scholarly journals Review of Biomarkers and Analytical Methods for Organophosphate Pesticides and Applicability to Nerve Agents

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (3-4) ◽  
pp. e414-e421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Therkorn ◽  
David G Drewry ◽  
Olivia Tiburzi ◽  
Mekbib Astatke ◽  
Charles Young ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Recent malicious use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is a reminder of their severity and ongoing threat. One of the main categories of CWAs is the organophosphate (OP) nerve agents. Presently, there is an urgent need to identify and evaluate OP nerve agent biomarkers that can facilitate identification of exposed individuals post-CWA incident. While exposures to OP nerve agents may be scenario-specific, the public is commonly exposed to OP compounds through the ubiquitous use of OP pesticides, which are chemically related to nerve agents. Therefore, a systematic literature review and methodological quality assessment were conducted for OP pesticide biomarker studies to serve as a baseline to assess if these approaches may be adapted to OP nerve agent exposures. Materials and Methods We conducted a systematic literature review to identify biomarkers of OP pesticide exposures. English language studies of any design that reported primary data on biomarkers for exposures in nonhuman primates or adult human study participants were eligible for inclusion. Using standard criteria for assessing the completeness of reported analytical methods, the quality of study methods was critically evaluated. Results A total of 1,044 studies of biomarkers of OP pesticide exposure were identified, of which 75 articles satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies described 143 different analyte/sample matrix combinations: 99 host-based biomarkers, 28 metabolites, 12 pesticides, and 4 adducts. The most commonly reported biomarkers were dialkyl phosphate urinary metabolites (22 studies), blood acetylcholinesterase, and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (26 studies each). None of the assessed quality review criteria were fully addressed by all identified studies, with almost all criteria scoring less than 50%. Conclusion Cholinesterase activity may have utility for identifying individuals with exposures surpassing a given threshold of OP nerve agent, but further investigation of how acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase levels correlate with observed patient symptoms may be required to ensure accuracy of results. As CWAs and nerve agents are more readily used, more standardized reporting of biomarker measurements are needed to develop new approaches for OP nerve agent biomarkers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1402.1-1402
Author(s):  
R. Pinheiro Torres ◽  
M. H. Fernandes Lourenco ◽  
A. Neto ◽  
F. Pimentel Dos Santos ◽  
I. Silva ◽  
...  

Background:Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), one of the most common chronic diseases in children, can be classified in seven different categories according to its onset presentation. Concerns about pregnancy outcomes play a secondary role in disease approach. However, recent data showed an increased risk of pre-term birth in women with JIA instead the small patient samples analysed.Objectives:In this review, our aim is to describe the current available knowledge on JIA adverse, maternal and fetal, outcomes.Methods:A systematic literature review was conducted since January of 2000 until December 2020, by searching the PubMed and Embase bibliographic databases. The search was limited to articles in English language, presenting a comparator group (healthy individuals or patients without known auto-immune rheumatic diseases) and at least one clinical outcome of interest. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts followed by a full-text review to assess papers regarding their eligibility.Results:Ten observational studies out of 1560 references, fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which, 9 were retrospective and 1 prospective. A total of 6.214 women with JIA (with 6.811 pregnancies) and 18.659.513 healthy controls (with 21.339.194 pregnancies) were included in this review.Concerning maternal outcomes, delivery by caesarian section (CS) was more frequent among JIA women (in 4 out of 6 studies). Pre-eclampsia was referred in 3 out of 6 studies and a higher risk of vaginal bleeding and placenta previa in one additional study. No study found an increased risk for gestational diabetes or hypertension in pregnant women with JIA.Regarding fetal outcomes, 8 studies revealed significantly increased of pre-term birth (only in first births in one study) but one study didn’t show any increased risk. Two studies showed a higher risk of small gestational age (SGA) and in another 2, increased risk for low birth weight (LBW). No evidence of increased risk of major congenital malformations.Conclusion:This systematic review suggests an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, delivery by CS, SGA and LBW, among pregnant women with JIA. Conclusions should be carefully interpreted, giving the heterogeneity of studied populations regarding demography, disease type, disease activity, and prescribed medication.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. 496-507
Author(s):  
Rifki S. Nompo ◽  
Andria Pragholapati ◽  
Angela L. Thome

