The MOTILITY Mother-Child Cohort: a Danish prospective longitudinal cohort study of the infant gut microbiome, nutrition and bowel habits – a study protocol

Introduction
Concurrent with infants’ progression in dietary complexity and gut microbiome diversity, infants gradually change their defecation patterns during the first year of life. However, the links between bowel habits, the gut microbiota and early life nutrition remain unclear. The primary outcome is to characterise the gut microbiome development from birth to 1 year of age. Second, to investigate how bowel habits and nutrition in early life relate to the gut microbiome and metabolome during this period of life, and to explore how the development of the gut microbiome associates with host development.

Methods and analysis
The MOTILITY Mother-Child Cohort (MOTILITY) is a Danish prospective longitudinal cohort study enrolling up to 125 mother–infant dyads. Assessments occur at 36 weeks gestation (visit 1), birth (screening of infant) and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (±2 weeks) post partum (visits 2–5). At visit 1, maternal anthropometrics, self-collected faecal and urine samples, and questionnaires on bowel habits and lifestyle are obtained. Between visits, infant faecal (biweekly), urine (monthly) and maternal breast milk (monthly until 6 months of age) samples are collected at home, and bowel habits and dietary intake are assessed biweekly by self-reported questionnaires. At visits 2–5, infant blood and saliva samples are collected, and anthropometric measurements are obtained. In addition, dietary intake is recorded thrice throughout the study period for mother and infant, respectively, and infant whole-gut transit time is estimated by sweet corn tests at 9 and 12 months of age. Birth, growth, motor development, sleep patterns, tooth development, overall health and well-being are assessed using questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate statistics will be applied to identify associations between the gut microbiome, early life nutrition and host physiology including bowel habits during the first year of life.

Ethics and dissemination
The MOTILITY study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee for the Capital Region of Denmark (reference number: H-21063016). Selected results will be made available to the participants in the form of a summary document. Results will be published in peer-review journals and by means of national and international conferences.

Trial registration number
NCT05491161.

Read More

Global therapeutic mobilities and cancer: a scoping review

Introduction
Research on therapeutic mobility is abundant but the field of cancer has not yet been investigated thoroughly. This scoping review aims to examine the existing evidence on global therapeutic mobility and cancer, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

Methods
We conducted a scoping review and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodological guidelines. We developed a comprehensive search strategy and discussed it with the research team. We searched for peer-reviewed papers on Medline, Embase, ERIC and American Psychological Association via the Dialogue interface and Google Scholar and CAIRN bibliographic database for peer-reviewed articles. We also included grey literature, such as unpublished work and relevant reports from Érudit. We considered studies that employed quantitative or qualitative methods.

Results
Among the 1615 references initially selected, 767 duplicates were excluded. Then, 849 studies were screened on title and abstract and 800 were excluded as they did not meet inclusion criteria. 49 studies were fully screened and 21 were excluded as they did not meet inclusion criteria based on full-text assessment. Ultimately, 28 references were included in the data synthesis. This scoping review has shown that publications on therapeutic mobilities have multiplied in recent years, with a turning point in 2019. A range of academic disciplines and research methodologies are currently employed to describe them. A significant proportion of fieldwork is concentrated in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Despite the heterogeneity of the approaches and fields, there are certain common features that emerge: first, the decision to migrate for healthcare is primarily made by the patient themselves and is perceived by them as being non-choice; second, the family plays a central role at all stages of the migration; and third, the migration has a catastrophic impact in terms of social and financial burden.

Conclusion
In conclusion, this scoping review highlights the underexplored relationship between global therapeutic mobility and cancer, emphasising the need for increased research efforts to understand the global dynamics of cancer care mobility.

Read More

Patient experience of treatment burden in chronic heart failure self-care interventions: a qualitative systematic review protocol

Introduction
Chronic heart failure management can involve considerable healthcare workload for the patient that impacts on well-being and results in treatment being perceived as burdensome. This can result in non-adherence to treatments. This systematic review aims to identify, appraise and synthesise the available qualitative evidence exploring the experience of treatment burden in heart failure patients participating in a self-care intervention. Findings will provide an in-depth understanding of the patient journey, providing knowledge that will enable the development of targeted interventions that reduce the burden of treatment for patients.

