Current Scoping Review Research Articles

A scoping review of universal school-based resilience programs for adolescents.

Resilience, broadly defined as effective adaptation to stress, adversity, or change, is an important capacity to foster in adolescence. To date, there has been little review of the literature on universal school-based resilience programs for teens. The current scoping review had three aims. The first aim was to report on the scope of literature on universal school-based resilience programs for adolescents. The second aim was to code and summarize the features and outcomes of these programs (stand-alone programs and whole-school programs). The third was to identify key themes emanating from nonempirical articles (i.e., theoretical articles, review articles, published guidelines, and reports) about what makes an effective school-based resilience program for adolescents. A total of 34 articles met the criteria for the review (47% empirical and 53% nonempirical). The collated data present a summary of who (e.g., sample demographics), how (e.g., research designs, the duration and number of posttest evaluations), and what has been studied (e.g., the types of programs and the types of outcomes). Randomized control trial evaluations (53%) and quasi-experimental designs (47%) were the common designs. The studies displayed large variation when it came to program delivery aspects such as number of lessons, length of the lessons, duration of the program, type of teaching, and program facilitators. Six themes were identified for creating effective universal school-based resilience programs: dual focus (ill-being and well-being), ethos and embedding, nurturing environment, adopting a systems approach, building teacher resilience, and fostering real-time resilience through implicit and explicit teaching. Suggestions for future research are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological Predictors of Recidivism for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Theoretical accounts of recidivistic intimate partner violence (IPV) continue to differ considerably in relation to the relative weight given to psychological risk factors. A systematic overview of studies that have established psychological predictors of reoffending is currently lacking. This study aimed to identify and provide an overview of studies examining various psychological factors associated with IPV perpetration patterns. A systematic search of research conducted from 1945 to 2024 was carried out on PsycINFO, PubMed, and PILOTS. The inclusion criteria were that studies must not use self-reported reoffending data only, must use a criminal justice sample, must be longitudinal, participants must be over 17 years of age, and that studies must be published in the English language and peer reviewed. A total of 25 longitudinal studies examining individual psychological factors, proposed as potential predictors of IPV reoffending, were eligible. The identified factors were grouped into five categories: personality, anger and hostility, beliefs, attitudes and motivation, neurocognitive deficits and trauma (i.e., family of origin abuse/post-traumatic stress disorder). The current systematic scoping review found that the most-researched psychological predictor of IPV recidivism was personality. While studies vary in relation to the personality traits or disorders that contribute most to the likelihood of reoffending, in general, personality assessment appears to be a promising tool in predicting reoffending. Anger, childhood maltreatment, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), implicit attitudes, and neurocognitive deficits were also identified as predictors of IPV recidivism. Methodological issues were found to be present across studies.

Health Interventions to Improve Work and Well‐Being Among Child Welfare Workers: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACTThe work environment among child welfare workers (CWW) has often been described as intensive and complex, filled with uncountable negative experiences for CWW. Several authors have also pointed out that measures should be in place to curb these negative workplace experiences. Since most recent publications within the field points to the impact of psychosocial risks on the health and well‐being on CWW, the current scoping review explored the literature to investigate existing intervention studies and provide recommendations for future research. We employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis extension for scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) checklist as a guide for reporting findings. The authors explored five databases and identified a total of nine primary studies investigating health and well‐being intervention among CWW in the review. Based on the intervention focuses of the included studies, three overarching thematic categories were constructed: design team‐based interventions, colleagues/peer interventions, and individual‐centered interventions. Findings showed that more health and well‐being intervention research tailored to the needs of CWW is needed within the field.

Screening Tools for Alcohol Use Disorder Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

As the number of older adults increases, the volume of alcohol-related problems among the older adult population also rises. The purpose of the current scoping review was to summarize and disseminate research findings related to screening for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults (aged ≥60 years) and determine if research gaps exist in the current literature. The concepts of older adults, screening tools, AUD, and instrument evaluation were searched in Medline, APA PsycINFO, and CINAHL. After eligibility criteria were established, screening was completed using Covidence software. Data extracted from each study included the instrument used, method of evaluation, and findings. Seven studies remained after screening. None of the studies took place in the United States. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and related variations were used most often and were found to be adequate for detecting at-risk drinking among older adults. In addition, some studies suggested lower screening limits for older adults. As the percentage of older adults engaging in risky or hazardous drinking patterns grows, there is an increased need for AUD screening using a reliable tool. Current research is limited; more research is needed regarding which tools perform best in various settings, as well as how to interpret instrument results for older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

The multifaceted effects of flavonoids on neuroplasticity.

