Processing of Chinese Materia Medica (PCMM) is the concentrated embodiment, which is the core of Chinese unique traditional pharmaceutical technology. The processing includes the preparation steps such as cleansing, cutting and stir-frying, to make certain impacts on the quality and efficacy of Chinese botanical drugs. The rapid development of new computer digital technologies, such as big data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and cloud computing artificial intelligence, has promoted the rapid development of traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing industry with digitalization and intellectualization. In this review, the application of digital intelligence technology in the PCMM was analyzed and discussed, which hopefully promoted the standardization of the process and secured the quality of botanical drugs decoction pieces. Through the intellectualization and the digitization of production, safety and effectiveness of clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pieces were ensured. This review also provided a theoretical basis for further technical upgrading and high-quality development of TCM industry. So the corresponding changes of drug processing will improve the efficacy and indications, reduce the toxicity, enhance the clinical efficacy, and increase the clinical use. The theory of processing medicine and the theory of differential usage of the raw and cooked medicine were reported  DC.  was made into Rehmanniae radix praeparata by multiple steaming and drying with yellow rice wine, its property changed from cold to warm, and its efficacy changed from clearing to tonifying. The steaming and drying repeats created the medicinal components with antioxidant activity of rehmannia radix (Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke  was changed from diarrhea to tonifying  W.T.Wang ex Z.Y.Su and C.Y.Wu  (Processing of Chinese Materia Medica (PCMM) refers to the processing Chinese botanical drugs by roasting, firing, frying, washing, soaking, bleaching, steaming, boiling and other methods. The purpose of processing is to eliminate or reduce the toxicity of the drug, to enhance the efficacy, to facilitate medicine preparation and storage, and to purify the botanical drugs. Under the guidance of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, the proper processing is designed along the therapeutic nature of the drug and eliminates or balances the bias and toxicity, the effects of ascending, descending, floating and sinking, and the meridian tropism of drug, reported . For exaredients . After tia radix . After sonifying . The anarhizoma] . These aHowever, the processing traditional Chinese decoction is generally empirical, and there are obvious problems in the PCMM decoction pieces, such as backward or old equipment, low efficiency, no or very few digitalization and intelligence, and insufficient standardization . The devIn this review, the application of digital intelligence technology in the PCMM was reviewed on three major aspects: overview of process of PCMM, application of digital-intellectualization technology in PCMM, and digital-intellectualization industrial transformation of PCMM. The shortcomings of traditional methods in the processing of PCMM and the application significance of digital intelligence technology are shown in PCMM is a key factor affecting the quality and efficacy of decoction pieces. Usually, the botanical drugs are processed by fire after cleansing and cutting, so they are also called stir-frying. The commonly used stir-frying methods include stir-baking, steaming, boiling, and calcining. At present, in the general rules of the appendix of the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (ChP), the processing methods are systematically, completely and scientifically classified as cleansing processing, cutting processing, stir-frying and other processing . The proCleansing, also known as pure selection, is the first step in the processing PCMM. Generally, the purpose of removing impurities, size grading, removing non-medicinal parts and separating medicinal portions is achieved by selecting, screening, selection in wind (separating impurities from drugs by wind according to different specific gravity of drugs and impurities) and magnetic separation  to ensure the accuracy of each medicinal amount in the prescription.Cutting processing refers to the processing softening the purified medicinal materials with cutting them into slices, filaments, segments, blocks or other shapes with appropriate cutting tools. After cutting, it is easier to crush process, extract the effective components, and facilitate the preparation of decoctions and other preparations. In addition to fresh and dry cutting, the cutting methods may soften the medicinal materials. Generally, according to the characteristics of medicinal materials and the conditions of season and temperature, different methods such as leaching, washing, soaking, bleaching, and moistening are adopted to soften dry medicinal materials by absorbing a certain amount of moisture. The soften degree is checked by the bending method, finger pinch method, puncture method, and others in order to have a better cutting. However, at present, it is difficult to control the processing parameters during soaking and moistening. Long-term soaking may cause a significant loss of effective components. If the moistening is not appropriate, successful cutting may not be achieved .The cut medicinal materials contain more water and must be dried in time to maintain the quality for decoction pieces. During the drying process, temperature, time, and drying methods affect the degree of drying, and sometimes lead to changes in metabolites or content, and biological activity . The sizStir-frying generally refers to a processing method of Chinese botanical drugs by fire. The heat, temperature, time, acid and alkali environment, varieties or amount of excipients, applied in the stir-frying processing affect the efficacy of processed products. It is necessary to standardize the processing, so that the effective components and botanical drugs of medicinal materials are fully retained, for ensuring the effectiveness of medicinal materials. The heat may be different with the mild fire, medium fire and martial fire. The commonly used heating methods are stir-baking, steaming, boiling and calcining. Adding different varieties or amount of excipients, the stir-frying processing may change the “four properties and five flavors”  in the drug, thus may alter the therapeutic effect. Obtaining a variety of processed products of a drug may be appropriate for specific clinical treatment. Excipients are mainly divided into liquid excipients and solid excipients. The input of excipients may have an effect on the contents of botanical drugs of drugs, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency .Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino , Arisaema erubescens  Schott , Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano and Hett.  and other Araceae botanical drugs are often processed by duplication method.Other methods include duplication, making frost-like powder, levigating, sprouting and fermentation . Pinellietc., and the fermentation processing must be completed in one processing step without interruption. The temperature and humidity, pH value and medium substrate should be checked and monitored in real time to avoid unwanted bacterial growing, mildew and rancidity caused by environmental factors. In addition, making frost-like powder, levigating and dry distillation are also the characteristics of PCMM. In these processing methods, firepower, temperature, time, water addition and excipients may also affect the quality of decoction pieces to a certain degree.Fermentation method requires controlled environment of temperature, humidity, moisture, etc. The quality of Chinese medicine decoction piece is still difficult to quantify, to evaluate, to control, and to maintain efficiency, through the extensive processing steps. These difficulties become the key scientific limitation restricting the development of Chinese botanical drugs industry.The processing is a key factor to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Chinese botanical drugs. At present, the PCMM has a good science and technology foundation and careful scale measurement. There are, however, still some difficulties, such as the characteristic processing technology on the verge of being lost, the lack of innovation, the lack of brand quality, and the lack of precise clinical application, the combination of digital intelligence and intelligent digitalization. At present, the main branches of artificial intelligence applications include machine learning (ML), machine vision, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial neural network (ANN), robotics and expert system, etc.  has powerful visual information on processing capabilities and may achieve efficient hierarchical feature expression of data. CNN plays an important role in applications such as image classification and detection in processing control . TherefoIn the process of softening, many water-soluble active ingredients may be lost or destroyed to varying degrees. As for cutting, different kinds of medicinal materials may be discussed separately. Combining advanced computer vision technology with deep learning architecture, the image data sets of different kinds of plant medicinal materials are constructed. The mathematical model of rhizome cutting specification is established; and the cutting of different specifications and tablets is designed by intelligent conversion of blade position . The cirIn the PCMM, heat refers to the size and duration of fire when the drug is heated, which is a key factor affecting the quality of decoction pieces. Studies have shown that with the change of fire degree, the content of volatile components, amino acids and reduced sugars in drugs have changed significantly . TherefoThe contents of chemical components and biological activity of drugs may be changed by steaming, boiling, and frying under different air pressures . MaillarDue to the particularity of Chinese medicine decoction pieces, it is not only necessary to control the process of PCMM but also to test the quality of the final pieces to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drug. At present, many scholars have achieved stable and rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis through new technical methods such as electronic sensors, Fourier transform near-infrared technology , DesorptLonicera japonica Thunb.  