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BMC Medicine Jun 2016The peer review process is a cornerstone of biomedical research. We aimed to evaluate the impact of interventions to improve the quality of peer review for biomedical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The peer review process is a cornerstone of biomedical research. We aimed to evaluate the impact of interventions to improve the quality of peer review for biomedical publications.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and WHO ICTRP databases, for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of interventions to improve the quality of peer review for biomedical publications.
RESULTS
We selected 22 reports of randomized controlled trials, for 25 comparisons evaluating training interventions (n = 5), the addition of a statistical peer reviewer (n = 2), use of a checklist (n = 2), open peer review (i.e., peer reviewers informed that their identity would be revealed; n = 7), blinded peer review (i.e., peer reviewers blinded to author names and affiliation; n = 6) and other interventions to increase the speed of the peer review process (n = 3). Results from only seven RCTs were published since 2004. As compared with the standard peer review process, training did not improve the quality of the peer review report and use of a checklist did not improve the quality of the final manuscript. Adding a statistical peer review improved the quality of the final manuscript (standardized mean difference (SMD), 0.58; 95 % CI, 0.19 to 0.98). Open peer review improved the quality of the peer review report (SMD, 0.14; 95 % CI, 0.05 to 0.24), did not affect the time peer reviewers spent on the peer review (mean difference, 0.18; 95 % CI, -0.06 to 0.43), and decreased the rate of rejection (odds ratio, 0.56; 95 % CI, 0.33 to 0.94). Blinded peer review did not affect the quality of the peer review report or rejection rate. Interventions to increase the speed of the peer review process were too heterogeneous to allow for pooling the results.
CONCLUSION
Despite the essential role of peer review, only a few interventions have been assessed in randomized controlled trials. Evidence-based peer review needs to be developed in biomedical journals.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Checklist; Data Accuracy; Databases, Factual; Humans; Peer Review, Research; Publications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Report
PubMed: 27287500
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-016-0631-5 -
PloS One 2023Undernutrition (Body Mass Index < 18.5 kg/m2) is a common problem and a major cause of hospital admission for patients living with HIV. Though sub-Saharan Africa is the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Undernutrition (Body Mass Index < 18.5 kg/m2) is a common problem and a major cause of hospital admission for patients living with HIV. Though sub-Saharan Africa is the most commonly affected region with HIV and malnutrition, a meta-analysis study that estimates the prevalence and correlates of undernutrition among adults living with HIV has not yet been conducted. The objective of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
METHODS
Studies published in English were searched systematically from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and gray literature, as well as manually from references in published articles. Observational studies published from 2009 to November 2021 were included. The data extraction checklist was prepared using Microsoft Excel and includes author names, study area, publication year, sample size, prevalence/odds ratio, and confidence intervals. The results were presented and summarized in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) standard. Heterogeneity was investigated using the Q test, I2, τ2, τ and predictive interval. STATA version 17 was used to analyze the data. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was used to determine the overall prevalence and adjusted odds ratio. The study has been registered in PROSPERO with a protocol number of CRD42021268603.
RESULTS
In this study, a total of 44 studies and 22,316 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of undernutrition among adult people living with HIV (PLWHIV) was 23.72% (95% CI: 20.69-26.85). The factors associated with undernutrition were participants' age (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.29-0.88), gender (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 0.22-20.00), World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 2.57-3.93), Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4 count) (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.53-2.28), and duration of ART (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.6-3.02).