There has been a significant increase in the incidence of multiple neurodegenerative and terminal diseases in the human population with life expectancy increasing in the current times. This highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive understanding of how different aspects of lifestyle, in particular diet, may affect neural functioning and consequently cognitive performance as well as in enhancing overall health. Flavonoids, found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and derived beverages, provide a new avenue of research that shows a promising influence on different aspects of brain function. However, despite the promising evidence, most bioactive compounds lack strong clinical research efficacy. In the current scoping review, we highlight the effects of Flavonoids on cognition and neural plasticity across vertebrates and invertebrates with special emphasis on the studies conducted in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, which has emerged to be a functionally dynamic model for studies on learning and memory. In conclusion, we suggest future research directions and discuss the social, cultural, and ethnic dependencies of bioactive compounds that influence how these compounds are used and accepted globally. Bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical studies about the effects of bioactive natural compounds on brain health will surely lead to lifestyle choices such as dietary Flavonoids being used complementarily rather than as replacements to classical drugs bringing about a healthier future.

Prevailing Practices in Ototoxicity Monitoring in Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy: A Scoping Review.

The aim of the current scoping review is to identify the studies reporting ototoxicity monitoring in individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation therapy and/or chemoradiation therapy across the world. The specific objectives were to identify and report the test protocol used, identify the most common timeline of follow-up, and identify barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of the monitoring program. A comprehensive search was conducted across six electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. The scoping review method adhered to relevant guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) and frameworks. The database search was carried out by two independent researchers, and studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. This scoping review identified 13 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this study. Only one study reported findings from the perspective of ototoxicity monitoring. Another study explicitly mentioned that ototoxicity monitoring was a standard of care in their hospital. Only one study reported using the relevant guidelines for monitoring ototoxicity. Specialized tests such as high-frequency audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, and vestibular tests were rarely used. Ototoxicity monitoring was influenced by awareness-related factors, technical factors, treatment-related factors, and organizational factors. Research on ototoxicity monitoring programs is in its early stages, highlighting the need for standardized practices and multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance health care services for HNC patients. A standardized approach, improved awareness, and the incorporation of patient perspectives are crucial to enhancing ototoxicity monitoring in HNC patients.

Evidence for motivational interviewing in educational settings among medical schools: a scoping review

BackgroundMotivational interviewing (MI) is a person-centred approach focused on empowering and motivating individuals for behavioural change. Medical students can utilize MI in patient education to engage with patients’ chronic health ailments and maladaptive behaviours. A current scoping review was conducted to 1) determine the types of MI (conventional, adapted, brief and group MI) education programs in medical schools, delivery modalities and teaching methods used; 2) classify educational outcomes on the basis of Kirkpatrick’s hierarchy; and 3) determine the key elements of MI education via the FRAMES (feedback, responsibility, advice, menu of options, empathy, self-efficacy) model.MethodsThis scoping review was conducted via the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. Two online databases, CINAHL and MEDLINE Complete, were searched to identify MI interventions in medical education. Further articles were selected from bibliography lists and the Google Scholar search engine.ResultsFrom an initial yield of 2019 articles, 19 articles were included. First, there appears to be a bimodal distribution of most articles published between the two time periods of 2004--2008 and 2019--2023. Second, all the studies included in this review did not use conventional MI but instead utilized a variety of MI adaptation techniques. Third, most studies used face-to-face training in MI, whereas only one study used online delivery. Fourth, most studies have used a variety of interactive experiences to teach MI. Next, all studies reported outcomes at Kirkpatrick’s Level 2, but only 4 studies reported outcomes at Kirkpatrick’s Level 3. According to the FRAMES model, all studies (n=19; 100%) reported the elements of responsibility and advice. The element that was reported the least was self-efficacy (n = 12; 63.1%).ConclusionOur findings suggest that motivational interviewing can be taught effectively in medical schools via adaptations to MI and a variety of teaching approaches. However, there is a need for further research investigating standardized MI training across medical schools, the adequate dose for training in MI and the implementation of reflective practices. Future studies may benefit from exploring and better understanding the relationship between MI and self-efficacy in their MI interventions.

