List of Titles

Patterns and trends in two decades of research on Nepal’s mammalian fauna (2000–2019) : examining the past for future implications

- Bist, Bhuwan, Ghimire, Prashant, Nishan, K., Poudel, Buddi, Wright, Wendy

Authors: Bist, Bhuwan , Ghimire, Prashant , Nishan, K. , Poudel, Buddi , Wright, Wendy
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Biodiversity and Conservation Vol. 30, no. 13 (2021), p. 3763-3790
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Description: Nepal is a global biodiversity hotspot, supporting 213 mammal species with diverse habitats across various landscape types, from the lowland Terai to the high Himalayas. Studies of Nepal’s mammalian fauna are not evenly distributed and better understanding of past biases towards some species, research themes and locations can provide better strategic direction for future research investments. Therefore, we reviewed 575 scientific articles on mammals in Nepal, published between 2000 and 2019 and compiled these in March 2020, to examine trends, patterns and gaps, and pave future plans for mammalian research in Nepal. A positive increase in the number of publications (β = 0.27 ± 0.02SD, P < 0.00) was observed, with a more than threefold increase between 2010 and 2019 compared to 2000–2009 (t = − 6.26, df = 12.21, P < 0.000). Analysis of these documents revealed that mammalian researches favored large flagship, threatened species of carnivores inside Nepal’s protected area system. Geographically, mammalian research was not uniform in Nepal, as most studies were concentrated in Bagmati Province and in the Terai and Chure region. Baseline surveys and ecological studies were more common types of research, while studies on the impact of climate change and wildlife trade and poaching, are scant, which deserves a future look. While these studies shape current mammalogy in Nepal, studies of small, uncharismatic species, and in areas outside protected areas and other provinces except Bagmati, Lumbini and Province One are severely lacking. The research identified habitat loss, degradation and human-wildlife conflict as the major threats to the survival of mammalian species in Nepal. Therefore, redesigning and strict implementation of policies based on habitat management and human-wildlife co-existence, including other threat mitigation measures, are warranted. To address knowledge gaps, the prioritization of future research and funding should be focused on relatively unexplored research themes and under-researched provinces. This approach will help to re-align the research focus with the current need, and assist to fully understand and effectively conserve the wealth of mammalian diversity that Nepal holds. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. Correction to: Patterns and trends in two decades of research on Nepal’s mammalian fauna (2000–2019): examining the past for future implications (Biodiversity and Conservation, (2021), 30, 13, (3763-3790), 10.1007/s10531-021-02289-2) Biodiversity and Conservation, Volume 30, Issue 13, Pages 3791 - 3792, November 2021

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Physical exercise and health-related quality of life in office workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

- Nguyen, Thi, Nguyen, Huy, Kim, Jin

Authors: Nguyen, Thi , Nguyen, Huy , Kim, Jin
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, no. 7 (2021), p.
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Description: Office workers are at high risk for many chronic diseases, lowering their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of physical exercise on HRQOL in office workers with and without health problems using data obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental, and observational studies. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and several grey literature databases, and identified 26 relevant studies for the synthesis. Overall, physical exercise significantly improved general (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66 to 1.44) and mental (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.66) HRQOL in office workers. Compared with healthy office workers, unhealthy office workers experienced greater improvements in general (unhealthy, SMD = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.63 to 3.89; healthy, SMD = 0.23; 95% CI: −0.09 to 0.56) and physical (unhealthy, SMD = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.58; healthy, SMD = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.51 to 0.11) HRQOL. Unsupervised physical exercise significantly improved general and mental HRQOL, while directly supervised physical exercise significantly improved only general HRQOL. Although physical exercise, especially unsupervised physical exercise, should be encouraged to improve HRQOL in office workers, detailed recommendations could not be made because of the diverse exercise types with different intensities. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the optimal exercise for office workers with different health conditions. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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Regulatory resistance? Narratives and uses of evidence around “black market” provision of gambling during the british gambling act review

