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Journal of Personalized Medicine May 2024Over the years, various researchers have attempted to compare digital cephalometry with the conventional manual approach. There is a need to comprehensively analyze the... (Review)
Review
Over the years, various researchers have attempted to compare digital cephalometry with the conventional manual approach. There is a need to comprehensively analyze the findings from the earlier studies and determine the potential advantages and limitations of each method. The present systematic review aimed to compare the accuracy of digital and manual tracing in cephalometric analysis for the identification of skeletal and dental landmarks. A systematic search was performed using the keywords "Digital" AND "Manual" AND "Cephalometry" to identify relevant studies published in the English language in the past decade. The electronic data resources consulted for the elaborate search included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, ERIC, and ScienceDirect with controlled vocabulary and free text terms. A total of = 20 studies were identified that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria within the timeframe of 2013 to 2023. The data extracted from the included articles and corresponding meta-analyses are presented in the text. The findings of the present systematic review and meta-analysis revealed trends suggesting that digital tracing may offer reliable measurements for specific cephalometric parameters efficiently and accurately. Orthodontists must consider the potential benefits of digital cephalometry, including time-saving and user-friendliness.
PubMed: 38929786
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060566 -
Campbell Systematic Reviews Jun 2024High-income countries offer social assistance (welfare) programs to help alleviate poverty for people with little or no income. These programs have become increasingly... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
High-income countries offer social assistance (welfare) programs to help alleviate poverty for people with little or no income. These programs have become increasingly conditional and stringent in recent decades based on the premise that transitioning people from government support to paid work will improve their circumstances. However, many people end up with low-paying and precarious jobs that may cause more poverty because they lose benefits such as housing subsidies and health and dental insurance, while incurring job-related expenses. Conditional assistance programs are also expensive to administer and cause stigma. A guaranteed basic income (GBI) has been proposed as a more effective approach for alleviating poverty, and several experiments have been conducted in high-income countries to investigate whether GBI leads to improved outcomes compared to existing social programs.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to conduct a synthesis of quantitative evidence on GBI interventions in high-income countries, to compare the effectiveness of various types of GBI versus "usual care" (including existing social assistance programs) in improving poverty-related outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
Searches of 16 academic databases were conducted in May 2022, using both keywords and database-specific controlled vocabulary, without limits or restrictions on language or date. Sources of gray literature (conference, governmental, and institutional websites) were searched in September 2022. We also searched reference lists of review articles, citations of included articles, and tables of contents of relevant journals in September 2022. Hand searching for recent publications was conducted until December 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all quantitative study designs except cross-sectional (at one timepoint), with or without control groups. We included studies in high income countries with any population and with interventions meeting our criteria for GBI: unconditional, with regular payments in cash (not in-kind) that were fixed or predictable in amount. Although two primary outcomes of interest were selected a priori (food insecurity, and poverty level assessed using official, national, or international measures), we did not screen studies on the basis of reported outcomes because it was not possible to define all potentially relevant poverty-related outcomes in advance.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We followed the Campbell Collaboration conduct and reporting guidelines to ensure a rigorous methodology. The risk of bias was assessed across seven domains: confounding, selection, attrition, motivation, implementation, measurement, and analysis/reporting. We conducted meta-analyses where results could be combined; otherwise, we presented the results in tables. We reported effect estimates as standard mean differences (SMDs) if the included studies reported them or provided sufficient data for us to calculate them. To compare the effects of different types of interventions, we developed a GBI typology based on the characteristics of experimental interventions as well as theoretical conceptualizations of GBI. Eligible poverty-related outcomes were classified into categories and sub-categories, to facilitate the synthesis of the individual findings. Because most of the included studies analyzed experiments conducted by other researchers, it was necessary to divide our analysis according to the "experiment" stage (i.e., design, recruitment, intervention, data collection) and the "study" stage (data analysis and reporting of results).
