scholarly journals Ocean acidification and bivalve byssus: explaining variable responses using meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Clements ◽  
Matthew N. George
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Attachment Strength ◽  
The Impact

1. Many bivalve molluscs settle and attach to surfaces using adhesive byssal threads – proteinaceous fibers that together form a network known as the byssus. Since these bivalves rely on byssus for survival, strong byssal attachment promotes a myriad of broad ecological services, including water filtration, nutrient extraction, sediment stabilization, and enhancing biodiversity through habitat creation.2. Numerous studies have documented weakened byssal attachment strength under ocean acidification (OA); however, a comparable number report no effect, even within the same species. Consequently, whether elevated CO2 levels expected under near-future OA will affect byssal attachment strength in nature remains hotly contested.3. We used a systematic literature search and meta-analysis to explore factors that could potentially explain observed effect size variation in byssal attachment strength following OA exposure. 4. A systematic literature search uncovered 20 studies experimentally testing the impact of OA on byssal attachment strength (or some proxy thereof). Meta-analysis revealed that body size (mean shell length) was the strongest predictor of effect size variation, with no significant effect of climate, species, year, study temperature, study location, exposure time, food amount, and pH offset. Functionally, a negative linear relationship was observed between body size and effect size.5. Our finding that the byssal strength of larger bivalves is more susceptible to negative OA effects runs counter to prevailing wisdom that larger, older animals of a given species are more robust to OA than earlier life history stages. 6. This highlights that body size and age may be important factors that determine OA sensitivity in adult calcifiers. In addition to body size, a critical review of each study revealed commonly neglected factors that could influence byssal thread attachment strength which we highlight to provide suggestions for future research in this area.

scholarly journals The effects of shoe collar height on ankle sprain mechanics in athletes: A review of literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-230
Author(s):  
Jojo Hoi-Ching Lai ◽  
Samuel KK Ling ◽  
Patrick Cacho ◽  
SW Mok ◽  
Patrick SH Yung
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Sprain ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Dynamic Testing ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Weak Evidence ◽  
Future Direction

Background: Our aim was to conduct a review to summarize the existing information regarding the effects of shoe collar height in altering ankle sprain mechanics in athletes. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus was conducted in September 2019. Results: There were 10 studies published from 1993 to 2019 that were included. Most studies showed high-top shoes limited ankle sprain kinematics and increased resistance to inversion moment in static but not dynamic testing. High-top shoes were associated with delayed pre-landing ankle evertor muscle activation and smaller electromyography amplitudes. Conclusions: There is currently weak evidence to support that high-top shoes can limit ankle sprain kinematics in dynamic testing. Further studies with more consistent study interventions and outcome variables are needed to definitively establish the effects of shoe collar height on ankle sprain mechanics in athletes. The Translational Potential of this Article: Multiple studies on the effects of shoe collar height and ankle sprain mechanics have been performed but there is a lack of consistency in terms of study design, intervention, and outcome measures. A formal systematic review and meta-analysis were not applicable due to the heterogeneity of studies, and mixed results from these studies can be confusing to interpret, making further research on this topic difficult as a result of lack of future direction. We summarized the existing literature on this topic to provide a clearer picture and guide future research on this controversial matter.

scholarly journals Vagally mediated heart rate variability in headache patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cephalalgia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Koenig ◽  
DeWayne P Williams ◽  
Andrew H Kemp ◽  
Julian F Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vagal Activity ◽  
Headache Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Objective Vagal nerve activity—indexed by heart rate variability (HRV)—has been linked to altered pain processing and inflammation, both of which may underpin headache disorders and lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here we examined the evidence for differences in parasympathetic (vagal) activity indexed by time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV in patients with headache disorders compared to healthy controls (HCs). Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies investigating group differences in vagally mediated HRV (vmHRV) including time- (root-mean-square of successive R-R-interval differences (RMSSD)) and frequency- (high-frequency HRV) domain measures. Studies eligible for inclusion were identified by a systematic search of the literature, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results Seven studies reporting a total of 10 comparisons of patients with headache disorders (HF-HRV n = 67, RMSSD n = 122) and HCs (HF-HRV n = 64, RMSSD n = 125) were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significant main effect on RMSSD ( Z = 2.03, p = 0.04; Hedges’ g = −0.63; 95% CI (−1.24, –0.02); k = 6) and similar pooled effect size estimates for HF-HRV when breathing was controlled ( g = −0.30; 95% CI (−0.69; 0.10)) but not when breathing was not controlled ( g = 0.02; 95% CI (−0.69; 0.74)). Controlling for breathing had no effect on RMSSD. Conclusion vmHRV is reduced in patients with headache disorders, findings associated with a medium effect size. Suggestions for future research in this area are provided, emphasizing a need to investigate the impact of headache disorders and commonly comorbid conditions—including mental disorders—as well as the investigation of the risk for CVD in migraine in particular. We further emphasize the need for large-scale studies to investigate HRV as a mechanism mediating the association of migraine and CVD.

