Search Results (8,437)

Background: Children with disabilities face complex, systemic health access barriers rooted in societal, institutional, and structural inequities, requiring urgent global policy attention. Publications on access to health services for this population category have been found to have a significant growth in both quantity and content. The article aims to examine the structure and evolution of scientific literature in analyzing the healthcare system through the lens of inclusive services. Methods: We present the bibliometric profile of the global literature on access to health services for children with disabilities, the publication trends, the structure of research in this field concerning geographical distribution, methodological approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations, and the core research topics, conceptual clusters, and future research directions in the field. The publications were screened from Web of Science databases, using PRISMA methodology. Finally, 1100 academic publications published between 1984 and 2025, obtained from a total of 432 different sources, the majority of which were peer-reviewed journals, were screened. Results: The calculated annual publication growth rate of 8.37% and the distinct upward trend observed, especially after 2015. The highest level was reached in 2023, with over 90 publications showing that the topic has become a focus of international academic interest. The USA (33.5%), the United Kingdom (15.7%), Australia (9.5%), and Canada (9.5%) stood out in publications, and there were strong collaborative networks among European nations (8.2%). Conclusions: Although high-income countries still appear to play a dominant role in research production, expanding international collaborations and distributing resources more equitably will contribute to the development of more inclusive solutions on a global scale. Temporal trends show an evolution toward diagnostic processes, family-centered approaches, and psychosocial dimensions. The results draw a clear picture of the current research landscape regarding access to health services for pediatric disability populations and identify potential directions for future research. Full article

The aim of this research is to provide a 25-year multi-model analysis of gender dynamics in economics articles that include at least one Romanian-affiliated author, published in Web of Science journals between 2000 and 2025 (2025 records current as of 15 May 2025). Drawing on 4030 papers, we map the bibliometric gender gap by examining first-author status, collaboration patterns, research topics and citation impact. The results show that the female-to-male first-author ratio for Romanian-affiliated publications is close to parity, in sharp contrast to the pronounced under-representation of women among foreign-affiliated first authors. Combining negative binomial, journal fixed-effects Poisson, quantile regressions with a text-based topic analysis, we find no systematic or robust gender penalty in citations once structural and topical factors are controlled for. The initial gender gap largely reflects men’s over-representation in higher-impact journals rather than an intrinsic bias against women’s work. Team size consistently emerges as the strongest predictor of citations, and, by extension, scientific visibility. Our findings offer valuable insights into gender dynamics in a semi-peripheral scientific system, highlighting the nuanced interplay between institutional context, research practices, legislation and academic recognition. Full article

The field of communication studies shares significant connections with environmental science, where environmental monitoring constitutes one of the fundamental functions of communication. Based on data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS2021), this study establishes two research models and employs ordered logistic regression to examine the relationships between media usage, environmental water pollution, cognition of environmental policies, and willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental protection. The findings reveal that the perception of water pollution significantly enhances public cognition of environmental policies and WTP. However, the impact of water pollution itself is insignificant, indicating a weak public perception of long-term environmental risks. Both traditional media usage and new media usage significantly improve cognition of environmental policies, with traditional media playing a more pronounced role; yet, media trust does not significantly enhance cognition. Furthermore, new media usage and media trust exhibit a negative impact on WTP for environmental protection, revealing the effects of the “clicktivism” mechanism and the “trust-efficacy perception” negative feedback loop. The negative impact of cognition of environmental policies on WTP further uncovers a “cognition-behavior paradox,” where groups with higher cognition tend to attribute environmental responsibility to the government, thereby reducing their personal WTP. Based on these findings, this paper proposes recommendations including optimizing environmental communication strategies, strengthening public participation, and designing differentiated policies to enhance public environmental awareness and promote the effective implementation of water pollution governance. Full article