CONCLUSION
The pooled prevalence of undernutrition among adult PLWHIV in sub-Saharan Africa remained high. WHO clinical stage, CD4 count, duration of ART treatment, age, and sex were found to be the factors associated with undernutrition. Reinforcing nutrition counseling, care, and support for adults living with HIV is recommended. Priority nutritional screening and interventions should be provided for patients with advanced WHO clinical stages, low CD4 counts, the male gender, younger age groups, and ART beginners.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Male; Nutrition Assessment; Prevalence; Nutritional Status; HIV Infections; Malnutrition; Africa South of the Sahara
PubMed: 36961844
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283502 -
Viruses Apr 2015There has been a dramatic increase in the number of insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) discovered in the last decade. Historically, these viruses have generated limited... (Review)
Review
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) discovered in the last decade. Historically, these viruses have generated limited interest due to their inability to infect vertebrate cells. This viewpoint has changed in recent years because some ISFs have been shown to enhance or suppress the replication of medically important flaviviruses in co-infected mosquito cells. Additionally, comparative studies between ISFs and medically important flaviviruses can provide a unique perspective as to why some flaviviruses possess the ability to infect and cause devastating disease in humans while others do not. ISFs have been isolated exclusively from mosquitoes in nature but the detection of ISF-like sequences in sandflies and chironomids indicates that they may also infect other dipterans. ISFs can be divided into two distinct phylogenetic groups. The first group currently consists of approximately 12 viruses and includes cell fusing agent virus, Kamiti River virus and Culex flavivirus. These viruses are phylogenetically distinct from all other known flaviviruses. The second group, which is apparently not monophyletic, currently consists of nine viruses and includes Chaoyang virus, Nounané virus and Lammi virus. These viruses phylogenetically affiliate with mosquito/vertebrate flaviviruses despite their apparent insect-restricted phenotype. This article provides a review of the discovery, host range, mode of transmission, superinfection exclusion ability and genomic organization of ISFs. This article also attempts to clarify the ISF nomenclature because some of these viruses have been assigned more than one name due to their simultaneous discoveries by independent research groups.
Topics: Animals; Flavivirus; Gene Order; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Host Specificity; Insecta; Terminology as Topic; Viral Interference
PubMed: 25866904
DOI: 10.3390/v7041927 -
Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social... Oct 2023The aim of this scoping review was to assist researchers who want to use survey data, either in academic or community settings, to identify and comprehend health... (Review)
Review
The aim of this scoping review was to assist researchers who want to use survey data, either in academic or community settings, to identify and comprehend health disparities affecting Native Hawaiian (NH), Pacific Islander (PI), and/or Filipino populations, as these are groups with known and numerous health disparities. The scoping review methodology was used to identify survey datasets that disaggregate data for NH, PI, or Filipinos. Healthdata.gov was searched, as there is not an official index of databases. The website was established by the United States (US) Department and Health and Human Services to increase accessibility of health data for entrepreneurs, researchers, and policy makers, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes. Using the search term 'survey,' 332 datasets were retrieved, many of which were duplicates from different years. Datasets were included that met the following criteria: (1) related to health; (2) disaggregated NH, PI, and/or Filipino subgroups; (3) administered in the US; (4) publicly available; (5) individual-level data; (6) self-reported information; and (7) contained data from 2010 or later. Fifteen survey datasets met the inclusion criteria. Two additional survey datasets were identified by colleagues. For each dataset, the dataset name, data source, years of the data availability, availability of disaggregated NH, PI, and/or Filipino data, data on health outcomes and social determinants of health, and website information were documented. This inventory of datasets should be of use to researchers who want to advance understanding of health disparities experienced by NH, PI, and Filipino populations in the US.
Topics: Humans; Biomedical Research; Databases, Factual; Health Inequities; Southeast Asian People; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; United States Dept. of Health and Human Services; Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
PubMed: 37901663
DOI: No ID Found -
Asian Journal of Surgery Jan 2023Autologous lipotransfer is an essential component of soft tissue reconstruction. However, it is not widely applied or accepted by surgeons due to its unstable survival... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Autologous lipotransfer is an essential component of soft tissue reconstruction. However, it is not widely applied or accepted by surgeons due to its unstable survival rate and uncertain efficacy. The cell-assisted fat transfer (CAL) is a promising technique that increases the fat survival rate. However, it is controversial based on various clinical studies. Here, we assessed the fat survival and complication rates of CAL, compared to the conventional autologous lipotransfer. To conduct our research, two reviewers independently screened related articles published in Medicine (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The combined effect estimates for efficacy evaluation was performed by the Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4.1). In total, 14 articles were included in our analysis (n = 722). Based on our analysis, the survival rate of the fat graft in CAL was significantly higher than the conventional fat grafting group (non-CAL group) (SMD = 2.81, 95%CI [1.54, 4.08], P < 0.01). In the subgroup, the fat retention of CAL in the facial filling was higher than the conventional one (SMD = 3.01, 95%CI [1.68, 4.33], P < 0.01). After breast augmentation, however, the difference between the experimental and control group was not statistically significant (SMD = 1.80, 95%CI [-0.31, 3.91], P = 0.09). Moreover, the CAL group exhibited comparable complications as the non-CAL group. Based on our analysis, the CAL group was significantly better than the conventional lipotransfer in terms of fat survival, particularly, during facial filling. However, it failed to reduce the complication rate, compared to the non-CAL group.
