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International Journal of Nursing Studies Apr 2023Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, are a global health problem. Digital healthcare technology is an innovative management tool for delaying the...
BACKGROUND
Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, are a global health problem. Digital healthcare technology is an innovative management tool for delaying the progression of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Thanks to digital technology, the possibility of safe and effective care for patients at home and in the community is increasing, even in situations that threaten the continuity of care, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is difficult to select appropriate technology and alternatives due to the lack of comprehensive reviews on the types and characteristics of digital technology for cognitive impairment, including their effects and limitations.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to identify the types of digital healthcare technology for dementia and mild cognitive impairment and comprehensively examine how its outcome measures were constructed in line with each technology's purpose.
METHODS
According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a literature search was conducted in August 2021 using Medline (Ovid), EMBASE, and Cochrane library. The search terms were constructed based on Population-Concept-Context mnemonic: 'dementia', 'cognitive impairment', and 'cognitive decline'; digital healthcare technology, such as big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robots, applications, and so on; and the outcomes of digital technology, such as accuracy of diagnosis and physical, mental, and social health. After grasping overall research trends, the literature was classified and analysed in terms of the type of service users and technology.
RESULTS
In total, 135 articles were selected. Since 2015, an increase in literature has been observed, and various digital healthcare technologies were identified. For people with mild cognitive impairment, technology for predicting and diagnosing the onset of dementia was studied, and for people with dementia, intervention technology to prevent the deterioration of health and induce significant improvement was considered. Regarding caregivers, many studies were conducted on monitoring and daily living assistive technologies that reduce the burden of care. However, problems such as data collection, storage, safety, and the digital divide persisted at different intensities for each technology type.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that appropriate technology options and considerations may differ depending on the characteristics of users. It also emphasises the role of humans in designing and managing technology to apply digital healthcare technology more effectively.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Pandemics
PubMed: 36821951
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104413 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews May 2022Successful spatial cognition involves learning, consolidation, storage, and later retrieval of a spatial memory trace. The functional contributions of specific brain... (Review)
Review
Successful spatial cognition involves learning, consolidation, storage, and later retrieval of a spatial memory trace. The functional contributions of specific brain areas and their interactions during retrieval of past spatial events are unclear. This systematic review collects studies about allocentric remote spatial retrieval assessed at least two weeks post-acquisition in rodents. Results including non-invasive interventions, brain lesion and inactivation experiments, pharmacological treatments, chemical agent administration, and genetic manipulations revealed that there is a normal forgetting when time-periods are close to or exceed one month. Moreover, changes in the morphology and functionality of neocortical areas, hippocampus, and other subcortical structures, such as the thalamus, have been extensively observed as a result of spatial memory retrieval. In conclusion, apart from an increasingly neocortical recruitment in remote spatial retrieval, the hippocampus seems to participate in the retrieval of fine spatial details. These results help to better understand the timing of memory maintenance and normal forgetting, outlining the underlying brain areas implicated.
Topics: Animals; Hippocampus; Humans; Memory, Long-Term; Neuroanatomy; Rodentia; Spatial Memory
PubMed: 35278596
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104609 -
Cureus Apr 2022Pycnodysostosis (PYCD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder of the bone which leads to stereotypical abnormalities consisting of, but not limited to,... (Review)
Review
Pycnodysostosis (PYCD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder of the bone which leads to stereotypical abnormalities consisting of, but not limited to, sclerotic and fragile bone, shortened distal phalanges, and obtuse mandibular angle. Current literature describes the otolaryngological manifestations and treatment of this disorder; however, the treatment of orthopedic fractures in PYCD patients is seldom described and remains a controversial topic. We aim to systematically review the current evidence regarding the optimal treatment of PYCD patients with fractures. We performed a literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Elig-ibility criteria consisted of English-language literature of PYCD patients undergoing treatment for orthopedic surgery fractures. Non-English papers or literature focused on maxillofacial manifestations/treatment were excluded. The database search resulted in the identification of 500 articles. After removing duplicates and enforcing our inclusion criteria, 29 case reports/series (40 patients) were included. The average age was 31.25 (-±18.2) years, with 57.5% of patients being female. Overall, 62.5% of patients had consanguineous parents. Additionally, 86.2% reported a history of previous fractures while 47.5% reported a spontaneous or minor trauma fracture, with most fractures occurring in the femur (60.0%) and tibia (40.0%). Radiographic features consisted of densification in the femur 45.0% (18/40), tibia 37.5% (15/40), and spine 25.0% (10/40). Overall, 84.2% of patients were treated with surgical management consisting of internal plate fixation (IPF) (48.3%), intramedullary fixation (20.7%), and Ilizarov external fixation (IEF) (13.8%). Overall, the refracture rate was 25.0% and was lowest in intramedullary fixation (0/6), compared to IPF (3/14) and IEF (3/4). Average time until refracture was 40.6 months (3-132 months). Long-term follow-up is recommended in patients with PYCD due to the propensity for fractures/refractures. While this study provides the groundwork for the treatment of PYCD patients, further research with higher-evidence studies should be conducted to establish the optimal orthopedic treatment of this disorder.
