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Heliyon Jun 2024With high fatality and no cure, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has infected cervids in multiple regions, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and South Korea....
With high fatality and no cure, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has infected cervids in multiple regions, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and South Korea. Despite the rapid growth of literature on CWD, the full scope of its ecological, social, and economic impacts and the most effective and socially acceptable management strategies to mitigate the disease is unclear. Of 3008 initially identified published peer-reviewed papers, 134 were included in a final systematic literature review to synthesize the current knowledge on CWD transmission patterns, impacts, and the effectiveness of management interventions. The number of publications on CWD has increased steadily since 2000 with an average of six papers per year. Most papers were related to CWD prevalence (39 %), human behavior (33 %), CWD impacts (31 %), and management interventions (16 %). Environmental factors such as soil, water, and plants were identified as the most common transmission medium, with a higher prevalence rate among adult male cervids than females. Hunters showed a higher risk perception and were more likely to change hunting behavior due to CWD detection than non-hunters. Ecological impacts included the decreased survival rate accompanied by lower population growth, eventually leading to the decline of cervid populations. Culling was found to be an effective and widely implemented management strategy across countries, although it often was associated with public resistance. Despite potentially high negative economic impacts anticipated due to CWD, studies on this subject were limited. Sustained surveillance, ongoing research, and engagement of affected stakeholders will be essential for future disease control and management.
PubMed: 38912477
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31951 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2024Researches have found that alteration of intestinal flora may be closely related to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, whether probiotics... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Researches have found that alteration of intestinal flora may be closely related to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, whether probiotics supplementation has a protective effect on ASD remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the outcome of probiotics in the treatment of ASD children.
METHODS
The Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase were searched until Sep 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relevant to the probiotics and placebo treatment on ASD children were screened. Quality assessment of the included RCTs was evaluated by the Cochrane collaboration's tool. The primary outcomes were ASD assessment scales, including ABC (aberrant behavior checklist) and CBCL (child behavior checklist) for evaluating the behavior improvement, SRS (social responsiveness scale) for social assessment, DQ (developmental quotient) for physical and mental development and CGI-I (clinical global impression improvement) for overall improvement. The secondary outcome was total 6-GSI (gastrointestinal severity index).
RESULTS
In total, 6 RCTs from 6 studies with 302 children were included in the systemic review. Total 6-GSI (MD=-0.59, 95%CI [-1.02,-0.17], P < 0.05) decreased significantly after oral administration of probiotics. Whereas, there was no statistical difference in ABC, CBCL, SRS, DQ and CGI-I between probiotics and placebo groups in ASD children.
CONCLUSION
Probiotics treatment could improve gastrointestinal symptoms, but there was no significant improvement in ASD.
Topics: Humans; Probiotics; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38902804
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01692-z -
PCN Reports : Psychiatry and Clinical... Jun 2024The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is thought to be the commonest clinical presentation of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and is predominantly... (Review)
Review
The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is thought to be the commonest clinical presentation of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and is predominantly characterized by changes in behavior. In patients lacking unequivocal biomarker evidence of frontotemporal neurodegeneration, the clinical diagnosis of bvFTD is often unstable. In response, we conducted a systematic review and critical appraisal of cognitive and behavioral tools that have sought to differentiate bvFTD from other conditions. A systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted on December 31, 2023 for cognitive and behavioral tools that differentiated bvFTD from other cohorts. Ninety-six studies were included. The quality appraisal of almost all studies was low and introduced a high risk of bias. The few studies that were of high quality had a prospective study design and recruited patients suspected (but not yet confirmed) to have bvFTD. These studies reported that behavioral tools (e.g., the Frontal Behavioral Inventory) and social cognition tests (e.g., the Ekman's Faces Test) had good test performance in differentiating bvFTD from a broad range of psychiatric and neurological conditions. Importantly, the review highlighted the extreme paucity of studies that have evaluated methods where, in Bayesian terms, there is genuine clinical uncertainty regarding a diagnosis of bvFTD. Most studies used healthy controls of typical Alzheimer's disease as comparators-groups that often have negligible pretest probability of bvFTD. In response, we propose a study design checklist for studies seeking to develop diagnostic algorithms in bvFTD research.
