• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy for knee meniscus injuries. Methods We searched seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CAJ, Wanfang, RISS, ScienceON, and OASIS) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the keywords "manual therapy OR chuna OR tuina" and "meniscus injury." Results Eleven RCTs were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and all studies were conducted in China. Five studies were meta-analyzed. The systematic review revealed a positive effect of manual therapy for knee meniscus injury. Low risk of selection, attrition, and reporting bias were demonstrated in all studies. Ten studies had a high risk of performance bias. Conclusions The systematic review reported favorable results using manual therapy for knee meniscus injury. However, this study has several limitations because of the high risk of bias. Further clinical studies and reviews with higher levels of evidence are warranted.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.231-238
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• 2023

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare endoscopy as primary versus secondary prophylaxis to prevent future bleeding in children with esophageal varices. Methods: A systematic literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method was conducted using the Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for relevant studies on the outcome of rebleeding events after endoscopy in primary prophylaxis compared to that in secondary prophylaxis. The following keywords were used: esophageal varices, children, endoscopy, primary prophylaxis and bleeding. The quality of eligible articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and statistically analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: A total of 174 children were included from four eligible articles. All four studies were considered of high-quality based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Patients who received primary prophylaxis had 79% lower odds of bleeding than those who received secondary prophylaxis (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.66; I²=0%, p=0.008). Patients in the primary prophylaxis group underwent fewer endoscopic procedures to eradicate varices than those in the secondary prophylaxis group, with a mean difference of 1.73 (95% CI, 0.91-2.56; I²=62%, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Children with high-risk varices who underwent primary prophylaxis were less likely to experience future bleeding episodes and required fewer endoscopic procedures to eradicate the varices than children who underwent secondary prophylaxis.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.26.1-26.15
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the cryopreservation process of dental pulp mesenchymal stromal cells and whether cryopreservation is effective in promoting cell viability and recovery. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and the research question was determined using the population, exposure, comparison, and outcomes strategy. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, LILACS, and SciELO databases and in the gray literature (dissertations and thesis databases and Google Scholar) for relevant articles published up to March 2019. Clinical trial studies performed with dental pulp of human permanent or primary teeth, containing concrete information regarding the cryopreservation stages, and with cryopreservation performed for a period of at least 1 week were included in this study. Results: The search strategy resulted in the retrieval of 185 publications. After the application of the eligibility criteria, 21 articles were selected for a qualitative analysis. Conclusions: The cryopreservation process must be carried out in 6 stages: tooth disinfection, pulp extraction, cell isolation, cell proliferation, cryopreservation, and thawing. In addition, it can be inferred that the use of dimethyl sulfoxide, programmable freezing, and storage in liquid nitrogen are associated with a high rate of cell viability after thawing and a high rate of cell proliferation in both primary and permanent teeth.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.48.1-48.11
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• 2020

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify mean oxygen saturation values (SpO₂) using pulse oximetry in permanent maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: The MEDLINE, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde electronic databases were searched. Combinations and variations of "oximetry" AND "dental pulp test" were used as search terms. Studies reporting means and standard deviations of SpO₂ values were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and all analyses were performed using R software. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Of the 251 studies identified, 19 met the eligibility criteria and were included (total sample, 4,541 teeth). In the meta-analysis, the mean SpO₂ values were 84.94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.85%-85.04%) for the central incisors, 89.29% (95% CI, 89.22%-89.35%) for the lateral incisors, and 89.20% (95% CI, 89.05%-89.34%) for the canines. The studies were predominantly low-quality due to the high risk of bias associated with the index test, unclear risk regarding patient selection, and concerns about outcome assessment. Conclusions: Although most studies were low-quality, the oxygen saturation levels in normal pulp could be established (minimum saturation, 77.52%). Despite the risk of bias of the included studies, the reference values reported herein are clinically relevant for assessments of changes in pulp status.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.11.1-11.17
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• 2023

Background: Studies on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have presented inconsistent results. Definition of CKD has changed in 2012, and other cohort studies have been newly published. Therefore, this study aimed to newly confirm the relationship between organic solvent exposure and CKD through an updated meta-analysis including additional studies. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted on January 2, 2023 using Embase and MEDLINE databases. Case-control and cohort studies on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and CKD were included. Two authors independently reviewed full-text. Results: Of 5,109 studies identified, a total of 19 studies (control studies: 14 and cohort studies: 5) were finally included in our meta-analysis. The pooled risk of CKD in the organic solvent exposed group was 2.44 (1.72-3.47). The risk of a low-level exposure group was 1.07 (0.77-1.49). The total risk of a high-level exposure group was 2.44 (1.19-5.00). The risk of glomerulonephritis was 2.69 (1.18-6.11). The risk was 1.46 (1.29-1.64) for worsening of renal function. The pooled risk was 2.41 (1.57-3.70) in case-control studies and 2.51 (1.34-4.70) in cohort studies. The risk of subgroup classified as 'good' by the Newcastle Ottawa scale score was 1.93 (1.43-2.61). Conclusions: This study confirmed that the risk of CKD was significantly increased in workers exposed to mixed organic solvents. Further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms and thresholds. Surveillance for kidney damage in the group exposed to high levels of organic solvents should be conducted.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2024