MAIN RESULTS
Our searches yielded 24,476 records from databases and 80 from other sources. After screening by title and abstract, the full texts of 294 potentially eligible articles were retrieved and screened, resulting in 27 included studies on 10 experiments. Eight of the experiments were RCTs, one included both an RCT site and a "saturation" site, and one used a repeated cross-sectional design. The duration ranged from one to 5 years. The control groups in all 10 experiments received "usual care" (i.e., no GBI intervention). The total number of participants was unknown because some of the studies did not report exact sample sizes. Of the studies that did, the smallest had 138 participants and the largest had 8019. The risk of bias assessments found "some concerns" for at least one domain in all 27 studies and "high risk" for at least one domain in 25 studies. The risk of bias was assessed as high in 21 studies due to attrition and in 22 studies due to analysis and reporting bias. To compare the interventions, we developed a classification framework of five GBI types, four of which were implemented in the experiments, and one that is used in new experiments now underway. The included studies reported 176 poverty-related outcomes, including one pre-defined primary outcome: food insecurity. The second primary outcome (poverty level assessed using official, national, or international measures) was not reported in any of the included studies. We classified the reported outcomes into seven categories: food insecurity (as a category), economic/material, physical health, psychological/mental health, social, educational, and individual choice/agency. Food insecurity was reported in two studies, both showing improvements (SMD = -0.57, 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.49, and SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.26) which were not pooled because of different study designs. We conducted meta-analyses on four secondary outcomes that were reported in more than one study: subjective financial well-being, self-rated overall physical health, self-rated life satisfaction, and self-rated mental distress. Improvements were reported, except for overall physical health or if the intervention was similar to existing social assistance. The results for the remaining 170 outcomes, each reported in only one study, were summarized in tables by category and subcategory. Adverse effects were reported in some studies, but only for specific subgroups of participants, and not consistently, so these results may have been due to chance.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The results of the included studies were difficult to synthesize because of the heterogeneity in the reported outcomes. This was due in part to poverty being multidimensional, so outcomes covered various aspects of life (economic, social, psychological, educational, agency, mental and physical health). Evidence from future studies would be easier to assess if outcomes were measured using more common, validated instruments. Based on our analysis of the included studies, a supplemental type of GBI (provided along with existing programs) may be effective in alleviating poverty-related outcomes. This approach may also be safer than a wholesale reform of existing social assistance approaches, which could have unintended consequences.
PubMed: 38887375
DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1414 -
Global Health Action Dec 2024The use of Emergency Departments (EDs) for non-urgent medical conditions is a global public health concern. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of Emergency Departments (EDs) for non-urgent medical conditions is a global public health concern.
OBJECTIVES
A systematic review, guided by a registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42023398674), was conducted to interpret the association between distance as a measure of healthcare access and the utilization of EDs for non-urgent care in high- and middle-income countries.
METHODS
The search was conducted on 22 August 2023 across five databases using controlled vocabulary and natural language keywords. Eligibility criteria included studies that examined non-urgent care, and featured concepts of emergency departments, non-urgent health services and distance, reported in English. Articles and abstracts where patients were transported by ambulance/paramedic services, referred/transferred from another hospital to an ED, or those that measured distance to an ED from another health facility were excluded. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) framework informed the quality of evidence.
RESULTS
Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. All studies demonstrated satisfactory quality with regard to study design, conduct, analysis and presentation of results. Eight (53.3%) of the studies (1 paediatric, 4 all ages/adult, 3 ecological) found a moderate level of evidence of an inverse association between distance and ED visit volume or utilization for non-urgent medical conditions, while the remaining studies reported very low or low evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Half of the studies reported non-urgent ED use to be associated with shortest distance traveled or transportation time. This finding bears implications for healthcare policies aiming to reduce ED use for non-urgent care.
Topics: Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Health Services Accessibility; Patient Acceptance of Health Care
PubMed: 38828477
DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2353994 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Children with autism spectrum disorder may show delays in vocabulary development. Technology-based interventions could facilitate the teaching of different vocabulary...
INTRODUCTION
Children with autism spectrum disorder may show delays in vocabulary development. Technology-based interventions could facilitate the teaching of different vocabulary skills; however, it is still not clear whether technology represents an added value.
METHODS
The current review preregistered in PROSPERO evaluates the efficacy of technology-based interventions in vocabulary learning for children with autism spectrum disorder. We selected articles published in the period 2006-2022 from five databases.
RESULTS
The results identified two group studies, one within subject design, nine single-case studies and one randomized controlled design in participants aged 0-16 years who had used technological devices to learn vocabulary. Overall, five of the 13 studies showed positive results of using technology-assisted intervention, six described mixed results, one described negative result, and one described no differences in technology-assisted intervention. The studies are divided into the categories of efficacy of technology and comparison between technology and non-technology.
