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Annals of Surgery Jan 2022To perform the first systematic review of all available gender-affirming surgery (GAS) publications across all procedures to assess both outcomes reported in the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Gender Affirming Surgery: A Comprehensive, Systematic Review of All Peer-reviewed Literature and Methods of Assessing Patient-centered Outcomes (Part 1: Breast/Chest, Face, and Voice).
OBJECTIVE
To perform the first systematic review of all available gender-affirming surgery (GAS) publications across all procedures to assess both outcomes reported in the literature and the methods used for outcome assessment.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Rapidly increasing clinical volumes of gender-affirming surgeries have stimulated a growing need for high-quality clinical research. Although some procedures have been performed for decades, each individual procedure has limited data, necessitating synthesis of the entire literature to understand current knowledge and guide future research.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify all outcomes measures in GAS cohorts, including PCOs, complications, and functional outcomes. Outcome data were pooled to assess currently reported complication, satisfaction, and other outcome rates.
RESULTS
Overall, 15,186 references were identified, 4162 papers advanced to abstract review, and 1826 underwent full-text review. After review, there were 406 GAS cohort publications. Of non-genitoplasty titles, 35 were mastectomy, 6 mammoplasty, 21 facial feminization, and 31 voice/cartilage. Although 59.1% of non-genitoplasty papers addressed PCOs in some form, only 4.3% used instruments partially-validated in transgender patients. Overall, data were reported heterogeneously and were biased towards high-volume centers.
CONCLUSIONS
This study represents the most comprehensive review of GAS literature. By aggregating all previously utilized measurement instruments, this study offers a foundation for discussions about current methodologic limitations and what dimensions must be included in assessing surgical success. We have assembled a comprehensive list of outcome instruments; this offers an ideal starting basis for emerging discussions between patients and providers about deficiencies which new, better instruments and metrics must address. The lack of consistent use of the same outcome measures and validated GAS-specific instruments represent the 2 primary barriers to high-quality research where improvement efforts should be focused.
Topics: Face; Female; Gender Dysphoria; Humans; Male; Mastectomy; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Patient-Centered Care; Peer Review; Transgender Persons; Voice
PubMed: 33443903
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004728 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jun 2023West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most widely distributed flaviviruses worldwide. It is considered an endemic and emerging pathogen in different areas of the Europe... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE
West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most widely distributed flaviviruses worldwide. It is considered an endemic and emerging pathogen in different areas of the Europe and Mediterranean countries (MR). Mosquitoes of the genus spp. are the main vectors, and birds its main vertebrate hosts. It can occasionally infect mammals, including humans. Different environmental factors can influence its distribution and transmission through its effects on vector or host populations. Our objective was to determine environmental factors associated with changes in vector distribution and WNV transmission in Europe and MR.
MATERIAL & METHODS
Systematic peer review of articles published between 2000 and 2020. We selected studies on WNV, and its vectors carried out in Europe and MR. The search included terms referring to climatic and environmental factors.
RESULTS
We included 65 studies, of which 21 (32%) were conducted in Italy. spp. was studied in 26 papers (40%), humans in 19 papers (29%) and host animals (mainly horses) in 16 papers (25%), whereas bird reservoirs were addressed in 5 studies (8%). A significant positive relationship was observed between changes in temperature and precipitation patterns and the epidemiology of WNV, although contrasting results were found among studies. Other factors positively related to WNV dynamics were the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI] and expansion of anthropized habitats.
CONCLUSION
The epidemiology of WNV seems to be related to climatic factors that are changing globally due to ongoing climate change. Unfortunately, the complete zoonotic cycle was not analyzed in most papers, making it difficult to determine the independent impact of environment on the different components of the transmission cycle. Given the current expansion and endemicity of WNV in the area, it is important to adopt holistic approaches to understand WNV epidemiology and to improve WNV surveillance and control.