Clinical Pharmacist-Led Interventions for Improving Breast Cancer Management-A Scoping Review.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide and the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall. Most women with breast cancer have a good prognosis if the cancer is detected at an early stage and the patients have access to the appropriate treatment and disease management. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on breast cancer management and health outcomes. A literature review was carried out through the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using predefined keywords. Only full-text original articles written in English that investigated the role of the pharmacist in the management of breast cancer were included in the final analysis. No publication date limits were set. A total of 1625 articles were retrieved from the electronic databases, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. The current scoping review consists of different study types, including randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, pre-post studies, retrospective cohort studies, quality improvement projects, case-control studies, and one pharmacoeconomic study. Pharmacists commonly provided the following interventions: consultations regarding chemotherapy treatment, risk assessment and patient education, adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions detection, and adherence assessment. This scoping review highlights the beneficial effects of the involvement of pharmacists in breast cancer management, such as better quality of life, reduced drug interaction risk, greater adherence rates, and improved patient knowledge. This confirms the importance of including the pharmacist in the oncology team caring for patients with breast cancer.

A Scoping Review: Associations Between Drugs of Abuse and Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most common parasites that infect humans. The parasite exists in approximately 40 million people in the United States. Latent infections are frequently associated with tissue cysts of T. gondii in the skeletal muscle and brain tissue that can lead to mental disorders, congenital disorders, and vision dysfunction. Furthermore, self-directed violence, impulsivity, and aggression are associated with T. gondii infection. Dopamine is associated with human behaviors including pleasure, aggression, memory, and substance use disorder; however, the studies on the association of T. gondii infection and drugs of abuse are not well understood. The frequency of substance use may be associated with substance-induced modification of dopamine-receptor densities and basal dopaminergic activity. Likewise, T. gondii can directly or indirectly influence dopaminergic activity in infected cells. The current scoping review aimed to review peer-reviewed literature and identify gaps to evaluate the association between drugs of abuse and T. gondii infection. Articles for review were included if published between the 1st of January 1970 and to the 30th of December 2022. Different key words and phrases were adopted: “T. gondii infection”, “Toxoplasmosis”, “T. gondii and drug use”, “T. gondii infection and dopamine”, “T. gondii infection and drugs of abuse”, “drugs of abuse”, “T. gondii infection and alcohol”, “SUD”, “Toxoplasmosis and SUD” and “Substance abuse and inflammation”. Articles that did not match and/or were published outside of history range were excluded. Databases utilized to generate results included PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. One hundred and nine articles or resources were generated and deemed appropriate for reference in this review. Results indicate that individuals infected with T. gondii display increased risky behavior, such as excessive alcohol consumption. T. gondii seropositive subjects had a reduced likelihood of self-reported substance use compared to T. gondii seronegative subjects which confirms that SUD is a potential risk factor for behavioral and psychiatric complications associated with T. gondii infection. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research characterizing the mechanisms associated with dopamine metabolism of drug dependence and withdrawal in the context of a T. gondii infection, evaluating the role of inflammation, and identifying potential drug-and-sex specific underpinnings of these associations

Global prevalence of quackery practices: a scoping review of definitions, regulations, and allied healthcare

Advancements in medical science and digital access made it easier for individuals to seek appropriate treatment. Despite living in the current information era, the practice of quackery has continued worldwide. The current scoping review was planned to explore different definitions and laws related to quackery, and the acceptance of allied healthcare services in traditional, cultural and legal contexts. The review examined a total of 3,327 published studies and 400 pieces of grey literature, including existing laws, regulatory authority websites, news articles and reports. A total of 56 studies and 21 excerpts were shortlisted for analysis. The definitions of quackery varied significantly across regions, but a general consensus is that unauthorised healthcare practices constitute quackery. Legal perspectives differed worldwide, with Europe, North America and Oceania discouraging allied healthcare services, such as homeopathy, naturopathy and traditional methods, considering them quackery. ---Continue

Neurodevelopmental outcomes and occupational participation of preterm children at school age: a scoping review

Preterm children may experience major challenges that affect their occupational participation and daily functioning, especially at school age. This scoping review aims to examining and synthesizing the available literature about adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and occupational participation restrictions of preterm children born < 37 weeks of gestation. The MEDLINE, Science Direct, CINAHL databases were searched from January 2013 to December 2023, for published cohort studies that assessed the neurodevelopmental outcomes and occupational participation of school-aged preterm children, compared to full-term born peers. Out of 6631 identified articles, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and involved 958 preterm children, aged 6-10 years old. Studies included in the current scoping review reported adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, such as cognitive impairment, executive function and sensory processing deficits, emotional and behavioral problems, language and visual perception difficulties, as well as occupational participation restrictions, like feeding difficulties, academic challenges and peer relationship problems. Findings suggest that neurodevelopmental deficits and occupational participation restrictions, especially in extremely preterm children, not only exist in early childhood but persist during school age. Future research should focus on exploring potential differences or patterns in neurodevelopmental outcomes and occupational participation between preterm groups with different gestational age ranges.

