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Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science... Jan 2022Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to quantify the effects of processing stages and interventions on the prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of processing stages and interventions for controlling Campylobacter contamination during broiler chicken processing.
Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to quantify the effects of processing stages and interventions on the prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter on broiler carcasses. To comprehensively capture relevant evidence, six databases were searched using the keywords "Campylobacter" and "broiler chicken." The literature search yielded 10,450 unique citations, and after applying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 72 and 53 relevant citations were included in meta-analyses for processing stages and interventions, respectively. As the two primary outcomes, log reduction and prevalence changes were estimated for each stage or intervention using a random-effects meta-analysis approach whenever possible. The outcome-level quality assessment was conducted following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The analysis revealed that scalding and chilling majorly reduces the prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter. Immersion chilling reduces the concentration regardless of chemical additives, but its effect on prevalence is not conclusive. The effects of carcass washing applications remain uncertain due to the inconsistency and imprecision of both outcomes. Defeathering and evisceration were identified as stages that can increase both prevalence and concentration. Both chemical and physical processing interventions provide limited efficacy in concentration and prevalence reduction. Major limitations of the review were inconsistency and imprecision at the outcome level and reporting issues and data gaps at the study level. The results are expected to inform quantitative microbial risk assessment model development and support evidence-based decision-making.
Topics: Animals; Campylobacter; Chickens; Food Handling; Food Microbiology
PubMed: 34730272
DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12860 -
European Urology Focus Jan 2022Neurological disease can affect the rate of urine production and bladder storage function, increasing nocturia severity, with additional risks if mobility or cognition... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Neurological disease can affect the rate of urine production and bladder storage function, increasing nocturia severity, with additional risks if mobility or cognition is impaired.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review (SR) of nocturia in neurological diseases and achieve expert consensus for management in clinics without neurologist input.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Four databases were searched from January 2000 to April 2020. A total of 6262 titles and abstracts were screened and 43 studies were included for full-text screening. Eleven of these met the inclusion criteria and two studies were identified through other sources. The nominal group technique (NGT) was used to develop consensus in panel comprising experts and public representation.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Thirteen studies (seven in Parkinson's disease, five in multiple sclerosis) were included, all undertaken in secondary care. Neurological disease severity was incompletely described, and nocturia severity was generally measured subjectively. NGT consensus supported basic neurological assessment, and the use of bladder diaries where neurological impairment permits. Treatments include pelvic-floor muscle training, review of medications, risk mitigation, improving bowel function, therapy for overactive bladder syndrome (if urgency is reported in association with nocturia episodes), treatment of postvoid residual and desmopressin according to licence. Measures to improve mobility and mitigate risk when using the toilet overnight should be considered. Multifactorial issues such as obstructive sleep apnoea and hypoventilation must be considered.
CONCLUSIONS
Nocturia in neurological disease is complex and lacks a robust evidence base, with very little research done in the primary care context. Guidance should be pragmatic, with reduction of risk a key requirement, until a multidisciplinary evidence base can be developed.
PATIENT SUMMARY
People with a neurological disease can suffer severe sleep disturbance because of the need to pass urine several times overnight (called nocturia). We looked at published research and found very little information to help general practitioners in managing this condition. We assembled a group of experts to develop practical approaches for assessing and treating nocturia in neurological disease.
Topics: Consensus; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Nocturia; Primary Health Care; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 35031351
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2021.12.012 -
Heliyon Sep 2021There is evidence that Nigeria is already experiencing environmental challenges attributed to climate change (CC) and its impacts. This has clearly highlighted the need... (Review)
Review
There is evidence that Nigeria is already experiencing environmental challenges attributed to climate change (CC) and its impacts. This has clearly highlighted the need for knowledge-based strategies to help plan adequate mitigation and adaptation measures for the country. One of the basic requirements to ensure such strategies is the development of a database of national CC research. This will aid in the assessment of past and present scientific publications from which directions for future study can be mapped. The present study used standard, systematic, and bibliographic literature reviews to analyse the trend, focus, spatial variability, and effectiveness of published research on CC impacts in Nigeria. Four thematic areas of CC impact research were defined: Agriculture, Environment, Human and Multi-disciplinary study. A total of 701 articles were found to be relevant and the review shows that CC impacts and adaptations in the literature vary across research categories and locations. The period between 2011 (68 studies) and 2015 (80 studies) showed a tremendous rise in CC impact research with a peak in 2014 (84 studies). Studies in the agriculture category had the highest publications in 23 States of Nigeria. The review revealed three research gaps: (1) lack of research that investigated the magnitude of present and potential future impacts in the aquatic environment (2) little attention on CC impacts and adaptation in the Northern regions of Nigeria (3) absence of study investigating the effects of multiple variables of CC at the same time. The findings suggest that it would be useful to advance CC research in Nigeria beyond perceptive approaches to more quantitative ones. This is particularly important for highly vulnerable animals, crops, locations, and for better planning of adaptation strategies.
