Cognition Enhancing Effect of Rosemary Plant (Rosmarinus officinalis, L) in Preclinical Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Patients with mild cognitive impairment end up progressing to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) leading to straining burden on public health. R. officinalis long been known as the herb of remembrance and can be a potential cognition enhancer for AD. The aims of the review were to summarize the qualitative and quantitative aspects of R.O and its active constituents in enhancing the cognition. MATERIALS AND METHOD Google scholar and PubMed structured search to find relevant studies that assessed the effect of R.O extract or any of its active constituents on cognitive performance in animals. Data extraction: Following information from each included study was extracted: (1) article information (2) characteristics of study animals (3) type of intervention; type, dose, duration, and frequency of administration of R.O (4) type of outcome measure. Data synthesis: Data were analyzed using Review Manager (RevMan 5.3, 2014] and meta-analysis was performed for the outcome measures on all relevant tasks within the included papers by computing the standardized mean difference ps. RESULTS. 23 studies for qualitative and fifteen for meta-analysis were selected. From fifteen included papers, 22 studies with 35 comparisons were meta-analyzed. Effect sizes for intact animals and impaired animals respectively was (mean g and 95% CI 1.19 [0.74, 1.64; 0.57 [0.19,0.96]. The R. officinalis had positive effect on both groups of animals. The subgroup analyses exhibited substantial unexplained heterogeneity between studies. Mechanisms of R.O was anticholinesterase, procholinergic, antioxidant, anti-amyloid, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent CONCLUSIONS: R.O improves cognitive function. Limitations: Considerable heterogeneity between studies.

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Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding on Treatment With Statin Alone or With Concomitant Administration of Warfarin: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 5.3 Million Participants

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1177/10600280211049727 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106002802110497

Author(s):

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽

Kota Vidyasaga ◽

Eyob Alemayehu Gebreyohannes ◽

Wubshet Tesfaye

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Bleeding ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Concomitant Administration ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Study Selection ◽

Statin Monotherapy ◽

Statin Use

Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) with statin monotherapy or with concomitant warfarin use. Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE (via Scopus) were searched for observational studies that reported the risk of GIB in adults on statin therapy or with concomitant warfarin use until August 28, 2021. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Observational studies evaluating the risk of GIB in adults (age >18 years) on statin medication or concomitant use with warfarin were included. Data Synthesis: In all, 14 studies with a total of 5 235 123 participants, reporting 48 677 GIB events (43 734 from statin users and 4943 from users of statin combined with warfarin), were included in the analyses. The pooled analysis revealed no difference in the risk of GIB with statin monotherapy (relative risk [RR]: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-1.02) or concomitant statin + warfarin use (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91-1.02). Prior use of statin was not associated with GIB risk (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.63-1.22), whereas a shorter duration of statin use (<5 years) was associated with a lower risk of GIB (RR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.18-0.97). Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This analysis provides strong evidence on the association between statin use (with/without warfarin) and risk of GIB. Conclusion: Statin alone or combined with warfarin was not significantly associated with either an increased or decreased risk of GIB. The GIB risk was significantly lower when statins were used for a short duration (<5 years). The putative relationship between statins and GIB in warfarin users warrant further investigation.

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Blinding Strategies in Dry Needling Trials: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzz111 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (11) ◽

pp. 1461-1480 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Felicity A Braithwaite ◽

Julie L Walters ◽

Lok Sze Katrina Li ◽

G Lorimer Moseley ◽

Marie T Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cognitive Strategies ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Study Selection ◽

