Raw Mean Difference Research Articles

Effects of converting cropland to grassland on greenhouse gas emissions from peat and organic-rich soils in temperate and boreal climates: a systematic review

Abstract Background To align with climate goals, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture must be reduced significantly. Cultivated peatlands are an important source of such emissions. One proposed measure is to convert arable fields on peatlands to grassland, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default emission factors (EF) for organic soils are lower from grasslands. Yet, these EFs are based on limited data with high variability and comparisons are difficult due to differences in climate, soil properties, and crop management. This systematic review synthesizes available evidence on the effects of converting cropland to grassland on GHG emissions from peat and organic-rich soils in temperate and boreal climates using data from comparable fields. Methods Literature was searched using five bibliographic databases, four archives or search engines for grey literature, and Google Scholar. Eligibility screening was performed in two steps on (1) title/abstract, with consistency among reviewers assessed by double-screening 896 articles, and (2) full text screened by two reviewers. Eligible articles were critically appraised independently by at least two reviewers. Disagreements were reconciled through discussions. Data and key metadata are presented in narrative synthesis tables, including risk of bias assessments. Meta-analyses comparing grasslands with croplands were performed using raw mean difference as the effect size. Review findings A total of 10,352 unique articles were retrieved through the literature searches, and 18 articles including 29 studies were considered relevant to answer the review question. After critical appraisal, it was concluded that two articles reported the same data, so a total of 28 studies, comprising 34 comparisons were included in the systematic review. Most of the included studies were conducted in the Nordic countries and Germany, one in Belarus and one in Canada. A meta-analysis was conducted on 24 studies pairing cropland and grassland sites. No significant differences in carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4) emissions were found. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) from grasslands were found to be 7.55 kg ha−1 y−1 lower than from cropland, however the sensitivity analysis showed that the difference was not robust, making it uncertain whether conversion from cropland to grassland has a significant effect on N2O emissions from organic soils. The difference was also smaller when root crops were excluded from the comparator group. Further, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 and net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) were higher in grasslands compared to croplands in cases where the grasslands were fertilized. Conclusions This systematic review underlines the ambiguity of GHG emissions from peatlands and their relationship to land use. Our understanding of the factors influencing emissions from these soils remains incomplete, and the specific impact of land use on emissions is still unclear. CO2 emissions represent a major part of the climate impact of cultivated peat soils, so the data analyzed allow to draw the conclusion that a conversion from arable to grassland would not lead to large benefits in terms of GHG emissions, especially if root crops are not part of the arable crop rotation, or the grassland is fertilized. Graphical abstract

Application of the teaching games for understanding model to improve decision-making in sport learning: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Issues related to sport teaching at different educational stages is a subject of wide interest. Teaching Games for Understanding has been established as the most effective way to teach students the elements related to the field of sport. The objectives of this study were (a) to examine the impact of the Teaching Games for Understanding model on decision-making in sports education and (b) to compare the effect of the interventions analysed according to educational stage. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published before August 2024 was conducted. A total of 4937 scientific studies were obtained. The quantitative synthesis consisted of 25 scientific articles (n = 1692). The studies were analyzed using three-level random effects models with variance estimation. Results were calculated as raw mean differences and Hedges' g effect sizes. This model is suitable for decision-making in sports education (g = 0.82; CI 95% = [0.55; 1.09]). This pedagogical model was also found to be effective for working on decision-making in primary education (g = 0.6108; CI 95% = [0.3587; 0.8628]), secondary education (g = 0.7523; CI 95% = [0.2348; 1.2706]) and higher education (g = 0.8803 [CI 95% = 0.2851 to 1.4855]). Teaching games for understanding effectively addresses decision-making during sports learning. In addition, this pedagogical model is effective for facilitating decision-making according to the role and the moment of the game. The use of this model enables effective technical-tactical learning to solve various problematic actions in real game situations.

