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Sports Health May 2023Patellar tendinopathy (PT), or jumper's knee, is a chronic painful overuse patellar tendon injury. For PT, prevention is more important than treatment. However, there is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
Patellar tendinopathy (PT), or jumper's knee, is a chronic painful overuse patellar tendon injury. For PT, prevention is more important than treatment. However, there is still a lack of strong evidence to confirm the effectiveness of prevention.
OBJECTIVE
This study will analyze by meta-analysis the effect of a prophylactic program on high PT risk people (but without PT) in reducing PT occurrence.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Ebscohost, from inception to January 11, 2022.
STUDY SELECTION
A study comparing the effects of prophylactic programs and controls on the risk of PT was included in the analysis. After a database search with search terms ((patellar tendinopathy) OR (jumper's knee) OR (patellar tendinitis) OR (patellar tendinosis) OR (patellar tendonitis)) AND ((Prevent*) OR (prophyla*)), a total of 1444 items were obtained. Of these, 11 studies with 6091 participants were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 2.
DATA EXTRACTION
The first author's name, publication year, study design, country, population, mean age, sex, prophylactic program, control, study duration, and the frequency or incidence of PT in each group were extracted.
RESULTS
A total of 11 articles were included in the analysis. Overall, no significant difference was considered in the risk of PT between the prophylactic program and control groups based on the random-effect model (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.67, 1.08; = 0.18). In the recruit subgroup, there was even a tendency to elevate the risk of PT occurrence after prophylaxis was executed (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.68, 5.28; = 0.22). In athletes, the prophylactic program tended to decrease the risk of PT compared with the control (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.63, 1.04; = 0.10); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Trial sequential analysis results suggested that prophylaxis may still be effective for athletes, but this needs to be confirmed with a larger sample size.
CONCLUSION
The risk of PT cannot be reduced with the current prophylactic program. However, for athletes, the negative results may be due to insufficient sample size.
Topics: Humans; Patellar Ligament; Tendinopathy; Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Athletes; Patella
PubMed: 36146934
DOI: 10.1177/19417381221121808 -
Primary Care Diabetes Jun 2024This study will explore the effectiveness of fish skin grafts (FSG) in ulcer healing in diabetic foot disease compared to standard of care (SOC). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
This study will explore the effectiveness of fish skin grafts (FSG) in ulcer healing in diabetic foot disease compared to standard of care (SOC).
METHODS
The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standard. The electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (WoS) internet were searched for the outcome rate of complete ulcer healing. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the tool recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Statistical analysis included the individual and combined result of the studies, heterogeneity test, the effect size, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests.
RESULTS
Five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 411 patients were included in this study. This meta-analysis showed a higher rate of complete ulcer healing in groups receiving fish skin grafts (OR = 3.34, 95% CI 2.14-5.20, p < 0.01, I = 0%) compared to control groups.
CONCLUSION
Fish skin grafts have been shown to be more effective for achieving complete ulcer healing compared to current conventional treatments in diabetic foot disease.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Chronic Disease; Diabetic Foot; Fishes; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Skin Transplantation; Standard of Care; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 38644082
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2024.03.008 -
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Jan 2021This literature review provides an overview of use of environmental samples (ES) such as faeces, water, air, mud and swabs of surfaces in avian influenza (AI)...
