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INTRODUCTION: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) affects over 9 million worldwide and necessitates meticulous self-management for blood glucose (BG) control. Utilizing BG prediction technology allows for increased BG control and a reduction in the diabetes burden caused by self-management requirements. This paper reviews BG prediction models in T1D, which include nutritional components. METHOD: A systematic search, utilizing the PRISMA guidelines, identified articles focusing on BG prediction algorithms for T1D that incorporate nutritional variables. Eligible studies were screened and analyzed for model type, inclusion of additional aspects in the model, prediction horizon, patient population, inputs, and accuracy. RESULTS: The study categorizes 138 blood glucose prediction models into data-driven (54%), physiological (14%), and hybrid (33%) types. Prediction horizons of ≤30 min are used in 36% of models, 31-60 min in 34%, 61-90 min in 11%, 91-120 min in 10%, and >120 min in 9%. Neural networks are the most used data-driven technique (47%), and simple carbohydrate intake is commonly included in models (data-driven: 72%, physiological: 52%, hybrid: 67%). Real or free-living data are predominantly used (83%). CONCLUSION: The primary goal of blood glucose prediction in T1D is to enable informed decisions and maintain safe BG levels, considering the impact of all nutrients for meal planning and clinical relevance.

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From the time of conception until the time of labor, a woman's body and mind undergo a variety of hormonal and other changes. Patients may also experience vertigo and a lack of balance during this period. Disabling and physically painful, these symptoms may strike at any moment. Pregnancy-related vertigo has been the focus of several studies. We looked at the research on vertigo in pregnant women in detail. This narrative review aims to examine the causes, pathophysiology, and current treatments for vertigo during pregnancy. Vertigo during pregnancy has a diverse etiology, with typical causes including hormonal changes and modifications in vascular dynamics. Vertigo may start to appear due to pathophysiological mechanisms involving vestibular and central nervous system adaptations. Numerous alternatives for treatment are available, including dietary changes, vestibular therapy, medicines, and surgical procedures. The thorough assessment of the current research on vertigo during pregnancy provided by this narrative review will help medical practitioners make wise clinical decisions.

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Lemongrass is a medicinal plant that produces essential oil with a variety of therapeutic properties. Although lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) is promising in clinical applications, the existing knowledge on the efficacy and safety of LGEO remains limited. This scoping review aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize existing literature related to the clinical applications of LGEO to provide an overview of its potential therapeutic benefits for patients. Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) were used following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to find articles published between 1 January 2013, and 1 November 2022. A total of 671 records were identified and 8 articles were included in this scoping review. The majority of patients received oromucosal and topical treatment. The results of the studies suggest that LGEO might be a useful tool in the treatment of periodontitis, gingivitis and oral malodour, with similar efficacy to chlorhexidine (anti-gingivitis effect) and doxycycline (periodontitis). Additionally, LGEO has the potential for treating pityriasis versicolor and preventing skin aging and may have anti-dandruff effects. These findings not only underscore the diverse clinical potential of LGEO but also emphasize its comparable efficacy to established treatments. Further research is imperative to comprehensively evaluate LGEO's effectiveness, safety, mechanisms of action, potential interactions with other medications, and its long-term tolerability across diverse populations.

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The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and especially in subclinical cases, in order to provide a global perspective of the current research data and analyze specific critical aspects of the issue. PRISMA guidelines were implemented in the search of the last 20 years of the related literature in two databases. In total, 139 studies were included in this review. Relevant data were tracked down, assembled, and compared. Regarding the geographical distribution, most studies originated from Europe (68), followed by South America (33). Lacaune was the most examined breed, while S. epidermidis was the predominantly identified species, representing approximately 39% of the obtained isolates. Antibiotic resistance in the relevant bacteria was documented mostly for Penicillin (32.8%) and Amoxicillin (32.1%), while biofilm- and toxin-associated genes were encountered in variable rates because significant inequalities were observed between different articles. Significantly higher rates of antimicrobial resistance were detected in Asia and South America compared to Europe. Finally, the diagnostic procedures carried out in the respective studies were evaluated. Conventional culture and biochemical tests were mostly performed for simple strain identification; therefore, further molecular investigation of isolates should be pursued in future studies, as this will provide important data regarding specific aspects of the implication of CoNS in ovine mastitis.

