Norms Across Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Meta-Analysis of Norms Effects in the Theory of Planned Behavior (corrected & updated)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Fischer ◽  
Johannes Alfons Karl

This paper presents a corrected version of a manuscript published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Norms have emerged as a central concept across various fields of psychology. In social psychology, norms have been important to predict intentions and behavior, but cultural variability has not been examined. In cultural psychology, norms have also played a central role in explained cultural differences. In contrast, to date, variability in norm-intention and norm-behavior relationships has not been systematically investigated. Any systematic variability may be challenging to both social and cultural psychology. We re-analyzed effect sizes taken from five previously published meta-analyses using a fixed-effects model and demonstrate that the relative strength of norm-intention and norm-behavior correlations in this sample of previously published studies are systematically higher in less economically developed societies. We also found significant, but weaker, effects for individualism, tightness–looseness and monumentalism vs flexibility. Meanwhile, behavior domain effects also emerged, which suggests that norms are behavior specific. Norms effects systematically vary across previously published studies, implying that more attention is needed to investigate culturally conditioned domain and behavior effects.

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 4127-4137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Cruciani ◽  
Marina Malena ◽  
Oliviero Bosco ◽  
Stefano Nardi ◽  
Giovanni Serpelloni ◽  
...  

Purpose: Past reports and meta-analyses indicate that fluoroquinolones are highly effective in preventing Gram-negative infections in neutropenic cancer patients, but offer inadequate coverage for Gram-positive infections. We evaluated by meta-analysis the efficacy of the addition of antimicrobial agents with enhanced Gram-positive activity to prophylaxis with quinolones. Materials and Methods: Randomized trials comparing fluoroquinolones alone (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, or norfloxacin) with fluoroquinolone in combination with Gram-positive prophylaxis (rifampin, vancomycin, amoxicillin, roxithromycin, or penicillin) were retrieved. We pooled relative risks (RRs) using a fixed-effects model. Results: Nine trials (1,202 patients) published between 1993 and 2000 meet inclusion criteria. Compared with fluoroquinolone alone, Gram-positive prophylaxis reduced total bacteremic episodes (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.88), streptococcal infections (RR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.44 to 3.37), coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.04), and rate of febrile patients (RR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.16). Occurrence of clinically documented infections, unexplained fever, and infectious mortality was similar in the two groups. The addition of Gram-positive prophylaxis, however, significantly increased side effects (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.76). Rifampin use resulted in a higher incidence of undesirable effects. Conclusion: Considering the lack of cut-clear benefit on some parameters of morbidity and mortality, routine use of Gram-positive prophylaxis is not advisable. This strategy, however, should be particularly valuable in subgroups of patients at high risk of streptococcal infection (eg, those with severe and prolonged neutropenia or mucositis, and those receiving cytarabine). Problems of tolerability and the potential for the emergence of resistant microorganisms should be considered when prescribing prophylaxis with enhanced Gram-positive activity to neutropenic patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Lumin ◽  
Gu Ziying ◽  
Sun Xincheng

Abstract Background The etiology of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is thought to be related to genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure factors. The purpose of this article was to estimate the prevalence of ROP in mainland China and to attempt to summarize the environmental risk factors for ROP in Chinese infants. Method We searched 9 databases for articles that were published before May 29, 2021, and studies describing the prevalence and risk factors for ROP in Chinese infants were included. The fixed-effects model and the random-effects model were applied to the effect sizes (ES) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with I2≤50% and I2>50% in the heterogeneity tests, respectively. Results Twenty-two separate populations were included in the meta-analysis of the prevalence of ROP. The prevalence of ROP in mainland China was 9.284% (95% CI: 6.546-12.022%). It was negatively correlated with birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Fifty independent meta-analyses were observed to be related to environmental exposure factors of ROP. Thirty of the 50 meta-analyses had results that were significant at p values less than 0.05. The first three risk factors with the largest combined effect size were GA≤34 w, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and BW≤2,000 g. Conclusions Approximately one in ten immature infants suffered from ROP. More studies need to be included. Premature babies with diseases that cause hypoxia and irregular oxygen use should be paid more attention for ROP screening.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 7266-7270
Author(s):  
Gyeong-Eun Min ◽  
Haesoo Kim ◽  
Da Eun Lee ◽  
Kisok Kim

5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are used in the treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). 5-ARIs, such as finasteride and dutasteride, suppress the biosynthesis of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a precursor of androgen, which is closely related to the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). A previous meta-analysis demonstrated a relationship between finasteride use and the incidence of PCA. However, there have been no meta-analyses on the relationship between PCa and dutasteride alone. This meta-analysis was performed to examine the prevalence of PCa in adult males taking dutasteride. We searched PubMed for reports regarding PCa risk and dutasteride use. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to weight the studies. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and P-values were calculated using fixed- and random-effects models. A total of eight articles were included in the meta-analysis. The overall OR for both the fixed- and random-effects models was 0.669 and the 95% CI for the random-effects model (0.526–0.851; P = 0.006) was wider than that for the fixed effects model (0.548–0.817; P < 0.001). This study confirmed that the incidence of PCa was significantly reduced by taking dutasteride.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1604-1612
Author(s):  
Congcong Wu ◽  
Hua Jiang ◽  
Jianghua Chen

