Article Reviews Research Articles

Digital transformation technologies for conveyor belts predictive maintenance: a review

The availability of condition-monitoring data has increased due to internet of things (IoT) technologies, providing information on various parameters like vibration, temperature, current, and voltage. Cloud computing and big data facilitate the prevention of failures and estimation of remaining useful life through advanced mathematical models and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. These enable prompt and suitable maintenance actions. This article conducts a systematic review of digital transformation technologies, including cloud computing, edge computing, AI, machine learning (ML), and TinyML, in predictive maintenance for conveyor belt systems. This article reviews how these digital transformation technologies improve predictive maintenance strategies for conveyor belts. The systematic review summarizes the results and challenges of various methodologies used in conveyor belt systems and suggests areas for further research. This paper aimed to serve as a useful resource for researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals seeking insights into current predictive maintenance technologies for conveyor belt systems. The takeaways of the review are expected to ignite discussion on efficient and proactive maintenance strategies and promote the development of innovative solutions for ensuring the reliability and longevity of conveyor belt systems in the digital era.

Exploring Applications of Flexible Vesicular Systems as Transdermal Drug Delivery.

Deformable lipidic-nano carriers are a category of advanced liposomal formulations. Deformable lipidic-nano carriers have a specific character to transform by rearranging the lipidic backbone to squeeze themself through a pore opening ten times smaller than their diameter when exposed to a variable condition like hydration gradient as these have potentially been used as a non-invasive delivery system to transdermally migrate various therapeutic agents for over three decades. Despite their vast application in transdermal drug delivery system, non-uniformity to express their chemical nature still exist and authors use various terms synonymously and interchangeably with each other. The present study delineates the terminologies used to express different derived deformable vesicular carriers to harmonize the terminological use. It also includes the effectiveness of deformable nanocarriers like Transferosomes, Ethosomes, Menthosomes, Invasomes, and Glycerosomes in skin conditions like basal cell carcinoma, fungal and viral infections, and hyperpigmentation disorders, along with others. Various review and research articles were selected from the 'Pubmed' database. The keywords like Transferosomes, Flexi-vesicular system, ultra-deformable vesicles, and nano-vesicular systems were used to extract the data. The data was reviewed and compiled to categorically classify different flexible vesicular systems. The composition of the different vesicular systems is identified and a report of various pathological conditions where the use of flexible lipid nanocarrier systems was implemented is compiled. The review also offers suggestive approaches where the applicability of these systems can be explored further.

Clinical decision support systems for maternity care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) is increasing throughout healthcare and may be able to improve safety and outcomes in maternity care, but maternity care has key differences to other disciplines that complicate the use of CDSS. We aimed to identify evaluated CDSS and synthesise evidence of their impact on maternity care. We conducted a systematic review for articles published before 24th May 2024 that described i) CDSS that ii) investigated the impact of their use iii) in maternity settings. Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL and HMIC were searched for articles relating to evaluations of CDSS in maternity settings, with forward- and backward-citation tracing conducted for included articles. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool, and CDSS were described according to the clinical problem, purpose, design, and technical environment. Quantitative results from articles reporting appropriate data were meta-analysed to estimate odds of a CDSS achieving its desired outcome using a multi-level random effects model, first by individual CDSS and then across all CDSS. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022348157. We screened 12,039 papers and included 87 articles describing 47 unique CDSS. 24 articles (28%) described randomised controlled trials, 30 (34%) described non-randomised interventional studies, 10 (11%) described mixed methods studies, 10 (11%) described qualitative studies, 7 (8%) described quantitative descriptive studies, and 7 (8%) described economic evaluations. 49 (56%) were in High-Income Countries and 38 (44%) in Low- and Middle-Income countries, with no CDSS trialled in both income categories. Meta-analysis of 35 included studies found an odds ratio for improved outcomes of 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.24-2.30). There was substantial variation in effects, aims, CDSS types, context, study designs, and outcomes. Most CDSS evaluations showed improvements in outcomes, but there was heterogeneity in all aspects of design and evaluation of systems. CDSS are increasingly important in delivering healthcare, and Electronic Health Records and mHealth will increase their availability, but traditional epidemiological methods may be limited in guiding design and demonstrating effectiveness due to rapid CDSS development lifecycles and the complex systems in which they are embedded. Development methods that are attentive to context, such as Human Centred Design, will help to meet this need. None.

Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy of Zeolite Catalysts

This article reviews recent work undertaken at the beamline B22 of the Diamond Light Source using infrared (IR) microspectroscopy to characterise zeolite catalysts and to study their reactivity in real time. The advantage of vibrational microspectroscopic analysis when linked to the brightness and spectral bandwidth of synchrotron IR light are illustrated. The high spatial resolution means that the uniformity of acid site concentrations within individual large crystals of zeolites and between different crystals can be readily checked and changes to acid site concentrations within crystals resulting from steam treatment mapped. When an in situ reaction cell is coupled with mass spectrometric analysis of evolved gases the rapid time response of the method has provided new insight into the initial stages of the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons over ZSM-5 and SAPO-34 single crystals. Future prospects for applying the method to other types of zeolite catalysed reactions with improved reaction cell design are also discussed.

Management of Gingivitis: Contemporary Approaches and Recent Therapeutic Advancements

Background: Gingivitis, commonly known as gum disease, refers to several types of inflammatory diseases that impact the connective tissues that surround the teeth. Gingivitis causes swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums in its early stages. Objective: This article aims to describe the standard gingivitis medication. It emphasizes recent advancements in the initial therapy, treatment, and healing mechanisms of gingivitis for achievement in the clinical testing of medicines that promise to enable disease modification in patients. Also, it aims to review recent advancements and emerging therapeutic developments in the management of gingivitis, including gene-based therapies, nanotherapies, anti-cytokine therapies, stem cell-based therapies, and probiotic therapies. Methods: The information for the review articles was acquired by using Google Scholar and PubMed as search engines, as well as a number of publishers, including Springer Nature, Ben-tham Science, Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, and Frontier. Result and Discussion: Gingivitis is a gum disease and scaling root planning (SRP) is now the most common kind of periodontitis therapy available. It has the potential to deliver significant therapeutic success, but it can also have substantial problems that reduce the quality of life of a patient. Stem cell therapies, gingivitis genetic engineering, nuclear-based medicines, and other advances have given people hope that a wide range of illnesses, especially genetic disorders, can be cured. Conclusion: The current gingivitis therapies are successful and continually evolving, with sev-eral drugs currently in clinical trials. These innovative medicines, when combined, may alter gingivitis treatment in the next few years. Finally, gingivitis therapy requires professional dental care and patient education on oral hygiene. Nonetheless, further research and clinical studies are necessary to validate the efficacy, safety, and long-term benefits of these novel treatment modalities.

Beyond publishing primary research papers

ABSTRACT Microbiologists, like scientists in any other biomedical field, are too engrossed in writing research papers. Aided by both expanding research programs and shrinking resources, this will continue for the foreseeable time. In this editorial, I discuss a compelling need for all microbiologists to dedicate some time to writing non-research publications such as minireviews, perspectives, commentary, opinion/hypothesis, and other non-research article types. I also list the benefits to the field, of review articles and how they can have the potential to change the field. I have provided a handful of classic examples of reviews that clearly changed the field in a remarkable way as well as a number of reviews that clarified the field and facilitated future research.

Nanoemulgel: A Comprehensive Review of Formulation Strategies, Characterization, Patents and Applications

<p>Background: Delivering hydrophobic or poorly soluble drugs has become increasingly challenging, with issues like stability and bioavailability complicating the process. Among various strategies devised to address these problems, nanoemulgels have proven effective. Nanoemulgels combine a gel base and an emulsion at the nanoscale, making them excellent for drug delivery. The nanoemulsion component protects the active ingredient from degradative reactions like hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation. Meanwhile, the gel base enhances the emulsion's thermodynamic stability by increasing the viscosity of the aqueous phase and reducing surface and interfacial tension. </p><p> Objective: The primary objective of this review was to explore nanoemulgels as a drug delivery system in the pharmaceutical industry. It delves into the advantages and applications of nanoemulgels in various medical fields, compares them with conventional emulgel, and examines formulation strategies, preparation methods, patent trends, future prospects, and evaluation methods in detail. </p><p> Method: An exhaustive literature survey was conducted keeping in view the various aspects of nanoemulgel. Information from various resources, such as books, review articles, scientific reports, research articles, and patents, were searched, read, analyzed, and summarized. </p><p> Conclusion: This review article thoroughly examines nanoemulgels, discussing their formulation strategies, characterization techniques, and applications in various fields. It highlights their benefits, such as enhanced drug solubility, controlled release, improved stability, and targeted delivery. The article also covers patents related to nanoemulgel technology and explores its future prospects, emphasizing potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dermatology, and other industries.</p>

