Search

A rare neuroendocrine skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) primarily affects elderly people. The objective of this study is to comprehensively review the impact of immunosuppressive medications, particularly TNF inhibitors, on the emergence of MCC. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library were searched. Study articles were screened by title and abstract at Rayyan Qatar Computing Research Institute, then a full-text assessment was implemented. Results: A total of eight case reports with 9 patients were included. Of the total population, seven were women and only two were men. Their age ranged from 31 to 73 years. More than half the population (5 cases) were being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. All received TNF inhibitors that were associated with the induction of MCC. Conclusion: We found that it is essential for physicians to explain potential cancer risks to patients before starting long-term immunosuppressive therapy and to conduct routine checks for MCC and other side effects. TNF inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab) were all associated with MCC development. Women constituted the majority of cases and most were elderly.

We conducted a systematic review to assess the current state of molecular-based research of aquatic macrophytes based on articles searched in SCOPUS and WoS databases. We found that the interest in molecular applications increased over time more rapidly than other approaches in aquatic macrophyte studies. The Neotropics, Indo-Malaysian, Australasia, and Afrotropical regions have a low publication rate on macrophytes' studied by molecular methods compared to the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. The gene regions of cpDNA and nrDNA were the most prominent, with the ITS being the most used. However, unusual markers for plants, such as mtDNA, were also detected. We found that 636 species of macrophytes received some study employing molecular techniques, representing 18% of the known aquatic macrophyte species on the planet. Therefore, there is still much to be explored about the genetic diversity of the world's aquatic flora, especially in the Neotropics, which has the highest diversity of macrophytes, and whose molecular techniques can help identify more species and elucidate the evolutionary history of this taxonomic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Root resorption in permanent teeth is a common pathological process that often follows dental trauma or orthodontic treatment. More rarely, root resorption is a feature of genetic disorders and can help with diagnosis. Thus, the present review aims to determine which genetic disorders could induce pathological root resorptions and thus which mutated genes could be associated with them. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles describing root resorptions in patients with genetic disorders were included from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We synthesized the genetic disorder, the type, severity, and extent of the resorptions, as well as the other systemic and oral symptoms and histological features. Results: The synthetic analysis included 25 studies among 937 identified records. We analyzed 21 case reports, three case series, and one cohort study. Overall, we highlighted 14 different pathologies with described root resorptions. Depending on the pathology, the sites of resorption, their extent, and their severity showed differences. Conclusion: With 14 genetic pathologies suspected to induce root resorptions, our findings are significant and enrich a previous classification. Among them, three metabolic disorders, three calcium–phosphorus metabolism disorders, and osteolysis disorders were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several subspecies and forms of Haliotis virginea Gmelin, 1791 have been recognised, with intergrading variants between many of them. Published genetic data recovered none of the named subspecies as both monophyletic and significantly divergent from one another. Conversely, specimens previously referred to H. virginea from Manawatāwhi Three Kings Islands formed a strongly supported, highly divergent, monophyletic clade, herein described as Haliotis pirimoana n. sp. This species differs subtly but consistently in having finer and more numerous spiral threads than H. virginea at an equivalent stage of growth. Haliotis crispata A. Gould, 1847, H. gibba R.A. Philippi, 1846, H. huttoni Filhol, 1880, H. virginea morioria A.W.B. Powell, 1938, and H. virginea stewartae M. Jones & B. Owen, 2004 are interpreted as synonyms of H. virginea. Neotypes are designated for H. crispata and H. huttoni. ZooBank article LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0F24F1D-E531-40A7-AAB6-932086847DD7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major burn injury, despite advancements in care and prevention, can have a profound impact on long-term morbidity, affecting quality of life and socioeconomic standing. We aim to explore factors predicting recovery of independence, the expected rate and time in majorly burned patients, and the measures of progress used. A systematic search of four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, CINAHL) was conducted for studies reporting outcomes pertaining to physical ability indicative of independent function in adult (>15 y) cohorts who had suffered a major burn (>20% TBSA) up to 30 years after treatment in a developed specialised burn service. Data extracted included factors affecting rate of and time to achievement of function in five independence domains, as well as the outcome measures used. 21 eligible studies were included comprising 1298 major burns survivors with a combined mean age of 39.6 y and a mean TBSA of 25.8%. The most significant recurring factors impacting recovery of independent function were older age, female gender, burn severity, prolonged ICU and hospital admission, preceding mental health conditions, and post-acute psychological issues. Exercise-based rehabilitation conferred benefits on major burn patients even over 2 years following injury. Discharge to independent living from hospital occurred in 27% to 97% of patients, while reported return to work rates varied from 52% to 80%. Burns Specific Health Scale-Brief, Functional Independence Measure, and Physical Composite Score (SF-36) were the most widely used outcome scoring systems. Major burn survivors have protracted recovery with potential for persistent chronic impairments, remaining consistently below baseline levels of function. Non-modifiable factors such as age and gender, and disease characteristics such as burn size with associated physical, physiological and psychosocial sequelae are contributory. Further research is required to explore achievement of specific milestones of major burn and polytrauma critical care patients, while early targeted rehabilitation addressing physical, psychological, and vocational needs has promising potential benefit. • Survivors of severe burns persistently remain below baseline levels of function. • Many do not return to independent living or work, exacting a socioeconomic burden. • Older, female, and mental health patients may be less likely to regain independence. • Higher burn size/depth and prolonged admission are also significant risk factors. • Early physical & vocational rehabilitation with psychological support aids recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The association between quality sleep and improved cognition is well reported in literature. However, very few studies have been undertaken to evaluate the impact of poor sleep on educational outcomes in Indigenous Australian children. Objectives: The objective of this review was to explore the association between sleep and educational outcomes of Indigenous children. Methods: For this systematic review, a literature search covering research articles in academic databases and grey literature sources was conducted to retrieve studies published until March 2022. Eight online e‐databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, HealthinfoNet, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Google Scholar) were searched for data extraction and two appraisal tools (NIH and CREATE) were used