scholarly journals A Systematic Review of COVID-19 Epidemiology Based on Current Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minah Park ◽  
Alex R. Cook ◽  
Jue Tao Lim ◽  
Yinxiaohe Sun ◽  
Borame L. Dickens
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

As the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread rapidly across the globe, we aimed to identify and summarize the existing evidence on epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and the effectiveness of control measures to inform policymakers and leaders in formulating management guidelines, and to provide directions for future research. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature and preprints on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak following predefined eligibility criteria. Of 317 research articles generated from our initial search on PubMed and preprint archives on 21 February 2020, 41 met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Current evidence suggests that it takes about 3-7 days for the epidemic to double in size. Of 21 estimates for the basic reproduction number ranging from 1.9 to 6.5, 13 were between 2.0 and 3.0. The incubation period was estimated to be 4-6 days, whereas the serial interval was estimated to be 4-8 days. Though the true case fatality risk is yet unknown, current model-based estimates ranged from 0.3% to 1.4% for outside China. There is an urgent need for rigorous research focusing on the mitigation efforts to minimize the impact on society.

scholarly journals Long-Term Growth in Phenylketonuria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Ilgaz ◽  
Alex Pinto ◽  
Hülya Gökmen-Özel ◽  
Julio César Rocha ◽  
Esther van Dam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
The Impact

There is an ongoing debate regarding the impact of phenylketonuria (PKU) and its treatment on growth. To date, evidence from studies is inconsistent, and data on the whole developmental period is limited. The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet on long-term growth in patients with PKU. Four electronic databases were searched for articles published until September 2018. A total of 887 results were found, but only 13 articles met eligibility criteria. Only three studies had an adequate methodology for meta-analysis. Although the results indicate normal growth at birth and during infancy, children with PKU were significantly shorter and had lower weight for age than reference populations during the first four years of life. Impaired linear growth was observed until the end of adolescence in PKU. In contrast, growth impairment was not reported in patients with mild hyperphenylalaninemia, not requiring dietary restriction. Current evidence indicates that even with advances in dietary treatments, “optimal” growth outcomes are not attained in PKU. The majority of studies include children born before 1990s, so further research is needed to show the effects of recent dietary practices on growth in PKU.

scholarly journals The Impact of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuoni Xiao ◽  
Mina Murat Baldwin ◽  
Franziska Meinck ◽  
Ingrid Obsuth ◽  
Aja Louise Murray
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Maltreatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Research suggests that childhood psychological maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse and emotional neglect) is associated with mental and physical health problems that persist into adulthood, for example anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and aggression; however, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature would help clarify the magnitude and moderators of these associations, and the extent to which they may be affected by publication bias, as well as the methodological strengths and weakness of studies in this area.Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline will be employed to structure the review. Several searches will be carried out via databases including Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Applied Social Science Index and Abstract, ERIC and EMBASE. Empirical peer reviewed research articles that fit pre-specified eligibility criteria will be included in the review. This review will include literature written in either English or Chinese. Two independent reviewers will screen and assess studies for inclusion in the review as well as extract the data, with consensus reached through discussion in cases of discrepancy. A third reviewer will be consulted to resolve any discrepancies that cannot be resolved through discussion between the original reviewers. The relevant Newcastle-Ottawa scales will be used for assessing the quality of studies. If a sufficient number of comparable studies are retrieved, a meta-analysis will be conducted using a random effects model. Discussion: This systematic review will provide an understanding of the long-term effects of childhood psychological maltreatment on adult mental health, which adds to previous reviews focusing primarily on the effects of physical and sexual abuse. The results of the review will help inform clinical practice in approaches to treating those with a history of psychological maltreatment in childhood. The gaps and weaknesses in the evidence identified will also inform recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Effects of Meteorological Factors on Hospitalizations in Adult Patients with Asthma: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elnaz Bodaghkhani ◽  
Masoud Mahdavian ◽  
Cameron MacLellan ◽  
Alison Farrell ◽  
Shabnam Asghari
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Asthma Hospitalization ◽  
The Impact

Background. Environmental factors such as weather variables contribute to asthma exacerbation. The impact of meteorological factors on asthma-related hospital admissions (HAs) or emergency department visits (EDVs) has been assessed in the literature. We conducted a systematic review to establish a conclusion of whether these findings from the literature are consistent and generalizable or if they vary significantly by certain subgroups. Objective. This study aims to review the effect of meteorological variables on asthma HAs and EDVs in adults, to identify knowledge gaps and to highlight future research priorities. Method. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. All studies published in English were screened and included if they met the eligibility criteria. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of the studies and extracted the data. The available evidence was summarized and presented using a harvest plot. Results. Our initial search returned a total of 3887 articles. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 16 studies were included. Thirty-one percent of the included studies (5/16) found that temperature was the only factor associated with asthma hospitalization or EDVs. Six studies (37%) found that both temperature and relative humidity were associated with HAs. Four studies (25%) identified thunderstorms as a possible factor associated with asthma hospitalization in adults. Conclusion. Our review suggests that HAs and EDVs due to asthma are associated with many meteorological factors. Among the articles included in this review, changing temperature is the most commonly studied variable. We did not find studies that measured barometric pressure, weather phenomena, or the effect of tornados. To develop effective strategies to protect subjects at risk, further studies are required.

