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International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Environmental noise affects our daily functioning in many ways, and the cognitive, motivational, and emotional effects of noise are intertwined. Our task performance... (Review)
Review
Environmental noise affects our daily functioning in many ways, and the cognitive, motivational, and emotional effects of noise are intertwined. Our task performance under noisy conditions depends on our ability to cope with the noise and our cognitive resources. The process of (failed) coping may wear us out cognitively, lead to learned helplessness, and, consequently, alter the motivation to persist in a task. The direct effect of irrelevant sounds on cognitive functioning in children is relatively well-established, however, the research on the framework of learned helplessness is limited when it comes to children. Learned helplessness can give more insight into effects of environmental noise on learning and child development and how the effects of short-term and long-term exposure interact. A systematic literature review is performed to assess to what extent the current evidence addresses the (interaction) effects of the sound environment on cognition and learned helplessness as measured by motivation in children and young adults up to the age of 21. The search resulted in 8 included papers that addressed both cognition and learned helplessness in their research. The included papers study children between 8-13 years old and show evidence for a relation between environmental noise, cognition, and helplessness individually, but none study a possible interaction. Based on the individual study designs, it could be hypothesized that cognitive fatigue may play a role in the interaction. Studies that conducted motivation tasks after cognitive tasks found stronger effects than those that conducted tasks in a random order. More research is needed using the same methods in different age groups to further assess the interaction between cognition and learned helplessness in relation to the sound environment.
Topics: Child; Young Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Cognition; Motivation; Emotions; Helplessness, Learned; Learning
PubMed: 36612610
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010288 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Jun 2022Emerging pollutants (EPs) are causative for teratogenic and reproductive effects. EPs are detected in all the environmental matrices at higher levels. A suitable model... (Review)
Review
Emerging pollutants (EPs) are causative for teratogenic and reproductive effects. EPs are detected in all the environmental matrices at higher levels. A suitable model for aquatic toxicity assessment is Hydra, because of morphological, behavioral, reproductive (sexual and asexual), and biochemical changes. Many researchers have used Hydra for toxicity assessment of organic chemicals (BPA), heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and microplastics. Various Hydra species were used for environmental toxicity studies; however H. magnipapillata was predominantly used due to the availability of its genome and proteome sequences. Teratogenic and reproductive changes in Hydra are species specific. Teratogenic effects were studied using sterozoom dissecting microscope, acridine orange (AO) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DPAI) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by EPs had been understood by the Dichlorodihydrofluorescein Diacetate (DCFDA) staining and comet assay. Multiple advanced techniques would aid to understand the effects at molecular level, such as real-time PCR, rapid amplification of cDNA end- PCR. EPs modulated the major antioxidant enzyme levels, therefore, defense mechanism was affected by the higher generation of reactive oxygen species. Genome sequencing helps to know the mode of action of pollutants, role of enzymes in detoxification, defense genes and stress responsive genes. Molecular techniques were used to obtain the information for evolutionary changes of genes and modulation of gene expression by EPs.
Topics: Animals; Hydra; Microplastics; Models, Animal; Reactive Oxygen Species; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 35227876
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109320 -
Cells May 2022COPD is an incurable disorder, characterized by a progressive alveolar tissue destruction and defective mechanisms of repair and defense leading to emphysema. Currently,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
COPD is an incurable disorder, characterized by a progressive alveolar tissue destruction and defective mechanisms of repair and defense leading to emphysema. Currently, treatment for COPD is exclusively symptomatic; therefore, stem cell-based therapies represent a promising therapeutic approach to regenerate damaged structures of the respiratory system and restore lung function. The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative synthesis of the efficacy profile of stem cell-based regenerative therapies and derived products in COPD patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA-P. Data from 371 COPD patients were extracted from 11 studies. Active treatments elicited a strong tendency towards significance in FEV1 improvement (+71 mL 95% CI -2−145; p = 0.056) and significantly increased 6MWT (52 m 95% CI 18−87; p < 0.05) vs. baseline or control. Active treatments did not reduce the risk of hospitalization due to acute exacerbations (RR 0.77 95% CI 0.40−1.49; p > 0.05). This study suggests that stem cell-based regenerative therapies and derived products may be effective to treat COPD patients, but the current evidence comes from small clinical trials. Large and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to really quantify the beneficial impact of stem cell-based regenerative therapy and derived products in COPD.
