Background and objectives: Antibiotic resistance in Cutibacterium acnes is undermining topical macrolides and clindamycin, prompting renewed interest in zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as non-antibiotic alternatives. We aimed to (i) determine the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory performance of topical ZnO-NP formulations across in vitro, animal and early human models; (ii) identify physicochemical parameters that modulate potency and tolerance; and (iii) delineate translational gaps and priority design elements for randomised trials. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science until 1 June 2025 for in vitro, animal and human studies that evaluated ≤100 nm ZnO-NPs applied topically to C. acnes cultures, extracting data on bacterial load, lesion counts, biophysical skin parameters and acute toxicity. Eight eligible investigations (five in vitro, two animal, one exploratory human) analysed particles 20–50 nm in diameter carrying mildly anionic zeta potentials. Results: Hyaluronic acid-coated ZnO-NPs achieved a sixteen-fold higher selective kill ratio over Staphylococcus epidermidis at 32 µg mL¹, while centrifugally spun polyvinyl alcohol dressings reduced C. acnes burden by 3.1 log₁₀ on porcine skin within 24 h, and plant-derived nanogels generated inhibition zones that were 11% wider than benzoyl-peroxide’s 5%. In human subjects, twice-daily 0.5% hyaluronic–ZnO nanogel cut inflammatory-lesion counts by 58% at week four and lowered transepidermal water loss without erythema. Preclinical safety was reassuring, zero mortality among animals at 100 µg mL¹ and no irritation among patients, although high-dose sunscreen-grade ZnO (20 nm) delayed rat wound closure by 38%, highlighting dose-dependent differences. Conclusions: Collectively, the evidence indicates that nanoscale reformulation markedly augments zinc’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory performance while maintaining favourable acute tolerance, supporting progression to rigorously designed, adequately powered randomised trials that will benchmark ZnO-NPs against benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, optimise dosing for efficacy versus phototoxicity, and establish long-term dermatological safety.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is useful for muscle strengthening and for motor restoration of stroke patients. Using a portable ultrasound instrument, we developed an M-mode imaging protocol to visualize contractions elicited by NMES in the quadriceps muscle group. To quantify muscle activation, we performed digital image processing based on the Teager–Kaiser energy operator. The proposed method was applied for 35 voluntary patients (18 women and 17 men), of 63.8 ± 14.1 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.2 ± 6.70 kg/m² (mean ± standard deviation). Biphasic, rectangular electric pulses of 350 µs duration were applied at two frequencies (60 Hz and 120 Hz), and ultrasound was used to assess the sensory threshold (ST) and motor threshold (MT) amplitude of the NMES signal. The MT was 23.4 ± 4.94 mA, whereas the MT to ST ratio was 2.69 ± 0.57. Linear regression analysis revealed that MT correlates poorly with body mass index (R² = 0.004) or with the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue layer that covers the treated muscle (R² = 0.013). Our work suggests that ultrasound is suitable to visualize neuromuscular reactivity during electrotherapy. The proposed method can be used in the clinic, enabling the physiotherapist to establish personalized treatment parameters.

Background/Objectives: Studies have reported that patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have decreased postural stability in comparison to healthy subjects. Our study aims to compare static plantar pressure and stabilometry parameters in AS patients who performed an 8-week exercise program (spine motion and flexibility exercises; stretching of hamstring, erector spine, and shoulder muscles; control abdominal and diaphragm breathing exercises and chest expansion exercises), in three different testing conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and head retroflexed). Methods: Plantar pressure (the loading of the first and fifth metatarsal heads (MT1, MT5) and calcaneus) and stabilometry (CoP path length, 90% confidence ellipse area, and maximum CoP speed) were recorded in 28 AS patients (age 56.64 ± 10.3 years; body mass index 29.4 ± 4.9 kg/m²) at the beginning of rehabilitation and after 8 weeks. At first evaluation, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) for the foot loading sites (MT1, MT5, and calcaneus), both for the right and left feet, when comparing eyes open with the other two testing situations. Results: After rehabilitation, significant differences were recorded between eyes-open and head-retroflexed conditions for MT1 (p = 0.03 for right; p = 0.004 for left) and calcaneus (p = 0.014 for right; p = 0.011 for left). A significantly higher CoP path length was registered in both initial and final assessments when tested with eyes closed. The maximum CoP speed had increased values at both evaluations when tested with head retroflexed. Conclusions: The CoP path length decreased after the physical exercise program, with a better postural stability after rehabilitation.

