Fixed-effects Model Research Articles

Comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy of serratus anterior plane block with different types of blocks for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: The study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of single-shot serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with other regional block techniques. Methods: In this meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials published in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalKey, and PROSPERO electronic databases between March 24, 2014 and March 24, 2024 comparing the analgesic efficacy of SABP with other regional blocks in adult patients undergoing VATS were reviewed. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials consisting of a total of 537 participants (287 males, 250 females; mean age: 55.2±13.1 years) were included in this meta-analysis. Serratus anterior plane block was compared with erector spinae plane block (ESPB), local infiltration anesthesia (LIA), and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB). The postoperative 24-h cumulative opioid consumption was statistically significantly higher in SAPB than in ESPB (standardized mean difference [SMD]=1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 to 3.73; Z=2.22; p=0.03; I2 =97%; random effects model) and TPVB (SMD=0.63; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.96; Z=3.84; p<0.001; I2 =0%; fixed effects model) and lower than in LIA (SMD=–1.77; 95% CI, –2.24 to –1.30; Z=7.41; p<0.001; I2 =0%; fixed effects model). Active pain scores 2 h postoperatively were statistically significantly lower in SAPB than in LIA (SMD=–2.90; 95% CI, –5.29 to –0.50; Z=2.37; p=0.02; I2 =93%; random-effects model). At 12 h postoperatively, both passive pain scores (SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.66; Z=2.41; p=0.02; I2 =0%; fixed effects model) and active pain scores (SMD=0.55; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.85; Z=3.60; p<0.001; I2 =0%; fixed effects model) were statistically significantly lower in ESBP than in SAPB. There was no difference between SAPB and the other groups in terms of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: After a comprehensive evaluation of postoperative analgesic effects, it appears that ESBP and TPVB may be better than SABP, and SABP may be better than LIA for analgesia of patients undergoing VATS. Further studies are required to determine the optimal regional analgesia technique in VATS.

Effectiveness of Threshold-Pressure Inspiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Children and Adolescents with Asthma.

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of TIMT on pulmonary function in children and adolescents with asthma. We searched for randomized controlled clinical trials in the MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, Sino Med, Wan fang, CNKI, and VIP until March 2024. In addition, the references included in the literature and the relevant systematic evaluation were manually traced in order to avoid the omission of any relevant literature. These trials compared TIMT against blank TIMT and conventional care. Eligible studies were assessed in terms of risk of bias and quality of evidence using RoB II tool. Where feasible, data were pooled and subjected to meta-analysis. The mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by fixed effect models or random effect models. Six studies were included in the present meta-analysis involving 337 children and adolescents ranged from 4 to 18 years. The meta-analysis showed that TIMT could significantly improve lung function. Compared to the control group, TIMT can significantly improve FEV1 (MD 4.63 mL, 95% CI 2.64 to 6.62 mL, I2 = 4%), FVC (to the control group (MD 7.46 mL, 95% CI 5.09 to 9.82 mL, I2 = 0%), FEV1/FVC (MD 7.33%, 95% CI: 5.01 to 9.65%) and ACT (MD 1.86, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.75 mL, I2 = 12%) of patients at the end of intervention. There was no significant heterogeneity in these meta-analyses. In conclusion, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the effectiveness of TIMT training in restoring lung function and relieving asthma symptoms of asthmatic children. More high-quality and RCTs with large sample size are urgently required to verify the conclusion.

Gender inequality in intergenerational contact after parental separation in the digital era

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this brief report is to analyze parent‐adult child contact frequency in intact and non‐intact families by focusing on parent and child gender and the type of contact.BackgroundParental separation increases gender differences in parent–child relationships, with separated fathers having less frequent contact with their adult children compared to separated mothers. We investigate whether the father–mother gap in post‐separation contact varies according to parent–child gender mismatch and the type of contact, that is, face‐to‐face, phone, or digital (e.g., via video calls).MethodWe use data on Italian families from the Family and Social Subjects survey to examine parent–child contact frequency among 6770 adult children aged 30–55 (11,041 parent–child dyads). We estimate random and fixed effects models on the probability of having frequent contact with biological parents in intact and non‐intact families (parental separation before age 18).ResultsFathers' reduced contact frequency compared to mothers is particularly evident with daughters, more pronounced in face‐to‐face and phone contact than in digital contact, and greater among younger daughters at the time of separation. Gender differences in phone and digital contact are larger for fathers who have also less frequent face‐to‐face contact compared to mothers.ConclusionWe interpret these findings by focusing on the centrality of mother–daughter ties and the loyalty that children have with the same‐gender parent. We also suggest that different types of contact reinforce gender differences between parents and may lead to a polarization of older parents with “strong” and “weak” family ties.