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Several crimes in South Africa cause physical, economic, and mental problems. Xenophobic attacks, mob justice, and other violent conduct directly traumatise children. Service delivery riots and physical and sexual abuse are examples. This evaluation evaluates childhood trauma and exposure to violence interventions. The review describes the therapeutic methods for traumatised children exposed to violence, the healthcare professionals administering them, and the strategies used to tailor the interventions. The researcher systematically searched PsycINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and EBSCOhost. Literature from 2011 to 31 July 2023 was searched, and 19 papers were chosen for further review after the systematic search. The authors conducted an eligibility evaluation according to PRISMA guidelines. A thorough review of article texts identified 19 papers that met eligibility standards. Only nineteen studies have validated trauma and violence therapies for children. An effective multi-phased intervention that is feasible and adaptable to varied socioeconomic backgrounds is needed. Further studies on the mental health benefits of brief trauma intervention treatment are needed.

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BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading infectious cause of mortality globally prior to COVID-19 and chest radiography has an important role in the detection, and subsequent diagnosis, of patients with this disease. The conventional experts reading has substantial within- and between-observer variability, indicating poor reliability of human readers. Substantial efforts have been made in utilizing various artificial intelligence-based algorithms to address the limitations of human reading of chest radiographs for diagnosing TB. OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to assess the performance of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in the detection of TB using chest radiography (chest x-ray [CXR]). METHODS: In conducting and reporting the SLR, we followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 309 records were identified from Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) databases. We independently screened, reviewed, and assessed all available records and included 47 studies that met the inclusion criteria in this SLR. We also performed the risk of bias assessment using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2 (QUADAS-2) and meta-analysis of 10 included studies that provided confusion matrix results. RESULTS: Various CXR data sets have been used in the included studies, with 2 of the most popular ones being Montgomery County (n=29) and Shenzhen (n=36) data sets. DL (n=34) was more commonly used than ML (n=7) in the included studies. Most studies used human radiologist's report as the reference standard. Support vector machine (n=5), k-nearest neighbors (n=3), and random forest (n=2) were the most popular ML approaches. Meanwhile, convolutional neural networks were the most commonly used DL techniques, with the 4 most popular applications being ResNet-50 (n=11), VGG-16 (n=8), VGG-19 (n=7), and AlexNet (n=6). Four performance metrics were popularly used, namely, accuracy (n=35), area under the curve (AUC; n=34), sensitivity (n=27), and specificity (n=23). In terms of the performance results, ML showed higher accuracy (mean ~93.71%) and sensitivity (mean ~92.55%), while on average DL models achieved better AUC (mean ~92.12%) and specificity (mean ~91.54%). Based on data from 10 studies that provided confusion matrix results, we estimated the pooled sensitivity and specificity of ML and DL methods to be 0.9857 (95% CI 0.9477-1.00) and 0.9805 (95% CI 0.9255-1.00), respectively. From the risk of bias assessment, 17 studies were regarded as having unclear risks for the reference standard aspect and 6 studies were regarded as having unclear risks for the flow and timing aspect. Only 2 included studies had built applications based on the proposed solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this SLR confirm the high potential of both ML and DL for TB detection using CXR. Future studies need to pay a close attention on 2 aspects of risk of bias, namely, the reference standard and the flow and timing aspects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021277155; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=277155.

