<b>Objectives</b><br/>The objective of this review was to analyze quantitative data on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to increase the accuracy of estimates of the prevalence of ASD.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>This review, which was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, included studies conducted from January 2008 to June 2024 on children aged 3 to 18 years that used standardized measurement tools and reported cut-off scores for ASD. The prevalence of ASD was the primary outcome analyzed in this review. The PubMed, Clinical Key, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were reviewed for relevant studies. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO and followed the Cochrane collaboration guidelines.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>A total of 66 studies reported on the prevalence of ASD, screening 21,313,061 children worldwide. Among these, 25 studies were conducted in Europe, 22 in Asia, and 13 in America. Additionally, 3 studies each were reported from Africa and Australia. According to a meta-analysis, 0.77% of children globally are diagnosed with ASD, with boys comprising 1.14% of this group. Notably, Australia showed the highest prevalence rate, with an effect size of 2.18, highlighting it as a critical area for public health focus.
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>ASD represents a significant global health burden. Early detection, increased awareness among parents, and prompt intervention are crucial for mitigating developmental problems in children later in life. It is essential for health policymakers to acknowledge the prevalence and growing trends of ASD in order to implement effective interventions.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Systematic review of optimizing brain-targeted vitamin D delivery: Novel approaches to enhance mental illness therapeutics Jinghu He, Zhiyuan Gao, Xilian Li, Long Zhao, Xue Tian, Biao Gao Brain Research.2025; 1858: 149656. CrossRef
Socialization of children with autism spectrum disorder complicated by concomitant disorders Rymkhanova Ainagul Rymbekovna, Turebayeva Klara Zhamanbaevna, Rakhmetova Anar Muratovna, Olexyuk Zaryana Yaroslavovna, Yakovenko Irina Valeryevna, Zhussupbekova Zamzagul Dostiarovna Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education and Researc.2025; 15(3): 61. CrossRef
Mechanistic Links Between Gut Dysbiosis, Insulin Resistance, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Patricia Guevara-Ramírez, Rafael Tamayo-Trujillo, Viviana A. Ruiz-Pozo, Santiago Cadena-Ullauri, Elius Paz-Cruz, Ana Karina Zambrano International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2025; 26(13): 6537. CrossRef
This systematic review evaluated psychiatric adverse events (AEs) following vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We included studies that reported or investigated psychiatric AEs in individuals who had received an approved COVID-19 vaccine in the Republic of Korea. Systematic electronic searches of Ovid-Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and KoreaMed databases were conducted on March 22, 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies 2.0. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023449422). Of the 301 articles initially selected, 7 were included in the final analysis. All studies reported on sleep disturbances, and 2 highlighted anxiety-related AEs. Sleep disorders like insomnia and narcolepsy were the most prevalent AEs, while depression was not reported. Our review suggests that these AEs may have been influenced by biological mechanisms as well as the broader psychosocial context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this study had limitations, such as a primary focus on the BNT162b2 vaccine and an observational study design, it offered a systematic, multi-vaccine analysis that fills a critical gap in the existing literature. This review underscores the need for continued surveillance of psychiatric AEs and guides future research to investigate underlying mechanisms, identify risk factors, and inform clinical management.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
A review of the scientific literature on experimental toxicity studies of COVID-19 vaccines, with special attention to publications in toxicology journals Jose L. Domingo Archives of Toxicology.2024; 98(11): 3603. CrossRef
Parasitic infections are the most common diseases worldwide, and enterobiasis is a common parasitic infection in children. Various studies have reported on the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis in different regions of the world. However, no study has gathered and analyzed this data systematically. Our systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the overall prevalence of E. vermicularis among children globally. Data were extracted from 4 available databases for studies published from January 2002 to April 2022. The quality of the included studies was scored based on the standard Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. A random-effect model was chosen to calculate the pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) according to the degree of heterogeneity in the included studies. Thus, 40 publications (42 data sets) that included 3,279 children with enterobiasis met all criteria and were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis showed that heterogeneity among the included studies was high (Q=4,399.35, I2=99.96%; df=41; p<0.001). The pooled global prevalence of enterobiasis among the studied children was 12.9% (95% CI, 8.2%–17.7%). Our systematic review and meta-analysis estimated that, for the past 20 years, 12.9% of children around the world have been infected with E. vermicularis.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Modelling international travel as risk of acquiring Dientamoeba fragilis: Comparison to Giardia duodenalis data Jukka-Pekka Pietilä, Tuuve A Häkkinen, Jukka Ollgren, Anu Kantele Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease.2025; 65: 102836. CrossRef
