scholarly journals Prevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis in India: A Meta-Analysis

Author(s):  
GAJENDRA BHANGALE

Abstract Porcine cysticercosis (PCC) caused due to Taenia solium a tapeworm; is one of the important neglected tropical diseases with a significant zoonotic importance. In view of the underdeveloped swine husbandry practices coupled with negligence of people towards hygienic food habits, a comprehensive estimate on the presence of porcine cysticercosis in India will be helpful for planning control measure. We performed a systematic literature review regarding data about PCC epidemiology in India and meta-analyses for its prevalence in different zones of country and the methods employed for detection and based on this discussed possible control strategies. A total 27 studies spanned over period from 2000 to 2019 from different parts of India were included for meta-analysis which were obtained through a systematic search from online free databases. The overall prevalence using random effects model was found 5.21% with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 96.52, p = 0.0001). However subgroup analysis revealed higher prevalence due to smaller sample size and also method of detection has also significant effect on the pooled data. Considering the zoonotic significance as well as economic losses to pork industry, control strategies need to be devised with regards to health monitoring, improvements in ante-mortem diagnostics, hygienic meat practices coupled with education to both the producers and consumers about this important disease through one health approach.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmina Obradovic ◽  
◽  
Vladimir Jurisic

The meta-analysis provides a unique scientific conclusion with precise statistical analysis of pooled data extracted from previously reported relevant studies. That gives a better insight into the current issue with more statistical certainty than any single study observation in biomedical research. Occasionally, meta-analyses don’t provide a precise time for each step of the search strategy. The complete meta-analysis procedure is usually time-consuming, with 6-18 months reported, but it depends on the numbers of collected articles manually reviewed by two or more researchers to prevent potential bias. The purpose of this paper was to present a part of meta-analysis research with a focus on a timeline manner for extraction procedure and suggestions for preparing the database of collected articles. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and Pub Med, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science for the search were used. EndNote reference manager v.7 and Microsoft Excel 2007 were used for base preparation. Results showed that the final reference number was 4918, and 99.88% of them were excluded. A month was necessary for the search of the electronic databases. For reading titles and abstracts and extracting the papers was needed the fourth month. A month was needed for an additional search of bibliographies of the eligible papers. Even with the dedication of the team of reviewers, it is hard to predict the exact time for conducting the meta-analysis, indeed. Our results could be applicable in planning the potential systematic reviews, with or without meta-analysis, and overcoming the obstacles in the single database preparation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisela Hernández ◽  
Anabel Ortiz Caltempa ◽  
Jacquelynne Cervantes ◽  
Nelly Villalobos ◽  
Cynthia Guzmán ◽  
...  

Parasitic diseases fecally transmitted, such taeniasis/cysticercosis Taenia solium binomial, represent a health problem whose incidence continues due to the prevalence of inadequate sanitary conditions, particularly in developing countries. When the larval stage of the parasite is established in the central nervous system causes neurocysticercosis a disease than can severely affect human health. It can also affect pigs causing cysticercosis causing economic losses. Since pigs are obligatory intermediate hosts, they have been considered as the targets for vaccination to interrupt the transmission of the parasitosis and eventually reduce the disease. Progress has been made in the development of vaccines for the prevention of porcine cysticercosis. In our research group, three peptides have been identified that, expressed synthetically (S3Pvac) or recombinantly (S3Pvac-phage), reduced the amount of cysticerci by 98.7% and 87%, respectively, in pigs exposed to natural conditions of infection. Considering that cysticercosis is orally acquired, it seems feasible to develop an edible vaccine, which could be administered by the pig farmers, simplifying the logistical difficulties of its application, reducing costs, and facilitating the implementation of vaccination programs. This chapter describes the most important advances towards the development of an oral vaccine against porcine cysticercosis.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255292
Author(s):  
S. Jauhar ◽  
L. Fortea ◽  
A. Solanes ◽  
A. Albajes-Eizagirre ◽  
P. J. McKenna ◽  
...  

