scholarly journals A Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies of Semantic Cognition in Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Enge ◽  
Rasha Abdel Rahman ◽  
Michael A. Skeide
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Semantic Relatedness ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
World Knowledge ◽  
Total N ◽  
Object Categories ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Semantic Object

Our capacity to derive meaning from things that we see and words that we hear is unparalleled in other animal species and current AI systems. Despite a wealth of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on where different semantic features are processed in the adult brain, the development of these systems in children is poorly understood. Here we conducted an extensive database search and identified 50 fMRI experiments investigating semantic world knowledge, semantic relatedness judgments, and the differentiation of visual semantic object categories in children (total N = 1,018, mean age = 10.1 years, range 4-15 years). Synthesizing the results of these experiments, we found consistent activation in the bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG), fusiform gyri (FG), and supplementary motor areas (SMA), as well as in the left middle and superior temporal gyri (MTG/STG). Within this system, we found little evidence for age-related changes across childhood and high overlap with the adult semantic system. In sum, the identification of these cortical areas provides the starting point for further research on the mechanisms by which the developing brain learns to make sense of its environment.

scholarly journals Meta-analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and integrative OMICs in human skeletal muscle

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Voisin ◽  
M Jacques ◽  
S Landen ◽  
NR Harvey ◽  
LM Haupt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Total N ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Differentially Methylated Genes ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
User Friendly

AbstractKnowledge of age-related DNA methylation changes in skeletal muscle is limited, yet this tissue is severely affected by aging in humans. Using a large-scale epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) meta-analysis of age in human skeletal muscle from 10 studies (total n = 908 human muscle methylomes), we identified 9,986 differentially methylated regions at a stringent false discovery rate < 0.005, spanning 8,748 unique genes, many of which related to skeletal muscle structure and development. We then integrated the DNA methylation results with known transcriptomic and proteomic age-related changes in skeletal muscle, and found that even though most differentially methylated genes are not altered at the mRNA or protein level, they are nonetheless strongly enriched for genes showing age-related differential expression. We provide here the most comprehensive picture of DNA methylation aging in human skeletal muscle, and have made our results available as an open-access, user-friendly, web-based tool called MetaMeth (https://sarah-voisin.shinyapps.io/MetaMeth/).

scholarly journals Does Exercise Influence Kynurenine/Tryptophan Metabolism and Psychological Outcomes in Persons With Age-Related Diseases? A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117864692199111
Author(s):  
Anthony Lim ◽  
Christel Harijanto ◽  
Sara Vogrin ◽  
Gilles Guillemin ◽  
Gustavo Duque
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Total N ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Central Registry

Background: The kynurenine (KYN) pathway has been implicated in many diseases associated with inflammation and aging (“inflammaging”). Targeting the kynurenine pathway to modify disease outcomes has been trialled pharmacologically, but the evidence of non-pharmacological means (ie, exercise) remains unclear. Objective: We aim to assess the evidence of the effects of exercise on the kynurenine pathway and psychological outcomes. Methods: Under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials. The main outcomes were changes in kynurenine pathway metabolite levels and psychological outcomes. Results: Six studies were analyzed (total n = 379) with exercise demonstrating significant concomitant effects on kynurenine pathway metabolite levels and associated psychological outcomes in domains of somatization, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: Exercise has significant concomitant effect on kynurenine pathway metabolite levels and psychological outcomes. However, clear limitations exist in determining if the changes in the kynurenine pathway can fully explain the changes in psychological outcomes, or whether different diseases and exercise interventions act as confounding factors.

Temporal Discounting Across Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra Leigh Seaman ◽  
Sade J Abiodun ◽  
Zöe Fenn ◽  
Gregory Russell Samanez-Larkin ◽  
Rui Mata
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Temporal Discounting ◽  
Total N ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Adult Age Differences ◽  
Choice Tasks

A number of developmental theories have been proposed that make differential predictions about the links between age and temporal discounting; that is, the valuation of rewards at different points in time. Most empirical studies examining adult age differences in temporal discounting have relied on economic intertemporal choice tasks, which pit choosing a smaller, sooner monetary reward against choosing a larger, later one. Although initial studies using these tasks suggested older adults discount less than younger adults, follow-up studies provided heterogeneous, and thus inconclusive, results. Using an open science approach, we test the replicability of adult age differences in temporal discounting by conducting a preregistered systematic literature search and meta-analysis of adult age differences in intertemporal choice tasks. Across 37 cross-sectional studies (Total N = 104,736), we found no reliable relation between age and temporal discounting (r = -0.081, 95% CI [-0.185, 0.025]). We also found little evidence of publication bias or p-hacking. Exploratory analyses of moderators found no effect of experimental design (e.g., extreme-group vs. continuous age), incentives (hypothetical vs. rewards), amount of delay (e.g., days, weeks, months, or years), or quantification of discounting behavior (e.g., proportion of immediate choices vs. parameters from computational modeling). Additional analyses of 12 participant-level data sets found little support for a nonlinear relation between age and temporal discounting across adulthood. Overall, the results suggest that adult age is not reliably associated with individual differences in temporal discounting. We provide recommendations for future empirical work on temporal discounting across the adult life span.

