• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2022

Purpose: There is inconsistent evidence about the association between fetal nuchal cord and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether fetal nuchal cord is associated with an increased risk of ASD in offspring. Methods: Three main English databases were searched until January 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. Study heterogeneity was determined using the I 2 statistic, while publication bias was assessed using Begg and Egger tests. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and relative ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and were determined by a random-effects model. Results: Five articles (1 cohort, 4 case-control; 3,088 total children) were included in the present meta-analysis. Fetal nuchal cord was not a risk factor for ASD (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.66-1.57). There was homogeneity among studies that reported a risk of ASD (I²=0.0%). Conclusion: Our results showed that fetal nuchal cord is not a risk factor for ASD. Future large cohort studies should confirm this finding.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.12
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies regarding the effectiveness of reciprocating and rotary instrumentation on microbial reduction in root canals. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the gray literature were searched through December 2019. Studies comparing the influence of reciprocating and rotary instrumentation on the removal of microorganisms from root canals that quantified the antimicrobial effect were included. Data extraction was completed using a systematic form for data collection. The risk of bias of the studies was evaluated. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects meta-analysis. Results: Seventeen in vitro studies were included in this systematic review, of which 7 provided adequate data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Both reciprocating and rotary systems were similarly effective in reducing the microbial load in infected root canals (SMD [95% CI], 0.0481 [-0.271, 0.367]). Three studies showed a low risk of bias, whereas most of the studies (82%) presented a medium risk. Conclusions: Although both techniques decrease the microbial content (with reductions of 23.32%-88.47% and 23.33%-89.86% for reciprocating and rotary instrumentation, respectively), they are not able to provide complete disinfection of root canals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.261-267
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• 2012

Purpose: The relationship between thymidylate synthase (TS) expression and outcomes in gastric cancer (GC) patients remains controversial, although most studies reported poor survival and reduced response to fluoropyrimidine were related to high TS in tumors. We carried out a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis to estimate the predictive value of TS expression from published studies. Methods: We indentified 24 studies analysing the outcome data in gastric cancer stratified by TS expression. Effect measures of outcome were hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS), or the odds ratio (OR) for overall response rate (ORR). HRs and ORs from these eligible studies were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen studies investigated outcomes in a total of 844 patients with advanced GC, and nine studies investigated outcomes in a total of 1,235 patients with localized GC undergoing adjuvant therapy. Meta-analysis of estimates showed high TS expression was significantly associated with poor OS in the advanced setting (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.08 - 1.90), and poor EFS in the adjuvant setting (HR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.32). Subgroup analysis demonstrated TS expression to haves even greater value in predicting OS, EFS and ORR in advanced GC patients treated with fluoropyrimidine monotherapy (HR for OS: 2.32, 95%CI: 1.53 - 3.50; HR for EFS: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.19 - 2.60; OR for ORR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.11 - 0.95). Conclusion: High levels of TS expression were asssociated with a poorer OS for advanced GC patients compared with low levels. In the adjuvant setting, high TS expression was also associated with a worse EFS. Additional studies with consistent methodology are needed to define the precise predictive value of TS.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.419-429
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The relationship between folate and colorectal neoplasia remains controversial. We examined the association between serum folate concentrations and colorectal adenomas in a case-control study of Korean adults and conducted a meta-analysis. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Our case-control study included 113 pairs of case and control who underwent colonoscopy and provided blood samples. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression models to obtain the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CIs). For meta-analysis, we identified the relevant studies by searching the PubMed database up to February 2017, included our case-control study and combined the study-specific relative risks (RRs) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: In this case-control study, we included 58 men and 55 women with colorectal adenomas and sex and fasting status matched the controls. We did not find any significant association between the serum folate levels and colorectal adenomas in either men or women. For meta-analysis, a total of eleven studies were included in our analysis and classified into two groups; polyp clearance group (PC) for the studies that included participants who underwent endoscopies and had their polyps removed at baseline; and no polyp clearance group (NPC) for the studies that included participants whose histories of endoscopies were unknown or who underwent their first endoscopies. Four PC (1,311 cases and 1,672 non-cases) and eight NPC studies (3,501 cases and 11,347 non-cases) were included. The combined RRs (95% CIs) comparing the bottom with the top categories of circulating folate levels were 1.07 (0.97-1.18) for the NPC group but 1.45 (1.16-1.74) for the PC group. CONCLUSIONS: Low circulating folate levels were associated with new adenoma formation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.464-482
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• 2024

