Mesh Research Articles

STUDYING THE STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF BRICK WALLS STRENGTHENED BY DAMAGED TIRES STRIPS

The present study involves strengthening process applied upon brick walls to increase their ultimate load carrying capacity or improving their ductility behavior by using different types of strengthening materials. These materials include either traditional well-known materials or newly proposed materials. The traditional materials include steel wire mesh (SWM) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheet (CFRPS) while the proposed materials include recycled damaged tire strips (DTS). The purpose of using such abundant and polluted material is to satisfy, respectively, the economic considerations and clean environment in the field of enhancing the structural behavior of brick walls. Eight brick walls models were constructed with dimensions of (1200×1200×240) mm, respectively represent width, height and thickness of each model to be tested by 45° compressive loading. Results exhibited that, the SWM increases the ultimate load carrying capacity for the strengthened models to 51.85% compared to the non-strengthened model when placed on one side of the model. Also, the use of CFRPS placed on one side and on both sides of the strengthened models increases the ultimate load capacity respectively to 18.2% and 385% compared to the non-strengthened model. The DTS material has no ability to increase the ultimate load capacity (-18.2 %) but it successfully converts the brittle behavior of the brick walls to a ductile one. It is recommended to use DTS to increase the ductility for brick walls that are likely be damaged or collapsed to avoid the sudden failure.

The Link Between Gut Microbiota and Depression: Exploring the Correlation

Introduction: Depression represents a significant global health challenge, affecting approximately 4.4% of the global population and ranking as the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite advancements in pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic interventions, a substantial proportion of individuals with depression experience treatment resistance, recurrence of symptoms, or inadequate response to standard treatments. Aim of the Study: This review explores the emerging role of the gut microbiome in depression, focusing on its potential as a therapeutic target. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar. The search encompassed articles utilizing keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to “gut microbiome,” “depression,” “microbiota-gut-brain axis,” “psychiatric disorders,” and “clinical studies.” Conclusion: Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota offer promising avenues for alleviating depressive symptoms and enhancing treatment outcomes. Probiotics, prebiotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) represent diverse interventions aimed at restoring microbial balance, modulating gut-brain communication, and reducing neuroinflammation associated with depression. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic approaches, explore personalized medicine strategies based on individual microbiome profiles and clarify the safety and efficacy of microbial-based therapies in clinical settings.

Safety parameters of diode laser therapy for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety parameters of diode laser (DL) therapy on treating recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU). We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies from PubMed, Embase, WOS, Cochrane, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP were searched by hand. The search terms encompassed both Medical Subject Headings terms (Stomatitis, aphthous; Lasers, semiconductor) and their corresponding text words. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. 16 studies were included in this review with no high-risk studies and no significant publication bias. In this review, we found DL therapy was more effective than medication or placebo in reducing Visual Analog Scale (MD = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.40 to 4.17, P < 0.0001), shrinking ulcer size (MD = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.15 to 4.09, P = 0.0005) and accelerating healing time (MD = -3.72, 95% CI: -4.86 to -2.59, P < 0.00001). Moreover, subgroup analyses demonstrated that DL therapy effectively alleviated immediate pain in patients (MD = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.53 to 4.23, P < 0.0001), and a single exposure significantly shortened the healing time of RAU (MD = -4.20, 95% CI: -5.76 to -2.64, P < 0.00001). DL therapy is an effective treatment for RAU without any adverse effects. A single session (or two) with low-energy density irradiation significantly alleviates RAU symptoms. Consequently, there is no need to pursue longer durations and higher parameters of DL therapy, which also aligns with the economic interests of patients. RAU is typically painful and can impair quality of life. Suitable DL therapy represents a promising strategy.

An in-depth critical analysis of Morgellons: Delusion or disease?