Background While multiple studies have examined the brain functional correlates of reward, meta-analyses have either focused on studies using the monetary incentive delay (MID) task, or have adopted a broad strategy, combining data from studies using both monetary and non-monetary reward, as probed using a wide range of tasks. Objective To meta-analyze fMRI studies that used monetary reward and in which there was a definable cue-reward contingency. Studies were limited to those using monetary reward in order to avoid potential heterogeneity from use of other rewards, especially social rewards. Studies using gambling or delay discounting tasks were excluded on the grounds that reward anticipation is not easily quantifiable. Study eligibility English-language fMRI studies (i) that reported fMRI findings on healthy adults; (ii) that used monetary reward; and (iii) in which a cue that was predictive of reward was compared to a no win (or lesser win) condition. Only voxel-based studies were included; those where brain coverage was incomplete were excluded. Data sources Ovid, Medline and PsycInfo, from 2000 to 2020, plus checking of review articles and meta-analyses. Data synthesis Data were pooled using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI). Heterogeneity among studies was examined using the I2 statistic. Publication bias was examined using funnel plots and statistical examination of asymmetries. Moderator variables including whether the task was pre-learnt, sex distribution, amount of money won and width of smoothing kernel were examined. Results Pooled data from 45 studies of reward anticipation revealed activations in the ventral striatum, the middle cingulate cortex/supplementary motor area and the insula. Pooled data from 28 studies of reward delivery again revealed ventral striatal activation, plus cortical activations in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex. There was relatively little evidence of publication bias. Among moderating variables, only whether the task was pre-learnt exerted an influence. Conclusions According to this meta-analysis monetary reward anticipation and delivery both activate the ventral but not the dorsal striatum, and are associated with different patterns of cortical activation.


Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germeraad ◽  
Sanders ◽  
Hagenaars ◽  
Jong ◽  
Beerens ◽  
...  

Understanding virus shedding patterns of avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry is important for understanding host-pathogen interactions and developing effective control strategies. Many AIV strains were studied in challenge experiments in poultry, but no study has combined data from those studies to identify general AIV shedding patterns. These systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to summarize qualitative and quantitative information on virus shedding levels and duration for different AIV strains in experimentally infected poultry species. Methods were designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four electronic databases were used to collect literature. A total of 1155 abstract were screened, with 117 studies selected for the qualitative analysis and 71 studies for the meta-analysis. A large heterogeneity in experimental methods was observed and the quantitative analysis showed that experimental variables such as species, virus origin, age, inoculation route and dose, affect virus shedding (mean, peak and duration) for highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV), low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV) or both. In conclusion, this study highlights the need to standardize experimental procedures, it provides a comprehensive summary of the shedding patterns of AIV strains by infected poultry and identifies the variables that influence the level and duration of AIV shedding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nestory Kayuni

Abstract Background Porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy pose a serious public health risk and lead to economic losses to the small-scale pig farmers in Tanzania’s rural areas. It also resulted in lowering the pig’s prices, high treatment expenses, lower labour productivity, and social discrimination. In Tanzania, small-scale pig producers are unaware of the methods that are used to manage and prevent the diseases associated with Taenia solium. Main body The main goal of the reviewed article was to investigate the socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy on small-scale pig producers in Tanzania. Several search engines yielded 80 peer-reviewed publications, 44 of which were considered to be relevant to the study. Taenia solium cysticercosis has been reported to cause huge financial losses in the management of pigs posing a burden in terms of vaccination and treatment. Conclusion The information on porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy is still insufficient in Tanzania. Poor habits, negative perceptions, and attitudes are the result of this misinformation. This review suggests that health education should be emphasized as one of the intervention methods for eliminating all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in Tanzania to promote and increase awareness about all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in rural areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 4083-4094
Author(s):  
Chan Meng

Objective The pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear, but is known to be related to increased insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. No meta-analyses have examined whether PCOS is associated with nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between serum/plasma nitrite levels and PCOS. Methods We performed a meta-analysis. To identify eligible original articles, we searched online computerized databases, including EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science. The characteristics of each single study, as well as the standard mean difference (SMD) with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated and subgroup analysis was performed to examine heterogeneity. Results We included 12 articles with 16 studies and a total of 895 patients were included in the meta-analysis. We found a significant association between PCOS and serum or plasma nitrite levels, with a pooled SMD of −0.61 (95% CI: −1.05 to −0.16). The final pooled data were determined by the random effects model because significant high heterogeneity ( I2 = 89%) was found. Conclusions Our meta-analysis shows that decreased serum or plasma nitrite levels are associated with PCOS. The pathogenesis of PCOS may be due to endothelial dysfunction; however, further research to confirm this possibility is required.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip L. Roth ◽  
Allen I. Huffcutt

