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The impacts of antidepressant pharmacotherapies on cardiovascular risk are unclear. We completed a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the effect of paroxetine on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The searches were accomplished via EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed (using the National Library of Medicine), Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We included non-blind, single, or double-blind randomized control trials in patients older than 18 diagnosed with MDD. Paroxetine needs to be enforced as a chronic therapeutic medication. We included individual studies that investigated resting HRV. We documented 402 studies, only following screening and eligibility phases; only six were included (five studies in the meta-analysis). No significant change was noticed for the SDNN index: subtotal = 8.23 [CI: −2.17, 18.63], p = 0.12, I2 = 54 % (very low quality of evidence). A significant change was distinguished for the LF index: subtotal = 0.74 [CI: 0.33, 1.15], p = 0.0004, I2 = 0 % (low quality of evidence). A significant alteration was perceived for the HF index: subtotal = 0.33 [CI: 0.06, 0.6], p = 0.02, I2 = 0 % (low quality of evidence). Meta-analysis demonstrated that paroxetine could advance HRV in MDD patients. Nevertheless, our supposition is founded only on statistical analysis and the very low quality of evidence breakdown reinforces the necessity for further studies to confirm or reject this theory. • We evaluated the effects of paroxetine on heart rate variability in patients identified with major depressive disorder. • Meta-analysis specified that paroxetine improved LF and HF; • Quality of evidence for SDNN was very low and low for LF and HF. [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]

Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The first and second lines of treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) include chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil. However, treatment following progression on the first and second line is still unclear. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for studies investigating the use of trifluridine-tipiracil with bevacizumab versus trifluridine-tipiracil alone for mCRC. We used RStudio version 4.2.3; and we considered p < 0.05 significant. Seven studies and 1,182 patients were included − 602 (51%) received trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab. Compared with control, the progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.42–0.63; p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52–0.70; p < 0.001) were significantly higher with bevacizumab. The objective response rate (ORR) (RR 3.14; 95% CI 1.51–6.51; p = 0.002) and disease control rate (DCR) (RR 1.66; 95% CI 1.28–2.16; p = 0.0001) favored the intervention. Regarding adverse events, the intervention had a higher rate of neutropenia (RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.19–1.59; p = 0.00001), whereas the monotherapy group had a higher risk of anemia (RR 0.60; 95% CI 0.44–0.82; p = 0.001). Our results support that the addition of bevacizumab is associated with a significant benefit in PFS, OS, ORR and DCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma-related esophageal injuries (TEIs) are a rare but highly lethal condition. The presentation of TEIs is very diverse depending on the location and mechanism of injury (blunt vs. penetrating), as well as the presence or absence of concurrent injuries. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to delineate the clinical features impacting TEI management. A systematic review of the Medline, Embase, and web of science databases was undertaken for studies reporting on patients with TEIs. A random effects model was employed in the meta-analysis of aggregated data. Eleven studies, incorporating 4605 patients, were included, with a pooled mortality rate of 19% (95% confidence interval (CI) 13–25%). Penetrating injuries were 34% more likely to occur (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49–0.89, P  = 0.01), predominantly in the neck compartment. Surgery was employed in 53% of cases (95% CI 32–73%), with 68% of patients having associated injuries (95% CI 43–94%). In terms of choice of surgical repair technique, primary suture repair was most frequently reported, irrespective of injury location. Postoperative drainage was employed in 27% of the cases and was more common following repair of thoracic esophageal injuries. The estimated dependence on mechanical ventilation was 5.91 days (95% CI 5.1–6.72 days), while the length of stay in the intensive care unit averaged 7.89 days (95% CI 7.14–8.65 days). TEIs are uncommon injuries in trauma patients, associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. Open suture repair of ensuing esophageal defects is by large the most employed approach, while stenting may be indicated in carefully selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Alcohol is implicated in epileptogenesis and seizures attack. An increasing number of studies about alcohol and epilepsy have been published. We aimed to assess research trends and hot spots in the field of alcohol and epilepsy. Patients and Methods: Literature concerning alcohol and epilepsy was systemically searched through the Web of Science database. Collaborative maps were quantitatively analyzed by using the VOSviewer and CiteSpace tools. Results: A total of 1578 papers about the field of alcohol and epilepsy were taken into analysis, which was written by 6840 authors from 2153 institutions in 85 countries, published in 676 journals, and cited 79 667 references from 10 750 journals. The United States was the leading country and had close ties with others. The University of Toronto was the most productive institution. Alcoholism‐clinical and experimental research was the fastest‐growing journal. Richard J. Bodnar was the author contributing the most literature. Analysis of keywords showed epilepsy, alcohol, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and management were common themes. Conclusion: The presented study conducted the first bibliometric analysis of the field of alcohol and epilepsy, which will provide insights into the latest progress, evolution paths, frontier research hot spots, and future research trends in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for detecting placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) during the first trimester of pregnancy and compare it with the accuracy of second‐ and third‐trimester ultrasound examination in pregnancies at risk for PAS. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies published from inception until 10 March 2023. Inclusion criteria were cohort, case–control or cross‐sectional studies that evaluated the accuracy of ultrasound examination performed at < 14 weeks of gestation (first trimester) or ≥ 14 weeks of gestation (second/third trimester) for the diagnosis of PAS in pregnancies with clinical risk factors. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of sonography in detecting PAS in the first trimester, compared with the accuracy of ultrasound examination in the second and third trimesters. The secondary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of each sonographic marker individually across the trimesters of pregnancy. The reference standard was PAS confirmed at pathological or surgical examination. The potential of ultrasound and different ultrasound signs to detect PAS was assessed by computing summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results: A total of 37 studies, including 5764 pregnancies at risk of PAS, with 1348 cases of confirmed PAS, were included in our analysis. The meta‐analysis demonstrated that ultrasound had a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI, 78–92%) and specificity of 63% (95% CI, 55–70%) during the first trimester, and a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI, 84–91%) and specificity of 92% (95% CI, 85–96%) during the second/third trimester. Regarding sonographic markers examined in the first trimester, lower uterine hypervascularity exhibited the highest sensitivity (97% (95% CI, 19–100%)), and uterovesical interface irregularity demonstrated the highest specificity (99% (95% CI, 96–100%)). In the second/third trimester, loss of clear zone had the highest sensitivity (80% (95% CI, 72–86%)), and uterovesical interface irregularity exhibited the highest specificity (99% (95% CI, 97–100%)). Conclusions: First‐trimester ultrasound examination has similar accuracy to second‐ and third‐trimester ultrasound examinations for the diagnosis of PAS. Routine first‐trimester ultrasound screening for patients at high risk of PAS may improve detection rates and allow earlier referral to tertiary care centers for pregnancy management. