Muscle hypertrophy and strength gains after resistance training with different volume matched loads: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared muscle hypertrophy and strength gains between resistance training protocols employing very low (VLL<30% of 1RM or >35 RM), low (LL30%-59% of 1RM, or 16–35 RM), moderate (ML60%-79% of 1RM, or 8 -15RM) and high load (HL≥80% of 1RM, or ≤7 RM) with matched volume loads (sets x reps x weight). A pooled analysis of the standardized mean difference for 1RM strength outcomes across the studies showed a benefit favoring HL vs. LL and vs. ML; and favoring ML vs. LL. Results from LL and VLL indicated little difference. A pooled analysis of the standardized mean difference for hypertrophy outcomes across all studies showed no differences between the training loads. Our findings indicate that, when volume load is equated between conditions, the highest loads induce superior dynamic strength gains. Alternatively, hypertrophic adaptations are similar irrespective of the magnitude of load. NOVELTY BULLETS: • Training with higher loads elicits greater gains in 1RM muscle strength when compared to lower loads, even when volume load is equated between conditions. • Muscle hypertrophy is similar irrespective of the magnitude of load, even when volume load is equated between conditions.

Probiotic Supplementation for Promotion of Growth in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Probiotics are commonly prescribed to promote a healthy gut microbiome in children. Our objective was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on growth outcomes in children 0–59 months of age. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis which included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that administered probiotics to children aged 0–59 months, with growth outcomes as a result. We completed a random-effects meta-analysis and calculated a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) or relative risk (RR) and reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We included 79 RCTs, 54 from high-income countries (HIC), and 25 from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). LMIC data showed that probiotics may have a small effect on weight (SMD: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11–0.42, grade-certainty = low) and height (SMD 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06–0.25, grade-certainty = moderate). HIC data did not show any clinically meaningful effect on weight (SMD: 0.01, 95% CI: −0.04–0.05, grade-certainty = moderate), or height (SMD: −0.01, 95% CI: −0.06–0.04, grade-certainty = moderate). There was no evidence that probiotics affected the risk of adverse events. We conclude that in otherwise healthy children aged 0–59 months, probiotics may have a small but heterogenous effect on weight and height in LMIC but not in children from HIC.

Exercise-Based Interventions Aimed at Improving Balance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have deficits in motor skills, especially balance. This article presents a meta-analytic review of 15 intervention studies that aimed to improve balance in children and adolescents with ASD. Across these studies, there were 195 participants with ASD for whom pre-intervention and post-intervention balance scores were available. We measured the standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g) between their pre-intervention and post-intervention balance scores and found a large, positive effect from these balance interventions (standardized mean difference—1.82 (95% CI [1.34, 2.29])). Various balance intervention procedures were shown to be very efficacious for children and adolescents with ASD. Clearly, balance is a motor skill that is very susceptible to intervention efforts. We also provided recommendations to researchers regarding what information to include when conducting intervention studies.

Simple Coagulation Profile as Predictor of Mortality in Adults Admitted with COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis

Context: COVID-19 severe manifestations must be detected as soon as possible. One of the essential poor characteristics is the involvement of coagulopathy. Simple coagulation parameters, including prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet, are widely accessible in many health centers. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between simple coagulation profiles and COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Method: We systematically searched five databases for studies measuring simple coagulation parameters in COVID-19 on admission. The random-effects and inverse-variance weighting were used in the study, which used a standardized-mean difference of coagulation profile values. The odds ratios were computed using the Mantel-Haenszel formula for dichotomous variables. Results: This meta-analysis comprised a total of 30 studies (9,175 patients). In our meta-analysis, we found that non-survivors had a lower platelet count [SMD = -0.56 (95% CI: -0.79 to -0.33), P < 0.01; OR = 3.00 (95% CI: 1.66 to 5.41), P < 0.01], prolonged PT [SMD = 1.22 (95%CI: 0.71 to 1.72), P < 0.01; OR = 1.86 (95%CI: 1.43 to 2.43), P < 0.01], prolonged aPTT [SMD = 0.24 (95%CI: -0.04 to 0.52), P = 0.99], and increased INR [SMD = 2.21 (95%CI: 0.10 to 4.31), P = 0.04] than survivors. Conclusions: In COVID-19 patients, abnormal simple coagulation parameters on admission, such as platelet, PT, and INR, were associated with mortality outcomes.

The Association with Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Uric Acid

The relationship between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and uric acid was not well established. This study aimed to determine if subclinical thyroid dysfunction is associated with hyperuricemia risk and to evaluate the levels of uric acid in patients with different forms of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. A systematic search was conducted in 4 databases to obtain relevant studies on subclinical thyroid dysfunction (subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism) and uric acid. The standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used for evaluation, and the sensitivity analysis was conducted. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plot, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test. A total of 73 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that serum levels of uric acid in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were significantly higher than those of controls and patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction had a higher prevalence of hyperuricemia compared with normal clinical thyroid function. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction was associated with the prevalence of hyperuricemia. Different types of subclinical thyroid dysfunction had varied effects on serum levels of uric acid.

Association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and mortality among community acquired pneumonia patients: a meta-analysis

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR)is an emerging biomarker used in the prognosis of many conditions. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic accuracy of the NLR in determining mortality in patients with Community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The Pubmed, EBSCO, and Scopus databases were searched to find all relevant articles. 10 articles with 5220 patients were included. The pooled area under the curve (AUC) of NLR admission levels to predict 30-Day mortality of CAP patients was 0.706; 95% CI (0.631 to 0.781), while the pooled AUC of NLR levels taken at 3-5 days was 0.882; 95% CI (0.818 to 0.945). Meta analysis also showed a significant difference in the NLR between the Survivors and 30-Day non-survivors. This difference was greater when NLR levels were taken at 3-5 days; Standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.646; 95% CI (0.451 to 2.840) compared to NLR levels at admission SMD = 1.139; 95% CI (0.514 to 1.764). These results show that the NLR has potential to be incorporated in the routine assessment and stratification of CAP patients, especially in the early-stage evolution (3-5 days), keeping in mind the availability and cost effectiveness of this test.

Effects of telehealth interventions for adolescent sexual health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Introduction Telehealth interventions to advance adolescent sexual health have evolved and are being used to promote adolescent sexual health knowledge and healthy sexual behaviors. However, as this area of intervention modality expands, there is a need to pause and examine the effects of telehealth interventions on adolescent sexual health outcomes. Addressing this knowledge gap will inform researchers and practitioners on the current state of evidence of telehealth interventions and inform further intervention development and testing. This study aimed to explore the meta-effects of telehealth interventions on self-efficacy of using condoms, condom use practices, and sexually transmitted infection testing behaviors among adolescents. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were conducted. Seven databases (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, OVID (UpToDate), and Web of Science) were searched for relevant full-text articles from the inception to May 2021. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to calculate the pooled effects of telehealth interventions for adolescents. Stata 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 15 studies ( N = 5499) that used telehealth interventions with adolescents were included in the analysis. Telehealth interventions were found to increase self-efficacy for condom use (standardized mean difference: 0.22; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.36), practice for condom use (standardized mean difference: 0.35; 95% confidence interval: 0.23–0.47), and being screened/tested for sexual transmitted infections (standardized mean difference: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.31–0.92). Discussion Telehealth interventions show promise as effective intervention delivery solutions for improving self-efficacy and certain sexual health behaviors among adolescents. These telehealth strategies could be important alternatives to in-person visits to accessing sexual health information or services near where they live. Future research should consider testing telehealth strategies where there is evidence of impact to move the field forward.