Topics: Emphysema; Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Stem Cells
PubMed: 35681492
DOI: 10.3390/cells11111797 -
Journal of Consulting and Clinical... Jan 2017The current study examined the frequency with which randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral and psychological interventions for anxiety and depression include... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the frequency with which randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral and psychological interventions for anxiety and depression include data pertaining to participant sexual orientation and nonbinary gender identities.
METHOD
Using systematic review methodology, the databases PubMed and PsycINFO were searched to identify RCTs published in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Random selections of 400 articles per database per year (2,400 articles in total) were considered for inclusion in the review. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were read and coded by the research team to identify whether the trial reported data pertaining to participant sexual orientation and nonbinary gender identities. Additional trial characteristics were also identified and indexed in our database (e.g., sample size, funding source).
RESULTS
Of the 232 articles meeting inclusion criteria, only 1 reported participants' sexual orientation, and zero articles included nonbinary gender identities. A total of 52,769 participants were represented in the trials, 93 of which were conducted in the United States, and 43 acknowledged the National Institutes of Health as a source of funding.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite known mental health disparities on the basis of sexual orientation and nonbinary gender identification, researchers evaluating interventions for anxiety and depression are not reporting on these important demographic characteristics. Reporting practices must change to ensure that our interventions generalize to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. (PsycINFO Database Record
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Depression; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 27845517
DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000123 -
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health... Dec 2023Individuals from Black and Hispanic backgrounds represent a minority of the overall US population, yet are the populations most affected by the disease of obesity and... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review on Participant Diversity in Clinical Trials-Have We Made Progress for the Management of Obesity and Its Metabolic Sequelae in Diet, Drug, and Surgical Trials.
OBJECTIVE
Individuals from Black and Hispanic backgrounds represent a minority of the overall US population, yet are the populations most affected by the disease of obesity and its comorbid conditions. Black and Hispanic individuals remain underrepresented among participants in obesity clinical trials, despite the mandate by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993. This systematic review evaluates the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of clinical trials focused on obesity at a national level.
METHODS
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of clinicaltrials.gov, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science was undertaken to locate phase 3 and phase 4 clinical trials on the topic of obesity that met associated inclusion/exclusion criteria. Ultimately, 18 studies were included for review.
RESULTS
White non-Hispanic individuals represented the majority of clinical trial participants, as did females. No study classified participants by gender identity. Reporting of race/ethnicity was not uniform, with noted variability among racial/ethnic subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that disparities remain in the diverse racial, ethnic, and gender representation of participants engaged in clinical trials on obesity relative to the prevalence of obesity in underrepresented populations. Commitment to inclusive and intentional recruiting practices is needed to increase the representation of underrepresented groups, thus increasing the generalizability of future research.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Gender Identity; Ethnicity; Obesity; Diet; White
PubMed: 36536164
DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01487-0 -
The Journal of the American Academy of... May 2023Health inequities have been shown to have negative effects on patient care and the healthcare system. It is important for orthopaedic trauma surgeons and researchers to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Health inequities have been shown to have negative effects on patient care and the healthcare system. It is important for orthopaedic trauma surgeons and researchers to understand the extent to which patients are affected by these inequities.
METHODS
We conducted a scoping review as outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. We searched PubMed and Ovid Embase for articles relating to orthopaedic trauma surgery and health inequities.