Morgellons is a poorly understood entity and is characterized by cutaneous findings such as fibers emerging from the skin, which can cause secondary symptoms such as formication and itching. Morgellons is an understudied area with conflicting results; this imposes challenges to clinicians while navigating consultations and understanding, diagnosing, and treating Morgellons. This literature review summarizes the available data on the etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and social media influence within Morgellons. Medical Subject Headings terms were used to systematically search PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE, and two independent reviewers screened the selected articles, revealing that Morgellons is poorly understood among the scientific community, with a population prevalence of 3.65/100,000. The etiology of Morgellons is controversial, and opinions among psychiatrists and dermatologists are conflicting. Some studies propose a biological origin linked to Lyme disease, whereas others view Morgellons as a delusional disorder without an underlying pathology. The conflicting views can be attributed to the lack of robust research with no consensus on an established pathophysiology, disease classification, or treatment guidelines. Herein, the majority of literature views Morgellons as a delusional disorder, wherein an underlying pathology triggers the delusional experience. However, further studies are required to accurately classify the disease and direct patients to the right specialists to ensure effective treatment and development of treatment guidelines. Nevertheless, a holistic treatment approach, integrating psychosomatic and dermatological modalities, is lacking.

Global Research Evidence on Anxiety and Intellectual Disability: A Bibliometric Analysis

ABSTRACT People with intellectual disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety than the general population; however, this relationship is complex and not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to map and evaluate, from a bibliometric perspective, the scientific production related to anxiety and intellectual disabilities. The Web of Science database was used, along with search terms related to the study theme validated by Medical Subject Headings. The findings reveal an annual growth rate of 5.41% in publications, with the highest production year being 2019. The majority of the documents were research articles and review articles. The United Kingdom emerged as the leading country in terms of authorship frequency, while the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research proved to be the most active journal, and Lund University was the leading institution. The VOSviewer clustering algorithm was employed for keyword analysis, identifying mental health, comorbidity, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, high functioning autism, intervention, and psychotherapy as emerging and current research trends. The main collaboration networks were found in Europe and Anglophone countries. These findings can serve as a foundation to understand the structure of the literature and promote collaborations, as well as to identify emerging trends in research on anxiety and intellectual disability.

Improving laser directed energy deposition with wire feed-stock through beam shaping with a deformable mirror

This study explores the uncharted territory of beam shaping through a novel deformable mirror system in directed energy deposition laser wire, an emerging area in Additive Manufacturing. While beam shaping has shown substantial benefits in laser processes like welding and powder bed fusion, its potential in this specific domain remains unexploited. The research investigates the influence of three near-elliptical Gaussian beam shapes on melt pool and bead geometries during deposition with stainless-steel wire. The study reveals three distinct processing modes achievable at the same total power through beam shaping, with significant modifications observed in melt pool and bead structures. Reduced bead geometry variation and enhanced process stability were achieved with the beam shape with major axis along the wire feeding direction, and with highest average power density and intermediate peak power density. The findings underscore the potential of beam shaping to enhance robustness and increase energy utilization and productivity in this process.

The Pronounced Loneliness Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Human beings are not meant to be lonely, but being lonely is human. From a prevalence estimated to be 11% to 17% in the 1970s, loneliness has increased to over 40% in middle-aged and older adults. There is consensus in the existing body of literature on risk factors for loneliness, which shows that demographics, socioeconomic status, mental health, disabilities, societal participation, and social contact are all correlates of loneliness. Since its designation as a pandemic in the 1990s, loneliness has been characterized in many ways: it has been referred to as 'the leprosy' of the 21st century; called a silent pandemic and a public health concern; and as a behavioral epidemic in the year 2020. Loneliness has been framed as the 'antithesis of happiness', increasingly regarded as a key global public health challenge; as well as being officially recognized by the World Health Organization as a priority policy matter, in particular, for older persons. Whereas most instances of loneliness are transient and may be dealt with through individual commitment and effort, persisting loneliness may require treatment from specialists. A comprehensive review of the literature on the effects of loneliness during pandemics was conducted through an extensive search using a variety of search engines. This used a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terminology to capture the relevant literature. In a time of great social upheaval and unexpected pandemics, it becomes all the more important to understand how chronic loneliness shapes our physical and emotional health behaviors.

