Prevalence of unculturable bacteria in the periapical abscess: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To assess the prevalence of unculturable bacteria in periapical abscess, radicular cyst, and periapical granuloma. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Ovid databases were systematically searched from January 1990 to May 2020. All the included studies were cross-sectional design. The risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute check-list. Heterogeneity was described using meta-regression and mixed-effects model for lesion, country, and sequence technique moderators. Funnel plot and unweighted Egger’s regression test were used to estimate the publication bias. Microbiome data on diversity, abundance, and frequency of unculturable bacteria in the periapical lesions were reviewed, analysed, and the principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Results A total of 13 studies out of 14,780, were selected for the final analysis. These studies focused on the prevalence of unculturable bacteria in periapical abscesses and related lesions. Approximately 13% (95% CI: 7–23%) of the cumulative number of bacteria derived from periapical abscesses was unculturable. Country moderator significantly (P = 0.05) affects the diversity summary proportion. While the pooled frequency of unculturable bacteria was 8%; 95% CI: 5, 14%, the estimate of the pooled abundance of unculturable bacteria was 5%; 95% CI: 2, 12% with a significant (P = 0.05) country moderator that affects the abundance summary proportion. Of the 62 unculturable bacteria, 35 were subjected to PCA and Peptostreptococcus sp. oral clone CK035 was the most abundant species in periapical abscesses. Hybridization techniques were found to be the most reliable molecular methods in detecting the abundance and frequency of unculturable bacteria. Conclusion The significant prevalence of unculturable bacteria in the periapical abscess, suggests that they are likely to play, a yet unknown, critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. Further research remains to be done to confirm their specific contributions in the virulence and disease progression.

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Job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-020-01650-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo ◽

Eldad Agyei-Manu ◽

David Ben Kumah ◽

Anthony Danso-Appiah ◽

Abubakar Sadik Mohammed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Human Resources ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Critical Role ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eye Health ◽

Overall Job Satisfaction

Abstract Background Job satisfaction describes an employee’s motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals’ turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 registered and licensed optometrists of the Ghana Optometric Association between September 2018 and June 2019. A validated, well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants and measures on job satisfaction. Scores from a five-point Likert scale was employed to examine job satisfaction and its associated factors. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between overall job satisfaction and its associated factors using Rasch logit scores. Results A total of 214 optometrists gave valid responses to the questionnaires used for the final analysis. The mean (± SD) score of the overall perception of job satisfaction among optometrists was 3.36 (± 1.00), with 74.3% of them being satisfied with their jobs. After statistical adjustment, Good work-life balance (Unstandardized co-efficient (β) = 0.288, p = 0.001), Salary (β = 0.222, p < 0.0005), Supervision (β = 0.117, p = 0.044), and Continuing Education Opportunities (β = 0.138, p = 0.017) were all significantly associated with higher levels of overall job satisfaction. Conclusions Most optometrists were satisfied with their jobs. Effective strategic planning and management of human resources for eye-health in Ghana are essential in the development of quality eye-health systems and the provision of high-quality eyecare services.

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The relationship between Internet use and self-concept clarity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cyberpsychology Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace ◽

10.5817/cp2021-2-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Cristina Elena Petre

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Internet Use ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Self Concept ◽

The Internet ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Evaluation ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

The Relationship

There are three hypotheses regarding the relationship between Self-Concept Clarity (SCC) and Internet use. It was argued that Internet use: 1) decreases SCC, 2) increases SCC, 3) does not relate with SCC. The present study, in the form of a systematic and meta-analytic synthesis, aimed to explore: a) the extent empirical evidence can support each hypothesis; b) how Internet use-SCC relationship was addressed across studies; c) the intensity of the Internet use –SCC relationship; d) potential moderators. Twenty-one studies (N = 8,910) met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review (i.e., being quantitative, written in English, concerned with Internet use -SCC relationship) and 11 studies (N = 3,298) met the additional criteria for meta-analysis (i.e., being correlational, using self-evaluation instruments, quantifying general Internet use and including the information needed to calculate the meta-analysis specific indicators). Results emphasized that all three hypotheses are plausible, as distinct dimensions of Internet use related differently with SCC. However, the conclusions were limited by the extensive use of cross-sectional design. For general Internet use and SCC relationship the overall effect was -0.350, p < .01. Some moderators were significant: cultural background, Internet operationalization, age homogeneity, participants rewarding. This paper outlines the complexity of SCC – Internet relationship and underlines some of the gaps that should be further addressed. Implications and limits of the study (e.g., publication bias, excluded outcomes in the meta-analysis or possible omission of moderators) are discussed.

