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Journal of Affective Disorders Jan 2021During adolescence, peer relationships take precedence and there is a normative increase in social anxiety. Although prospective studies have suggested peer functioning... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
During adolescence, peer relationships take precedence and there is a normative increase in social anxiety. Although prospective studies have suggested peer functioning and social anxiety can influence each other, their findings have not been examined systematically. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies to examine the bidirectional relationship between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescence.
METHODS
EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, and PubMed were searched to identify relevant articles. Meta-analysis was conducted to examine the mean effect sizes of prospective associations between social anxiety and four dimensions of peer functioning. Moderator analysis was performed, with age, gender, time interval between baseline and follow-up assessment, and publication year as moderators.
RESULTS
Meta-analyses of 23 studies showed that friendship quality (r =-.11), peer rejection (r =-.06), and peer victimization (r =.23) were each associated with later social anxiety, but peer acceptance was not (r =-.11). Social anxiety at baseline was associated with prospective levels of friendship quality (r =-.11), peer rejection (r=.09), and peer victimization (r =.17), but not peer acceptance (r =-.14). Age moderated the association between friendship quality and prospective social anxiety. Other moderator effects were statistically non-significant.
LIMITATIONS
Limitations include different classifications of peer functioning, the use of self-report measures, heterogeneity between studies, and underrepresentation of clinical samples.
CONCLUSIONS
A significant bidirectional association was found with social anxiety across three dimensions of peer functioning. Psychological prevention and intervention targeting peer functioning and social anxiety are indicated.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Bullying; Crime Victims; Humans; Peer Group; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 33190116
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.055 -
BMC Public Health Sep 2017Despite sub-Saharan Africa [SSA] constituting just 12% of the world's population, the region has the highest burden of HIV with 70% of HIV infection in general and 80%... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Despite sub-Saharan Africa [SSA] constituting just 12% of the world's population, the region has the highest burden of HIV with 70% of HIV infection in general and 80% of new infections among young people occuring in the region. Diverse intervention programmes have been implemented among young people but with minimal translation to behavior change. A systematic review of Behavior Change Interventions [BCI] targeting adolescents in SSA was therefore conducted with the objective of delineating this intervention vis-a-vis efficacy gap.
METHODS
From April to July 2015 searches were made from different journals online. Databases searched included MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, PsychINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar; Cambridge and Oxford journal websites, UNAIDS and WHO for studies published between 2000 and 2015. After excluding other studies by review of titles and then abstracts, the studies were reduced to 17. Three of these were randomized trials and five quasi-experimental. Overall interventions included those prescribing life skills, peer education [n = 6] and community collaborative programmes. The main study protocol was approved by the University of Malawi College of Medicine Ethics Committee on 30th June 2016 [ref #: P.01/16/1847. The review was registered with PROSPERO [NIH] in 2015.
RESULTS
The review yielded some 200 titles and abstracts, 20 full text articles were critically analysed and 17 articles reviewed reflecting a dearth in published studies in the area of psychosocial BCI interventions targeting adolescents in SSA. Results show that a number of reviewed interventions [n = 8] registered positive outcomes in both knowledge and sexual practices.
CONCLUSIONS
The review demonstrates a paucity of psychosocial BCI studies targeting adolescents in SSA. There are however mixed findings about the effectiveness of psychosocial BCI targeting adolescents in SSA. Other studies portray intervention effectiveness and others limited efficacy. Peer education as an intervention stands out as being more effective than other psychosocial regimens, like life skills, in facilitating HIV risk reduction. There is therefore need for further research on interventions employing peer education to substantiate their potential efficacy in HIV risk reduction among adolescents.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42015019244, available from http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42015019244 .
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Africa South of the Sahara; HIV Infections; Health Promotion; Humans; Program Evaluation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Reduction Behavior
PubMed: 28923040
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4729-2 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Dec 2023Caregiving can affect people of all ages and can have significant negative health impacts on family caregivers themselves. Research has shown that social support acts as... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Caregiving can affect people of all ages and can have significant negative health impacts on family caregivers themselves. Research has shown that social support acts as a buffer against many negative health impacts. A common source of social support is support groups. Although traditionally, these groups were conducted in a face-to-face setting, the advent of the internet, social media applications, and the smartphone have seen online support groups (OSGs) develop as a space where many caregivers seek support. The number of OSGs has increased exponentially, but there is no clear consensus on what factors or characteristics of OSGs contribute to social support development within them or what types of OSGs are available to family caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to contribute to the understanding of the types and characteristics of OSGs for family caregivers.