Enhancing Shear Strength in RC Beams: A Synergistic Approach with Steel Chips and Wire Mesh

This study explores a hybrid approach aimed at enhancing the shear performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The methodology involves the incorporation of industrial steel chips having length 75mm to 100mm in combination with varying widths of wire mesh reinforcement. Comprehensive shear tests were conducted on precisely prepared beam specimens measuring 150mm×150mm×900mm to assess shear strength, crack patterns, and failure modes. The study induces steel chips into the concrete mix at a rate of 0.9% by weight and comprises eight sets of specimens,including a control sample without any mesh reinforcement, along-with specimens reinforced with wire mesh strips ranging from 12.5mm to 87.5mm in width. Notably, the inclusion of steel chips and wire mesh enhances the shear behavior of concrete beams across all samples. As the steel chips and wire mesh acts like small-diameter bars, contributing to the enhancement of shear by improving the interlocking of concrete constituents and eff ectively distributing stresses throughout the beam’s cross-section, leading to distinctive diagonal crack patterns on the beam surfaces. The study unveils that with the increasing width of the wire mesh, there is an increase in the number of cracks while the crack widths decreases. The test outcome reveals that percentages increase of 13.66, 22.89, 31.37, 46.50, 55.00, 66.80 and 78.60 respectively, demonstrating the effective enhancement of shear strength through the utilization of wire mesh and steel chips.

Global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundToxoplasmosis in pregnancy is associated with serious and irreversible maternal and fetal detrimental consequences. Also, different seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy is reported in many countries. The present systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to determine the global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women.MethodsThis study was conducted based on the PRISMA 2020 criteria. Initial searching was conducted using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)-based keywords with no time limitation (by August 1, 2024). Collected papers were transferred to Citation Management Software (EndNote). Duplicate studies were merged and primary and secondary screenings were applied based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Validation was considered to find high-quality assessments. Finally, eligible extractable papers were enrolled for data collection. Data was analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (v.2) The random effects model was used in case of I2 index above 50%.In order to investigate the factors affecting the heterogeneity of studies, meta-regression tests were used to examine factors such as sample size and year of study.ResultsOne hundred thirty-eight eligible studies with a total sample size of 135,098 pregnant women individuals were selected for data extraction and analysis. The heterogeneity index was found high (I2:98.9) and the random effect model was used for analysis. The egger test revealed the absence of publication bias in collected studies (p:0.088). Thus, the global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women was reported at 36.6% (95%CI:33.7–39.6). the highest prevalence reported based on meta-analysis was reported in South America with 52.8% (95% CI:46.6–59), while only 15 studies were reviewed in this continent, most of which were in Brazil. Therefore, after the continent, the highest prevalence reported was reported in Africa with 46.8% (95% CI:39.5–54.3). Also, the lowest prevalence reported based on meta-analysis was in North America with 19.7% (95% CI:8.4–39.6) and Europe with 24.6% (95% CI:17.8–32.9).ConclusionThis study revealed a high level of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women worldwide. This value mostly depends on the individual's age, lifestyle, and disease awareness regarding toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. Thus, public awareness, along with comprehensive health programs regarding the detrimental effects of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, seems necessary for prevention or even early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Prevalence and factors associated with newborn care practices among caregivers: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis in sub-Saharan Africa

IntroductionBetween 1990 and 2022, the global under-five and neonatal mortality rates decreased by 62% and 56%, respectively. However, neonatal mortality is still on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the WHO essential newborn care package to improve newborn care practices and reduce neonatal mortality, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted newborn care practices globally. After the pandemic, ascertaining the magnitude of newborn care practices and factors associated with these practices among caregivers is essential. However, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses on this topic in SSA have been published since 2021. This paper reviews the prevalence and determinants of newborn care practices among caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods and analysisThe PRISMA-P guidelines will be used to report the systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. An online search on electronic databases such as CIHNAL, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and AJOL will be conducted from January 2021 to present to identify relevant academic, peer-reviewed quantitative studies published in English Language. Medical Subject Headings will aid in identifying keywords pertinent to the study's concepts, combined with Boolean operators to obtain suitable articles. Two independent authors will review the articles’ abstracts and titles and conduct full article screening for inclusion. Data will be analyzed using narrative synthesis for nonhomogeneous data while homogenous data will be analyzed using meta-analysis including odds ratios and confidence intervals.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for systematic reviews. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Systematic review registrationThis systematic review and meta-analysis is registered with the PROSPERO International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews with the registration number CRD42024510159.