- Wardle, Heather, Reith, Gerda, Dobbie, Fiona, Rintoul, Angela, Shiffman, Jeremy

Authors: Wardle, Heather , Reith, Gerda , Dobbie, Fiona , Rintoul, Angela , Shiffman, Jeremy
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, no. 21 (2021), p.
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Description: Commercial gambling is increasingly viewed as being part of the unhealthy commodities industries, in which products contribute to preventable ill-health globally. Britain has one of the world’s most liberal gambling markets, meaning that the regulatory changes there have implications for developments elsewhere. A review of the British Gambling Act 2005 is underway. This has generated a range of actions by the industry, including mobilising arguments around the threat of the “black market”. We critically explore industry’s framing of these issues as part of their strategy to resist regulatory change during the Gambling Act review. We used a predefined review protocol to explore industry narratives about the “black market” in media reports published between 8 December 2020 and 26 May 2021. Fifty-five articles were identified and reviewed, and themes were narratively synthesised to examine industry framing of the “black market”. The black market was framed in terms of economic threat and loss, and a direct connection was made between its growth and increased regulation. The articles mainly presented gambling industry perspectives uncritically, citing industry-generated evidence (n = 40). Industry narratives around the “black market” speak to economically and emotionally salient concerns: fear, safety, consumer freedom and economic growth. This dominant framing in political, mainstream and industry media may influence political and public opinion to support the current status quo: “protecting” the existing regulated market rather than “protecting” people. Debates should be reframed to consider all policy options, especially those designed to protect public health. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Resident-to-resident elder mistreatment in residential aged care services : a systematic review of event frequency, type, resident characteristics, and history

- Woolford, Marta, Stacpoole, Susan, Clinnick, Lisa

Authors: Woolford, Marta , Stacpoole, Susan , Clinnick, Lisa
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association Vol. 22, no. 8 (2021), p. 1678-1691.e6
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Description: Objectives: Resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (R-REM) between residents living in residential aged care (RAC) services is a challenging issue in relation to the care of older people. Evidence suggests that R-REM, such as verbal, physical, and sexual conflict between residents, is a common and pervasive issue. This review examines the frequency with which R-REM occurs in RAC services; identifies the types of R-REM that occur; and provides an overview of the reported characteristics of both the victim and perpetrator involved in the R-REM event. Design: A systematic review was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Ageline, and Cochrane Library to identify qualitative and quantitative studies published in the English language. Setting and Participants: Residents living in RAC services. Measures: Data on frequency and characteristics were collated, and aggregate proportions were calculated where possible. Results: Twenty-six studies were identified; most (n = 20) were published in the United States. The overall proportion of residents engaged in R-REM was provided by 7 quantitative studies with the estimated frequency reported to be 12% to 23%. For qualitative studies, the number of care staff reporting to have observed R-REM ranged from 18.7% to 98.0%. Physical and verbal abuse were the most commonly reported types of mistreatment. Characteristics of the perpetrator of R-REM were reported in 12 (46.2%) studies. Overall, the mean age of perpetrators was 80.93 years, most were men (83.2%), and 64.4% had dementia and/or Alzheimer diagnosis. Characteristics of the victim and the history of R-REM were largely omitted from the published studies. Conclusion and Implications: The findings from the review broaden understanding on the extent of R-REM; the individual and event characteristics and ultimately support care planning, policy, and direction for future research. To improve understanding, quality of care, and RAC residents’ well-being, further studies are recommended to address the identified gaps in knowledge. © 2021 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine

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Secure big data ecosystem architecture : challenges and solutions