and the steaming processing of Gastrodia elata Blume  by NIR spectroscopy as a processing analysis tool combined with real-time release sensor and chemometrics. Thus, the quality of drugs and therapeutic effect were significantly improved. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge  using metabolomic data, which was helpful to select the best processing technology of Salviae miltiorrhizae radix et rhizoma according to the actual needs. Therefore, a combination of NIR spectroscopy, metabolomics, Gas Chromatography-ion Migration Spectrometry (GC-IMS) ((GC-IMS) , online (GC-IMS)  and othe(GC-IMS) . For som(GC-IMS) . DNA bar(GC-IMS) . In addi(GC-IMS) .Through data mining (DM), the database of raw and processed products of traditional Chinese medicinal materials was established; the internal relationship between raw and processed products of traditional Chinese medicine and processing steps was analyzed; the related model of processing and quality of decoction pieces was constructed; and the conditions and regulation of processing steps were established . Based oThe research on the technology in producing PCMM is an important link to realize the standardization of the traditional Chinese medicine processing. ML is the core of artificial intelligence, which may predict new and invisible data based on previous observed results and data, so that the computer may automatically learn without manual intervention, to adjust the operation accordingly, and to make decisions automatically. It is often divided into three categories: supervised learning, unsupervised learning and reinforcement learning . The labWith the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, the future factory will be highly digital and intelligent to meet the needs of real-time, flexible, personalized and automated monitoring of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and will realize the intelligent production of ‘Internet + manufacturing’ . The onlHardware equipment is the infrastructure of the industrial production. With the acceleration of the modernization of TCM, the processing equipment needs to be constantly innovated. The standardization of traditional Chinese medicine processing equipment is the premise of the standardization of processing parameters. The development of digital intelligent processing equipment is helpful to solve the modernization problem of TCM decoction piece industry.The sensor can objectively show the shape, color and taste of the drug through the digital form of the sensitive element, which is the first link to realize automatic detection and control. New sensors are added to the processing equipment, and the corresponding mathematical model is established. The artificial intelligence system is used for automatic control, and the technological innovation is achieved to promote the new equipment creation. The traditional processing technologies such as levigating, dry distillation, duplication, and roasting are combined with modern microwave technology, cyclone and foam separation, mass transfer and heat transfer, and biotransformation to develop new processing equipment.The stir-frying equipment is the most characteristic pharmaceutical equipment of traditional Chinese medicine. Taking the stir-baking equipment as an example, the stir-frying machine is transformed into a fuel gas heat source supply and automatic temperature control system, which may not only achieve rapid heating, but also use the real-time, continuous and non-contact measurement of the temperature in the pot by a temperature sensor. It is truly the digital monitored and managed PCMM processing . Non-conBased on the application of the above-mentioned digital intelligent technology in the processing and the digital intelligent processing equipment, an efficient digital intelligent production line of Chinese medicine decoction pieces may be designed . By autoAconite lateralis radix praeparata), an important medicine for restoring “Yang” and rescuing patient from collapse, as an example . Numeral intelligent processing makes all traditional experience objective and information, production processing and quality control, into digital and intelligent controlled processing. New technology aims to improve the problems of distinguishing, evaluating and controlling the quality of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces through extensive processing with low efficiency. Through the multi-dimensional holographic processing property characterization, the electronic rapid identification of the shape and taste quality of decoction pieces, and the intelligent control of fire temperature and other technologies, the traditional processing technology may be thoroughly innovated and improved. The scientific content of TCM may be improved. The modern development needs may be met. The clinical application of characteristic decoction pieces may be expanded. The high-quality industrial benefits may be achieved. The intelligent manufacturing of a number of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces may be achieved. This paper reviewed the application of digital intellectualization technology in the processing of TCM, which promoted the standardization of the processing, the standardization of the quality of decoction pieces, the digitalization and intellectualization of production, and the safety and effectiveness of clinical use of TCM decoction pieces. At the same time, this review also provided a theoretical basis for the technical progress and high-quality development of TCM industry in the future.


Sir,Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by the Leishmania parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sand flies. The disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including disfiguring skin lesions and scars that may leave permanent psychosocial effects, such as declining mental health, social exclusion, and stigma . Moreover, infected individuals are at a higher risk of suffering from lower quality of life, depression, anxiety, low body image, and loss of social status. There are several barriers to effective diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis, including poor health literacy, poverty, and limited access to healthcare in some regions. These factors can make it difficult for individuals to seek timely and appropriate care for the disease, which can lead to further complications and negative health outcomes .Community-based interventions are an important strategy for the prevention and treatment of leishmaniasis. These interventions typically focus on reducing contact between humans and the sand fly vectors that transmit the disease, as well as controlling vector populations through the use of insecticides and other measures.Protective management strategies, such as bed nets, can also be effective in reducing the risk of infection. In addition, efforts to reduce the reservoir host populations can help to limit the number of infected individuals.Community participation is crucial in the success of these interventions, as it can help to increase compliance with preventive measures and promote awareness about the importance of seeking treatment. Education and training for health professionals, volunteers, and community members on screening and treatment methods can also play an important role in improving outcomes for individuals with leishmaniasis .Community-based interventions can take many different forms, and may vary in terms of their content, design, and intended outcomes. These interventions are generally aimed at improving the health status and understanding of health issues among community residents, particularly those living in areas where leishmaniasis is endemic.Ultimately, the effectiveness of community-based interventions will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific context in which they are implemented, the resources available, and the level of community engagement and participation. However, when designed and implemented effectively, these interventions can play an important role in reducing the burden of leishmaniasis and improving the health outcomes of affected individuals and communities . Community-based interventions can take place in a variety of settings, including neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, religious institutions, charitable organizations, and government agencies. These interventions may be focused on mobilizing the public through a range of strategies, such as financial incentives, health education programs, information campaigns, and supportive groups.In addition, efforts to improve access to health services and eliminate financial barriers can also play an important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality of leishmaniasis. Training and education activities can help to build the capacity of health professionals and community members to effectively diagnose and treat the disease, while also promoting preventive behaviors and early detection .In conclusion, community-based interventions can be a critical component of efforts to prevent and treat leishmaniasis, particularly given the complex and multifaceted nature of the disease. Addressing the physical and psychosocial complications of leishmaniasis, such as scars, financial barriers, and healthcare accessibility, is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of the disease.To be effective, community-based interventions must be designed with a holistic and comprehensive approach that takes into account the individual behaviors and social relationships within communities, as well as the broader political and economic context. This may involve working with local governments and other stakeholders to develop policies and strategies that promote effective prevention and treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as engaging with community members directly to promote awareness and education about the disease.Ultimately, the success of community-based interventions will depend on a range of factors, including the level of community engagement and participation, the availability of resources and infrastructure, and the effectiveness of implementation strategies. However, when designed and implemented effectively, these interventions can play a critical role in improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of leishmaniasis in affected communities.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.


