scholarly journals Systematic Review of the Use of Telepathology During Intraoperative Consultation

2019 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L Dietz ◽  
Douglas J Hartman ◽  
Liron Pantanowitz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Frozen Section ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Frozen Section Diagnosis ◽  
Conventional Microscopy

Abstract Objective To compare studies that used telepathology systems vs conventional microscopy for intraoperative consultation (frozen-section) diagnosis. Methods A total of 56 telepathology studies with 13,996 cases in aggregate were identified through database searches. Results The concordance of telepathology with the reference standard was generally excellent, with a weighted mean of 96.9%. In comparison, we identified seven studies using conventional intraoperative consultation that showed a weighted mean concordance of 98.3%. Evaluation of the risk of bias showed that most of these studies were low risk. Conclusions Despite limitations such as variation in reporting and publication bias, this systematic review provides strong support for the safety of using telepathology for intraoperative consultations.

scholarly journals Leg length discrepancy: A systematic review on the validity and reliability of clinical assessments and imaging diagnostics used in clinical practice

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261457
Author(s):  
Martin Alfuth ◽  
Patrick Fichter ◽  
Axel Knicker
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Imaging Diagnostics ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Length Discrepancy

Background A variety of assessments to determine leg length discrepancy (LLD) is used in clinical practice and evidence about validity and reliability may differ. Objective The objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe the validity and reliability of different assessments and imaging diagnostics for the determination of LLD. Materials and methods The review was conducted following the recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The databases Medline (PubMed) and Index to Chiropractic Literature were systematically searched. Studies regarding clinical assessments and imaging diagnostics for the diagnosis of LLD, which reported the clinimetric properties for assessment of LLD, were included and screened for methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS-2) tool for validity studies and the Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) tool for reliability studies. Results Thirty-seven articles on clinical assessments and 15 studies on imaging diagnostics met the eligibility criteria. Thirteen studies on the validity of clinical assessments and six studies on the validity of imaging diagnostics had a low risk of bias and low concerns regarding applicability for all domains. One study on the reliability of clinical assessments and one study on the reliability of imaging diagnostics had a low risk of bias. Main limitations were, that an analysis of sensitivity and specificity was only performed in a few studies and that a valid reference standard was lacking in numerous studies on clinical assessments. Conclusions For the clinical assessment of LLD, the block test appears to be the most useful method. Full-length standing anteroposterior radiography seems to be the most valid and reliable method and may be used as global reference standard to measure the anatomic LLD when comparing clinical methods and imaging diagnostics.

scholarly journals Clinical effectiveness of convalescent plasma in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 175346662110280
Author(s):  
Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga ◽  
Ruth Ana María González-Villoria ◽  
María Vanesa Elizondo ◽  
Anel Yaneli Nicolás Osorio ◽  
David Gómez Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials

Aims: Given the variability of previously reported results, this systematic review aims to determine the clinical effectiveness of convalescent plasma employed in the treatment of hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of controlled clinical trials assessing treatment with convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The outcomes were mortality, clinical improvement, and ventilation requirement. Results: A total of 51 studies were retrieved from the databases. Five articles were finally included in the data extraction and qualitative and quantitative synthesis of results. The overall risk of bias in the reviewed articles was established at low-risk only in two trials. The meta-analysis suggests that there is no benefit of convalescent plasma compared with standard care or placebo in reducing the overall mortality and the ventilation requirement. However, there could be a benefit for the clinical improvement in patients treated with plasma. Conclusion: Current results led to assume that the convalescent plasma transfusion cannot reduce the mortality or ventilation requirement in hospitalized patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. More controlled clinical trials conducted with methodologies that ensure a low risk of bias are still needed. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

scholarly journals Effect of Earthworm on Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Zhen Ruan ◽  
Rongchao Zhang ◽  
Xuejing Wang ◽  
Ruihui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Healing Rate ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Weighted Mean

