METHODS: A literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane on October 20, 2023. The included studies reported the number of pregnant women and the count of those who were dual users. Quality assessment was undertaken using the JBI tool. The pooled prevalence of dual use was determined via a random-effects model. All statistical analyses were executed using R software, version 4.3.
PROSPERO: CRD42023486020.
RESULTS: Eighteen studies were analyzed, encompassing 5,983,363 pregnant women. The meta-analysis indicated an overall prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI: 2.0-10.3) for dual users with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 100%). Subgroup analysis based on the country showed a prevalence of 4.9% (95% CI: 2.0 to 11.6) for USA and 8.1% (95% CI: 0.00 to 1.00) for UK. Meta-regression revealed reduction of prevalence of dual use from 2019 to 2023. A potential publication bias was indicated by the LFK index and the Doi plot.
CONCLUSION: The dual consumption of e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco in pregnant women is a significant health concern, with a notable prevalence. Given the established risks of tobacco smoking during pregnancy and the uncertainties surrounding e-cigarettes, more comprehensive research and public health interventions are urgently needed to address this issue.
METHODS: The databases of CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were used to conduct a literature search, supplemented by internet search engines and manual searches. Publications released between January 2009 and October 2023 was identified, reviewed, and data extracted.
RESULTS: The review encompasses six studies involving 712 patients, comprising two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two prospective studies, and two retrospective cohort studies. Three studies prescribed IMN perioperatively; two pre-operatively and one post-operatively. Four out of six studies reported less post-operative infection and complications. Two studies reported shorter hospitalization using the IMN formula. One study reported a longer hospitalization with IMN supplementation. Overall survival showed no significant difference in the two studies. Four studies reported positive modulation of inflammatory markers and lymphocytes as outcomes, with IMN formulas.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Perioperative IMN emerge as a promising intervention, demonstrating notable benefits included shortened hospitalization as well and positive modulation of inflammatory markers.
METHODS: Adult female black flies collected using human bait, as well as those reared from pupae, were used in this study. Here, landmark-based GM analysis of wings was assessed for the first time to identify human-biting black fly species in Thailand, comparing this approach with the standard morphological identification method and DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. To explore genetic relationships between species, maximum likelihood (ML) and neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were built. Additionally, three different methods of species delimitation, i.e., assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP), generalized mixed yule coalescent (GMYC), and single Poisson tree processes (PTP), were utilized to identify the morphologically defined species. The effectiveness of a COI barcode in identifying black fly species was further examined through the best match (BM) and best close match (BCM) methods.
RESULTS: Seven black fly species, namely Simulium tenebrosum Takaoka, Srisuka & Saeung, 2018 (complex), S. doipuiense Takaoka & Choochote, 2005 (complex), S. nigrogilvum Summers, 1911, S. nodosum Puri, 1933, S. asakoae Takaoka & Davies, 1995, S. chamlongi Takaoka & Suzuki, 1984, and S. umphangense Takaoka, Srisuka & Saeung, 2017 were morphologically identified. Compared with the standard method, the GM analysis based on wing shape showed high success in separating species, achieving an overall accuracy rate of 88.54%. On the other hand, DNA barcoding surpassed wing GM for species identification with a correct identification rate of 98.57%. Species delimitation analyses confirmed the validity of most nominal species, with an exception for S. tenebrosum complex and S. doipuiense complex, being delimited as a single species. Moreover, the analyses unveiled hidden diversity within S. asakoae, indicating the possible existence of up to four putative species.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of wing GM as a promising and reliable complementary tool for species identification of human-biting black flies in Thailand.
AIM: This study aimed to identify the range of clinical pharmacy activities in ambulatory care, assess the suitability of the existing ward-based tool for capturing these activities, and recommend modifications.
