-
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Oct 2022The aim of the present study was to investigate Salmonella behavior in meat stored in cool conditions (between 0 °C and 7.5 °C), by employing a systematic review and... (Review)
Review
The aim of the present study was to investigate Salmonella behavior in meat stored in cool conditions (between 0 °C and 7.5 °C), by employing a systematic review and meta-analysis. The data were obtained from research articles published in SciELO, PubMed, the Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The results of the retrieved studies were obtained from meat (beef, chicken, pork, poultry, and turkey), fish, shellfish, and broth media samples The data were extracted as sample size (n), initial concentration (Xi), final concentration (Xf), standard deviation (SD), standard error (SE), and microbial behavior effects (reduction or growth). A meta-analysis was carried out using the metaphor package from R software. A total of 654 articles were initially retrieved. After applying the exclusion criteria, 83 articles were selected for the systematic review, and 61 of these were used for the meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted at 0 °C to 4.4 °C storage temperatures under normal atmosphere package conditions. Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and a cocktail (strain mixture) were inoculated at 5.0 and 6.0 log CFU mL−1. Articles both with and without the addition of antimicrobial compounds were found. Salmonella concentration decreases were observed in most studies, estimated for all study combinations as −0.8429 ± 0.0931 log CFU g−1 (95% CI; −1.0254, −0.6604) (p < 0.001), varying for each subgroup analysis. According to this survey, Salmonella concentration decreases are frequent during cool storage, although concentration increases and no bacterial inactivation were observed in some studies.
PubMed: 36359027
DOI: 10.3390/ani12212902 -
The European Journal of Health... Aug 2022To quantify the association between income and antibiotic misuse including unprescribed use, storage of antibiotics and non-adherence. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To quantify the association between income and antibiotic misuse including unprescribed use, storage of antibiotics and non-adherence.
METHODS
We identified pertinent studies through database search, and manual examination of reference lists of selected articles and review reports. We performed a dose-response meta-analysis of income, both continuous and categorical, in relation to antibiotic misuse. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated under a random-effects random effects model.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven studies from 22 countries of different economic class were included. Overall, the data are in agreement with a flat linear association between income standardized to socio-economic indicators and antibiotic misuse (OR per 1 unit increment = 1.00, p-value = 0.954, p-value non-linearity = 0.429). Data were compatible with no association between medium and high income with general antibiotic misuse (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.89, 1.20 and OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.82, 1.29). Medium income was associated with 19% higher odds of antibiotic storage (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07, 1.32) and 18% higher odds of any aspect of antibiotic misuse in African studies (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.00, 1.39). High income was associated with 51% lower odds of non-adherence to antibiotic treatment (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.34, 0.60). High income was also associated with 11% higher odds of any antibiotic misuse in upper-middle wealth countries (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.00, 1.22).
CONCLUSIONS
The association between income and antibiotic misuse varies by type of misuse and country wellness. Understanding the socioeconomic properties of antibiotic misuse should prove useful in developing related intervention programs and health policies.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Income
PubMed: 34845563
DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01416-8 -
La Clinica Terapeutica 2023Nutrigenomics - the study of the interactions between genetics and nutrition - has emerged as a pivotal field in personalized nutrition. Among various genetic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Nutrigenomics - the study of the interactions between genetics and nutrition - has emerged as a pivotal field in personalized nutrition. Among various genetic variations, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been extensively studied for their probable relationship with metabolic traits.
METHODS
Throughout this review, we have employed a targeted research approach, carefully handpicking the most representative and relevant articles on the subject. Our methodology involved a systematic review of the scientific literature to ensure a comprehensive and accurate overview of the available sources.
RESULTS
SNPs have demonstrated a significant influence on lipid metabolism, by impacting genes that encode for enzymes involved in lipid synthesis, transport, and storage. Furthermore, they have the ability to affect enzymes in glycolysis and insulin signaling pathways: in a way, they can influence the risk of type 2 diabetes. Thanks to recent advances in genotyping technologies, we now know numerous SNPs linked to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The large-scale studies on this topic have unveiled the potential of personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual's genetic makeup. Personalized nutritional interventions hold promise to mitigate the risk of various chronic diseases; however, translating these scientific insights into actionable dietary guidelines is still challenging.
