Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mustafa Al-Durra, Robert P. Nolan, Emily Seto, Joseph A. Cafazzo
Summary: The study found that the prospective registration rate of digital health trials is 38.4%, and the publication rate is 65.5%. There is a significant Selective Registration Bias before publication, which is also related to funding sources. There are significant differences in non-publication rates and trial locations according to funding sources.
Article
Microbiology
Gustavo Fontecha, Ana Sanchez, Bryan Ortiz
Summary: The scientific production on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has increased significantly over the past decade, with dengue and leishmaniasis being the most researched diseases globally. The United States leads in scientific publications on NTDs, while Brazil is the main contributor in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. However, the number of publications on malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remains considerably higher than for NTDs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Ivan Grondona, Maria Lourdes Lima, Hector Enrique Massone, Karina Silvia Beatriz Miglioranza
Summary: Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean is the biggest user of water and pesticides globally. A systematic review found that only six countries in the region have information on pesticides in groundwater. The study detected a total of 70 agrochemicals, with herbicides being the most commonly detected. Factors such as preferential flows, rainfall variations, and land use practices contribute to the presence of these contaminants in aquifers. The limited analytical capacity in the region calls for groundwater pesticide monitoring to reduce health risks to humans and ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Ichiro Iwasaki
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis of the impact of financial development and liberalization on economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, finding that these factors may enhance economic growth in the region, but the choice of financial variables is crucial. The results also suggest that there is genuine empirical evidence in the existing literature supporting the growth-promoting effect of finance in the region.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Akram Hernandez-Vasquez, Fabriccio J. Visconti-Lopez, Rodrigo Vargas-Fernandez
Summary: Latin America and the Caribbean have the second highest level of food insecurity globally, with 40.9% of the population experiencing it. This study identifies several factors associated with food insecurity, including population and income-related factors, while households located in capital cities and those with more bedrooms are less likely to experience food insecurity.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Gustavo Werutsky, Gustavo Goessling, Rodrigo Azevedo Pellegrini, Gustavo Alberto Sandival Ampuero, Taiane Rebelatto
Summary: The incidence of cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean is increasing annually and is expected to reach 2.4 million new cases by 2040. Cancer has become the leading cause of premature death in most countries in this region and is the second leading cause of death regardless of the country's socioeconomic status. Compared to other countries globally, LAC countries have moderate income levels and a moderate availability of radiotherapy machines per capita. Unequal access to optimal care and the impact of health insurance type on patients' diagnosis and outcomes have been identified as issues in LAC. The cancer burden in LAC countries is a significant public health concern with considerable socioeconomic implications.
ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Raabeae Aryan, David Jagroop, Cynthia J. Danells, Gabriela Rozanski, Janelle Unger, Andrew H. Huntley, Avril Mansfield
Summary: This study found that nearly half of motor-based stroke rehabilitation trials were unpublished, even more than 3 years after the trial ended. Moreover, when main publications were found, they substantially deviated from information in the registry record in terms of trial design, primary objectives, outcomes, eligibility criteria, and sample size.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Filippos Mikelis, Giorgos N. Tzanetakis, Theodore Eliades, Despina Koletsi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the proportion of significant outcomes reported in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) published in 12 high-impact dentistry journals, and found that most trials reported statistically significant results. Specialty domain, continent, and trial registration status were significant predictors of reported outcomes.
JOURNAL OF DENTISTRY
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Pablo Jarrin-V, Fander Falconi, Pedro Cango, Jesus Ramos-Martin
Summary: An economy based on primary products is prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean, with little added value from knowledge and technology, leading to a development gap with technologically advanced regions. While there is relatively high growth intensity in patent applications, high-tech exports, and scientific publications, research and technological gaps are widening, driving up the resulting gaps in economic growth.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alexis Zickafoose, Gary Wingenbach, Matt Baker, Edwin Price
Summary: Youth agricultural entrepreneurship programs in Latin America and the Caribbean lack cohesiveness in their curriculum content. This study investigates the core competencies and training needs of youth in agricultural entrepreneurship through a Delphi panel study and a needs assessment in the Dominican Republic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Diego Urrunaga-Pastor, Guido Bendezu-Quispe, Percy Herrera-Anazco, Angela Uyen-Cateriano, Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo, Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales, Adrian Hernandez, Vicente A. Benites-Zapata
Summary: Eight out of 10 adults in Latin America and the Caribbean have COVID-19 vaccination intention (VI) and fear of its adverse effects (FAE). Factors such as being female or non-binary, living in a town, village or rural area, and economic insecurity were associated with a higher probability of FAE. Additionally, fears of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, a family member becoming seriously ill, and having depressive symptoms were associated with a higher probability of VI and FAE.
