Terms Of Study Design Research Articles

Meta-analysis of endometrial transcriptome data reveals novel molecular targets for recurrent implantation failure.

Gene expression analysis of the endometrium has been shown to be a useful approach for identifying the molecular signatures and pathways involved in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Nevertheless, individual studies have limitations in terms of study design, methodology and analysis to detect minor changes in expression levels or identify novel gene signatures associated with RIF. To overcome this, we conducted an in silico meta-analysis of nine studies, the systematic collection and integration of gene expression data, utilizing rigorous selection criteria and statistical techniques to ensure the robustness of our findings. Our meta-analysis successfully unveiled a meta-signature of 49 genes closely associated with RIF. Of these genes, 38 were upregulated and 11 downregulated in RIF patients' endometrium and believed to participate in key processes like cell differentiation, communication, and adhesion. GADD45A, IGF2, and LIF, known for their roles in implantation, were identified, along with lesser-studied genes like OPRK1, PSIP1, SMCHD1, and SOD2 related to female infertility. Many of these genes are involved in MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways, indicating their role in inflammation. We also investigated to look for key miRNAs regulating these 49 dysregulated mRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Along with this, we went to associate protein-protein interactions of 49 genes, and we could recognize one cluster consisting of 11 genes (consisted of 22 nodes and 11 edges) with the highest score (p = 0.001). Finally, we validated some of the genes by qRT-PCR in our samples. In summary, the meta-signature genes hold promise for improving RIF patient identification and facilitating the development of personalized treatment strategies, illuminating the multifaceted nature of this complex condition.

Utilization of Japanese long-term care-related data including Kaigo-DB: An analysis of current trends and future directions.

Despite high expectations from the government and researchers regarding data utilization, comprehensive analysis of long-term care (LTC)-related data use has been limited. This study reviewed the use of LTC-related data, including Kaigo-DB, in Japan after 2020. There was an increase in studies using LTC-related data in Japan between 2020 and 2021, followed by a stabilization period. The national government provided 13.5% of this data (6.5% from Kaigo-DB), while prefectures and municipalities contributed 85.2%, and facilities provided 1.3%. The linked data used in 90.4% of the studies primarily consisted of original questionnaire or interview surveys (34.6%) and medical claims (34.0%). None of the studies based on Kaigo-DB utilized linked data. In terms of study design, cohort studies were the most common (84.6%), followed by descriptive (5.1%), cross-sectional (3.2%), and case-control studies (1.3%). Among the 138 individual-based analytical descriptive studies, the most frequently used LTC-related data as an exposure was LTC services (26.8%), and the most common data used as an outcome was LTC certification or care need level (43.5%), followed by the independence degree of daily living for the older adults with dementia (18.1%). To enhance the use of LTC-related data, especially the valuable national Kaigo-DB, insights can be gleaned from how researchers effectively utilize municipal and prefectural data. Streamlining access to Kaigo-DB and enabling its linkage with other datasets are promising for future research in this field.

Cytotoxicity and concentration of silver ions released from dressings in the treatment of infected wounds: a systematic review.

Silver-releasing dressings are used in the treatment of infected wounds. Despite their widespread use, neither the amount of silver released nor the potential in vivo toxicity is known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and the amount of silver released from commercially available dressings with infected wounds. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. The Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies from 2002 through December 2022. The criteria were as follows: population (human patients with infected wounds); intervention (commercial dressings with clinical silver authorized for use in humans); and outcomes (concentrations of silver ions released into tissues and plasma). Any study based on silver-free dressings, experimental dressings, or dressings not for clinical use in humans should be excluded. According to the type of study, systematic reviews, experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were considered. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Studies that assessed at least 65% of the included items were included. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. 740 articles were found and five were finally selected (all of them quasi-experimental). Heterogeneity was found in terms of study design, application of silver dressings, and methods of assessment, which limited the comparability between studies. In vivo comparative studies of clinical dressings for control of infection lack a standardized methodology that allows observation of all the variables of silver performance at local and systemic levels, as well as evaluation of its cytotoxicity. It cannot be concluded whether the assessed concentrations of released silver in commercial dressings for the topical treatment of infected wounds are cytotoxic to skin cells. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022351041, PROSPERO [CRD42022351041].

