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Lord, Jackson, Ashley Thomas, Neil Treat, Matthew Forkin, Robert Bain, Pierre Dulac, Cyrus H. Behroozi, et al. "Global potential for harvesting drinking water from air using solar energy." Nature 598, no. 7882 (October 27, 2021): 611–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03900-w.
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AbstractAccess to safely managed drinking water (SMDW) remains a global challenge, and affects 2.2 billion people1,2. Solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) devices with continuous cycling may accelerate progress by enabling decentralized extraction of water from air3–6, but low specific yields (SY) and low daytime relative humidity (RH) have raised questions about their performance (in litres of water output per day)7–11. However, to our knowledge, no analysis has mapped the global potential of AWH12 despite favourable conditions in tropical regions, where two-thirds of people without SMDW live2. Here we show that AWH could provide SMDW for a billion people. Our assessment—using Google Earth Engine13—introduces a hypothetical 1-metre-square device with a SY profile of 0.2 to 2.5 litres per kilowatt-hour (0.1 to 1.25 litres per kilowatt-hour for a 2-metre-square device) at 30% to 90% RH, respectively. Such a device could meet a target average daily drinking water requirement of 5 litres per day per person14. We plot the impact potential of existing devices and new sorbent classes, which suggests that these targets could be met with continued technological development, and well within thermodynamic limits. Indeed, these performance targets have been achieved experimentally in demonstrations of sorbent materials15–17. Our tools can inform design trade-offs for atmospheric water harvesting devices that maximize global impact, alongside ongoing efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with existing technologies.
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Friesen, Westley J., Sergey Paushkin, Anastasia Wyce, Severine Massenet, G. Scott Pesiridis, Gregory Van Duyne, Juri Rappsilber, Matthias Mann, and Gideon Dreyfuss. "The Methylosome, a 20S Complex Containing JBP1 and pICln, Produces Dimethylarginine-Modified Sm Proteins." Molecular and Cellular Biology 21, no. 24 (December 15, 2001): 8289–300. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mcb.21.24.8289-8300.2001.
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ABSTRACT snRNPs, integral components of the pre-mRNA splicing machinery, consist of seven Sm proteins which assemble in the cytoplasm as a ring structure on the snRNAs U1, U2, U4, and U5. The survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the spinal muscular atrophy disease gene product, is crucial for snRNP core particle assembly in vivo. SMN binds preferentially and directly to the symmetrical dimethylarginine (sDMA)-modified arginine- and glycine-rich (RG-rich) domains of SmD1 and SmD3. We found that the unmodified, but not the sDMA-modified, RG domains of SmD1 and SmD3 associate with a 20S methyltransferase complex, termed the methylosome, that contains the methyltransferase JBP1 and a JBP1-interacting protein, pICln. JBP1 binds SmD1 and SmD3 via their RG domains, while pICln binds the Sm domains. JBP1 produces sDMAs in the RG domain-containing Sm proteins. We further demonstrate the existence of a 6S complex that contains pICln, SmD1, and SmD3 but not JBP1. SmD3 from the methylosome, but not that from the 6S complex, can be transferred to the SMN complex in vitro. Together with previous results, these data indicate that methylation of Sm proteins by the methylosome directs Sm proteins to the SMN complex for assembly into snRNP core particles and suggest that the methylosome can regulate snRNP assembly.
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Matsuo, Taira, Jing Chen, Yusuke Minato, Wakano Ogawa, Tohru Mizushima, Teruo Kuroda, and Tomofusa Tsuchiya. "SmdAB, a Heterodimeric ABC-Type Multidrug Efflux Pump, in Serratia marcescens." Journal of Bacteriology 190, no. 2 (November 16, 2007): 648–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.01513-07.
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ABSTRACT We cloned genes, designated smdAB, that encode a multidrug efflux pump from the chromosomal DNA of clinically isolated Serratia marcescens NUSM8906. For cells of the drug-hypersensitive strain Escherichia coli KAM32 harboring a recombinant plasmid carrying smdAB, structurally unrelated antimicrobial agents such as norfloxacin, tetracycline, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and Hoechst 33342 showed elevated MICs. The deduced amino acid sequences of both SmdA and SmdB exhibited similarities to the sequences of ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-type multidrug efflux pumps. The efflux of DAPI and Hoechst 33342 from E. coli cells expressing SmdAB was observed, and the efflux activities were inhibited by sodium o-vanadate, which is a well-known ATPase inhibitor. The introduction of smdA or smdB alone into E. coli KAM32 did not elevate the MIC of DAPI; thus, both SmdA and SmdB were required for function. These results indicate that SmdAB is probably a heterodimeric multidrug efflux pump of the ABC family in S. marcescens.
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Roy, J., B. Zheng, B. C. Rymond, and J. L. Woolford. "Structurally related but functionally distinct yeast Sm D core small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle proteins." Molecular and Cellular Biology 15, no. 1 (January 1995): 445–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mcb.15.1.445.
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Spliceosome assembly during pre-mRNA splicing requires the correct positioning of the U1, U2, U4/U6, and U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) on the precursor mRNA. The structure and integrity of these snRNPs are maintained in part by the association of the snRNAs with core snRNP (Sm) proteins. The Sm proteins also play a pivotal role in metazoan snRNP biogenesis. We have characterized a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, SMD3, that encodes the core snRNP protein Smd3. The Smd3 protein is required for pre-mRNA splicing in vivo. Depletion of this protein from yeast cells affects the levels of U snRNAs and their cap modification, indicating that Smd3 is required for snRNP biogenesis. Smd3 is structurally and functionally distinct from the previously described yeast core polypeptide Smd1. Although Smd3 and Smd1 are both associated with the spliceosomal snRNPs, overexpression of one cannot compensate for the loss of the other. Thus, these two proteins have distinct functions. A pool of Smd3 exists in the yeast cytoplasm. This is consistent with the possibility that snRNP assembly in S. cerevisiae, as in metazoans, is initiated in the cytoplasm from a pool of RNA-free core snRNP protein complexes.
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Cuijpers, P., E. Weitz, I. A. Cristea, and J. Twisk. "Pre-post effect sizes should be avoided in meta-analyses." Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 26, no. 4 (October 28, 2016): 364–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2045796016000809.
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AimsThe standardised mean difference (SMD) is one of the most used effect sizes to indicate the effects of treatments. It indicates the difference between a treatment and comparison group after treatment has ended, in terms of standard deviations. Some meta-analyses, including several highly cited and influential ones, use the pre-post SMD, indicating the difference between baseline and post-test within one (treatment group).MethodsIn this paper, we argue that these pre-post SMDs should be avoided in meta-analyses and we describe the arguments why pre-post SMDs can result in biased outcomes.ResultsOne important reason why pre-post SMDs should be avoided is that the scores on baseline and post-test are not independent of each other. The value for the correlation should be used in the calculation of the SMD, while this value is typically not known. We used data from an ‘individual patient data’ meta-analysis of trials comparing cognitive behaviour therapy and anti-depressive medication, to show that this problem can lead to considerable errors in the estimation of the SMDs. Another even more important reason why pre-post SMDs should be avoided in meta-analyses is that they are influenced by natural processes and characteristics of the patients and settings, and these cannot be discerned from the effects of the intervention. Between-group SMDs are much better because they control for such variables and these variables only affect the between group SMD when they are related to the effects of the intervention.ConclusionsWe conclude that pre-post SMDs should be avoided in meta-analyses as using them probably results in biased outcomes.
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Morioka, Sandra Naomi, Diego Rodrigues Iritani, Aldo Roberto Ometto, and Marly Monteiro de Carvalho. "Revisão sistemática da literatura sobre medição de desempenho de sustentabilidade corporativa: uma discussão sobre contribuições e lacunas." Gestão & Produção 25, no. 2 (June 2018): 284–303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-530x2720-18.
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Resumo O presente estudo discute a incorporação do conceito de sustentabilidade corporativa à literatura de sistemas de mensuração de desempenho (SMD), resultando na investigação de publicações sobre SMD de sustentabilidade (SMDS). Este estudo apresenta uma visão geral da literatura sobre SMDS, sintetizando as principais contribuições e apontando as principais tendências e lacunas nessa área de conhecimento. O método de pesquisa baseou-se em uma revisão sistemática da literatura, combinando bibliometria e análise de conteúdo. A amostra é composta por 406 artigos científicos. Essa amostra foi analisada quantitativamente, com apoio de estatística descritiva, redes de cocitação e palavras-chave. O estudo mostra que o número de publicações sobre o tópico pesquisado tem crescido nos últimos anos, mas ainda permanece disperso, com baixa conexão entre “tribos”. O estudo apresenta também que, apesar de ser relativamente consolidada, a literatura sobre SMD ainda não foi utilizada em sua totalidade para abordar os desafios dos SMDS. Um dos resultados da pesquisa mostra que a literatura de SMDS pode ser dividida em três categorias, de acordo com o seu foco principal: (1) os indicadores de sustentabilidade em si e sua aplicação na tomada de decisão; (2) o conjunto de indicadores como sistema; e (3) o contexto organizacional do SMDS. Analisando essas categorias, verifica-se que há poucas evidências sobre as consequências da implantação de SMD, bem como que a literatura ainda não é clara sobre como gestores devem considerar contingências dos SMDS tais como setor, tamanho da empresa, tipo de produto ou modelo de negócio.
