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Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society 2020To evaluate the methods of the dental shade selection and provide a summary of different factors affecting the shade selection. (Review)
Review
AIM
To evaluate the methods of the dental shade selection and provide a summary of different factors affecting the shade selection.
DESIGN AND SETTING
The systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The electronic search of the peer-review articles between 2002 and 2018 was carried out the by using the PRISMA guidelines. A total twenty-one studies related to the visual shade methods, instrumental shade methods, and the factors affecting the shade selections was evaluated. The search strategy was based on the PICOS framework.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
There was statistically significant heterogeneity (Q = 1038.1518, df = 20, and < 0.0001). The statistics of fixed-effect model reported an MD of - 0.0970 (95% CI = -0.1391, -0.0549). The random-effect model reported an MD of - 0.0862 (95% CI = -0.5866, 0.4142).
RESULT
The review evaluated the 21 studies of tooth colour science that met with the inclusion criteria and search criteria. The meta-analysis of the 21 combined studies reported acceptable homogeneity (i = 98%) which indicates a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups.
CONCLUSION
The VES spectrophotometer reported the highest accuracy, reliability, and repeatability in shade selection followed by photo colorimetric method. The Vita 3D master shows more consistent results in repetitive shade selection. Knowledge and training of the shade selection protocol are necessary for proper shade matching.
PubMed: 32655217
DOI: 10.4103/jips.jips_399_19 -
F1000Research 2017: "Open peer review" (OPR), despite being a major pillar of Open Science, has neither a standardized definition nor an agreed schema of its features and implementations....
: "Open peer review" (OPR), despite being a major pillar of Open Science, has neither a standardized definition nor an agreed schema of its features and implementations. The literature reflects this, with numerous overlapping and contradictory definitions. While for some the term refers to peer review where the identities of both author and reviewer are disclosed to each other, for others it signifies systems where reviewer reports are published alongside articles. For others it signifies both of these conditions, and for yet others it describes systems where not only "invited experts" are able to comment. For still others, it includes a variety of combinations of these and other novel methods. : Recognising the absence of a consensus view on what open peer review is, this article undertakes a systematic review of definitions of "open peer review" or "open review", to create a corpus of 122 definitions. These definitions are systematically analysed to build a coherent typology of the various innovations in peer review signified by the term, and hence provide the precise technical definition currently lacking. : This quantifiable data yields rich information on the range and extent of differing definitions over time and by broad subject area. Quantifying definitions in this way allows us to accurately portray exactly how ambiguously the phrase "open peer review" has been used thus far, for the literature offers 22 distinct configurations of seven traits, effectively meaning that there are 22 different definitions of OPR in the literature reviewed. : I propose a pragmatic definition of open peer review as an umbrella term for a number of overlapping ways that peer review models can be adapted in line with the aims of Open Science, including making reviewer and author identities open, publishing review reports and enabling greater participation in the peer review process.
PubMed: 28580134
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11369.2 -
BMC Health Services Research Mar 2022People with chronic conditions experience functional impairment, lower quality of life, and greater economic hardship and poverty. Social isolation and loneliness are...
BACKGROUND
People with chronic conditions experience functional impairment, lower quality of life, and greater economic hardship and poverty. Social isolation and loneliness are common for people with chronic conditions, with multiple co-occurring chronic conditions predicting an increased risk of loneliness. Peer support is a socially driven intervention involving people with lived experience of a condition helping others to manage the same condition, potentially offering a sense of connectedness and purpose, and experiential knowledge to manage disease. However, it is unclear what outcomes are important to patients across the spectrum of chronic conditions, what works and for whom. The aims of this review were to (1) collate peer support intervention components, (2) collate the outcome domains used to evaluate peer support, (3) synthesise evidence of effectiveness, and (4) identify the mechanisms of effect, for people with chronic conditions.