Orally Administered Korean Herbal Medicine Medications of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and Related Journals: A Narrative Analysis using CONSORT-CHM 2017

Objectives: This study aims to explore the current usage status of orally administered Korean herbal medicine in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and member journals using the CONSORT-Chinese HerbalMedicine Formulas 2017 (CONSORT-CHM 2017) checklist. Methods: We searched the OASIS, RISS, and KMBASE archives as well as the websites of the Journal of Korean Medicine and 45 member journals to identify RCTs that used herbal interventions. Two independent researchers searched and categorized the RCTs and performed a quantitative evaluation by journal, study design, and target disease, as well as qualitative evaluation of the literature using CONSORT-CHM 2017.Results: After the search, 66 articles were selected. The quantitative evaluation resulted in 13 articles (19.6%) that were published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and 12 articles (18.1%) in the Journal of Internal Korean Medicine. In terms of study design, 62 articles (93.9%) were parallel, 4 articles (6%) were crossover, and 2-arm parallel study designs were the most common in 45 articles (68.2%). In terms of the study participants, physiological characteristics and mechanisms in healthy individuals were the most common in 21 studies (31.8%) and obesity in 9 studies (13.6%). In terms of assessing completeness in the CONSORT-CHM 2017 items, 29 articles were rated high, 31 were rated moderate, and 6 were rated low. Items 4a, 6a, and 7a had low reporting rates (≤ 30%), while items 2a, 2b, and 12a were completely reported in all studies.Conclusion: Future RCTs using orally administered Korean herbal medicine need to be reported completely, and the CONSORT-CHM 2017 checklist can be a helpful tool for this purpose.

Efficacy and safety of sublingual versus subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically compare the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in children with allergic rhinitis (AR). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to March 2, 2023. Outcomes included symptom scores (SSs), medication scores (MSs), symptom and medication scores (SMSs), new sensitizations, development of asthma, improvement, and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The quality of the included studies was assessed by the modified Jadad scale and Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Meta-regression was carried out to explore the source of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was further conducted in terms of study design [randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies], allergen [house dust mites (HDMs), grass pollen], treatment duration (≥ 24, 12-23 or < 12 months), allergen immunotherapy (AIT) modality (drops or tablets), and AIT protocol [continuous, pre-seasonal, co-seasonal, or after the grass pollen season (GPS)]. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for all outcomes. A Bayesian framework and a Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) model were developed for indirect comparison. Totally 50 studies with 10813 AR children were included, with 4122 treated with SLIT, 1852 treated with SCIT, and 4839 treated with non-SLIT or non-SCIT therapy. For direct comparison, the SLIT group had a similar SS to the SCIT group [pooled standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.46, 1.28, P = 0.353]. Comparable MSs were observed in the SLIT and SCIT groups (pooled SMD: 0.82, 95%CI: -0.88, 2.53, P = 0.344). For indirect comparison, no significant differences were found in SSs (pooled SMD: 1.20, 95% credibility interval (CrI): -1.70, 4.10), MSs (pooled SMD: 0.57, 95%CrI: -1.20, 2.30), SMSs (pooled SMD: 1.80, 95%CrI: -0.005, 3.60), new sensitizations [pooled relative risk (RR): 0.34, 95%CrI: 0.03, 3.58], and development of asthma (pooled RR: 0.68, 95%CrI: 0.01, 26.33) between the SLIT and SCIT groups; the SLIT group illustrated a significantly lower incidence of TRAEs than the SCIT group (pooled RR: 0.17, 95%CrI: 0.11, 0.26). Considering both efficacy and safety, SLIT might be a more favorable AIT than SCIT in the treatment of pediatric AR, which may serve as a decision-making reference for clinicians. PROSPERO (CRD42023460693).

How Do Recreation Therapists Support People Living with Acquired Brain Injuries Across the Continuum of Care?: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis

Acquired Brain Injuries (ABIs) affect a significant number of individuals in Canada each year, leading to various functional challenges and complex care needs. Interdisciplinary teams play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, with Recreation Therapy (RecT) emerging as a valuable addition to such teams. RecT focuses on using leisure, recreation, and play as tools to enhance the independence and quality of life of individuals with ABIs. Despite its potential benefits, there is limited academic literature on the specific role of RecT in ABI care. This scoping review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Inclusion criteria encompassed a broad range of ABI patients, RecT concepts, care settings, and study designs. A comprehensive search strategy was applied to multiple databases, and data extraction and analysis followed a systematic approach. A total of 71 articles were included in the review, following a rigorous screening process. These articles were diverse in terms of study design, population served, and healthcare context. Data extraction focused on the role of RecT, assessments, interventions, and patient outcomes, categorized by the dimensions of health and well-being (SPECS – Social, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Spiritual). A narrative synthesis approach was employed to identify patterns and themes across the included studies. This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on the role of RecT in the care of individuals with ABIs. It highlights the need for more explicit recognition of RecT contributions within interdisciplinary teams and the importance of further research to establish evidence-based practices. Understanding the impact of RecT on the health and well-being of ABI patients is crucial for optimizing their rehabilitation and quality of life.

