Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy Versus Best Supportive Care for Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of non-chemotherapy anticancer drugs (immunotherapy or targeted therapy) compared to best supportive care (BSC) or placebo for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searching (May 2022) MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Epistemonikos, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PROSPERO.

Asymptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosed During Colorectal Cancer Population Screening in Catalonia: Characteristics and Natural History.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is usually diagnosed when symptomatic. Prognosis and evolution of preclinical IBD is largely unknown. However, colorectal cancer screening programs (CRCSP) detect a subset of patients with IBD with no symptoms.

Experience and satisfaction of participants in colorectal cancer screening programs: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

Background: Experience and satisfaction of colorectal cancer screening program participants are among the key factors that determine adherence to these programs. Understanding them is crucial to ensure future participation.

Objectives: To explore and gain understanding on the experience and satisfaction of the average-risk population participating in colorectal cancer screening programs.

Utilising systematic reviews to assess potential overtreatment and claim for better evidence-based research: an analysis of anticancer drugs versus supportive care in advanced esophageal cancer.

Background: Highlighting the identified gaps in evidence-based research concerning advanced esophageal cancer (EC) treatment and care, this review evaluates the efficacy and safety of anticancer drugs compared to supportive care for advanced EC patients, aiming to assess the appropriateness of usual treatments and identify the gaps that need to be filled with primary research.

Methods: We searched (May 2022) MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Epistemonikos, and trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov and PROSPERO) for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anticancer drugs (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or biological/targeted therapy) with supportive care in advanced EC.

Unrestricted vs 3-day low-residue diet for colonoscopy preparation. Results of a feasibility randomized trial.

Aim: To compare the impact of an unrestricted diet with a 3-day low-residue diet before colonoscopy on bowel preparation quality.

Methods: A randomized, multicenter, researcher-blinded, parallel-group feasibility trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of an unrestricted diet versus a 3-day low-residue diet for colonoscopy preparation. Participants, aged 50 to 69, were enrolled in a colorectal cancer screening program with no factors linked to poor bowel cleansing.

Anticancer Drugs Compared to No Anticancer Drugs in Patients with Advanced Hepatobiliary Cancer: A Mapping Review and Evidence Gap Map.

Introduction: Despite being commonly recommended, the impact of anticancer drugs (ACDs) on patient-important outcomes beyond survival for advanced hepatobiliary cancers (HBCs) may not have been sufficiently assessed. We aim to identify and map the evidence regarding ACDs versus best supportive care (BSC) for advanced HBCs, considering patient-centered outcomes.

Methods: In this mapping review, we included systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and observational studies comparing ACDs (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological/targeted therapy) versus BSC for advanced HBCs.

Comparison of biological weighting functions to estimate the microdosimetric RBE in BNCT.

In the framework of the MUNES project, a prototype accelerator-based thermal neutron source was developed and installed at the Legnaro National Laboratories of INFN. The microdosimetric characterization of this radiation field was performed with a Tissue-Equivalent Proportional Counter with interchangeable cathode walls, either doped with 100 ppm of 10B or without boron doping. A suitable subtraction procedure allowed to discriminate the gamma, neutron and BNC dose components (Selva et al.

First microdosimetric measurements with a tissue-equivalent proportional counter at the MedAustron ion-beam therapy facility.

The aim of this work is to present the first microdosimetric spectra measured with a miniaturised tissue-equivalent proportional counter in the clinical environment of the MedAustron ion-beam therapy facility. These spectra were gathered with a 62.4-MeV proton beam and have been compared with microdosimetric spectra measured in the 62-MeV clinical proton beam of the CATANA beam line.

Energy imparted and ionisation yield at the nanometre scale: results for extended beams.

The metrological problem of interpreting ionisation-based micro- and nanodosimetric measurements in terms of quantities proportional to energy imparted becomes particularly relevant when the sensitive volume (SV) size is in the nanometre range. At these scales, a constant W-value cannot be assumed, and the stochastics of the energy transfer per single collision could play a more important role. This problem was recently analysed by our group by means of track-structure Monte Carlo simulations with the Geant4-DNA code, finding a strong correlation between the energy imparted and ionisation yield also for SV diameters of 1 nm.

Participants' satisfaction with colorectal cancer screening programs: A systematic review.

Introduction: Since satisfaction with cancer screening experience can increase adherence to programs and contribute to reduce morbidity and mortality, its assessment is crucial for programs´ effectiveness. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review about satisfaction of participants with organized colorectal cancer screening.

Methods: We searched relevant scientific databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) from inception to May 2022.

Comparative analysis of systemic oncological treatments and best supportive care for advanced gastresophageal cancer: A comprehensive scoping review and evidence map.

Objective: To identify, describe, and organize the available evidence regarding systemic oncological treatments compared to best supportive care (BSC) for advanced gastresophageal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a thorough search across MEDLINE (PubMed), EMbase (Ovid), The Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, PROSPERO, and Clinicaltrials.gov.

Track Structure of Light Ions: The Link to Radiobiology.

It is generally recognized that the biological response to irradiation by light ions is initiated by complex damages at the DNA level. In turn, the occurrence of complex DNA damages is related to spatial and temporal distribution of ionization and excitation events, i.e.

