Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming haematology diagnostics by improving accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility in workflows traditionally reliant on manual microscopy and expert interpretation. Integrating AI into laboratory medicine presents opportunities to enhance diagnostic precision and reduce variability, particularly in resource-limited settings. This narrative review examines the application of AI across major domains of haematology, morphological diagnosis, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, genomics, and clinical decision support, while addressing ethical, regulatory, and economic considerations relevant to global and African laboratory contexts. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE identified studies describing or evaluating AI algorithms in haematologic diagnostics, focusing on model performance, validation level, and clinical applicability. Recent studies demonstrate strong performance of deep learning models, particularly convolutional neural networks and hybrid convolutional neural networks-transformer architectures, in automating blood and bone marrow morphology, detecting subtle dysplastic changes, and supporting digital workflows. In flow cytometry, AI enhances automated gating and rare event detection, while cytogenetic and genomic tools aid in karyotyping, variant classification, and structural abnormality recognition. Decision-support systems further assist in diagnostic triage and treatment planning. However, widespread implementation is limited by data heterogeneity, inadequate multicentre validation, and evolving ethical and regulatory frameworks. Advancing AI integration in haematology will require robust validation studies, explainable AI approaches, and equitable adoption strategies. Strengthening African laboratory systems through such innovations offers a pathway toward improved diagnostic capacity and sustainable digital transformation. The current study highlighted that AI is improving haematology laboratory tasks such as cell identification, differential diagnosis assistance, and result interpretation, but still faces challenges in validation, bias, and workflow integration. Future progress depends on stronger external validation, better explainable models, and closer collaboration between laboratory experts and AI specialists.
The integration of oral fluid (OF) sampling into veterinary diagnostics represents a significant shift in animal herd health monitoring, offering a noninvasive alternative to traditional blood-based methods. OF, predominantly composed of saliva, mucosal transudate and plasma-derived components, contains immunoglobulins, acute-phase proteins and nucleic acids that mirror both local and systemic physiological processes. These components enable a thorough evaluation of immune responses and inflammatory status, as well as the detection of economically significant infectious pathogens in swine. OF can be collected noninvasively using cotton ropes or swabs, which is feasible for individual or pen-level herd health sampling with minimal animal handling and fosters an animal-friendly approach. Several studies have demonstrated pathogen antigen detection, particularly PCR-based detection of shedding pathogens, as well as antibody and biomarker measurements in OF; however, concentrations are often lower than those observed in other biological fluids, especially in serum. In addition, diagnostic interpretation is further constrained by poor pig participation, rope chewing due to dominance, low prevalence within pens, contamination with feed or environmental material, instability of analytes during transport and storage, and the scarcity of validated assays specific to OF. This review summarises OF production, composition and diagnostic analyte entry pathways from blood to OF and current applications for detecting pathogens and biomarkers in pigs and critically examines methodological factors that influence diagnostic performance, including sample collection procedures, handling and assay optimisation, such as dilution and threshold selection. Finally, it outlines priorities for future development, including standardised OF collection and handling protocols, OF-validated pathogen and biomarker assays, matrix-specific thresholds, regulatory validation and proteomic biomarker discovery to enable earlier detection and support continuous herd health monitoring in global swine production.
Traditional ecotoxicity testing relies heavily on vertebrate animal models, which are resource-intensive, low-throughput, and raise ethical concerns under the principle of the 3Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement). New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including in silico, in chemico, in vitro and ex vivo, offer promising alternatives for environmental chemical hazard assessment. While NAMs have gained traction in human health risk assessment, their regulatory acceptance for environmental safety remains limited due to technical, scientific and policy barriers. This paper presents an overview of a literature review related to the status, challenges and future strategies for broader adoption of NAMs for environmental safety assessment of chemicals. The review´s objectives were to: (1) systematically review the current state of NAMs for aquatic toxicity assessment, (2) identify gaps in NAM readiness and endpoint coverage, and (3) provide recommendations to accelerate regulatory acceptance and integration of NAMs into environmental safety frameworks. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed followed by the SWIFT-Active Screener tool, focusing on NAMs applicable to aquatic organisms (fish, amphibians, marine mammals). The review excluded terrestrial and invertebrate models. Search terms considered within the scope of the review included in silico, in chemico, in vitro and ex vivo. While embryo assays may not be considered a NAM by all geographical regions and stakeholders, information from existing embryo assays was also reviewed to reduce the reliance on protected vertebrate life stages. The screening identified 4275 unique articles and 1310 were selected for full-text review. A database containing all the reviewed information is freely available and contains 18 metadata fields including for example the captured assay type, species, endpoints, and readiness level. This review provides a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning toward animal-free environmental safety assessment. By addressing gaps in readiness, standardization, and mechanistic integration, NAMs can become central to next-generation risk assessment, supporting global initiatives to phase out vertebrate testing.
Lipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by a disproportionate accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the extremities, typically sparing the hands and feet. It is commonly associated with pain, hypersensitivity, easy bruising, edema, and fibrotic nodules. Despite growing awareness, there is still no consensus on evidence-based therapeutic approaches. This integrative review aimed to identify physical therapy strategies described in the scientific literature for the assessment and conservative management of lipedema. Searches were conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, BVS, PEDro, Embase, and Cochrane databases, followed by critical appraisal and evidence synthesis, with applicable PRISMA-ScR checklist items used as a reporting guide for the study selection process. The findings indicate that physical therapy plays a key role in conservative treatment, particularly through complete decongestive therapy, compression therapy, exercise, manual therapy, and electrophysical agents. These interventions show potential benefits in reducing pain, improving functional capacity, controlling edema, and preventing disease progression. However, the available evidence remains limited, underscoring the need for more robust clinical trials to support evidence-based physical therapy practice in the treatment of lipedema. O lipedema é uma doença crônica caracterizada pelo acúmulo desproporcional de tecido adiposo subcutâneo nos membros, poupando as mãos e os pés. É comumente associado a dor, hipersensibilidade, facilidade para hematomas, edema e nódulos fibróticos. Apesar da crescente conscientização, ainda não há consenso sobre abordagens terapêuticas baseadas em evidências. Esta revisão integrativa teve como objetivo identificar estratégias fisioterapêuticas descritas na literatura científica para a avaliação e o tratamento conservador do lipedema. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, BVS, PEDro, Embase e Cochrane, seguidas de avaliação crítica e síntese das evidências, com uso de itens aplicáveis do checklist PRISMA-ScR como guia para o relato do processo de seleção dos estudos. Os resultados indicam que a fisioterapia desempenha um papel fundamental no tratamento conservador, particularmente por meio de terapia descongestiva complexa, terapia compressiva, exercícios, técnicas manuais e agentes eletrofísicos. Essas intervenções demonstram benefícios potenciais na redução da dor, melhora da função, controle do edema e prevenção da progressão da doença; no entanto, as evidências disponíveis ainda são limitadas, o que ressalta a necessidade de ensaios clínicos mais robustos para embasar a prática da fisioterapia baseada em evidências.
Sex and gender influence disease mechanisms and outcomes, yet their integration into medical curricula remains limited. Faculty knowledge and confidence are essential for effective incorporation. This study assessed baseline sex- and gender-specific health (SGSH) knowledge, attitudes, and comfort among medical school educators and delivered a multi-format faculty development intervention. A survey adapted from prior SGSH assessments was distributed to medical school block leaders before the intervention, measuring SGSH knowledge, comfort differentiating sex and gender, awareness of SGSH resources, and readiness to integrate SGSH content. The intervention included virtual and in-person grand rounds, distribution of How Sex and Gender Impact Clinical Practice, and a screening of Ms. Diagnosed. Of the 103 invited to participate, 68 educators (66% response rate) completed the baseline survey. Forty percent reported no prior SGSH training, and only 13.2% felt very comfortable with SGSH concepts. Although 94.1% correctly identified gender as a social construct and sex assignment at birth, 22% remained uncomfortable distinguishing the two. More than 80% were neutral or uncomfortable identifying SGSH resources. Comfort with curriculum integration varied: 45.6% felt comfortable, 32.4% neutral, and 22.1% uncomfortable, with differences observed across specialties. These findings reveal significant gaps in medical educators' SGSH knowledge and comfort regardless of experience, with SGSH content narrowly confined to reproductive health topics. Simply providing resources is insufficient; educators need structured guidance on integration. By outlining baseline gaps and an intervention model, this study offers a framework for institutions seeking to enhance SGSH integration through interactive, longitudinal, multi-format faculty development approaches.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1878166.].
