Address Gaps Research Articles

Teaching Competencies of Cookery Teachers: Input to the Development of Teachers Training Plan

This study evaluated the teaching competencies of cookery teachers in selected public schools in Abra to develop a comprehensive teacher training framework. A descriptive research design was employed teacher competencies, as assessed by the respondents. The findings highlight that teachers consistently demonstrate strong competence across critical teaching areas, such as lesson mastery, classroom management, teaching strategies, and assessment practices, earning high ratings from both students and evaluators. However, slight variations in interpersonal skills and lesson pacing suggest room for improvement through targeted professional development initiatives. The unanimous agreement between students and teachers regarding the consistently high level of teacher competence underscores the effectiveness of educators in delivering quality education. This consensus validates the teachers' ability to employ clear instructions, maintain appropriate pacing, utilize diverse teaching strategies, and foster positive interpersonal relationships, ultimately contributing to a productive and effective learning environment. Sustaining these strengths while addressing areas for improvement will further enhance teaching excellence and ensure continuous growth. Teachers demonstrate strong competence in critical areas, earning high ratings from students and evaluators, though slight gaps in interpersonal skills and lesson pacing were noted. To enhance teaching excellence, professional development, regular feedback, and innovative strategies like technology integration are recommended. Additionally, recognizing achievements, supporting stress management, and providing training on modern methodologies will sustain strengths, address gaps, and ensure continuous improvement in delivering quality education.

P-1303. Moving Research into Action: The Use of Hospital Admission Data as a Measure of Ukrainian Child Migrants’ and War Refugees’ Health Needs in the First 100 Days of the War

Abstract Background Since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, Poland has been one of the countries with the largest arrival of migrant and war refugees from Ukraine. As the presence of Ukrainian migrant and war refugee children has increased in Poland, studies of their health condition and the use of health services have become of key importance in fulfilling their unmet health needs. Methods Data on the hospitalization of Ukrainian pediatric patients in Polish hospitals come from the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study (NGHMS). The analyses were based on the diagnoses and conditions most responsible for the patient’s stay in hospital and coded in accordance with ICD-10. Results According to the NGHMS, during the first 100 days of war 2,544 Ukrainian children and adolescents under 18 years of age were admitted to Polish hospitals. The most frequently reported hospital events among the Ukrainian migrant children were infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) – 24.1%, mainly viral and other specified intestinal infections (A08; 49.3%), other gastroenteritis and colitis of infectious and unspecified origin (A09; 36.2%). Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and lab findings (R00-R99 – 17.8%) were the second most frequently reported cause of hospitalization, the majority of which were related to digestive system symptoms - mostly nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, as well as fever of unknown origin. Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) ranked as the third leading cause of pediatric hospitalization (12.2%), with a predominance of acute bronchitis (J20) and influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus (J10). 88 Ukrainian children were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19. One third of analyzed hospitalizations (33.1%) had a principal diagnosis of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD). Conclusion Our findings suggest a greater focus on preventive healthcare and public health interventions, especially in the area of VPD. As vaccination should be considered a health equity intervention, the tailored vaccination program SAY YES TO VACCINATION in collaboration with UNICEF (SBC Office) has been implemented to increase mothers’ vaccination literacy and address gaps in vaccination coverage among Ukrainian children in Poland. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Associated factors related to production of autoantibodies and dermo-epidermal separation in bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a debilitating autoimmune skin blistering disease, characterized by the deposition of specific autoantibodies at the dermal-epidermal junction. This leads to an inflammatory cascade involving the activation of complement proteins, mast cell degranulation, immune cell recruitment, and the release of proteases by granulocytes. While several cytokines and signaling pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of BP, the precise mechanism behind autoantibody production remains unclear. A variety of factors, including natural aging, genetic polymorphisms, microbiota, medications, vaccinations, and infection, may contribute to disease onset. Recent evidence also suggests that both vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 may also play a role in BP's development. This review aims to elucidate the mechanism underlying the production of autoantibodies in BP, address gaps in understanding disease progression, and explore opportunities for improving diagnosis and prognosis to enhance patient care.

