scholarly journals Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research—Description of the Checklist Development

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Stock-Schröer ◽  
H. Albrecht ◽  
L. Betti ◽  
G. Dobos ◽  
C. Endler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basic Research ◽  
Delphi Process ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Consensus Conferences ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Replication Quality ◽  
Criteria Catalogue

The objective of this study was to develop a criteria catalogue serving as a guideline for authors to improve quality of reporting experiments in basic research in homeopathy. A Delphi Process was initiated including three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences. European researchers who published experimental work within the last 5 years were involved. A checklist for authors provide a catalogue with 23 criteria. The “Introduction” should focus on underlying hypotheses, the homeopathic principle investigated and state if experiments are exploratory or confirmatory. “Materials and methods” should comprise information on object of investigation, experimental setup, parameters, intervention and statistical methods. A more detailed description on the homeopathic substances, for example, manufacture, dilution method, starting point of dilution is required. A further result of the Delphi process is to raise scientists' awareness of reporting blinding, allocation, replication, quality control and system performance controls. The part “Results” should provide the exact number of treated units per setting which were included in each analysis and state missing samples and drop outs. Results presented in tables and figures are as important as appropriate measures of effect size, uncertainty and probability. “Discussion” in a report should depict more than a general interpretation of results in the context of current evidence but also limitations and an appraisal of aptitude for the chosen experimental model. Authors of homeopathic basic research publications are encouraged to apply our checklist when preparing their manuscripts. Feedback is encouraged on applicability, strength and limitations of the list to enable future revisions.

REHBaR: a Publication Guideline for Homeopathic Basic Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 157-158
Author(s):  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Beate Stock-Schröer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Delphi Process ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
High Standards

Background: Specific efficacy of homeopathically prepared substances in high dilution levels is controversial due to the comparably low number of randomized controlled clinical trials and due to the low concentrations of the substances potentised. No generally accepted theoretical model is currently available to explain specific effects of such preparations. In order to unequivocally demonstrate any such effects, experimental research has to meet very high standards. Aims: Objective was to compile guidelines for homeopathic basic research regarding experimental design, implementation, execution, evaluation and publication. Methods: A Delphi Process was conducted, involving European researchers who published experimental work within the last five years. The Delphi process included a total of five rounds, three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences [1]. Eligible criteria were collected from existing publications concerned with the quality of homeopathic basic research. In advance a short questionnaire was sent to a selection of research institutes in Germany active in non-homeopathic basic research. Results: Regarding experimental design, the most important points to consider are: randomized and coded (blinded) allocation of the treatments, several independent experiments (including independent production lots), potentised or succussed controls, positive controls (to control reactivity of the system) and systematic negative control experiments to document test system stability and adequacy of the statistical evaluation [1–4]. A detailed publication guideline for authors was developed. REHBaR (Reporting experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research) provides a checklist of 23 items, supplemented with detailed examples [4]. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses should be given in the part ‘introduction’. Special emphasis is put on the ‘materials and methods’ section, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation, blinding, and statistical methods is required. The section ‘results’ should present sufficient details on analyzed data, descriptive as well as inferential. Authors should discuss their results and give an interpretation in the context of current evidence. Conclusions: Guidelines how to prepare detailed and informative publications are very common in clinical research [5]. To the best to our knowledge REHBaR is the first guideline to be applied by authors when preparing their manuscripts and to be used by scientific journals in the reviewing process in the field of homeopathic basic research. Furthermore the REHBaR guideline can be helpful for planning and conducting experiments as it includes fundamental qualitative standards. To which extent REHBAR can be used also as an instrument to evaluate the quality of a publication will be discussed.

scholarly journals Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with aircraft travel: a systematic review (Version 1)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Cecilia Rosca ◽  
Carl Heneghan ◽  
Elizabeth A Spencer ◽  
Jon Brassey ◽  
Annette Pluddemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Respiratory Virus Infections