The Physicochemical Parameters, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Honey from Stingless Bees and Apis mellifera: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The most common bee species used for honey production is Apis mellifera (A. mellifera), followed by stingless bees. This study included scientific articles using the PRISMA approach. A random effect model was implemented and the effect size (ES) was calculated and reported as the standardized mean difference (SMD) and raw mean difference (RMD). The mean phenolic content in A. mellifera honey was 61.21 ± 28.3 mg GAE/100 g and stingless bee honey +33.69 mg GAE/100 g; p = 0.01. The antioxidant activity, discovered by the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method, showed a mean of 97.34 ± 7.84 μmol Fe(II)/100 g in A. mellifera and stingless bee honey +63.39 μmol Fe(II)/100 g; p = 0.009. The physicochemical properties showed significant differences in moisture (A. mellifera honey 19.54 ± 3.65%; stingless bee honey +8.02%; p = 0.0001), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (A. mellifera honey 20.14 ± 16.27 mg/kg; stingless bee honey −11.25 mg/kg; p = 0.001), and free acidity (A. mellifera honey 31.32 ± 16.67 meq/kg; stingless bee honey +34.76 meq/kg; p = 0.01). The variability in the trials was explained by the heterogeneity, and a meta-regression analysis incorporated four covariates: (1) stingless bee species; (2) floral source; (3) country, and (4) latitude. This study highlights the importance of conducting further studies on stingless bee honey.

The Use of Mesquite Pods (Prosopis spp.) as an Alternative to Improve the Productive Performance and Methane Mitigation in Small Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis

Mesquite (Prosopis spp.), a highly nutritious legume from arid regions characterized by its secondary metabolites, offers a cost-effective resource to provide energy and protein for small ruminant farmers in harsh environments. In addition, the high concentrations of secondary metabolites found in mesquite pods could be an option to mitigate methane (CH4) emissions. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct an analytical review to assess the impact of adding mesquite pods on small ruminant productivity and enteric CH4 emissions. A comprehensive and structured search of scientific articles resulted in a database of 38 trials. The response variables were evaluated through raw mean differences (RMDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs), followed by a meta-regression, used to investigate the heterogeneity of the explanatory variables. Supplementation with mesquite pods significantly increased the dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR), with sheep showing the highest effect. The meta-regression demonstrated that the mesquite pod effect was influenced mainly by the species, level of incorporation and processing of the pods. Studies employing in silico CH4 estimation reported increased emissions when the diets included mesquite pods. In contrast, in vivo studies demonstrated promising results, showing a significant reduction in CH4 emissions when mesquite pods were included in small ruminant diets. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating mesquite pod supplementation using precise methods to assess CH4 emissions.

Plant-based meat alternatives and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) are emerging in global markets. However, the effects of substituting meat for PBMAs on cardiometabolic health are uncertain. This study aimed to determine the effects of replacing meat consumption by PBMAs on cardiometabolic parameters in adults. Five databases were systematically explored from inception to July 2024, searching for RCTs assessing the effects of replacing meat consumption by PBMAs on cardiometabolic parameters in adults without cardiovascular diseases. Meta-analyses were conducted when ≥4 studies addressed the same outcome (i.e. blood lipids, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and body weight). Pooled raw mean differences (MDs) with their 95% CIs were estimated using a random-effects method. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of our estimates. Eight publications from 7 RCTs comprising 369 adults (60% females; mean age range: 24-61 y) were included. The substitution of PBMAs for meat was associated with significant reductions in LDL-cholesterol: -0.25 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.42, -0.08 mmol/L; I2 = 65.8%; n = 7), total cholesterol (TC): -0.29 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.52, -0.06 mmol/L; I2 = 64.8.%; n = 6), and body weight: -0.72 kg (95% CI: -1.02, -0.42 kg; I2 = 0%; n = 5). No significant changes were shown in HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, or fasting glucose concentrations. Sensitivity analyses considering mycoprotein-based alternatives showed a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol (MD: -0.37 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.61, -0.13 mmol/L; I2 = 52.5%; n = 4), and TC (MD: -0.39 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.56, -0.21 mmol/L; I2 = 0%; n = 4). Our findings suggest substituting PBMAs for meat for ≤8 wk lowered TC (6%), LDL-cholesterol (12%), and body weight (1%) in adults without cardiovascular diseases. PBMAs may facilitate the transition to a plant-based diet, but long-term studies are needed to evaluate their cardiometabolic effects. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42024556191.