Political bullshit receptivity and its correlates: a cross-cultural validation of the concept

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vukašin Gligorić ◽  
Allard Feddes ◽  
Bertjan Doosje
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Voting Behavior ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Total N

Frankfurt defined persuasive communication that has no regard for truth, knowledge, or evidence as bullshit. Although there has been a lot of psychological research on pseudo-profound bullshit, no study examined this type of communication in politics. In the present research, we operationalize political bullshit receptivity as endorsing vague political statements, slogans, and political bullshit programs. We investigated the relationship of these three measures with pseudo-profound bullshit, ideology (political ideology, support for neoliberalism), populism, and voting behavior. Three pre-registered studies in different cultural settings (the United States, Serbia, The Netherlands; total N = 534) yielded medium to high intercorrelations between political bullshit measures and pseudo-profound bullshit, and good construct validity (hypothesized one-factor solution). A Bayesian meta-analysis showed that all political bullshit measures positively correlated with support for the free market, while only some positively correlated with social (political statements and programs) and economic conservatism (programs), and populism (programs). In the U.S., higher receptivity to political bullshit was associated with a higher probability that one voted for Trump (vs Clinton) in the past and higher intentions to vote for Trump (vs Biden and Sanders). In the Netherlands, higher receptivity to political bullshit predicted the intention to vote for the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. Exploratory analyses on merged datasets showed that higher receptivity to political bullshit was associated with a higher probability to vote for right-wing candidates/parties and lower probability for the left-wing ones. Overall, political bullshit endorsement showed good validity, opening avenues for research in political communication, especially when this communication is broad and meaningless.

scholarly journals Comparative efficacy and safety of different regimens of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040906
Author(s):  
Xinyu Zhao ◽  
Lihui Meng ◽  
Youxin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveTo give a comprehensive efficacy and safety ranking of different therapeutic regimens of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).DesignA systematic review and network meta-analysis.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and other clinical trial registries were searched up to 1 October 2019 to identify related randomised controlled trials (RCT) of different regimens of ranibizumab for nAMD. The primary efficacy outcome was the changes of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year, the primary safety outcome was the incidence of severe ocular adverse events. Secondary outcomes such as changes of central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated. We estimated the standardised mean difference (SMD), ORs, 95% CIs, the surface under the cumulative ranking curves and the mean ranks for each outcome using network meta-analyses with random effects by Stata 14.0.ResultsWe identified 26 RCTs involving 10 821 patients with nAMD randomly assigned to 21 different therapeutic regimens of ranibizumab or sham treatment. Ranibizumab 0.5 mg (treat and extend, T&E) is most effective in terms of changes of BCVA (letters, SMD=21.41, 95% CI 19.86 to 22.95) and three or more lines of BCVA improvement (OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.38). However, it could not significantly reduce retreatment times compared with monthly injection (SMD=−0.94, 95% CI −2.26 to 0.39). Ranibizumab 0.5 mg (3+pro re nata)+non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is most effective in reducing CRT and port delivery system of ranibizumab (100 mg/mL) could reduce the number of retreatment most significantly. All regimes have no more risk of severe ocular complications (including vitreous haemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, retinal tear and retinal pigment epithelium tear) or cardiocerebral vascular complications.ConclusionsRanibizumab 0.5 mg (T&E) is most effective in improving the visual outcome. The administration of topical NSAIDs could achieve additional efficacy in CRT reduction and visual improvement. Both interventions had acceptable risks of adverse events.

Fatigue As A Performance Shaping Factor In Human Reliability Analysis For Long-Duration Spaceflight

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1681-1685
Author(s):  
Ronald Boring ◽  
Thomas Ulrich ◽  
Torrey Mortenson ◽  
David German
Keyword(s):  
Reliability Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Human Reliability ◽  
Human Reliability Analysis ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Performance Shaping Factors ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Chronic Sleep

This paper provides background on the process to enhance human reliability analysis (HRA) for long-duration space applications. While short-duration missions largely mirror ground activities and fit well with existing HRA methods, new missions to the Moon or Mars entail a significantly longer duration of time in space for astronauts. This extended period in space presents opportunities to affect astronaut performance that require consideration of new performance shaping factors (PSFs). In the present paper, we conducted a meta-analysis on fatigue and developed a new PSF to account for chronic sleep deprivation associated with long-duration space missions. Fatigue provides a starting point for additional PSFs needed for space HRA.

scholarly journals Sense of Purpose in Life Is Associated with Lower Risk of Incident Dementia: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Angelina R. Sutin ◽  
Damaris Aschwanden ◽  
Martina Luchetti ◽  
Yannick Stephan ◽  
Antonio Terracciano
Keyword(s):  
Lower Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Total N ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Incident Dementia

Background: A sense of purpose in life has been associated with healthier cognitive outcomes across adulthood, including risk of dementia. The robustness and replicability of this association, however, has yet to be evaluated systematically. Objective: To test whether a greater sense of purpose in life is associated with lower risk of dementia in four population-based cohorts and combined with the published literature. Methods: Random-effect meta-analysis of prospective studies (individual participant data and from the published literature identified through a systematic review) that examined sense of purpose and risk of incident dementia. Results: In six samples followed up to 17 years (four primary data and two published; total N = 53,499; n = 5,862 incident dementia), greater sense of purpose in life was associated with lower dementia risk (HR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.73–0.81, p <  0.001). The association was generally consistent across cohorts (I2 = 47%), remained significant controlling for clinical (e.g., depression) and behavioral (e.g., physical inactivity) risk factors, and was not moderated by age, gender, or education. Conclusion: Sense of purpose is a replicable and robust predictor of lower risk of incident dementia and is a promising target of intervention for cognitive health outcomes.

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