MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant, peer-reviewed, Englishlanguage articles on healthcare service quality in Malaysia were independently searched by the authors using the SCOPUS and EMERALD databases. Articles that do not directly address healthcare service quality within the Malaysian setting were excluded. Additional articles were identified from the reference lists of the selected articles and from Google search engine. A total of 43 out of 2,749 articles were selected.
RESULTS: Most of these studies (28 out of the 43 articles, 65.1%) in this scoping review used either the original or a modified version of SERVQUAL instrument to measure healthcare service quality. Significant positive relationships between tangibles, assurance and empathy with patient satisfaction were identified. As SERVQUAL primarily measures the functional dimension of service quality, this suggests that past studies on Malaysian healthcare services emphasised heavily on the functional dimension of healthcare service quality. Functional dimension refers to the expressive performance on how the healthcare service is rendered whereas technical dimension refers to the types of services rendered as well as its safety and efficacy.
CONCLUSION: A pertinent research gap identified in this review is the lack of studies that measure both technical and functional dimensions comprehensively. Future research should adopt a more holistic (incorporating both technical dimension and functional dimension) measurement of healthcare service quality.
METHODS: The search was conducted across three databases: PubMed, CINAHL and Emerald using four key concepts: 'health', 'index', 'context', 'develop', which was supplemented with Google searching and reference scanning. A researcher screened the titles, abstracts and subsequently full texts and confirmed the findings with the research team at each stage. Data charting was performed according to the included publications and identified indices. The collation was performed by describing the indices and made observation on its development method using a priori framework consist of four processes: underpinning theory, model or framework; data selection and processing; formation of index; testing of index.
RESULTS: Twenty-six publications describing population health indices were included, and 27 indices were identified. These indices covered the following health topics: overall health outcomes (n = 15), outcomes for specific health topics (n = 4), diseases outcome (n = 6), assist health resource allocation for priority minority subgroup or geographic area (n = 4), quality of health or health care (n = 2). Twenty-one indices measure health for general populations while six measure defined subpopulations. Fourteen of the indices reported at least one of the development processes according to the a priori framework: underpinning theory, model or framework (n = 7); data selection and processing (n = 8); formation of index (n = 12); testing of index (n = 9).
CONCLUSIONS: Few population health indices measure specific health topics or health of specific sub-population. There is also a lack of usage of theories, models or framework in developing these indices. Efforts to develop a guideline is proposed on how population health indices can be developed systematically and rigorously to ensure validity and comprehensive assessment of the indices.
OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational agents (CAs)-including chatbots, voicebots, and anthropomorphic digital avatars-as human-like health caregivers in the remote management of NCDs as well as identify critical areas for future research and provide insights into how these technologies might be used effectively in health care to personalize NCD management strategies.
METHODS: A broad literature search was conducted in July 2023 in 6 electronic databases-Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science-using the search terms "conversational agents," "artificial intelligence," and "noncommunicable diseases," including their associated synonyms. We also manually searched gray literature using sources such as ProQuest Central, ResearchGate, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar. We included empirical studies published in English from January 2010 to July 2023 focusing solely on health care-oriented applications of CAs used for remote management of NCDs. The narrative synthesis approach was used to collate and summarize the relevant information extracted from the included studies.
RESULTS: The literature search yielded a total of 43 studies that matched the inclusion criteria. Our review unveiled four significant findings: (1) higher user acceptance and compliance with anthropomorphic and avatar-based CAs for remote care; (2) an existing gap in the development of personalized, empathetic, and contextually aware CAs for effective emotional and social interaction with users, along with limited consideration of ethical concerns such as data privacy and patient safety; (3) inadequate evidence of the efficacy of CAs in NCD self-management despite a moderate to high level of optimism among health care professionals regarding CAs' potential in remote health care; and (4) CAs primarily being used for supporting nonpharmacological interventions such as behavioral or lifestyle modifications and patient education for the self-management of NCDs.
CONCLUSIONS: This review makes a unique contribution to the field by not only providing a quantifiable impact analysis but also identifying the areas requiring imminent scholarly attention for the ethical, empathetic, and efficacious implementation of AI in NCD care. This serves as an academic cornerstone for future research in AI-assisted health care for NCD management.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GU5PX.
METHODS: Eligibility criteria included English language full text articles, in-vivo human studies only, and searching the databases using pre-defined terms. We based our analysis and reporting on the PRISMA guideline and examined the quality of evidence using the risk of bias assessment tool.
RESULTS: Of 3616 articles screened, 223 evaluated and 26 were eventually included in this review. Nine were high risk for bias, three were unclear risk and the rest low risk for bias. Microplastics were detected in 8/12 human organ systems including cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, integumentary, lymphatic, respiratory, reproductive and urinary. Microplastics were also observed in other human biological samples such as breastmilk, meconium, semen, stool, sputum and urine. Microplastics can be characterised based on shape, colours, and polymer type. Potential entry routes into human included atmospheric inhalation and ingestion through food and water. The extraction techniques for analysis of microplastics in human tissues vary significantly, each offering distinct advantages and limitations.
CONCLUSIONS: Microplastics are commonly detected in human tissues and organs, with distinct characteristics and entry routes, and variable analytical techniques exist.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This scoping review was reported in alignment with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Studies were identified through searches of five databases: Cochrane, Scopus, ProQuest, MEDLINE, and Web of Science (WoS).