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The floating toe deformity is classified as a forefoot deformity wherein the distal portion of the toe does not establish touch with the ground, resulting in a suspended or elevated position while the finger is in a relaxed state. At first, it garnered considerable interest as a complication It is worth noting that this condition is particularly common in children under the age of 8, which usually disappears as the individual reaches maturity. Studies have shown that with the aggravation of floating toe deformity, its adverse effects on patients' gait and overall quality of life also increase. Despite the prevalence of floating toe deformity in clinical settings, there is a lack of comprehensive literature investigating its underlying causes and potential preventive strategies. This scope review follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) statement guidelines for scope reviews. The literature was obtained from various full‐text databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, PubMed, and Web of Science Database. Our search focused on published literature related to floating toes, Weil osteotomy, and distal metatarsal osteotomy, up until March 1, 2023. The literature search and data analysis are conducted by two independent reviewers. If there are any disagreements, a third researcher will participate in the discussion and negotiate a decision. Furthermore, two experienced foot and ankle surgeons conducted a thorough literature analysis for this review. Sixty‐two articles were included. Through the clinical analysis of the structural changes of the forefoot before and after operation, the classification of floating toe was described, the causes of pathological floating toe were summarized, and the possible intervention measures for the disease were put forward under the advice of foot and ankle surgery experts. We comprehensively summarize the current knowledge system about the etiology of floating toe and put forward the corresponding intervention strategy. We recommend that future studies will focus on the improvement of surgical procedures, such as the combination of Weil osteotomy, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) arthrodesis and flexor tendon arthrodesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimetric indices (MMIs) are used worldwide to assess the ecological conditions of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Different criteria and approaches are used to construct MMIs, resulting in widely different indices. Therefore, scientists, managers, and policymakers sometimes question whether such MMIs are useful for biomonitoring and bioassessment programs. Crucial design issues for biomonitoring programs include MMI responsiveness, the bioindicator group used, survey design, field sampling methods, level of taxonomic resolution, metric selection and scoring, and reference condition identification. We performed a meta-analysis on MMI development and applications worldwide to analyze the response of MMIs to different disturbance factors and to determine the degree to which MMI construction features influence their responsiveness to anthropogenic disturbances. We used the Web of Science database to find articles that applied an MMI and related MMI values to an environmental stressor, and we extracted data from 157 articles. We performed random-effects modeling to estimate the overall effect of MMI responses to disturbance and used subgroup analysis to analyze the extent to which the effect sizes varied as a function of different MMI construction features. We found that reference condition criteria had the major effect on MMI responses to disturbance. The environmental disturbance type, the number of metrics, and the ecosystem type to which MMIs were applied contributed more weakly to the effect size variance. The general response of MMIs to disturbance was little affected by the bioindicator group, taxonomic resolution, metric selection criteria, or scoring method. These findings have important implications for designing biomonitoring programs, including developing and improving cost-effective biological indices, because they could enhance MMI development and application protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation scholars disseminate their significant findings through international scientific journals. We conducted content analysis of 2,869 peer-reviewed articles on innovation in Africa, examining their origins, themes, collaborative networks, and scholarly influence. These articles, spanning the years 2015–2021, were curated from the Web of Science database across scientific, social science, and humanities journals. The findings reveal that 46.3% of these articles lacked contributions from African organizations or scholars, while 25.1% involved collaborations between African and non-African entities. A remaining 28.6% were exclusively authored by African scholars, with South African universities being the most frequent contributors. Notably, articles authored by scholars from non-African institutions garnered more citations and appeared in journals with higher impact factors. Key themes within these articles revolved around the knowledge economy, African business innovation, agricultural advancements, and the role of mobile phones in knowledge dissemination and marketing. Surprisingly, sustainability topics were notably absent. South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana featured prominently in the discussions. In conclusion, it is imperative to foster broader participation from African nations and scholars in innovation research and ensure a stronger African perspective in international publications. Additionally, as open-access publishing gains momentum, concerns about escalating publishing costs warrant attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, and CASBEE certification systems and assess their integration potential with BIM as facilitator to test different project alternatives in order to help achieve certification system requirements. A literature review was conducted, in which 299 articles were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and refined using the Bibliometrix tool, resulting in a total of 271 published articles. Of these, 15 used tools to facilitate BIM-LEED integration and were therefore selected for analysis. The results indicate that integrating BIM and green building rating systems can make the process more agile and standardized. However, more research in this field is needed, especially investigating the suitability of BIM authoring tools other than Revit, and evaluating the efficiency of commercial tools and those developed in scientific research to assist in the certification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Joint articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has emerged as a novel treatment approach for osteoarthritis (OA). However, the effectiveness of MSCs derived from different sources in treating OA patients remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the differences between the effectiveness and safety of different sources of MSCs. Materials and Methods. For inclusion consideration, we searched trial registries and published databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Revman (V5.3), STATA (V16.0), and R (V4.0) were utilized for conducting data analysis, while the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was employed for assessing the quality of the studies. We derived outcome measures at 6 and 12 months based on the duration of study follow-up, including visual analog scale (VAS) score, WOMAC score, WOMAC pain, WOMAC Functional Limitation, and WOMAC stiffness. The evaluation time for short-term effectiveness is set at 6 months, while 12 months is utilized as the longest follow-up time for most studies to assess long-term effectiveness. Results. The evaluation of literature quality showed that the included studies had excellent methodological quality. A meta-analysis revealed that different sources of MSCs improved knee function and pain more effectively among patients suffering from knee OA (KOA) than controls. The results of the network meta-analysis showed the following: short-term functional improvement (the indexes were evaluated after 6 months of follow-up) (WOMAC total score: bone marrow-derived MSC (BMMSC) vs. adipose-derived MSC (ADMSC) (mean difference (MD) = −20.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) −125.24 to 42.88), umbilical cord-derived MSC (UCMSC) (MD = −7.81, 95% CI −158.13 to 74.99); WOMAC stiffness: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −0.51, 95% CI −7.27 to 4.29), UCMSC (MD = −0.75, 95% CI −9.74 to 6.63); WOMAC functional limitation: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −12.22, 95% CI −35.05 to 18.86), UCMSC (MD = −9.31, 95% CI −44.26 to 35.27)). Long-term functional improvement (the indexes were evaluated after 12 months of follow-up) (WOMAC total: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −176.77, 95% CI −757.1 to 378.25), UCMSC (MD = −181.55, 95% CI −937.83 to 541.13); WOMAC stiffness: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −0.5, 95% CI −26.05 to 18.61), UCMSC (MD = −1.03, 95% CI −30.44 to 21.69); WOMAC functional limitation: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −5.18, 95% CI −316.72 to 177.1), UCMSC (MD = −8.33, 95% CI −358.78 to 218.76)). Short-term pain relief (the indexes were evaluated after 6 months of follow-up) (VAS score: UCMSC vs. BMMSC (MD = −10.92, 95% CI −31.79 to 12.03), ADMSC (MD = −14.02, 95% CI −36.01 to 9.81), PLMSC (MD = −17.09, 95% CI −46.31 to 13.17); WOMAC pain relief: BMMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = −11.42, 95% CI −39.52 to 11.77), UCMSC (MD = −6.73, 95% CI −47.36 to 29.15)). Long-term pain relief (the indexes were evaluated after 12 months of follow-up) (VAS score: BMMSC vs. UCMSC (MD = −4.33, 95% CI −36.81 to 27.08), ADMSC (MD = −11.43, 95% CI −37.5 to 13.42); WOMAC pain relief: UCMSC vs. ADMSC (MD = 0.23, 95% CI −37.87 to 38.11), BMMSC (MD = 5.89, 95% CI −25.39 to 51.41)). According to the GRADE scoring system, WOMAC, VAS, and AE scores were of low quality. Conclusion. Meta-analysis suggests MSCs can effectively treat KOA by improving pain and knee function compared to control groups. In terms of functional improvement in KOA patients, both short-term (6-month follow-up) and long-term (12-month follow-up) results indicated that while the differences between most treatments were not statistically significant, bone marrow-derived MSCs may have some advantages over other sources of MSCs. Additionally, BM-MSCs and UC-MSCs may offer certain benefits over ADMSCs in terms of pain relief for KOA patients, although the variances between most studies were not statistically significant. Therefore, this study suggests that BM-MSCs may present clinical advantages over other sources of MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: With the continuous improvement and progress of the magnetically controlled