Systematic reviews involve searching multiple bibliographic databases to identify eligible studies. As this type of evidence synthesis is increasingly pursued, the use of various electronic platforms ...can help researchers improve the efficiency and quality of their research. We examined the accuracy and efficiency of commonly used electronic methods for flagging and removing duplicate references during this process.
A heterogeneous sample of references was obtained by conducting a similar topical search in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO databases. References were de-duplicated via manual abstraction to create a benchmark set. The default settings were then used in Ovid multifile search, EndNote desktop, Mendeley, Zotero, Covidence, and Rayyan to de-duplicate the sample of references independently. Using the benchmark set as reference, the number of false-negative and false-positive duplicate references for each method was identified, and accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were determined.
We found that the most accurate methods for identifying duplicate references were Ovid, Covidence, and Rayyan. Ovid and Covidence possessed the highest specificity for identifying duplicate references, while Rayyan demonstrated the highest sensitivity.
This study reveals the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used de-duplication methods and provides strategies for improving their performance to avoid unintentionally removing eligible studies and introducing bias into systematic reviews. Along with availability, ease-of-use, functionality, and capability, these findings are important to consider when researchers are selecting database platforms and supporting software programs for conducting systematic reviews.
Editor's Message McKeown, Sandra
The journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association,
08/2021, Letnik:
42, Številka:
2
Journal Article
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In September, the Journal's leadership transitions to the very capable hands of Alanna Campbell (Northern Ontario School of Medicine) as the new Editor-in-Chief, and Colleen Pawliuk (BC Children's ...Hospital Research Institute) as the new Senior Editor. The August 2021 issue of the Journal includes two articles about library support for knowledge synthesis research, including the program description: "Flipping it online: re-imagining teaching searching for knowledge syntheses", and the research article: "An environmental scan of librarian involvement in systematic reviews at Queen's University: 2020 update". Le numero d'Août 2021 comprend deux articles sur le soutien des bibliothéques pour la recherche sur la synthese des connaissances, incluant la description du programme : "Flipping it online : re-imagining teaching searching for knowledge syntheses", et I'article de recherche : "An environmental scan of librarian involvement in systematic reviews at Queen's University : 2020 update".
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Although surgery for endometriosis can improve pain and fertility, the risk of disease recurrence is high. There is little consensus regarding the benefit of medical therapy in ...preventing recurrence of endometriosis following surgery.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
We performed a review of prospective observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the risk of endometriosis recurrence in patients undergoing post-operative hormonal suppression, compared to placebo/expectant management.
SEARCH METHODS
The following databases were searched from inception to March 2020 for RCTs and prospective observational cohort studies: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science. We included English language full-text articles of pre-menopausal women undergoing conservative surgery (conserving at least one ovary) and initiating hormonal suppression within 6 weeks post-operatively with either combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC), progestins, androgens, levonorgesterel-releasing intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) or GnRH agonist or antagonist. We excluded from the final analysis studies with <12 months of follow-up, interventions of diagnostic laparoscopy, experimental/non-hormonal treatments or combined hormonal therapy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies.
OUTCOMES
We included 17 studies (13 RCTs and 4 cohort studies), with 2137 patients (1189 receiving post-operative suppression and 948 controls), which evaluated various agents: CHC (6 studies, n = 869), progestin (3 studies, n = 183), LNG-IUS (2 studies, n = 94) and GnRH agonist (9 studies, n = 1237). The primary outcome was post-operative endometriosis recurrence, determined by imaging or recurrence of symptoms, at least 12 months post-operatively. The secondary outcome was change in endometriosis-related pain. Mean follow up of included studies ranged from 12 to 36 months, and outcomes were assessed at a median of 18 months. There was a significantly decreased risk of endometriosis recurrence in patients receiving post-operative hormonal suppression compared to expectant management/placebo (relative risk (RR) 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.65), 14 studies, 1766 patients, I2 = 68%, random effects model). Subgroup analysis on patients treated with CHC and LNG-IUS as well as sensitivity analyses limited to RCTs and high-quality studies showed a consistent decreased risk of endometriosis recurrence. Additionally, the patients receiving post-operative hormonal suppression had significantly lower pain scores compared to controls (SMD −0.49, 95% CI: −0.91 to −0.07, 7 studies, 652 patients, I2 = 68%).