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the renewal of montmorillonite-illite mixed layer clay mineral as a technological feed additive for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude whether the additive montmorillonite-illite mixed layer clay mineral remains safe for the target species under the current conditions of the authorisation. The Panel also concludes that the use of the additive in animal nutrition remains safe for the consumer and for the environment under the current conditions of the authorisation. The additive should be considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. In absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the eye irritation of the additive. Exposure of users by any route is considered a risk and should be minimised. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.
Primary liver cancer is a major global cause of cancer death, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant histological subtype. This literature review synthesizes current evidence on the exposome, multi-omics landscape, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based integration strategies relevant to biomarker discovery in liver cancer, with a focus on biological rationale, emerging clinical applications, and translational limitations. Key etiologic drivers include viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, all of which interact with environmental exposures across the life course. Biomarker discovery increasingly relies on integrated assessment of exposure-related signals together with genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and spatially resolved data. Hepatocarcinogenesis involves a complex interplay of chronic liver injury, environmentally patterned molecular perturbation, and dynamic tumor-host interactions. We emphasize an exposome-informed, multimodal strategy in which interpretable AI models identify clinically relevant signatures for early detection, prognostic stratification, and treatment guidance. Critical limitations of current evidence include incomplete exposure assessment, heterogeneous data platforms, retrospective study design, limited external validation, and insufficient model transparency. Emerging approaches, including proteogenomic, lipidomic, single-cell, and digital pathology-based modeling, show promise but require further validation in etiologically diverse cohorts. The purpose of this review is to critically examine how AI can integrate exposome-related information with multi-omics data for biomarker discovery in liver cancer. Here, particular attention is given to the exposure-to-biomarker sequence, immune-metabolic remodeling, liquid-biopsy translation, and the reduction of high-dimensional signatures into clinically deployable assays.
BACKGROUND: The vertebrate nervous system is vulnerable to chemical toxicity, and the widespread release of chemicals into the environment outstrips the capacity to assess their safety. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful vertebrate model that can bridge the gap between in vitro- and mammalian-based in vivo studies. However, the behavior-rich repertoire of larval zebrafish, a 3R-compliant model amenable to higher throughput chemical screens, has yet to be fully deployed to identify and characterize chemical compounds that cause neurotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: We sought to establish a multibehavioral phenotyping approach in larval zebrafish to identify and mechanistically elucidate neuroactive chemicals, with particular focus on chemical compounds that affect nonassociative habituation learning. METHODS: We devised a battery of automated behavioral assays in larval zebrafish. The battery captures stereotypical visual and acoustic behaviors including habituation, a form of nonassociative learning. To elucidate mechanisms underlying exposure-induced behavioral alterations in zebrafish, in silico target predictions, pharmacological interventions, patch-clamp recordings in cultured mouse cortical neurons, and human multineurotransmitter (hMNR) assay in 3D BrainSpheres were used. RESULTS: Known pharmacological modulators of habituation in zebrafish evoked distinct behavioral patterns. By screening chemicals positive for ex vivo N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulation, we identified chlorophene, a biocide that caused sedation, paradoxical excitation, and reduced habituation in zebrafish. Using in silico target predictions and pharmacological interventions, we discovered that chlorophene acts via gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs), a previously unknown target site. Orthogonal validation in cultured mouse cortical neurons and human stem cell-derived BrainSpheres confirmed chlorophene's interaction with GABAARs. Chlorophene's behavioral profile resembled that of flupirtine, a Kv7 potassium channel (M-current) activator, suggesting that habituation deficits stem from M-current rather than GABAAR modulation. CONCLUSIONS: These studies combined a series of behavior assays in a phenotypically rich, rapid, and inexpensive nonmammalian vertebrate test system to screen chemicals for neurotoxicity. Together with in silico target predictions and mouse- and human-based models, our findings establish multibehavioral phenotyping in zebrafish as a powerful toolkit for neurotoxicity testing and mechanism identification, with relevance for humans.
