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Dialogues in Health Dec 2023Since the initiation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015, researchers worldwide have investigated various aspects of it. One of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Since the initiation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015, researchers worldwide have investigated various aspects of it. One of the key areas of interest is the third SDG, which focuses on health, with its series of indicators.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyze the contributions of academia by using bibliographic mapping to examine scholarly publications on SDG health from 2015 to 2021.
METHODS
We analyzed bibliographic data from The Lens database between 2015 and 2021 using Bibliometrix page and VOSviewer. Our analysis focused on scholarly productivity, bibliometric analysis, and geographic distribution of the outputs.
RESULTS
We retrieved a total of 450 documents from The Lens database, with articles being the most dominant document typology at 99.8%. The mean age of the documents was 3.85 years, with a total of 18,440 citations. The mean citation per document was 40.98, and the mean citation per document per year was 5.85. The leading article, published in The Lancet journal, studied the effect of multiple adverse childhood experiences on health and received 1809 citations in five years. Keyword co-occurrence analysis generated three clusters, with the keyword 'human' appearing in 75.11% of all the publications. The University of London and World Health Organization were the leading institutions, while the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland were the most productive countries.
CONCLUSION
This study provides policymakers working on SDG health with valuable insights into research gaps within the indicators and funding challenges facing developing countries.
PubMed: 38515499
DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2023.100132 -
Journal of Environmental Management Apr 2024Digestate processing is a strategy to improve the management of digestate from biogas plants. Solid-liquid separation is usually the primary step and can be followed by... (Review)
Review
Digestate processing is a strategy to improve the management of digestate from biogas plants. Solid-liquid separation is usually the primary step and can be followed by advanced treatments of the fractions. The knowledge about the performance of the separators and the quality of the fractions is scattered because of many available techniques and large variability in digestate characteristics. We performed a systematic review and found 175 observations of full-scale solid-liquid separation of digestate. We identified 4 separator groups, 4 digestate classes based on substrate, and distinguished whether chemical conditioners were used. We confirmed the hypothesis that the dominant substrate can affect the efficiency of the digestate separation. Furthermore, the results showed that centrifuges separated significantly more dry matter and total P than screw presses. Use of chemical conditioners in combination with a centrifuge lowered the dry matter concentration in the liquid fraction by 30%. Screw presses consumed 4.5 times less energy than centrifuges and delivered 3.3 tonne ammonium N in the liquid fraction and 0.3 tonne total P in the solid fraction using 1 MWh. The results can provide data for systems analyses of biogas solutions and can support practitioners when choosing among full-scale separator techniques depending on the digestate type. In a broader perspective, this work contributes to the continuous improvement of biogas plants operations and to their role as nutrients recovery sites.
Topics: Anaerobiosis; Biofuels
PubMed: 38508011
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120585 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Ghana established Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) as the primary point of contact for primary healthcare in 1999. CHPS has since emerged as the...
INTRODUCTION
Ghana established Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) as the primary point of contact for primary healthcare in 1999. CHPS has since emerged as the country's primary strategy for providing close-to-client healthcare delivery, with numerous positive health outcomes recorded as a result of its implementation. There is, however currently a paucity of systematic reviews of the literature on CHPS. The purpose of this study was not only to investigate dominant trends and research themes in Community-based Health Planning and Services, but also to track the evolution of the CHPS intervention from its inception to the present.
METHOD
We adopted a systematic review approach for selected articles that were searched on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases. The study was conducted and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. We then applied a reflexive thematic analysis approach in synthesizing the results.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 127 articles of which 59 were included in the final review. Twenty (20) papers targeted the national level, eighteen (18) for the regional level, sixteen (16) for the district level, two (2) for the sub-district level, and three (3) papers targeted the community. The years 2017 and 2019 were recorded to be the years with the highest number of publications on CHPS in Ghana.
CONCLUSION
Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) is an effective tool in addressing barriers and challenges to accessing quality and affordable health care causing significant effects on health. It provides close-to-client healthcare delivery in the community.
Topics: United States; Humans; Community Health Services; Primary Health Care; Health Planning; Ghana; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 38504682
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1337803 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Variations in mutation rates among acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with myeloid sarcoma (MS) underscore the need for a thorough examination. This meta-analysis was...