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Hormonal suppression should be considered for patients not seeking pregnancy immediately after endometriosis surgery in order to reduce disease recurrence and pain. Various hormonal agents have been shown to be effective, and the exact treatment choice should be individualised according to each woman’s needs.
Editor's Message McKeown, Sandra
The journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association,
04/2021, Letnik:
42, Številka:
1
Journal Article
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Intended to serve as a guide to structuring minimum library services within health and social services institutions across all Canadian provinces and territories, the updated Standards were made ...possible thanks to the tireless efforts of the CHLAABSC Standards Task Force (Francesca Frati, Lori Anne Oja and Julia Kleinberg) and the many individuals and groups who contributed to this important work. Sincerely, Sandra McKeown JCHLA/JABSC Editor-in-Chief Email: editor@chla-absc.ca Bienvenue au numero de printemps du Journal. Nous sommes heureux de publier dans ce numéro les Normes pour les bibliothéques et les services d'information des etablissements de soins de santé et de services sociaux du Canada 2020.
Editor's Message McKeown, Sandra
The journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association,
12/2020, Letnik:
41, Številka:
3
Journal Article
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CHLA/ABSCs statement on anti-racism outlined some of the ways the Association is working to promote diversity and inclusion in health sciences librarianship 5, including: * A Strategic Direction to ...advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action in the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, which included: о Adopting an Indigenous Protocol for all Association gatherings, and sharing resources on Indigenous matters within the Association, о Establishing an Indigenous Matters Task Force, * Adding a new standard on inclusion, diversity, equity to the forthcoming CHLA-AB SC Standards for Library and Information Services in Canadian Health & Social Services Institutions, and * Developing a Conference Code of Conduct that will be in place at all future conferences to help provide a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion. ...we would like to invite submissions about racial injustice and topics of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the scope of health sciences librarianship. In addition to a book review and two product reviews, this issue also presents the abstracts that were accepted for the CHLA/ABSC 2020 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, which had to be canceled as a result of the pandemic. ...I would like to extend my gratitude to the current editorial team for all their hard work in these challenging times, including:
Many health sciences librarians are noticing an increase in demand for systematic review support. Developing a strategic approach to supporting systematic review activities can address commonly ...reported barriers and challenges including time factors, methodological issues, and supporting student-led projects.
This case report describes how a health sciences library at a mid-sized university developed and implemented a structured and defined systematic review service in order to build capacity for increased librarian support and to maximize librarians' time and expertise. The process also revealed underlying collaboration challenges related to student-led systematic reviews and research quality concerns that needed to be addressed. The steps for developing a formal service included defining the librarian's role and a library service model, building librarian expertise, developing documentation to guide librarians and patrons, piloting and revising the service model, marketing and promoting the service, and evaluating service usage.
The two-tiered service model developed for advisory consultation and collaboration provides a framework for supporting systematic review activities that other libraries can adapt to meet their own needs. Librarian autonomy in deciding whether to collaborate on reviews based on defined and explicit considerations was crucial for maximizing librarians' time and expertise and for promoting higher quality research. Monitoring service usage will be imperative for managing existing and future librarian workload. These data and tracking of research outputs from librarian collaborations may also be used to advocate for new librarian positions.