Utopia and Religion in Europe in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

When European writers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries wrote about utopia or their vision of the best possible way to live, they usually included reflections on religion. Religion as it was known in their day was not perfect and had been criticized for causing numerous abuses. If a perfect or near-perfect society were to be imagined, it would have to include a perfect or near-perfect understanding of religion. This could range from atheism to a minimal religion which avoided all the institutional factors, to one in which detailed regulations governed all facets of religion and life. This article reviews and interprets the treatment of religion in a wide range of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century utopias. It concludes that some utopian writers set high goals for change, some settled for lesser reforms, and some left religion as it was while changing other parts of life.

EFEITOS DA PRÁTICA DE EXERCÍCIOS FÍSICOS NA MELHORIA DA SAÚDE MENTAL

Introduction: Physical exercise is widely recognized by health professionals as an excellent ally in promoting quality of life and well-being. With both biological and psychological effects, it can be an exceptional therapy used alongside medications to treat mental disorders. Objective: The present study aims to explore the effects of physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Method: This work is an integrative literature review that included original and review articles in order to select relevant information for the outcome of this research. Results: The results obtained through this review demonstrated that regular physical exercise has a significant impact on mental health, greatly contributing to the reduction of symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. The ability to cope with stressful situations can be further enhanced through physical activities. Conclusion: Physical exercise triggers the release of neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and relaxation, such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. The benefits of physical activity for mental health are numerous, positioning it as a crucial tool in the prevention and treatment of disorders like depression and anxiety.

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS, CLINICAL, DERMATOLOGICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL APPROACH

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with a wide range of cutaneous and mucosal manifestations. The spectrum of HPV ranges from inapparent infections, through multiple benign clinical presentations, including cutaneous and mucosal disease, to malignant and premalignant conditions. Cervical cancer is the fourth cancer with the highest incidence in women in the world, being the second cause of cancer death in women between 15 and 44 years of age, one of the risk factors for this cancer is the human papillomavirus. Objective: to detail the current information related to human papillomavirus, description, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, anamnesis, physical examination, evaluation, treatment, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and complications taking into account a clinical, dermatological and gynecological approach. Methodology: a total of 27 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 18 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant for this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: human papillomavirus, HPV, dermatosis, warts, infection, papanicolau, tumor virus infections. Results: HPV has been associated with the development of laryngeal, mouth, lung and anogenital cancers. Subtypes 6 and 11 are low risk and are usually associated with the formation of condylomas and low-grade precancerous lesions. Subtypes 16 and 18 are high-risk and are responsible for high-grade intraepithelial lesions that progress to malignant neoplasia. There are more than 180 HPV subtypes.The prevalence of genital HPV in adults aged 18-59 years is about 45.2% in males and 39.9% in females. The prevalence of high oncogenic risk HPV genotypes is 2.26%; (95%CI: 1.75-2.78), with the most common genotype being 16 (28.89%). Cervical cancer screening with cytology has significantly reduced the incidence and mortality of this type of cancer in developed countries, despite the fact that its sensitivity for detecting CIN2+ is around 66%. Conclusions: it is of remarkable importance to know the human papillomavirus outlook, especially because it is linked to a number of underlying clinical manifestations both benign, premalignant and malignant conditions. The authors recommend prevention, especially suggesting that boys and girls be vaccinated against HPV starting at 11 to 12 years of age, in addition to the other measures outlined in the article. It is important to understand that HPV alone does not cause cancer, but requires triggering factors such as smoking, folate deficiency, exposure to ultraviolet light, immunosuppression and pregnancy. Individuals with cutaneous warts have numerous treatment alternatives available, including surgical removal, cryotherapy, irritant or immunomodulatory drugs, and laser removal. KEY WORDS: HPV, infection, pap smear, warts.