A Case of Appendiceal Pinworms in an Adolescent Patient Zachary S Kauffman, David L Stuart Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Epidemiological and molecular characterization of Enterobius vermicularis cases in Mersin, Turkey: An analysis based on mitochondrial DNA cox1 gene sequences Harun Gülbudak, Seda Tezcan Ülger, Taylan Bozok, Gönül Aslan One Health.2025; 20: 101079. CrossRef
Enterobius vermicularis: Coming Soon to an Appendix Near You? Adam Heininger, John C Densmore Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
SURVEILLANCE OF PARASITIC DISEASES IN BULGARIA Rumen Harizanov, Violeta Yakimova, Mihaela Videnova, Ognyan Mikov, Aleksandra Ivanova, Eleonora Kaneva, Raina Borisova, Nina Tsvetkova, Iskra Rainova, Zornitca Traykova PROBLEMS of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.2025; 52(3): 38. CrossRef
Development of a Machine Learning Model for the Classification of Enterobius vermicularis Egg Natthanai Chaibutr, Pongphan Pongpanitanont, Sakhone Laymanivong, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Penchom Janwan Journal of Imaging.2024; 10(9): 212. CrossRef
Global burden of soil-transmitted helminth infections, 1990–2021 Jin Chen, Yanfeng Gong, Qin Chen, Shizhu Li, Yibiao Zhou Infectious Diseases of Poverty.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Studies on the significance of secretory IgA antibodies in the pathogenesis and clinical course of enterobiasis in infected persons from Bulgaria: preliminary findings E. Kaneva, R. Harizanov, D. Velcheva, N. Tsvetkova, M. Pavlova, I. Alexiev, R. Dimitrova, M. Videnova, R. Borisova, A. Ivanova Helminthologia.2024; 61(4): 277. CrossRef
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance raises the fear of untreatable diseases. Antimicrobial resistance is a multifaceted and dynamic phenomenon that is the cumulative result of different factors. While Gram-positive pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile, were previously the most concerning issues in the field of public health, Gram-negative pathogens are now of prime importance. The World Health Organization’s priority list of pathogens mostly includes multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms particularly carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The spread of Gram-negative bacterial resistance is a global issue, involving a variety of mechanisms. Several strategies have been proposed to control resistant Gram-negative bacteria, such as the development of antimicrobial auxiliary agents and research into chemical compounds with new modes of action. Another emerging trend is the development of naturally derived antibacterial compounds that aim for targets novel areas, including engineered bacteriophages, probiotics, metal-based antibacterial agents, odilorhabdins, quorum sensing inhibitors, and microbiome-modifying agents. This review focuses on the current status of alternative treatment regimens against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, aiming to provide a snapshot of the situation and some information on the broader context.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Bioactive Potential and Chemical Composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. Leaf Extracts Collected in Algeria: A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Approach Amina Bramki, Ghozlane Barboucha, Ouided Benslama, Anna Andolfi, Fatima Zohra Makhlouf, Maria Smati, Djamila Benouchenne, Mohamed Moussaoui, Chawki Bensouici, Alessio Cimmino, Jesús G. Zorrilla, Maria Michela Salvatore, Marco Masi Molecules.2025; 30(3): 749. CrossRef
Viability and Surface Morphology of Human Erythrocytes upon Interaction with Chitosan Derivatives Evgeniya A. Bezrodnykh, Marina G. Holyavka, Tatyana N. Belyaeva, Svetlana M. Pankova, Valery G. Artyukhov, Yurij A. Antonov, Boris B. Berezin, Inesa V. Blagodatskikh, Vladimir E. Tikhonov ACS Applied Bio Materials.2025; 8(3): 1909. CrossRef
Progress in Characterization of Lipopolysaccharides and Lipid A by Mass Spectrometry Amanda Helms, Jennifer S. Brodbelt Mass Spectrometry Reviews.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Efficacy of new generation biosorbents for the sustainable treatment of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes from polluted waste effluent Barkha Madhogaria, Sangeeta Banerjee, Atreyee Kundu, Prasanta Dhak Infectious Medicine.2024; 3(1): 100092. CrossRef
Evaluation of Plant-Based Silver Nanoparticles for Antioxidant Activity and Promising Wound-Healing Applications Maria Qubtia, Shazia Akram Ghumman, Sobia Noreen, Huma Hameed, Shazia Noureen, Rizwana Kausar, Ali Irfan, Pervaiz Akhtar Shah, Hafsa Afzal, Misbah Hameed, Mohammad Raish, Maria Rana, Ajaz Ahmad, Katarzyna Kotwica-Mojzych, Yousef A. Bin Jardan ACS Omega.2024; 9(10): 12146. CrossRef