A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Evidence for the Use of Lifestyle Planning in People with Learning Disabilities

1999 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rowe ◽  
A. Rudkin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Current Evidence Base

Lifestyle planning (LP) for people with learning disabilities is largely supported by qualitative rather than quantitative research. LP is a time-consuming and potentially resource-intensive area of practice which is becoming more prevalent in the UK. We present the first systematic review of the qualitative evidence base for the use of LP in people with learning disabilities. Such evidence concerns the special characteristics of LP and its outcomes in descriptive rather than quantitative terms. Qualitative research is usually aimed at enhancing validity by grounding theory in data collected. Twenty-one studies passed eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review, but only ten provided any outcome data, the others being concerned with process only. A replicable search strategy was employed and the resulting original data sources were critically reviewed with respect to major concepts and categories in the areas of: planning process, choices and preferences, ethics and outcomes. Explicitly person-centred approaches such as essential lifestyle planning are contrasted with more service-led methods such as individual programme planning. There are major methodological limitations in much of the available literature and suggestions for future research to clarify matters are made. The current evidence base suggests that no form of LP has significantly better outcomes than any other form and that it is not clear if LP in general enhances outcomes. Ongoing use of person centred planning in particular is informed by ethical considerations and is evolving in its structure and function.

scholarly journals The impact of polygamy on women's mental health: a systematic review

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. D. Shepard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

Aims.The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and appraise the present state of prevalence research on the mental health of polygynous women, or plural wives, and to summarize its implications for future research and social work practice.Methods.PsycInfo (1967 to November 2011) and Medline (1985 to November 2011) databases, systematic bibliography hand-searches, personal communication with a leading expert, and gray literature searching were applied in a systematic literature search of the prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women compared to monogamous women. Twenty-two studies meeting eligibility criteria were identified. Study characteristics, methods and findings were systematically extracted and appraised for quality.Results.The identified studies are of mixed methodological quality, but generally suggest a more significant prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women compared to monogamous women. Individual studies report a higher prevalence of somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism and psychiatric disorder in polygynous wives as well as reduced life and marital satisfaction, problematic family functioning and low self-esteem.Conclusions.The current state of the research reveals with moderate confidence, a more significant prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women as compared to monogamous women. Implications for practice and research are indicated.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on end of life care delivery in care homes: A mixed method systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110298
Author(s):  
Adam Spacey ◽  
Sam Porter ◽  
Michele Board ◽  
Janet Scammell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Life Care ◽  
The Impact

Background: Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 is having a negative impact on the delivery of end of life care in care homes around the world. There is a need to collate current evidence to provide a comprehensive overview to assess extent of the problem. Aim: To describe and evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on end of life care delivery in care homes. Design: Systematic review and narrative synthesis of studies reporting qualitative and quantitative data. Data sources: The databases MEDLINE, psycINFO, SCOPUS and CINAHL were searched between December 2019 and March 2021. Results: Nine studies were included. For care home staff, challenges included significant increases in responsibility and exposure to death, both of which have taken an emotional toll. Results indicate that staff tended not to be offered adequate emotional support or afforded the time to grieve. For those receiving end of life care, results indicate that the end of life care that they tended to receive, especially in the form of advance planning, was disrupted by the pandemic. Conclusion: The effect of the pandemic has been to exacerbate existing problems in the provision of end of life care in care homes for both service providers and users, making that which was previously opaque starkly visible. Future research is needed to explore the effects of the pandemic and its management on those receiving end of life care in care homes and their significant others.

scholarly journals Compensation Techniques Aimed at Mitigating Vibrations in Optical Ground-Based Telescopes: A Systematic Review

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3613
Author(s):  
Guillermo Palacios-Navarro ◽  
Fernando Arranz Martínez ◽  
Raúl Martín Ferrer ◽  
Pedro Ramos Lorente
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Loop Control ◽  
The Past ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
Optical Telescopes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the different systems and techniques aimed at suppressing vibrations on optical ground-based telescopes. We identified the studies by searching three electronic databases (Science Direct, IEEE library and Web of Science) from the year 2000 to December 2020. The studies were eligible if they proposed systems focused on mitigating the effects of vibrations in optical telescopes and brought performance data. A total of nine studies met our eligibility criteria. Current evidence confirms the feasibility of adaptative optics (AO) systems based on closed-loop control to mitigate vibrations, although variations and additions should be made depending on their nature and characteristics in order to improve the performance of the proposed techniques. This systematic review was conducted to provide a state-of-the-art of the methods and techniques that have been developed over the past two decades. The review also points out some issues that demand future research.

scholarly journals Lights, Camera, Activity! A Systematic Review of Research on Learner-Generated Videos

10.28945/4874 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 405-427
Author(s):  
Bridgette M Epps ◽  
Tian Luo ◽  
Pauline Salim Muljana
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Impact