PubMed: 37363246
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100478 -
The Journal of Urology Jan 2023Urolithiasis can be a painful condition associated with significant individual and health care burdens. Several studies have shown that anxiety and depression, termed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Urolithiasis can be a painful condition associated with significant individual and health care burdens. Several studies have shown that anxiety and depression, termed psychological distress, may be associated with urolithiasis. However, there is little consensus on this relationship. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress and examined rates of psychological distress in this population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched online databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library with predefined search criteria up to March 2022 utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Forty-nine peer-reviewed publications were included in this review. We performed a narrative synthesis on included studies, and a random-effects meta-analysis to obtain a single summary estimate for the relationship between urolithiasis and anxiety.
RESULTS
Narrative synthesis found evidence for a relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress, both anxiety and depression. Meta-analysis of 7 studies found a moderate pooled association between urolithiasis and state anxiety. Additionally, higher proportions of urolithiasis patients experienced psychological distress compared to nonurolithiasis samples across studies. Our findings are limited by the observed heterogeneity in assessment protocols within the data set.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest a moderate but significant association between anxiety and urolithiasis, as well as a greater than expected number of urolithiasis patients experiencing psychological distress. More high-quality research studies are required to better understand factors that may influence the relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress.
Topics: Humans; Peer Review; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 36251416
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003032 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2023Intermittent fasting (IF) is an emerging dietetic intervention that has been associated with improved metabolic parameters. Nowadays, the most common IF protocols are... (Review)
Review
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an emerging dietetic intervention that has been associated with improved metabolic parameters. Nowadays, the most common IF protocols are Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF) and Time-Restricted Fasting (TRF), but in this review and meta-analysis we have also considered Religious Fasting (RF), which is similar to TRF but against the circadian rhythm. The available studies usually include the analysis of a single specific IF protocol on different metabolic outcomes. Herein, we decided to go further and to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the advantages of different IF protocols for metabolic homeostasis in individuals with different metabolic status, such as with obesity, diabetes type 2 (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Systematic searches (PubMed, Scopus, Trip Database, Web of Knowledge and Embase, published before June 2022) of original articles in peer-review scientific journals focusing on IF and body composition outcomes were performed. Sixty-four reports met the eligibility criteria for the qualitative analysis and forty-seven for the quantitative analysis. Herein, we showed that ADF protocols promoted the major beneficial effects in the improvement of dysregulated metabolic conditions in comparison with TRF and RF protocols. Furthermore, obese and MetS individuals are the most benefited with the introduction of these interventions, through the improvement of adiposity, lipid homeostasis and blood pressure. For T2D individuals, IF impact was more limited, but associated with their major metabolic dysfunctions-insulin homeostasis. Importantly, through the integrated analysis of distinct metabolic-related diseases, we showed that IF seems to differently impact metabolic homeostasis depending on an individual's basal health status and type of metabolic disease.
PubMed: 37297894
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113699 -
BMJ Open Jul 2014Ghostwriting of industry-sponsored articles is unethical and is perceived to be common practice. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ghostwriting of industry-sponsored articles is unethical and is perceived to be common practice.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review how evidence for the prevalence of ghostwriting is reported in the medical literature.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE via PubMed 1966+, EMBASE 1966+, The Cochrane Library 1988+, Medical Writing 1998+, The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Journal 1986+, Council of Science Editors Annual Meetings 2007+, and the Peer Review Congress 1994+ were searched electronically (23 May 2013) using the search terms ghostwrit*, ghostauthor*, ghost AND writ*, ghost AND author*.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All publication types were considered; only publications reporting a numerical estimate of possible ghostwriting prevalence were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two independent reviewers screened the publications; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Data to be collected included a numerical estimate of the prevalence of possible ghostwriting (primary outcome measure), definitions of ghostwriting reported, source of the reported prevalence, publication type and year, study design and sample population.