METHODS
A systematic review of reviews was conducted. Reviews were included if they reported on formal peer support between adults or children with one or more chronic condition. Data were analysed using narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
The search identified 6222 unique publications. Thirty-one publications were eligible for inclusion. Components of peer support were organised into nine categories: social support, psychological support, practical support, empowerment, condition monitoring and treatment adherence, informational support, behavioural change, encouragement and motivation, and physical training. Fifty-five outcome domains were identified. Quality of life, and self-efficacy were the most measured outcome domains identified. Most reviews reported positive but non-significant effects.
CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of peer support is unclear and there are inconsistencies in how peers are defined, a lack of clarity in research design and intervention reporting, and widely variable outcome measurement. This review presents a range of components of peer support interventions that may be of interest to clinicians developing new support programmes. However, it is unclear precisely what components to use and with whom. Therefore, implementation of support in different clinical settings may benefit from participatory action research so that services may reflect local need.
Topics: Adult; Child; Counseling; Exercise; Humans; Peer Group; Quality of Life; Social Support
PubMed: 35361215
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07816-7 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the predominant causes for the poor prognosis of ischemic stroke patients after reperfusion therapy. Currently, potent... (Review)
Review
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the predominant causes for the poor prognosis of ischemic stroke patients after reperfusion therapy. Currently, potent therapeutic interventions for cerebral I/R injury are still very limited. Melatonin, an endogenous hormone, was found to be valid in preventing I/R injury in a variety of organs. However, a systematic review covering all neuroprotective effects of melatonin in cerebral I/R injury has not been reported yet. Thus, we perform a comprehensive overview of the influence of melatonin on cerebral I/R injury by collecting all available literature exploring the latent effect of melatonin on cerebral I/R injury as well as ischemic stroke. In this systematic review, we outline the extensive scientific studies and summarize the beneficial functions of melatonin, including reducing infarct volume, decreasing brain edema, improving neurological functions and attenuating blood-brain barrier breakdown, as well as its key protective mechanisms on almost every aspect of cerebral I/R injury, including inhibiting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, excessive autophagy, glutamate excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Subsequently, we also review the predictive and therapeutic implications of melatonin on ischemic stroke reported in clinical studies. We hope that our systematic review can provide the most comprehensive introduction of current advancements on melatonin in cerebral I/R injury and new insights into personalized diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke.
PubMed: 38375039
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1356112 -
BMC Medicine Nov 2015Systematic reviews are popular. A recent estimate indicates that 11 new systematic reviews are published daily. Nevertheless, evidence indicates that the quality of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Systematic reviews are popular. A recent estimate indicates that 11 new systematic reviews are published daily. Nevertheless, evidence indicates that the quality of reporting of systematic reviews is not optimal. One likely reason is that the authors' reports have received inadequate peer review. There are now many different types of systematic reviews and peer reviewing them can be enhanced by using a reporting guideline to supplement whatever template the journal editors have asked you, as a peer reviewer, to use. Additionally, keeping up with the current literature, whether as a content expert or being aware of advances in systematic review methods is likely be make for a more comprehensive and effective peer review. Providing a brief summary of what the systematic review has reported is an important first step in the peer review process (and not performed frequently enough). At its core, it provides the authors with some sense of what the peer reviewer believes was performed (Methods) and found (Results). Importantly, it also provides clarity regarding any potential problems in the methods, including statistical approaches for meta-analysis, results, and interpretation of the systematic review, for which the peer reviewer can seek explanations from the authors; these clarifications are best presented as questions to the authors.
Topics: Humans; Peer Review
PubMed: 26521692
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-015-0509-y -
JMIR Aging Jul 2022Parkinson disease (PD) significantly impacts the lives of people with the diagnosis and their families. In addition to the physical symptoms, living with PD also has an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Parkinson disease (PD) significantly impacts the lives of people with the diagnosis and their families. In addition to the physical symptoms, living with PD also has an emotional impact. This can result in withdrawal from social roles, increasing the risk for social isolation and loneliness. Peer support is a way to stay socially connected, share experiences, and learn new coping skills. Peer support can be provided both in person and on the internet. Some of the advantages of online peer support are that it overcomes geographical barriers and provides a form of anonymity; moreover, support can be readily available when needed. However, the psychosocial impact of PD is still underresearched, and there is no systematic synthesis of online peer support for people with PD.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to explore the benefits and challenges of online peer support and identify successful elements of online peer support for people with PD.