Vitamin D association with systemic sclerosis and its clinical features: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

The aim of this review was to summarize existing data on the contribution of Vitamin D level and/or deficiency/insufficiency to systemic sclerosis susceptibility and its clinical features. An electronic literature search for eligible studies among all papers published prior to 30 June 2024 was conducted through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and Scopus databases. Meta-analyses estimating pooled raw mean differences, odds ratios, and Pearson r together with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed for the association of Vitamin D with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis and disease presentation. Combined analysis revealed a significant decrease in Vitamin D level in systemic sclerosis patients comparatively to healthy controls, with raw mean differences 95% CI = -11.68 [-15.43 to -7.92] ng/mL, p < 1 E-10. Likewise, Vitamin D insufficiency (Vitamin D < 30 ng/mL) and deficiency (<10 ng/mL) were significantly associated with systemic sclerosis; odds ratios 95% CI = 3.58 [2.59-4.95], p < 1 E-10 and odds ratios 95% CI = 7.67 [3.97-14.83], p < 1 E-10, respectively. Moreover, decreased Vitamin D level was significantly associated with interstitial lung disease occurrence (raw mean differences 95% CI = -3.61 [-6.93 to -0.3], p = 0.003), while Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, raw mean differences (95% CI = 4.17 [1.44-6.89], p = 0.003). Besides, Vitamin D level was negatively correlated with the modified Rodnan skin score, r (95% CI = -0.26 [-0.44 to -0.08], p = 0.004). Conversely, Vitamin D level was significantly increased in systemic sclerosis patients with cutaneous calcinosis, raw mean differences (95% CI = 4.18 [1.07-7.28], p = 0.008). This meta-analysis showed that decreased Vitamin D level was associated with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis, interstitial lung disease occurrence, increased systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and higher modified Rodnan skin score. Conversely, calcinosis was found to be associated with increased Vitamin D level. This review has been registered on PROSPERO: CRD42024565045, available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024565045.

311 Effect of feeding butyric acid on growth performance and metabolic indicators of dairy calves before weaning: A meta-analysis

Abstract This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding butyric acid (BA) on growth performance and metabolic indicators in dairy calves. A literature search was conducted to identify in vivo research studies carried out on BA supplementation in dairy calves. Inclusion criteria were in vivo studies, dairy calves, weaning, BA, and inclusion doses of BA. Twenty-three papers with 80 data and 1,132 calves were selected. Data extracted included the number of calves in control and treatment groups and measures of variance of responses (standard error or standard deviation). The response variables were production performance including body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) feed efficiency (FE), and metabolic indicators including blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. A random effect of model was used to examine the raw mean difference and standardized mean difference between BA supplementation and the control group. The analysis was conducted using the metafor package of Rstudio. Butyric acid moderately improved the growth performance and metabolic indicators responses of calves with substantial heterogeneity (59 &amp;lt; I2 &amp;lt; 73%, P &amp;lt; 0.01). Final BW and ADG were increased by 2.7 kg and 48.1 g/day, or &amp;gt; 0.6 and &amp;gt; 0.4 standard deviation units (P &amp;lt; 0.05), respectively. However, FE was increased by BA supplementation but not significantly different. For metabolic indicators, glucose concentration was greater with BA supplementation with &amp;gt; 0.4 standard deviation unit, (P &amp;lt; 0.05). However, BA supplementation did not affect the blood concentration of BHB (P &amp;gt; 0.05). In conclusion, the meta-analysis results demonstrated that BA constitutes an important energy source for dairy calves. Butyric acid is effective in promoting growth performance and intestinal health and, yet, increasing production profits.

#132 Electrocauterization versus ligation of lymphatic vessels to prevent lymphocele development after kidney transplantation—a meta-analysis

