Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) are collectively called as Lewy body dementia (LBD). Despite the urgent clinical need, there is no reliable protein biomarker for LBD. Hence, we conducted the first comprehensive systematic review of all Differentially Abundant Proteins (DAP) in all tissues from people with LBD for advancing our understanding of LBD molecular pathology that is essential for facilitating discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LBD.

We identified eligible studies by comprehensively searching five databases and grey literature (PROSPERO protocol:CRD42020218889). We completed quality assessment and extracted relevant data. We completed narrative synthesis and appropriate meta-analyses. We analysed functional implications of all reported DAP using DAVID tools.

We screened 11,006 articles and identified 193 eligible studies. 305 DAP were reported and 16 were replicated in DLB. 37 DAP were reported and three were replicated in PDD. Our meta-analyses confirmed six DAP (TAU, SYUA, NFL, CHI3L1, GFAP, CLAT) in DLB, and three DAP (TAU, SYUA, NFL) in PDD. There was no replicated blood-based DAP in DLB or PDD. The reported DAP may contribute to LBD pathology by impacting misfolded protein clearance, dopamine neurotransmission, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity and extracellular vesicles.

Our meta-analyses confirmed significantly lower CSF TAU levels in DLB and CSF SYUA levels in PDD, when compared to Alzheimer’s disease. Our findings indicate promising diagnostic biomarkers for LBD and may help prioritising molecular pathways for therapeutic target discovery. We highlight ten future research priorities based on our findings.

To evaluate the prognostic utility of Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) scores in predicting the death of adults with advanced cancer.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Six databases were searched for articles published from inception till 16 February 2024. Observational studies reporting time-to-event outcomes of PPI scores used in any setting, timing and score cutoffs were eligible. Participants were adults with advanced cancer residing in any setting. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool hazard, risk, or odds ratios. Findings were narratively synthesized when meta-analysis was not possible.

Twenty-three studies (n = 11,235 patients) were included. All meta-analyses found that higher PPI scores or risk categories were significantly associated with death and, similarly, in most narratively synthesized studies. PPI > 6 vs PPI ≤ 4 (pooled adjusted HR = 5.42, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 2.01–14.59, p = 0.0009; pooled unadjusted HR = 5.05, 95% CI 4.10–6.17, p < 0.00001), 4 < PPI ≤ 6 vs PPI ≤ 4 (pooled adjusted HR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.30–3.21, p = 0.002), PPI ≥ 6 vs PPI < 6 (pooled adjusted HR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.39–4.58, p = 0.005), PPI ≤ 4 vs PPI > 6 for predicting inpatient death (unadjusted RR = 3.48, 95% CI 2.46–4.91, p < 0.00001), and PPI as a continuous variable (pooled unadjusted HR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.22–1.38, p < 0.00001) were significant predictors for mortality. Changes in PPI scores may also be useful as a prognostic factor.

A higher PPI score is likely an independent prognostic factor for an increased risk of death, but more research is needed to validate the risk groups as defined by the original development study. Meta-analysis results need to be interpreted cautiously, as only 2–4 studies were included in each analysis. Clinicians and researchers may find this useful for guiding decision-making regarding the suitability of curative and/or palliative treatments and clinical trial design.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review of the purpose, design, and use of family trees by family physicians (FPs).

Family trees offer a valuable contribution to understanding the relevance of the patient’s family history in comprehensive primary healthcare provision. There is little research on the role of family trees in the everyday practice of FPs. Studies often focus on specific diseases and their context: however, a comprehensive exploration of the usefulness of family trees is crucial for FPs.

A systematic literature review was conducted through a keyword search in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria selected, 24 studies were identified and a qualitative analysis was performed.

A total of 369 publications were identified across 32 fields. Twenty-four studies were included in the final analysis according to the QUOROM statement. The results underscore the role of family trees and highlight the value of this tool’s multidimensionality. The use of this tool directs FPs to consider a genetic cause and a possible referral to a geneticist. The value of a family tree lies in the personalized patient-oriented treatment in connection with hereditary risks for chronic diseases. For FPs, the greatest challenge in treating patients is determining their risk of developing a chronic disease or cancer. Using a family tree can improve the quality of their healthcare.

Food hygiene practices are crucial to avoid foodborne illness and improve human well-being. Millions of people get sick, and many of them pass away due to eating unhealthy food. Foodborne diseases are still a public health problem in developing countries.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with food hygiene practices among food handlers in sub-Saharan Africa.

An extensive search was conducted using various databases including PubMed, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar. The search results were then extracted using Microsoft Excel. The data analysis was conducted using STATA version 14. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot, and more objectively through Begg and Egger regression test, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate potential publication bias. A random effect model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of hygienic food handling practices. Sub-group analysis was done by country and study site.