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Fosfomycin is an old antibacterial agent, which is currently used mainly in human medicine, in uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). The purpose of this review is to investigate the presence and the characteristics of Fosfomycin resistance in bacteria isolated from canine or feline samples, estimate the possible causes of the dissemination of associated strains in pets, and underline the requirements of prospective relevant studies. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines were used for the search of current literature in two databases. A total of 33 articles were finally included in the review. Relevant data were tracked down, assembled, and compared. Referring to the geographical distribution, Northeast Asia was the main area of origin of the studies. E. coli was the predominant species detected, followed by other Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococci, and Pseudomonas spp. FosA and fosA3 were the more frequently encountered Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) in the related Gram-negative isolates, while fosB was regularly encountered in Gram-positive ones. The majority of the strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and co-carried resistance genes against several classes of antibiotics and especially ß-Lactams, such as blaCTX-M and mecA. These results demonstrate the fact that the cause of the spreading of Fosfomycin-resistant bacteria among pets could be the extended use of other antibacterial agents, that promote the prevalence of MDR, epidemic strains among an animal population. Through the circulation of these strains into a community, a public health issue could arise. Further research is essential though, for the comprehensive consideration of the issue, as the current data are limited.

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Introduction: Scientific literature contains mainly systematic reviews focused on substantial aspects, but there are also approaches that have combined both substantial and methodological aspects, which is our preferred option since it undeniably adds value. The aims of this study were: (1) to carry out a systematic review of the literatura on T-Pattern analysis (TPA), and (2) to explore the possible contribution of mixed methods research to the integration of qualitative and quantitative elements on a synthesis level. Methods: Based on PRISMA guidelines, searches were carried out in the Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. The general search syntax was: "THEME" AND ("T-Patterns" OR "T Patterns") carried out in title, keywords and abstract. In addition, we included empirical articles on THEME and T-Patterns collected in other sources based on citations in several empirical works and consultations with different authors. This selection process resulted in 125 primary documents making up this systematic review. Results: The results showed that the detection of structures in behavior patterns forms a nexus between studies carried out in very diverse fields and contexts. Most studies are observational, whilst the applicability and power of T-Pattern detection are extraordinary. It allows the researcher to go deeper in a robust analysis that responds to the integration of qualitative and quantitative elements which constitutes the leit motive of mixed methods; and also to discover the deep, hidden structure that underlies the respective databases, regardless of the methodology used in each study. The possibilities in assigning parameters notably increase the options for obtaining results and their interpretation. Discussion: It is relevant the extraordinary strength and applicability of T-pattern detection. There is a high presence of T-pattern detection and analysis in studies using observational methodology. It is necessary commit to consolidating the methodological analysis of selected works, as taking individual and collective responsibility for improving methodological quality of TPA studies, taking advantage of the resources provided by the THEME program.

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Amyloidosis is the term to define a broad array of rare protein misfolding syndromes. Among them, light chain (AL) amyloidosis is the most common, affecting roughly 10 people per million/year. The core purpose of the present literature review is to shed light on the academic and clinical knowledge on the condition, encompassing its i) epidemiology, ii) economic burden, and iii) quality of life consequences. The areas of interest are Europe and North America. Literature search was primarily performed on Embase® and finally integrated with additional, deemed eligible, sources. Pre-defined PICOS criteria were employed for the inclusion and exclusion processes. A total of 64 studies were comprehensively included in the current literature review as compliant with the inclusion criteria. The results were presented according to the outcomes of interest and eventually triangulated and compared to available literature studies. A broad picture on the main aspects of AL amyloidosis is delivered.

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The optimal radiotherapy technique for patients requiring both breasts or chest walls simultaneous irradiation with or without regional nodal irradiation is currently under investigation. In the last decade several publications present case reports and case series of patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy in both breasts or chest walls for synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) with modern radiotherapy techniques. This article presents a systematic review of relevant literature as well as a case report of a SBBC patient who received bilateral chest wall radiotherapy with regional nodal irradiation at our institution with Truebeam - Edge Linear Accelerator. Solid evidence is provided that the practice of avoiding adjuvant radiotherapy in SBBC out of fear of toxicity with older radiotherapy techniques is outdated. Modern techniques can safely and effectively deliver treatment to patients requiring both sides irradiation and even in mastectomy patients in need of regional nodal irradiation.