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Caldwell, Aaron, and Andrew D. Vigotsky. "A case against default effect sizes in sport and exercise science." PeerJ 8 (November 3, 2020): e10314. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10314.
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Recent discussions in the sport and exercise science community have focused on the appropriate use and reporting of effect sizes. Sport and exercise scientists often analyze repeated-measures data, from which mean differences are reported. To aid the interpretation of these data, standardized mean differences (SMD) are commonly reported as a description of effect size. In this manuscript, we hope to alleviate some confusion. First, we provide a philosophical framework for conceptualizing SMDs; that is, by dichotomizing them into two groups: magnitude-based and signal-to-noise SMDs. Second, we describe the statistical properties of SMDs and their implications. Finally, we provide high-level recommendations for how sport and exercise scientists can thoughtfully report raw effect sizes, SMDs, or other effect sizes for their own studies. This conceptual framework provides sport and exercise scientists with the background necessary to make and justify their choice of an SMD.
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Lee, Yun Mi, Eunjung Son, and Dong-Seon Kim. "Comparative Study of Anti-Gouty Arthritis Effects of Sam-Myo-Whan according to Extraction Solvents." Plants 10, no. 2 (February 1, 2021): 278. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants10020278.
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Sam-Myo-Whan (SMW) has been used in Korean and Chinese traditional medicine to help treat gout, by reducing swelling and inflammation and relieving pain. This study compared the effects of SMW extracted by using different solvents, water (SMWW) and 30% EtOH (SMWE), in the treatment of gouty arthritis. To this end, we analyzed the main components of SMWW and SMWE, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Anti-hyperuricemic activity was evaluated by measuring serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats. The effects of SMWW and SMWE on swelling, pain, and inflammation in gouty arthritis were investigated by measuring affected limb swelling and weight-bearing, as well as by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, to assess the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic rats, SMWW and SMWE both significantly decreased serum uric acid to similar levels. In monosodium urate (MSU)-induced gouty arthritis mice, SMWE more efficiently decreased paw swelling and attenuated joint pain compare to SMWW. Moreover, SMWE and SMWW suppressed the level of inflammation by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6) and MPO activity. HPLC analysis further revealed that berberine represented one of the major active ingredients demonstrating the greatest change in concentration between SMWW and SMWE. Our data demonstrate that SMWE retains a more effective therapeutic concentration compared to SMWW, in a mouse model of gouty arthritis.
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Yi, Hongfei, Li Mu, Congcong Shen, Xi Kong, Yingzhi Wang, Yan Hou, and Rundong Zhang. "Negative cooperativity between Gemin2 and RNA provides insights into RNA selection and the SMN complex's release in snRNP assembly." Nucleic Acids Research 48, no. 2 (December 4, 2019): 895–911. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkz1135.
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Abstract The assembly of snRNP cores, in which seven Sm proteins, D1/D2/F/E/G/D3/B, form a ring around the nonameric Sm site of snRNAs, is the early step of spliceosome formation and essential to eukaryotes. It is mediated by the PMRT5 and SMN complexes sequentially in vivo. SMN deficiency causes neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). How the SMN complex assembles snRNP cores is largely unknown, especially how the SMN complex achieves high RNA assembly specificity and how it is released. Here we show, using crystallographic and biochemical approaches, that Gemin2 of the SMN complex enhances RNA specificity of SmD1/D2/F/E/G via a negative cooperativity between Gemin2 and RNA in binding SmD1/D2/F/E/G. Gemin2, independent of its N-tail, constrains the horseshoe-shaped SmD1/D2/F/E/G from outside in a physiologically relevant, narrow state, enabling high RNA specificity. Moreover, the assembly of RNAs inside widens SmD1/D2/F/E/G, causes the release of Gemin2/SMN allosterically and allows SmD3/B to join. The assembly of SmD3/B further facilitates the release of Gemin2/SMN. This is the first to show negative cooperativity in snRNP assembly, which provides insights into RNA selection and the SMN complex's release. These findings reveal a basic mechanism of snRNP core assembly and facilitate pathogenesis studies of SMA.
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El-Badrawy, Sahar. "Königsgeleit (Smsw) الموکب الملکى (Smsw)." Conference Book of the General Union of Arab Archeologists 20, no. 20 (December 1, 2017): 60–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.21608/cguaa.2017.29860.
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Adames, Ángel F., and Yi Ming. "Interactions between Water Vapor and Potential Vorticity in Synoptic-Scale Monsoonal Disturbances: Moisture Vortex Instability." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 75, no. 6 (June 1, 2018): 2083–106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-17-0310.1.
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AbstractSouth Asian monsoon low pressure systems, referred to as synoptic-scale monsoonal disturbances (SMDs), are convectively coupled cyclonic disturbances that are responsible for up to half of the total monsoon rainfall. In spite of their importance, the mechanisms that lead to the growth of these systems have remained elusive. It has long been thought that SMDs grow because of a variant of baroclinic instability that includes the effects of convection. Recent work, however, has shown that this framework is inconsistent with the observed structure and dynamics of SMDs. Here, we present an alternative framework that may explain the growth of SMDs and may also be applicable to other modes of tropical variability. Moisture is prognostic and is coupled to precipitation through a simplified Betts–Miller scheme. Interactions between moisture and potential vorticity (PV) in the presence of a moist static energy gradient can be understood in terms of a “gross” PV (qG) equation. The qG summarizes the dynamics of SMDs and reveals the relative role that moist and dry dynamics play in these disturbances, which is largely determined by the gross moist stability. Linear solutions to the coupled PV and moisture equations reveal Rossby-like modes that grow because of a moisture vortex instability. Meridional temperature and moisture advection to the west of the PV maximum moisten and destabilize the column, which results in enhanced convection and SMD intensification through vortex stretching. This instability occurs only if the moistening is in the direction of propagation of the SMD and is strongest at the synoptic scale.
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Louie, Raphael, Gabriel Aleixo, Allison Mary Deal, Emily Damone, Jaclyn Tremont-Portelli, Kirsten A. Nyrop, Grant Richard Williams, et al. "Myosteatosis to predict postoperative morbidity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy." Journal of Clinical Oncology 38, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2020): e16754-e16754. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e16754.
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e16754 Background: Myosteatosis (adipose deposits in muscle) can be detected on cross-sectional imaging through variations in Skeletal Muscle Density (SMD). Patients with myosteatosis tend to have lower overall survival, increased chemotherapy toxicity, and shorter progression-free intervals across cancer types. We investigated whether changes in myosteatosis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy can predict postoperative morbidity risk in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from 2014-2019 of patients with biopsy-proven PDAC who completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy and R0/1 resection (R1: margin < 1mm or microscopically positive). We obtained preoperative patient (age at diagnosis, baseline body mass index (BMI), sex, race, comorbidities) and treatment data (neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen and duration, time from completion of systemic therapy to surgery, type of operation). Primary outcomes were postoperative complications and 90-day readmission. Average SMD was measured using imaging analysis software at the L3 level on axial abdominal CT scans at the time of diagnosis and at completion of neoadjuvant therapy (SliceOmatic TomoVision QC, Can). We defined SMDΔ as the decrease in SMD during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test were performed with STATA. Results: We identified 44 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, achieved a R0/1 resection, and had available CT scans for body composition evaluation. The postoperative complication rate was 43% (n = 19) and 90-day readmission rate was 30% (n = 13). Lower SMD at diagnosis was associated with increased postoperative delirium (p < 0.01) and 90-day readmission (p = 0.02). Greater SMDΔ was associated with increased ICU utilization (p < 0.01) and tube feeding upon discharge (p = 0.03). There was no significant association between preoperative BMI or albumin and our primary outcomes. Conclusions: Preoperative SMD and SMDΔ, rather than albumin or BMI, can predict postoperative morbidity in PDAC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study provides the framework for future studies to develop and validate a tool to predict postoperative morbidity risk in these patients.
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Wang, Xiaoyuan, Xingzhi Sun, Feng Cao, Li Ma, Nick Kanellos, Kang Zhang, Yue Pan, and Yong Yu. "SMDM." Proceedings of the VLDB Endowment 2, no. 2 (August 2009): 1594–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.14778/1687553.1687600.
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Teichert, Thorsten, Sajad Rezaei, and Juan C. Correa. "Customers’ experiences of fast food delivery services: uncovering the semantic core benefits, actual and augmented product by text mining." British Food Journal 122, no. 11 (May 5, 2020): 3513–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/bfj-12-2019-0909.
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PurposeThis study conceptualizes food delivery services as service mix decisions (SMDs) and illustrates a data-driven approach for the analysis of customers' written experiences.Design/methodology/approachWeb scraping, text mining techniques as well as multivariate statistics are combined to uncover the structure of the three tiers of SMD from consumers' point of view.FindingsThe analyses reveal that fast food delivery is not primarily about speed but that there are four distinct experiential factors to be considered for SMDs. Fast food delivery services are associated both with the actual product (i.e. product issues and brand satisfaction) and with the augmented product (payment process and service handling).Originality/valueFindings demonstrate the relevance of SMDs in omnichannel food retail environments and guide researchers in multistage analyses of consumers' online food reviews.