Methodological Bias ◽

Tactile Sensations ◽

Effectiveness Data

Abstract Background Blinding of participants and therapists in trials of physical interventions is a significant and ongoing challenge. There is no widely accepted sham protocol for dry needling. Purpose The purpose of this review was to summarize the effectiveness and limitations of blinding strategies and types of shams that have been used in dry needling trials. Data Sources Twelve databases were searched from inception to February 2016. Study Selection Trials that compared active dry needling with a sham that simulated dry needling were included. Data Extraction The main domains of data extraction were participant/therapist details, intervention details, blinding strategies, blinding assessment outcomes, and key conclusions of authors. Reported blinding strategies and sham types were synthesized descriptively, with available blinding effectiveness data synthesized using a chance-corrected measurement of blinding (blinding index). Data Synthesis The search identified 4894 individual publications with 27 trials eligible for inclusion. In 22 trials, risk of methodological bias was high or unclear. Across trials, blinding strategies and sham types were heterogeneous. Notably, no trials attempted therapist blinding. Sham protocols have focused on participant blinding using strategies related to group standardization and simulation of tactile sensations. There has been little attention given to the other senses or cognitive strategies to enhance intervention credibility. Nonpenetrating sham types may provide effective participant blinding. Limitations Trials were clinically and methodologically diverse, which limited the comparability of blinding effectiveness across trials. Reported blinding evaluations had a high risk of chance findings with power clearly achieved in only 1 trial. Conclusions Evidence-based consensus on a sham protocol for dry needling is required. Recommendations provided in this review may be used to develop sham protocols so that future protocols are more consistent and potentially more effective.

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A Meta-Analysis of Pregnancy Outcomes With Levothyroxine Treatment in Euthyroid Women With Thyroid Autoimmunity

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/clinem/dgz217 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 1009-1019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Xiaodong Sun ◽

Ningning Hou ◽

Hongsheng Wang ◽

Lin Ma ◽

Jinhong Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Outcomes ◽

Birth Rate ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Definitive Evidence ◽

Study Selection ◽

Adverse Pregnancy ◽

Levothyroxine Treatment

Abstract Context Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), the most common cause of (sub)clinical hypothyroidism, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The benefits of levothyroxine (LT4) intervention in women with TAI remain controversial. Objective The purpose of this analysis is to determine the effect of LT4 on pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid women with TAI. Data sources Databases were searched up to May 2019. Study selection Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) and retrospective studies that reported effects of LT4 administration on pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid women with TAI were screened. Data extraction Quality assessment and data extraction were conducted independently by 2 researchers. Conflicts were settled by a third researcher. Data synthesis Six trials comprising 2249 women were included. Overall, no beneficial effect on pregnancy outcomes was observed with LT4 supplementation. For women with individualized initial LT4 dosages, the risk of miscarriage decreased (relative risk [RR] 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41-0.93, I2 = 28%); there was no difference among women with fixed LT4 dosages (RR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74-1.24, I2 = 0%). Women who initiated LT4 treatment in early pregnancy had a significantly lower preterm birth rate (RR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.31-0.92, I2 = 0%) than those who received no treatment or placebo. No improvement was observed among women who initiated treatment before conception (RR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.71-1.84, I2 = 0%). Conclusion No definitive evidence showed improvement of pregnancy outcomes with LT4 supplementation in euthyroid women with TAI. However, therapeutic strategies, especially dosages and initial times of intervention, may be of great importance. Additional large RCTs are needed in the future.

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Post COVID-19 Organizing Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i38b32122 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 259-270

Author(s):

Talal Khalid Abdullah Alanazi ◽

Nasser Faris Ali Alahmari ◽

Faris Essa Ibrahim Qubays ◽

Solaiman Hosaian ibraheem Alenezi ◽

Meshal Faleh Mofadhe Alenezi

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Case Reports ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Organizing Pneumonia ◽

Eligible Study ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Electronic Search ◽

Review Manager

Introduction: Several observational studies have found parallels between COVID-19 pneumonia and organizing pneumonia (OP). This study aims to investigate the published literature of OP related to COVID-19, estimates the prevalence of OP among COVID-19 patients, and assesses the risk or COVID-19 severity associated with OP. Methodology: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic electronic search through PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, EBSCO, and Google Scholar was conducted to include relevant and eligible literature. The authors used Review Manager 5.4 to perform quantitative data synthesis for the condition of interest analyses. Results: A total of 9 eligible study articles and 12 case reports were included in this study. The estimated pooled organizing pneumonia prevalence among COVID-19 patients was 45.6% [23.1%-68.2%]. The association between OP and severe COVID-19 infection revealed a pooled OR [95% CI] of 5.22 [-0.96-11.41]. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients had a rather high OP prevalence (43%). Surprisingly, cancer patients with COVID-19 infection had the lowest OP prevalence. OP was identified as a possible risk factor for the severity of COVID-19 infection.