METHOD: Non-participant direct observations were conducted to record pharmacists' clinical activities in ambulatory clinics and multidisciplinary meetings. These observations were compared to the existing ward-based tool to identify discrepancies. Semi-structured interviews with eight ambulatory pharmacists were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed inductively to explore the tool's representativeness of their routine clinical activities.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine clinical pharmacy activities were observed in ambulatory services. Only fifteen were captured by the existing tool, with therapy monitoring and recommending therapeutic changes not accurately captured. Pharmacists agreed that the tool was not fully representative and included irrelevant activities. Four common uncaptured activities were multidisciplinary meeting-specific activities, arranging laboratory tests, monitoring patient outcomes, and liaising with community healthcare professionals. This study identified 33 candidate ambulatory clinical pharmacy activities.
CONCLUSION: The existing ward-based tool does not fully capture the full range of ambulatory care clinical pharmacy activities, highlighting the need for an improved tool. Pharmacists recommended including the uncaptured activities. The candidate activities provide a foundation for standardised measurement of relevant ambulatory care activities to enable effective workforce deployment and improve patient outcomes.
PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of chatbots for providing breast cancer education. By examining patient satisfaction with and the usability and efficacy of chatbot interventions, this study seeks to support the integration of chatbot technology into cancer education.
METHODS: This review, which was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, included studies from MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2024. The main inclusion criterion was chatbot interventions for breast cancer education. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager and Open Meta-Analyst software.
RESULTS: Of the 208 articles initially identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1342 women with early-stage or at-risk hereditary breast cancer. The meta-analysis revealed that most participants (85 to 99%) reported high satisfaction with chatbot interventions for breast cancer education, with no significant differences in satisfaction compared to genetic counselors or physicians. The chatbot interventions also showed positive effects on knowledge acquisition (mean proportion = 90.8%) and alleviated patients' symptoms significantly more than routine care.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that chatbots can effectively provide personalized and interactive educational support, enhancing patients' understanding and retention of disease-related information. The integration of chatbot technology into educational programs can empower patients, ultimately promoting breast cancer awareness and prevention.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCOHost was systematically searched for empirical studies between 2000 and 2023 that discussed on factors that influenced family planning usage among women with diabetes. This systematic literature review was conducted in accordance to Joanna Briggs Institute's approach for conducting systematic review of associations. Factors were categorised to either individual and non-individual factors. Narrative synthesis approach was adopted that appropriately accommodates the heterogeneity of the reviewed studies.
RESULTS: A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies included in this review mostly reported individual-level factors that influence family planning practice among women with diabetes mellitus which were mainly the presence of diseases and other sociodemographic characteristics. Only six studies reported factors beyond individual variables which include geographic region, access to care, opinion of significant others, healthcare providers' perception, role of doctors and types of service providers.
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides evidences that highlighted the gap in knowledge on variables that were beyond individual-level factors which influence family planning practice among women with diabetes mellitus. Further studies that explored structural and systemic factors may benefit future program planning to identify and target modifiable factors.
METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to locate where gender does, or does not, appear within the decolonising global health literature. The authors reviewed the decolonising global health literature available on Scopus and PubMed online databases to identify peer-reviewed papers with the search terms "(decoloni* or de-coloni*) OR (neocolonial or neo-colonial) AND 'global health'" in their title, abstract or keywords published by December 2022.
RESULTS: Out of 167 papers on decolonising global health, only 53 (32%) had any reference to gender and only 26 (16%) explicitly engaged with gender as it intersects with (de)coloniality. Four key themes emerged from these 26 papers: an examination of coloniality's racialised and gendered nature; how this shaped and continues to shape hierarchies of knowledge; how these intertwining forces drive gendered impacts on health programmes and policies; and how a decolonial gender analysis can inform action for change.
CONCLUSION: Historical legacies of colonisation continue to shape contemporary global health practice. The authors call for the integration of a decolonial gender analysis in actions and initiatives that aim to decolonise global health, as well as within allied movements which seek to confront the root causes of power asymmetries and inequities.