- Anwar, Memoona, Gill, Asif, Hussain, Farookh, Imran, Muhammad

Authors: Anwar, Memoona , Gill, Asif , Hussain, Farookh , Imran, Muhammad
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Eurasip Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking Vol. 2021, no. 1 (2021), p.
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Description: Big data ecosystems are complex data-intensive, digital–physical systems. Data-intensive ecosystems offer a number of benefits; however, they present challenges as well. One major challenge is related to the privacy and security. A number of privacy and security models, techniques and algorithms have been proposed over a period of time. The limitation is that these solutions are primarily focused on an individual or on an isolated organizational context. There is a need to study and provide complete end-to-end solutions that ensure security and privacy throughout the data lifecycle across the ecosystem beyond the boundary of an individual system or organizational context. The results of current study provide a review of the existing privacy and security challenges and solutions using the systematic literature review (SLR) approach. Based on the SLR approach, 79 applicable articles were selected and analyzed. The information from these articles was extracted to compile a catalogue of security and privacy challenges in big data ecosystems and to highlight their interdependencies. The results were categorized from theoretical viewpoint using adaptive enterprise architecture and practical viewpoint using DAMA framework as guiding lens. The findings of this research will help to identify the research gaps and draw novel research directions in the context of privacy and security in big data-intensive ecosystems. © 2021, The Author(s).

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Security and privacy in IoT using machine learning and blockchain : threats and countermeasures

- Waheed, Nazar, He, Xiangjian, Ikram, Muhammad, Usman, Muhammad, Hashmi, Saad

Authors: Waheed, Nazar , He, Xiangjian , Ikram, Muhammad , Usman, Muhammad , Hashmi, Saad
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: ACM Computing Surveys Vol. 53, no. 6 (2021), p.
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Description: Security and privacy of users have become significant concerns due to the involvement of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices in numerous applications. Cyber threats are growing at an explosive pace making the existing security and privacy measures inadequate. Hence, everyone on the Internet is a product for hackers. Consequently, Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are used to produce accurate outputs from large complex databases, where the generated outputs can be used to predict and detect vulnerabilities in IoT-based systems. Furthermore, Blockchain (BC) techniques are becoming popular in modern IoT applications to solve security and privacy issues. Several studies have been conducted on either ML algorithms or BC techniques. However, these studies target either security or privacy issues using ML algorithms or BC techniques, thus posing a need for a combined survey on efforts made in recent years addressing both security and privacy issues using ML algorithms and BC techniques. In this article, we provide a summary of research efforts made in the past few years, from 2008 to 2019, addressing security and privacy issues using ML algorithms and BC techniques in the IoT domain. First, we discuss and categorize various security and privacy threats reported in the past 12 years in the IoT domain. We then classify the literature on security and privacy efforts based on ML algorithms and BC techniques in the IoT domain. Finally, we identify and illuminate several challenges and future research directions using ML algorithms and BC techniques to address security and privacy issues in the IoT domain. © 2020 ACM.

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Strongyloides genotyping: a review of methods and application in public health and population genetics

- Bradbury, Richard, Pafčo, Barbora, Nosková, Eva, Hasegawa, Hideo

Authors: Bradbury, Richard , Pafčo, Barbora , Nosková, Eva , Hasegawa, Hideo
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal for Parasitology Vol. 51, no. 13-14 (2021), p. 1153-1166
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Description: Strongyloidiasis represents a major medical and veterinary helminthic disease. Human infection is caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni fuelleborni and Strongyloides fuelleborni kellyi, with S. stercoralis accounting for the majority of cases. Strongyloides f. fuelleborni likely represents a zoonosis acquired from non-human primates (NHPs), while no animal reservoir for S. f. kellyi infection has been found. Whether S. stercoralis represents a zoonosis acquired from dogs and cats remains unanswered. Over the past two decades various tools have been applied to genotype Strongyloides spp. The most commonly sequenced markers have been the hyper-variable regions I and IV of the 18S rRNA gene and selected portions of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. These markers have been sequenced and compared in Strongyloides from multiple hosts and geographical regions. More recently, a machine learning algorithm multi-locus sequence typing approach has been applied using these markers, while others have applied whole genome sequencing. Genotyping of Strongyloides from dogs, cats, NHPs and humans has identified that S. stercoralis likely originated in dogs and adapted to human hosts. It has also been demonstrated that S. stercoralis is distinct from S. f. fuelleborni and S. f. kellyi. Two distinct genetic clades of S. stercoralis exist, one restricted to dogs and another infecting humans, NHPs, dogs and cats. Genotyping of S. f. fuelleborni has identified two separate clades, one associated with African isolates and another Indochinese peninsular clade. This review summarises the history and development of genotyping tools for Strongyloides spp. It describes the findings of major studies to date in the context of the epidemiology and evolutionary biology of these helminths, with a specific focus on human-infecting species. © 2021 Australian Society for Parasitology