RESULTS
Of the 848 publications retrieved and screened for eligibility, 48 reported numerical estimates for the prevalence of possible ghostwriting. Sixteen primary publications reported findings from cross-sectional surveys or descriptive analyses of published articles; 32 secondary publications cited published or unpublished evidence. Estimates on the prevalence of possible ghostwriting in primary and secondary publications varied markedly. Primary estimates were not suitable for meta-analysis because of the various definitions of ghostwriting used, study designs and types of populations or samples. Secondary estimates were not always reported or cited correctly or appropriately.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence for the prevalence of ghostwriting in the medical literature is limited and can be outdated, misleading or mistaken. Researchers should not inflate estimates using non-standard definitions of ghostwriting nor conflate ghostwriting with other unethical authorship practices. Editors and peer reviewers should not accept articles that incorrectly cite or interpret primary publications that report the prevalence of ghostwriting.
Topics: Authorship; Biomedical Research; Consensus; Humans; Periodicals as Topic; Publishing
PubMed: 25023129
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004777 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2023For effective implementation of the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach, real-time quantification of markers in wastewater is critical for data acquisition... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
For effective implementation of the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach, real-time quantification of markers in wastewater is critical for data acquisition before data interpretation, dissemination, and decision-making. This can be achieved by using biosensor technology, but whether the quantification/detection limits of different types of biosensors comply with the concentration of WBE markers in wastewater is unclear. In the present study, we identified promising protein markers with relatively high concentrations in wastewater samples and analyzed biosensor technologies that are potentially available for real-time WBE. The concentrations of potential protein markers in stool and urine samples were obtained through systematic review and meta-analysis. We examined 231 peer-review papers to collect information regarding potential protein markers that can enable us to achieve real-time monitoring using biosensor technology. Fourteen markers in stool samples were identified at the ng/g level, presumably equivalent to ng/L of wastewater after dilution. Moreover, relatively high average concentrations of fecal inflammatory proteins were observed, e.g., fecal calprotectin, clusterin, and lactoferrin. Fecal calprotectin exhibited the highest average log concentration among the markers identified in stool samples with its mean value being 5.24 [95 % CI: 5.05, 5.42] ng/g. We identified 50 protein markers in urine samples at the ng/mL level. Uromodulin (4.48 [95 % CI: 4.20, 4.76] ng/mL) and plasmin (4.18 [95 % CI: 3.15, 5.21] ng/mL) had the top two highest log concentrations in urine samples. Furthermore, the quantification limit of some electrochemical- and optical-based biosensors was found to be around the femtogram/mL level, which is sufficiently low to detect protein markers in wastewater even after dilution in sewer pipes.
Topics: Humans; Wastewater; Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring
PubMed: 37419365
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165304 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2022The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a comparative overview of the two global pandemics: the first on June 11th 2009 due to influenza A H1N1 (H1N1-09); the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a comparative overview of the two global pandemics: the first on June 11th 2009 due to influenza A H1N1 (H1N1-09); the second and current pandemic caused by coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on March 11th 2020, focusing on how autopsy can contribute to the definition of cellular pathology, to clinical pathology and, more generally, to public health.
METHODS
A systematic literature search selection was conducted on PubMed database on June 5, 2021, with this search strategy: (COVID-19) AND (H1N1 influenza) showing 101 results. The following inclusion criteria were selected: English language; published in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal; full-length articles were further elected. To further refine the research was to focus on the type of manuscript: review, systematic review, and meta-analysis. A critical appraisal of the collected studies was conducted, analyzing titles and abstracts, excluding the following topics: treatment, public health measures and perception of the general population or healthcare personnel about their quality of life. According to these procedures, 54 eligible studies were included in the present review.
RESULTS
Histopathological findings play a key role in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases and, thus possible therapeutic approaches. The evidence on the thrombo-inflammatory mechanism underlying COVID-19 is growing to a much greater magnitude than the diffuse alveolar damage in common with H1N1-09; our study appears to be in line with these results. The prevailing scientific thinking to explain the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 patients is that it elicits an exuberant immune reaction characterized by dysregulated cytokine production, known as a "cytokine storm".
