Systematic Review Of Recent Literature Research Articles

Actinic keratosis: Current challenges and unanswered questions.

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common skin lesions associated with chronic exposure to sun. They are believed to be precursors of malignancy as they potentially may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The goal of current therapies is to reduce the number of AK and to prevent future cancer development. This review aims at providing an overview of the hallmarks of AK and skin field cancerization. We discuss epidemiology trends, risk factors and the state of the art and evidence of the current treatments. We review key figures of AK prevalence from different countries with regard to skin cancer risk and the associated economic burden of AK. We discuss the mutational status in AK lesions and the difficulties encountered by clinicians in evaluating AK visible and invisible lesions, referring to the concept of field cancerization. Based on a systematic literature review, we further evaluate the available treatment options. The presence of subclinical skin alterations in the periphery of visible AK lesions has gained a particular attention as those non-visible lesions are known to contain the same genetic changes as those found in the AK lesions themselves, prompting the concept of 'field cancerization'. Therefore, AK treatment guidelines now recognize the importance of treating the field in patients with AK. A recent systematic literature review and network meta-analysis showed that 5-FU interventions were associated with the best efficacy and a satisfactory acceptability profile compared with other field-directed therapies used in the treatment of AK. Although AK are considered quite common, they lack an accurate descriptive definition and conclusive epidemiologic data. Limited public awareness is a barrier to early and effective treatment, including prevention strategies. While different treatment options are available, there is still a limited understanding of long-term outcomes of treatment as measured by recurrence of cancer prevention.

Unlocking the potential of Industry 4.0 in BRICS nations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

PurposeThis study is intended to introduce and summarise Industry 4.0 practices in BRICS nations (the abbreviation “BRICS” is made up of the first letters of the member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and determine each nation’s current contribution to Industry 4.0 practice implementation based on past literature. As the BRICS countries continue to play an essential role in the global economy, it is significant to understand Industry 4.0, focussing on these emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachTo assess the present research work on Industry 4.0 practices and research studies in BRICS nations, a systematic literature review (SLR) is performed using the articles available on the SCOPUS database. This study is a descriptive analysis based on the frequency and year of publications, the most influential universities, most influential journals and most influential articles. Similarly, this study consists of category analysis based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, research design used, research method utilised, different data analysis techniques and different Industry 4.0 technologies were used to solve different applications in the BRICS nations.FindingsAccording to the analysis of past literature, the primary identified practices are centred on operations productivity, waste management, energy reduction and sustainable processes. It also found that despite the abundance of research on Industry 4.0, the major academic journal publications are restricted to a small number of industries and issues in which the manufacturing and automotive industries are front runners. The categorisation of selected papers based on the year of publication demonstrates that the number of publications has been rising. It is also found that China and India, out of the BRICS countries, have contributed significantly to Industry 4.0-related publications by contributing 61 percent of the total articles identified. Similarly, this study identified that qualitative research design is the most adopted framework for research, and empirical triangulation is the least adopted framework in this field. The categorisation of selected articles facilitates the identification of numerous gaps, such as that 67.14% of the literature research is qualitative.Practical implicationsUnderstanding Industry 4.0 in the BRICS nations helps to identify opportunities for international collaboration and future cooperation possibilities. This study helps to promote collaboration between BRICS countries and other nations, organisations or businesses interested in capitalising on these growing economies' assets and capabilities related to Industry 4.0 technologies. This study helps to provide essential insights into the economic, technological and societal impacts, allowing for effective decision-making and strategic planning for a sustainable and competitive future. So, this contribution links the entire world in terms of the better utilisation of resources, the reduction of downtime, improving product quality, personalised products and the development of human resource capabilities through the application of cutting-edge technologies for nearly half of the world’s population.Originality/valueIn this study, BRICS nations are selected due to their significant impact on the world regarding social, economic and environmental contributions. In the current review, 423 articles published up to August 2022 were selected from the SCOPUS database. The comparison analysis of each BRICS nation in the form of applications of Industry 4.0, the primary area of focus, leading industry working, industry involvement with universities and the area that needs attention are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most recent SLR and meta-analysis study about Industry 4.0 in BRICS nations, which analysed the past available literature in nine different descriptive and category-wise classifications, considering a total of 423 articles. Based on this SLR, this study makes some important recommendations and future directions that will help achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability in BRICS nations.