Posterior fossa ring-enhancing lesions in the adult immunocompetent host: illustrative cases, systematic review, and proposed diagnostic algorithm.

Posterior fossa ring-enhancing lesions (PFREL) in the adult immunocompetent hosts pose a diagnostic challenge. We aimed to evaluate the spectrum of PFREL etiologies and propose a diagnostic algorithm. This study involved a retrospective analysis of PFREL cases from our institution (January 2023 to April 2024) and a systematic literature review conducted using Embase and PubMed databases following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Clinical and radiological features from these cases formed the basis of a diagnostic algorithm, which was further refined via an additional comprehensive literature review, and finally validated on an independent set of PFREL cases. The systematic review (467 studies, 56 selected after inclusion/exclusion criteria) revealed that PFREL etiology was infectious in 52%, tumoral in 38% and inflammatory in 2% of cases. At initial presentation, mean age was 48 years and 36% of patients had multiple PFREL. Headache was the most common symptom (46%). Among those with reported outcomes, 36% showed complete resolution of symptoms, 29% showed improvement with residual symptoms, and 16% died. The diagnostic algorithm was created from a total of 116 PFREL cases (10 from our institutional series, 56 from the systematic literature review and 50 supplementary cases found in the literature) and included 29 possible PFREL etiologies. In the validation set (16 patients), the algorithm provided the correct diagnosis in each case. PFREL in immunocompetent adults encompass a broad differential diagnosis. Our algorithm integrates clinical and radiologic data to assist in identifying the underlying cause of PFREL, potentially reducing the need for neurosurgical biopsy. This approach aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, leading to better treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes. ADEM = acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; CLL = chronic lymphocytic leukemia; CSF = cerebrospinal fluid; DLBCL: diffuse large B cell lymphoma; FLAIR = fluid attenuated inversion recovery; MeSH = medical subject headings; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; NIHSS = National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; NMOSD = neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder; PFREL = posterior fossa ring enhancing lesion; PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses; SUV max = maximum standardized uptake value.

Fabrication and multi-aspect characterization of polymer composite reinforced with differently stacked flax-fiber and steel-wire meshes

This study focuses on developing a new type of multi-fiber reinforced multi-layer polymer composite using natural and metal fibers. Flax fiber has shown potential as a fairly good reinforcement, but its mechanical weaknesses have led researchers to explore hybridization in composites for better performance. The paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of a unique kind of hybrid composite that uses the advantages of stainless steel along with flax fiber, resulting in a lightweight material suitable for engineering uses. In this research, SS-304 wire mesh is used along with flax fibers to make three different composites, with varying stacking arrangements. Experimental results indicate that, although the inclusion of steel wire mesh slightly reduces interlaminar shear strength, significant improvements are observed in tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness and impact resistance. Stereo-microscopy is utilized to analyze surface features and stacking sequences, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals fracture surfaces in tensile and flexural specimens. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping helps to identify the elemental compositions present in the composites. This study demonstrates that metal reinforcement can enhance the mechanical properties of flax-reinforced polymer composites, providing a lightweight and sustainable solution for engineering applications.

