Chinese Science Research Articles

Comprehensive clinical scale-based machine learning model for predicting subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation outcomes in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a growing burden with varied clinical manifestations and responses to Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (STN-DBS). At present, there is no effective and simple machine learning model based on comprehensive clinical scales to predict the improvement in motor symptoms of PD treated with DBS. A total of 647 PD patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were enrolled retrospectively. LightGBM machine learning algorithm was used for modeling, and 123 PD patients from Qingdao Municipal Hospital were used as external data to verify the effectiveness of the model. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number of ChiCTR2300073955. The LightGBM model outperformed others, demonstrating an internal test set AUC of 0.874 (95%CI [0.822-0.927]) and an average AUC of 0.921 ± 0.03 during cross-validation. The external validation yielded an AUC of 0.769 (95% CI[0.685-0.853]). Key predictive variables identified include MMSE scores, HAMA scores, years of education, medication improvement rate, and preoperative UPDRS scores. The results indicate that the LightGBM model based on the top seven influencing factors is a promising tool for predicting the improvement in motor symptoms of PD after 1 year of STN-DBS.

A Computational Study of the Tool Replacement Problem

In the Tool Replacement Problem (TRP) for the given sequence of jobs, we consider a discretized interval where each point in time corresponds to a specific job and its collection of tools sufficient to complete that job. A passive interval w.r.t. a specific tool is an interval where that tool is not used at any point within that interval but is used at the boundary points in time. The TRP aims to find a loading schedule of tools (tool switches) that minimizes the total number of tool loadings in the magazine. Based on the concept of a passive interval, we introduce our reformulation of the TRP as follows. The minimum total number of tool loadings (switches) in the TRP is equal to the difference between the total number of tools for all scheduled jobs with tool repetitions and the maximum total number of passive intervals. We solve the TRP to optimality by designing and implementing two algorithms: one for finding the optimal objective function value (Insertion Greedy Algorithm (IGA)) and the other (To Full Magazine (ToFullMag) algorithm) for finding an optimal solution, that is, an optimal sequence of tool loadings. We apply our reformulation of the TRP to design the IGAfull algorithm starting with IGA and continuing with ToFullMag. The IGAfull achieves the best possible running time and thus settles the computational complexity of TRP. We prove that IGAfull outperforms the most popular Keep Tool Needed Soonest (KTNS) algorithm by at least an order of magnitude in terms of CPU time. Moreover, after replacing the KTNS algorithm by IGAfull within the state-of-the-art Hybrid Genetic Searches heuristic for solving the job Scheduling and tool Switching Problem (SSP), our computational study shows the reduction of CPU times by at least an order of magnitude for medium- and large-scale SSP data sets. History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Discrete. Funding: The research of Y. Qiu and P. M. Pardalos is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72371135], the National Foreign Expert Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China [Grant G2021014038L], and the Key Project from Jiangsu Social Science Foundation [Grant 23GLA001]. M. Cherniavskii and B. Goldengorin were supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Goszadaniye), Project No. FSMG-2024-0025. The work of P. M. Pardalos was conducted within the framework of the Basic Research Program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). The article was prepared within the framework of the project “Scientific and Educational Mathematical Center, North-West Center for Mathematical Research named after Sofia Kovalevskaya”, 2025. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0474 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0474 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .

Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated by Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Aims/Background Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitor that functions to lower blood sugar by promoting glucose excretion. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the therapeutic efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease. The objective of this analysis is to provide additional clarity on dapagliflozin's effectiveness in this specific patient population. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Wip Chinese Science, Technology Journals, China Biomedicine, Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Related literature regarding the effectiveness of dapagliflozin, published since the inception of databases until October 2023, was searched and selected. Subsequent to the screening process, the Jadad scale was used to assess the quality of the gathered literature. The NoteExpress3.2 software (Beijing Aegean Music Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) was utilized to manage the literature. Statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan5.4.1 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK). The p-value of the Q test determined the heterogeneity of the studies, guiding the choice between fixed or random effect models for establishing the combined effect. Forest plots were used to visualize dapagliflozin's efficacy in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. A funnel plot was plotted to assess potential publication bias. Results Twenty-three studies were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that dapagliflozin has better clinical efficacy (odds ratio [OR] = 3.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.59 to 5.82), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR = 5.43, 95% CI 4.02 to 6.84). The values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were lower in the experimental group (OR: -4.03 and -84.65, 95% CI -5.08 to -2.98 and -127.05 to -42.25, respectively). In addition, further analysis showed that the experimental group experienced a lower incidence of adverse reactions (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.57). Conclusion Dapagliflozin is more effective in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease.