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Giugăl, Aurelian, Ron Johnston, Mihail Chiru, Ionut Ciobanu, and Alexandru Gavriș. "Gerrymandering and Malapportionment, Romanian Style: The 2008 Electoral System." East European Politics and Societies: and Cultures 31, no. 4 (June 27, 2017): 683–703. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0888325417711222.
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Varieties of gerrymandering and malapportionment can appear not only in electoral systems where all legislative seats are allocated to plurality winners in single-member districts but also in proportional Single-Member District (SMD)–based electoral systems and in settings where multi-partisan committees draw the district boundaries. This article investigates such a case, in which the main parliamentary parties collaborated in order to minimize the uncertainty regarding intra-party allocation of seats. The 2008 electoral reform in Romania created such opportunities, and both the SMD maps and the electoral results at the parliamentary election held in the same year indicate that the parties collaborated to design a number of safe seats for each of them. We draw on a novel data set that measures the degree to which the newly created SMDs reflect natural or artificial strongholds of concentrated partisan support in otherwise unfavorable political territories, and also assess the malapportionment of these districts. All three types of mechanisms were frequently used, and our logistic regression analyses indicate that nomination from the “right” type of SMD was the main factor deciding which of each party’s candidates got elected. The statistical analyses are complemented by a qualitative investigation of the political composition and design of 9 SMDs.
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Bordonné, Rémy. "Functional Characterization of Nuclear Localization Signals in Yeast Sm Proteins." Molecular and Cellular Biology 20, no. 21 (November 1, 2000): 7943–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mcb.20.21.7943-7954.2000.
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ABSTRACT In mammals, nuclear localization of U-snRNP particles requires the snRNA hypermethylated cap structure and the Sm core complex. The nature of the signal located within the Sm core proteins is still unknown, both in humans and yeast. Close examination of the sequences of the yeast SmB, SmD1, and SmD3 carboxyl-terminal domains reveals the presence of basic regions that are reminiscent of nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Fluorescence microscopy studies using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins indicate that both yeast SmB and SmD1 basic amino acid stretches exhibit nuclear localization properties. Accordingly, deletions or mutations in the NLS-like motifs of SmB and SmD1 dramatically reduce nuclear fluorescence of the GFP-Sm mutant fusion alleles. Phenotypic analyses indicate that the NLS-like motifs of SmB and SmD1 are functionally redundant: each NLS-like motif can be deleted without affecting yeast viability whereas a simultaneous deletion of both NLS-like motifs is lethal. Taken together, these findings suggest that, in the doughnut-like structure formed by the Sm core complex, the carboxyl-terminal extensions of Sm proteins may form an evolutionarily conserved basic amino acid-rich protuberance that functions as a nuclear localization determinant.
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Sánchez-Guarnido, Antonio José, Nuria Hidalgo, Jorge Arenas de la Cruz, Inmaculada Esteban, Silvia Mondón, and Carlos Herruzo. "Analysis of the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Severe Mental Disorders." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 16 (August 13, 2021): 8549. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168549.
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For people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) the COVID-19 pandemic may pose a number of risks. These include the loss of needed care, a higher probability of infection, and the worsening of their mental health. To analyze the pandemic’s impact on care received, relapses, loss of employment, and adherence to preventive guidelines in SMD sufferers, a multicenter retrospective cohort study was carried out comparing 185 patients diagnosed with SMD and 85 with common disorders. The results showed that during lockdown, there was a significant reduction in face-to-face psychotherapeutic, nursing, and occupational therapy interventions. In the same period, telematic interventions were introduced which, although subsequently reduced, now continue to be used to a greater extent than before the pandemic. Employment decreased significantly (13% vs. 9.2%; χ2 = 126.228 p < 0.001). The percentage of people with SMD following preventive guidelines was significantly lower for both hand washing (56.2% vs. 75.3%; χ2 = 9.360, p = 0.002) and social distancing (47% vs. 63.5; χ2 = 6.423 p = 0.011). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in the interventions that are needed for the recovery of people with SMDs, together with a significant loss of employment and an increased risk of contagion due to less adherence to preventive guidelines. In the future, appropriate attention to these people’s needs must be guaranteed.
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Zhuang, Xiaojun, Tong Li, Manying Li, Shanshan Huang, Yun Qiu, Rui Feng, Shenghong Zhang, Minhu Chen, Lishou Xiong, and Zhirong Zeng. "Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Short-Chain Fatty Acid Characterization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease." Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 25, no. 11 (September 9, 2019): 1751–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izz188.
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Abstract Background Alterations in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the results are conflicting. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to explore the characterization of SCFAs in IBD patients and their potential role in the occurrence and development of IBD. Methods Case–control studies investigating SCFAs in IBD patients were identified from several English databases. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the random-effects model. Results The SMDs of acetate, valerate, and total SCFAs in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients were –0.51 (95% CI, –0.90 to –0.13), –0.65 (95% CI, –1.02 to –0.28), and –0.51 (95% CI, –0.95 to –0.07), respectively. The SMDs of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in patients with active UC were –1.74 (95% CI, –3.15 to –0.33), –2.42 (95% CI, –4.24 to –0.60), and –1.99 (95% CI, –3.39 to –0.60), respectively. However, the SMD of butyrate in UC patients in remission was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.34 to 1.11). In addition, the SMDs of acetate, butyrate, and valerate in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients were –1.43 (95% CI, –2.81 to –0.04), –0.77 (95% CI, –1.39 to –0.14), and –0.75 (95% CI, –1.47 to –0.02), respectively. Finally, the SMDs of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and lactate in IBD patients were –2.19 (95% CI, –3.98 to –0.39), –1.64 (95% CI, –3.02 to –0.25), –1.98 (95% CI, –3.93 to –0.03), –0.55 (95% CI, –0.93 to –0.18), and 4.02 (95% CI, 1.44 to 6.61), respectively. Conclusions There were alterations of SCFAs in IBD patients, and inconsistent SCFA alterations were found in CD and UC. More importantly, inverse SCFA alterations existed in patients with active UC and those in remission.
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Domhardt, Matthias, Lena Steubl, and Harald Baumeister. "Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions for Mental and Somatic Conditions in Children and Adolescents." Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie 48, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 33–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000625.
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Abstract. This meta-review integrates the current meta-analysis literature on the efficacy of internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) for mental disorders and somatic diseases in children and adolescents. Further, it summarizes the moderators of treatment effects in this age group. Using a systematic literature search of PsycINFO and MEDLINE/PubMed, we identified eight meta-analyses (N = 8,417) that met all inclusion criteria. Current meta-analytical evidence of IMIs exists for depression (range of standardized mean differences, SMDs = .16 to .76; 95 % CI: –.12 to 1.12; k = 3 meta-analyses), anxiety (SMDs = .30 to 1.4; 95 % CI: –.53 to 2.44; k = 5) and chronic pain (SMD = .41; 95 % CI: .07 to .74; k = 1) with predominantly nonactive control conditions (waiting-list; placebo). The effect size for IMIs across mental disorders reported in one meta-analysis is SMD = 1.27 (95 % CI: .96 to 1.59; k = 1), the effect size of IMIs for different somatic conditions is SMD = .49 (95 % CI: .33 to .64; k = 1). Moderators of treatment effects are age (k = 3), symptom severity (k = 1), and source of outcome assessment (k = 1). Quality ratings with the AMSTAR-2-checklist indicate acceptable methodological rigor of meta-analyses included. Taken together, this meta-review suggests that IMIs are efficacious in some health conditions in youths, with evidence existing primarily for depression and anxiety so far. The findings point to the potential of IMIs to augment evidence based mental healthcare for children and adolescents.
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SHEPHERD, MARVIN. "SMDA '90." Journal of Clinical Engineering 21, no. 2 (March 1996): 114–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004669-199603000-00012.
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Kim, Hanna, and Won-ho Park. "Who Toes the Line? Mandate Type, Open-Primary Experience, and Party Defection in the Korean National Assem." Korea Observer - Institute of Korean Studies 53, no. 2 (June 30, 2022): 357–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.29152/koiks.2022.53.2.357.
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Previous studies on legislative voting behavior in the Korean National Assembly (KNA) were based on two theories: "The Best of Both Worlds" vs. "Contamination." However, both these theories have paid limited attention to the electorally vulnerable condition of legislators owing to voting behavior in South Korea. In this study, we propose a conditional mandate-divide theory to elucidate party defection voting behavior in KNA.
According to our findings, Proportional Representatives (PR) are more likely to defect from party-line voting than Single Member District (SMD) members, although SMDs elected through a party primary are more likely to defect from party-line voting than other SMDs. Additionally, SMDs elected with the primary experience deviate from their party line more in Yeongnam province compared to other regions. Our findings suggest that legislators' voting behavior in the mixed-member system may vary depending on their prospects of re-election, essentially shaped by their incentive structure.