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Malformations of teeth and dental arches can produce functional modifications intermingled with esthetic alterations. Children's rehabilitation may be long, requiring multiple interventions. One of the main challenges of contemporary orthodontics is to reduce treatment time by accelerating orthodontic tooth movements. Among the currently used methods, micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) are flapless, minimally invasive perforations that induce a local trauma to the bone, increase healing capacity, and accelerate dental movements. The use of MOPs in orthodontics is spreading but there are no definite and recognized protocols for their application. This scoping review collected the available evidence in the effect of MOPs during orthodontic therapy as compared to current treatments, to summarize the evidence. The guidelines proposed by PRISMA-ScR were followed: original clinical studies carried out from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved by medical databases combining the terms "micro-osteoperforations" and "accelerated orthodontic tooth movement". From a total of 965 articles, nine were finally selected. The studies' aims, designs, methods, measurements, outcomes, and main findings were very heterogenous, with a duration ranging from 4 weeks to 7 months. This included only Class I malocclusion to any malocclusion. It assessed the effects of MOPs coupled with a variety of orthodontic mechanics on either the retraction of maxillary canines, the distalization of maxillary molars, or the modifications on premolar roots. Mostly, variations in the number, location, and timing of MOPs impeded a global assessment. Overall, most of the studies (six out of nine) reported moderately useful effects of MOPs, one was negative, and only two found significant advantages of MOPs over conventional treatment. The review synthesized the available evidence about MOP applications in orthodontics and identified some important gaps in knowledge that could be starting points for a systematic review of the literature. In conclusion, even if MOPs can accelerate tooth movements, the variety of aims and methods of the published research prevents suggestion of their widespread use.

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OBJECTIVE: Subependymomas are low-grade ependymal tumors whose clinical characteristics, radiographic features, and postsurgical outcomes are incompletely characterized due to their rarity. The authors present an institutional case series and a systematic literature review to achieve a better understanding of subependymomas. METHODS: Adult patients with histologically confirmed subependymoma or mixed subependymoma-ependymoma surgically treated at a tertiary hospital between 1992 and 2020 were identified. A systematic literature review of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from inception until December 4, 2020, was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Data extracted from both groups included demographics, radiographic features, tumor characteristics, management, and follow-up variables. RESULTS: Forty-eight unique patients with subependymoma were identified by chart review; of these patients, 8 (16.7%) had mixed subependymoma-ependymoma tumors. The median age at diagnosis was 49 years (IQR 19.8 years), and 26 patients (54.2%) were male. Forty-two patients (87.5%) had intracranial subependymomas, and 6 (12.5%) had spinal tumors. The most common presentation was headache (n = 20, 41.7%), although a significant number of tumors were diagnosed incidentally (n = 16, 33.3%). Among the 42 patients with intracranial tumors, 15 (35.7%) had hydrocephalus, and the most common surgical strategy was a suboccipital approach with or without C1 laminectomy (n = 26, 61.9%). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 33 cases (68.7%), and 2 patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Most patients had no major postsurgical complications (n = 34, 70.8%), and only 1 (2.1%) had recurrence after GTR. Of 2036 reports initially identified in the systematic review, 39 were eligible for inclusion, comprising 477 patients. Of 462 patients for whom tumor location was reported, 406 (87.9%) were intracranial, with the lateral ventricle as the most common location (n = 214, 46.3%). Spinal subependymomas occurred in 53 patients (11.5%), with 3 cases (0.6%) in multiple locations. Similar to the case series at the authors' institution, headache was the most common presenting symptom (n = 231, 54.0%) among the 428 patients whose presentation was reported. Twenty-seven patients (6.3%) were diagnosed incidentally, and 36 cases (8.4%) were found at autopsy. Extent of resection was reported for 350 patients, and GTR was achieved in 250 (71.4%). Fifteen of 337 patients (4.5%) had recurrence or progression. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' case series and literature review demonstrate that patients with subependymoma are well managed with resection and generally have a favorable prognosis.