Abstract Background and Aims Lymphoceles are amongst the most common complications following kidney transplantation. They can cause pain, discomfort, and even transplant malfunction or graft loss through the application of pressure on the graft as well as its surrounding structures. Therefore, effective strategies to prevent their development are needed. The ligation of lymphatic vessels has proven to be a successful concept for that purpose. However, whether electrocauterization or suture ligation is more effective is unclear. Method We conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model with the log risk ratio as primary outcome measure. Additionally, an analysis using a random effects model with the raw mean difference in lymphatic sealing time between suture ligation and electrocauterization was performed. Adequate studies were found in a literature research conducted on PubMed and Web of Science as well as from independent sources. Results A total of 7 studies including 511 patients were included in the analysis. 16/244 (6.5%) lymphoceles were observed in the electrocauterization group and 28/267 (10.5%) in the suture ligation group, resulting in an overall incidence of 44 (8.6%) in the total population. The estimated average log risk ratio based on the random-effects model was µ=−0.349 (95% CI: −0.934 to 0.235), not significantly different from zero (z=−1,17, p=0.241). Lymphatic sealing time was 7.28 (95% CI: 1.25-13.3, p=0.018) minutes shorter in the electrocauterization group. Conclusion We conclude that neither technique is superior for the purpose of lymphocele prevention post kidney transplantation and secondary criteria like time saving, cost and surgeons’ preference should be considered in the decision for optimal outcome. However, it is unclear whether these results can be generalized for all patients.

The effect of game-based approaches on decision-making, knowledge, and motor skill: A systematic review and a multilevel meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare the effect between game-based approaches (GBAs) and traditional skill approaches on decision-making, knowledge and motor skill in physical education students and athletes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies available before October 2023 was conducted. The initial search yielded 8431 articles, with 28 articles ( n = 1600) meeting the inclusion criteria. Studies were analyzed using three-level random-effects models with a robust variance estimation. Outcomes were computed as raw mean differences and Hedges’s g effect sizes. Results indicate that GBAs have a positive heterogeneous effect on decision-making in game situations (ES = 11.41%; 95% CI [4.39, 18.43]) and motor skill in skill tests ( g = 0.36; 95% CI [0.14, 0.57]). GBAs did not have an effect on knowledge ( g = 0 .37; 95% CI [−0.12, 0.86]) or motor skill in game situations (ES = 1.13%; 95% CI [−2.43, 4.68]). Meta-regression analyses revealed that the experience of the interventionist, the quality of the studies, and the comparison condition significantly influence the impact of GBAs on motor skill tests. More detailed and transparent reporting of trials would benefit the field.

Impact of melatonin administration on sperm quality, steroid hormone levels, and testicular blood flow parameters in small ruminants: A meta-analysis.

The impact of exogenous melatonin on the sperm quality of small ruminants is controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize previous findings on the influence of melatonin injection on sperm quality, steroid hormones, and testicular blood flow in small ruminants. Thirty studies were analyzed by computing the raw mean difference (RMD) as the effect size between the control and melatonin treatment groups, using the inverse of the variance for the random-effect model of the method of moments by DerSimonian and Laird. We assessed heterogeneity among studies using Q test. I2 statistic was used to classify the observed heterogeneity. We used Egger's regression method to indicate publication bias. Melatonin injection (p < 0.05) affected sperm concentration (RMD = 0.42 × 109/mL), morphology (RMD = 2.82%), viability (RMD = 2.83%), acrosome integrity (RMD = 4.26%), and DNA integrity (RMD = 1.09%). Total motility (RMD = 5.62%), progressive motility (RMD = 7.90%), acrosome integrity (RMD = 8.68%), and DNA integrity (RMD = 2.01%) of post-thawed semen in the melatonin-treated group were also increased (p < 0.05). Similarly, treatment with melatonin (p < 0.05) enhanced total motility (RMD = 5.78%), progressive motility (RMD = 5.28%), curvilinear velocity (RMD = 4.09 μm/s), straight-line velocity (RMD = 5.61 μm/s), and average path velocity (RMD = 4.94 μm/s). Testosterone (RMD = 1.02 ng/mL) and estradiol 17-ß levels (RMD = 0.84 pg/mL) were elevated (p < 0.05) in the melatonin-injected group. Melatonin implantation ameliorated testicular blood flow, as indicated by a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the resistive index (RMD = 0.11) and pulsatility index (RMD = -0.15). Melatonin administration can increase the reproductive performance of small male ruminants.