Isotretinoin and Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Acne: A Narrative Review

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological condition that is often treated with isotretinoin, a potent medication effective in moderate to severe cases. However, its use requires careful monitoring because of its potential hepatotoxic effects. Isotretinoin has been associated with transient elevations in liver enzyme levels, with mild abnormalities observed in up to 11% of cases. Severe elevations (grade ≥ 3), indicating potential liver dysfunction, occur infrequently, with an incidence of approximately 0.2% to 0.5%. The mechanisms underlying isotretinoin-induced liver injury involve oxidative stress and genetic susceptibility, primarily manifesting as idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury. Most enzyme abnormalities occur within the initial months of treatment, and their clinical significance varies, with many cases resolving without intervention. A review of large cohort studies highlighted the incidence of abnormal liver function tests, including elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. These abnormalities are often present within the first 3 months of therapy, particularly at higher cumulative doses. The role of routine liver function monitoring is debated, with recommendations favoring baseline and early follow-up tests and further testing guided by clinical indicators. Alanine aminotransferase may serve as a more specific marker for liver injury compared to other markers, such as aspartate aminotransferase. This review highlights the importance of evidence-based guidelines to balance effective acne treatment with the risk of isotretinoin-induced hepatotoxicity. Standardizing monitoring protocols and integrating genetic and oxidative stress markers may enhance safety and therapeutic outcomes. Further research is essential to refine these strategies and address gaps in long-term hepatotoxicity data.

Emerging Business Model Archetypes in the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACTIn the circular economy, companies design their business models to align with circular principles and explore pathways for sustainable value creation. However, research on the circular economy business model (CEBM) is in its infancy, and existing business models remain incomplete and lack comprehensiveness, failing to encompass all emerging business models, and lack explicit criteria and scientific procedures. Additionally, terminological inconsistencies persist, leading to ambiguity in defining circular strategies and their interconnections. In response to this challenge, our study conducted a rigorous review of 106 scholarly articles on circular business models. Our primary objective was to enhance the understanding of CEBMs with an in‐depth review of these models from literature and employ an integrated framework to craft our unique categorization of CEBMs by thoroughly exploring the research purposes, categorization models, and CEBM archetypes outlined in the existing body of literature. Our findings show that research within this field remains to be theoretical. First, the primary aim of studies focuses on developing conceptual frameworks and models, creating supporting tools and methods, and analyzing drivers, enablers, and challenges. Second, among the most referenced frameworks in literature are those developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Accenture, which serve as foundational tools for practitioners. Third, studies of CEBM concentrate on closing the resource loop of a product life cycle. Future research should prioritize overlooked circular strategies, propose robust classification models, and address gaps in product‐centric and resource‐efficient business practice.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Beyond Wound Closure: Clinical Practice Guideline.

A total of 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, and 96 million more have prediabetes. Hyperglycemia, the hallmark of diabetes, increases the risk for diabetes-related complications, including skin breakdown and cardiovascular disease. Many clinical practice guidelines exist, but there are gaps regarding the best approaches to assess physical fitness and mobility in adults with diabetes; incorporate exercise into the care plan; and reload the diabetic foot after ulcer closure has occurred to avoid ulcer reoccurrence. The purpose of this clinical practice guideline was to review and assess previously published guidelines and address gaps within the guidelines specific to the following: best screening tools/tests and interventions to prevent a future reulceration, best screening tools and interventions to assess and address mobility impairments, best tools to measure and interventions to address reduced physical fitness and activity, best approach to reloading the foot after ulceration closure and, finally, whether improvement in physical fitness will positively change quality of life and health care costs. The Guidelines Development Group performed a systematic literature search and review of the literature. A total of 701 studies were identified. Following duplicate removal and exclusion for irrelevance, 125 studies underwent full-text review, and 38 studies were included. Recommendations were developed using a software assistant created specifically for guideline recommendation development. Recommendations resulted for physical fitness and activity inclusion and measurement for adults with diabetes and with or without foot ulceration. Exercise and physical activity should be prescribed according to the physiologic response of an adult with diabetes to exercise and preferences for optimizing long-term quality of life and reduce health care costs. Reloading following diabetic foot ulcer closure should include maximal offloading, especially during the first 3months; loading should be titrated using a footwear schedule. Further research is necessary in the areas of exercise in the wound healing process and the assessment of methods to reload a newly reepithelialized ulcer to prevent recurrence.