Access to high-quality family planning (FP) services is crucial for addressing unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality. There is uncertainty about health expenditures, especially FP services, by financing sources. The study aims to conduct key analyses on health and reproductive health expenditures in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). This analysis was performed across the eight WAEMU countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo) from 2013 to 2021. We conducted a secondary data analysis using the Global Health Expenditures Database. The variables were the current health expenditures, reproductive health expenditures, and FP expenditures by funding source (National General Government, External Funding Sources, and National Private Sector). We performed a trend and funding-source analysis in purchasing power parity in United States dollars. Current expenditures allocated to health, reproductive, and FP services increased in recent years, growing by 4.6%, 5.9%, and 2.7% per year, respectively, in the region. The evidence is strong that countries have commitments to improving health and strengthening access to reproductive health services, especially modern contraceptives. However, FP funding is still dependent on external resources. In most countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, Mali, and Senegal, more than half of FP expenditures are funded by external resources, whereas Côte d'Ivoire and Niger rely heavily on government resources. In Togo, the main FP funding sources are the domestic private resources. The significant dependence of Public Finance management systems on external funding, with the government's low contribution, may undermine the sustainability of FP programmes in these countries. The evidence suggests increasing domestic resource mobilisation for FP through integrated co-financing mechanisms and advocacy for FP reprioritisation within governments' health budgets, and ensuring efficient and equitable allocation of existing resources through resource reprogramming based on the country background, national priorities, and high-impact interventions.
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) are key members of the IL-1 cytokine family that contribute to the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Although both cytokines share structural similarities and use MyD88-dependent signaling pathways, accumulating evidence indicates that they function complementarily rather than redundantly. IL-1β acts as an early catalyst for catabolic processes, leading to cartilage breakdown and cellular senescence, whereas IL-18 serves as an inflammasome-dependent enhancer that activates the immune response. This review summarizes the roles of IL-1β and IL-18 at multiple biological levels in OA progression and discusses their secretion and activation mechanisms. Additionally, we explore current and emerging pathological strategies that target the effects of IL-1β and IL-18 on resident cells during knee OA progression. Despite substantial evidence suggesting that cytokines are involved in OA progression, IL-1β-targeted therapies have shown limited clinical success, highlighting the need to explore additional targets. By integrating multiple pathological mechanisms, this review proposes a conceptual framework in which OA progression comprises three interconnected phases: cytokine-driven initiation, amplification, and chronicity, all linked to senescence. In conclusion, this review evaluates current pharmacological strategies. It underscores future research directions that focus on key elements of the IL-1β/IL-18 signaling pathway, emphasizing the significance of biomarker-driven and combination therapies for improving OA management.
Glioblastoma remains the most aggressive malignant brain tumor, with limited survival despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Current diagnostic modalities are insufficient for early detection and precise monitoring of disease progression, prompting interest in liquid biopsy-based biomarkers. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have been highlighted as significant biomarkers due to their stability and involvement in tumor progression. This narrative review evaluates current evidence regarding the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of exosomal and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs in brain tumors, particularly gliomas. Data were collected from PubMed and Google Scholar, and eight original articles published between 2016 and 2026 were included after careful screening. The findings demonstrated dysregulated expression of exosomal miRNAs, including miR-29b, miR-210, miR-301a, miR-454-3p, and miR-2276-5p, which were significantly associated with tumor grade, recurrence, survival, and treatment response. The majority of studies reported strong diagnostic performance, with receiver operating characteristic/area under the curve values ranging from 0.80 to 0.93, while mechanistic analyses implicated these miRNAs in oncogenic pathways, including PTEN/AKT signaling, hypoxia-mediated progression, autophagy regulation, and angiogenesis. Overall, exosomal miRNAs demonstrate considerable potential as noninvasive biomarkers for prognostication and therapeutic targeting, while their dynamic preoperative alterations further suggest utility in disease monitoring.