The association between preoperative length of hospital stay and deep sternal wound infection : a scoping review

- Storey, Annmarie, MacDonald, Brendan, Rahman, Muhammad Aziz

Authors: Storey, Annmarie , MacDonald, Brendan , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Australian Critical Care Vol. 34, no. 6 (2021), p. 620-633
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Description: Background: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a serious complication of cardiac surgery, associated with a significantly longer hospital stay, an increased mortality, and an almost doubling of treatment costs. The preoperative length of hospital stay has been suggested in a small number of studies as a modifiable risk factor yet is not included in surgical site infection prevention guidelines. The aim of this scoping review was to review the existing evidence on the association between preoperative length of hospital stay and DSWI, and to identify established risk factors for DSWI. Methods: A literature search of six electronic databases yielded 2297 results. Titles concerning risk factors for DSWI, sternal or surgical wound infection, or poststernotomy complications were included. Abstracts relating to preoperative length of stay as a risk factor for DSWI proceeded to full article review. Articles regarding paediatric surgery, DSWI management or unavailable in English were excluded. Results: The review identified 11 observational cohort studies. DSWI prevalence was between 0.9% and 6.8%. Preoperative length of stay ranged from 0-15.5 days and was found to be associated with DSWI in all studies. Preoperative length of stay and DSWI were inconsistently defined. Other risk factors for DSWI included diabetes, obesity, respiratory disease, heart failure, renal impairment, complex surgery, and reoperation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this scoping review, an association between preoperative length of stay and the development of DSWI following cardiac surgery was identified. Thus, preoperative length of stay as a modifiable risk factor for DSWI should be considered for inclusion in cardiothoracic surgical infection prevention guidelines. © 2021 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd

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The attributes of plakins in cancer and disease: perspectives on ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and recurrence

- Wesley, Tamsin, Berzins, Stuart, Kannourakis, George, Ahmed, Nuzhat

Authors: Wesley, Tamsin , Berzins, Stuart , Kannourakis, George , Ahmed, Nuzhat
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Cell Communication and Signaling Vol. 19, no. 1 (2021), p.
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Description: The plakin family of cytoskeletal proteins play an important role in cancer progression yet are under-studied in cancer, especially ovarian cancer. These large cytoskeletal proteins have primary roles in the maintenance of cytoskeletal integrity but are also associated with scaffolds of intermediate filaments and hemidesmosomal adhesion complexes mediating signalling pathways that regulate cellular growth, migration, invasion and differentiation as well as stress response. Abnormalities of plakins, and the closely related spectraplakins, result in diseases of the skin, striated muscle and nervous tissue. Their prevalence in epithelial cells suggests that plakins may play a role in epithelial ovarian cancer progression and recurrence. In this review article, we explore the roles of plakins, particularly plectin, periplakin and envoplakin in disease-states and cancers with emphasis on ovarian cancer. We discuss the potential role the plakin family of proteins play in regulating cancer cell growth, survival, migration, invasion and drug resistance. We highlight potential relationships between plakins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) and discuss how interaction of these processes may affect ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and ultimately recurrence. We propose that molecular changes in the expression of plakins leads to the transition of benign ovarian tumours to carcinomas, as well as floating cellular aggregates (commonly known as spheroids) in the ascites microenvironment, which may contribute to the sustenance and progression of the disease. In this review, attempts have been made to understand the crucial changes in plakin expression in relation to progression and recurrence of ovarian cancer. [MediaObject not available: see fulltext.] © 2021, The Author(s).

