Scoping Reviews, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-Analysis: Applications in Veterinary Medicine

Service design for children and young people with common mental health problems: literature review, service mapping and collective case study

Background

The mental health of children/young people is a growing concern internationally. Numerous reports and reviews have consistently described United Kingdom children's mental health services as fragmented, variable, inaccessible and lacking an evidence base. Little is known about the effectiveness of, and implementation complexities associated with, service models for children/young people experiencing 'common' mental health problems like anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and self-harm.

Aim

To develop a model for high-quality service design for children/young people experiencing common mental health problems by identifying available services, barriers and enablers to access, and the effectiveness, cost effectiveness and acceptability of such services.

Design

Evidence syntheses with primary research, using a sequential, mixed-methods design. Inter-related scoping and integrative reviews were conducted alongside a map of relevant services across England and Wales, followed by a collective case study of English and Welsh services.

Setting

Global (systematic reviews); England and Wales (service map; case study).

Data sources

Literature reviews: relevant bibliographic databases and grey literature. Service map: online survey and offline desk research. Case study: 108 participants (41 children/young people, 26 parents, 41 staff) across nine case study sites.

Methods

A single literature search informed both reviews. The service map was obtained from an online survey and internet searches. Case study sites were sampled from the service map; because of coronavirus disease 2019, case study data were collected remotely. 'Young co-researchers' assisted with case study data collection. The integrative review and case study data were synthesised using the 'weaving' approach of 'integration through narrative'.

Results

A service model typology was derived from the scoping review. The integrative review found effectiveness evidence for collaborative care, outreach approaches, brief intervention services and the 'availability, responsiveness and continuity' framework. There was cost-effectiveness evidence only for collaborative care. No service model appeared to be more acceptable than others. The service map identified 154 English and Welsh services. Three themes emerged from the case study data: 'pathways to support'; 'service engagement'; and 'learning and understanding'. The integrative review and case study data were synthesised into a coproduced model of high-quality service provision for children/young people experiencing common mental health problems.

Limitations

Defining 'service model' was a challenge. Some service initiatives were too new to have filtered through into the literature or service map. Coronavirus disease 2019 brought about a surge in remote/digital services which were under-represented in the literature. A dearth of relevant studies meant few cost-effectiveness conclusions could be drawn.

Conclusions

There was no strong evidence to suggest any existing service model was better than another. Instead, we developed a coproduced, evidence-based model that incorporates the fundamental components necessary for high-quality children's mental health services and which has utility for policy, practice and research.

Future work

Future work should focus on: the potential of our model to assist in designing, delivering and auditing children's mental health services; reasons for non-engagement in services; the cost effectiveness of different approaches in children's mental health; the advantages/disadvantages of digital/remote platforms in delivering services; understanding how and what the statutory sector might learn from the non-statutory sector regarding choice, personalisation and flexibility.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018106219.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 17/09/08) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 12, No. 13. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Zoonotic bacterial pathogens in bats samples around the world: a scoping review

The aim of this scoping review was to describe the zoonotic bacterial pathogens already reported and their frequency in different bat species. Six databases were searched, without restriction on the year or location where the studies were carried out. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 146 studies that were published between 1964 and 2020 (most after 2005) were selected. In these studies, 102 zoonotic bacterial genera were described in different samples of fourteen bat families in 55 countries, suggesting the possible role of bats as hosts for these pathogens. The pathogens mainly identified in bats were Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp. and Staphylococcus spp. In conclusion, the information provided by this scoping review expands the knowledge about zoonotic bacterial pathogens already identified in bats, which can guide epidemiological surveillance policies for these pathogens in different countries.

Digital psychiatry in Nigeria: A scoping review

Background

Mental healthcare workforce shortage in Nigeria poses a major obstacle to mental health services scale-up. Digital psychiatry may provide a veritable platform to bridge treatment gaps.

Aim

To provide an overview of quantity and range of peer-reviewed publications on digital psychiatry in Nigeria.

Setting

A comprehensive literature search encompassed all original, peer-reviewed research articles on digital psychiatry in Nigeria. PubMed, Google Scholar, and a direct exploration of relevant journal article reference lists were utilised. Inclusion criteria covered peer-reviewed original articles conducted in Nigeria between January 2013 and January 2023, regardless of quality. Exclusions comprised case reports, reviews, dissertations, and abstracts.

Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were adhered to, while methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley was used to describe the review.

Results

Fourteen studies meeting inclusion criteria exhibited two primary research areas: implementation and intervention. Most studies focused on intervention strategies, showcasing efficacy of digital devices in enhancing outcomes in depression and clinic appointments. Implementation studies indicated favorable acceptance by both clients and healthcare practitioners.

Conclusion

Digital technology seems acceptable to Nigerian patients and clinicians. Policies to operationalise provision of digital healthcare services will have positive impact in addressing unmet mental health needs. Finally, the quality of the evidence from majority of studies has to be enhanced, and additional studies are required to uncover gaps in some regions of the country.

Contribution

This research demonstrates that, despite some drawbacks, digital methods of providing mental healthcare are practical in Nigeria.

Multicomponent (bio)markers for obesity risk prediction: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Despite international efforts, the number of individuals struggling with obesity is still increasing. An important aspect of obesity prevention relates to identifying individuals at risk at early stage, allowing for timely risk stratification and initiation of countermeasures. However, obesity is complex and multifactorial by nature, and one isolated (bio)marker is unlikely to enable an optimal risk stratification and prognosis for the individual; rather, a combined set is required. Such a multicomponent interpretation would integrate biomarkers from various domains, such as classical markers (eg, anthropometrics, blood lipids), multiomics (eg, genetics, proteomics, metabolomics), lifestyle and behavioural attributes (eg, diet, physical activity, sleep patterns), psychological traits (mental health status such as depression) and additional host factors (eg, gut microbiota diversity), also by means of advanced interpretation tools such as machine learning. In this paper, we will present a protocol that will be employed for a scoping review that attempts to summarise and map the state-of-the-art in the area of multicomponent (bio)markers related to obesity, focusing on the usability and effectiveness of such biomarkers.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Embase databases will be searched using predefined key terms to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English until January 2024. Once downloaded into EndNote for deduplication, CADIMA will be employed to review and select abstracts and full-text articles in a two-step procedure, by two independent reviewers. Data extraction will then be carried out by several independent reviewers. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews and Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies guidelines will be followed. Combinations employing at least two biomarkers from different domains will be mapped and discussed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required; data will rely on published articles. Findings will be published open access in an international peer-reviewed journal. This review will allow guiding future directions for research and public health strategies on obesity prevention, paving the way towards multicomponent interventions.

Transdisciplinary approaches to addressing factors that influence antimicrobial use in dairy cattle: A scoping review

Interest in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with livestock farming is increasing. During the 1990s, 30-40 academic papers a year on the use of antibiotics in dairy farming were indexed on the scientific database PubMed, but this has grown to more than 200 a year in the 2020s. Most (85%) of these papers are published in veterinary or livestock science journals. There has been a corresponding increase in social science interest in why responsible antibiotic stewardship in the livestock sector is so challenging. However, most social science insights are published in journals specific to the lead authors' field(s), missing opportunities for knowledge translation to veterinary and animal science. This threatens to inhibit the transdisciplinary One Health approaches required to tackle the problem. Between 1 June and 31 December 2021, we undertook a scoping review of papers on the use of antibiotics in dairy farming indexed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Our aim was to identify studies that incorporate social science approaches and methodologies, and to note the main field of the journal in which these studies are published. Papers were most likely to be published in veterinary science, dairy science and/or livestock science journals (61, 29 and 18 respectively out of 127 papers) and were most likely to be concerned with antibiotic use, prescribing practice, and/or diagnosis (94%, 39% and 33% of included papers respectively). Only 27% of papers meeting our inclusion criteria included a qualitative approach to understanding reasons for antibiotic use. Even fewer acknowledged underlying drivers of behaviour, whereas such reasons are frequently highlighted in social science literature. Thus, to address the global health threat from antibiotic resistance, more work is needed to bring together the disparate but equally valid disciplines, methodologies and researchers working on antibiotic use in the livestock sector.