Electrocauterization versus Ligation of Lymphatic Vessels to Prevent Lymphocele Development after Kidney Transplantation-A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Lymphoceles are amongst the most common complications following kidney transplantation. Therefore, effective strategies to prevent their development are needed. The ligation of lymphatic vessels has proven to be a successful concept for that purpose. However, whether electrocauterization or suture ligation is more effective is unclear. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model with the log risk ratio as the primary outcome measure. Additionally, an analysis using a random effects model with the raw mean difference in lymphatic sealing time between suture ligation and electrocauterization was performed. Adequate studies were found in a literature search conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science as well as from independent sources. Results: A total of 8 studies including 601 patients were included in the analysis. The estimated average log risk ratio based on the random effects model was µ = -0.374 (95% CI: -0.949 to 0.201), which did not differ significantly from zero (z = -1.28, p = 0.2). The lymphatic sealing time was 7.28 (95% CI:1.25-13.3) minutes shorter in the electrocauterization group. Conclusions: We conclude that neither technique is superior for the purpose of lymphocele prevention post kidney transplantation, and secondary criteria like time savings, cost and surgeons' preference should be considered in the decision for an optimal outcome.

Sow reproductive and progeny growth performance when fed Pichia guilliermondii yeast postbiotic: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous research suggested that feeding sows with a product containing an inactivated strain specific Pichia guilliermondii yeast postbiotic (PG; Citristim, ADM Animal Nutrition, Quincy, IL) has the potential to support fecundity, and progeny performance at birth, weaning, and after weaning. To summarize these effects, a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis was carried out to determine the effects of feeding sows with PG during gestation and lactation on reproductive the performance of sows and the growth of progeny after weaning. All experiments included were randomized trials reporting side-by-side comparisons of an appropriate control (CON) and the CON with the inclusion of PG. The effects of PG inclusion in sow diets were evaluated using the raw mean difference and effect size calculations. Analysis included seven trials for sow reproductive and litter performance until weaning, and eight trials for progeny performance after weaning. The risk of publication bias was assessed by funnel plots. In the case of publication bias, the Trim and Fill method was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics. Sows fed PG during gestation and lactation had more piglets born alive (BA), BA + stillborn, and BA + stillborn + mummies (P < 0.001). The individual birth weight of the piglets was not affected by the supplementation (P = 0.835). As a result, litter weight at birth was greater in sows-fed PG (P < 0.001). Piglets born from PG-fed sows tended to be weaned 0.34 d younger than those from CON-fed sows (P = 0.060). Twenty-one-day adjusted pig weight at weaning tended to be lighter by 0.122kg in the PG sow group (P = 0.069); however, litter weight at weaning adjusted to 21 d remained similar across groups (P = 0.516). The number of piglets weaned and mortality-adjusted number of piglets weaned per sow were greater in PG than in CON sows (P < 0.023). A carryover effect was observed for progeny of PG-fed sows after weaning. Piglets born from PG-supplemented sows had greater weight gain (P = 0.030) and tended to have a better survival rate (P = 0.055) until the end of the nursery phase. These results indicate that feeding PG to sows during gestation and lactation consistently and significantly improves not only the performance of sows at farrowing but also performance of the progeny after weaning.

Item-method directed forgetting is (usually) impaired in clinical populations: A meta-analysis.

