INVESTIGATION OF OIL TANKER ACCIDENTS BY USING GIS

This study focuses on marine accident data regarding accidents that occurred between the years 1998-2010 for ships within the oil tanker category. Data in the study include accident reports, which are recorded in the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) and country reports. Textual accident data in the GISIS database were tabulated, thus creating a systematic database. By using accident data from this database, a marine accidents map for oil tankers was developed via the ArcGIS 10 program, the areas with the highest accident incident rates were determined, and reasons for oil tanker accidents were revealed through the assessment of factors such as accident type, accident incident number, accident scope, ship tonnage, navigational sea area type, and accident’s impacts on the environment, economy and personnel. The study showed that very high risk areas for oil tanker marine accidents include the Singapore Strait and Oresund, and high risk areas are the Bristol Channel, Suez Channel, Strait of Hormuz, Great Belt, Piraeus, Hull, İstanbul Strait, and Amsterdam, respectively. The study also established that oil tanker accidents are related to ship tonnage and navigational sea area type.

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Elderly Patients: A Feasibility and Safety Systematic Review for the Clinician

ObjectiveRadiotherapy (RT) in the head and neck (H&N) site are undoubtedly the most challenging treatments for patients. Older and frail patients are not always able to tolerate it, and there are still no clear guidelines on the type of treatments to be preferred for them. The recommendations for Risk-Adapted H&N Cancer Radiation Therapy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided by the ASTRO-ESTRO consensus statement achieved a strong agreement about hypofractionated RT (HFRT). A systematic literature review was conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility and safety of HFRT for older patients affected by H&N malignancies.Materials and MethodsA systematic database search was performed on PubMed and Embase according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original studies, case series, and case reports describing the use of HFRT (with at least 2.2 Gy fractions) in patients with mean age ≥65 years were included. The analysis was based on the type of study, number of patients, mean age, tumor site, histology, performance status (PS), RT details, concomitant chemotherapy (CT), and described clinical outcomes. All the reported doses have been calculated in equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) and biologically effective dose (BED) using α/β = 10 Gy or α/β = 12 Gy.ResultsWe selected 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria and divided them in 4 categories: 6 articles analyze HFRT performed twice daily in repeated cycles, 3 once a day in repeated cycles, 4 in alternative days, and the last 4 in consecutive days.ConclusionHFRT seems to be a good treatment with an acceptable prolonged disease control. In older patients fit for radical treatments, a 55 Gy in 20 fractions regimen can be proposed as a valid alternative to the standard fractionated RT, but there are a multitude of hypofractionated regimens, ranging from single fraction, quad shot, and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-week schedules that all may be appropriate. The correct regimen for a patient depends on many factors, and it represents the result of a more specific and complex decision.

Social Media, Mobile Phones and Migration in Africa: A Review of the Evidence

The role of new technologies, including mobile phones and social media, in migration moved to the fore during the European migrant crisis in 2015. Images of Syrians fleeing civil war, along with Iraqis and Afghans, guided by their mobile phones became common in the international media. While much has been made about the importance of mobile phones for migrants, including by humanitarian organizations, what evidence do we have about the role such technologies have in migration, particularly for migrants in, and from, Africa? This article uses a semi-systematic approach to evaluate the strength of the evidence around the use (or not) of mobile phones and social media in the migratory pathways of Africans, primarily to Europe. This includes detailed systematic database searches, submissions from experts such as academics and practitioners as well as the use of snowball citation searches. We argue that given the intensity of the claims affirming the role of new technologies in migration, the evidence remains surprisingly anecdotal and weak. In short, the use of mobile phones, and social media, on migratory pathways cannot be generalized and further investigation is urgently required to better determine whether, and how, such technologies are shaping and transforming migration in the ways so frequently argued.

