• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) for postpartum hypogalactia. Methods Using nine electronic databases, we selected 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied CMT for postpartum hypogalactia and conducted a meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results Meta-analysis showed statistically significant results for CMT in terms of effective rate and breast filling degree compared to the other treatment groups (p<0.05). Conclusions Our study showed clinical evidence of CMT efficacy for postpartum hypogalactia. Further studies are required to support our findings.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.111-121
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• 2010

Purpose: This meta-analysis was aimed to investigate the evidence of proper period of the ventilator circuit change using existing research. Methods: For this study, 14 published studies between 1995 and 2010 were tested by Macaskill, Funnel Plot, the Odds Ratio of DerSimonian and Laird, Fisher and Liptak analysis. Results: There were no publication bias found in the subjects. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences were observed in neither the Odds Ratio (OR=1.18, 95% CI=0.94-1.47) of the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the mortality based on the period of the ventilator circuit change (Fisher p=.332, Liptak p=.498), nor the ventilation duration of ventilator (Fisher p=.843, Liptak p=.506), and the hospital length of stay (Fisher p=.254, Liptak p=.480). Conclusion: In order to present more concrete guidelines on the period of the ventilator circuit change, further research is warranted to thoroughly control confounding variables which related to the periods of the ventilator circuit change.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1546-1557
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• 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of extruded and unextruded feeding on the performance, milk composition, digestibility and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows through a meta-analysis. Methods: The database was compiled from 53 studies in Scopus and PubMed. The data were analyzed using a random effects model in OpenMEE software. Extruded feed was grouped as the experiment group while and the others as control group. The bias of publication in the main parameter of dairy performance was evaluated by a funnel plot. Results: The result showed that extruded feed enhanced the milk yield, dry matter and crude protein digestibility, butyrate and valerate acid production (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the extruded feed significantly decreased the milk fat and protein concentration (p<0.05). Also, the iso-butyrate and iso-valerate in unextruded feeding was significantly higher than the extruded feed (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded from the meta-analysis that extruded feed effectively improved the milk production and milk lactose concentration, dry matter and protein digestibility, but not the milk fat and protein concentration.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.12
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies regarding the effectiveness of reciprocating and rotary instrumentation on microbial reduction in root canals. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the gray literature were searched through December 2019. Studies comparing the influence of reciprocating and rotary instrumentation on the removal of microorganisms from root canals that quantified the antimicrobial effect were included. Data extraction was completed using a systematic form for data collection. The risk of bias of the studies was evaluated. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects meta-analysis. Results: Seventeen in vitro studies were included in this systematic review, of which 7 provided adequate data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Both reciprocating and rotary systems were similarly effective in reducing the microbial load in infected root canals (SMD [95% CI], 0.0481 [-0.271, 0.367]). Three studies showed a low risk of bias, whereas most of the studies (82%) presented a medium risk. Conclusions: Although both techniques decrease the microbial content (with reductions of 23.32%-88.47% and 23.33%-89.86% for reciprocating and rotary instrumentation, respectively), they are not able to provide complete disinfection of root canals.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.192-205
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• 2023

Objectives: Previous studies have evaluated the association between mercury exposure and obesity but have yielded mixed conclusions. The aim of this study was to systematically review and summarize scientific evidence regarding the association between mercury exposure and obesity in the human population. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct for articles related to mercury exposure and obesity. Meta-analyses of the highest and lowest categories of mercury levels were evaluated using a random effects model. Begg's test was used to detect publication bias. Results: A total of 9 articles were included. The pooled random effects odds ratio (OR) for mercury exposure and obesity of all 9 studies was 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.38). This positive association was evident in adults (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.54) and among studies with Asian populations (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53-2.59), but not among those with North America/African populations (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.50-1.65). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis identified a positive association between mercury exposure and obesity. These findings suggest that toxic environmental metals such as mercury may be an important risk factor for obesity along with dietary habits and lifestyles.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.297-319
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• 2022

Due to their natural and social revelation, also their ease and flexibility, human collective behavior and teamwork sports are inspired to introduce optimization algorithms to solve various engineering and scientific problems. Nowadays, meta-heuristic algorithms are becoming some striking methods for solving complex real-world problems. In that respect in the present study, the authors propose a novel meta-innovative algorithm based on soccer teamwork sport, suitable for optimization problems. The method may be referred to as the Soccer League Optimization-based Championship Algorithm, inspired by the Soccer league. This method consists of two main steps, including: 1. Qualifying competitions and 2. Main competitions. To evaluate the robustness of the proposed method, six different benchmark mathematical functions, and two engineering design problem was performed for optimization to assess its efficiency in achieving optimal solutions to various problems. The results show that the proposed algorithm may well explore better performance than some well-known algorithms in various aspects such as consistency through runs and a fast and steep convergence in all problems towards the global optimal fitness value.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45-64
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• 2024

