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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022The aim of this systematic review is to compile and assess the scientific evidence about the relationship between chronotypes and physical activity (PA) Methods: A... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The aim of this systematic review is to compile and assess the scientific evidence about the relationship between chronotypes and physical activity (PA) Methods: A systematic review was executed using a structured electronic search in PubMED, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo and Trip Database. The searches employed keywords such as chronotype, sleep, acrophase, chronotype preference, morningness, physical activity and sedentary, using MeSH terms. JBI critical tools were used to appraise methodological aspects.
RESULTS
This systematic review includes 23 studies and a total of 505,375 participants. The results show that evening chronotypes are associated with less PA and more time in sedentary activities. It occurs independently of the instruments used to collect information about chronotype and PA. Nevertheless, this association could be mitigated in young populations and university stages.
CONCLUSIONS
The chronotypes are clearly associated with the PA level and the sedentary behaviour, especially in the population over their mid-twenties. Evening chronotypes are associated with less PA and more time in sedentary activities compared to morning chronotypes.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Exercise; Humans; Sedentary Behavior; Sleep; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35955020
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159646 -
Rheumatology and Therapy Feb 2022Few studies have evaluated the economic burden of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to assess the economic burden (direct and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Few studies have evaluated the economic burden of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to assess the economic burden (direct and indirect costs, and healthcare resource utilization [HCRU]) associated with LN, with particular focus on the burden of renal flares and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
METHODS
This SLR (GSK study 213531) was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches of the MEDLINE and Embase databases were conducted for English language publications reporting cost or HCRU data in patients with LN (regardless of age or LN histological class) until December 10, 2019. Handsearching of conference proceedings and keyword-based searches in PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar were also conducted.
RESULTS
Twenty-two studies were identified from 28 publications reporting the cost (n = 19) and HCRU (n = 13) associated with LN. Most studies were from North America (n = 13) and many used administrative claims data (n = 9). LN was associated with substantially higher direct costs (e.g., total annual, hospitalization, and ESKD-related direct costs), total indirect costs, and HCRU (e.g., hospitalization, outpatient services, and medication use) compared with patients without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or non-renal SLE controls. ESKD and dialysis were significant contributors to economic burden. No studies described the cost of renal flares.
CONCLUSIONS
The consensus across the 22 studies was that the economic burden of LN is substantial, particularly in active or severe disease, or if there is progression to ESKD. Total direct cost may be underestimated in claims data given the challenges of identifying patients with LN. Further studies are vital to ascertain the cost of renal flares; a renal flare is likely to result in a period of increased HCRU, which could be mitigated by treatments that extend renal remission.
PubMed: 34731412
DOI: 10.1007/s40744-021-00368-y -
Public Understanding of Science... May 2024Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies...
Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies have systematically examined how to counteract it. This review fills this gap by exploring the research about counteracting climate denial, the effectiveness and the intentions behind intervention. Through a systematic selection and analysis of 65 scientific articles, this review finds multiple intervention forms, including education, message framing and inoculation. The intentions of intervening range from changing understanding of climate science, science advocacy, influencing mitigation attitudes and counteracting vested industry. A number of divergent findings emerge: whether to separate science from policy; the disputed effects of emotions and the longitudinal impacts of interventions. The review offers guiding questions for those interested in counteracting denialism, the answers to which indicate particular strategies: identify the form of climate denial; consider the purpose of intervention and recognise one's relationship to their audiences.
Topics: Attitude; Climate Change; Denial, Psychological; Public Opinion
PubMed: 38243813
DOI: 10.1177/09636625231223425 -
World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology -... Jan 2021Otolaryngologists are at increased occupational risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to exposure from respiratory droplets and aerosols generated... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Otolaryngologists are at increased occupational risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to exposure from respiratory droplets and aerosols generated during otologic, nasal, and oropharyngeal examinations and procedures. There have been a variety of guidelines and precautions developed to help mitigate this risk. While many reviews have focused on the personal protective equipment (PPE) and preparation guidelines for surgery in the COVID-19 era, none have focused on the more creative and unusual solutions designed to limit viral transmission. This review aims to fill that need.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Scopus.
