Ensuring continuity of care for patients with major depressive disorders poses multiple challenges. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing real-time telehealth to face-to-face therapy for individuals with depression. We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central (to November 2020), conducted a citation analysis (January 2021), and searched clinical trial registries (March 2021). We included randomised controlled trials comparing similar or identical care, delivered via real-time telehealth (phone, video) to face-to-face. Outcomes included: depression severity, quality of life, therapeutic alliance, and care satisfaction. Where data were sufficient, mean differences were calculated. Nine trials (1268 patients) were included. There were no differences between telehealth and face-to-face care for depression severity at post-treatment (SMD −0.04, 95% CI −0.21 to 0.13, p = 0.67) or at other time points, except at 9 months post-treatment (SMD −0.39, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.02, p = 0.04). One trial reported no differences in quality-of-life scores at 3- or 12-months post-treatment. One trial found no differences in therapeutic alliance at weeks 4 and 14 of treatment. There were no differences in treatment satisfaction between telehealth and face-to-face immediately post-treatment (SMD −0.14, 95% CI −0.56 to 0.28, p = 0.51) or at 3 or 12-months. Evidence suggests that for patients with depression or depression symptoms, the provision of care via telehealth may be a viable alternative to the provision of care face-to-face. However, additional trials are needed with longer follow-up, conducted in a wider range of settings, and with younger patients.

Although previous studies suggested the protective effect of zinc for type-2 diabetes (T2D), the unitary causal effect remains inconclusive. We investigated the causal effect of zinc as a single intervention on glycemic control for T2D, using a systematic review of RCTs and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Four primary outcomes were identified: fasting blood glucose/fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and serum insulin/fasting insulin level. In the systematic review, four databases were searched from the establishment to June 2021. Studies, in which participants had T2D and intervention did not comprise another co-supplement, were included. Results were synthesized through the random-effects meta-analysis. In the two-sample MR, we used random allocation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), strongly related to zinc supplements, to infer the relationship causally, but not specified T2D. SNPs were from MR-base. In the systematic review and meta-analysis, 14 trials were included with a total of 897 participants. The zinc supplement led to a significant reduction in the post-trial mean of fasting blood glucose (mean difference (MD): -26.52 mg/dL, 95%CI: -35.13, -17.91), HbA1c (MD: -0.52%, 95%CI: -0.90, -0.13), and HOMA-IR (MD: -1.65, 95%CI: -2.62, -0.68), compared to the control group. In the two-sample MR, zinc supplement with 2 SNPs reduced the fasting glucose (inverse-variance weighted coefficient: -2.04 mmol/L, 95%CI: -3.26, -0.83). From systematic review and two-sample MR analyses, zinc supplementation alone may causally improve glycemic control among T2D patients. The findings are limited by power from the small number of studies and SNPs included in the systematic review and two-sample MR analysis respectively.

The association between alcohol intake and the risk of glioma has been widely studied, but these results have yielded conflicting findings. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and updated meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the association between alcohol intake and the risk of glioma. A systematic literature search of relevant articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wan fang databases up to December 2021 was conducted. Pooled estimated of relative risk(RR) and 95% confidence interval(CI) were calculated using fixed-effects models. A total of eight articles with three case-control studies involving 2706 glioma cases and 2189927 participants were included in this meta-analysis.A reduced risk of glioma was shown for the low-moderate alcohol drinking versus non-drinking(RR=0.87; 95%CI: 0.78, 0.97; P=0.014). In addition, there was no evidence of an increased risk of glioma in the heavy alcohol drinking compared with non-drinking (RR=0.89; 95%CI: 0.67, 1.18; P=0.404). The findings suggest an inverse association between low-moderate alcohol drinking and the risk of glioma, in the absence, however, of a dose-response relationship. More prospective studies are needed to provide further insight into the association between alcohol drinking and glioma risk.