Background: Adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms may erode motivation and problem-solving needed for timely contraception, while online information quality is uneven. We synthesized evidence linking mental health, contraceptive knowledge/access, and teen pregnancy risk. Methods: Following PRISMA-2020, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to 7 July 2025 for primary studies including adolescents that measured validated mental health symptoms or psychiatric settings and reported contraceptive knowledge/access/behavior and/or teen pregnancy outcomes. Two reviewers screened/extracted data; risk of bias was appraised with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and ROBINS-I. Given heterogeneity, we conducted narrative synthesis. Results: Six U.S.-based studies met the criteria, spanning community colleges, a national cohort, school surveillance, psychiatric inpatient care, and pediatric emergency departments (samples: n = 143 to weighted N = 29,755). Depressive symptoms were associated with contraception access (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58, 95% CI 1.27–1.96) and anxiety/stress with similar risk (aOR 1.46, 1.17–1.82). A first depressive episode in the same year as sexual debut increased teenage pregnancy hazard (adjusted hazard ratio 2.70, 1.15–6.34). School surveillance showed mental health indicators correlated with contraception non-use at last sex (odds ratios 1.78–2.71). Among psychiatric inpatients, not knowing where to obtain contraception and access difficulties strongly predicted interest in information (aOR 2.96–3.33) and initiation (aOR 2.85–4.72). In a pediatric emergency department trial, same-day initiation occurred in 26.8% versus 3.1% under usual care. Conclusions: Evidence directly linking adolescent mental health symptoms to teen pregnancy is limited (one study), whereas multiple studies show associations with contraception knowledge/access and delayed or non-use, suggesting plausible indirect pathways to pregnancy risk. These findings support hypothesis-generating, integrated approaches and highlight the need for studies with teen pregnancy endpoints.

Background and Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare management and pharmaceutical marketing workflows, yet determinants of AI adoption intention among non-clinical professionals remain under-studied in Central and Eastern Europe. This cross-sectional study quantified AI adoption intention (AAI) across three professional groups and examined its organizational, cognitive, attitudinal, and regulatory correlates. Methods: We surveyed 127 Romanian professionals (43 hospital administrators, 42 pharmaceutical marketing professionals, 42 community pharmacy managers) using a 46-item structured instrument. The instrument combined items adapted from UTAUT/TAM and organizational-readiness measures with study-specific AI-marketing, AI-literacy, and regulatory-literacy items; Analyses included ANOVA with Tukey HSD, Spearman correlations, age-adjusted OLS regression with HC3 robust standard errors, bootstrap indirect-effect analysis, moderation, exploratory k-means clustering, and exploratory logistic/ROC analysis. Results: AAI differed across groups: pharmaceutical marketing 4.33 ± 0.50, hospital administrators 3.39 ± 0.47, and pharmacy managers 2.88 ± 0.54; all pairwise Tukey contrasts p < 0.001. In the multivariable model (R² = 0.833)—interpreted cautiously because conceptually related adoption constructs may overlap despite acceptable collinearity diagnostics—perceived usefulness, organizational readiness, and perceived ease of use were the strongest associated factors, while data governance concern was the main negative correlate. Perceived usefulness statistically accounted for 61.7% of the AI literacy–AAI indirect association, and regulatory literacy moderated the AI literacy–AAI association. An exploratory age-adjusted logistic model showed high within-sample discrimination for top-tertile AAI but should be interpreted as convergent validity among survey constructs rather than as a validated screening tool. Conclusions: AI adoption intention in Romanian medical management and pharmaceutical marketing is associated mainly with perceived usefulness and organizational readiness, tempered by data governance concern and regulatory knowledge. Longitudinal, multi-site, real-world implementation studies with external validation are needed.