Quantitative systematic analysis of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in spinal tumor resections

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has become a cornerstone in enhancing surgical safety during spinal tumor resections by predicting and preventing neurological deficits. This systematic review evaluates the quantitative impact of IONM on postoperative motor and sensory outcomes, focusing on modalities such as motor evoked potentials (MEPs), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), and D-wave monitoring. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and MEDLINE for studies published in the last 10 years (2014–2024), using keywords such as "IONM," "Spinal Tumor Resection," "MEPs," and "Neurological Deficit Prediction." A total of 29 articles were initially identified, with 15 meeting the inclusion criteria after screening. The review included clinical trials, cohort studies, and systematic reviews that evaluated IONM's role in spinal surgeries. Findings reveal that IONM significantly reduces the risk of permanent motor and sensory deficits, with multimodal approaches demonstrating the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting postoperative outcomes. D-wave monitoring emerged as particularly effective in preserving motor function in complex cases, outperforming SSEPs and MEPs in specificity. Studies also highlight IONM's utility in managing specific challenges, such as ossified tumors and spinal hemangioblastomas, where it facilitates safer resections with fewer neurological complications. However, variability in sensitivity and specificity across different tumor types and surgical contexts underscores the need for standardized IONM protocols. This review confirms IONM's role as an essential tool in spinal tumor resections, enhancing surgical precision, reducing neurological complications, and supporting faster recovery. Further research is recommended to refine monitoring strategies, address gaps in pediatric and high-risk populations, and establish protocols that maximize IONM's efficacy in diverse clinical scenarios.

Awareness and Practice of Proper Insulin Self-Administration Among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus in Al-Ahsa, KSA

Introduction: This study assessed the awareness and practices of subcutaneous insulin self-administration among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Saudi Arabia. The key objectives were to evaluate patients' knowledge, correlate it with glycemic control, and address gaps to enhance overall patient care for this highly prevalent condition in the region. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, using an online questionnaire to assess diabetes management in randomly selected adult DM patients aged 18-65. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to the study. Results: The study involved 380 DM patients from Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Most were female (59.5%) and Saudi nationals (96.3%), with over half married (53.4%). While 42.1% had type 2 and 45.5% had type 1 diabetes, 12.7% were unsure of their type. 38.7% showed high insulin self-administration awareness, and 42.4% were diagnosed over 10 years ago. Patients heavily relied on healthcare professionals (75.5%) for insulin info, preferred insulin pens (91.3%), and adhered to instructions (65.3%). Factors like age, marital status, and medication use significantly impacted insulin practices. Many counted carbs (40.5%) and adjusted doses before meals (41.3%). Conclusion: The current study highlights that 38.7% of DM patients show a comparatively high level of awareness. Carbohydrate counting and pre-meal insulin adjustments are practiced by an average of 40% of patients. There is considerable variability among patients regarding insulin practices.

The Psychometric Performance of State Mindfulness Scales Around Sitting and Walking on Desert Trails: A Pilot Study.

State mindfulness is a dynamic construct reflecting current mindfulness, or purposeful attention to the present moment with openness, non-judgment, non-reactivity, and acceptance. Despite its popularity and research in psychology and medicine, measuring state mindfulness remains a challenge. Validity and reliability of the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) and State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) in applied settings like nature require more data to be established. This pilot study aimed to evaluate these scales and introduce a new, one-item scale, the Visual Analog Scale-Mindfulness (VAS-M), for quicker mindfulness assessment. Participants completed the SMS, SMS-PA, and VAS-M upon arrival at a desert trail, after 10 minutes of sitting, and after 10 minutes of walking. A subset repeated the intervention 24 hours later. The study found that the SMS and SMS-PA could be given before, during, and after nature immersion. The SMS-PA showed evidence of concurrent validity with the SMS (ρ = .89, p < .001). However, the VAS-M did not meet the criteria for concurrent validity with the other scales. None of the scales met the criteria for test-retest reliability. This study underscores the need to validate state mindfulness scales, especially in non-laboratory settings. While the SMS-PA shows promise, further validation and refinement of the VAS-M are needed. The findings enhance our understanding of measuring state mindfulness, particularly in natural environments. While the scales are already in use, our study helps address gaps in evidence and informs future decisions about their application.