In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between the consumption of dairy products and the risk of prostate cancer. We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for relevant articles and identified a total of 33 cohort studies between 1989 and 2020. The qualities of included studies were assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Pooled adjusted relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. We performed subgroup analyses stratified by dairy type, prostate cancer type, follow-up years, treatment era, collection times, adjustment for confounders, and geographic location. In the subgroup analysis stratified by prostate cancer type, the pooled RRs were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.94-1.03) in the advanced group, 1.10 (95% CI: 0.98-1.24) in the non-advanced group and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.84-1.00) in the fatal group. In dose-response analysis, a positive association for the risk of prostate cancer was observed for total dairy products 400 g/d (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03), total milk 200 g/d (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03), cheese 40 g/d (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03), and butter 50 g/d (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05). A decreased risk was observed for the intake of whole milk 100 g/d (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99). Our meta-analysis suggests that high intakes of dairy products may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer; however, since many of the studies were affected by PSA screening bias, additional studies with an adjustment of PSA screening are needed.

Beebe and Buckwalter (2010) made the surprising discovery that people are more inclined to attribute knowledge when norms are violated than when they are conformed to. The epistemic side-effect effect (ESEE) is the analogue of the Knobe effect (Knobe 2003a). ESEE was replicated in a number of experiments. It was also studied under various conditions. We have carried out a meta-analysis of research on ESEE. The results suggest that ESEE is a robust finding but its magnitude is highly variable. Two study-level covariates influence its size: the subject of the knowledge attribution (agent vs third-party) and the type of norm that is violated or complied with. The effect size is not influenced, however, by the manipulation of chances, by whether the story is about a side effect or not, by language or by question phrasing. The impact of the Gettierization of the story is marginally significant.

The relationship between vitamin B12 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial. To comprehensively evaluate the relationship between vitamin B12 and GDM, and to provide more information on GDM prevention, this study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin B12 and GDM. As of September 22, 2021, 304 articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, of which 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results presented there was no association between maternal vitamin B12 concentration during the first trimester with GDM, however, low vitamin B12 concentration in the second or third trimester of pregnancy was related to an increased risk of GDM. Compared with the non-GDM group, the vitamin B12 concentration in the GDM group was remarkably decreased (MD: –10·79; 95%CI: –21·37, –0·21), and vitamin B12 deficiency increased the risk for GDM (OR: 1·59; 95%CI: 1·10, 2·29). These effects were more significant among Asians. In addition, an increased ratio of high folate to low vitamin B12 in serum also increased the risk of GDM (OR: 1·87; 95% CI: 1·46, 2·41). These results suggest that more vitamin B12 may need to be provided during pregnancy.

This article uses meta-regression analysis to examine variation in willingness to pay (WTP) for farm-raised seafood and aquaculture products. We measure the WTP premiums that consumers have for common product attributes and examine how WTP varies systematically across study design elements, populations of interest, and sample characteristics. Based on metadata from 45 studies, the meta-regression analysis indicates that WTP estimates differ significantly with the availability of attributes such as domestic and environmental certification, but also with sample income and gender representation.

Recent meta-analytic work indicated that guar gum supplementation might improve lipid profile markers in different populations. However, critical methodological limitations such as the use of some unreliable data and the lack of inclusion of several relevant studies, and the scarcity in assessments of regression and dose-specific effects make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the meta-analysis. Therefore, current evidence regarding the effects of guar gum supplementation on lipid profile remains unclear. The present systematic review, meta-regression, and dose-response meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of guar gum supplementation on lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglyceride [TG], and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) in adults. Relevant studies were obtained by searching the PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and Web of Science databases (from inception to September 2021). Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated via a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were reported using standard methods. Pooled analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed that guar gum supplementation led to significant reductions in TC (WMD: -19.34 mg/dL, 95% CI: -26.18, -12.49, p<0.001) and LDL (WMD: -16.19 mg/dL, 95% CI: -25.54, -6.83, p=0.001). However, there was no effect on TG and HDL among adults in comparison with control group. Our outcomes suggest that guar gum supplementation lowers TC and LDL in adults. Future large RCTs on various populations are needed to show further beneficial effects of guar gum supplementation on lipid profile and establish guidelines for clinical practice.

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted manifold social policy responses all around the world. This article presents the findings of a meta-analysis of thirty-six in-depth country reports on early Covid-19 social policy responses in the Global South. The analysis shows that social policy responses during the early phase of the pandemic have been predominantly focused on expanding temporary and targeted benefits. In terms of policy areas, next to labour market and social assistance measures, the focus has also been on unconventional social policy instruments. The social policy responses of developing economies were often rudimentary, focusing on cash transfers and food relief, and heavily relied on external funding. In contrast, many emerging economies introduced a much broader array of social policies and were less reliant on external support.