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Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting ~800,000 people every year. Fibromyalgia is an extremely prevalent rheumatic disease with a predisposition for comorbid anxiety and depression, which are known risk factors for suicidal behavior. Suicidality and relevant risk factors for suicidal behavior have not been thoroughly studied in patients with fibromyalgia. Objectives: To investigate the risk of suicidal ideation and attempts in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses" (PRISMA) standards. Also, the gray literature was extensively searched. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis, including 394,087 fibromyalgia patients. Sample size ranged from 44 to 199,739 subjects, mean age ranged from 45.8 to 54.5 years while the female percentage with fibromyalgia ranged from 17.1 to 100.0%. The overall suicide ideation prevalence was 29.57% (95%CI 1.84-72.07), with an OR 9.12 of (95%CI 1.42-58.77), ranging from 2.34 (95%CI 1.49-3.66) to 26.89 (95%CI 5.72-126.42). Pooled suicide attempt prevalence was 5.69% [95%CI 1.26-31.34], with an OR of 3.12 [95%CI 1.37-7.12]. Suicide risk was higher with respect to the general population with an OR of 36.77 (95%CI 15.55-96.94), as well as suicide events with an HR of 1.38 (95%CI 1.17-1.71). Determinants of suicidality were found to be: employment status, disease severity, obesity and drug dependence, chronic pain and co-morbidities, in particular depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and global mental health. However, in some cases, after adjusting for psychiatric conditions, the threshold of statistical significance was not achieved. Conclusion: Fibromyalgia patients are particularly prone to suicide, in terms of ideation, attempt, risk and events, warranting a pre-emptive screening of their mental health status. Given the few studies available, the high amount of heterogeneity, the evidence of publications bias and the lack of statistical significance when adjusting for underlying psychiatric co-morbidities, further high-quality studies should be conducted. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, identifier 10.17605/OSF.IO/Y4BUE.

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BACKGROUND: Terpinolene, a monoterpene that is naturally found in a variety of herbs, is widely used as a flavoring agent in the industry. Although it's well established in the literature that terpinolene is an important component of plant extracts, the biological properties and the potential therapeutic use of this compound remain poorly explored. PURPOSE: This work aimed to answer the following guiding question: "What are the biological activities of terpinolene demonstrated through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays?". STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A systematic review was carried out in four electronic databases (Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using the following search terms: terpinolene "AND" activity "OR" properties "OR" therapeutic "OR" treatment. This search included manuscripts published between 1960 and June 2020. Study selection was conducted by two independent reviewers according to predefined criteria. RESULTS: The initial search found a total of 2449 articles. However, only 57 of them were selected as they met the inclusion criteria and answered the guiding question. The analysis of these studies indicated that terpinolene presents a series of biological effects, from which the antioxidant, larvicide, and insecticide activities stand out. Despite the evidence demonstrating that terpinolene has the potential to be used in a broad pharmacological context, the mechanisms underlying its cellular and molecular effects remain to be better elucidated. In addition, the in vivo efficacy and safety of the administration of this compound have been poorly evaluated through either preclinical and clinical trials. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of characterizing the biological aspects and mechanisms of action of this natural compound. CONCLUSION: The data summarized in the present systematic review demonstrates the pharmacological potential of terpinolene. Nevertheless, most studies included in this review provide a superficial characterization of terpinolene biological effects and therefore, further research elucidating its mechanism of action and potential therapeutic benefits through preclinical and clinical trials are required. Nevertheless, due to its wide range of different biological activities, terpinolene will certainly attract the interest of scientific research, which could significantly contribute to the development of new products with both therapeutic and environmental applications.