Anxiety is a feeling of helplessness, and worry about things that are not clear, as well as a comprehensive feeling that something bad is going to happen. Anxiety is experienced subjectively and communicated interpersonally, at the same time feelings of anxiety are a necessary survival instinct. The Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a communicative approach employs a positive view of anxiety and how it can help shape life changes, and that is the topic of this article. This research method uses a Systematic Literature Review, investigating Garuda, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Proquest, using boolean for keyword neurolinguistics programming (NLP) and anxiety. The inclusion criteria used were Indonesian and English language articles written within the last 5 years (from 2015 until 2020). The exclusion criteria used by the article were abstract writing style, inaccessible, or lacking national accreditation. Articles were tested with Critical Appraisal Tools. The studies indicate that good communication using NLP can help reduce anxiety and can promote changes in a person’s behavior patterns. There are several NLP techniques including sensory acuity, reframing, anchoring, rapport, and pacing, and leading. NLP can improve knowledge, skills and attitudes, communication skills, self-management, mental health, reduce work stress, and self-efficacy.   Keywords: Anxiety, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, NLP


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 768-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narpat Ram Sangwa ◽  
Kuldip Singh Sangwan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review various themes of leanness, leanness assessment approaches, leanness assessment areas, and their evolution by a systematic literature review (SLR). Design/methodology/approach The eight types of literature review methodologies are identified and compared. The SLR is selected after critically analyzing the eight types of literature reviews. A four-phased SLR (i.e. plan, do, analyze/synthesize, and propose) has been carried out based on the peer-reviewed journal and conference articles on leanness assessment. Findings The existing literature on leanness assessment shows the lack of review-based papers on lean assessment. This study attempts to build a two-fold contribution to the field of leanness assessment: first, various types of themes, approaches, and assessment areas are identified; second, a framework for leanness assessment is proposed. The study shows that the research on leanness assessment is mainly empirical using qualitative judgment. The paper traces the changes in scope, areas, and approaches to leanness assessment. The scope of leanness assessment broadened from manufacturing process assessment to whole supply chain assessment including manufacturing process. The focus of earlier assessment was manufacturing and financial areas which now includes human resource, administration, new product development, suppliers, and customers also. Tool and technique based assessment has given way to outcome-based assessment using non-financial and qualitative parameters. Research limitations/implications One of the limitations of the study is that literature search was mainly focused on peer-reviewed articles published in English language only; therefore, some papers in others languages may have been missed. Apart from this, the SLR has been conducted for the manufacturing sector only. Practical implications The study is expected to be useful for the lean practitioners to identify the causes of reported lean failures. Moreover, the authors also expect that the conducted SLR will provide the passage to the practitioners for not only fostering the concepts on leanness assessment but also provide the vital and significant knowledge about the leanness assessment to the managers for enhancing organizational performance. Originality/value As per the authors’ knowledge, this is the first SLR on leanness assessment. It is expected that this paper will help the researchers working in the area of lean manufacturing to identify new areas of research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 147997311990123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Navaie ◽  
Carole Dembek ◽  
Soojin Cho-Reyes ◽  
Karen Yeh ◽  
Bartolome R Celli

Inhaled bronchodilators are the cornerstone of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Soft mist inhalers (SMIs) are devices that deliver bronchodilators. Although correct device use is paramount to successful medication delivery, patient errors are common. This global systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined device use errors with SMIs among patients with obstructive lung diseases. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched to identify studies published between 2010 and 2019 that met the following inclusion criteria: (a) English language; (b) a diagnosis of COPD, bronchitis, or emphysema; and (c) reported device use errors among adults receiving long-acting bronchodilator treatment with Respimat® SMI (i.e. Spiriva®, Stiolto®, Spiolto®, and Striverdi®). Descriptive statistics examined sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and device use errors. Meta-analysis techniques were employed with random-effects models to generate pooled mean effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall and step-by-step errors. The I 2 statistic measured heterogeneity. Twelve studies ( n = 1288 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Eighty-eight percent of patients had COPD, and most had moderate/very severe airflow limitation (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease spirometric stages II to IV). Aggregate results revealed that 58.9% (95% CI: 42.4–75.5; I 2 = 92.8%) of patients made ≥1 device use errors. Among 11 studies with step-by-step data, the most common errors were failure to (1) exhale completely and away from the device (47.8% (95% CI: 33.6–62.0)); (2) hold breath for up to 10 seconds (30.6% (95% CI: 17.5–43.7)); (3) take a slow, deep breath while pressing the dose release button (27.9% (95% CI: 14.5–41.2)); (4) hold the inhaler upright (22.6% (95% CI: 6.2–39.0)); and (5) turn the base toward the arrows until it clicked (17.6% (95% CI: 3.0–32.2)). Device use errors occurred in about 6 of 10 patients who used SMIs. An individualized approach to inhalation device selection and ongoing training and monitoring of device use are important in optimizing bronchodilator treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Seleznyov