Background: Earthworm, also called dilong (Chinese language), has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Recently, some scientists believe that earthworm extracts (EE) can promote wound healing. However, its effectiveness remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of EE on wound healing based on the healing rate.Methods: We comprehensively reviewed literature that mentioned EE for wound healing in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and WanFang database that have been published until January 2021. We computed weighted mean difference (WMD) for analysis with RevMan 5.3 software in animal and human models groups. Two researchers independently selected studies and evaluated the risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020168400).Results: From 2,486 articles, we selected 16 studies for analysis. EE treatment was associated with improvements in wound healing performance based on wound healing rate (mouse model: weighted mean difference (WMD) = 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.34–4.77, p < 0.00001; rat model: WMD = 17.29, 95% CI: 5.75–28.82, p = 0.003; rabbit model: WMD = 19.29, 95% CI: 9.95–28.64, p < 0.0001). Clinical studies also confirmed that EE could reduce healing time in hospital (WMD = −8.94, 95% CI: −17.75 to −0.14, p = 0.05).Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of EE on wound healing process. As a corollary, EE can be a useful natural product for wound healing drug development.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=168400, identifier CRD42020168400.

scholarly journals A systematic review and meta-analysis for association of Helicobacter pylori colonization and celiac disease

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0241156
Author(s):  
Fazel Isapanah Amlashi ◽  
Zahra Norouzi ◽  
Ahmad Sohrabi ◽  
Hesamaddin Shirzad-Aski ◽  
Alireza Norouzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthesis Methods

Background and objectives Based on some previous observational studies, there is a theory that suggests a potential relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization and celiac disease (CeD); however, the type of this relationship is still controversial. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore all related primary studies to find any possible association between CeD and human H. pylori colonization. Data sources Studies were systematically searched and collected from four databases and different types of gray literature to cover all available evidence. After screening, the quality and risk of bias assessment of the selected articles were evaluated. Synthesis methods Meta-analysis calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) on the extracted data. Furthermore, heterogeneity, sensitivity, subgroups, and publication bias analyses were assessed. Results Twenty-six studies were included in this systematic review, with a total of 6001 cases and 135512 control people. The results of meta-analysis on 26 studies showed a significant and negative association between H. pylori colonization and CeD (pooled OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.45–0.70; P < 0.001), with no publication bias (P = 0.825). The L’Abbé plots also showed a trend of having more H. pylori colonization in the control group. Among subgroups, ORs were notably different only when the data were stratified by continents or risk of bias; however, subgroup analysis could not determine the source of heterogeneity. Conclusions According to the meta-analysis, this negative association might imply a mild protective role of H. pylori against celiac disease. Although this negative association is not strong, it is statistically significant and should be further considered. Further investigations in both molecular and clinic fields with proper methodology and more detailed information are needed to discover more evidence and underlying mechanisms to clear the interactive aspects of H. pylori colonization in CeD patients. Systematic review registration number (PROSPERO) CRD42020167730 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=167730.

scholarly journals Eversion technique versus conventional endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in carotid surgery: protocol for a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analysis of randomised clinical trials

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e030503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn S. Marsman ◽  
Jorn Wetterslev ◽  
Patrick W.H.E. Vriens ◽  
Ronald L.A.W. Bleys ◽  
Abdelkarime Kh. Jahrome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Trial Sequential Analysis ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Symptomatic Carotid ◽  
Patch Angioplasty ◽  
Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis ◽  
Meta Analyses