Supporting Students' Knowledge Activation before, during, and after Reading

AbstractKnowledge activation and knowledge building are essential for reading comprehension. Yet, how can teachers support students in accessing and applying their existing knowledge and experiences during reading? This article provides six evidence‐based principles to consider during literacy instruction, which are drawn from a recent systematic literature review that examined prior knowledge activation instructional scaffolds. These principles are: (a) activate knowledge before, during, and after reading; (b) activate knowledge collaboratively; (c) support students in understanding connections between concepts; (d) support students in recognizing discrepancies between their knowledge and the text; (e) address misunderstandings; and (f) consider the amount of topic‐specific knowledge that students have. These principles have the potential to shift how teachers think about the role of knowledge activation throughout the reading process.

Combining material flow simulation and optimization for sustainable manufacturing – application in automotive paint shops

The necessity for sophisticated decision support in industrial manufacturing has been described manifoldly and simulation approaches as well as optimization methods are continuously developed. This can be especially promising when it comes to decision-making with multidimensional requirements of economic and ecological efficiency. However, due to the required expert knowledge, there is still a gap between theoretically applicable and industrially applied methods. The paper therefore presents results of two use cases as part of the European project ECOFACT where different approaches for the combination of simulation and (heuristic) optimization were applied with industry partners. An overview of recent works and systematic literature reviews of sustainable manufacturing and the approaches for combining simulation and optimization is given. Correspondingly, the investigated use cases of automobile paint shops refer to the reduction of environmental impacts by optimized heating processes and an improved batching process to minimize paint waste. In the first case, setup times for heating color pools and ovens were shifted to avoid load peaks in a calculation time of less than one minute. In the second use case batch size was increased by around 25%.

Asymptomatic Infant Rib Fractures Are Primarily Non-abuse-Related and Should Not Be Used to Assess Physical Child Abuse.

Finding infant rib fractures was for many years an almost undisputed proof that physical child abuse took place. Yet, these rib fractures are virtually always occult and asymptomatic and are only identified when looked for, usually with X-rays, from physical child abuse accusations related to, e.g., suspicion of the shaken baby syndrome. In a recent systematic literature review (searched in Cochran, Embase, PubMed and Sociological Abstracts), Güvensel questioned the diagnostic accuracy of rib fractures to be caused by abuse, due to lack of sufficient scientific evidence. Further, there is currently a world-wide disagreement between physicians considering themselves child abuse specialized, and physicians that explore non-abuse-related symptoms that may mimic physical abuse, which, it is hoped, will significantly reduce current unjustified child abuse diagnoses. In an attempt to help resolving this disagreement, we hypothesize that the probability of physical child abuse-related infant rib fractures is significantly lower than the probability of all other possible non-abuse-related causes of occult asymptomatic infant rib fractures, e.g., from birth trauma, prematurity, osteogenesis imperfecta, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, severe chronic placental pathology (e.g., massive perivillous fibrin depositions and severe chronic histiocytic intervillositis), and vitamin-D deficiency. As method, we attempted to assess the incidence of these various causes of infant rib fractures, in the Netherlands and the USA. The results are that the estimated Dutch and USA physical abuse-related infant rib fracture incidences are at least about 250 and 45 times lower than the sum of all the non-abuse-related estimates. Because these latter rib fractures are occult and asymptomatic, it is likely that (many) more could be out there. In conclusion, occult asymptomatic rib fractures develop perinatally, virtually always as birth trauma, in infants with sufficiently weak bones due to vitamin D deficiency, transmitted by their vitamin D deficient pregnant mothers. This group also includes cortical rib cracks due to deformation forces, with an estimated 186/100,000 incidence. And, despite obvious uncertainties in all estimated incidences, we provided strong evidence that our hypothesis has relevance, implying that the abundant occult asymptomatic rib fractures, when found in infants, should not be used to assess potential physical child abuse.

