Systematic Review of Studies on Visual Phonics

2021 ◽  
pp. 152574012110245
Author(s):  
Ayse N. Kart
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Home Language ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Communication Method ◽  
Grade Placement

Visual Phonics is a multisensory teaching tool that has the potential to improve reading outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine studies on Visual Phonics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects on code-related skills. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The results demonstrate that Visual Phonics can be an effective strategy to teach code-related skills for at-risk hearing kindergarteners and d/Deaf and hard of hearing students, regardless of the degree of hearing loss, grade placement, communication method, home language, and prevalence of an additional disability. A number of these studies contain limitations such as a small sample size, difficulty with obtaining a randomized sample, lack of a control group, and difficulty with the generalization of findings. Therefore, there is a need for additional research on the effects of Visual Phonics and its progression to becoming an evidence-based practice.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Acetaminophen-Related Liver Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies in Vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Yiwen Zhang ◽  
Jiajun Zhong ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Shuisheng Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group

Objective: The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in acetaminophen-induced liver injury has been investigated in animal experiments, but individual studies with a small sample size cannot be used to draw a clear conclusion. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies to explore the potential of using MSCs in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Methods: Eight databases were searched for studies reporting the effects of MSCs on acetaminophen hepatoxicity. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool for animal studies was applied to assess the methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4 and STATA/SE 16.0 software. Results: Eleven studies involving 159 animals were included according to PRISMA statement guidelines. Significant associations were found for MSCs with the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) (standardized mean difference (SMD) − 2.58, p < 0.0001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SMD − 1.75, p = 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (SMD 3.7, p < 0.0001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD 1.86, p = 0.022), interleukin 10 (IL-10) (SMD 5.14, p = 0.0002) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD − 4.48, p = 0.011) compared with those in the control group. The subgroup analysis showed that the tissue source of MSCs significantly affected the therapeutic efficacy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis results demonstrate that MSCs could be a potential treatment for acetaminophen-related liver injury.

Supplementation of Probiotics and Its Effects on Physically Active Individuals and Athletes: Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Berwig Möller ◽  
Maria Júlia Vieira da Cunha Goulart ◽  
Bruna Bellincanta Nicoletto ◽  
Fernanda Donner Alves ◽  
Cláudia Dornelles Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Positive Effects

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of probiotic supplementation on physically active individuals. The participants, interventions, comparisons, outcome and study design inclusion criteria were (a) studies involving healthy adults or older subjects of both sexes who did physical exercise (including athletes and physically active individuals), (b) interventions with probiotics, (c) inclusion of a control group, (d) outcomes not previously defined, and (e) clinical trials and randomized clinical trials, with no language or date restrictions. The search was conducted in the following scientific databases: MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, Scopus, and Lilacs. Search terms were “Probiotics” OR “Prebiotics” OR “Microbiota” AND “Exercise” OR “Athletes.” The articles were first screened by title and abstract by two independent reviewers and disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted independently by the same two reviewers; results were extracted in duplicate and then compared to avoid errors. A total of 544 articles were retrieved and 24 were included. A total of 1,680 patients were included, most of them being male (n = 1,134, 67.5%), with a mean age of 30.9 ± 6.1 years. Following probiotic supplementation, positive effects have been reported for several outcomes including respiratory tract infection, immunologic markers, and gastrointestinal symptoms in both athletes and nonathletes. However, published studies have distinct protocols and measured outcomes, and some of them have small sample size and failed to prove beneficial effect on probiotic supplementation, leading to inconclusive results for standardized supplementation protocols.

scholarly journals Reliability of three-dimensional anterior cranial base superimposition methods for assessment of overall hard tissue changes: A systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Ponce-Garcia ◽  
Manuel Lagravere-Vich ◽  
Lucia Helena Soares Cevidanes ◽  
Antonio Carlos de Olivera Ruellas ◽  
Jason Carey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Registration Method ◽  
Anterior Cranial Base ◽  
Tissue Changes