Obesity (lipotoxicity) results from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. It is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, glucotoxicity) and considered a major risk factor for the development of metabolic complications. Their convergence constitutes “diabesity”, representing a major challenge for public health worldwide. Limited treatment efficacy highlights the need for novel, multi-targeted therapies. Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), mediated by brown and beige adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, has emerged as a promising therapy due to its capacity to increase energy expenditure and improve metabolic health. Also, skeletal muscle plays a central role in glucose uptake and lipid oxidation, further highlighting its relevance in diabesity. This review explores current and emerging knowledge on physiological stimuli, including cold exposure, physical activity, and fasting, as well as bioactive ingredients and drugs that stimulate NST in thermogenic tissues. Special emphasis is placed on melatonin as a potential regulator of mitochondrial function and energy balance. The literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Web of Science. Studies were selected based on scientific relevance, novelty, and mechanistic insight; prioritizing human and high-quality rodent research published in peer-reviewed journals. Evidence shows that multiple interventions enhance NST, leading to improved glucose metabolism, reduced fat accumulation, and increased energy expenditure in humans and/or rodents. Melatonin, in particular, shows promise in modulating thermogenesis through organelle-molecular pathways and mitochondrial protective effects. In conclusion, a multi-target approach through the activation of NST by physiological, nutritional, and pharmacological agents offers an effective and safe treatment for diabesity. Further research is needed to confirm these effects in clinical practice and support their use as effective therapeutic strategies. Full article

Advancements in manufacturing technology have facilitated the use of micro-orifice restrictors (MORs) in aerostatic bearings. However, the understanding of their effectiveness in journal bearings remains limited. This study utilizes FEM for solving the nonlinear Reynolds equation, incorporating velocity terms, to analyze the characteristics of aerostatic journal bearings (AJBs). The concepts of air impedance and pressure range are introduced and applied to explain the advantages of MORs over traditional orifice restrictors (TORs). Furthermore, the centrifugal deformation of the air film induced by high-speed operations and its consequential impact on bearing performance are methodically examined in detail. Finally, an experimental study is executed to confirm the proposed model and support the pertinent design principles. The experiment indicates that the air film thickness, accounting for centrifugal deformation, aligns more closely with the high-speed operating conditions characteristic of AJBs. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global public health challenge. Aerobic exercise (AE) can be a key strategy for non-pharmacological intervention in T2DM through multi-targeted modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibition of chronic inflammation, and reduction of oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the current status of AE intervention in T2DM research and analyze its future evolution. Methods: Using the R-based bibliometric software package and the Java-based visualization software CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we analyzed the literature and cited references related to AE intervention in T2DM research included in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2014 to 2024. Results: This study included a total of 882 relevant literature sources (488 of which were indexed in WOSCC and 394 in CNKI). From the perspective of research trends, the number of literature sources on AE interventions for T2DM has shown fluctuating changes over time. In terms of research output, the United States, China, and Canada are at the forefront. It is worth noting that, although China has a relatively high number of published papers, there is still a significant gap in terms of the depth of international collaboration and the presentation of results in top-tier journals. Among researchers, Dai Xia (China) and Riddell MC (Canada) are the scholars with the highest number of published articles in this field. Keyword analysis indicates that mechanisms such as oxidative stress, insulin resistance, inflammatory responses, and glucose metabolism disorders remain core research hotspots. Time-series analysis reveals that the research paradigm in this field has evolved from single exercise methods to comprehensive exercise prescription studies, and multi-dimensional intervention studies combining exercise, diet, and pharmacological interventions are emerging as new research frontiers. Conclusions: This study uses bibliometric methods to visualize and analyze the progress of AE in T2DM intervention research from a broader perspective, providing a scientific overview and macro-level predictions for the research landscape in this field. Full article

An image super-resolution (SR) method based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) has achieved impressive results in terms of visual performance. However, the weights of loss functions in these methods are usually set to fixed values manually, which cannot fully adapt to different datasets and tasks, and may result in a decrease in the perceptual effect of the SR images. To address this issue and further improve visual quality, we propose a perception-driven SupGAN, which improves the generator and loss function of GAN-based image super-resolution models. The generator adopts multi-scale feature extraction and fusion to restore SR images with diverse and fine textures. We design a network-training method based on the proportion of high-frequency information in images (BHFTM), which utilizes the proportion of high-frequency information in images obtained through the Canny operator to set the weights of the loss function. In addition, we employ the four-patch method to better simulate the degradation of complex real-world scenarios. We extensively test our method and compare it with recent SR methods (BSRGAN, Real-ESRGAN, RealSR, SwinIR, LDL, etc.) on different types of datasets (OST300, 2020track1, RealWorld38, BSDS100 etc.) with a scaling factor of ×4. The results show that the NIQE metric improves, and also demonstrate that SupGAN can generate more natural and fine textures while suppressing unpleasant artifacts. Full article

