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Alternative Therapies in Health and... Nov 2023Leukemia is the most prevalent cancer among children and adolescents. This study investigated the potential association between exposure to magnetic fields and the risk... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Leukemia is the most prevalent cancer among children and adolescents. This study investigated the potential association between exposure to magnetic fields and the risk of pediatric leukemia.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases, including Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Medline, up to December 15, 2022, to identify relevant studies examining the link between childhood leukemia and magnetic field exposure.
RESULTS
The first meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant inverse association between pediatric leukemia and magnetic field strengths ranging from 0.4 μT to 0.2 μT, suggesting a reduced risk associated with this range. The second meta-analysis focused on wiring configuration codes and observed a potential link between residential magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia. Pooled relative risk estimates were 1.52 (95% CI = 1.05-2.04, P = .021) and 1.58 (95% CI = 1.15-2.23, P = .006) for exposure to 24-hour magnetic field measurements, suggesting a possible causal relationship. In the third meta-analysis, the odds ratios for the exposure groups of 0.1 to 0.2 μT, 0.2 to 0.3 μT, 0.3 to 0.4 μT, and 0.4 μT above 0.2 μT were 1.09 (95% confidence interval = 0.82 to 1.43 μT), 1.14 (95% confidence interval = 0.68 to 1.92 μT), and 1.45 (95% confidence interval = 0.87 to 2.37 μT), respectively. In contrast to the findings of the three meta-analyses, there was no evidence of a statistically significant connection between exposure to 0.2 μT and the risk of juvenile leukemia. A further result showed no discernible difference between the two groups of children who lived less than 100 meters from the source of magnetic fields and those who lived closer (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 0.98-1.73 μT).
CONCLUSIONS
The collective results of three meta-analyses, encompassing magnetic field strengths ranging from 0.1 μT to 2.38 μT, underscore a statistically significant association between the intensity of magnetic fields and the occurrence of childhood leukemia. However, one specific analysis concluded that no apparent relationship exists between exposure to 0.1 μT and an elevated risk of leukemia development in children.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Electromagnetic Fields; Leukemia; Magnetic Fields; Neoplasms; Electromagnetic Radiation; Environmental Exposure; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 37678874
DOI: No ID Found -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Cybersecurity is a significant concern for businesses worldwide, as cybercriminals target business data and system resources. Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) enhances... (Review)
Review
Cybersecurity is a significant concern for businesses worldwide, as cybercriminals target business data and system resources. Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) enhances organizational cybersecurity resilience by obtaining, processing, evaluating, and disseminating information about potential risks and opportunities inside the cyber domain. This research investigates how companies can employ CTI to improve their precautionary measures against security breaches. The study follows a systematic review methodology, including selecting primary studies based on specific criteria and quality valuation of the selected papers. As a result, a comprehensive framework is proposed for implementing CTI in organizations. The proposed framework is comprised of a knowledge base, detection models, and visualization dashboards. The detection model layer consists of behavior-based, signature-based, and anomaly-based detection. In contrast, the knowledge base layer contains information resources on possible threats, vulnerabilities, and dangers to key assets. The visualization dashboard layer provides an overview of key metrics related to cyber threats, such as an organizational risk meter, the number of attacks detected, types of attacks, and their severity level. This relevant systematic study also provides insight for future studies, such as how organizations can tailor their approach to their needs and resources to facilitate more effective collaboration between stakeholders while navigating legal/regulatory constraints related to information sharing.
PubMed: 37631808
DOI: 10.3390/s23167273 -
Enfermeria Intensiva 2024The clinical guideline for the management of sepsis, recommends using arterial blood samples for glycaemic control. A multicentre study in 86 Spanish intensive care... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The clinical guideline for the management of sepsis, recommends using arterial blood samples for glycaemic control. A multicentre study in 86 Spanish intensive care units (ICU) revealed that 85.4% of ICUs used capillary puncture.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the reliability of glycaemia by comparing different blood samples (arterial, venous, capillary) and instruments (glucometers, gasometers, central laboratory). Secondarily, to estimate the effect of confounding variables and the performance of measuring instruments as determined by different quality standards.
METHODOLOGY
Systematic review and meta-analysis with search in PubMed, CINAHL and Embase databases in September-2021 and September-2022, with no time or language limits. Grey literature sources: DART-Europe, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Results summarised by qualitative (description of results, study characteristics) and quantitative (meta-analysis to assess standardised mean difference) synthesis. Methodological quality of articles assessed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2).
PROTOCOL
https://osf.io/ DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/T8KYP.
RESULTS
A total of 32 articles and 5451 patients were included. No discrepancies were obtained between arterial glucometer vs laboratory samples [bias (95%CI): 0.01 (-0.12 to 0.14) mg/dL]. In contrast, arterial samples with a gasometer did significantly overestimate [bias (95%CI): 0.12 (0.01 to 0.24) mg/dL]. The same trend is seen in capillaries with a glucometer, although not significantly [bias (95%CI): 0.07 (--0.02 to 0.15) mg/dL]. There is discrepancy between studies on the effect of haematocrit and acid-base balance. The greatest consensus is on the poor agreement of glucometer with capillary vs laboratory samples in the presence of shock and vasopressor support, renal failure or during vitamin C treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence to date recommends the use of arterial blood with a blood glucose meter for better reliability of glycaemic analysis and less effect of possible confounding variables, frequently present in the critically ill adult patient.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Blood Glucose; Critical Illness; Reproducibility of Results; Acid-Base Equilibrium; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37474427
DOI: 10.1016/j.enfie.2023.02.002 -
Journal of Investigational Allergology... Jul 2023Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) exert an environmental impact resulting from CO2 emissions. Therapeutic alternatives with less environmental impact are widely... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) exert an environmental impact resulting from CO2 emissions. Therapeutic alternatives with less environmental impact are widely used. Nevertheless, the choice of device and appropriate therapy should meet the clinical needs and the characteristics of the patient.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective was to estimate the impact of pMDIs prescribed for any indication on annual CO2 emissions in Spain.The secondary objective was to evaluate the potential impact of switching pMDIs to dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) in patients with asthma.
METHODS
A systematic review of the evidence published during 2010-2021 was carried out. Average annual CO2 emissions of DPIs and pMDIs were calculated in 2 scenarios: the current situation and a hypothetical situation involving a switch from all pMDIs to DPIs. The impact of the switch on clinical outcomes was also evaluated.
RESULTS
The total value of CO2-eq/year due to DPIs and pMDIs accounted for 0.0056% and 0.0909%, respectively, of total emissions in Spain. In the event of switching pMDIs to DPIs, except those used for rescue medication, the percentages were 0.0076% and 0.0579%. The evaluation of efficacy, handling, satisfaction, safety, and use of health care resources was not conclusive.
CONCLUSIONS
Current CO2 emissions by pMDIs account for a small percentage of the total CO2 footprint in Spain. Nevertheless, there is a need for research into new and more sustainable devices. Suitability and patient clinical criteria such as age and inspiratory flow should be prioritized when prescribing an inhaler.
Topics: Humans; Carbon Footprint; Spain; Carbon Dioxide; Asthma; Dry Powder Inhalers; Administration, Inhalation
PubMed: 36648318
DOI: 10.18176/jiaci.0887