Outcomes of Patients with Extramedullary Disease in Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma from the LocoMMotion + MoMMent Studies

Introduction: Patients (pts) with triple-class exposed (TCE) relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) represent a particularly difficult-to-treat population. A pooled analysis of the prospective, non-interventional, multinational LocoMMotion (NCT04035226) and MoMMent (NCT05160584) studies previously demonstrated suboptimal outcomes in pts with TCE RRMM. Extramedullary disease (EMD) is an aggressive feature of multiple myeloma characterized by the presence of plasmacytomas that have spread beyond the bone marrow. A recent systematic literature review (Bladé et al, 2022) found that the prognosis of pts with EMD is poor, as most current treatment (tx) options are notably less efficacious in pts with EMD than in those without EMD. The review also found that there are few prospective studies evaluating tx approaches in pts with EMD. Additional prospective data are needed to better understand current txs and outcomes for pts with EMD. In this analysis, we describe current txs and outcomes in pts with TCE RRMM with EMD over the past 3 years in LocoMMotion and MoMMent. Methods: Data were pooled from LocoMMotion (median follow-up [mFU], 26.4 months [mo; range, 0.1-35.0]; enrolled Aug 2019-Oct 2020; N=248) and MoMMent (mFU, 9.3 mo [range, 0.4-15.3]; enrolled Nov 2021-Jul 2022; N=54). Both studies have similar designs; eligible pts received ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LOT; LocoMMotion allowed <3 prior LOT if pts were double refractory to a proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory drug), were TCE, had measurable disease and documented progressive disease since their last LOT, and had an ECOG performance status (PS) of 0 or 1 at screening. EMD was defined as extramedullary plasmacytoma reported by the investigator. The assessment of plasmacytoma was not mandated but, per protocol, it was anticipated that extramedullary plasmacytomas would be prospectively assessed by clinical examination or radiologic imaging at baseline (BL) for all pts with a history of plasmacytomas, or if clinically indicated prior to the first dose of standard-of-care (SOC) therapy. If an assessment was not performed, the pt was considered not to have BL plasmacytoma. Responses were evaluated per IMWG criteria by a response review committee. A Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier methodology were used to estimate medians, 95% CIs, and survival curves (unadjusted and adjusted for potential confounders) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: The pooled analysis included 302 pts with mFU of 24.3 mo (95% CI, 21.0-25.6; data cut-off, Oct 27, 2022 [LocoMMotion], Mar 13, 2023 [MoMMent]). 30 pts had EMD at BL and 272 did not. Anatomical locations of plasmacytomas in these pts included vertebra, liver, pelvis, skin, and lymph nodes, suggesting a mix of purely extramedullary (harder to treat) and bone-related plasmacytomas. Duration of study follow-up was similar for pts with EMD (26.5 mo [95% CI 17.3-31.9]) and those without (24.3 mo [95% CI 20.3-25.6]). BL demographics and disease characteristics were generally comparable, with ≥10% difference in ISS stage III, LDH >245 U/L, and ECOG PS of 1 observed in pts with EMD. A greater proportion of pts with EMD than those without EMD were penta-drug exposed (56.7% vs 45.2%) and had received prior autologous stem cell transplant (76.7% vs 62.5%). Pts with EMD received 21 unique SOC tx regimens, primarily chemotherapy based (Table). The ORR was lower for pts who had EMD vs those who did not (7/30; 23.3% [95% CI 9.9-42.3] vs 89/272; 32.7% [27.2-38.6]). Pts with EMD also had a shorter median PFS (2.3 mo [95% CI 1.6-4.4] vs 5.1 mo [4.4-6.0]) and median OS (7.2 mo [95% CI 5.4-18.6] vs 15.1 mo [12.0-18.5]) compared with those without EMD (Figure). The adjusted survival curves have similar patterns to the unadjusted. Among the 30 pts with EMD, there were 23 and 21 PFS and OS events, respectively; conclusions based on time-to-event data should therefore be interpreted with caution due to a small sample size. Conclusions: These results indicate that there is a significant unmet medical need for better tx options in this population of pts with TCE RRMM, specifically in pts with EMD. This need is illustrated by the poor outcomes observed with existing txs and the absence of an effective established SOC for this condition. Conducting clinical trials with innovative therapies, using clearly defined criteria for EMD, is essential to address the unmet medical needs of these pts.

Being Thankful for What You Have: A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Effect of Gratitude on Life Satisfaction.