To describe the construction process of an intercultural care program for international migrants in northwestern Mexico.Report of professional experiences, according to what was suggested by Daltro and Faria.The development and evolution of care for international migrants has favored the elaboration of a community-like Social Service Program for students of a public university in northwestern Mexico, so that intercultural health and health care for this population become part of the curricular training of the new generations of nursing graduates, in a context in which international migration is a topic of great social and cultural relevance.Salud-Migrante program will enhance compliance with international recommendations on universal health for migrants, promoting respect for identity and cultural diversity in their actions.The construction and application of the  Among these, not having access to health services, violence in the migratory process, socioeconomic barriers, illiteracy, language differences, and even the development of risk behaviors, driven by the epidemiological conditions of the countries through which they transit, can be considered,3,4.Recent estimates indicate that 3.6% of the global population are international migrants, the equivalent of 281 million people. Under these settings and characteristics, one can state that this population is at risk of developing and acquiring communicable and non-communicable diseases, accidents, addiction and mental health problems, among others. This has led nursing, as a care science, to generate theoretical-methodological contributions that seek to understand, study, and address these social problems in a culturally sensitive way,7,8.On this basis, it should be considered that the presence of migrants in a particular context implies the existence of cultural diversity, since there are many nationalities, languages, habits, beliefs, and practices that move with them. Under this premise, the concepts of dialogue and negotiation are elementary, establishing that between two figures in which a relationship is established, in this case nursing professional and patient, there are inequalities and inequities. Thus, interculturality is considered one of the most sensitive trends to the needs for interaction, development, and growth of a culturally diverse population group that joins another that is culturally different.Regarding the existing relationship between migrants and new contexts, it becomes necessary to consider the term of interculturality, which is defined as, “a communication and interaction tool that focuses on creating the conditions for dialogue, conflict management, and negotiation between individuals in diverse societies”Salud Intercultural, SI), which is an action recommended by various international organizations,11,12. Intercultural health can be defined as “the interaction between cultures in a respectful, horizontal, and synergistic way, where the idea is that no cultural group is above the other, favoring at all times the integration and coexistence of both parties”. It is inferred that those policies, programs, strategies, and actions that are developed under this concept shall consider the knowledge and practices in health, based on the individual or collective experience. It should be noted that it not only focuses on the interaction among people, but also on the need for integration and synergistic work of existing health systems, thus vindicating the historical evolution of populations that have been minimized or invisibilitized.A contribution that has been highlighted for the improvement of health care for migrants is Intercultural Health  and the Cultural Competence Model in caring for the person.Initially, the Transcultural Nursing can be defined as:. This contribution has gained strength over time thanks to the modification of socio-cultural spaces worldwide. Transcultural Nursing stands out for its generalization, because it recognizes culture as a global element of the human being, starting from the need to discover care and the individuals’ cultural behaviors, as a way of influencing their health, thus consolidating a consistent, safe, and responsible care activity.“A formal area of humanistic and scientific knowledge and practice focused on the phenomena and competencies of holistic cultural care to help individuals or groups to maintain or regain their health (or well-being) and to cope with disabilities, death, or other human conditions, in a culturally coherent and beneficial way. For the use of this theory, an understanding of concepts is required, as follows: Cultural Care Diversity: the differences in meanings, models, values, ways of life and symbols of care between societies or communities that are directly related to the application of care activities to the person .– Universality of cultural care: the similarity or uniformity in the meanings, models, values, ways of life, and symbols of care manifested among many cultures and that reflect care as an element of universal humanity.– Moreover, every society develops forms of care specifically associated with its culture, for example, traditional Chinese medicine, or traditional Mexican medicine; however, if the person is not in their environment  their thoughts and forms of care are different, and barriers may arise, interfering with prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery processes. Some barriers from the receiving systems are the lack of knowledge of the migrant’s language, the lack of knowledge about historical-cultural factors and intercultural health,18”. For this, the nursing staff should consider the application of one of these actions: Cultural care conservation: Actions and professional decisions of assistance, support, facilitation, and training that help people of a culture to recover or preserve significant care values, for their well-being, to recover from illnesses or to know how to face physical or mental impediments.– Adaptation of cultural care: Those actions that allow the person to adapt or reach an agreement with other cultures, to obtain beneficial and satisfactory results.– Reorientation of cultural care: They are actions that allow people to reorganize, change their life models (ways of caring) to obtain different and beneficial results.– This way, the theory states that in the relationship with the person, nursing staff shall provide culturally appropriate care, which can be considered as the “explicit use of care and culture-based health knowledge, in a sensitive, creative and meaningful way, that adapts to lifestyles and general needs of individuals or groups for well-being, and beneficial and satisfactory health or to cope with illness, disability or death. This way, seeking a real approach to the person becomes fundamental, inviting us to understand the work methodologies to have an in-depth comprehension of the elements of life that are around health issues. Thus, the Cultural Competence in care emerges as a proposal to strengthen the contributions of the Transcultural Nursing theory.They promote decision-making awareness of cultural needs, which reduces conflicts arising from health care due to cultural differences, which lead to distance between the health staff and the population, and prevents discrimination and the imposition of ethnocentric thinkingMCC). This model, provided by nursing, establishes the need to understand and know the influence of the culture of individuals, families, and communities in various aspects of daily life–22, particularly in scenarios where health personnel, and especially nursing professionals, acquire an ethical and professional responsibility, in which understanding, knowing, and recognizing the value of people from their cultural contexts is vital within the process of care, which directly interferes with the nursing professional/person relationship,23.On the other hand, one of the models that has stood out in the literature is the Cultural Competence Model , in the city of Mexicali, in the state of Baja California (BC) in Mexico, where efforts were made in 2018 and 2019 to provide prevention care. These activities were carried out in key community settings, such as points where migrants found temporary and low-paid jobs or near the border wall, also called “The Line” or “Trump’s Wall.”The data described is presented chronologically, in such a way that the progress and evolution of the actions carried out with the community of national and international migrants are demonstrated. As recommended, the narrative was made clearly considering the theoretical references and the positions for the development of reflections.The presentation of this experience is not considered a research activity, therefore it was not submitted to the Research Ethics Committee of the academic entity. However, during the approaches to migrant communities, the bioethical principles and human rights of the people with whom interactions were established were followed.This contribution is contextualized within the northwest border landmark of Mexico-United States, in the city of Mexicali, Baja California (BC), Mexico, which is a point where people of different nationalities arrive through land or air and it is also a regular and irregular point of entry to the State of California in the United States.. A large part of this population of migrants is subject to the regulations of the immigration policy of both Mexico and the United States, since many are in the Mexican territory, waiting to receive a response to their asylum claim according to the United States guidelines and policies.From January to December 2022, the migration statistics of the Government of Mexico, regarding people in an irregular situation in BC, refers to the presence of 44.411 people, of which 9.097 were located in this border city. In this scenario, international migrants in a regular situation with temporary (299) and permanent (649 people) visas, as well as those who have requested a stay for humanitarian reasons (251), must also be considered. This situation implies the presence of people from different contexts and socio-cultural needs which proposes a structure that allows migrants