INTRODUCTION
Variations in mutation rates among acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with myeloid sarcoma (MS) underscore the need for a thorough examination. This meta-analysis was conducted to fill the information gap concerning mutation frequencies in AML patients presenting with MS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included retrospective and prospective cohorts. It examined genetic alterations in AML patients with and without MS across all age groups. The search strategy employed terms such as "acute myeloid leukemia," "extramedullary," "granulocytic sarcoma," "myeloid sarcoma," and "leukemic cutis" in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases. Excluded from the study were reviews, case reports, and case series with fewer than 10 cases. Statistical analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.4 software.
RESULTS
The primary analysis incorporated data from 37 cohorts involving 5646 diagnosed AML patients and revealed a 17.42% incidence of MS. The most prevalent mutation among AML patients with MS was -ITD, with a pooled prevalence of 17.50% (95% CI 12.60% to 22.50%; I 82.48%). The dominant fusion gene was , displaying a pooled prevalence of 28.10% (95% CI 15.10% to 41.20%; I 96.39%). In comparison, no significant intergroup differences were observed for , -ITD, , and mutations. Interestingly, the mutation exhibited protective effects for MS patients, with an odds ratio of 0.51 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.81; I 0%). Conversely, the mutation was associated with an increased risk of MS development, with an odds ratio of 5.07 (95% CI 1.87 to 13.73; I 0%).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis sheds light on the prevalence of genetic mutations in AML patients with MS, providing insights into the unique characteristics of the mutations and their frequencies. These discoveries are crucial in informing therapeutic and prognostic decisions for individuals with myeloid sarcoma.
PubMed: 38496752
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1325431 -
Cureus Feb 2024Burn injuries, a major global health concern, result in an estimated 180,000 fatalities annually. Despite tremendous progress in treatment methods over the years, the... (Review)
Review
Burn injuries, a major global health concern, result in an estimated 180,000 fatalities annually. Despite tremendous progress in treatment methods over the years, the morbidity and mortality associated with burns remain significant. Autologous skin grafting, particularly split-thickness skin grafting (STSG), has been a cornerstone in burn reconstruction, and it has facilitated survival and functional recovery for total body surface area (TBSA) significantly. However, the requirement for primary closure at the donor site due to the constraints of full-thickness donor harvesting continues to pose challenges. The introduction of dermal regenerative templates (DRT) in the late 1970s marked a substantial step forward in tissue engineering, addressing the inadequacy of dermal replacement with STSGs. This systematic review aimed to compare the outcomes of different graft types - bioengineered, autografts, allografts, and xenografts - in burn reconstruction over the last 24 years. The review focused on the pros and cons of each graft type, offering clinical insights grounded in experience and evidence. The approach involved a systematic review of studies published in English from January 2000 to January 2024, covering randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series. The participants comprised individuals of all ages who underwent burn reconstruction with skin grafts, specifically split-thickness grafts, full-thickness grafts, composite grafts, and epidermal grafts (autografts, allografts, and xenografts) and bioengineered grafts. The primary outcomes were functional and cosmetic results, patient satisfaction, graft survival, and complications. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB 2), the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for non-randomized studies, and the Canada Institute for Health Economics (IHE) quality appraisal tool for case series. Our initial search yielded a total of 1,995 articles, out of which 10 studies were selected for final analysis. Among the four clinical trials assessed, 75% showed a high risk of bias. The studies reviewed involved various graft types, with six studies (60%) concentrating on allografts, three (30%) on autografts, and one (10%) on bioengineered skin grafts. The outcomes were varied, underlining the intricate nature of burn wound management. Our evaluation revealed promising results for autologous-engineered skin substitutes and allografts but also highlighted methodological disparities among the studies included. The dominance of observational studies and the diversity of outcome measures present obstacles to direct comparisons. Future research should address these limitations, employing well-structured RCTs, standardized outcome measures, and exploring long-term outcomes and patient-specific factors. The rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine offers great potential for novel grafting methods. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the diverse outcomes of burn reconstruction using different graft types. Autologous-engineered skin substitutes and allografts seem to hold significant promise, suggesting a possible shift in grafting techniques. However, methodological inconsistencies and the lack of high-quality evidence underscore the necessity for further research to fine-tune burn care approaches.