Many studies suggest a link between gratitude and life satisfaction, including experimental tests of gratitude interventions. This paper presents a systematic review of recent literature on the influence of gratitude on life satisfaction. The aim of this research is to better understand the nature of the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction and to evaluate the state of literature. A systematic search was conducted using four databases (APA PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO), targeting articles published since 2010. Correlational studies were included if they used the GQ6 measure of gratitude and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Intervention studies were included if they reported effects of a gratitude manipulation on SWLS scores. Forty-four articles (N = 16,529) focusing on gratitude and life satisfaction were ultimately selected. Among the selected studies, 18 employed experimental designs and 26 were cross-sectional studies. Five studies also presented cross-lagged analyses from two or more timepoints. The review indicated a substantial positive correlation between gratitude and life satisfaction. Various potential mediators were also identified, including meaning in life, social support, and self-esteem. Some experimental research suggested that gratitude interventions may increase life satisfaction compared to neutral control conditions, although evidence was mixed. There was stronger evidence for these effects in people from Western countries. However, there is no strong evidence that gratitude interventions outperform positively valenced control conditions. Thus, it is possible that the effects of intervention could be caused by demand- or placebo effects. While it is clear that there is a link between gratitude and life satisfaction, the extent to which gratitude causes life satisfaction and the mechanism underlying that link require further exploration. We suggest that experimental work test effects of changes in gratitude that cannot be explained by placebo- or demand effects. We also encourage more interactive interventions as well as research that investigates third variables that could underlie both gratitude and life satisfaction.

Effects of Agricultural Intensification on Mediterranean Diets: A Narrative Review.

Mediterranean diets (MedDiets) are linked to substantial health benefits. However, there is also growing evidence that the intensification of food production over the last 60 years has resulted in nutritionally relevant changes in the composition of foods that may augment the health benefits of MedDiets. To synthesize, summarize, and critically evaluate the currently available evidence for changes in food composition resulting from agricultural intensification practices and their potential impact on the health benefits of MedDiets. We summarized/synthesized information from (i) systematic literature reviews/meta-analyses and more recently published articles on composition differences between conventional and organic foods, (ii) desk studies which compared food composition data from before and after agricultural intensification, (iii) recent retail and farm surveys and/or factorial field experiments that identified specific agronomic practices responsible for nutritionally relevant changes in food composition, and (iv) a recent systematic literature review and a small number of subsequently published observational and dietary intervention studies that investigated the potential health impacts of changes in food composition resulting from agricultural intensification. There has been growing evidence that the intensification of food production has resulted in (i) lower concentrations of nutritionally desirable compounds (e.g., phenolics, certain vitamins, mineral micronutrients including Se, Zn, and omega-3 fatty acids, α-tocopherol) and/or (ii) higher concentrations of nutritionally undesirable or toxic compounds (pesticide residues, cadmium, omega-6 fatty acids) in many of the foods (including wholegrain cereals, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, dairy products and meat from small ruminants, and fish) that are thought to contribute to the health benefits associated with MedDiets. The evidence for negative health impacts of consuming foods from intensified conventional production systems has also increased but is still limited and based primarily on evidence from observational studies. Limitations and gaps in the current evidence base are discussed. Conclusions: There is now substantial evidence that the intensification of agricultural food production has resulted in a decline in the nutritional quality of many of the foods that are recognized to contribute to the positive health impacts associated with adhering to traditional MedDiets. Further research is needed to quantify to what extent this decline augments the positive health impacts of adhering to a traditional MedDiet.

Metacognition and Self-Awareness

This article reports on the lead author’s reflection about the role of his personality in a tertiary-level English-language course that he taught in Japan in 2019, and the impact of that reflection on his self-awareness. Other participants of this self-study included the learners in the course (46 in total, nine male and 37 female), and other teachers in the same faculty. Data collection methods included a teaching log/journal, a focus group meeting with fellow part-time teachers, semi-structured interviews with learners and a full-time teacher, observations of several of his own classes, and questionnaires completed by learners. A recent systematic literature review of the definition of self-awareness (Carden et al., 2022) informed the study, with the teacher reflecting on the following components of self-awareness: his beliefs, internal mental state, physiological responses, personality traits, motivations, behaviors, and others’ perceptions. To inform his reflection about the above components, he drew on literature related to second language teacher cognition and second language teacher development. The findings of the study indicate that the teacher’s self-awareness has developed in a number of ways. Overall, he has become more aware of his personality and the potential for it to have a negative impact on his teaching practice. His reflection indicates that it is beginning to have a positive impact on his language-teaching-focused metacognition.

