Effect of electromagnetic field on abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The increasing use of new technologies by pregnant women inevitably exposes them to the risks of the electromagnetic fields (EMFs). According to the World Health Organization, EMFs are the major sources of pollutants which harm human health. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of EMF exposure on abortion. Methods Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched until 2021. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was explored using Cochran’s Q test and I 2 index. A meta-regression method was employed to investigate the factors affecting heterogeneity between the studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the credibility of the studies. Results Eligible studies (N = 17) were analyzed with a total of 57,693 participants. The mean maternal age (95% CI) was 31.06 years (27.32–34.80). Based on meta-analysis results, the pooled estimate for OR of EMF with its effects was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.10–1.46). According to the results of meta-regression, sample size had a significant effect on heterogeneity between studies (p: 0.030), but mother’s age and publication year had no significant effect on heterogeneity (p-value of bothwere >0.05). No publication bias was observed. Conclusion Exposure to EMFs above 50 Hz or 16 mG is associated with 1.27× increased risk of abortion. It may be prudent to advise women against this potentially important environmental hazard. Indeed, pregnant women should receive tailored counselling.

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Decreased Mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Treated With Tocilizumab: A Rapid Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1445 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jishnu Malgie ◽

Jan W Schoones ◽

Bart G Pijls

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Difference ◽

World Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Number Needed To Treat ◽

Receptor Antagonists ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background We systematically reviewed the literature to answer the following research questions: (1) Does interleukin 6 (IL-6) (receptor) antagonist therapy reduce mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients compared to patients not treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists; and (2) is there an increased risk of side effects in COVID-19 patients treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists compared to patients not treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists? Methods We systematically searched PubMed, PMC PubMed Central, Medline, World Health Organization COVID-19 Database, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, and Academic Search Premier (through 30 June 2020). Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool the risk ratios and risk differences of individual studies. Risk of bias was appraised using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) checklist. Results The search strategy retrieved 743 unique titles, of which 10 studies (all on tocilizumab [TCZ]) comprising 1358 patients were included. Nine of 10 studies were considered to be of high quality. Meta-analysis showed that the TCZ group had lower mortality than the control group. The risk ratio was 0.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], .12–.59) and the risk difference was 12% (95% CI, 4.6%–20%) in favor of the TCZ group. With only a few studies available, there were no differences observed regarding side effects. Conclusions Our results showed that mortality was 12% lower for COVID-19 patients treated with TCZ compared with those not treated with TCZ. The number needed to treat was 11, suggesting that for every 11 (severe) COVID-19 patients treated with TCZ, 1 death is prevented. These results require confirmation by randomized controlled trials.

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The study of Iranian children and adolescents’ physical activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2020-0302 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Adel Alizadeh ◽

Reza Negarandeh ◽

Fahimehe Bagheri Amiri ◽

Zahra Yazdani

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Chi Square ◽

The Status ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

Health Organization ◽

Iranian Children

Abstract Objectives This systematic and meta-analysis review was conducted to determine the status of Iranian children and adolescents’ physical activity. Content All the related articles which were published in the major databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Magiran, SID from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2019, were reviewed by researchers. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was also used to evaluate the quality of articles. Moreover, I 2 index and chi-square were used to assess the heterogeneity between the results. Summary 490 articles were found as a result of the search in the selected international and local databases, where finally, 10 articles were included into the meta-analysis after the elimination of the duplicated articles and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicated that 29.5% of the girls were considered active according to WHO criteria (16.1–42.8: 95% CI) and also 20.5% of the boys (7.3–33.7: 95% CI). Outlook Overall, this study’s findings showed that a large percentage of Iranian children and adolescents do not achieve the level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization. This can lead to undesirable consequences for this group of population that is considered as the human capital of any country; consequently, it seems necessary to take basic measures at the micro and macro levels in order to reduce such problems in the society.

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Association of dyslipidemia with the severity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a meta-analysis

Virology Journal ◽

10.1186/s12985-021-01604-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yanli Liu ◽

Yilong Pan ◽

Yuyao Yin ◽

Wenhao Chen ◽

Xiaodong Li

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Potential Association ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Language Restriction ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale

Abstract Background The numbers of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 related deaths are still increasing, so it is very important to determine the risk factors of COVID-19. Dyslipidemia is a common complication in patients with COVID-19, but the association of dyslipidemia with the severity and mortality of COVID-19 is still unclear. The aim of this study is to analyze the potential association of dyslipidemia with the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Methods We searched the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases for all relevant studies up to August 24, 2020. All the articles published were retrieved without language restriction. All analysis was performed using Stata 13.1 software and Mantel–Haenszel formula with fixed effects models was used to compare the differences between studies. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Results Twenty-eight studies involving 12,995 COVID-19 patients were included in the meta-analysis, which was consisted of 26 cohort studies and 2 case–control studies. Dyslipidemia was associated with the severity of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.44, P = 0.038, I2 = 39.8%). Further, patients with dyslipidemia had a 2.13-fold increased risk of death compared to patients without dyslipidemia (95% CI 1.84–2.47, P = 0.001, I2 = 66.4%). Conclusions The results proved that dyslipidemia is associated with increased severity and mortality of COVID-19. Therefore, we should monitor blood lipids and administer active treatments in COVID-19 patients with dyslipidemia to reduce the severity and mortality.

