Background: Exposure to heat is a growing health concern in the context of climate change. Older adults (people aged 600 years or older) are particularly vulnerable due to age-related physiological changes that compromise thermoregulation. Objective: To systematically review the evidence on thermoregulatory alterations in older adults exposed to heat and their association with adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Twenty-four original studies met the inclusion criteria, including experimental studies in controlled environments and epidemiological studies on heat-related outcomes. Data on study characteristics, thermophysiological responses, clinical outcomes, and methodological quality (assessed with JBI tools) were extracted and synthesized. Results: Experimental studies showed that older adults exhibit reduced sweating and cutaneous vasodilation, attenuated cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments, impaired hydration status, and altered thermal perception. These limitations resulted in greater heat storage, faster increases in core temperature, and a higher risk of dehydration and fatigue compared with younger adults. Epidemiological evidence confirmed a significant association between high ambient temperatures and increased hospitalizations and mortality among older populations, particularly at advanced ages, in women, and in those with comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerability. Conclusions: Heat exposure and climatic conditions—particularly high ambient temperatures, humidity, and poor air quality—reduce thermoregulatory efficiency and increase risks of dehydration, cardiovascular strain, and mortality in older adults. Integrated public health actions addressing both environmental and physiological factors are essential for preventing heat-related illness among older adults.
The objective of this systematic review was to explore the interaction between Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and other personality dimensions in the workplace, and how these combinations impact the performance of employees and leaders. Fifteen empirical studies published since 2014 were analyzed, which assessed the influence of Dark Triad traits along with other personality dimensions, such as the traditional Big Five (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), on performance, interpersonal relationships, and organizational satisfaction. The results suggest that narcissism is negatively related to agreeableness and self-control, Machiavellianism to empathy and agreeableness, and psychopathy to conscientiousness and empathy. These traits also affect job performance, as narcissism and Machiavellianism are associated with work addiction, while psychopathy is linked to lower responsibility and self-control. Additionally, leaders with high levels of Dark Triad traits experience reduced performance, especially in lower hierarchical roles. It was found that emotional stability can moderate the negative impact of narcissism, and that less regulated organizational contexts exhibit more interactions involving these dark traits. These findings provide valuable insights for developing talent assessment and management strategies aimed at improving organizational performance and climate through evidence-based approaches.
Cyberbullying is a growing problem in the Italian educational sector, with a prevalence of 17%. This study analyzes its impact on the psychosocial well-being and academic performance of Italian adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 502 students from six schools in different Italian regions, using the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIPQ) to assess cyberbullying, in addition to collecting data on satisfaction, friends, and academic performance. Chi-square and ANOVA analyses were conducted to identify significant associations between the variables. Results: The analyses showed significant associations between cyberbullying and gender and in psychosocial well-being, with significant differences in personal satisfaction and body satisfaction. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in academic performance or in the ability to make new friends, although victims showed a significantly lower ability to make new friends compared to those who were neither victims nor aggressors. Conclusions: Cyberbullying has a significant impact on students’ psychosocial well-being, especially on personal satisfaction and school happiness, making it essential to implement interventions that promote safe school environments to mitigate these negative effects.
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and as an emerging condition in the DSM-5. IGD is increasingly prevalent, with various negative effects on individuals’ development and adaptation. To address this issue, different therapeutic interventions, like CBT, virtual reality, mindfulness, or family therapy, have been explored. This systematic review aimed to answer the following research question: What is the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in reducing IGD symptoms in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with this disorder? Following PRISMA guidelines, 22 studies published between 2014 and 2025 were included. Results show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective intervention, significantly reducing IGD severity, anxiety, and depression. Combining CBT with physical exercise or mindfulness further enhanced outcomes. Other promising approaches include virtual reality (VR), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and family-based interventions. Additionally, treatments involving mindfulness and animal-assisted therapy showed potential in improving emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and explore emerging therapies.
The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretomes in peripheral nerve injuries warrants rigorous evaluation. This systematic review analyzes their effectiveness in preclinical models of neurotmesis, a complete transection of a nerve. Neurophysiological recovery was assessed through nerve conduction velocity (NCV), a measure of the speed at which electrical impulses travel along a nerve. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect (last search July 2024). From 640 initially identified studies, 13 met inclusion criteria, encompassing 514 animals (rats). experimental designs published since 2014 in English or Spanish, focusing on MSC secretomes for nerve regeneration. Exclusion criteria included reviews, case reports, and incomplete data. The risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Results were synthesized narratively, focusing on functional and structural outcomes. The included studies employed various MSC sources, including adipose tissue, olfactory mucosa, and umbilical cord. Nine studies reported enhanced SFI, favoring secretome-treated groups over controls (mean difference +20.5%, p < 0.01). Seven studies documented increased NCV, with up to 35% higher conduction velocities in treated groups (p < 0.05). Histological outcomes reported in 12 studies showed increased axonal diameter (+25%, p < 0.01), myelin sheath thickness (+30%, p < 0.05), and Schwann cell proliferation. Limitations of the included evidence include methodological heterogeneity and variability in outcome measurement tools. MSC-derived secretomes demonstrate potential as advanced therapeutic strategies for nerve injuries. Personalized approaches considering injury type and clinical context are essential for optimizing outcomes.
This systematic review explores interventions and technologies aimed at assessing or improving thermoregulation in older adults (≥60 years) across community, clinical, and institutional settings. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect (2010–2025) identified 449 records, of which nine studies met inclusion criteria. The evidence revealed that thermoregulation in older adults is influenced by complex interactions between environmental, physiological, behavioral, and cognitive factors. Predictive models based on skin or facial temperature, and supported by machine learning approaches, showed promising accuracy in estimating thermal sensation and core temperature. Active interventions, such as cooling devices, ventilated clothing, and microclimatic systems, demonstrated significant reductions in skin and core temperature, improving thermal comfort. Educational and community-based strategies also proved effective in reducing thermal risk perception and adverse events. However, despite the availability of wearable devices capable of continuous monitoring, no studies have reported their application in daily-life or environmental contexts for heatstroke prevention in older adults. This gap highlights a critical opportunity for integrating wearable technologies into preventive frameworks. Future research should focus on validating these approaches in ecological settings and tailoring strategies to individual vulnerabilities, thereby improving thermal safety, autonomy, and well-being in this vulnerable population.