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the available literature concerning the reliability of three-dimensional superimposition methods when assessing changes in craniofacial hard tissues. Materials and Methods: Four electronic databases were searched. Two authors independently reviewed potentially relevant articles for eligibility. Clinical trials, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that evaluated the reliability of three-dimensional superimposition methods on the anterior cranial base were included. Results: Six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies used the voxel-based registration method, one used the landmark-based method and one used the surface-based method. Regarding reliability, the voxel-based studies showed on average a difference of 0.5 mm or less between images. The optimized analysis using a six-point correction algorithm in the landmark-based method showed 1.24 mm magnitude of error between images. Conclusions: Although reliability appears to be adequate, the small sample size and high risk of bias among studies make available evidence still insufficient to draw strong conclusions.

scholarly journals Effects of Microbiota-Driven Therapy on Circulating Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Miao ◽  
Jianpeng Du ◽  
Zhuhong Chen ◽  
Dazhuo Shi ◽  
Hua Qu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bias Analysis ◽  
Betaine Aldehyde

Aim: This study was designed to systematically evaluate the effects of microbiota-driven therapy on decreasing TMAO and its related metabolites.Methods and Results: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched (up to July 2021). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), compared microbiota-driven therapy (prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics) with placebo on decreasing TMAO and its related metabolites, were eligible. Two researchers extracted the data independently and the disagreement was resolved by a third researcher. The risk of bias of included study was evaluated using Cochrane tool (RoB 2.0). Meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis and publication bias analysis were performed by RevMan 5.3 or Stata 12.0 software. Ten studies (12 arms) involving 342 patients (168 patients in the intervention group and 174 patients in the control group) were included. Compared with the control group, microbiota-driven therapy did not reduce circulating TMAO [SMD = −0.05, 95% CI (−0.36, 0.26), P = 0.749], choline [SMD = −0.34, 95% CI (−1.09, 0.41), P = 0.373], betaine aldehyde [SMD = −0.704, 95% CI (−1.789, 0.382), P = 0.204], and L-carnatine [SMD = −0.06, 95% CI (−0.38, 0.25), P = 0.692].Conclusion: Current evidence does not support that microbiota-driven treatment reduce circulating levels of TMAO, choline, betaine aldehyde, and L-carnitine. However, given the small sample size, this conclusion needs to be proved in the future.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO:CRD42019119107.

scholarly journals Longitudinal assessment of S100B serum levels and clinical factors in youth patients with mood disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Rajewska-Rager ◽  
Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz ◽  
Pawel Kapelski ◽  
Natalia Lepczynska ◽  
Joanna Pawlak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Depressed Group

AbstractMood disorders have been discussed as being in relation to glial pathology. S100B is a calcium-binding protein, and a marker of glial dysfunctions. Although alterations in the S100B expression may play a role in various central nervous system diseases, there are no studies on the potential role of S100B in mood disorders in adolescents and young adults . In a prospective two-year follow-up study, peripheral levels of S100B were investigated in 79 adolescent/young adult patients (aged 14–24 years), diagnosed with mood disorders and compared with 31 healthy control subjects. A comprehensive clinical interview was conducted which focused on clinical symptoms and diagnosis change. The diagnosis was established and verified at each control visit. Serum S100B concentrations were determined. We detected: lower S100B levels in medicated patients, compared with those who were drug-free, and healthy controls; higher S100B levels in a depressed group with a family history of affective disorder; correlations between age and medication status; sex-dependent differences in S100B levels; and lack a of correlation between the severity of depressive or hypo/manic symptoms. The results of our study indicate that S100B might be a trait-dependent rather than a state-dependent marker. Due to the lack of such studies in the youth population, further research should be performed. A relatively small sample size, a lack of exact age-matched control group, a high drop-out rate.

scholarly journals Treatment strategies for cerebrospinal shunt infections: a systematic review of observational studies

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e038978
Author(s):  
Joan L Robinson ◽  
Dolores Freire ◽  
Liza Bialy
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
Shunt Infections

