Reporting methodological issues of the mendelian randomization studies in health and medical research: a systematic review

Background Mendelian randomization (MR) studies using Genetic risk scores (GRS) as an instrumental variable (IV) have increasingly been used to control for unmeasured confounding in observational healthcare databases. However, proper reporting of methodological issues is sparse in these studies. We aimed to review published papers related to MR studies and identify reporting problems. Methods We conducted a systematic review using the clinical articles published between 2009 and 2019. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. We retrieved information from every MR study, including the tests performed to evaluate assumptions and the modelling approach used for estimation. Using our inclusion/exclusion criteria, finally, we identified 97 studies to conduct the review according to the PRISMA statement. Results Only 66 (68%) of the studies empirically verified the first assumption (Relevance assumption), and 40 (41.2%) studies reported the appropriate tests (e.g., R2, F-test) to investigate the association. A total of 35.1% clearly stated and discussed theoretical justifications for the second and third assumptions. 30.9% of the studies used a two-stage least square, and 11.3% used the Wald estimator method for estimating IV. Also, 44.3% of the studies conducted a sensitivity analysis to illuminate the robustness of estimates for violations of the untestable assumptions. Conclusions We found that incompleteness of the justification of the assumptions for the instrumental variable in MR studies was a common problem in our selected studies. This may misdirect the findings of the studies.

Usefulness of Magnetic Mallet in Oral Surgery and Implantology: A Systematic Review

This systematic review aimed to answer the question: “Is the use of magnetic mallet effective in oral and implant surgery procedures in terms of tissue healing, surgery outcome, and complication rate compared to traditional instruments?” A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (articles published until 1 October 2021) was conducted, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, using the keywords “magnetic mallet”, “electric mallet”, “oral surgery”, “implantology”, and “dental implant”. Of 252 articles, 14 were included in the review (3 for teeth extraction, and 11 for implant dentistry). Out of a total of 619 dental extractions (256 patients) performed with the magnetic mallet (MM), no complications were reported. Implants inserted totaled 880 (525 patients): 640 in the MM groups (382), and 240 in control groups (133). The survival rate of implants was 98.9% in the MM groups, and 95.42% in the control groups. Seven patients experienced benign paroxysmal positional vertigo after implant surgery, all in control groups. Results are not sufficient to establish the effectiveness of MM in oral and implant surgery procedures. Randomized controlled trials with a large sample size are needed.

Quais as evidências científicas sobre Auriculoterapia e a COVID-19?

Este estudo tem por objetivo, reunir e analisar evidências sobre o uso da Auriculoterapia durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Trata-se uma revisão integrativa, realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Science and Science Direct com estudos publicados até 11/06/2021. Utilizou-se o Guideline Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewsand Meta-Analyses - The PRISMA Statement. A pergunta da pesquisa foi: Quais as contribuições/atuação da Auriculoterapia durante a pandemia da COVID-19? Foram encontrados um total de 16 estudos sendo que após análise, foram incluídos neste trabalho cinco estudos. Dentre os estudos analisados todos, 100% (n = 5) apresentaram uma melhora na redução das queixas tratadas e melhora na qualidade dos profissionais de saúde atendidos pela Auriculoterapia. Observou-se que a Auriculoterapia se mostrou eficaz na redução dos quadros de ansiedade, estresse, depressão além de, proporcionar uma melhora no desempenho profissional e na qualidade de sono destes profissionais de saúde em tempos de pandemia COVID-19. O presente estudo evidenciou COVID-19 resultados positivos quanto ao uso da Auriculoterapia. A terapia apresentou eficácia na redução dos quadros de ansiedade, estresse, depressão além de, proporcionar uma melhora no desempenho profissional e na qualidade de sono destes profissionais de saúde, porém estudos futuros e de melhor nível de evidência são necessários para se identificar os resultados do uso da auriculoterapia sob os impactos causados pela pandemia.