A new species of Eotetranychus from China (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae), with an identification key to species of the genus Eotetranychus from China

ABSTRACT A new species of the genus Eotetranychus, Eotetranychus wuxuanensis sp. nov. collected on Rubus lambertianus (Rosaceae), is described from Wuxuan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on female and male adults of the species. In addition, the article reviews 42 species of the genus Eotetranychus from China, and provides an identification key with these species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub: 434BC39A-59FF-4A60-BF61-CB7E4758F68E

Machine Learning for Advanced Emission Monitoring and Reduction Strategies in Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Fossil fuel power plants are a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Accurate monitoring and effective reduction of these emissions are crucial for mitigating climate change. This systematic review examines the current state of research on the application of machine learning techniques in evaluating the emissions from fossil fuel power plants. This review first briefly introduces the continuous emission monitoring (CEM) systems and predictive emission monitoring (PEM) systems that are commonly used in power plants and highlights that machine learning models can significantly improve PEM systems through their capability to process and interpret large datasets intelligently to transform traditional emission monitoring systems by enhancing their precision, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency. Compared to previously published review articles, the key contribution and innovation in this present review is the discussion of machine learning models in CO2/NOx emissions according to the different algorithms used, including their advantages and disadvantages in a systematic way, which aims to help future researchers to develop more effective machine learning models. The most popular machine learning model includes reinforcement learning, a forward neural network, a long short-term memory neural network, and support vector regression. While each model method has its own advantages and disadvantages, we noted that training data quality, as well as the proper selection of model parameters, plays an important role. The challenges and research gaps, such as model transferability, a deep understanding of the physics of CO2/NOx emissions, and the availability of high-quality data for training machine learning models, are identified, and recommendations as well as potential future research directions to address these challenges are proposed and discussed.

Exercise as a modality to improve heart transplantation-related functional impairments: An article review.

Heart transplantation (HT), the treatment choice of advanced heart failure patients, is proven effective in increasing the survival and functional status of the recipients. However, compared to normal controls, functional status is lower in HT recipients. Exercise given in cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve exercise capacity as measured with peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and muscle strength after completion of the program and cessation of exercise results in loss of exercise benefits. Several factors related to cardiac denervation and the use of immunosuppressive agents in HT recipients result in functional impairments including cardiovascular, pulmonary, exercise capacity, psychological, and quality of life (QoL) problems. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the most common type of exercise used in HT recipients and given as a hospital-based program. Improvement of functional impairments was found to have occurred due to primarily musculoskeletal adaptations through improvement of muscle structure and aerobic capacity and cardiovascular adaptations. In general, exercise given after transplantation improved VO2 peak significantly and improvement was better in the HIIT group compared to moderate intensity continuous training or no-exercise groups. Improvement of QoL was ascribed to improvement of exercise capacity, symptoms, pulmonary function, physical capacity improvement, anxiety, and depression.

THE ANALYSIS STUDY OF EVALUATING THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PERCUTANEUS CORONARY INTERVENTION (PCI) VERSUS EDTA (CHELATION THERAPY) FOR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE : A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a pivotal treatment for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), yet its overall effectiveness remains limited. Despite technological advancements, only about 5% of patients receive PCI, comparable to the 5% who are treated with pharmacological therapies. The ongoing debate between PCI and optimal drug therapy (ODT) continues, with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) emerging as a notable treatment alternative. This systematic review seeks to compare the outcomes of these interventions and offer guidance for clinical decision-making. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review focused on full-text articles published in English from 2012 to 2024. To ensure the inclusion of high-quality studies, editorial pieces and review articles were excluded unless they included a DOI. A comprehensive literature search was performed across several reputable databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SagePub, to collect relevant research thoroughly. Result: The review analyzed over 800 publications from these databases. After an initial screening process, eight studies were selected for detailed examination. These selected studies underwent a rigorous review to ensure comprehensive and precise evaluation. Conclusion: While both EDTA and PCI represent advanced treatment options for CAD, their effectiveness is contested due to their complexity and high costs. The systematic review indicates that PCI may offer greater benefits for patients with chronic total occlusions (CTO), showing lower mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) rates. Future research should prioritize large-scale clinical trials to further elucidate the comparative efficacy of PCI and EDTA.