Progress and potentialities in wood extractives-based materials for active food packaging applications Eliana I. Fernández Sosa, Nanci Ehman, Fernando E. Felissia, M. Guadalupe Chaves, M. Cristina Area Food Bioscience.2024; 60: 104489. CrossRef
Isolation, derivatization, and anti-microbial evaluation of secondary metabolites from
Garcinia dryobalanoides
Nur Fazlin Zafirah Zaine, Nor Hisam Zamakshshari, Ainaa Nadiah Abd Halim, Vivien Jong Yi Mian, Ngieng Ngui Sing Natural Product Research.2024; : 1. CrossRef
A comprehensive investigation of the anion inhibition profile of a β-carbonic anhydrase from
Acinetobacter baumannii
for crafting innovative antimicrobial treatments
Viviana De Luca, Simone Giovannuzzi, Claudiu T. Supuran, Clemente Capasso Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemist.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
<b>Objectives</b><br/>The objectives of this review and meta-analysis were twofold: first, to determine the prevalence of substance use among school-going children in Arab and African countries; and second, to highlight the considerable influence of variables such as the nation’s region and the timeframe of the study on the prevalence of substance use.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>Research was sourced from Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Thirty-seven articles were incorporated in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. This review included studies published from 2013 to 2023. The statistical meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis ver. 3 software. Across 37 studies, the total number of study participants was 73,508.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>The meta-analysis revealed that tobacco was the most commonly used substance, with a prevalence of 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.7%–20.02%). This was closely followed by alcohol, which had a prevalence of 15% (95% CI, 10.5%–22.8%), stimulants at 11.4% (95% CI, 7.4%–17%), khat at 10% (95% CI, 5.7%–15%), and cannabis at 8% (95% CI, 3.3%–18.4%). Notably, alcohol was the only substance that showed an increasing trend in prevalence from before to after 2019, rising from 13.3% (95% CI, 6.2%–26.1%) to 17% (95% CI, 10.2%–27%) (p<0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of substance use varied significantly between Arab and African countries (p<0.001).
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>Although the prevalence of substance use among school-going populations has significantly decreased over time, with the exception of alcohol, it is imperative that both African and Arab countries implement comprehensive measures and stringent laws to address the production and marketing of substances.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with a variety of oral manifestations. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to estimate the prevalence of oral lesions among COVID-19 patients. Methods: An extensive literature search of several electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Litcovid) was conducted to retrieve all articles published in the English language from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023 that reported the prevalence of oral manifestations among COVID-19 patients. A meta-analysis of pooled prevalence was performed using Jamovi ver. 2.3 (2022). The I2 and Q statistics were used to assess heterogeneity between studies, and p-values <0.01 were considered statistically significant. Results: In total, 79 studies with data from 13,252 patients were included. The articles were predominantly published in 2020 (n=33), and Italy was the most common country (n=14). Most of the affected patients more than 50 years old and women (56.6%). The most common sites of involvement were the tongue (n=65), followed by the oral mucosa (n=37) and lips (n=19). High heterogeneity was found between studies. The most common oral manifestation was taste alteration, followed by xerostomia and ulceration, showing pooled prevalence rates of 48%, 35%, and 21%, respectively. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients show various oral manifestations that may help clinicians identify the disease promptly. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is critical for an early diagnosis and better prognosis.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pathology and cell tropism in tongue tissues of COVID-19 autopsies Longda Ma, Qian Liu, Manli Wang, Liang Liu, Zhihong Hu, Yiwu Zhou, Jia Liu Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Impact of COVID-19 Disease on the Development of Osteomyelitis of Jaws: A Systematic Review Emmanouil Vardas, Daniela Adamo, Federica Canfora, Maria Kouri, Konstantina Delli, Michele Davide Mignogna, Nikolaos Nikitakis Journal of Clinical Medicine.2024; 13(15): 4290. CrossRef
Painful ulcerations associated with COVID-19 in an adolescent patient: a case report David O. Danesh, Kyulim Lee, Rebecca G. Wallihan, Janice A. Townsend, Ira Mulo, Ashok Kumar Frontiers in Dental Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Characteristics of Oral Adverse Effects following COVID-19 Vaccination and Similarities with Oral Symptoms in COVID-19 Patients: Taste and Saliva Secretory Disorders Hironori Tsuchiya, Maki Mizogami Medical Principles and Practice.2024; 34(2): 101. CrossRef