Monetizing Co-Benefits of Nature-Based Sanitation-Constructed Wetlands Using Contingent Valuation Method—Jordan as a Case Study

Parallel to the growing evidence about the efficiency of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in sanitation, there is a growing need to highlight the co-benefits of these solutions compared to conventional alternatives. This study focuses on economically valuing these co-benefits, with constructed wetlands (CWs) examined as a sanitation solution. The contingent valuation (CV) method has been utilized for this purpose, measuring people’s willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) CWs as a sanitation solution. Jordan has been selected as a case study due to the country’s preference for sustainable, cost-efficient solutions. By utilizing extended questionnaires at the stakeholder and community levels, this research aims to identify gaps between these groups’ perspectives on CWs. Additionally, this study investigates the main factors affecting communities’ WTP and WTA. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for the responses, followed by the CV method, and regression analysis to understand the main factors affecting WTP and WTA. The results are intended to guide decision-makers in developing programs that align with community preferences and address gaps in the acceptance of NbS-CWs. The main results found that while stakeholders have concerns about people’s WTA CWs, the community survey revealed that people prefer CWs over conventional solutions. The findings revealed that 78.9% of respondents were willing to accept (WTA) CWs to treat wastewater in their town, but only 33% WTA having CW near their households. Meanwhile, 53.2% were willing to pay (WTP) for CWs in general, while 80.7% are willing to accept (WTP) using CWs to treat greywater at the household level and 56.9% of the respondents are WTP for that.

Accessibility and TB patient satisfaction in Nigeria.

<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth among countries with a high Tuberculosis burden globally. The increasing incidence of drug resistance following poor treatment adherence among drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) patients necessitates reviewing TB services in Nigeria. This study explored accessibility and patient-reported experiences in newly established TB treatment facilities.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>In this comparative cross-sectional analytic study, we administered the Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) questionnaire to 430 patients with DS-TB in 27 public and 18 private newly engaged facilities in Osun, Nigeria. Data were analysed using R Software.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>Private facilities were more accessible (n = 210, 97.2% vs n = 194, 90.7%; P = 0.004) and offered more satisfactory services (n = 209, 96.8% vs n = 194, 90.7%; P = 0.009). More patients in public facilities could not afford transportation costs (52.6% vs 35.8%; P = 0.007), and payment for services was higher in private facilities (P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, the odds of experiencing satisfactory services were 3.12 times higher in private facilities (OR 3.12, 95%CI 1.19-8.15). Time-to-facility, marital status, and facility type predict patients' experience.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSION</title>Private facilities were more accessible and offered more satisfactory services. National TB programmes should decentralise TB services to private facilities and address gaps in public facilities.</sec>.

Morphological variability and its impact on survival in sinonasal malignancies: a 13-year analysis

BackgroundDespites a tripling of recognised occupational sinonasal adenocarcinomas in the past three decades, no comprehensive publications of the epidemiological development and histological distribution of sinonasal malignancies exist in Germany. Therefore, this study aims to analyse population-related data and address gaps in the nationwide cancer registry.MethodologyThe German Center for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD) provided a dataset covering the period from 2003 to 2015. 8332 cases were extracted, morphologically clustered and underwent descriptive analysis. Incidence and mortality rates were standardised, and overall survival (OS) probability was estimated.ResultsStandardised incidence rates increased, averaging 1.8 for men and 1.0 for women per 100,000 inhabitants. Sinonasal cancer manifested mostly in the nasal cavity with a 5-year OS of 63%. In contrast, malignancies in the frontal sinus had a less favourable survival probability (p < 0.001). Morphologically, the tumour entities comprised 55% squamous cell carcinomas, 18% adenocarcinomas, 8% mucosal melanomas, 4% esthesioneuroblastomas and 2% sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUC). The highest 5-year OS rate was observed in esthesioneuroblastomas (59%), while SNUC (38%) and mucosal melanoma (29%) had the lowest (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of sinonasal morphologies based on a unique dataset. Findings reveal a higher incidence and lower survival probability among men. The topographical distribution varies by sex and tumour entity. The mortality rate for patients with sinonasal cancer is moderate to high, particularly for SNUC and mucosal melanoma, with incidences of 8.4% and 2%, respectively. Hence, there is an urgent need for an optimised screening for early-stage malignancies.

Real-time intervention to increase daily chlorhexidine bathing and reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections.