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The Australian digital online farm trials database increases the quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in grains crop research

- Walters, Judi, Light, Kate

Authors: Walters, Judi , Light, Kate
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Crop and Pasture Science Vol. 72, no. 10 (2021), p. 789-800
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Description: Synthesis and analysis of past cropping research can provide valuable information to direct future decisions around crop management. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered gold standards in the synthesis and analysis of scientific research because they distil large amounts of information about complex issues, provide a summary of knowledge to date, and identify knowledge gaps. However, several issues concerning the methodologies employed to conduct systematic reviews have been identified; among them is the risk of publication bias when a review relies too heavily on 'white' literature from published academic sources and in so doing fails identify relevant 'grey' literature. Grey literature is inherently difficult to identify and collect, but forms a large portion of information available in many fields including agricultural-based research within Australia. The Online Farm Trials (OFT) database is a digital database of crop research field trial data from across Australia that has the potential for use as a discipline-specific source of grey literature to inform systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Using a case study approach to investigate the amount of information available on time of sowing (sowing date) on crop yield across Australia, we demonstrate that the OFT database provides easy access to transparent and reproducible search results similar to other commonly used academic databases. © 2021 Journal Compilation

The effect of a single session of non-invasive brain stimulation on balance in healthy individuals : a systematic review and best evidence synthesis

- Behrangrad, Shabnam, Zoghi, Maryam, Kidgell, Dawson, Jaberzadeh, Shapour

Authors: Behrangrad, Shabnam , Zoghi, Maryam , Kidgell, Dawson , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Brain Connectivity Vol. 11, no. 9 (2021), p. 695-716
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Description: Aim: To evaluate the effects of a single session of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on postural balance. Introduction: The NIBS has been used widely in improving balance. However, the effect of a single session of NIBS on balance in healthy individuals has not been systemically reviewed. Methods: A systematic literature review and best evidence synthesis were conducted, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, to determine the effects of different NIBS techniques on balance function in healthy individuals. The methodological quality of included articles was assessed by the risk of bias, and the Downs and Black tool. Data were analyzed by using the best evidence synthesis. Thirty-five articles were included that used the following NIBS techniques: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-TDCS), cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (c-TDCS), continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and cerebellum on balance. Results: Strong evidence showed that a-TDCS of M1, SMA improve balance in healthy participants, and the a-TDCS of DLPFC induces improvement only in dual task balance indices. Also, the findings indicate that cerebellar a-TDCS might significantly improve balance, if at least 10 min cerebellar a-TDCS with an intensity of

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The effectiveness of the role of advanced nurse practitioners compared to physician-led or usual care : a systematic review