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Sales Territory Design and Salesforce Performance in the Detergent Manufacturing Companies: The Actual Kenyan Context

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2021.v17n35p203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (35) ◽

pp. 203

Author(s):

Benson Muchoki Mwangi ◽

Francis N. Kibera ◽

Mary Kinoti ◽

Magutu P. Obara

Keyword(s):

Critical Role ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Primary Data ◽

P Value ◽

Manufacturing Companies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Territory Design ◽

Simple Regression Model ◽

Independent Variable ◽

Cross Sectional Design

This paper focuses on determining the influence of sales territory design on salesforce performance in the detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya. Detergents play a critical role in our everyday lives by ensuring hygiene at our personal level, in our homes, in schools, institutions, and hospitals. Detergents have gained a lot of prominence since the onset of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) disease in 2019, as it has been proved that they play an important role in curtailing the transmission of the COVID-19 disease. The Salesforce plays an important role in organizations as they are the ones who in most cases interact with customers, provide information about their organization and products, provide prices, demonstrate how products are used, train customers, provide after sales service, and resolve any issues that may arise. The study was anchored on Expectancy Theory, Resource Based Theory, Equity Theory, and Agency Theory. The study adopted positivism philosophy and used a descriptive cross sectional design. The unit of analysis was the sales people in the detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya who are members of Kenya Association of Manufacturers as per list obtained from KAM in December 2018. The study used primary data which was collected by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using a combination of both descriptive and inferential statics to describe the manifestations of the variables in the data collected, simple regression model was used to test the significance of the influence of sales territory design (independent variable) on the salesforce performance (dependent variable). Fischer distribution test (F-test) was used to test the significance of the independent variable and the overall model. The p-value for the F-statistic was used to determine the robustness of the model. This was done at 95% confidence level (p<0.05). The study found a strong relationship between sales territory design and salesforce performance. This depicts that sales territory design is critical in determining salesforce performance in detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya.

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Current issues in protocol registration for systematic review and meta-analysis studies: a survey of global researchers

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18841/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gehad Mohamed Tawfik ◽

Hoang Thi Nam Giang ◽

Sherief Ghozy ◽

Ahmed M. Altibi ◽

Hend Kandil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protocol Registration ◽

Acceptance Interval ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

Abstract Background Although protocol registration of systematic reviews/meta-analysis (SR/MA) is still not mandatory, authors are strongly suggested to publish their SR/MA protocols prior to submitting their manuscripts for publication as recommended by the Cochrane guidelines for conducting SR/MAs. We aimed to assess awareness, obstacles, and opinions of SR/MA authors about the protocol registration process.Methods A cross-sectional survey study included all authors who published SR/MAs during the period from 2010 to 2016 were contacted for participation in our survey study. They were identified through the literature search of SR/MAs in Scopus database. Upon receiving their approval to join our study, an online questionnaire was sent via e-mail to each participant.Results A total of 270 authors' responses were complete and were included in the final analysis. Our results showed that PROSPERO was the most commonly used database for protocol registration (71.3%). The registration-to-acceptance interval in PROSPERO was less than one month (99.1%). Almost half of the authors (44.2%) did not register their protocols prior to publishing their SR/MAs and their lack of knowledge of its importance was the most commonly reported reason (44.9%). A significant proportion of respondents (37.4%) believed that people would steal their ideas from protocol databases, while only 5.3% reported that their SR/MA had been stolen. However, the majority (72.9%) of participants agreed that protocol registries have a role in preventing unnecessary duplication of reviews. Finally, 37.4% of participants agreed that SR/MA protocol registration should be mandatory.Conclusion Lack of knowledge about SR/MA protocol registration process seems to be the primary reason for not registering such protocols. Therefore, interventions for increasing awareness about the benefits of protocol registration among researchers would be welcome.