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Assessment of the Ovarian Reserve by Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1159/000520133 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Xian-hui Zhang ◽

Ying-an Zhang ◽

Xin Chen ◽

Peng-yan Qiao ◽

Li-yun Zhang

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Ovarian Reserve ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Dmard Treatment ◽

Standard Mean Difference ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

The Cochrane Library

Background: The ovarian reserve has been reported to be diminished in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, these results are still controversial. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is considered a reliable biomarker for the ovarian reserve. We thus performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the AMH levels and the effect of DMARDs on the ovarian reserve in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and 2 Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang database), up to September 2021, were searched for relevant studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined with the random-effects model. The heterogeneity was described by I2 statistic and p value from the Cochrane Q test. Results: Eight eligible studies (679 patients and 1,460 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with healthy control, the AMH levels in RA patients were significantly lower with the pooled SMD of −0.40 (95% CI: −0.66 to −0.14). However, in comparison of AMH with and without DMARD treatment, there was no significant difference with the pooled SMD of −0.1 (95% CI: −0.39 to 0.19). Conclusion: The results indicated that there was an increased risk of ovarian failure in RA patients and which is not related to DMARD treatment.

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Does aerobic exercise reduce postpartum depressive symptoms? a systematic review and meta-analysis

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp17x692525 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 67 (663) ◽

pp. e684-e691 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Ruth Victoria Pritchett ◽

Amanda J Daley ◽

Kate Jolly

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

World Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Group Exercise ◽

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms ◽

Health Organization

BackgroundThere is currently no specific guidance on the role of exercise in managing postpartum depression in the UK and US, and international guidance is inconsistent.AimTo assess the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on postpartum depressive symptoms.Design and settingSystematic review and meta-analysis. There was no restriction to study site or setting.MethodThe databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched. Titles and abstracts, then full-text articles, were screened against inclusion criteria: RCTs measuring depressive symptoms in mothers ≤1 year postpartum; and interventions designed to increase aerobic exercise compared with usual care or other comparators. Included studies were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted. Pre-planned subgroup analyses explored heterogeneity.ResultsThirteen RCTs were included, with 1734 eligible participants. Exercise significantly reduced depressive symptoms when all trials were combined (standardised mean difference −0.44; 95% confidence interval = −0.75 to −0.12). Exploration of heterogeneity did not find significant differences in effect size between women with possible depression and in general postpartum populations; exercise only and exercise with co-interventions; and group exercise and exercise counselling.ConclusionThis systematic review provides support for the effectiveness of exercise in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms. Group exercise, participant-chosen exercise, and exercise with co-interventions all may be effective interventions. These results should be interpreted with caution because of substantial heterogeneity and risk of bias.

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Cerebral function imaging of acupuncture treatment for stroke: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-344710/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yihao Zhou ◽

Jing Shi ◽

Gan Huang ◽

Zhilin Huang ◽

Sifeng Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Acupuncture Treatment ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

World Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Action Mechanism ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and is the main cause of persistent and acquired disability in adults worldwide. Acupuncture is recommended as an alternative and complementary strategy for stroke treatment by the World Health Organization as it can significantly improve patients' quality of life. However, the central nervous system (CNS) mechanism of acupuncture treatment of stroke is unclear. The aim of this study is explore the effective pathway and action mechanism of acupuncture treatment for stroke on the CNS.Methods: The following databases will be searched by electronic methods: PubMed; Medline; Embase; Cochrane Library; Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure; VIP Database; Wan-fang Data; Chinese Biomedical Database. All of them will be retrieved from the establishment date of the electronic database to December 2020, all included studies will be evaluated risk of bias by the Cochrane Handbook. Spatial coordinates of the Montreal Neurological Institute of activated brain regions will be the primary outcome. The systematic review will be conducted with the use of SDM v5.141 software for voxel meta-analysis in this study.Results: This study will obtain the correlation between the activated brain regions of acupuncture treatment for stroke.Conclusion: This study will explore the effective pathway and action mechanism of acupuncture, and provide a reliable scientific basis for the treatment of stroke by acupuncture.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021231329.

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Pregnancy and Childbirth During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Frontiers in Emergency Medicine ◽

10.18502/fem.v5i4.6696 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shaghayegh Rahmani ◽

Sonia Norkhomami ◽

Behzad Shahi ◽

Mahjoubeh Keykha

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Case Series ◽

World Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Respiratory Illnesses ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Health Organization

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization introduced the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as a global health concern and predicted that without any changes in the transmission process, the disease would reach its peak in April. Hence, it was not unreasonable to expect the referral of pregnant women in all trimesters. Since respiratory illnesses can increase the risk of infectious diseases and maternal mortality, it is justifiable to consider COVID-19-positive cases as high-risk pregnancies. Case presentation: The present study introduced six pregnant women with COVID-19 and discussed the points to consider in managing these patients. Conclusions: Pregnant women are at increased risk in all epidemics of infectious diseases due to their physiological and immunological changes. Moreover, the safety of the fetus is another important issue to consider.