growing rod technology in the field of the treatment of spinal deformities, numerous studies have been put into this field, but the main research status, hot spots, and development trends are not clear enough. OBJECTIVE: Based on bibliometrics, this paper discusses the quality and quantity of articles in the field of using magnetically controlled growing rods to treat spinal deformities from different countries, aiming to clarify the global development trend of magnetically controlled growing rods and evaluate the research productivity, research trends, and research hotspots in the world. METHODS: The articles published from 1998 to 2023 were retrieved mainly based on the Web of Science database. CiteSpace 5.8 and VOSviewer 1.6.19 software were used to analyze the data and generate a visual knowledge map. The following parameters were evaluated for all studies: the total number of published papers, centrality, h index, the contribution of countries, authors, and journals, and the trend and hot spots were explored through the analysis of co-citation, highly cited literature, and literature keyword explosion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Finally, 138 articles were included. From 2009 to 2020, the number of published articles in this field gradually increased. The United States has the largest number of articles (53, 37.32%), and the United States has the highest h index and centrality of articles. (2) The results of keyword analysis showed that: the top ten keywords, such as early-onset scoliosis, surgery, complications, and so on, objectively and truly reflected the current situation and hot spots of magnetically controlled growing rod in the field of spinal deformity treatment. In recent years, the research focus in this field is the treatment failure caused by risk factors such as the pull-out of the magnetically controlled growing rod, implantation failure, and rod fracture, the accurate use of the corresponding medical classification, the monitoring and treatment of complications such as quality of life and cerebral palsy. (3) The co-citation results showed that: combined with the innovative and effective research of the magnetically controlled growing rod technology, the classification application of spinal deformity and the monitoring and treatment of related complications may be the research trend in this field. (4) Many highly cited articles further emphasized the therapeutic effect of magnetically controlled growing rod technology, providing an effective new idea and technical support for the field of spinal deformity correction. (5) The results of literature keyword explosion analysis demonstrate that the risk factors, medical classification, quality of life, and cerebral palsy of the application of magnetically controlled growing rods may become the research frontier in this field. (6) It can be seen that the application of magnetically controlled growing rod technology in the classification of spinal deformities and the in-depth study of related complications are the development trend in this field, but to further understand the effectiveness and safety of magnetically controlled growing rod technology in the treatment of spinal deformities, we still need long-term follow-up evidence. The overall research level of this field has steadily improved in recent years, but there are also problems such as the small number of high-quality articles and the unbalanced development of research in various regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lateral interbody fusion (LIF) is an increasingly popular minimally-invasive spine procedure. This study identifies notable trends in LIF literature and provides a detailed review of the bibliometric aspects of the top 100 most-cited articles. Methods: Articles were queried from the Web of Science database. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer-reviewed articles, full-text availability, and LIF focus. Network analysis including co-authorship mapping and bibliographic coupling were complemented by trend analysis to determine prominent contributors and themes. Analyses were conducted using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (RStudio). Results: There has been a rapid increase in LIF publication and citation count since 1998. Leading journals were Spine (n = 24), Journal of Neurosurgery Spine (n = 22), and European Spine Journal (n = 12). NuVasive funded the most publications (n = 17), followed by DePuy Synthes Spine (n = 4). The United States was the most represented country (n = 81); however, trend analysis suggests a steadily growing international contribution. The most prolific author was J.S. Uribe (n = 16), followed by a tie in second place by E. Dakwar and L. Pimenta (n = 8). The most frequent keywords, "complication" (n = 34), "surgery" (n = 30), and "outcomes" (n = 24), demonstrated a patient-centric theme. Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis provides in-depth insights into the evolution and trends of LIF over the last two decades. The trends and themes identified demonstrate the innovative, collaborative, and patient-focused characteristics of this subfield. Future researchers can use this as a foundation for understanding the past and present state of LIF research while designing investigations. [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: Blood flow restriction training has broad application prospects in improving limb muscle strength. It has ideal effects on the upper limbs is ideal, and the specific application scheme has high research value. OBJECTIVE: To explain the influence of blood flow restriction training on the fitness benefits of upper limb muscles and summarize the specific programs of blood flow restriction training for upper limb, attempting to give suggestions on application programs based on existing studies. METHODS: Literature on the application of upper limb blood flow restriction training were searched in CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. The search terms were “blood flow restriction, blood flow restriction training, pressure training, upper limb, upper arm, forearm, arm, forearm” in Chinese and “blood flow restriction training, blood flow restriction exercise, blood flow restriction therapy, BFR therapy, occlusion training, KAATSU training, BFRT, upper extremity, upper limb, arm, forearm” in English. The relevant articles on the application of blood flow restriction training in the upper limbs included in the database from database inception to December 2022 were selected and screened according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Firstly, blood flow restriction training is mainly applied to healthy people, special athletes and people with upper limb injury. Secondly, the influence of blood flow restriction training on upper limb muscle fitness is mainly reflected in the increase of upper limb circumference, muscle strength, muscle endurance, muscle thickness, muscle cross-sectional area and explosive power of upper limb, followed by the cross migration phenomenon of the upper limbs. Thirdly, blood flow restriction training for the upper limbs mainly uses inflatable blood flow restriction devices: the cuff width was 3-5 cm, the pressure position was 1/3 of the upper arm, the limiting pressure was 40%-60% arterial occlusion pressure or 80-160 mmHg, the training load is 20%-30% 1RM, the training volume is four sessions (30-15-15-15 times), the interval time was 30-60 seconds, and the training frequency was 2 or 3 times per week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including obstructive and central sleep apnea, significantly exacerbates heart failure (HF) through adverse cardiovascular mechanisms. This review aims to synthesize existing literature to clarify the relationship between SDB and HF, focusing on the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and the effectiveness of treatment modalities like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and adaptive servo-ventilation ASV. We analyzed peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2024 sourced from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The prevalence of SDB in HF patients is high, often underdiagnosed, and underappreciated. Management strategies, including CPAP and ASV, have been shown to mitigate symptoms and improve cardiac function. However, despite the availability of effective treatments, significant challenges in screening and diagnosis persist, affecting patient management and outcomes. DB significantly impacts HF prognosis. Enhanced screening strategies and broader utilization of therapeutic interventions like CPAP and ASV are essential to improve the management and outcomes of HF patients with concomitant SDB. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic and treatment protocols to optimize care for HF patients with SDB. [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]