Method and analysis
The databases will include Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Science. The review protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO ID no 1052512). This review will systematically scour qualitative research studies in databases from 2010 to January 2025 with carefully chosen search terms such as heart failure, self-care and burden. Searches are limited to studies in English. Two reviewers, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research, will independently appraise the methodological quality of the selected studies. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. This review will employ a rigorous thematic synthesis approach informed by the burden of treatment theory, where two researchers will analyse and synthesise data by double-coding.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review as primary data will not be collected. The result of the review will be disseminated through publication in an academic journal and scientific conferences.

PROSPERO registration number
ID 1052512.

Read More

Screening for depression among Spanish-speaking patients in primary care settings within the USA: a scoping review protocol to inform clinical practices

Introduction
In 2016, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended depression screening for all adults in the public sector, with screening frequency determined by clinical judgement and patient circumstances. This practice aims to enable timely diagnosis and treatment, reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with this chronic health condition. However, the USPSTF offered no written recommendations for primary care settings serving non-English-speaking populations, particularly where providers speak English and patients speak Spanish. While some research exists on depression screening in linguistically diverse settings, the use of validated Spanish-language screenings in primary care settings is underexplored when it comes to implementing the USPSTF’s recommendation. This scoping review addresses this knowledge gap by (1) assessing the extent to which Spanish-speaking patients in the USA receive depression screening in Spanish and (2) using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) 2.0 to categorise barriers and facilitators to implementing Spanish-language depression screening tools in USA primary care settings. The findings will identify areas needing further research to improve depression screening guidelines for primary care practices serving Spanish-speaking patients.

Methods and analysis
This scoping review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology, updated by Levac and colleagues. The reporting protocol adheres to PRISMA-ScR. A systematic search will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection for studies on Spanish-language depression screening for adults in non-Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in the USA, excluding those focused on youth or adolescents. We will extract data from qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies on screening. We will also examine studies addressing provider-reported comfort and competency in screening Spanish-speaking patients. We hypothesise that primary care clinics have implemented strategies for screening Spanish-speaking patients for depression driven by healthcare provider initiatives, local policies, research funding or community needs. The review will extract data on sample size, study methodology, primary care settings, patient and provider demographics, depression screeners used, and barriers and facilitators to screening. The quality of the studies will be appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Ethics and dissemination
At Brown University, scoping reviews that analyse and synthesise existing research do not require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, provided they do not involve primary data collection or direct interaction with human subjects. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and community workshops to improve practices and policies addressing language barriers in depression screening and care.

Registration details
This scoping review protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF) at https://osf.io/dyru5.

Read More

Modulating verticality representation and uprightness by virtual reality: rationale and protocol for a within-person randomised intervention associating a basic study in healthy individuals and a pilot clinical trial in individuals exhibiting post-stroke lateropulsion (VIRGIL)

Introduction
Balance and gait disorders represent the most frequent and disabling sequelae after stroke. Impaired body orientation with respect to gravity (lateropulsion) is one of the primary underlying mechanisms, increasingly investigated. After hemisphere stroke, lateropulsion is caused by an impaired internal representation of verticality, for which developing rehabilitation techniques has become a priority. Among various approaches, virtual reality appears to be a promising tool for modulating spatial reference frame. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of immersion in virtual tilted reality (VTR) on the postural vertical (PV) as a primary outcome, as well as main secondary outcomes on the visual vertical (VV) and the active standing posture (body orientation with respect to gravity and weight-bearing (WB) distribution on lower limbs), both in healthy individuals and individuals exhibiting lateropulsion at the subacute phase after a hemispheric stroke. The cumulative effect of the VTR on the post-stroke lateropulsion will also be analysed.