- Htay, Maung, Whitehead, Dean

Authors: Htay, Maung , Whitehead, Dean
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances Vol. 3, no. (2021), p.
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Description: Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the role of advanced nurse practitioners compared to physicians-led/ usual care (care managed by medical doctors or non-advanced nurse practitioners) Background: Advanced nurse practitioners contribute to the improvement of quality patient care and have substantial potential to optimise the health of people globally. Since the formal recognition of advanced nurse practitioners by the International Council of Nurses, among others, the role has been adopted across most departments and clinical specialties, particularly in high-income countries. Design: Systematic review of primary research evidence Data Source: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane registry, Cochrane trials, and Cochrane EPOC (PDQ Evidence) were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of patient care and health resource utilisation outcomes associated with advanced nurse practitioners. Review Methods: The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The chosen articles were restricted to full-text English language trials published in the last 20 years, incorporating comparators of usual care. Search terms were limited to variations of advanced nurse practitioner role and practice. The eligible studies were bias risk assessed and quality assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Clinical and service outcomes were analysed using narrative synthesis as the marked heterogeneity between studies precluded meta-analysis. Results: Thirteen RCTs were reviewed. All of them were conducted across high-income countries within primary care and hospital settings involving paediatric and adult patients. Five trials were assessed as high quality, and eight were of low to moderate quality. Positive effects were demonstrated for the impact of advanced nurse practitioners on usual care; for indigestion, mean difference [MD] 2.3: 95% CI 1.4, 3.1]), perceptions of health status [ (MD –140.6; 95% CI –184.8, –96.5)], satisfaction levels [ (MD ranged from –8.79; 95% CI –13.59, –3.98 to 0.61; 95% CI –4.84, 6.05)], physical function (1.58 [SD 0.76] v. 1.81 [SD 0.90]), and blood pressure control (systolic [133 [SD 21] v. 135 [SD 19] mmHg p = 0.04] and diastolic [77 [SD 10] v. 80 [SD 11] mmHg p = 0.007]) were looked at. Positive effects related to service provision included improved patient satisfaction and reductions in waiting times and costs, which significantly favored advanced nurse practitioners (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The evidence of this review supports the positive impact of advanced nurse practitioners on clinical and service-related outcomes: patient satisfaction, waiting times, control of chronic disease, and cost-effectiveness especially when directly compared to medical practitioner-led care and usual care practices - in primary, secondary and specialist care settings involving both adult and pediatric populations. © 2021

Undergraduate health professional students’ team communication in simulated emergency settings : a scoping review

- Bourke, Sharon, Cooper, Simon, Lam, Louisa, McKenna, Lisa

Authors: Bourke, Sharon , Cooper, Simon , Lam, Louisa , McKenna, Lisa
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Clinical Simulation in Nursing Vol. 60, no. (2021), p. 42-63
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Description: Team communication problems have been reported to be responsible for up to 80% of medical errors in healthcare settings. Although simulation is a recognized means to learn communication skills, little is known about students’ team communication in a simulated setting. This review sought to explore what is known about undergraduate health professionals team communication in simulated emergency settings. The Joanna Briggs Institute framework was used to identify studies through five databases. After titles and abstracts and full texts review, 22 studies were identified for analysis and synthesis using inductive thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged: the context of simulation, teamwork and communication, and student interpretations. Simulation is a successful tool to experience communication and teamwork for students. Non-technical skills enhanced students’ performance of clinical skills based on expert rating and in understanding shared values, collaboration, and respect for each other, and improving confidence. Simulation is a suitable approach to measure and enhance team communication and teamwork. Exploration of gender, age, and ethnicity and other factors to assess their impact on communication should be the focus of future research in this area. © 2021

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Using digital health technologies to manage the psychosocial symptoms of menopause in the workplace : a narrative literature review

- Cronin, Camille, Hungerford, Catherine, Wilson, Rhonda

Authors: Cronin, Camille , Hungerford, Catherine , Wilson, Rhonda
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 42, no. 6 (2021), p. 541-548
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Description: Many women experience vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual symptoms during their menopausal life-stage. Specifically, the psychosocial symptoms of menopause can include loss of confidence, issues with self-identity and body image, inattention and loss of memory, increased levels of stress, and a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. In the workplace, such symptoms can impact the woman’s capacity to perform to her optimal levels. Even so, many women do not seek help to manage their symptoms due to feelings of embarrassment, the possibility of experiencing adverse reactions from others, or the cultural taboos that are attached to the condition. Digital health technologies, including virtual consultations, therapeutic interventions, and participation in online communities of support, provide an important means by which women can obtain information about menopause. In the field of mental health, digital technologies have an increasing evidence base. This paper considers how mental health practitioners can adapt, utilise or recommend digital health strategies to support older women in occupational settings to manage their psychosocial symptoms of menopause. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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Vietnam’s healthcare system decentralization : how well does it respond to global health crises such as COVID-19 pandemic?