RESULTS
After exclusion criteria were applied, our final sample consisted of 52 studies. The most frequently evaluated inequities were sex (43 of 52 [82.7]), race/ethnicity (23 of 52 [44.2]), and income status (17 of 52 [32.7]). The least frequently evaluated inequities were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identity (0 of 52 [0.0]) and occupational status (8 of 52 [15.4]). Other inequities evaluated included rural/underresourced (11 of 52 [21.1]) and educational level (10 of 52 [19.2]). No trend was observed when examining inequities reported by year.
CONCLUSION
Health inequities exist in orthopaedic trauma literature. Our study highlights multiple inequities in the field that need further investigation. Understanding current inequities and how to best mitigate them could improve patient care and outcomes in orthopaedic trauma surgery.
Topics: Female; Humans; United States; Orthopedics; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Gender Identity; Orthopedic Procedures
PubMed: 36884240
DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-22-00710 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Dec 2019Apoptosis is a universal cellular defense mechanism against senescent, damaged, genetically mutated, or virally-infected cells. It also is critical for the maintenance... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Apoptosis is a universal cellular defense mechanism against senescent, damaged, genetically mutated, or virally-infected cells. It also is critical for the maintenance of liver health. Fas and FasL system act as a major death pathway that triggers apoptosis cascade in the liver. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the relationship between four major polymorphisms of Fas and FasL genes with susceptibility to or clearance of HBV infection. All the eligible studies were extracted from PubMed and Scopus with no date and language restriction. ORs with 95% CIs were used to evaluate the strength of the association based on the following genetic models: (1) the allelic, (2) the homozygote, (3) the dominant, and (4) the recessive models. Totally 7 related articles were included in this meta-analysis; 5 studies of 7 related articles investigated FasL -844C/T (rs763110) polymorphism, 4 studies investigated FasL IVS2nt-124, 6 studies investigated Fas -670 A/G (rs1800682), and 4 studies investigated Fas -1377 A/G (rs2234767) polymorphism. This meta-analysis showed that there is no statistically significant association between the risk or clearance of HBV infection and four studied Fas and FasL polymorphisms in their allelic comparison or genetic models. Fas -670, Fas -1377, FasL -124, and FasL -844 polymorphisms did not show any significant association with the clearance or risk of HBV infection. Therefore, it seems that susceptibility to HBV infection or clearance of it is not affected by Fas and FasL genetic polymorphisms. But, to reach a definitive conclusion, further studies with a larger sample size of different ethnicity are still needed.
Topics: Fas Ligand Protein; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Homozygote; Humans; Odds Ratio; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Promoter Regions, Genetic; fas Receptor
PubMed: 31425784
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104003 -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Apr 2024To inform efforts to integrate gender and race into moral distress research, the review investigates if and how gender and racial analyses have been incorporated in such... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
To inform efforts to integrate gender and race into moral distress research, the review investigates if and how gender and racial analyses have been incorporated in such research.
DESIGN
Scoping review.
METHODS
The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis) Extension for Scoping Reviews was adopted.
DATA SOURCES
Systematic literature search was conducted through PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science databases. Boolean operators were used to identify moral distress literature which included gender and/or race data and published between 2012 and 2022.
RESULTS
After screening and full-text review, 73 articles reporting on original moral distress research were included. Analysis was conducted on how gender and race were incorporated in research and interpretation of moral distress experiences among healthcare professionals.
IMPACT
This study found that while there is an upward trend in including gender and race-disaggregated data in moral distress research, over half of such research did not conduct in-depth analysis of such data. Others only highlighted differential experiences such as moral distress levels of women vis-à-vis men. Only about 20% of publications interrogated how experiences of moral distress differed and/or explored factors behind their findings.
CONCLUSION
There is a need to not only collect disaggregated data in moral distress research but also engage this data through gender and race-based analysis. Particularly, we highlight the need for intersectional analysis, which can elucidate how social identities and categories (such as gender and race) and structural inequalities (such as those sustained by sexism and racism) interact to influence moral experiences.