The item-method directed forgetting paradigm is a common laboratory task used to measure memory control. While impaired memory control may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of a variety of psychological disorders, comparisons between clinical and nonclinical groups using this paradigm have been inconsistent-even within the same disorder. A systematic search for related articles utilizing clinical populations was conducted revealing 823 articles of which 36 met inclusion criteria. Raw mean differences were calculated and aggregated using Bayesian multilevel random-effects models. These models revealed a significant difference in the magnitude of directed forgetting between clinical and control populations, such that clinical populations (collapsing across all disorders or combining only the critical anxiety and depression clusters) exhibited a reduced directed forgetting effect. This difference tended to be larger in clinical (as opposed to clinical-analog) populations and in older samples. These results support the notion that item-method directed forgetting provides a suitable measure of memory control sensitive to real-world control deficits and further implies that memory control deficits may contribute to mental illness (although causality remains to be determined). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Are e-Health Interventions Effective in Reducing Diabetes-Related Distress and Depression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Background: e-Health refers to any health care service delivered through the internet or related technologies, to improve quality of life. Despite the increasing use of e-health interventions to manage type 2 diabetes (T2D), there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness on diabetes distress and depression, which are common issues in those living with T2D. Purpose: To synthesize and determine the effects of e-health interventions on diabetes distress and depression among patients with T2D. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and observational cohort studies for the effects of e-health interventions on diabetes distress and depression in patients with T2D up to September 14, 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 recommendations were followed. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Risk-of-Bias 2 tool (RCTs), the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I) (non-RCTs) and the National Institute of Health tool (observational). The standardized mean difference (SMD) and its related 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with the DerSimonian-Laird method through random-effect models. A pooled raw mean difference (MD) meta-analysis was conducted for RCTs comparing the effects of e-health versus control on diabetes distress screening to display the clinical impact. Results: A total of 41 studies (24 RCTs, 14 non-RCTs, and 3 observational) involving 8,667 individuals were included. The pooled SMD for the effect of e-health versus the control group on diabetes distress was -0.14 (95% CI = -0.24 to -0.04; I2 = 23.9%; n = 10 studies), being -0.06 (95% CI = -0.15 to 0.02; I2 = 7.8%; n = 16 studies) for depression. The pooled raw MD on diabetes distress screening showed a reduction of -0.54 points (95% CI = -0.81 to -0.27; I2 = 85.1%; n = 7 studies). Conclusion: e-Health interventions are effective in diminishing diabetes distress among adults with T2D, inducing clinically meaningful reductions.

210 Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Peanut Skins (Arachis hypogaea) on Performance, Digestibility, and Rumen Fermentation of Cattle: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of effects of dietary inclusion of Peanut skins (PS) byproduct (Arachis hypogea L.) on intake, total-tract digestibility, and rumen fermentation of cattle via meta-analysis. Data were collected following the PRISMA methodology. Nine manuscripts and a graduate thesis met the inclusion criteria from 1983 to 2010. The effect size was estimated by calculating the weighted raw mean differences (RMD) between PS vs. control diets. The RMD was compared with a robust variance estimation method followed by a meta-regression and a dose-response analysis fitting the diet characteristics like crude protein content (CP), NDF content, ether extract content (EE), tannin content, and PS level in diet (0 to 40%) as covariates. Dietary PS decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) total-tract CP digestibility (52.0 vs. 64.3%), final body weight (371.5 vs. 397.9 kg), and average daily gain (1.14 vs. 1.44 kg/d) among treatment comparisons. Likewise, PS decreased total VFA (92.6 vs. 107.6 mmol/L) and NH3N (8.22 vs. 12.1 mg/dL), but no effects were observed on rumen pH (6.47 vs. 6.14), Acetate (47.8 vs.50.4%), Propionate (31.9 vs. 33.1%), and Butyrate (8.4 vs. 11.2%) molar proportions. Although there was a high between-cluster variance, dietary PS increased the ether extract digestibility (77.5 vs. 70.2%) among treatment comparisons. The subset and dose-response analysis revealed that PS should not exceed 8% (DM basis) in the diet to prevent negative effects on CP digestibility and animal performance. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis do not support the dietary inclusion of PS in cattle diets beyond 8%.

The Effect of Organic Trace Mineral Supplementation in the Form of Proteinates on Performance and Sustainability Parameters in Laying Hens: A Meta-Analysis.

The effect of supplementing organic trace minerals (OTM), in the form of mineral proteinates (Bioplex® Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA), in the diets of laying hens was examined using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) statistical software. The impact on production performance, egg quality traits, and sustainability parameters related to the carbon footprint of egg production was assessed. Data were obtained from 32 global studies, comprising 107 dietary assessments of 30,992 laying hens. Overall pooled effect size (raw mean difference) of production performance when dietary organic trace minerals were supplemented either in basal diets, partial replacement of inorganic trace minerals (ITM), or total replacement of ITM, indicated that use of Bioplex minerals resulted in 2.07% higher hen-day production (HDP), whilst feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower by 51.28 g feed/kg egg and 22.82 g feed/dozen eggs, respectively. For egg quality traits, daily egg mass was 0.50 g/hen/day higher and egg weight was 0.48 g per egg greater when Bioplex minerals were incorporated in the diet. The mean difference in egg loss was -0.62%. Eggshell thickness was greater by 0.01 mm, and a higher eggshell strength of 0.14 kgf was observed. Eggshell weight was heavier by 0.20 g, eggshell percentage was higher by 0.15%, and Haugh unit was 1 point higher (0.89). We also carried out a meta-regression of the effects of the study factors (location, year of study, hen breed/strain, age of hens, number of hens, and study duration) on the overall pooled effect size of the production performance and egg quality traits in response to supplementary OTM inclusion, and it indicated that certain factors had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on the results. Finally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) model was selected to evaluate the impact of feeding organic trace mineral proteinates on the carbon footprint (feed and total emission intensities) of the egg production using the data generated from the meta-analysis. Results showed that the inclusion of OTM proteinates resulted in an average drop in feed and total emission intensities per kg eggs of 2.40% and 2.50%, respectively, for a low-global-warming-potential (GWP) diet and a drop of 2.40% and 2.48% for feed and total emissions, respectively, based on high-GWP diet. Based on the overall results, the inclusion of organic trace mineral proteinates in layer diets can benefit production performance and egg quality traits while contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

