F1000Research最新文献

{"title":"The genome sequence of <i>Tethysbaena scabra</i> (Pretus, 1991), the first known in the peracarid crustacean order <i>Thermosbaenacea</i>.","authors":"Joan Pons, Karen D Schöninger-Almaraz, Laura Triginer-Llabrés, Carlos Juan, Damià Jaume, José A Jurado-Rivera","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.161461.3","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.161461.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a genome assembly of <i>Tethysbaena scabra</i> (Arthropoda; Crustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Peracarida; Thermosbaenacea; Monodellidae), a species endemic to Mallorca, Spain. The genome size is 1.18 gigabases that is scaffolded into 17 chromosomes plus a mitochondrial genome of 16,5 kilobases in length.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"14 ","pages":"293"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12481149/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145205888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond stroke therapy, neuroaid (a chinese herbal) has an effect on cognition and neurogenesis, a bibliometric study.","authors":"Arman Yurisaldi Saleh, Riezky Valentina, Tirta Darmawan Susanto, Dwi Arwandi Yogi Saputra","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.152581.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.152581.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>NeuroAiD, also known as MLC601 or MLC901, is a Chinese herbal combination used worldwide for stroke treatment. It contains herbal components and five hewan components. MLC601 contains herbal components and hewan components, while MLC901 has a similar herbal composition. NeuroAiD is used to support neurologic recovery after stroke and to aid cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. Studies show that NeuroAiD has potential in treating Alzheimer's disease and is beneficial in both local and global stroke models and in the Kortikal culture. However, there is limited bibliometric research on NeuroAiD, which is a method of collecting data from published articles to analyze developments and trends in the field of research. This research contributes significantly to the literature and helps develop more effective stroke treatment strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this work, a literature review methodology is employed to gather data from the Scopus database using the keywords neuroaid. Data were analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software to produce visualizations and bibliometric maps. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The research trend found are documents by year, most relevant sources, factorial map of the most cited documents, factorial map of The documents with the highest contributes, documents by author, documents by country or territory, documents by subject area, documents by affiliation, network visualization, overlay visualization of scopus database using vosviewer, density visualization, thematic map, thematic evolution, topic dendogram, and world cloud.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study investigates the potential of Neuroaid, a neuroprotective drug, for stroke prevention and cognitive function enhancement. It uses terms like \"cognition\" and \"neurogenesis\" to highlight its potential. While the study's focus may be limited, it provides valuable insights into research direction and potential areas of neuroaid for stroke treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"799"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12476539/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145191564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of human platelet-rich fibrin lysate on collagen type I, collagen type III, and matrix metalloproteinase 1: a protocol study on rat models with pelvic organ prolapse.","authors":"Akbar Novan Dwi Saputra, Dicky Moch Rizal, Nandia Septiyorini, Muhammad Nurhadi Rahman, Yohanes Widodo Wirohadidjojo, Dwi Cahyani Ratna Sari, Raden Mas Sonny Sasotya","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.152876.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.152876.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent condition caused by weakened pelvic floor support structures. Extracellular matrix alterations, including changes in collagen type I, collagen type III, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition. Human platelet-rich fibrin lysate (hPRF-L) is a novel regenerative treatment that has shown beneficial results in treating structural weaknesses related to various pelvic floor diseases, including POP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study protocol aims to investigate the effects of hPRF-L injection on collagen I, III, and MMP-1 in the vaginal mucosa of a rat POP model. POP will be induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats, which will be randomly assigned to control, sham, and hPRF-L treatment groups. The hPRF-L group will receive weekly injections of hPRF-L (25, 50, or 75 μL) into the vaginal mucosa for 4 weeks. Vaginal tissue samples will be collected, and collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-1 expression will be evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses. Data analysis will be performed with ANOVA and post-hoc tests.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings from this study protocol are expected to provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which hPRF-L impacts the structural integrity of the pelvic floor. By elucidating these mechanisms, this study aims to inform future POP treatment strategies. The anticipated results are an increase in collagen type I and III expression and a reduction in MMP-1 levels in the hPRF-L treatment group compared to the control and sham groups. These outcomes could support the use of hPRF-L as a regenerative therapy for managing POP, offering a potential alternative to more invasive surgical interventions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The expected results will contribute to the development of less invasive treatments for POP, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1056"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12504941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of clinical, histological, TNF-α, and collagen expressions on oral ulcer in rats after treatment with <i>Areca catechu</i> L. nut and <i>Dendranthema grandiflora</i> oral gel.","authors":"Liza Meutia Sari, Zaki Mubarak, Dina Keumala Sari","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.54887.7","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.54887.