BACKGROUND: Existing studies have confirmed that exosomes can effectively promote pulp regeneration. However, the biological functions and properties of exosomes from preconditioned sources can be significantly changed, which have different effects on cell proliferation, migration and odontogenic differentiation. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the application status of exosomes and their preconditioning methods in the field of pulp regeneration, and summarize the preconditioning methods that affect the function of exosomes, and explore the effect of exosomes and their preconditioning on pulp regeneration. METHODS: The relevant articles were searched in WanFang, CNKI, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from 2006 to 2022. The Chinese and English search terms were “exosomes, pulp regeneration; preconditioning method”. A total of 78 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Exosomes have the advantages of good biocompatibility, low immunogenicity and no cytotoxicity, and can induce the regeneration of pulp tissue by promoting stem cell tooth formation, neurogenesis and vascularization. (2) Exosomes derived from preconditioning can enhance the ability of tissue repair and regeneration and have a significant impact on the quality of regenerated dental pulp. (3) Currently, the preconditioning methods used in the field of dental pulp regeneration include inflammatory stimulation, hypoxia induction, conditioned medium and three-dimensional culture, and secreted exosomes can effectively improve the quality of regenerated dental pulp. Nevertheless, the specific effect and mechanism of different preconditioning methods on pulp regeneration need to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exoskeletons are increasingly applied during overground gait and balance rehabilitation following neurological impairment, although optimal parameters for specific indications are yet to be established. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify dose and dosage of exoskeleton-based therapy protocols for overground locomotor training in spinal cord injury/disease. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A literature search was performed using the CINAHL Complete, Embase, Emcare Nursing, Medline ALL, and Web of Science databases. Studies in adults with subacute and/or chronic spinal cord injury/disease were included if they reported (1) dose (e.g., single session duration and total number of sessions) and dosage (e.g., frequency of sessions/week and total duration of intervention) parameters, and (2) at least one gait and/or balance outcome measure. Results: Of 2,108 studies identified, after removing duplicates and filtering for inclusion, 19 were selected and dose, dosage and efficacy were abstracted. Data revealed a great heterogeneity in dose, dosage, and indications, with overall recommendation of 60-min sessions delivered 3 times a week, for 9 weeks in 27 sessions. Specific protocols were also identified for functional restoration (60-min, 3 times a week, for 8 weeks/24 sessions) and cardiorespiratory rehabilitation (60-min, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks/36 sessions). Conclusion: This review provides evidence-based best practice recommendations for overground exoskeleton training among individuals with spinal cord injury/disease based on individual therapeutic goals – functional restoration or cardiorespiratory rehabilitation. There is a need for structured exoskeleton clinical translation studies based on standardized methods and common therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the standard of care for the management of choledocholithiasis but carries risk of complications which may result in significant morbidity and mortality. While currently available guidelines endorse the use of ERCP for the management of symptomatic common bile duct stones, the need for ERCP in incidentally found asymptomatic choledocholithiasis is more controversial, and practice varies on a geographic and institutional level. This systematic review and meta-analysis is conducted to compare post-ERCP adverse events between asymptomatic and symptomatic choledocholithiasis patients. Methods: We searched PubMed/Embase/Web of Science databases to include all studies comparing post-ERCP outcomes between asymptomatic and symptomatic choledocholithiasis patients. The primary outcome was post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), while secondary outcomes included post-ERCP cholangitis, bleeding, and perforation. We calculated pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Mantel–Haenszel method within a random-effect model. Results: Our analysis included six observational studies, totaling 2,178 choledocholithiasis patients (392 asymptomatic and 1786 symptomatic); 53% were female. Asymptomatic patients exhibited a higher risk of PEP compared with symptomatic patients (11.7% versus 4.8%; RR 2.59, 95% CI 1.56–4.31, p ≤ 0.001). No significant difference was observed in post-ERCP cholangitis, bleeding, or perforation rates between the two groups. Conclusions: Asymptomatic patients with choledocholithiasis appear to have a higher risk of PEP than symptomatic patients, while the risk of other post-ERCP adverse events is similar between the two groups. Interventional endoscopists should thoroughly discuss potential adverse events (particularly PEP) with asymptomatic patients before performing ERCP and utilize PEP-prevention measures more liberally in this subgroup of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether perioperative red blood cell transfusions increases the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism is controversial and uncertain.We aims to explore the relationship between perioperative red blood cell transfusions and the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism by conducting a meta-analysis. To conduct a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the relationship between perioperative red blood cell transfusions and the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies examining the relationship between perioperative red blood cell transfusions and the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism. The databases were searched from establishment to August 2023.Two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Newcastle-ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. Meta-analysis of data was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 15 studies involving 1,880,990 patients were included in this study.Meta-analysis showed that perioperative red blood cell transfusions increased the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism [OR = 1.61, 95%CI (1.37, 1.89), P < 0.001]. Subgroup analyses showed that the transfusion dose,transfusion timing,study population and follow-up time were closely related to the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism. In summary, this meta-analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between perioperative red blood cell transfusions and postoperative venous thromboembolism.Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the influence of blood transfusions on postoperative venous thromboembolism, strengthen management and prevention. • Examining the controversial issue of whether perioperative RBC transfusions is associated with VTE. • Perioperative RBC transfusions is associated with postoperative VTE. • The relationship between the two is influenced by numerous confounding factors, such as RBC transfusions dose and timing. • Enhanced management of perioperative blood transfusion practices is especially important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the impact that electronic cigarettes have on the ocular surface is not well known. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the current literature on the acute and chronic sequelae of electronic cigarettes on the ocular surface. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken by keyword searching on the Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases. Articles identified through the search underwent title/abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in this review. Non-intended ocular surface exposures and intended exposures on the ocular surface were found to be associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. Conclusions: The impact of vaping on the ocular surface is not benign. There are significant risks that vaping can pose to the ocular surface. Hence, it is necessary to develop appropriate risk communication tools given the increasing popularity of this activity. Additionally, future long-term studies are needed to better understand the long-term impacts of vaping on the ocular surface given the lack of current data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is often undetected in its early stages. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool in medical diagnostics. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of AI in detecting RP using various ophthalmic images. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on December 31, 2022. We included studies in the English language that used any ophthalmic imaging modality, such as OCT or fundus photography, used any AI technologies, had at least an expert in ophthalmology as a reference standard, and proposed an AI algorithm able to distinguish between images with and without retinitis pigmentosa features. We considered the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) as the main measures of accuracy. We had a total of 14 studies in the qualitative analysis and 10 studies in the quantitative analysis. In total, the studies included in the meta-analysis dealt with 920,162 images. Overall, AI showed an excellent performance in detecting RP with pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.985 [95%CI: 0.948–0.996], 0.993 [95%CI: 0.982–0.997] respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), using a random-effect model, was calculated to be 0.999 [95%CI: 0.998–1.000; P < 0.001]. The Zhou and Dendukuri I² test revealed a low level of heterogeneity between the studies, with [I2 = 19.94%] for sensitivity and [I2 = 21.07%] for specificity. The bivariate I² [20.33%] also suggested a low degree of heterogeneity. We found evidence supporting the accuracy of AI in the detection of RP; however, the level of heterogeneity between the studies was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer vision (CV) shows increasing promise as an efficient, low‐cost tool for video seizure detection and classification. Here, we provide an overview of the fundamental concepts needed to understand CV and summarize the structure and performance of various model architectures used in video seizure analysis. We conduct a systematic literature review of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 15, 2023, to identify the strengths and limitations of CV seizure analysis methods and discuss the utility of these models when applied to different clinical seizure