Reducing unplanned hospital admissions from care homes: a systematic review

Background Care homes predominantly care for older people with complex health and care needs, who are at high risk of unplanned hospital admissions. While often necessary, such admissions can be distressing and provide an opportunity cost as well as a financial cost. Objectives Our objective was to update a 2014 evidence review of interventions to reduce unplanned admissions of care home residents. We carried out a systematic review of interventions used in the UK and other high-income countries by synthesising evidence of effects of these interventions on hospital admissions; feasibility and acceptability; costs and value for money; and factors affecting applicability of international evidence to UK settings. Data sources We searched the following databases in December 2021 for studies published since 2014: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Health Management Information Consortium; Medline; PsycINFO; Science and Social Sciences Citation Indexes; Social Care Online; and Social Service Abstracts. ‘Grey’ literature (January 2022) and citations were searched and reference lists were checked. Methods We included studies of any design reporting interventions delivered in care homes (with or without nursing) or hospitals to reduce unplanned hospital admissions. A taxonomy of interventions was developed from an initial scoping search. Outcomes of interest included measures of effect on unplanned admissions among care home residents; barriers/facilitators to implementation in a UK setting and acceptability to care home residents, their families and staff. Study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. We used published frameworks to extract data on intervention characteristics, implementation barriers/facilitators and applicability of international evidence. We performed a narrative synthesis grouped by intervention type and setting. Overall strength of evidence for admission reduction was assessed using a framework based on study design, study numbers and direction of effect. Results We included 124 publications/reports (30 from the UK). Integrated care and quality improvement programmes providing additional support to care homes (e.g. the English Care Homes Vanguard initiatives and hospital-based services in Australia) appeared to reduce unplanned admissions relative to usual care. Simpler training and staff development initiatives showed mixed results, as did interventions aimed at tackling specific problems (e.g. medication review). Advance care planning was key to the success of most quality improvement programmes but do-not-hospitalise orders were problematic. Qualitative research identified tensions affecting decision-making involving paramedics, care home staff and residents/family carers. The best way to reduce end-of-life admissions through access to palliative care was unclear in the face of inconsistent and generally low-quality evidence. Conclusions Effective implementation of interventions at various stages of residents’ care pathways may reduce unplanned admissions. Most interventions are complex and require adaptation to local contexts. Work at the interface between health and social care is key to successful implementation. Limitations Much of the evidence identified was of low quality because of factors such as uncontrolled study designs and small sample size. Meta-analysis was not possible. Future work We identified a need for improved economic evidence and the evaluation of integrated care models of the type delivered by hospital-based teams. Researchers should carefully consider what is realistic in terms of study design and data collection given the current context of extreme pressure on care homes. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO database CRD42021289418. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (award number NIHR133884) and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. 18. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Indirect Treatment Comparisons of Mosunetuzumab With Third- and Later-Line Treatments for Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma

BackgroundNo established standard of care exists for relapsed/refractory (RR) follicular lymphoma (FL) after ≥2 prior therapies. We conducted indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) to compare the efficacy and tolerability of mosunetuzumab with those of available treatments used in this setting. MethodsA systematic literature review (SLR) and subsequent feasibility assessments were conducted to identify the most suitable comparator studies in terms of design, available endpoints and populations. Imbalances in patient characteristics between NCT02500407 and studies featuring aggregate or patient-level data availability were accounted for using matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) and propensity score–based methodologies, respectively. ResultsZUMA-5, ELARA, DELTA, DYNAMO, UNITY-NHL, AUGMENT and NCT01897571 passed the MAIC feasibility assessment. Patient-level data were available from GADOLIN, CONTRALTO and NCT02257567. MAIC results generally favored mosunetuzumab over tazemetostat in EHZ2wild-type patients for all outcomes and over PI3K inhibitors for complete response (CR), objective response rate (ORR), discontinuations due to adverse events and progression-free survival (PFS) with umbralisib. MAICs favored CART therapies for PFS and, to a lesser extent, ORR and CR. Comparisons with anti-CD20 antibody-based regimens yielded mixed results. ConclusionsITCs suggest that mosunetuzumab may lead to superior outcomes over tazemetostat (in EHZ2wild-type patients) and PI3K inhibitors and may be a promising alternative to re-challenging with a different anti-CD20 regimen in patients who relapse after ≥2 prior anti-CD20 lines. Although preliminary results somewhat favored CART therapies, limitations and uncertainties remain because of intrinsic differences in study design. Mosunetuzumab could thus be a promising treatment option for patients with RR FL after ≥2 prior therapies.