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BACKGROUND: Skull base leiomyomas (LMs) and angioleiomyomas (ALMs) are rare, and the understanding of this disease is limited. We present a systematic literature review of skull base LM and ALM and report a case of internal auditory canal (IAC) ALM. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed and Embase were systematically queried for skull base LM and ALM, and Rayyan QCRI was used for the review. After applying exclusion criteria, individual articles were evaluated for quality control, data collection, and analysis. The presentation, management, and outcome of a 37-year-old man with a right-sided IAC ALM are described. RESULTS: Of 68 unique entries, 27 studies were included. Thirty-four cases of skull base LM (n = 6) or ALM (n = 28) were identified. Average age at presentation was 45.1 ± 14.5 years, and 52.9% of patients were male. Tumor diameter was 2.75 ± 1.6 cm, with headaches being the most reported symptom. Commonly reported locations were the cavernous sinus and the external auditory canal. Only 3 cases of IAC ALM met the criteria for this review. All tumors were treated with surgery, and gross total resection was achieved in 27 patients. Radiation was given in 3 cases with subtotal resection. CONCLUSIONS: Skull base LM and ALM are rare. Given the need for pathology, surgery has been the standard treatment for symptomatic skull base LM and ALM. It is important to understand the available data about this disease and consider it in the differential of skull base lesions.

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Municipal solid waste (MSW) can pose a threat to public health if it is not safely managed. Despite prior research, uncertainties remain and refurbished evidence is needed along with new approaches. We conducted a systematic review of recently published literature to update and expand the epidemiological evidence on the association between MSW management practices and resident populations' health risks. Studies published from January 2005 to January 2020 were searched and reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible MSW treatment or disposal sites were defined as landfills, dumpsites, incinerators, waste open burning, transfer stations, recycling sites, composting plants, and anaerobic digesters. Occupational risks were not assessed. Health effects investigated included mortality, adverse birth and neonatal outcomes, cancer, respiratory conditions, gastroenteritis, vector-borne diseases, mental health conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies reporting on human biomonitoring for exposure were eligible as well. Twenty-nine studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria of our protocol, assessing health effects only associated with proximity to landfills, incinerators, and dumpsites/open burning sites. There was some evidence of an increased risk of adverse birth and neonatal outcomes for residents near each type of MSW site. There was also some evidence of an increased risk of mortality, respiratory diseases, and negative mental health effects associated with residing near landfills. Additionally, there was some evidence of increased risk of mortality associated with residing near incinerators. However, in many cases, the evidence was inadequate to establish a strong relationship between a specific exposure and outcomes, and the studies rarely assessed new generation technologies. Evidence gaps remain, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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Background: The academic literature contains little information regarding the interventions that create age-friendly cities and communities in order to promote active ageing. Objectives: A systematic review was carried out to determine the available empirical evidence in relation to the characteristics, content and effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving environmental and psychosocial risk factors for older people, from the perspective of age-friendly communities and the promotion of active ageing. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the studies retained in this review were identified through a systematic search of the academic literature in selected electronic databases including Web of Science and Scopus. Independent critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers. The checklist was used to assess the quality of the articles. Findings: The search identified 1020 potentially eligible documents, of which 11 satisfied the established criteria. Non-exhaustive practices prevailed over rigorous investigations, with a high proportion of studies observed to be of low methodological quality and at high risk of bias. This reflected the predominance of uncontrolled interventions. Environmental interventions were focused on reducing risk and adapting the everyday environmental setting, while psychosocial interventions prioritised social strategies (behavioural changes, promotion of participation) and training. Interventions were more effective in certain domains of age-friendly cities and communities such as transportation and housing, followed by increased participation as a lifestyle-related behavioural change. The inferred changes were associated with providing information and enhancing skills; modifying access, barriers, exposures, and opportunities; enhancing services and support; continuity and effectiveness of changes over time; and modifying policies based on the bottom-up approach of age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC). Discussion and conclusion: Interventions focused on personal and organisational aspects might have positive effects in the longer term. However, fewer changes would be observed in interventions revolving around changing lifestyles owing to the impact of complex multi-causal factors. The relative effectiveness in terms of health calls into question the design of interventions and the supposed "friendliness" of certain communities. There is a need to encourage sound longitudinal research aimed at providing key knowledge for the implementation and evaluation of public policies, and to encourage age-friendly community programmes to promote active ageing.