Controlling Coxiella burnetii in naturally infected sheep, goats and cows, and public health implications: a scoping review

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease which domestic ruminants are the main source of infection for humans. This scoping review summarizes the control measures currently available to reduce Coxiella burnetii (Cb) infection in naturally infected sheep, goat and cattle herds. A total of 28 articles were included in the review. A lack of methodological standardization was noted in the articles analyzed. The results indicated that long-term vaccination in cows reduces bacterial excretion in milk and environmental contamination. In small ruminants, the results of vaccination in terms of efficacy are variable. In goats, there is a reduction in bacterial excretion, unlike in sheep, where a long-term vaccination program is necessary to reduce bacterial excretion. Moreover, the high persistence of viable Cb in the environment means that control measures for sheep are needed for several years. The use of antibiotics as a control measure in cows and sheep was not found to reduce excretion. However, the combination of vaccination with antibiotic therapy appears to have positive effects in small ruminants in terms of controlling outbreaks of Q fever. Hygiene and biosecurity measures are the basic means for controlling Cb infection on ruminant farms and ensuring public health.

Population adaptation to heat as seen through the temperature-mortality relationship, in the context of the impact of global warming on health: A scoping review

Climate change is the greatest threat to human health, with one of its direct effects being global warming and its impact on health. Currently, the world is experiencing an increase in the mean global temperature, but this increase affects different populations to different degrees. This is due to the fact that individual, demographic, geographical and social factors influence vulnerability and the capacity to adapt. Adaptation is the process of adjusting to the current or envisaged climate and its effects, with the aim of mitigating harm and taking advantage of the beneficial opportunities. There are different ways of measuring the effectiveness of adaptation, and the most representative indicator is via the time trend in the temperature-mortality relationship. Despite the rise in the number of studies that have examined the temperature-mortality relationship in recent years, there are very few that have analysed whether a particular population has or has not adapted to heat. We conducted a scoping review that met the following criteria, namely: including all persons; considering the heat adaptation concept; and covering the context of the impact of global warming on health and mortality. A total of 23 studies were selected. This review found very few studies targeting adaptation to heat in the human population and a limited number of countries carrying out research in this field, something that highlights the lack of research in this area. It is therefore crucial for political decision-makers to support studies that serve to enhance our comprehension of long-term adaptation to heat and its impact on the health of the human population.

Automated Paper Screening for Clinical Reviews Using Large Language Models: Data Analysis Study

BACKGROUND

The systematic review of clinical research papers is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process that often involves the screening of thousands of titles and abstracts. The accuracy and efficiency of this process are critical for the quality of the review and subsequent health care decisions. Traditional methods rely heavily on human reviewers, often requiring a significant investment of time and resources.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the performance of the OpenAI generative pretrained transformer (GPT) and GPT-4 application programming interfaces (APIs) in accurately and efficiently identifying relevant titles and abstracts from real-world clinical review data sets and comparing their performance against ground truth labeling by 2 independent human reviewers.

METHODS

We introduce a novel workflow using the Chat GPT and GPT-4 APIs for screening titles and abstracts in clinical reviews. A Python script was created to make calls to the API with the screening criteria in natural language and a corpus of title and abstract data sets filtered by a minimum of 2 human reviewers. We compared the performance of our model against human-reviewed papers across 6 review papers, screening over 24,000 titles and abstracts.

RESULTS

Our results show an accuracy of 0.91, a macro F1-score of 0.60, a sensitivity of excluded papers of 0.91, and a sensitivity of included papers of 0.76. The interrater variability between 2 independent human screeners was κ=0.46, and the prevalence and bias-adjusted κ between our proposed methods and the consensus-based human decisions was κ=0.96. On a randomly selected subset of papers, the GPT models demonstrated the ability to provide reasoning for their decisions and corrected their initial decisions upon being asked to explain their reasoning for incorrect classifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Large language models have the potential to streamline the clinical review process, save valuable time and effort for researchers, and contribute to the overall quality of clinical reviews. By prioritizing the workflow and acting as an aid rather than a replacement for researchers and reviewers, models such as GPT-4 can enhance efficiency and lead to more accurate and reliable conclusions in medical research.

Family-based Interventions of Preventing Substance Use Among Immigrant Youth: A Scoping Review

Introduction

Immigrant youth face heightened risks of substance use due to the stress associated with immigration and acculturation. While parental intervention can have a preventative impact on substance use, parents need to be well-informed about substance use and effective interventions that can prevent substance use among immigrant youth. Such interventions ought to be culturally sensitive, family-based, and targeted at the specific substances that are prevalent in a given context. Identifying and curating interventions that can empower parents in addressing substance use can help mitigate the risks that immigrant youth may face.

Methods

This scoping review aimed to identify the types, characteristics, and effectiveness of family-based substance use intervention programs. Based on Arksay and O'Malley's guidelines, interventions included in the review must have met the following criteria: (a) was a family-based intervention aiming to prevent substance use; (b) targeted immigrant teens aged 12 to 17 years old; (c) was published in English; (d) originated from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United States. The pinch table was used to synthesize included articles, after which studies were compared and categorized, and cross-cutting categories were identified.

Results

After screening 4551 searched literature, 13 studies that utilized family-based interventions were included in the review. All interventions were face-to-face programs, and most interventions involved parents and youth as participants. Eco-developmental theory and active learning strategies were used by multiple interventions. Given immigrant families were target stakeholders, both deep structure and surface structure cultural adaptations were utilized. Interventions increased parents' knowledge and skills regarding substance use prevention and delayed substance use initiation among youth.

Conclusion

From the review, it was evident that parents are an essential element in any program aiming to prevent or reduce children's substance use. Besides information about substance use prevention, the curriculum also involves parenting and communication skills for parents to understand the protective effects of family. Effective family-based interventions for immigrant youth require attention to parenting and immigration stress, while also considering cultural adaptation. Future directions and limitations are also discussed.

Accuracy of serological tests for bovine brucellosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The direct methods for diagnosis of bovine brucellosis have several limitations, therefore serological tests are the basis for the diagnosis of the disease. However, a meta-analysis estimating the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and diagnostic specificity (DSp) on the main tests used in bovine brucellosis control programs worldwide has not been performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the DSe, DSp and thereby accuracy of serological tests individually used in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. The databases CABI, Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science were used to select articles. The search resulted in 5308 studies, of which 71 were selected for systematic review using quality assessment tools and 65 studies were included in the meta-analysis. For the meta-analysis, 178 assays and 11 different serological tests were considered. To estimate DSe and DSp of the tests, studies were divided according to animal selection for the studies: (1) studies that carried out a random or consecutive selection of participants (noncasecontrol studies) and (2) all studies, including casecontrol studies. Considering only the non-case-control studies to estimate the DSe, the tests that exhibited the best and worst performance were the iELISA test (indirect enzyme immunoassay - bacterial suspension as antigen - BS) (96.5%, 95% CI: 94.1-97.9%) and 2ME (2- mercaptoethanol test) (85.0%, 95% CI: 79.6-89.1%), respectively; while for DSp, the FPA (fluorescence polarization assay) (99, 7%, 95% CI: 99.5-99.8%) and PCFIA tests (protein concentration fluorescence immunoassay) (78.5%, 95% CI: 70.0-85.1%) showed better and worse performance, respectively. Overall, our results showed an overestimation in the DSe and DSp of the eleven serological tests assessed when casecontrol studies were included in the meta-analysis, which is a concern considering its impacts on the time and costs associated with populational diagnosis of the diseases, since several of these tests are routinely used in the control and eradication programs of bovine brucellosis worldwide. Furthermore, the tests that exhibited the best DSe and DSp, iELISA (BS) and FPA, respectively, are relatively easy to perform and interpret and the test which showed the best overall accuracy was FPA.

