Camellia sinensis in asymptomatic hyperuricemia: A meta-analysis of tea or tea extract effects on uric acid levels

Flavanols of Camellia sinensis exhibit uric acid (UA) lowering effect, through the modulation of both xanthine oxidase and urate excretion. In order to investigate the potential benefit of Camellia Sinenis products in asymptomatic hyperuricemia, a meta-analysis of long-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with tea or tea extract has been conducted. From 20 human intervention studies selected only 5 RCT (13 interventions) were suitable for meta-analysis (n = 472). The current “normal” range set for hyperuricemia fails to identify patients with potential metabolic disorders. Therefore on the basis of the literature data, we fixed cut-off limits for UA baseline levels of 4.5 mg/dl for women, 6.1 mg/dl for men, and 5.5 mg/dl for studies involving mixed populations. Statistically significant effects were not found, but subgroup analysis revealed that the Pooled Estimate effect was different in subjects with baseline levels under [MD (95% CI): 0.1078 (?0.0528 to 0.2684)] and over the cut-off [MD (95% CI): ?0.0239 (0.3311 to 0.2833)]. However, due to the low number of RCT and to the lack of data on bioavailability, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusion and more studies are needed to establish if tea flavanols could be useful in asymptomatic hyperuricemia treatment.     

Evaluation of prostaglandin F2α versus prostaglandin F2α plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone as Presynch methods preceding an Ovsynch in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis

Presynchronization of cows with 2 injections of prostaglandin administered 14 d apart (Presynch-Ovsynch) is a widely adopted procedure to increase pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) at first service. Recently, a presynchronization protocol including GnRH and PGF_2α (Double-Ovsynch; GnRH, 7 d, PGF_2α, 3 d, GnRH) followed 7 d later by an Ovsynch protocol was introduced to overcome the limitations of PGF_2α-based protocols for presynchronization of anovular cows and to precisely set up cows on d 7 of the estrous cycle when the Ovsynch is initiated. A systematic review of the literature and a meta-analytical assessment was performed with the objective to compare the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows presynchronized with these 2 protocols for the first timed AI (TAI) considering parity-specific effects. A fixed or a random effects meta-analysis was used based on the heterogeneity among the experimental groups. Reproductive outcomes of interest were P/AI measured on d 32 (28–42) and pregnancy loss between d 32 and 60 (42–74) of gestation. A total of 25 articles with 27 experimental groups from 63 herds including 21,046 cows submitted to first TAI using either a Presynch-Ovsynch or a Double-Ovsynch protocol were reviewed. Results for P/AI were then categorized by parity if available. Information was available for P/AI for 7,400 and 10,999 primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. Information regarding pregnancy loss was available for 7,477 cows. In the random effects model for all cows, the overall proportion of P/AI was 41.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 39.1–44.3; n = 8,213] and 46.2% (95% CI: 41.9–50.5; n = 12,833) on d 32 after TAI for Presynch-Ovsynch and Double-Ovsynch, respectively. In the random effects model for primiparous cows, the overall proportion of P/AI was 43.4% (95% CI: 36.2–47.7; n = 2,614) and 51.4% (95% CI: 47.4–55.4; n = 4,786) on d 32 after TAI for Presynch-Ovsynch and Double-Ovsynch, respectively. In the random effects model for multiparous cows, the overall proportion of P/AI was 39.2% (95% CI: 36.2–42.3; n = 3,411) and 41.4% (95% CI: 36.4–46.4; n = 7,588) on d 32 after TAI for Presynch-Ovsynch and Double-Ovsynch, respectively. The overall proportion of pregnancy loss was 11.3% (95% CI: 7.6–15.7; n = 3,247) and 11.7% (95% CI: 9.3–14.3; n = 4,230) on d 60 after AI for Presynch-Ovsynch to and Double-Ovsynch, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity existed among the experimental groups regarding P/AI and pregnancy loss. In summary, a benefit was detected for P/AI in primiparous cows presynchronized with a Double-Ovsynch protocol for the first TAI, but this benefit was not observed in multiparous cows.     

Effects of forage provision to dairy calves on growth performance and rumen fermentation: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

A meta-analysis of the potential effect of forage provision on growth performance and rumen fermentation of dairy calves was conducted using published data from the literature (1998–2016). Meta-regression was used to evaluate the effects of different forage levels, forage sources, forage offering methods, physical forms of starter, and grain sources on the heterogeneity of the results. We considered 27 studies that reported the effects of forage provision to dairy calves. Estimated effect sizes of forage were calculated on starter feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), body weight (BW), and rumen fermentation parameters. Intake of starter feed, ADG, BW, ruminal pH, and rumen molar proportion of acetate increased when supplementing forage but FE decreased. Heterogeneity (the amount of variation among studies) was significant for intake of starter feed, ADG, FE, final BW, and rumen fermentation parameters. Improving overall starter feed intake was greater in calves offered alfalfa hay compared with those offered other types of forages. During the milk feeding and overall periods, improving ADG was greater for calves fed a high level of forage (>10% in dry matter) compared with those fed a low level of forage (≤10% in dry matter) diets. The advantages reported in weight gain at a high level of forage could be due to increased gut fill. Improving overall ADG was lower for calves offered forages with textured starter feed compared with ground starter feed. The meta-regression analysis revealed that changes associated with forage provision affect FE differently for various forage sources and forage offering methods during the milk-feeding period. Forage sources also modulated the effect of feeding forage on ruminal pH during the milk-feeding period. In conclusion, forage has the potential to affect starter feed intake and performance of dairy calves, but its effects depend on source, level, and method of forage feeding and physical form of starter feed independently of grain sources included in the starter feed.     

