Peer Review Of Electronic Search Strategies Research Articles

Back to the basics: Guidance for designing good literature searches

The number of scientific publications is growing at an unprecedented rate. Failure to properly evaluate existing literature at the start of a project may result in a researcher wasting time and resources. As pharmacy researchers and scholars look to conceptualize new studies, it is imperative to begin with a high-quality literature review that reveals what is known and unknown about a given topic. The purpose of this commentary is to provide useful guidance on conducting rigorous searches of the literature that inform the design and execution of research. Guidance for less formal literature reviews can be adapted from best practices utilized within the formalized field of evidence synthesis. Additionally, researchers can draw on guidance from PRESS (Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies) to engage in self-evaluation of their search strategies. Finally, developing an awareness of common pitfalls when designing literature searches can provide researchers with confidence that their research is designed to fill clearly articulated gaps in knowledge.

Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors in the United States: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States (US). Cancer survivors have increased risks for CVD and CVD-related mortality due to multiple factors including cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity. Disparities are rooted in differential exposure to risk factors and social determinants of health (SDOH), including systemic racism. This review aimed to assess SDOH's role in disparities, document CVD-related disparities among US cancer survivors, and identify literature gaps for future research. Following the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guidelines, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched on March 15, 2021, with an update conducted on September 26, 2023. Articles screening was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020, a pre-defined Population, Exposure, Comparison, Outcomes, and Settings (PECOS) framework, and the Rayyan platform. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias, and RAW Graphs for alluvial charts. This review is registered with PROSPERO under ID #CRD42021236460. Out of 7,719 retrieved articles, 24 were included, and discussed diverse SDOH that contribute to CVD-related disparities among cancer survivors. The 24 included studies had a large combined total sample size (n=7,704,645; median=19,707). While various disparities have been investigated, including rural-urban, sex, socioeconomic status, and age, a notable observation is that non-Hispanic Black cancer survivors experience disproportionately adverse CVD outcomes when compared to non-Hispanic White survivors. This underscores historical racism and discrimination against non-Hispanic Black individuals as fundamental drivers of CVD-related disparities. Stakeholders should work to eliminate the root causes of disparities. Clinicians should increase screening for risk factors that exacerbate CVD-related disparities among cancer survivors. Researchers should prioritise the investigation of systemic factors driving disparities in cancer and CVD and develop innovative interventions to mitigate risk in cancer survivors.

Utilising emerging perspectives at the global and regional level to frame multisectoral nutrition governance landscape in Kenya.

Multisectoral nutrition governance (MNG) is a vital enabling determinant of improved nutrition outcomes. Despite this, it remains to be a complex phenomenon that lacks adequate understanding, especially in developing countries like Kenya. This narrative review aims to discuss the evolution of MNG, the current state of MNG, barriers and challenges, and based on these identify entry points for improvement within the complex governance structure in Kenya. The Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to ensure rigorous and transparent identification of literature and interpretation. Kenya and developing countries with similar contexts. The review included forty-five documents (peer-reviewed articles and grey literature) that reported on MNG in developing countries. We acknowledge that MNG is a complex and evolving determinant of better nutrition outcomes. The paper highlights challenges Kenya and other developing countries face such as inadequate leadership, inadequate coordination, insufficient capacity, inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems, and limited financial resources, among others. For Kenya in particular, there is inadequate understanding of what MNG is and how it can be effectively operationalised and tracked. To enhance understanding of MNG in Kenya, a country-specific assessment of MNG processes and impact outcomes using standard tools and defined metrics is vital. Such assessment will generate evidence of progress, successes, and challenges that will compel the government and stakeholders to invest more in multisectoral nutrition approaches to achieve its nutrition goals.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal mortality ratio and related factors in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Maternal mortality is an indication of the health status of women in the society. To investigate the maternal mortality ratio, causes of maternal mortality, and related risk factors among Iranian women. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guideline, we systematically searched electronic databases, and the grey literature, for publications in Farsi and English from 1970 to January 2022 for studies that reported the number of maternal deaths and/or maternal mortality ratio and their related factors. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 16 and 2-sided P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant, if not otherwise specified. A subgroup meta-analysis of studies conducted since 2000 estimated the maternal mortality ratio as 45.03 per 100 000 births during 2000-2004, 36.05 during 2005-2009, and 23.71 after 2010. The most frequent risk factors for maternal mortality were caesarean section, poor antenatal and delivery care, unskilled birth attendance, age, low maternal education level, lower human development index, and residence in rural or remote areas. There has been a significant decrease in maternal mortality in the Islamic Republic of Iran during the last few decades. Mothers in the country need to be monitored more carefully by trained healthcare workers during the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods so they can effectively handle postpartum complications, such as haemorrhage and infection, thereby further reducing maternal mortality.