Value Relevance and Share Price Dynamics: An Empirical Analysis of Indian Multinational Corporations

The share price is one of the major aspects of taking financial decisions by the investors. This study has investigated the impact of value relevance on the share price of Indian multinational companies. In this study, the top 10 multinational corporations (MNCs) have been taken for the analysis of data from the financial year 2018–2019 to 2022–2023. However, share price has been considered a dependent variable, whereas earnings per share (EPS), book value per share (BVPS), price to book value (PB), price to earnings (PE) and assets turnover ratio (ATR) have been considered independent variables. By employing correlation, ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effect model (FEM), random effect model (REM), Hausman test and the Jarque–Bera test, data have been analysed and significant associations among the given variables have been found. The outcome of the study has revealed that there is a significant impact of value relevance on the share price of the MNCs in India, as the p value derived from the analysis is less than .05. This means that a statistically significant relationship exists between the variables considered in the study. JEL Codes: G10, M41, Y10

Nocturnal wearing of complete dentures and obstructive sleep apnea: A meta-analysis

Statement of Problem: Improvement in outcomes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could answer the question of whether nocturnal wearing of removable complete dentures is beneficial. Purpose: To evaluate the available literature that compares nocturnal wearing of removable complete dentures or overdentures in patients diagnosed with OSA on the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and other outcomes. Methods: Registration of the proposed protocol was done in an open-source registry. Databases (Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched until August 2024. All the reports were screened by reading the abstracts and full texts by two independent reviewers and conflicts were resolved by the third reviewer in Covidence. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment as per the Risk of Bias 1.0 tool (RoB 1.0) were done in Covidence. Mean difference and risk ratios were used as effect measures for continuous and dichotomous outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using a fixed effect model. The certainty of evidence was judged by the GRADE approach. Results: Out of 2428 available reports, three randomized controlled trials were included for statistical analyses involving a total of 123 participants. The pooled estimate for AHI showed no evidence of any difference with and without nocturnal wear of removable complete dentures (MD: 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94 to 6.70; 246 participants). No evidence of any difference was found for PSQI (MD: 0.20; 95% CI: -0.97 to 1.37; 138 participants) and for ESS (MD: 0.20; 95% CI: -1.60 to 1.20; 138 participants). Conclusion: The review found insufficient evidence to judge that nocturnal wearing of removable complete dentures was effective in patients with OSA measured by Apnea Hypopnea Index, PSQI, and Epworth sleepiness scale.

The impacts of China's shadow banking regulation on bank lending—An empirical analysis based on textual analysis and machine learning

China's financial regulatory authority has strengthened shadow banking regulation in recent years, the impact of which has attracted the attention of academics and policymakers. We develop China's shadow banking regulation intensity change index using textual analysis and machine learning methods and explore the impacts of the regulation on bank lending. Using a fixed effect model and a dataset of 177 commercial banks in China from 2007 to 2020, we find that strengthened shadow banking regulation results in shrinkage in bank loan scale and lower loan growth. Mechanism analysis reveals that the asset-reallocation motives and profit-seeking motives generated by banks faced with strengthening regulation lead to a decline in bank lending. The credit tightening effect mainly exists in joint-stock, city, and rural commercial banks while insignificant in state-owned banks. This effect can be moderated by ample capital, abundant deposits, and high loan issuance efficiency. Strengthened regulation also affects loan composition, with an increase in the proportion of corporate lending and a decrease in mortgage lending. Our results have novel implications for both regulators and banks and are robust to several tests.