to access medical care, health surveillance, and public health services, responding to the wide range of health problems. Initially, health promotion was carried out on topics such as prevention of hypertension, diet, prevention of addictions and sexually transmitted infections, in addition to anthropometric measurements (weight and height).When relating this situation to health care, the fact that Mexico is a country that establishes universality in health, which grants every person who is in the Mexican territory the right to access its protection, is highlighted, and that is why the Mexican government developed the Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Migrant PopulationPIASPM) of the Mexican government. However, at various times when professors and researchers sought the collaboration of public health institutions that provided care to vulnerable populations, it was highlighted that the efforts made by them were not structured according to the PIASPM and only responded to emerging social and health needs.In these approaches, which included health brigades, humanitarian aid campaigns for clothing and food, and research projects on community intervention, work was done with migrants from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Haiti, as well as those from the south of Mexico. These actions were considered to contribute to those established in the Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Migrant Population ; within the most representative populations, migrants of Central American origin and Haitians who resided in vulnerable areas of the city are highlighted.The cultural differences became evident with the Haitian population (mainly language) and established the need to address disease prevention from an intercultural approach, a situation with which actions and studies were developed to strengthen cultural competence in what regards access to health services during their transit through the northwestern region of Mexico and on the topic of STI prevention. This situation led to meetings with social and spiritual leaders (barbershops and churches) of the community and later to coexistence and routine interaction.In the process of knowledge of cultural constructs, the Cultural Competence model was used, where through meetings, interviews, and interaction with the various communities, there was a progression to stage number three (consciously competent), which allowed understanding the functioning and representation of health in its migration context. In view of this, maintaining health status becomes critical to allow people to go on moving, while accidents and injuries hinder continuing on the road. The perceived difficulties in accessing health services due to the language were also marked, where the effort of local personnel was focused on explaining with signs and from Spanish, the actions to be carried out. The perception of discrimination based on skin color is also taken up again, a situation associated with long waits in health institutions.“kapot” (Haitian Creole word for condom) is out of step with religious beliefs. As a result of these interactions, significant and sensitive learning was obtained in terms of education for condom use and from which qualitative articles were published that allowed increasing cultural competence,29, leading to the comprehension of the importance of religious beliefs in protected sexual relations and the perception of access to health services during transit to northern Mexico.The increase in the demand of care services for Haitian women’s pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium, as well as the strengthening of relations between Haitian men and Mexican women, were elements of great interest generated from the observation in the field work. In this regard, and from the perspective of the population addressed, the use of As a result of all this, in the year 2021, the cultural adaptation of an intervention was carried out to increase the use of condoms by Haitian migrant men, in which beliefs, language, habits, and even social and labor dynamics were considered in the Mexican context. Two courses of three sessions each were given, with a total population of 34 migrant men. The activities addressed topics about STIs and HIV, myths and realities, training for the use of the external condom and considerations regarding sexual health during the migration process. This way, a close relationship with the Haitian migrant community was consolidated, which allowed continuing with health activities, as well as volunteer service.The experience regarding the approach of the diverse populations over the years led a member of the group of FEM-UABC’s professors to pursue specialization studies on international migration during the year 2022, in which he proposed, as a final project, the evaluation of the Mexican program established for the migrants health care. For this, meetings were held with those responsible for shelters and public humanitarian support centers to understand the scope of the public health system, as well as their real needs, a situation that led to meetings with OIM representatives and efforts to donate food and winter clothing, and the development of health brigades to shelters in vulnerable areas of the city of Mexicali.Salud Migrante” , was designed and created, the objective of which was to develop activities for disease prevention and health promotion with an intercultural approach, in shelters, refuges, and temporary camps in the city of Mexicali Baja California, Mexico.With all the experience acquired over the years and with the increase in cultural competence regarding health needs and the phenomenon of international migration, the processes began to consolidate a proposal that would allow an approach by organized groups of university students, for which a Community Social Service Project called Health Program for Migrants, with an Intercultural Approach “The structure of this project implies that students are trained in international migration, current migratory flows in the region of the Americas, intercultural health, and cultural competence. Thus, the proposal is to develop, in each institution, nine sessions of approximately one hour with educational strategies focused on the community, under the following thematic axes: tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, gastrointestinal infections, oral health problems, addiction prevention, prevention of gender and/or sexual violence, cancer prevention in women and men, prevention of HIV and other STIs, and promotion of maternal and child health.Salud Migrante project during 2023 aims to generate a social impact, to promote access to disease prevention and health promotion services for national and international migrant populations, at risk of developing or acquiring communicable and noncommunicable diseases, alterations caused by environmental and animal factors, injuries due to violence and accidents, in the context of the northwest border of Mexico.The application of the Salud Migrante program has been selected and approved by internal calls of this university and is registered as active in the Comprehensive System of Social Service of the UABC. It receives financial resources for student scholarships, with students from all areas of knowledge, particularly from the area of health, being invited to contribute with actions or strategies from their disciplines to improve the health of the international migrant population. In the long term, the creation of groups of nursing students for the migrants’ health is expected, in the Mexican cities through which they transit to the United States.To date, the The construction of health-related proposals, based on the work with migrant populations, is an issue that allows demonstrating the need to incorporate intercultural health and cultural competence in nursing care, which strengthens the provision of congruent cultural care. A globalized world that favors migratory movements requires a great commitment from public and private health services. Health professionals have acquired the responsibility of providing quality care based on scientific and humanistic knowledge, developing community-type projects, promoting quality care, and adding efforts to international recommendations for health universality, a situation in which the migrant population, at least in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean, has greater opportunities to achieve the migratory objectives of better health conditions.The challenge of applying this knowledge in structured programs is vast, since it implies, to a great extent, personal dedication and large economic financing to effectively influence the complex scenarios in which migrants find themselves. Moreover, the permanent link with State agencies becomes evident, for the coordination of efforts and jointly to be able to comply with the application of national and international laws, treaties and agreements.The northwest border of Mexico has been characterized by the reception of people from China, Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, Cuba, etc., and even, and derived from the current geopolitical situation, from Ukraine and African countries; all these people have unique elements that make them stand out from the rest; therefore, nursing staff must consider the cultural factors that constitute them in a holistic approach, promoting a science of care that is more sensitive to the needs of people.The experience in the process of caring for migrant populations has witnessed the need to strengthen actions from intercultural health, something that implies the development of cultural competencies by the nurses who are in contact with this population. The use of cultural care theories and models promotes a more sensitive approach to the needs of international migrants. Care actions can be extended during the various points of transit, which implies coordination between nursing personnel from health institutions in various countries, as well as from higher-level academic institutions, to help these people maintain an optimal health status before and during the journey to the destination country.