This literature review provides an overview of use of environmental samples (ES) such as faeces, water, air, mud and swabs of surfaces in avian influenza (AI) surveillance programs, focussing on effectiveness, advantages and gaps in knowledge. ES have been used effectively for AI surveillance since the 1970s. Results from ES have enhanced understanding of the biology of AI viruses in wild birds and in markets, of links between human and avian influenza, provided early warning of viral incursions, allowed assessment of effectiveness of control and preventive measures, and assisted epidemiological studies in outbreaks, both avian and human. Variation exists in the methods and protocols used, and no internationally recognized guidelines exist on the use of ES and data management. Few studies have performed direct comparisons of ES versus live bird samples (LBS). Results reported so far demonstrate reliance on ES will not be sufficient to detect virus in all cases when it is present, especially when the prevalence of infection/contamination is low. Multiple sample types should be collected. In live bird markets, ES from processing/selling areas are more likely to test positive than samples from bird holding areas. When compared to LBS, ES is considered a cost-effective, simple, rapid, flexible, convenient and acceptable way of achieving surveillance objectives. As a non-invasive technique, it can minimize effects on animal welfare and trade in markets and reduce impacts on wild bird communities. Some limitations of environmental sampling methods have been identified, such as the loss of species-specific or information on the source of virus, and taxonomic-level analyses, unless additional methods are applied. Some studies employing ES have not provided detailed methods. In others, where ES and LBS are collected from the same site, positive results have not been assigned to specific sample types. These gaps should be remedied in future studies.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Birds; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Influenza A virus; Influenza in Birds; Prevalence; Sampling Studies
PubMed: 32652790
DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13633 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine May 2024Intracranial cavernous malformations (CMs) are vascular lesions with a high bleeding rate. At present, the debate regarding their treatment is still ongoing. The present...
Intracranial cavernous malformations (CMs) are vascular lesions with a high bleeding rate. At present, the debate regarding their treatment is still ongoing. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety of surgery or radiosurgery (SRS) for the management of CMs and to determine their potential outcomes compared with conservative treatment. The present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the relative articles involving the management of intracranial CMs, namely their natural history (conservative treatment) vs. surgical/SRS treatment through electronic databases until June, 2023. The collected variables included the first author's name, the study period covered, the year of publication, the total number of patients examined and their age, and the number of males. In total, six articles met the eligibility criteria. The total number of patients was 399 (157 in the surgery/SRS group and 242 in the conservative treatment group). The results revealed that surgical or SRS management is a safe procedure for CMs compared with conservative treatment. Notably, the use of hemosiderin in the pre-MRI, the free of seizures parameter and the neurological deficit parameters were associated with improved outcomes in the surgical or SRS group of patients.
PubMed: 38590573
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12503 -
BMC International Health and Human... Oct 2019Violence against women has particular importance for women's health and wellbeing in the Arab world, where women face persistent barriers to social, political and...
BACKGROUND
Violence against women has particular importance for women's health and wellbeing in the Arab world, where women face persistent barriers to social, political and economic equality. This review aims to summarize what is known about the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional/psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in the 22 countries of the Arab League, including geographic coverage, quality and comparability of the evidence.
METHODS
A systematic review of IPV prevalence in Arab countries was carried out among peer-reviewed journal articles and national, population-based survey reports published by international research programmes and/or governments. Following PRISMA guidelines, Medline and the Social Sciences Citation Index were searched with Medical Subject Headings terms and key words related to IPV and the names of Arab countries. Eligible sources were published between January 2000 and January 2016, in any language. United Nations databases and similar sources were searched for national surveys. Study characteristics, operational definitions and prevalence data were extracted into a database using Open Data Kit Software. Risk of bias was assessed with a structured checklist.
RESULTS
The search identified 74 records with population or facility-based IPV prevalence data from eleven Arab countries, based on 56 individual datasets. These included 46 separate survey datasets from peer-reviewed journals and 11 national surveys published by international research programmes and/or governments. Seven countries had national, population-based IPV estimates. Reported IPV prevalence (ever) ranged from 6% to more than half (59%) (physical); from 3 to 40% (sexual); and from 5 to 91% (emotional/ psychological). Methods and operational definitions of violence varied widely, especially for emotional/psychological IPV, limiting comparability.
CONCLUSIONS
IPV against women in Arab countries represents a public health and human rights problem, with substantial levels of physical, sexual and emotional/psychological IPV documented in many settings. The evidence base is fragmented, however, suggesting a need for more comparable, high quality research on IPV in the region and greater adherence to international scientific and ethical guidelines. There is a particular need for national, population-based data to inform prevention and responses to violence against women, and to help Arab countries monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arab World; Female; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Male; Middle Aged; Middle East; Prevalence; Rape; Risk Factors; Spouse Abuse; Violence; Young Adult
PubMed: 31640716
DOI: 10.1186/s12914-019-0215-5 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jul 2022Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is an established surgical option for knee osteoarthritis (OA). There are varying perceptions of the most suitable surgical technique for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Functional outcomes in patient specific instrumentation vs. conventional instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty; a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.
