Introducing a new “Preliminary Report” submission category for small-sample intervention studies: rationale and instructions

Simultaneous detection of mycotoxins and pesticides in human urine samples: A 24-h diet intervention study comparing conventional and organic diets in Spain

To develop an index to measure oral health care priority among nursing staff. Nursing staff, working on hospital wards, at nursing homes and at other facilities, have to deal with oral health care and there are many reports about the low priority that is given to oral health care by nursing staff. It is difficult to measure oral health care priority among nursing staff. A Dental Coping Beliefs Scale (DCBS) index was used in an intervention study and was found to be easy to handle but did not have the ability to reveal significant differences in small study samples. A development process consisting of added items and item numbering by chance was carried out. During this process, different nursing staff test groups were used. The aim was to develop an oral health care priority index that can be used both on hospital wards and at special facilities to measure oral health care priority among nursing staff over time and between groups. Nursing staff at both special facilities and hospital wards and nursing students. It was found that the index, the nursing DCBS, was more stable compared with the version that was used in the initial intervention study. It was also noted that its ability to discriminate between the items was improved. The nursing DCBS index is a suitable tool for use in further studies where the aim is to measure how different nursing staff groups give priority to and allocate responsibility for oral health care, even where study samples are small.

COUNTERPOINT: Should Asymptomatic OSA Be Treated in Patients With Significant Cardiovascular Disease? No

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide recommendations for improving the design of subsequent studies through analysis of the registered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical trials.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 189 trial retrievals achieved on 20 February 2020.Results: A total of 189 trials are included in the study. There were 69.3% interventional studies, 21.7% observational studies, 5.3% diagnostic tests and 3.7% other studies. The following statistics are provided only for the interventional studies. Severity of disease: 5.3% light and common type, 17.6% severe and critically ill and 59.6% with no restricted classification. Medication use: 51.1% Western medicine, 32.1% Chinese medicine, 10.7% blood related product and 6.1% non-drug therapy. The median and inner quantile range of the sample sizes included in these studies: 104 (IQR: 60, 200). Primary outcome type most used: 45.8% with clinical characteristics and 21.4% with virological. Study design characteristics: 71% of all studies were randomized, 5% of all studies were blinded, 18% of all studies were multicenter and 76% of all studies were single center.Conclusion: Although many COVID-19 studies include randomization in their design, the lack of additional double-blind and placebo-controlled elements in their designs result in a less robust evaluation of intervention safety and efficacy. Furthermore, similar or repeated research and small sample studies that have less promise in gains of new information have possibly led to a shortage of recruitable patients and become a barrier to the completion of large multicenter clinical trial studies.

Systematic review of studies of patients’ satisfaction with breast reconstruction after mastectomy

This 7.5-year prospective controlled exercise intervention study assessed if daily school physical activity (PA), from before to after puberty, improved musculoskeletal traits. There were 63 boys and 34 girls in the intervention group (40 min PA/day), and 26 boys and 17 girls in the control group (60 min PA/week). We measured musculoskeletal traits at the start and end of the study. The overall musculoskeletal effect of PA was also estimated by a composite score (mean Z-score of the lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), total body lean mass (TBLM), calcaneal ultrasound (speed of sound (SOS)), and muscle strength (knee flexion peak torque)). We used analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) for group comparisons. Compared to the gender-matched control group, intervention boys reached higher gains in BMC, BA, muscle strength, as well as in the composite score, and intervention girls higher gains in BMC, BA, SOS, as well as in the composite score (all p < 0.05, respectively). Our small sample study indicates that a daily school-based PA intervention program from Tanner stage 1 to 5 in both sexes is associated with greater bone mineral accrual, greater gain in bone size, and a greater gain in a musculoskeletal composite score for fractures.

Enteral Versus Parenteral Nutrition in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Investigating associations between personality and the efficacy of interventions for cognitive ageing: A systematic review

Effect of orthokeratology on anisometropia control: A meta-analysis

Little is known about services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in India. We systematically reviewed the literature to identify studies of ASD interventions in India. Among the 13 articles meeting review criteria, nearly all described efforts to culturally adapt interventions and/or outcome measures for Indian participants. Generally small and urban study samples limited generalizability of findings. Few studies targeted young children, and none focused on older adolescents and/or adults. All studies described improvements in target child and/or caregiver outcomes. However, the majority used qualitative, single-subject, or one-group designs, and several did not adequately describe their research designs or analytic methods. More research is needed to test and scale up culturally relevant ASD interventions for Indian populations.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease pose significant challenges to older adults globally. While pharmacological treatments remain primary, increasing evidence supports the role of non-pharmacological strategies like physical activity in managing these conditions. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of Nursing based physical activity interventions in improving cognitive function, physical functioning, mobility, and overall quality of life among older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and other relevant databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials and observational studies that examined the impact of structured physical activity. Our findings from nineteen studies involving 1673 participants indicate that interventions ranging from aerobic exercises, resistance training, to mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and yoga have beneficial effects. Specifically, physical activity was consistently found to enhance cognitive performance, increase mobility, and improve balance and daily living activities, contributing to a better quality of life. However, these benefits vary depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the activity performed. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes, study heterogeneity, and short-term follow-up periods call for more robust, long-term studies to solidify these findings. This review underscores the potential of tailored physical activity programs as adjunctive therapy in the comprehensive management of neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly population.

SP0153 What evidence is there that diets help people with rmds?

Review question/objective What are the prognostic indicators predictive of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia outcomes among adult cancer patients? Inclusion criteria Types of participants The participants of interest include adults, 18 years old and above with cancer, who developed febrile neutropenia as a result of myelosuppressive systemic chemotherapy either in an in-patient or outpatient setting. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The focus of this systematic review is on the prognostic indicators predictive of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia outcomes in adult cancer patients. Types of Outcome(s) The primary outcome of this review is to identify the indicators predictive of FN outcomes (favourable or unfavourable) that influence the incidence of morbidity and mortality of adult cancer patients related to FN

Prognostic indicators predictive of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia outcomes in adult cancer patients: a systematic review

To determine the effectiveness of weight loss intervention for breast cancer survivors. From October 2012 until March 2013, Pubmed was searched for weight loss intervention trials that reported body weight or weight loss as a primary outcome. Fifteen of these studies are included in this review. Of the 15 studies included, 14 resulted in statistically significant weight loss and 10 obtained clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥5 % from baseline. Evidence was provided of the feasibility of using several methods of weight loss intervention (telephone, in person, individual, group). Successful intervention used a comprehensive approach, with dietary, physical activity, and behavior modification components. Weight loss improved cardiovascular risk factors and markers of glucose homeostasis. However, there is insufficient evidence to identify the components of this intervention that led to successful weight loss, or to determine the weight loss necessary to affect biomarkers linked to breast cancer prognosis. The small number of randomized controlled trials shared several limitations, including small study sample sizes and lack of follow-up beyond 6 months. Intervention with longer follow-up revealed weight regain, showing the importance of considering strategies to promote long-term weight maintenance. Weight loss intervention for breast cancer survivors can lead to statistically significant and clinically meaningful weight loss, but the limited number of interventional studies, small sample sizes, and short duration of follow-up in many studies limit our ability to draw conclusions regarding the most efficacious weight-loss intervention after a breast cancer diagnosis. The findings to date are encouraging, but research on the effect of weight loss on breast cancer recurrence and mortality, and on prevention of weight gain for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, is needed.