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Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides, having tyroid shape of the molecule which has a hydrophobic cavity and outer hydrophilic surface. This characteristic feature of the dextrins allows it to function as a functionalizing as well as a stabilizing agent. Polymer nanocomposites are nanoscale composites of polymers with enhanced and synergized properties of its components and have been known to have applications in various fields of chemistry, biomedical, pharmaceutical and environmental purposes to name a few. To impart specificity, thermal, mechanical stability, resistance to solvents and biodegradability to the polymers, cyclodextrins have been incorporated in the nanocomposites. The utilization of the aforementioned properties of cyclodextrins to the polymer nanocomposites, implications of the incorporation of cyclodextrins to polymer nanocomposites and their subsequent applications in various fields have been discussed in this review systematically, using PRISMA guidelines.

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The number of seniors and prevalence of chronic conditions are increasing worldwide, resulting in more pressure on health systems. Health Information Technologies (HIT) present opportunities to support the healthcare needs of seniors. Although prior studies have investigated HIT and seniors, it remains unclear what factors significantly affect the adoption of different HIT by elderly people in the community. A Systematic Review (SR) was conducted between December 2017 and February 2018 (with a search update in 2018-2019) to critically appraise and synthesise existing evidence on HIT adoption factors among seniors. Following the PRISMA guidelines, five major databases were consulted (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science). The inclusion criteria consisted of empirical studies, published in English, and reporting impacts of specific factors on HIT adoption among seniors in the community. A total of 41 studies were included in this review, mostly published between 2014 and 2017 in Europe and the US; the level of evidence in these studies was low to moderate. The factors that affect HIT adoption did not differ across types of technologies or age groups. The findings reveal that seniors adopt HIT that are perceived as useful and requiring low effort commitment; price/cost value were reported as adoption barriers. Social influence, facilitating conditions, senior-friendly product design, self-efficacy, Intrinsic Technology Quality, experience/training and technology anxiety may affect HIT adoption by seniors, although the evidence on these impacts remains weak and limited. Mixed and inconclusive evidence was observed on the impacts of socio-demographic variables, health condition, habit and privacy/security. Given the reported low level of HIT adoption among seniors, we call for more rigorous research in this area using a 'senior-centred' approach, which takes into account the discourse/interaction between seniors and their collective environment to better understand the factors that affect their technology adoption and address their needs.

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The immunological perturbations associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) put many patients at a higher risk of infections, including pneumococcal pneumonia. However, the uptake and utility of anti-pneumococcal vaccines in SLE patient is both controversial and not completely agreed upon. Indeed, several epidemiological studies of anti-pneumococcal vaccine safety and efficacy in SLE have reported short-term immunogenicity with elevated anti-pneumococcal antibody titres but inconsistent long-term findings, with some studies finding poor responses, mainly for long-term immune protection. Moreover, the safety and efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine in SLE patients remains controversial due to the different types of anti-pneumococcal vaccines, and the heterogeneity of SLE patients. Several reviews addressing anti-pneumococcal vaccination in SLE patients exist, however, to the best of our knowledge, the present is the first systematic review and meta-analysis. To better understand the efficacy and safety of pneumococcal vaccination in SLE, a comprehensive literature search was performed identifying 18 studies, which have been included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. All studies were designed as longitudinal investigations, 2, in particular, were of high quality, being randomized, double-blind trials (RCTs). Four studies had control groups. Total sample size included 601 participants. Vaccine immunogenicity in terms of subjects with protective antibody titers ranged from 36% to 97.6%. According to our systematic review and metanalysis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), older age, earlier SLE onset, high disease activity, and immunosuppressive therapy were predictors of poor immunogenicity, although belimumab was found to have no significant impact. With regard to safety, no serious adverse events were found, with up to one third of cases reporting mild/low-grade complaints. In conclusion, due to the high risk of pneumococcal infection in SLE patients and given the safety and, at least partial, effectiveness, according to our systematic review and meta-analysis, in such patients, preventive strategies mainly by immunization, are required in all age groups and, in those needing immunosuppressive therapy, immunization should be given prior the initiation of the treatment. PROSPERO registration code CRD42018103605.

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