The extensive history of pandemics has spanned many centuries, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and public health, and thereby shaping the course of history in various ways. Advances in medicine, science, and public health practices have played a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of pandemics over time. This review explores the scientific landscape of contemporary pandemics, examining their diverse and complex nature. It goes beyond the biological aspects of pandemics to consider socioeconomic, environmental, and technological factors. Through a scientific lens, this study aims to understand the complexities of pandemics and contribute to the expanding knowledge base that helps humanity strengthen its defenses against global health threats. By elucidating the enigmas of pandemics, the study hopes to foster a more resilient and prepared global health environment. Highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and transdisciplinary approach, this exploration emphasizes the critical need to integrate biological, socioeconomic, environmental, and technological domains to develop more robust defenses against these global health challenges.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Transforming global public health: Climate collaboration, political challenges, and systemic change Krzysztof Goniewicz, Frederick M. Burkle, Amir Khorram-Manesh Journal of Infection and Public Health.2025; 18(1): 102615. CrossRef
The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in predicting and combating antimicrobial resistance Hazrat Bilal, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Sabir Khan, Muhammad Shafiq, Wenjie Fang, Rahat Ullah Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Xiaohui Li, Qiao-Li Lv, Bin Xu Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal.2025; 27: 423. CrossRef
Innovative Diagnostic Approaches and Challenges in the Management of HIV: Bridging Basic Science and Clinical Practice Mohd Afzal, Shagun Agarwal, Rabab H. Elshaikh, Asaad M. A. Babker, Einas Awad Ibrahim Osman, Ranjay Kumar Choudhary, Suresh Jaiswal, Farhana Zahir, Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Anass M. Abbas, Manar G. Shalabi, Ashok Kumar Sah Life.2025; 15(2): 209. CrossRef
BIOSURFACTANT PROPERTIES AND ITS APPLICATION IN CHROMIUM REMOVAL: A REVIEW Usman Ali Bukar, Abdullahi Hassan Kawo, Sani Yahaya, Sani Yahaya, Abdullahi Balarabe Inuwa, Aminu Yusuf Fardami FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES.2025; 9(1): 273. CrossRef
Tracking the Threat, 50 Years of Laboratory-Acquired Infections: A Systematic Review Esteban Zavaleta-Monestel, Carolina Rojas-Chinchilla, Adriana Anchía-Alfaro, Diego Quesada-Loría, Jonathan García-Montero, Sebastián Arguedas-Chacón, Georgia Hanley-Vargas Acta Microbiologica Hellenica.2025; 70(2): 11. CrossRef
Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology: Insights From a Multidisciplinary Perspective Kalynn Niroda, Cristian Drudi, Joseph Byers, Jasmine Johnson, Gabrielle Cozzi, Leo Anthony Celi, Haitham Khraishah Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiogra.2025; 4(3): 102612. CrossRef
Shaping Safety: Unveiling the Dynamics of Incident Reporting and Safety Culture in Saudi Arabian Healthcare Hind Alsahli, Ahmed Al-Wathinani, Tariq Althobaiti, Mohammed Abahussain, Krzysztof Goniewicz Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2024; Volume 17: 3775. CrossRef
The Impacts of Narcissistic Leadership on Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—A Scoping Review Amir Khorram-Manesh, Krzysztof Goniewicz, Frederick M. Burkle Challenges.2024; 15(3): 37. CrossRef
Global Health Emergencies of Extreme Drought Events: Historical Impacts and Future Preparedness Zakaria A. Mani, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Krzysztof Goniewicz Atmosphere.2024; 15(9): 1137. CrossRef
The Effectiveness and Benefits of Disaster Simulation Training for Undergraduate Medical Students in Saudi Arabia [Letter] Ahmed Al-Wathinani, Krzysztof Goniewicz Advances in Medical Education and Practice.2024; Volume 15: 1173. CrossRef
Evaluating the efficacy of full-scale and tabletop exercises in enhancing paramedic preparedness for external disasters: A quasi-experimental study Ghadeer A. Alakrawi, Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani, Juan Gómez-Salgado, Abdullah M. Alobaid, Mohammed Abahussian, Riyadh Alhazmi, Abdulmajeed Mobrad, Albaraa Jebreel, Saqar Althunayyan, Krzysztof Goniewicz Medicine.2024; 103(49): e40777. CrossRef
<b>Objectives</b><br/>This review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies delivered through school-based interventions for smoking cessation among adolescents in South and Southeast Asian countries.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, BioMed Central, the Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global from inception to October 2024. Eligible studies comprised randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that compared non-pharmacological smoking cessation interventions delivered in schools or other educational institutions. Data on smoking abstinence outcomes were extracted from published studies, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model via the Mantel-Haenszel estimator.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>Seven studies involving 1,260 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated that non-pharmacological school-based therapies significantly increased smoking abstinence compared to controls (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.83–4.40; p<0.001. Subgroup analyzes revealed benefits across both randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with varying abstinence rates. Studies utilizing biochemical verification showed significant positive effects despite substantial heterogeneity, and short-term (<3 months) abstinence was significantly higher in intervention groups compared to controls. Overall, no differences were found between subgroups regarding intervention effectiveness.