Anxiety among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundA growing number of studies point to a high mental health burden among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly concerning anxiety. However, the study quality and effect direction are heterogeneous in the existing primary studies with a lacking overview for the European continent. Therefore, this systematic review aims to critically synthesise the evidence regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety among children and adolescents in Europe compared to a pre-pandemic baseline.MethodsA systematic literature search will be performed in six databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and WHO COVID-19 database) with a peer reviewed search strategy according to the evidence-based checklist Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS). Inclusion criteria are children and adolescents ≤ 19 years living in Europe and data report during the COVID-19 pandemic with an appropriate pre-pandemic baseline. Primary outcomes are general anxiety symptoms and clinically relevant anxiety rates. Risk of bias will be assessed using the ‘Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Exposure’ (ROBINS-E). Data extraction will systematically include information on study design, population characteristics, COVID-19 determinants, pre-pandemic baseline, diagnostic instruments and outcome. The certainty of evidence for each outcome will be evaluated by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach adapted to the use of non-randomised studies. All process steps will be performed independently by two reviewers; any discrepancies will be discussed and, if necessary, resolved by a third author. Also, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, publication bias analysis, and meta-regression analysis, if applicable, will be performed. The systematic review was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and the protocol was prepared in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement.DiscussionThis systematic review will address the lack of a critical and comprehensive summary of findings on the COVID-19 pandemic impact on anxiety among children and adolescents in Europe. In addition, it aims to identify pandemic-policy differences, such as the effect of school-closures, and identify particularly vulnerable risk groups.Systematic review registrationCRD42022303714 (PROSPERO).

Mechanical ventilation post-bilateral lung transplantation: A scoping review.

Evidence from lung protective ventilation (LPV) in the acute respiratory distress syndrome has commonly been applied to guide periprocedural ventilation in lung transplantation. However, this approach may not adequately consider the distinctive features of respiratory failure and allograft physiology in the lung transplant recipient. This scoping review was conducted to systematically map the research describing ventilation and relevant physiological parameters post-bilateral lung transplantation with the aim to identify any associations with patient outcomes and gaps in the current knowledge base. To identify relevant publications, comprehensive literature searches of electronic bibliographic databases were conducted with the guidance of an experienced librarian in MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library. The search strategies were peer-reviewed using the PRESS (Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies) checklist. The reference lists of all relevant review articles were surveyed. Publications were included in the review if they described relevant ventilation parameters in the immediate post-operative period, published between 2000 and 2022 and involved human subjects undergoing bilateral lung transplantation. Publications were excluded if they included animal models, only single-lung transplant recipients or only patients managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A total of 1212 articles were screened, 27 were subject to full-text review and 11 were included in the analysis. The quality of the included studies was assessed to be poor with no prospective multi-centre randomised controlled trials. The frequency of reported retrospective LPV parameters was as follows: tidal volume (82%), tidal volume indexed to both donor and recipient body weight (27%) and plateau pressure (18%). Data suggest that undersized grafts are at risk of unrecognised higher tidal volume ventilation indexed to donor body weight. The most reported patient-centred outcome was graft dysfunction severity in the first 72 h. This review has identified a significant knowledge gap that indicates uncertainty regarding the safest ventilation practice in lung transplant recipients. The risk may be greatest in patients with established high-grade primary graft dysfunction and undersized allografts, and these factors may define a sub-group that warrants further investigation.