CONCLUSIONS
The histological and immunohistochemical pattern demonstrated similarities and differences between the infectious manifestations of the two pathogens, which justify empirical therapeutic approaches, in the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the previous pandemic should have taught us to promote a culture of clinical and forensic autopsies in order to provide timely evidence from integration among autopsy and clinical data for early adopting adequate therapies.
Topics: Autopsy; COVID-19; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Lung; Pandemics; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35748258
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2706182 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Feb 2008The Clinical Education Project investigated clinical education in nursing and midwifery settings. The aim of this phase was to investigate and evaluate the processes and... (Review)
Review
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Clinical Education Project investigated clinical education in nursing and midwifery settings. The aim of this phase was to investigate and evaluate the processes and outcomes of clinical assessment of preregistration nurses and midwives, focusing on the assessment interview, and to evaluate the feasibility of introducing peer review of the clinical assessment interview in acute clinical settings.
BACKGROUND
Peer review is common in many professional areas. The literature describes various applications of peer review and makes recommendations for its use. However, there is a shortage of studies investigating the use of peer review in nursing and midwifery education and practice.
DESIGN
The project involved a systematic literature review and a qualitative exploratory study. This article describes the first part of the study: a systematic literature review of peer review. The second part of the study is reported elsewhere.
METHODS
The systematic literature review investigated international articles written since 1994 that contained information on peer review in pre/post registration nursing and midwifery within higher education or practice.
RESULTS
From the available literature, 52 specific initiatives were analysed. The majority of articles originated in America and involved nursing staff working in secondary care settings. Fifty-one articles had missing information varying from not stating the sample size to not including information about evaluations.
CONCLUSIONS
The literature review found that whilst peer review is commonplace in nursing and midwifery practice, there is a lack of robust literature about its use. Relevance to clinical practice. Peer review in clinical settings such as nursing and midwifery can facilitate the sharing of good practice and personal and professional growth. It allows participants to learn from each other and gain insight into their development.
Topics: Acute Disease; Benchmarking; Clinical Competence; Educational Measurement; Employee Performance Appraisal; Evidence-Based Medicine; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Nursing Education Research; Nursing Methodology Research; Nursing Staff; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Peer Review, Health Care; Qualitative Research; Research Design
PubMed: 17419775
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.01934.x -
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare Oct 2015We conducted a systematic literature review to investigate the domain of speech-language and hearing sciences (SLHS) in telehealth. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
We conducted a systematic literature review to investigate the domain of speech-language and hearing sciences (SLHS) in telehealth.
METHODS
The databases used for the literature search were Web of Knowledge, Pubmed, Scopus, Embase and Scielo. The inclusion criteria consisted of papers published up to August 2014. Papers without peer-review evaluation, and those without abstracts or available full texts were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 103 papers were selected. The selected studies have focused primarily on hearing (32.1%), followed by speech (19.4%), language (16.5%), voice (8.7%), swallowing (5.8%), multiple areas (13.6%) and others (3.9%). The majority of the studies focused on assessment (36.9%) or intervention (36.9%). The use of telehealth in SLHS has been increasing in many countries, especially in the last 5 years. The country with the largest number of published studies was the United States of America (32.03%), followed by Australia (29.12%). The remaining studies were distributed in lower numbers among other countries.
DISCUSSION
The advancement of information and communication technologies provides more favourable conditions for providing distance care in several areas. Most of studies concluded that the telehealth procedure had advantages over the non-telehealth alternative approach (85.5%); however, 13.6% reported that it was unclear whether the telehealth procedure had advantages. Some barriers still need to be overcome, such as technology, training, regulation, acceptance and recognition of the benefits of this practice by the public and professionals. The need for speech-language pathologists and audiologists to adapt to this new health care modality is evident.
Topics: Audiology; Audiometry; Delivery of Health Care; Hearing Disorders; Humans; Language Disorders; Language Therapy; Speech Disorders; Speech Therapy; Speech-Language Pathology; Telemedicine
PubMed: 26026181
DOI: 10.1177/1357633X15583215 -
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