Rabies, The Administration of Vaccines and Public Health Concern, Neglected Challenges and Historical Perspective in China

Rabies virus is transmitted via contact of saliva of a rabid animal with a person ,s mucosa or a skin lesion. It is a fatal encephalomyelitis caused by members of expanding Lyssavirus genus, and the genus included 17 species. The aim of this literature review is to survey on rabies and vaccination in China, threats and challenges to eliminate it, especially in China. The information provided is obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical observations and studies which were gathered from various literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords were dogs, glycoprotein, lyssavirus, post-exposure prophylaxis, and rabies virus. Rabies virus is a bullet shaped enveloped virion, and the classical rabies virus and its field strains are discovered worldwide and induces to rabies in animals and humans. In recent years, China has made wonderful and significant achievements in rabies prevention and control, and currently, the mortality and incidence rate of human infection with rabies have decreased to the minimum level historically, which has caused a notable foundation for the ultimate elimination of human rabies. Generally, five proteins are available in mature rabies virus particles, phosphoprotein, nucleoprotein, glycoprotein, matrix protein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The main carriers of rabies in China are dogs which are accountable for most of the human rabies deaths in China. Most common way of entry of rabies virus into the body is both via infected neural tissue through open cuts in the skin and salvia. The most notable parameters which limit rabies vaccinations are limited laboratory-based surveillance, diminished community outreach and education, underestimation of the population at risk, irregular vaccine applications in space and time, inaccessible naïve free-ranging dogs, exclusion of puppies, cold chain failure, translocation of cases, effect of other species, including cats, wildlife, and livestock, accessibility to remote hotspots, competing priorities, lack of adequate resources, impact of poverty on responsible social ownership and routine animal health care, cultural disparities, Sisyphean fatigue, frustration and staff burn-out. Rabies remain a public health problem and continue to present health risks for both animals and human; It is important to improve access to PEP in endemic countries where human rabies deaths still happen, but the big problem is its costs that should be curtailed and surveillance strengthened for controlling and eliminating it.

ST105 Lineage of MRSA: An Emerging Implication for Bloodstream Infection in the American and European Continents

Sequence-type 5 (ST5) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), harboring the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec type IV (SCCmecIV), was first detected in Portugal. It emerged as a significant cause of healthcare-associated (HA) infection in pediatric units and was hence named the pediatric clone. Another ST5 lineage, which carries SCCmecII, also prevailed in the USA and Japan for multiple years. More recently, another MRSA lineage, ST105-SCCmecII, part of the evolution of clonal complex 5 (CC5) MRSA, has emerged as the cause of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection outbreaks in countries including Portugal, the USA, and Brazil. This article reviews studies on the epidemiology and evolution of these newly emerging pathogens. To this end, a search of PUBMED from inception to 2024 was performed to find articles reporting the occurrence of ST105 MRSA in epidemiologic studies. A second search was performed to find studies on MRSA, CC5, ST5, and SCCmecII. A search of PUBMED from 1999 to 2024 was also performed to identify studies on the genomics and evolution of ST5, CC5, and ST105 MRSA. Further studies were identified by analyzing the references of the previously selected articles from PUBMED. Most articles on ST105 MRSA were included in this review. Only articles written in English were included. Furthermore, only studies that used a reliable genotyping method (e.g., whole genome sequencing, or MLST) to classify the CC5 lineages were selected. The quality and selection of articles were based on the consensus assessment of the three authors in independent evaluations. In conclusion, ST105-SCCmecII is an emerging MRSA in several countries, being the second/third most important CC5 lineage, with a relatively high frequency in bloodstream infections. Of concern is the increased mortality from BSI in patients older than 15 years and the higher prevalence of ST105-SCCmecII in the blood of patients older than 60 years reported in some studies.