Values, motivation, and physical activity among Chinese sport sciences students.

Different studies have shown that values and motivation predict physical activity, but no study has tested how values and motivation may interact to predict physical activity. Specifically, the present research aimed to test how values and motivation toward physical activity measured within the SDT could predict global physical activity among Chinese sports science students. The indirect effects of openness to change and self-transcendence values on predicting physical activity through autonomous motivation were significant. These results help us understand how highly abstract psychological constructs such as values may influence physical activity through motivation. Studying values combined with motivation may help better understand the factors that motivate or inhibit physical activity.

Adult family members’ roles in mediating children’s visits at a Chinese science museum

Adult family members’ roles in mediating children’s visits at a Chinese science museum

Comparative effectiveness and safety of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate as treatment options for preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesPreterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective use of tocolytic agents may improve perinatal outcomes. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and...

Acupuncture treatment of postoperative urinary retention in cervical cancer: Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment of postoperative urinary retention after cervical cancer using meta-analysis. Computer searches were performed on 8 common Chinese and English databases such as PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang (Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform), VIP (China Science and Technology Journal Database), China Biomedical Literature Database and Cochrane Library, as well as Clinical Trials for the treatment of urinary retention after cervical cancer with acupuncture. A randomized controlled trial of postoperative urinary retention after cervical cancer from the time of library construction to 01/2024. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Meta-analysis and risk of bias analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4, regression and sensitivity analyses were performed using Stata 17.0. A total of 31 randomized controlled trials with 2179 patients were included in the study. Interventions included filiform needling, embedding needle, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, warm acupuncture, etc. The results showed that acupuncture treatment increased clinical efficiency [relative risk = 1.32, 95% confidence intervals [CI] (1.20, 1.45), P < .00001], reduced residual urine volume [standardized mean difference = -3.21, 95% CI (-4.00, -0.40), P < .00001], and shortened the time to return to spontaneous urination [MD = -1.96, 95% CI (-3.02, -0.91), P = .0003] and indwelling catheter time [mean difference (MD) = -3.76, 95% CI (-5.66, -1.86), P = .0001], and improved maximum urine flow rate [MD = 4.57, 95% CI (0.70, 8.44), P = .02] and bladder compliance [MD = 10.04, 95% CI (8.14, 11.93), P < .00001]. Acupuncture treatment promotes recovery in patients with postoperative urinary retention after cervical cancer, but high-quality studies need to be included to further compare different acupuncture interventions.

Construction of an imaging diagnostic model based on computed tomograph signs for peripheral small cell lung cancer.

To construct an imaging diagnostic model for peripheral small cell lung cancer (pSCLC) with a diameter of ≤ 3cm to improve differential diagnostic efficiency. As a retrospective study, patients with pathologically confirmed lung cancer with tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm who were treated at the Guang'anmen Hospital South Campus, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2018 to May 2024 were retrospectively selected. All patients underwent computer tomography (CT) imaging. Patients with pSCLC (n=38) were identified first and then matched them to patients with peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (pNSCLC) (n=114) during the same period in a 1:3 ratio. Predictive factors of pSCLC were identified by logistic regression analysis, and a predictive model was constructed. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that male gender, smooth edges, less spiculation sign, less air bronchogram sign, and lymph node enlargement are independent predictive factors for pSCLC. A predictive model that combines the above five predictive factors has high diagnostic efficacy for pSCLC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis results showed the area under the curve AUC of 0.842 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.759~0.925), with a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 78.1%. Male sex, smooth edges, less spiculation and air bronchogram signs, and lymph node enlargement identified by the CT scan were shown as independent predictive factors for pSCLC. Combining the above features has a high diagnostic efficacy for pSCLC.

Knowledge attitude and practice of patients with allergic conjunctivitis towards their disease

Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular allergic condition. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding allergic conjunctivitis among patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from March to June 2024. Patients completed an online self-designed questionnaire to gather demographic data and KAP scores, which were compared across demographics. Correlations among KAP scores were analyzed, and factors influencing practices were explored using multivariate logistic regression. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to validate the KAP hypothesis. A total of 482 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a validity rate of 93.77%. Among the respondents, 329 (68.26%) were female. The mean scores were 11.48 ± 6.90 (knowledge), 29.70 ± 4.33 (attitude), and 31.09 ± 8.71 (practice). Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.214, P < 0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.352, P < 0.001), and attitude and practice (r = 0.303, P < 0.001). SEM indicated that knowledge directly influenced attitude and, in turn, influenced practice. The study highlights a knowledge gap about allergic conjunctivitis, indicating a need for targeted educational interventions to improve attitudes and practices.

Efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the therapeutic effect of tDCS on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease. From the start of the library's construction until June 24, 2024, we searched the following databases for literature: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). We also looked through the references in the articles. The improvement of overall cognition in patients with Parkinson's disease with tDCS was the primary outcome indicator. The improvement of executive function, memory, attention, language, quality of life, and depression with tDCS were the secondary outcome indicators. Two researchers extracted data independently, with a third researcher mediating in the event of a dispute. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. A total of 23 articles encompassing 874 subjects were included. tDCS has shown significant efficacy on overall cognition (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.89, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001), particularly in the areas of executive function (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI = -0.56 to -0.07, I2 = 0%, P = 0.01) and language function (SMD = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.8, I2 = 0%, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the clinical efficacy of tDCS was enhanced with a stimulation intensity of 2 mA (SMD = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.93, I2 = 7%, P < 0.00001), a stimulation duration of ≥25 min (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.49 to 0.91, I2 = 6%, P < 0.00001), and a minimum of 10 stimulation sessions (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.92, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001). Furthermore, tDCS has shown efficacy in alleviating depressive mood (SMD = -0.46, 95% CI = -0.79 to -0.13, I2 = 0%, P = 0.006). tDCS demonstrated substantial efficacy in enhancing overall cognition in patients with PD. The efficacy of tDCS was obvious in executive function, language, and depressive mood. Nonetheless, a substantial quantity of rigorous clinical trials on tDCS for cognitive function in patients with PD remains necessary in the future.

Safety and outcomes of gasless transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer

PurposeEntirely endoscopic surgery via an oral approach is a novel surgical procedure that results in favorable cosmetic outcomes for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. However, technical constraints have limited the utilization of a single approach for neck lymph node dissection. The aim of this study was to report the safety and outcomes of a novel gasless transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and lateral neck dissection (LND) procedure for papillary thyroid cancer patients with lateral lymph node metastases.MethodsThis study reported a newly designed suspension system and trocars for a novel surgical procedure of gasless transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and LND. Patients who underwent gasless transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and LND at the Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, between January 2022 and December 2023 were included. This study documented the demographic information, operative details, postoperative outcomes, and rates of postoperative complications among the patients included in the analysis.ResultsA total of 43 PTC patients, including 6 male patients and 37 female patients with an average age of 30.53 years, were included in the study. The average number of examined lymph nodes was 33.81, including an average of 5.21 examined lymph nodes at level II. The mean operative time was 293.05 min, with an average postoperative hospital stay of 5.21 days. One patient had a history of chyle leakage, three had transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and four experienced transient hypoparathyroidism after surgery.ConclusionOur innovative design of gasless transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and LND surgery prevents incisional scars and shows promising safety and outcomes in papillary thyroid cancer patients with lateral lymph node metastases. This entirely endoscopic approach represents a viable alternative surgical option for selected cases.

Catalysis Science in China: From Traditional Techniques to Modern Innovations

ABSTRACTAs a recipient and learner of modern sciences, China has made significant strides in catalysis research and application over the past century and a half. Starting in the late Qing Dynasty, the country started to accumulate extensive experience in employing catalytic technologies to produce essential materials such as sulfuric acid and synthetic ammonia, which were mainly shipped into China from abroad in the past. The product list gradually expanded. In recent years, however, China has become one of the global leaders in modern catalysis research by establishing key concepts and theories, as well as developing cutting‐edge technologies in various fields, such as confinement catalysis, single‐atom catalysis, chiral catalysis, the Sabatier principle of metal‐support interaction, modern characterization methods, and clean energy catalysis.

Clinical Assessment of Common Medications for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

With a steadily rising prevalence, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was a leading global cause of liver-related health problems. In the clinical management of NAFLD, various western pharmaceuticals were widely utilized. This network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of common western medications for NAFLD patients. We systematically reviewed and screened articles based on predesigned criterion about western medications for NAFLD, which were from Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database until August 1, 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials of patients aged 18 or older with NAFLD, comparing Western medicines to placebos or other Western medicine treatments. The risk of bias assessment tool 2.0 from the Cochrane system was used to assess the quality of the included articles. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using WinBUGS 1.4.3 with a random-effects model and Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. Treatment rankings were based on Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) values, and heterogeneity was assessed with I2 and Q statistics. The outcomes were analyzed in WinBUGS and visualized using Stata 14.0, generating network plots and cumulative probability rankings to compare treatment effects. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024509176). Based on 37 included articles involving 7673 patients, pioglitazone demonstrated the most significant effects in resolving nonalcoholic steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis, increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and achieving a ≥ 2-point reduction in NAFLD activity scores (odds ratio [OR] = 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01 to 0.81), with a SUCRA probability of 91.4%. Aldafermin showed remarkable effects in improving liver function markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, with cumulative probabilities of 90% for ALT and 69.8% for AST. Cluster analysis revealed that Resmetirom and Aldafermin were superior options for enhancing liver function, while pioglitazone emerged as the best treatment for the comprehensive improvement of NAFLD. Pioglitazone outperformed other western medicines in terms of overall efficacy when treating NAFLD, but Aldafermin and Resmetirom showed superior improvement in liver function. This study provided a certain level of support for the use of specific clinical medications.

Safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide laser therapy for vocal cord leukoplakia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Vocal cord leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion for which early surgical intervention following ineffective conservative treatment is the predominant approach. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment is a novel, minimally invasive therapy. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that CO2 laser treatment is superior to conventional surgical methods in terms of efficacy and safety. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CO2 laser treatment vs conventional surgical treatment for vocal cord leukoplakia. A literature search was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across 8 databases. Studies on the use of carbon dioxide laser therapy for vocal cord leukoplakia were included in the review. Two researchers conducted a systematic search for randomized controlled trials in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature databases. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18.0, and RevMan 5.2 software. The findings indicated that Compared with conventional surgery, CO2 laser surgery significantly reduced the recurrence rate of vocal cord leukoplakia (odds ratio [OR] = 0.25, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.12, 0.51]). CO2 laser surgery significantly improved the cure rate of vocal cord leukoplakia (OR = 3.07, 95% CI [1.17, 8.09]). Voice quality following CO2 laser surgery was significantly superior to that following conventional surgery, particularly in terms of fundamental frequency disturbance (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.8, 95% CI [-1.25, -0.34]) and amplitude disturbance (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI [-0.95, -0.09]). The CO2 laser group exhibited a lower incidence of postoperative adverse reactions (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.03, 3.19]); however, this difference was not statistically significant. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that CO2 laser surgery can reduce the recurrence rate of vocal cord leukoplakia, improve the cure rate, and enhance voice quality. Therefore, CO2 laser surgery is recommended as a minimally invasive surgical approach for vocal cord leukoplakia.

The Role of China-Pakistan Relations in the Global Tech Competition, Especially in Areas like 5G, AI, and Cybersecurity

This study reviews the increasing technological cooperation between China and Pakistan with a focus on influence in their cooperation within 5G, AI, and cybersecurity domains and examines their implications against the background of global tech competition. It will underscore, through systematic literature review, both opportunities and challenges presented by such cooperation. China's technology investment, especially in companies such as Huawei, has significantly pushed the digitization of the infrastructure of the country, which improves the telecommunication network of that country and gives it a prime position in terms of being among the first of the world with 5G and AI technologies. These developments are considered significant for Pakistan in terms of accelerating economic growth of the country. However, this review does depict some major concerns over the issue of digital sovereignty and national security risks associated with this investment. Increasing dependence of Pakistan on the Chinese technology could make it prone to potential security threats, which might include breaches in data security, cyber-attacks, and risks of surveillance. All these threats can undermine Pakistan's sovereignty and control over its critical infrastructure. Moreover, geopolitical effects of this relationship are widespread, as close alliance with China will impact the relation of Pakistan with Western powers and regional neighbors especially India. Diversifying and intensifying the competition at the world level of technology is faced by Pakistan when it balances apparent economic advantages from Chinese investment against the risk of long-term dependence on a single technological partner. The conclusion is that Sino-Pakistani technological cooperation, although offering substantial developmental opportunities, needs careful strategic management to mitigate security, sovereignty, and geopolitical dynamics-related risks. The future studies should include the directions about how Pakistan should diversify its technological partnerships, increase a more independent technological ecosystem, and better secure national interests as the competitive advantage in the global technological landscape continues to expand.

