Current Therapeutic Trends for Tinnitus Cure and Control: A Scoping Review.

The present scoping review assessed knowledge updates in tinnitus management. We included randomized trials, non-randomized studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies in last 5 years on patients with tinnitus using Population, Concept, and Context mnemonic. We excluded studies on tinnitus epidemiology, technique-specific comparative studies for tinnitus assessment, review articles, or case reports. We used an artificial intelligence-powered tool MaiA for overall workflow management. Data charting elements included study identifiers, study design, population, interventions used, their outcomes on tinnitus scales, and treatment recommendations if any. Charted data from selected sources of evidence was presented using tables and a concept map. We also identified five evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) [from the United States, Europe, and Japan regions] in our review of total 506 results, 205 underwent screening based on eligibility criteria and 38 were included for the final charting. We found three major categories of interventions in our review: Medical technology therapies; Behavioural/habituation therapies; and Pharmacological, herbal/complementary, and alternative medicine therapies. Although evidence-based guidelines on tinnitus therapy did not recommend stimulation therapies, majority of the tinnitus research to date is focused on stimulation. It is highly recommended that clinicians consider CPGs when making treatment recommendations and make the distinction between established management approaches with good evidence and emerging treatment approaches for tinnitus management. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-03910-2.

Use of Structured Template and Reporting Tool for Real-World Evidence for Critical Appraisal of the Quality of Reporting of Real-World Evidence Studies: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Real-world evidence (RWE) studies are increasingly being used to support healthcare decisions. Various frameworks, tools, and checklists exist for ensuring quality of real-world data, designing robust studies, and assessing potential for bias. In January 2021, Structured Template and Reporting Tool for RWE (STaRT-RWE) was released to further reduce ambiguity, assumptions, and misinterpretation while planning, implementing, and reporting RWE studies of the safety and effectiveness of treatments. The objective of this study was to identify gaps in the reporting quality of published RWE studies by using this template for critical appraisal. METHODS: Two reviewers conducted a keyword search on PubMed for free-full-text research articles using real-world data, RWE design, and safety with or without effectiveness outcomes of a medicinal product or intervention in humans of any age or gender, published in English between January 13, 2021, and January 13, 2022. Assessment of risk of bias was done using Assessment of Real-World Observational Studies critical appraisal tool. Deficiencies in methods and findings as per STaRT-RWE template were reported as frequencies. RESULTS: A total of 54 of 2374 retrieved studies were included in the review. Based on the STaRT-RWE template, the studies inadequately reported empirically defined covariates, power and sample size calculation, attrition, sensitivity analyses, index date (day 0) defining criterion, predefined covariates, outcome, metadata about data source and software, objective, inclusion and exclusion criteria, analysis specifications, and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of STaRT-RWE template along with its tables, design diagram, and library of published studies has a potential of improving robustness of RWE studies.

Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.

Herbs have been used in medicines and cosmetics from centuries. Their potential to treat different skin diseases, to adorn and improve the skin appearance is well-known. As ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburns, wrinkles, lower immunity against infections, premature aging, and cancer, there is permanent need for protection from UV radiation and prevention from their side effects. Herbs and herbal preparations have a high potential due to their antioxidant activity, primarily. Antioxidants such as vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E), flavonoids, and phenolic acids play the main role in fighting against free radical species that are the main cause of numerous negative skin changes. Although isolated plant compounds have a high potential in protection of the skin, whole herbs extracts showed better potential due to their complex composition. Many studies showed that green and black tea (polyphenols) ameliorate adverse skin reactions following UV exposure. The gel from aloe is believed to stimulate skin and assist in new cell growth. Spectrophotometer testing indicates that as a concentrated extract of Krameria triandra it absorbs 25 to 30% of the amount of UV radiation typically absorbed by octyl methoxycinnamate. Sesame oil resists 30% of UV rays, while coconut, peanut, olive, and cottonseed oils block out about 20%. A "sclerojuglonic" compound which is forming from naphthoquinone and keratin is the reaction product that provides UV protection. Traditional use of plant in medication or beautification is the basis for researches and making new trends in cosmetics. This review covers all essential aspects of potential of herbs as radioprotective agents and its future prospects.