Community-based nursing in recent years has received much attention from nursing schools in different countries as a suitable solution in response to existing and future problems and challenges, but there is yet no comprehensive and correct understanding of this concept and considering its importance, the present study was conducted to the aim of analyzing the concept of community-based nursing.Concept analysis was done using Walker and Avant's 8-step approach. Nursing dictionary, Persian dictionary, research articles, journals and conferences articles, dissertations, thesis, books, and other sources related to the concept of research were investigated through search engines and available databases using the keywords of nursing, community-based, concept analysis and Walker and Avant from 1990 to 2023. Finally, 54 articles related to the concept were reviewed and analyzed.The results showed that community-based nursing has attributes such as individual-oriented/ family-oriented/ community-oriented, social partnership with the communities and stakeholders, social justice, and group and interprofessional cooperation, the community as the main activity setting, providing services based on cultural diversity, providing services according to the context, conditions and community needs, caring for individuals and families with health problems throughout life, responding to the community needs, community-based experiences and facing real-life issues in the context of community, using a problem-based and service-based approach, providing context-based care and considering factors affecting health. In this regard, borderline and related cases  were also presented to clarify the concept. Antecedents of community-based nursing included: determining the position of community-based nursing, making infrastructure and structure, the partnership between university, hospital and community, identifying all settings, the presence of educators proficient in education, survey of community needs, having knowledge, communication and community-based skills, expanding the role of the nurse, stakeholders' attitude towards community-oriented nursing and management and financial support. Consequences of community-based nursing included: competence development in nurses, solving community-based nursing challenges, meeting the health needs of individuals, families and communities, social justice, and increasing access to health care services.The results of this study can provide an objective and understandable image of the use of community-based nurses and their education in practice. Conducting more quantitative and qualitative studies about community-based nursing is also recommended.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-023-04749-5. The term community-based has different meanings, but the common and main point of all of them is the community, which is the focus of service delivery and where community participation is very important . ChangesCommunity-based nursing provides nursing care to individuals, families, and groups wherever they are, such as where they live and work . CommuniDue to the extensive changes, including the increase in urbanization and the increase in the elderly population, changes in the geographical epidemiology of diseases, and the inability to control them by the health team has been highlighted the need to pay attention to community-based nursing as a suitable solution in response to the problems and challenges ahead. In Iran, a study showed that community-based nursing provides direct access to health and treatment services through home visits and home care and accurate identification of the patients’ needs .Community-based nursing as a new field in education and a new role of nurses in the community has attracted the attention of many nursing schools in different countries in recent years. Still, due to the attention to this concept in recent years, there is no comprehensive and correct understanding. Many people have confused this concept with community-oriented nursing, community health nursing, population-based nursing, and public health nursing, or use these concepts interchangeably. In contrast, these concepts have different meanings and applications, and there is a limited understanding of this concept , 8, 9. AAlso, considering that every community has different context and characteristics, therefore specifying the definition, features, and constituent elements of this concept by examining the concept in other communities helps us in developing knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the concept .“In fact, without a clear understanding of the concept of community-based nursing, one cannot reasonably anticipate its effective execution and appropriate training. A comprehensive grasp of the concept and its constituent elements is essential for the proper implementation of community-based nursing care, enabling nurses to embody the role of a community-based nurse. Furthermore, such comprehension serves to garner increased attention from policymakers and raise public awareness.“ , 3.In the field of “community-based nursing education” conceptualization has been done by Mtshali , 11, butConcept analysis has been widely considered and supported as a fundamental research approach to expanding and developing nursing knowledge. Concept analysis is a process of examining the main elements of the concept that the researcher wants to better understand the concept by reviewing its components. It’s a way to deconstruct a term to understand it better and create a correct definition that provides the possibility of measuring the concept and a great insight into the phenomenon of interest . The purThis study is a systematic analytical approach; it aims to clarify the concept of community-based nursing and determine its dimensions using the approach of Walker and Avant (2019). To find meanings related to the concept, an extensive search of the literature of 1990–2023 in search engines and available databases such as Iran Doc, Google Scholar, SID, OVID, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, Magiran with keywords of Community-based, nursing, Walker & Avant, concept analysis was done.In the current research, based on the approach of Walker and Avant (2019), the following steps were carried out, including selecting the concept, determining the aims of the analysis, identifying the uses of the analyzed concept, determining the defined attributes of the concept, identifying a model case, identifying borderline and related issues, identification of the antecedents and consequences of the concept and defining the empirical referents .In this way, in the beginning, a search was conducted to find what existed under the title of community-based nursing in related articles and sources. Then the articles were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria . The exclusion criteria included the focus of the study on hospital nursing. The procedure for selecting studies using PRISMA diagrams is shown in Fig. In this analysis, the concept of “community-based nursing” is considered the main concept of the present research due to its wide application in response to the challenges and health problems of the community, the ever-increasing changes in the way of providing services and the health care system and its importance in education. This concept has received a lot of attention due to its importance in promoting the health of society in the healthcare system. Still, this concept has no proper understanding and clarity, and the boundaries that separate it from other concepts have not been defined. Therefore, it seems that the clarification of this concept can help to understand the performance of community-based nursing and how to train nurses in this field , 15, 16.Considering that the concept of community-based nursing is one of the concepts that is confused with many other concepts and is sometimes used instead of other concepts, while these concepts are different from each other  and it iTo identify the characteristics of community-based nursing, a wide range of old to new literature (1995–2023) was reviewed, and the characteristics of community-based nursing were determined as follows:(1) Individual-oriented/family-oriented/ community-oriented, (2) Social partnership with the communities and stakeholders, (3) Social justice, (4) Group and interprofessional cooperation, (5) The community as the main activity setting, (6) Providing services based on cultural diversity, (7) Providing services according to the context, conditions and community needs, (8) Caring for individuals and families with health problems throughout life, (9) Responding to the community needs, (10) Community-based experiences and facing the fundamental issues of life in the context of community, 11. Using a problem-based and service-based approach, 12. Providing context-based care and considering factors affecting health .The concept of colowing cases: (1) Managing acute and chronic conditions and providing acute or chronic care in health care centers, homes, schools, primary care clinics, outpatient services, and community centers , 3, 2)  2, 3], . First, the nurse evaluates the condition of the patient’s family in terms of economic, cultural, social, physical and psychological aspects  and realizes that their children are all married and they live alone and economically, they are at an average level, as a result, to the patient’s consent, the nurse prepares and uses a suitable dressing for his leg wound , and then the nurse teaches the father of the family how to take care of the dressing and the leg wound  and meanwhile, the nurse asks about his diet, the client does not like some foods and on the contrary eats some foods that are not suitable for him and says that he cannot have a regular meal plan (using a problem-based and service-based approach), also, he does not use some foods at all due to the prohibition in their culture and religion . Based on this, the nurse prepares the best meal plan in consultation with the treatment team and nutrition consultant and then implements it with the approval of the specialist doctor and other members of the treatment team, as well as with the client’s consent . The nurse also teaches his wife about diet and asks her to cooperate with her husband to implement this plan. While talking to the mother of the family, the nurse notices her respiratory distress, asks her questions, examines the mother, and realizes that she has asthma and does not use her respiratory aid sprays properly. As a result, the nurse helps her to use the spray correctly and teaches her. The mother of the family states that she is depressed due to her difficult situation, the nurse talked to the mental health consultant of the care team about this issue, and an appointment was made to examine the mother of the family and help her . In the end, the nurse explained the risk factors of diabetes and asked them that if their children have these attributes, they must be evaluated and referred to the health care center of their region . Finally, the nurse determines the time of the next visit, advises on social services that can help the family, and ensures that the patient and his family have received all the needed care .In this study, borderline and related cases of community-based nursing based on the literature review included the following:Community health nursing: In community-based nursing, the nurse may meet an acute need, but the goal is to strengthen the capacity of the individual and family to take care of themselves. The main goal of community health nursing is to maintain the community’s health, and its secondary goal is to promote self-care among individuals and families. It also provides care, especially for high-risk people and those with infectious diseases. Community-based nursing care is family-oriented, even if it is for an