for quality assessment. Studies that explored any aspect of sleep health in relation to educational/academic outcomes in school going Indigenous Australian children aged 5–18 were included in this study. All review articles and studies that focused on physical/ mental disabilities or parent perceptions of sleep and educational outcomes were excluded. A convergent integrated approach was used to collate and synthesize information. Results: Only three studies (two cross‐sectional and one longitudinal) met the eligibility criteria out of 574 articles. The sample size ranged from 21–50 of 6 to 13 year old children. A strong relationship was indicated between sleep quantity and educational outcomes, in two of the three studies. One study related the sleep fragmentation/shorter sleep schedules of short sleep class and early risers with poorer reading (B = −30.81 to −37.28, p = 0.006 to 0.023), grammar (B = −39.79 to −47.89, p = 0.012–0.013) and numeracy (B = −37.93 to −50.15, p = 0.003 to 0.022) skills compared with long sleep and normative sleep class whereas another reported no significant relation between sleep and educational outcomes. Conclusion: The review highlights the need for more research to provide evidence of potentially modifiable factors such as sleep and the impact these may have on academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Infertility in men causes problems in various aspects of their lives, including personal, family and social life. One of the most important of these problems is anxiety. Anxiety in infertile men can affect their health, quality of life, and response to treatment, highlighting the significance of anxiety in these men. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men. Methods: To conduct this review study, two researchers independently searched international databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of sciences, Scopus, PsyINFO, and the Google scholar search engine in English without considering any time limit until January 2, 2024. Keywords such as "anxiety," "infertility," "prevalence," and "epidemiology" were used, taking into account the specific search method of each database. Using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), the quality of the articles was evaluated by two researchers independently. Results: In the systematic part of the study, 27 studies were included, and given the variety of measurement tools (8 different tools) used to investigate anxiety symptoms in infertile men, 24 studies were analyzed in five subgroups of tools. The pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men was 21.37% (95% CI: 15.73–27.02). The lowest and highest prevalence of anxiety in infertile men were related to the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), accounting for 7.08% (95% CI: 3.27–10.90) and 34.90% (95%CI: 28.90–40.90) values respectively. This prevalence was 19.80% (95%CI: 9.01–30.59) for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 30.06% (95%CI: 18.59–41.52) for the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and 18.52% (95%CI: 7.76–29.29) for the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Conclusion: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men requires special attention to healthcare planning. The healthcare system of different countries should evaluate the symptoms of anxiety in infertile men and take appropriate measures to reduce them according to the culture of the countries. It is recommended that all infertile couples be assessed for anxiety symptoms using a standardized tool during their initial evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While the study of conspiracy theory beliefs is a relatively new research area, there has been a rise in academic interest in recent years. The literature provides evidence of relationships between conspiracy theory beliefs and a range of factors, but the vast majority of studies are limited to adult samples, and it is unclear how such beliefs present in adolescence. Methods: The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA‐S format. Relevant databases were searched up to February 23, 2023, for quantitative studies related to adolescent conspiracy theory beliefs. Results: The six included articles show that conspiracy theory beliefs are present from the start of adolescence, and stable from age 14 upwards, with correlations reported for mistrust and paranoid thinking. Negative relationships were reported for cognitive factors such as ontological confusion, cognitive ability, and actively open‐minded thinking. Health‐related beliefs correlated with adverse childhood experiences, peer problems, conduct, and sociodemographic factors. Right‐wing authoritarianism and anxiety positively correlated with intergroup conspiracy theory beliefs. Conclusion: While some factors from adult studies are replicated in the review, there are differences between age groups. The age at which conspiracy theory beliefs begin to form indicate developmental aspects of adolescence, and possibly childhood, that require further examination. Cognitive factors show promise for interventions and should be explored further. However, the lack of studies using adolescent populations is an issue that must be resolved for a greater understanding of conspiracy theory beliefs and a move toward effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic literature review examines the evidence base on the effectiveness of online programmes on the mental health and well-being of family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. Databases (ERIC, Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were searched for intervention studies that considered online interventions for family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. Data were extracted using standardised data extraction tools. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2). Screening, extraction and assessment of bias were completed independently by two members of the research team. Given the low number of included studies and different outcomes assessed within them, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis; therefore, data are presented narratively. Two studies met the criteria to be included in the review. Both studies utilised a feasibility randomised controlled trial methodology. One study found a significant decrease in parental stress, while the other found a significant increase in psychological well-being. Caution must be taken in drawing firm conclusions, given the small sample sizes and low retention rates in both studies. Online programmes seem to offer potential benefits to family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. However, further investigation is needed to examine these programmes, adopting a collaborative approach with family carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Passive investing has established itself as the dominant force in the world of professionally managed assets, surpassing the concept of index funds. Its meteoric rise is fueled by investors’ preference for its dual benefits of strong diversification and low cost. A comprehensive study of the economic model, addressed areas and market structure has not yet been conducted, despite the existence of numerous studies on more specific topics. To address this gap, this paper examines 943 articles on passive investing published between 1998 and 2022 in SCOPUS and Web of Science. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes the most pertinent tools for conducting a systematic review by the PRISMA framework. This article is the result of SLR and extensive bibliometric analysis. Contextualized systematic literature review is used to screen and select bibliographic data, which is then subjected to a variety of bibliometric analyses. The study provides a bibliometric overview of works on passive investment research that are indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Bibliometrix, VoS Viewer and Cite Space are the tools used to conduct content and network analysis, to ascertain the present state of research, as well as its focus and direction. Findings – Our exhaustive analysis yields important findings. One, the previous decade has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of publications and citations; in particular, the inter-disciplinary and international scope of related research has expanded; Second, the top three clusters on “active versus passive funds,” “price discovery and market structures” and “exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as an alternative” account for more than fifty percent of the domain’s knowledge; Third, “Leveraged ETFs (LETFs)” and “environmental, social and governance (ESG)” are the two emerging themes in the passive investing research. Fourth, despite its many benefits, passive investing is not suitable for everyone. To get the most out of what passive investing has to offer, investors, intermediaries and regulators must all exercise sufficient caution. Our study makes a substantial contribution to the field by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the existing literature, highlighting key findings and implications, as well as future research directions. Research limitations/implications – While the study contributes significantly to the field of knowledge, it has several limitations that must be considered when interpreting its findings and implications. With our emphasis on academic journals, the study analyzed only peer-reviewed journal articles, excluding conference papers, reports and technical articles. While we are confident that our approach resulted in a comprehensive and representative database, our reliance on Elsevier Scopus and Web of Science may have resulted in us overlooking relevant work accessible only through other databases. Additionally, specific bibliometric properties may not be time-stable, and certain common distribution patterns of the passive investing literature may still be developing. Practical implications – With this study, it has been possible to observe and chart the high growth trajectory of passive investing research globally, especially post-US subprime crisis. Despite the widespread adoption of passive investing as an investment strategy, it is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Market conditions change constantly, and it frequently requires an informed eye to determine when and how much to shift away from active investments and toward passive ones. Currency ETFs enable investors to implement a carry trade strategy in their portfolios; however, as a word of caution, currency stability and liquidity can play a significant role in international ETFs. Similarly, LETFs may be better suited for dynamic strategies and offer less value to a long-term investor. Lastly, the importance of investor education cannot be underestimated in the name of the highly diversified portfolio when using passive alternatives, for which necessary efforts are required by regulators and investors alike. Social implications – The inexorable trend to passive investing creates numerous issues for fund management, including fee and revenue pressure, which forces traditional managers to seek new revenue streams, such as illiquid and private assets, which also implies increased portfolio risk. Additionally, the increased transparency and efficiency associated with the ETF market indicates that managers must rethink the entire value chain, beginning with technology and the way investments interact. Passive investments have triggered changes in market structure that are still not fully understood or factored in. Active management and a range of valuation opinions on whether a price is “too low” or “too high” provide much-needed depth to a market as it attempts to strike a delicate balance between demand and supply forces, ensuring liquidity at all price points. Originality/value – I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this paper and that no part of this manuscript has been published or submitted for publication.

Abstract Background Infertility in men causes problems in various aspects of their lives, including personal, family and social life. One of the most important of these problems is anxiety. Anxiety in infertile men can affect their health, quality of life, and response to treatment, highlighting the significance of anxiety in these men. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men. Methods To conduct this review study, two researchers independently searched international databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of sciences, Scopus, PsyINFO, and the Google scholar search engine in English without considering any time limit until January 2, 2024. Keywords such as "anxiety," "infertility," "prevalence," and "epidemiology" were used, taking into account the specific search method of each database. Using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), the quality of the articles was evaluated by two researchers independently. Results In the systematic part of the study, 27 studies were included, and given the variety of measurement tools (8 different tools) used to investigate anxiety symptoms in infertile men, 24 studies were analyzed in five subgroups of tools. The pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men was 21.37% (95% CI: 15.73–27.02). The lowest and highest prevalence of anxiety in infertile men were related to the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), accounting for 7.08% (95% CI: 3.27–10.90) and 34.90% (95%CI: 28.90–40.90) values respectively. This prevalence was 19.80% (95%CI: 9.01–30.59) for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 30.06% (95%CI: 18.59–41.52) for the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and 18.52% (95%CI: 7.76–29.29) for the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Conclusion The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men requires special attention to healthcare planning. The healthcare system of different countries should evaluate the symptoms of anxiety in infertile men and take appropriate measures to reduce them according to the culture of the countries. It is recommended that all infertile couples be assessed for anxiety symptoms using a standardized tool during their initial evaluation.

Abstract Background Psychosocial approaches are the first-line treatments for cocaine dependence, although they still present high dropout and relapse rates. Thus, there is a pressing need to understand which variables influence treatment outcomes to improve current treatments and prevent dropout and relapse rates. The aim of this study is to explore predictors of treatment retention and abstinence in CUD. Methods This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched three databases—PubMed, PsychINFO and Web of Science—for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in English and Spanish from database inception through April 1, 2023. We selected all studies that met the inclusion criteria (adults aged ≥ 18, outpatient treatment, CUD as main addiction, and no severe mental illness) to obtain data for the narrative synthesis addressing cocaine abstinence and treatment retention as main outcome variables. After data extraction was completed, risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2). Results A total of 566 studies were screened, and, of those, 32 RCTs were included in the synthesis. Younger age, more years of cocaine use, and craving levels were significant predictors of relapse and treatment dropout. Fewer withdrawal symptoms, greater baseline abstinence, greater treatment engagement, and more self-efficacy were all predictors of longer duration of abstinence. The role of impulsivity as a predictor of CUD is unclear due to conflicting data, although the evidence generally suggests that higher impulsivity scores can predict more severe addiction and withdrawal symptoms, and earlier discontinuation of treatment. Conclusion Current evidence indicates which variables have a direct influence on treatment outcomes, including well-studied cocaine use-related variables. However, additional variables, such as genetic markers, appear to have a high impact on treatment outcomes and need further study. Systematic review registration This systematic review is registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021271847). This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Instituto Carlos III (ISCIII) (FIS PI20/00929) and FEDER funds and Fundació Privada Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Pla d’acció social 2020).