Background: Air travel may be associated with the spread of viruses via infected passengers and potentially through in-flight transmission. Given the novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, transmission associated with air travel is based on what is known about the dynamics of transmission of other respiratory virus infections, especially those due to other coronaviruses and influenza. Our objective was to provide a rapid summary and evaluation of relevant data on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 aboard aircraft, report important policy implications, and highlight research gaps requiring urgent attention. Methods: This review is part of an Open Evidence Review on Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. We searched LitCovid, medRxiv, Google Scholar, and the WHO Covid-19 database from 1 February 2020 to 27 January 2021 and included studies on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 aboard aircraft. We assessed study quality based on five criteria and reported important findings. Results: We included 18 studies on in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2, representing 130 unique flights and two studies on wastewater from aircraft. The overall quality of reporting was low. Two wastewater studies reported PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, but with relatively high Cycle threshold values ranging from 36 to 40. The definition of an index case was very heterogeneous across the studies. The proportion of contacts traced ranged from 0.68% to 100%. In total, the authors successfully traced 2800/19729 passengers, 140/180 crew members, and 8/8 medical staff. Altogether, 273 index cases were reported, with 64 secondary cases. No secondary cases were reported in three studies, each investigating one flight. The secondary attack rate among the studies that followed up >80% of the passengers and crew (including data on 10 flights) varied between 0% and 8.2%. The included studies reported on the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and symptomatic individuals. Viral cultures were performed in two studies, with 10 positive results reported. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed in individuals from four flights, with the completeness of genomic similarity ranging from 81-100%. Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted during aircraft travel, but the published data do not permit any conclusive assessment of the likelihood and extent. Furthermore, the quality of evidence from most published studies is low. The variation in study design and methodology restricts the comparison of findings across studies. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting future studies of transmission on aircrafts should be developed.

scholarly journals Critical Appraisal on the Quality of Reporting on Safety and Efficacy of Transcarotid Artery Stenting With Flow Reversal

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 2863-2871
Author(s):  
Andreia Coelho ◽  
Tossapol Prassaparo ◽  
Armando Mansilha ◽  
Jaap Kappelle ◽  
Ross Naylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
True Value ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Periprocedural Stroke

Transcarotid revascularization is an alternative to transfemoral carotid artery stenting, designed to avoid aortic arch manipulation and concomitant periprocedural stroke. This article aims to perform a detailed analysis on the quality of the currently available evidence on safety and efficacy of transcarotid artery revascularization. Although current evidence is promising, independent randomized controlled studies comparing transcarotid artery revascularization with carotid endarterectomy in recently symptomatic patients are lacking and will be necessary to establish the true value of transcarotid artery revascularization in carotid artery revascularization.

scholarly journals Digital health tools for the passive monitoring of depression: a systematic review of methods

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria De Angel ◽  
Serena Lewis ◽  
Katie White ◽  
Carolin Oetzmann ◽  
Daniel Leightley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Digital Signals ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

AbstractThe use of digital tools to measure physiological and behavioural variables of potential relevance to mental health is a growing field sitting at the intersection between computer science, engineering, and clinical science. We summarised the literature on remote measuring technologies, mapping methodological challenges and threats to reproducibility, and identified leading digital signals for depression. Medical and computer science databases were searched between January 2007 and November 2019. Published studies linking depression and objective behavioural data obtained from smartphone and wearable device sensors in adults with unipolar depression and healthy subjects were included. A descriptive approach was taken to synthesise study methodologies. We included 51 studies and found threats to reproducibility and transparency arising from failure to provide comprehensive descriptions of recruitment strategies, sample information, feature construction and the determination and handling of missing data. The literature is characterised by small sample sizes, short follow-up duration and great variability in the quality of reporting, limiting the interpretability of pooled results. Bivariate analyses show consistency in statistically significant associations between depression and digital features from sleep, physical activity, location, and phone use data. Machine learning models found the predictive value of aggregated features. Given the pitfalls in the combined literature, these results should be taken purely as a starting point for hypothesis generation. Since this research is ultimately aimed at informing clinical practice, we recommend improvements in reporting standards including consideration of generalisability and reproducibility, such as wider diversity of samples, thorough reporting methodology and the reporting of potential bias in studies with numerous features.