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>A. catechu</i> ( <i>Areca catechu</i> Linn.; <i>A. catechu</i>) is the seed of the fruit of the oriental palm that is commonly used among Southeast Asian communities. <i>Dendrathema grandiflora</i> (chrysanthemum; <i>D. grandiflora</i>) is a flowering plant originating from East Asia and dominantly grows in China. Both of these plants have strong antioxidant activities. To investigate the mechanism of their wound healing activities, we prepared <i>A. catechu</i> and <i>D. grandiflora</i> polyethylene oral gel and performed several <i>in vivo</i> assays using Sprague-Dawley rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: Negative control group (rats with base gel treatment), positive control group (rats treated with triamcinolone acetonide), F1 (20% <i>A. catechu</i>:80% <i>D. grandiflora</i>), F2 (50% <i>A. catechu</i>:50% <i>D. grandiflora</i>), F3 (80% <i>A. catechu</i>:20% <i>D. grandiflora</i>), and normal group. Traumatic ulcers were performed on the buccal mucosa of all experimental animals that received topical oral gel and triamcinolone acetonide twice a day for seven days. The clinical and histological characteristics were analyzed and scored.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the six days, the ulcerated area receded linearly over time and was completely cicatrized in F2, F3, and positive control group (Dependent t-test, p<0.05). There were significant increases in body weight in F2 and positive control groups. There were no significant differences between groups in histology examination (Kruskal Wallis test, p<0.05). The moderate score of TNF-α levels was seen in F2 and positive control groups (ANOVA/Tukey test, p<0.05). In the collagenase assay, high concentration of <i>A. catechu</i> (F3) induced the abundant of collagen during the ulcer healing process.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The combination of <i>A. catechu</i> and <i>D. grandiflora</i> extract in the oral gel can optimize the healing of traumatic oral ulcers in Sprague-Dawley rats through the increase of TNF-α and collagen deposition.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"10 ","pages":"623"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12475897/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blockchain-enhanced electoral integrity: a robust model for secure digital voting systems in Oman.","authors":"Abdul Shaikh, Naresh Adhikari, Amril Nazir, Abdul Salam Shah, Saranjam Baig, Hafedh Al Shihi","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.160087.3","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.160087.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ensuring the security and trustworthiness of a digitized and automated electoral process remains a significant challenge in democratic systems. As digital voting systems are increasingly being investigated worldwide, ensuring the integrity of the process using robust security measures is of great importance. This paper presents a simplified model to enhance electoral integrity by leveraging Blockchain technology in the context of Oman's digital voting system. The model uses Blockchain technology to create a secure and trustworthy voting environment, addressing key vulnerabilities in digital electoral systems.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The research utilized a quantitative approach, employing an experimental design methodology using open-source software to simulate voting systems. Synthetic population data is used to operate these systems, while advanced biometric authentication technologies verify voter identities. Blockchain technology is leveraged to ensure secure vote recording, with smart contracts used to authenticate voters and securely record votes. Additionally, synchronous transactions are executed for both voter registration and voting processes, enhancing the overall security and efficiency of the system.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The experimental results show that Blockchain enhances electoral integrity and security in Oman's voting system, improving elections' transparency and reliability. The performance evaluation of the model focuses on efficiency, reliability, and scalability metrics. Asynchronous transactions are utilized to improve processing time for voter registration and voting. Election administrators can manage, monitor, and certify election results, while Ethereum nodes ensure decentralized verification and transparency in the voting process.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This research offers insights for policymakers to consider Blockchain for electoral reforms, addressing issues like data integrity, fraud prevention, and transparency to boost voter trust. A strong regulatory framework and public awareness are crucial for successful implementation. Pilot projects are needed to assess Blockchain's practical impact. Oman could lead global innovation in electoral technology, though infrastructure and public resistance challenges must be managed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"14 ","pages":"223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12397734/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144948327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of prescription pattern and adverse drug reactions of drugs used in Urinary Tract Infection in reproductive age group (15-44 years) women in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India: An observational retrospective study.","authors":"Gayatri Patil, Sushil Varma","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.149264.5","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.149264.