Topics: Humans; Mammaplasty; Face
PubMed: 35504778
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2022.04.031 -
International Journal of Surgery... Sep 2017Evidence-based medicine works best if the evidence is reported well. Past studies have shown reporting quality to be lacking in the field of surgery. Reporting... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Evidence-based medicine works best if the evidence is reported well. Past studies have shown reporting quality to be lacking in the field of surgery. Reporting guidelines are an important tool for authors to optimize the reporting of their research. The objective of this study was to analyse the frequency and strength of recommendation for such reporting guidelines within surgical journals.
METHODS
A systematic review of the 198 journals within the Journal Citation Report 2014 (surgery category) published by Thomson Reuters was undertaken. The online guide for authors for each journal was screened by two independent groups and results compared. Data regarding the presence and strength of recommendation to use reporting guidelines was extracted.
RESULTS
193 journals were included (as five appeared twice having changed their name). These had a median impact factor of 1.526 (range 0.047-8.327), with a median of 145 articles published per journal (range 29-659), with 34,036 articles published in total over the two-year window 2012-2013. The majority (62%) of surgical journals made no mention of reporting guidelines within their guidelines for authors. Of the 73 (38%) that did mention them, only 14% (10/73) required the use of all relevant reporting guidelines. The most frequently mentioned reporting guideline was CONSORT (46 journals).
CONCLUSIONS
The mention of reporting guidelines within the guide for authors of surgical journals needs improvement. Authors, reviewers and editors should work to ensure that research is reported in line with the relevant reporting guidelines. Journals should consider hard-wiring adherence to them.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; General Surgery; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Journal Impact Factor; Periodicals as Topic; Research Design
PubMed: 28673865
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.06.084 -
Globalization and Health Feb 2020Due to unrestricted entry of wastewater into the environment and the transportation of microbial contaminants to humans and organisms, environmental protection requires...
BACKGROUND
Due to unrestricted entry of wastewater into the environment and the transportation of microbial contaminants to humans and organisms, environmental protection requires the use of appropriate purification systems with high removal efficiency for microbial agents are needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of current wastewater treatment systems in removing microbes and their contaminants.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted for all articles published in 5 Iranian environmental health journals in 11 years. The data were collected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and by searching the relevant keywords in the articles published during the years (2008-2018), with emphasis on the efficacy of wastewater treatment systems in removing microbial agents. Qualitative data were collected using a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyzes (PRISMA) standard checklist. After confirming the quality of the articles, information such as the name of the first author and the year of publication of the research, the type of study, the number of samples, the type of purification, the type of microbial agents and the rate of removal of microbial agents were entered into the checklist. Also the removal rates of the microbial agents mentioned in the studies were compared with united states environmental protection agency (US-EPA) standards.
RESULTS
In this study, 1468 articles retrieved from 118 issues of 5 environmental health journals were reviewed. After reviewing the quality of the articles in accordance with the research objectives, 14 articles were included in the study that were published between 2010 and 2018. In most studies, two main indicators Total coliforms and Fecal coliforms in wastewater were investigated. Removing fungi and viral contamination from wastewater was not found in any of the 14 studies. Different systems (activated sludge, stabilization ponds, wetlands, and low and medium pressure UV disinfection systems were used to remove microbial agents in these studies. Most articles used active sludge systems to remove Total coliforms and Fecal coliforms, which in some cases were not within the US-EPA standard. The removal of Cysts and Parasitic eggs was only reporte from stabilization pond systems (SPS) where removal efficiency was found in accordance with US-EPA standards.
CONCLUSIONS
Different types of activated sludge systems have higher efficacy to remove microbial agents and are more effective than other mentioned systems in removing the main indicators of sewage contamination including Total coliforms and Fecal coliforms. However, inappropriate operation, maintenance and inadequate handling of activated sludge can also reduce its efficiency and reduce the removal of microbial agents, which was reported in some studies. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct research on how to improve the operation, maintenance, and proper management of activated sludge systems to transfer knowledge to users of sludge systems and prevent further health issues related to microbial agents.