individual. Community health nursing combines nursing theory and public health sciences. It assigns the priorities of prevention, protection, and health promotion, and its responsibility goes beyond the client, individual and family. In community-based nursing, the nurse cares for individuals and families who have health problems, while in community health nursing, the nurse works with people who are generally well and have no symptoms. The roles of community-based nurses and community health nurses are both client-centered and service-centered. They include providing care, education, counseling, client advocacy and support, and case management, which are similar. Still, the main difference between the two is in the group-oriented roles. In community health nursing, the nurse has more group roles, such as the community advocate, who knows what the community wants and needs and solves it with the available resources. In community-based nursing, nurses spend most of their time (85%) in case management, patient education, individual and family counseling, and interdisciplinary practice, while in community health nursing, nurses spend most of their time in finding case and patient education, while both emphasize cultural sensitivity , 19.Community-oriented nursing: Many attributes of community-based nursing are shared with community-oriented nursing, but they are different. The purpose of community-oriented nursing is to prevent illness and disability, maintain and promote health, focus on health care for individuals, families and groups in the community, provide medical services to improve the quality of life, provide community diagnosis, health monitoring and assessment and school nursing, while the goal of community-based nursing is to manage acute and chronic conditions, focus on caring for the illness of individuals and families throughout life, determining special care in the community where they are located, home care, disease prevention, and health promotion .Population-based nursing: Population-based nursing is a systems approach to a problem for a specific population, but in community-based nursing, the target population may be located anywhere. In population-focused nursing evaluation, the target population and the environment in which the population is located should be examined. These assessments focus on epidemiological, environmental, psychological, cultural, spiritual, technological factors and the availability of community support systems , 20.Public health nursing: Public health nurses serve poor people instead of working with the whole people, and this is under cover of community health nursing, which occurs in every field. Public health nursing aims to prevent disease and disability and support the community, with a broad focus on community health and investigating the impact of the health status of the community (resources) on the health of individuals, families, and groups .Antecedents of community-based nursing based on extensive literature review included the following: (1) Determining the position of community-based nursing, its duties and organizational level in the Ministry of Health and achieving the position of the nurse at all levels of health from prevention to rehabilitation  and creaBased on an extensive literature review, community-based nursing consequences included: 1. Competence development in nurses, such as improving professional, practical, communication skills, critical thinking, teamwork, experience, and deep knowledge about health and social issues in the community ,2. Solving community-based nursing challenges such as hospital-oriented and treatment-oriented in the health system, defects in the position and role of community-based nurses, flaws in community-based education infrastructure, deficiencies in trust, awareness, and acceptance of nurses in the community by the people , 38, 39,According to the extensive literature review, community-based nursing is a vital approach that delivers essential care across the lifespan with a central focus on enhancing overall health, primary care, and rehabilitation. This approach thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration to cater to diverse client groups within their natural environments. It is firmly rooted in the principle that healthcare decision-making primarily rests with the individual, their family, and the community. The nurse plays a pivotal role in devising nursing interventions for the client, their family, and the healthcare team, aligning these interventions with the values held by the client, their family, and the broader community. Community-based nursing places a strong emphasis on prevention, striving to avert the onset of diseases, promptly identify health issues, and provide early intervention and rehabilitation following illness or injury .In the present study, the concept of community-based nursing was analyzed using Walker and Avant’s approach. Since the concept analysis causes objectification of a specific concept and its operationalization , it seemCommunity-based nursing is characterized by individual-centered, family-centered, and community-centered orientation. It provides nursing care for individuals, families, and groups wherever they are, including their place of residence, workplace, school, etc. Many studies have considered this attribute important in community-based nursing , 16, 18.Social participation is defined as a person’s participation in activities that interact with others in community, also, this concept is defined as groups that work with common goals, responsibilities and power for the betterment of community and it includes the participation of community members, governmental and non-governmental organizations, universities, health center staff and other stakeholders and pays attention to the populations it is supposed to serve, many studies have mentioned social participation as an essential characteristic of community-based nursing , 45–49 aThe meaning of social justice is the fair and equitable benefit of the people of a community from health care based on need, which is at the heart of community-based health promotion measures to achieve health equality and is another essential attribute of community-based nursing . Community-based nursing requires group and interprofessional cooperation, and the nurse collaborates with different teams, including doctors, pharmacists, specialists, and assistants. Interdisciplinary collaboration is an essential element in the role of community-based nurses because nurses cannot achieve patient support goals without collaboration with other healthcare team members. Nurses provide the necessary care throughout the patient’s life, focusing on improving health and primary rehabilitation care through interdisciplinary cooperation for different community Sects. , 10. In The community is considered the main setting for the activity of community-based nurses. It is used to such an extent that the percentage of community-based experiences is higher than other clinical experiences. Most studies have emphasized this issue , 16, 23.Another essential attribute of community-based nursing is attention to cultural diversity. Cultural diversity exists within and between countries, and nurses are morally committed to providing care appropriate to the culture. To provide adequate care to a client with a different culture or ethnic background, the nurse tries to understand the other person’s point of view regarding their cultural framework. When the nurses are not successful in this field, the consequence will be inequality in care; considering ethnic diversity in Iran, understanding the beliefs of clients, patients, and families, and paying attention to their needs deepens the relationship between nurses and clients . The nurProviding nursing care considering the background, conditions, and community needs is one of the attributes of community-based nursing since the community is the primary activity setting, taking into account the local, regional, and global community conditions, demographic and epidemiological developments, the prevalence of mental diseases, severe changes and the burden of diseases and developing a care plan based on that importance has many and different studies have emphasized this issue , 41, 49.The philosophy of community-based nursing is to guide nursing care for individuals, families with health problems, and other groups throughout life, wherever they are, including where they live, work and go to school, etc. According to this definition, community-based nursing is not a specialty but a philosophy that guides all nursing care  and haveCommunity-based nurses are responsible for the health needs of the community. They must be able to provide the necessary care for individuals and families and investigate, plan, intervene, and evaluate the community’s needs. Since nursing services are mainly offered in hospitals in Iran, the activities of nurses do not meet the community’s needs, and it is one of the essential things mentioned in many studies , 55, 56.Community-based experiences and facing real-life problems in the context of the community are integral parts of community-based nursing. Nurses need a wide range of experiences to provide care to individuals, families, and communities, from preventive care to acute care and rehabilitation. This means that they need direct access to population groups to work with and communicate with over time and help improve their health status, and many studies have emphasized this issue , 42, 58.Using a problem-based and service-based approach to solve problems is one of the attributes of community-based nursing. Solving problems and dealing with real-life issues requires using such an approach, and by focusing on the situation, nurses look for different solutions. With critical thinking and using evidence, they provide the best available resolution to meet the needs of the client and the family , 16, 49 Due to being exposed to the conditions and realities of the lives of individuals and families, nurses need to be aware of the target community’s values. This issue makes them aware of social and cultural issues, injustices, and other factors affecting health .Proper care of individuals and families in social environments requires careful attention to social risks such as poverty, mental illness, unsafe housing, history or current injury, malnutrition, transportation problems, low literacy, etc. The nursing care team should comprehensively assess these areas and cooperate with social partners and colleagues  to deal with them and follow the needs of the individual, family, and community over time. In community-based nursing, nurses are exposed to social, economic, political, cultural and other factors affecting the health of individuals, families, and communities. It is believed that such exposure facilitates a better understanding of social issues and equips nurses with the skills to deal with them. More importantly, it provides a comprehensive and complete view of health and disease because when the nurse encounters the patient only in the hospital setting, such opportunities are lost , 30, 37.To ensure the continued provision of essential services, community-based nurses must hold a well-defined position within the healthcare infrastructure , 39, 59.Being in different situations and solving problems in community increases the competence of nurses . The posConcept analysis of community-based nursing focused only on theoretical analysis without empirical verification from the nurse educators; this indicates the limitation of the study. Verification of the concept from the nurse educators could have helped the researcher obtain additional data to expand further or clarify the concept.Proper care of individuals and families in social environments requires careful attention to social risks such as poverty, mental illness, unsafe