Suicidal ambivalence: A scoping review.

Suicidal ambivalence is considered a characteristic condition of suicidal individuals. At the same time, there is a lack of a uniform definition, conception and assessment of suicidal ambivalence. On this background, the current scoping review aims to explore the extent, range, and nature of research activity on suicidal ambivalence and to summarize research findings. A systematic literature search was conducted in four different databases (PubMed, Psychinfo, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) using an array of search terms (e.g., ambivalence, internal suicide debate, reasons for living and reasons for dying, wish to live and wish to die). In total, 28 articles published between 1977 and 2023 were included in the scoping review. The study situation lacks a clear definition, conceptualization and operationalization of suicidal ambivalence. Nonetheless, suicidal ambivalence is a common experience in persons contemplating suicide and suicidal ambivalence seems to be present before, during and after a suicide attempt. Suicidal ambivalence is associated with diverse markers of negative/positive mental health as well as suicidal ideation and behavior. Results point to the relevance of suicidal ambivalence. At the same time, there are large gaps in knowledge about the development, impact and therapeutic responsiveness of suicidal ambivalence.

Implementation of Educational Opportunities for Social Determinants of Health in Health Professions Education: A Scoping Review

Objective Health professions programs have recently increased their efforts to educate health care professionals about the social determinants of health (SDH); however, there seems to be a disconnect between graduate medical education and its applicability to other peer health professions. The current scoping review aims to map the literature that explores the implementation of educational opportunities focused on SDH in health professions education programs. Data Sources PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, Education Source, and the Health Policy Reference Center were searched to identify relevant articles. Study Selection To be included in our review, articles had to have been published in the last 5 years and describe how material related to SDH was implemented into a graduate health professions education program. Outcomes were analyzed by thematic categories by type of curricular delivery (didactic, clinical education, service-learning experience, or reflection), timing of the implementation in the program, methods of implementation, and assessment after implementation. Data Extraction Our search identified 2006 articles that were reviewed by study authors; 36 were included in our full-text review. Information extracted included the study design, type of graduate education, aims of the studies, description of technique, timing of implementation, type of curricular delivery, and outcomes. Data Synthesis The majority (23, 63.9%) of studies used an observational design and used 2 or more (27, 75.0%) types of curricular delivery presented to medical students. Didactic (19, 52.8%) and small-group discussion (14, 38.9%) methods were used most often. Assessments were mostly student reflections or self-report items. Overall, students reported increased knowledge and satisfaction with activities. Conclusions Results of our scoping review indicated that various education opportunities related to SDH exist in graduate health professions education but are likely insufficient. More studies are necessary to investigate the purposeful implementation of SDH and the best methods to assess student knowledge of SDH. Future research should also investigate how to objectively assess student learning of SDH.

Refractive changes associated with oculoplastic surgeries: A scoping review.

To carry out a comprehensive critical review of the peer-reviewed literature on the refractive changes associated with oculoplastic surgeries. This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) statement recommendations. Following specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 articles were selected for the current scoping review. Each of them was analyzed carefully and their risk of bias was assessed with the Quality Assessment Tool for case Series Studies from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Data of 1428 eyes from 1051 patients were analyzed. All studies were case series. Regarding the oculoplastic pathologies, five articles focused on dermatochalasis, four on chalazion, five on ptosis and six on congenital ptosis. Most articles did not report changes in the spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism changes of less than 0.5 diopters (D), changes in astigmatism axis of less than 11 degrees and changes in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of less than 0.06 logMAR. Out of the 20 articles reviewed, 6 achieved a risk of bias score between 6 and 8, representing a low level of evidence and highlighting the limitations in the study design. Based on the findings of this study, there is no evidence to suggest clinically significant refractive changes following oculoplastic surgeries. The most notable changes may occur after surgery for severe ptosis; however, further research is needed to confirm this observation.

Sleep effort and its measurement: A scoping review.