This study aimed to determine the effects of humectants on moisture content, water activity, tenderness, color, microbiological analysis, protein denaturation, and oxidation of jerky. A thorough search for papers published in scientific journals that examined the impacts of humectants on jerky was carried out using Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. Only 14 studies matched inclusion requirements. They were used in the meta-analysis to synthesise quantitative findings. In the current investigation, jerky produced with beef, poultry, goat, or pork was used. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between treatments with humectants and controls was examined to investigate the effects of humectants using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was investigated using meta-regression. A subgroup analysis was carried out for significant factors. Results revealed that the addition of humectants had no significant impact on water activity, pH, fat, ash, CIE L^*, or CIE a^* (p>0.05). However, humectant addition significantly increased moisture (SMD=1.28, p<0.05), CIE b^* (SMD=1.67, p<0.05), and overall acceptability (SMD=1.73, p<0.05). It significantly decreased metmyoglobin (SMD=-0.96, p<0.05), shear force (SMD=-0.84, p<0.05), and protein (SMD=-1.61, p<0.05). However, it was difficult to get a firm conclusion about how humectants affected the myofibrillar fragmentation index, total plate count, and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances because there were fewer than ten studies. To sum up, the proper use of humectants in jerky demands careful attention to both type and quantity, needing a delicate balancing act with other contributing factors.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.169-182
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was a meta-analysis designed to identify effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions in alleviating main symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among school-aged children in Korea. Methods: Examination of several databases including Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, Data Base Periodical Information Academic and hand-searched article references, resulted in identification of 1,298 studies done between 2000 and 2013 of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.0 was used to analyze effect sizes, explore possible causes of heterogeneity, and check publication bias with a funnel plot and its trim-and-fill analysis. Results: Overall effect size of CBT intervention was large (g=1.08) along with each outcome of self-control (g=1.26), lack of attention (g=1.02), social skills (g=0.92), and hyperactivity (g=0.92). For heterogeneity, moderator analysis was performed, but no significant differences were found between the RCT (Randomized Controlled Trials) group and the NRCT (Non RCT) group. Also, meta-regression was performed using sample size, number of sessions, and length of session as predictors, but no statistically significant moderators were found. Finally, a funnel plot along with trim-and-fill analysis was produced to check for publication bias, but no significant bias was detected. Conclusion: Based on these findings, there is clear evidence that CBT intervention has significant positive effects on the main symptoms of school-aged children suffering ADHD. Further research is needed to target diverse age groups with ADHD along with more RCT studies to improve the effectiveness of the CBT intervention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2583-2589
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• 2013

Purpose: Studies have indicated that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for bladder cancer; however, not all evidence supports this conclusion. The aim of this meta-analysis was to collate and evaluate all primary observational studies investigating the risk of bladder cancer associated with DM. Methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies that estimated the association of DM and bladder cancer. Summary effect estimates were derived using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results: A total of 23 studies (8 case-control studies, 15 cohort studies) including 643,683 DM and 4,819,656 non-DM cases were identified. Analysis of all studies showed that DM was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with non-DM overall (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.32-2.13). Analysis of subgroups demonstrated this to be the case in both case-control studies (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.28-1.97, $I^2$=58%) and cohort studies (RR=1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.33, $I^2$=96%). There was no gender difference in DM-associated bladder cancer risk. Bladder cancer risk was increased in Asia and the North America region, but not in Europe. Furthermore, DM-associated bladder cancer risk was obviously higher in Asia than North America and Europe or in those with Caucasian ethnicity. With extension of follow-up time, the bladder cancer risk was not increased for the patients with DM. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided further evidence supporting theDM association with a significantly higher risk of bladder cancer obtained from observational studies.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.120-133
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• 2018

Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of education programs using video recording and feedback in the improvement of competency in clinical skills for health care majors. Methods: Six databases were searched and inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomized controlled trials (NRTs) reporting level of skill competency using numerical measurements. Data analysis and synthesis were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and Revman program. Results: Of 1,568 records, 11 studies met inclusion criteria. Statistically significant effectiveness of education programs using video recording and feedback was identified. A low risk of bias was detected among both RCTs and NRTs. Meta-analysis showed that the intervention groups had more effective improvements in skill competency (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.33~1.16). Results of subgroup analysis showed higher effects when interventions dealt with one skill, used self-reflection with expert feedback, and included instruction from instructor in the education programs. Conclusion: Findings suggest that schools for health care majors should actively adopt video and feedback based skill training allowing educators to design effective programs. Potential is higher for students to achieve higher competency when they train with one skill at a time, use of instruction and receive feedback from experts.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.414-429
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• 2021

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effects of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in adult intensive care units. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and RISS database were systematically searched, and 12 randomized studies were included in the analysis. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.0 was used to calculate the effect size using the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the specific infection and intervention types. Results: In general, 2% chlorhexidine bathing has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40~0.86) and MDRO (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34~0.79). Subgroup analyses show 2% chlorhexidine bathing is effective in bloodstream infections (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39~0.66) but not for urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia infections, and Clostridium difficile infections. Moreover, 2% chlorhexidine bathing alone or its combination with other interventions has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI and MDRO (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38~0.92). Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals that 2% chlorhexidine bathing significantly reduces the incidence of HAI and MDRO in intensive care units. The effect of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on pediatric patients or patients at general wards should be further assessed as a cost-effective intervention for infection control.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.113-136
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to develop meta evaluating indicators for Defense R&D Programs in Korea. At first, the four components of this meta evaluation model were designed, which are evaluation context, evaluation input, evaluation process, evaluation output. And fifty two indicators were developed for this meta evaluation. Basic model of meta evaluation was derived from the literature review and brain storming. And this meta evaluation model was determined by adapting the result of experts who performed evaluations for Defense R&D Programs in recent years. Factor Analysis method was used to verify the validity of meta evaluation model. The survey of fifty three members turned out that Cronbach' ${\alpha}$ was over 0.6 in evaluation components and items. And the reliability of evaluation context was 0.877, that of evaluation input was 0.755, that of evaluation process was 0.755, that of evaluation output was 0.755 respectively. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used in assigning the evaluation weight. The survey of twenty two members showed that the Consistency Ratio was 0.09 in evaluation components and items.