Effect of scan powder and scanning technology on measured deviations of complete-arch implant supported frameworks digitized with industrial and intraoral scanners

ObjectivesTo evaluate the suitability of intraoral scanners (IOSs) to analyze the fabrication trueness of titanium complete-arch implant-supported frameworks by comparing with an industrial-grade scanner and investigate how anti-reflective scan powder affects measured deviations. MethodsTen titanium complete-arch implant-supported frameworks were milled from a reference standard tessellation language (STL) file. An industrial-grade blue light scanner (ATOS Core 80 (AT)) and three IOSs (Primescan (PS), TRIOS T3 (T3), and TRIOS T4 (T4)) with (PS-P, T3-P, and T4-P) or without (PS, T3, and T4) anti-reflective scan powder application were used to generate test STL (TSTL) files of the frameworks. Reference STL and TSTLs were imported into a metrology-grade analysis software (Geomagic Control X) and whole surface root mean square (RMS) values were calculated. Another software (Medit Link v 2.4.4) was used to virtually isolate marginal surfaces of all STL files and marginal RMS values were calculated by using the same metrology-grade analysis software. A linear mixed effects model was used to compare the transformed deviations of the scans performed by using each IOS (with or without powder) with the deviations of those performed by using the reference AT scanner within each surface, where a Box-Cox type transformation was used for variance stability. Bonferroni corrected post-hoc tests were used to compare conditions within each IOS (α=0.05). ResultsAll IOSs had significantly higher whole surface and marginal RMS values than AT, regardless of the condition (P≤.002). However, scan powder application did not affect the whole surface and marginal RMS values in scans of tested IOSs (P≥.054). ConclusionMeasured whole surface and marginal deviations in all IOS scans performed with or without the use of scan powder were higher than those in AT scans. The application of anti-reflective scan powder did not affect the deviations in scans of tested IOSs. Clinical SignificanceEven though deviations measured in the scans of tested scanners were significantly different than those in the reference scanner, the maximum raw mean difference was 37.33 µm and the maximum raw confidence interval value of estimated differences was 47.88 µm, which can be considered clinically small taking into account the size of the frameworks tested. Therefore, tested intraoral scanners may be feasible to scan prostheses similar to or smaller than tested frameworks for fabrication trueness analysis, which may facilitate potential clinical adjustments.

Prospective follow-up study of youth and adults with onset of functional tic-like behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Very little is known about the long-term prognosis of patients with functional tic-like behaviours (FTLBs). We sought to characterize the trajectory of symptom severity over a 12-month period. Patients with FTLBs were included in our prospective longitudinal child and adult clinical tic disorder registries at the University of Calgary. Patients were prospectively evaluated 6 and 12 months after their first clinical visit. Tic inventories and severity were measured with the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). Eighty-three youths and adults with FTLBs were evaluated prospectively until April 2023. Mean YGTSS total tic severity scores were high at baseline, with a mean score of 29.8 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.6-32.1). Fifty-eight participants were reevaluated at 6 months, and 32 participants were reevaluated at 12 months. The YGTSS total tic severity score decreased significantly from the first clinical visit to 6 months (raw mean difference = 8.9 points, 95% CI = 5.1-12.7, p < 0.0001), and from 6 to 12 months (raw mean difference = 6.4 points, 95% CI = 0.8-12.0, p = 0.01). Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that tic severity at initial presentation and the presence of other functional neurological symptoms were associated with higher YGTSS total tic scores at 6 months, whereas younger age at baseline, receiving cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and/or depression, and prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were associated with lower YGTSS total tic scores at 6 months. We observed a meaningful improvement in tic severity scores in youth and adults with FTLBs over a period of 6-12 months.