Amazonian Plants: A Global Bibliometric Approach to Petiveria alliacea L. Pharmacological and Toxicological Properties.

Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae) holds significant importance in the Amazon region, where it has been traditionally utilized in folk medicine. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis using conventional metrics, combined with a critical content review of its pharmacological and toxicological properties, to identify gaps in the existing literature that require further investigation. Our investigation identified a total of 55 articles that met the inclusion criteria for this study. Remarkably, Brazil emerged as the primary contributor within the scope of this review, indicating a strong presence of research from this country. Furthermore, professional scientific societies have played a pivotal role in facilitating the dissemination of scientific findings through specialist journals, fostering the sharing of research work within the community. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence revealed that "Petiveria alliacea", "plant extract", and "guatemala" were the most frequently encountered terms, indicating their significance within the literature. In terms of study designs, in vivo and in vitro were the predominant types observed, highlighting their prevalence in this field of study. Our study also identified a lack in knowledge yet to be investigated.

Comprehensive Review of Ustekinumab Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights from the ClinicalTrials.gov Registry.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. To achieve and sustain remission, effective treatment strategies are necessary. Ustekinumab, a biologic agent targeting interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, has emerged as a significant therapeutic option for moderate to severe IBD. To gain insights into the utilization of Ustekinumab for IBD, we conducted a comprehensive review of the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. A comprehensive search of the ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted to find all clinical trials involving the use of Ustekinumab in IBD patients. As of December 30th, 2022, 69 clinical trials were identified that included IBD and Ustekinumab. The study list was saved, and those clinical trials that fitted the definition of targeted therapy were included in the review. The results showed that Ustekinumab was associated with significant improvements in the clinical response and remission rates, in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Additionally, the safety profile of Ustekinumab was generally favourable, with low rates of adverse events reported. In terms of study design, most of the relevant studies found in the database were interventional studies. The investigation focused on completed studies and found that there were a limited number of clinical trials with interventional measures. Ustekinumab appears to be a promising treatment option for patients with IBD, with the potential to provide significant clinical benefits and a favourable safety profile. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore optimal dosing and treatment regimens.

Sleep and Stroke-Related Delirium: A Systematic Review

Study objectives: Sleep and circadian rhythms disorders are frequent in the acute stroke. Sleep modifications are likely to contribute to the development of stroke-related delirium, a common neuropsychiatric complication of acute stroke. This systematic review aimed to clarify the association between sleep modifications and the occurrence of delirium in patients with acute stroke. Methods: The current systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was performed on PubMed and Scopus databases. Only studies that provided data concerning sleep, or pre-existing sleep disorders, in acute stroke and performed a formal evaluation of delirium were included. Results: The literature search enabled the identification of 15 studies, which exhibited high heterogeneity in terms of study design, settings, sleep assessments, delirium measures, and types of sleep intervention. In the study quality assessment, the majority of the studies were rated as weak or moderate. In most of the cases, sleep was subjectively assessed by the patients or rated by clinicians. None of the studies performed polysomnography for the evaluation of sleep. Only four of the studies assessed the impact of a sleep intervention on delirium, suggesting the potentially protective role of sleep promotion in reducing the prevalence and severity of stroke-related delirium. Conclusions: The evidence arising from the present systematic review supports that sleep disruption is a potential promoting factor for stroke-related delirium. We suggest that a formal sleep assessment and sleep promotion should be included in routine stroke care.