Prevalence and recurrence rates of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with diffuse cystic lung diseases in China

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence and recurrence rates of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in patients with diffuse cystic lung diseases (DCLDs).MethodsWe retrospectively identified and analyzed medical records of patients with DCLDs encountered at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from Jan 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023.ResultsA total of 289 patients were identified with DCLDs; 212 females and 77 males, with a median age of 48 years (range, 18–81 years). Among them, 89 (31%) patients had experienced SP; 59% among 115 patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD), 34% of 41 patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM, all women), 36% of 11 patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH), none of 57 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome-associated diffuse cystic lung disease (SS-DCLD), and 5% of 65 patients with no identifiable underlying disease (χ² = 90.585, P < 0.001). The overall recurrence rate of SP was higher with observation or chest tube placement strategy compared to surgical intervention, 59% vs. 11% (P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.1, -0.4]), respectively. The recurrence rate after surgical management was significantly lower compared to conservative management in patients with BHD (10% vs. 69%, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.1, 0.3]) and LAM (20% vs. 57%, P = 0.322, 95% CI [0.1, 2.1]). Among patients with BHD, LAM, and PLCH, those who had pneumothorax as the initial presentation were diagnosed of their underlying disease at a significantly younger age (42.2 ± 13.0 years) compared to those without pneumothorax (48.1 ± 11.8 years) (P = 0.032, 95% CI [-8.24, -0.36]). Notably, eight of LAM patients who were treated with sirolimus after the initial SP did not experience recurrence of SP.ConclusionThe risk of SP secondary to DCLDs was highest in patients with BHD, followed by those with PLCH and LAM. It was extremely low in SS-DCLD. Pneumothorax as the initial presentation often facilitated diagnosis of the underlying disease. Surgical treatment was associated with a lower recurrence rate of SP compared to nonsurgical management. In addition, sirolimus therapy may reduce the risk of pneumothorax recurrence in patients with LAM.

The influence of narrative pedagogy on academic achievement and humanistic care ability of Chinese nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The influence of narrative pedagogy on academic achievement and humanistic care ability of Chinese nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Potential neural mechanisms of acupuncture therapy on migraine: a systematic review and activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis update.

Migraine is a common, disabling, chronic headache disorder. Acupuncture is one of the effective complementary therapies for migraine. However, the neural mechanisms of acupuncture on migraine remain unclear. With the increased number of neuroimaging studies of acupuncture for migraine in recent years, there is an urgent need to update the data for pooled analyses. This study aimed to comprehensively summarize the relevant literature, identify brain regions with significant changes in brain activity after acupuncture, and explore the potential neural mechanisms of acupuncture on migraine. A search was conducted by two independent researchers for neuroimaging studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) on the effects of acupuncture on migraine up to October 2023 in the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed). Observational studies and clinical trials in Chinese or English were included; abstracts and studies without peer review were excluded. Brain regions with increased or decreased activity in the true acupuncture (TA) and sham acupuncture (SA) groups were pooled. A meta-analysis was performed using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) algorithm. Fail-safe N (FSN) analysis was performed for publication bias and jackknife analysis was implemented for sensitivity analysis. The ALE meta-analysis included 15 peer-reviewed functional brain imaging studies with 514 migraine patients (401 female; mean age 32.38 years) and 163 healthy controls (130 female; mean age 27.28 years). A total of 12 studies scored 18 and above on the quality assessment (out of a total of 20). The results showed two increased activity clusters (the left pons and posterior insula) and four decreased activity clusters [the left cerebellum, temporal lobe, and right precuneus (two clusters)] after TA relative to baseline (P<0.001 uncorrected, volume >100 mm3). We also identified five clusters of increased and seven clusters of decreased activity of SA relative to the baseline, and no overlap regions were found between the TA and SA groups (P<0.001 uncorrected, volume >100 mm3). The results showed high replicability and reliability. Acupuncture for migraine is a complex but targeted neuromodulation process, different from the random, nonspecific effects of SA. Emotional processing and sensitization reduction may be critical neurofunctional mechanisms of acupuncture. More high-quality randomized controlled studies are needed to validate the results.

Association Between Frailty and Mortality, Falls and Hospitalisation Among Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Frailty is a risk factor for adverse events in older individuals; however, it has not been fully verified in patients undergoing dialysis. Our aim was to verify the association between frailty and adverse outcomes consisting of mortality, falls and hospitalisation among patients undergoing dialysis by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple internet databases, were searched from the establishment of each database to April 2022, including the PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane, CNKI, WanFang and China Science and Technology Journal (VIP) databases. Cohort studies exploring the association between frailty and adverse outcomes among patients undergoing dialysis were analysed. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. A random effects model was used to pool the effect size, and comprehensive analyses consisting of subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were assessed. The search initially identified 2744 studies from six databases. After the screening, 26 studies including 14,089 patients with dialysis aged 44.95-78.10 years were included in the final analysis, all of which were observational cohort studies. The pooled results showed that frailty was a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes (mortality, falls and hospitalisation) among the patients. Therefore, dialysis patients should be screened for early frailty and appropriate interventions should be implemented to improve adverse outcomes.

Concomitant virus infection increases mortality and worsens outcome of acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Concomitant virus infection increases mortality and worsens outcome of acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.