DISCUSSION
In summary, technology, such as tablets and computers, might be useful tools to improve vocabulary skills in certain children with ASD. However, the various degrees of impact found in the studies we reviewed indicate that personalized assessments, acknowledgment of previous experiences, and awareness of the context of usage are essential. The contrast with nontechnological approaches highlights the necessity for more detailed studies to pinpoint the precise conditions under which technology-based interventions can offer the most advantages.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [CRD42021238758].
PubMed: 38817831
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1370965 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: Although osteoarthritis (OA) development is epidemiologically multifactorial, a primary underlying mechanism is still under debate. Understanding the pathophysiology... (Review)
Review
: Although osteoarthritis (OA) development is epidemiologically multifactorial, a primary underlying mechanism is still under debate. Understanding the pathophysiology of OA remains challenging. Recently, experts have focused on autophagy as a contributor to OA development. : To better understand the pathogenesis of OA, we survey the literature on the role of autophagy and the molecular mechanisms of OA development. To identify relevant studies, we used controlled vocabulary and free text keywords to search the MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and SCOPUS database. Thirty-one studies were included for data extraction and systematic review. Among these studies, twenty-five studies investigated the effects of autophagy in aging and OA chondrocytes, six studies examined the effects of autophagy in normal human chondrocytes, and only one study investigated the effects of mechanical stress-induced autophagy on the development of OA in normal chondrocytes. : The studies suggest that autophagy activation prevents OA by exerting cell-protective effects in normal human chondrocytes. However, in aging and osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes, the role of autophagy is intricate, as certain studies indicate that stimulating autophagy in these cells can have a cytotoxic effect, while others propose that it may have a protective (cytoprotective) effect against damage or degeneration. : Mechanical stress-induced autophagy is also thought to be involved in the development of OA, but further research is required to identify the precise mechanism. Thus, autophagy contributions should be interpreted with caution in aging and the types of OA cartilage.
PubMed: 38792546
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13103005 -
Heliyon May 2024Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications into language learning and teaching is currently a growing trend in higher education. Literature reviews have... (Review)
Review
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications into language learning and teaching is currently a growing trend in higher education. Literature reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of AI applications in improving English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) learners' receptive and productive skills, vocabulary knowledge, and intercultural competencies. However, systematic reviews investigating the usefulness of AI technologies in higher education to enhance EFL learners' affective factors are scarce. This study is a systematic review that investigates the effectiveness of integrating AI technologies to enhance EFL learners' motivation, engagement, and attitude, and reduce their learning anxiety. Articles from reputable journal databases such as IEEE, Wiley, Web of Science, Sage, ProQuest, Springer, and Science Direct were screened by examining titles and abstracts, and irrelevant articles were excluded from the search. Of the 64 articles analyzed only 21 articles published between 2017 and 2023 were determined to be relevant to the research topic. The findings suggest that the implementation of AI technologies in EFL contexts is in its early stages, and further research is required to establish the impact of AI-integrated classes on EFL learners' affective factors. This review also identifies the gaps in literature and recommends avenues for future research in this novel area.
PubMed: 38778968
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31053 -
European Review For Medical and... May 2024The objective of this study was to assess whether individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit a higher prevalence of traumatic dental... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess whether individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit a higher prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) compared to those without ADHD through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A search strategy using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) vocabulary was employed for a comprehensive search across various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The Joanna Briggs Institute Summary was utilized for data collection. Additionally, quality assessment, meta-analysis, and bias control were conducted to ensure the reliability of the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed to consolidate the findings of the individual studies.
RESULTS
The prevalence of TDIs among individuals with ADHD ranged from 9.6% to 68.2%, while in the healthy control group, it ranged from 0.8% to 44.7%. The meta-analysis findings revealed that individuals with ADHD had 1.98 times higher odds (OR = 1.98, ranging from 1.51 to 2.59 with 95% CI) of experiencing TDIs compared to individuals without ADHD.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study suggest a significant association between ADHD and an increased risk of TDIs. Individuals with ADHD were found to be nearly twice as likely to experience TDIs compared to those without ADHD. Efforts should not only be directed towards improving the oral health of this vulnerable group of individuals, but also healthcare practitioners need to be provided with opportunities to create awareness and implement preventive measures to mitigate the risk of TDIs among individuals with ADHD.
Topics: Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Prevalence; Tooth Injuries
PubMed: 38766788
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202405_36176 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Apr 2024The objective of this review is to study the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and malnutrition in schoolchildren from low-and middle-income countries (LMIC)....