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent bacterial infection among women of reproductive age. Inappropriate and irrational prescribing of antibiotics <b>-such as the use of unapproved fixed-dose combinations or empirical broad-spectrum therapy-</b>has contributed to growing antimicrobial resistance. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) further complicate treatment outcomes, yet remain underreported, especially in routine outpatient practice. Therefore, an assessment of current prescribing patterns is essential to promote rational drug use. Additionally, evaluation of adverse drug reactions remains important for patient safety and pharmacovigilance.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>•To describe the prescribing patterns of drugs used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) among women of reproductive age (15-44 years).•To evaluate the incidence, type, and severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as documented in hospital records.•To assess the prescription of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) and combination antimicrobial therapy in relation to standard treatment guidelines (WHO, NLEM 2022).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective observational study based on outpatient department (OPD) prescriptions for women aged 15-44 years diagnosed with community-acquired, uncomplicated UTIs at a tertiary care hospital in Central India. Data from 139 prescription records <b>will be retrieved from the medical record section and analyzed.</b> Prescribing indicators, documented ADRs, and use of FDCs will be assessed against national guidelines using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"417"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12441663/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integration of Democratic Values ​​in Natural Sciences Education: a Review of the Literature of the Last 50 Years.","authors":"Santiago Monsalve-Silva, Gabriel Otalvaro-García, Laura Sofía Cajica Velandia, Ana Dolores Vargas Sánchez","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.154069.4","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.154069.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines how democratic values have been promoted through natural sciences education over the last 50 years, providing a comprehensive analysis based on a systematic review of relevant literature. The central problem addressed is understanding the role of natural science education in fostering democratic values such as equity, participation, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility. This research aims to identify and analyze strategies, methodologies, and transformative experiences that contribute to the promotion of democratic values. This study employs the PRISMA methodology to ensure a rigorous and structured systematic review. Data were collected from multiple databases using detailed Boolean equations. Tools such as ScientoPy and VOSviewer were used for data preprocessing, clustering, and network visualization, followed by qualitative analysis to categorize the findings. Educational programs in natural sciences have increasingly integrated democratic values, fostering a culture of inclusivity and participation; the incorporation of ICT has enhanced equity and participation, while civic education has been fundamental in developing critical and informed citizens; citizen science initiatives have empowered students to engage in democratic deliberation and address epistemic injustice; cooperative learning methods in science classes have effectively promoted gender equity and inclusion; and emphasis on sustainability and environmental justice in science education has promoted democratic values and empowered students to take action on global challenges. In conclusion, natural science education is an effective vehicle for promoting democratic values, but it is an understudied field. By integrating practices that emphasize inclusivity, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility, science education not only enhances students' scientific understanding but also prepares them to be active, informed, and responsible citizens.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"940"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12413607/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145014223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Salivary HLA-DR4 and MMP-8 Levels Along with <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> in Periodontitis Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.","authors":"Shaymaa Abdulkareem Nori, Batool Hassan Al-Ghurabi, Nik Nairan Abdullah","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.164552.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.164552.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic infectious inflammatory disease that affects the tissues supporting teeth and results in a progressive deterioration of the alveolar bone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systemic autoimmune disease that has been associated with increased severity of periodontal disease. This study aimed to assess the clinical and immunological characteristics of PD in individuals with and without RA and to compare these characteristics with a healthy control group.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included three groups; thirty patients with PD, thirty patients with PD and RA, and twenty healthy control participants. Clinical periodontal parameters [plaque Index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL)] were assessed. Salivary biomarkers, including human leukocyte antigen-DR4 (HLA-DR4), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the microbial load of <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> ( <i>P. gingivalis</i>) was determined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings showed that salivary HLA-DR4 levels were significantly lower in patient groups compared with healthy controls (P = 0.000), whereas salivary MMP-8 and ACPA levels were significantly elevated in patients (P = 0.034) and (P = 0.001) respectively, with no significant differences between the patient groups(P > 0.05). On the other hand, microbial load was significantly higher in the PD with and without RA groups than that in controls (P = 0.001), with a positive correlation between microbial load and CAL in the PD-RA group.