391,892 papers found

This study reviews the available evidence on the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean sections. The study included a detailed analysis of the quality of design and performance and the clinical heterogeneity of selected clinical trials. Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials estimated an efficacy of some 6…

Since the first report of an association between asymptomatic bacteriuria and low birth weight (less than 2,500 g) in 1962, greater than 30 other studies on the same subject have been published. Some of these confirmed this association while others disputed it. Now, however, by using meta-analysis (a technique consider…

The literature concerning mortality after a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma was reviewed to identify relevant articles published from 1966 through 1988 and to select those with mortality rates presented separately by tumor size for inclusion in a pooled analysis (meta-analysis) of 5-year mortality after enucleation for…

BACKGROUND: This paper is the first of two reports that together review the scientific evidence regarding the inverse relation between physical activity and cardiovascular fitness and coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: In Part I, the evidence suggesting a causal link between physical activity and CHD protection in…

Two recently published meta-analyses of controlled trials of a wide variety of progestational agents, used in pregnancy (Daya 1989; Goldstein et al. 1989), prompted this third meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials involving the prophylactic use of a single agent, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Of seven rel…

Thrombolytic therapy has become an established procedure in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the aftercare of such patients is still uncertain. A meta-analysis of twenty trials of intravenous or subcutaneous heparin in AMI performed during the prethrombolysis period indicated a significant redu…

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity that causes pain and functional limitations. For mild-to-moderate cases, conservative treatment such as exercise therapy and external supports is preferred. Optimal protocols remain uncertain due to variation in exercise types and combinations. This study compar…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of the conclusion from Cochrane reviews and meta-analyses that treatment with calcium supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk for pre-eclampsia by 55%, which has been influential in international guidelines and future research. DESIGN: Sensitivity analysis of data from…

BACKGROUND: Levosimendan is an inodilator developed for treatment of acute heart failure and other cardiac conditions where the use of an inodilator is considered appropriate. Levosimendan has been studied in different therapeutic settings including acutely decompensated chronic heart failure, advanced heart failure, r…

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess how often randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult cardiac surgery found significant mortality benefits for newer interventions vs older ones, whether observed treatment effect estimates changed over time and whether RCTs and nonrandomized observational studies gave similar results.…

BackgroundVaricose vein surgery increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Although pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is commonly used postoperatively, its efficacy and optimal regimen remain unclear. This study systematically reviews the effectiveness and safety of various anticoagulant strategies.MethodsA c…

BackgroundAgitation in Alzheimer's disease significantly impacts patient outcomes and caregiver burden. Brexpiprazole has emerged as a promising treatment option, but optimal dosing remains unclear.ObjectiveTo evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of different brexpiprazole doses in treating agitation associated…

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a prevalent, persistent hyperpigmentation disorder that negatively affects the psychological health of patients. However, the treatment outcome remains unsatisfactory due to the complexity of pathogenesis, recurrence characteristics, and relatively high morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To compare the perf…

This review of the literature focuses on risk factors of smoking, hypertension, obesity, and family history that are associated with the development of coronary heart disease. The prevalence of these cardiac risk factors are incorporated from several Canadian health surveys. Health professionals in cardiovascular setti…

The plasma concentration versus antihypertensive effect relationship for the calcium antagonist felodipine was investigated in 67 patients with hypertension and 21 healthy subjects by use of the Emax model. No consistent effect of felodipine on blood pressure was observed in the healthy subjects. In patients with hyper…

This paper reports findings of a subset of 91 programs, which included drug use measures, from the data base previously reported in the author's meta-analysis of 143 adolescent drug prevention programs. Treatment components of strategies successful in decreasing drug use by adolescents are discussed with regard to both…

Meta-analysis on data from 16 (two volunteer and 14 endoscopic) studies ahs been performed to investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomachs of individuals within the Peoples Republic of China. In this survey covering 2216 cases (89 volunteers and 2127 endoscopy patients), the incidence of…

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) impedes early stages of the blood coagulation response, and low TFPI plasma levels increase the risk of thrombosis. TFPI plasma levels are heritable, but specific genetic determinants are unclear. We conducted a comprehensive review of genetic risk factors for TFPI plasma levels a…

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia, an elevation of plasma homocysteine levels, has been implicated in multiple diseases, yet its causal role remains debated. This umbrella review systematically evaluated and graded the evidence from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses on associations between hyperhomocysteine…