Grey and White Matter Volume Changes after Preterm Birth: A Meta-Analytic Approach

Cross-sectional studies have reported lower brain grey matter volumes (GMV) and white matter volumes (WMV) in preterm (PT) born individuals. While large MRI studies in the normative population have led to a better understanding of brain growth trajectories across the lifespan, such results remain elusive for PT born individuals since large, aggregated datasets of PT born individuals do not exist. To close this gap, we investigated GMV and WMV in PT born individuals as reported in the literature and contrasted it against individual volumetric data and trajectories from the general population. Systematic database search of PubMed and Web of Science in March 2021, and extraction of outcome measures were conducted by two independent reviewers. Individual data on full-term (FT) controls was extracted from freely available databases. Mean GMV, WMV, total intracranial volume (TIV), and mean age at scan were the main outcome measures. Of 532 identified records, nine studies were included with 538 PT born subjects between 1.1 and 28.5 years of age. Reference data was generated from 880 FT controls between 1 and 30 years of age. GMV was consistently lower in PT born individuals from infancy to early adulthood with no evidence for catch-up growth. While GMV changes followed a similar trajectory as FT controls, WMV was particularly low in adolescence after PT birth. Results demonstrate altered brain volumes after PT birth across the first half of lifespan. Future studies should address this issue in large aggregated datasets of PT born individuals.

Systematic reviews: Structure, form and content

This article aims to provide an overview of the structure, form and content of systematic reviews. It focuses in particular on the literature searching component, and covers systematic database searching techniques, searching for grey literature and the importance of librarian involvement in the search. It also covers systematic review reporting standards such as PRISMA-P and PRISMA, critical appraisal and tools and resources to support the review and ensure it is conducted efficiently and effectively. Finally, it summarizes the requirements when screening search results for inclusion in the review, and the statistical synthesis of included studies’ findings.

Grey and white matter volume changes after preterm birth: A meta-analytic approach

Objective: Reduced brain grey matter volumes (GMV) and white matter volumes (WMV) have been reported at single time points in preterm-born individuals. While large MRI studies in the normative population have led to a better understanding of brain growth trajectories across the lifespan, such results remain elusive for preterm-born individuals since large, aggregated datasets of preterm-born individuals do not exist. To close this gap, we investigated GMV and WMV in preterm-born individuals as reported in the literature and contrasted it against individual volumetric data and trajectories from the general population. Study design: Systematic database search of PubMed and Web of Science in March 2021 and extraction of outcome measures by two independent reviewers. Individual data on full-term controls was extracted from freely available databases. Mean GMV, WMV, total intracranial volume (TIV), and mean age at scan were the main outcome measures. Results: Of 532 identified records, nine studies were included with 538 preterm-born subjects between 1.1 and 28.5 years of age. Reference data was generated from 880 full-term controls between 1 and 30 years of age. GMV was consistently reduced in preterm-born individuals from infancy to early adulthood with no evidence for catch-up growth. While GMV changes followed a similar trajectory as full-term controls, WMV was particularly low in adolescence after preterm birth. Conclusions: Results demonstrate altered brain volumes after premature birth across the first half of lifespan with pronounced reductions of white matter volumes in adolescence. Future studies should address this issue in large aggregated datasets of preterm-born individuals.

Texture-Modified Diets, Nutritional Status and Mealtime Satisfaction: A Systematic Review

While the association between dysphagia and malnutrition is well established, there is a lack of clarity regarding the nutritional status and mealtime satisfaction of those consuming texture-modified diets (TMDs). This systematic review summarises and critically appraises the nutritional status and mealtime satisfaction of adults consuming TMDs. A systematic database search following PICO criteria was conducted using Cochrane Central (via Ovid), MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus. Nutritional status, mealtime satisfaction and costs were identified as primary outcomes. Eligible studies were grouped according to outcome measurement. In total, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty studies evaluated the nutritional status by weight change or using malnutrition screening tools and found the consumption of TMDs correlated with weight loss or malnutrition. Nine studies evaluated mealtime satisfaction, with two reporting poor satisfaction for people on thickened fluids (TFs). Nutrition intervention through adjusting texture and consistency and nutrition enrichment showed positive effects on weight and mealtime satisfaction. The majority of the studies were rated as ‘neutral’ quality due to the limited number of experiments. TMD consumers had compromised nutritional status and poor mealtime satisfaction. More research input is required to identify promising strategies for improving the nutritional status and mealtime satisfaction of this population. Food services need to consider texture, consistency and fortification in designing menus for people on TMDs to avoid weight loss and malnutrition, and to enhance mealtime enjoyment.