Control charts are useful to monitor if a process is in a state of statistical control (in-control) or if changes have occurred due to the presence of any assignable causes. To this end, the pattern of points displayed on a control chart plays an important role. A process is declared as in-control when the plotted points display a random pattern. On the other hand, when the points display a nonrandom pattern, with or without one or more points falling beyond the control limits, the process may be declared out-of-control. Thus, the constellation of points, along with the type of the displayed pattern in a control chart can provide useful clues about the possible presence and diagnosis of assignable causes, which can then be dealt with in an appropriate manner. In this work, we propose a methodology using randomness tests based on the theory of runs that can be applied in a supplementary manner in order to assess the statistical significance of a pattern on a Phase I Shewhart X ¯ chart in an objective way. Five common nonrandom patterns with corresponding tests are considered. The performance of the tests is evaluated in terms of their false alarm rate and power, via simulation. An illustration based on some real data is provided. Conclusions and practical recommendations are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematic reviews require detailed planning of complex processes which can present logistical challenges. Understanding these logistical challenges can help with planning and execution of tasks Objectives: To describe the perspectives of expert searchers on the main logistical challenges when carrying out supplementary searches for systematic reviews, in particular, forward citation searching and web searching. Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 15 experts on searching for studies for systematic reviews (e.g. information specialists) working in health and social care research settings. Interviews were undertaken by video‐call between September 2020 and June 2021. Data analysis used thematic network analysis. Results: We identified three logistical challenges of using forward citation searching and web searching which were organised under the global theme of 'tension': time, team and technology. Several subthemes were identified which supported the organising themes, including allocating time, justifying time and keeping to time; reviewer expectations and contact with review teams; and access to resources and reference management. Conclusion: Forward citation searching and web searching are logistically challenging search methods for a systematic review. An understanding of these challenges should encourage expert searchers and review teams to maintain open channels of communication, which should also facilitate improved working relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising solution to expedite various phases of the systematic review process such as screening. Objective: We aimed to assess the accuracy of an AI tool in identifying eligible references for a systematic review compared to identification by human assessors. Methods: For the case study (a systematic review of knowledge translation interventions), we used a diagnostic accuracy design and independently assessed for eligibility a set of articles (n = 300) using human raters and the AI system DistillerAI (Evidence Partners, Ottawa, Canada). We analysed a series of 64 possible confidence levels for the AI's decisions and calculated several standard parameters of diagnostic accuracy for each. Results: When set to a lower AI confidence threshold of 0.1 or greater and an upper threshold of 0.9 or lower, DistillerAI made article selection decisions very similarly to human assessors. Within this range, DistillerAI made a decision on the majority of articles (93–100%), with a sensitivity of 1.0 and specificity ranging from 0.9 to 1.0. Conclusion: DistillerAI appears to be accurate in its assessment of articles in a case study of 300 articles. Further experimentation with DistillerAI will establish its performance among other subject areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A challenge when using Google Search to identify studies for a systematic review is managing the high number of results, which can number in the hundreds of thousands or even more. Studies and guidance on web searching suggest limiting the screening process, e.g. to the first 100 results. Objectives: Our objective in this case study is to demonstrate an alternative approach to screening the results retrieved by Google Search which is based on our experience that the viewable number of results is often far fewer than the estimated number calculated by the search engine. Methods: We screened the results of three searches of Google Search using our approach, which involves increasing the number of results displayed per page from 10 to the maximum of 100. We then calculated the viewable number of results and compared this with the estimated number. Results: The mean of the estimated number of results for the three searches was 569,454,000. The mean of the viewable number results was 463 (0.00008% of the mean of the estimated number of results). Conclusion: Our findings challenge the commonly reported view that the number of results retrieved when using Google Search is too high to screen in full. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: What matters is that blockchain may be used to record anything of value, not only financial transactions. It is becoming increasingly clear that blockchain technology will drastically alter several industries, notably finance. Without a question, the financial industry is leading the way in the use of blockchain technology. Blockchain is quickly transforming the world economy. Given that distributed ledger technology, or blockchain, has the potential to always have a positive impact on society and the economy, this impact is crucial. Actually, there are more than just economic advantages to the blockchain, and some organizations have already begun to use its technological capabilities to solve issues in the real world. To determine the influence of applied blockchain on economic sustainability as well as the benefits and drawbacks of blockchain application for economy, this study will do so. Design/ methodology/ approach: The terms “blockchain” and “ economy” were used to find qualitative information in earlier work. Finally, 50 articles in the fields of business, management, and accounting that had undergone peer review as well as book chapters and conference proceedings were chosen. White papers and unreviewed books were removed as non-scientific sources. Qualitative data were collected from previous literature using the keywords “blockchain” and “economy”. Then, preliminary data were used, by conducting 15 interviews with experts and managers in the financial sector in Egypt about their opinion on the adoption of artificial intelligence and its impact on economic sustainability. Findings: From the interviews, the study collected more detailed information about the blockchain. This could be represented in three main themes: theme of blockchain advantages, theme of blockchain disadvantages and challenges and theme of blockchain opportunities. Finally, some recommendations were made to decision makers as well as future researchers in this field according to the study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinformation is a phenomenon of concern to all political systems, as it poses a threat to freedom and democracy through the manipulation of public opinion aimed at eroding institutions. This paper presents a bibliometric and systematized study which allows the establishment of a comprehensive view of the research and current state of academic investigations on disinformation. To this end, a content analysis of the scientific articles indexed in Scopus up to 31 December 2023 has been carried out based on three categories of analysis: journals, authors and investigations. Similarly, a systematic study of the 50 most cited articles in this sample was performed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the nature, motivations and methodological approaches of these investigations. The results indicate that disinformation is a research topic which has gained great interest in the academic community since 2018, with special mention to the impact of COVID-19 and the vaccines against this disease. Thus, it can be concluded that disinformation is an object of study which attracts significant attention and which must be approached from transdisciplinarity to respond to a phenomenon of great complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Special needs dentistry (SND) is a vast and fragmented field of study. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate the scope of SND, including the existing knowledge base, distribution structure, quantitative relationships, and research trends. Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted on March 10, 2022, using the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from 1985 to 2021, focusing on studies reporting on special needs populations in a dentally relevant context. Records were title‐screened and analyzed for key bibliometric indicators. Results: Among 48,374 articles, 13,869 underwent bibliometric analysis. Peak SND research occurred during 1985–1997. United States led in productivity, trailed by Brazil and Japan. University of Sao Paulo excelled in Brazil, University of Washington and University of North Carolina in the United States. The Journal of Dental Research was the most productive source of research and also had the highest number of citations, followed by Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. Keyword analysis revealed that "elderly", "caries", and "epidemiology" were the most commonly used author keywords. Conclusions: This study represents the first bibliometric analysis of SND literature. It emphasizes the need for increased collaboration between institutions and authors. Furthermore, it suggests focusing on research input from non‐dental disciplines and populations with rarer intellectual or developmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global food system has three recognized challenges: (a) increasing the availability of food for consumption; (b) reducing food loss; and (c) reducing food waste. The increasing demand for food for consumption, the increasing quantity of food loss, and the corresponding increase in food waste are resulting in serious health, aesthetic, social, economic, and environmental problems due to a lack of appropriate planning and management. Despite its importance, there is no clear, concise, and comprehensive definition of food consumption, loss, and waste. Generally, food consumption, food loss, and food waste are dealt with separately. This article presents a logically constructed ontological framework of food consumption, loss, and waste. It gives equal importance to all three aspects of global food management. The systemic ontological framework is general, and the analysis can be applied to any country. The framework deconstructs the combinatorial complexity of the problem and explicates the pathways to manage the consumption, loss, and waste. The ontological framework encapsulates 19 × 11 × 7 × 4 × 6 = 35,112 possible components of the challenge. A critical analysis based on available data using the framework will help to develop strategies to deal with the problem. It can help us to discover the gaps and to find ways to bridge the gaps. It is a novel way to conceptualize food consumption, loss, and waste together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study reviewed migraine prevalence and disability gathered through epidemiologic survey studies in the United States conducted over the past three decades. We summarized these studies and evaluated changing patterns of disease prevalence and disability. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of US studies addressing the prevalence, disability, and/or burden of migraine, including both episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) protocol was used in conjunction with the PubMed search engine. Eligible studies were published before February 2022, were conducted in the United States, included representative samples, and used a case definition of migraine based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). The primary measure of disease burden was the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). The MIDAS measures days lost due to migraine over 3 months in three domains and defines groups with moderate (Grade III) or severe disability (Grade IV) using cut‐scores. Results: Of the 1609 identified records, 26 publications from 11 US population‐based studies met eligibility criteria. The prevalence of migraine in the population has remained relatively consistent for the past 30 years: ranging from 11.7% to 14.7% overall, 17.1% to 19.2% in women, and 5.6% to 7.2% in men in the studies reviewed. CM prevalence is 0.91% (1.3% among women and 0.5% of men) in adults and 0.8% in adolescents. The proportion of people with migraine and moderate‐to‐severe MIDAS disability (Grades III–IV), has trended upward across studies from 22.0% in 2005 to 39.0% in 2012, to 43.2% in 2016, and 42.4% in 2018. A consistently higher proportion of women were assigned MIDAS Grades III/IV relative to men. Conclusion: The prevalence of migraine in the United States has remained stable over the past three decades while migraine‐related disability has increased. The disability trend could reflect changes in reporting, study methodology, social and societal changes, or changes in exacerbating or remediating factors that make migraine more disabling, among other hypotheses. These issues merit further investigation. Plain Language Summary: We reviewed 11 population‐based studies that adhered to the International Classification of Headache Disorders to examine the prevalence and burden of migraine in the United States. While the prevalence of migraine has remained stable at ~12% of adults for the past 30 years (with higher rates in women), the burden of migraine, including disability and impact on work, academics, and social life, appears to be increasing. The escalating burden of migraine may result from factors like increased headache frequency or changes in study methodology, indicating a need for more population studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DINP) and di-iso-decyl phthalate (DIDP) have been employed increasingly as plasticizers to replace di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a hormonal disruptor. Through this systematic review, we reviewed their (1) contamination levels in the environmental media, foods, and consumer products, (2) human exposure levels in national biomonitoring studies, and (3) associations with human sex and thyroid hormone disruption. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched and eligible studies were identified. DINP and DIDP were found at higher concentrations in indoor environments, especially with high human activity and PVC use. In foods, contamination levels vary by production methods and tend to be higher in fatty foods. In children's products, both plasticizers were more highly detected in samples measured before 2010. National biomonitoring data from several countries demonstrated that urinary levels of DINP and DIDP metabolites were relatively lower than those of DEHP. However, exposure to DINP has been associated with anti-androgenic potential in male offspring and adults and decreased thyroid hormones in mother–child pairs. In conclusion, existing literatures demonstrated widespread occurrence of DINP and DIDP in the indoor environment, diet, and children's products, and in the human populations worldwide. At the current levels of exposure, DINP exhibited endocrine disruption potentials similar to those of DEHP, especially among males and pregnant women. Knowledge gaps in DIDP exposure among the human population were identified and should be considered for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Among the various options for urinary diversion following radical cystectomy, the orthotopic neobladder most closely resembles the original bladder both in location and function. However, a significant number of patients with these reservoirs have dysfunctional voiding. Our objective here is to provide the first systematic review focusing on the urodynamic and continence outcomes of ileal orthotopic neobladders. By summarising these important outcomes, the current paper may represent the reference manuscript for outcome comparison in future papers. The manuscript also describes the methodology of the urodynamic evaluation of the neobladders, highlighting the frequent lack of precise indications, accurate guidelines (at the state of the art, the same parameters used for the native bladder are also used for the ileal neobladders), standardised definitions, and standard values for outcome comparison. By underlining these gaps, our systematic review may aid future studies in