housing, history or current injury, malnutrition, transportation problems, low literacy, etc. The nursing care team should comprehensively assess these areas and cooperate with social partners and colleagues  to deal with them and follow the needs of the individual, family, and community over time. In community-based nursing, nurses are exposed to social, economic, political, cultural and other factors affecting the health of individuals, families, and communities. It is believed that such exposure facilitates a better understanding of social issues and equips nurses with the skills to deal with them. More importantly, it provides a comprehensive and complete view of health and disease because when the nurse encounters the patient only in the hospital setting, such opportunities are lost. Based on the literature review, it can be said that community-based nursing, in facing the fundamental problems of life, using a problem-oriented and service-oriented approach, provides the necessary health care for individuals and families to the health problems during life and based on the context and community needs  provides from the first level of the prevention to the third level and it does this through group and interdisciplinary cooperation and taking into account cultural diversity, factors affecting health and social justice for different strata of community in the natural environment of life and places in the community and it is based on the principle that community-based nursing is a collaborative work, the individual, family, and community have primary responsibility for health care decisions and the nurse mainly determines the nursing interventions with the client, the family and the health care team based on the values of the client, the family and the community and tries to respond to the community needs. The main goal of community-based nursing is to strengthen the capacity of the individual and family to take care of themselves and improve the community’s health. To achieve such a goal, it is necessary to provide infrastructure and structures such as the position of a community-based nurse, essential resources, and facilities and conditions for the nurse to enter the community. In line with the present study, it is proposed to investigate the challenges of community-based nursing education in Iran and introduce a solution to improve it.Additional file 1: Supplementary file. Overview of all included studies in concept analysis


Medicine and oral health are constantly progressing through a series of small advancements that, together, lead to significant discoveries and breakthroughs. These achievements enable the management of an increasing number of diseases and improve the quality of care and rehabilitation in the field of dentistry. In the present text, the content of this Special Issue, titled “Second Edition of Innovative Solutions for Oral Healthcare”, is summarized, which comprises a variety of studies, clinical cases, and reviews aimed at providing new knowledge in the field of oral health and its related topics. The articles cover subjects such as early diagnosis, technological innovation, student education, the use of new therapies, and the impact of the environment on oral health. The objective is to continue promoting research and innovation in the field of dentistry.In the first volume of this Special Issue, oral health was linked to physiological alterations, aging, early diagnosis, environmental pollution, student education, digital dentistry, and the application of new technologies. Ikebuchi et al.  identifiAn important aspect of the published research was evaluating the quality of training for students and recent graduates, both in terms of their ability to diagnose benign tumors, malignant tumors, and premalignant lesions through a cross-sectional study , and in New drugs are constantly being proposed, influencing the management of patients undergoing oral surgery. In the case of patients taking direct oral anticoagulants, a peri-operative management protocol has been proposed based on an analysis of the existing literature .In the current Special Issue, many other important topics have been addressed. Moga et al.  exploredImplant-prosthetic rehabilitation is at a turning point compared to in the past: from traditional techniques based on the manual fabrication of prostheses, it is now possible to accurately predict and plan the rehabilitation, which will then be executed with the highest precision and predictability. This is made possible by the ever-increasing diagnostic possibilities , extremely advanced CAD/CAM technologies, and innovative materials . In this Special Issue, two studies address this topic.Todaro et al.  presenteAzpiazu-Flores et al.  presenteBased on the considerations mentioned above, the Guest Editor of the present Special Issue would like to thank all clinicians and researchers who contributed their relevant manuscripts.


The release of organic waste annually amounts to millions of tons of substances. Waste is used as a raw material for fertilizers and microbiological technologies. Anthropogenic pressure increases the volume of waste, which is important for large cities. The release of sewage sludge is expressed in millions of tons. It is disposed of in landfills. Waste is generated as a result of the use of natural resources; it serves as a source of raw materials and secondary raw materials. Waste from the food and processing industries can be recycled. Protein raw materials are used to produce supplements, dietetic treatments, and growing mediums. Microorganisms can decompose organic matter. Ecobiotechnologies use this ability for microbiological synthesis. The main methods of environmentally friendly waste processing are composting and vermicomposting, methane digestion, and aerobic stabilization. Composting is of low cost. Vermicomposting allows obtaining biohumus, which is technologically advanced in use. Liquid fractions of manure, droppings, and manure containing urea are dangerous for the environment. The pollution of nature is a catalyst for ecological catastrophe. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of environmental pollution is needed.Microorganisms and their enzymes destruct organics, which makes it possible to obtain biofertilizers with a high agronomic effect . CompostTraditionally, wastes are recycled naturally, with the participation of relevant microorganisms . WastewaGreen plants are also used in wastewater, soil, and atmospheric air purification (phytoremediation method), which is one of the directions of bioremediation. Anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems is growing, but sustainability has limits; the current problem is to develop biological methods for cleaning the environment. These methods are based on natural mechanisms. One of these methods is phytoremediation - the purification of the environment from pollutants with the help of living plants that can absorb heavy metals and their toxic compounds . PhytoexThe main directions of biotechnological waste processing are based on the degradation of toxic waste; the return of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur into the cycle of substances; as well as obtaining organic fuel . The aimThe research novelty lies in the fact that we propose a system of a comprehensive analysis of the state of the environment, which provides for obtaining objective data on the sources of environmental pollution, the nature of the impact of pollutants on the natural environment, people, and animal and vegetal life, identifying the mechanism of the response of natural objects to the impact of harmful substances on the animal world and nature. It is possible to identify critical links in the biosphere, normalize anthropogenic impact, and environmental-economic regulation of the natural environment using the proposed method.Global environmental problems require significant efforts of the entire international community. Humankind has destroyed and continues to destroy up to 70% of natural ecosystems on the planet in the 20th century, which are capable of retransforming waste products. The permissible anthropogenic impact on the biosphere has now been exceeded several times. Thousands of tons of substances of various nature are thrown into the natural environment, which are not amenable to natural processing. The most urgent environmental problem is protection from pollution, which includes the protection of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Microorganisms can decompose organic substances and transform polymers. Ecobiotechnologies use this ability during microbiological synthesis in waste processing. The main methods of deep, environmentally friendly waste processing are composting and vermicomposting , methaneOnly a small part of cattle manure and bird droppings is used as fertilizer. The rest of the agricultural production waste accumulates and negatively affects the environment. Liquid fractions of manure, droppings, and manure sewage contain urea, phenols, pathogens, drugs, and other environmentally harmful substances . Most of2 into acetate , which produce carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, dioxins. Pyrolysis is used to produce activated carbon from wood. The main negative factor of thermal utilization is the release of dioxins into the environment . Organic acetate .Land waters have atmospheric nutrition, and their composition depends on the state of the atmosphere. The polluted atmosphere is characterized by acid precipitation, which leaches macro- and microelements, humus from the soil, disrupts plant photosynthesis, slows down their growth, and causes the death of plants sensitive to pollution. All these factors lead to a decline in soil fertility and, as a result, to the disappearance of forests .Aerobic wastewater treatment is the most extensive use of microorganisms in biotechnology. It is promising for the economical production of gaseous fuels at moderate temperatures (30°C–35 °C). Different countries use different types of waste to produce energy and by-products. Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand use specialty crops for fuel. Similar projects are being discussed in Finland, Sweden, and Ireland. In England, work on energy bioconversion is carried out under the Solar Energy Program, and biological energy projects are heavily financed there.The 20th and early 21st centuries show an increase in environmental accidents and catastrophes . PollutiChemical and biochemical enterprises are carriers of the potential danger of accidental releases of toxic substances into the atmosphere and microbes that can cause epidemics among people and animals. The ecological situation on the planet is unfavorable due to the insufficient use of the potential of nature by scientific and technological progress and the irrational exploitation of natural resources, increasing the rate of pollution of the biosphere. Humanity has novel methods and approaches to normalize the current situation by processing industrial organic waste. Normalization provides for reducing the degree of pollution of the natural environment; rationalization of exploitation of natural resources; reactivation of non-renewable resources; use of environmentally friendly biotechnologies. Environmentally friendly biotechnologies are the main and promising way to combat pollution of the natural environment, atmosphere and hydrosphere, and the fertile soil layer. A comprehensive analysis of the state of the natural environment is much needed in scholarship and practice, considering promising ways of using biotechnology. The analysis provides a reliable idea of the sources of environmental pollution, the nature of the impact of non-decontaminated waste on the environment and wildlife, the establishment of a mechanism for the reaction of natural subjects to anthropogenic substances and energy fields.