Homoeopathic Perspective in the Management of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Background: Substance abuse has become a widespread global issue. It includes abuse of illegal substances, namely marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines, and legal substances, including alcohol, nicotine or prescribed medicines.&#x0D; Aim of Review: This review assesses the role of Homoeopathy in the therapeutic management of substance use disorders (SUD) through a systematic web-based literature search.&#x0D; Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted online and manually to identify homoeopathic research studies published between 1993 and 2022 on SUD in international databases and the Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy library. Relevant studies were categorised and assessed in terms of study designs, number of participants, evidence grades and clinical outcome parameters. A total of 21 full-text studies were screened and evaluated. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed for all studies and model validity was appraised for the included RCTs'.&#x0D; Results: 10 studies (3 Randomised Controlled Trials, 3 Observational studies, 1 Pilot study, 1 observational comparative study, 1 Retrospective cohort study and 1 case series) were included and 11 studies were excluded with reasons. 03 studies have a level of evidence of 1b with an 'A' grade of recommendation, which consists of the RCTs only. The most commonly prescribed medicines identified were: Arsenic album, Nux vomica, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Staphysagria, Belladonna, Ipecac, Chamomilla, Rhustox, Phosphorus and Lachesis.&#x0D; A high risk of bias was elicited in most of the observational studies accentuating the need for more robust methodological studies.&#x0D; Conclusion: The majority of the studies have a small number of recruitments. Pragmatic studies with larger sample sizes and validated outcome measures may be designed further to validate the promising role of homoeopathic medicines in SUDs and generate quality evidence.

Approach to multidrug resistant bacterial infections

Several bacterial pathogens have evolved into multidrug resistant (MDR) forms both in developed and developing countries at an expanding rate. The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the three most important problems facing human health. It was estimated that 4·95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR globally in 2019.1 Three infectious syndromes dominated the global burdens attributable to AMR: lower respiratory and thorax infections, bloodstream infections, and intra-abdominal infections. Some of the most important MDR pathogens that currently cause infection in hospital and in the community are the so-called “ESKAPE” pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species), emphasizing their capacity to “escape” the effects of routine antibiotics. Most of the MDR studies were heterogeneous in terms of study design, patient population, site of infection, choice of antibiotic treatment, duration of followup period, and the outcome definitions, making it difficult to compare the different treatments and combinations of antibiotics used. Current recommendations in Europe and USA are based on systematic reviews that suggest different methods to prevent and control MDR infections, but provide little data on new and alternative antibiotic treatment options and therefore provide little firm guidance on specific treatment choices and algorithms. Attempts are ongoing to overcome antibacterial resistance by using new agents and combinations of new plus old agents. For example, both old (clavulanic acid, tazobactam) and new (avibactam, vaborbactam, relebactam) BLIs are being used in treatment algorithm for critically ill patients in the ICU according to MDR pathogen. There were still controversies regarding microbiological success for single agent compared with combinations of multiple agents. Many bacteria have the ability to produce biofilms, comprising organized congregations of bacteria adhering to each other making complex condition where antibiotic failed to wipe out bacteria despite of retaining in vitro susceptibility. It is also not always possible to conduct randomized controlled studies involving the required number of patients in a timely manner. So a requirement with the increasing choice of highly effective antimicrobial drugs, with dosages based on pharmacokinetic analysis of drug disposition, selection of the appropriate drug based on clinical microbiological data and pharmacodynamic indices. Rational antimicrobial therapy is more applicable today than in the history of antimicrobial therapy. Exploring newer modalities such as phage therapy and lytic antibiotics as well as obtaining a deeper understanding of the pathways involved in MDR mechanisms in order to engineer targeted drugs. Besides, rapid and comprehensive diagnostics are the key factor for the future management of antimicrobial resistance. Bangladesh J Medicine 2023; Vol. 34, No. 2(1) Supplement: 195-196

Record linkage studies of drug-related deaths among adults who were released from prison to the community: a scoping review