Systemic oncological treatments in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a scoping review and evidence map.

Purpose: To identify, describe, and organise currently available evidence regarding systemic oncological treatments (SOTs) (chemotherapy, targeted/biological therapies, and immunotherapy) compared to best supportive care (BSC) for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: We conducted a scoping review and evidence mapping, adhering to PRISMA-ScR checklist. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, PROSPERO, and clinicaltrials.

TOPAS simulations of the response of a mini-TEPC: benchmark with experimental data.

. Microdosimetry offers a fast tool for radiation quality (RQ) verification to be implemented in treatment planning systems in proton therapy based on variable LET or RBE to move forward from the use of a fixed RBE of 1.1.

Women's values and preferences on low-molecular-weight heparin and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the cornerstone of prophylaxis and treatment of thrombotic events during pregnancy. LMWH has fewer adverse effects than other anticoagulants, does not cross the placenta, and is safe for the fetus.

Patient experience, satisfaction and shared decision-making in colorectal cancer screening: protocol of the mixed-methods study CyDESA.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes can reduce incidence and mortality from this condition if adherence to them is high. As patient experience and satisfaction are key factors in determining adherence to screening programmes, they need to be measured. Furthermore, to promote highly patient-centred healthcare, the perception of patients regarding shared decision-making during CRC screening needs to be known.

Comparable quality of bowel preparation with single-day versus three-day low-residue diet: Randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: There is controversy about the length of low-residue diet (LRD) for colonoscopy preparation. The aim of the study was to compare one-day vs. three-day LRD associated to standard laxative treatment for achieving an adequate colonoscopy preparation in average risk subjects with positive fecal immunochemical test undergoing screening colonoscopy.

The UpPriority tool was developed to guide the prioritization of clinical guideline questions for updating.

Objective: The objective of the study is to develop a pragmatic tool to prioritize clinical guideline (CG) questions for updating, the UpPriority tool.

Study Design And Setting: The development of this tool consisted of the following: (1) establishment of the working group, (2) generation of the initial version, (3) optimization of the tool (including an initial feasibility test, semistructured interviews, Delphi consensus survey, second feasibility test, external review, and pilot test), and (4) approval of the final version.

Results: A total of 87 participants including methodologists, clinicians, and other relevant stakeholders contributed to the development of the UpPriority tool.

A systematic review of how patients value COPD outcomes.

Our objective was to summarise systematically all research evidence related to how patients value outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).We conducted a systematic review (systematic review registration number CRD42015015206) by searching PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL, and included reports that assessed the relative importance of outcomes from COPD patients' perspective. Two authors independently determined the eligibility of studies, abstracted the eligible studies and assessed risk of bias.

Development and use of a content search strategy for retrieving studies on patients' views and preferences.

Background: Identifying scientific literature addressing patients' views and preferences is complex due to the wide range of studies that can be informative and the poor indexing of this evidence. Given the lack of guidance we developed a search strategy to retrieve this type of evidence.

Methods: We assembled an initial list of terms from several sources, including the revision of the terms and indexing of topic-related studies and, methods research literature, and other relevant projects and systematic reviews.

Development of a prioritisation tool for the updating of clinical guideline questions: the UpPriority Tool protocol.

Introduction: Due to a continuous emergence of new evidence, clinical guidelines (CGs) require regular surveillance of evidence to maintain their trustworthiness. The updating of CGs is resource intensive and time consuming; therefore, updating may include a prioritisation process to efficiently ensure recommendations remain up to date. The objective of our project is to develop a pragmatic tool to prioritise clinical questions for updating within a CG.

Incorporating patients' views in guideline development: a systematic review of guidance documents.

Objectives: To assess how guidance documents for developing clinical guidelines (CGs) address the incorporation of patients' views in CGs.

Study Design And Setting: Systematic review to identify the methodology provided in guidance documents for incorporating (1) patients or representatives and (2) patients' views in the CG development process. The search was performed in 2017 in five databases.

Methodological systematic review identifies major limitations in prioritization processes for updating.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify and describe strategies to prioritize the updating of systematic reviews (SRs), health technology assessments (HTAs), or clinical guidelines (CGs).

Study Design And Setting: We conducted an SR of studies describing one or more methods to prioritize SRs, HTAs, or CGs for updating. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed, from 1966 to August 2016) and The Cochrane Methodology Register (The Cochrane Library, Issue 8 2016).

Forty-two systematic reviews generated 23 items for assessing the risk of bias in values and preferences' studies.

Objectives: In systematic reviews of studies of patients' values and preferences, the objective of the study was to summarize items and domains authors have identified when considering the risk of bias (RoB) associated with primary studies.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted a systematic survey of systematic reviews of patients' values and preference studies. Our search included three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) from their inception to August 2015.

Authors seldom report the most patient-important outcomes and absolute effect measures in systematic review abstracts.

Objectives: Explicit reporting of absolute measures is important to ensure treatment effects are correctly interpreted. We examined the extent to which authors report absolute effects for patient-important outcomes in abstracts of systematic review (SR).

Study Design And Setting: We searched OVID MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify eligible SRs published in the year 2010.