Topics: Conservation of Natural Resources; Humans; Iran; Wastewater; Water Purification
PubMed: 32013988
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-0546-y -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Apr 2015The objective of this review was to collect available data on the following: (i) adverse effects observed in humans from the intake of plant food supplements or... (Review)
Review
AIMS
The objective of this review was to collect available data on the following: (i) adverse effects observed in humans from the intake of plant food supplements or botanical preparations; (ii) the misidentification of poisonous plants; and (iii) interactions between plant food supplements/botanicals and conventional drugs or nutrients.
METHODS
PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were searched from database inception to June 2014, using the terms 'adverse effect/s', 'poisoning/s', 'plant food supplement/s', 'misidentification/s' and 'interaction/s' in combination with the relevant plant name. All papers were critically evaluated according to the World Health Organization Guidelines for causality assessment.
RESULTS
Data were obtained for 66 plants that are common ingredients of plant food supplements; of the 492 papers selected, 402 (81.7%) dealt with adverse effects directly associated with the botanical and 89 (18.1%) concerned interactions with conventional drugs. Only one case was associated with misidentification. Adverse effects were reported for 39 of the 66 botanical substances searched. Of the total references, 86.6% were associated with 14 plants, including Glycine max/soybean (19.3%), Glycyrrhiza glabra/liquorice (12.2%), Camellia sinensis/green tea ( 8.7%) and Ginkgo biloba/gingko (8.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the length of time examined and the number of plants included in the review, it is remarkable that: (i) the adverse effects due to botanical ingredients were relatively infrequent, if assessed for causality; and (ii) the number of severe clinical reactions was very limited, but some fatal cases have been described. Data presented in this review were assessed for quality in order to make the results maximally useful for clinicians in identifying or excluding deleterious effects of botanicals.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Food-Drug Interactions; Humans; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 25251944
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12519 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2018The 8-aminoquinoline (8AQ) drugs act on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, which transmit malaria from infected people to mosquitoes. In 2012, the World Health... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The 8-aminoquinoline (8AQ) drugs act on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, which transmit malaria from infected people to mosquitoes. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a single dose of 0.25 mg/kg primaquine (PQ) be added to malaria treatment schedules in low-transmission areas or those with artemisinin resistance. This replaced the previous recommendation of 0.75 mg/kg, aiming to reduce haemolysis risk in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, common in people living in malarious areas. Whether this approach, and at this dose, is effective in reducing transmission is not clear.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of single dose or short-course PQ (or an alternative 8AQ) alongside treatment for people with P. falciparum malaria.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), published in the Cochrane Library; and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICRTP) portal using 'malaria*', 'falciparum', 'primaquine', '8-aminoquinoline', and eight 8AQ drug names as search terms. We checked reference lists of included trials, and contacted researchers and organizations. Date of last search: 21 July 2017.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs in children or adults, adding PQ (or alternative 8AQ) as a single dose or short course alongside treatment for P. falciparum malaria.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors screened abstracts, applied inclusion criteria, and extracted data. We sought evidence on transmission (community incidence), infectiousness (people infectious and mosquitoes infected), and potential infectiousness (gametocyte measures assessed by microscopy or polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). We grouped trials into artemisinin and non-artemisinin treatments, and stratified by PQ dose (low, 0.2 to 0.25 mg/kg; moderate, 0.4 to 0.5 mg/kg; high, 0.75 mg/kg). We used GRADE, and absolute effects of infectiousness using trial control groups.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 24 RCTs and one quasi-RCT, comprising 43 arms. Fourteen trials evaluated artemisinin treatments (23 arms), nine trials evaluated non-artemisinin treatments (13 arms), and two trials included both artemisinin and non-artemisinin arms (three and two arms, respectively). Two trial arms used bulaquine. Seven PQ arms used low dose (six with artemisinin), 11 arms used moderate dose (seven with artemisinin), and the remaining arms used high dose. Fifteen trials tested for G6PD status: 11 excluded participants with G6PD deficiency, one included only those with G6PD deficiency, and three included all, irrespective of status. The remaining 10 trials either did not test or did not report on testing.No cluster trials evaluating community effects on malaria transmission met the inclusion criteria.With artemisinin treatmentLow dose PQInfectiousness (participants infectious to mosquitoes) was reduced (day 3 or 4: RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.88, 3 trials, 105 participants; day 8: RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.58, 4 trials, 243 participants; low certainty evidence). This translates to a reduction in percentage of people infectious on day 3 or 4 from 14% to 2%, and, for day 8, from 4% to 1%; the waning infectiousness in the control group by day 8 making the absolute effect smaller by day 8. For gametocytes detected by PCR, there was little or no effect of PQ at day 3 or 4 (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.21; 3 trials, 414 participants; moderate certainty evidence); with reduction at day 8 (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.65; 4 trials, 532 participants; high certainty evidence). Severe haemolysis was infrequent, with or without PQ, in these groups with few G6PD-deficient individuals (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.39; 4 trials, 752 participants, moderate certainty evidence).Moderate dose PQInfectiousness was reduced (day 3 or 4: RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.94; 3 trials, 109 participants; day 8 RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.57; 4 trials, 246 participants; low certainty evidence). Illustrative risk estimates for moderate dose were the same as low dose. The pattern and level of certainty of evidence with gametocytes detected by PCR was the same as low dose, and severe haemolysis was infrequent in both groups.High dose PQInfectiousness was reduced (day 4: RR 0.2, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.68, 1 trial, 101 participants; day 8: RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.41, 2 trials, 181 participants, low certainty evidence). The effects on gametocyte prevalence showed a similar pattern to moderate and low dose PQ. Trials did not systematically report evidence of haemolysis.With non-artemisinin treatmentTrials with non-artemisinin treatment have been conducted only for moderate and high dose PQ. With high dose, infectiousness appeared markedly reduced on day 5 (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.62; 30 participants, very low certainty evidence), with similar reductions at day 8. For both moderate dose (two trials with 221 people) and high dose (two trials with 30 people), reduction in gametocytes (detected by microscopy) showed similar patterns as for artemisinin treatments, with little or no effect at day 4 or 5, and larger effects by day 8. No trials with non-artemisinin partner drugs systematically sought evidence of severe haemolysis.Two trials comparing bulaquine with PQ suggest bulaquine may have larger effects on gametocytes by microscopy on day 8 (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.66; 2 trials, 112 participants).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
A single low dose of PQ (0.25 mg/kg) added to artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria reduces infectiousness of people to mosquitoes at day 3-4 and day 8, and appears as effective as higher doses. The absolute effect is greater at day 3 or 4, and smaller at day 8, in part because of the lower infectiousness in the control group. There was no evidence of increased haemolysis at 0.25 mg/kg, but few G6PD-deficient individuals were included in the trials. The effect on infectiousness precedes the effect of PQ on gametocyte prevalence. We do not know whether single dose PQ could reduce malaria transmission at community level.
Topics: Adult; Antimalarials; Artemisinins; Child; Chloroquine; Drug Combinations; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Mefloquine; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Plasmodium falciparum; Primaquine; Pyrimethamine; Quinine; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sulfadoxine; Time Factors
PubMed: 29393511
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008152.pub5 -
Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal Dec 2015This study aimed to explore the effect of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO 9001 standard and the European foundation for quality management... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
This study aimed to explore the effect of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO 9001 standard and the European foundation for quality management (EFQM) model on improving hospital performance.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched. In addition, Elsevier and Springer were searched as main publishers in the field of health sciences. We included empirical studies with any design that had used ISO 9001 or the EFQM model to improve the quality of healthcare. Data were collected and tabulated into a data extraction sheet that was specifically designed for this study. The collected data included authors' names, country, year of publication, intervention, improvement aims, setting, length of program, study design, and outcomes.
RESULTS
Seven out of the 121 studies that were retrieved met the inclusion criteria. Three studies assessed the EFQM model and four studies assessed the ISO 9001 standard. Use of the EFQM model increased the degree of patient satisfaction and the number of hospital admissions and reduced the average length of stay, the delay on the surgical waiting list, and the number of emergency re-admissions. ISO 9001 also increased the degree of patient satisfaction and patient safety, increased cost-effectiveness, improved the hospital admissions process, and reduced the percentage of unscheduled returns to the hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
Generally, there is a lack of robust and high quality empirical evidence regarding the effects of ISO 9001 and the EFQM model on the quality care provided by and the performance of hospitals. However, the limited evidence shows that ISO 9001 and the EFQM model might improve hospital performance.
PubMed: 26756012
DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.23010