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Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) 2024Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant health problem, and trauma exposure is a known risk factor for the escalation of substance use. However, the shared neural... (Review)
Review
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant health problem, and trauma exposure is a known risk factor for the escalation of substance use. However, the shared neural mechanisms through which trauma is associated with substance use are still unknown. Therefore, we systematically review neuroimaging studies focusing on three domains that may contribute to the overlapping mechanisms of SUD and trauma-reward salience, negative emotionality, and inhibition. Using PRISMA guidelines, we identified 45 studies utilizing tasks measuring these domains in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use groups. Greater reward, lesser regulation of inhibitory processes, and mixed findings of negative emotionality processes in individuals who use substances versus controls were found. Specifically, greater orbitofrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, striatum, amygdala, and hippocampal activation was found in response to reward-related tasks, and reduced activation was found in the inferior frontal gyrus and hippocampus in response to inhibition-related tasks. Importantly, no studies in trauma-exposed individuals met our review criteria. Future studies examining the role of trauma-related factors are needed, and more studies should explore inhibition- and negative-emotionality domains in individuals who use substances to uncover clinically significant alterations in these domains that place an individual at greater risk for developing a SUD.
PubMed: 38846598
DOI: 10.1177/24705470241258752 -
BMJ Global Health Jun 2024During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and health authorities faced tough decisions about infection prevention and control measures such as social distancing, face...
BACKGROUND
During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and health authorities faced tough decisions about infection prevention and control measures such as social distancing, face masks and travel. Judgements underlying those decisions require democratic input, as well as expert input. The aim of this review is to inform decisions about how best to achieve public participation in decisions about public health and social interventions in the context of a pandemic or other public health emergencies.
OBJECTIVES
To systematically review examples of public participation in decisions by governments and health authorities about how to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
DESIGN
We searched Participedia and relevant databases in August 2022. Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts and one author screened publications promoted to full text. One author extracted data from included reports using a standard data-extraction form. A second author checked 10% of the extraction forms. We conducted a structured synthesis using framework analysis.
RESULTS
We included 24 reports (18 from Participedia). Most took place in high-income countries (n=23), involved 'consulting' the public (n=17) and involved public meetings (usually online). Two initiatives reported explicit support for critical thinking. 11 initiatives were formally evaluated (only three reported impacts). Many initiatives did not contribute to a decision, and 17 initiatives did not include any explicit decision-making criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
Decisions about how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic affected nearly everyone. While public participation in those decisions had the potential to improve the quality of the judgements and decisions that were made, build trust, improve adherence and help ensure transparency and accountability, few examples of such initiatives have been reported and most of those have not been formally evaluated. Identified initiatives did point out potential good practices related to online engagement, crowdsourcing and addressing potential power imbalance. Future research should address improved reporting of initiatives, explicit decision-making criteria, support for critical thinking, engagement of marginalised groups and decision-makers and communication with the public.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
358991.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Community Participation; Decision Making; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics; Public Health
PubMed: 38830748
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014404 -
F1000Research 2024The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based on publications, journal prestige and funding. In response, research institutions need to assess their own practices to promote and advocate for change in the current research ecosystem. The purpose of the scoping review was to explore '
AIMS
To examine the peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore the interplay between research culture, open research, career paths, recognition and rewards, and equality, diversity, and inclusion, as part of a larger programme of activity for a research institution.
METHODS
A scoping review was undertaken. Six databases were searched along with grey literature. Eligible literature had relevance to academic research institutions, addressed research culture, and were published between January 2017 to May 2022. Evidence was mapped and themed to specific categories. The search strategy, screening and analysis took place between April-May 2022.
RESULTS
1666 titles and abstracts, and 924 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 253 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. A purposive sampling of relevant websites was drawn from to complement the review, resulting in 102 records included in the review. Key areas for consideration were identified across the four themes of job security, wellbeing and equality of opportunity, teamwork and interdisciplinary, and research quality and accountability.
CONCLUSIONS
There are opportunities for research institutions to improve their own practice, however institutional solutions cannot act in isolation. Research institutions and research funders need to work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive research culture that is diverse in nature and supports individuals' well-being, career progression and performance.