scholarly journals Independent evolution towards larger body size in the distinctive Faroe Island mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Wilches ◽  
William H Beluch ◽  
Ellen McConnell ◽  
Diethard Tautz ◽  
Yingguang Frank Chan
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Multiple Loci

Abstract Most phenotypic traits in nature involve the collective action of many genes. Traits that evolve repeatedly are particularly useful for understanding how selection may act on changing trait values. In mice, large body size has evolved repeatedly on islands and under artificial selection in the laboratory. Identifying the loci and genes involved in this process may shed light on the evolution of complex, polygenic traits. Here, we have mapped the genetic basis of body size variation by making a genetic cross between mice from the Faroe Islands, which are among the largest and most distinctive natural populations of mice in the world, and a laboratory mouse strain selected for small body size, SM/J. Using this F2 intercross of 841 animals, we have identified 111 loci controlling various aspects of body size, weight and growth hormone levels. By comparing against other studies, including the use of a joint meta-analysis, we found that the loci involved in the evolution of large size in the Faroese mice were largely independent from those of a different island population or other laboratory strains. We hypothesize that colonization bottleneck, historical hybridization, or the redundancy between multiple loci have resulted in the Faroese mice achieving an outwardly similar phenotype through a distinct evolutionary path.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Relation Between Engagement and Achievement in Early Childhood Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 027112142110327
Author(s):  
Esther R. Lindström ◽  
Jason C. Chow ◽  
Kathleen N. Zimmerman ◽  
Hongyang Zhao ◽  
Elise Settanni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Academic Engagement ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Early Childhood Research

Engagement in early childhood has been linked with later achievement, but the relation between these variables and how they are measured in early childhood requires examination. We estimated the overall association between academic engagement and achievement in children prior to kindergarten entry. Our systematic literature search yielded 13,521 reports for structured eligibility screening; from this pool of studies, we identified 21 unique data sets, with 199 effect sizes for analysis. We coded eligible studies, extracted effect sizes, accounted for effect size dependency, and used random-effects models to synthesize findings. The overall correlation between academic engagement and achievement was r = .24 (range: −.08 to −.71), and moderator analyses did not significantly predict the relation between the two constructs. This study aligns with previous research on this topic and examines issues related to these measures, their constraints, and applications as they pertain to early childhood research.

Risk of nodal disease in patients with MRI-detected extramural vascular invasion in rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 030089162097586
Author(s):  
Pratik Tripathi ◽  
Zhen Li ◽  
Yaqi Shen ◽  
Xuemei Hu ◽  
Daoyu Hu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Rectal Cancer ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Vascular Invasion ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Nodal Disease ◽  
The Impact

Background: The impact of magnetic resonance imaging–detected extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) in distant metastasis is well known but its correlation with prevalence of lymph node metastasis is less studied. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prevalence of nodal disease in mrEMVI–positive and negative cases in rectal cancer. Methods: Following guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBase was carried out to identify relevant studies published up to May 2019. Results: Our literature search generated 10 studies (863 and 1212 mrEMVI–positive and negative patients, respectively). The two groups (mrEMVI–positive and negative) were significantly different in terms of nodal disease status (odds ratio [OR] 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.12–4.67; p < 0.001). The prevalence of nodal disease was 75.90% vs 52.56% in the positive mrEMVI vs negative mrEMVI group, respectively ( p < 0.001). The prevalence of positive lymph node in positive mrEMVI patients treated with neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT/CRT) (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.65–3.69; p < 0.001) was less compared with the patients who underwent surgery alone (OR 6.25; 95% CI 3.74–10.44; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The probability of positive lymph nodes in cases of positive mrEMVI is distinctly greater compared with negative cases in rectal cancer. Positive mrEMVI indicates risk of nodal disease prevalence increased by threefold in rectal cancer.

Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to reducing screen time in children: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duygu Akçay ◽  
Nuray Barış
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of interventions focused on reducing screen time in children. Design/methodology/approach Studies that aim to investigate the effects of interventions aimed at reducing the time spent in front of the screen (i.e. screen time). A Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled standard mean differences. The outcome was to evaluate the screen time in children in the 0–18 age range. A subgroup analysis was performed to reveal the extent to which the overall effect size varied by subgroups (participant age, duration of intervention and follow). Findings For the outcome, the meta-analysis included 21 studies, and the standard difference in mean change in screen time in the intervention group compared with the control group was −0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.21 to −0.12) (p < 0.001). The effect size was found to be higher in long-term (=7 months) interventions and follow-ups (p < 0.05). Originality/value Subgroup analysis showed that a significant effect of screen time reduction was observed in studies in which the duration of intervention and follow-up was =7 months. As the evidence base grows, future researchers can contribute to these findings by conducting a more comprehensive analysis of effect modifiers and optimizing interventions to reduce screen time.

scholarly journals Reliability of Computerized Neurocognitive Tests for Concussion Assessment: A Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 826-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Farnsworth ◽  
Lucas Dargo ◽  
Brian G. Ragan ◽  
Minsoo Kang
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Neurocognitive Tests ◽  
The Impact

Objective:  Although widely used, computerized neurocognitive tests (CNTs) have been criticized because of low reliability and poor sensitivity. A systematic review was published summarizing the reliability of Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) scores; however, this was limited to a single CNT. Expansion of the previous review to include additional CNTs and a meta-analysis is needed. Therefore, our purpose was to analyze reliability data for CNTs using meta-analysis and examine moderating factors that may influence reliability. Data Sources:  A systematic literature search (key terms: reliability, computerized neurocognitive test, concussion) of electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SPORTDiscus) was conducted to identify relevant studies. Study Selection:  Studies were included if they met all of the following criteria: used a test-retest design, involved at least 1 CNT, provided sufficient statistical data to allow for effect-size calculation, and were published in English. Data Extraction:  Two independent reviewers investigated each article to assess inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies involving 2674 participants were retained. Intraclass correlation coefficients were extracted to calculate effect sizes and determine overall reliability. The Fisher Z transformation adjusted for sampling error associated with averaging correlations. Moderator analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the length of the test-retest interval, intraclass correlation coefficient model selection, participant demographics, and study design on reliability. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran Q statistic. Data Synthesis:  The proportion of acceptable outcomes was greatest for the Axon Sports CogState Test (75%) and lowest for the ImPACT (25%). Moderator analyses indicated that the type of intraclass correlation coefficient model used significantly influenced effect-size estimates, accounting for 17% of the variation in reliability. Conclusions:  The Axon Sports CogState Test, which has a higher proportion of acceptable outcomes and shorter test duration relative to other CNTs, may be a reliable option; however, future studies are needed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these instruments.

scholarly journals Efectos de la intervención en conciencia morfológica sobre la lectura, escritura y comprensión: Meta-análisis

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes I. Rueda-Sánchez ◽  
Patricia López-Bastida
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reading Difficulties ◽  
Morphological Awareness ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Reading Vocabulary ◽  
Morphological Awareness Training ◽  
The Impact

The aim is to check, through a meta-analysis, the impact of morphological awareness training on writing, reading, comprehension and vocabulary of grade schooler. 31 studies were included in the meta-analysis; they were obtained from 19 articles that meet the selection criteria. Morphological awareness instruction has a high-medium and significant effect size in studied variables of literacy. On writing, <em>g</em>=0.491, <em>SE</em>=0.078, <em>IQ</em>=0339-0643, <em>p</em>=.000, reading, <em>g</em>=0.473, <em>SE</em>=0.096, <em>IQ</em>=0284-0662, <em>p</em>=.000, comprehension, <em>g</em>=0.468, <em>SE</em>=0.123, <em>IQ</em>=0227-0708, <em>p</em>= .000 and finally vocabulary, <em>g</em>=0.501, <em>SE</em>=0.152, <em>IQ</em>=0203-0798, <em>p</em>= .001. The test of Heterogeneity <em>Q</em> is only significant on writing so other moderating variables were explored but no differences between groups were found. It shows morphological awareness training improves reading, vocabulary and comprehension of grade schooler with and without reading difficulties. Nevertheless, the results on writing are more heterogeneous.

