scholarly journals Effect of Pharmacogenetic-Based Decision Support Tools in Improving Depression Outcomes: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimaa Aboelbaha ◽  
Monica Zolezzi ◽  
Hazem Elewa

Introduction: Evidence supporting pharmacogenetic (PGX) tests utility in depression is scarce. The main objectives of this study were to summarize, update, and assess the quality of the available evidence regarding PGX testing in depression as well as estimating the impact of using PGX testing tools in depression outcomes in the MENA region. Methodology: Scientific databases were systematically searched from inception to March 20, 2020 for systematic reviews (SRs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing clinical utility of PGX tests in treatment of depression. Meta-analysis only and RCTs that that were included in eligible SRs were excluded. Quality of the eligible studies were assessed using Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). Results: Six SRs and three RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Results of the SRs have provided weak evidence on the efficacy of PGX testing especially in patients with moderate-severe depression at eight weeks. In addition, there was a lack of evidence regarding safety outcomes. Newer RCTs with better qualities showed clinical promise regarding efficacy outcomes especially in patients with gene-drug interactions. No evidence was found regarding PGX testing impact in the MENA region. Conclusion: This SR summarizes findings, provides an update, and assesses the quality of available SRs on this topic. Findings of this study have demonstrated that PGX testing prior to treatment initiation might improve efficacy outcomes. Further studies are warranted to assess PGX testing impact on safety outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-403
Author(s):  
Silvia Tanzi ◽  
Francesco Venturelli ◽  
Stefano Luminari ◽  
Franco Domenico Merlo ◽  
Luca Braglia ◽  
...  

BackgroundEarly palliative care together with standard haematological care for advanced patients is needed worldwide. Little is known about its effect. The aim of the review is to synthesise the evidence on the impact of early palliative care on haematologic cancer patients’ quality of life and resource use.Patients and methodsA systematic review was conducted. The search terms were early palliative care or simultaneous or integrated or concurrent care and haematological or oncohaematological patients. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINHAL and Scopus. Additional studies were identified through cross-checking the reference articles. Studies were in the English language, with no restriction for years. Two researchers independently reviewed the titles and abstracts, and one author assessed full articles for eligibility.ResultsA total of 296 studies titles were reviewed. Eight articles were included in the synthesis of the results, two controlled studies provided data on the comparative efficacy of PC interventions, and six one-arm studies were included. Since data pooling and meta-analysis were not possible, only a narrative synthesis of the study results was performed. The quality of the two included comparative studies was low overall. The quality of the six non-comparative studies was high overall, without the possibility of linking the observed results to the implemented interventions.ConclusionsStudies on early palliative care and patients with haematological cancer are scarce and have not been prospectively designed. More research on the specific population target, type and timing of palliative care intervention and standardisation of collected outcomes is required.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020141322.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic O’Connor ◽  
Malcolm Brown ◽  
Martin Eatock ◽  
Richard C. Turkington ◽  
Gillian Prue

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. Methods A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. Results Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. Conclusions High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3078
Author(s):  
Yuh Cai Chia ◽  
Md Asiful Islam ◽  
Phil Hider ◽  
Peng Yeong Woon ◽  
Muhammad Farid Johan ◽  
...  

Multiple recurrent somatic mutations have recently been identified in association with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). This meta-analysis aims to assess the pooled prevalence of TET2 gene mutations among patients with MPN. Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Embase) were searched for relevant studies from inception till September 2020, without language restrictions. The eligibility criteria included BCR-ABL-negative MPN adults with TET2 gene mutations. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses explored results among different continents and countries, WHO diagnostic criteria, screening methods and types of MF. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020212223). Thirty-five studies were included (n = 5121, 47.1% female). Overall, the pooled prevalence of TET2 gene mutations in MPN patients was 15.5% (95% CI: 12.1–19.0%, I2 = 94%). Regional differences explained a substantial amount of heterogeneity. The prevalence of TET2 gene mutations among the three subtypes PV, ET and MF were 16.8%, 9.8% and 15.7%, respectively. The quality of the included studies was determined to be moderate–high among 83% of the included studies. Among patients with BCR-ABL-negative MPN, the overall prevalence of TET2 gene mutations was 15.5%.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Zong Zhao ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Hongyan Jia ◽  
Wensheng Sun ◽  
Angang Ming ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the impact of different slope directions on the quantity and quality of the soil seed bank and seedling germination process of Castanopsis hystrix plantations. Method: Fixed sample plots in forest stands of Castanopsis hystrix were established on different slope directions (sunny slope, semi-sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and shady slope). The characteristics of the forest stand were investigated, and per-wood scaling was carried out. The temporal dynamics of the seed rain and seed bank were quantified using seed rain collectors and by collecting soil samples from different depths. The quantity and quality of the seeds were determined, and the vigor of mature seeds was measured throughout the study. Results: (1) The diffusion of Castanopsis hystrix seed rain started in mid-September, reached its peak from late October to early November, and ended in mid-December. (2) The dissemination process, occurrence time, and composition of the seed rain varied between the different slope directions. The seed rain intensity on the semi-sunny slope was the highest (572.75 ± 9.50 grains∙m−2), followed by the sunny slope (515.60 ± 10.28 grains∙m−2), the semi-shady slope (382.13 ± 12.11 grains∙m−2), and finally the shady slope (208.00 ± 11.35 grains∙m−2). The seed rain on the sunny slope diffused earliest and lasted the longest, while the seed rain on the shady slope diffused latest and lasted the shortest time. Seed vigor and the proportion of mature seeds within the seed rain were greatest on the semi-sunny slope, followed by the sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and the shady slope. (3) From the end of the seed rain to August of the following year, the amount of total reserves of the soil seed banks was highest on the semi-sunny slope, followed by the sunny slope then the semi-shady slope, and it was the lowest on the shady slope. The amount of mature, immature, gnawed seeds and seed vigor of the soil seed bank in various slope directions showed a decreasing trend with time. The seeds of the seed bank in all slope directions were mainly distributed in the litter layer, followed by the 0–2 cm humus layer, and only a few seeds were present in the 2–5 cm soil layer. (4) The seedling density of Castanopsis hystrix differed significantly on the different slope directions. The semi-sunny slope had the most seedlings, followed by the sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and the shady slope. Conclusions: The environmental conditions of the semi-sunny slope were found to be most suitable for the seed germination and seedling growth of Castanopsis hystrix, and more conducive to the regeneration and restoration of its population.