BackgroundThere are public health concerns about an increased risk of mortality after release from prison. The objectives of this scoping review were to investigate, map and summarise evidence from record linkage studies about drug-related deaths among former adult prisoners.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Web of Science were searched for studies (January 2011- September 2021) using keywords/index headings. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts using inclusion and exclusion criteria and subsequently screened full publications. Discrepancies were discussed with a third author. One author extracted data from all included publications using a data charting form. A second author independently extracted data from approximately one-third of the publications. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel sheets and cleaned for analysis. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were pooled (where possible) using a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model in STATA.ResultsA total of 3680 publications were screened by title and abstract, and 109 publications were fully screened; 45 publications were included. The pooled drug-related SMR was 27.07 (95%CI 13.32- 55.02; I 2 = 93.99%) for the first two weeks (4 studies), 10.17 (95%CI 3.74–27.66; I 2 = 83.83%) for the first 3–4 weeks (3 studies) and 15.58 (95%CI 7.05–34.40; I 2 = 97.99%) for the first 1 year after release (3 studies) and 6.99 (95%CI 4.13–11.83; I 2 = 99.14%) for any time after release (5 studies). However, the estimates varied markedly between studies. There was considerable heterogeneity in terms of study design, study size, location, methodology and findings. Only four studies reported the use of a quality assessment checklist/technique.ConclusionsThis scoping review found an increased risk of drug-related death after release from prison, particularly during the first two weeks after release, though drug-related mortality risk remained elevated for the first year among former prisoners. Evidence synthesis was limited as only a small number of studies were suitable for pooled analyses for SMRs due to inconsistencies in study design and methodology.

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Associative Memory Enhancement: State-of-the-Art from Basic to Clinical Research.

Associative memory (AM) is the ability to bind new information into complex memory representations. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), especially transcranial electric stimulation (tES), has gained increased interest in research of associative memory (AM) and its impairments. To provide an overview of the current state of knowledge, we conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines covering basic and clinical research. Out of 374 identified records, 41 studies were analyzed-twenty-nine in healthy young adults, six in the aging population, three comparing older and younger adults, as well as two studies on people with MCI, and one in people with Alzheimer's dementia. Studies using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) as well as oscillatory (otDCS) and high-definition protocols (HD-tDCS, HD-tACS) have been included. The results showed methodological heterogeneity in terms of study design, stimulation type, and parameters, as well as outcome measures. Overall, the results show that tES is a promising method for AM enhancement, especially if the stimulation is applied over the parietal cortex and the effects are assessed in cued recall paradigms.

Randomized evaluation of routine beta-blocker therapy after myocardial infarction quality of life (RQoL): design and rationale of a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint study.

Most cases of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Sweden are treated with long-term β-blocker therapy as secondary prevention. Case studies and patient reports have indicated negative effects of β-blockers including symptoms of depression, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and general low mood, all related to reduced quality of life (QoL). To date, no recent large-scale, randomized trial has explored the effects of β-blockers on these factors. The ongoing Randomized Evaluation of Decreased Usage of beta-bloCkErs after myocardial infarction (REDUCE): quality of life (RQoL) study is a multicentre, prospective, randomized pre-specified substudy aiming to evaluate the effects of β-blockers on self-reported measures of QoL. Following randomized allocation to long-term β-blocker or no β-blocker treatment, patients complete a total of six baseline measures pertaining to QoL, sexual functioning, and perceived side effects. Data collection is optionally carried out online through a unique and secure portal and repeated again at two follow-up time points. Recruitment began in July 2018. Data from the first 100 patients showed that at the first follow-up, 93% had completed the questionnaires, which decreased to 81% at the second follow-up. The method of digital data collection was utilized by over half of the patients recruited so far. Data from the first 100 patients indicate success in terms of study design and recruitment. The RQoL substudy investigates the effects of β-blockers on self-reported measures of QoL in MI patients and will potentially contribute to the limited knowledge of QoL-related side effects reported in conjunction with β-blocker use. Eudra CT number, 2017-002336-17; Clinical trial.gov identifier, NCT03278509.

A systematic map of cassava farming practices and their agricultural and environmental impacts using new ontologies: Agri‐ontologies 1.0