Matrix gla protein (MGP) is an important vitamin K-dependent inhibitor of vascular calcification. High levels of uncarboxylated, dephosphorylated MGP have been associated with vascular calcification ...and are responsive to vitamin K treatment. In this systematic review, we summarize the available evidence examining whether vitamin K supplementation improves surrogate measures of cardiovascular disease including artery and valve calcification, atherosclerosis and artery stiffening. Data from controlled trials of adults were obtained by searching Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Web of Science Core Collection. We identified nine randomized controlled trials for review, including trials of vitamin K
or vitamin K
supplementation, that assessed a surrogate measure of cardiovascular disease including arterial calcification, atherosclerosis or arterial stiffening. For each trial, the risk of bias was assessed applying Cochrane Collaboration methodology. The findings indicate that vitamin K does not consistently prevent progression of calcification, atherosclerosis or arterial stiffness. There may be some benefit in people with calcification at study entry. Studies were heterogenous, with relatively short follow-up and outcome measures were varied. While vitamin K supplementation clearly improves the carboxylation of dephosphoylated MGP, its role in mitigating vascular calcification is uncertain, based on current evidence.
The research evaluated the perceived quality of librarian-mediated literature searching services at one of Canada's largest acute care teaching hospitals for the purpose of continuous quality ...improvement and investigation of relationships between variables that can impact user satisfaction.
An online survey was constructed using evidence-based methodologies. A systematic sample of staff and physicians requesting literature searches at London Health Sciences Centre were invited to participate in the study over a one-year period. Data analyses included descriptive statistics of closed-ended questions and coding of open-ended questions.
A range of staff including clinicians, researchers, educators, leaders, and analysts submitted a total of 137 surveys, representing a response rate of 71%. Staff requested literature searches for the following "primary" purposes: research or publication (34%), teaching or training (20%), informing a policy or standard practice (16%), patient care (15%), and "other" purposes (15%). While the majority of staff (76%) submitted search requests using methods of written communication, including email and search request forms, staff using methods of verbal communication, including face-to-face and telephone conversations, were significantly more likely to be extremely satisfied with the librarian's interpretation of the search request (
=0.004) and to rate the perceived quality of the search results as excellent (
=0.005). In most cases, librarians followed up with staff to clarify the details of their search requests (72%), and these staff were significantly more likely to be extremely satisfied with the librarian's interpretation of the search request (
=0.002).
Our results demonstrate the limitations of written communication in the context of librarian-mediated literature searching and suggest a multifaceted approach to quality improvement efforts.
Although it is known that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy may lead to microcephaly in the fetus, the prognostic factors associated with this tragic disorder remain unclear. We conducted ...a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prognostic factors associated with the incidence of microcephaly in congenital ZIKV infection.
We conducted a comprehensive search in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE (R) Epub ahead of print, Embase, Embase Classic, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, and various thesis databases to identify human studies reporting microcephaly associated with congenital ZIKV infection. We requested primary data from the authors of the included studies to calculate summary estimates and conduct the meta-analysis of the most prevalent factors.
We screened 4106 titles and abstracts, and identified 12 studies for inclusion in the systematic review. The assessment of ZIKV infection and the definition of microcephaly varied among studies. A total of 6154 newborns/fetuses were enrolled; of those, 1120 (18.20%) had a diagnostic of ZIKV infection, of which 509 (45.45%) were diagnosed with microcephaly. Nine studies addressed the link between congenital ZIKV infection and neurological findings in newborns/fetuses. Half of the studies provided primary data. Three out of 11 factors of interest seem to be prognostic factors of microcephaly: infant's sex - males compared to females: Relative Risk (RR) 1.30, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.14 to 1.49; the stage of pregnancy when infection occurred - infection in the first trimester of pregnancy compared to infection at other stages of pregnancy: RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.82; and asymptomatic infection compared to symptomatic infection during pregnancy: RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.77.
Our findings support the female-biased resistance hypothesis and reinforce the risk associated with the stage of pregnancy when ZIKV infection occurs. Continued surveillance of ZIKV infection during pregnancy is needed to identify additional factors that could contribute to developing microcephaly in affected fetuses.
This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration no. CRD 42018088075.
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