Theoretical development of the tourist experience: a future perspective

ABSTRACT The tourist experience is a widely explored phenomenon in tourism research because of its importance to the design and provision of quality products and services and the enhancement of destination branding. Various theories and theoretical frameworks have been applied to understand tourist experiences, including the constructivist, experiential, and emotional perspectives. However, recent systematic literature reviews of the theoretical underpinnings of tourist experience research is lacking. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a contemporary systematic literature review of the progress of theoretical developments in tourist experience research. This review explores the evolution of theoretical frameworks applied in previous studies and summarizes them into four main stages: descriptive, experiential, transformative, and scope-expanding. This study is significant in identifying different dominant theories over time. It enhances our understanding of the theoretical foundations of tourist experience research and provides insights into possible theories that could guide future research. This study concludes by examining the practical implications for destination managers and policymakers in dealing with the changing patterns of tourist consumption of experiences, one of the most important issues for tourism destination marketing and development. This involves adapting strategies to meet the growing demand for personalized, authentic, and interactive experiences.

THE ART OF VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP : INSIGHTS FROM A LITERATURE REVIEW

As the world becomes increasingly digital, virtual leadership is becoming more and more prevalent. The ability to lead teams and organizations from a remote location is a skill that is in high demand. But what does it take to be a successful virtual leader? A recent systematic literature review delves into the art of virtual leadership and reveals some key insights. In this review, researchers analyzed various studies on virtual leadership and identified common themes and best practices. From communication strategies to technology tools, the review provides a comprehensive guide for those looking to lead teams in a virtual environment. Whether you're a seasoned virtual leader or just starting to navigate the world of remote work, the insights from this review are sure to be valuable. So, let's dive in and explore the art of virtual leadership together

Determinants of Patient Use and Satisfaction With Synchronous Telemental Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review.

Several recent studies examined patient use and satisfaction with synchronous telemental health services in response to the widespread implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a systematic review of recent literature on the determinants of these outcomes is missing. The aim of this systematic review was to give an extensive overview of the literature on and highlight the influential determinants of patient use and satisfaction with synchronous telemental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review satisfied the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. Peer-reviewed, quantitative studies that observed the determinants of patient use or satisfaction with synchronous telemental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science database searches were conducted in August 2022 for English and German language studies published from 2020 onward. Key steps were performed by 2 reviewers. Determinants were synthesized into major categories informed by the dimensions of the widely used and established Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Of the 20 included studies, 10 studies examined determinants of patient use, 7 examined determinants of patient satisfaction, and 3 observed both outcomes. The quality of the studies was mainly good or fair. There was substantial heterogeneity in the study designs, methods, and findings. Sociodemographic characteristics and health-related determinants were mostly considered. Some of the major dimensions of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology were neglected in recent studies. Although most findings were mixed or nonsignificant, some indications for potential relationships were found (eg, for sex, age, and symptom severity). The findings revealed potential target groups (eg, female and young patients with mild symptoms) for future postpandemic telemental health interventions. However, they also identified patient groups that were harder to reach (eg, older patients with severe symptoms); efforts may be beneficial to address such groups. Future quantitative and qualitative research is needed to secure and expand on recent findings, which could help improve services. PROSPERO CRD42022351576; https://tinyurl.com/yr6zrva5.

Effects of the pilates method on the pelvic floor muscles: a systematic review

Background: Among the methods used by physiotherapists for strengthening and controlling the pelvic floor muscles, Pilates method can be mentioned. Although recent studies have investigated the effects of the method on urinary incontinence, no recent systematic literature reviews on the subject have been found. Objectives: To conduct a systematic literature review demonstrating the effects of the Pilates method on urinary incontinence.. Methods: A search was conducted in the databases MEDLINE, Scielo, LILACS, and PEDro, supplemented by a manual search. The search terms included the descriptors: urinary incontinence, Pilates method, pelvic floor strengthening, as well as these terms in English. The studies were analyzed by two independent evaluators, with no language or publication date restrictions. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Results: Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Overall, the studies showed that there are significant results in the use of the Pilates method for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle function, as well as improvements in quality of life. However, compared to conventional physiotherapy, the Pilates method is not superior, as both are effective interventions for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Conclusion: Although the Pilates method appears to be an effective intervention for the pelvic floor muscles and, consequently, improves urinary incontinence, this method is not superior to specific conventional physiotherapy targeting this musculature. However, these conclusions are based on only seven studies with low to moderate methodological quality.