Background/Aims: There may be many predictors of anticoagulation-related gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), but until now, systematic reviews and assessments of the certainty of the evidence have not been published. We conducted a systematic review to identify all risk factors for anticoagulant-associated GIB to inform risk prediction in the management of anticoagulation-related GIB. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to search PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (from inception through January 21, 2022) using the following search terms: anticoagulants, heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, DOACs, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, risk factors. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies of risk factors for anticoagulation-related GIB were identified. Risk factors for anticoagulant-associated GIB were used as the outcome index of this review. Results: We included 34 studies in our analysis. For anticoagulant-associated GIB, moderate-certainty evidence showed a probable association with older age, kidney disease, concomitant use of aspirin, concomitant use of the antiplatelet agent, heart failure, myocardial infarction, hematochezia, renal failure, coronary artery disease, helicobacter pylori infection, social risk factors, alcohol use, smoking, anemia, history of sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, international normalized ratio (INR), obesity et al. Some of these factors are not included in current GIB risk prediction models. such as anemia, co-administration of gemfibrozil, co-administration of verapamil or diltiazem, INR, heart failure, myocardial infarction, etc. Conclusions: The study found that anemia, co-administration of gemfibrozil, co-administration of verapamil or diltiazem, INR, heart failure, myocardial infarction et al. were associated with anticoagulation-related GIB, and these factors were not in the existing prediction models. This study informs risk prediction for anticoagulant-associated GIB, it also informs guidelines for GIB prevention and future research.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2022

In patients with neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases (NETLMs), complete resection of both the primary and liver metastases is a potentially curative option. When complete resection is not possible, debulking of the tumour burden has been proposed to prolong survival. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of curative surgery (R0-R1) and debulking surgery (R2) on overall survival (OS) in NETLMs. For the subgroup of R2 resections, outcomes were compared by the degree of hepatic debulking (≥ 90% or ≥ 70%). A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for each study and pooled using a random-effects inverse-variance meta-analysis model. Of 538 articles retrieved, 11 studies (1,729 patients) reported comparisons between curative and debulking surgeries. After pooling these studies, OS was found to be significantly shorter in debulking resections, with an HR of 3.49 (95% confidence interval, 2.70-4.51; p < 0.001). Five studies (654 patients) compared outcomes between ≥ 90% and ≥ 70% hepatic debulking approaches. Whilst these studies reported a tendency for OS and progression-free survival to be shorter in those with a lower degree of debulking, they did not report sufficient data for this to be assessed in a formal meta-analysis. In patients with NETLM, OS following surgical resection is the best to achieve R0-R1 resection. There is also evidence for a progressive reduction in survival benefit with lesser debulking of tumour load.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2024

PURPOSE. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) with surveyed crowns, also known as implant-crown-retained removable partial dentures (ICRPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Electronic searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Web of Science, and the Korea Citation Index were performed according to the established search terms for ICRPD. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English or Korean until September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS. A total of 216 journals were searched, and 31 eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. One systematic review included five case reports of ICRPD. Nine retrospective studies evaluated implant survival/success rate, implant failure cases, marginal bone loss, periodontal status, clinical complications, and patient satisfaction. Twenty-one case reports published in Korea showed good prognoses. CONCLUSION. According to the findings of this systematic review, ICRPD has a reasonable survival/success rate, minimal bone loss, and high patient satisfaction.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.181-191
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• 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among reproductive-age women. As a leading cause of anovulatory infertility, it complicates fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. The widely accepted 2003 Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS include sub-phenotypes based on variations in androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. In this systematic review, we examined the impacts of inositol and vitamin D on fertility in PCOS. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, we used relevant keywords to comprehensively search databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and MDPI. From an initial pool of 345 articles, 10 met the inclusion criteria. The articles suggest that vitamin D and inositol, particularly myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, may represent therapeutic options for PCOS. Vitamin D influences ovarian follicular development, glucose regulation, and insulin sensitivity. When combined with metformin therapy, it is associated with improved menstrual regularity and ovulation. Inositol is crucial for cellular signaling, energy metabolism, glucose regulation, and fertility. This systematic review underscores the importance of investigating inositol and vitamin D within a PCOS management strategy, given the disorder's prevalence and impacts on fertility and metabolic health. Although these agents show promise, additional research could clarify their mechanisms of action and therapeutic benefits. This review emphasizes the need for exploration of effective treatments to improve the quality of life among individuals with PCOS. Inositol and vitamin D represent potential options, but more studies are required to elucidate their roles in the management of this condition.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.595-607
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• 2021

Purpose: This study introduces a systematic framework to evaluate service satisfaction of cosmetic brands through online review analysis utilizing Text-Mining technique. Methods: The framework assumes that the service satisfaction is evaluated by positive comments from online reviews. That is, the service satisfaction of a cosmetic brand is evaluated higher as more positive opinions are commented in the online reviews. This study focuses on two approaches. First, it collects online review comments from the top 50 global cosmetic brands and evaluates customer service satisfaction for each cosmetic brands by applying Sentimental Analysis and Latent Dirichlet Allocation. Second, it analyzes the determinants that induce or influence service satisfaction and suggests the guidelines for cosmetic brands with low satisfaction to improve their service satisfaction. Results: For the satisfaction evaluation, online review data were extracted from the top 50 global cosmetic brands in the world based on 2018 sales announced by Brand Finance in the UK. As a result of the satisfaction analysis, it was found that overall there were more positive opinions than negative opinions and the averages for polarity, subjectivity, positive ratio, and negative ratio were calculated as 0.50, 0.76, 0.57, and 0.19, respectively. Polarity, subjectivity and positive ratio showed the opposite pattern to negative ratio, and although there was a slight difference in fluctuation range and ranking between them, the patterns are almost same. Conclusion: The usefulness of the proposed framework was verified through case study. Although some studies have suggested a method to analyze online reviews, they didn't deal with the satisfaction evaluation among competitors and cause analysis. This study is different from previous studies in that it evaluates service satisfaction from a relative point of view among cosmetic brands and analyze determinants.