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE
Moral distress as experienced by healthcare professionals is increasingly recognized as an important area of research with significant policy implications in the healthcare sector. This study offers insights for nuanced and targeted policy approaches.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
No patient or public contribution.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Gender Identity; Health Personnel; Morals; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 37849045
DOI: 10.1111/jan.15901 -
European Journal of Surgical Oncology :... Oct 2022Although male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease, accounting for <1% of all breast cancers, it has significant oncological, survival and psychosocial implications for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease, accounting for <1% of all breast cancers, it has significant oncological, survival and psychosocial implications for patients. The aim of this study is to assess the latest literature in the diagnosis, management, oncological outcomes, and psychosocial impact of MBC.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines (Moher et al., 2009) [1] to explore the management of MBC, with particular focus on investigative imaging, surgical management, oncological outcomes, survival, genetic screening and psychosocial effects. Electronic databases were searched for randomised control trials, cohort studies and case series involving more than 10 patients. Imaging and surgical techniques, local and distant disease recurrence, survival, genetic screening and psychosocial implications in the setting of MBC were assessed.
RESULTS
The search criteria identified 199 articles, of which 59 met the inclusion criteria. This included 39,529 patients, with a mean age of 64.5 years (55-71), and a mean follow-up of 66.3 months (26.2-115). Mastectomy remains the most frequently used surgical technique, with an average of 89.6%. Loco-regional and distant recurrence rate was 10.1% and 21.4% respectively. Disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 and 10 years was 66.8% and 54.5% respectively. Disease-specific survival (DSS) at 5 and 10 years was 87.1% and 67.1% respectively. Overall survival (OS) at 5 and 10 years was 72.7% and 50.7% respectively. Genetic screening was conducted in 38.6% of patients of which 4.8% and 15.8% were found to be BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers respectively. Psychosocial studies were conducted mainly using questionnaire and interview-based methodology focusing primarily on awareness of breast cancer in men, support available and impact on gender identity.
CONCLUSIONS
This review demonstrates that men present with later stage disease with subsequent impact on survival outcomes. There remains a paucity of high-level evidence and prospective studies are required. There is a need for increasing awareness amongst the public and health care professionals in order to improve outcomes and reduce stigma associated with MBC.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Breast Neoplasms, Male; Mastectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Gender Identity; Disease-Free Survival
PubMed: 35725681
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2022.06.004 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Nov 2017Transgender individuals receive cross-sex hormonal therapy to induce desired secondary sexual characteristics despite limited data regarding its effects on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Transgender individuals receive cross-sex hormonal therapy to induce desired secondary sexual characteristics despite limited data regarding its effects on cardiovascular health.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of several databases up to 7 April 2015 was conducted for studies evaluating the effect of sex steroid use on lipids, myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and mortality in transgender individuals. Pairs of reviewers selected and appraised the studies. A random-effects model was used to pool weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
We found 29 eligible studies with moderate risk of bias. In female-to-male (FTM) individuals, sex steroid therapy was associated with statistically significant increases in serum triglyceride (TG) levels at 3 to 6 months and at ≥24 months (21.4 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.14 to 42.6) and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at 12 months and ≥24 months (17.8 mg/dL; 95% CI: 3.5 to 32.1). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels decreased significantly across all follow-up periods (highest at ≥24 months, -8.5 mg/dL; 95% CI: -13.0 to -3.9). In male-to-female (MTF) individuals, serum TG levels were significantly higher at ≥24 months (31.9 mg/dL; 95% CI: 3.9 to 59.9) without any changes in other parameters. Few myocardial infarction, stroke, VTE, and death events were reported (more frequently in MTF individuals).
CONCLUSIONS
Low-quality evidence suggests that sex steroid therapy may increase LDL-C and TG levels and decrease HDL-C level in FTM individuals, whereas oral estrogens may increase TG levels in MTF individuals. Data about important patient outcomes remain sparse.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Male; Risk Factors; Transgender Persons; Transsexualism; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28945852
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-01643