Comprehensive review of artifacts in cardiac MRI and their mitigation.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is an important clinical tool that obtains high-quality images for assessment of cardiac morphology, function, and tissue characteristics. However, the technique may be prone to artifacts that may limit the diagnostic interpretation of images. This article reviews common artifacts which may appear in CMR exams by describing their appearance, the challenges they mitigate true pathology, and offering possible solutions to reduce their impact. Additionally, this article acts as an update to previous CMR artifacts reports by including discussion about new CMR innovations.

Measurement of mid-upper arm circumference to screen for childhood malnutrition: General applicability and use in special populations.

Since the development of consensus-recommended indicators for pediatric malnutrition in 2014, screening and diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition have improved, but the indicators are not always used; malnutrition continues to be underdiagnosed in some community and healthcare settings. In particular, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is underused as a screening indicator for pediatric malnutrition, despite its unique advantages and usefulness in several clinical situations. In December 2022, a scientific roundtable was held to bring together several experts in pediatric malnutrition. One of the goals of the scientific roundtable was to discuss the clinical use of anthropometric measures as screening tools for pediatric malnutrition status, with a focus on the use of MUAC. This article arose from that event and is intended as an educational tool to aid clinicians in implementing MUAC measurements. In addition to describing the use of MUAC as a screening tool, the article discusses several clinical situations in which MUAC is especially useful. Additionally, the article reviews practical aspects of measuring and interpreting MUAC values, provides links to additional educational resources, and briefly reviews areas in which further research is needed regarding the use of MUAC for screening of nutrition status in children.

Vision Rehabilitation Using Contact Lenses in Infantile Nystagmus: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: Nystagmus has a negative effect on the patient's quality of life (QoL), leading to an increase in their dependence on others and a decrease in self-confidence and social relationships. Therefore, effective treatment and management are crucial in restoring those affected's visual function and social life. To determine whether contact lens (CL) use impairs the vision of infantile nystagmus (IN) patients, this study conducts a systematic review of the relevant literature. Methods: This systematic review adhered to the guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). We searched databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant studies published up to May 9, 2022. The search was not limited by study type (except for review articles), publication time, or language. We used medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords such as “nystagmus,” “CL,” “congenital nystagmus,” “IN,” “rigid gas permeable lenses,” and “soft CLs”. Results: Initially, 102 articles were identified. After removing duplicates, 76 articles remained. Of these, 39 were excluded during screening for irrelevance, and 8 were excluded due to inaccessible abstracts or full texts. Ultimately, 29 articles were included in this review. Conclusion: The majority of studies reviewed reported no significant side effects from using CLs, and most patients achieved similar or improved visual function compared to using glasses. As a result, even if CLs are not superior to glasses, they perform comparably and can be considered a primary treatment option when there are indications for prescribing CLs.

Iron Supply of Multivitamins–Multiminerals Commercialized Online by Amazon in Western and Southern Europe: A Labeling Analysis

Background. In high-income countries, shopping for non-prescription multivitamin–multimineral supplements has tremendously increased. Objective and Methods. The purpose of this labeling analysis is to inform on the daily elemental iron (with or without vitamin C) supply provided by multivitamin–multimineral supplements sold online by Amazon in Western and Southern Europe (amazon.es®, amazon.de®, amazon.it®, and amazon.fr®). Results. We identified 298 iron-containing multivitamin–multimineral preparations sold by Amazon marketplaces: 153 preparations sourced from amazon.de®, 68 from amazon.fr®, 54 from amazon.it®, and 23 from amazon.es®. The daily iron dose provided by these preparations was 14 [5–14] mg (median and interquartile range), with no differences among the marketplaces. Approximately 90% (n = 265) of the preparations contained ferrous iron. Moreover, 85% (n = 253) of the preparations were fortified with vitamin C in a dose of 80 [40–100] mg daily. Conclusions. The median supply of iron (about 14 mg) and vitamin C (80 mg) in iron-containing multivitamin–multimineral preparations offered on Amazon platforms in Western and Southern Europe falls below that currently recommended for iron deficiency in review articles, namely 100 mg of iron and 500 mg of vitamin C per day. The iron supply of iron-containing multivitamin–multimineral preparations falls also below the dose of 30–60 mg advocated to prevent iron deficiency in menstruating women.