After an increase of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) at our community hospital in 2021, a case-control study suggested that patients with CLABSIs were 3.0 times more likely to have missed daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing than patients without CLABSIs. To increase the rate of daily CHG bathing in hospitalized patients with central lines and subsequently reduce the number of CLABSIs. Our pre-post intervention was launched on September 2022 and consisted of enhancements to the electronic health record (EHR) to simplify the identification of overdue CHG bathing instances to increase compliance, and therefore decrease the CLABSI rate at our hospital. A workflow was implemented Monday-Friday utilizing these EHR enhancements for active surveillance to engage frontline nursing staff and address gaps in care in real time. After the initiative was implemented, adherence to daily CHG bathing increased from 94.9% to 95.3%, with a considerable disparity between weekdays (97.6%) and weekends (89.3%). After weekend data were excluded, the post-intervention increase in the adherence rate was statistically significant (p = .003). This initiative underscored the importance of involving health care informatics partners and showed how technology can bridge gaps in health care quality. Outreach and reminders effectively improved CHG bathing adherence by emphasizing the importance of consistent communication and follow-up.

An annual land cover dataset for the Baltic Sea Region with crop types and peat bogs at 30 m from 2000 to 2022

We present detailed annual land cover maps for the Baltic Sea region, spanning more than two decades (2000–2022). The maps provide information on eighteen land cover (LC) classes, including eight general LC types, eight major crop types and grassland, and two peat bog-related classes. Our maps represent the first homogenized annual dataset for the region and address gaps in current land use and land cover products, such as a lack of detail on crop sequences and peat bog exploitation. To create the maps, we used annual multi-temporal remote sensing data combined with a data encoding structure and deep learning classification. We obtained the training data from publicly available open datasets. The maps were validated using independent field survey data from the Land Use/Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) and expert annotations from high-resolution imagery. The quantitative and qualitative results of the maps provide a reliable data source for monitoring agricultural transformations, peat bog exploitation, and restoration activities in the Baltic Sea region and its surrounding countries.

University rankings and sustainable development: the state of the art

Purpose In light of the growing emphasis on sustainability in higher education, this paper aims to explore the effectiveness of sustainability university rankings, specifically focusing on sustainable development (SD), to understand their impact on advancing universities’ sustainability goals and address gaps in practical implications and limitations. Design/methodology/approach This study examines sustainability rankings in higher education (HE) through document analysis. Chosen for significance, these rankings were evaluated for regional participation, criteria and the top 20 universities. The method involved scrutinising official ranking websites for diverse perspectives on sustainability. The results are classified into three categories: regional participation, assessment criteria and top universities in the latest iterations. Findings The findings show that sustainability rankings are widely spread, and their existence has led to an increased motivation for universities to further engage in efforts in the field of SD. This study offers suggestions for optimising the role of promoting SD principles and practices in HE. Originality/value This comprehensive assessment sheds light on rankings’ operations and success levels. It makes a significant contribution to the literature, providing an unprecedented overview of analysed rankings and on sustainability assessment and their impact. This analysis will be valuable for universities towards the integration of SD principles and practices into the HE environment.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling IL-22

Defense of the human body against damaging and pathogenic insults is a heavily regulated affair. A primary mechanism of defense at sites of insult are soluble mediators whose defensive maneuvers increase barrier integrity and promote pro-reparative and resolution processes. IL-22 is a cytokine in the IL-10 cytokine family that has garnered increased attention in recent years due to its intimate link in promoting resolution of inflammatory insults, while simultaneously being over expressed in certain fibrotic and chronic inflammatory-skewed diseases. The spatial action of IL-22 centers around the barrier sites of the body, including the skin, lungs, and gut mucosa. As such, a detailed understanding of the role of this cytokine, the producers and responders, and the diseases resulting from over- or under-expression have prominent impacts on a variety of disease outcomes. Herein we present a comprehensive review of IL-22; from historical perspectives and initial discovery, as well as more recent data that dramatically expands on the cellular sources and impact of this cytokine. We aim to showcase the duality of IL-22 and highlight addressable gaps in the field of IL-22 crosstalk and impacts at the ever-important mucosal and tissue barrier sites.

Leveraging Marketing Techniques for Disseminating Malaria Messages in Northern Nigeria: A Case Study

Malaria intervention in Northern Nigeria had several gaps because transmission of the disease was aggravated by the warm weather which promoted mosquito breeding, and social determinants like malnutrition, which weakened immune systems, making people more vulnerable to illness. This study examined the application of marketing principles within the Community-led Monitoring (CLM) project, a Global Fund initiative to improve malaria interventions. CLM, among other things, was a development, health communication project that employed principles of marketing to communicate malaria prevention and treatment in some communities across Nigeria. The study used Social Cognitive Theory to analyse how health communication and community engagement influenced behaviour change. The CLM project used the four Ps of marketing – product, price, place, and promotion - to address gaps in existing interventions that focused on preventing and treating malaria. The results showed that the project empowered communities, leading to improved health systems driven by community members. This integration of marketing and health communication effectively mobilised community action and achieved positive health outcomes. Thus, the research demonstrated the potential of combining marketing strategies with health communication to combat important public health issues such as malaria. Considering the CLM model's success, incorporating marketing principles in health communication was recommended.