SOME ASPECTS OF ETHIOPATHOGENESIS OF NEUROLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN CORONAVIRUS INFECTION AND STUDY OF THE EXPRESSION AND PREVALENCE OF SMELLAND TASTE IMPAIRMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH SARS-COV-2

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, along with damage to the respiratory system, sometimes leads to nervous system disorders. The loss of smell and taste in COVID-19 is most likely of a perceptual nature. Because of the active accumulation of information about the symptomatology of this nosology, data appeared on the characteristic manifestations of thedisease in mild and moderate cases, in particular, on the violation of taste and smell. Although there is currently insufficient data to determine the exact mechanisms of anosmia and ageusia in patients diagnosed with COVID-19, there are studies that support certain theories. This paper presents the results of a systematic database review of COVID-19 taste and smell disorders. The article analyzes information on the etiopathogenic aspects of the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and data on the severity and prevalence of smell and taste disorders in patients with coronavirus.Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus infection, loss of smell and taste, anosmia, hypogeusia, ACE2 receptors

Mitral and tricuspid annuloplasty ring dehiscence: a systematic review with pooled analysis

OBJECTIVES Mitral and tricuspid ring annuloplasty dehiscence with consequent recurrent valve regurgitation is a rare but challenging procedural failure. The incidence and predisposing risk factors for annuloplasty ring dehiscence include technical and pathological ones. METHODS A systematic database search with pooled analysis was conducted of original articles that only included dehiscence rate of mitral and tricuspid ring in EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane database and Google Scholar, from inception to November 2020. The outcomes included were dehiscence rate in mitral and tricuspid, type of ring implanted, dehiscence rate by pathology and by ring size and shape. RESULTS Our search yielded 821 relevant studies. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 10 340 patients (6543 mitral, 1414 tricuspid) of which 87 (mitral) and 30 (tricuspid) had dehiscence. Overall, dehiscence rate was 1.43%, diagnosed at a median of 4.5 ± 1.0 months postoperatively. A significant difference in mitral dehiscence rate was found by ring type (semi-rigid 1.86%, rigid 2.32%; flexible 0.43%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in rate of dehiscence by ring size (P = 0.067) and shape in mitral (P = 0.281) but there was higher dehiscence rate in ischaemic compared to non-ischaemic mitral regurgitation (3.91% vs 1.63%; P = 0.022). Among tricuspid studies, 9 of 10 studies did not report any dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS Although rigid, semi-rigid and flexible annuloplasty rings provide acceptable valve repair outcomes, mitral annuloplasty ring dehiscence is clinically more common among rigid rings. Understanding the multifactorial nature of ring dehiscence will help in identifying the patients at high risk and improve their clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality of Ultra-Processed Foods (Ready to Eat + Fast Food): Fatty Acid Composition

Up to the 60% of the Western diet is characterized by consumption of high amounts of Ultra-processed foods (UPFs). From a nutritional standpoint, the high consumption of UPFs, including Fast-foods and Ready-to-Eat (RTE), emerges as a critical topic for public health linking nutritional quality and food safety. In the present work, we provide a systematic database of fatty acids composition of the most consumed UPFs in the US mid-western region. Saturate (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids were predominant in both FF and RTE, while health-beneficial polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids were abundant only in seafood meals. Nutritional and non-nutritional attributes were correlated, finding positive correlation between caloric and sodium content. The significance of this study relies on providing new quantitative data for the most consumed UPFs, with the opportunity to define priority interventions for more advanced precision nutrition, especially for vulnerable populations.