Biodegradation, photolysis, and sorption of antibiotics in aquatic environments: A scoping review

The presence of antibiotics in surface waters is a potential driver of antibiotic resistance and thus of concern to human and environmental health. Key factors driving the potential impact of antibiotics are their persistence and transport in rivers and lakes. The goal of this study was to describe the peer-reviewed published literature on the photolysis (direct and indirect), sorption, and biodegradation of a selected group of antibiotic compounds following a scoping review methodology. Primary research from 2000 to 2021 was surveyed to compile information on these processes for 25 antibiotics from 6 classes. After compilation and assessment of the available parameters, the results indicate that information is present to predict the rates of direct photolysis and reaction with hydroxyl radical (an indirect photolysis process) for most of the selected antibiotics. There is insufficient or inconsistent information for including other indirect photolysis processes, biodegradation, or removal via sorption to settling particles for most of the targeted antibiotic compounds. Future research should focus on collecting fundamental parameters such as quantum yields, second-order rate constants, normalized biodegradation rates, and organic carbon or surface area normalized sorption coefficients rather than pseudo-first order rate constants or sorption equilibrium constants that apply only to specific conditions/sites.

Psychosocial aspects of Noma (Cancrum Oris) in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Noma is a neglected tropical disease of an underserved population. Our review describes the volume and scope of existing research evidence on psychosocial aspects of Noma in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Our literature search was conducted on all original peer-reviewed research articles on the psychosocial aspects of Noma in each country in SSA using PubMed, Google Scholar, and a direct search of reference list of pertinent journal articles. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines was used to describe the review. A total of six studies were found in four countries of the region. One in three persons with Noma has a mental health condition, indices of social disadvantage and belief in the supernatural causation of the disease are very common. However, despite evidence of enormous need, a huge gap still exists in the area of psychosocial alleviation.

Understanding human aging and the fundamental cell signaling link in age-related diseases: the middle-aging hypovascularity hypoxia hypothesis

Aging-related hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation pathophysiology are closely associated with human age-related carcinogenesis and chronic diseases. However, the connection between hypoxia and hormonal cell signaling pathways is unclear, but such human age-related comorbid diseases do coincide with the middle-aging period of declining sex hormonal signaling. This scoping review evaluates the relevant interdisciplinary evidence to assess the systems biology of function, regulation, and homeostasis in order to discern and decipher the etiology of the connection between hypoxia and hormonal signaling in human age-related comorbid diseases. The hypothesis charts the accumulating evidence to support the development of a hypoxic milieu and oxidative stress-inflammation pathophysiology in middle-aged individuals, as well as the induction of amyloidosis, autophagy, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in aging-related degeneration. Taken together, this new approach and strategy can provide the clarity of concepts and patterns to determine the causes of declining vascularity hemodynamics (blood flow) and physiological oxygenation perfusion (oxygen bioavailability) in relation to oxygen homeostasis and vascularity that cause hypoxia (hypovascularity hypoxia). The middle-aging hypovascularity hypoxia hypothesis could provide the mechanistic interface connecting the endocrine, nitric oxide, and oxygen homeostasis signaling that is closely linked to the progressive conditions of degenerative hypertrophy, atrophy, fibrosis, and neoplasm. An in-depth understanding of these intrinsic biological processes of the developing middle-aged hypoxia could provide potential new strategies for time-dependent therapies in maintaining healthspan for healthy lifestyle aging, medical cost savings, and health system sustainability.

Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels of health literacy and its associated factors among adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

The search, conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/CINAHL plus, Web of Science and J-STAGE databases, was initially performed on 16 June 2022 and later updated on 1 October 2022. Studies that targeted 10-25 years old persons, conducted in any of the EMR countries and that used the health literacy concept and/or described its levels or predictors were included in the review. Content analysis was used for data extraction and analysis. Data related to the study methods, participants, outcome variables and health literacy were extracted.

RESULTS

The review included 82 studies, most of which were conducted in Iran and Turkey and adopted a cross-sectional design. Half of the studies showed that more than half of adolescents and young adults had low or moderate health literacy. Nine studies applied university-based or school-based health education interventions to improve health literacy, which was also predicted by demographic and socioeconomic factors and internet usage. Little attention was paid to assessing the health literacy of vulnerable people, such as refugees and those with a disability and exposed to violence. Finally, various health literacy topics were investigated, including nutrition, non-communicable diseases, media and depression.

CONCLUSION

Health literacy levels were low-to-moderate in adolescents and young adults in the EMR. To promote health literacy, it is recommended to use school-based health education and attempt to reach adolescents and young adults through social media platforms. More attention should be paid to refugees, people with disabilities and those exposed to violence.

Factors associated with antimicrobial resistant enterococci in Canadian beef cattle: A scoping review

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern, occurring when bacteria evolve to render antimicrobials no longer effective. Antimicrobials have important roles in beef production; however, the potential to introduce AMR to people through beef products is a concern. This scoping review identifies factors associated with changes in the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterococcus spp. applicable to the Canadian farm-to-fork beef continuum.

Methods

Five databases (MEDLINE, BIOSIS, Web of Science, Embase, and CAB Abstracts) were searched for articles published from January 1984 to March 2022, using a priori inclusion criteria. Peer-reviewed articles were included if they met all the following criteria: written in English, applicable to the Canadian beef production context, primary research, in vivo research, describing an intervention or exposure, and specific to Enterococcus spp.

Results

Out of 804 screened articles, 26 were selected for inclusion. The included articles discussed 37 factors potentially associated with AMR in enterococci, with multiple articles discussing at least two of the same factors. Factors discussed included antimicrobial administration (n = 16), raised without antimicrobials (n = 6), metal supplementation (n = 4), probiotics supplementation (n = 3), pen environment (n = 2), essential oil supplementation (n = 1), grass feeding (n = 1), therapeutic versus subtherapeutic antimicrobial use (n = 1), feeding wet distiller grains with solubles (n = 1), nutritional supplementation (n = 1) and processing plant type (n = 1). Results were included irrespective of their quality of evidence.

Discussion

Comparability issues arising throughout the review process were related to data aggregation, hierarchical structures, study design, and inconsistent data reporting. Findings from articles were often temporally specific in that resistance was associated with AMR outcomes at sampling times closer to exposure compared to studies that sampled at longer intervals after exposure. Resistance was often nuanced to unique gene and phenotypic resistance patterns that varied with species of enterococci. Intrinsic resistance and interpretation of minimum inhibitory concentration varied greatly among enterococcal species, highlighting the importance of caution when comparing articles and generalizing findings.

Systematic Review Registration

[http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113592].

Palliative Nursing in Africa: Scoping the Landscape of Evidence Focusing on Cancer Care

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the research output of African's nurses in the field of palliative care from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted. The key words Africa and nursing in combination with palliative care, end of life, terminal care, hospice, and supportive care were used to search the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only studies authored by a nurse with an African affiliation focusing on issues related to advanced cancer were included. The data were captured onto an extraction sheet and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and content analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 522 articles identified, only 16 met the inclusion criteria. The work originated from eight African countries was primarily qualitative and focused on the family and caregivers. Pain was the only symptom investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies focusing on symptoms, psychosocial, spiritual, end of life care as well as studies testing nursing interventions are urgently needed. Interregional research could also assist with building the current evidence.

What are lay UK public perceptions of frailty: a scoping review

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE

Perceptions of frailty can influence how families cope, quality of life and access to support services. Yet little is known of how lay members of the UK general public perceive frailty. This scoping review aimed to explore how frailty is perceived among the lay public in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

The established scoping review methodology by Arksey and O'Malley was followed and searches were conducted across eight electronic databases and grey literature websites for articles published between 1990 and August 2022. In total, 6,705 articles were identified, of which six were included in the review. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework.