PubMed: 35602818
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24275 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Jul 2021Functionalities of personal health record (PHR) are evolving, and continued discussions about PHR functionalities need to be performed to keep it up-to-date.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Functionalities of personal health record (PHR) are evolving, and continued discussions about PHR functionalities need to be performed to keep it up-to-date. Technological issues such as nonfunctional requirements should also be discussed in the implementation of PHR.
OBJECTIVE
This study systematically reviewed the main functionalities and issues in implementing the PHR.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search is performed using the online databases Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed for English journal articles and conference proceedings published between 2015 and 2020.
RESULTS
A total of 105 articles were selected in the review. Seven function categories were identified in this review, which is grouped into basic and advanced functions. Health records and administrative records were grouped into basic functions. Medication management, communication, appointment management, education, and self-health monitoring were grouped into advanced functions. The issues found in this study include interoperability, security and privacy, usability, data quality, and personalization.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to PHR basic and advanced functions, other supporting functionalities may also need to be developed based on the issues identified in this study. This paper provides an integrated PHR architectural model that describes the functional requirements and data sources of PHRs.
Topics: Health Records, Personal; Humans; Information Storage and Retrieval; Medical Records Systems, Computerized; Technology
PubMed: 34287210
DOI: 10.2196/26236 -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Feb 2020This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This...
This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This systematic literature review includes studies published from 2001 to 2016 and indexed in PubMed, Lilacs and Elsevier's Scopus Database, using the following key words: Disposal of medicines in household, Disposal of drugs expired, Residential expired drugs, Management of expired medications in household. Thirty-three studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reveal that the main reasons people keep a stock of medicines at home include the possibility of future use, leftovers from previous treatments, and self-medication. Inappropriate disposal methods prevail, such as throwing medicines in the household trash or flushing them into the sewer. Some countries have adopted programs to educate on proper storage and disposal of medicines, though only one study describes a national program guiding these practices that is free of charge. Evidence shows there is a need to implement public policies intended to provide guidance on the proper storage and disposal of medicines at home.
Topics: Brazil; Drug Storage; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Public Policy; Refuse Disposal
PubMed: 32022198
DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232020252.10882018 -
Water Research X Jan 2023The safe management of fecal sludge from the 3.4 billion people worldwide that use onsite sanitation systems can greatly reduce the global infectious disease burden.... (Review)
Review
The safe management of fecal sludge from the 3.4 billion people worldwide that use onsite sanitation systems can greatly reduce the global infectious disease burden. However, there is limited knowledge about the role of design, operational, and environmental factors on pathogen survival in pit latrines, urine diverting desiccation toilets, and other types of onsite toilets. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to characterize pathogen reduction rates in fecal sludge, feces, and human excreta with respect to pH, temperature, moisture content, and the use of additives for desiccation, alkalinization, or disinfection. A meta-analysis of 1,382 data points extracted from 243 experiments described in 26 articles revealed significant differences between the decay rates and T values of pathogens and indicators from different microbial groups. The overall median T values were 4.8 days, 29 days, >341 days, and 429 days for bacteria, viruses, protozoan (oo)cysts, and eggs, respectively. As expected, higher pH values, higher temperatures, and the application of lime all significantly predicted greater pathogen reduction rates but the use of lime by itself was more effective for bacteria and viruses than for eggs, unless urea was also added. In multiple lab-scale experiments, the application of urea with enough lime or ash to reach a pH of 10 - 12 and a sustained concentration of 2,000 - 6,000 mg/L of non-protonated NHN reduced eggs more rapidly than without urea. In general, the storage of fecal sludge for 6 months adequately controls hazards from viruses and bacteria, but much longer storage times or alkaline treatment with urea and low moisture or heat is needed to control hazards from protozoa and helminths. More research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of lime, ash, and urea in the field. More studies of protozoan pathogens are also needed, as very few qualifying experiments were found for this group.
PubMed: 37250291
DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100171 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Dec 2020Mobile health apps are used to improve the quality of health care. These apps are changing the current scenario in health care, and their numbers are increasing. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mobile health apps are used to improve the quality of health care. These apps are changing the current scenario in health care, and their numbers are increasing.
OBJECTIVE
We wanted to perform an analysis of the current status of mobile health technologies and apps for medical emergencies. We aimed to synthesize the existing body of knowledge to provide relevant insights for this topic. Moreover, we wanted to identify common threads and gaps to support new challenging, interesting, and relevant research directions.
METHODS
We reviewed the main relevant papers and apps available in the literature. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was used in this review. The search criteria were adopted using systematic methods to select papers and apps. On one hand, a bibliographic review was carried out in different search databases to collect papers related to each application in the health emergency field using defined criteria. On the other hand, a review of mobile apps in two virtual storage platforms (Google Play Store and Apple App Store) was carried out. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are related to the Android and iOS operating systems, respectively.