- Nguyen, Huy, Debattista, Joseph, Pham, Minh, Dao, An, Gilmour, Stuart

Authors: Nguyen, Huy , Debattista, Joseph , Pham, Minh , Dao, An , Gilmour, Stuart
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management Vol. 16, no. 1 (2021), p.
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Description: This article discussed Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to decentralize the health system and its fitness to respond to global health crises as presented through the Covid-19 pandemic. We used a general review and expert’s perspective to explore the topic. We found that the healthcare system in Vietnam continued to decentralize from a pyramid to a wheel model. This system shifts away from a stratified technical hierarchy of higher- and lower-level health units (pyramid model) to a system in which quality healthcare is equally expected among all health units (wheel model). This decentralization has delivered more quality healthcare facilities, greater freedom for patients to choose services at any level, a more competitive environment among hospitals to improve quality, and reductions in excess capacity burden at higher levels. It has also enabled the transformation from a patient-based traditional healthcare model into a patient-centered care system. However, this decentralization takes time and requires long-term political, financial commitment, and a working partnership among key stakeholders. This perspective provides Vietnam’s experience of the decentralization of the healthcare system that may be consider as a useful example for other countries to strategically think of and to shape their future system within their own socio-political context. Copyright © 2020 Via Medica

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What helps, what hinders? Undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of clinical placements based on a thematic synthesis of literature

- Cant, Robyn, Ryan, Colleen, Hughes, Lynda, Luders, Elise, Cooper, Simon J.

Authors: Cant, Robyn , Ryan, Colleen , Hughes, Lynda , Luders, Elise , Cooper, Simon J.
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: SAGE Open Nursing Vol. 7, no. (2021), p.
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Description: Introduction: Clinical placements are a mandatory component of nursing students’ education internationally. Despite clinical education being a key to nursing students’ achievement of nursing competencies, few studies have reviewed students’ narratives to describe their experiences of learning during clinical placement. Such studies may be important in offering a deeper insight into clinical learning experiences than quantitative surveys. Methods: A systematic thematic synthesis of qualitative studies between 2010 and June 2020 was conducted. English language studies that offered a thematic analysis of undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of learning during placement were sought. A search was made of five databases PubMed, Ovid Medline, CinahlPlus, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. The study was guided by the ENTREQ statement for enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research. Results: Twenty-seven qualitative studies were included in the review. A thematic synthesis showed over 100 themes and subthemes across the studies. A cluster analysis revealed positive elements and others that were seen in the studies as a barrier (hindrance) to clinical learning. Positive elements included supportive instructors, close supervision, and belonging (in the team). Unsupportive instructors, a lack of supervision and not being included were seen as a hindrance. Three key overarching themes that could describe a successful placement were revealed as “Preparation,” “Welcomed and wanted” and “Supervision experiences”. A conceptual model of clinical placement elements conducive to nursing students’ learning was developed to enhance understanding of the complexities associated with supervision. The findings and model are presented and discussed. Conclusion: The conceptual model presents positive elements that influence students’ clinical placement experiences of learning. This model may provide a framework to guide professional development programs and strategies to support students and supervisors alike, an important step forward in moving beyond the current clinical placement rhetoric. © The Author(s) 2021.