Aim/Purpose: The current literature discusses the use and benefits of learner-generated videos (LGVs). However, it rarely addresses any correlation between the types of subjects that are best suited for using these videos or what techniques should accompany the use of LGVs. Background: This systematic review synthesizes current literature to identify patterns and implications that develop from the use of LGVs so that their future use can be both consistent and effective. This paper also reviews the studies to establish the most consistent educational benefits that emerge from this activity. Methodology: Employing the Preferred-Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique, this systematic review cumulated 39 eligible studies published between 2008 to 2020. A set of eligibility criteria guided us in the article selection process, such as the use of LGVs as an assignment, educational settings, publication time frame, and empirical studies. We conducted further steps by searching the articles in major databases, screening, analyzing, and synthesizing the articles. Contribution: This study expands the literature regarding LGVs-related topics in both research and practical aspects. We have discovered research gaps, suggesting the directions of future studies. Additionally, we provide suggestions for practitioners interested in adopting LGVs. Findings: Findings reveal that the use of LGVs may result in reduced cognitive load, increased creativity, increased cross-curricular competencies, learner independence, and the ability to apply knowledge in a meaningful way. Recommendations for Practitioners: Most of the studies that we reviewed recommended strategies for implementing LGVs into a curriculum to optimize the benefits of LGVs. • Articulating the learning objectives and aligning the LGV activities with the learning objectives emerges as an important strategy. • Instructors may guide students to commence the LGV project early and stay organized with the tasks required to complete the project, as this type of guidance may help students overcome time-related challenges. • Providing several options for the students to create different designs or formats and select the type of media would promote their creativity. Recommendation for Researchers: Other scholars may consider exploring group differences in their learning performance by employing an experimental study (e.g., providing specific production rules versus not), including investigating the impact on the learning achievement. Future Research: Future studies may focus on investigating the impact on cognitive load when students produce LGVs with instructional guidance. Other important variables, such as self-confidence and self-efficacy, that may have played a role in the process of producing LGVs deserve further attention.

scholarly journals Prevalence and outcomes of malaria as co-infection among patients with human African trypanosomiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui ◽  
Frederick Ramirez Masangkay ◽  
Giovanni De Jesus Milanez ◽  
Manas Kotepui
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Human African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Antimalarial Treatment ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHuman African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is endemic in Africa; hence, the possibility of co-infection with malaria among patients with HAT exists. The present study investigated co-infection with malaria among patients with HAT to provide current evidence and characteristics to support further studies. Potentially relevant studies that reported Plasmodium spp. infection in patients with HAT was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The risk of bias among the included studies was assessed using the checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The pooled prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection in patients with HAT was quantitatively synthesized using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses of study sites and stages of HAT were performed to identify heterogeneity regarding prevalence among the included studies. The heterogeneity of the outcome among the included studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics for consistency. Publication bias was assessed if the number of included studies was 10 or more. For qualitative synthesis, a narrative synthesis of the impact of Plasmodium spp. infection on the clinical and outcome characteristics of HAT was performed when the included studies provided qualitative data. Among 327 studies identified from three databases, nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. co-infection (692 cases) among patients with HAT (1523 cases) was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28–72%, I2 = 98.1%, seven studies). Subgroup analysis by type of HAT (gambiense or rhodesiense HAT) revealed that among patients with gambiense HAT, the pooled prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection was 46% (95% CI = 14–78%, I2 = 96.62%, four studies), whereas that among patients with rhodesiense HAT was 44% (95% CI = 40–49%, I2 = 98.3%, three studies). Qualitative syntheses demonstrated that Plasmodium spp. infection in individuals with HAT might influence the risk of encephalopathy syndrome, drug toxicity, and significantly longer corrected QT time. Moreover, longer hospital stays and higher treatment costs were recorded among co-infected individuals. Because of the high prevalence of malaria among patients with HAT, some patients were positive for malaria parasites despite being asymptomatic. Therefore, it is suggested to test every patient with HAT for malaria before HAT treatment. If malaria is present, then antimalarial treatment is recommended before HAT treatment. Antimalarial treatment in patients with HAT might decrease the probability of poor clinical outcomes and case fatality in HAT.

The impacts of COVID-19 on eating disorders and disordered eating: A mixed studies systematic review and implications for healthcare professionals, carers, and self

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney McLean ◽  
Ranjani Utpala ◽  
Gemma Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The unique constraints to everyday life brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have been shown to negatively impact those with pre-existing mental health issues such as eating disorders. While individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating behaviours represent a vulnerable group to COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the pandemic is yet to be fully established. As such, we systematically examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours. Method: We searched electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE for literature published until October 2021. Eligible studies were required to report on individuals with or without a diagnosed eating disorder or disordered eating behaviours who were exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Seventy-two studies met eligibility criteria with the majority supporting an increase in eating disorder or disordered eating behaviours associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, children and adolescents and individuals with a diagnosed eating disorder present a vulnerable group to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion: This systematic review provides a timely insight into COVID-19 eating disorder literature and will assist in understanding possible future long-term impacts of the pandemic on eating disorders behaviours. It appears that the role of stress in the development and maintenance of eating disorders was intensified as a means to cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Future research is needed among understudied and minority groups and to examine the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours.

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