PubMed: 38887313
DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.210 -
BMC Geriatrics Jun 2024The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond...
BACKGROUND
The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond to the needs of socially frail older adults are lacking and few studies have unpacked how social determinants operate or how interventions can be adapted during periods requiring social distancing and isolation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gaps, we conducted a scoping review using JBI methodology to identify interventions that have the best potential to help socially frail older adults (age ≥65 years).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL (EPSCO), EMBASE and COVID-19 databases and the grey literature. Eligibility criteria were developed using the PICOS framework. Our results were summarized descriptively according to study, patient, intervention and outcome characteristics. Data synthesis involved charting and categorizing identified interventions using a social frailty framework. RESULTS: Of 263 included studies, we identified 495 interventions involving ~124,498 older adults who were mostly female. The largest proportion of older adults (40.5%) had a mean age range of 70-79 years. The 495 interventions were spread across four social frailty domains: social resource (40%), self-management (32%), social behavioural activity (28%), and general resource (0.4%). Of these, 189 interventions were effective for improving loneliness, social and health and wellbeing outcomes across psychological self-management, self-management education, leisure activity, physical activity, Information Communication Technology and socially assistive robot interventions. Sixty-three interventions were identified as feasible to be adapted during infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, flu) to help socially frail older adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Our scoping review identified promising interventions with the best potential to help older adults living with social frailty.
Topics: Humans; Aged; COVID-19; Frail Elderly; Social Isolation; Frailty; Aged, 80 and over; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38879489
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05096-w -
BMC Geriatrics Jun 2024Pedometer-based walking programs hold promise as a health promotion strategy for stroke prevention in community-dwelling older adults, particularly when targeted at... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness of pedometer-based walking programmes in improving some modifiable risk factors of stroke among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review, theoretical synthesis and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Pedometer-based walking programs hold promise as a health promotion strategy for stroke prevention in community-dwelling older adults, particularly when targeted at physical activity-related modifiable risk factors. The question arises: What is the effectiveness of pedometer-based walking program interventions in improving modifiable stroke risk factors among community-dwelling older adults?
METHOD
Eight databases were searched up to December 2, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTS) involving community-dwelling older adults and reported in English. Two independent reviewers utilized Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool to extract data, assess eligibility, evaluate study quality, and identify potential bias. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed as summary statistics for primary -physical activity level -and secondary outcomes related to cardiovascular function (blood pressure) and metabolic syndrome, including obesity (measured by body mass index and waist circumference), fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. A random-effects model was used to generate summary estimates of effects.
RESULTS
The review analyzed eight studies involving 1546 participants aged 60-85 years, with 1348 successfully completing the studies. Across these studies, pedometer-based walking programs were implemented 2-3 times per week, with sessions lasting 40-60 minutes, over a duration of 4-26 weeks. The risk of bias varied from high to moderate. Our narrative synthesis revealed positive trends in HDL-C levels, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin, suggesting improved glycemic control and long-term blood sugar management. However, the impact on triglycerides was only marginal. Primary meta-analysis demonstrated significantly improved physical activity behavior (SMD=0.44,95%CI:0.26, 0.61,p=<0.00001;I=0%;4 studies; 532 participants) and systolic blood pressure (SMD=-0.34,95%CI:-0.59,-0.09;p=<0.008;I=65%,2 studies;249 participants), unlike diastolic blood pressure (SMD=0.13,95%CI:-0.13,-0.38,p=0.33; I=91%; 2 studies; 237 participants). Interventions based on social cognitive, self-efficacy, and self-efficiency theory(ies), and social cognitive theory applied in an ecological framework, were linked to successful physical activity behavior outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Pedometer-based walking programs, utilizing interpersonal health behavior theory/ecological framework, enhance physical activity behavior and have antihypertensive effects in community-dwelling older adults. While they do not significantly affect diastolic blood pressure, these programs potentially serve as a primary stroke prevention strategy aligning with global health goals.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Registration Number: INPLASY202230118.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Walking; Independent Living; Stroke; Risk Factors; Aged, 80 and over; Actigraphy; Health Promotion; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38872081
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05069-z -
Archives of Public Health = Archives... Jun 2024While a growing body of research has been demonstrating how exposure to social and built environments relate to various health outcomes, specific pathways generally...