PubMed: 38496152
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54277 -
BMJ Open Mar 2024This study aims to identify how real-world data (RWD) have been used in single technology appraisals (STAs) of cancer drugs by the National Institute for Health and Care...
Cross-sectional analysis of use of real-world data in single technology appraisals of oncological medicine by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2011-2021.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to identify how real-world data (RWD) have been used in single technology appraisals (STAs) of cancer drugs by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study of NICE technology appraisals of cancer drugs for which guidance was issued between January 2011 and December 2021 (n=229). The appraisals were reviewed following a published protocol to extract the data about the use of RWD. The use of RWD was analysed by reviewing the specific ways in which RWD were used and by identifying different patterns of use.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE
The number of appraisals where RWD are used in the economic modelling.
RESULTS
Most appraisals used RWD in their economic models. The parametric use of RWD was commonly made in the economic models (76% of the included appraisals), whereas non-parametric use was less common (41%). Despite widespread use of RWD, there was no dominant pattern of use. Three sources of RWD (registries, administrative data, chart reviews) were found across the three important parts of the economic model (choice of comparators, overall survival and volume of treatment).
CONCLUSIONS
NICE has had a long-standing interest in the use of RWD in STAs. A systematic review of oncology appraisals suggests that RWD have been widely used in diverse parts of the economic models. Between 2011 and 2021, parametric use was more commonly found in economic models than non-parametric use. Nonetheless, there was no clear pattern in the way these data were used. As each appraisal involves a different decision problem and the ability of RWD to provide the information required for the economic modelling varies, appraisals will continue to differ with respect to their use of RWD.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Antineoplastic Agents; Models, Economic; Technology Assessment, Biomedical; Cost-Benefit Analysis
PubMed: 38485485
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077297 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2024Lung cancer is a crucial global issue, with more than one million deaths annually. While smoking is considered the main etiology of the disease, several genetic variants...
Lung cancer is a crucial global issue, with more than one million deaths annually. While smoking is considered the main etiology of the disease, several genetic variants are associated with it. Alterations in vitamin D pathway genes have also been studied in regards to lung cancer, but the findings have been inconclusive. We here present a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven genes in this pathway: , , , , , , and . Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (WOS) databases) were searched. From these, 16 eligible case-control studies comprising 6,206 lung cancer cases and 7,272 health controls were obtained. These studies were subjected to comprehensive data extraction and quality scoring, and the pooled odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to estimate the effect of each variant along with heterogeneity analysis and a risk of bias assessment. Our meta-analysis revealed an association between (rs2740574) and lung cancer in the allelic, heterozygous, and dominant models. In addition, both (Fok1: rs2228570) and (Cdx-2: rs11568820) displayed a protective role in lung cancer development in the heterozygous and dominant models. Furthermore, (Taq1: rs731236) showed a decreased risk of lung cancer in the allelic, homozygous, and recessive models. Similarly, (BsmI: rs1544410) had a positive effect on lung cancer risk when subjected to allelic and recessive models. Our meta-analysis revealed the lack of association of (rs10741657), (rs3782130), (rs10877012), (rs6068816), (rs4809960), (rs776746), (rs7041), (rs4588), and (ApaI: rs7975232) with lung cancer. Our work revealed that (rs2740574) can represent an independent risk factor for lung cancer. This conclusion can aid better personalized medicine for lung cancer management, while further assessment for genetic variants of , , , , and is still required to address more robust evidence.
PubMed: 38482381
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1302527 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive fibro-fatty replacement of the right ventricular... (Review)
Review
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive fibro-fatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium, leading to myocardial atrophy. Although the structural changes usually affect the right ventricle, the pathology may also manifest with either isolated left ventricular myocardium or biventricular involvement. As ARVC shows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with variable penetrance, the clinical presentation of the disease is highly heterogeneous, with different degrees of severity and patterns of myocardial involvement even in patients of the same familiar group with the same gene mutation: the pathology spectrum ranges from the absence of symptoms to sudden cardiac death (SCD) sustained by ventricular arrhythmias, which may, in some cases, be the first manifestation of an otherwise silent pathology. An evidence-based systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the state of the art of the diagnostic techniques for the correct post-mortem identification of ARVC. The research was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus. A methodological approach to reach a correct post-mortem diagnosis of ARVC was described, analyzing the main post-mortem peculiar macroscopic, microscopic and radiological alterations. In addition, the importance of performing post-mortem genetic tests has been underlined, which may lead to the correct identification and characterization of the disease, especially in those ARVC forms where anatomopathological investigation does not show evident morphostructural damage. Furthermore, the usefulness of genetic testing is not exclusively limited to the correct diagnosis of the pathology, but is essential for promoting targeted screening programs to the deceased's family members. Nowadays, the post-mortem diagnosis of ARVC performed by forensic pathologist remains very challenging: therefore, the identification of a clear methodological approach may lead to both a reduction in under-diagnoses and to the improvement of knowledge on the disease.