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"14 ","pages":"615"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12516180/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145291682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Case Report: Delayed Diagnosis of Leprosy-Related Neuropathic Ulcer, Insights from a Case of Delay to Diagnose across Four Clinical Settings.","authors":"Saldy Yusuf","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.157023.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.157023.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neuropathy is common in both Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Leprosy, often resulting in neuropathic ulcers. Leprosy-related neuropathic ulcers are frequently misdiagnosed as DM-related, causing delays in appropriate care. We report a case which had been misdiagnosed at three different healthcare centers before receiving the correct diagnosis and management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The case report adopt the CARE Guidelines and was conducted at the Wound Care Specialist Clinic. Data were collected using a Minimum Data Set (MDS) to capture demographics, health history, and history of treatments. A head-to-toe assessment focused on the eyes, hands, and feet, with neuropathy, confirmed using the Semmes Weinstein Monofilament test, and angiopathy was assessed by palpating the dorsal pedis and posterior tibialis pulse. Wound care interventions consisted of cleansing, debridement, and dressing. Given the similarities between Leprosy-related neuropathic ulcers and DM-related neuropathic ulcers, the DMIST (depth, maceration, inflammation/infection, size, tissue type of the wound bed, type of wound edge, and tunnelling/undermining) tool was used to evaluate wound healing progress.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anamnesis indicated patient has no DM, with normal blood glucose; however, the patient had neuropathic wounds on her feet, asymmetrical eyebrow distribution, and rashes on her hands and calves, with neuropathy confirmed by a monofilament test-initial treatment involved Cadexomer Iodine powder to control bacterial growth and Honey-based gel to promote granulation. Over 62 days, 11 treatments were administered, with an average dressing change every 5.6 days, which improved the DMIST score from 12 to 4 by the end of observation day.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case report highlights the significance of distinguishing leprosy-related neuropathic ulcers from those associated with DM to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. By employing comprehensive assessment tools and targeted wound care interventions, significant improvements in wound healing were achieved, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and clinical vigilance in managing Leprosy-related neuropathic ulcers.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1211"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12504931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revealing Principal Components, Patterns, and Structural Gaps in Health Security among High-Income Countries: A Comparative Analysis Using PCA and a Multi-Scenario Clustering Approach.","authors":"Adel A Nasser, Mijahed Nasser Aljober, Abed Saif Ahmed Alghawli, Amani A K Essayed","doi":"10.12688/f1000research.168082.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/f1000research.168082.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant weaknesses in health security systems, even in high-income countries (HICs), underscoring the necessity for a more nuanced understanding of their distinct strengths and vulnerabilities. Existing research often offers broad evaluations and fails to capture the complex internal dynamics of health-security performance. This study seeks to fill this gap by identifying the latent factors that define health security capacities in HICs and clustering countries based on these factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multistage analytical framework was employed based on the 2017-2021 Global Health Security Index (GHSI) dataset. Initially, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was applied to the 37 GHSI indicators to reduce dimensionality and reveal latent structures within the data. This process identified nine principal components for the subsequent analysis. Subsequently, K-means clustering was utilized under three methodological scenarios: using countries' average scores across the nine extracted components, based on 13 high-loading indicators from the first principal component, and using aggregated scores across the six original GHSI categories. This design facilitated a comprehensive comparison of the clustering outcomes across different data representations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis found nine components that together explained 74.50% of the total differences, with the first component-\"Foundational Capacity, Regulations, Resilience, and Prevention-Detection Systems\"-making up 37.62% of that total. Together, the first three components explained 51.81% of the total variance. Clustering across all three scenarios categorized high-income countries into four levels, revealing significant disparities. Nauru, the Cook Islands, and Palau consistently ranked lowest, highlighting critical gaps in foundational capacities and systemic readiness despite their high-income status. This study shows that wealth alone does not ensure preparedness, revealing distinct performance patterns and weaknesses across countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings underscore the need for tailored policies, multi-method evaluations, and sustained global cooperation to enhance resilience and guide investments in national and global health security.</p>","PeriodicalId":12260,"journal":{"name":"F1000Research","volume":"14 ","pages":"769"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12441671/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}