CONCLUSIONS
As the field of nutrigenomics continues to evolve, collaborations between geneticists, nutritionists, and healthcare providers are essential to harness the power of genetic information for improving metabolic health. By unraveling the genetic basis of metabolic responses to diet, this field holds the potential to revolutionize how we approach dietary recommendations and preventive healthcare practices.
Topics: Humans; Nutrigenomics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Lipids; Carbohydrate Metabolism
PubMed: 37994765
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2023.2488 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Blockchain technology was introduced through Bitcoin in a 2008 whitepaper by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto. Since its inception, it has gathered great attention... (Review)
Review
Blockchain technology was introduced through Bitcoin in a 2008 whitepaper by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto. Since its inception, it has gathered great attention because of its unique properties-immutability and decentralized authority. This technology is now being implemented in various fields such as healthcare, IoT, data management, etc., apart from cryptocurrencies. As it is a newly emerging technology, researchers and organizations face many challenges in integrating this technology into other fields. Consent management is one of the essential processes in an organization because of the ever-evolving privacy laws, which are introduced to provide more control to users over their data. This paper is a systematic review of Blockchain's application in the field of consent and privacy data management. The review discusses the adaptation of Blockchain in healthcare, IoT, identity management, and data storage. This analysis is formed on the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and a process of systematic mapping review. We provide analysis of the development, challenges, and limitations of blockchain technology for consent management.
PubMed: 33535465
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9020137 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Diabetologia Jan 2023South Asians have a two- to fivefold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those of white European descent. Greater central adiposity and storage of fat in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS
South Asians have a two- to fivefold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those of white European descent. Greater central adiposity and storage of fat in deeper or ectopic depots are potential contributing mechanisms. We collated existing and new data on the amount of subcutaneous (SAT), visceral (VAT) and liver fat in adults of South Asian and white European descent to provide a robust assessment of potential ethnic differences in these factors.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the Embase and PubMed databases from inception to August 2021. Unpublished imaging data were also included. The weighted standardised mean difference (SMD) for each adiposity measure was estimated using random-effects models. The quality of the studies was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool for risk of bias and overall certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. The study was pre-registered with the OSF Registries ( https://osf.io/w5bf9 ).
RESULTS
We summarised imaging data on SAT, VAT and liver fat from eight published and three previously unpublished datasets, including a total of 1156 South Asian and 2891 white European men, and 697 South Asian and 2271 white European women. Despite South Asian men having a mean BMI approximately 0.5-0.7 kg/m lower than white European men (depending on the comparison), nine studies showed 0.34 SMD (95% CI 0.12, 0.55; I=83%) more SAT and seven studies showed 0.56 SMD (95% CI 0.14, 0.98; I=93%) more liver fat, but nine studies had similar VAT (-0.03 SMD; 95% CI -0.24, 0.19; I=85%) compared with their white European counterparts. South Asian women had an approximately 0.9 kg/m lower BMI but 0.31 SMD (95% CI 0.14, 0.48; I=53%) more liver fat than their white European counterparts in five studies. Subcutaneous fat levels (0.03 SMD; 95% CI -0.17, 0.23; I=72%) and VAT levels (0.04 SMD; 95% CI -0.16, 0.24; I=71%) did not differ significantly between ethnic groups in eight studies of women.
CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION
South Asian men and women appear to store more ectopic fat in the liver compared with their white European counterparts with similar BMI levels. Given the emerging understanding of the importance of liver fat in diabetes pathogenesis, these findings help explain the greater diabetes risks in South Asians.
FUNDING
There was no primary direct funding for undertaking the systematic review and meta-analysis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Liver; Subcutaneous Fat; White People; South Asian People
PubMed: 36224274
DOI: 10.1007/s00125-022-05803-5