Assessment of publication bias and outcome reporting bias in systematic reviews of health services and delivery research:A meta-epidemiological study

Strategies to identify and mitigate publication bias and outcome reporting bias are frequently adopted in systematic reviews of clinical interventions but it is not clear how often these are applied in systematic reviews relating to quantitative health services and delivery research (HSDR). We examined whether these biases are mentioned and/or otherwise assessed in HSDR systematic reviews, and evaluated associating factors to inform future practice. We randomly selected 200 quantitative HSDR systematic reviews published in the English language from 2007-2017 from the Health Systems Evidence database (www.healthsystemsevidence.org). We extracted data on factors that may influence whether or not authors mention and/or assess publication bias or outcome reporting bias. We found that 43% (n = 85) of the reviews mentioned publication bias and 10% (n = 19) formally assessed it. Outcome reporting bias was mentioned and assessed in 17% (n = 34) of all the systematic reviews. Insufficient number of studies, heterogeneity and lack of pre-registered protocols were the most commonly reported impediments to assessing the biases. In multivariable logistic regression models, both mentioning and formal assessment of publication bias were associated with: inclusion of a meta-analysis; being a review of intervention rather than association studies; higher journal impact factor, and; reporting the use of systematic review guidelines. Assessment of outcome reporting bias was associated with: being an intervention review; authors reporting the use of Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE), and; inclusion of only controlled trials. Publication bias and outcome reporting bias are infrequently assessed in HSDR systematic reviews. This may reflect the inherent heterogeneity of HSDR evidence and different methodological approaches to synthesising the evidence, lack of awareness of such biases, limits of current tools and lack of pre-registered study protocols for assessing such biases. Strategies to help raise awareness of the biases, and methods to minimise their occurrence and mitigate their impacts on HSDR systematic reviews, are needed

Stakeholder views on publication bias in health services research

Objectives: While the presence of publication bias in clinical research is well documented, little is known about its role in the reporting of health services research. This paper explores stakeholder perceptions and experiences with regard to the role of publication and related biases in quantitative research relating to the quality, accessibility and organization of health services. Methods: We present findings from semi-structured interviews with those responsible for the funding, publishing and/or conduct of quantitative health services research, primarily in the UK. Additional data collection includes interviews with health care decision makers as ‘end users’ of health services research, and a focus group with patient and service user representatives. The final sample comprised 24 interviews and eight focus group participants. Results: Many study participants felt unable to say with any degree of certainty whether publication bias represents a significant problem in quantitative health services research. Participants drew broad contrasts between externally funded and peer reviewed research on the one hand, and end user funded quality improvement projects on the other, with the latter perceived as more vulnerable to selective publication and author over-claiming. Multiple study objectives, and a general acceptance of ‘mess and noise’ in the data and its interpretation was seen to reduce the importance attached to replicable estimates of effect sizes in health services research. The relative absence of external scrutiny, either from manufacturers of interventions or health system decision makers, added to this general sense of ‘low stakes’ of health services research. As a result, while many participants advocated study pre-registration and using protocols to pre-identify outcomes, others saw this as an unwarranted imposition. Conclusions: This study finds that incentives towards publication and related bias are likely to be present, but not to the same degree as in clinical research. In health services research, these were seen as being offset by other forms of ‘novelty’ bias in the reporting and publishing of research findings

Green Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles and its Application in the Degradation of Methyl Red

Environmental pollution is a threat to human health, with methyl red dye used in printing and textile dyeing being a notable pollutant that can cause eye, skin, and digestive system irritation. This study investigates the degradation of methyl red dye using nanoparticles of Nickel Oxide (NiO NPs) as photocatalysts. NiO NPs were synthesised at room temperature through thermal decomposition using antioxidant-rich extracts from strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), grapes (Vitis vinifera), and grapefruits (Citrus paradisi). Characterisation of the NiO NPs was performed using FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and SEM. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of NiO NPs with peaks between 577 – 585 cm–1. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed absorption wavelengths between 322-326 nm for the synthesised NiO NPs and a blue shift to 422-470 nm during methyl red degradation. This study presents a sustainable method for  synthesising NiO nanoparticles and demonstrates their effectiveness in environmental remediation, specifically for the removal of  pollutant dyes. 

Doping Self-Regulatory Efficacy Among Elite Athletes in Nigeria

The increasing gains attributed to sports motivate athletes to strive for victory by any means, including doping. This study seeks to ascertain the doping self-regulatory efficacy of elite athletes in Nigeria. The descriptive survey design guided the study with 206 elite-athletes (mean = 26.3 years, ±12.20) from across the six geographical zones of Nigeria voluntarily participating in the study. Athletes signed informed consent, and confidentiality was rigorously maintained after ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Committee of the University of Ibadan. ANOVA, Pearson (r), and Cramer's V tested all hypotheses for relationship and the extent of such associations. Findings revealed a strong relationship across age and gender (F(3, 202) = 2.74, p = 0.044) when athletes were encouraged to enhance their performance but a weak association with sports category (ɸc = 0.100). Doping self-efficacy indicated a weak-negative correlation with age (r = -.066, p = .93, p < .05) but a weak-positive relationship with gender (r= .066, p= .3463). The study concludes that athletes in Nigeria demonstrate a high doping-self-efficacy in avoiding doping, regardless of stressors