RESULTS

Three key themes were identified; frailty as a normal part of ageing, perceived consequences of frailty and coping with frailty. Overall, frailty has negative connotations and is perceived as linked to a natural part of the ageing process, increased dependency, loss of identity and social exclusion and stigma. However, it is unclear whether these perceptions have a direct bearing on access to support services for communities.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This review identifies that it is imperative for health and social care service providers to consider the individual meaning of frailty for older people and families, to understand and integrate their particular needs and preferences when planning and delivering person centred frailty care and support. There is also a need for development of interventions that focus on increasing education and reducing stigma around frailty in order to change frailty perceptions in the UK.

Evaluating the impact of heavy metals on antimicrobial resistance in the primary food production environment: A scoping review

Heavy metals are naturally occurring environmental compounds, which can influence antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination. However, there is limited information on how heavy metals may act as a selective pressure on AMR in the primary food production environment. This review aims to examine the literature on this topic in order to identify knowledge gaps. A total of 73 studies, which met pre-established criteria, were included. These investigations were undertaken between 2008 and 2021, with a significant increase in the last three years. The majority of studies included were undertaken in China. Soil, water and manure were the most common samples analysed, and the sampling locations varied from areas with a natural presence of heavy metals, areas intentionally amended with heavy metals or manure, to areas close to industrial activity or mines. Fifty-four per cent of the investigations focused on the analysis of four or more heavy metals, and copper and zinc were the metals most frequently analysed (n = 59, n = 49, respectively). The findings of this review highlight a link between heavy metals and AMR in the primary food production environment. Heavy metals impacted the abundance and dissemination of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), with MGEs also observed as playing a key role in the spread of ARGs and metal resistance genes (MRGs). Harmonization of methodologies used in future studies would increase the opportunity for comparison between studies. Further research is also required to broaden the availability of data at a global level.

An artificial neural network (ANN) model for publication bias: a machine learning-based study on PubMed meta-analyses

Purpose

No study has investigated the effects of different parameters on publication bias in meta-analyses using a machine learning approach. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of various factors on publication bias in meta-analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic questionnaire was created according to some factors extracted from the Cochrane Handbook and AMSTAR-2 tool to identify factors affecting publication bias. Twelve experts were consulted to determine their opinion on the importance of each factor. Each component was evaluated based on its content validity ratio (CVR). In total, 616 meta-analyses comprising 1893 outcomes from PubMed that assessed the presence of publication bias in their reported outcomes were randomly selected to extract their data. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) technique was used in IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 to construct a prediction model. 70, 15 and 15% of the data were used for the model's training, testing and validation partitions.

Findings

There was a publication bias in 968 (51.14%) outcomes. The established model had an accuracy rate of 86.1%, and all pre-selected nine variables were included in the model. The results showed that the number of databases searched was the most important predictive variable (0.26), followed by the number of searches in the grey literature (0.24), search in Medline (0.17) and advanced search with numerous operators (0.13).

Practical implications

The results of this study can help clinical researchers minimize publication bias in their studies, leading to improved evidence-based medicine.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to model publication bias using machine learning.

Psychosocial aspects of adult cancer patients: A scoping review of sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE

Psychosocial aspects of adult cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been described in silos of research articles. Integrative analysis of regional evidence is lacking. This review aimed to describe the scope of existing research on mental health problems, identify research gaps and make informed research, policy and practice recommendations.

METHODS

Search was conducted for original peer-reviewed research articles, irrespective of their quality, on psychosocial aspects of cancer in all SSA countries using PubMed, Google Scholar, Google search, African Index Medicus and direct searches of reference list of pertinent journal articles. Publications in English or translated to English were included. Case reports, dissertations, abstracts, publications without primary focus on psychosocial issues, psychosocial issues in children and studies conducted with SSA populations living outside the sub-region were excluded. The methodological framework described by Arksey and O'Malley was used to synthesize and present the results. Inductive approach was used to arrive at the thematic areas. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guideline was used to describe the review.

RESULTS

Eighty-three studies conducted across 15 countries were identified. Six thematic areas emerged namely; psychosocial needs, psychiatric disorders, coping strategies, suicidality, psychometrics and psychosocial interventions. Fifteen of 46 countries had at least one study with the majority of articles emanating from Nigeria. Research articles on psychosocial needs, psychiatric morbidities and coping strategies appears adequate for systematic review in SSA region. Despite the overwhelming evidence of high unmet psychosocial needs, a huge gap exists regarding psychosocial interventions.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed into identified gaps in the region and quality of evidence of these studies need to be improved upon. Comprehensive policies and action plan development are sin qua non for addressing psychosocial problems of adults with cancer in SSA.

Evaluation of sources cited by an exotic animal formulary for supporting drug dosages and reference intervals in mammals

OBJECTIVES

Formularies are intended to simplify clinical decision-making by collecting evidence-based information on drugs and their dosages. This study assessed the characteristics of sources used to support drug dosages and reference intervals for mammals in a specific exotic animal formulary, and how the sources had changed over five editions.

METHODS

Each reference supporting drug dosages and reference intervals in the sections for ferrets, rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs and miniature pigs in all five editions of the formulary was evaluated and classified by two independent investigators in terms of the type of source cited. Univariable and multi-variable logistic regression models were built to evaluate changes between editions and sections.

RESULTS

In total, 1338 references supporting drug dosages and 180 references supporting reference intervals were included from all editions of the formulary. Primary sources were cited by 525 (39.2%) and 39 (21.7%) of the drug and reference interval references, respectively. For drug dosages, the current edition of the formulary (2018) cited a higher proportion of primary rather than secondary sources compared with the first edition (odds ratios 3.4, 95% confidence interval 2.1 to 5.6), while for reference intervals there were no significant changes between editions. In the current edition of the formulary, the 168 secondary sources cited for drug dosages included 78 (46.4%) textbooks, 63 (37.5%) reviews, 14 (8.3%) personal communications and 7 (4.2%) other formularies.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A large proportion of references supporting drug dosages and reference intervals in the evaluated sections cited secondary sources. Although modest improvements have been observed over time, practitioners should be aware that the evidence supporting several drugs and dosages was limited, and assess the information within the formulary critically.

A Preliminary Scoping Review of Trauma Recovery Pathways among Refugees in the United States

When people move across borders to seek asylum because of violence, conflicts, persecution, or human rights violations, they experience a complex mix of psychological and traumatic downfalls. Often, refugees and asylum seekers’ trauma is compounded by the behaviours of individuals, communities, and the systemic climate of host countries. The United States is host to refugees and asylees from several countries. Evidence shows that several asylum seekers are held up in deplorable conditions in immigration detention centres where they are battling acute trauma. Therefore, consequent to this, coupled with the varying trauma that refugees face, this preliminary scoping review explores the scope and context of available peer-reviewed scholarship on trauma recovery pathways among refugees in the United States to identify gaps for further research. Following the PRISMA-compliant scoping review guidelines, we identified and curated data on the scope and context of peer-reviewed literature on trauma recovery approaches among refugees in the United States. This study identified the following as trauma recovery pathways among refugees: (1) macro-level structural intervention—preventing re-traumatization; (2) culturally sensitive therapeutic intervention; and (3) diagnosis and therapy. This study concludes that little research on the recovery pathways among refugees exists in the United States, hence the need for scholarship in this area.

Pharmacogenomics of medications given via nonconventional administration routes: a scoping review

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) implementation has become increasingly widespread. One of the most important aspects of this implementation process is the development of appropriate clinical decision support (CDS). Major PGx resources, such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium, provide valuable recommendations for the development of CDS for specific gene–drug pairs but do not specify whether the administration route of a drug is clinically relevant. It is also unknown if PGx alerts for nonorally and non-intravenously administered PGx-relevant medications should be suppressed to reduce alert fatigue. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify studies and their clinical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic outcomes to better determine if CDS alerts are relevant for nonorally and non-intravenously administered PGx-relevant medications. Although this scoping review identified multiple PGx studies, the results of these studies were inconsistent, and more evidence is needed regarding different routes of medication administration and PGx.