The objective of this review is to study the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and malnutrition in schoolchildren from low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). The review was conducted using the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS and SCiELO during the months of March to April 2022 without language or publication date restrictions. The search strategy consisted of combinations of text words and controlled vocabulary (MeSH terms and DeCS) related to "schoolchildren", "low- and middle-income countries" and "food insecurity". Fifteen studies were included in this review. Studies assessing FI and undernutrition in LMIC schoolchildren have indicated that FI is associated with lower height-for-age and higher prevalence of undernutrition overall. Only two studies identified a positive risk association between FI and overweight and obesity, the remaining studies suggested that schoolchildren with FI have a lower risk of overweight and obesity than those without FI. The review suggests a link between FI and undernutrition in schoolchildren from LMIC, with controversial results on overweight and obesity. Comprehensive public health policies should consider contextual and population-specific factors in addressing FI's impact on nutritional status.
PubMed: 38666331
DOI: 10.20960/nh.04847 -
Genome Research Apr 2024Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants cause a range of diseases from severe pediatric syndromes to aging-related conditions. The percentage of mtDNA copies carrying a...
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants cause a range of diseases from severe pediatric syndromes to aging-related conditions. The percentage of mtDNA copies carrying a pathogenic variant, variant allele frequency (VAF), must reach a threshold before a biochemical defect occurs, termed the biochemical threshold. Whether the often-cited biochemical threshold of >60% VAF is similar across mtDNA variants and cell types is unclear. In our systematic review, we sought to identify the biochemical threshold of mtDNA variants in relation to VAF by human tissue/cell type. We used controlled vocabulary terms to identify articles measuring oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex activities in relation to VAF. We identified 76 eligible publications, describing 69, 12, 16, and 49 cases for complexes I, III, IV, and V, respectively. Few studies evaluated OXPHOS activities in diverse tissue types, likely reflective of clinical access. A number of cases with similar VAFs for the same pathogenic variant had varying degrees of residual activity of the affected complex, alluding to the presence of modifying variants. Tissues and cells with VAFs <60% associated with low complex activities were described, suggesting the possibility of a biochemical threshold of <60%. Using Kendall rank correlation tests, the VAF of the m.8993T > G variant correlated with complex V activity in skeletal muscle (τ = -0.58, = 0.01, n = 13); however, no correlation was observed in fibroblasts ( = 0.7, n = 9). Our systematic review highlights the need to investigate the biochemical threshold over a wider range of VAFs in disease-relevant cell types to better define the biochemical threshold for specific mtDNA variants.
Topics: Humans; DNA, Mitochondrial; Gene Frequency; Genetic Variation; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases; Oxidative Phosphorylation
PubMed: 38627095
DOI: 10.1101/gr.278200.123 -
PLOS Global Public Health 2024Torture survivors experience chronic, somatic pain that may be exacerbated by environmental, social, and structural factors that extend beyond immediate traumatic events...
Torture survivors experience chronic, somatic pain that may be exacerbated by environmental, social, and structural factors that extend beyond immediate traumatic events and diagnoses. We conducted a systematic review of research describing the types and efficacy of treatments for chronic somatic pain in a global population of torture survivors. In this systematic review, we searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE (1974 to present), and PubMed. We used all appropriate controlled vocabulary and keywords for interventions and treatments for chronic somatic pain in torture survivors. The population included survivors of torture of any age and in any country. Outcomes included pain relief, pain intensity, distress level, and quality of life. Four authors participated in screening, full-text review, and quality assessment, with each title and abstract being independently reviewed by two authors. This study is reported according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. We included six pre-post intervention studies and four pilot or modified randomized controlled trials (RCTs), for a total of ten studies included in the analysis. Different combinations of interventions targeted pain reduction in refugees, the majority of whom were torture survivors as the primary (n = 1) or secondary (n = 9) outcome. Sample sizes varied from eight to 470 participants. We identified three main types of interventions: multimodal combined, manual therapy, and specific types of talk therapy. Five studies demonstrated positive outcomes on pain and its intensity, three reported no effect, and two had mixed outcomes. Pain in torture survivors is often considered a symptom secondary to mental health illness and not targeted directly. Instead, combined interventions are mainly directed at posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Most studies noted promising preliminary results and plans to conduct RCTs to increase the reproducibility and quality of their pilot data.
PubMed: 38547161
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003070