First, to describe the development of a novel postconcussive symptom (PCS) code set for identifying symptoms via medical records. Second, to apply it to a population-based cohort of service members with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) per Military Health System (MHS) records, to identify distinct subgroups based on patterns of risk for specific PCS.

MHS.

Population-based sample of service members with mTBI who served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and received a diagnosis within the MHS (n = 148 293).

Retrospective cohort study using medical record data from the MHS spanning 2002 to 2021.

In collaboration with clinical experts, we iteratively refined a novel PCS code set comprised of ICD-9/10 codes based on Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory categories, when possible. We used latent class analysis (LCA) with a split-sample cross-validation procedure to identify subgroups of service members with mTBI based on probability of receiving each PCS diagnosis.

The final PCS code set included 20 symptoms, spanning vestibular, sensory, cognitive, and mood/behavioral-related symptoms. The LCA supported 5 distinct subgroups, the most prevalent being the Minimal subgroup (59%), characterized by low probability of all PCS. The next most common class was the Headache class (16%), followed by the Mood-Behavioral (15%), Headache-Sleep (6%), and Headache-Mood-Sleep (5%) classes.

Using a novel PCS code set leveraging routinely collected data, we identified 5 clinically meaningful and statistically distinct subgroups based on symptom patterns in a population-based cohort of service members with a history of mTBI. These subgroups provide a nuanced, person-centered understanding of symptoms among those with a history of TBI and can inform targeted interventions and policies aimed at meeting the needs of these service members. Further, findings establish a foundation for investigating risk factors and outcomes across subgroups, informing prognostication.

Justice-involved juveniles frequently present significant social and psychological difficulties linked to complex trauma, insecure attachment, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which may impair emotional regulation, identity development, and relational functioning, increasing the risk of antisocial behavior. Within this framework, the Vis à Vis project-developed under the European Researchers' Night initiative SuperScienceMe-aims to promote future-oriented planning and personal change among at-risk youth (14-25) through integrated psychological and educational support. Its objectives include enhancing empowerment and self-regulation, fostering responsibility and awareness of behavioral consequences, and promoting restorative justice through reparative actions and social inclusion. Implemented by the "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro and authorized by the Italian Ministry of Justice, the project involved 12 participants (5 juveniles and 7 student mentors) in structured experiential activities under professional supervision, following a multi-phase design. Preliminary findings indicate increased self-awareness, improved interpersonal skills, greater accountability, and enhanced future orientation among juveniles involved. Despite its exploratory nature, the project highlights the value of mentoring-based, restorative approaches in addressing developmental vulnerabilities and supporting positive behavioral change.

Despite major advances in lipid-lowering therapy and the widespread implementation of statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9-targeted interventions, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has substantially reduced cardiovascular events; however, a considerable degree of residual cardiovascular risk persists even among patients achieving very low LDL-C levels. This observation has shifted contemporary cardiovascular research toward a broader understanding of atherosclerosis as a multifactorial disorder involving triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), apolipoprotein B (APOB)-containing particles, dysfunctional high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], endothelial dysfunction, and chronic vascular inflammation. Emerging evidence further suggests that psychological and behavioral factors, including specific personality traits and chronic psychosocial stress, may contribute independently to cardiovascular disease susceptibility and outcomes. The present review summarizes emerging risk factors associated with residual cardiovascular risk and highlights novel therapeutic strategies beyond LDL-C lowering. Collectively, current evidence supports a transition from a simplistic LDL-C-centric paradigm toward a multiple risk factor approach for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. Ongoing global migration increases the proportion of recently arrived migrants in many countries. Yet data on NCD prevalence and care among asylum seekers (AS), a marginalised population with barriers to healthcare access, remain scarce. Emergency departments (EDs) often serve as healthcare access points for vulnerable populations, providing valuable data to identify unmet needs and health inequities. The primary objective of this study was to assess NCD prevalence, along with care, patterns and ED consultation frequency among AS compared with Swiss nationals (SN), with a focus on potential disparities.