METHODS
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, the CINAHL, PsychInfo, Psych Articles, Social Sciences, Communication Source, Medline, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies (caregiver focused, adults aged 18 years or older, online social support groups, caring for a living person, peer-reviewed journal publications on empirical research). In total, 19 studies were included in the review. The research questions were (1) what type of social support groups are online for adult family caregivers, (2) what the communication mediums and characteristics of these OSGs are, and (3) what psychosocial or other factors make OSGs successful or unsuccessful for participants.
RESULTS
In response to the first research question, we found that the majority of OSGs took place on public text-based forums and were illness specific. Where demographics were reported, participants were predominately women, White, and working with university-level education. There were a variety of caregiving relationships. For the second research question, the most common communication medium found was text-based communication, with the use of emojis, photos, and GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) files as part of these exchanges. Most frequently, the OSGs were asynchronous with a degree of anonymity, not time-limited by the frequency of contact or duration, and moderated by peer or professional moderators or facilitators. Results for the third research question explored the overarching categories of safe communication and engagement and group management. These described successful OSGs as having a focus on similar others with shared lived experiences communicated in a nonjudgmental space overseen by trained peer or professional facilitators.
CONCLUSIONS
There are several key considerations for OSGs to be successful for family caregivers. A general recommendation for practitioners is to give importance to building active moderation and multifaceted structures of support to meet different levels of caregiver needs and the ability to engage.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Caregivers; Self-Help Groups; Social Support; Health Services; Communication; Family
PubMed: 38090796
DOI: 10.2196/46858 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021The primary aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and...
The primary aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and elaborate the current knowledge and recent advances in the area of PAH and its effects on CVDs and discuss the growing epidemiological evidence linking PAH to CVDs on the health of human populations. In this systematic review, the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and their relationship with PAHs were discussed in detail. On 05th April 2021, a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline and Web of Science search engines in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The search was limited to articles that were written in English and dealt with human issues. All original peer-review publications were considered for inclusion. Comments, case reports, reviews, duplicated papers, and conference reports were excluded. Data was collected from included papers by two independent reviewers. Conclusively, 20 research articles published between 2005 and 2021 were chosen for the final analysis. The systemic review included 20 studies with a variety of geographical studies. The most common research category among the nominated studies were time-series studies followed by retrospective cohort, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, panel, and case-control studies. Most of the studies were conducted in the United States, whereas others were showed in various geographical countries around the world, such as Denmark, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, France, China, Norway, Korea, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. Eight studies assessed the association between PAH exposure and CVDs, four articles observed this relationship with blood pressure (BP), two observed association between atherosclerotic CVD and PAH, one congenital heart disease, cardiovascular events, and two with obesity. Furthermore, in some investigations, a favorable association between PAH exposure and hypertension as well as PAH exposure and obesity was found. In conclusion, this systematic review examined the relationship of PAH exposure with CVDs and CVD-related risk factors by searching several digital databases. After a comprehensive literature searches and summarizing findings from 20 articles, the authors concluded that a positive relationship was observed between PAH exposure and CVD risks.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Obesity; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34950626
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.763706 -
International Journal of Clinical... 2022Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) has been extensively used in orthodontic practice for over a century, and it is claimed to benefit upper airway morphology. However, its... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) has been extensively used in orthodontic practice for over a century, and it is claimed to benefit upper airway morphology. However, its effect in actually alleviating mouth breathing has remained unexplored. This systematic review was planned with an objective to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the effects of RME on upper airway volume and most importantly, its role in alleviating mouth breathing.
METHODS
A literature search of electronic databases were done for the time period of 2000-2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs conducted on 8-15-year-old children who received bonded or banded RME and upper airway measured using three-dimensional (3D) imaging were included.