RESULTS: Of the 294 articles initially identified, 20 studies were included and analysed thematically after removing duplicates. The majority of these assessments measure body function and structure such as grip and pinch strength while the rest are measuring the activity and participation domain. Most of the hand assessments were performancebased measurements. It is suggestible to employ both types of assessments to obtain a comprehensive understanding of hand conditions in individuals with DM. While some validated hand assessments were identified, only the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) has been validated as a reliable tool specifically for evaluating hand function in individuals with DM.
CONCLUSION: There is a need to evaluate the measurement properties of existing instruments for assessing the hand function in individuals with DM, or to develop hand assessments specifically for the DM population. This scoping review was forging a new path, by discovering diabetes care through the utilisation of hand assessments.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review process follows the five-staged Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodology framework excluding the optional consultation stage (stage 6): the definition of the research questions (step 1); the eligibility criteria and search strategy are defined (stage 2); the study selection process based on the eligibility criteria identified will follow (stage 3); a framework developed for this review will then inform the extraction and charting of data from the included studies (step 4) and results will be aggregated and summarised with criteria relevant for health professionals and policymakers (stage 5). We will search for electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), grey literature sources and critical studies' reference lists to determine the appropriate inclusion criteria. Three researchers will review all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This scoping review methodology does not require ethical approval since it aims to synthesise information from available publications. A scoping review article will be submitted for publication to a scientific journal following this protocol.
PURPOSE: This scoping review aims to map the main clinical evidence on different impacts of botanical entities on the testis and to critically appraise relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the recent 5 years, so as to inform the future.
METHODS: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and RCT reports on botanical impacts on testicular functions and male fertility were retrieved and synthesized from Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar up to 10th May 2022. RCTs published since 2018 were critically appraised against good practice guidelines for RCT and for reporting herbal studies.
RESULTS: We identified 24 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since 2005, by authors from Iran (25%), China (21%), USA (12.5%) and 9 other countries. All but two were published in English. Only 3 systematic review protocols were identified, all published in English from China in the recent 3 years. We identified 125 RCTs published in six languages, mainly English (55%) and Chinese (42%). They were published since 1994 from 23 countries on all the six inhabitable continents, with China (46%), Australia (8%), USA (8%), India (7%) and Iran (5%) being the leading contributors. 72% and 28% RCTs published in English were on efficacy (botanicals vs placebo) and comparative effectiveness (a botanical vs other treatments), respectively. In contrast, 98% RCT reports in Chinese were on comparative effectiveness, with merely 2% on efficacy. Among all the 125 RCTs, 57% were studies in patients with semen abnormality and/or male infertility, 22% investigated herbal effects in healthy men, 14% were on patients with male sexual dysfunction and hypogonadism, and 7% were conducted in men with non-sexual disorders. Since 2018, 32 RCTs have been published, in English (69%) or Chinese (31%). Nineteen RCT reports from China, India, Japan and Korea all studied herbal formulae while the 13 RCT reports from Australia, Brazil, Czech and Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Spain, the UK and the USA all exclusively studied extracts of a single species. Putting geo-cultural differences aside, gossypol and extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. were found to be detrimental to the testis and male fertility, while the extracts of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and traditional Chinese medicine Qilin Pill, etc., might improve testosterone levels and semen parameters, thus could be therapeutic for male sexual dysfunction and infertility. However, all still require further evaluation in view of recurring weaknesses in quality control of herbal materials, RCT design and reporting. For example, only 9%-23% of the RCTs published since 2018 provided information on voucher samples, chemical profiling, herbal authentication and herbal extraction.
CONCLUSION: Research on botanicals and the testis has been reported worldwide, demonstrating clear geo-cultural differences in studied plant species, botanical types, study objectives and quality of research design, implementation and reporting. Due to a few recurring weaknesses in the literature, this study is unable to recommend the use of any specific botanicals, however, current evidence does indicate that botanicals can be double-edged swords to the testis and male fertility. To secure better clinical evidence, future studies must faithfully implement existing and emerging good practice guidelines.
METHODS: A descriptive analysis of bibliographic data and network visualization were conducted using Microsoft Excel and VosViewer, focusing on literature published in the Scopus database between 1994 and 2023 and using "title" as the search field.
RESULTS: For the study period, the following were identified: 1429 authors, 5858 total citations, and an h-index of 36. From a total of 2058 publications discovered, 363 publications were included in the study. Of these, only 11 articles addressed nonpharmacological management for people with LDs. In terms of the research country, the United Kingdom was the leading contributor, with 56 publications. Ad de Jongh was the most productive author, with 13 publications and 447 citations. The most highly cited paper was Lehrner et al. (2005), with 312 citations.
CONCLUSION: This study determined the number of publications related to nonpharmacological management of DA over three decades. The number of studies involving people with LDs was lower than that involving the general population, suggesting future research should occur in this area.
METHODOLOGY: We report a case of a 43-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for further management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. During his stay in the ward, he received systemic corticosteroids for a total duration of 32 days. A broad-spectrum antibiotic (piperacillin-tazobactam) was also given due to copious amounts of tracheostomy secretions.
RESULTS: The patient's fever recurred following an afebrile interval of 11 days, and C. tropicalis was cultured from his blood. The yeast was highly resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole but remained susceptible to echinocandins. Unfortunately, the patient was unable to receive any echinocandin and eventually succumbed to candidemia.
CONCLUSIONS: Multilocus sequence typing was used to characterize C. tropicalis as a novel diploid sequence type (i.e., 1515) that has not been previously reported.