The Effect of Murabahah, Mudharabah and Musharakah Financing on Profitability in Sharia Commercial Banks

Financing is an important activity for Islamic banks. Islamic banks, which have a function as an intermediary institution, are obliged to carry out operational activities effectively and efficiently in order to generate maximum profits. This study aims to determine the influence of Murabahah, Mudharabah, and Musharakah Financing on profitability in Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia. The analysis method used is the panel data regression method with the selected model being the Fixed Effect Model. The population in this study is all Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia registered with the FSA for the 2019-2021 period as many as 14 Islamic banks. The determination of the number of samples was carried out using the Purposive Sampling technique and was determined as many as 9 samples of Islamic banks. The results of the t-test show that partially Murabahah Financing and Musharakah Financing do not have a significant effect on profitability, while Mudharabah Financing has a negative and significant effect on profitability. The results of Test F show that simultaneously Murabahah, Mudharabah, and Musharakah Financing has a significant effect on profitability in Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia registered with the Financial Services Authority for the 2019-2021 period.

The Importance of Un Peacekeeping Mission Orientation and Personnel for Environmental Protection

abstract: UN peacekeeping is increasingly linked to social and economic outcomes other than the provision of security or peace. Peacekeepers can also be associated with improvements in environmental protection. The research discussed here advances theoretical arguments on peacekeepers’ orientation and personnel composition to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between peacekeepers and the environment. Through mandates or direct action on the ground, peacekeeping missions can have a green orientation that likely strengthens their commitment to environmental protection. Moreover, civilian personnel can help to develop the state capacity that is necessary to implement and enforce environmental regulations. The author analyzes peacekeeping deployments in post–Cold War Africa and uses fixed effects models and matching. The empirical analysis provides evidence that environmental mission orientation and more civilian personnel, than uniformed personnel, correlate with better local water quality. This research contributes to our knowledge on peacekeeping operations, and it adds to the literature on environmental politics and security studies.

Human Capital and Regional Budget Affect Economic Growth in East Nusa Tenggara Province

This study aims to analyze how much influence human capital and government budget have on economic growth in districts / cities in East Nusa Tenggara Province in 2012-2021. This study uses secondary data sourced from the Central Bureau of Statistics and uses panel data regression analysis method with the selected method is Fixed Effect Model (FEM) in analyzing this research. The results show the influence of human capital (life expectancy and average years of schooling) and government budget on economic growth. while the expectation of years of schooling has no significant effect. This study provides recommendations to the government in improving the quality of the system and public services, especially in education and health, as well as the government in using the budget must be more efficient and targeted in using the budget so as to increase economic growth. Then from the academic side and the community to better know the importance of human capital and government budgets in increasing economic growth.

STRATEGI BERSAING MEMODERASI INOVASI HIJAU, GROWTH OPTION DAN PUBLIC OWNERSHIP TERHADAP KINERJA KEBERLANJUTAN

Sustainability Performance Sustainability within a company in the form of reporting is an important step that can be taken towards corporate sustainability. Investors, regulators and other stakeholders are increasingly exploring their interest in developing sustainable reporting practices. The aim of this research is to analyze Competitive Strategies for Moderating Green Innovation, Growth Options and Public Ownership on Sustainability Performance in energy sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This research uses secondary data from annual reports and sustainability reports. This type of research is associative quantitative. The sample selection in this research used a purposive sampling method, namely selecting samples based on predetermined criteria. The number of samples in this research was 28 companies. The research sample consisted of 140 observations made at energy sector companies during the 2018-2022 period. Hypothesis testing in this research is the model chosen, namely the Fixed Effect Model. The results of this research show that Green Innovation has a positive effect on Sustainability Performance. Growth Options have a positive effect on Sustainability Performance. Public Ownership has no effect on Sustainability Performance. Competitive Strategy moderates and strengthens the relationship between Green Innovation and Sustainability Performance. Competitive Strategy moderates and weakens the relationship between Growth Options and Sustainability Performance. Competitive Strategy moderates and strengthens the relationship between Public Ownership and Sustainability Performance.

