scholarly journals Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with cruise ship travel: protocol for a systematic review (Version 1)

Author(s):  
Elena Cecilia Rosca ◽  
Carl Heneghan ◽  
Elizabeth A Spencer ◽  
Jon Brassey ◽  
Annette Pluddemann ◽  
...  

Background: Maritime and river travel, including cruise ships, have been implicated with spreading viruses through infected passengers and crew. Given the novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, early cruise ship travel transmission models of spread are based on what is known of the dynamics of other respiratory viral infections. Our objective is to provide a rapid summary and evaluation of relevant data on SARS-CoV-2 transmission aboard cruise ships, report policy implications, and highlight research gaps requiring attention. Methods: We will search LitCovid, medRxiv, Google Scholar, and the WHO Covid-19 database using COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, transmission, and cruise ship appropriate synonyms. We will also search the reference lists of included studies for additional relevant studies. We will include studies reporting onboard SARS-CoV-2 transmission from passengers and/or crew to passengers and/or crew. We will consider any potential transmission mode. We will assess study quality based on five criteria and report important findings. The outcome will consist of the onboard cruise ships transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We will provide a narrative summary of the data and report the outcomes, including quantitative estimates where feasible and relevant. Where possible, compatible datasets may be pooled for meta-analysis. Expected results: We will present the evidence in three distinct packages: study description, methodological quality assessment and data extracted. We will summarize the evidence and will draw conclusions as to the quality of the evidence.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Viviana Muñoz Rodríguez ◽  
Herney Andrés García-Perdomo

Introduction: We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) test before performing the first biopsy compared with prostate biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Methods: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS, reference lists, specialized journals in urology and cancer, and unpublished literature. The population was adults with suspected prostate cancer, and the intervention was the measurement of PCA3 in urine samples for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The quality of studies was evaluated with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. The operative characteristics were determined, and a meta-analysis was performed. Results: Nine studies of diagnostic tests were included based on a cutoff value of 35. The following overall values were obtained: the sensitivity was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.75); specificity was 0.65 (95% CI 0.553–0.733); the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 4.244 (95% CI 3.487–5.166); and the area under the curve was 0.734 (95% CI 0.674–0.805) with a heterogeneity of 0%. Conclusions: Urinary PCA3 has an acceptable diagnostic accuracy, aids in the study of patients with suspected prostate cancer, and can be used as a guide for directing the performance of the first prostate biopsy and decreasing unnecessary biopsies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (143) ◽  
pp. 160073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander G. Mathioudakis ◽  
Victoria Chatzimavridou-Grigoriadou ◽  
Alexandru Corlateanu ◽  
Jørgen Vestbo

Challenges in the differentiation of the aetiology of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) have led to significant overuse of antibiotics. Serum procalcitonin, released in response to bacterial infections, but not viral infections, could possibly identify AECOPD requiring antibiotics. In this meta-analysis we assessed the clinical effectiveness of procalcitonin-based protocols to initiate or discontinue antibiotics in patients presenting with AECOPD.Based on a prospectively registered protocol, we reviewed the literature and selected randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing procalcitonin-based protocols to initiate or discontinue antibiotics versus standard care in AECOPD. We followed Cochrane and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) guidance to assess risk of bias, quality of evidence and to perform meta-analyses.We included eight trials evaluating 1062 patients with AECOPD. Procalcitonin-based protocols decreased antibiotic prescription (relative risk (RR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.43–0.73) and total antibiotic exposure (mean difference (MD) −3.83, 95% CI (−4.32–−3.35)), without affecting clinical outcomes such as rate of treatment failure (RR 0.81, 0.62–1.06), length of hospitalisation (MD −0.76, −1.95–0.43), exacerbation recurrence rate (RR 0.96, 0.69–1.35) or mortality (RR 0.99, 0.58–1.69). However, the quality of the available evidence is low to moderate, because of methodological limitations and small overall study population.Procalcitonin-based protocols appear to be clinically effective; however, confirmatory trials with rigorous methodology are required.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akin Ojagbemi ◽  
Nnenna Akin-Ojagbemi

This study appraises evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in improving quality of life (QoL) in persons with dementia (PwDs). The Cochrane, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for peer-reviewed clinical trials of exercise in PwD. Additional searches of the PubMed for ahead-of-print citations and reference lists of articles were undertaken. Studies not including QoL as an outcome were excluded. Thirteen studies comprising 903 PwDs were identified. Random effects meta-analyses indicate that aerobic exercises may produce larger effect on QoL in PwD. However, overall postintervention results suggest exercise interventions led to small and nonsignificant improvement in QoL. Due to studies showing inconsistent results, the evidence for beneficial effects of exercise on QoL in PwD is inconclusive at this time. Future trials should tailor specific types of exercise programs for well-defined cohorts of PwDs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Banik ◽  
Ralf Schwarzer ◽  
Nina Knoll ◽  
Katarzyna Czekierda ◽  
Aleksandra Luszczynska

2013 ◽  
pp. 130-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Muravyev

In this paper we attempt to classify Russian journals in economics and related disciplines for their scientific significance. We show that currently used criteria, such as a journal’s presence in the Higher Attestation Committee’s list of journals and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) impact factor, are not very useful for assessing the academic quality of journals. Based on detailed data, including complete reference lists for 2010—2011, we find significant differentiation of Russian journals, including among those located at the top of the RSCI list. We identify two groups of Russian journals, tentatively called category A and B journals, that can be regarded as the most important from the viewpoint of their contribution to the economic science.


Author(s):  
E.Yu. Borzova

Хронические индуцированные крапивницы имеют важное социально-экономическое значение вследствие риска развития системных реакций и значительного снижения качества жизни пациентов. Диагностика хронических индуцированных крапивниц основывается на анамнестических данных и проведении провокационных тестов. Современный протокол ведения больных хронической крапивницей включает применение неседативных антигистаминных препаратов. Международные согласительные документы по лечению крапивницы рекомендуют 4-кратное увеличение суточной дозы неседативных антигистаминных препаратов при их неэффективности в стандартных дозах. Данные мета-анализа указывают на эффективность омализумаба при хронических индуцированных крапивницах. В перспективе ожидается расширение арсенала генно-инженерной биологической терапии хронических индуцированных крапивниц.Chronic inducible urticarias are characterized by the risks of systemic reactions and a significant impairment of patients quality of life. The diagnosis of chronic inducible urticarias relies on the patients history and the challenge tests. A treatment algorithm for the management of chronic inducible urticarias includes nonsedating antihistamines as a first-line treatment. The international guidelines for the management of chronic inducible urticarias recommend updosing of nonsedating antihistamines up to four fold if standard doses are not effective. The meta-analysis suggests the efficacy of omalizumab in chronic inducible urticarias. In the prospect, the novel options of biological therapy for chronic inducible urticarias are expected.


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