Insomnia disorder is characterized by disruption in sleep continuity and an overall dissatisfaction with sleep. A relevant feature of insomnia is sleep effort, which refers to both cognitive and behavioural conscious attempts to initiate sleep. The Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale is a self-report tool developed to assess this construct. The objective of the current scoping review was to map how sleep effort has been discussed in the literature and operationalized through its respective measure. Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycInfo databases were used to search for potential studies. The search query used in databases was the specific name of the self-reported tool itself (Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale) and "sleep effort" term. This scoping review followed JBI guidelines. To be included, records pertaining to any type of study that mentioned the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale were considered. No language constraint was used. At the end, 166 initial records were retrieved. From those, 46 records met eligibility criteria and were analysed. Among the main findings, it was observed that the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale has been increasingly used in recent years, with a notable observed upward trend, especially in the last 2 years. In addition to the original measure, only three published adapted versions of the instrument were identified. This suggests that there is limited research on adapting the scale for different populations or contexts. Sleep effort has been increasingly studied in the last few years. Nonetheless, more research on the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale tool is recommended, including cross-cultural adaptations.

Psychosocial Distress Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Scoping Review.

Psychosocial distress negatively impacts coping and adaptation among young men (aged 18 to 44 years) who have sex with men (YMSM) with, or at risk of acquiring, HIV. However, the stressors and risky behaviors associated with psychosocial distress that impair viral suppression have not been clearly explicated. The current scoping review was conducted to explore the extant literature and identify research gaps. PubMed and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed publications, with a total of eight articles meeting inclusion criteria. Stressors that contributed to psychosocial distress included HIV+ status, stigma, discrimination, insufficient resources, exposure to community violence, and incarceration. Risky behaviors impacting viral suppression were condomless anal sex, drug use, and medication nonadherence. Understanding and addressing psychosocial distress is imperative for providing holistic care tailored to the unique health care needs of YMSM. A better understanding of stressors and associated risky behaviors will aid efforts to mitigate psychosocial distress and reduce viral load among YMSM. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(9), 11-17.].

Masculinity, Meat, and Veg*nism: A Scoping Review.

Men historically consume more meat than women, show fewer intentions to reduce meat consumption, and are underrepresented among vegans and vegetarians. Eating meat strongly aligns with normative masculinities, decisively affirming that "real men" eat meat and subordinating men who choose to be veg*n (vegan or vegetarian). The emergence of meat alternatives and increasing environmental concerns may contest these long-standing masculine norms and hierarchies. The current scoping review addresses the research question what are the connections between masculinities and men's attitudes and behaviors toward meat consumption and veg*nism? Using keywords derived from two key concepts, "men" and "meat," 39 articles were selected and analyzed to inductively derive three thematic findings; (a) Meat as Masculine, (b) Veg*n Men as Othered, and (c) Veg*nism as Contemporary Masculinity. Meat as Masculine included how men's gendered identities, defenses, and physicalities were entwined with meat consumption. Veg*n Men as Othered explored the social and cultural challenges faced by men who adopt meatless diets, including perceptions of emasculation. Veg*nism as Contemporary Masculinity was claimed by men who eschewed meat in their diets and advocated for veg*nism as legitimate masculine capital through linkages to physical strength, rationality, self-determination, courage, and discipline. In light of the growing concern about the ecological impact of meat production and the adverse health outcomes associated with its excessive consumption, this review summarizes empirical connections between masculinities and the consumption of meat to consider directions for future men's health promotion research, policy, and practice.

Recent Advances in the Phylogenetic Analysis to Study Rumen Microbiome

Background: Recent rumen microbiome studies are progressive due to the advent of nextgeneration sequencing technologies, computational models, and gene referencing databases. Rumen metagenomics enables the linking of the genetic structure and composition of the rumen microbial community to the functional role it plays in the ecosystem. Systematic investigations of the rumen microbiome, including its composition in cattle, have revealed the importance of microbiota in rumen functions. Various research studies have identified different types of microbiome species that reside within the rumen and their relationships, leading to a greater understanding of their functional contribution. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to highlight the role of the phylogenetic and functional composition of the microbiome in cattle functions. It is driven by a natural assumption that closely related microbial genes/operational taxonomical units (OTUs)/amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) by phylogeny are highly correlated and tend to have similar functional traits. Methods: PRISMA approach has been used to conduct the current scoping review providing state-ofthe- art studies for a comprehensive understanding of microbial genes’ phylogeny in the rumen microbiome and their functional capacity. Results: 44 studies have been included in the review, which has facilitated phylogenetic advancement in studying important cattle functions and identifying key microbiota. Microbial genes and their interrelations have the potential to accurately predict the phenotypes linked to ruminants, such as feed efficiency, milk production, and high/low methane emissions. In this review, a variety of cattle have been considered, ranging from cows, buffaloes, lambs, Angus Bulls, etc. Also, results from the reviewed literature indicate that metabolic pathways in microbiome genomic groupings result in better carbon channeling, thereby affecting methane production by ruminants. Conclusion: The mechanistic understanding of the phylogeny of the rumen microbiome could lead to a better understanding of ruminant functions. The composition of the rumen microbiome is crucial for the understanding of dynamics within the rumen environment. The integration of biological domain knowledge with functional gene activity, metabolic pathways, and rumen metabolites could lead to a better understanding of the rumen system.