Cross-sectional study at the ED of University Hospital Bern (January 2017 to December 2018). Patients ≥30 years with AS status were matched 1:1 to SN by age (±5 years) and gender. Routine data from electronic medical records included demographics, consultation characteristics and the presence, type and medication of NCDs. Group-level comparisons were performed and sensitivity analyses tested result robustness.

NCD and multimorbidity prevalences did not differ (AS: respectively 34.5% and 10.2% of 420, SN: 36.9% and 9.0% of 445, p=0.475 and 0.322), with cardiovascular diseases most prevalent. Diabetes was more prevalent in AS (9.3% vs 3.8%, p=0.001), particularly among women, while neoplasms and respiratory disease were less frequent. ED consultation frequencies were comparable between AS and SN (each N=538). In both groups, ~10% of ED visits were primarily NCD-related, with similar rates of previously known or unknown NCDs and resource utilisation, while untreated cardiovascular disease or diabetes was more frequent among AS.

Despite similar overall ED consultation frequency and NCD prevalence between groups, higher diabetes prevalence, gender-specific differences and potential chronic care gaps among AS indicate health inequities. EDs play a crucial role in detecting such disparities and can inform inclusive, equity-oriented strategies to strengthen NCD prevention and care continuity for displaced populations.

India is witnessing an epidemiological shift from infectious to noncommunicable diseases. Traditional patient education and counseling methods fail to motivate patients to make desirable changes to manage their disease. This study explores clinicians' perceived challenges and their attitudes toward communication practices, particularly risk communication and lifestyle advice for hypertension, diabetes, and related behavioral risk factors.

In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 clinicians, including consultants and residents from the Departments of Cardiology, General Medicine, and Family Medicine at a tertiary care hospital in India. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the framework method of thematic analysis. A hybrid deductive-inductive coding approach was employed to identify emerging themes related to clinicians' perceptions, communication practices, and barriers to risk communication.

Five major themes emerged: perceptions of the burden of noncommunicable diseases, challenges in language and patient understanding, patient-related barriers, clinician communication practices, and awareness of risk communication. Clinicians routinely provided medication and lifestyle advice based on standard guidelines and tailored their communication according to patients' literacy, age, and socioeconomic background. However, high patient load and limited consultation time restricted detailed communication, resulting in reliance on informal rather than structured risk communication methods. Participants expressed interest in formal training and standardized approaches for communicating disease risk.

Clinicians recognized the importance of communicating advice on disease risk and lifestyle modification but largely relied on informal communication practices rather than structured methods. Time constraints, language barriers, and patient-related factors were perceived as major challenges. The findings suggest a need for developing and evaluating standardized, context-specific risk communication strategies and training programs to strengthen patient-centered care in the management of hypertension and diabetes.

Burns are one of the most devastating traumatic injuries, and in cases of advanced burns, patients require urgent and specialized care to minimize mortality. Studies have shown that a variety of herbal medicines and nanoparticles can be used to treat burn wounds. Among them mixture of Eisenia fetida oil, valerian, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles can be a good choice due to their healing properties. This study aimed to synthesize an ointment based on Eisenia fetida oil, Valeriana officinalis, and zinc oxide to investigate its effect on skin wound healing. The hemocompatibility and biocompatibility of the designed ointment were evaluated using blood clotting index (BCI), hemolysis test, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The antibacterial effects of the designed ointment were evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill tests. Finally, the healing ability of the designed ointment was evaluated in a rat model by creating a 3 × 3 cm burn wound. Wound healing was evaluated after 14 days by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) staining. The results showed that the addition of Valeriana officinalis and zinc oxide to Eisenia fetida oil improved hemocompatibility, biocompatibility, improved cell migration, and improved antibacterial properties. Additionally, the results of H&E and VVG staining demonstrated the good efficacy of the designed ointment in increasing epidermal thickness, promoting angiogenesis, and enhancing collagen and elastin fibers. These results indicate the potential of the designed ointment as a promising tool for skin wound healing and clinical trials.