Barriers and facilitators of physical function, activity, sports and exercise in children and adolescents with spinal pain: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-ethnography

IntroductionSpinal pain is one of the leading causes of disability, with the incidence of adolescent back pain estimated at 20%. Multiple barriers influence exercise participation in adolescents. However, there remains...

Abstract P576: Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors in the United States: A Systematic Review

Significance: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US; and cancer survivors are at increased risk for CVD. The risk for adverse CVD outcomes is not equitably distributed. Disparities exist; and some groups and/or communities that have been targeted for marginalization are more affected. Objective: To document known disparities in CVD outcomes among cancer survivors in the US and identify literature gaps to inform future studies. Methods: We used the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guidelines and searched three databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus on March 15 th , 2021. With a pre-defined PICOS framework, we used rayyan for articles screening and the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. RAW Graphs were used to create alluvial charts. This review is registered with PROSPERO, ID # CRD42021236460. Results & Discussion: From 6,000 articles retrieved, 13 articles met our pre-defined inclusion criteria. All studies investigated racial and ethnic disparities. Gender, age at diagnosis, and cancer stage at diagnosis, and sensitivity C-reactive protein disparities were respectively investigated by one study. The most prevalent outcome investigated is CVD mortality, followed by CVD risk, CVD event, hypertension, and cardiotoxicity. Non-Hispanic Black survivors are at increased risk for all outcomes investigated which might suggest root causes of disparities into historical and structural racism. Conclusions & Implications: (1) Policy implication: There is an urgent need for stakeholders to work to eliminate root causes of disparities and all forms of injustice, by removing all systemic barriers that limit individuals’ access to essential resources needed to maintain health. (2) Clinical implication: Clinicians should increase screening for risk factors that exacerbate poor CVD outcomes. (3) Research implication: Researchers should enhance community partnerships and broaden their focus in investigating innovative approaches to reduce disparities and advance health equity and justice. Keywords: Disparities, cancer survivors, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cardio-oncology, racism, discrimination.

Adherence to systematic review standards: Impact of librarian involvement in Campbell Collaboration's education reviews

The Campbell Collaboration is one organization providing standards for education-related systematic reviews. Librarians are often involved in search strategy development or as research team members for Campbell reviews which allows us to investigate librarian impact. This study examines protocols and reviews published by Campbell's Education Coordinating Group for adherence to the search standards from the Methodological Expectations of Campbell Collaboration Intervention Reviews (MECCIR) and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) checklist for evaluating searches. Eligible studies include reviews with protocols published October 2014 to January 2019. Nineteen matched protocols and reviews were evaluated by two authors independently using a form based on MECCIR and PRESS. We compared adherence differences between protocols and reviews and adherence differences due to librarian involvement. Overall, the protocols and reviews generally adhered to search standards, with greater adherence for reviews reporting librarian involvement. Implications for education librarians include: encouragement to become familiar with the systematic review process; selecting and following appropriate guidelines and standards for conducting and reporting reviews; developing proficiency with search strategy development and reporting to reduce bias and increase transparency and reproducibility; and advocating for acknowledgement or authorship in publications to give credit for expertise and contributions to SR projects.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell therapy for radiation-induced salivary gland hypofunction in animal models: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSalivary gland (SG) hypofunction (objectively reduced saliva flow rate) and xerostomia (subjective sensation of dry mouth) are common and burdensome side effects of radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Currently, only sparse symptomatic treatment is available to ease the discomfort of xerostomia. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy on SG function after radiation-induced injury.MethodsThis systematic review will include animal intervention studies assessing efficacy and safety of MSCs in treating radiation-induced SG hypofunction. The primary outcome is the effect of MSC administration on salivary flow rates (SFR), by comparing treated groups to control groups when available. Secondary outcomes are morphological and immunohistochemical effects as well as safety of MSC treatment. Electronic searches in MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase databases will be constructed and validated according to the peer review of electronic search strategies (PRESS) and assessed by two independent researchers. Data from eligible studies will be extracted, pooled, and analyzed using random-effects models. Risk of bias will be evaluated with the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool.DiscussionThus far, critical appraisal of MSC therapy as an effective treatment for SG hypofunction caused solely by radiation injury has not been conducted. A summary of the existing literature on preclinical studies concerning this issue can provide valuable information about effectiveness, mode of action, and safety, allowing further optimization of preclinical and clinical trials.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42021227336

Research outcomes of linked prescription drug monitoring program data: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionThe objective of this scoping review is to describe the extent and nature of research studies based on linked prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data; defined as PDMP data linked...