RESULTS
Twelve studies (two RCTs, nine nonrandomized clinical trials, and one non-RCT) were included in this systematic review, and nine studies were included for meta-analysis. Among the evaluated parameters, nasal cavity volume showed a significant increase which was maintained even after the retention phase, whereas nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal volume did not report a significant change.
CONCLUSION
Based on this systematic review, it can be concluded that RME causes a significant increase in nasal cavity volume, but its effect on nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal volume is not statistically significant in majority of studies. This increase in volume may not be considered as an equivalent for enhancement of airway and function unless proven so. In order to establish its significance in the improvement of breathing, it is necessary to conduct more well-designed RCTs with samples actually comprising mouth breathers.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Balasubramanian S, Kalaskar R, Kalaskar A. Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Upper Airway Volume: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Role of Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Mouth Breathing. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(5):617-630.
PubMed: 36865716
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2421 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Nov 2021Patient-centered health care information systems (PHSs) enable patients to take control and become knowledgeable about their own health, preferably in a secure... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patient-centered health care information systems (PHSs) enable patients to take control and become knowledgeable about their own health, preferably in a secure environment. Current and emerging PHSs use either a centralized database, peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, or distributed ledger technology for PHS deployment. The evolving COVID-19 decentralized Bluetooth-based tracing systems are examples of disease-centric P2P PHSs. Although using P2P technology for the provision of PHSs can be flexible, scalable, resilient to a single point of failure, and inexpensive for patients, the use of health information on P2P networks poses major security issues as users must manage information security largely by themselves.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to identify the inherent security issues for PHS deployment in P2P networks and how they can be overcome. In addition, this study reviews different P2P architectures and proposes a suitable architecture for P2P PHS deployment.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. We searched the following databases: IEEE Digital Library, PubMed, Science Direct, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, and Semantic Scholar. The search was conducted on articles published between 2008 and 2020. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System was used as a guide for rating security issues.
RESULTS
Our findings are consolidated into 8 key security issues associated with PHS implementation and deployment on P2P networks and 7 factors promoting them. Moreover, we propose a suitable architecture for P2P PHSs and guidelines for the provision of PHSs while maintaining information security.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the clear advantages of P2P PHSs, the absence of centralized controls and inconsistent views of the network on some P2P systems have profound adverse impacts in terms of security. The security issues identified in this study need to be addressed to increase patients' intention to use PHSs on P2P networks by making them safe to use.
Topics: COVID-19; Confidentiality; Health Information Systems; Humans; Patient-Centered Care; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34779788
DOI: 10.2196/24460 -
Gynecology and Minimally Invasive... 2023Cervical cerclages are associated with improved live birth rates and have low short- and long-term risks. However, there have been reports of fistula formation or... (Review)
Review
Cervical cerclages are associated with improved live birth rates and have low short- and long-term risks. However, there have been reports of fistula formation or erosion of cerclage into the surrounding tissue. Those complications are uncommon and yet are serious. The risk factors associated with its development are still unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence of fistula formation or erosion following transvaginal cervical cerclage and the associated clinical and sociodemographic factors. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases to retrieve articles related to transvaginal or transabdominal cervical cerclage. Databases were searched up to July 2021. The study protocol was registered (PROSPERO ID 243542). A total of 82 articles were identified describing cervical cerclage and erosion or fistula formation. A total of 9 full-text articles were included. There were seven case reports and series that described 11 patients who experienced late complications following cervical cerclage. Many of the cerclage procedures were done electively (66.7%). The most common type of cerclage was McDonald (80%). While all cases reported fistula formation, the main location was vesicovaginal fistulas (63.6%). One patient (9.1%) had erosion of their cerclage and another (9.1%) had bladder calculi. Of 75 patients who underwent cerclage in two retrospective case reviews, the overall incidence of fistula was 1.3% and abscess was also 1.3%. Although rare, the most common long-term complication of cervical cerclage placement is fistula formation, particularly vesicovaginal fistulas.
PubMed: 37025444
DOI: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_61_22 -
The Journal of School Health Jul 2023When children and youth feel connected to their school, family, and others in their community, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and experience negative... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
When children and youth feel connected to their school, family, and others in their community, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and experience negative health. Disruptions to school operations during the COVID-19 pandemic have led many teachers and school administrators to prioritize finding ways to strengthen and re-establish a sense of connectedness among students and between students and adults in school.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed literature that reported on US-based research and were published in English from January 2010 through December 2019 to identify classroom management approaches that have been empirically tied to school connectedness-related outcomes in K-12 school settings.