Effect of hydroxychloroquine on pregnancy outcome in patients with SLE: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial drug employed in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Prior studies reported inconsistent results regarding the association between HCQ use during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HCQ on pregnancy-related outcomes in women with SLE. We conducted a systematic search for studies associating pregnancy outcomes with HCQ use in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database and VIP from inception to 22 September 2022. Random or fixed effect models were used to estimate the pooled effect based on I2 measurement of heterogeneity. Twenty-one studies were included, encompassing 929 and 1031 patients in HCQ and non-HCQ groups, respectively. We found that HCQ use was significantly associated with reduced risks of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (second trimester: mean difference (MD) -1.80, 95% CI -2.46 to -1.13; third trimester: MD -2.30, 95% CI -3.31 to -1.29), flare (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.97), preterm birth (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.72), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.72), gestational hypertension (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.42), pre-eclampsia (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72). In contrast, a positive correlation was observed between full-term birth and HCQ use (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.65). However, the result for disease flare exhibited high heterogeneity (p=0.01, I2=59%). In addition, publication bias was detected in the meta-analysis of full-term birth using the Egger's test. This meta-analysis offers a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between disease activity, pregnancy-related outcomes and HCQ use, providing supportive evidence for the therapeutic effectiveness of HCQ in pregnant women with SLE. CRD42022374468.

Exploring the Relationship Between Environmental, Social, and Governance and Tax Avoidance Strategies

This study investigates how each environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimension relates to tax avoidance in well- and poorly governed firms. The analysis uses data from 2016 to 2020 on A-share companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges and three panel methodologies: pooled ordinary least squares, random effects, and fixed effects models. The results show that not all ESG dimensions are equally associated with tax avoidance, and the relationship between ESG and tax avoidance differs between well- and poorly governed firms. For well-governed firms, the social and governance dimensions positively correlate with tax avoidance, whereas the environmental dimension does not. For poorly governed firms, none of the three dimensions correlate with tax avoidance. These findings suggest that ESG and tax avoidance are more compatible than conflicting. Moreover, they underscore the importance of good corporate governance in enabling tax avoidance as an ESG-compatible strategy. This study addresses the debatable relationship between ESG and tax avoidance, which has significant implications for stakeholders, including managers, investors, and policymakers.

Effect of Acupuncture on Cognitive Function in Patients With Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To investigate the impact of acupuncture on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). PSCI is a major barrier to stroke patients' rehabilitation, and acupuncture is one of the treatments. However, the benefit of acupuncture on PSCI is unclear. A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Up to February 1, 2024, databases in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang Data were searched. The risk of bias was investigated using the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of treatments. Random-effect and fix-effect models were used to report the effects. There were 29 randomized clinical trials with 2477 participants included. The findings demonstrated that the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores were higher in the acupuncture group than medicine group (mean difference [MD]=1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) CI [1.26, 2.23], I2=59%, p<0.01). Compared to medicine group, the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) score exhibited a significant decrease and demonstrated improvement in the acupuncture group. Statistically significant outcomes were observed in the Barthel Index scores and P300 event-related potential (ERP). According to subgroup analysis, acupuncture was superior to conventional therapy for improving cognitive function in PSCI patients at 4 weeks after treatment. Acupuncture therapy has shown promise in ameliorating cognitive deficits and enhancing daily functional abilities in individuals diagnosed with PSCI. But future research should focus on the duration and implement large sample, high-quality RCTs. Clinical workers in practical clinical work can select appropriate acupoints according to the actual conditions of patients, as well as confirm the treatment course of PSCI patients, while paying attention to observing and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, to improve the health outcomes of patients in a patient-centered way.