scholarly journals Research Priorities and Indicators for Lifestyle Programs to Address Cardiometabolic Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Brauer ◽  
Sophie Desroches ◽  
Rupinder Dhaliwal ◽  
Airu Li ◽  
Yiran Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Implementation Research ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Delphi Process ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Lifestyle Interventions ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background: Cardiometabolic conditions are a major and growing health burden in many countries. At least one-third of middle-aged adults with overweight and obesity develop various combinations of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and other cardiometabolic conditions. Currently, all relevant clinical and community guidelines recommend lifestyle (e.g. diet and physical activity) interventions, yet current evidence suggests limited and variable uptake by either primary care or public health services. New implementation research in lifestyle interventions is needed in multiple jurisdictions. As part of this effort, some agreement within the research community on priorities and core measures and indicators across studies would improve comparability and drive progress. Members of a new volunteer network undertook a first Delphi process to determine initial consensus.Methods: Network members were invited by email to participate and completed two rounds of a modified Delphi process delivered through online questionnaire and teleconferences. Results were sent back to participants at the end of each round of the survey. High priority with consensus was defined as the median and 25-75%ile range within the 7 to 9 range on a 9-point scale. Results: Fifty-three people were invited and provided with a link to the first questionnaire. Twenty-five (47%) and 18 (34%) participants completed the round 1 and round 2 surveys, respectively. Of 22 possible research priorities, four were rated high priority with consensus, including: evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions in place, improving existing interventions for sustainability, and clinical and public health research to advance existing knowledge to develop new capacities. Of the 93 measures and indicators proposed, 15 achieved consensus with an additional nine measures having high medians, but greater variance.Conclusions: This first effort suggests a wide range of research priorities within the group, but also broad agreement on a few core implementation research priorities. There is currently limited agreement on core indicators/measures for implementation studies and additional work is needed. The results provide a starting point for further development of common measures for implementation research in lifestyle interventions for cardiometabolic conditions.

Application of membrane technology in the pretreatment of cheese dairies wastes and co-treatment in a municipal conventional biological unit

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleftheria Papachristou ◽  
Costas T. Lafazanis
Keyword(s):  
Cheese Whey ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Membrane Technology ◽  
Biological Unit ◽  
Urban Sewage ◽  
Dairy Wastes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Quality Of Milk ◽  
Cheese Production

A great number of cheese dairies and dairy industries in Greece are disposing their wastes, mainly cheese whey, either on land or in surface receivers, in large quantities creating a major environmental problem. A typical agricultural and pastoral provincial town of 70,000 inhabitants, Trikala, became the starting point of this research. A co-treatment of the urban sewage and the dairy wastes in the municipal treatment plant was recommended. The successful application of the above statement is based primarily on the pretreatment of the cheese dairies wastes. So far for cheese whey the recovery of the lactose serum in the contemporary central unit applying membrane technology has been suggested. As far as the wastewaters of the washing and refrigeration are concerned a pretreatment is required for the defatting in a grease trap, the grating, the adjustment of pH and the equalisation in an appropriate tank. Finally, this research has also focussed on the importance of membrane technology in improving the quality of milk and cheese production.

Integrated Biomarkers for Depression in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Critical Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Wenzler ◽  
Christian Knochel ◽  
Ceylan Balaban ◽  
Dominik Kraft ◽  
Juliane Kopf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Affect Regulation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Manifestation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Control Functional

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric manifestation among Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. It may compromise everyday activities and lead to a faster cognitive decline as well as worse quality of life. The identification of promising biomarkers may therefore help to timely initiate and improve the treatment of preclinical and clinical states of AD, and to improve the long-term functional outcome. In this narrative review, we report studies that investigated biomarkers for AD-related depression. Genetic findings state AD-related depression as a rather complex, multifactorial trait with relevant environmental and inherited contributors. However, one specific set of genes, the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), specifically the Val66Met polymorphism, may play a crucial role in AD-related depression. Regarding neuroimaging markers, the most promising findings reveal structural impairments in the cortico-subcortical networks that are related to affect regulation and reward / aversion control. Functional imaging studies reveal abnormalities in predominantly frontal and temporal regions. Furthermore, CSF based biomarkers are seen as potentially promising for the diagnostic process showing abnormalities in metabolic pathways that contribute to AD-related depression. However, there is a need for standardization of methodological issues and for replication of current evidence with larger cohorts and prospective studies.