FINDINGS
Six categories of classroom management approaches were associated with improved school connectedness among students: (1) teacher caring and support, (2) peer connection and support, (3) student autonomy and empowerment, (4) management of classroom social dynamics, (5) teacher expectations, and (6) behavior management.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY
Prioritizing classroom management approaches that emphasize positive reinforcement of behavior, restorative discipline and communication, development of strong, trusting relationships, and explicitly emphasize fairness has potential to promote equitable disciplinary practices in schools.
CONCLUSIONS
Classroom management approaches most linked to school connectedness are those that foster student autonomy and empowerment, mitigate social hierarchies and power differentials among students, prioritize positive reinforcement of behavior and restorative disciplinary practices, and emphasize equity and fairness.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Peer Group; School Teachers; Schools; Students
PubMed: 36464639
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13279 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023The risk of developing micro- and macrovascular complications is higher for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Numerous studies have indicated variations in gut...
OBJECTIVE
The risk of developing micro- and macrovascular complications is higher for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Numerous studies have indicated variations in gut microbial composition between healthy individuals and those with T1D. These changes in the gut ecosystem may lead to inflammation, modifications in intestinal permeability, and alterations in metabolites. Such effects can collectively impact the metabolic regulation system, thereby influencing blood glucose control. This review aims to explore the relationship between the gut microbiome, inflammation, and blood glucose parameters in patients with T1D.
METHODS
Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science were systematically searched from 2003 to 2023 using the following keywords: "gut microbiota," "gut microbiome," "bacteria," "T1D," "type 1 diabetes," "autoimmune diabetes," "glycemic control," "glucose control," "HbA1c," "inflammation," "inflammatory," and "cytokine." The examination has shown 18,680 articles with relevant keywords. After the exclusion of irrelevant articles, seven observational papers showed a distinct gut microbial signature in T1D patients.
RESULTS
This review shows that, in T1D patients, HbA1c level was negatively correlated with abundance of , , and and positively correlated with abundance of , , , and . Instead, was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose. In addition, there was a positive correlation between and time in range. Furthermore, a positive correlation between inflammatory parameters and gut dysbiosis was revealed in T1D patients.
CONCLUSION
We draw the conclusion that the gut microbiome profiles of T1D patients and healthy controls differ. Patients with T1D may experience leaky gut, bacterial translocation, inflammation, and poor glucose management due to microbiome dysbiosis. Direct manipulation of the gut microbiome in humans and its effects on gut permeability and glycemic control, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. Future research should therefore thoroughly examine other potential pathophysiological mechanisms in larger studies.
Topics: Humans; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control; Inflammation
PubMed: 38034007
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1265696 -
Systematic review on quantifying pedestrian injury when evaluating changes to the built environment.Preventive Medicine Reports Apr 2022Modifying the built environment to make communities more walkable remains one strategy to promote physical activity. These modifications may have the added benefit of... (Review)
Review
Modifying the built environment to make communities more walkable remains one strategy to promote physical activity. These modifications may have the added benefit of reducing the risk of pedestrian injury; however, there is a gap in the physical activity literature regarding how best to measure pedestrian injury. Examining the measures that have been used and related data sources can help inform the use of pedestrian injury data to evaluate whether safety is optimized as walking increases. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify studies that evaluated changes to the built environment that support walking and measures impacts on pedestrian injury as a measure of safety. We searched PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science to identify peer-review studies and websites of fifteen organizations to document studies from the grey literature published in English between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018. Our search identified twelve studies that met the inclusion criteria. The few studies that measured changes in pedestrian injury used crash data from police reports. Injury frequency was often reported, but not injury severity, and no studies reported injury risk based on walking exposure. We conclude that few studies have measured pedestrian injury in the context of creating more walkable communities. Future research would benefit from using well-characterized measures from existing studies to support consistency in measurement, and from more longitudinal and evaluation research to strengthen the evidence on additional benefits of walkability. Increased collaborations with injury prevention professionals could bolster use of valid and reliable measures.
PubMed: 35141117
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101703