To estimate the pooled prevalence of food hygiene practices in sub-Saharan Africa, 42 reviewed studies and 12,367 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of food hygiene practices among food handlers in sub-Saharan Africa was found to be 50.68% (95% CI: 45.35, 56.02) in this study. Factors associated with food hygiene practices included lack of food safety training (OR = 2.14 95% CI: 0.68, 6.76), negative attitude (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.36, 4.09), and lack of regular medical checkups (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.52, 4.65) among food handlers.

This research found that only half of sub-Saharan Africa’s food handlers had good food hygiene practices. Lack of food safety training, a lack of regular medical checkups, and unfavorable attitudes toward food hygiene practices were factors contributing to food hygiene practices. Thus, the authors recommended that food workers receive food safety training about food hygiene and safety procedures.

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs globally, although its legal status varies across regions. Public support for its decriminalization has increased, but gaps in our understanding of the health consequences of cannabis use remain, particularly related to its impact on mental health. This article provides an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (previous being Lev-Ran et al., 2014) looking at the relationship between cannabis and depression.

Literature available before March 2023 was screened for longitudinal studies that included cannabis use and depression. Cross-sectional studies and those only looking at special populations were excluded. Studies must have also controlled for depression at baseline to allow for investigation of a temporal relationship. Extracted data included cannabis measures, depression outcomes, adjusted odds ratios, and study settings. Meta-analysis employed a random effects model with multilevel meta-regression for effect size moderators.

The search yielded 1,599 titles from various databases, resulting in 22 studies for meta-analysis, including 14 from Lev-Ran et al. Eleven studies were US-based, with participants mostly under 18. Meta-analysis showed a higher risk of depression among cannabis users (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13–1.46). Risk of bias assessment showed medium risk across studies with exposure measurement being a key bias area. The funnel plot and Egger’s Sandwich test did not suggest publication bias.

This study underscores the association between cannabis use and depression but also emphasizes the need for further research, especially in understanding usage patterns, heavy use definitions, and long-term effects on depression risk amidst changing cannabis trends.

Understanding risk factors for violence in people with psychosis can inform risk management and violence prevention. However, much of the evidence comes from cross-sectional studies, and previous reviews require updating.

To synthesise evidence from longitudinal studies on risk factors for violence in people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder or other affective psychoses.

We searched five bibliographic databases up to June 2022. We identified longitudinal studies reporting risk factors for violence in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychoses using DSM or ICD criteria. If ≥3 independent samples reported a risk factor, we conducted random-effects meta-analyses to provide a pooled estimate. We also meta-analysed risk factors by major domains.

We identified 47 longitudinal studies on risk factors for violence in psychosis, representing 41 independent samples – 21 from the original and 20 from the updated review – and 203 297 individuals. A total of 30 risk factors were present in ≥3 independent samples. Criminal history factors were associated with the greatest risk of violent outcomes (pooled odds ratio 3.50, 95% CI = 2.37, 5.16), followed by substance misuse factors (odds ratio 2.36, 95% CI = 1.99, 2.80). Many treatment-related factors were protective (odds ratio 0.54, 95% CI = 0.34, 0.85). Effect estimates were attenuated in inpatient settings. We also identified novel risk factors, including cannabis use, in a secondary analysis (odds ratio 3.34, 95% CI = 2.32, 4.82).

Using longitudinal evidence, we have validated comorbid substance misuse and criminal history as major risk factors for violence in psychosis. Novel factors such as cannabis use need further replication. Several identified factors are possible intervention targets if associations are found to be causal.

Disasters pose serious threats to people’s health, including reproductive health (RH); therefore, we conducted this study to investigate Iranian women’s post-disaster RH challenges.

This study was conducted as a systematic review, and all published articles until the end of May 2022 were selected by searching in international and domestic scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran. The quality assessment of the studies was done using the Strobe checklist. We conducted this research based on PRISMA guidelines and analyzed the content by qualitative content analysis method.

Twelve related articles were included (8 high quality and 4 medium quality). Based on these articles, factors affecting post-disaster Iranian women’s RH were divided into 2 categories: individual factors (physical injuries, psychological disorders, cultural and religious issues) and management factors (not prioritizing RH services in disasters, lack of supplies, suitable facilities and professional human resources, access limitation to RH care and services).

We must enhance post disaster RH status by adopting suitable policies and decision-making in disaster risk management. We should prioritize RH services during the disaster response phase, providing facilities, equipment, and specialized and trained human resources.

Demoralization isa common psychological problem in cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the correlated factors of demoralization among cancer patients. We also summarized the available evidence, effect estimates, and the strength of statistical associations between demoralization and its associated factors.

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and 2 electronic databases to identify studies published up to October 2023 with data on the correlates of demoralization. Two researchers independently reviewed references, extracted data, and assessed data quality. Meta-analysis was performed using R4.1.1 software.