CONTEXT
While a growing body of research has been demonstrating how exposure to social and built environments relate to various health outcomes, specific pathways generally remain poorly understood. But recent technological advancements have enabled new study designs through continuous monitoring using mobile sensors and repeated questionnaires. Such geographically explicit momentary assessments (GEMA) make it possible to link momentary subjective states, behaviors, and physiological parameters to momentary environmental conditions, and can help uncover the pathways linking place to health. Despite its potential, there is currently no review of GEMA studies detailing how location data is used to measure environmental exposure, and how this in turn is linked to momentary outcomes of interest. Moreover, a lack of standard reporting of such studies hampers comparability and reproducibility.
AIMS
The objectives of this research were twofold: 1) conduct a systematic review of GEMA studies that link momentary measurement with environmental data obtained from geolocation data, and 2) develop a STROBE extension guideline for GEMA studies.
METHOD
The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria consisted of a combination of repeated momentary measurements of a health state or behavior with GPS coordinate collection, and use of these location data to derive momentary environmental exposures. To develop the guideline, the variables extracted for the systematic review were compared to elements of the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) and CREMAS (CRedibility of Evidence from Multiple Analyses of the Same data) checklists, to provide a new guideline for GEMA studies. An international panel of experts participated in a consultation procedure to collectively develop the proposed checklist items. RESULTS AND DEVELOPED TOOLS: A total of 20 original GEMA studies were included in the review. Overall, several key pieces of information regarding the GEMA methods were either missing or reported heterogeneously. Our guideline provides a total of 27 categories (plus 4 subcategories), combining a total of 70 items. The 22 categories and 32 items from the original STROBE guideline have been integrated in our GEMA guideline. Eight categories and 6 items from the CREMAS guideline have been included to our guideline. We created one new category (namely "Consent") and added 32 new items specific to GEMA studies.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study offers a systematic review and a STROBE extension guideline for the reporting of GEMA studies. The latter will serve to standardize the reporting of GEMA studies, as well as facilitate the interpretation of results and their generalizability. In short, this work will help researchers and public health professionals to make the most of this method to advance our understanding of how environments influence health.
PubMed: 38867286
DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01310-8 -
Biological Psychiatry Jun 2024Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to... (Review)
Review
Use of Machine-Learning Algorithms Based on Text, Audio and Video Data in the Prediction of Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress in General and Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review.
Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to personalization in psychology and psychiatry. However, a systematic review of the current state-of-the-art is missing. Moreover, individual studies often target ML experts, and may overlook potential clinical implications of their findings. In a narrative accessible to mental health professionals, we present a systematic review, conducted in 5 psychology and 2 computer-science databases. We included 128 studies assessing the predictive power of ML algorithms using text, audio, and/or video data in the prediction of anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Most studies (n = 87) aimed at predicting anxiety, the remainder (n = 41) focused on PTSD. They were mostly published since 2019, in computer science journals, and tested algorithms using text (n = 72), as opposed to audio or video. They focused mainly on general populations (n = 92), less on laboratory experiments (n = 23) or clinical populations (n = 13). Methodological quality varied, as did reported metrics of the predictive power, hampering comparison across studies. Two thirds of studies, focusing on both disorders, reported acceptable to very good predictive power (including high-quality studies only). Results of 33 studies were uninterpretable, mainly due to missing information. Research into ML algorithms using natural behavior is in its infancy, but shows potential to contribute to diagnostics of mental disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD, in the future, if standardization of methods, reporting of results, and research in clinical populations are improved.