Lactational performance effects of supplemental histidine in dairy cows: A meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of supplemental His on lactational performance, plasma His concentration and efficiency of utilization of digestible His (EffHis) in dairy cows. The meta-analysis was performed on data from 17 studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1999 and 2022. Five publications reported data from 2 separate experiments, which were included in the analyses as separate studies, therefore resulting in a total of 22 studies. In 10 studies, His was supplemented as rumen-protected (RP) His; in 1 study, 2 basal diets with different dHis levels were fed; and in the remaining experiments, free His was infused into the abomasum (4 studies), the jugular vein (3 studies) or deleted from a mixture of postruminally infused AA (4 studies). The main forages in the diets were corn silage in 14 and grass silage in 8 studies. If not reported in the publications, the supplies of dietary CP, metabolizable protein (MP), net energy of lactation, and digestible His (dHis) were estimated using NRC (2001). An initial meta-analysis was performed to test the standard mean difference (SMD; raw mean difference of treatment and control means divided by the pooled standard deviation of the means), that is, effect size, and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) in production parameters between His-supplemented groups versus control. Further, regression analyses were also conducted to examine and compare the relationships between several response variables and dHis supply. Across studies, His supplementation increased plasma His concentration (SMD = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.17-1.61), as well as DMI (SMD = 0.240; 95% CI: 0.051-0.429) and milk yield (MY; SMD = 0.667; 95% CI: 0.468-0.866), respectively. Further, milk true protein concentration (MTP; SMD = 0.236; 95% CI: 0.046-0.425) and milk true protein yield (MTPY; SMD = 0.581; 95% CI: 0.387-0.776) were increased by His supplementation. Notably, the increase in MTP concentration and MTPY were 3.9 and 1.3 times greater for studies with MP-deficient (according to NRC 2001) diets compared with studies with MP-adequate diets. The regression analyses revealed that production parameters (DMI, MY, and MTPY) responded in a nonlinear manner to increasing His supply. Further, we detected a difference in the magnitude of change in MTPY and plasma His concentration with the level of His supply and between His supplementation methods, being greater for infused His compared with RPHis. Lastly, a linear and negative relationship between EffHis and the ratio of total digestible His to net energy for lactation supply was observed, indicating an important interaction between dHis and energy supply and EffHis (i.e., utilization of dHis to support protein export). Overall, these analyses confirm His as an important AA in dairy cattle nutrition.

Meta-Analysis of Animal Fluency Performance in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults.

Animal fluency is a commonly used neuropsychological measure that is used in the diagnosis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer disease. Although most individuals with aMCI have clinically normal scores on this test, several studies have shown that aMCI individuals' performance is significantly lower than that of cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. The aim of this meta-analysis was to characterize the effect size of animal fluency performance differences between aMCI and CU individuals. Literature search with search terms used were: "animal fluency and mild cognitive impairment," "semantic fluency and mild cognitive impairment," "category fluency and mild cognitive impairment." Both the standardized mean difference and the raw mean difference were derived from random effects analyses. Demographically adjusted z-scores for animal fluency performance for the aMCI groups were obtained to determine normative performance. Nineteen studies were included in the analysis. The standardized mean difference for animal fluency performance between CU and aMCI was 0.89 (95% confidence interval: [0.73; 1.04], P <0.001), I2 =70.3% [52.7%; 81.4%], which reflects a large effect size with moderate heterogeneity. The raw mean difference was -4.08 [-4.75; -3.38], P <0.001. The mean animal fluency z-score for aMCI groups was in the Low Average range (z=-0.77). This study found a substantial difference in animal fluency performance between aMCI and CU individuals. The aMCI groups' normative performance did not fall into the impaired range, indicating that there are important subclinical differences in animal fluency performance that may inform the design of cognitive end points for Alzheimer's disease prevention trials.