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Everybody Present: Exploring the Use of an In-Class Meditation Intervention to Promote Positive Mental Health Among University Students

Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health ◽

10.7870/cjcmh-2018-022 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 9-21

Author(s):

Paula Gardner ◽

Kaitlyn Kerridge

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Classroom Environment ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Cross Sectional Design

There is a growing mental health crisis among university students in Canada. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect of an in-class mindfulness intervention on the mental health of undergraduate students. Cross-sectional design was used and data were collected using self-reported questionnaires that included scale-rated and open-ended questions (n = 435). Integrating open-ended themes with statistical findings, the final analysis suggests the intervention had a positive effect on the mental health of student participants. A classroom environment that fosters learning, builds community, and encourages compassion were identified as ways in which the intervention “works” to promote positive mental health.

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Obesity and the Risk of Suicide in Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Childhood Stunting, Wasting, and Obesity, as the Critical Global Health Issues: Forging Cross-Sectoral Solutions ◽

10.26911/the7thicph.01.39 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hisyam Syafi’ie ◽

◽

Hanung Prasetya ◽

Bhisma Murti ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

English Language ◽

Normal Population ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Major Depression Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Central Java ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Suicidal Ideas ◽

Depression Disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Some prospective studies reported that obesity is positively associated with depression. Adults with obese might have higher suicide risk, as patients with major depression disorder have a higher risk of committing suicide compared to the normal population. This study aimed to examine the association between obesity and the risk of suicide in adults. Subjects and Method: This was a meta-analysis and systematic review. The study was collected published articles from 2010 to 2020 in Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, Hindawi, Clinical Key, and ProQuest electronic databases. Searching process by insert “obesity” AND “suicidal” AND “cross sectional” AND “adjusted odd ratio” keywords. The inclusion criteria were full text, in English language, cross-sectional design, and reporting adjusted odds ratio. The data were analyzed by PRISMA flow chart and Revman 5.3. Results: 4 articles reported that obesity increased the risk of suicidal ideas in adults (aOR= 1.12; 95% CI= 0.96 to 1.31; p= 0.14). Conclusion: Obesity increased the risk of suicide in adults. Keywords: obesity, suicidal Correspondence: Hisyam Syafi’ie. Masters Program in Public Health. Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: 081326002006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.01.39

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Development and Validation of Teacher’s Laboratory Competence Evaluation Instrument (TLCEI)

UIC Research Journal ◽

10.17158/184 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Orcheliza L. Paramo

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Item Analysis ◽

Principal Component ◽

Laboratory Instruction ◽

Evaluation Instrument ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Final Version ◽

Competence Evaluation ◽

Cross Sectional Design

<p>The study aimed to develop and validate a teacher’s laboratory competence evaluation instrument (TLCEI) as an assessment tool for rating the competencies of laboratory teachers. This research was particularly conducted to identify the domains of competencies of teacher in handling laboratory classes and to determine the instrument’s validity and reliability. Cross- sectional design was employed using descriptive and analytic approaches to data analyses. A 54–item try-out version of the instrument was created based on the indicators identified by the selected laboratory instructors during interviews. One thousand college students with laboratory subjects participated in the pilot test. Item analysis of the try-out instrument reduced the 54 items to 35 for the final version. Pilot–testing for the reliability of the final version involved 100 students. The principal component exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated that the instrument measures three constructs such as “Laboratory Instruction,” “The Laboratory Environment,” and “Planning and Preparation.” The three–factor solution explained a total of 68.78% variance in the scale responses. The reliability coefficients supported that the TLCEI is highly consistent in measuring the constructs defined by the scale.</p>

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Federal Inland Revenue Service Tax Awareness Index: Development and Validation

International Journal of Business and Management ◽

10.5539/ijbm.v13n7p249 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 249

Author(s):

Fred Femi Akinfala ◽

Martha Ekong ◽

Abubakar M. Liman ◽

Pirfa Tyem ◽

Adashu Ashu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Principal Component ◽

Factor Solution ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Goods And Services ◽

Inland Revenue ◽

The Rich ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Development And Validation ◽

Descriptive Survey ◽

Survey Approach

Taxation is not just a means for generating revenue for the country, it is also a tool used to regulate the economy using fiscal policy, to control inflation, prices of goods and services and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. However, the awareness for this all-important component of any goal-oriented government is poor. It is against this backdrop that this study aimed at developing a Tax Awareness Index for use in the Nigerian context. The study adopted descriptive survey approach with a cross-sectional design. The sampling approach to recruit participants for the study was the convenience sampling method. Data analysis involved the use of principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation. Results showed that the initially proposed 10-factor solution of 94 questionnaire items was not supported with the data gathered. However, a 5-factor solution emerged that made substantive sense for the purpose of developing a Tax. Awareness Index. A composite score on the 5-factor solution indicates the level of tax awareness for a respondent. It was concluded that this index would serve as a viable tool to measure how much the general populace is aware of tax and its components.