METHODS
The method selected for this systematic review is narrative synthesis. A total of 6 databases were systematically searched in April 2020 for articles published between 1989 and 2020. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative research checklist and the Downs and Black quality checklist.
RESULTS
A total of 10,987 unique articles were identified through a systematic database search. Of these 10,987 articles, 8 (0.07%) were included in this review. Of the 8 studies, 5 (63%) were of good or high quality, 2 (25%) were of medium or fair quality, and 1 (13%) study was of poor quality. Web-based platforms included discussion forums, a web-based virtual world, and Facebook groups. Most papers reported on text-based communication. The included studies reported on sharing social support and personal experiences. Successful elements included increasing similarity between members and offering the opportunity to directly ask questions to a physician. Challenges included members leaving without a warning and PD symptoms hindering the use of technology.
CONCLUSIONS
Peer support can improve social support and help people with PD in living meaningful and satisfying lives. Peer support is unique and cannot be replaced by family members, friends, or health care professionals. Online peer support can be a solution for those who do not have access to an in-person support group or whose PD symptoms restrict them from travelling. However, research on the personal experiences of those who engage in online peer support and potential barriers in accessing it remains limited. Future research could use qualitative methods to explore these fields further.
PubMed: 35896025
DOI: 10.2196/35425 -
BioMed Research International 2018To assess the effectiveness of peer inclusion in interventions to improve the social functioning of children with ADHD. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of peer inclusion in interventions to improve the social functioning of children with ADHD.
METHODS
We searched four electronic databases for randomized controlled trials and controlled quasi-experimental studies that investigated peer inclusion interventions alone or combined with pharmacological treatment. Data were collected from the included studies and methodologically assessed. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria. Studies investigated interventions consisting of peer involvement and peer proximity; no study included peer mediation. Most included studies had an unclear or high risk of bias regarding inadequate reporting of randomization, blinding, and control for confounders. Meta-analyses indicated improvements in pre-post measures of social functioning for participants in peer-inclusive treatment groups. Peer inclusion was advantageous compared to treatment as usual. The benefits of peer inclusion over other therapies or medication only could not be determined. Using parents as raters for outcome measurement significantly mediated the intervention effect.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence to support or contest the efficacy of peer inclusion interventions for children with ADHD is lacking. Future studies need to reduce risks of bias, use appropriate sample sizes, and provide detailed results to investigate the efficacy of peer inclusion interventions for children with ADHD.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Humans; Parents; Peer Group; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29744363
DOI: 10.1155/2018/7693479 -
A systematic review of the clinical and social epidemiological research among sex workers in Uganda.BMC Public Health Dec 2015In response to the high burden of disease among sex workers and their position as a population heavily affected by the HIV epidemic, there has been a growing body of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In response to the high burden of disease among sex workers and their position as a population heavily affected by the HIV epidemic, there has been a growing body of literature investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV risk among sex workers. To contextualize and summarize the existing research evidence base, a systematic review was conducted to synthesize the epidemiological literature on sex workers in Uganda.
METHODS
Database selection and search strategy development followed the Cochrane Collaboration's standards for conducting systematic review searches. All studies that included sex workers as the primary research participants were included in the review. The search was then geographically restricted to the country of Uganda. Items were identified from 18 databases (grey and peer-review) on March 10-11, 2015.
RESULTS
A total of 484 articles were retrieved from the database search. After removal of duplicates, a total of 353 articles were screened for eligibility and 64 full-text articles were assessed. The final review included 24 studies with quantitative methodology conducted among sex workers in Uganda. The HIV prevalence among female sex workers ranged from 32.4-52.0 % and between 8.2-9.0 % had multiple HIV infections. Both multi-drug resistance to antiretroviral therapy (2.6 %) and antibiotics (83.1 %) were observed. Between 33.3-55.1 % reported inconsistent condom use in the past month. In the previous 6 months, over 80 % of sex workers experienced client-perpetrated violence and 18 % experienced intimate partner violence. Over 30 % had a history of extreme war-related trauma.