METHODS
A comprehensive review of literature was performed on September 28, 2020 using PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Scopus databases. All English-language studies were included if they proposed or assessed novel interventions developed for Otolaryngology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
A total of 41 papers met inclusion criteria and were organized into 5 categories ('General Recommendations for Otolaryngologic Surgery', 'Equipment Shortage Solutions', 'Airway Procedures', 'Nasal Endoscopy and Skull Base Procedures', and 'Otologic Procedures'). Articles were summarized, highlighting the innovations created and evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative solutions such as application of topical viricidal agents, make-shift mask filters, three-dimensional (3-D) printable adapters for headlights, aerosol containing separation boxes, and a variety of new draping techniques have been developed to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Persistent risk of COVID-19 exposure remains high. Thus, there is an increased need for solutions that mitigate the risk of viral transmission during office procedures and surgeries, especially given that most COVID-19 positive patients present asymptomatically. This review examines and organizes creative solutions that have been proposed and utilized in the otolaryngology. These solutions have a potential to minimize the risk of viral transmission in the current clinical environment and to create safer outpatient and operating room conditions for patients and healthcare staff.
PubMed: 33520334
DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.01.001 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Long-term stress is associated with a decline in global health, affecting social, intellectual, and economic development alike. Although comprehensive action plans have... (Review)
Review
Long-term stress is associated with a decline in global health, affecting social, intellectual, and economic development alike. Although comprehensive action plans have been implemented to provide people access to mental health services and promote mental well-being, employees' mental health generally takes second place to productivity and profit in business settings. This review paper offers an overview of the current interactive approaches used for relieving work-related stress associated with mental health. Results from the 38 included studies show that affective computing is used mainly for monitoring purposes and is usually combined with tangible interfaces that collect workers' physiological changes. Although the ability to sense and predict employees' affective states can potentially improve mental health in the workplace, there is a substantial disparity between monitoring one's health and the delivery of practical interventions to mitigate stress found in the surveyed studies. Designing systems that capitalize on embodied interaction principles is paramount, especially in the post-pandemic context, as the concepts of physical and mental safety take on new meanings that must be consciously and carefully addressed, particularly in workplace settings. Finally, this paper highlights the main design implications for the effective implementation of interfaces to help mitigate stress in the workplace.
Topics: Humans; Workplace; Occupational Health; Mental Health; Pandemics; Mental Health Services
PubMed: 36498272
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316197 -
BMJ Open Feb 2021To identify, appraise and synthesise studies evaluating the downsides of wearing face masks in any setting. We also discuss potential strategies to mitigate these... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To identify, appraise and synthesise studies evaluating the downsides of wearing face masks in any setting. We also discuss potential strategies to mitigate these downsides.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and EuropePMC were searched (inception-18 May 2020), and clinical registries were searched via CENTRAL. We also did a forward-backward citation search of the included studies.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials and observational studies comparing face mask use to any active intervention or to control.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS
Two author pairs independently screened articles for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcomes were compliance, discomforts, harms and adverse events of wearing face masks.
RESULTS
We screened 5471 articles, including 37 (40 references); 11 were meta-analysed. For mask wear adherence, 47% (95% CI 25% to 68%, p<0.0001), more people wore face masks in the face mask group compared with control; adherence was significantly higher (26%, 95% CI 8% to 46%, p<0.01) in the surgical/medical mask group than in N95/P2 group. The largest number of studies reported on the discomfort and irritation outcome (20 studies); fewest reported on the misuse of masks, and none reported on mask contamination or risk compensation behaviour. Risk of bias was generally high for blinding of participants and personnel and low for attrition and reporting biases.
CONCLUSIONS
There are insufficient data to quantify all of the adverse effects that might reduce the acceptability, adherence and effectiveness of face masks. New research on face masks should assess and report the harms and downsides. Urgent research is also needed on methods and designs to mitigate the downsides of face mask wearing, particularly the assessment of possible alternatives.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Open Science Framework website https://osf.io/sa6kf/ (timestamp 20-05-2020).