A New Approach to Measuring Institutional and Researcher Contributions to the SDGs: Combining Data from Elsevier SciVal and VOSviewer

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, are a comprehensive global framework that addresses social, economic, and environmental challenges through sustainable development. This study examines the role of universities, specifically focusing on the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (UNIMMA), in contributing to the SDGs. The study utilized data from Elsevier’s SciVal to analyze the department’s contribution to the SDGs through scientific publications in the Scopus database. A total of 97 out of 156 articles published by nine researchers from the department were found to contribute to various SDGs, with a significant focus on Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy), 17 (partnerships for the goals), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and 12 (responsible consumption and production). The study highlights the department’s collaborative efforts and alignment with global sustainability goals. In addition, VOSviewer was used to map the research collaboration network within the department, revealing strong contributions to energy efficiency, sustainable technologies, and climate action. However, the department's research shows limited contribution to social SDGs such as poverty alleviation and gender equality. By mapping the university’s contributions to the SDGs, this study helps faculty members identify opportunities for targeted research collaborations, address gaps in SDG contributions, and enhance partnerships with researchers from other institutions, thus broadening the university’s impact on global sustainable development goals.

Global view of haematolymphoid tumor classifications and their application in low- and middle-income countries.

The accurate diagnosis of haematolymphoid malignancies is crucial for effective cancer care, but major obstacles to diagnosis exist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article explores the global applicability of current haematolymphoid classification systems, which are predominantly derived from data generated in high-income countries (HICs). Although disproportionately burdened with poor cancer outcomes, LMICs are generally faced with limited diagnostic resources, suboptimal access to therapeutics, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The article highlights the challenges faced by LMICs, including inconsistent access to high-quality pathology services, limited availability of advanced diagnostic techniques, and a lack of population-based cancer registry data. It also discusses the progress made in narrowing the gap between LMICs and HICs, such as the introduction of resource-adapted classifications, improved guidance on essential diagnostic tools, and strengthening of in-country professional pathology networks. Innovative diagnostic approaches, including gene expression profiling and machine learning, represent potential solutions for improving the diagnostic accuracy in LMICs, but addressable gaps remain. Recommendations are suggested for sustainable investments in diagnostic infrastructure, capacity-building, and population-based cancer registries to enhance the global applicability of haematolymphoid classification systems and improve outcomes for patients in LMICs.

Expanded roles of community health workers beyond malaria in the Asia-Pacific: A systematic review.

In the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), community health workers (CHWs) are a key component of malaria elimination strategies. As malaria declines, support for, and uptake of, malaria services may also subsequently decrease. Expanding their roles beyond malaria has been proposed to sustain the services. A systematic review was conducted to identify and characterize programmes with CHWs providing services in addition to those for malaria in the Asia Pacific. This review describes the expanded roles, identifies evidence of impact or success of the programmes, and explores strategies to ensure sustainability and factors for effective implementation to inform the design of malaria CHW programmes. Searches were conducted in 6 databases, for grey literature, and in bibliographies of retrieved articles. Data were extracted from 38 published articles, 12 programme reports, and 4 programme briefs and analysed using thematic coding and descriptive analysis. Twenty-nine programmes were identified with CHWs performing both malaria and non-malaria roles in the Asia Pacific. There was evidence of impact on malaria incidence in 4 of these, none on malaria mortality, and 4 on other diseases. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, multi-sectoral stakeholder collaborations, and adequate training and consistent supervision of CHWs were key to effective programme implementation. Integration of programmes into broader health services, ongoing political and funding support, and engagement with local communities were found to contribute to sustaining provision of health services by CHWs. Expanding CHW roles depends on programme management and strengthening linkages with local health systems. To sustain malaria CHW services, countries need adequate policies and financing, and sufficiently strong health systems to deliver basic health services that are adapted to the health needs of the community which means transitioning away from vertical disease programs. Further research should explore programmes that have not been captured in this review and address gaps in measuring malaria outcomes.