RESULTS
In the literature review, 28 papers in the field of medical emergency were included. These studies were collected and selected according to established criteria. Moreover, we proposed a taxonomy using six groups of applications. In total, 324 mobile apps were found, with 192 identified in the Google Play Store and 132 identified in the Apple App Store.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that all apps in the Google Play Store were free, and 73 apps in the Apple App Store were paid, with the price ranging from US $0.89 to US $5.99. Moreover, 39% (11/28) of the included studies were related to warning systems for emergency services and 21% (6/28) were associated with disaster management apps.
Topics: Emergencies; Humans; Mobile Applications; Telemedicine
PubMed: 33306037
DOI: 10.2196/18513 -
Injury Prevention : Journal of the... Apr 2022Agriculture stands out in relation to the high number of occupational incidents and diseases. In this sense, grains postharvest operations, such as receiving,...
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture stands out in relation to the high number of occupational incidents and diseases. In this sense, grains postharvest operations, such as receiving, precleaning, drying, storage and shipping the grains, are highlighted in the number of injuries and fatalities.
AIM
To identify and extract qualitative and quantitative data related to the main occupational hazards present in grains postharvest operations at preprocessing and storage facilities.
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out in the databases of Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science for papers published between 1980 and 2019. The abstract should have described a study related to any occupational hazard (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and mechanical) and at least one of the occupational hazards should be related to any postharvest operations.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
In total, 42% of 38 analysed papers were published between 2015 and 2019. Three journals were responsible for 45% of publications related to occupational hazards present in grains postharvest operations. The most part of analysed publications related to confined spaces, grain entrapment, machine entanglement and falls hazards are related to Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program which applied research in occupational safety at grains postharvest.
CONCLUSIONS
The creation of standardised internationals can collaborate to reduce occupational risks in grain storage units. It is suggested the development of monitoring technologies to obtain real-time information on noise, dust, gases and heat in postharvest operations and equipment. The use of intelligent algorithms can create prevention mechanisms for possible occupational risks and avoid injuries to employees.
Topics: Accidents, Occupational; Agriculture; Confined Spaces; Databases, Factual; Humans; Occupational Health
PubMed: 34656989
DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2021-044273 -
Open Heart Jul 2023Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by enzyme deficiency, leading to glycosphingolipid accumulation. Cardiac accumulation triggers local...
INTRODUCTION
Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by enzyme deficiency, leading to glycosphingolipid accumulation. Cardiac accumulation triggers local tissue injury, electrical instability and arrhythmia. Bradyarrhythmia and atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence are reported in up to 16% and 13%, respectively.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review evaluating AF burden and bradycardia requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation and report any predictive risk factors identified.
METHODS
We conducted a literature search on studies in adults with FD published from inception to July 2019. Study outcomes included AF or bradycardia requiring therapy. Databases included Embase, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane. The Risk of Bias Agreement tool for Non-Randomised Studies (RoBANS) was utilised to assess bias across key areas.
RESULTS
11 studies were included, eight providing data on AF incidence or PPM implantation. Weighted estimate of event rates for AF were 12.2% and 10% for PPM. Age was associated with AF (OR 1.05-1.20 per 1-year increase in age) and a risk factor for PPM implantation (composite OR 1.03). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was associated with AF and PPM implantation.
CONCLUSION
Evidence supporting AF and bradycardia requiring pacemaker implantation is limited to single-centre studies. Incidence is variable and choice of diagnostic modality plays a role in detection rate. Predictors for AF (age, LVH and atrial dilatation) and PPM (age, LVH and PR/QRS interval) were identified but strength of association was low. Incidence of AF and PPM implantation in FD are variably reported with arrhythmia burden likely much higher than previously thought.
PROSPERO DATABASE
CRD42019132045.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Bradycardia; Atrial Fibrillation; Fabry Disease; Incidence; Pacemaker, Artificial
PubMed: 37460269
DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2023-002316 -
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine... May 2022Diabetic dyslipidemia is caused by hyperglycemia and excessive mobilization of storage lipids, leading to increasing concentrations of triglycerides and total... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Diabetic dyslipidemia is caused by hyperglycemia and excessive mobilization of storage lipids, leading to increasing concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol. Due to the insulin-mimetic or insulin-enhancer features of vanadium, it has been recognized as a regulator of cell metabolism with hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. The purpose of the current animal systematic review was to evaluate the effect of vanadium administration on diabetic dyslipidemia in diabetic animals.
METHODS
This is, to our knowledge, the first systematic review with the aim of investigating the relationship between vanadium and diabetic dyslipidemia among diabetes induced animals. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and web of science databases for animal studies examining the effect of vanadium on diabetic dyslipidemia in diabetic animals.
RESULTS
Of 124 full-text articles assessed, 48 animal studies were included in the present study with minor risk of bias. The majority of the studies confirmed the beneficial effects of different vanadium compounds in at least one of the parameters of lipid profile, especially regarding triglyceride and total cholesterol.
CONCLUSION
Current findings lend support to assess the long-term effects of different forms and doses of vanadium on lipid profile through well-designed clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Dyslipidemias; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Vanadium
PubMed: 35303513
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.126955