Gestão do conhecimento na assistência pelo enfermeiro perioperatório: revisão sistemática

Introdução:A gestão do conhecimento contribui para o empoderamento da prática do enfermeiro perioperatório, e auxilia na caracterização do papel estratégico do na assistência em saúde.Objetivo: Examinar a evidência científica disponível referente à gestão do conhecimento por parte do enfermeiro perioperatório e analisar os desfechos dessas pesquisas. Método: Revisão sistemática conduzido conforme a metodologia PreferredReportingItems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA Statement), busca nas bases de dados Medical LiteratureandRetrieval System Online via PUBMED, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde via Biblioteca Regional de Medicina, Cochrane Library e Scielo no período de 02 a 25 de setembro de 2018.Resultados:Do total de 1419 artigos, 12 estudos foram considerados nesta revisão sistemática. Os estudos incluídos no geral, não ofereceram tratamentos abrangentes sobre enfermeiros perioperatórios e sua posição estratégica na gestão do conhecimento, por isso foram analisados observando outras perspectivas.Conclusão: Enfermeiros perioperatórios possuem posição estratégica na gestão do conhecimento, havendo diferenças na qualidade da assistência aos pacientes, quando comparadas a assistência em saúde geral.

A systematic literature review of open innovation in small and medium enterprises in the past decade

Purpose There is a growing trend of open innovation (OI) in small and middle enterprises (SMEs) these days, yet the implementation of OI in SMEs is a challenge because of their financial and resource constraints. This study aims to identify and analyze the past trends, barriers and outcomes and major factors influencing the implementation of OI in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach This review is based on 40 published articles from the Scopus database. It selects highly cited papers published from 2010 to 2019. The PRISMA statement template is used to explain the overall process of selection and rejections of the relevant articles. Findings The study contributes in two ways. First, through a comprehensive literature review, the authors highlight the overall development of the concept of OI in the literature over the past 10 years and highlight the findings of the significant studies. Second, the authors provide detailed representations of the OI literature by calculating yearly publications and identifying the SMEs which mostly implement OI practices, journals that publish a relevant article, OI-related publications in different disciplines and geographical locations in which most of the OI studies have been conducted. The study also reveals the most cited articles, journals and authors. Originality/value The authors conclude this paper with the argument that although much research has been done in the OI field, still there is a need to establish tools, models and methods that could facilitate SMEs in OI, especially for developing economies.

The Carcinogenic Effects of Formaldehyde Occupational Exposure: A Systematic Review

Background: Formaldehyde, classified as a carcinogen in 2004, as of today is widely used in many work activities. From its classification, further studies were performed to evaluate its carcinogenicity. The aim of the systematic review is to update the evidence on occupational exposure to formaldehyde and cancer onset. Methods: The review, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, includes articles in English reporting original results of studies conducted on workers exposed to formaldehyde, considering all types of cancer, published from 1 January 2000 to 30 July 2021 and selected from the Pubmed and Scopus databases. The studies’ quality was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of 21 articles were included, conducted in different European, American, and Asian countries. The most investigated occupational areas are those characterized by a deliberate use of formaldehyde. Some studies evaluated all types of cancer, whereas others focused on specific sites such as thyroid and respiratory, lymphohematopoietic, or central nervous systems. The results showed weak associations with lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the need for further original studies carried out on representative samples of workers exposed to measured levels of FA. These studies should be designed to reduce the bias due to co-exposure to other carcinogens.

Sustainable Processes in Aluminium, Magnesium, and Titanium Alloys Applied to the Transport Sector: A Review

The reduction of consumption and pollutant emissions is a top priority for the transport sector. One working line is the substitution of conventional structural materials with lightweight materials such as metallic alloys of aluminium, titanium, and/or magnesium. For this reason, and considering that the number of related articles is lower than the existing number of other structural lightweight materials, it is considered very convenient and helpful to carry out a systematic analysis of their latest trends through Open Access literature. A methodology adapted from the PRISMA statement is applied, in order to guarantee unbiasedness and quality in selecting literature and research. The final selection is made up of the 40 most cited research papers from 2015–2020, with an average of 20.6 citations per article. Turning and drilling are the most trending machining processes, and there is particular interest in the study of sustainable cooling, such as dry machining, cryogenic cooling, and MQL. In addition, another trending topic is multi-materials and joining dissimilar materials with guarantees. Additive manufacturing has also been identified as an increasingly trending theme, appearing in 18% of the selected studies. This work is complemented with summary tables of the most cited Open Access articles on sustainable machining and cooling, multi-materials or hybrid components, and additive manufacturing.