Topics: Humans; Research; Organizational Culture
PubMed: 38826614
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.147599.1 -
Rural and Remote Health May 2024Ninety-seven per cent of Indigenous Peoples live in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). A previous systematic integrative review of articles published between 2000... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Ninety-seven per cent of Indigenous Peoples live in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). A previous systematic integrative review of articles published between 2000 and 2017 identified numerous barriers for Indigenous women in LMICs in accessing maternal healthcare services. It is timely given the aim of achieving Universal Health Coverage in six years' time, by 2030, to undertake another review. This article updates the previous review exploring the recent available literature on Indigenous women's access to maternal health services in LMICs identifying barriers to services.
METHODS
An integrative review of literature published between 2018 and 2023 was undertaken. This review followed a systematic process using Whittemore and Knafl's five-step framework for integrative reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 944 articles were identified from six databases: Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus with Full Text and APA PsycArticles (through EBSCOhost). The search was undertaken on 16 January 2023. After screening of the title/abstract and the full text using inclusion and exclusion criteria 26 articles were identified. Critical appraisal resulted in 24 articles being included in the review. Data were extracted using a matrix informed by Penchansky and Thomas's taxonomy, extended by Saurman, which focused on six dimensions of access to health care: affordability, accessibility, availability, accommodation, acceptability and awareness. Ten studies took place in Asia, 10 studies were from the Americas and four studies took place in the African region. Seventeen articles were qualitative, two were quantitative and five were mixed methods. The methods for the integrative review were prespecified in a protocol, registered at Open Science Framework.
RESULTS
Barriers identified included affordability; community awareness of services including poor communication between providers and women; the availability of services, with staff often missing from the facilities; poor quality services, which did not consider the cultural and spiritual needs of Indigenous Peoples; an overreliance on the biomedical model; a lack of facilities to enable appropriate maternal care; services that did not accommodate the everyday needs of women, including work and family responsibilities; lack of understanding of Indigenous cultures from health professionals; and evidence of obstetric violence and mistreatment of Indigenous women.
CONCLUSION
Barriers to Indigenous women's access to maternal health services are underpinned by the social exclusion and marginalisation of Indigenous Peoples. Empowerment of Indigenous women and communities in LMICs is required as well as initiatives to challenge the stigmatisation and marginalisation that they face. The importance of community involvement in design and interventions that support the political and human rights of Indigenous Peoples are required. Limitations of this review include the possibility of missing articles as it was sometimes unclear from the articles whether a particular group was from an Indigenous community. More research on access to services in the postnatal period is still needed, as well as quality quantitative research. There is also a lack of research on Indigenous groups in North Africa, and in sub-Saharan Africa - especially hunter-gatherer groups - as well as the impact of COVID-19 on access to services.
Topics: Humans; Health Services Accessibility; Maternal Health Services; Female; Developing Countries; Indigenous Peoples; Health Services, Indigenous; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38826130
DOI: 10.22605/RRH8520 -
PloS One 2024Peer education interventions are widely used in secondary schools with an aim to improve students' health literacy and/or health behaviours. Although peer education is a...
INTRODUCTION
Peer education interventions are widely used in secondary schools with an aim to improve students' health literacy and/or health behaviours. Although peer education is a popular intervention technique with some evidence of effectiveness, we know relatively little about the key components that lead to health improvements among young people, or components that may be less helpful. This review aims to identify the main mechanisms involved in school-based peer education health interventions for 11-18-year-olds.
METHODS
Five electronic databases were searched for eligible studies during October 2020, an updated search was then conducted in January 2023 to incorporate any new studies published between November 2020 and January 2023. To be included in the review, studies must have evaluated a school-based peer education intervention designed to address aspects of the health of students aged 11-18 years old and contain data relevant to mechanisms of effect of these interventions. No restrictions were placed on publication date, or country but only manuscripts available in English language were included.
RESULTS
Forty papers were identified for inclusion with a total of 116 references to intervention mechanisms which were subsequently grouped thematically into 10 key mechanisms. The four most common mechanisms discussed were: 1) Peerness; similar, relatable and credible 2) A balance between autonomy and support, 3) School values and broader change in school culture; and 4) Informal, innovative and personalised delivery methods. Mechanisms were identified in quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods intervention evaluations.
DISCUSSION
This study highlights a number of key mechanisms that can be used to inform development of future school-based peer education health interventions to maximise effectiveness. Future studies should aim to create theories of change or logic models, and then test the key mechanisms, rather than relying on untested theoretical assumptions. Future work should also examine whether particular mechanisms may lead to harm, and also whether certain mechanisms are more or less important to address different health issues, or whether a set of generic mechanisms always need to be activated for success.