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A protocol for a meta-analysis of consumers’ and citizens willingness-to-pay for farm animal welfare and disease prevention

10.7287/peerj.preprints.675v1 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Beth Clark ◽

Gavin B Stewart ◽

Luca A Panzone ◽

Lynn J Frewer

Keyword(s):

Willingness To Pay ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Animal Species ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Farm Animal Welfare ◽

Niche Markets ◽

Data Synthesis

This article outlines a protocol for a meta-analysis into willingness-to-pay (WTP) for farm animal welfare. The analysis seeks to establish the public's WTP for farm animal welfare and whether there is evidence to support niche markets for products produced to designated and usually higher welfare standards. A number of secondary objectives will also be explored in relation to the heterogeneity within the data relating to a number of variables known to vary within existing data including; animal species, welfare measures, socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The protocol outlines the rationale, objectives, inclusion criteria, search strategy and screening processes for the meta-analysis, and the plans for data extraction, risk of bias and data synthesis.

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A protocol for rapid evidence synthesis into soil loosening as an intervention to ameliorate compaction caused by dairy farming and the impacts of this for productivity and sustainability

10.7287/peerj.preprints.27180v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Helen Kendall ◽

Amy Taylor ◽

Mark Reed ◽

Gavin Stewart

Keyword(s):

Search Strategy ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Data Synthesis

This is a protocol for a rapid review of the effectiveness of soil loosening to ameliorate compaction caused by cattle treading from dairy production on UK dairy farms. The review will synthesise relevant literature that explores the impacts that can be derived from mechanical soil loosening for improved soil quality, productivity (i.e. yield) and the environment. The protocol outlines the rationale, objectives, inclusion criteria, search strategy and screening processes for the meta-analysis, and the plans for data extraction, risk of bias and data synthesis approaches.

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Systematic review protocol examining sex differences in survival among low birthweight newborns and infants in sub-Saharan Africa

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e036645

Author(s):

Akalewold T Gebremeskel ◽

Arone W Fantaye ◽

Lena E Faust ◽

Sanni Yaya

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Sub Saharan

IntroductionIn sub-Saharan African countries, low birthweight (LBW) accounts for three-quarters of under-five mortality and morbidity. However, there is no systematic evidence of sex differences in LBW survival risk. The aim of this protocol is to outline the methodological process of a systematic review that will gather qualitative and quantitative data on sex differences in survival among LBW newborns and infants in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols reporting guidelines. We will conduct a systematic review to retrieve all qualitative and quantitative studies. Electronic search strategies are being finalised on 24 February 2020 for Ovid Medline and EMBASE, and on 28 February 2020 for CINAHL, Scopus and Global Health in collaboration with a Health Sciences librarian. The primary outcome of interest is indicating sex differences in survival among LBW newborns and infants. Secondary outcomes are sex-disaggregated differences in morbidity among LBW newborns and infants. Screening, data extraction and assessments of risk of bias will be performed independently. Narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis will be conducted with studies that are compatible based on population and outcome. The systematic review is focused on the analysis of secondary data and does not require ethics approval.Ethics and disseminationAs it will be a systematic review, without human participants’ involvement, there will be no requirement for ethical approval. The systematic review will present key evidence of sex-disaggregated differences in mortality and morbidity among LBW newborns and infants in sub-Saharan Africa. Programme managers, policy-makers and researchers can use the findings to evaluate LBW health outcomes in different sexes. The final manuscript will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and scientific conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020163470

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The Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tonifying-Shen (Kidney) Principle for Primary Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/5687421 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Junquan Liang ◽

Fengyi Wang ◽

Jiajia Huang ◽

Yunxiang Xu ◽

Guizhen Chen

Keyword(s):

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Primary Osteoporosis ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Assessment Development ◽

Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Superior Effect

Objective. This study aimed to appraise the efficacy and safety of the tonifying-Shen (kidney) principle (TS (TK) principle) for primary osteoporosis (POP). Methods. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) using the TS (TK) principle for POP were searched from eight electronic databases to search for relevant literature that was published from the initiation to September 2019. Two reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, data synthesis, and quality assessment independently. Review Manager 5.3 software was used to assess the risk of bias and conduct the data synthesis. We assessed the quality of evidence for outcomes by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results. Thirty-six studies with 3617 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed a consistently superior effect of the TS (TK) principle combined with conventional Western medicine (CWM) in terms of total effectiveness rates (RR = 1.28; 95% CI (1.23, 1.33); P < 0.00001 ), BMD of the lumbar spine (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI (0.47, 0.95); P < 0.00001 ) and proximal femur (SMD = 0.94; 95% CI (0.49, 1.38); P < 0.00001 ), TCM symptom integral (SMD = −1.23; 95% CI (−1.43, −1.02); P < 0.00001 ), and VAS scores (SMD = −3.88; 95% CI (−5.29, −2.46); P < 0.00001 ), when compared to using CWM alone and with significant differences. Besides, in respect of adverse effects, it showed no significant statistical difference between the experimental and control groups, RR = 0.99 and 95% CI (0.65, 1.51), P = 0.97 . Conclusion. Our meta-analysis provides promising evidence to suggest that using the TS (TK) principle combined with CWM for POP is more effective than using CWM alone. Also, both of them are safe and reliable for POP.

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Anti-Caries Effect of Arginine-Containing Formulations in vivo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000435894 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 606-617 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jialing Li ◽

Ziwei Huang ◽

Li Mei ◽

Guifeng Li ◽

Huang Li

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Research Area ◽

Included Study ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Using Data

Objective: To assess the anti-caries effect of arginine-containing formulations in vivo on caries lesions compared with fluorides or placebo. Methods: Randomized or quasi-randomized human clinical trials wherein arginine was delivered by any method were considered. The MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases were searched to identify relevant articles published up to December 2014. Grey literature was also searched. Two authors performed data extraction independently and in duplicate using data collection forms. Each included study was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Results: Of the 470 studies screened, 31 full articles were scrutinized and assessed for eligibility. Ten studies (n = 15,546 participants) were selected for final inclusion. The meta-analysis results (n = 7 studies) demonstrated a synergistic effect of arginine when used in conjunction with fluoride on early coronal and root caries compared with placebo or fluoride alone. No specific side effects related to arginine usage were identified. Conclusions: When used in combination with a calcium compound and fluoride, arginine potentially provides a superior anti-caries effect compared with matched formulations of fluoride alone. However, the level of evidence was downgraded because of risks of bias and potential publication bias. In the future, more high quality, non-industry-supported clinical studies in this research area are required before any definitive recommendations can be made.

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Associations of tobacco retailer density and proximity with adult tobacco use behaviours and health outcomes: a meta-analysis

Tobacco Control ◽

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056717 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056717

Author(s):

Joseph G L Lee ◽

Amanda Y Kong ◽

Kerry B Sewell ◽

Shelley D Golden ◽

Todd B Combs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Data Synthesis ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Adult Participants ◽

Study Selection

ObjectiveWe sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence to inform policies that reduce density and proximity of tobacco retailers.Data sourcesTen databases were searched on 16 October 2020: MEDLINE via PubMed, PsycINFO, Global Health, LILACS, Embase, ABI/Inform, CINAHL, Business Source Complete, Web of Science and Scopus, plus grey literature searches using Google and the RAND Publication Database.Study selectionIncluded studies used inferential statistics about adult participants to examine associations between tobacco retailer density/proximity and tobacco use behaviours and health outcomes. Of 7373 studies reviewed by independent coders, 37 (0.5%) met inclusion criteria.Data extractionEffect sizes were converted to a relative risk reduction (RRR) metric, indicating the presumed reduction in tobacco use outcomes based on reducing tobacco retailer density and decreasing proximity.Data synthesisWe conducted a random effects meta-analysis and examined heterogeneity across 27 studies through subgroup analyses and meta-regression. Tobacco retailer density (RRR=2.55, 95% CI 1.91 to 3.19, k=155) and proximity (RRR=2.38, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.37, k=100) were associated with tobacco use behaviours. Pooled results including both density and proximity found an estimated 2.48% reduction in risk of tobacco use from reductions in tobacco retailer density and proximity (RRR=2.48, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.02, k=255). Results for health outcomes came from just two studies and were not significant. Considerable heterogeneity existed.ConclusionsAcross studies, lower levels of tobacco retailer density and decreased proximity are associated with lower tobacco use. Reducing tobacco supply by limiting retailer density and proximity may lead to reductions in tobacco use. Policy evaluations are needed.

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