scholarly journals Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Virtual Reality in Mental Healthcare: Effects of Full Body Illusions on Body Image Disturbance

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin Turbyne ◽  
Abe Goedhart ◽  
Pelle de Koning ◽  
Frederike Schirmbeck ◽  
Damiaan Denys
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Full Body ◽  
Virtual Body ◽  
Clinical Populations

Background: Body image (BI) disturbances have been identified in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Virtual reality (VR) has recently been used as a tool for modulating BI disturbances through the use of eliciting a full body illusion (FBI). This meta-analysis is the first to collate evidence on the effectiveness of an FBI to reduce BI disturbances in both clinical and non-clinical populations.Methods: We performed a literature search in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Web of Science with the keywords and synonyms for “virtual reality” and “body image” to identify published studies until September 2020. We included studies that (1) created an FBI with a modified body shape or size and (2) reported BI disturbance outcomes both before and directly after the FBI. FBI was defined as a head-mounted display (HMD)-based simulation of embodying a virtual body from an egocentric perspective in an immersive 3D computer-generated environment.Results: Of the 398 identified unique studies, 13 were included after reading full-texts. Four of these studies were eligible for a meta-analysis on BI distortion inducing a small virtual body FBI in healthy females. Significant post-intervention results were found for estimations of shoulder width, hip width, and abdomen width, with the largest reductions in size being the estimation of shoulder circumference (SMD = −1.3; 95% CI: −2.2 to −0.4; p = 0.004) and hip circumference (SMD = −1.0; 95% CI: −1.6 to −0.4; p = 0.004). Mixed results were found in non-aggregated studies from large virtual body FBIs in terms of both estimated body size and BI dissatisfaction and in small virtual body FBI in terms of BI dissatisfaction.Conclusions: The findings presented in this paper suggest that the participants' BIs were able to conform to both an increased as well as a reduced virtual body size. However, because of the paucity of research in this field, the extent of the clinical utility of FBIs still remains unclear. In light of these limitations, we provide implications for future research about the clinical utility of FBIs for modulating BI-related outcomes.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Mobile Health Interventions on Diabetes and Obesity Treatment and Management: Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youfa Wang ◽  
Jungwon Min ◽  
Jacob Khuri ◽  
Hong Xue ◽  
Bo Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Weight Reduction ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Obesity Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

BACKGROUND Diabetes and obesity have become epidemics and costly chronic diseases. The impact of mobile health (mHealth) interventions on diabetes and obesity management is promising; however, studies showed varied results in the efficacy of mHealth interventions. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth interventions for diabetes and obesity treatment and management on the basis of evidence reported in reviews and meta-analyses and to provide recommendations for future interventions and research. METHODS We systematically searched the PubMed, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Cochrane databases for systematic reviews published between January 1, 2005, and October 1, 2019. We analyzed 17 reviews, which assessed 55,604 original intervention studies, that met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 6 reviews were included in our meta-analysis. RESULTS The reviews primarily focused on the use of mobile apps and text messaging and the self-monitoring and management function of mHealth programs in patients with diabetes and obesity. All reviews examined changes in biomarkers, and some reviews assessed treatment adherence (n=7) and health behaviors (n=9). Although the effectiveness of mHealth interventions varied widely by study, all reviews concluded that mHealth was a feasible option and had the potential for improving patient health when compared with standard care, especially for glycemic control (−0.3% to −0.5% greater reduction in hemoglobin A<sub>1c</sub>) and weight reduction (−1.0 kg to −2.4 kg body weight). Overall, the existing 6 meta-analysis studies showed pooled favorable effects of these mHealth interventions (−0.79, 95% CI −1.17 to −0.42; I2=90.5). CONCLUSIONS mHealth interventions are promising, but there is limited evidence about their effectiveness in glycemic control and weight reduction. Future research to develop evidence-based mHealth strategies should use valid measures and rigorous study designs. To enhance the effectiveness of mHealth interventions, future studies are warranted for the optimal formats and the frequency of contacting patients, better tailoring of messages, and enhancing usability, which places a greater emphasis on maintaining effectiveness over time.

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