phenotypes. Reviews, nonhuman studies, and those with insufficient or poor quality data are excluded from the review. Of the 1942 records identified, 45 meet inclusion criteria and are analyzed. We conclude that the field has shown tremendous growth over the past 2 decades, leading to several model architectures with impressive accuracy and efficiency. The rapid and scalable detection offered by CV models holds the potential to reduce sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and help alleviate resource limitations in epilepsy monitoring units. However, a lack of standardized, thorough validation measures and concerns about patient privacy remain important obstacles for widespread acceptance and adoption. Investigation into the performance of models across varied datasets from clinical and nonclinical environments is an essential area for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The approval of selumetinib in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) and inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN) has reshaped the landscape of clinical management of the disease, and further comprehensive evaluation of the drug's efficacy and safety is needed. Methods: Original articles reporting on the efficacy and safety of elumetinib in patients with NF1 were comprehensively searched in the Pubmed database, Embase database, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science database and screened for inclusion of studies that met the criteria. We pooled the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), disease progression rate (DPR), and the rate of improvement in PN-related complications using meta-analysis. The incidence of drug-related adverse events was also statistically analyzed. Results: This study included 10 clinical trials involving 268 patients. The pooled ORR was 68.0% (95% CI 58.0–77.3%), the DCR was 96.8% (95% CI 90.8–99.7%) and the DPR was only 1.4% (95% CI 0–4.3%). The pooled improvement rate was 75.3% (95% CI 56.2–90.9%) for pain and 77.8% (95% CI 63.1–92.5%) for motor disorders. Most adverse events were mild, with the most common being gastrointestinal reactions (diarrhea: 62.5%; vomiting: 54.5%). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that selumetinib is effective in patients with NF1 and PN, significantly improving the serious complications associated with PN as well as having tolerable toxicities. Our findings help to increase clinicians' confidence in applying selumetinib and promote the clinical adoption and benefit of the new drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to verify the association between the genetic variants of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) genes and the presence and severity of gefitinib-associated adverse reactions. We systematically searched PubMed, Virtual Health Library/Bireme, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies published up to February 2024. In total, five studies were included in the review. Additionally, eight genetic variants related to ABCB1 (rs1045642, rs1128503, rs2032582, and rs1025836) and ABCG2 (rs2231142, rs2231137, rs2622604, and 15622C>T) genes were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed a significant association between the ABCB1 gene rs1045642 TT genotype and presence of diarrhea (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 1.38–21.14, I2 = 0%), the ABCB1 gene rs1128503 TT genotype and CT + TT group and the presence of skin rash (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.51–12.61, I2 = 0% and OR = 6.99, 95%CI: 1.61–30.30, I2= 0%, respectively), and the ABCG2 gene rs2231142 CC genotype and presence of diarrhea (OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 1.53–9.84, I2 = 39%). No ABCB1 or ABCG2 genes were positively associated with the severity of adverse reactions associated with gefitinib. In conclusion, this study showed that ABCB1 and ABCG2 variants are likely to exhibit clinical implications in predicting the presence of adverse reactions to gefitinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper systematically reviews the current articles regarding the use of dupilumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) to evaluate its safety and efficacy. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for publications on dupilumab for BP from inception to 10 March, 2023. A total of 26 studies were included for systematic review. The primary outcome was clinical remission, and the secondary outcomes were recurrence and adverse events. Among 96 patients, 71.8% (n = 69/96) received systemic or topical steroids, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, intravenous immunoglobulins, antihistamines, plasmapheresis, rituximab, and omalizumab, but none of them were successful. After dupilumab treatment, 66.7% (n = 64/96) of patients achieved complete remission, 25.0% (n = 24/96) had partial remission, 5.2% (n = 5/96) showed no remission, and no patients experienced deterioration. In addition, 1.0% (n = 1/96) and 2.0% (n = 2/96) patients stopped using dupilumab due to adverse reactions and cost, respectively. The average remission time was 4.5 months. 46.2% (n = 25/96) of the patients were followed up with a median follow-up of 8 months and only 2 patients relapsed at 8 and 7 months, respectively. Adverse event was 16.9% (n = 12/71), of which transient eosinophilia was the most common. This study indicates that the dupilumab is a promising treatment for BP with high clinical benefit associated with low recurrence rate, adverse event rate, and mortality. However, a large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to further confirm the safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with BP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment for peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) is based on surgical excision and the primary goal is to improve symptoms whilst preserving neurological function. In order to improve this technique, surgeons may use sodium fluorescein (SF) to help visualize the neoplasm and, consequently, facilitate its removal. Aiming to assess the efficacy of this emerging surgical strategy, we conducted a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies without outcomes of interest, case series with less than four patients, letters, comments, technical notes, editorials, reviews, and basic research papers were excluded. The outcomes considered for this study were: the number of tumors that achieved total resection, subtotal resection, or near total resection, the approach/technique utilized by the surgeon, SF-related complications, and total complications. Five studies, with a total of 175 individuals, were included in our survey. Notably, 70% of the neoplasms presented by the patients were schwannomas. Considering extracranial lesions, we found a proportion of 96% (95% CI: 88 − 100%) in total resection, 0% (95% CI: 0–1%) in near total resection, and 4% (95% CI: 0–12%) in subtotal resection, all linked to an amount of 185 analyzed PNSTs. Furthermore, a proportion of 1% (95% CI: 0 − 2%) in SF-related complications was spotted among 183 patients. Finally, total complications analysis accounted for 11% (95% CI: 0 − 25%) among 183 individuals. We concluded that SF-assisted resection of PNSTs is a suitable and relatively safe technique, linked to minimum complications, of which the majority was not associated with the chemical compound itself. Future research is necessary to increase the number of patients available in the current literature and, therefore, enhance future analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with rheumatologic preexisting autoimmune disease (PAD) have not been enrolled in clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, the risks and benefits of ICI therapy in such patients are unclear. Herein, we investigated the safety and efficacy of ICIs in rheumatologic PAD patients through a meta-analysis. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for additional studies. We analyzed the following data through Stata software: incidence of total irAEs (TirAEs), rate of flares, incidence of new on-set irAEs, rate of discontinuation, objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Results: We identified 23 articles including 643 patients with rheumatologic PAD. The pooled incidences of TirAEs, flares and new-onset irAEs were 64% (95% CI 55%-72%), 41% (95% CI 31%-50%), and 33% (95% CI 28%-38%), respectively. In terms of severity, the incidences were 7% (95% CI 2%-14%) for Grade 3–4 flares and 12% (95% CI 9%-15%) for Grade 3–4 new-onset irAEs. Patients with RA had a greater risk of flares than patients with other rheumatologic PADs did (RR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.03–1.77). The ORR and DCR were 30% and 44%, respectively. Baseline anti-rheumatic treatment was not significantly associated with the frequency of flares (RR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.63–1.77) or the ORR (RR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.12–1.69). Conclusions: Patients with rheumatologic PAD, particularly those with RA, are susceptible to relapse of their rheumatologic disease following ICI therapy. ICIs are also effective for treating rheumatologic PAD patients. Prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO): number CRD 42,023,439,702. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) equipment has advanced dramatically over the years thanks to considerable advancements in signal motors, coils, placement devices, and modeling, optimization, and treatment scheduling programs. In this review, a primary assessment of the impact of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on seizure course in people with and without epilepsy has been done through search in the Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Other proposed roles of TMS in various studies has been reported. The features of TMS protocols for several potential disorders was assessed and the key TMS findings has been documented starting from 1985 until 2023. Results: More than 500 papers were found that describe various research populations, TMS techniques, and TMS functions in 16 various medical conditions. Conclusion: After reviewing recent updates in TMS, further researches are needed to improve the technical part of the used TMS protocols and to have definitive results not experimental one with regard to TMS usage in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the liver component of a cluster of conditions, while its subtype, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), emerges as a potentially progressive liver disorder that harbors the risk of evolving into cirrhosis and culminating in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have common risk factors, but compared to liver-related causes, the most common cause of death in NASH patients is CVD. Within the pharmacological armamentarium, statins, celebrated for their lipid-modulating prowess, have now garnered attention for their expansive therapeutic potential in NASH. Evidence from a plethora of studies suggests that statins not only manifest anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties but also impart a multifaceted beneficial impact on hepatic health. In this review, we used "statin", "NAFLD", "NASH", and "CVD" as the major keywords and conducted a literature search using the PubMed and Web of Science databases to determine the safety and efficacy of statins in patients and animals with NASH and NAFLD, and the mechanism of statin therapy for NASH. Simultaneously, we reviewed the important role of the intestinal microbiota in statin therapy for NASH, as it is hoped that statins will provide new insights into modulating the harmful inflammatory microbiota in the gut and reducing systemic inflammation in NASH patients. [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]

Event-related potential measures have been extensively studied in mental disorders. Among them, P300 amplitude and latency reflect impaired cognitive abilities in major depressive disorder (MDD). The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether patients with MDD differ from healthy controls (HCs) with respect to P300 amplitude and latency. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 15 January 2023 for case-control studies comparing P300 amplitude and latency in patients with MDD and HCs. The primary outcome was the standard mean difference. A total of 13 articles on P300 amplitude and latency were included in the meta-analysis. Random effect models indicated that MDD patients had decreased P300 amplitude, but similar latency compared to healthy controls. According to regression analysis, the effect size increased with the severity of depression and decreased with the proportion of women in the MDD samples. Funnel plot asymmetry was not significant for publication bias. Decreased P300 amplitude may be a candidate diagnostic biomarker for MDD. However, prospective studies testing P300 amplitude as a monitoring biomarker for MDD are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic generation of prime numbers has been almost ignored since the 1990s, when most of the IT research resources related to prime numbers migrated to studies on the use of very large primes for cryptography, and little effort was made to further the knowledge regarding techniques like sieving. At present, sieving techniques are mostly used for didactic purposes, and no real advances seem to be made in this domain. This systematic review analyzes the theoretical advances in sieving that have occurred up to the present. The research followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was conducted using three established databases: Web of Science, IEEE Xplore and Scopus. Our methodical review aims to provide an extensive overview of the progress in prime sieving—unfortunately, no significant advancements in this field were identified in the last 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to develop some specific theoretical themes, which could be useful for HR personnel in adopting and implementing blockchain technology in the HR department. Total 126 published documents during the time interval 2016–2021 from the Scopus and Web of Science databases were explored to classify the relevant 25 records using the PRISMA flow diagram. Complete bibliometric information has been synthesised concerning titles, abstracts, and keywords of each of those 25 publications. VOSviewer was used to generate term co-occurrence network maps based on assembled bibliometric information. Four thematic clusters were evolved from the network maps and based on the thematic clusters; two theoretical themes were developed through associations. Two theoretical themes, i.e., Employee-Systems Interaction (ESI) and Blockchain Framework (BcF) for HR, were identified to become the prime movers for adopting and implementing blockchain in the domain of HRM. Later, for justifying the two theoretical themes and testing the robustness of the results, we reported the key terms thoroughly and critically going through the 25 publications. ESI and BcF for HR will add tremendous theoretical contributions to the existing body of knowledge in the fields of blockchain and strategic HRM. Directions for future research have been mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT-A) has emerged as a key therapeutic agent for the management of spasticity. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric and visual analysis of research concerning BoNT-A treatment of spasticity to elucidate current trends and future directions in this research area. A search was conducted in the Web of Science database for articles focused on the use of BoNT-A in spasticity published between 2000 and 2022. We extracted various metrics, including counts of publications and contributions from different countries, institutions, authors, and journals. Analytical methods in CiteSpace were employed for the examination of co-citations, collaborations, and the co-occurrence of keywords. Our search yielded 1489 publications. Analysis revealed a consistent annual increase in research output. The United States, United Kingdom, and Italy were the leading contributors. The top institution in this research was Assistance Publique Hopitaux, Paris. The journal containing the highest number of relevant publications was Toxins. Key frequently occurring keywords were 'stroke', 'cerebral palsy', 'adult spasticity', and 'upper extremity'. This study identified 12 clusters of keywords and 15 clusters of co-cited references, indicating the main focus areas and emerging themes in this field. This study comprehensively analyzed and summarized trends in BoNT-A research in the field of spasticity over the past 22 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Covid-19 pandemic, political parties and international public institutions consolidated the use of TikTok as a communication tool in order to reach a young audience, which requires dynamic formats and more flexible languages. This study aims to reflect on the characteristics of institutional and political communication research in TikTok, the suitability of its methodologies, conclusions and limitations, and its future prospects. To this end, a systematic review of the scientific literature (SLR) for the period 2018-2023 is carried out, following the standards of the PRISMA Statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to 1.186 scientific documents, 21 articles published in the Scopus and Web of Science databases were analysed. The findings indicate that Spain concentrates the highest number of publications, that the phenomenon was not studied until 2021 and that 2022 was the year of highest production. The conclusions suggest that the study of TikTok is in an incipient phase and that content analysis is the predominant methodology, although its samples are small. They also suggest that there is little bidirectionality in communication strategies, that interaction is not related to adaptation to the multimodal language of the platform and that the focus should be on studying the community rather than the messages disseminated from official profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have been increasingly associated with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID). However, the relationship between these diseases remains unclear. We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis to address this issue. Methods: The search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines using descriptors for ASD and EGIDs from the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, LILACS, and Web of Science databases. Observational studies with the prevalence of ASD in any EGID were included. The study protocol was registered on the PROSPERO platform under the number CRD42023455177. Results: The total dataset comprised 766,082 participants. The result of the single‐arm meta‐analysis showed an overall prevalence of ASD in the population with EGID of 21.59% (95% CI: 10.73–38.67). There was an association between EGID and ASD (OR: 3.44; 95% CI: 1.25–2.21), also significant when restricted only to EoE (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 2.71–5.70). Discussion: Recent studies have implicated the influence of an inadequate epithelial barrier integrity in the pathogenesis of several diseases. The role of this mechanism can be extended to situations beyond allergic reactions, including other conditions with underlying immunological mechanisms. Several diseases are potentially related to the systemic effect of bacterial translocation in tissues with defective epithelial barriers. Conclusion: Our meta‐analysis provides evidence that supports the consideration of EGID in patients with ASD and ASD in patients with EGID. Despite its limitations, the results should also be validated by future studies, preferably using multicenter