Abstract Cassava is consumed by 800 million people and is a staple crop in Africa. Its production may increase under climate change due to its high drought tolerance. We produced a systematic map of scientific studies about cassava farming practices, with the aim of identifying knowledge gaps and clusters. Our secondary aim was to develop a classification system for [1] farming interventions and [2] agricultural, economic and environmental outcomes. Standardised classification systems facilitate data reuse, including for evidence synthesis, and promote research efficiency. Following our published protocol, we searched eight publication databases using the search string ‘cassava OR mandioca OR manihot OR manioc OR yuca’ in December 2017. We screened 36,580 records and included publications that measured the impact of cassava farming practices on agricultural, economic or environmental outcomes, including yield, soil, water, wildlife and labour. We classified the resultant 1599 publications by interventions, outcomes, location, study year and study design. We assessed coding consistency using Kappa scores. We found regional knowledge clusters (Nigeria, Columbia and Brazil accounted for 45.5% of country occurrences) and gaps (e.g. the Democratic Republic of Congo). There were knowledge clusters for interventions testing cultivar type, fertiliser use and diversifying crop rotations and outcomes related to crop production (e.g. yield/biomass). We found knowledge gaps for environmental interventions and outcomes (e.g. 5% of studies measured pollutants or wildlife). In terms of study design, reporting standards were poor (e.g. 24% of studies did not report start dates), average study duration was 2 years, and average publication delays were 4 years. The Kappa scores indicated that we successfully developed consistent ontologies (named Agri‐ontologies 1.0). The map and ontologies are available online: https://www.metadataset.com/. This systematic map of cassava farming practices can direct researchers and funders to knowledge gaps that need addressing, and reviewers to knowledge clusters for synthesis. Better research practices should be promoted within cassava research, as poor reporting standards, short study durations and long publication delays result in an ineffective research environment. This systematic map provides an evidence base for cassava production and the ontologies (Agri‐ontologies 1.0) can be applied to other systems to facilitate more efficient and effective synthesis.

Air quality and individual-level academic performance in Brazil: A nationwide study of more than 15 million students between 2000 and 2020

Studies have shown that living and studying in places with poor air quality is associated with cognitive deficits. However, there is still a limitation in the literature in terms of study design and geographic location. Also, only a few studies have looked at the effects of more than one air pollutant. To address this research gap, in this study we estimated the association between air pollution (considering three criteria air pollutants – PM2.5, NO2, and O3) and academic performance (a proxy of cognitive performance) at the student level in Brazil between 2000 and 2020. We assessed academic performance data from a nationwide high school exam. The data included 15,443,772 students who took this national test between 2000 and 2020 in Brazil.Air pollution data was derived from satellite remote sensing observations. We fit mixed-effects regression models with a state-specific random intercept and adjusted for school characteristics, spatio-temporal factors, and socioeconomic status. We performed sub-group analyses by stratifying the analysis by type of school management (private or public), location of the school (urban or rural), sex, and periods. Our findings suggest air pollution exposure was associated with drops in the students’ marks varying from 0.13% to 5.39%. To our knowledge, this is the first study that estimates the association between air pollution and individual-level academic performance in Brazil. This study is of substantial environmental and educational importance by supporting policymakers to improve the air quality surrounding schools.

Dysgeusia in Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy—A Narrative Review

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer worldwide. Chemotherapy (CT) is essential for the treatment of BC, but is often accompanied by several side effects, including taste alterations, due to different mechanisms. Although dysgeusia is usually underestimated by clinicians, it is considered very worrying and disturbing by cancer patients undergoing CT, because it induces changes in dietary choices and social habits, affecting their physical and psychological health, with a profound impact on their quality of life. Several strategies and therapies have been proposed to prevent or alleviate CT-induced dysgeusia. This review aimed to evaluate the available evidence on prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical consequences, and strategies for managing dysgeusia in BC patients receiving CT. We queried the National Library of Medicine, the Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database, performing a search strategy using database-specific keywords. We found that the literature on this topic is scarce, methodologically limited, and highly heterogeneous in terms of study design and criteria for patient inclusion, making it difficult to obtain definitive results and make recommendations for clinical practice.

A Review of Wearable Multi-wavelength Photoplethysmography.

Optical pulse detection photoplethysmography (PPG) provides a means of low cost and unobtrusive physiological monitoring that is popular in many wearable devices. However, the accuracy, robustness and generalizability of single-wavelength PPG sensing are sensitive to biological characteristics as well as sensor configuration and placement; this is significant given the increasing adoption of single-wavelength wrist-worn PPG devices in clinical studies and healthcare. Since different wavelengths interact with the skin to varying degrees, researchers have explored the use of multi-wavelength PPG to improve sensing accuracy, robustness and generalizability. This paper contributes a novel and comprehensive state-of-the-art review of wearable multi-wavelength PPG sensing, encompassing motion artifact reduction and estimation of physiological parameters. The paper also encompasses theoretical details about multi-wavelength PPG sensing and the effects of biological characteristics. The review findings highlight the promising developments in motion artifact reduction using multi-wavelength approaches, the effects of skin temperature on PPG sensing, the need for improved diversity in PPG sensing studies and the lack of studies that investigate the combined effects of factors. Recommendations are made for the standardization and completeness of reporting in terms of study design, sensing technology and participant characteristics.