Methods and analysis
This pilot study is a single-centre, within-person randomised trial conducted in the department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of the University Hospital of Grenoble-Alpes (France). We will include 40 individuals from 18 to 85 years old, 20 healthy individuals and 20 individuals with lateropulsion tested 0.5 on the Scale for Contraversive Pushing), the study lasts 4 weeks: W1 for inclusion, randomisation, planning and conventional rehabilitation; W2 and W4 to collect clinical data and conventional rehabilitation; and W3 for the VTR intervention over four consecutive mornings at the same time: 2 to test the VTR effects on verticality perception (PV and VV) and 2 to test the VTR effects on active standing (body orientation and WB distribution on lower limbs). Immediate effects and post-effects of the VTR immersion are analysed by comparing results of the following time points: for verticality perception baseline, during and after VTR and for active standing at only baseline and during VTR immersion. Linear mixed-effect models will be run with different factors/covariates according to objectives. We will analyse the proportion and features of responders (PV modulation ≥2°). The cumulative effect of the 4 days of VTR sessions will be analysed by comparing scores of the SCAle for LAteropulsion assessed at the end of every week.

Ethics and dissemination
The study was approved by an institutional review board at the national level (Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France X; 2020-A02941-38, amendment 2024). All participants will provide written informed consent before enrolment. Findings will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals related to rehabilitation, stroke or neuroscience.

Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04911738.

Read More

What matters to you? Improving the adoption of shared decision-making for birth planning in women with chronic hypertension: a multicentre multiple methods study

Objective
To explore the role of shared decision-making (SDM) in the implementation of evidence-based practice in women with chronic hypertension planning birth and investigate the barriers and the facilitators in the provision of antenatal care.

Methods
A multimethod multisite approach was used including case-note review (n=55) and structured observations (n=18) to assess the provision of third trimester antenatal care. The barriers and facilitators to implementation were identified from semistructured qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals (n=13) and pregnant women (n=14) using inductive thematic analysis. The findings were integrated and evaluated using the ‘Three Talk Model of Shared Decision-making’.

Setting and participants
Pregnant women with chronic hypertension, some with superimposed pre-eclampsia and their principal carers at three National Health Service hospital trusts.

Results
Healthcare professionals delivering care to pregnant women with high blood pressure were aligned with most communication practices (set out in the Calgary-Cambridge communication guide). Pregnant women with hypertension who described being engaged in shared decisions about birth developed a trusting relationship with their maternity team. Despite frequent caesarean section birth (52%) and early term birth (median gestation at delivery 38 weeks (IQR1 37 weeks, IQR3 39 weeks) identified by case-note review; integrated data (observations, case-note review and qualitative interviews) found pregnant women with high blood pressure were not regularly provided with personalised information based on what they would find helpful, encouraged to share their own thoughts or offered choice in relation to timing or mode of birth. Uncertainty regarding the evidence around optimal timing of birth was the main barrier identified by professionals. Facilitators included training for professionals in SDM, midwife-led antenatal classes for high-risk women and multiprofessional clinics.

Conclusions
Strategies to promote more widespread adoption of SDM are likely to improve the experiences of women with high blood pressure making decisions about childbirth.

Read More

Evolution of medical students tolerance for uncertainty throughout their curriculum: a systematic mixed studies review protocol

Introduction
Understanding how uncertainty tolerance (UT) evolves in medical students is crucial to identify training needs and implement effective interventions. However, the dynamic nature of UT and the mechanisms behind its changes over time remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to map the development of UT in medical students across the course of their training by synthesising the available evidence. We will adopt a systematic mixed studies review approach to provide an integrative synthesis of both quantitative and qualitative data, offering a comprehensive overview of UT temporal evolution.

Method and analysis
The protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We will conduct searches in Embase, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ERIC, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO, from inception to July 2026. We will manually search the references of included studies and track citations through Google Scholar to identify additional eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently extract data from each eligible study using a pre-piloted Microsoft Excel data extraction form. A thematic synthesis will be employed to develop analytic themes from the existing literature, generating new concepts and explanatory hypotheses. Study quality will be evaluated using the QuADS score.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not necessary for this systematic review, as no primary data will be collected. The protocol for this review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO: CRD42024591340.