Badminton is the most popular sport among adolescents across the world. Injury-related research focusing specifically on this age group remains limited. Much of the existing literature combines adolescent players with broader athletic populations, making it difficult to understand injury patterns unique to youth and adolescent badminton players. This review examined the available evidence related to injury prevalence, incidence, anatomical distribution, injury characteristics, and potential risk factors in youth and adolescent badminton players (aged 7-22 years, with some studies including broader age ranges). It also aimed to highlight areas where current knowledge of injury prevention remains incomplete. This is the first scoping review to apply the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) methodology to youth badminton injury literature, enabling systematic mapping of evidence gaps and informing future research priorities in this area. This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. A comprehensive English-language search was conducted in June 2025 using PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and reference list screening. Ten observational studies met the eligibility criteria. The studies varied in design, including prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional approaches. Injury data were collected during training, competition, or both, and different injury definitions were used, including pain- or symptom-based, time-loss, and medical attention. Exposure measurements also differed across studies, with reports based on training hours or player exposure. Owing to these methodological differences, a meta-analysis was not feasible, and the findings were summarized descriptively without formal quality appraisal, consistent with the scoping review methodology. Ten observational studies were included in this review. The included studies showed substantial variations in study design, settings, injury definitions, and exposure measurements. Injury prevalence ranged from 18.1% in Malaysian national-level players to 33.87% in elite Sri Lankan junior players, although differences in injury definitions and study populations limit direct comparisons between studies. Studies using pain- and symptom-based surveillance, which captures minor symptoms that do not require medical attention, have reported a prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints exceeding 60% in larger Japanese youth badminton cohorts. Injuries are common among youth and adolescent badminton players. Limited evidence from two prospective studies suggests that injury risk may increase during mid-to-late adolescence, and higher injury rates have been reported among elite-level players with greater training exposure. Variations in injury definitions, surveillance approaches, and exposure measurements across studies make comparisons difficult and reduce consistency within the current evidence base.
Nursing education is crucial for preparing students to navigate the complexities of healthcare. The current study aims to investigate the relationships among higher education-related stress, academic self-efficacy (ASE) and satisfaction with clinical education experiences among nursing students to inform current policy and practice in nurse education and support in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was done with undergraduate nursing students at the College of Nursing at Qassim University, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by a socio-demographic questionnaire, the student nurse stress index (SNSI) scale, the academic nurse self-efficacy (ANSE) scale and the 'Assessment of Nursing Student Satisfaction with First Clinical Practical Education Questionnaire'. Nursing students exhibited moderate levels of SNSI (M = 70.53, SD = 17.35), ASNE (M = 52.91, SD = 8.96) and satisfaction with clinical education (M = 142.29, SD = 25.09). Furthermore, Interface Worries (includes students' worries and stress when interfacing with educators, clinical personnel, colleagues or the academic environment; 95% CI: -0.407 to -0.120) and Personal Problems (95% CI: -0.205 to -0.019) were statistically significant negative predictors of nursing students' ANSE. The study underscores the significant relationship between higher education-related stress, ASE and satisfaction with clinical education.
Adipose tissue has emerged as an important therapeutic resource in regenerative medicine due to its accessibility and its rich content of regenerative cells and bioactive factors. Adipose-derived products, including lipoaspirate, stromal vascular fraction (SVF), and adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (AD-MSCs), are increasingly used in clinical practice for tissue reconstruction, wound healing, and the treatment of complex tissue defects. In this review, we summarize current clinical applications of adipose tissue-based therapies, focusing on their role in tissue regeneration and wound management. We briefly discuss adipose tissue harvesting techniques and the biological characteristics of AD-MSCs relevant to their therapeutic use. Attention is given to clinical evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and translational challenges associated with SVF- and AD-MSC-based interventions. We highlight current limitations and future directions for the integration of adipose tissue-derived therapies into regenerative and reconstructive medicine.
Flipped music education has increasingly emerged as a learner-centered instructional approach that promotes active participation, self-regulated learning, and collaborative engagement. In music theory education, students often encounter difficulties in understanding abstract concepts and connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application. Although flipped learning has shown positive educational effects, existing evidence remains fragmented and primarily emphasizes instructional implementation rather than the mechanisms underlying broader developmental outcomes. This study therefore synthesizes current evidence concerning how flipped music education influences student engagement, learning experiences, and wellbeing while proposing an integrated conceptual framework. A systematic literature review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC databases. Following a multi-stage screening process, 12 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included in the final synthesis. The findings indicate that instructional design, collaborative participation, teacher support, assessment practices, and self-regulated learning collectively contribute to cognitive engagement, conceptual understanding, motivation, social connectedness, and wellbeing-related outcomes. Based on these findings, the study proposes a conceptual framework explaining how instructional and contextual factors indirectly influence student development through engagement, collaboration, and reflective learning processes. The review contributes to current scholarship by advancing a mechanism-oriented understanding of flipped music education and providing practical implications for developing more engaging and supportive music learning environments.