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>This meta-analysis indicates that non-pharmacological school-based interventions positively impact smoking abstinence rates, although effectiveness may vary based on study design, follow-up duration, and use of biochemical verification. The findings underscore the need for further research with larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and improved methodological rigor in these regions.
Global health security threats in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 era include dense urban populations, increased human–animal proximity, migration driven by political or economic instability, climate change, humanitarian crises, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the misuse of biological research—including the accidental or intentional release of high-risk pathogens. The foundational preparation for these threats is to establish a robust, resilient public health system based on universal health coverage. The World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations must continue to promote global solidarity by maintaining core capacities such as surveillance, national laboratories, and epidemiological investigations of emerging infectious diseases, with timely reporting and information sharing within the global health security community. A One Health approach is essential for addressing AMR. Infection prevention and control must be enhanced to reduce healthcare-associated infections in medical facilities. Additionally, regulations concerning biosafety and biosecurity should address dual-use research of concern as well as the accidental or intentional release of highrisk pathogens from laboratories. Global health security is a collective responsibility because these threats know no borders and require coordinated action.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>Despite effective vaccination strategies, measles remains a global public health challenge. The study explored individual and contextual factors associated with measles infection in Malaysia from 2018 to 2022, informing the development of targeted public health interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilised data from the Ministry of Health, the Department of Statistics, and the Department of Environment Malaysia. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed to examine individual-level factors, including age, sex, ethnicity, nationality, contact history, travel history, and vaccination status. Concurrently, contextual factors were assessed, encompassing district-level determinants such as population density, median household income, urbanisation, the number of health and rural clinics, vaccination rates, fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) levels, relative humidity, and temperature, to determine their impact on measles infection risk. Results: Measles infection was significantly associated with various individual factors. These included age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.03), ethnicity, non-Malaysian nationality (aOR, 34.53; 95% CI, 8.42– 141.51), prior contact with a measles case (aOR, 2.36; 95% CI, 2.07–2.69), travel history (aOR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.13–4.70), and vaccination status (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.72–0.79). Among contextual factors, urbanisation (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.16– 2.10) and the number of clinics (aOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99) were significant determinants. Conclusion: This multilevel logistic regression analysis illuminates the complexities of measles transmission, advocating public health interventions tailored to individual and contextual vulnerabilities. The findings highlight the need for a synergistic approach that combines vaccination campaigns, healthcare accessibility improvements, and socioeconomic interventions to effectively combat measles.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is prevalent among older adults and may progress to dementia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a game-based brain exercise program in reducing MCI among older adults.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 2 groups of older participants in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. A total of 96 individuals with Thai mental state examination (TMSE) scores between 12 to 23, indicating MCI but no dementia diagnosis, were recruited. Using multi-stage sampling, participants were divided into an intervention group (n=48) and a control group (n=48). The intervention group participated in a 6-week game-based brain exercise program, while the control group received a self-administered brain exercise manual. Face-to-face interviews assessed outcomes at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>Significant differences were observed in mean TMSE scores and MCI knowledge between the intervention and control groups at the 3-month follow-up (p<0.001). The intervention group showed significant increases in TMSE scores and MCI knowledge post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up (p<0.001).