having more adequate designs and will allow for a more accurate functional evaluation of the patients harbouring an ileal neobladder. Introduction: The orthotopic neobladder is the type of urinary diversion (UD) that most closely resembles the original bladder. However, in the literature the urodynamic aspects are scarcely analysed. Objective: To provide the first systematic review (SR) on the urodynamic (UDS) outcomes of the ileal orthotopic neobladders (ONB). Continence outcomes are also presented. Methods: A PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL search for peer-reviewed studies on ONB published between January 2001–December 2022 was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Results and Conclusion: Fifty-nine manuscripts were eligible for inclusion in this SR. A great heterogeneity of data was encountered. Concerning UDS parameters, the pooled mean was 406.2 mL (95% CI: 378.9–433.4 mL) for maximal (entero)cystometric capacity (MCC) and 21.4 cmH2O (95% CI: 17.5–25.4 cmH2O) for Pressure ONB at MCC. Postvoid-residual ranged between 4.9 and 101.6 mL. The 12-mo rates of day and night-time continence were 84.2% (95% CI: 78.7–89.1%) and 61.7% (95% CI: 51.9–71.1%), respectively.Despite data heterogeneity, the ileal ONB seems to guarantee UDS parameters that resemble those of the native bladder. Although acceptable rates of daytime continence are reported the issue of high rates of night-time incontinence remains unsolved. Adequately designed prospective trials adopting standardised postoperative care, terminology and methods of outcome evaluation as well as of conduction of the UDS in the setting of ONB are necessary to obtain homogeneous follow-up data and to establish UDS guidelines for this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study scientometrically mapped the investigative trends in English for accounting (EA) research articles. The corpus was 181 research articles in EA from 1981 to 2021. They were retrieved from metadata dimensions of various leading journals and analyzed with automated bibliometric analysis. The findings revealed that the investigative themes in EA remain burgeoning for 41 years. The accounting history journal indicated the greatest impact on EA research. The analyzed journals reported a large impact correlating to their development. The most productive author in the EA research was Jones. The typical words frequently emerging in the analyzed research articles were accounting, research, and English. The investigative and developing topics related to EA were relatively dynamic. This study suggests that the scientometric investigative perspective offers a systematic, diachronic, and quantitative outline of English for accounting research by considering its meta-disciplinary knowledge and evolving trends over the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To critically appraise studies to identify experiences of unmet supportive care needs of individuals affected by testicular cancer. Methods: A registered priori systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE were searched for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies using a wide range of search terms. All articles were double screened according to a pre-determined eligibility criterion. Reference lists of the final included studies were checked for further eligible studies. The review process was managed using Covidence systematic review software. Data from the studies were extracted, methodological quality appraisal conducted, and a narrative synthesis conducted. Results: Of the 72 papers identified, 36 studies were included. In descending order of frequency of need, psychological needs were identified in 26/36, physical needs 18/36, interpersonal/intimacy needs 19/36, health system/information needs 11/36, cognitive needs 9/36, social needs 7/36, and of equal frequencies counts of 4/36 for family, practical, and patient-clinician information needs. Only one study explored spiritual needs and no daily living needs were identified. Conclusions: The experience of needs varied in terms of frequency and distress which were commonly influenced by the age of the individual across the cancer care continuum persisting after 1-year post-treatment. Implications for Cancer Survivors: When caring for individuals affected by testicular cancer, clinicians are encouraged to take a holistic lens to cancer care, particularly to explore issue or concerns that young men affected by testicular cancer might be embarrassed or reticent to discuss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality and success of academic work are closely linked to the literature review process. A literature review is essential to any scientific research study, which entails an in-depth analysis and synthesis of the existing literature and studies related to the research topic. The literature review process thoroughly searches various databases and sources to ensure the review is comprehensive and up to date. The primary objective of this article is to provide an overview of the literature review process in scientific research, its importance in research methodology, and its different types. It also aims to discuss the purpose of conducting a literature review in research, the methods involved, and the significance of having access to relevant literature. Additionally, it provides guidelines for early career researchers on how to conduct a comprehensive literature search. A literature search was conducted in major databases and supplemented by browsing journals and citations with relevant keywords. There are four main types of literature reviews: traditional or narrative, systematic, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis. By conducting a literature review, researchers gain a deep understanding of the research landscape, identify potential biases and limitations, and contribute to developing knowledge in their field of study. Executing a literature search is fruitless unless researchers possess fundamental knowledge about it. Hence, collecting literature for the literature review is an indispensable step that requires a comprehensive search of various databases and sources, such as academic journals, books, conference proceedings, and other relevant publications. The present article provides vital information and literature search guidelines for early career researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe occurrence of diseases in rice leaves presents a substantial challenge to farmers on a global scale, hence jeopardizing the food security of an expanding global population. The timely identification and prevention of these diseases are of utmost importance in order to mitigate their impact.MethodsThe present study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of contemporary literature pertaining to the identification of rice diseases, covering the period from 2008 to 2023. The process of selecting pertinent studies followed the guidelines outlined by Kitchenham, which ultimately led to the inclusion of 69 studies for the purpose of review. It is worth mentioning that a significant portion of research endeavours have been directed towards studying diseases such as rice brown spot, rice blast, and rice bacterial blight. The primary performance parameter that emerged in the study was accuracy. Researchers strongly advocated for the combination of hybrid deep learning and machine learning methodologies in order to improve the rates of recognition for rice leaf diseases.ResultsThe study presents a comprehensive collection of scholarly investigations focused on the detection and characterization of diseases affecting rice leaves, with specific emphasis on rice brown spot, rice blast, and rice bacterial blight. The prominence of accuracy as a primary performance measure highlights the importance of precision in the detection and diagnosis of diseases. Furthermore, the efficacy of employing hybrid methodologies that combine deep learning and machine learning techniques is exemplified in enhancing the recognition capacities pertaining to diseases affecting rice leaves.ConclusionThis systematic review provides insight into the significant research endeavours conducted by scholars in the field of rice disease detection during the previous decade. The text underscores the significance of precision in evaluation and calls for the implementation of hybrid deep learning and machine learning methodologies to augment disease identification, presenting possible resolutions to the obstacles presented by these agricultural hazards.