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Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-141127 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2021-141127

Author(s):

Chunmei Wang ◽

Yue Yin ◽

Le Wang ◽

Xiaozhong Guo ◽

Lu Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Improvement Rate ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Meta Regression ◽

H Pylori ◽

Irritable Bowel

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) negatively affect the quality of life. Some previous studies found that H. pylori infection should be positively associated with the risk of IBS, but others did not. The present study aims to clarify this association, and to further analyse whether H. pylori treatment can improve IBS symptoms.Materials and methodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal and Wanfang databases were searched. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model. The pooled odds ratios (ORs)/risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% CIs were calculated. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the sources of heterogeneity.ResultsThirty-one studies with 21 867 individuals were included. Meta-analysis of 27 studies found that patients with IBS had a significantly higher risk of H. pylori infection than those without (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.18; p<0.001). The heterogeneity was statistically significant (I²=85%; p<0.001). Meta-regression analyses indicated that study design and diagnostic criteria of IBS might be the potential sources of heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of eight studies demonstrated that H. pylori eradication treatment had a higher improvement rate of IBS symptoms (RR=1.24, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.39; p<0.001). The heterogeneity was not significant (I²=32%; p=0.170). Meta-analysis of four studies also demonstrated that successful H. pylori eradication had a higher improvement rate of IBS symptoms (RR=1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.53; p=0.040). The heterogeneity was not significant (I²=1%; p=0.390).ConclusionH. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of IBS. H. pylori eradication treatment can improve IBS symptoms.

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Horticultural Therapy in Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/1533317519883498 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 153331751988349 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li-Chin Lu ◽

Shao-Huan Lan ◽

Yen-Ping Hsieh ◽

Yea-Yin Yen ◽

Jong-Chen Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Horticultural Therapy ◽

Dementia Patients ◽

Standard Mean Difference ◽

Health Organization

Background: World Health Organization has communicated that dementia as a public health priority in 2012. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are the main reason results in hospitalization of dementia patients. Horticulture is one of the favorite activity for many peoples to relax their minds. Objectives: To investigate psychological health benefits of horticulture intervention in dementia patients. Methods: The databases including Cochrane Library, ProQuest, PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Ovid Medline were searched up to August 2017. Results: Twenty-three articles for systematic review, whereas 8 articles were included in meta-analysis. Meta-analysis verified the beneficial effect of horticultural therapy (HT) on agitation level (standard mean difference: −0.59; P < .00001); increase time spent on activity engagement (mean differences [MD]: 45.10%, P < .00001); decrease time for doing nothing (MD: −29.36%, P = .02). Conclusions: Patients with dementia benefit from horticultural by alleviating their degrees of agitate behaviors, increasing time of engaging in activities and decrease time of doing nothing.

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Air-travel related TB incident follow up – effectiveness and outcomes: a systematic review

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00013-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 2000013

Author(s):

Laura Maynard-Smith ◽

Colin Stewart Brown ◽

Ross Jeremy Harris ◽

Peter Hodkinson ◽

Surinder Tamne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Positive Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

Air Travel ◽

World Health ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Publication Date ◽

Single Positive ◽

Latent Tb ◽

Health Organization

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends following up passengers following possible exposure to a case of infectious tuberculosis (TB) during air travel. This is known to be time consuming and difficult, and increasingly so with higher numbers of flights and passengers to and from countries with high TB endemicity each year.ObjectivesThis paper systematically reviews the literature on contact tracing investigations following a plane exposure to active pulmonary TB. Evidence for in-flight transmission was assessed by reviewing the positive results of contacts without prior risk factors for latent TB.Data sources & EligibilityA search of Medline, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Cochrane Library and Database of Systematic Reviews was carried out, with no restrictions on study design, index case characteristics, duration of flight or publication date.ResultsTwenty-two papers were included, with a total of 469 index cases and 15 889 contacts. Only 26.4% of all contacts identified completed screening following exposure. The yield of either a single positive tuberculin skin test (TST) or a TST conversion attributable to in-flight transmission is between 0.19% (95%CI 0.13–0.27) and 0.74% (95%CI 0.61–0.88) of all contacts identified (0.00%, 95%CI 0.00–0.00 and 0.13%, 95%CI 0.00–0.61 in random effects meta-analysis).LimitationsThe main limitation is heterogeneity of reporting.Conclusions and implications of key findingsThe evidence behind the criteria for initiating investigations is weak and it has been widely demonstrated that active screening of contacts is labour intensive and unlikely to be effective. Based on our findings, formal comprehensive contact tracing may be of limited utility following a plane exposure.

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