Bordetella pertussis (BP) infection remains a major public health concern because of its substantial clinical and epidemiological impact. Although nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are widely used for pertussis diagnosis, their real-world performance in routine clinical laboratories has not been systematically evaluated. This study implemented an external quality assessment (EQA) program to assess laboratory proficiency and identify potential sources of analytical variability.

An EQA panel comprising five samples (four positive and one negative) was prepared using 10-fold serial dilutions of BP (2.0 × 10²-2.0 × 10⁵ copies/mL). The panel was distributed to participating laboratories, and performance was evaluated based on qualitative agreement with the expected results.

A total of 69 laboratories participated, including 63 (91.30%) hospital-based laboratories and 6 (8.70%) independent clinical laboratories, generating 345 test results. All laboratories achieved acceptable performance (scores ≥ 80). The overall concordance rate was 98.84% (341/345). Four false-negative results were identified, all of which occurred in the lowest-concentration sample (200 copies/mL).

Pertussis NAATs demonstrated generally reliable diagnostic performance among participating laboratories in Chongqing, China. However, challenges remain in detecting low-copy-number specimens near the analytical sensitivity threshold. Continuous quality monitoring, standardized workflows, optimized nucleic acid extraction procedures, and regular performance verification are essential to ensure accurate pertussis diagnosis and support effective public health surveillance and outbreak response.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder with a global prevalence over 10.5%, features persistent hyperglycemia-induced micro-/macro-vascular lesions and severe complications. Conventional DM management suffers from high risks of cross-infection or hypoglycemia, poor compliance, and failure to address the multi-faceted needs of integrated diagnosis and nonspecific treatment for complications. Microneedles (MNs), a minimally invasive platform that painlessly penetrates the stratum corneum to access interstitial fluid (ISF) or deliver therapeutics, has emerged as a transformative solution for DM care. Despite significant progress in developing MN-based systems for glucose monitoring, insulin delivery, and treatment of complications, challenges remain in achieving precise drug release, high loading capacity, long-term stability, and clinical translation. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advances in MN-based platforms for DM management, covering three major glucose detection modalities with improved sensitivity and portability, gastrointestinal and glucose-responsive transdermal MNs for insulin delivery, fully integrated close-loop MN platforms, and MN applications in diabetic wound healing and other complications (ketoacidosis diagnosis, vascular disorders, neuropathy, depression). By addressing the critical gaps in scattered research, this work holds great significance for advancing minimally invasive, integrated, and patient-centered treatment models, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life for DM patients worldwide.

Type-II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with obesity and is generally treated with long-term medications. Bariatric surgery has demonstrated positive metabolic outcomes, including glycemic improvement and decreased use of antidiabetic medications. Remission can, however, not be permanent, and relapse of diabetes can occur in the follow-up period.

To assess T2DM remission, relapse, and postoperative glycemic outcomes after bariatric surgery in patients with obesity.

This retrospective observational study was conducted at the General Surgery Department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, between September 2022 and August 2025. A total of 93 patients who presented with obesity were included. The data on demographic characteristics, BMI, glycemic parameters, the use of antidiabetic medications, remission, and relapse were obtained from the hospital records. Follow-up was defined as the time from bariatric surgery to the last available postoperative clinic visit or laboratory assessment. Complete diabetes remission was defined as HbA1c <6.5% maintained for at least three months without glucose-lowering medication.

The average age was 43.6 ± 9.8 years. The mean BMI was 44.2 ± 5.9 kg/m² prior to surgery and 33.1 ± 5.2 kg/m² at the most recent follow-up. The average HbA1c dropped to 6.4 ± 0.9% from 8.3 ± 1.4%, while fasting blood glucose decreased from 176.8 ± 42.5 mg/dL to 121.6 ± 28.4 mg/dL. A total diabetes remission was reached in 56 patients (60.2%), and partial improvement of glycemic levels in 21 patients (22.6%).

Bariatric surgery was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, reduction in BMI, and decreased requirement for antidiabetic medications during available follow-up. Although a substantial proportion of patients achieved diabetes remission, relapse was observed in some cases, highlighting the need for long-term metabolic monitoring.