In the digital age, social media significantly shapes public attitudes and emotional responses towards health interventions, such as HPV vaccination, which is critical in developing countries. This study employed a deep learning model to identify fine-grained emotions of 38,615 HPV-related tweets from 2016 to 2024, revealing significant shifts in public emotions. Notably, skepticism about vaccine commercialization motives heightened anger, while university outreach initiatives fostered positive emotions. Structural entropy analysis highlighted polarized emotional communication networks: the network of joy exhibited lower entropy with centralized information flow, whereas other emotions displayed higher entropy, fragmented dissemination, and enhanced cross-community communication efficiency. New communicators, such as campus accounts and music bloggers, played pivotal roles in spreading positive emotions, while individual bloggers in specific fields amplified negative emotions like anger, particularly in closed networks. This research underscores the intricate dynamics of online health communication and the need for targeted interventions to address stigma and enhance public awareness of HPV vaccination, providing valuable insights for future public health policy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Motor difficulties are commonly reported in autistic individuals, but they are not currently part of the diagnostic criteria. A better understanding of how motor impairments are assessed in this population is critical to inform clinical practice and intervention. This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing literature on motor skill assessment in autistic children and adolescents, focusing specifically on studies that employed standardized and validated clinical motor assessment tools. Methods: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025637880), a systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science until 31 December 2024. The review includes: (a) studies published in peer-reviewed journals; (b) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies; (c) evaluations of motor difficulties using standardized and validated clinical assessments specifically designed to measure motor skills or coordination abilities; (d) participants diagnosed with ASD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV or DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 or ICD-10); and (e) participants aged ≤18 years; Results: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies reported significant motor impairments across various domains, including balance, manual dexterity, and coordination. However, there was substantial variability in the severity of motor deficits and in the assessment tools used. Methodological heterogeneity limited direct comparison across studies. Conclusions: Motor impairments are common in autistic children and adolescents; however, current assessment tools show limitations and require adaptations. The findings underscore the need for autism-specific motor assessments to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide personalized interventions. Full article

Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of invasive diseases, particularly affecting young children and the elderly. Currently, two main types of pneumococcal vaccines are commercially available: polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and conjugate vaccines (e.g., PCV20). Of over 100 identified pneumococcal serotypes, vaccines targeting 24 serotypes covered by PPSV23 and PCV20 (19 serotypes overlap between the two vaccines) have been developed, with serotype distribution varying by geography, age, and time. The immune response to pneumococcal vaccines differs across serotypes, vaccine types (polysaccharide vs. conjugate), and host factors. Quantitative methods for antibody assessment—particularly newer high-throughput assays—have emerged since 2000 to address limitations in conventional approaches. However, these methods have not been comprehensively reviewed. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the existing literature on quantitative methods used to assess antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccines. Specific objectives included the following: 1. summarizing conventional and novel quantitative immunoassays; 2. evaluating the current state of validation and application of these methods; 3. identifying knowledge gaps and methodological challenges. We followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We included the following: 1. peer-reviewed, open-access papers related to immunoassays used for pneumococcal antibody assessment; 2. articles written in English; 3. Studies published between 2000 and 2023. We excluded the following: 4. studies focusing on other pathogens, employing different analytical methods, or using animal models. Articles meeting the eligibility criteria were primarily retrieved from PubMed and Scopus. If free full-text versions were unavailable there, Google Scholar or the original journal databases were consulted. All references were exported to EndNote 20 for further management. At the beginning of the review, a data-charting form was developed based on prior studies and commonly addressed themes. Additional charts were created to accommodate newly identified variables during the review. All charting tools were reviewed and finalized through discussion among all research team members. The included studies were classified into five thematic groups: 1. general descriptions of quantitative assessment methods, 2. assay development and validation, 3. comparative studies, 4. technical details of assay development, 5. interpretation of assay application findings. Of 1469 articles from PubMed and 2946 articles from Scopus initially identified, 55 articles met the inclusion criteria. The earliest methods included radioimmunoassays, later replaced by WHO-standardized ELISA. While ELISA remains the gold standard, it is limited by labor, cost, and throughput. Multiplex immunoassays (MIAs), including Luminex-based platforms, have demonstrated advantages in efficiency and scalability. However, many MIAs did not initially meet WHO validation criteria. More recent assays show an improved performance, yet interlaboratory variability and lack of standardized protective thresholds remain major limitations. This review provides the first comprehensive mapping of quantitative antibody assessment methods for pneumococcal vaccines. Although ELISA continues to serve as the benchmark, MIAs represent a promising next-generation approach. Continued efforts are needed to harmonize assay validation protocols and establish global standards for protective thresholds, which will enhance the reliability of vaccine efficacy monitoring across diverse populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and challenging malignancies worldwide. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has emerged as a critical factor in CRC onset, progression, and therapeutic resistance. This study aims to provide an overview of global research trends on miRNAs in CRC, (i) identifying the most studied miRNAs, (ii) exploring under-investigated areas, and (iii) highlighting emerging themes and potential future directions. Methods: To assess the evolution of the global miRNA–CRC research trends, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 828 CRC–miRNA-focused articles published between 2008 and 2024, sourced from the Scopus database. Bibliometric mapping was performed using the R/Bibliometrix package and by leveraging a customized Python-based pipeline, which is useful for extracting and validating miRNA identifiers (miRNA IDs) based on the miRBase database. This miRNA ID-related approach enabled us to systematically identify the most frequently studied miRNAs over time while highlighting underexplored miRNA. Results: The analysis revealed a substantial and accelerating publication growth rate, delineating three major phases in CRC–miRNA research. China emerged as the leading contributor in terms of the publication volume. miR-21, miR-34a, and miR-195-5p were among the most frequently studied miRNAs, underscoring their relevance to CRC biology and therapy. Keyword and citation analyses identified key thematic areas, such as cell proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance, especially to oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Emerging research frontiers included ferroptosis, ceRNA networks, and exosome-mediated miRNA transport. An analysis of the collaborations indicated strong intra-national collaborations, with room for expanding international research networks. Conclusions: This study provides an in-depth bibliometric landscape of the CRC-related miRNA research by highlighting influential studies and journals while identifying gaps and underexplored topics. These insights offer valuable guidance for future translational and clinical research on this topic. Full article

The effectiveness of upper extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients significantly depends on patient motivation and adherence to therapeutic regimens. Rehabilitation-assistive technologies, including wearable sensors, have been adopted to facilitate intensive and repetitive exercises aimed at reducing hand dysfunction and enhancing quality of life. Building upon the previously introduced Przypominajka (reminder) system reported in this journal—a wearable sensory glove coupled with a mobile application providing exercise guidance and monitoring—we conducted a feasibility study to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting upper limb rehabilitation. Sixteen post-stroke patients with hemiparesis were equally randomized into experimental and control groups. Both groups performed upper limb exercises for 45 min daily for over two weeks. The experimental group utilized the sensor-equipped glove and tablet-based exercises, whereas the control group followed printed exercise instructions. Clinical improvements were measured using the Fugl–Meyer Assessment–Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and MORE scales. The experimental group demonstrated a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the FMA-UE and reported greater overall improvement than the control group. This study confirms the feasibility and potential clinical benefit of supplementing post-stroke rehabilitation with sensor-augmented exercises provided by the previously described Przypominajka device. Full article