Robótica para la inclusión educativa: una revisión sistemática

La educación debe ser inclusiva y uno de los instrumentos de los que se puede servir es la robótica. Además, uno de los elementos de la robótica es la programación y para programar se aplica el pensamiento computacional. Por otra parte, para que la educación sea inclusiva se debe atender a la diversidad. Así, se procede a desarrollar una revisión sistemática sobre el uso de la robótica para la inclusión educativa. Las preguntas de investigación son: ¿La robótica educativa puede ser una estrategia de inclusión educativa?, ¿qué beneficios se obtienen con el uso de la robótica en la inclusión educativa? y ¿cómo es la formación de los docentes en relación con el uso de la robótica para la inclusión? Tras aplicar filtros siguiendo la declaración PRISMA han sido seleccionados 23 estudios pertenecientes a las bases de datos Scopus y WOS. Las conclusiones son que la robótica sí puede ser una estrategia de inclusión educativa. Además, se señalan numerosos beneficios de la misma, como el aumento de la motivación, la creatividad y la capacidad de trabajo en equipo y la mejora en habilidades sociales y comunicativas. En lo relativo a la formación docente en este ámbito se han obtenido pocos resultados, pues muy pocos estudios de la revisión sistemática tratan este tema. No obstante, se destaca que la mayoría de los docentes considera la robótica una herramienta útil para la inclusión educativa. Education must be inclusive and one of the tools used to achieve this is robotics. In addition, one of the elements of robotics is programming and computational thinking is applied to program. On the other hand, to ensure that education is inclusive, there must be diversity. I proceed to develop a systematic review on the use of robotics for educational inclusion. The questions of this research are: Can educational robotics be a strategy for educational inclusion? What benefits are obtained with the use of robotics in educational inclusion? How is the training of teachers in relation to the use of robotics for inclusion? After applying filters following the PRISMA statement, 23 studies belonging to the Scopus and WOS databases have been selected. The conclusions are: educational robotics can indeed be a strategy for educational inclusion. In addition, numerous benefits are reported, such as increased motivation, creativity and teamwork skills, and improved social and communication skills. Few results have been obtained about teacher training in this área (very few studies in the systematic review address this issue). However, it is noted that most teachers consider robotics a useful tool for educational inclusion.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

Garlic (Allium sativa L.) is a bulbous flowering plant belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae and is a predominant horticultural crop originating from central Asia. Garlic and its products are chiefly used for culinary and therapeutic purposes in many countries. Bulbs of raw garlic have been investigated for their role in oral health, which are ascribed to a myriad of biologically active compounds such as alliin, allicin, methiin, S-allylcysteine (SAC), diallyl sulfide (DAS), S-ally-mercapto cysteine (SAMC), diallyl disulphide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and methyl allyl disulphide. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. Scopus, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Science direct databases were searched between 12 April 2021 to 4 September 2021. A total of 148 studies were included and the qualitative synthesis phytochemical profile of GE, biological activities, therapeutic applications of garlic extract (GE) in oral health care system, and its mechanism of action in curing various oral pathologies have been discussed. Furthermore, the safety of incorporation of GE as food supplements is also critically discussed. To conclude, GE could conceivably make a treatment recourse for patients suffering from diverse oral diseases.

The Efficacy of Transcarotid Artery Revascularization With Flow Reversal System Compared to Carotid Endarterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Carotid artery stenosis has long been a critical cause of stroke and death, and it can seriously affect the life quality. Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are both feasible therapies for this disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate if the efficacy of the two approaches is comparable.Methods: Clinical studies up to March 2021 were searched through PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from a computer. The screening process was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for methodological quality assessment of works of literature meeting the inclusion criteria, and Review Manager 5.4 was used for data synthesis. The I2 statistic was performed to measure the heterogeneity, and M-H/I-V fixed or random model was utilized depending on the I2 value. The evidence evaluation was accomplished based on grades of recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) online tool.Results: A total of 14,200 subjects (six comparative studies) were finally included in this pooled study. There is no statistical discrepancy between the two treatments on reducing stroke/death/myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.67–1.07), stroke (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.77–1.37), or death (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.67–1.94). Besides, TCAR is associated with a lower incidence of myocardial infarction (P = 0.004), cranial nerve injury (P < 0.00001), and shorter procedure time (P < 0.00001) than CEA among the overall cohort.Conclusions: TCAR is a rapidly developing treatment that reaches a comparable prognosis to CEA and significantly reduces the risk of myocardial infarction under the well-matched condition, which is a dependable choice for patients with carotid stenosis.