The prognostic values of lymph node ratio for gynecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the lymph node ratio (LNR) and the prognostic values of gynecological cancer. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Central Cochrane Library were used to search for studies on LNR and gynecological cancer published before 18 April 2024. The effect measure for meta-analysis of primary outcomes was the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Pooled HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models. Sensitivity analysis was applied to evaluate the robustness of the results. The I 2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were chosen to illustrate the potential heterogeneity of the risk factors for outcomes. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test and Begg's funnel plots. A total of 34 studies with 23,202 cases were included in this meta-analysis. A meta-analysis found that higher LNR was associated with worse OS (HR = 2.42, 95% CI: 2.07-2.83; I 2 = 77.4%, p < 0.05), PFS (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.66-2.32; I 2 = 0.00%, p > 0.05), and DFS (HR = 3.18, 95% CI: 2.12-4.76; I 2 = 64.3%, p < 0.05). Moreover, meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the association between LNR and OS of cervical cancer (CC) (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.94-3.31; I 2 = 72.6%, p < 0.05), ovarian cancer (OC) (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.66-2.54; I 2 = 76.7%, p < 0.05), endometrial cancer (EC) (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.48-3.16; I 2 = 53.6%, p < 0.05), and vulvar cancer (VC) (HR = 8.13, 95% CI: 3.41-19.43; I 2 = 57.2%, p < 0.05). We observed a clear association between higher LNR and poorer prognosis in our study of patients with gynecological cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine the optimal LNR and whether LNR can guide adjuvant therapy use in gynecological cancer. It is essential to conduct further prospective studies to establish the optimal LNR threshold, determine the minimum threshold of lymph node removal, and investigate whether LNR can serve as a reliable marker for guiding adjuvant therapy choices in gynecological cancer. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, CRD42024541187.

Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Significance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Researchers have shown significant interest in cancer stem cells in recent years. CD44, CD24, CD133, and ALDH serve as indicators of cancer stem cell-like cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. However, the prognostic significance of these Cancer Stem Cell markers in Squamous Cell Carcinoma is still debated. This study employed meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance of cancer stem cells about Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. CD44, CD133, CD24, and ALDH markers were analyzed in 19 retrospective studies to determine their relationship with prognosis and clinicopathological parameters. Risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for 3-years survival rates and clinicopathological parameters, respectively, using a fixed-effects model. The finding of our study based on extracted survival rates showed that cancer stem cell markers, CD133 expression was related with the poor prognosis (RR= 1.62 ,95% CI = 1.08-2.44, P= 0.02). ALDH expression significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (OR= 4.13, 95% Cl= 1.88-9.10, P<0.001) and clinical staging (OR= 2.26, 95% CI= 1.05-4.88, P= 0.04). The findings indicate that CSC markers could be used to predict oral cancer prognosis. Our study contributes to the literature on survival outcomes of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. These findings offer a structure for the advancement of cancer treatments that specifically target cancer stem cells. Conducting additional studies with a broader group of patients will help confirm the role of cancer stem cells as dependable predictors of prognosis.

Early deep-to-light sedation versus continuous light sedation for ICU patients with mechanical ventilation: A cohort study

BackgroundSedation strategies have not been well established for patients being treated with invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). This study aimed to compare the potential effects of alternative sedation strategies – including early deep-to-light sedation (DTLS), continuous deep sedation (CDS) and continuous light sedation (CLS, the currently recommended strategy) – on ventilator, intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital mortality. MethodsA cohort study was conducted using two large validated ICU databases, including the Registry of Healthcare-associated Infections in ICUs in China (ICU-HAI) and the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC). Patients who received MV for more than 3 days with one of three sedation strategies were included. Multivariable survival analyses with inverse probability-weighted competing risk models were conducted separately for ICU-HAI and MIMIC cohorts. Adjusted estimates were pooled using fixed-effects models. ResultsIn total, 6700 patients (2627 ICU-HAI, 4073 MIMIC) were included in the cohort study, of whom 2689 received CLS, 2079 CDS and 1932 DTLS. Compared to CLS, DTLS was associated with lower ICU mortality (9.3% vs. 11.0%; pooled adjusted HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66−0.94) and hospital mortality (16.0% vs. 14.1%; 0.86, CI 0.74–1.00); and CDS was associated with higher ventilator mortality (32.8% vs. 7.0%; 4.65, 3.91–5.53), ICU mortality (40.6% vs. 11.0%; 3.39, 2.95–3.90) and hospital mortality (46.8% vs. 14.1%; 3.27, 2.89–3.71) than CLS. All HRs were qualitatively consistent in both cohorts. ConclusionsCompared to the continuous light sedation, early deep-to-light sedation strategy was associated with improved patient outcomes, and continuous deep sedation was confirmed with poorer patient outcomes.