Adoption of peer review of literature search strategies in knowledge synthesis from 2009 to 2018: An overview.

Knowledge synthesis (KS) reviews rely on good quality literature searches to capture a complete set of relevant studies, and peer review of the search strategy is one quality control mechanism that contributes to better quality reviews. Guidelines for peer review of electronic search strategies (PRESS) have been available since 2008. This overview provides a snapshot of KS indexed in Scopus, published between 2009 and 2018, that reported peer review of the literature search strategy. Articles were identified through citation chasing for PRESS guidance documents and supplementary keyword searches. The characteristics of individual articles and the journals that published them were documented, and descriptive statistics were compiled. 415 articles from 169 journals met inclusion criteria. Approximately half were published in 14 journal titles. Most reviews reported the involvement of an information professional, but PRESS reviewers were rarely acknowledged. An overwhelming majority of review teams were based in Canada. Reported use of PRESS was low during the period examined, but under-reporting may be a factor. Investigation of the barriers and facilitators of PRESS adoption is needed. Despite its value, adoption of PRESS appears low. Advocacy for, and education about, PRESS may be required.

Comparison of freshly cultured versus freshly thawed (cryopreserved) mesenchymal stem cells in preclinical in vivo models of inflammation: a protocol for a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that demonstrate therapeutic potential for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory-mediated conditions. Especially for acute conditions, it is critical to have a readily available freshly thawed (cryopreserved) MSC product for rapid administration. Although controversial, some studies suggest that MSCs may lose their functionality with cryopreservation which in turn could render them non-efficacious.ObjectiveIn controlled preclinical in vivo models of inflammation, to determine if there are differences in surrogate measures of preclinical efficacy between freshly cultured and freshly thawed MSCsMethods/designA systematic search for pre-clinical in vivo inflammatory model studies will compare freshly cultured to freshly thawed MSCs from any source. The primary outcomes will include measures of in vivo preclinical efficacy; secondary outcomes will include measures of in vitro MSC potency. Electronic searches for MEDLINE and EMBASE will be constructed and reviewed by the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) process. If applicable, study outcomes will be meta-analyzed using a random effects model. Risk of bias will be assessed by the SYRCLE “Risk of Bias” assessment tool for preclinical in vivo studies.DiscussionThe results of this systematic review will provide translational scientists, clinical trialists, health regulators, and the clinical and public community with the current pre-clinical evidence base related to the efficacy and potency of freshly cultured versus freshly thawed MSCs, help identify evidence gaps, and guide future related research.Systematic review registrationProtocol is submitted to PROSPERO for registration (pending confirmation) and will be submitted to Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) for public posting.

An assessment of the quality of current clinical meta-analyses

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to assess the overall quality of study-level meta-analyses in high-ranking journals using commonly employed guidelines and standards for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Methods100 randomly selected study-level meta-analyses published in ten highest-ranking clinical journals in 2016–2017 were evaluated by medical librarians against 4 assessments using a scale of 0–100: the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Standards for Systematic Reviews, and quality items from the Cochrane Handbook. Multiple regression was performed to assess meta-analyses characteristics’ associated with quality scores.ResultsThe overall median (interquartile range) scores were: PRESS 62.5(45.8–75.0), PRISMA 92.6(88.9–96.3), IOM 81.3(76.6–85.9), and Cochrane 66.7(50.0–83.3). Involvement of librarians was associated with higher PRESS and IOM scores on multiple regression. Compliance with journal guidelines was associated with higher PRISMA and IOM scores.ConclusionThis study raises concerns regarding the reporting and methodological quality of published MAs in high impact journals Early involvement of information specialists, stipulation of detailed author guidelines, and strict adherence to them may improve quality of published meta-analyses.