To investigate the current status of postoperative kinesiophobia in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and to identify its influencing factors. A longitudinal study was conducted among patients who underwent VATS lung surgery between January 2024 and August 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the Postoperative Pain Self-Management Behavior Questionnaire (PPSMB), and the Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS). Of the 187 enrolled patients, 101 (54.01%) developed kinesiophobia on postoperative day 1, with a median TSK score of 41.00 (interquartile range: 38.00-42.00). During follow-up until discharge, 83 patients transitioned from kinesiophobia to non-kinesiophobia, whereas 18 patients remained persistently kinesiophobic. Univariate analysis indicated that postoperative pain intensity, pain self-management ability, operation duration, chest tube dwell time, length of hospital stay, and sleep quality significantly influenced the occurrence of kinesiophobia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that moderate to severe pain, postoperative pain self-management ability, and operation duration were independently associated with kinesiophobia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that pain intensity, pain self-management ability, operative duration, and their combined model yielded high specificity and sensitivity in predicting kinesiophobia. The incidence of postoperative kinesiophobia is relatively high in patients undergoing VATS lung surgery. Healthcare providers should pay close attention to moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, patients' pain self-management behaviors, sleep status, operation duration, chest tube duration, and length of hospitalization. Given that prolonged kinesiophobia poses greater challenges to recovery, early identification, timely intervention, enhanced patient education, and guided rehabilitation training are crucial to reducing its occurrence and promoting postoperative recovery.
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality globally. Community pharmacists can improve the impact of cardiovascular diseases by early identification of risk factors and provision of health promotion. However, patients' perceptions of community pharmacists are not well understood. To understand how patients perceive the involvement of community pharmacists in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 (n = 10) cardiovascular disease patients who utilise community pharmacy services in Maseru and Berea districts. Convenience sampling method was used to select participants. The questionnaire comprised questions to uncover patients' experiences, utilisation, and expectations of community pharmacists' services. Thematic analysis was employed. Four themes were identified, namely 1) perceived role of a community pharmacist, 2) patient healthcare-seeking behaviour, 3) perceived community pharmacist care outcomes, and 4) future expectations. Generally, cardiovascular disease patients visited community pharmacists every month for medication refills and were less aware of other services. Overall, patients were appreciative of and were willing to support future community pharmacists' services. The patients expect community pharmacists to lead initiatives that educate people about cardiovascular diseases and standardise services across all pharmacy outlets. Patients had limited awareness of other services provided by community pharmacists beyond dispensing medication, such as disease detection and health promotion. However, they valued the services provided by community pharmacists and were willing to utilise expanded services. This presents an opportunity for community pharmacists to raise awareness of their current scope of work and expansion of care.
A new effort in 2025 to collect earthworms in northern Madagascar resulted in the discovery of a new species of Kynotus, a genus belonging to the endemic family Kynotidae, as well as the rediscovery of K. darwinii, the type species of Kynotus. The latter species had not been collected since its original reports in the late 19th century. With the description of the new species, Kynotus insularis sp. nov., the family Kynotidae now has 23 species. New DNA barcode sequences were generated for both species, confirming their distinctness and further demonstrating the high efficiency of the COI barcode region in identifying Kynotus species. An identification key to the currently known kynotid species is also presented.
Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic airway inflammatory disease associated with high global prevalence and substantial clinical burden. Conventional therapies remain limited in controlling refractory phenotypes and preventing disease progression. The gut-lung axis has emerged as a fundamental regulatory network connecting intestinal homeostasis with pulmonary immune function, and mounting evidence has established a close mechanistic link between gut dysbiosis and the onset, persistence, and exacerbation of asthma. This review comprehensively integrates evidence from epidemiological investigations, animal models, clinical observational studies, and randomized controlled trials published between 2011 and 2025 to elucidate the crosstalk mechanisms of the gut-lung axis in asthma, characterize compositional and functional alterations of the gut microbiome, evaluate microbiota-targeted interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and discuss current translational challenges. We highlight that the gut microbiota orchestrates airway inflammatory responses through fine-tuning immune cell differentiation, mediating microbial metabolite signaling, and maintaining intestinal barrier function, with discernible microbial signatures evident across allergic versus non-allergic and pediatric versus adult asthma phenotypes. Despite promising preclinical and preliminary clinical findings, causal evidence remains insufficient, and intervention heterogeneity limits clinical application. This review underscores the potential of microbiome-based precision strategies and identifies key directions for future mechanistic research and clinical translation.