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Martins, Henrique Girão, Karine Sampaio Nunes Barroso, João Paulo de Vasconcelos Leitão, Beatriz Stela Gomes de Souza Pitombeira Araujo, and Fernando Barroso Duarte. "Síndrome mielodisplásica variante hipoplásica: análise estatística no serviço de transplante de medula óssea do Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio." Revista de Medicina da UFC 62, no. 1 (March 7, 2022): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.20513/2447-6595.2022v62n1e43560p1-7.
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Objetivos: Analisar, nos pacientes com síndrome mielodisplásica (SMD) variante hipoplásica do serviço de transplante de medula óssea, a resposta ao transplante e realizar comparação com os dados do banco de dados Latino-Americano de SMD. Metodologia: Estudo analítico, corte transversal e retrospectivo por análise de prontuários, incluídos todos os pacientes com diagnóstico de SMD submetidos a transplante de medula óssea, avaliação do seguimento pós-transplante, sobrevida global e complicações. Comparação com dados do banco de dados da Sociedade Latino-Americana de SMD. Análise estatística pelo programa JAMOVI e MedCalc. Resultados: Um total de 13 pacientes com SMD receberam transplante de medula óssea alogênico, dos quais 6 apresentavam variante hipoplásica, correspondendo a 46,15%. Comparado aos dados do banco de dados latino-americano, essa porcentagem é de apenas 12,75%. Conclusões: Nosso serviço apresentou uma frequência maior de SMD variante hipoplásica que a descrita na literatura médica, que corresponde a apenas 10-15%. Dos 6 pacientes portadores de SMDh, dois evoluíram a óbito, chegando a 33,3% contra os 13,5% do banco de dados Latino-Americano. Os outros pacientes transplantados encontram-se em remissão até o presente momento com taxa de sobrevida global em 2 anos de 83,3%, apresentando bons resultados comparados à literatura mundial.
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Birch, Sarah. "Electoral Systems and Electoral Misconduct." Comparative Political Studies 40, no. 12 (September 17, 2007): 1533–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0010414006292886.
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This article is a cross-national study of the impact of electoral system design on electoral misconduct. It argues that elections held in single-member districts (SMD) under plurality and majority rule are more likely to be the object of malpractice than those run under proportional representation (PR). Two reasons are advanced in support of this argument: Candidates in SMD systems have more to gain from individual efforts to manipulate elections than is the case for candidates in PR contests; and malfeasance is more efficient under SMD rules, in that the number of votes that must be altered to change the outcome is typically smaller than it is under PR. This hypothesis is tested and confirmed on a new data set of electoral manipulation in 24 postcommunist countries between 1995 and 2004. The proportion of seats elected in SMDs is found to be positively associated with levels of electoral misconduct, controlling for a variety of contextual factors.
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Dong, Shu, Qi-Long Chen, and Shi-Bing Su. "Curative Effects of Fuzheng Huayu on Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015 (2015): 1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/125659.
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The Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) formula is being used in antiliver fibrosis treatment in China. For systemic evaluation of the curative effects of FZHY on liver fibrosis and cirrhosis progress, a total of 1392 subjects (714 cases and 678 controls) were found to be eligible for meta-analysis in this study. Standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for changes between FZHY groups and controls by employing fixed effects or random effects model. In the overall analysis, alanine transaminase (ALT) (P=0.003, SMD = −0.87, 95% CI: −1.46 to −0.29), total bilirubin (TBil) (P=0.001, SMD = −1.30, 95% CI: −2.10 to −0.50), hyaluronic acid (HA) (P=0.000, SMD = −0.94, 95% CI: −1.30 to −0.58), laminin (LN) (P=0.000, SMD = −0.80, 95% CI: −1.20 to −0.41), type III procollagen (PC-III) (P=0.000, SMD = −1.27, 95% CI: −1.93 to −0.60), and type IV procollagen (IV-C) (P=0.000, SMD = −0.78, 95% CI: −1.05 to −0.51) were decreased after FZHY treatment; however, albumin (ALB) was increased (P=0.037, SMD = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.07 to 2.12) significantly. Furthermore, the Child-Pugh score was reduced significantly and the life quality was improved after FZHY treatment in cirrhosis patients. The results of this meta-analysis indicated that FZHY effectively improves the liver function, alleviates hepatic fibrosis, decreases Child-Pugh score, and relieves TCM symptoms caused by liver dysfunction, indicating that FZHY may contribute to the alleviation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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Pei, Yongsheng, Zhangyou Peng, Zhenling Wang, and Haojia Wang. "Energy-Efficient Mobile Edge Computing: Three-Tier Computing under Heterogeneous Networks." Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing 2020 (April 2, 2020): 1–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/6098786.
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Mobile edge computing (MEC) is a promising technique to meet the demands of computing-intensive and delay-sensitive applications by providing computation and storage capabilities in close proximity to mobile users. In this paper, we study energy-efficient resource allocation (EERA) schemes for hierarchical MEC architecture in heterogeneous networks. In this architecture, both small base station (SBS) and macro base station (MBS) are equipped with MEC servers and help smart mobile devices (SMDs) to perform tasks. Each task can be partitioned into three parts. The SMD, SBS, and MBS each perform a part of the task and form a three-tier computing structure. Based on this computing structure, an optimization problem is formulated to minimize the energy consumption of all SMDs subject to the latency constraints, where radio and computation resources are considered jointly. Then, an EERA mechanism based on the variable substitution technique is designed to calculate the optimal workload distribution, edge computation capability allocation, and SMDs’ transmit power. Finally, numerical simulation results demonstrate the energy efficiency improvement of the proposed EERA mechanism over the baseline schemes.
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Xie, Dan, Ling Feng, Hongyan Huang, Quanzhen Zhao, Pingping Ning, Qiuyan Shen, Haitao Lu, Fang Xu, and Yanming Xu. "Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Multiple System Atrophy Relative to Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis." Behavioural Neurology 2021 (May 31, 2021): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5559383.
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Objective. To investigate the differences of candidate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers associated with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Method. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on studies related to CSF biomarkers associated with MSA and PD obtained from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Data were pooled where appropriate and used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic while Egger’s test was used to test for existing publication bias. Results. MSA patients had higher CSF t-tau ( SMD = 0.41 , 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.72) and YKL-40 ( SMD = 0.63 , 95% CI 0.12 to1.15) as well as DJ-1 ( SMD = 1.05 , 95% CI 0.67 to 1.42) levels than PD patients, while CSF p-tau ( SMD = − 0.17 , 95% CI, -0.31 to -0.02) and Aβ-42 ( SMD = − 0.33 , 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.12) levels in MSA patients were lower than those in PD patients. There were no differences in CSF’s GFAP and Flt3 ligand levels in both MSA and PD patients. Conclusion. The study revealed the differences in CSF biomarker levels between MSA and PD cohorts that can be further explored to clinically distinguish MSA from PD.
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Akhtar, Sadaf, and Jane Barlow. "Forgiveness Therapy for the Promotion of Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 19, no. 1 (March 23, 2016): 107–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838016637079.
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Interpersonal hurts and violence against the individual have a high prevalence and are associated with a range of long-term problems in terms of psychological functioning. There is a growing body of research highlighting the role of forgiveness therapy in improving different aspects of psychological health in populations who have experienced diverse types of hurt, violence, or trauma. This article reports the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of process-based forgiveness interventions among samples of adolescents and adults who had experienced a range of sources of hurt or violence against them. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved using electronic databases and an examination of reference sections of previous reviews; each study was assessed for risk of bias. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess treatment effects. The results suggest that forgiveness interventions are effective in reducing depression (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI [−0.68, −0.07]), anger and hostility (SMD = −0.49, 95% CI [−0.77, −0.22]), and stress and distress (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI [−0.91, −0.41]) and in promoting positive affect (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.52, −0.06]). There was also evidence of improvements in state (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI [−0.88, −0.21) and trait (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI [−0.67, −0.20]) forgiveness. The findings provide moderately strong evidence to suggest that forgiving a variety of real-life interpersonal offenses can be effective in promoting different dimensions of mental well-being. Further research is, however, needed.
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Chen, Yu-Yen, Yun-Ju Lai, Yung-Feng Yen, and Li-Ying Huang. "Use of iStent as a Standalone Operation in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma." Journal of Ophthalmology 2020 (May 25, 2020): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8754730.