CONCLUSIONS
There was limited information on socio-structural factors that affect sex workers' commercial working environments in Uganda, including the role of policing and criminalization, as well as the prevalence and factors associated with violence. The majority of the existing evidence is based in Kampala, highlighting a need for information on sex work in other regions of Uganda. Additionally, there is limited information on features of the non-commercial components of sex workers' lives as well as the services needed to reduce risks outside of the sex industry.
Topics: Condoms; Crime; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Psychological Trauma; Rape; Safe Sex; Sex Work; Sex Workers; Uganda; Violence
PubMed: 26652160
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2553-0 -
Frontiers in Digital Health 2023Virtual fracture clinics (VFC) involve a consultant-led multidisciplinary team meeting where cases are reviewed before a telephone consultation with the patient. VFCs... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Virtual fracture clinics (VFC) involve a consultant-led multidisciplinary team meeting where cases are reviewed before a telephone consultation with the patient. VFCs have the advantages of reducing waiting times, outpatient appointments and time off school compared to face-to-face (F2F) fracture clinics. There has been a surge in VFC use since the COVID-19 pandemic but there are still concerns over safety in the paediatric population. Fractures make up a large burden of paediatric injuries, therefore research is required on the safety and efficacy of paediatric VFCs. This systematic review will look at the safety and effectiveness of paediatric VFCs, as well as determine the cost-effectiveness and parent preferences.
METHODS
As per the PRISMA guidelines two independent reviewers searched the following databases: Medline, Embase and Web of Science. Studies were included if children under 18 years old presented to A&E with a suspected or confirmed simple un-displaced fracture and were referred to a VFC. The primary outcomes assessed were effectiveness and safety, with the secondary outcomes of cost-effectiveness and parent satisfaction.
RESULTS
Six studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. There was a high rate of direct discharge from the VFC leading to reduced outpatient appointments. All patients were seen within 72 h of presentation. There were limited incidences of missed fractures and the rates of re-presentation were similar to that of F2F orthopaedic clinics. There were significant cost savings for the hospitals and high parent satisfaction.
DISCUSSION
VFCs have shown to be safe and effective at managing most stable, low operative risk paediatric fractures. Safety must be ensured with a telephone helpline and an open return to fracture clinic policy. More research is needed into specific paediatric fracture types to be managed in the VFC.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#searchadvanced, identifier: CRD42023423795.
PubMed: 37964895
DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1261035 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Mar 2022Neglect is a highly prevalent, yet historically understudied form of maltreatment. Recent research has revealed the far reaching and unique effects that neglect has on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Neglect is a highly prevalent, yet historically understudied form of maltreatment. Recent research has revealed the far reaching and unique effects that neglect has on subsequent cognitive, behavioural and socio-emotional development, and on long-term physical and mental health outcomes. Adolescent interpersonal functioning is important to explore given the significant relational transitions that occur during this stage of development, and the known impact that these social changes can have on future life outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review synthesises the literature exploring the relationship between neglect and adolescent interpersonal functioning in peer relationships.
METHODS
Seven databases and three grey literature sites were systematically searched, and identified records screened against inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Twenty-one articles were included in the final sample, exploring five different indicators of adolescent interpersonal functioning. Around half of the papers investigating quality of peer relationships found that neglect, particularly emotional neglect, is associated with reduced relationship quality, and there is consistent evidence that neglect increases the risk of gang involvement and deviant peer affiliation.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings may be used to strengthen a trauma-informed approach to work with adolescents. Research on neglect and adolescent romantic relationships is sparse. Overall, the literature is varied and further research using longitudinal data and consistent measures of neglect would be of value.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Abuse; Emotions; Humans; Peer Group; Physical Examination
PubMed: 35078090
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105510