The topic of what interviews measure has received a great deal of attention over the years. One line of research has investigated the relationship between interviews and the construct of cognitive ability. A previous meta-analysis reported an overall corrected correlation of .40 ( Huffcutt, Roth, & McDaniel, 1996 ). A more recent meta-analysis reported a noticeably lower corrected correlation of .27 ( Berry, Sackett, & Landers, 2007 ). After reviewing both meta-analyses, it appears that the two studies posed different research questions. Further, there were a number of coding judgments in Berry et al. that merit review, and there was no moderator analysis for educational versus employment interviews. As a result, we reanalyzed the work by Berry et al. and found a corrected correlation of .42 for employment interviews (.15 higher than Berry et al., a 56% increase). Further, educational interviews were associated with a corrected correlation of .21, supporting their influence as a moderator. We suggest a better estimate of the correlation between employment interviews and cognitive ability is .42, and this takes us “back to the future” in that the better overall estimate of the employment interviews – cognitive ability relationship is roughly .40. This difference has implications for what is being measured by interviews and their incremental validity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 228 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kossmeier ◽  
Ulrich S. Tran ◽  
Martin Voracek

Abstract. Currently, dedicated graphical displays to depict study-level statistical power in the context of meta-analysis are unavailable. Here, we introduce the sunset (power-enhanced) funnel plot to visualize this relevant information for assessing the credibility, or evidential value, of a set of studies. The sunset funnel plot highlights the statistical power of primary studies to detect an underlying true effect of interest in the well-known funnel display with color-coded power regions and a second power axis. This graphical display allows meta-analysts to incorporate power considerations into classic funnel plot assessments of small-study effects. Nominally significant, but low-powered, studies might be seen as less credible and as more likely being affected by selective reporting. We exemplify the application of the sunset funnel plot with two published meta-analyses from medicine and psychology. Software to create this variation of the funnel plot is provided via a tailored R function. In conclusion, the sunset (power-enhanced) funnel plot is a novel and useful graphical display to critically examine and to present study-level power in the context of meta-analysis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Voracek ◽  
Michael Kossmeier ◽  
Ulrich S. Tran

Abstract. Which data to analyze, and how, are fundamental questions of all empirical research. As there are always numerous flexibilities in data-analytic decisions (a “garden of forking paths”), this poses perennial problems to all empirical research. Specification-curve analysis and multiverse analysis have recently been proposed as solutions to these issues. Building on the structural analogies between primary data analysis and meta-analysis, we transform and adapt these approaches to the meta-analytic level, in tandem with combinatorial meta-analysis. We explain the rationale of this idea, suggest descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, as well as graphical displays, provide code for meta-analytic practitioners to generate and use these, and present a fully worked real example from digit ratio (2D:4D) research, totaling 1,592 meta-analytic specifications. Specification-curve and multiverse meta-analysis holds promise to resolve conflicting meta-analyses, contested evidence, controversial empirical literatures, and polarized research, and to mitigate the associated detrimental effects of these phenomena on research progress.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Nakagawa ◽  
Malgorzata Lagisz ◽  
Rose E O'Dea ◽  
Joanna Rutkowska ◽  
Yefeng Yang ◽  
...  

‘Classic’ forest plots show the effect sizes from individual studies and the aggregate effect from a meta-analysis. However, in ecology and evolution meta-analyses routinely contain over 100 effect sizes, making the classic forest plot of limited use. We surveyed 102 meta-analyses in ecology and evolution, finding that only 11% use the classic forest plot. Instead, most used a ‘forest-like plot’, showing point estimates (with 95% confidence intervals; CIs) from a series of subgroups or categories in a meta-regression. We propose a modification of the forest-like plot, which we name the ‘orchard plot’. Orchard plots, in addition to showing overall mean effects and CIs from meta-analyses/regressions, also includes 95% prediction intervals (PIs), and the individual effect sizes scaled by their precision. The PI allows the user and reader to see the range in which an effect size from a future study may be expected to fall. The PI, therefore, provides an intuitive interpretation of any heterogeneity in the data. Supplementing the PI, the inclusion of underlying effect sizes also allows the user to see any influential or outlying effect sizes. We showcase the orchard plot with example datasets from ecology and evolution, using the R package, orchard, including several functions for visualizing meta-analytic data using forest-plot derivatives. We consider the orchard plot as a variant on the classic forest plot, cultivated to the needs of meta-analysts in ecology and evolution. Hopefully, the orchard plot will prove fruitful for visualizing large collections of heterogeneous effect sizes regardless of the field of study.


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