prospective designs in populations with low referral bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-COVID afflicts millions with relentless fatigue, disrupting daily life. The objective of this narrative review is to synthesize current evidence on the role of the basal ganglia in long-COVID fatigue, discuss potential mechanisms, and highlight promising therapeutic interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Mounting evidence from PET, MRI, and functional connectivity data reveals basal ganglia disturbances in long-COVID exhaustion, including inflammation, metabolic disruption, volume changes, and network alterations focused on striatal dopamine circuitry regulating motivation. Theories suggest inflammation-induced signaling disturbances could impede effort/reward valuation, disrupt cortical–subcortical motivational pathways, or diminish excitatory input to arousal centers, attenuating drive initiation. Recent therapeutic pilots targeting basal ganglia abnormalities show provisional efficacy. However, heterogeneous outcomes, inconsistent metrics, and perceived versus objective fatigue discrepancies temper insights. Despite the growing research, gaps remain in understanding the precise pathways linking basal ganglia dysfunction to fatigue and validating treatment efficacy. Further research is needed to advance understanding of the basal ganglia's contribution to long-COVID neurological sequelae and offer hope for improving function across the expanding affected population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the efficacy and surgical outcomes of the simultaneous single-trajectory endoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy (ETV) in pineal region tumors. A systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to Cochrane Standards and PRISMA framework were conducted. PubMed, Embase, and Web Of Science databases were searched until December 2023. Outcomes included rate of histopathologic diagnosis success, ETV success, complications, required VPS, and mortality. Seventeen studies (N = 388) met inclusion criteria. Histopathologic diagnosis success rate was 90% for general population (95% CI: 86%–95%; I2 = 42%) and 94% for pediatric patients (95% CI: 89%–98%; I2 = 19%). ETV Success rate was 93% (95% CI: 88%–97%; I2 = 60%). An estimated risk of postoperative ETV complications was found to be 16% for the general population (95% CI: 5%–28%; I2 = 90%) and 5% for pediatric patients (95% CI: 0%–13%; I2 = 51%). The risk of requiring VPS was estimated as 2% (95% CI: 0%–4%; I2 = 39%) and for the pediatric population it was 7% (95% CI: 0%–16%; I2 = 69%). Mortality risk was found to be 1% (95% CI: 0%–3%; I2 = 0%). Simultaneous endoscopic biopsy and ETV demonstrated high diagnostic and therapeutic success rates. The procedure's safety profile, with low mortality and complications, supports its role in treating hydrocephalus associated to pineal region tumors. Subgroup analyses revealed higher diagnostic success rates and required VPS in the pediatric population, whilst it had lower complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though currently considered a 'black box,' machine learning (ML) has a promising future to ameliorate the health-care burden of stroke which is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Through this study, we sought to review the most influential articles on the applications of ML in stroke. Web of Sciences database was searched, and a list of the top 50 most cited articles, assessing the application of ML in stroke, was prepared by 2 authors, independently. Subsequently, a detailed analysis was performed to characterize the most impactful studies. The total number of citations to the top 50 articles were 2959 (range 35–243 citations) with a median of 47 citations. Highest number of articles were published in the journal Stroke and the United States was the major contributing country. The majority of the studies focused on the utilization of ML to improve stroke risk prediction, diagnosis, and outcome prediction. Statistical analysis revealed an insignificant association between the total and mean number of citations and the impact factor of the journal (P = 0.516 and 0.987, respectively). Recent years have witnessed a surge in the application of ML in stroke, with an enhancement in interest and funding over the years. ML has revolutionized the management of stroke and continues to aid in the neurosurgical decision-making and care in stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medically refractory cases of trigeminal neuralgia often require treatment escalation. Surgical options include microvascular decompression and percutaneous ablation. This paper provides a bibliometric analysis of the most influential articles on the surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia. The Web of Science database was queried to identify the top 100 cited articles concerning surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. The search terms used included ALL=(("trigeminal neuralgia" OR "tic douloureux" OR "Fothergill's disease" OR "Trifacial neuralgia") AND ("surgical treatment" OR "surgical management" OR "surgery" OR "neurosurgery") NOT ("radiosurgery" OR "gamma knife")). The extracted variables included the first and senior author names, journal, publication year, institution, and surgical modality. Our bibliometric search yielded 2104 studies, with 41,502 citations overall. Within the top 100 articles, Zakrzewska had the most first author papers (n = 5), and Burchiel had the most senior author papers (n = 6). The Massachusetts General Hospital was the most represented institution (n = 5). The United States was the most represented country (51%). Microvascular decompression was the most studied surgical strategy (51%), followed by percutaneous radiofrequency coagulation (9%), balloon/nerve compression (7%), and glycerol rhizolysis (7%). Some studies assessed multiple treatment modalities (22%). The types of studies included retrospective articles (58%), prospective articles (26%), reviews (10%), anatomic studies (2%), and basic science (1%). Neurosurgery (35%) and the Journal of Neurosurgery (33%) were the most represented journals. The current literature consists of retrospective reviews and mostly describes microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. Future studies should include further characterization of other surgical modalities such as percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation, glycerol injection, and balloon compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vertebral augmentation, such as vertebroplasty (VP) or kyphoplasty (KP), has been utilized for decades to treat OVCFs; however, the precise impact of this procedure on reducing mortality risk remains a topic of controversy. This study aimed to explore the potential protective effects of vertebral augmentation on mortality in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) using a large-scale meta-analysis. Materials and methods: Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science databases were employed for literature exploration until May 2023. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized as a summary statistic via random-effect models. Statistical analysis was executed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results: After rigorous screening, a total of five studies with substantial sample sizes were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The total number of participants included in the study was an 2,421,178, comprising of 42,934 cases of vertebral augmentation and 1,991,244 instances of non-operative management. The surgical intervention was found to be significantly associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of mortality (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.78, 0.85). Subgroup analysis revealed a remarkable 71% reduction in mortality risk following surgical intervention during short-term follow-up (HR 0.29; 95% CI 0.26, 0.32). Furthermore, KP exhibited a superior and more credible decrease in the risk of mortality when compared to VP treatment. Conclusions: Based on a comprehensive analysis of large samples, vertebral augmentation has been shown to significantly reduce the mortality risk associated with OVCFs, particularly in the early stages following fractures. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that KP is more reliable and effective than VP in terms of mitigating mortality risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence indicates that the Sport Education Model (SEM) has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing students' athletic capabilities and fostering their enthusiasm for sports. Nevertheless, there remains a dearth of comprehensive reviews examining the impact of the SEM on students' attitudes toward physical education learning. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to elucidate the influence of the SEM on students' attitudes toward physical education learning. Methods: Employing the preferred reporting items of the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus and CINAHL Plus), and Web of Science databases was conducted in mid-January 2023. A set of keywords associated with the SEM, attitudes toward physical education learning, and students were employed to identify relevant studies. Out of 477 studies, only 13 articles fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and were consequently incorporated into this systematic review. The validated checklist of Downs and Black (1998) was employed for the assessment, and the included studies achieved quality scores ranging from 11 to 13. The ROBINS-I tool was utilized to evaluate the risk of bias in the literature, whereby only one paper exhibited a moderate risk of bias, while the remainder were deemed to have a high risk. Results: The findings unveiled significant disparities in cognitive aspects (n = 8) and affective components (n = 12) between the SEM intervention and the Traditional Teaching (TT) comparison. Existing evidence suggests that the majority of scholars concur that the SEM yields significantly superior effects in terms of students' affective and cognitive aspects compared to the TT. Conclusions: Nonetheless, several issues persist, including a lack of data regarding junior high school students and gender differences, insufficient frequency of weekly interventions, inadequate control of inter-group atmosphere disparities resulting from the same teaching setting, lack of reasonable testing, model fidelity check and consideration for regulating variables, of course, learning content, and unsuitable tools for measuring learning attitudes. In contrast, the SEM proves more effective than the TT in enhancing students' attitudes toward physical learning. Systematic review registration: (https://inplasy.com/) (INPLASY2022100040). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A good nutritional status appears to slow down disease progression and ameliorate symptoms' intensity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Up to date, there are several interventional studies, which have explored the potential beneficial effects of specific dietary patterns as well as specific bioactive nutrients against disease progression and symptomatology of MS patients. This is a thorough, scoping review, which aims to critically summarize and scrutinize the currently available clinical evidence of the potential beneficial effects of nutritional interventional studies against MS progression and symptomatology. This review was conducted to systematically map the research done in this area, as well as to identify gaps in knowledge. For this purpose, we thoroughly explored the most accurate scientific web databases, e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to achieve the most relevant clinical human studies applying effective and characteristic keywords. There are currently several dietary patterns and specific bioactive nutrients that show promising results by slowing down disease progression and by improving MS symptoms. However, there are also certain conflicting results, while most of the existing studies enrolled a small number of MS patients. Nutritional interventions may exert substantial protective effects against MS progression and symptomatology. However, large, long-term, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials with a prospective design are strongly recommended to delineate whether such nutritional intervention may attenuate disease progression, and improve symptomatology in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) system utilizing an inlay glenoid component has been proposed as a means of reducing glenoid component loosening while still providing patients with desirable functional and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to systematically review current outcomes literature on TSA using an inlay glenoid component. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science databases. Studies comparing pre- and postoperative functional and clinical outcomes were included. Results: Five studies with 148 shoulders (133 patients) were included. Patient-reported outcomes improved, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), Penn Shoulder Score (mean change 43.3 to 85.5), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), and visual analog scale-pain (mean change 6.9 to 1.6). Range of motion improved for forward elevation (mean change 109.6 to 156.2) and external rotation (mean change 21.5 to 50.8). Glenoid component loosening occurred in one shoulder (0.68%). Two revision surgeries (1.35%) were performed. Discussion: The use of an inlay glenoid component is associated with improvements in postoperative pain, function, and satisfaction while minimizing rates of glenoid component loosening and the need for revision surgery over short-term follow-up. Level of evidence: systematic review, level IV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard for evidence generation in medicine but are limited by their real-world generalizability, resource needs, shorter follow-up durations and inability to be conducted for all clinical questions. Decision analysis (DA) models may simulate trials and observational studies by using existing data and evidence- and expert-informed assumptions and extend analyses over longer time horizons, different study populations and specific scenarios, helping to translate population outcomes to patient-specific clinical and economic outcomes. Here, we present a scoping review and methodological primer on DA for cardiac surgery research. METHODS A scoping review was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases for cardiac surgery DA studies published until December 2021. Articles were summarized descriptively to quantify trends and ascertain methodological consistency. RESULTS A total of 184 articles were identified, among which Markov models (N  = 92, 50.0%) were the most commonly used models. The most common outcomes were costs (N  = 107, 58.2%), quality-adjusted life-years (N  = 96, 52.2%) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (N  = 89, 48.4%). Most (N  = 165, 89.7%) articles applied sensitivity analyses, most frequently in the form of deterministic sensitivity analyses (N  = 128, 69.6%). Reporting of guidelines to inform the model development and/or reporting was present in 22.3% of articles. CONCLUSION DA methods are increasing but remain limited and highly variable in cardiac surgery. A methodological primer is presented and may provide researchers with the foundation to start with or improve DA, as well as provide readers and reviewers with the fundamental concepts to review DA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Meningiomas—the most common extra-axial tumors—are benign, slow-growing dural-based lesions that can involve multiple cranial fossae and can progress insidiously for years until coming to clinical attention secondary to compression of adjacent neurovascular structures. For complex, multicompartmental lesions, multistaged surgeries have been increasingly shown to enhance maximal safe resection while minimizing adverse sequela. Here, we systematically review the extant literature to highlight the merits of staged resection. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried to identify articles reporting resections of intracranial meningiomas using a multistaged approach, and articles were screened for possible inclusion in a systematic process performed by two authors. Results Of 118 identified studies, 36 describing 169 patients (mean age 42.6 ± 21.3 years) met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Petroclival lesions comprised 57% of cases, with the most common indications for a multistaged approach being large size, close approximation of critical neurovascular structures, minimization of brain retraction, identification and ligation of deep vessels feeding the tumor, and resection of residual tumor found on postoperative imaging. Most second-stage surgeries occurred within 3 months of the index surgery. Few complications were reported and multistaged resections appeared to be well tolerated overall. Conclusions Current literature suggests multistaged approaches for meningioma resection are well-tolerated. However, there is insufficient comparative evidence to draw definitive conclusions about its advantages over an unstaged approach. There are similarly insufficient data to generate an evidence-based decision-making framework for when a staged approach should be employed. This highlights the need for collaborative efforts among skull base surgeons to establish an evidentiary to support the use of staged approaches and to outline those indications that merit such an approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retinal microvascular anomalies have been identified in patients with cardiovascular conditions such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and carotid artery disease. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42024506589) to explore the potential of retinal vasculature as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: We systematically examined original articles in the Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception up to November 2023, comparing retinal microvascular features between patients with CAD and control groups. Studies were included if they reported sample mean with standard deviation or median with range and/or interquartile range (which were computed into mean and standard deviation). Review Manager 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) software was used to calculate the pooled effect size with weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI) by random-effects inverse variance method. Results: Eleven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The findings indicated a significant decrease in the retinal nerve fiber layer (WMD −3.11 [−6.06, −0.16]), subfoveal choroid (WMD −58.79 [−64.65, −52.93]), and overall retinal thickness (WMD −4.61 [−7.05, −2.17]) among patients with CAD compared to controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, vascular macular density was notably lower in CAD patients, particularly in the superficial capillary plexus (foveal vessel density WMD −2.19 [−3.02, −1.135], p < 0.0001). Additionally, the foveal avascular zone area was statistically larger in CAD patients compared to the control group (WMD 52.73 [8.79, 96.67], p = 0.02). Heterogeneity was significant (I2 > 50%) for most features except for subfoveal choroid thickness, retina thickness, and superficial foveal vessel density. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis suggests that retinal vascularization could function as a noninvasive biomarker, providing additional insights beyond standard routine examinations for assessing dysfunction in coronary arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]