Safe route-finding: A review of literature and future directions

While road navigation systems seek to determine the shortest routes between a given set of origin and destination points, there are certain situations in which the fastest route increases the risk of being involved in road crashes. This implies the necessity of integrating safe route-finding into road navigation systems. This study is designed to synthesize the literature on safe route-finding and identify the gaps in the literature for future research. Specifically, a scoping literature review methodology is applied to understand how safety is incorporated in route-finding, even beyond motor vehicle navigation systems. Three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore) are explored, and controlling for inclusion criteria, 40 studies are included in this review. The findings of this review indicated five areas through which safety was considered in route-finding: motor vehicle navigation, public safety, public health, pedestrian and cyclist navigation, and hazardous material transportation. The measurement of safety was found challenging with inconsistencies in safety quantification approaches. The safe route-finding algorithms were investigated based on their predictive/reactive, static/dynamic, and centralized/decentralized characteristics. Based on the critical review of the safe route-finding algorithms, availability of real-time data sources, accurate real-time and disaggregated crash risk prediction models, trade-off between time and safety in road navigation tools, and centralized safe route-finding are highlighted as the requirements and challenges in considering safety in road navigation systems. This study outlines a research agenda to address the identified challenges in safe route-finding.

Treatment of multiple synchronous canine mast cell tumours using intratumoural tigilanol tiglate

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are common canine skin neoplasia. While they generally occur as single tumours, multiple synchronous MCTs (msMCTs) of de novo/non-metastatic origin are reported in a proportion of the patient population. Where there is no evidence of metastasis or lymphatic spread, MCTs are effectively controlled by surgery and other local therapies. However, treatment of de novo msMCTs can be more challenging, especially when they occur in surgically difficult locations. Here, we report the use of tigilanol tiglate, a novel small molecule registered as a veterinary pharmaceutical for the local treatment of non-metastatic MCTs, in the treatment of patients with msMCTs presenting at three Australian specialist referral centres. We also present a meta-analysis of the literature to provide a better understanding of the prevalence of canine msMCTs. Notably, nine patients with a total of 32 MCTs were treated during the study. A complete response was recorded in 26 (81%) of the individual MCTs on Day 28 after a single tigilanol tiglate injection. Of the 6 initially non-responsive MCTs, one achieved a complete response after a further tigilanol tiglate treatment. A complete response was reported at 6 months in all 22 of the tumours that were evaluable and that had recorded a complete response at Day 84. For the literature meta-analysis, 22 studies were found with prevalence estimates of msMCTs ranging from 3 to 40%; when combined, these studies yielded 3,745 patients with a prevalence of 13% (95% CI 10; 16). Overall, the results demonstrate the utility of intratumoural tigilanol tiglate as an option for the treatment of multiple MCTs where multiple surgical resections would have been required.

Protocol for a scoping review on misuse of psychoactive medicines and its consequences

INTRODUCTION

Misuse of psychoactive medicines, especially prescription opioids, but also benzodiazepines, hypnotics and sedatives, has become a significant public health issue in some countries, especially in the USA, where it has been extensively documented, as well as in Canada and Australia. However, in the European Union (EU) published literature on the topic is scarce and heterogeneous regarding definitions, sources of data, tools and methods of analysis.The aim of this scoping review is to map the key concepts on psychoactive medicines' misuse and examine the existing body of evidence on this topic in the EU. Data on the possible consequences of medicines' misuse-adverse drug reactions, poisonings, hospitalisations and deaths-will also be analysed.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The scoping review will follow the framework of Arksey and O'Malley, further developed by Levac et al and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The search strategy, developed by the authors, includes querying three electronic databases-PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus-using keywords and the Medical Subject Headings, for evidence published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese between 2011 and 2020. Additionally, articles from PubMed alerts and other sources will also be considered. The results of the scoping review will describe the currently available evidence regarding misuse of medicines at EU level.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Since the scoping review methodology focuses on published data, this study does not require ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and plan to disseminate our work in conferences and scientific meetings.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

This scoping review protocol is registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF; see https://osf.io/fzr9u) and has also been shared as a preprint in this free and open-source project management repository. It is available at https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/y3s4q.

Graduate Student Literature Review: A systematic review on the associations between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use at the time of diagnosis and treatment of claw horn lameness in dairy cattle and lameness scores, algometer readings, and lying times

The objectives of this systematic review were to investigate the association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use during the treatment of claw horn lameness in dairy cattle and locomotion score (LS), nociceptive threshold, and lying times. A total of 229 studies were initially identified and had their title and abstract screened. From this, we screened the full text of 23 articles, identifying 6 articles for inclusion in the systematic review. Of these 6, 5 reported LS, 2 reported nociceptor thresholds, and 1 reported lying times. The quality of evidence was assessed using a Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and CONSORT items reported for each included study. Due to heterogeneity between the studies, data were reported following Cochrane's Synthesis without meta-analysis guidelines. Identified heterogeneity between the studies included differences in LS systems and statistical analyses, length of time from enrollment to outcome reported, the NSAID used, concomitant treatments administered, and severity and chronicity of lameness. Recommendations are made with respect to consistency of LS reporting and analysis, along with improvements that may be noted with compulsory reporting guidelines. There were at least some concerns over the risk of bias in 4 of the studies, with risks of bias present in missing outcome data between the study groups. Within the 5 studies included with LS outcomes, there were 22 different pairwise comparisons with either NSAID or NSAID + block as the intervention, with measures of association with presence or absence of lameness as the outcome available for 20 of these comparisons. Animals in the NSAID intervention groups had a lower point estimate lameness risk than animals in the comparison groups in 3 of 8 and 9 of 14 analyses for LS outcomes <10 and ≥10 d post-treatment, respectively. However, there was no difference identified between animals in the NSAID intervention groups compared with the animals in the control group in any of these pairwise comparisons with lameness as the outcome. Twelve pairwise comparisons were reported in the 2 studies with nociceptor threshold as an outcome. Animals in the NSAID intervention groups had a greater nociceptor threshold point estimate compared with animals in the comparison groups in 6 of 6 and 1 of 6 analyses for outcomes <10 and ≥10 d post-treatment, respectively. However, no differences were identified between animals in the NSAID intervention groups and those in the comparison groups. All 4 pairwise comparisons reported in the study with lying times as an outcome found no differences between animals in the NSAID groups and those in the comparison groups. Despite the widespread use of NSAID in the treatment of claw horn lameness, there is a lack of studies of NSAID association with LS, nociceptive thresholds, or lying times. The limited evidence is consistent with no association with NSAID use and those parameters, but comparability across studies was limited by heterogeneity.

Pathways to inclusive and equitable quality early childhood education for achieving SDG4 goal—a scoping review

According to Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 (SDG 4.2), Equal Access to Quality Pre-primary Education, governments throughout the world are working to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education by 2030. In order to organize available evidence into a coherent framework, the current scoping review represents an exploratory synthesis addressing the broad question of what qualitative and inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care strategies are currently being established globally to achieve SDG4 targets. The goal of this scoping review in this respect, was to map the available research and offer an overview of micro-, meso-, and macro-level perspectives on evidence-based interventions and strategies, for the promotion of SDG4 globally. A layered model of early childhood education that is both inclusive and egalitarian education emerged, starting with the micro level: child, family and community, mezo level: nursery, and kindergarten and macro level: national policies and SDG 4.2 Agenda for 2030. The mezzo level connects the micro and macro levels, being the most solicited level of implementing inclusive and qualitative ECEC strategies. Thus, starting with putting a real emphasis on children rights, creating a qualitative and inclusive culture with a holistic understanding of child development, then investing in teacher preparation and instilling a strong belief and positive attitudes toward equity in early childhood services, developing inclusive educational policies with an authentic community support offered by all stakeholders, then adapting curriculum and assessment methods to all early childhood educational contexts and lastly piloting and up-scaling good practices, and investing in infrastructure, facilities and innovative educational services, SDG4.2 targets could transparently and efficiently be attained by 2030, with all the setbacks arisen from the pandemic context. The data provide light on a vast topic range, including human rights and values, policy actions, and ideologies. The micro-level themes emphasized the importance of fostering equitable and inclusive environments for children., as well as instructional approaches that encourage positive attitudes toward diversity and instructors' levels of experience in dealing with diversity. We also discovered the significance of creating chances that promote socialization, connection development, and a sense of belonging. Meso-level principles emphasized the relevance of schooling in a child's holistic development and skill acquisition. Mainstream availability for all children, national curriculum regulations, teacher preparation for inclusive early childhood education, excellent funding and governance, evaluation and monitoring, and research on inclusive early childhood education comprise the macro level. As a concept and an approach, inclusive and qualitative education necessitates the preparedness of all relevant educational components to participate. Providing inclusive education in the early years requires setting the foundation for subsequent levels of schooling. The active engagement of a young kid should be directed by developmentally and individually suitable curricula. Access to and participation in age-appropriate general curricula becomes critical in identifying and providing specialized support services. Inclusive programming does not imply that the educational programs will necessarily be of good quality. Efficiency and wellbeing are synonymous with equity. Equitable education investment benefits everyone in society, not just the most marginalized. Investing in education will help communities achieve all of the Sustainable Development Goals related to education.