Background: Hansen’s disease or leprosy is one of the 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In Ecuador, leprosy is considered eliminated as a public health problem; however, new cases are reported annually. Additionally, Mycobacterium leprae infection was detected in nine-banded armadillos across the country, suggesting a potential zoonotic reservoir. This literature review aims to provide an updated overview of the epidemiological situation of leprosy in Ecuador, identify knowledge gaps, and outline research priorities to support the development of a comprehensive national strategy for achieving zero autochthonous cases. Methods: This article analyses the current situation of leprosy in Ecuador based on international and national publications. A retrospective literature search using five international, regional, and national publications on leprosy published between 1954 and 2024 (70 years) with no restriction on language or publication date, was performed. Findings: Our review identified 28 publications with the earliest article dating back to 1954. Of these, 14 were published in international journals, 15 (53.6%) were in Spanish. Four nationwide studies documented leprosy cases across Ecuador’s three continental regions (Coast, Andes, and Amazon) with a predominance in the tropical coast. No cases have been reported from the Galápagos Islands. From 1983, Ecuador started multi-drug therapy. Data from the Ministry of Public Health (MoH) system identified 1539 incident cases, showing a significant decline in new cases from 2000 to 2024, with no cases in children. New cases detection rate by 100,000 inhabitants was 0.51 in 2019 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). No study has genotyped the Mycobacterium spp. in human cases, other animal species, or environment. According to the MoH, multibacillary leprosy accounts for 78.95% of diagnosed cases, with confirmation based on Ziehl–Neelsen staining and histopathology. No survey has assessed disabilities, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) or stigma related to leprosy. Research is needed on transmission routes, Mycobacterium genotyping, genetic susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance. BCG vaccination coverage fell to 75.3% in 2021. Cases are currently diagnosed and treated on an outpatient basis in large hospitals. Conclusions: This comprehensive review highlights persistent gaps in leprosy research and critical information, despite seven decades of documented cases in Ecuador. The disease is still endemic across the country, particularly at subnational level in the subtropics and tropics of the Pacific coast and the Amazon. There is a need for nationwide epidemiological research on reservoirs and the environment applying the One Health concept. Increased laboratory facilities and readily available official data are required to improve our understanding of leprosy in Ecuador. Strengthening community-level efforts is essential for Ecuador to meet the targets of the “WHO’s Towards Zero Leprosy: Strategy 2021–2030.” Full article

Regional rapid forecasting of vertical ocean temperature profiles is increasingly important for marine aquaculture, as these profiles directly affect habitat management and the physiological responses of farmed species. However, observational temperature profile data with sufficient temporal resolution are often unavailable, limiting their use in regional rapid forecasting. In addition, traditional numerical ocean models suffer from intensive computational demands and limited operational flexibility, making them unsuitable for regional rapid forecasting applications. To address this gap, we propose PICA-Net (Physics-Inspired CNN–Attention–BiLSTM Network), a hybrid deep learning model that coordinates large-scale satellite observations with local-scale, continuous in situ data to enhance predictive fidelity. The model also incorporates weak physical constraints during training that enforce temporal–spatial diffusion consistency, mixed-layer homogeneity, and surface heat flux consistency, enhancing physical consistency and interpretability. The model uses hourly historical inputs to predict temperature profiles at 6 h intervals over a period of 24 h, incorporating features such as sea surface temperature, sea surface height anomalies, wind fields, salinity, ocean currents, and net heat flux. Experimental results demonstrate that PICA-Net outperforms baseline models in terms of accuracy and generalization. Additionally, its lightweight design enables real-time deployment on edge devices, offering a viable solution for localized, on-site forecasting in smart aquaculture. Full article

Boron (B) is a crucial micronutrient for the initial formation, development, and final quality of fruits, as it affects their physical and chemical properties and helps prevent various functional disorders. Recently, numerous physiological disorders in fruits have been reported, which have been linked to B deficiency. However, there is still uncertainty about whether these issues are directly related to B, other nutrients, their combinations, or environmental conditions. This review aims to compile current and accurate information on how B is absorbed by plants, its role in the cell wall and membrane, its impact on flowering and fruit set, and its influence on physical and chemical properties, as well as its role in preventing physiological disorders. This review examines the latest studies on B published in major scientific journals (Elsevier, Springer, MDPI, Frontiers, Hindawi, Wiley, and SciELO). Boron is mobile in the xylem and slightly mobile in the phloem, and it plays a crucial role in pollination and fruit set. It reduces mass loss, maintains firmness, improves color, and results in larger, heavier fruits. Also, boron increases soluble solids, regulates total titratable acidity and pH, decreases respiration rate, and stabilizes ascorbic acid by delaying its breakdown. It also helps prevent disorders such as splitting, cork spots, internal rot, shot berry in grapes, blossom end rot, and segment drying in citrus. Foliar or soil application of B enhances fruit yield and post-harvest quality. Full article