Dear Editor,In the last decades, facial pigmentation techniques for aesthetic purposes have become common. Among them is eyebrow tattooing or micropigmentation. Unlike traditional tattoos, in which the pigment is deposited in the deeper layers of the dermis, in micropigmentation, the semi-permanent pigment is deposited in the upper layer of the dermis. Adverse reactions to this technique include infection, contact dermatitis, granulomatous reactions, and Koebner phenomenon.A 30-year-old female patient, with a history of previous bariatric surgery, without other comorbidities, complained of raised eyebrows for three months. She had repeatedly undergone micropigmentation of the region over the past four years, the last being 14 months before. She denied any systemic symptoms. On examination, she had raised plaques on the topography of the eyebrows, especially on the right, in addition to areas of alopecia A. At derHistopathology showed non-caseating chronic granulomatous dermatitis with a sarcoid pattern ; acid-faMicropigmentation is normally performed with a portable tattoo pen, which is smaller than the traditional tattoo device. Ready-made paints are available on the market, but some professionals make their own mixtures. Pigment washout may occur during the first few days of healing, then the remaining pigment particles are stored in dermal macrophages and fibroblasts.3Sarcoid granulomas can develop in areas of tattooing or permanent makeup as isolated reactions or as part of systemic sarcoidosis. The time between the tattoing and the reaction onset is variable, and there may be a long latency period, justifying the investigation of systemic sarcoidosis.2Topical and intralesional corticosteroids are the first line of treatment.While numerous cases of sarcoid granulomas have been reported in body tattoos, few have been related to eyebrow micropigmentation. With the greater prevalence of this cosmetic technique, it is important to recognize the possible adverse reactions, as well as the adequate management. Moreover, it is crucial to remember the importance of investigating systemic sarcoidosis in these patients.None declared.Tamires Ferri Macedo: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; drafting and editing of the manuscript; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; critical review of the literature.Simone Perazzoli: approval of the final version of the manuscript; drafting and editing of the manuscript; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; critical review of the literature.Renan Rangel Bonamigo: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; design and planning of the study; intellectual participation in the propaedeutic and/or therapeutic conduct of the studied cases; critical review of the manuscript.Renata Heck: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; design and planning of the study; effective participation in research orientation; intellectual participation in the propaedeutic and/or therapeutic conduct of the studied cases; critical review of the manuscript.None declared.


There are errors in the Funding statement. The correct Funding statement is as follows: This work was supported by Institute of Research and Consulting Studies, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.


In the Funding section, the role of the funder is incorrect. The correct Funding statement is: This study was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. The funder provided support in the form of salaries or consulting fees for CB, SS, TL, CSL, and MP, and had input in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, and preparation of the manuscript.The authors requested this update prior to the article’s publication, but due to an internal error the updated statement was not incorporated into the article before its publication date. The publisher apologizes for the error.


The advancements of civilization are based on our ability to pass on the events and knowledge of the past so that the next generations can start from an ever-higher level of expertise. The memory of the past can be kept alive by preserving historical and artistic assets, the cultural heritage of every nation.In light of the above, this Special Issue (S.I.) aimed to collect studies that describe interesting/relevant problems in analyzing cultural heritage samples and suggest analytical strategies to solve/manage them. A total of 19 manuscripts were published . The submitted papers cover different aspects of cultural and archeological heritage protection, conservation, and restoration.The sample matrix complexity belonging to cultural heritage, including archeological samples, generally requires a multi-analytical approach. The integrated use of different analytical techniques, with the preference for noninvasive or micro-invasive ones, allows an in-depth understanding of the original materials and their degradation processes and helps obtain innovative solutions for the restoration and conservation of artworks.The paper by Cotte et al.  shows thRecently, enormous advances have been seen in analytical strategies for studying bioarcheological materials, particularly through mass spectrometry. The work of Barberis et al.  offers aThe synergistic action of air pollution, climatic conditions, and biological contamination can harm the preservation of historical and artistic heritage. In particular, prehistoric artworks, including paintings and engravings, are particularly fragile as they are exposed to different environmental impacts. With the use of nondestructive elemental and molecular spectroscopies, it is possible to choose the most appropriate conservation and restoration strategy for prehistoric artworks and better understand their evolution over time.In work from Costantini et al. , micro-eThe degradation of stone materials with the formation of unsightly and chromatic stains may be related to the biological activity of specific microorganisms and promoted by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and illumination. The work by Cardellicchio et al.  investigAmong the various forms of degradation affecting stone artifacts, colored stains that form on surfaces in contact with metals or alloys are of particular concern. In the work of Reale et al. , the mecStudies of Fe speciation in archeological ceramics may be critical to gain insights into the various types of clay used and the different techniques and temperatures of clay firing. The study by Kozak et al.  reports Among the most beautiful expressions of ancient art is the Roman mosaic. The preliminary study by Colantonio et al.  suggestsAnother topic addressed in this S.I. is the study and evaluation of the authenticity of precious stones belonging to cultural heritage. The work of Aceto et al.  suggestsTwo papers, by Serafini et al.  and BosiThe work from Bosi et al.  highlighNoninvasive cross-sectional analysis of pictorial stratigraphy in paintings, essential for adopting the most appropriate cleaning strategies or assessing adhesion and compactness between layers, is a major challenge in cultural heritage science. To date, no technique can noninvasively and uniquely measure the thickness of pictorial layers, as these are generally composed of heterogeneous and optically opaque materials. In the work of Dal Fovo et al. , the posIn the paper by Aguilar-Rodríguez et al. , the comStudying paints and their components, such as binders, dyes, or pigments, may allow us to acquire useful information to differentiate original from non-original materials and date objects and artifacts. In the work of Macchia et al. , the comThe study and preservation of objects, infrastructures, and works belonging to the industrial archeological heritage is a relatively new area of research that emerged in the 1970s. Costantini et al.  aimed toContemporary art is affected by a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced world in which it is increasingly easy to communicate and exchange information. Because of this, contemporary artworks are a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects. The conservation of contemporary artworks has become a new and exciting field of study, which needs continuous research because of the ever-changing and more recent materials. The work of Alp et al.  providesThe work of Longoni et al.  confirmsThe review by Creydt and Fischer  discusseTwo reviews concern lipid residues and their degradation products, such as fatty acids and metal soaps, which are of great importance for the study of archeological objects and oil paintings ,19. OrgaThe review by Irto et al.  reports


The publisher apologizes for the errors. There is an error in affiliations 2 and 3 for authors, Sachiko Kuroda and Hideo Owan. The correct affiliation 2 is: Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Japan; and the correct affiliation 3 is: The Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tokyo, Japan.i from the baseline (t = 0) and follow-up (t = 1) surveys, and nT and nC are the number of workers in the treatment group and in the control group, respectively.In the Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) subsection of the Estimation strategy, there is an error in the first equation. The correct