PubMed: 38866173
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.002 -
PloS One 2024Research interest in information sharing behavior on social media has significantly increased over the past decade. However, empirical studies on the relationship... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Research interest in information sharing behavior on social media has significantly increased over the past decade. However, empirical studies on the relationship between Big Five personality traits and information sharing behavior have yielded contradictory conclusions. We aimed to investigate how Big Five personality influences information sharing behavior on social media. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed high-quality studies indexed by web of science and CNKI from the past decade (n = 27, with 31969 samples) and performed a meta-analysis to examine the association between Big Five personality traits and information sharing behavior. The literature search was performed in September 2023. The meta-analysis results showed that extraversion (β = 0.05**) had a positive relationship with information sharing behavior on social media. Agreeableness (β = -0.06**), conscientiousness (β = -0.03**), and neuroticism (β = -0.03**) had negative relationships with information sharing behavior on social media. However, the relationship between openness and information sharing behavior was not clearly observed due to insufficient research. The meta-analysis results are made available to the scientific community to enhance research, comprehension, and utilization of social media.
Topics: Social Media; Humans; Personality; Information Dissemination
PubMed: 38865331
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303770 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024To solve the problem of workplace bullying among nurses, it is necessary to review the effects of interventions and generalize the findings. We conducted a systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
To solve the problem of workplace bullying among nurses, it is necessary to review the effects of interventions and generalize the findings. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of cognitive rehearsal programs on workplace bullying among hospital nurses.
METHODS
Data were collected from March 30 to April 11, 2021, and 11,048 journal articles published in South Korea and internationally were examined across eight databases. Nine articles were selected for inclusion in the systematic literature review; five of the nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. For randomized controlled trials, the risk of bias was evaluated, and for non-randomized controlled trials, the study quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias for Non-randomized Studies version 2.0. Egger's regression test was performed to determine publication bias.
RESULTS
Of the nine articles selected for this study, two were randomized controlled trials and seven were non-randomized controlled trials. The I value was 18.9%, indicating non-significant heterogeneity. The overall effect size of the cognitive rehearsal programs was -0.40 (95% confidence interval: -0.604 to -0.196; Z = -3.85; p = .0001) in a random-effects model, indicating a large effect size with statistical significance.
CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, cognitive rehearsal programs that address workplace bullying among hospital nurses are effective. Health policymakers must implement cognitive rehearsal programs in a policy manner to address the problems of bullying in the workplace.
Topics: Humans; Bullying; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Workplace; Program Evaluation; Republic of Korea; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38862940
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18969-x -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2024Excessive and persistent aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem that leads to psychiatric referrals among children. While half of the variance in childhood...
Excessive and persistent aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem that leads to psychiatric referrals among children. While half of the variance in childhood aggression is attributed to genetic factors, the biological mechanism and the interplay between genes and environment that results in aggression remains elusive. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of studies examining the genetics of childhood aggression irrespective of psychiatric diagnosis. PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE databases were searched using predefined search terms for aggression, genes and the specific age group. From the 652 initially yielded studies, eighty-seven studies were systematically extracted for full-text review and for further quality assessment analyses. Findings show that (i) investigation of candidate genes, especially of MAOA (17 studies), DRD4 (13 studies), and COMT (12 studies) continue to dominate the field, although studies using other research designs and methods including genome-wide association and epigenetic studies are increasing, (ii) the published articles tend to be moderate in sizes, with variable methods of assessing aggressive behavior and inconsistent categorizations of tandem repeat variants, resulting in inconclusive findings of genetic main effects, gene-gene, and gene-environment interactions, (iii) the majority of studies are conducted on European, male-only or male-female mixed, participants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically review the effects of genes on youth aggression. To understand the genetic underpinnings of childhood aggression, more research is required with larger, more diverse sample sets, consistent and reliable assessments and standardized definition of the aggression phenotypes. The search for the biological mechanisms underlying child aggression will also benefit from more varied research methods, including epigenetic studies, transcriptomic studies, gene system and genome-wide studies, longitudinal studies that track changes in risk/ameliorating factors and aggression-related outcomes, and studies examining causal mechanisms.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Male; Aggression; Catechol O-Methyltransferase; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genome-Wide Association Study; Monoamine Oxidase; Receptors, Dopamine D4
PubMed: 38862490
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02870-7