Meta-analysis of relationships between enteric methane yield and milk fatty acid profile in dairy cattle

Various studies have indicated a relationship between enteric methane (CH₄) production and milk fatty acid (FA) profiles of dairy cattle. However, the number of studies investigating such a relationship is limited and the direct relationships reported are mainly obtained by variation in CH₄ production and milk FA concentration induced by dietary lipid supplements. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to quantify relationships between CH₄ yield (per unit of feed and unit of milk) and milk FA profile in dairy cattle and to develop equations to predict CH₄ yield based on milk FA profile of cows fed a wide variety of diets. Data from 8 experiments encompassing 30 different dietary treatments and 146 observations were included. Yield of CH₄ measured in these experiments was 21.5 ± 2.46 g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI) and 13.9 ± 2.30 g/kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM). Correlation coefficients were chosen as effect size of the relationship between CH₄ yield and individual milk FA concentration (g/100 g of FA). Average true correlation coefficients were estimated by a random-effects model. Milk FA concentrations of C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C16:0, and C16:0-iso were significantly or tended to be positively related to CH₄ yield per unit of feed. Concentrations of trans-6+7+8+9 C18:1, trans-10+11 C18:1, cis-11 C18:1, cis-12 C18:1, cis-13 C18:1, trans-16+cis-14 C18:1, and cis-9,12 C18:2 in milk fat were significantly or tended to be negatively related to CH₄ yield per unit of feed. Milk FA concentrations of C10:0, C12:0, C14:0-iso, C14:0, cis-9 C14:1, C15:0, and C16:0 were significantly or tended to be positively related to CH₄ yield per unit of milk. Concentrations of C4:0, C18:0, trans-10+11 C18:1, cis-9 C18:1, cis-11 C18:1, and cis-9,12 C18:2 in milk fat were significantly or tended to be negatively related to CH₄ yield per unit of milk. Mixed model multiple regression and a stepwise selection procedure of milk FA based on the Bayesian information criterion to predict CH₄ yield with milk FA as input (g/100 g of FA) resulted in the following prediction equations: CH₄ (g/kg of DMI) = 23.39 + 9.74 × C16:0-iso – 1.06 × trans-10+11 C18:1 – 1.75 × cis-9,12 C18:2 (R² = 0.54), and CH₄ (g/kg of FPCM) = 21.13 – 1.38 × C4:0 + 8.53 × C16:0-iso – 0.22 × cis-9 C18:1 – 0.59 × trans-10+11 C18:1 (R² = 0.47). This indicated that milk FA profile has a moderate potential for predicting CH₄ yield per unit of feed and a slightly lower potential for predicting CH₄ yield per unit of milk.     

A meta-analysis of work–family conflict and various outcomes with a special emphasis on cross-domain versus matching-domain relations.

A literature review of studies analyzing work–family conflict and its consequences was conducted, and 427 effect sizes were analyzed meta-analytically. Work–family conflict was analyzed bidirectionally in terms of work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW). We assessed 3 categories of potential outcomes: work-related outcomes, family-related outcomes, and domain-unspecific outcomes. Results show that WIF and FIW are consistently related to all 3 types of outcomes. Both types of interrole conflict showed stronger relationships to same-domain outcomes than to cross-domain outcomes. Thus, WIF was more strongly associated with work-related than with family-related outcomes, and FIW was more strongly associated with family-related than with work-related outcomes. In moderator analyses, parenthood could not explain variability in effect sizes. However, time spent at work did moderate the relationships between WIF and family-related outcomes, as well as FIW and domain-unspecific outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial outcomes of telephone-based counseling for adults with an acquired physical disability: A meta-analysis.