Thirty-eight studies were included in this meta-analysis. For the most studied sociodemographic correlates, demoralization was negatively correlated with income (z = −0.29, 95% CI: −0.51, −0.02), education (z = − 0.11, 95% CI: − 0.16, −0.05), and age (z = −0.45, 95%CI: −0.75, −0.01). For the most studied clinical correlates, demoralization was positively correlated with symptom burden (z = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.50) and negatively correlated with quality of life (z = −0.40, 95% CI: −0.54, −0.24). For the most studied psychosocial correlates, demoralization was negatively correlated with social support (z = −0.39, 95% CI: −0.51, −0.26) and positively correlated with anxiety (z = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.73), depression (z = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.67), and suicidal ideation (z = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.60).

Demoralization showed either positive or negative associations with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological variables. More research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms to develop effective interventions. This review provides information on the factors associated with demoralization in cancer patients, which can be used to inform strategies for clinical care providers.

Depressive disorders pose a significant global public health challenge, yet evidence on their burden remains insufficient.

To report the global, regional and national burden of depressive disorders and their attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021.

Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 were analyzed for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. We explored the age-standardised incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of depressive disorders by age, gender and sociodemographic index.

In 2021, there were 357.44 million incident cases, 332.41 million prevalent cases and 56.33 million DALYs. Age-standardised rates for incidence, prevalence and DALYs were 4333.62, 4006.82 and 681.14 per 100 000 persons, with annual declines of 0.06%, 0.03% and 0.04%. Uganda, Greenland and Lesotho had the highest prevalence, while Spain, Mexico and Uruguay showed the largest increases. Greenland and Brunei Darussalam had the highest and lowest age-standardised DALYs rates, respectively. DALYs peaked in the 55–59 age group for men and 60–64 for women, with higher rates in women. Regionally, a U-shaped association was found between the sociodemographic index and DALYs rates. Population growth was the main driver for the increase in DALYs cases. Childhood maltreatment was the leading risk factor, with intimate partner violence affecting more females and childhood sexual abuse more males.

Despite decreasing trends in incidence, prevalence and DALYs rates, absolute case numbers and age-standardised rates continue to increase for depressive disorders. Tackling childhood abuse and improving depressive disorder management are crucial to reducing future burdens.

This systematic review investigates the characteristics, effectiveness and acceptability of interventions to encourage healthier eating in small, independent restaurants and takeaways.

We searched five databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index) in June 2022. Eligible studies had to measure changes in sales, availability, nutritional quality, portion sizes or dietary intake of interventions targeting customer behaviour or restaurant environments. We evaluated study quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results are synthesised narratively, and interventions’ impact on personal autonomy is assessed using the Nuffield intervention ladder.

Small, independent or local restaurants or hot food takeaway outlets, with no restrictions by year or country.

Anyone selling or purchasing food in intervention settings (e.g. restaurant staff/owners, customers).

We screened 4624 records and included 12 studies describing 13 interventions in 351 businesses. Most studies were of poor quality. Customer-level intervention components mostly operated on the lower rungs of the Nuffield ladder, and most had limited positive effects on increasing demand, measured as sales or orders of healthy options. Whilst rare, most interventions measuring business outcomes operated on higher ladder rungs and showed small positive results. There was insufficient evidence to investigate differences in impact by intervention intrusiveness. Acceptability was greater for interventions that were low-effort, inexpensive and perceived as not negatively impacting on customer satisfaction.

Despite some evidence of small positive effects of healthy eating interventions on healthier purchases or restaurant/hot food takeaway practices, a weak evidence base hinders robust inference.

Natural disasters occur unexpectedly, leading to long-term consequences like obesity. That contributes to various noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This review aimed to examine the link between natural disasters and obesity, along with related risk factors.

This systematic review aimed to examine the relationship between natural disasters and obesity, as well as the associated risk factors.

A thorough search was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, HINARI, and Google Scholar. Additional articles were manually searched. Studies that reported weight gain and risk factors were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. Data were collected from eligible articles and synthesized.

The participants in this research ranged from 3 months to 67 years old. Of the 17 articles, 11 focused on children, while the 5 focused on adults and 1 on adolescents. All studies followed a cohort design, with follow-up periods varying from 6 months to 15.5 years. Results indicated weight gain post-disaster, with risk factors including sedentary behavior, unhealthy eating habits, maternal high Body Mass Index (BMI), mixed feeding, stress, alcohol consumption, coastal residence, temporary housing, and timing from disaster onset.

This research emphasizes the significance of addressing post-disaster obesity as a pivotal aspect of public health, suggesting its integration with immediate priorities such as trauma management. Emphasizing its long-lasting effects across generations, the study offers policymakers valuable insights to develop effective approaches in tackling post-disaster obesity.