The role of skin ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: looking below the surface to understand disease evolution.

Skin ultrasound has shown promising results in the evaluation of skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis, as substantiated by a recent systematic literature review from the World Scleroderma Foundation Skin Ultrasound Working Group. In this Viewpoint, we will discuss the role of ultrasound in evaluating skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis, particularly the possibility of using this technique to detect an early subclinical skin involvement from the very early phase, suggesting its possible use in both diagnosis and disease follow-up. To detect subclinical skin involvement, it is essential to understand the difference between the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis and that of healthy controls, including defining exactly which structures are affected by the disease and which are spared. The potential of this non-invasive technique might suggest its future role in both clinical practice and clinical trials, possibly replacing invasive and painful procedures such as skin biopsies and promoting patient retention in clinical trials.

Transforming Precedent: A Systematic Review Methodology for Informed Planning Decisions

Urban planners are often tasked with locating, assessing, and integrating multilevel policy, regulatory, administrative, and governance information. Through a recent systematic literature review (SLR) of Canadian municipal interventions targeting women’s equity, this paper answers the following research question: how can planners use an SLR methodology to increase the rigor and transparency of precedent research within practice? This article highlights the contributions and limitations of applying an SLR methodology to research within practice and demonstrates how planners can modify and apply this approach to standardize the collection and assessment of precedent to contribute to informed planning decisions.

INSTANTIATING A GENERIC PROCESS MODEL FOR EARLY-STAGE PRODUCT-SERVICE SYSTEM (PSS) DESIGN IN TWO CAPITAL GOODS MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

AbstractProduct-Service Systems (PSS) are seen as key enablers of circularity. However, better sustainability performance of PSS when compared to transactional business models is not given and it must be carefully considered in the design process. The early-stage PSS design is considered crucial because it determines most of the future offerings' impact. Nevertheless, manufacturing companies struggle with PSS design and often rely on ad hoc intuitive approaches with low success rates. Current PSS design approaches have been dispersed in literature until a recent systematic literature review by the authors proposed a comprehensive generic process model to enable the inclusion of sustainability considerations in the early stages. This paper takes the generic process model as a starting point and instantiates it to the context of two manufacturing companies, seeking to (i) explore the instantiation process from a generic to company-specific process models to support manufacturing companies; and (ii) reflect upon and prepare an evaluation of the generic process model concerning eight predefined criteria. The study reveals a number of potential areas for improving both generic and instantiated process models.

CO101 Overview of Recent Systematic Literature Reviews on Anti-Obesity Medications in Adults

CO101 Overview of Recent Systematic Literature Reviews on Anti-Obesity Medications in Adults

Wearable Motion Capture Devices for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Ergonomics-An Overview of Current Applications, Challenges, and Future Opportunities.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major contributor to disability worldwide and substantial societal costs. The use of wearable motion capture instruments has a role in preventing WMSDs by contributing to improvements in exposure and risk assessment and potentially improved effectiveness in work technique training. Given the versatile potential for wearables, this article aims to provide an overview of their application related to the prevention of WMSDs of the trunk and upper limbs and discusses challenges for the technology to support prevention measures and future opportunities, including future research needs. The relevant literature was identified from a screening of recent systematic literature reviews and overviews, and more recent studies were identified by a literature search using the Web of Science platform. Wearable technology enables continuous measurements of multiple body segments of superior accuracy and precision compared to observational tools. The technology also enables real-time visualization of exposures, automatic analyses, and real-time feedback to the user. While miniaturization and improved usability and wearability can expand the use also to more occupational settings and increase use among occupational safety and health practitioners, several fundamental challenges remain to be resolved. The future opportunities of increased usage of wearable motion capture devices for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders may require more international collaborations for creating common standards for measurements, analyses, and exposure metrics, which can be related to epidemiologically based risk categories for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

A Theoretical Model of Strategic Communication for the Sustainable Development of Sport Tourism

