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Introduction: Hypertension is a major global public health problem. It currently affects more than 1.4 billion people worldwide, projected to increase to 1.6 billion by 2025. Despite numerous primary studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and identify its associated factors among hypertensive patients in Sub-Saharan Africa, these studies presented inconsistent findings. Therefore, this review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and identify its associated factors. Methods: We have searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases extensively for all relevant studies. A manual search of the reference lists of included studies was performed. A weighted inverse-variance random-effects model was used to compute the overall pooled prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and the effect size of its associated factors. Variations across the included studies were checked using forest plot, funnel plot, I2 statistics, and Egger's test. Results: A total of twenty-six primary studies with a sample size of 11,600 participants were included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 50.29% (95% CI: 41.88, 58.69; I2 = 98.98%; P<0.001). Age of the patient [AOR = 1.57: 95% CI: 1.004, 2.44], duration of diagnosis [AOR = 2.57: 95% CI: 1.18, 5.57], non-adherence to physical activity [AOR = 2.13: 95% CI: 1.15, 3.95], khat chewing [AOR = 3.83: 95% CI: 1.59, 9.24] and habitual coffee consumption [AOR = 10.79: 95% CI: 1.84, 63.24] were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive patients. Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was considerably high. Older age, duration of diagnosis, non-adherence to physical activity, khat chewing and habitual coffee consumption were independent predictors of uncontrolled hypertension. Therefore, health professionals and other responsible stakeholders should encourage hypertensive patients to adhere to regular physical activity, and abstain from khat chewing and habitual coffee consumption. Early identification of hypertension and management of comorbidities is crucial, and it should be emphasized to control hypertension easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on the adoption of mobile learning in university education reveals a growing interest in mobile technologies to improve the learning process; both the acceptance and rejection of these tools among students have been analyzed. However, there are gaps in the research that require a deeper exploration of the factors that influence the adoption and use of these technologies. Understanding these aspects is crucial to optimize mobile learning strategies and improve the educational experience in the university setting. The objective is to examine research trends regarding the topic. PRISMA-2020 is used in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The results show the questionnaires as the main collection instruments; geographical contexts show that it has been researched predominantly in Asia; The studies have focused on university students; the most applied theories are TAM and UTAUT; and latent variables such as behavioral intention and attitude. The conclusions summarize the trends and patterns observed in the reviewed literature, as well as the research gaps identified, providing a solid foundation for future research and highlighting the importance of addressing this issue in the current context of digital education. The systematic review identifies key models and factors in the adoption of mobile learning in university settings, revealing both theoretical and practical implications. Furthermore, this text provides practical guidance for selecting effective data collection tools and making informed educational and policy decisions. However, it acknowledges limitations such as potential publication and language bias in the search process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomechanical analysis of human movement plays an essential role in understanding functional changes in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), providing information on muscle impairment. Studies suggest that surface electromyography (sEMG) may be able to quantify muscle activity, identify levels of fatigue, assess muscle strength, and monitor variation in limb movement. In this article, a systematic review protocol will analyze the psychometric properties of the sEMG regarding the clinical data on the skeletal muscles of people with ALS. This protocol uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodological tool. A specific field structure was defined to reach each phase. Nine scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Elsevier, IEEE, Google Scholar, SciELO, PEDro, LILACS E CENTRAL) were searched. The framework developed will extract data (i.e. study information, sample information, sEMG information, intervention, and outcomes) from the selected studies using a rigorous approach. The data will be described quantitatively using frequency and trend analysis methods, and heterogeneity between the included studies will be assessed using the I2 test. The risk of bias will be summarized using the most recent prediction model risk of bias assessment tool. Be sure to include relevant statistics here, such as sample sizes, response rates, P values or Confidence Intervals. Be specific (by stating the value) rather than general (eg, "there were differences between the groups"). This protocol will map out the construction of a systematic review that will identify and synthesize the advances in movement analysis of people with ALS through sEMG, using data extracted from articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the predictive role of sarcopenia in long-term survival among rectal cancer patients who underwent surgery based on available evidence. Methods: The Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched up to October 20, 2023, for relevant studies. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were the endpoints. