dextrose, in both solid (agar) and liquid (broth) formats, quantifying fungal growth through colony diameter and biomass accumulation over a three-week period. Sabouraud dextrose agar and broth consistently supported the most rapid and extensive growth in both formats, while potato dextrose underperformed across these metrics. To identify an optimal protocol for downstream molecular applications, we also compared four DNA extraction methods, three of which were modified variants of the CTAB (cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium bromide) chemistry as well as the Qiagen DNeasy kit following the yeast DNA extraction protocol. DNA yield, quantified by fluorometry, was highest for the high-salt CTAB polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) protocol and DNA purity (assessed by 260/280 absorbance ratio) was optimal for both PVP and Qiagen extractions. From these comparisons, we suggest that Sabouraud dextrose culturing combined with CTAB PVP extraction for use as a robust and accessible pipeline for generating high-quality fungal DNA.
FreshRSS 