ObjectiveA systematic review was conducted of studies comparing time to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sterilisation or rate of recurrence with different treatment strategies for CSF shunt infections.MethodsA librarian-directed search was conducted of Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid Medline Daily and Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Wiley Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text via EBSCOhost, Scopus Advanced Search, and Web of Science Core Collection from 1990 to May 2019. Studies of any design that compared outcomes in groups of any age with different management strategies were included. Studies that compared complete versus incomplete shunt removal were excluded. Quality assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.ResultsThe search identified 2208 records, of which 8 met the inclusion criteria. All were cohort studies of moderate quality. Four studies compared the duration of antibiotics; none demonstrates that a longer course prevented recurrences. Two studies analysed addition of rifampin, with one showing a decrease in recurrences while the other had a small sample size. No studies analysed the addition of intraventricular antibiotics, but one showed equally good results with once versus twice daily administration. One study reported no difference in recurrences with placement of antibiotic-impregnated catheters. Recurrence rates did not differ with shunt replacement minimum of 7 days vs less than 7 days after CSF became sterile. There were no recurrences in either group when shunt replacement was performed after sterile CSF cultures were obtained at 24 vs 48 hours after antibiotics were discontinued. A new shunt entry site did not decrease recurrences.DiscussionThe main limitations are the lack of high-quality studies, the small sample sizes and the heterogeneity which precluded meta-analysis. Addition of rifampin for staphylococcal infections may decrease relapse but requires further study.

scholarly journals The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Cox ◽  
Sonal Gupta ◽  
Sizheng Steven Zhao ◽  
David M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractThe aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to describe prevalence of cardiovascular disease in gout, compare these results with non-gout controls and consider whether there were differences according to geography. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies reporting prevalence of any cardiovascular disease in a gout population. Studies with non-representative sampling, where a cohort had been used in another study, small sample size (< 100) and where gout could not be distinguished from other rheumatic conditions were excluded, as were reviews, editorials and comments. Where possible meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models. Twenty-six studies comprising 949,773 gout patients were included in the review. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated for five cardiovascular diseases: myocardial infarction (2.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI)s 1.6, 5.0), heart failure (8.7%; 95% CI 2.9, 23.8), venous thromboembolism (2.1%; 95% CI 1.2, 3.4), cerebrovascular accident (4.3%; 95% CI 1.8, 9.7) and hypertension (63.9%; 95% CI 24.5, 90.6). Sixteen studies reported comparisons with non-gout controls, illustrating an increased risk in the gout group across all cardiovascular diseases. There were no identifiable reliable patterns when analysing the results by country. Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in patients with gout and should prompt vigilance from clinicians to the need to assess and stratify cardiovascular risk. Future research is needed to investigate the link between gout, hyperuricaemia and increased cardiovascular risk and also to establish a more thorough picture of prevalence for less common cardiovascular diseases.

ECT rekindles pharmacological response in schizophrenia

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 521-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hustig ◽  
R. Onilov
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Antipsychotic Agents ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Notes ◽  
Symptom Profiles ◽  
Pharmacological Response ◽  
Maintenance Ect

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of our naturalistic-observational study was to determine the efficacy and utility of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in clinical population of individuals with schizophrenia where pharmacological response was suboptimal.MethodsThe cohort comprised 27 patients suffering from schizophrenia with refractoriness to antipsychotic agents and with severe, disabling symptoms. They only interventional assessing tool was clinical global impression (CGI-S) performed at the baseline and at the end of the treatment.ResultsThe administration of ECT resulted in overall clinical improvement reflected in CGI scales and descriptions in clinical notes. On 12 months follow-up period, 10 patients (37.1%) maintained improvement and were able to continue with pharmacological therapy only, suggesting its rekindling effect, especially with Clozapine. Conversely, 17 patients (62.9%) deteriorated and required an additional course of ECT to maintain improvement. In some cases, maintenance ECT treatment was required. The group who engaged in self-harming behaviour at baseline demonstrated they were more likely to relapse into psychosis at the end of the first course of ECT, their self-harming behaviour abated, especially when maintenance ECT was undertaken.ConclusionsAlthough limited by lack of control group, small sample size, heterogeneous symptom profiles and various concurrent neuroleptic agents, the ECT proved as valuable and safe augmentative procedure when unsatisfactory response to pharmacological interventions had been demonstrated prior to interventions. This effect was evident despite the chronicity of the illness.