Topics: Humans; Masks; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33619199
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044364 -
The Lancet Regional Health. Western... Nov 2023Gaseous emissions have contributed to global warming, an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events and poorer air quality. The associated health impacts have... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Gaseous emissions have contributed to global warming, an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events and poorer air quality. The associated health impacts have been well reported in temperate regions. In Singapore, key climate change adaptation measures and activities include coastal and flood protection, and mitigating heat impacts. We systematically reviewed studies examining climate variability and air quality with population health in Singapore, a tropical city-state in South-East Asia (SEA), with the aim to identify evidence gaps for policymakers. We included 14 studies with respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular outcomes, foodborne disease and dengue. Absolute humidity (3 studies) and rainfall (2 studies) were positively associated with adverse health. Extreme heat (2 studies) was inversely associated with adverse health. The effects of mean ambient temperature and relative humidity on adverse health were inconsistent. Nitrogen dioxide and ozone were positively associated with adverse health. Climate variability and air quality may have disease-specific, differing directions of effect in Singapore. Additional high quality studies are required to strengthen the evidence for policymaking. Research on effective climate action advocacy and adaptation measures for community activities should be strengthened.
FUNDING
There was no funding source for this study.
PubMed: 38116501
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100947 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jul 2021Obtaining public and/or private finance for upscaling urban nature-based solutions (NBS) is a key barrier for reaching urban sustainability goals, including climate... (Review)
Review
Obtaining public and/or private finance for upscaling urban nature-based solutions (NBS) is a key barrier for reaching urban sustainability goals, including climate mitigation and adaptation. We carry out a systematic review of the academic literature to understand the key barriers and corresponding strategies for financing urban NBS. First, we report on specific financing challenges and strategies found for NBS uptake in four urban ecological domains: buildings, facades and roofs; urban green space (parks, trees); allotment gardens (including urban agriculture); and green-blue infrastructure. Across domains, we identify two overarching barriers of NBS finance: (1) coordination between private and public financiers and (2) integration of NBS benefits into valuation and accounting methods. We discuss strategies found in the literature that address these barriers; here, two things stand out. One, there is a large variety of valuation strategies that does not yet allow for an integrated accounting and valuation framework for NBS. Two, strategies aimed at coordinating public/private finance generally look for ways to encourage specific actors (real estate developers, residents) that benefit privately from an NBS to provide co-financing. We visualize our findings into a framework for enabling (public and/or private) finance for upscaling urban NBS.
Topics: Cities; Sustainable Growth; Trees
PubMed: 33845267
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112371 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Mar 2017More women experience depressive symptoms antenatally than postnatally. Supporting women through the antenatal period is recognised as important in mitigating negative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
More women experience depressive symptoms antenatally than postnatally. Supporting women through the antenatal period is recognised as important in mitigating negative outcomes and in preventing postnatal depression (PND). A systematic review was conducted which aimed to provide a detailed service user and service provider perspective on the uptake, acceptability, and perception of harms of antenatal interventions and postnatal interventions for preventing PND.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 12 major bibliographic databases in November 2012 and updated in December 2014. Studies were included if they contained qualitative evidence on the perspectives and attitudes of pregnant women and postnatal women who had taken part in, or healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in delivering, preventive interventions for PND.
RESULTS
Twenty-two studies were included. Support and empowerment through education were identified as particularly helpful to women as intervention components, across all intervention types. Implications for accessing the service, understanding the remit of the service and women's preferences for group and individual care also emerged.
LIMITATIONS
The majority of the included studies were of moderate or low quality, which may result in a lack of rich data consistently across all studies, limiting to some degree interpretations that can be made.
CONCLUSION
The synthesis demonstrated important considerations for devising new interventions or adapting existing interventions. Specifically, it is important that individual or group interventions are carefully tailored to women's needs or preferences and women are aware of the remit of the HCPs role to ensure they feel able to access the support required.
Topics: Adult; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Self Concept
PubMed: 28024220
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.017