BACKGROUND
Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is an established surgical option for knee osteoarthritis (OA). There are varying perceptions of the most suitable surgical technique for making bone cuts in TKA. Conventional Instrumentation (CI) uses generic cutting guides (extra- and intra-medullary) for TKA; however, patient specific instrumentation (PSI) has become a popular alternative amongst surgeons.
METHODS
A literature search of electronic databases Embase, Medline and registry platform portals was conducted on the 16 May 2021. The search was performed using a predesigned search strategy. Eligible studies were critically appraised for methodological quality. The primary outcome measure was Knee Society Function Score. Functional scores were also collected for the secondary outcome measures: Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Review Manager 5.3 was used for all data synthesis and analysis.
RESULTS
There is no conclusive evidence in the literature to suggest that PSI or CI instrumentation is better for functional outcomes. 23 studies were identified for inclusion in this study. Twenty-two studies (18 randomised controlled trials and 4 prospective studies) were included in the meta analysis, with a total of 2277 total knee arthroplasties. There were 1154 PSI TKA and 1123 CI TKA. The majority of outcomes at 3-months, 6-months and 12 show no statistical difference. There was statistical significance at 24 months in favour of PSI group for KSS function (mean difference 4.36, 95% confidence interval 1.83-6.89). The mean difference did not exceed the MCID of 6.4. KSS knee scores demonstrated statistical significance at 24 months (mean difference 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-4.31), with a MCID of 5.9. WOMAC scores were found to be statistically significant favouring PSI group at 12 months (mean difference -3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.57- -0.36) and 24 months (mean difference -0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.28--0.03), with high level of bias noted in the studies and a MCID of 10.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis of level 1 and level 2 evidence shows there is no clinical difference when comparing PSI and CI KSS function scores for TKA at definitive post operative time points (3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months). Within the secondary outcomes for this study, there was no clinical difference between PSI and CI for TKA. Although there was no clinical difference between PSI and CI for TKA, there was statistical significance noted at 24 months in favour of PSI compared to CI for TKA when considering KSS function, KSS knee scores and WOMAC scores. Studies included in this meta-analysis were of limited cohort size and prospective studies were prone to methodological bias. The current literature is limited and insufficiently robust to make explicit conclusions and therefore further high-powered robust RCTs are required at specific time points.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Humans; Knee Joint; Knee Prosthesis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35870913
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05620-2 -
Health Science Reports Mar 2023Overweight and obesity lead to the development of physical diseases. Cognitive factors play a vital role in controlling one's weight. Currently, cognitive-behavioral...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Overweight and obesity lead to the development of physical diseases. Cognitive factors play a vital role in controlling one's weight. Currently, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions are recognized as a subcategory of lifestyle modification programs that can be implemented to control weight and modify eating patterns as well as physical activity. Nowadays, smartphone-based applications are utilized to implement behavioral interventions. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of CBT-based smartphone applications available on and the in the field of overweight control.
METHODS
Smartphone-based utility applications available on and were identified in March 2021. Weight control smartphone applications were obtained based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The app name, platform, version, number of downloads, password protection, affiliations, and features of retrieved apps were tabulated. The Mobile Application Rating Scale was utilized to evaluate the quality of the identified apps.
RESULTS
Seventeen CBT-based weight control smartphone apps were retrieved. The average engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information quality scores were 3.65, 3.92, 3.80, and 3.91, respectively. Also, the average score in an aspect containing the usefulness of the app, frequency of using the application, cost, and user satisfaction was 3.5.
CONCLUSION
Future applications related to this field can be improved by providing a personalization program according to the needs of users and the possibility of online chatting with the therapist. Further improvements can be achieved by improving the areas of engagement, aesthetics, and subjective quality as well as having appropriate privacy policies.