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) among people with HIV in Ethiopia

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-021-00424-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yosef Zenebe ◽

Baye Akele ◽

Mulugeta W/Selassie ◽

Mogesie Necho

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Early Screening ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Size Heterogeneity

Abstract Background Ethiopia, being in the Sub Saharan region of Africa, is one of the countries with a substantial burden of HIV infection. Because of the high burden of HIV and poor health care settings, HAND is prevalent as demonstrated in various cross-sectional studies. However, no review has been conducted to report the consolidated magnitude of HAND among people with HIV in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of HAND in Ethiopia. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed studies that investigated the prevalence of HAND in Ethiopia from PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, HINARI, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases. We also looked at the reference lists of the included studies to include other relevant studies. Subgroup analysis was performed based on publication year, study location, and sample size. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using the I2 test. Potential publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test and visual inspection of symmetry in the funnel plots. Results In the present meta-analysis, 627 articles were initially identified and evaluated. Of these, 8 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of HAND in people with HIV in Ethiopia was 39.15% (95% CI 29.36, 48.94). The highest prevalence observed in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) with 53.20% (95% CI 25.96, 80.44) followed by others 34.87% (Tigray, Addis Ababa, and Oromia) (95% CI 33.49, 36.24) and Amhara 34.07% (95% CI 25.39, 42.74).The funnel plot was asymmetrical. However, Egger’s regression tests provided no evidence of publication bias in the prevalence of HAND. Conclusion In this meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of HAND, in Ethiopia, was high. Older age, substance use, advanced stages of the disease, and lack of education were the main determinants of HAND in Ethiopia. Health education, early screening of people with HIV, and training of health professionals working in hospitals on HAND are highly recommended.

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Protocol registration issues of systematic review and meta-analysis studies: a survey of global researchers

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18841/v6 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gehad Mohamed Tawfik ◽

Hoang Thi Nam Giang ◽

Sherief Ghozy ◽

Ahmed M. Altibi ◽

Hend Kandil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowing That ◽

Protocol Registration ◽

Acceptance Interval

Abstract Background: Although protocol registration of systematic reviews/meta-analysis (SR/MA) is still not mandatory, authors are strongly suggested to publish their SR/MA protocols prior to submitting their manuscripts for publication as recommended by the Cochrane guidelines for conducting SR/MAs. We aimed to assess awareness, obstacles, and opinions of SR/MA authors about the protocol registration process. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study included all authors who published SR/MAs during the period from 2010 to 2016 were contacted for participation in our survey study. They were identified through the literature search of SR/MAs in Scopus database. Upon receiving their approval to join our study, an online questionnaire was sent via e-mail to each participant. We received 275 responses from 6650 successfully sent emails. Results: A total of 270 authors' responses were complete and were included in the final analysis. Our results showed that PROSPERO was the most commonly used database for protocol registration (71.3%). The registration-to-acceptance interval in PROSPERO was less than one month (99.1%). Almost half of the authors (44.2%) did not register their protocols prior to publishing their SR/MAs and their opinion that lack of knowledge of its importance and mandance to be registered was the most commonly reported reason (44.9%). A significant proportion of respondents (37.4%) believed that people would steal their ideas from protocol databases, while only 5.3% reported that their SR/MA had been stolen. However, the majority (72.9%) of participants agreed that protocol registries have a role in preventing unnecessary duplication of reviews. Finally, 37.4% of participants agreed that SR/MA protocol registration should be mandatory. Conclusion: About half of the participants seemed that the primary reason for not registering such protocols, that was not knowing that protocols must or should be mandatory. Therefore, tools should be available to mandate protocol registration of any SRs beforehand and increasing awareness about the benefits of protocol registration among researchers.

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