Topics: Humans; Health Literacy; Adolescent; Peer Group; Health Behavior; Child; Schools; Health Education; Students; School Health Services
PubMed: 38820530
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302431 -
PloS One 2024Despite improvements, the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B remains high in Asia. These sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be transmitted from...
A systematic review of barriers and facilitators to antenatal screening for HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B in Asia: Perspectives of pregnant women, their relatives and health care providers.
BACKGROUND
Despite improvements, the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B remains high in Asia. These sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be transmitted from infected mothers to their children. Antenatal screening and treatment are effective interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), but coverage of antenatal screening remains low. Understanding factors influencing antenatal screening is essential to increase its uptake and design effective interventions. This systematic literature review aims to investigate barriers and facilitators to antenatal screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in Asia.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review by searching Ovid (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO), Scopus, Global Index Medicus and Web of Science for published articles between January 2000 and June 2023, and screening abstracts and full articles. Eligible studies include peer-reviewed journal articles of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies that explored factors influencing the use of antenatal screening for HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B in Asia. We extracted key information including study characteristics, sample, aim, identified barriers and facilitators to screening. We conducted a narrative synthesis to summarise the findings and presented barriers and facilitators following Andersen's conceptual model.
RESULTS
The literature search revealed 23 articles suitable for inclusion, 19 used quantitative methods, 3 qualitative and one mixed method. We found only three studies on syphilis screening and one on hepatitis B. The analysis demonstrates that antenatal screening for HIV in Asia is influenced by many barriers and facilitators including (1) predisposing characteristics of pregnant women (age, education level, knowledge) (2) enabling factors (wealth, place of residence, husband support, health facilities characteristics, health workers support and training) (3) need factors of pregnant women (risk perception, perceived benefits of screening).
CONCLUSION
Knowledge of identified barriers to antenatal screening may support implementation of appropriate interventions to prevent MTCT and help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals' targets for HIV and STIs.
Topics: Humans; Female; Hepatitis B; Pregnancy; Syphilis; HIV Infections; Prenatal Diagnosis; Asia; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Health Personnel; Pregnant Women; Mass Screening; Family
PubMed: 38820339
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300581 -
International Journal of Implant... May 2024The rise of stereolithographic surgical guides and digital workflow, combined with a better knowledge of materials and loading principle, has enabled the placement of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The rise of stereolithographic surgical guides and digital workflow, combined with a better knowledge of materials and loading principle, has enabled the placement of the temporary prosthesis at the time of implant placement. This scoping review aimed to assess the current knowledge available on stackable guides.
METHODS
The review focused on fully edentulous or requiring total edentulism patients. The procedure studied was the use of stackable guides for edentulous patients in order to place immediate temporary prostheses. The clinical endpoint was immediate placement of the provisional prosthesis after surgery combined with a prior bone reduction using a stackable guide.
RESULTS
12 case reports or case series articles met inclusion criteria, which did not allow an analysis by a systematic review. The included studies were case reports or case series. Most of the articles showed a base stabilized by 3 or 4 bone-pins, anchored in buccal or lingual part. Regarding the accuracy of bone reduction (ranged from 0.0248 mm to 1.98 mm) and implant placement when compared to planned, only 4 articles reported quantitative data. 11 articles showed an immediate loading with the transitional prosthesis after implant placement.
CONCLUSIONS
There are as yet no prospective or comparative studies on the efficiency of this technique. In a reliable way, stackable guides seem to be able to guide the practitioner from the flap elevation to the placement of the temporary screw-retained implant supported prosthesis. Given the lack of studies in this specific field of guided surgery, further studies are needed to confirm the clinical relevance of this technique.
Topics: Humans; Dental Implantation, Endosseous; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Immediate Dental Implant Loading; Mouth, Edentulous
PubMed: 38819752
DOI: 10.1186/s40729-024-00547-w -
Systematic Reviews May 2024Different guideline panels, and individuals, may make different decisions based in part on their preferences. Preferences for or against an intervention are viewed as a...
BACKGROUND
Different guideline panels, and individuals, may make different decisions based in part on their preferences. Preferences for or against an intervention are viewed as a consequence of the relative importance people place on the expected or experienced health outcomes it incurs. These findings can then be considered as patient input when balancing effect estimates on benefits and harms reported by empirical evidence on the clinical effectiveness of screening programs. This systematic review update examined the relative importance placed by patients on the potential benefits and harms of mammography-based breast cancer screening to inform an update to the 2018 Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care's guideline on screening.