Health economic evaluations of interventions to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior at the workplace: a systematic review.

Objective The workplace is an ideal setting to implement public health strategies, but economic justification for such interventions is needed. Therefore, we performed a critical appraisal and synthesis of health economic evaluations (HEE) of workplace interventions aiming to increase physical activity (PA) and/or decrease sedentary behavior (SB). Methods A comprehensive search filter was developed using appropriate guidelines, such as the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) checklist, and published search algorithms. Six databases and hand searches were used to identify eligible studies. Full HEE of workplace interventions targeting PA/SB were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Consensus Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) list. Two researchers independently performed all procedures. Hedges' g was calculated to compare intervention effects. Outcomes from HEE were recalculated in 2017 euros and benefit-standardized. Results Eighteen HEE were identified that fulfilled on average 68% of the CHEC list criteria. Most studies showed improvements in PA/SB, but effects were small and thus, their relevance is questionable. Interventions were heterogeneous, no particular intervention type was found to be more effective. HEE were heterogeneous regarding methodological approaches and the selection of cost categories was inconsistent. Indirect costs were the main cost driver. In all studies, effects on costs were subject to substantial uncertainty. Conclusions Due to small effects and uncertain impact on costs, the economic evidence of worksite PA/SB-interventions remains unclear. Future studies are needed to determine effective strategies. The HEE of such interventions should be developed using guidelines and validated measures for productivity costs. Additionally, studies should model the long-term costs and effects because of the long pay-back time of PA/SB interventions.

The use of the environmental scan in health services delivery research: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionThe environmental scan has been described as an important tool to inform decision-making on policy, planning and programme development in the healthcare sector. Despite the wide adoption of environmental scans,...

The role of saline irrigation prior to wound closure in the reduction of surgical site infection: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSurgical site infection describes an infectious complication of surgical wounds. This single complication is thought to occur in close to 20% of surgical cases. This complication has been described in all kinds of surgical procedure including minimally invasive procedures. Wound irrigation is frequently used as a means of reducing surgical site infection. However, there is lack of solid evidence to support routine wound irrigation. The aim of this review is to provide evidence for the efficacy of routine wound irrigation with normal saline in preventing surgical site infection. The rate of surgical site infection in cases with and without wound irrigation will be analyzed.Methods/designSystematic literature searches will be conducted to identify all published and unpublished studies. The following databases will be searched for citations from inception to present: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase (via Embase), and CENTRAL (via the Cochrane library). The search strategy will be developed by the research team in collaboration with an experienced librarian and checked by a referee according to the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guideline. A draft of the PubMed search strategy could be (irrigation[tiab] OR “Therapeutic Irrigation”[mesh] OR lavage[tiab]) AND (saline[tiab] OR “Sodium Chloride”[mesh] OR sodium chloride[tiab]) NOT (“Comment” [Publication Type] OR “Letter” [Publication Type] OR “Editorial” [Publication Type]). No time limits will be set. The reference lists of eligible articles will be hand searched. Relevant data will be extracted from eligible studies using a previously designed data extraction sheet. Relative risks will be calculated for binary outcomes and mean differences or standardized mean differences, if necessary, for continuous outcomes. For all measures, 95% confidence levels will be calculated. Both arms would be compared with regard to the rate of surgical site infection within 30 days following surgery. We will report the review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.DiscussionThis review aims at investigating the value of routine wound irrigation using normal saline in preventing surgical site infection.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO: CRD42018082287

Abstract P-034: CRITICAL DETERIORATION LEADING TO UNPLANNED ICU ADMISSION AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE CHAIN OF PREVENTION; A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Aims & Objectives: Published literature on interventions to reduce critical deterioration in children have inconsistently reported compliance with the Chain of Prevention; Monitoring, Recognition, Escalation and Response. This makes it difficult to robustly evaluate the evidence of effectiveness. The aim of the systematic review was to identify the gaps in reporting so that recommendations could be made to strengthen the reporting of these safety initiatives. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted for years 2003–2017 and followed the search strategies developed by the Cochrane Collaboration which complied with Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guidance. The search criteria used PICO formatResults A total of 23 publications from 21 studies reported on components of the Chain of Prevention. The main focus of reporting was on the processes for recognition and escalation. Only one study addressed all the components, six reported on monitoring and two reported on response. Summary details of the recommendations for future reporting of critical deterioration are presented below.Conclusions Existing processes for reporting on initiatives aimed at reducing paediatric critical deterioration in hospital are not robust enough to provide assurance of compliance with the Chain of Prevention. Previous initiatives may have been judged as poorly performing when it is the underpinning organisational safety process, which has been deficient. There is an urgent need for standardisation and strengthening of reporting of studies, using a model similar to the STROBE and STARD initiatives. This will enable the development of a robust evidence base and international benchmarking.