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Purpose. The iStent provides a direct pathway for aqueous outflow from the anterior chamber to Schlemm’s canal in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of iStent as a standalone operation in patients with OAG in reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of topical glaucoma medications. Methods. We searched various databases between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2019, and included only peer-reviewed, prospective, or retrospective clinical studies in our analyses. Details regarding the IOP and the number of medications at baseline and end point were recorded from each study. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of IOP and medication numbers were calculated. Furthermore, the success rate (the proportion of IOP ≤18 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥20% at end point) and the complication rate were also summarized. Finally, a subgroup analysis was done based on the iStent generation (first and second), follow-up duration (≤6, 6–18, 18–36, and >36 months), and iStent number (one, two, and three). The outcome measures were aggregated SMDs computed from each study. Results. A total of 17 studies with 978 eyes were included in this analysis. All studies demonstrated a reduction in IOP after iStent implantation. Aggregated SMDs of IOP revealed a significant reduction (SMD = −2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.21 to −2.07). The success rate was significantly good, and most of the complication rates were low. The number of medications was also significantly reduced (SMD = −1.71, 95% CI: −2.18 to −1.24). The subgroup analysis revealed a reduction in IOP and medication burden in each category of iStent generation, follow-up duration of up to 42 months, and iStent numbers. Conclusion. Use of iStent as a standalone procedure does reduce the IOP and the number of glaucoma medications. The benefit of iStent lasts for at least 42 months.
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Tang, Qishou, Zhaohui Huang, Huan Zhou, and Peijie Ye. "Effects of music therapy on depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." PLOS ONE 15, no. 11 (November 18, 2020): e0240862. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240862.
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Background We aimed to determine and compare the effects of music therapy and music medicine on depression, and explore the potential factors associated with the effect. Methods PubMed (MEDLINE), Ovid-Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Clinical Evidence were searched to identify studies evaluating the effectiveness of music-based intervention on depression from inception to May 2020. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were estimated with random-effect model and fixed-effect model. Results A total of 55 RCTs were included in our meta-analysis. Music therapy exhibited a significant reduction in depressive symptom (SMD = −0.66; 95% CI = -0.86 to -0.46; P<0.001) compared with the control group; while, music medicine exhibited a stronger effect in reducing depressive symptom (SMD = −1.33; 95% CI = -1.96 to -0.70; P<0.001). Among the specific music therapy methods, recreative music therapy (SMD = -1.41; 95% CI = -2.63 to -0.20; P<0.001), guided imagery and music (SMD = -1.08; 95% CI = -1.72 to -0.43; P<0.001), music-assisted relaxation (SMD = -0.81; 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.38; P<0.001), music and imagery (SMD = -0.38; 95% CI = -0.81 to 0.06; P = 0.312), improvisational music therapy (SMD = -0.27; 95% CI = -0.49 to -0.05; P = 0.001), music and discuss (SMD = -0.26; 95% CI = -1.12 to 0.60; P = 0.225) exhibited a different effect respectively. Music therapy and music medicine both exhibited a stronger effects of short and medium length compared with long intervention periods. Conclusions A different effect of music therapy and music medicine on depression was observed in our present meta-analysis, and the effect might be affected by the therapy process.
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Lintanf, Mael, Jean-Sébastien Bourseul, Laetitia Houx, Mathieu Lempereur, Sylvain Brochard, and Christelle Pons. "Effect of ankle-foot orthoses on gait, balance and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Clinical Rehabilitation 32, no. 9 (May 1, 2018): 1175–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215518771824.
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Objective: To determine the effects of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait, balance, gross motor function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy. Data sources: Five databases were searched (Pubmed, Psycinfo, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier and Cochrane Library) before January 2018. Review methods: Studies of the effect of AFOs on gait, balance, gross motor function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy were included. Articles with a modified PEDRO score ≥ 5/9 were selected. Data regarding population, AFO, interventions and outcomes were extracted. When possible, standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated from the outcomes. Results: Thirty-two articles, corresponding to 56 studies (884 children) were included. Fifty-one studies included children with spastic cerebral palsy. AFOs increased stride length (SMD = 0.88, P < 0.001) and gait speed (SMD = 0.28, P < 0.001), and decreased cadence (SMD = –0.72, P < 0.001). Gross motor function scores improved (Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) D (SMD = 0.30, P = 0.004), E (SMD = 0.28, P = 0.02), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) (SMD = 0.57, P < 0.001)). Data relating to balance and activities of daily living were insufficient to conclude. Posterior AFOs (solid, hinged, supra-malleolar, dynamic) increased ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (SMD = 1.65, P < 0.001) and during swing (SMD = 1.34, P < 0.001), and decreased ankle power generation in stance (SMD = –0.72, P < 0.001) in children with equinus gait. Conclusion: In children with spastic cerebral palsy, there is strong evidence that AFOs induce small improvements in gait speed and moderate evidence that AFOs have a small to moderate effect on gross motor function. In children with equinus gait, there is strong evidence that posterior AFOs induce large changes in distal kinematics.
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Li, Sheyu, Jia Wei, Chenghui Zhang, Xiaodan Li, Wentong Meng, Xianming Mo, Qianying Zhang, et al. "Cell-Derived Microparticles in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 39, no. 6 (2016): 2439–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000452512.
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Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the association between circulating cell-derived microparticles (MPs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A literature search was performed systematically in PubMed and Embase to identify available case-control or cross-sectional studies that compared different types of cell-derived MPs in patients with T2DM and non-diabetic controls. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) of each MP type were pooled using meta-analysis. Results: Forty-eight studies involving 2,460 patients with T2DM and 1,880 non-diabetic controls were included for systematic review and 34 of which were included for quantitative study by meta-analysis. In the overall analysis, the levels of circulating total MPs (TMPs), platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), monocyte-derived MPs (MMPs) and endothelium-derived MPs (EMPs) were significantly higher in T2DM patients than those in controls (TMPs: SMD, 0.64; 95%CI, 0.12∼1.15; P=0.02; PMPs: SMD, 1.19; 95%CI, 0.88∼1.50; P <0.00001; MMPs: SMD, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.66∼1.17; P <0.00001; EMPs: SMD, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.50∼0.96; P <0.00001). Meanwhile, no significant difference was shown in leukocyte-derived MPs (LMPs) level between diabetic and non-diabetic groups (SMD, 0.37; 95%CI, -0.15∼0.89; P=0.17). Conclusions: The counts of TMPs, PMPs, MMPs and EMPs elevated in patients with T2DM. And cell-derived MPs may play a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM.
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Nugent, William R. "Variability in the Results of Meta-Analysis as a Function of Comparing Effect Sizes Based on Scores From Noncomparable Measures: A Simulation Study." Educational and Psychological Measurement 77, no. 3 (June 16, 2016): 449–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013164416654517.
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Meta-analysis is a significant methodological advance that is increasingly important in research synthesis. Fundamental to meta-analysis is the presumption that effect sizes, such as the standardized mean difference (SMD), based on scores from different measures are comparable. It has been argued that population observed score SMDs based on scores from different measures A and B will be equal only if the conjunction of three conditions are met: construct equivalence (CE), equal reliabilities (ER), and the absence of differential test functioning (DTF) in all subpopulations of the combined populations of interest. It has also been speculated the results of a meta-analysis of SMDs might differ between circumstances in which the SMDs included in a meta-analysis are based on measures which all met the conjunction of these conditions and that in which the conjunction of these conditions is violated. No previous studies have tested this conjecture. This Monte Carlo study investigated this hypothesis. A population of studies comparing one of five hypothetical treatments with a placebo condition was simulated. The SMDs in these simulated studies were based on true scores from six hypothetical measures. The scores from some of these measures met the conjunction of CE, ER, and, the absence of DTF, while others failed to meet CE. Three meta-analyses were conducted using both fixed effects and random effects methods. The results suggested that the results of meta-analyses can vary to a practically significant degree when the SMDs were based on scores from measures failing to meet the CE condition. Implications for future research are considered.
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Kang, Kyung Ja, and Mi-Jung Kang. "Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Korean Elderly with Dementia: A Meta-analysis." Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 30, no. 4 (December 31, 2021): 352–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2021.30.4.352.
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Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the effects of horticultural therapy on Korean elderly with dementia.Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, and eight domestic databases, until February 2021. Data extraction and the risk of bias assessment were independently conducted by two authors. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis.Results: Of the 478 studies retrieved from the databases, 21 studies were included in the final analysis. A total of 93 outcome variables were analyzed in 21 literatures. The overall effect size of the horticultural treatment program was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.74~1.09, p<.001), which was statistically significant. Compared to the control group, horticultural therapy improved cognitive functions (SMD=0.71, 95% CI: 0.42~0.99, I2=79.9%), psychosocial functions (SMD=1.01, 95% CI: -0.70~1.31, I2=67.8%), and physical functions (SMD=1.05, 95% CI: 0.77~1.33, I2=72%) in Korean elderly with dementia.Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that horticultural therapy improved the cognitive, psychosocial, and physical functions of dementia patients compared to subjects in the control group.
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Liang, I.-Chia, Yun-Hsiang Chang, Adrián Hernández Hernández Martínez, and Chi-Feng Hung. "Iris-Claw Intraocular Lens: Anterior Chamber or Retropupillary Implantation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Medicina 57, no. 8 (July 30, 2021): 785. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicina57080785.