A scoping review of factors potentially linked with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from turkeys (iAM.AMR Project)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex problem that is a threat to global public health. Consumption of turkey meat may be an important source of foodborne exposure to resistant bacteria; recent outbreaks of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella Reading in Canada and the USA have implicated raw turkey products. To better understand the epidemiology of AMR in farmed turkey production, a scoping review was conducted. The objectives were to identify (1) modifiable factors potentially associated with antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica along the farm-to-fork pathway in turkeys, and (2) data gaps with respect to factors potentially associated with AMR and Canadian commercial turkey production. A comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted in 2019 and updated in 2021. Thirteen references were included, reporting 36 factors. Antimicrobial use factors and their potential associations with AMR were most frequently reported (n = 15 factors; 42%), followed by biosecurity (n = 11; 31%) and management practices (n = 10; 28%). This review revealed important data gaps; no factors pertaining to S. enterica or to stages other than the farm (e.g. abattoir, retail) were identified, and only one Canadian reference was identified. These findings will inform priorities for future research and surveillance regarding turkeys and AMR.

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass assessment in dogs: a scoping literature review

BACKGROUND

Monitoring changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass is frequently used as a surrogate marker for limb function. The primary objective of this study was to review scientific information related to the assessment of appendicular skeletal muscle mass in dogs. The secondary objective was to develop practical recommendations for serial evaluation of muscle mass.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted with a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, CAB abstract, and Cochrane from inception to June 2021. The following modalities were included in the search: limb circumference, diagnostic ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

A total of 62 articles that measured appendicular skeletal muscle mass in dogs were identified. Limb circumference (55 articles) was the most commonly used modality. Its reliability was investigated in five studies. Several factors, including measuring tape type, body position, joint angles, and the presence of hair coat, were reported as variables that can affect measurements. Diagnostic ultrasound (five articles) was validated in three articles, but there is scarce information about observer reliability and variables affecting the measurement. Computed tomography (four articles) and magnetic resonance imaging (one article) have been used to validate other modalities at a single time point rather than as a clinical tool for serial muscle mass monitoring. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (two articles) has been used to quantify specific skeletal muscle mass but was mainly used to evaluate body composition in dogs.

CONCLUSION

Limb circumference and ultrasound are likely the main modalities that will continue to be used for serial muscle mass measurement in the clinical setting unless a new technology is developed. The reliability of limb circumference is questionable. Several key factors, including measuring tape type, body position, joint angles, and coat clipping, need to be controlled to improve the reliability of limb circumference measurements. Ultrasound may provide a reasonable alternative, but further studies are required to evaluate the reliability of this modality and identify factors that influence ultrasound measurements.

Levels of Evidence, Quality Assessment, and Risk of Bias: Evaluating the Internal Validity of Primary Research

Clinical decisions in human and veterinary medicine should be based on the best available evidence. The results of primary research are an important component of that evidence base. Regardless of whether assessing studies for clinical case management, developing clinical practice guidelines, or performing systematic reviews, evidence from primary research should be evaluated for internal validity i.e., whether the results are free from bias (reflect the truth). Three broad approaches to evaluating internal validity are available: evaluating the potential for bias in a body of literature based on the study designs employed (levels of evidence), evaluating whether key study design features associated with the potential for bias were employed (quality assessment), and applying a judgement as to whether design elements of a study were likely to result in biased results given the specific context of the study (risk of bias assessment). The level of evidence framework for assessing internal validity assumes that internal validity can be determined based on the study design alone, and thus makes the strongest assumptions. Risk of bias assessments involve an evaluation of the potential for bias in the context of a specific study, and thus involve the least assumptions about internal validity. Quality assessment sits somewhere between the assumptions of these two. Because risk of bias assessment involves the least assumptions, this approach should be used to assess internal validity where possible. However, risk of bias instruments are not available for all study designs, some clinical questions may be addressed using multiple study designs, and some instruments that include an evaluation of internal validity also include additional components (e.g., evaluation of comprehensiveness of reporting, assessments of feasibility or an evaluation of external validity). Therefore, it may be necessary to embed questions related to risk of bias within existing quality assessment instruments. In this article, we overview the approaches to evaluating internal validity, highlight the current complexities, and propose ideas for approaching assessments of internal validity.

From Soundwave to Soundscape: A Guide to Acoustic Research in Captive Animal Environments

Sound is a complex feature of all environments, but captive animals' soundscapes (acoustic scenes) have been studied far less than those of wild animals. Furthermore, research across farms, laboratories, pet shelters, and zoos tends to focus on just one aspect of environmental sound measurement: its pressure level or intensity (in decibels). We review the state of the art of captive animal acoustic research and contrast this to the wild, highlighting new opportunities for the former to learn from the latter. We begin with a primer on sound, aimed at captive researchers and animal caregivers with an interest (rather than specific expertise) in acoustics. Then, we summarize animal acoustic research broadly split into measuring sound from animals, or their environment. We guide readers from soundwave to soundscape and through the burgeoning field of conservation technology, which offers new methods to capture multiple features of complex, gestalt soundscapes. Our review ends with suggestions for future research, and a practical guide to sound measurement in captive environments.

Use of cannabis in the treatment of animals: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Cannabis is used in the treatment of several human conditions; however, its use is still less explored in veterinary medicine. This systematic review aims to summarize the evidence of efficacy and safety of the use of cannabis for the treatment of animal disease. A literature search was performed for studies published until 16 March 2021 in five databases. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the efficacy or safety of cannabis in the treatment of animal disease were included. The RoB 2 Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. A total of 2427 records were identified, of which six studies fully met the eligibility criteria. RCTs were conducted in dogs with osteoarthritis (n = 4), with epilepsy (n = 1), and with behavioral disorders (n = 1). All studies used cannabidiol (CBD) oil in monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. Studies used CBD at 2 or 2.5 mg kg^-1 twice daily (n = 4), orally (n = 5), during 4 or 6 weeks (n = 3), and compared CBD with placebo (n = 5). CBD significantly reduced pain and increased activity in dogs with osteoarthritis (n = 3). Moreover, CBD significantly reduced the frequency of seizures in dogs with epilepsy (n = 1) and the aggressive behavior of dogs (n = 1). Although promising results were identified, studies were heterogeneous and presented risks of bias that required caution in the interpretation of findings. Therefore, there was some evidence to support the use of CBD in dogs with osteoarthritis to reduce pain and increased activity, but limited evidence against epilepsy and behavioral problems. In addition, CBD was well tolerated with mild adverse effects. More RCTs with high quality of evidence are needed, including greater numbers of animal subjects, additional species, and clear readout measures to confirm these findings.

A systematic review on urolithiasis in small ruminants according to nutrition-dependent prevalence and outcome after surgery

Background and Aim:

Obstructive urolithiasis is a common disease in small ruminants with fatal outcomes if left untreated. Many methods have been established; however, long-term success rates remain unsatisfactory. Four bibliographic databases (PubMed, HeBis, Medline (OvidSP), and Web of Science) were searched to evaluate the prevalence of urolithiasis in small ruminants and long-term outcomes after surgery using a systematic review. The study aimed to give evidence-based data concerning prevalence and success rates after surgery.