Long term abdominal drains as a therapeutic option in refractory ascites – a systematic review

Introduction: Refractory ascites (RA) is the most common complication of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) with a significant burden in terms of symptoms and overall quality of life (QoL). There are limited therapeutic options available for this population and most ultimately undergo serial large-volume paracentesis (LVP). Long-term abdominal drains (LTAD) are commonly used for malignant ascites drainage but not for ascites related to ESLD, due to concerns about kidney injury and infection. Objectives: This review aims to describe the safety, effectiveness, and impact on the QoL of LTAD in ESLD-related ascites. Methods: Using systematic review methodology, PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published between January 1, 2001, to June 1, 2024, combining medical subject headings (MeSH) [(«cirrhosis» OR «chronic liver disease») AND «refractory ascites» AND («permanent-tunneled peritoneal catheter» OR «tunneled catheter» OR «indwelling catheter» OR «long-term abdominal drains»)]. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the results. Results: One hundred thirty-nine studies were identified, with 16 deemed eligible for final analysis, including three randomized clinical trials. The studies varied in design, included different types of LTAD, and were generally of low quality, with many lacking statistical power due to small sample sizes. In terms of effectiveness, technical success was 100%, and as long as LTAD remains in situ, no need for additional LVP is required. Overall, the catheters remained in situ for periods ranging from 3 to 436 days. In terms of safety, kidney injury occurred in 17 to 50% of patients, but only if &gt;1.5 liters/day were drained. Infections including cellulitis and peritonitis, occurred in 7 to 58% of patients and were generally resolved with antibiotic therapy and/or device removal. LTAD do not appear to have a negative impact on mortality. Regarding QoL, the data are contradictory with most studies reporting an overall neutral effect. Conclusion: LTAD should be considered as an option in RA from ESLD in the future, but more quality studies are needed to confirm their safety and benefits in controlling symptoms. This could be an important step in terms of improving the palliative needs of this population.

Offshore Submerged Aquaculture Flow-Net Interaction Simulation: A Numerical Approach for the Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Nets Produced from Different Materials

The mechanical and hydrodynamic characteristics of single-piece nets are key to the design and optimization of offshore aquaculture net cages. A numerical approach for offshore submerged aquaculture net materials based on the Morison equations and finite element is proposed, simulating the hydrodynamic characteristics of single-piece nets under varying parameters such as wire diameter, mesh size, and flow velocity, and simulating the impact of marine organism attachment on nets by modifying the drag coefficient. The simulation results of nets made from materials such as Copper–Zinc Alloy (Cu-Zn), Zinc–Aluminum Alloy (Zn-Al), Semi-Rigid Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) are compared, which provides a theoretical basis for optimizing design parameters and selecting materials for nets based on force conditions and hydrodynamic characteristics. The simulation results indicate that the current force on the net is positively correlated with flow velocity; the maximum displacement of the net is also positively correlated with the flow rate. Compared to other materials, the Cu-Zn net is subjected to the greatest water flow force, while the UHMWPE net experiences the greatest displacement; the larger the diameter of the netting twine, the greater the current force on the net; the mesh size is inversely related to the current force on the net. With increasing drag coefficient, both the maximum displacement of the net and the current force experiences increase, and UHMWPE material nets are more sensitive to increases in the drag coefficient, which indicates a greater impact from the attachment of marine organisms. The density and elastic modulus of the netting material affect the rate of increase in force on the net. The research results can provide a basis for further research on material selection and design of deep-sea aquaculture nets.

Markers of Prognosis for Acute Esophageal Necrosis: A Systematic Review.

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare and lethal condition that may progress to sepsis and perforations. Most related literature comes from case reports; however, a few small reviews have been published. We conducted a large systematic review of AEN using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase to organize data into one consolidated manuscript, find potential prognosticators of illness, and determine possible treatment guidelines for AEN. Advanced searches were performed of all English case reports from 1990 to 2021 using medical subject heading (MeSH) terms. Data on patient age, sex, comorbidities, initial presentation, management, progression of illness, and hospital survival were collected. Our study included 226 articles, encompassing 319 cases. 32.3% of patients had diabetes, 26.6% had hypertension, and 19.7% had alcohol use disorder. 66.5% presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed and 21.9% developed sepsis or esophageal perforation. 60.9% of patients were reported to have survived their illness, but 16.6% of cases did not have their discharge status documented. Interestingly, patients presenting with pain or ketoacidosis demonstrated improved survival. AEN becomes more prevalent as patients age and develop cardiovascular disease, which increases the risk of developing a hypoperfusive state and mucosal injury to the distal esophagus. Early fluid resuscitation, acid-reducing agents, and bowel rest may serve as potential lifesaving interventions, and antibiotics should be considered if there is concern for infection. Patients require close follow up in anticipation of impending stricture.

Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Endothelial Dysfunction in Cardiovascular Diseases

This comprehensive review aims to provide a thorough overview of the vital role that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play in endothelial dysfunction, particularly emphasizing how physiological factors—such as sex and aging—along with significant cardiovascular risk factors, influence this process. The review covers studies ranging from the first description of EVs in 1945 to contemporary insights into their biological roles in intercellular signaling and endothelial dysfunction. A comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed articles and reviews indexed in the PubMed database was conducted to compile the information. Initially, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms included keywords aimed at providing general knowledge about the role of EVs in the regulation of endothelial signaling, such as “extracellular vesicles”, “endothelium”, and “intercellular signaling”. Subsequently, terms related to the pathophysiological implications of EV interactions with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease were added, including “cardiovascular disease”, “sex”, “aging”, “atherosclerosis”, “obesity”, and “diabetes”. Additionally, the potential applications of EVs in cardiovascular disease were explored using the MeSH terms “extracellular vesicles”, “cardiovascular disease”, “biomarker”, and “therapeutic strategy”. The results of this bibliographical review reveal that EVs have the capacity to induce various cellular responses within the cardiovascular system and play a significant role in the complex landscape of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. The composition of the EV cargo is subject to modification by pathophysiological conditions such as sex, aging, and cardiovascular risk factors, which result in a complex regulatory influence on endothelial function and neighboring cells when released from a dysfunctional endothelium. Moreover, the data suggest that this field still requires further exploration, as EV biology is continuously evolving, presenting a dynamic and engaging area for research. A deeper understanding of the molecular cargo involved in EV–endothelium interactions could yield valuable biomarkers for monitoring cardiovascular disease progression and facilitate the development of innovative bioengineered therapeutic strategies to enhance patient outcomes.

Risk Factors for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Before 3 Months of Age

Two meta-analyses published in 2012 found breech presentation, family history of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), female sex, and primiparity to increase the risk of DDH. However, the DDH definition, reference tests, and the age of the examined children varied considerably, complicating the translation of those findings to current screening guidelines. To evaluate the association of previously proposed risk factors with the risk of sonography-verified DDH. A literature search strategy used MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms and text words associated with DDH and prognostic studies or risk factors. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched on November 23, 2023, to identify the cohort. Criteria included articles that were in English and published from January 1, 1980, to November 23, 2023. Eligible studies included randomized clinical trials and cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that involved participants younger than 3 months in whom a diagnosis of DDH was made by hip ultrasonography using the criterion standard Graf method, reported information on 1 or more of the proposed risk factors, and reported the final diagnosis. Collected variables included an evaluated risk factor, the number of infants with a risk factor, the number of infants without risk factors, and the number of infants with and without DDH in the at-risk group and in the no-risk group. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guidelines. The main outcome measures were risk of DDH (using odds ratios [ORs]) for each of the risk factors. Of 5363 studies screened, 20 studies comprising 64 543 infants were included. Breech presentation (OR, 4.15 [95% CI, 2.62-6.57]), family history of DDH (OR, 3.83 [95% CI, 2.05-7.15]), female sex (OR, 2.50 [95% CI, 1.74-3.59]), oligohydramnios (OR, 3.76 [95% CI, 1.66-8.53]), and high birth weight (OR, 2.00 [95% CI, 1.60-2.49]) were associated with a significant increased risk of DDH. Cesarean delivery, primiparity, multiple births, low birth weight, and prematurity were not associated with DDH risk. Heterogeneity was high (I2 > 70.00%) in all of the tested factors except high birth weight (I2 = 0%). The subgroup analysis was performed to investigate these heterogeneities. The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that family history and breech presentation were associated with a significant increase in the risk of sonography-verified DDH in infants younger than 3 months, and a DDH risk increase of female sex was found to be lower than previously reported. A risk increase was detected for oligohydramnios, which has not been included in many screening programs and might also be considered as a referral criterion for hip ultrasonography.