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and survival. Results: Fifteen studies with 4283 patients were included. The pooled results demonstrated that preoperative sarcopenia significantly predicted poorer OS (HR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.67–2.57, P<0.001), DFS (HR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.39–2.48, P<0.001) and CSS (HR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.31–2.56, P<0.001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis based on neoadjuvant therapy indicated that sarcopenia was a risk factor for worse OS and DFS in patients who received (OS: HR = 2.44, P<0.001; DFS: HR = 2.16, P<0.001) but not in those who did not receive (OS: HR = 2.44, P<0.001; DDFS: HR = 1.86, P = 0.002) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. In addition, subgroup analysis based on sample size and ethnicity showed similar results. Conclusion: Preoperative sarcopenia is significantly related to poor survival in surgical rectal cancer patients and could serve as a novel and valuable predictor of long-term prognosis in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frailty is a common condition among patients with liver cirrhosis. Nonetheless, its role in predicting liver transplant-free survival (TFS) remains unclear. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to elucidate the relationship between frailty and TFS in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Cohort studies addressing the objective of this meta-analysis were extracted from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochrane Q test, and the I^2 statistic was estimated. Random-effect models, considering potential heterogeneity, were employed to combine the results. Results: The meta-analysis encompassed 17 cohort studies involving 6273 patients with cirrhosis, of whom 1983 (31.6%) were classified as frail at baseline. The follow-up periods in the included studies ranged from 3 to 29 months, with an average duration of 11.5 months. The analysis revealed that frailty was significantly associated with a poor TFS (risk ratio [RR]: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.72 to 2.50, p<0.001; I2 = 51%). Sensitivity analyses that sequentially omitted one dataset consistently supported these findings (RR: 1.95 to 2.17, p<0.05 in all cases). Subgroup analyses based on variables such as study design, mean age of patients, baseline Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, tool used for frailty evaluation, follow-up duration, and study quality score also yielded congruent results. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that frailty may be an independent risk factor for poor TFS in patients with liver cirrhosis, thus emphasizing the importance of early identification and management of frailty in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aetiology of mechanical bowel obstruction exhibits significant variability based on geographical location and age. In high-income countries, postoperative adhesions and hernias are frequently cited as the primary causes, whereas in low- and middle-income countries (LMCIs), hernias take precedence. Speculation exists within the surgical community regarding whether this trend has evolved in LMCIs. To address this knowledge gap, our study aims to conduct a systematic review of existing literature, focusing on understanding the most prevalent causes of mechanical bowel obstruction in both pediatric and adult populations within LMCIs, providing valuable insights for surgical practice. This protocol was designed and written according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol 2015 (PRISMA-P 2015) statement. However, the results of the systematic review will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. We will consider studies published in English and French between 2002 and 2022 that reported on the aetiology of mechanical bowel obstruction in any age group in low- and middle-income countries. We will conduct a literature search using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL on EBSCO and Web of Science databases employing relevant subject headings, keywords and synonyms, which will be combined using Boolean operators to refine the search results. A hand search of references of retrieved literature will be conducted. The retrieved articles will be imported into Zotero for de-duplication. The resulting set of titles and abstracts will be uploaded to Rayyan (an AI-assisted online systematic review tool), where they will be double-checked to identify articles eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers will screen articles to be included and disagreement will be resolved by discussion or by a third reviewer as a tie-breaker. Also, data extraction will be done by one reviewer and confirmed by another. Critical appraisal to assess the quality of the included studies will be carried out by two independent reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. We anticipate that the eligible studies will be quite heterogeneous in terms of their design, outcomes of interest, populations and comorbidities. Therefore, resmay be synthesised descriptively without meta-analysis using charts, graphs and tables. Where possible, we will conduct a sub-analysis using conceptual frameworks based on age, WHO regions and continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central catheter bloodstream infections (CRBSI) is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections. However, few factors are generally accepted and some studies have conflicting finding about some factors, possibly caused by limitation associated with an individual study. This study was to identify risk factors for CRBSI in intensive care units. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of science and EMBASE databases and the 4 top Chinese-language databases, including WanFang data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine disc (CBM) as of July 2023. Case control and cohort studies were included. Two authors independently screened the literature and evaluated the quality of the studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). The pooled effect size was estimated using the odds ratio (OR), and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The Cochrane Q (χ2) and I2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity among studies, and each risk factor was tested for its robustness using fixed- or random-effects models. Findings: A total of 32 studies enrolled, among which eleven factors were identified, they were divided into two categories: modifiable and unmodifiable factors. Modifiable factors: duration of catheterization (≥ 5d) (OR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.41–3.03), duration of catheterization (≥ 7d) (OR: 3.62, 95%CI: 2.65–4.97), duration of catheterization (≥ 14d)(OR: 4.85, 95%CI: 3.35–7.01), total parenteral nutrition (OR: 2.27,95%CI: 1.56–3.29), use of multiple-lumen catheters(OR: 3.41, 95%CI: 2.27–5.11), times of tube indwelling (OR: 3.50, 95%CI: 2.93–4.17), length of ICU stay (OR: 4.05, 95%CI: 2.41–6.80), the position of indwelling(OR: 2.41, 95%CI: 2.03–2.85); Unmodifiable factors: APACHEII scores (OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.54–2.20), Age≥ 60 years old (OR: 2.19, 95%CI: 1.76–2.73), the extensive use of antibiotic (OR: 3.54, 95%CI: 1.65–7.61), Diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.06, 95%CI: 2.56–3.66), Immunosuppression (OR: 2.87, 95%CI: 2.08–3.95). Conclusions: Effective interventions targeting the above modifiable factors may reduce the risk of developing CRBSI in ICU and improve the clinical outcome of patients. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet finance has permeated into myriad households, bringing about lifestyle convenience alongside potential risks. Presently, internet finance enterprises are progressively adopting machine learning and other artificial intelligence methods for risk alertness. What is the current status of the application of various machine learning models and algorithms across different institutions? Is there an optimal machine learning algorithm suited for the majority of internet finance platforms and application scenarios? Scholars have embarked on a series of studies addressing these questions; however, the focus predominantly lies in comparing different algorithms within specific platforms and contexts, lacking a comprehensive discourse and summary on the utilization of machine learning in this domain. Thus, based on the data from Web of Science and Scopus databases, this paper conducts a systematic literature review on all aspects of machine learning in internet finance risk in recent years, based on publications trends, geographical distribution, literature focus, machine learning models and algorithms, and evaluations. The research reveals that machine learning, as a nascent technology, whether through basic algorithms or intricate algorithmic combinations, has made significant strides compared to traditional credit scoring methods in predicting accuracy, time efficiency, and robustness in internet finance risk management. Nonetheless, there exist noticeable disparities among different algorithms, and factors such as model structure, sample data, and parameter settings also influence prediction accuracy, although generally, updated algorithms tend to achieve higher accuracy. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all approach applicable to all platforms; each platform should enhance its machine learning models and algorithms based on its unique characteristics, data, and the development of AI technology, starting from key evaluation indicators to mitigate internet finance risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The potential association between rosacea and a heightened prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been previously suggested. However, existing studies offer inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between rosacea and HP infection. Methods: We conducted comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant observational studies for our investigation. We utilized the random-effects model to aggregate the data to address the potential influence of heterogeneity among the studies on the outcome. Results: Our analysis incorporated twenty-five datasets from 23 case-control and cross-sectional studies, encompassing 51,054 rosacea patients and 4,709,074 controls without skin disease. The pooled results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of HP infection in individuals with rosacea compared to controls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.95, p<0.001; I2 = 79%). Subgroup analysis indicated an increased prevalence of HP infection in rosacea studies that utilized one (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.11–2.66, p = 0.02; I2 = 76%) or more tests for HP infection (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.29–3.98, p = 0.005; I2 = 56%). However, this association was not observed in population-based studies that determined HP infection based on prescription records for HP eradication drugs (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76–1.07, p = 0.024; I2 = 54%). Conclusion: Rosacea may be significantly associated with a higher prevalence of HP infection. High-quality prospective studies with delicately controlled confounding factors are needed to determine if HP infection is a risk factor for rosacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate and fast measurement of physical activity is important for surveillance. Even though many physical activity questionnaires (PAQ) are currently used in research, it is unclear which of them is the most reliable, valid, and easy to use. This systematic review aimed to identify existing brief PAQs, describe and compare their measurement properties, and assess their level of readability. Methods: We performed a systematic review based on the PRISMA statement. Literature searches were conducted in six scientific databases. Articles were included if they evaluated validity and/or reliability of brief (i.e., with a maximum of three questions) physical activity or exercise questionnaires intended for healthy adults. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, data were summarized narratively. The level of readability was calculated according to the Flesch-Kincaid formula. Results: In total, 35 articles published in English or Spanish were included, evaluating 32 distinct brief PAQs. The studies indicated moderate to good levels of reliability for the PAQs. However, the majority of results showed weak validity when validated against device-based measurements and demonstrated weak to moderate validity when validated against other PAQs. Most of the assessed PAQs met the criterion of being "short," allowing respondents to complete them in less than one minute either by themselves or with an interviewer. However, only 17 questionnaires had a readability level that indicates that the PAQ is easy to understand for the majority of the population. Conclusions: This review identified a variety of brief PAQs, but most of them were evaluated in only a single study. Validity and reliability of short and long questionnaires are found to be at a comparable level, short PAQs can be recommended for use in surveillance systems. However, the methods used to assess measurement properties varied widely across studies, limiting the comparability between different PAQs and making it challenging to identify a single tool as the most suitable. None of the evaluated brief PAQs allowed for the measurement of whether a person fulfills current WHO physical activity guidelines. Future development or adaptation of PAQs should prioritize readability as an important factor to enhance their usability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our goal was to review the available literature on prognostic risk prediction for incident hypertension, synthesize performance, and provide suggestions for future work on the topic. Methods: A systematic search on PUBMED and Web of Science databases was conducted for studies on prognostic risk prediction models for incident hypertension in generally healthy individuals. Study-quality was assessed using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) checklist. Three-level meta-analyses were used to obtain pooled AUC/C-statistic estimates. Heterogeneity was explored using study and cohort characteristics in meta-regressions. Results: From 5090 hits, we found 53 eligible studies, and included 47 in meta-analyses. Only four studies were assessed to have results with low risk of bias. Few models had been externally validated, with only the Framingham risk model validated more than thrice. The pooled AUC/C-statistics were 0.82 (0.77–0.86) for machine learning models and 0.78 (0.76–0.80) for traditional models, with high heterogeneity in both groups (I2 > 99%). Intra-class correlations within studies were 60% and 90%, respectively. Follow-up time (P = 0.0405) was significant for ML models and age (P = 0.0271) for traditional models in explaining heterogeneity. Validations of the Framingham risk model had high heterogeneity (I2 > 99%). Conclusion: Overall, the quality of included studies was assessed as poor. AUC/C-statistic were mostly acceptable or good, and higher for ML models than traditional models. High heterogeneity implies large variability in the performance of new risk models. Further, large heterogeneity in validations of the Framingham risk model indicate variability in model performance on new populations. To enable researchers to assess hypertension risk models, we encourage adherence to existing guidelines for reporting and developing risk models, specifically reporting appropriate performance measures. Further, we recommend a stronger focus on validation of models by considering reasonable baseline models and performing external validations of existing models. Hence, developed risk models must be made available for external researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curated scientific databases catalogue and amplify research findings to maximize their reach. Authors should write their papers with this in mind, ensuring that data are accurate, easy to extract, and presented in standardized formats. Scientific data is becoming increasingly complex, making data curation increasingly difficult. In this Perspective, a group of biocurators present some simple guidelines for data accessibility that will help to increase the reach of published studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of 10 formulas for calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in cataract eye with an axial length (AL) of more than 28.0 mm. Methods: We searched scientific databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for research published over the past 5 years, up to Sept 2023. The inclusion criteria were case series studies that compared different formulas (Barrett II, EVO, Kane, Hill-RBF, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, SRK/T, Holladay 1 w-k and SRK/T w-k), in patients with extremely long AL undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery with IOL implantation. The mean difference (MD) of mean absolute error (MAE) and the odds ratio (OR) of both the percentage of eyes within ±0.50D of prediction error (PPE±0.50D) and the percentage of eyes within ±1.00D of prediction error (PPE±1.00D) among different formulas were pooled using meta-analysis. Results: A total of 11 studies, involving 1376 eyes, were included to evaluate the 10 formulas mentioned above. Among these formulas, Barrett II, EVO, Kane, and Hill-RBF demonstrated significantly lower MAE values compared to SRK/T. Furthermore, Kane and Hill-RBF had lower MAE values than EVO. Additionally, Barrett II and Kane yielded significantly lower MAE values than Haigis while Hill-RBF showed significantly lower MAE values than Holladay 1. Moreover, Hill-RBF showed the highest values for both PPE±0.50D and PPE±1.00D, followed by Kane. Both EVO and Kane had higher values of PPE±0.50D and PPE±1.00D compared to Haigis and SRK/T. Conclusion: The Wang-Koch adjusted formulas and new-generation formulas have shown potential for higher accuracy in predicting IOL power for cataract patients with extremely long AL compared to traditional formulas. Based on the current limited clinical studies, Hill-RBF and Kane formulas seem to be a better choice for eyes with extremely long AL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]