Materials and Methods:

The analysis included 24 (total 239) peer-reviewed journal articles dealing with the prevalence of urolithiasis and 16 (total 39) concerning long-term outcomes after surgery. Literature was included if it referred to species, language, availability, and relevant statements to the specific questions, including the presence of control groups. Heterogeneity tests included Χ², I², and τ², respectively. A 95% confidence interval was determined, and effects were estimated using the fixed effect model. Due to a feeding-associated bias, prevalence analysis was conducted for a sorghum-based and a corn-based feeding resulting in a weighted prevalence of 62% and 17%, respectively. Analysis of long-term outcomes after surgical interventions revealed long-term success rates of 15-77% after ultrasonographic tube cystotomy and marsupialization of the urinary bladder, respectively.

Results:

The prevalence of urolithiasis is strongly associated with feeding and may be calculated as 17% in corn-based rations and 62% in sorghum-based rations. Surgical interventions result in guarded to moderate long-term success rates of 15-66%. Urethral stoma and marsupialization of the bladder provide acceptable long-term success rates with 71-77% but are rather salvage techniques than accepted surgical methods, especially when used in companion animals.

Conclusion:

The development of urolithiasis is mainly influenced by nutrition. Effective prophylaxis of this disease should, therefore, always include advisory service for the owners. Existing surgical techniques should be critically re-evaluated concerning their long-term success rates.

Milk proteins as mastitis markers in dairy ruminants - a systematic review

Mastitis is one of the most impacting diseases in dairy farming, and its sensitive and specific detection is therefore of the greatest importance. The clinical evaluation of udder and mammary secretions is typically combined with the milk Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and often accompanied by its bacteriological culture to identify the causative microorganism. In a constant search for improvement, several non-enzymatic milk proteins, including milk amyloid A (M-SAA), haptoglobin (HP), cathelicidin (CATH), and lactoferrin (LF), have been investigated as alternative biomarkers of mastitis for their relationship with mammary gland inflammation, and immunoassay techniques have been developed for detection with varying degrees of success. To provide a general overview of their implementation in the different dairy species, we carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Our review question falls within the type “Diagnostic test accuracy questions” and aims at answering the diagnostic question: “Which are the diagnostic performances of mastitis protein biomarkers investigated by immunoassays in ruminant milk?”. Based on 13 keywords combined into 42 searches, 523 manuscripts were extracted from three scientific databases. Of these, 33 passed the duplicate removal, title, abstract, and full-text screening for conformity to the review question and document type: 78.8% investigated cows, 12.1% sheep, 9.1% goats, and 6.1% buffaloes (some included more than one dairy species). The most frequently mentioned protein was M-SAA (48.5%), followed by HP (27.3%), CATH (24.2%) and LF (21.2%). However, the large amount of heterogeneity among studies in terms of animal selection criteria (45.5%), index test (87.9%), and standard reference test (27.3%) resulted in a collection of data not amenable to meta-analysis, a common finding illustrating how important it is for case definitions and other criteria to be standardized between studies. Therefore, results are presented according to the SWiM (Synthesis Without Meta-analysis) guidelines. We summarize the main findings reported in the 33 selected articles for the different markers and report their results in form of comparative tables including sample selection criteria, marker values, and diagnostic performances, where available. Finally, we report the study limitations and bias assessment findings.

Effects of Selective Dry Cow Treatment on Intramammary Infection Risk after Calving, Cure Risk during the Dry Period, and Antibiotic Use at Drying-Off: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Literature (2000-2021)

The objectives of this paper were (i) to perform a systematic review of the literature over the last 21 yr and (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of selective dry cow treatment (SDCT) vs. blanket dry cow treatment (BDCT) in dairy cows regarding the risk of intramammary infection (IMI) after calving, new IMI risk after calving, cure risk during the dry period, and a reduction in antibiotic use at drying-off by meta-analysis. The systematic search was carried out using the databases PubMed, CAB Direct, and ScienceDirect. A meta-analytical assessment was performed for each outcome of interest using random-effects models, and the relative risk (RR) for IMI and cure or the pooled proportion for antibiotic use was calculated. The final number of included studies was n = 3 for IMI risk after calving and n = 5 for new IMI risk after calving, cure risk during the dry period, and antibiotic use. The RR levels for IMI (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 0.94-1.11; p = 0.592), new IMI (RR, 95% CI: 1.06, 0.94-1.20; p = 0.994), and cure (RR, 95% CI: 1.00, 0.97-1.02; p = 0.661) did not differ significantly between SDCT and BDCT. Substantial heterogeneity was observed between the trials regarding the pooled proportion of antibiotic use within the SDCT groups (I2 = 97.7%; p < 0.001). This meta-analysis provides evidence that SDCT seems to be an adequate alternative to BDCT regarding udder health with a simultaneous reduction in antibiotic use. Limitations might arise because of the small number of studies included.

Salmonella in Animal Feeds: A Scoping Review

The objective of this study was to describe the volume and nature of published literature on Salmonella in animal feeds using a formal scoping review methodology. A structured search followed by eligibility screening resulted in the identification of 547 relevant studies, encompassing studies conducted in the fields in which animal feeds are grown (15 studies), the manufacturing sector (106), during transportation (11), in the retail sector (15), and on-farm (226), with the sector not described for 204 studies. The most common study purposes were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella in animal feeds (372 studies) and to identify serovars (195). The serovars that were found in animal feeds included serovars associated with human illness, with animal illness, and with serovars identified in food (livestock and poultry) intended for human consumption. There were 120 intervention studies and 83 studies conducted to evaluate potential risk factors. Within intervention and risk factor studies, there may be sufficient depth to warrant synthesis research in the areas of heat interventions, fermentation and ensiling, organic acids, season, and geographic region. Some deficiencies were identified in the completeness of reporting of key features in the relevant studies.

Effect of virtual water trade on freshwater pollution in trading partners: a systematic literature review

Systematic reviews are a more complete, repeatable, and less biased form of literature reviews leading to evidence-based conclusions. A systematic review was conducted on articles that have investigated the trade of virtual gray water (VGW) and its effect on freshwater pollution in importer and exporter partners. Scopus and ScienceDirect databases were searched for journal articles covering VGW trade on global, international, and national scales. The relevant articles then were selected and using snowball approach led to more relevant articles. Then, the required data were extracted and recorded. A total of 34 articles met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 articles studied VGW trade on a national scale, 13 on an international scale, and the rest on a global scale. The present study developed a critical appraisal tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the included articles. The results of the critical appraisal showed that none of the included articles can undergo quantitative synthesis. Research gaps regarding VGW trade were observed in the water-scarce developing countries that need to be covered. One of the policy implications to reduce pollution impacts on water bodies would be agricultural and industrial reforms by VGW exporters. Besides, changes in economic structure in both sides of the trade, and goods or water consumption patterns, especially by VGW importers, can also play an important role in water resource conservation. Therefore, international and multi-stockholder cooperation should be taken to alleviate the environmental impacts of the VGW trade.

A scoping review of the current evidence on treatment and outcomes following synovial sepsis

BACKGROUND

Synovial sepsis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments, persistent infection or chronic lameness can occur.

OBJECTIVES

To perform a scoping review to identify and evaluate the current evidence on the factors implicated in the success of treatment for synovial sepsis.

STUDY DESIGN

Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review.

METHODS

A protocol was registered, and a systematic literature search was performed on CAB abstracts, Medline, Scopus and Embase. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed and studies systematically reviewed against this. Studies relating to factors affecting treatment success following synovial sepsis were retained and data was extracted on study method, population characteristics and factors significantly associated with treatment outcome.