Read More

Incidence and predictors of mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to therapeutic feeding units in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective
To estimate the mortality rate and identify predictors of mortality among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to therapeutic feeding units (TFUs) in Ethiopia.

Methods
We searched PubMed, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar and African Journals Online from 1 March to 30 May 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to appraise the included studies. Heterogeneity was identified using I2 statistics. Funnel plots and Egger’s tests were used to determine publication bias.

Results
Out of 1085 studies, 15 were included in this analysis. The pooled mortality rate among under-five children with SAM admitted to TFUs in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days of observation (95% CI: 6.25 to 11.06). The mortality rate has not changed over time. HIV infection (HR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.42), tuberculosis (HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.56), intravenous fluid use (HR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.39 to 4.75), altered body temperature (HR: 4.47; 95% CI: 1.90 to 10.51), impaired consciousness (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.94 to 4.37), not receiving F-100 supplementation (HR: 4.51; 95% CI: 3.25 to 6.26), shock (HR: 4.20; 95% CI: 2.92 to 6.04), and nasogastric tube feeding (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.44) were predictors of mortality.

Conclusion
The pooled mortality rate in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days, and it has not decreased over time. Most of the identified factors are related to comorbidities and complications of SAM, as well as nutritional therapy. Thus, it is essential to strengthen nutrition policies, programme implementation and healthcare services, which focus on the timely management of SAM complications, integrated care for comorbidities and improved F-100 supplementation.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024555014.

Read More

Hospital at home digital twin for the management of patients with frailty: a scoping review protocol

Introduction
Patients with frailty are at risk of adverse outcomes such as mortality, falls, deconditioning and hospital readmissions. With an increasingly ageing population and a greater likelihood of frailty, there is a significant need to ensure that patients are managed in the right place and at the right time. There has been a focus on offering hospital-level care at home as a way to meet this need, incorporating strategies to integrate care and use digital solutions. Digital twin (DT) technology is one advancement, offering a virtual replica of an object/environment, which has the potential to make use of real-time data personalised for an individual patient and/or setting to inform and support patient management decisions. We are yet to realise the full potential of this new way of integrated working and technological advancements. This scoping review aims to ascertain the current evidence for the components of the DT architecture to enable the monitoring and management of patients with frailty living at home.

Methods
This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and Scopus. Relevant websites will be searched for grey literature or case reports to capture the required information, as well as any documents provided by stakeholders. Primary studies, published in the English language from 2019 to the present day, which report on the monitoring or management of patients with long-term conditions and frailty within their home environment, will be included. Screening will be conducted by at least two independent reviewers against eligibility criteria, and a piloted data extraction form will be used to align with the research questions. Qualitative content analysis will be used. Data will be presented in tabular form, as well as descriptive and illustrative formats, to address the objectives of this review.

Ethics and dissemination
This scoping review does not require ethical approval. The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences and will support the development of a conceptual model of a hospital-at-home DT for the management of patients with frailty.

Read More

Diagnostic performance of point shear wave elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography in paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective
This study aimed to comprehensively assess the diagnostic accuracy of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) in paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach with random-effects models.

Data sources
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid (Medline), Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang and OpenGrey were searched for publications from April 1989 to July 2024.

Eligibility criteria
The study included relevant records on the application of pSWE and VCTE in diagnosing MASLD in children (

Read More

Can a virtual multi-centre multi-disciplinary discussion improve the diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease? A retrospective cohort study across multiple institutions

Introduction
Multi-disciplinary discussions (MDDs) improve diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease (ILD). The value of a virtual multi-centre MDD (V-MCMDD) incorporating expertise from multiple institutions remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a V-MCMDD on diagnosis and management in ILD.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective multi-centre cohort study involving tertiary and secondary hospital clinics, private practices and community outpatient centres, all participating via a virtual platform. Between August 2020 and June 2023, patient cases were reviewed through V-MCMDDs, which included clinical, radiological, pathological and laboratory data. Each case was discussed to reach a consensus diagnosis and management plan.

