Plos One
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Meta Analysis
Machine perfusion versus cold storage of kidneys derived from donation after cardiac death: a meta-analysis.
In response to the increased organ shortage, organs derived from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors are becoming an acceptable option once again for clinical use in transplantation. However, transplant outcomes in cases where DCD organs are used are not as favorable as those from donation after brain death or living donors. Different methods of organ preservation are a key factor that may influence the outcomes of DCD kidney transplantation. ⋯ MP preservation of DCD kidneys is superior to CS in terms of reducing DGF rate post-transplant. However, primary non-function, one year graft survival, and one year patient survival were not affected by the use of MP or CS for preservation.
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This updated meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between coffee consumption and breast cancer risk. ⋯ Our findings suggest that increased coffee intake is not associated with a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer, but we observe an inverse association in ER-negative subgroup analysis. More large studies are needed to determine subgroups to obtain more valuable data on coffee drinking and breast cancer risk.
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A number of studies assessed the association of tissue plasminogen activator(TPA) gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke, but the results were contradictory. We aimed to explore the role of TPA -7351C/T SNP in the susceptibility to ischemic stroke through a meta-analysis. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggested that the -7351C/T polymorphism in TPA gene would be a risk factor for ischemic stroke, especially among East-Asians compared with Caucasians, but not in South-Asians, and it may play a role in the pathogenesis of LAA in Caucasians, but not in SVO and CE.
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Meta Analysis
Fusion versus nonfusion for surgically treated thoracolumbar burst fractures: a meta-analysis.
Posterior pedicle screw fixation has become a popular method for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures. However, it remains unclear whether additional fusion could improve clinical and radiological outcomes. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of fusion as a supplement to pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis suggested that fusion was not necessary when thoracolumbar burst fracture was treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation. More randomized controlled trials with high quality are still needed in the future.
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Although qualitative studies are becoming more appreciated in healthcare, the number of publications of quality studies remains low. Little is known about the frequency and characteristics of citation in qualitative studies. ⋯ The median number of citations for qualitative studies was almost the same as the median of BMJ's impact factor during the survey period. For a suitable evaluation of qualitative studies in healthcare, it will be necessary to develop a reporting framework and include explicit discussions of clinical implications when reporting findings. Coordination between researchers and editors will be needed to achieve this goal.