Traditional financial risk detection methods are mainly based on statistical models and market data, in which sensor network has a wide application prospect. The research can improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial risk detection by using the data and information of sensor network. By making full use of the data collection capabilities of sensor networks to obtain more comprehensive and accurate financial data, it helps to identify potential risk factors more accurately. This paper introduces DTW (Dynamic Time warping) algorithm as the main financial risk detection method, which can effectively capture the similarity between time series data and apply it to the financial data obtained by sensor network. Through regularization and matching of time series data, abnormal changes and abnormal patterns can be identified, so as to timely warn and control financial risks. By comparing the data of sensor network with that of traditional methods, we found that the financial risk detection method based on DTW algorithm and sensor network has higher accuracy and efficiency, and can identify potential risk factors more accurately.

This article aims to analyse the complex relationship between religion and politics by exploring collective identities in an increasingly polarised global context. The methodology used is qualitative, with a systematic literature review approach. Data collection techniques included a literature review, utilising more than a thousand previous studies related to politics and religion, as well as secondary data sources, including books, scholarly articles, and reportage. Data analysis involved data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results revealed that the interaction between religion and politics is often symbiotic, where religion can strengthen political legitimacy. Conversely, politics can intensify the integration or marginalisation of religion in society. In the context of Qur'anic literature, analyses show that this sacred text provides relevant guidance for political thought and practice in Muslim societies, putting forward principles such as justice, consultation and the protection of human rights. Furthermore, in understanding the characteristics and objectives of Siyasah (politics) in the Qur'an, it is found that Islamic shari'a directs fair and effective governance, strengthening social relations and justice. This research provides important insights for policymakers and religious leaders to formulate strategies that promote cooperation, tolerance and peace among different religious and political groups.

Aim To assess machine-learning models, their methodological quality, compare their performance, and highlight their limitations. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were applied. Electronic databases Science Direct, MEDLINE through (PubMed, Google Scholar), EBSCO, ERIC, and CINAHL were searched for the period of January 2016 to September 2023. Using a pre-designed data extraction sheet, the review data were extracted. Big data, risk assessment, colorectal cancer, and artificial intelligence were the main terms. Results Fifteen studies were included. A total of 3,057,329 colorectal cancer (CRC) health records, including those of adult patients older than 18, were used to generate the results. The curve's area under the curve ranged from 0.704 to 0.976. Logistic regression, random forests, and colon flag were often employed techniques. Overall, these trials provide a considerable and accurate CRC risk prediction. Conclusion An up-to-date summary of recent research on the use of big data in CRC prediction was given. Future research can be facilitated by the review's identification of gaps in the literature. Missing data, a lack of external validation, and the diversity of machine learning algorithms are the current obstacles. Despite having a sound mathematical definition, area under the curve application depends on the modelling context.

New technologies drive educational shifts, transforming offline to online learning. This study investigates e-learning and cloud computing integration to understand synergies and their potential impact. The study addresses two primary research questions: the influence of e-learning on factors like architecture, software, performance, security, hardware, network, and virtual aspects, and the examination of cloud computing services and models such as SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and S.O.A. The research aims to provide insights into how e-learning is incorporated in a cloud computing environment. The motivation behind this study is to investigate the intricate relationship between e-learning and cloud computing. By analyzing 154 scientific papers, the study delves into the specifics of this integration, highlighting trends and areas that have received more attention. The study examines e-learning in a cloud computing environment, focusing on architecture (27%), general topics (21%), software (19%), and performance (18%). Virtual environments have fewer security issues, while storage and network focus are more prevalent. Cloud computing services are mainly all services, with software as a service (18%), infrastructure as a service (17%), and platforms as a service (10%). Most studies are based on public clouds (74%), all other models (11%), and hybrid clouds (3%). The study examines e-learning integration in cloud computing, highlighting limitations in hybrid and private clouds, specialized infrastructure, and a gap in platforms and infrastructure offerings.

The work-readiness of Project Management (PM) graduates has been highly discussed topic during the last decade. Employers consistently seek graduates capable of thriving in the ever-changing, intricate, and challenging project environment. Computer-based games offer the potential to replicate real-life project environment, allowing students to learn how to navigate the challenges posed by projects. PM higher education has started to utilise computer-based games in the curriculum to improve highly sought after technical and soft skills of students. While significant studies have been conducted on gamification within PM, the review of their contributions and key characteristics has been missing, hence, necessitating this study. This study explores the research trends and contributions of publications related to computer-based games in PM higher education. As a result, it provides valuable insights and recommendations for educators, game designers and researchers to effectively integrate computer-based games within PM higher education. The findings of this review hold value for educators aiming to use computer-based games as an integrated learning concept, game developers striving to create more effective games and researchers interested in indulging deeper into the realm of computer-based games for PM.