Background: Although the adjuvant therapy of bisphosphonates in prostate cancer is effective in improving bone mineral density, it is still uncertain whether bisphosphonates could decrease the risk of Skeletal- Related Event (SRE) in patients with prostate cancer. We reviewed and analyzed the effect of different types of bisphosphonates on the risk of SRE, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy to the bone, surgery to bone, hypercalcemia, bone pain, or death as a result of prostate cancer. Methods: A systemic literature search was conducted on PubMed and related bibliographies. The emphasis during data extraction was laid on the Hazard Ratio (HR) and the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) from every eligible Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). HR was pooled with the fixed effects model, and preplanned subgroup analyses were performed. Results: 5 RCTs (n = 4651) were included and analyzed finally after screening 51 articles. The meta-analysis of all participants showed no significant decrease in the risk of SRE when adding bisphosphonates to control group (HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679). There was no significant improvement on SRE neither in the subgroups with Metastases (M1) or Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (CSPC) (respectively HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679; HR = 0.954, 95% CI = 0.837 - 1.088, p = 0.484, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 3) p = 0.534). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that bisphosphonates could not statistically significantly reduce the risk of SRE in patients with prostate cancer, neither in the subgroups with M1 or CSPC.


2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139172
Author(s):  
Rimesh Pal ◽  
Mainak Banerjee ◽  
Urmila Yadav ◽  
Sukrita Bhattacharjee

PurposeObservations studies have shown that prior use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. However, the available data are limited, inconsistent and conflicting. Besides, no randomised controlled trial exists in this regard. Hence, the present meta-analysis was conducted to provide an updated summary and collate the effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 using unadjusted and adjusted risk estimates.MethodsPubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched using appropriate keywords till December 18 2020, to identify observational studies reporting clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients using statins versus those not using statins. Prior and in-hospital use of statins were considered. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Unadjusted and adjusted pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs were calculated.ResultsWe included 14 observational studies pooling data retrieved from 19 988 patients with COVID-19. All the studies were of high/moderate quality. Pooled analysis of unadjusted data showed that statin use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.50, p=0.94, I2=94%, random-effects model). However, on pooling adjusted risk estimates, the use of statin was found to significantly reduce the risk of adverse outcomes (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.63, p<0.0005, I2=0%, fixed-effects model).ConclusionsStatin use is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Individuals with multiple comorbidities on statin therapy should be encouraged to continue the drug amid the ongoing pandemic.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043956
Author(s):  
Guizuo Wang ◽  
Dong Han ◽  
Zhengdong Jiang ◽  
Manxiang Li ◽  
Shumei Yang ◽  
...  

ObjectiveEarly life bronchiolitis has been hypothesised to be associated with the subsequent risk of persistent wheezing or asthma. However, the link remains controversial. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between bronchiolitis before 2 years of age and the late-onset wheezing/asthma.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsPubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies published between 1955 and January 2020. Meanwhile, we also checked through the reference lists of relevant articles to see whether these references included reports of other studies that might be eligible for the review. Cohort and case–control studies assessing the association between early-life bronchiolitis and late-onset wheezing/asthma were included in this meta-analysis. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Results were pooled using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model according to the heterogeneity among studies.Results32 original articles with 292 844 participants, which met the criteria, were included in this meta-analysis. Bronchiolitis before 2 years of age was associated with an increased risk of subsequent wheezing/asthma (relative risk=2.46, 95% CI 2.14 to 2.82, p<0.001). After categorising studies into different groups based on age at the end of follow-up, geographical region and study quality, the association still remained significant.ConclusionsThe meta-analysis indicates an association between bronchiolitis before 2 years of age and the wheezing/asthma in later life. Well-designed and highly standardised prospective studies that better address bias due to potential confounding factors are needed to validate the risk identified in our meta-analysis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018089453.


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 841-849
Author(s):  
Chunmei Xu ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Huikai Miao ◽  
Tianyue Xie ◽  
Xiaojun Zhou ◽  
...  