IntroductionTraditional carotid endarterectomy is considered to be the standard technique for prevention of a new stroke in patients with a symptomatic carotid stenosis. Use of patch angioplasty to restore the arterial wall after longitudinal endarterectomy is, to date, not unequivocally proven to be superior to eversion technique. A systematic review is needed for evaluation of benefits and harms of the eversion technique versus the traditional endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis.Methods and outcomesThe review will be conducted according to this protocol following the recommendations of the ‘Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews’ and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Randomised clinical trials comparing eversion technique versus endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in patients with a symptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery will be included. Primary outcomes are all-cause mortality rate, health-related quality of life and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes are 30-day stroke and mortality rate, symptomatic arterial restenosis or occlusion and non-serious adverse events. The databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE will be searched (November 2019). We will primarily base our conclusions on meta-analyses of trials with overall low-risk of bias. We will use trial sequential analysis to assist the evaluation of imprecision in Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. However, if pooled point estimates of all trials are similar to pooled point estimates of trials with overall low risk of bias and there is lack of a statistical significant interaction between estimates from trials with overall high risk of bias and trials with overall low risk of bias we will consider the trial sequential analysis adjusted precision of the estimate achieved in all trials as the result of our meta-analyses.Ethics and disseminationThe proposed systematic review will collect and analyse data from published studies, therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results of the review will be disseminated by publication in a peer-review journal and submitted for presentation at conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019119361.

scholarly journals Effects of low-level laser therapy on the orthodontic mini-implants stability: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina de Figueiredo Costa ◽  
Thays Allane Cordeiro Maia ◽  
Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva ◽  
Lucas Guimarães Abreu ◽  
Delane Viana Gondim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Mini Implants ◽  
Level Laser

Abstract Objectives The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the orthodontic mini-implants (OMI) stability. Materials and methods An unrestricted electronic database search in PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov and a hand search were performed up to December 2020. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or non-randomized clinical trials (Non-RCTs) that assessed the effects of LLLT on the OMI stability were included. Data regarding the general information, LLLT characteristics, and outcomes were extracted. The authors performed risk of bias assessment with Cochrane Collaboration’s or ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analysis was also conducted. Results Five RCTs and one Non-RCT were included and 108 patients were evaluated. The LLLT characteristics presented different wavelength, power, energy density, irradiation time, and protocol duration. Five RCTs had a low risk of selection bias. Two RCTs had a low risk of performance and detection bias. All RCTs had a low risk of attrition bias, reporting bias and other bias. The Non-RCT presented a low risk of bias for all criteria, except for the bias in selection of participants. The meta-analysis revealed that LLLT significantly increased the OMI stability (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.67) and the highest clinical benefit was showed after 1 (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.75), 2 (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.21), and 3 (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.51) months of OMI placement. Conclusions LLLT shows positive effects on the OMI stability.

scholarly journals The efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia L. in animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus; A systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuel L. Peter ◽  
Prakash B. Nagendrappa ◽  
Anita Kaligirwa ◽  
Patrick Engeu Ogwang ◽  
Crispin Duncan Sesaazi
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias

AbstractBackgroundMomordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) has been used to control hyperglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asia, South America, and Africa for decades. However, a meta-analysis of clinical trials confirmed very low-quality evidence of its efficacy. To potentially increase the certainty of evidence, we evaluated the effect of M. charantia L. in comparison with vehicle on glycemic control in animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsReview authors searched in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases without language restriction through April 2019. Two authors independently evaluated full texts, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data. We analyzed the influence of study design and evidence of publication bias.ResultsThe review included 66 studies involving 1861 animals. They had a follow up between 7 and 90 days. Majority 29 (43.9%) used Wistar albino rats, and 37 (56.1%) used male animals. Thirty-two (48%) used an aqueous extract of fresh fruits. M. charantia L. reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c in comparison to vehicle control (42 studies, 815 animals; SMD, −6.86 [95% CI; −7.95, −5.77], 3 studies, 59 animals; SMD; −7.76 [95%CI; −12.50, −3.01]) respectively. Magnitude of FPG was large in Wistar albino rat subgroup; SMD; −10.29, [95%CI; −12.55, −8.03]. Publication bias changed FPG to non-significant −2.46 SMD, [95%CI; - 5.10, 0.17]. We downgraded the evidence to moderate quality due to poor methodological quality, high risk of bias, unexplained heterogeneity, suspected publication bias, and lack of standardized dose.ConclusionM. charantia L. lowers elevated plasma glucose level in type 2 diabetes mellitus animal models. Publication bias and poor methodological quality call for future researches to focus on standardizing dose with chemical markers and provide measures to improve preclinical type 2 diabetes mellitus studies.Systematic review registration CRD42019119181