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the popularity of Japanese lesson study (JLS) beyond Japan and the challenges this translation might pose. It notes that there is not a universally accepted definition of lesson study (LS) and seeks to identify the “critical components” of JLS through a review of the literature. It then uses a systematic literature review of recent studies of the implementation of LS with in-service teachers beyond Japan to analyse the models of LS used against these seven critical components in order to explore the degree of fidelity to the Japanese model. Design/methodology/approach A broad review of the literature on JLS available in the English language identifies seven “critical components”. A systematic literature review of 200 recent English language studies of the implementation of LS with in-service teachers beyond Japan is then carried out. Articles published between 2005 and 2015 are explored, including peer reviewed articles, scientific journals, book chapters and PhD dissertations. This systematic review enables an analysis of the models of LS used in studies from beyond Japan against the “seven critical components” of JLS. Findings The analysis shows that there is not an internationally shared understanding of Japanese lesson study (JLS) and that many of the missing components are those which distinguish LS as a research process, not simply a collaborative professional development approach. It also reveals that UK LS models seem particularly far from the Japanese model in those critical components which connect teachers’ knowledge and understanding within groups, to knowledge and understanding that exists beyond it. The study discusses whether these differences could be attributed to structural or cultural differences between Japan and other nations. Research limitations/implications The search for descriptions of the JLS is limited to articles available in the English language, which, therefore, represent a quite limited body of authority on the “critical components” of LS. The systematic review is similarly limited to English language articles, and there is a clear bias towards the USA, with the Far East and the UK making up the majority of the remaining studies. The study suggests that future research on LS beyond Japan should consider teachers’ attitudes towards the research elements of the process as well as their skills and confidence in carrying out research into practice. Practical implications The study strikes a note of caution for schools wishing to implement JLS as an approach to teacher professional development in the UK and beyond. Japan’s systemic approach has embedded LS experience and expertise into the education system, meaning a uniform approach to LS is much more likely. In addition, other systemic challenges may arise, for example, UK professional development time and resources is not designed with JLS in mind and may therefore require a significant reworking. Originality/value Whilst several systematic reviews of LS have explored its growth, geographical spread, impact and key features, this study provides a different perspective. It analyses whether and to what degree the “lesson study” models these studies describe align with the literature on JLS, and the implications of this for researchers and practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S90-S90
Author(s):  
Eloise Williams ◽  
Adam W Jenney ◽  
Denis W Spelman

Abstract Background Nocardia bacteremia is a rare but important phenomenon, with previous studies describing a 50% mortality rate. We undertake a single-center review and the largest systematic review of Nocardia bacteremia performed over the past 20 years. Methods A single-center review of cases of Nocardia bacteremia was performed using hospital microbiology records from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017. A systematic literature review was also performed to identify cases of Nocardia bacteremia described in the English language literature between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2018 using the NCBI PubMed database and snowballing from citations of relevant publications. Results Single-center case series: Four cases of Nocardia bacteremia are described. Three patients had an intravascular device in situ prior to the onset of Nocardia bacteremia and three patients were immunocompromised; one patient had both risk factors. Systematic literature review: A systematic review identified 50 publications that described 85 cases with sufficient patient data to be reviewed in detail. Including the 4 cases described in our institution, 89 cases of Nocardia bacteremia were included in the analysis. The median age was 57 years [interquartile range (IQR) 42–68] and 69% were male. Eighty-two percent of cases were immunocompromised and 38% had endovascular devices. Pulmonary infection was the most common concurrent site of clinical disease (66%), followed by central nervous system (25%), pleural (17%) disease, and endocarditis (11%). Blood cultures were the only positive microbiological specimen that isolated Nocardia in 45% of cases. Median incubation time to blood culture positivity was 4 days [IQR 3–6]. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 24% and overall all-cause mortality was 42%. Conclusion Four new cases of Nocardia bacteremia are described. Isolation of Nocardia from blood cultures is rare but represents serious infection with high associated overall mortality. Nocardia bacteremia is most frequently identified in immunocompromised patients and those with intravascular devices. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Cianchetti ◽  
Maurizio Amichetti