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Beatriz Zachello Nunes, Eliete Zanardi-Lamardo, Rodrigo Brasil Choueri, Italo Braga Castro
Summary: The study identified the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine protected areas (MPAs) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with potential occasional toxicity to organisms. Sediment and biota samples indicated varying impacts on MPAs of different management classes, with petrogenic and pyrolytic processes identified as the main sources of PAH, mainly attributed to proximity to ports, industries, and urban areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lori Post, Ramael O. Ohiomoba, Ashley Maras, Sean J. Watts, Charles B. Moss, Robert Leo Murphy, Michael G. Ison, Chad J. Achenbach, Danielle Resnick, Lauren Nadya Singh, Janine White, Azraa S. Chaudhury, Michael J. Boctor, Sarah B. Welch, James Francis Oehmke
Summary: The study aimed to provide additional surveillance metrics for tracking COVID-19 transmission more accurately in Latin America and the Caribbean. Results showed a reduction in speed, acceleration, and jerk in certain countries, but some still had high acceleration and jerk values, indicating potential concerns for the region.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Pinos, Adolfo Quesada-Roman
Summary: Latin America and the Caribbean are prone to hydrometeorological disasters, and flood risk research in the region is mainly concentrated in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Argentina. Most studies focus on lowland areas, and the diversity of keywords is limited with poor coherence between titles, abstracts, and keywords.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Julia Cintra Almeida, Italo Braga Castro, Beatriz Zachello Nunes, Eliete Zanardi-Lamardo
Summary: This review summarizes studies on booster biocides in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past two decades. The majority of the studies were conducted in Brazil. Diuron and Irgarol were found to be the most abundant and frequent biocides in water and sediment, while DCOIT was the most commonly used booster biocide in antifouling paint particles. Laboratory tests on the toxicity of individual booster biocides revealed that chlorothalonil, DCOIT, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol had various effects, including DNA damage, decreased fertility, and mortality at different trophic levels. This review emphasizes the need for further research on the environmental occurrence of booster biocides in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as ecotoxicological studies. Such information is crucial for determining the potential ecological risks and establishing safe limits for booster biocides in aquatic systems.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Carlos Delfino, Marilaura Nunez, Claudia Asenjo-Lobos, Francisca Gonzalez, Amy Riviotta, Francisca Urrutia, Pablo Lavados, Craig S. Anderson, Paula Munoz Venturelli
Summary: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological measures of stroke in Latin America/Caribbean during 1997-2021. The overall incidence rate, prevalence, and case-fatality at 1 month were found to be high in this region. More studies with standardized criteria and methods are needed to generate reliable data.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
D. Glujovsky, K. Lattes, M. Miguens, R. Pesce, A. Ciapponi
Summary: The use of personalized embryo transfer (pET) guided by tests for endometrial receptivity (TER) is not supported by current evidence in women without repeated implantation failure (RIF), while more research is needed to assess its potential benefit in women with RIF.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Maria Macarena Sandoval, Ariel Bardach, Carlos Rojas-Roque, Tomas Alconada, Jorge A. Gomez, Thatiana Pinto, Carolina Palermo, Agustin Ciapponi
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review on the dynamic pattern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The findings showed high resistance to certain antibiotics in some Latin American countries, particularly to azithromycin. Therefore, improved surveillance of gonococcal AMR in LAC is indicated.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ariel Bardach, Tomas Alconada, Carolina Palermo, Carlos Rojas-Roque, Maria Macarena Sandoval, Jorge Gomez, Thatiana Pinto, Agustin Ciapponi
Summary: This article reviews the epidemiology and economic burden of gonorrhoea in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the significant impact of the disease in the region. The findings provide valuable information for public health and clinical decision making.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Augustovski Federico, Bardach Ariel, Santoro Adrian, Rodriguez-Cairoli Federico, Lopez-Osornio Alejandro, Argento Fernando, Havela Maissa, Blumenfeld Alejandro, Ballivian Jamile, Solioz German, Capula Analia, Lopez Analia, Cejas Cintia, Savedoff William, Palacios Alfredo, Rubinstein Adolfo, Pichon-Riviere Andres
Summary: This study analyzes the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in seven Latin American and Caribbean countries. The findings indicate that vaccination is beneficial for population health and cost-saving or highly cost-effective in almost all scenarios. Despite the incremental costs, vaccination campaigns saved a significant amount of money for the healthcare system.
COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Claudia Asenjo-Lobos, Leticia Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Bulnes, Marta Roque, Paula Munoz Venturelli, Gonzalo Martinez Rodriguez
Summary: This study evaluated the difference in the risk of cardiovascular events between patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) and the general population. The results showed that SAD patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and psoriasis (Ps), which should be considered when establishing therapeutic strategies.
CLINICAL RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Juan C. Vazquez, Antonio Pinero, Francisco J. de Castro, Ana Lluch, Miguel Martin, Agusti Barnadas, Emilio Alba, Alvaro Rodriguez-Lescure, Federico Rojo, Julia Gimenez, Ivan Sola, Maria J. Quintana, Xavier Bonfill, Gerard Urrutia, Pedro Sanchez-Rovira
Summary: This systematic review analyzed the performance of sentinel lymph-node biopsy (SLNB) in women with node-positive breast cancer at diagnosis and node-negative tumor after neoadjuvant therapy compared to axillary lymph-node dissection. The results showed that SLNB has a low false-negative rate, high lymph-node identification rate, good negative predictive value, and high accuracy. The performance of SLNB can be improved with double mapping and marking the affected node.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Enrique Caballe-Perez, Norma Hernandez-Pedro, Maritza Ramos-Ramirez, Pedro Barrios-Bernal, Eunice Romero-Nunez, Jose Lucio-Lozada, Santiago Avila-Rios, Gustavo Reyes-Teran, Andres F. Cardona, Oscar Arrieta
Summary: This study comprehensively characterizes the molecular heterogeneity of KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Latin American patients for the first time, highlighting the prognostic impact of diverse molecular profiles and emphasizing the need for further validation in larger cohorts.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Andrea Alcaraz, Adeniran Adedeji, Andres Pichon-Riviere, Mma Amara Ekeruche, Agustin Casarini, Federico Rodriguez Cairoli, Natalia Espinola, Javier Roberti, Alfredo Palacios, Ariel Bardach
Summary: This study evaluated the health and economic implications of cigarette labeling policies in Nigeria. The results show that implementing new policies and plain packaging can significantly reduce deaths and disease rates, as well as save a substantial amount of healthcare costs.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Marilina Santero, Julia de Mas, Berta Rifa, Ines Clavero, Irene Rexach, Xavier Bonfill Cosp
Summary: This study evaluated the quality of cancer treatment guidelines from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) using the AGREE II and AGREE-REX tools. It found that 84.8% of the guidelines were rated as high quality, but there were areas for improvement in terms of clinical applicability and inclusion of patient perspectives.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Marcela Cortes-Jofre, Meisser Madera, Lesbia Tirado-Amador, Claudia Asenjo-Lobos, Xavier Bonfill-Cosp
Summary: This study evaluated the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings showed that although the methodological quality of CPGs for NSCLC treatment is moderate, there is still room for improvement in their development and implementation.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Endre Szigethy, Rosario Dorantes, Miguel Sugranes, Meisser Madera, Ivan Sola, Gerard Urrutia, Xavier Bonfill
Summary: The purpose of this scoping review was to describe the methods and extent of anticancer drug use at the end of life. Through systematic searches, 341 eligible publications were selected, including 69 articles on all cancer types published within the last 5 years. The results showed variability in the frequency of anticancer drug use across different end of life periods.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Josefina Bendersky, Macarena Uribe, Maximiliano Bravo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Julio Villanueva, Gerard Urrutia, Xavier Bonfill
Summary: This systematic mapping review aims to identify, describe, and organize the currently available evidence regarding orthognathic surgery co-interventions and surgical modalities. The quality of the included systematic reviews was generally low, and the study identified several knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future high-quality research.
MEDICINA ORAL PATOLOGIA ORAL Y CIRUGIA BUCAL
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Juan Carlos Vazquez, Silvia Antolin, Manuel Ruiz-Borrego, Sonia Servitja, Emilio Alba, Agusti Barnadas, Ana Lluch, Miguel Martin, Alvaro Rodriguez-Lescure, Ivan Sola, Xavier Bonfill, Gerard Urrutia, Pedro Sanchez-Rovira
Summary: Through a systematic review, it was found that dual anti-HER2 blockade had a higher probability of achieving pathological complete response compared to monotherapy. Furthermore, dual treatment may lead to improved survival outcomes and tumor clinical response. For neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, the use of dual blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab is recommended.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