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Background and Objectives: Iris-claw intraocular lens (ICIOL) could be implanted in the anterior chamber (AC) or retropupillary (RP) in eyes lacking capsular and/or zonular support. Several studies have focused on comparing the efficacy and complications of these two techniques and we designed this research to review the published literatures. Materials and Methods: Peer-reviewed studies were collected through network databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov) and analyzed. The primary outcome was the standardized mean differences (SMDs) of pre- and post-operative corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA). The secondary outcome was the SMDs of pre- and post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell counts (ECC), and the odds ratios (ORs) of post-operative IOP elevation and cystoid macular edema (CME). Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was utilized to conduct statistical analysis. Results: Six studies (one randomized controlled trial and five retrospective case series) were relevant and included a total of 516 eyes (255 and 261 eyes in the AC ICIOL and RP ICIOL groups, respectively). The quantitative analysis showed no significant differences in CDVA (SMD: 0.164, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.171 to 0.500), ECC (SMD: −0.011, 95% CI: −0.195 to 0.173), and IOP elevation events (OR: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.459 to 1.383). Lesser IOP reduction (SMD: 0.257, 95%CI: 0.023 to 0.490) and a relative increase in the incidence of CME (OR:2.315, 95% CI: 0.950 to 5.637) were observed in the AC ICIOL group compared with RP ICIOL group. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicated that AC and RP ICIOL seem to have equivalent visual outcomes. RP ICIOL may perform slightly better with more IOP reduction and lesser CME. More randomized controlled trials, which have higher patient participation and more outcomes are needed to confirm our conclusions.
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Wang, Peng, Yuan-Yuan Xu, Tian-Tian Lv, Shi-Yang Guan, Xiao-Mei Li, Xiang-Pei Li, and Hai-Feng Pan. "Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Angiology 70, no. 2 (July 15, 2018): 141–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0003319718787366.
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Cardiovascular (CV) risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is increased. In this study, we evaluated the differences in major markers of CV risk between patients with T1DM and healthy controls by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Literature from PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library comparing CV risk markers between patients with T1DM and controls was obtained. The overall standard mean differences (SMDs) of carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD%), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), and glyceryl trinitrate-mediated dilatation (GTN%) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) between patients with T1DM and control groups were calculated using fixed-effect or random-effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran Q and I2 statistics. The results showed that patients with T1DM had a significantly greater cIMT (SMD: 0.89; 95% CI, 0.69-1.09; P < .001), significantly lower FMD% (SMD: −1.45%; 95% CI, −1.74 to −1.17; P < .001), significantly increased cf-PWV (SMD: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.03-1.11; P < .001), and significantly decreased GTN% (SMD: −1.11; 95% CI, −1.55 to −0.66; P < .001) than controls. Our results support the current evidence for an elevated CV burden in patients with T1DM and affirm the clinical utility of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in the management of these patients.
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Zhang, Shuo, Jan Talaga, David Müller, Michal Dylag, and Günter Wozny. "Investigations of the Gas-Liquid Multiphase System Involving Macro-Instability in a Baffled Stirred Tank Reactor." Journal of Control Science and Engineering 2016 (2016): 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3075321.
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Bubble Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in gas-liquid multiphase system is of particular interest and the quantification of gas characteristics is still a challenge today. In this contribution, multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations are combined with Population Balance Model (PBM) to investigate the bubble SMD in baffled stirred tank reactor (STR). Hereby, special attention is given to the phenomenon known as the fluid macro-instability (MI), which is a large-scale low-frequency fluid velocity variation in baffled STRs, since the fluid MIs have a dominating influence on the bubble breakage and coalescence processes. The simulations, regarding the fluid velocity, are validated with Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) experiments, in which the instant radial velocity is analyzed through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum. The frequency peaks of the fluid MIs are found both in the simulation and in the experiment with a high degree of accuracy. After the validation, quantitative predictions of overall bubble SMD with and without MIs are carried out. Due to the accurate prediction of the fluid field, the influence of the fluid MI to bubble SMD is presented. This result provides more adequate information for engineers working in the field of estimating bubble SMDs in baffled STRs.
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Liu, Zhiqiang, Yan Liu, Yiqing Song, Xi Zhang, Songlin Wang, and Zuomin Wang. "Systemic Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Chronic Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis." Disease Markers 2014 (2014): 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/931083.
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Oxidative stress biomarkers have been observed in peripheral blood of chronic periodontitis patients; however, their associations with periodontitis were not consistent. This meta-analysis was performed to clarify the associations between chronic periodontitis and oxidative biomarkers in systemic circulation. Electronic searches of PubMed and Embase databases were performed until October 2014 and articles were selected to meet inclusion criteria. Data of oxidative biomarkers levels in peripheral blood of periodontitis patients and periodontal healthy controls were extracted to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using random-effects model. Of 31 eligible articles, 16 articles with available data were included in meta-analysis. Our results showed that periodontitis patients had significantly lower levels of total antioxidant capacity (SMD = −2.02; 95% CI: −3.08, −0.96;P=0.000) and higher levels of malondialdehyde (SMD = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.86;P=0.026) and nitric oxide (SMD = 4.98; 95% CI: 2.33, 7.63;P=0.000) than periodontal healthy control. Superoxide dismutase levels between two groups were not significantly different (SMD = −1.72; 95% CI: −3.50, 0.07;P=0.059). In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed that chronic periodontitis is significantly associated with circulating levels of three oxidative stress biomarkers, indicating a role of chronic periodontitis in systemic diseases.
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Wu, Chunchun, Yongjin Xu, Zhaojing Chen, Yinhang Cao, Kehong Yu, and Cong Huang. "The Effect of Intensity, Frequency, Duration and Volume of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents on Skeletal Muscle Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 18 (September 13, 2021): 9640. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189640.
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Physical activity could improve the muscle fitness of youth, but the systematic analysis of physical activity elements and muscle fitness was limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to explore the influence of physical activity elements on muscle fitness in children and adolescents. We analyzed literature in Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and PubMed databases from January 2000 to September 2020. Only randomized controlled studies with an active control group, which examined at least 1 muscle fitness evaluation index in individuals aged 5–18 years were included. Articles were evaluated using the Jaded scale. Weighted-mean standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Twenty-one studies and 2267 subjects were included. Physical activity had moderate effects on improving muscle fitness (SMD: 0.58–0.96, p < 0.05). Physical activity element subgroup analysis showed that high-intensity (SMD 0.68–0.99, p < 0.05) physical activity < 3 times/week (SMD 0.68–0.99, p < 0.05), and < 60 min/session (SMD 0.66–0.76, p < 0.01) effectively improved muscle fitness. Resistance training of ≥ 3 sets/session (SMD 0.93–2.90, p < 0.01) and < 10 repetitions/set (SMD 0.93–1.29, p < 0.05) significantly improved muscle fitness. Low-frequency, high-intensity, and short-duration physical activity more effectively improves muscle fitness in children and adolescents. The major limitation of this meta-analysis was the low quality of included studies. The study was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42020206963 and was funded mainly by the Ministry of Education of Humanities and Social Science project, China.
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Xu, Yilin, Peng Yuan, Ran Wang, Dan Wang, Jia Liu, and Hui Zhou. "Effects of Foot Strike Techniques on Running Biomechanics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 13, no. 1 (August 19, 2020): 71–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941738120934715.
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Content: Distance running is one of the most popular physical activities, and running-related injuries (RRIs) are also common. Foot strike patterns have been suggested to affect biomechanical variables related to RRI risks. Objective: To determine the effects of foot strike techniques on running biomechanics. Data Sources: The databases of Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO were searched from database inception through November 2018. Study Selection: The initial electronic search found 723 studies. Of these, 26 studies with a total of 472 participants were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: Means, standard deviations, and sample sizes were extracted from the eligible studies, and the standard mean differences (SMDs) were obtained for biomechanical variables between forefoot strike (FFS) and rearfoot strike (RFS) groups using a random-effects model. Results: FFS showed significantly smaller magnitude (SMD, −1.84; 95% CI, −2.29 to −1.38; P < 0.001) and loading rate (mean: SMD, −2.1; 95% CI, −3.18 to −1.01; P < 0.001; peak: SMD, −1.77; 95% CI, −2.21 to −1.33; P < 0.001) of impact force, ankle stiffness (SMD, −1.69; 95% CI, −2.46 to −0.92; P < 0.001), knee extension moment (SMD, −0.64; 95% CI, −0.98 to −0.3; P < 0.001), knee eccentric power (SMD, −2.03; 95% CI, −2.51 to −1.54; P < 0.001), knee negative work (SMD, −1.56; 95% CI, −2.11 to −1.00; P < 0.001), and patellofemoral joint stress (peak: SMD, −0.71; 95% CI, −1.28 to −0.14; P = 0.01; integral: SMD, −0.63; 95% CI, −1.11 to −0.15; P = 0.01) compared with RFS. However, FFS significantly increased ankle plantarflexion moment (SMD, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.96; P < 0.001), eccentric power (SMD, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.08; P < 0.001), negative work (SMD, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.18; P = 0.001), and axial contact force (SMD, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.6; P < 0.001) compared with RFS. Conclusion: Running with RFS imposed higher biomechanical loads on overall ground impact and knee and patellofemoral joints, whereas FFS imposed higher biomechanical loads on the ankle joint and Achilles tendon. The modification of strike techniques may affect the specific biomechanical loads experienced on relevant structures or tissues during running.