scholarly journals DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: The diagnostic performance of adrenal biopsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 175 (2) ◽  
pp. R65-R80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Bancos ◽  
Shrikant Tamhane ◽  
Muhammad Shah ◽  
Danae A Delivanis ◽  
Fares Alahdab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Adrenal Biopsy ◽  
Adrenocortical Carcinomas

ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review of published literature on adrenal biopsy and to assess its performance in diagnosing adrenal malignancy.MethodsMedline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched from inception to February 2016. Reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality in duplicate.ResultsWe included 32 observational studies reporting on 2174 patients (39.4% women, mean age 59.8 years) undergoing 2190 adrenal mass biopsy procedures. Pathology was described in 1621/2190 adrenal lesions (689 metastases, 68 adrenocortical carcinomas, 64 other malignancies, 464 adenomas, 226 other benign, 36 pheochromocytomas, and 74 others). The pooled non-diagnostic rate (30 studies, 2013 adrenal biopsies) was 8.7% (95%CI: 6–11%). The pooled complication rate (25 studies, 1339 biopsies) was 2.5% (95%CI: 1.5–3.4%). Studies were at a moderate risk for bias. Most limitations related to patient selection, assessment of outcome, and adequacy of follow-up. Only eight studies (240 patients) could be included in the diagnostic performance analysis with a sensitivity and specificity of 87 and 100% for malignancy, 70 and 98% for adrenocortical carcinoma, and 87 and 96% for metastasis respectively.ConclusionsEvidence based on small sample size and moderate risk of bias suggests that adrenal biopsy appears to be most useful in the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis in patients with a history of extra-adrenal malignancy. Adrenal biopsy should only be performed if the expected findings are likely to alter the management of the individual patient and after biochemical exclusion of catecholamine-producing tumors to help prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

scholarly journals Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Linezolid and Daptomycin for Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Bloodstream Infections

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 5013-5018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W. Whang ◽  
Loren G. Miller ◽  
Neil M. Partain ◽  
James A. McKinnell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Antibiotic Selection ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

ABSTRACTBloodstream infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE-BSI) result in substantial patient mortality and cost. Daptomycin and linezolid are commonly prescribed for VRE-BSI, but there are no clinical trials to determine optimal antibiotic selection. We conducted a systematic review for investigations that compared daptomycin and linezolid for VRE-BSI. We searched Medline from 1966 through 2012 for comparisons of linezolid and daptomycin for VRE-BSI. We included searches of EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov, and national meetings. Data were extracted using a standardized instrument. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. Our search yielded 4,243 publications, of which 482 contained data on VRE treatment. Most studies (452/482) did not present data on BSI or did not provide information on linezolid or daptomycin. Among the remaining 30 studies, 9 offered comparative data between the two agents. None were randomized clinical trials. There was no difference in microbiologic (n= 5 studies, 517 patients; OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4 to 1.7;P= 0.95) and clinical (n= 3 studies, 357 patients; OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7 to 2.0;P= 0.7) cures between the two antibiotics. There was a trend toward increased survival with linezolid compared to daptomycin treatment (n= 9 studies, 1,074 patients; OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.8;I2= 0 [whereI2is a measure of inconsistency]), but this did not reach statistical significance (P= 0.054). There are limited data to inform clinicians on optimal antibiotic selection for VRE-BSI. Available studies are limited by small sample size, lack of patient-level data, and inconsistent outcome definitions. Additional research, including randomized clinical trials, is needed before conclusions can be drawn about treatment options for VRE therapy.

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