METHODS
We screened all articles from our previous review (search December 2017) and updated our searches to June 19, 2023 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. We also screened grey literature, submissions by stakeholders, and reference lists. The target population was cisgender women and other adults assigned female at birth (including transgender men and nonbinary persons) aged ≥ 35 years and at average or moderately increased risk for breast cancer. Studies of patients with breast cancer were eligible for health-state utility data for relevant outcomes. We sought three types of data, directly through (i) disutilities of screening and curative treatment health states (measuring the impact of the outcome on one's health-related quality of life; utilities measured on a scale of 0 [death] to 1 [perfect health]), and (ii) other preference-based data, such as outcome trade-offs, and indirectly through (iii) the relative importance of benefits versus harms inferred from attitudes, intentions, and behaviors towards screening among patients provided with estimates of the magnitudes of benefit(s) and harms(s). For screening, we used machine learning as one of the reviewers after at least 50% of studies had been reviewed in duplicate by humans; full-text selection used independent review by two humans. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments used a single reviewer with verification. Our main analysis for utilities used data from utility-based health-related quality of life tools (e.g., EQ-5D) in patients; a disutility value of about 0.04 can be considered a minimally important value for the Canadian public. When suitable, we pooled utilities and explored heterogeneity. Disutilities were calculated for screening health states and between different treatment states. Non-utility data were grouped into categories, based on outcomes compared (e.g. for trade-off data), participant age, and our judgements of the net benefit of screening portrayed by the studies. Thereafter, we compared and contrasted findings while considering sample sizes, risk of bias, subgroup findings and data on knowledge scores, and created summary statements for each data set. Certainty assessments followed GRADE guidance for patient preferences and used consensus among at least two reviewers.
FINDINGS
Eighty-two studies (38 on utilities) were included. The estimated disutilities were 0.07 for a positive screening result (moderate certainty), 0.03-0.04 for a false positive (FP; "additional testing" resolved as negative for cancer) (low certainty), and 0.08 for untreated screen-detected cancer (moderate certainty) or (low certainty) an interval cancer. At ≤12 months, disutilities of mastectomy (vs. breast-conserving therapy), chemotherapy (vs. none) (low certainty), and radiation therapy (vs. none) (moderate certainty) were 0.02-0.03, 0.02-0.04, and little-to-none, respectively, though in each case findings were somewhat limited in their applicability. Over the longer term, there was moderate certainty for little-to-no disutility from mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery/lumpectomy with radiation and from radiation. There was moderate certainty that a majority (>50%) and possibly a large majority (>75%) of women probably accept up to six cases of overdiagnosis to prevent one breast-cancer death; there was some uncertainty because of an indication that overdiagnosis was not fully understood by participants in some cases. Low certainty evidence suggested that a large majority may accept that screening may reduce breast-cancer but not all-cause mortality, at least when presented with relatively high rates of breast-cancer mortality reductions (n = 2; 2 and 5 fewer per 1000 screened), and at least a majority accept that to prevent one breast-cancer death at least a few hundred patients will receive a FP result and 10-15 will have a FP resolved through biopsy. An upper limit for an acceptable number of FPs was not evaluated. When using data from studies assessing attitudes, intentions, and screening behaviors, across all age groups but most evident for women in their 40s, preferences reduced as the net benefit presented by study authors decreased in magnitude. In a relatively low net-benefit scenario, a majority of patients in their 40s may not weigh the benefits as greater than the harms from screening whereas for women in their 50s a large majority may prefer screening (low certainty evidence for both ages). There was moderate certainty that a large majority of women 50 years of age and 50 to 69 years of age, who have usually experienced screening, weigh the benefits as greater than the harms from screening in a high net-benefit scenario. A large majority of patients aged 70-71 years who have recently screened probably think the benefits outweigh the harms of continuing to screen. A majority of women in their mid-70s to early 80s may prefer to continue screening.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence across a range of data sources on how informed patients value the potential outcomes from breast-cancer screening will be useful during decision-making for recommendations. The evidence suggests that all of the outcomes examined have importance to women of any age, that there is at least some and possibly substantial (among those in their 40s) variability across and within age groups about the acceptable magnitude of effects across outcomes, and that provision of easily understandable information on the likelihood of the outcomes may be necessary to enable informed decision making. Although studies came from a wide range of countries, there were limited data from Canada and about whether findings applied well across an ethnographically and socioeconomically diverse population.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Protocol available at Open Science Framework https://osf.io/xngsu/ .