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Latella, Christopher, Wei-Peng Teo, Eric J. Drinkwater, Kristina Kendall, and G. Gregory Haff. "The Acute Neuromuscular Responses to Cluster Set Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Sports Medicine 49, no. 12 (September 11, 2019): 1861–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01172-z.
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Abstract Background Cluster sets (CSs) are a popular resistance training (RT) strategy categorised by short rest periods implemented between single or groups of repetitions. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of CSs on acute intra-session neuromuscular performance is still equivocal. Objective The objective of this investigation was to determine the efficacy of a single session of CSs to attenuate losses in force, velocity and power compared to traditional set (TS) training. Methods Screening consisted of a systematic search of EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus. Inclusion criteria were (1) measured one or more of mean/peak force, velocity or power; (2) implemented CSs in comparison to TSs; (3) an acute design, or part thereof; and (4) published in an English-language, peer-reviewed journal. Raw data (mean ± standard deviation) were extracted from included studies and converted into standardised mean differences (SMDs) and ± 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Twenty-five studies were used to calculate SMD ± 95% CI. Peak (SMD = 0.815, 95% CI 0.105–1.524, p = 0.024) and mean (SMD = 0.863, 95% CI 0.319–1.406, p = 0.002) velocity, peak (SMD = 0.356, 95% CI 0.057–0.655, p = 0.019) and mean (SMD = 0.692, 95% CI 0.395–0.990, p < 0.001) power, and peak force (SMD = 0.306, 95% CI − 0.028 to 0.584, p = 0.031) favoured CS. Subgroup analyses demonstrated an overall effect for CS across loads (SMD = 0.702, 95% CI 0.548–0.856, p < 0.001), included exercises (SMD = 0.664, 95% CI 0.413–0.916, p < 0.001), experience levels (SMD = 0.790, 95% CI 0.500–1.080, p < 0.001) and CS structures (SMD = 0.731, 95% CI 0.567–0.894, p < 0.001) with no difference within subgroups. Conclusion CSs are a useful strategy to attenuate the loss in velocity, power and peak force during RT and should be used to maintain neuromuscular performance, especially when kinetic outcomes are emphasised. However, it remains unclear if the benefits translate to improved performance across all RT exercises, between sexes and across the lifespan.
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Lutgens, Danyael, Genevieve Gariepy, and Ashok Malla. "Psychological and psychosocial interventions for negative symptoms in psychosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis." British Journal of Psychiatry 210, no. 5 (May 2017): 324–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.116.197103.
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BackgroundNegative symptoms observed in patients with psychotic disorders undermine quality of life and functioning. Antipsychotic medications have a limited impact. Psychological and psychosocial interventions, with medication, are recommended. However, evidence for the effectiveness of specific non-biological interventions warrants detailed examination.AimsTo conduct a meta-analytic and systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of non-biological treatments for negative symptoms in psychotic disorders.MethodWe searched for randomised controlled studies of psychological and psychosocial interventions in psychotic disorders that reported outcome on negative symptoms. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) in values of negative symptoms at the end of treatment were calculated across study domains as the main outcome measure.ResultsA total of 95 studies met our criteria and 72 had complete quantitative data. Compared with treatment as usual cognitive–behavioural therapy (pooled SMD −0.34, 95% CI −0.55 to −0.12), skills-based training (pooled SMD −0.44, 95% CI −0.77 to −0.10), exercise (pooled SMD −0.36, 95% CI −0.71 to −0.01), and music treatments (pooled SMD −0.58, 95% CI −0.82 to −0.33) provide significant benefit. Integrated treatment models are effective for early psychosis (SMD −0.38, 95% CI −0.53 to −0.22) as long as the patients remain in treatment. Overall quality of evidence was moderate with a high level of heterogeneity.ConclusionsSpecific psychological and psychosocial interventions have utility in ameliorating negative symptoms in psychosis and should be included in the treatment of negative symptoms. However, more effective treatments for negative symptoms need to be developed.
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Li, Shichao, Qiuyun Wang, Yunfeng Wang, Jianli Xie, Cuiran Li, Dengtai Tan, Weigang Kou, and Wenjie Li. "Joint Congestion Control and Resource Allocation for Delay-Aware Tasks in Mobile Edge Computing." Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing 2021 (January 9, 2021): 1–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8897814.
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Recently, in order to extend the computation capability of smart mobile devices (SMDs) and reduce the task execution delay, mobile edge computing (MEC) has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, a stochastic optimization problem is formulated to maximize the system utility and ensure the queue stability, which subjects to the power, subcarrier, SMDs, and MEC server computation resource constraints by jointly optimizing congestion control and resource allocation. With the help of the Lyapunov optimization method, the primal problem is transformed into five subproblems including the system utility maximization subproblem, SMD congestion control subproblem, SMD computation resource allocation subproblem, joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem, and MEC server scheduling subproblem. Since the first three subproblems are all single variable problems, the solutions can be obtained directly. The joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem can be efficiently solved by utilizing alternating and time-sharing methods. For the MEC server scheduling subproblem, an efficient algorithm is proposed to solve it. By solving the five subproblems at each slot, we propose a delay-aware task congestion control and resource allocation (DTCCRA) algorithm to solve the primal problem. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed DTCCRA algorithm can achieve the system utility and execution delay trade-off. Compared with the intelligent heuristic (IH) algorithm, when the control parameter V increases from 10 6 to 10 7 , the total backlogs are decreased by 5.03% and the system utility is increased by 3.9% on average for the extensive performance by using the proposed DTCCRA algorithm.
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Douglas, Jessica Anne, Kevin Deighton, Jan Maria Atkinson, Vahid Sari-Sarraf, David John Stensel, and Greg Atkinson. "Acute Exercise and Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Meta-Analysis." Journal of Obesity 2016 (2016): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2643625.
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In lean individuals, acute aerobic exercise is reported to transiently suppress sensations of appetite, suppress blood concentrations of acylated ghrelin (AG), and increase glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide-YY (PYY). Findings in overweight/obese individuals have yet to be synthesised. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we quantified the effects that acute exercise has on AG and total PYY and GLP-1 in overweight/obese individuals. The potential for body mass index (BMI) to act as a moderator for AG was also explored. Six published studies (73 participants, 78% male, mean BMI: 30.6 kg·m−2) met the inclusion criteria. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) and standard errors were extracted for AG and total PYY and GLP-1 concentrations in control and exercise trials and synthesised using a random effects meta-analysis model. BMI was the predictor in metaregression for AG. Exercise moderately suppressed AG area-under-the-curve concentrations (pooled SMD: −0.34, 95% CI: −0.53 to −0.15). The magnitude of this reduction was greater for higher mean BMIs (pooled metaregression slope: −0.04 SMD/kg·m−2 (95% CI: −0.07 to 0.00)). Trivial SMDs were obtained for total PYY (0.10, 95% CI: −0.13 to 0.31) and GLP-1 (−0.03, 95% CI: −0.18 to 0.13). This indicates that exercise in overweight/obese individuals moderately alters AG in a direction that could be associated with decreased hunger and energy intake. This trial is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42014006265.
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Li, Shichao, Qiuyun Wang, Yunfeng Wang, Jianli Xie, Cuiran Li, Dengtai Tan, Weigang Kou, and Wenjie Li. "Joint Congestion Control and Resource Allocation for Delay-Aware Tasks in Mobile Edge Computing." Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing 2021 (January 9, 2021): 1–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8897814.
Full textAbstract:
Recently, in order to extend the computation capability of smart mobile devices (SMDs) and reduce the task execution delay, mobile edge computing (MEC) has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, a stochastic optimization problem is formulated to maximize the system utility and ensure the queue stability, which subjects to the power, subcarrier, SMDs, and MEC server computation resource constraints by jointly optimizing congestion control and resource allocation. With the help of the Lyapunov optimization method, the primal problem is transformed into five subproblems including the system utility maximization subproblem, SMD congestion control subproblem, SMD computation resource allocation subproblem, joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem, and MEC server scheduling subproblem. Since the first three subproblems are all single variable problems, the solutions can be obtained directly. The joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem can be efficiently solved by utilizing alternating and time-sharing methods. For the MEC server scheduling subproblem, an efficient algorithm is proposed to solve it. By solving the five subproblems at each slot, we propose a delay-aware task congestion control and resource allocation (DTCCRA) algorithm to solve the primal problem. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed DTCCRA algorithm can achieve the system utility and execution delay trade-off. Compared with the intelligent heuristic (IH) algorithm, when the control parameter V increases from 10 6 to 10 7 , the total backlogs are decreased by 5.03% and the system utility is increased by 3.9% on average for the extensive performance by using the proposed DTCCRA algorithm.
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Varangot-Reille, Clovis, Ferran Cuenca-Martínez, Alberto Arribas-Romano, Rodrigo Bertoletti-Rodríguez, Álvaro Gutiérrez-Martín, Fernando Mateo-Perrino, Luis Suso-Martí, María Blanco-Díaz, Joaquín Calatayud, and José Casaña. "Effectiveness of Neural Mobilization Techniques in the Management of Musculoskeletal Neck Disorders with Nerve-Related Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with a Mapping Report." Pain Medicine 23, no. 4 (October 11, 2021): 707–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnab300.