Topics: Humans; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia; Autopsy; Myocardium; Databases, Factual; Death, Sudden, Cardiac
PubMed: 38473714
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052467 -
Journal of Medical Economics 2024Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a significant public health issue in Japan. This study evaluated the lifetime cost-effectiveness of water vapor energy...
AIMS
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a significant public health issue in Japan. This study evaluated the lifetime cost-effectiveness of water vapor energy therapy (WAVE) versus prostatic urethral lift (PUL) for men with moderate-to-severe BPH from a public healthcare payer's perspective in Japan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A decision analytic model compared WAVE to PUL among males in Japan. Clinical effectiveness and adverse event (AE) inputs were obtained from a systematic literature review. Resource utilization and cost inputs were derived from the Medical Data Vision database and medical service fee national data in Japan. Experts reviewed and validated model input parameters. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine how changes in the values of uncertain parameters affect the model results.
RESULTS
Throughout patients' lifetimes, WAVE was associated with higher quality-adjusted life years (0.920 vs. 0.911 year 1; 15.564 vs. 15.388 lifetime) and lower total costs (¥734,134 vs. ¥888,110 year 1; ¥961,595 vs. ¥1,429,458 lifetime) compared to PUL, indicating that WAVE is a more effective and less costly (i.e. dominant) treatment strategy across all time horizons. Lifetime cost-savings for the Japanese healthcare system per patient treated with WAVE instead of PUL were ¥467,863. The 32.7% cost difference between WAVE and PUL was predominantly driven by lower WAVE surgical retreatment rates (4.9% vs. 19.2% for WAVE vs PUL, respectively, at 5 years) and AE rates (hematuria 11.8% vs. 25.7%, dysuria 16.9% vs. 34.3%, pelvic pain 2.9% vs. 17.9%, and urinary incontinence 0.4% vs. 1.3% for WAVE vs PUL, respectively, at 3 months). Model findings were robust to changes in parameter input values.
LIMITATIONS
The model represents a simplification of complex factors involved in resource allocation decision-making.
CONCLUSIONS
Driven by lower retreatment and AE rates, WAVE was a cost-effective and cost-saving treatment for moderate-to-severe BPH in Japan compared to PUL, providing better outcomes at lower costs to the healthcare system.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis; Japan; Urethra; Treatment Outcome; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 38466193
DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2327920 -
Psychiatry Research Apr 2024A large group of psychiatric patients suffer from auditory hallucinations (AH) despite relevant treatment regimens. In mental health populations, AH tend to be verbal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A large group of psychiatric patients suffer from auditory hallucinations (AH) despite relevant treatment regimens. In mental health populations, AH tend to be verbal (AVH) and the content critical or abusive. Trials employing immersive virtual reality (VR) to treat mental health disorders are emerging.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of clinical trials utilizing VR in the treatment of AH and to document knowledge gaps in the literature.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for studies reporting on the use of VR to target AH.
RESULTS
16 papers were included in this PRISMA scoping review (ScR). In most studies VR therapy (VRT) was employed to ameliorate treatment resistant AVH in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Only two studies included patients with a diagnosis of affective disorders. The VRT was carried out with the use of an avatar to represent the patient's most dominant voice.
DISCUSSION
The research field employing VR to treat AH is promising but still in its infancy. Results from larger randomized clinical trials are needed to establish substantial evidence of therapy effectiveness. Additionally, the knowledge base would benefit from more profound qualitative data exploring views of patients and therapists.
Topics: Humans; Hallucinations; Schizophrenia; Virtual Reality; Therapy, Computer-Assisted; Mental Health; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
PubMed: 38452499
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115834