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Canada; Patient Preference; Mammography; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Preventive Health Services; Advisory Committees; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38807191
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-024-02539-8 -
Body Image Sep 2024Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a distressing psychological condition where an individual is preoccupied by a perceived issue with their appearance. Qualitative... (Review)
Review
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a distressing psychological condition where an individual is preoccupied by a perceived issue with their appearance. Qualitative studies enable nuanced aspects of BDD phenomenology to be investigated. The current systematic review used thematic synthesis to integrate the findings from the extant qualitative studies. Searches were run on six databases to identify studies that had sought to describe the experience of individuals with BDD. PRISMA guidance was followed and ten articles were identified for inclusion. The quality of each article was appraised and thematic synthesis was conducted to generate novel and summative themes. Three superordinate themes were created: 'self-objectification and the view of self'; 'control and protecting the self'; and 'sociocultural influences and the impact of others in BDD'. Shame and self-disgust emerged as key experiential elements of BDD. The findings of the review suggest that self-objectification theory and possibly models of self-compassion are theoretically relevant to understanding the experience of individuals presenting with BDD. Current interventions may benefit from consideration of these theoretical models when seeking to improve efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Body Dysmorphic Disorders; Self Concept; Qualitative Research; Body Image; Shame
PubMed: 38797069
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101727 -
Evidence-based Dentistry Jun 2024A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was carried out assessing the success rate of root canal retreatment using gutta percha. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was carried out assessing the success rate of root canal retreatment using gutta percha.
DATA SOURCES
Four of the largest databases were used to identify existing literature with no date or language restrictions. PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Scopus and other additional sources were searched. Grey literature was also reviewed.
STUDY SELECTION
Two authors, with Master's degrees in endodontics and with extensive university teaching experience, were selected to screen the databases to identify suitable studies. In case the authors were not able to agree during the study selection process, a third investigator was consulted. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were outlined and adhered to in the study selection. Two randomised controlled trials, seven single arm prospective studies and one single arm ambispective study published before the 10th of December 2022 were included. These studies evaluated the success of root canal re-treatment, obturated with gutta percha with at least a 1-year follow-up. Nine of the studies were published between 1998 and 2022. Seven studies were conducted in Europe, one in North America and one in Asia.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Standard Cochrane methods to assess interval validity were used. Risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) for single-arm studies, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB2) was used for randomised controlled trials. Outcome measures were standardised as either success or failure of root canal retreatment. Success was classified into 2 different criteria: Strict criteria = absence of clinical signs and symptoms and radiographically normal periodontal ligament space; and Loose criteria = absence of clinical signs and symptoms and absence or reduction of apical radiolucency in the control radiograph. Statistical analysis was undertaken using R software and the Freeman-Turkey transformation was performed. Results were visualised using forest plots. Heterogeneity between studies was measured using the Cochrane Q test and I values.
RESULTS
Whilst following strict criteria, the success rate of non-surgical root canal retreatment obturated with gutta percha was 71% for 1-3 years follow-up (95% CI, 0.66-0.77) and 77% for 4-5 years follow-up (95% CI, 0.67-0.86). Heterogeneity was moderate (I = 61.4) and low (I = 0.0), respectively. Factors reducing the success rate of root canal re-retreatment under the strict criteria were older patients, mandibular teeth, molar teeth, the presence of a peri-apical radiolucency, teeth with a previous radiolucency, large peri-apical radiolucency's, higher initial periapical index scores and multiple visit-retreatments. Following the loose criteria, the success rate of non-surgical root canal re-treatment obturated with gutta percha was 87% for 1-3 years follow-up (95% CI, 0.79-0.93) with significant heterogeneity across the studies (I = 88.5%). Factors influencing the success rate under the loose criteria were large periapical lesions >5 mm and higher initial periapical index (PAI) scores.
CONCLUSIONS
Non-surgical root canal retreatment results in favourable outcomes. However, there are several factors which can result in a lower success rate: the presence and size of a periapical radiolucency, a higher initial PAI score, multiple-visit retreatments, and the size and position of the tooth.
Topics: Gutta-Percha; Humans; Retreatment; Root Canal Therapy; Root Canal Filling Materials; Root Canal Obturation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38796553
DOI: 10.1038/s41432-024-01019-1