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Abstract Objective The objective was to assess the effectiveness of neural mobilization (NM) techniques in the management of musculoskeletal neck disorders with nerve-related symptoms (MND-NRS). Methods We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis, using pain intensity, disability, perceived function, cervical range of motion, and mechanosensitivity as the main outcome measures. Results The systematic review included 22 studies (n = 978). More favorable outcomes were observed for NM on pain intensity compared with control interventions (standardized mean differences (SMDs) −0.92; 95% CI −1.66−0.18), but not compared with other treatments (OTs) (SMD 1.06; 95% CI −0.02 to 2.15). Regarding neck pain intensity, no significant differences were found in favor of NM compared with OTs (SMD 0.37; 95% CI −0.35 to 1.1). However, between-treatment differences were found in favor of OT on arm-pain intensity (SMD 0.57; 95% CI 0.08–1.05). In addition, the grouped MA did not show statistically significant differences between NM and OT outcomes on the cervical range of motion (SMD 0.16; 95% CI −0.06 to 0.38). However, compared with no intervention, NM was associated with significantly improved outcomes in cervical rotation (SMD 0.91; 95% CI 0.61–1.22). Similar results were found regarding disability (SMD −0.08; 95% CI −0.36−0.20, and SMD −1.44; 95% CI −2.28−0.6, respectively). Finally, NM was associated with more favorable outcomes on mechanosensitivity compared with OT (SMD 0.79; 95% CI 0.15–1.42) and greater improvements in function compared with no intervention (SMD 0.89; 95% CI 0.16–1.62). Conclusions NM appeared to be effective to improve overall pain intensity when embedded in a physiotherapy treatment in the management of MND-NRS. When compared with no intervention, it was effective to improve neck rotation, disability, and function. However, it was not superior to other types of treatments in improving overall pain intensity, neck pain intensity, arm pain intensity, cervical range of motion and disability, except for mechanosensitivity.
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Grofman, Bernard, Michael Migalski, and Nicholas Noviello. "Effects of Multimember Districts on Black Representation in State Legislatures." Review of Black Political Economy 14, no. 4 (March 1986): 65–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf02903792.
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We look at the most general feature of multimember districts (MMDs) as compared to single-member districting (SMD) plans: the higher likelihood of submergence of minority voting strength. We focus on data on black legislative representation between 1977 and 1982 in the 11 states with more than 15% black populations, and compare states which use MMDs with those that use SMDs. We also examine changes in black representation in states which shifted from MMDs to SMDs. In addition, for MMD state legislative elections in eight North Carolina counties between 1978 and 1982, we examine in detail the nature of minority submergence including the lack of geographic representativity of the persons elected from MMDs. The counties we examine contain four of North Carolina's largest cities and a substantial portion of North Carolina's black population. Unlike almost all of the previously published literature on racial representation in MMDs, our study deals with state legislative races and not local elections.
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Sun, Li-Chun, Rong Chen, Chuan Fu, Ying Chen, Qianli Wu, RuiPeng Chen, XueJuan Lin, and Sha Luo. "Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Limb Spasticity after Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." BioMed Research International 2019 (April 7, 2019): 1–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8329306.
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Background. Inconsistent data have been reported for the effectiveness of intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in patients with limb spasticity after stroke. This meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of BTXA in adult patients with upper and lower limb spasticity after stroke. Methods. An electronic search was performed to select eligible RCTs in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library through December 2018. Summary standard mean differences (SMDs) and relative risk (RR) values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess effectiveness and safety outcomes, respectively. Results. Twenty-seven RCTs involving a total of 2,793 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 16 and 9 trials assessing upper and lower limb spasticity cases, respectively. For upper limb spasticity, BTXA therapy significantly improved the levels of muscle tone (SMD=-0.76; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.55; P<0.001), physician global assessment (SMD=0.51; 95% CI 0.35-0.67; P<0.001), and disability assessment scale (SMD=-0.30; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.20; P<0.001), with no significant effects on active upper limb function (SMD=0.49; 95% CI -0.08 to 1.07; P=0.093) and adverse events (RR=1.18; 95% CI 0.72-1.93; P=0.509). For lower limb spasticity, BTXA therapy was associated with higher Fugl-Meyer score (SMD=5.09; 95%CI 2.16-8.01; P=0.001), but had no significant effects on muscle tone (SMD=-0.12; 95% CI -0.83 to 0.59; P=0.736), gait speed (SMD=0.06; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.15; P=0.116), and adverse events (RR=1.01; 95% CI 0.71-1.45; P=0.949). Conclusions. BTXA improves muscle tone, physician global assessment, and disability assessment scale in upper limb spasticity and increases the Fugl-Meyer score in lower limb spasticity.
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Benedict, Timothy M., Patrick G. Keenan, Arthur J. Nitz, and Tobias Moeller-Bertram. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Contribute to Worse Pain and Health Outcomes in Veterans With PTSD Compared to Those Without: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis." Military Medicine 185, no. 9-10 (April 6, 2020): e1481-e1491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa052.
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Abstract Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain are frequently co-morbid conditions in the U.S. veteran population. Although several theories about the cause of increased pain prevalence in individuals with PTSD have been presented, no synthesis of primary data informing the impact of co-morbid PTSD and pain has been completed. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature and quantify disability, function, and pain-related beliefs and outcomes in veterans with PTSD compared to veterans without PTSD. Materials and Methods A systematic search of three electronic databases was conducted. Inclusion criteria required pain-related comparison of veterans with PTSD to those without PTSD. Primary outcome measures and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were assessed for pain, function, disability, pain beliefs, and healthcare utilization using a random effects model. Results 20 original research studies met inclusion criteria and were assessed for quality and outcomes of interest. The majority of studies were cross-sectional. Veterans with PTSD and pain demonstrated higher pain (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI 0.28–0.89), disability (SMD = 0.52, 95%CI 0.33–0.71), depression (SMD = 1.40, 95%CI 1.2–1.6), catastrophizing beliefs (SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.69–1.2), sleep disturbance (SMD = 0.80, 95% CI 0.57–1.02), and healthcare utilization; they had lower function (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.25–0.56) and pain self-efficacy (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI 0.55–0.99) compared to veterans without PTSD. Conclusion In veterans with chronic pain, PTSD symptomology has a large effect for many negative health-related outcomes. This review supports the need for clinicians to screen and understand the effects of PTSD symptoms on patients with pain. Clinicians should recognize that veterans with PTSD and pain likely have elevated pain catastrophizing beliefs and decreased self-efficacy that should be targeted for intervention.
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Park, Yun Chul, Young Goun Jo, Young-Jun Ki, Wu Seong Kang, and Joongsuck Kim. "Efficacy and Safety of Laparoscopy for Mild and Moderate Pediatric Abdominal Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of Clinical Medicine 11, no. 7 (March 31, 2022): 1942. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm11071942.
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In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy for pediatric patients with abdominal trauma. Relevant articles were obtained by searching the MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases until 7 December 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using odds ratio (OR) for binary outcomes, standardized mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcome measures, and overall proportion for single proportional outcomes. Nine studies examining 12,492 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis showed younger age (SMD −0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.52 to −0.42), lower injury severity score (SMD −0.62, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.57), shorter hospital stay (SMD −0.55, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.50), less complications (OR 0.375, 95% CI 0.309 to 0.455), and lower mortality rate (OR 0.055, 95% CI 0.0.28 to 0.109) in the laparoscopy group compared to the laparotomy group. The majority of patients were able to avoid laparotomy (0.816, 95% CI 0.800 to 0.833). There were no missed injuries during the laparoscopic procedures in seven eligible studies. Laparoscopy for stable pediatric patients showed favorable outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality. There were no missed injuries, and laparotomy could be avoided for the majority of patients.
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Wang, Chong-Wen, Cecilia Lai Wan Chan, Rainbow T. H. Ho, Hector W. H. Tsang, Celia Hoi Yan Chan, and Siu-Man Ng. "The Effect of Qigong on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013 (2013): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/716094.
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Objective. To evaluate clinical trial evidence of the effectiveness of qigong exercise on depressive and anxiety symptoms.Methods. Thirteen databases were searched from their respective inception through December 2012. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Effects of qigong across trials were pooled. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for the pooled effects. Heterogeneity was assessed using theI2test. Study quality was evaluated using the Wayne Checklist.Results. Twelve RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The results of meta-analyses suggested a beneficial effect of qigong exercise on depressive symptoms when compared to waiting-list controls or usual care only (SMD = −0.75; 95% CI, −1.44 to −0.06), group newspaper reading (SMD = −1.24; 95% CI, −1.64 to −0.84), and walking or conventional exercise (SMD = −0.52; 95% CI, −0.85 to −0.19), which might be comparable to that of cognitive-behavioral therapy (P=0.54). Available evidence did not suggest a beneficial effect of qigong exercise on anxiety symptoms.Conclusion. Qigong may be potentially beneficial for management of depressive symptoms, but the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of RCTs and associated methodological weaknesses. Further rigorously designed RCTs are warranted.