Results
Following the V-MCMDD review, the diagnosis was revised in 51% of patients (p=0.031), and management plans were modified in 41% of cases. A significant shift in treatment was observed in patients with changed diagnoses vs unchanged diagnoses (p value=0.002).

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the implementation of V-MCMDDs can be valuable in the diagnostic and therapeutic process for ILD. Incorporating input from multiple centres via a virtual format can lead to significant changes in both diagnosis and management, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Read More

[Articles] Pharmacological agents for procedural sedation and analgesia in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Although no pharmacological regimen demonstrates superior sedation success compared with propofol–opioids, which serve as the standard comparator, etomidate–opioids regimens offer a favorable balance between sedation efficacy and safety, though they warrant attention due to an increased risk of PONV. Esketamine–remimazolam demonstrates superior hemodynamic stability and faster recovery but may be less effective in achieving sedation success. Midazolam-based regimens demonstrate lower efficacy and prolonged recovery and are therefore not recommended.

Read More

Cataracts: A Review

This Review summarizes current evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, defined as progressive opacification or clouding of the eye’s natural lens.

Read More

Palliative Care in the Emergency Department—Reply

In Reply We thank Dr Wong for his thoughtful review of our palliative care trial. We agree that the complexities around caring for persons with serious illness who present to the ED cannot be overstated. Also, safe ED discharge requires a team approach, including close coordination and communication between primary care clinicians, specialists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Two points require clarification when considering whether the ED is “the place” to integrate palliative care.

Read More

Mapping the use of extended reality (XR) in radiation oncology education: a scoping review protocol

Introduction
As the field of radiation oncology continues to evolve with rapidly advancing technologies, the need for innovative educational methods is critical. Extended reality (XR) technologies—including virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality—have emerged as transformative tools in medical education. While the potential of XR in healthcare education is recognised, there is a lack of comprehensive exploration specifically in the context of radiation oncology education. This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on XR technologies in radiation oncology training and education, identify barriers to their adoption and highlight opportunities for broader integration into curricula.

Methods
This scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley framework with enhancements by Levac et al and will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across databases, including MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies on the use of XR technologies in radiation oncology education. Studies will be selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria using the population, concept, context framework. Data extraction will focus on the types of XR technologies used, educational settings, learning outcomes, barriers to adoption and methodologies for evaluating XR effectiveness. The results will be synthesised through descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. A consultation phase will engage experts to refine findings and ensure the practical relevance of the review.

Ethics and dissemination
This protocol does not require ethics approval at the current stage as it involves a scoping review of publicly available literature. Ethics approval will be obtained prior to initiating the consultation phase involving experts. Written informed consent will be obtained from all individual participants included in the study. The study will be conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board on 13 May 2025 (ref.: 202500731B0). The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and tailored executive summaries aimed at educators, policymakers and stakeholders in radiation oncology education.

Read More

Efficacy of subanaesthetic esketamine on the prevention of postoperative delirium in older adult patients after cardiovascular surgery: protocol for a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (SEPDOC trial) in China

Introduction
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and serious complication in older adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Esketamine is known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. While it has shown preventive effects on POD in those not undergoing cardiovascular surgery, its efficacy in older adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery remains uncertain. Therefore, we herein aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of intraoperative subanaesthetic esketamine on POD in this specific population.

Methods and analysis
This single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will enrol 778 patients aged 60–80 years undergoing open-heart cardiovascular surgery in China, from September 2023 to December 2025. The participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the following groups: the esketamine group and the control group. In the esketamine group, esketamine (2 mg/mL) will be administered intravenously at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg over 10 min following tracheal intubation, followed by a continuous infusion at 0.15 mg/kg/h until the end of the surgery. Patients in the control group will receive a placebo following the same dosage and regimen. The incidence of POD will be the primary outcome and will be assessed twice daily from the first to the seventh postoperative day. The postoperative sleep quality, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay will be the secondary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital (No. 2023068). Public disclosure is guaranteed post-trial, and the results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Trial registration number
ChiCTR2300074395.

Read More