PubMed: 34541351
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07941 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2020Currently, climate change represents an existential, physical, and psychological threat. Therefore, mitigation and adaptation actions and measures have become...
Currently, climate change represents an existential, physical, and psychological threat. Therefore, mitigation and adaptation actions and measures have become increasingly necessary to preserve individual and collective well-being. The psychological distance is one of the main psychological constructs that explains the most concrete or abstract perception of the objects and events surrounding people. The psychological distance is a multidimensional construct, and in accordance with the construal level theory (CLT), temporal, hypothetical, spatial, and social distance are considered the most critical dimensions. This systematic review aims to provide an update of the literature on the role of psychological distance in the commitment to engagement mitigation and adaptation attitudes toward climate change. The review was carried out following PRISMA guidelines and a systematic search was performed on PubMed, Psycinfo, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. Nineteen articles have been identified as being eligible for the final synthesis. Results showed, in general, that individuals have a higher propensity to perform pro-environmental and resilient behaviors against climate change when it is perceived as more proximal and concrete within the construct of psychological distance. However, not all studies show this result. Some studies showed that, despite people considering climate changes as real and tangible, they do not perform mitigation and adaptation behaviors. Other studies showed that people implement these behaviors despite perceiving climate changes as distal and abstract. The current literature shows the existence of a relation among psychological distance and pro-environmental and resilient behaviors applied to climate change. For a deeper understanding of the conflicting results that emerged, more studies are necessary to explore the possible presence of further psychological variables involved in the relation within psychological distance, mitigation, and adaptation in environmental contexts.
PubMed: 33329207
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.568899 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) May 2021Climate change impacts are associated with dramatic consequences for human health and threaten physical activity (PA) behaviors.
BACKGROUND
Climate change impacts are associated with dramatic consequences for human health and threaten physical activity (PA) behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this systematic review were to present the potential bidirectional associations between climate change impacts and PA behaviors in humans and to propose a synthesis of the literature through a conceptual model of climate change and PA.
METHODS
Studies published before October 2020 were identified through database searches in PubMed, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, GreenFILE, GeoRef, Scopus, JSTOR and Transportation Research Information Services. Studies examining the associations between PA domains and climate change (e.g., natural disasters, air pollution, and carbon footprint) were included.
RESULTS
A narrative synthesis was performed and the 74 identified articles were classified into 6 topics: air pollution and PA, extreme weather conditions and PA, greenhouse gas emissions and PA, carbon footprint among sport participants, natural disasters and PA and the future of PA and sport practices in a changing world. Then, a conceptual model was proposed to identify the multidimensional associations between climate change and PA as well as sport practices. Results indicated a consistent negative effect of air pollution, extreme temperatures and natural disasters on PA levels. This PA reduction is more severe in adults with chronic diseases, higher body mass index and the elderly. Sport and PA communities can play an important mitigating role in post-natural disaster contexts. However, transport related to sport practices is also a source of greenhouse gas emissions.
CONCLUSION
Climate change impacts affect PA at a worldwide scale. PA is observed to play both a mitigation and an amplification role in climate changes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42019128314.
Topics: Aged; Air Pollution; Climate Change; Exercise; Forecasting; Humans; Models, Theoretical
PubMed: 33689139
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01439-4 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jun 2024Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to...
Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.
Topics: Brazil; China; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollution; Plastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38735173
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116478 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jan 2023Human population is envisaged to continue to grow, with a tremendous contribution to land degradation and climate change. Climate change and land degradation are... (Review)
Review
Human population is envisaged to continue to grow, with a tremendous contribution to land degradation and climate change. Climate change and land degradation are intertwined, thus tackling climate change means mitigating land degradation. Climate change is a worldwide problem that affects lives and livelihoods; henceforth, mitigating measures are urgently required. With their unique, rich biodiversity, mountain areas are severely sensitive to climate change and land degradation; therefore, a speedy need to curb land degradation in mountain areas is needed. The aim of this systematic review was to appraise different strategic methods used globally to minimise land degradation and sustain mountainous areas in a frequently changing climate. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was utilised in this systematic review. The Scopus data base was utilised for document search, with a selection of articles limited between the years 2012 and 2021. Only articles written in English were considered. After assessing the abstracts, 703 articles were retained for a full review, leading to the final selection of 84 articles. The results show that soil erosion, overgrazing and construction of infrastructure are major causes of land degradation. The human population increase is also an enormous contributing factor to activities leading to land degradation and climate change. A conspicuous intensification of agricultural activities is expected to continue due to rising food demand. Curbing land degradation and climate change in mountain areas can be enforced by the government through stricter regulations. However, regulations and policies must be locally initiated, instead of globally initiated, with local communities being the main stakeholders. Hence, bottom-up rather than top-down policies would encourage local communities to embrace mitigation policy initiatives.