Author(s):  
Juliana Vianna Pereira ◽  
Ana Gabriela Costa Normando ◽  
Carla Isabelly Rodrigues-Fernandes ◽  
César Rivera ◽  
Alan Roger Santos-Silva ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Atalla M. Alqotaish ◽  
Adel M. Qatawneh

The Impact of Accounting of Environmental Costs to Improve the Quality of Accounting Information in the Jordanian Industrial Companies is a study aimed to explore the importance of accounting on environmental cost in the improve of the quality of accounting information. Data were collected through from the Jordanian companies and a questionnaire distributed among the workers of offices and departments of accounting in the industrial companies listed in Jordan stock market. The study came up with the following findings: The study has shown that there exists a significant statistical relationship between the size of environmentally-related accounting disclosure of information for publicly owned companies and the adequacy of financial listing of such companies. The study has shown that there exists a significant statistical relationship between Investors decisions and the information provided by the collective performance disclosure. As per the study results, we recommend the following: The necessity of accountants' obligation towards environmentally-related auditing information provided with the financial reports, and the necessity of emphasizing on information importance as provided by the environmentally-related collective performance.


2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Safi ◽  
Anna M. Aniserowicz ◽  
Heather Colquhoun ◽  
Jill Stier ◽  
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia

Abstract Background Eating disorders (ED) can reduce quality of life by limiting participation and performance in social and occupational roles, including paid or unpaid work. The association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance must be well understood to strengthen vocational rehabilitation programmes and prevent occupational disruptions in the ED population. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine the degree of association between ED pathologies and work participation and performance in 15-year-olds and older; (2) to highlight the specific ED symptoms that are most correlated with changes in work performance and participation; (3) to compile the most common metrics and assessments used to measure work participation and performance with ED. Methods Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library will be searched for observational and experimental studies that meet the following criteria: (1) a clinical sample of typical or atypical ED; (2) paid or unpaid employment or training; (3) an association between ED pathologies and work participation or performance. Unpublished data will also be examined. Title and abstract, and full-text screening will be conducted in duplicate. Risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments will be completed. A random-effect meta-analysis will be performed. Discussion This synthesis can clarify knowledge and gaps around the impact of ED on work functioning, thereby allowing better evaluation, improvements and development of current workplace assessments, interventions, and policies. Trial registration The registration number for this systematic review on PROSPERO is CRD42021255055.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Matt McCrary ◽  
Eckart Altenmuller ◽  
Clara Kretschmer ◽  
Daniel S. Scholz

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidence supports the ability of music to broadly promote wellbeing and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the magnitude of music effects on HRQOL is still unclear, particularly relative to established interventions, limiting inclusion of music interventions in health policy and care. The SF-36 is the most widely used instrument to evaluate HRQOL, with broad validity in evaluating the effects of a range of interventions. This study aims to synthesize and contextualize the impact of music interventions on HRQOL, as assessed by the SF-36. Methods: MEDLINE; EMBASE; Web of Science; PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov, and ICTRP databases were searched on 30 July 2021. Randomized and single-group studies of music interventions which reported SF-36 data at pre- and post-intervention timepoints were included. Observational studies were excluded. The quality and certainty of evidence provided by included articles and meta-analysis results was appraised using GRADE. Inverse variance random effects meta-analyses quantified changes in SF-36 mental and physical component summary scores (respectively, MCS and PCS) pre- to post-intervention and vs. common control groups. Results: Analyses included 764 participants from 25 studies. Music interventions (music listening, 10 studies; music therapy, 7 studies; singing, 7 studies; gospel music, 1 study) significantly improved MCS (Mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval]=3.0 [1.4, 4.6]; p<.001) and PCS (MD=1.0 [0.1, 2.0; p<.04) scores. In a subgroup (8 studies; music group, N=254; control, N=257) addition of music to standard treatment for a range of conditions significantly improved MCS scores vs. standard treatment alone (MD=3.7 [0.4, 7.1; p<.03). Effects did not vary between music listening, therapy and singing intervention types or doses (p>.12); no evidence of small study or publication biases was present in any analysis (p>.31). Music impact on MCS scores meets SF-36 minimum important difference thresholds (MD>/=3) and is within the range of established interventions. Conclusions: This study provides Moderate quality evidence that music interventions can generally be used to provide clinically meaningful improvements in HRQOL. Further study is needed to determine optimal music interventions and doses for distinct clinical and public health scenarios. Funding: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021276204)


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