AbstractA potential reduction of goiter volume (GV) of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) on multinodular goiters (MNG) was previously reported but controversial. Hence we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of rhTSH-stimulated radioiodine therapy in patients with MNG. PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched. Mean difference (MD) and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived by using an inverse variance random-effects model and fixed-effects model, respectively. Six studies (n=237) were involved in the analysis. For 12 months follow up, high dose (>0.1 mg) of rhTSH significantly reduced GV (MD=17.61; 95% CI=12.17 to 23.04; p<0.00001) compared with placebo. No effective pooled results of low dose of rhTSH (<0.1 mg) were applicable for only one study included. For 6 months follow up, the source of heterogeneity was determined by subgroup and sensitivity analysis. High dose group showed vast improvement in GV reduction (MD=16.62; 95% CI=1.34 to 31.90; p=0.03). The reduction of low dose group compared with placebo was inferior to high dose group. No available data were obtained to assess the influence of rhTSH after 36 months follow up for the only included study. Hypothyroidism incidence was higher for rhTSH group. No publication bias was seen. High dose of rhTSH treatment-stimulated radioactive 131I therapy after 6 months and 12 months follow up had a better effect in reducing GV, but with higher incidence of hypothyroidism. Owing to the limited methodological quality, more clinical researches are warranted in the future.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa K Fouad ◽  
Ashraf M Hazem ◽  
Kareem M Elnaghy

Abstract Aim of the Work to provide cumulative data about the efficacy and safety of neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with usual care (UC) versus usual care alone in ICU patients with Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM). Methodology The current systematic review was done on studies published between 2009 and 2019. The total number of patients in all the included studies was 1259 patients; 652 in NMES group, and 607 in UC group. Our data were divided into two groups: NMES (652 patients), and UC (607 patients). Metaanalysis study was done on 11 studies which described and compared the 2 different techniques for treatment of CIM; with overall number of patients (N = 1259). Results Regarding 1ry outcome measures, we found 8 studies reported critical Critical illness myopathy (CIM), critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), and the overlap, critical care setting   MRC scale for muscle strength, with total number of patients (N = 968). The random-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed non-significant difference in mean MRC scale in NMES group compared to usual care group (p &gt; 0.05). We also found 11 studies reported ICU stay with total number of patients (N = 1259). The random-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed nonsignificant difference in mean ICU stay in NMES group compared to usual care group (p &gt; 0.05). We also found only 2 studies reported SF-36 scale for quality of life, with total number of patients (N = 270). The fixed-effects model of the metaanalysis study showed highly significant decrease in mean SF-36 scale in NMES group compared to usual care group (p = 0.003). Regarding 2ry outcome measure, we found 3 studies reported CIM incidence with total number of patients (N = 394). The fixed-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed marked decrease in CIM incidence in NMES group compared to usual care group, but not reaching statistical significance (p &gt; 0.05). We also found 9 studies reported mortality rate with total number of patients (N = 1044). The fixed-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed non-significant difference in mortality rate in NMES group compared to usual care. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that NMES combined with usual care was not associated with significant differences in global muscle strength, ICU stay, quality of life score, CIM incidence and mortality rate in comparison with usual care alone in critically ill patients. Conclusion NMES is not superior to usual care in management of CIM. Usual care remains the mainstay of management of CIM with significant better outcomes, in addition to preventive measures as early aggressive treatment of sepsis and MOF, blood glucose control, optimizing certain drugs use, early enteral nutrition, maintaining water, electrolyte and acidbase balance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (5) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Loret De Mola ◽  
Giovanny Vinícius Araújo De França ◽  
Luciana de Avila Quevedo ◽  
Bernardo Lessa Horta

BackgroundThere is no consensus on the effects that low birth weight, premature birth and intrauterine growth have on later depression.AimsTo review systematically the evidence on the relationship of low birth weight, smallness for gestational age (SGA) and premature birth with adult depression.MethodWe searched the literature for original studies assessing the effect of low birth weight, premature birth and SGA on adult depression. Separate meta-analyses were carried out for each exposure using random and fixed effects models. We evaluated the contribution of methodological covariates to heterogeneity using meta-regression.ResultsWe identified 14 studies evaluating low birth weight, 9 premature birth and 4 SGA. Low birth weight increased the odds of depression (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.21–1.60). Premature birth and SGA were not associated with depression, but publication bias might have underestimated the effect of the former and only four studies evaluated SGA.ConclusionsLow birth weight was associated with depression. Future studies evaluating premature birth and SGA are needed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (34) ◽  
pp. 8606-8612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanos Bonovas ◽  
Kalitsa Filioussi ◽  
Nikolaos Tsavaris ◽  
Nikolaos M. Sitaras

Purpose A growing body of evidence suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against breast cancer. Laboratory studies demonstrate that statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical relevance of these data remains unclear. The nonconclusive nature of the epidemiologic data prompted us to conduct a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature. Patients and Methods A comprehensive search for articles published up until 2005 was performed; reviews of each study were conducted; and data were abstracted. Before meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using the random and the fixed-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results Seven large randomized trials and nine observational studies (five case-control and four cohort studies) contributed to the analysis. We found no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity among the studies. Statin use did not significantly affect breast cancer risk (fixed effects model: RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.14; random effects model: RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.18). When the analyses were stratified into subgroups, there was no evidence that study design substantially influenced the estimate of effects. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. Conclusion Our meta-analysis findings do not support a protective effect of statins against breast cancer. However, this conclusion is limited by the relatively short follow-up times of the studies analyzed. Further studies are required to investigate the potential decrease in breast cancer risk among long-term statin users.


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