RESULTS

In total, 2338 studies were identified, and 61 were included to full paper analysis. Eight papers reported significant factors, identifying 15 risk factors associated with two measurements of outcome, either survival and/or return to athletic function. The 15 factors were identified and categorised into pre-, intra- and post-operative factors. Risk factors that were identified included the number or type of synovial structures involved, the presence of pannus, tendon and bone pathology, and the use of systemic antimicrobials. There were many discrepancies in inclusion criteria of cases of synovial sepsis as well as measurement and description of outcome variables.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Non-English language studies or conference proceedings were not included. Only small numbers of papers had similar findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardisation of inclusion criteria is essential to enable comparisons and analysis between studies on synovial sepsis. Future studies should use methodologies to reduce bias including multicentre and multinational studies, prospective study design and robust statistical modelling.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in ruminants in Ukraine: a 5-year meta-analysis

The production of environmentally friendly livestock products is currently receiving much attention, especially in the European Union. The problem of monitoring the quality and safety of meat and milk in modern conditions is relevant not only for Ukraine but also for the world community. The scientific substantiation of the methods of research on meat for sale subject to invasive diseases is especially important, as the product may pose risks to the consumer. One of the criteria for assessing the welfare of a herd is the prevalence of helminthiases in cattle. Ruminant parasitoses in Ukraine have always been and remain a separate, often significant, problem for veterinary specialists. Helminths have evolved to use a wide range of ecological niches. In this study, we tried to quantify the prevalence of helminthiases among ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) in Ukraine. The relevant studies were searched for in the online databases. The meta-analysis included 15 publications from January 2015 to December 2020 which reported the spread of parasites in Ukraine. The research results show that the infestation of ruminants with gastrointestinal helminths on the territory of Ukraine is 56.7%. Egger’s regression test revealed no significant publication bias. During the period of pastured farming, stable parasitocenoses are formed in the body of ruminants. The parasitoses are caused by helminths (gastrointestinal strongyles, liver flukes, paramphistomas, dicrocelia). They are recorded in monoinvasions or mixed invasions. Ruminants, according to helminthological examination in different climatic zones, are constantly infested with trematodes. In Ukraine, the presence of three species of flukes has been confirmed in ruminants: Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomum cervi. Parasitization by those species negatively affects the profitability of dairy farming. Trematodes cause significant economic losses: reduced milk productivity of cows, reduced live weight gain of young animals, negative impact on reproduction. At the same time, fascioliasis is socially significant and dangerous to humans. According to the analyzed literature sources, two types of cestodes have been registered in Ukraine: Moniezia benedeni and M. expansa. The epizootic situation regarding nematodes is just as fraught. That is the most numerous group of helminths, their fauna is represented by the following species: Strongyloides papillosus, Nematodirus spathiger, Bunostomum spp., Oesophagostomum radiatum, Haemonchus contortus, Toxocara vitulorum, Trichuris skrjabini, T. ovis and T. globulosa. It is proven that in cattle parasitocenoses are recorded more often than monoinvasions. The highest rates of prevalence of infection were observed when polyinvasion included gastrointestinal strongyles, namely from the order Strongylida. Strongyloides papillosus is the most common taxonomic representative, while Fasciola hepatica has the lowest prevalence of infection, especially in sheep. Updated data on helminthiasis will expand the screening strategy to maintain the health of farm ruminants and reduce economic losses.

Sedentary behaviour research in adults: A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Sedentary behaviour research is rapidly growing. Scoping reviews are important to inform policy and practice.The aim of this scoping a review was to map the available evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of sedentary behaviour research on adults (≥18 years), within the phases of the behavioural epidemiology framework, and to identify bibliometric parameters of studies included in this review. Nine bibliographic databases were searched. Studies were screened and relevant information (e.g., general information, inclusion criteria, findings and reporting quality) was extracted independently by two authors. In total, 108 systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of sedentary behaviour research in adults (≥18 years) were included. Most papers (91.7%) were published between 2010 and 2020. Studies on the relationship of sedentary behaviour with health (53.7%) and interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour (25.9%) were most common. Forty-five (41.7%) studies reported quality assessment with categorization, and 887 out of 1268 (70%) included primary studies were categorized having moderate-to-high quality. Sedentary behaviour research on adults (≥18 years) has grown exponentially in the last decade and demonstrates strength in several stages of the behavioural epidemiology framework. However, more research should focus on the measurement, prevalence/epidemiology and determinants of sedentary behaviour, to better inform policy development.

Construction of a conceptual framework for assessment of health-related quality of life in calves with respiratory disease

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting beef and dairy calves worldwide, with implications for lifetime productivity, antimicrobial use and animal welfare. Our objective was to construct a conceptual framework for assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in calves with respiratory disease, based on indicators suitable for direct pen-side visual observation. Health-related quality of life measures aim to evaluate the subjective experience of the animal rather than any related pathology. A conceptual framework graphically represents the concepts to be measured and the potential relationships between them. A multistage, mixed method approach involving diverse data sources, collection methods and stakeholders was applied to promote comprehensiveness, understanding and validity of findings. A scoping review was conducted to identify, characterize and collate evidence of behavioural indicators of BRD. The indicators identified were mapped against the principal attributes of five prominent animal welfare assessment frameworks to appraise their correspondence with different characterizations of the dimensions of welfare. Forty-two semi-structured, individual, qualitative interviews with a purposeful sample of experienced veterinarians and stockpersons from UK, USA and Canada elicited in-depth descriptions of the visual observations of HRQL they make in diagnosing and assessing the response to treatment of calves with BRD. Verbatim interview transcripts were examined using inductive thematic analysis. Respondents provided insights and understanding of indicators of HRQL in BRD such as interaction with feed source, hair coat condition, specific characteristics of eye appearance, eye contact, rumen fill and stretching (pandiculation). In an on-farm pilot study to assess the value of potential HRQL behavioural indicators, there was a moderate positive correlation between behaviour and clinical scores (r_s = 0.59) across the 5 days preceding veterinary treatment for BRD. Interestingly, the behaviours evaluated were observed a median of 1.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-3.5) days before clinical indicators used in the scoring system. The proposed conceptual framework for assessment of HRQL features 23 putative indicators of HRQL distributed across two interrelated domains - clinical signs and behavioural expressions of emotional well-being. It has potential applications to inform the development of new HRQL measures such as structured questionnaires and automated sensor technologies.

A Scoping Review of the Evidence for the Medicinal Use of Natural Honey in Animals

Honey has a history of medicinal use that predates written records. In recent decades, there has been renewed interest in the use of honey in human medicine, particularly for the treatment of burns and other wounds. Several recent systematic reviews in the human literature have demonstrated the efficacy of honey in the treatment of a number of conditions, including burns, wounds and oral mucositis. The goal of this scoping review was to describe the nature and extent of the current body of evidence addressing the medicinal use of natural honey and/or its derivatives in animals. Although the focus of this review was the veterinary literature, all animal species except insects and humans were eligible, including animals used for biomedical research. Electronic databases searched were MEDLINE, CAB Abstracts, AGRICOLA, Web of Science Core Collection, and Web of Science SciELO Citation Index. A total of 397 articles reporting 436 primary research studies were included in this review. The majority of the articles were biomedical research articles (n = 350); fewer veterinary research articles were identified (n = 47). Apart from one systematic review, all biomedical studies were challenge trials. Most veterinary studies were case reports/series (n = 23), followed by challenge trials (n = 18) and controlled trials (n = 8). The animal species examined within veterinary articles consisted primarily of dogs, horses, cats and cattle, whereas the majority of biomedical research articles examined rats and mice. Wound healing was the most common indication examined; other indications examined included the prevention or treatment of gastric ulcers, bacterial and parasitic infections, toxic exposures, metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes) and neoplasia. The majority of interventions consisted of non-medical grade honey (n = 412/436), followed by medical-grade honey (n = 29/436) and derivatives of natural honey (n = 9/436). With much of the current veterinary literature consisting of case reports and case series, high-quality primary veterinary research in the form of controlled trials or challenge trials is needed to advance this field, as well as to provide sound data for evidence-based assessments of the efficacy of honey in clinical veterinary practise.