Handoff Education Interventions: A Scoping Review Focused on Sustaining Improvements.

Handoffs involve the transfer of patient information and responsibility for care between health care professionals. The purpose of the current scoping review was (1) to describe handoff studies with education as part of the intervention and (2) to explore the role of handoff educational interventions in sustaining handoff improvements. This scoping review utilized previously published systematic reviews and a structured, systematic search of 5 databases (January 2006-June 2020). Articles were identified, and data were extracted by pairs of trained, independent reviewers. The search identified 74 relevant articles, most published after 2015 (70%) and conducted in the United States (76%). Almost all of the studies (99%) utilized instruction, 66% utilized skills practice, 89% utilized a memory aid, and 43% utilized reinforcement. However, few studies reported using education theory or followed accepted tenets of curriculum development. There has been a substantial increase over time in reporting actual handoff behavior change (17%-68%) and a smaller but important increase in reporting patient outcomes (11%-18%). Thirty-five percent of studies (26/74) had follow-up for 6 months or more. Twelve studies met the criteria for sustained change, which were follow-up for 6 months or more and achieving statistically significant improvements in either handoff skills/processes or patient outcomes at the conclusion of the study. All 12 studies with sustained change used multi-modal educational interventions, and reinforcement was more likely to be used in these studies than all others (75%, 9/12) versus (37%, 23/62), P = 0.015. Future handoff intervention efforts that include education should use education theory to guide development and include needs assessment and goals and measurable objectives. Educational interventions should be multi-modal and include reinforcement. Future research studies should measure actual handoff behavior change (skills/process) and patient outcomes, include follow-up for more than 6 months, and use education reporting guidelines.

A SYSTEMATIC MAPPING REVIEW OF IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO EVIDENCES EXPLORING THE ROLE OF STRAIN-SPECIFIC PROBIOTIC BIFIDOBACTERIUM LONGUM W11

The gut microbiome has a significant role in overall well-being. Various probiotics are currently used for the improvement of the gut microbiome; the current scoping review aimed to critically examine the effectiveness of Bifidobacterium longum W11 in healthy and disease states. A thorough search of the literature was done in three scientific databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) to identify and retrieve in-vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical evidence that evaluated the effect of B. longum W11 probiotic. Two independent reviewers identified and screened articles, published from 2000 to 2023 from the databases. Data from eligible studies were extracted, compiled, critically evaluated for scientific strength, and presented in this scoping review. Initially, 663 articles were identified and after a complete screening and evaluation process, twenty-one articles (eight in-vitro and animal studies; thirteen clinical studies) were included. Pre-clinical data suggest that B. longum W11 can withstand the severe gastrointestinal environment and colonize the intestinal epithelial cells to a significant degree. Due to the presence of a specific EPS cluster gene, B. longum W11 is capable of producing unique exopolysaccharides that might be responsible for the adhesion and functional capabilities of B. longum W11. Additionally, the specific mutation in the rpoB gene confers the B. longum W11 resistance to all rifamycin derivatives (including rifaximin). Clinical studies involving individuals with constipation and irritable bowel syndrome have shown that B. longum W11 supplementation significantly improves the overall quality of life and reduces the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, B. longum W11 was found to be effective in minimal hepatic encephalopathy and active celiac disease conditions. Due to the antibiotic resistance, the simultaneous use of rifaximin and B. longum W11 in patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease condition resulted in greater improvement in various symptoms compared to rifaximin supplementation alone. These data suggest that B. longum W11 is a potential probiotic that can be administered along with antibiotics in various gastrointestinal disease conditions. This evidence suggests that B. longum W11 is a promising probiotic with potential applications in various functional and inflammatory GI-related complications. Further clinical studies and stringent systematic reviews are needed to strengthen the outcomes of the current study.