PubMed: 36992714
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1157 -
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B Jun 2024Pathogenesis of epilepsy involves dysregulation of the neurotransmitter system contributing to hyper-excitability of neuronal cells. MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pathogenesis of epilepsy involves dysregulation of the neurotransmitter system contributing to hyper-excitability of neuronal cells. MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs known to play a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.
METHODS
The present review was prepared following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, employing a comprehensive search strategy to identify and extract data from published research articles. Keywords suchas epilepsy, micro RNA (micro RNAs, miRNA, miRNAs, miR), neurotransmitters (specific names), and neurotransmitter receptors (specific names) were used to construct the query.
RESULTS
A total of 724 articles were identified using the keywords epilepsy, microRNA along with select neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter receptor names. After exclusions, the final selection consisted of 17 studies, most of which centered on glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Singular studies also investigated miRNAs affecting cholinergic, purinergic, and glycine receptors.
CONCLUSION
This review offers a concise overview of the current knowledge on miRNA-mediated regulation of neurotransmitter receptors in epilepsy and highlights their potential for future clinical application.
PubMed: 38924965
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109912 -
Head and Neck Pathology Sep 2023Granular Cell Odontogenic Fibroma (GCOF) is a rare odontogenic neoplasm reported over time with different names. The purpose of this study is to review all available...
BACKGROUND
Granular Cell Odontogenic Fibroma (GCOF) is a rare odontogenic neoplasm reported over time with different names. The purpose of this study is to review all available data on the GCOF in the scientific literature, with a summary of all reported cases and a report of a new case.
METHODS
This review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was performed up to November 2022.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine studies reporting fifty-three cases were included. GCOF is a rare neoplasm among the odontogenic tumors, with a higher prevalence in women of the middle-aged and white population. This lesion occurs mostly on the posterior region of the mandible. Furthermore, based on clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features, conservative treatment was the most reported choice with recurrence reported in two cases.
CONCLUSION
GCOF remains controversial due to the still unsolved histogenesis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Fibroma; Mandible; Odontogenic Tumors; Case Reports as Topic
PubMed: 37118351
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01553-x -
Environmental Research Apr 2021Hospitals are the places for COVID-19 treatment but on the other hand, they are a dangerous source for SARS-COV-2 transmission. If we assume that the SARS-COV-2 is...
Hospitals are the places for COVID-19 treatment but on the other hand, they are a dangerous source for SARS-COV-2 transmission. If we assume that the SARS-COV-2 is transmitted by air to hospitals, what are the strategies to reduce the SARS-COV-2 transmission and its removal? Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate SARS-COV-2 transmission through indoor air in hospitals and its prevention methods.This study is a systematic review by searching among published articles in reputable international databases such as Scopus, Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and ISI (Web of Science). Data were collected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and by searching for relevant keywords. Qualitative data were collected using the PRISMA standard checklist. Information was entered into the checklist, such as the name of the first author, the year of the study publication, the country, the type of study, the number of samples, the type of air sample, the results, the methods for SARS-COV-2 transmission prevention in the hospital. After reviewing the information and quality of articles, 11 articles were included in this study. An analysis of the articles showed that Asian countries (Iran, China, Singapore) were more concerned with the SARS-COV-2 transmission through hospital air. Four articles did not confirm SARS-COV-2 in the air, but seven articles reported the SARS-COV-2 from air samples. The results of this study showed that many factors could affect the positive or negative SARS-COV-2 detection in the air, such as environmental conditions in hospitals, sampling methods, sampling height and distance from patients, flow rate and sampling time, efficiency and functionality of ventilation systems, use of disinfectants.Therefore, due to the possibility of SARS-COV-2 in the air of hospitals, preventive measures should be taken such as physical distance, personal hygiene, ventilation, and air filtration. We hope that this research will help to reduce the transmission of SARS-COV-2 and cut the airborne transmission pathway of SARS-COV-2 in hospitals.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asia; China; Hospitals; Humans; Iran; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33549620
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110841