Bridging the continuity: Practice-enhancing publications about the ambulatory care medication-use process in 2023.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. This article identifies, summarizes, and prioritizes published literature on the ambulatory care medication-use process (ACMUP) from 2023 that can describe ambulatory pharmacy practice. The medication-use process is the foundational system that provides the framework for safe medication utilization within the healthcare environment. The ACMUP is defined in this article as having the following components: transitions of care, prescribing, access, dispensing, adherence, and evaluating. Articles evaluating at least one step of the ACMUP were assessed for their usefulness toward practice improvement. A PubMed search was conducted in January 2024 for the publication year 2023 using targeted Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords and the table of contents of selected pharmacy journals, providing a total of 2,903 articles. A thorough review identified 52 potentially practice-enhancing articles: 6 for transitions of care, 11 for prescribing, 5 for access, 6 for dispensing, 8 for adherence, and 16 articles for evaluating. Trends gleaned from the highest-impact articles are described. It is important to routinely review the published literature and to incorporate significant findings into daily practice. This article continues a series of articles defining and evaluating the currently published literature around the ACMUP. As healthcare continues to advance and care shifts to ambulatory settings, the ACMUP will continue to be a crucial process to evaluate.

What are family caregivers' experiences of coordinating end-of-life care at home? A narrative review.

People with life-limiting diseases, who are no longer receiving active or curable treatment, often state their preferred place of care and death as the home. This requires coordinating a multidisciplinary approach, using available health and social care services to synchronize care. Family caregivers are key to enabling home-based end-of-life support; however, the 2 elements that facilitate success - coordination and family caregiver - are not necessarily associated as being intertwined or one and the same. This narrative review explores family caregiver experiences of coordinating end-of-life care in the home setting. Studies were identified systematically following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search of 5 databases (CINAHL, AMED, MEDLINE, Joanna Briggs Institute for Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Database) was conducted using Medical Subject Headings search terms and Boolean operators. Seven hundred and eighty papers were screened. Quality assessment was conducted using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Characteristics of included studies were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI) extraction tool. Ten qualitative studies were included. A meta-aggregative approach was used to assemble findings and categories extracted from the included papers, which led to identification of 3 overall themes: (1) family caregiver identity, (2) strategies for care, and (3) practicalities of care. Research suggests there should be a designated care coordinator to support people nearing the end of life at home. However, this review shows that family caregivers intrinsically take on this role. Their experiences, frequently share commonalities across different cultures and regions, highlighting the universal nature of their challenges. Difficulties associated with providing home-based care are evident, but the undertaking of care coordination by relatives highlights a need for a change in approach. Future studies could explore the impact of having a designated "facilitator" or single point of contact for families, as well as the development of tailored communication strategies.

Systemic photobiomodulation: an integrative review of evidence for intravascular laser irradiation of blood and vascular photobiomodulation.

Currently, clinical practice has demonstrated various applications for systemic laser photobiomodulation (PBM). In recent years, an increasing number of studies have been highlighted in the literature; however, they differ in their application methods, which can be intravenous, referred to as ILIB (intravascular laser irradiation of blood), or transdermally, recently termed VPBM (vascular photobiomodulation). This review aimed to compile all findings on these techniques and critically discuss their results. A search for articles was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to select descriptors with the boolean operators "AND/OR." After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 37 articles were selected. Of these, 19 studies discussed the use of systemic PBM with intravenous application, and 7 studies reported transcutaneous application. Regarding clinical studies, 28 studies addressed the application of the techniques in respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and musculoskeletal conditions. For preclinical studies, 9 articles primarily discussed the application of systemic PBM in pulmonary and musculoskeletal conditions. Despite the promising results, methodological limitations, and variabilities in studies on systemic laser PBM prevent the categorical assertion of its efficacy. It is essential to conduct rigorous new studies to elucidate the mechanisms of action and determine the technique's efficacy.