Women's experiences of birth trauma :a scoping review

- Watson, Kirsty, White, Colleen, Hall, Helen, Hewitt, Alana

Authors: Watson, Kirsty , White, Colleen , Hall, Helen , Hewitt, Alana
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Women and Birth Vol. 34, no. 5 (2021), p. 417-424
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Description: Background: A high number of Australian women report experiencing traumatic birth events. Despite high incidence and potential wide spread and long-lasting effects, birth trauma is poorly recognised and insufficiently treated. Birth trauma can trigger ongoing psychosocial symptoms for women, including anxiety, tokophobia, bonding difficulties, relationship issues and PTSD. Additionally, women's future fertility choices can be inhibited by birth trauma. Aim: To summarize the existing literature to provide insight into women's experiences of birth trauma unrelated to a specific pre-existing obstetric or contextual factor. Methods: The review follows 5 stages of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. 7 databases were searched using indexed terms and boolen operators. Data searching identified 1354 records, 5 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings: Three key themes emerged; (1) health care providers and the maternity care system. (2) Women's sense of knowing and control. (3) Support. Discussion: Continuity of carer creates the foundations for facilitative interactions between care provider and woman which increases the likelihood of a positive birth experience. Women are able to gain a sense of feeling informed and being in control when empowering and individualized care is offered. Functional social supports and forms of debriefing promotes psychological processing and can enable post traumatic growth. Conclusion: Existing literature highlights how birth trauma is strongly influenced by negative health care provider interactions and dysfunctional operation of the maternity care system. A lack of education and support limited informed decision-making, resulting in feelings of losing control and powerlessness which contributes to women's trauma. Insufficient support further compounds women's experiences. © 2020 Australian College of Midwives

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A guide to the short, long and circular RNAs in hypertension and cardiovascular disease

- Prestes, Priscilla, Maier, Michelle, Woods, Bradley, Charchar, Fadi

Authors: Prestes, Priscilla , Maier, Michelle , Woods, Bradley , Charchar, Fadi
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 21, no. 10 (2020)
Full Text:
Reviewed:
Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults in developed countries. CVD encompasses many diseased states, including hypertension, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Studies in animal models and human studies have elucidated the contribution of many genetic factors, including non-coding RNAs. Non-coding RNAs are RNAs not translated into protein, involved in gene expression regulation post-transcriptionally and implicated in CVD. Of these, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs are relevant. CircRNAs are created by the back-splicing of pre-messenger RNA and have been underexplored as contributors to CVD. These circRNAs may also act as biomarkers of human disease, as they can be extracted from whole blood, plasma, saliva and seminal fluid. CircRNAs have recently been implicated in various disease processes, including hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. This review article will explore the promising and emerging roles of circRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CVD, in particular hypertension. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

A review and recommendations for the integration of forensic expertise within police cold case reviews

- Chapman, Brendan, Keatley, David, Oatley, Giles, Coumbaros, John, Maker, Garth

Authors: Chapman, Brendan , Keatley, David , Oatley, Giles , Coumbaros, John , Maker, Garth
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Journal of Criminal Psychology Vol. 10, no. 2 (2019), p. 79-91
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Purpose: Cold case review teams and the processes that they adopt in their endeavour to solve historic crimes are varied and largely underreported. Of the limited literature surrounding the topic of cold case reviews, the focus is on clearance rates and the selection of cases for review. While multiple reports and reviews have been undertaken and recommend that the interface between investigators and forensic scientists be improved, there is little evidence of cold case teams comprised of a mixture of investigators and scientists or experts. With the growing reliance on forensic science as an aide to solvability, the authors propose that the inclusion of forensic scientists to the central cold case investigation may be a critical factor in future success. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: To support the proposed approach, the authors conducted a review of the current literature seeking insight into the reported make-up of cold case teams. In conjunction with this, the authors reviewed a number of commissioned reports intended to improve cold case reviews and forensic services. Findings: While many of the reviewed reports and recommendations suggested better integration with scientists and external expertise, little evidence of this in practice was reported within published literature. Open dialogue and cross pollination between police investigators and forensic scientists are likely to mitigate biases, inform case file triage and better equip investigations with contemporary and cutting-edge scientific solutions to the evidence analysis for cold cases. Furthermore, with respect to scientists within academia, large pools of resources by way of student interns or researchers may be available to assist resource-sparse policing jurisdictions. Originality/value: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first peer-reviewed recommendation for the consideration of integrated forensic scientists within a cold case review team. Multiple reports suggest the need for closer ties, but it is the anecdotal experience of the authors that the benefits of a blended task force approach may yield greater success. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.

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