Background. Paranasal and nasal cavity malignancies are rare tumors that frequently present at advanced stages. Tumor extension and anatomic complexity pose a challenge for their treatment. Due to their peculiar physical and biological properties particle radiation therapy, i.e. protons and ions can have a role in their management. We performed a systematic literature review to gather clinical evidence about their use to treat sinonasal malignancies.Materials and Methods. We searched the browsers PubMed and Medline as well as specific journals and conference proceedings. Inclusion criteria were: at least 10 patients, English language, reporting outcome and/or toxicity data.Results. We found six studies with data on clinical outcome. Carbon and helium ions were each used in one study, protons in four. Toxicity was specifically described in five studies. One reported acute toxicity of carbon ions, one dealt with brain toxicity from both carbon ions and protons. Three papers reported on visual toxicity: one from carbon ions, one from protons and one from both. Specific data were extracted and compared with the most pertinent literature.Conclusion. Particle radiation therapy is in its early phase of development. Promising results achieved so far must be confirmed in further studies.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abril Oliva Ramirez ◽  
Alexander Keenan ◽  
Olivia Kalau ◽  
Evelyn Worthington ◽  
Lucas Cohen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that results in progressive and irreversible disability. Fatigue is one of the most common MS-related symptoms and is characterized by a persistent lack of energy that impairs daily functioning. The burden of MS-related fatigue is complex and multidimensional, and to our knowledge, no systematic literature review has been conducted on this subject. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review on the epidemiology and burden of fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Methods Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews to identify relevant studies of fatigue in pwMS. English-language records published from 2010 to January 2020 that met predefined eligibility criteria were included. We initially selected studies that reported quality of life (QoL) and economic outcomes according to categories of fatigue (e.g., fatigued vs non-fatigued). Studies assessing associations between economic outcomes and fatigue as a continuous measure were later included to supplement the available data. Results The search identified 8147 unique records, 54 of which met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 39 reported epidemiological outcomes, 11 reported QoL, and 9 reported economic outcomes. The supplementary screen for economic studies with fatigue as a continuous measure included an additional 20 records. Fatigue prevalence in pwMS ranged from 36.5 to 78.0%. MS-related fatigue was consistently associated with significantly lower QoL. Results on the economic impact of fatigue were heterogeneous, but most studies reported a significant association between presence or severity of fatigue and employment status, capacity to work, and sick leave. There was a gap in evidence regarding the direct costs of MS-related fatigue and the burden experienced by caregivers of pwMS. Conclusion Fatigue is a prevalent symptom in pwMS and is associated with considerable QoL and economic burden. There are gaps in the evidence related to the direct costs of MS-related fatigue and the burden of fatigue on caregivers. Addressing fatigue over the clinical course of the disease may improve health and economic outcomes for patients with MS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-296
Author(s):  
Belvinna Kaur Ajaib Singh ◽  
Azlina Abdul Aziz

This paper presents a systematic literature review of relevant published studies on integrating Facebook as a platform of discussion in the ESL classroom. The published studies are taken from the year of 2011 to 2019. The systematic literature review gives an overview about the positive impact of using Facebook as a platform of discussion for the ESL learners and the benefits of applying multimodality in teaching the ESL learners. The paper also investigates the challenges faced in integrating Facebook into the teaching and learning. The results of most published papers indicate that learners and educators are comfortable with the presence of Facebook as a platform of discussion and provides a positive feedback for the future ESL learners and educators to implement Facebook. The past studies indicate that Facebook plays a role in motivating the learners and promotes blended learning in improving the learner’s English language skills. The past studies also specify the challenges faced by both learners and educators in using Facebook. The limitations of past related studies and future directions for research were being further discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Kostagiolas ◽  
Anna Katsani

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature regarding the impact of global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) pandemic on PLs and their management responses during COVID-19 pandemic as well as for the post-pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic literature review is based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and includes publications in the English language published at online scholarly resources during the period of COVID-19 outbreak, i.e. from January 2020 to June 2021.FindingsThe number of the eligible and relevant studies for the COVID-19 impact on PLs was 79, which were included in the literature review profiling and in the qualitative analysis.Originality/valueThe systematic review provides a useful overview of existing PL management paradigms that could be contemplated at an organizational, national or international level while developing a strategy for public libraries in the post-pandemic era.


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