PENERAPAN PEMBELAJARAN METODE DISKUSI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS BELAJAR SISWA PADA PEMBELAJARAN IPS TERPADU DI KELAS VIII.B SMP NEGERI 5 KOTA SOLOK

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Erma Yenis
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Good Teaching ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Class Viii

Abstractlearning process  good teaching  can create a situation that allows children to learn, so that is the starting point of the success of teaching. The low quality of education depends on the management of the teaching and learning process which can be interpreted as being less effective in the teaching and learning process, the causes: (1) Low learning activities, (2) Inadequate facilities and infrastructure. The case in Solok City Middle School, the low level of student learning activities allegedly influenced the low student learning outcomes. Based on observations on class VIII A which included the superior class had not yet achieved the desired completeness, the class with the least completeness was class VIII B which was 33.33% with KKM 65 criteria. Seeing this reality, teachers were required to motivate students and foster enthusiasm student learning. Therefore, to foster students' enthusiasm for learning, the author tries to apply student learning activities through discussion methods in small groups.Keywords: Learning, discussion AbstrakProses belajar mengajar yang baik dapat menciptakan situasi yang mmemungkinkan anak belajar, sehingga merupakan titik awal keberhasilan pengajaran. Rendahnya mutu pendidikan tergantung pada pengelolaan proses belajar mengajar yang dapat diartikan kurang efektifnya proses belajar mengajar, penyebabnya: (1) Rendahnya aktifitas belajar,  (2) Sarana dan prasarana yang belum memadai. Kasus pada SMP Negeri % Kota Solok rendahnya aktifitas belajar siswa diduga berpengaruh terhadap rendahnya hasil belajar siswa. Berdasarkan pengamatanpada  kelas VIII A yang termasuk kelas unggul belum mencapai ketuntasan yang di inginkan, sedangkan kelas yang paling sedikit ketuntasannya adalah kelas VIII B yaitu sebanyak 33,33 % dengan kriterian KKM 65. Melihat kenyataan tersebut, guru dituntut untuk dapat memotivasi siswa dan menumbuhkan semangat belajar siswa. Karena itu, untuk menumbuhkan semangat belajar siswa, penulis mencoba untuk menerapkan aktivitas belajar siswa melalui metode diskusi dalam kelompok kecil. Kata kunci: Pembelajaran, diskusi

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Lumbar Degenerative Spine Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 773
Author(s):  
Wei-Ting Wu ◽  
Tsung-Min Lee ◽  
Der-Sheng Han ◽  
Ke-Vin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Degenerative Spine ◽  
Degenerative Spine Disease ◽  
Spine Disease

The association of sarcopenia with poor clinical outcomes has been identified in various medical conditions, although there is a lack of quantitative analysis to validate the influence of sarcopenia on patients with lumbar degenerative spine disease (LDSD) from the available literature. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with LDSD and examine its impact on clinical outcomes. The electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were systematically searched from inception through December 2020 for clinical studies investigating the association of sarcopenia with clinical outcomes in patients with LDSD. A random-effects model meta-analysis was carried out for data synthesis. This meta-analysis included 14 studies, comprising 1953 participants. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with LDSD was 24.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3%–34.3%). The relative risk of sarcopenia was not significantly increased in patients with LDSD compared with controls (risk ratio, 1.605; 95% CI, 0.321–8.022). The patients with sarcopenia did not experience an increase in low back and leg pain. However, lower quality of life (SMD, −0.627; 95% CI, −0.844–−0.410) were identified postoperatively. Sarcopenia did not lead to an elevated rate of complications after lumbar surgeries. Sarcopenia accounts for approximately one-quarter of the population with LDSD. The clinical manifestations are less influenced by sarcopenia, whereas sarcopenia is associated with poorer quality of life after lumbar surgeries. The current evidence is still insufficient to support sarcopenia as a predictor of postoperative complications.

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