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>The findings suggest that a game-based brain exercise program can improve cognitive function in older adults. Healthcare professionals can implement such programs to reduce MCI by addressing planning, management, and related issues in the future.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>Several previous studies have stated that consuming certain foods and beverages might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to examine the relationships of food and beverage consumption with other risk factors for CKD. Methods: Data sources included the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) and the National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas), which were analyzed using a cross-sectional design. The study samples were households from 34 provinces in Indonesia, and the analysis was performed with provincial aggregates. Data were analyzed using risk factor analysis followed by linear regression to identify relationships with CKD. Results: The prevalence of CKD in Indonesia was 0.38%. The province with the highest prevalence was North Kalimantan (0.64%), while the lowest was found in West Sulawesi (0.18%). Five major groups were formed from 15 identified risk factors using factor analysis. A linear regression model presented 1 significant selected factor (p=0.006, R2 =31%). The final model of risk factors included water quality, consumption of fatty foods, and a history of diabetes. Conclusion: Drinking water quality, fatty food consumption, and diabetes are associated with CKD. There is a need to monitor drinking water, as well as to promote health education and provide comprehensive services for people with diabetes, to prevent CKD.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Enhanced detection of albumin-creatinine ratio in urine using gold nanoparticle-integrated 3D-connector microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease Akhmad Sabarudin, Saidun Fiddaroini, Ahmad Luthfi Fahmi, Abdul Munir Roja’i, Isadora Evani Salsabila, Aulanni’am, Setyawan Purnomo Sakti, Hani Susianti Microchemical Journal.2025; 211: 113071. CrossRef
<b>Objectives</b><br/>This study systematically reviewed and analyzed epidemiological evidence regarding the association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and both the risk of developing diabetes and glycemic biomarker levels.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>We searched the PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases through July 2024 without imposing any date restrictions. Original studies that examined the relationship between DTAC and either the risk of developing diabetes or glycemic biomarker levels—specifically fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)—were eligible for inclusion. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant records, relevant studies were selected, and data were extracted through rigorous critical analysis.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>A total of 32 articles were included in the review. Of the 19 studies that evaluated diabetes risk, 15 reported a lower risk among subjects with higher DTAC values. All 4 studies examining prediabetes risk found lower risk in participants with high DTAC scores. Additionally, significant inverse relationships were observed between DTAC values and FBG (9/15 studies), HbA1C (1/6 studies), insulin (5/6 studies), and HOMA-IR (8/9 studies).
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>The majority of evidence indicates that high adherence to an antioxidant-rich diet may reduce diabetes risk and improve glycemic biomarkers, including FBG, insulin, and HOMA-IR.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose significant challenges to the public health sector, including that of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency and accuracy of various deep-learning models in forecasting COVID-19 cases within the UAE, thereby aiding the nation’s public health authorities in informed decision-making. Methods: This study utilized a comprehensive dataset encompassing confirmed COVID-19 cases, demographic statistics, and socioeconomic indicators. Several advanced deep learning models, including long short-term memory (LSTM), bidirectional LSTM, convolutional neural network (CNN), CNN-LSTM, multilayer perceptron, and recurrent neural network (RNN) models, were trained and evaluated. Bayesian optimization was also implemented to fine-tune these models. Results: The evaluation framework revealed that each model exhibited different levels of predictive accuracy and precision. Specifically, the RNN model outperformed the other architectures even without optimization. Comprehensive predictive and perspective analytics were conducted to scrutinize the COVID-19 dataset. Conclusion: This study transcends academic boundaries by offering critical insights that enable public health authorities in the UAE to deploy targeted data-driven interventions. The RNN model, which was identified as the most reliable and accurate for this specific context, can significantly influence public health decisions. Moreover, the broader implications of this research validate the capability of deep learning techniques in handling complex datasets, thus offering the transformative potential for predictive accuracy in the public health and healthcare sectors.