Family resilience and adaptive coping in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: protocol for a systematic review

BackgroundThis systematic review is the first step in a study investigating the resilience methods and processes in families of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In particular, this review will focus on chronic or persistent pain, as a common symptom of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood. The experience of persistent pain can add to the functional disability associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Resilience has relevance to all areas of paediatric psychology, and targeted attention to child, sibling, and parent strengths within the context of paediatric chronic pain and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in particular will augment the field on numerous levels. The objective is to determine which resilience processes are associated with a favourable quality of life in terms of academic, communication, emotional, interpersonal, physical, psychological, and social well-being in families of children with chronic pain associated with JIA.Methods/designThis systematic review will be conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the PRESS (Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies) guideline.Longitudinal, cross-sectional, and treatment studies written in English will be included, as will grey literature (i.e. conference abstracts and dissertations).Studies involving participants who are 6–18 years of age, have been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, are experiencing chronic pain, and are currently undergoing treatment will be included regardless of sex, arthritis type, and type of treatment. Studies including siblings who are 6–18 years of age and the patient’s parents will be included.DiscussionResearch exploring resilience within the adult population is accruing. Shifting our focus to protective factors of resilience in the context of paediatric chronic pain, specifically juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is a novel and promising pursuit that has the potential to optimize and inform future clinical practice and interventions. A better understanding of the role of reliance in family adaptation will facilitate the development of more effective treatment approaches and lay the foundation for more effective self-management in paediatric chronic pain.Systematic review registrationThis protocol is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (registration: CRD42016047226).

Efficacy and safety of regenerative cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension in animal models: a preclinical systematic review protocol.

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease (15 cases per million) that is characterized by widespread loss of the pulmonary microcirculation and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance leading to pathological right ventricular remodeling and ultimately right heart failure. Regenerative cell therapies (i.e., therapies involving cells with stem or progenitor-like properties) could potentially restore the effective lung microcirculation and provide a curative therapy for PAH. Preclinical evidence suggests that regenerative cell therapy using endothelial progenitor cells or mesenchymal stem cells may be beneficial in the treatment of PAH. These findings have led to the completion of a small number of human clinical trials, albeit with modest effect compared to animal studies. The objective of this systematic review is to compare the efficacy and safety of regenerative cell therapies in preclinical models of PAH as well as assess study quality to inform future clinical studies.MethodsWe will include preclinical studies of PAH in which a regenerative cell type was administered and outcomes compared to a disease control. The primary outcome will be pulmonary hemodynamics as assessed by measurement of right ventricular systolic pressure and/or mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Secondary outcomes will include mortality, survival, right ventricular remodeling, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output, cardiac index, pulmonary acceleration time, tricuspid annular systolic excursion, and right ventricular wall thickness. Electronic searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases will be constructed and reviewed by the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) process. Search results will be screened independently in duplicate. Data from eligible studies will be extracted, pooled, and analyzed using random effects models. Risk of bias will be assessed using the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool, and individual study reporting will be assessed according to an itemized checklist based on the Animal Research: Reporting of In vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines.DiscussionThis systematic review will examine the efficacy and safety of regenerative cell therapy in preclinical models of PAH. As well, the literature will be assessed for study quality and risk of bias. The results will guide the design of future clinical trials and preclinical animal studies.Systematic review registrationCAMARADES (http://www.dcn.ed.ac.uk/camarades/SyRF/Protocols.htm).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0265-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.