Sustainability and sustainable development are two fundamental principles that currently influence the way sport tourism activities, like those of any other socioeconomic area, are managed. For this reason, for some time, especially in the last decade, scholars have been wondering not only about the application methods of these two concepts in sport tourism but also how to communicate good practices among operators, residents, and tourists, and how to encourage the adoption of sustainable behaviours. Pro-sustainable attitudes are widespread, but they do not always convert into sustainable behaviour. Communication can intervene to favour these socio-cultural changes at an individual and collective level. This research is inspired by several studies and the most recent systematic literature reviews to identify communication methods and strategies that determine the tourism–sports experience, influencing the assumption or reinforcement of sustainable behaviours. This study attempted to configure a theoretical model of sustainable communication that can support the sustainable development of sport tourism. The goal is to understand how to create effective communication actions to raise the awareness of institutions and businesses, residents, and tourists towards the adoption of sustainable practices, and to encourage the promotion of sustainable initiatives in territories in support of the socioeconomic development of localities from an increasingly sustainable perspective.

5589252 SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE BURDEN IN PATIENTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF THALASSEMIA

Background: Recent systematic literature reviews (SLRs) have highlighted the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) burden in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), particularly β-thalassemia (β-thal). However, less is known about HRQoL in non–transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) and alpha-thalassemia (α-thal). Aims: To conduct an SLR on the real-world HRQoL burden across the spectrum of thalassemia and report evidence gaps. Methods: Searches (Jan 2010 to Sep 2021) were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Health Technology Assessment Database, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, and EconLit for real-world studies reporting on HRQoL and utilities in adult and pediatric patients with thalassemia. Conference abstracts from Jan 2017 to Sep 2021 were also searched. References were screened by two independent reviewers, and HRQoL data were extracted by one reviewer and validated by another. Results were grouped by genotype (β-thal/α-thal) and transfusion phenotype (TDT/NTDT). Results: A total of 2,548 records were screened at title/abstract and 448 at full text. 126 publications from 116 unique studies were included and data extracted. Most evidence was published since 2015 (95/126) and sample sizes of study populations ranged from 22 to 1240. Most TDT/NTDT studies were conducted in β-thal (84/126); 10 were in mixed α-thal and β-thal, of which 2 reported data separately for Hemoglobin H disease (HbH) pediatric patients; the remaining studies did not specify the thalassemia genotype. HRQoL was significantly poorer in TD β-thal adult or adult/pediatric patients compared with healthy controls across the majority of domains. Among TDT patients, HRQoL also tended to decrease with increasing age. The burden associated with pediatric TD β-thal also impacts caregivers, with one study reporting significantly reduced HRQoL compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). In NTD β-thal patients, 2 studies identified significantly worse PedsQL scores in nearly all domains compared with healthy controls. Across studies in adult or mixed adult/pediatric patients, HRQoL (as measured by SF-36) tended to be poorer among NTDT (β-thal intermedia) compared with TDT (β-thal major) patients. For example, a prospective study found significantly lower SF-36 mental component scores at baseline in adult NTDT vs. TDT (mean [standard deviation (SD)]: 47.4 [8.4] vs. 51.6 [7.2]; p=0.009). While in pediatric patients, there was a pattern for poorer HRQoL burden in TDT vs. NTDT. TD α-thal and β-thal pediatric patients had similar total and subdomains of PedsQL scores, except for physical functioning, whereby homozygous β-thal patients had the best HRQoL, followed by HbH patients, with β-thal/Hb E patients demonstrating the greatest HRQoL burden (mean [SD]: 76.52 [15.23] vs. 61.16 [18.39] vs. 56.88 [17.17], p=0.008). Another study did not find differences in any PedsQL subdomain between HbH, β-thal, and homozygous β-thal (TDT and NTDT, patients 5-18 years; N=315). Conclusion: This SLR highlights the negative impact on HRQoL across the spectrum of thalassemia. Adding to previous SLRs, it shows limited evidence is available for NTDT patients; however, studies suggest that HRQoL burden may be worse in NTDT than TDT adult patients. Characterizing the HRQoL burden of α-thal is a clear evidence gap. High-quality, real-world studies in NTDT and α-thal are needed to better understand the HRQoL burden and the potential impact of new treatments on HRQoL.