Background: The delivery of mental health services by telephone, referred to as telecounseling, has the potential to improve the health outcomes of adults with an acquired physical disability in a cost-effective way. However, the efficacy of this form of treatment requires further evaluation before it is used on a larger scale. Aim: This meta-analysis provides a critical and quantitative evaluation of the impact of telephone-administered psychological interventions on the psychosocial functioning of adults with an acquired physical disability caused by spinal cord injury, limb amputation, severe burn injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Method: A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases identified eight studies (N = 658 participants) that compared treatment efficacy to that of matched control groups. Differences in the psychosocial outcomes of treatment and control participants were examined using Cohen's d effect sizes. Fail-safe Ns and 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the significance of these results. Results: Significant improvements in coping skills and strategies (overall d = 0.57), community integration (overall d = 0.45), and depression (overall d = 0.44) were observed immediately after telecounseling, with modest improvements in quality of life maintained at 12 months post-intervention (overall d = 0.37). Conclusions: The results suggest that telecounseling is an effective treatment modality for adults adjusting to a physical disability; however, further trials are needed to establish the long term psychosocial benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alliance in individual psychotherapy.

This article reports on a research synthesis of the relation between alliance and the outcomes of individual psychotherapy. Included were over 200 research reports based on 190 independent data sources, covering more than 14,000 treatments. Research involving 5 or more adult participants receiving genuine (as opposed to analogue) treatments, where the author(s) referred to one of the independent variables as “alliance,” “therapeutic alliance,” “helping alliance,” or “working alliance” were the inclusion criteria. All analyses were done using the assumptions of a random model. The overall aggregate relation between the alliance and treatment outcome (adjusted for sample size and non independence of outcome measures) was r = .275 (k = 190); the 95% confidence interval for this value was .25–.30. The statistical probability associated with the aggregated relation between alliance and outcome is p     

Repairing alliance ruptures.

In this article, we review the existing empirical research on the topic of therapeutic alliance ruptures in psychotherapy. Ruptures in the therapeutic alliance are defined as episodes of tension or breakdown in the collaborative relationship between patient and therapist. Two meta-analyses were conducted. The first reviewed studies examining the relation between rupture-repair episodes and treatment outcome (r = .24, z = 3.06, 95% CI [.09, .39], p = .002, k = 3, N = 148). The second meta-analysis reviewed the research examining the impact on treatment outcome of training therapists in the use of alliance rupture intervention principles (prepost r = .65, z = 5.56, 95% CI [.46, .78], p k = 8, N = 376). Both meta-analyses provided promising evidence regarding the relevance of alliance rupture-repair processes to therapeutic outcome. The limitations of the research reviewed are discussed as well as practice implications for repairing the inevitable alliance ruptures in psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nitrogen isotopic discrimination as a biomarker of between-cow variation in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization for milk production: A meta-analysis

Estimating the efficiency of N utilization for milk production (MNE) of individual cows at a large scale is difficult, particularly because of the cost of measuring feed intake. Nitrogen isotopic discrimination (Δ¹⁵N) between the animal (milk, plasma, or tissues) and its diet has been proposed as a biomarker of the efficiency of N utilization in a range of production systems and ruminant species. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Δ¹⁵N to predict the between-animal variability in MNE in dairy cows using an extensive database. For this, 20 independent experiments conducted as either changeover (n = 14) or continuous (n = 6) trials were available and comprised an initial data set of 1,300 observations. Between-animal variability was defined as the variation observed among cows sharing the same contemporary group (CG; individuals from the same experimental site, sampling period, and dietary treatment). Milk N efficiency was calculated as the ratio between mean milk N (grams of N in milk per day) and mean N intake (grams of N intake per day) obtained from each sampling period, which lasted 9.0 ± 9.9 d (mean ± SD). Samples of milk (n = 604) or plasma (n = 696) and feeds (74 dietary treatments) were analyzed for natural ¹⁵N abundance (δ¹⁵N), and then the N isotopic discrimination between the animal and the dietary treatment was calculated (Δ¹⁵n = δ¹⁵N_animal ? δ¹⁵N_diet). Data were analyzed through mixed-effect regression models considering the experiment, sampling period, and dietary treatment as random effects. In addition, repeatability estimates were calculated for each experiment to test the hypothesis of improved predictions when MNE and Δ¹⁵N measurements errors were lower. The considerable protein mobilization in early lactation artificially increased both MNE and Δ¹⁵N, leading to a positive rather than negative relationship, and this limited the implementation of this biomarker in early lactating cows. When the experimental errors of Δ¹⁵N and MNE decreased in a particular experiment (i.e., higher repeatability values), we observed a greater ability of Δ¹⁵N to predict MNE at the individual level. The predominant negative and significant correlation between Δ¹⁵N and MNE in mid- and late lactation demonstrated that on average Δ¹⁵N reflects MNE variations both across dietary treatments and between animals. The root mean squared prediction error as a percentage of average observed value was 6.8%, indicating that the model only allowed differentiation between 2 cows in terms of MNE within a CG if they differed by at least 0.112 g/g of MNE (95% confidence level), and this could represent a limitation in predicting MNE at the individual level. However, the one-way ANOVA performed to test the ability of Δ¹⁵N to differentiate within-CG the top 25% from the lowest 25% individuals in terms of MNE was significant, indicating that it is possible to distinguish extreme animals in terms of MNE from their N isotopic signature, which could be useful to group animals for precision feeding.