Aim To assess machine-learning models, their methodological quality, compare their performance, and highlight their limitations. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were applied. Electronic databases Science Direct, MEDLINE through (PubMed, Google Scholar), EBSCO, ERIC, and CINAHL were searched for the period of January 2016 to September 2023. Using a pre-designed data extraction sheet, the review data were extracted. Big data, risk assessment, colorectal cancer, and artificial intelligence were the main terms. Results Fifteen studies were included. A total of 3,057,329 colorectal cancer (CRC) health records, including those of adult patients older than 18, were used to generate the results. The curve's area under the curve ranged from 0.704 to 0.976. Logistic regression, random forests, and colon flag were often employed techniques. Overall, these trials provide a considerable and accurate CRC risk prediction. Conclusion An up-to-date summary of recent research on the use of big data in CRC prediction was given. Future research can be facilitated by the review's identification of gaps in the literature. Missing data, a lack of external validation, and the diversity of machine learning algorithms are the current obstacles. Despite having a sound mathematical definition, area under the curve application depends on the modelling context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of teaching and pedagogical practices of teachers is a global issue in education. The success of Six Sigma in several industries stimulates its potential to be applied in the field of education. However, discussions related to Six Sigma development in systematic education are still very limited. Therefore, this systematic literature study was conducted to synthesize empirical data on the implementation of the Six Sigma approach in education. This study focuses on two main objectives, namely to identify the trends in the implementation of the Six Sigma approach in education based on national and year tendencies as well as to identify research sampling trends and the focus of the field of study. The Web of Science and Scopus databases have been used based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The findings of systematic literature articles showed that India is the most dominant country conducting Six Sigma studies in education. Furthermore, related studies were conducted the most in 2017. In addition, the research samples are also more focused on the context of higher education institutions. These findings help improve the general understanding of Six Sigma in education to improve the quality of teachers in schools further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the significance and utility of literature review articles in the field of management research, encompassing their three most prominent forms: structured literature reviews, bibliometric analyses, and meta-analyses. It discusses the evolving role of literature reviews as essential tools in a research process, their methodological intricacies, and their contribution to shaping the landscape of management studies. Through a thorough examination of their merits, limitations, and best practices, our article sheds light on how literature review articles serve as valuable resources for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of management. In addition, the article points towards opportunities for using AI tools, for example Google Colab, ChatGPT, Methods Wizards, or Petal for single or multiple stages and tasks of structured literature analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achene diversity of 12 genera with 22 species of the tribe Anthemideae was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. These genera are Achillea L., Anacyclus L., Anthemis L., Brocchia Vis., Chlamydophora Ehrenb. ex Less., Cladanthus Cass., Cota G. Jay, Cotula L. Glebionis Cass., Matricaria L., Tanacetum L., and Tripleurospermum Sch.Bip. A description of the achene of each species, a key to the investigated taxa based on morphological and anatomical features, as well as drawings of cross sections, are provided, and SEM micrographs of achenes are provided. Macro‐ and micro‐morphological criteria concerned with achenes were investigated, and the taxonomic relationships between the studied taxa were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energies can reduce emissions from fossil fuel-based power production by a significant amount, reducing climate change. Among the several options being investigated, hydrogen is now recognized as one of the primary enabling technologies for future large-scale and long-term green storage of renewable energy. However, using clean and renewable energy sources like water and sunlight is the best option. According to recent studies, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a potential technology for creating hydrogen using free solar energy since hydrogen and oxygen gases may be easily identified in PEC. This study uses bibliometric and systematic literature review methodologies to examine the scientific understanding of PEC water splitting and hydrogen generation, evaluating 936 articles issued in the Web of Science database from 1970 to 2022. The authors looked at how PEC water splitting research has developed compared to prior research, what criteria make up practical approaches, and what subjects have emerged as new trends in reacting to changing situations. The key findings from the article analysis, future research potential, and practical implications for the field are discussed. [Display omitted] • A bibliometric analysis of photoelectrochemical and hydrogen production is conducted. • Web of Science database from 1970 to 2022 was used in this review. • The key findings from the article analysis are discussed. • Future research potential and practical implications for the field of study are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive malignancy, accounting for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Its global incidence rate has been increasing rapidly over the past few decades, and accurate disease diagnosis is crucial for optimal patient management. Imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET), play a pivotal role in accomplishing this objective. Based on current guidelines, [18F]F-FDG PET is recommended for the assessment of distant metastases in advanced-stage melanoma patients. In addition, it is indicated in patient follow-up. However, to our knowledge, there is no comprehensive investigation in the literature reporting the real-world performance of [18F]F-FDG PET in melanoma patients across a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios. Thus, we aimed to describe the performance of [18F]F-FDG PET in a wide range of detection-based clinical scenarios (e.g., initial staging, re-staging, locoregional detection, distant metastasis diagnosis) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature. We described the diagnostic performance of [18F]F-FDG-PET in malignant melanoma by conducting a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature. The study was designed following PRISMA-DTA. Original articles with adequate crude data for meta-analytic calculations that evaluated [18F]F-FDG-PET and compared it with a valid reference standard were considered eligible. The pooled measurements were calculated based on the data level (patient/lesion-based). Regarding sub-groups, diagnostic performances were calculated for local, regional and distant involvement. The bivariate model was employed to calculate sensitivity and specificity. The initial search resulted in 6678 studies. Finally, 100 entered the meta-analysis, containing 82 patient-based (10,403 patients) and 32 lesion-based (6188 lesions) datasets. At patient level, overall, [18F]F-FDG-PET had pooled sensitivity and specificity of 81% (95%CI: 73–87%) and 92% (95%CI: 90–94%), respectively. To detect regional lymph node metastasis, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 56% (95%CI: 40–72%) and 97% (95%CI: 94–99%), respectively. To detect distant metastasis, they were 88% (95%CI: 81–93%) and 94% (95%CI: 91–96%), respectively. At lesion level, [18F]F-FDG-PET had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 70% (95%CI: 57–80%) and 94% (95%CI: 88–97%), respectively. Thus, [18F]F-FDG-PET is a valuable diagnostic modality for melanoma assessment. It was accurate in various clinical scenarios. However, despite its high specificity, it showed low sensitivity in detecting regional lymph node metastasis and could not replace lymph node biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most damaging pests to plants and are able to cause significant damage to all parts of plants, including stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots. Studies on the diversity, host range, distribution and identification methods of PPNs are therefore vital in order to create a basis for management. This current study represents the first dedicated investigation of PPNs from medicinal plants in Vietnam, focusing on the diversity of nematodes associated with 23 different plant species. In combination with a literature review of PPNs in Vietnam, this work has resulted in an updated list of 217 PPN species belonging to 40 genera, 15 families and three orders and also provides a pictorial online key for the identification of 52 most common and important PPN genera of the world. This key is based on the most crucial diagnostic features of PPN females, including female body shape, cuticle, labial shape, cephalic framework, stylet, stylet base, pharynx, median bulb, pharyngeal gland, vulva, tail shape and phasmid. Pictorial representations of these genera and their diagnostic characters are included in the browser‐based key to benefit users from all levels in nematology, be they beginners or experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]