Type III Collagen RNA Level Expression in Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Changes in the expression of type III collagen have been linked to women's predisposition to pelvic organ prolapse (POP); however, the findings of prior studies have been conflicting. This study was aimed at investigating whether changes in the type III collagen gene expression levels occur in POP development. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on research articles that evaluated type III collagen gene expression levels in patients with POP compared with those without the condition. The articles, published between January 2000 and February 2024, were obtained from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Semantic Scholar, and EBSCO databases. Data were analyzed using fixed-effect models, and the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated. Cochrane's Review Manager 5.4 was used for the analysis. The aggregated SMD with 95% confidence interval (CI) regarding type III collagen gene expression levels relative to POP development was the main outcome measure. Results with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Six studies were included in our analysis, comprising 229 POP cases and 139 non-POP cases. Our meta-analysis indicated that patients with POP had higher type III collagen gene expression levels than those without POP (SMD = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.56; p = 0.01). The results of this study provide evidence that a higher type III collagen gene expression levels is significantly associated with POP.

Changes in Chlamydia trachomatis risk before and after union formation and separation among women of reproductive age.

Not having an established relationship is associated with an elevated risk of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, but this might reflect selection into and out of unions. Although union formation and union separation are common events in reproductive age, little is known about changes in CT risk before and after these transitions. We linked Finnish Population Register data to the National Register of Infectious Diseases and used fixed-effects linear probability models that account for all time-invariant confounders to examine changes in women's 6-month CT risk 3 years before and 3 years after entry into first cohabitation (n = 293554), non-marital separation (n = 201647) or marital separation (n = 92232) during 2005-14. From 3 years to 1 year before first union formation, the 6-month risk of CT increased slightly, peaking at 1.27% immediately prior to union formation (95% confidence interval 1.22-1.31). It declined sharply following union formation, being only 0.40% (0.34-0.46) 6-12 months after union formation with little changes thereafter. Among women separating from non-marital unions, the risk increased from 0.50% (0.42-0.57) to 1.45% (1.40-1.49) around the time of separation and decreased following separation. The pattern of findings was relatively similar for marital separation, although the observed risks and changes were smaller in magnitude. Our results based on longitudinal data and individual fixed-effects models indicate that the period immediately after separation may be causally associated with an elevated risk of CT. This suggests that recently separated women should be identified as a high-risk group for CT.

Socioeconomic deprivation modifies green space and mental health associations: A within person study

Living in an area with good availability and accessibility of residential green spaces such as parks, woodlands, and residential gardens can improve mental health and reduce the global disease burden. Unlike for physical health, it is not well understood if mental health and green space associations might be modified by local area deprivation. Existing evidence for this association comes from cross-sectional studies, widely considered vulnerable to confounding and bias. Individual time-invariant mental health status, personality, and other factors may result in positive effect modification on green space and mental health associations in more deprived areas. We use fixed-effects models that remove time-invariant confounding by calculating differences within-persons to eliminate this bias and add to the existing evidence. We modelled changes in mental health status, green space, and deprivation (relative to the within-person mean) within 54,666 individuals with a combined total of 300,710 mental health scores from one of the world’s largest panel surveys: “Understanding Society” in the UK. We found a positive effect of increasing residential green space on mental health and this was positively modified and intensified by area deprivation before and after adjusting for confounding. Our results support providing green space to protect against the negative impact of socioeconomic deprivation on health, particularly for those moving from a less deprived to a more deprived area.

Digital economy and green transformation of regional industries: New insights from sustainability.

Studying the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions in the distribution industry is of great significance for realizing sustainable development goals and coping with climate change. This study finds that increasing the level of digital economy development can reduce the carbon emission intensity of the circulation industry through fixed-effects modeling. Moreover, the effect is different in different geographic regions, and the improvement of the digital economy development level in the east and central regions can significantly reduce the carbon emission intensity of the distribution industry. The digital economy can simultaneously reduce the carbon emission intensity of the circulation industry by reducing the degree of labor factor mismatch in the circulation industry and improving the regional green innovation capacity. Therefore, in order to promote the green development of the distribution industry, it is also necessary to make efforts to improve the construction of network infrastructure, accelerate the process of research and development and cultivation of green technology, and break down the barriers of cross-regional mobility of talents.