scholarly journals A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Determine the Effect of Oral Anticoagulants on Incidence of Dementia in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjie Lin ◽  
Wenqiang Han ◽  
Jingquan Zhong ◽  
Lin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Incidence Of Dementia

Aims: To assess the effect of oral anticoagulant (OAC) administration on incidence of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with Systematic review and meta-analysis in according with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols. Methods: We systematically searched the electronic databases including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrails.gov for relevant articles. The primary outcome was the incidence of dementia. The adjusted risk ratio (RR), odds ratio, or hazard ratio were extracted and pooled by the random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the setting observational window. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while publication bias was assessed by the Begg’s and Egger’s tests. Results: Nine studies included in this review (2 prospective and 7 retrospective observational studies, including 613,920 patients). The results presented the significant association between OAC therapy and the reduced risk of dementia compared with no treatment (RR [95%CI] =0.72 [0.60, 0.86], I2=97.2%; P =0.000). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled RR became statistically non-significant (including four studies, RR [95%CI] =0.75 [0.51, 1.10], I2=98.8%; P =0.000). There is no significant risk of bias and publication bias. Conclusions: This study indicated the protective effect of OAC therapy for dementia in patients with AF. However, the results are limited because of high heterogeneity, inconsistent direction of effect in subgroup analysis. Further prospective well-designed study is needed with longer follow-up duration in younger patients.

scholarly journals Prediction Models for Severe Manifestations and Mortality due to COVID-19: A Rapid Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie L. Miller ◽  
Masafumi Tada ◽  
Michihiko Goto ◽  
Nicholas Mohr ◽  
Sangil Lee
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Prognostic Models ◽  
Organ Support ◽  
Public Data

ABSTRACTBackgroundThroughout 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a threat to public health on national and global level. There has been an immediate need for research to understand the clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 that can help predict deterioration including mechanical ventilation, organ support, and death. Studies thus far have addressed the epidemiology of the disease, common presentations, and susceptibility to acquisition and transmission of the virus; however, an accurate prognostic model for severe manifestations of COVID-19 is still needed because of the limited healthcare resources available.ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to evaluate published reports of prediction models for severe illnesses caused COVID-19.MethodsSearches were developed by the primary author and a medical librarian using an iterative process of gathering and evaluating terms. Comprehensive strategies, including both index and keyword methods, were devised for PubMed and EMBASE. The data of confirmed COVID-19 patients from randomized control studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies published between January 2020 and July 2020 were retrieved. Studies were independently assessed for risk of bias and applicability using the Prediction Model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). We collected study type, setting, sample size, type of validation, and outcome including intubation, ventilation, any other type of organ support, or death. The combination of the prediction model, scoring system, performance of predictive models, and geographic locations were summarized.ResultsA primary review found 292 articles relevant based on title and abstract. After further review, 246 were excluded based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty-six articles were included in the qualitative analysis. Inter observer agreement on inclusion was 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.79 - 0.93). When the PROBAST tool was applied, 44 of the 46 articles were identified to have high or unclear risk of bias, or high or unclear concern for applicability. Two studied reported prediction models, 4C Mortality Score from hospital data and QCOVID from general public data from UK, and were rated as low risk of bias and low concerns for applicability.ConclusionSeveral prognostic models are reported in the literature, but many of them had concerning risks of biases and applicability. For most of the studies, caution is needed before use, as many of them will require external validation before dissemination. However, two articles were found to have low risk of bias and low applicability can be useful tools.

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