Human Resource Analytics Dimensions and Employees’ Engagement in a Digital Workplace Environment: A Scoping Review

In the contemporary digital workplace environment, the relationship between human resource analytics dimensions and employees' engagement has become a focal point for organizational success. This scoping review aims to elucidate the existing literature on this relationship, providing insights into the impact of human resource analytics dimensions on employees' engagement in digital workplaces. Initially, 106 articles were identified through comprehensive search strategies. After rigorous application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 75 articles were excluded, leading to a refined pool of 17 relevant articles. The study adopts a systematic approach to assess the impact of human resource analytics dimensions, including descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis, on employees' engagement levels. Findings from the review underscore the significance of leveraging human resource analytics dimensions to optimize employees’ engagement strategies in the digital workplace, emphasizing the need for further research and practical applications to enhance organizational performance and employee well-being

Plastic pollution and fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens – a neglected environmental and public health issue?

Plastic waste is ubiquitous in the environment and can become colonised by distinct microbial biofilm communities, known collectively as the ‘plastisphere.’ The plastisphere can facilitate the increased survival and dissemination of human pathogenic prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria); however, our understanding of the potential for plastics to harbour and disseminate eukaryotic pathogens is lacking. Eukaryotic microorganisms are abundant in natural environments and represent some of the most important disease-causing agents, collectively responsible for tens of millions of infections, and millions of deaths worldwide. While prokaryotic plastisphere communities in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments are relatively well characterised, such biofilms will also contain eukaryotic species. Here, we critically review the potential for fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens to associate with the plastisphere, and consider the regulation and mechanisms of this interaction. As the volume of plastics in the environment continues to rise there is an urgent need to understand the role of the plastisphere for the survival, virulence, dissemination, and transfer of eukaryotic pathogens, and the effect this can have on environmental and human health

Chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments has no effect on honey bee survival, but reduces feeding rate and body weight

Microplastics (MPs), in the form of fragments and fibers, were recently found in honey samples collected in Ecuador as well as in honey bees collected from Denmark and China. However, little is known about how MPs impact bee health. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the potential toxicity of irregularly shaped polystyrene (PS)-MP fragments on honey bee health. In the first experiment of its kind with honey bees, we chronically exposed bees with a well-established gut microbiome to small (27 ± 17 µm) or large (93 ± 25 µm) PS-MP fragments at varying concentrations (1, 10, 100 µg mL−1) for 14 days. Bee mortality, food consumption, and body weight were all studied. We found that chronic exposure to PS-MP fragments has no effect on honey bee survival, but reduced the feeding rate and body weight, particularly at 10 µg PS-MP fragments per mL, which may have long-term consequences for honey bee health. The findings of this study could assist in the risk assessment of MPs on pollinator health

PreImplantation Trial of Histopathology In renal Allografts (PITHIA): a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Most potential kidney transplant donors in the UK are aged over 60 years, yet increasing donor age is associated with poorer graft survival and function. Urgent preimplantation kidney biopsy can identify chronic injury, and may aid selection of better 'quality' kidneys from this group. However, the impact of biopsy on transplant numbers remains unproven. The PreImplantation Trial of Histopathology In renal Allografts (PITHIA) study will assess whether the introduction of a national, 24 hours, digital histopathology service increases the number, and improves outcomes, of kidneys transplanted in the UK from older deceased donors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: PITHIA is an open, multicentre, stepped-wedge cluster randomised study, involving all UK adult kidney transplant centres. At 4-monthly intervals, a group of 4-5 randomly selected clusters (transplant centres) will be given access to remote, urgent, digital histopathology (total intervention period, 24 months). The trial has two primary end points: it is powered for an 11% increase in the proportion of primary kidney offers from deceased donors aged over 60 years that are transplanted, and a 6 mL/min increase in the estimated glomerular filtration rate of recipients at 12 months post-transplant. This would equate to an additional 120 kidney transplants performed in the UK annually. Trial outcome data will be collected centrally via the UK Transplant Registry held by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and will be analysed using mixed effects models allowing for clustering within centres and adjusting for secular trends. An accompanying economic evaluation will estimate the cost-effectiveness of the service to the National Health Service. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been given favourable ethical opinion by the Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee and is approved by the Health Research Authority. We will present our findings at key transplant meetings, publish results within 4 years of the trial commencing and support volunteers at renal patient groups to disseminate the trial outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN11708741; Pre-results

Fabrication and investigation of local clay-based insulators for high voltage applications

Nigeria has a large deposit of clay which is the major raw material for the fabrication of porcelain insulators for high voltage applications. However, the country depends largely on imported porcelain insulators to meet its high voltage needs even in the face of the worsening exchange rate of the Nigerian currency compared to the US dollar and other foreign currencies. As a result, it becomes necessary to sort for local means of fabricating high voltage pin insulators from locally available raw materials. In this study, clay sourced from three different geographical locations (Auchi, Ikorodu, and Ota) are used to fabricate three samples of high voltage insulators. The fourth sample of insulator is also fabricated from the Ota clay with Plaster of Paris (POP) as an additive to enhance workability. The physical and electrical properties of the insulator samples are investigated and compared with imported porcelain insulators. The results show that the insulator fabricated using the clay from Auchi has the highest breakdown voltage of 5 kV and lowest leakage current of 2mA and thus can be adopted for low-tension insulation instead of the high-tension insulation speculated from the onset of the research