Objectives: This study is purposed to investigate the effect and safety of laser therapy for stroke patients by systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: RCTs on the treatment of laser therapy for stroke patients were selected among the literature published from January 2000 to June 2022 in twelve domestic and foreign databases. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool and RevMan 5.4 was used for the synthesis of results. Results: Total 2,598 patients with stroke were finally selected from 18 RCTs. Meta-analysis showed that laser therapy was effective in significantly improving activities of daily living (MBI), motor function (effective rate), upper motor function (FMA-UE), shoulder pain related factors (CGRP, ET-1, BK). Overall, the risk of bias was uncertain or low in the quality assessment of the literature. Conclusions: Although it is unclear that laser therapy is more effective than sham laser, laser therapy might be more effective in improving symptoms than conventional rehabilitation alone. Furthermore, no serious adverse events were founded in laser therapy studies. However, the quality of the selected literature was generally low. Therefore, further studies with high methodological quality on laser therapy for stroke patients would be required in the future.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2024

Numerous studies have indicated that low levels of serum adiponectin are linked with the development of various chronic diseases. While some recent research has suggested that soy has a positive impact on serum adiponectin levels, the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we aim to conduct a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the effects of soy on serum adiponectin levels in adults. The search was conducted until March 2024 on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify RCTs that studied the effects of soy supplementation on serum adiponectin levels. A random-effects model was used to pool the weighted mean differences (WMDs). Ten and nine RCTs were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. After analyzing data from 9 eligible RCTs, it was found that soy supplementation did not significantly impact the concentrations of adiponectin (WMD = -0.24㎍/mL; 95% confidence interval, -1.56 to 1.09; p = 0.72). However, there was significant heterogeneity between the studies (I² = 89.8%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that overall estimates were not affected by the elimination of any study. We did not observe any evidence regarding publication bias. In conclusion, soy supplementation did not have a significant effect on adiponectin levels in adults. However, further RCTs are needed with longer intervention duration, higher doses, and studies conducted in different countries.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.21-27
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• 2024

This study employs a qualitative meta-synthesis approach to investigate the psychological determinants of food choice in out-of-home dining contexts. Drawing from 25 qualitative studies published between 2000 and 2024, we analyze the complex interplay of personal, sociocultural, situational, and sensory factors influencing consumers' food selection behaviors in restaurants. Our findings reveal that while individual preferences play a role, social norms and expectations exert a more significant influence in dining-out scenarios, often overshadowing personal tastes. The physical environment of restaurants, including ambiance and decor, substantially impacts diners' cognitive and emotional responses, subsequently affecting their food choices. Menu design and presentation emerge as powerful tools in guiding consumer decisions, particularly when emphasizing healthier options. Moreover, service quality is found to significantly influence not only satisfaction but also the diversity and adventurousness of food choices. This meta-synthesis extends existing food choice models by incorporating context-specific factors unique to out-of-home dining experiences. It underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of the psychological processes underlying food selection in restaurant settings. Our results offer valuable insights for both theoretical advancements in consumer behavior and practical applications in the foodservice industry. Future research directions are proposed, including the development of an integrated model specific to out-of-home dining contexts.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to identify which fall-prevention program offered in community settings in Korea is the most effective in strengthening muscles. Muscle weakness is one of the major risk factors causing falls among the elderly. Randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials published between 1996 and February 2011 were included in this study. Seventeen of the 69 identified studies met the study's criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The overall effect size of the program was .822 (95% confidence interval= .717~.927). The general strengthening exercise (1.608), dance sports training (1.538), Thera-band exercise for lower extremities (1.517), Seniorobic exercise (1.146), gait training (.959), balance training (.909), gradual resistive exercise (.888), and multifactorial fall prevention (.842) programs all show positive effects on muscle strengthening. Subgroup analyses found that more relative effects are seen in programs offered to the more elderly. In this study, the effect of increasing muscle strength on the prevention of falls can only be indirectly suggested; there are few available studies that report the frequency or history of falls in Korea. Further studies are needed to examine the direct effect of fall prevention exercise programs among the elderly.