Topics: Humans; Climate Change; Environmental Monitoring; Agriculture; Biodiversity; Soil Erosion; Conservation of Natural Resources
PubMed: 36609891
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10906-y -
Population Health Management Dec 2021Little information has been compiled across studies about existing interventions to mitigate issues of medical financial hardship, despite growing interest in health... (Review)
Review
Little information has been compiled across studies about existing interventions to mitigate issues of medical financial hardship, despite growing interest in health care delivery. The purpose of this qualitative systematic scoping review was to examine content and outcomes of interventions to address medical financial hardship. PRISMA guidelines were applied to present results using PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, published between January 1980 and August 2020. Additional studies were identified through reference lists of selected papers. Included studies focused on mitigating medical financial hardship from out-of-pocket (OOP) health care expenses as an intervention strategy with at least 1 evaluation component. Screening 2412 articles identified 339 articles for full-text review, 12 of which met inclusion criteria. Variation was found regarding targets and outcome measurement of intervention. Primary outcomes were in the following categories: financial outcomes (eg, OOP expenses), behavioral outcomes, psychosocial, health care utilization, and health status. No included studies reported significant reduction in OOP expenses, perceptions of financial burden/toxicity, or health status. However, changes were observed for behavioral outcomes (adherence to treatment, patient needs addressed), some psychosocial outcomes (mental health symptoms, perceived support, patient satisfaction), and care utilization such as routine health care. No patterns were observed in the achievement of outcomes across studies based on intensity of intervention. Few rigorous studies exist in this emerging field, and studies have not shown consistent positive effects. Future research should focus on conceptual clarity of the intervention, align outcome measurement and achieve consensus around outcomes, and employ rigorous study designs, measurement, and outcome follow-up.
Topics: Financial Stress; Health Expenditures; Humans
PubMed: 33989065
DOI: 10.1089/pop.2021.0043 -
Journal of Human Nutrition and... Jun 2023Adults and children who are enterally tube-fed can experience adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS). Observational data suggests that blended diets (BD) could mitigate... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adults and children who are enterally tube-fed can experience adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS). Observational data suggests that blended diets (BD) could mitigate such symptoms, with potential to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. We present a novel systematic review examining the impact of BD, compared to commercial feeds, on GIS of adults and children who are tube-fed.
METHODS
The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021261147). Four electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2021. Search terms included 'tube-fed', 'blended diet' and 'formula'. Inclusion criteria were intervention studies comparing blended and commercial feeds using quantitative measures of GIS. Heterogeneity of outcome measures precluded meta-analysis; therefore, a narrative synthesis was conducted.
RESULTS
Six papers (n = 219), including two randomised control trials (RCT) and four single arm pre-post studies, were identified. Equal numbers studied in- and out-patients, adults and children. Risk of bias was notable for all studies. Equivocal and insufficient evidence prevented consensus on outcomes of vomiting, gagging, oral intake, bloating and constipation. However, one RCT and two single arm pre-post studies suggest that diarrhoea symptoms may be improved on BD.
CONCLUSIONS
Diarrhoea is prevalent in tube-fed populations and associated with adverse outcomes. Improvements in diarrhoea symptoms attributed to BD may be clinically important. Our findings are congruous with the wider observational evidence base, and support recommendations of the British Dietetic Association. BD may pose a viable alternative to commercial formula, and may mitigate symptoms of diarrhoea for adults and children who are tube-fed.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Diet; Enteral Nutrition; Food, Formulated; Constipation; Diarrhea
PubMed: 36129232
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13090 -
The Journal of Craniofacial SurgeryBlood loss is a potential cause of morbidity and mortality in craniosynostosis surgery. Recent reports have suggested that the use of tranexamic acid (TXA), an... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Blood loss is a potential cause of morbidity and mortality in craniosynostosis surgery. Recent reports have suggested that the use of tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent, mitigates this blood loss. A comprehensive systematic review and subsequent meta-analysis was undertaken, with the view to clarify the effectiveness of TXA in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements in craniosynostosis surgery. Medline and PubMed databases were searched using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses technique, and 7003 articles were assessed based on predefined selection criteria. Seven trials were identified, of which 2 were randomized controlled trials and the remainder retrospective cohort studies. All trials were assessed using the Jadad and strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology scores. The meta-analysis found a clear statistical reduction in blood loss in those patients who received TXA perioperatively, with a combined blood loss reduction of 7.06 ml/kg (95% confidence interval -8.97 to -5.15, P < 0.00001). The blood loss reduction was found to extrapolate to a reduction in perioperative transfusion requirements by 8.47 ml/kg in this cohort (95% confidence interval -10.9 to -6.04, P < 00001). There were no TXA-related adverse outcomes recorded in the 258 patients who received TXA across all trials. The trials included in this meta-analysis were limited by underpowered population sizes and significant heterogeneity in blood loss recording techniques. Further, there was significant heterogeneity amongst operations performed. The current literature appears to support the use of TXA in craniosynostosis surgery, but further high quality randomized controlled trials are indicated, ideally including a subgroup analysis between the operations performed.
Topics: Antifibrinolytic Agents; Blood Loss, Surgical; Craniosynostoses; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Tranexamic Acid
PubMed: 34593743
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008123