To evaluate the effects of pistachio consumption on the glucoregulatory status in individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) was conducted. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception until June 2019. Human trials that reported data for fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were included. Data were pooled using the random effect models and expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Eight RCT were included in the analyses. Pistachio consumption, exchanged isocalorically for other foods, decreased FBS (WMD: -5.32 mg/dL, 95% CI: -7.80 to -2.64, P < 0.001), and insulin (WMD: -1.86 µIU/mL, 95% CI: -3.13 to -0.59, P < 0.01) concentrations in individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, no changes were observed in the levels of HOMA-IR between the groups (WMD: -0.66, 95% CI: -1.89 to 0.58, P = 0.30). Pistachio consumption may improve glucoregulatory status in individuals at risk for CVD, as evidenced by reduced FBS and insulin concentrations. However, due to the limited availability of studies with diabetic cases and relatively small sample sizes of available studies, well-designed trials with adequate sample sizes aimed at diabetic populations are recommended.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe condition that is associated with trauma-related guilt. We aimed at providing a comprehensive quantitative systematic review on the relationship between trauma-related guilt and adult PTSD. Database searches in Medline, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs and Web of Knowledge resulted in the inclusion of 163 eligible studies with a total of 35 020 trauma survivors. The studies reported on 157 cross-sectional and 19 longitudinal data points. Overall, we included 135 studies not included in previous meta-analyses. Random-effect models yielded a moderate cross-sectional correlation (r = 0.38, 95% CI 0.35–0.42, p < 0.001, I2 = 90.3%) and a small to moderate predictive correlation (r = 0.21, 95% CI 0.13–0.29, p < 0.001, I2 = 66.7%). The association appeared to be stable over time and was robust to sensitivity analyses. All symptom clusters significantly correlated with guilt. No effects were found for military v. civilian populations or clinical v. non-clinical samples. Effects were smaller for high-quality studies and larger for instruments based on DSM-5. Further significant moderators were type of guilt measure and trauma type. The largest association was found among participants reporting war-related trauma (r = 0.44, 95% CI 0.36–0.51) and the smallest among survivors of motor-vehicle accidents (r = 0.18, 95% CI 0.02–0.33). The results underpin the role of trauma-related guilt in the onset and maintenance of PTSD symptoms, which have important clinical implications. Future studies should further explore the change interactions of guilt and PTSD symptoms.

Drawing on systems theory, this paper aims to search for a leverage point in a high-performance work system (HPWS) wherein a small change of a constituent part significantly enhances the effect of the whole system on organizational performance (OP). Based on meta-analysis of 59,207 firms and establishments from 240 sample studies up to December 2021, the paper examines the effect of HPWS composition, coupled with country of origin and industrial affiliation, on the HPWS–OP relationship. The paper finds that training and development serves as a leverage point to significantly strengthen the synergy of HPWS. However, this leverage point works in advanced countries rather than developing countries, and in service industries rather than manufacturing industries. The finding indicates that a leverage point is not omnipresent, but contingent on country of origin and industrial affiliation. This study has practical implications for managers, highlighting the importance of a leverage point to the HPWS–OP relationship and the contingency nature of the leverage point.

The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-DS) was introduced in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and is characterised by symptoms of either depersonalisation or derealisation, in addition to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to estimate the point prevalence of current PTSD-DS, and the extent to which method of assessment, demographic and trauma variables moderate this estimate, across different methods of prevalence estimation. Studies included were identified by searching MEDLINE (EBSCO), PsycInfo, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete and PTSDpubs, yielding 49 studies that met the inclusion criteria (N = 8214 participants). A random-effects meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of PTSD-DS as 38.1% (95% CI 31.5–45.0%) across all samples, 45.5% (95% CI 37.7–53.4%) across all diagnosis-based and clinical cut-off samples, 22.8% (95% CI 14.8–32.0%) across all latent class analysis (LCA) and latent profile analysis (LPA) samples and 48.1% (95% CI 35.0–61.3%) across samples which strictly used the DSM-5 PTSD criteria; all as a proportion of those already with a diagnosis of PTSD. All results were characterised by high levels of heterogeneity, limiting generalisability. Moderator analyses mostly failed to identify sources of heterogeneity. PTSD-DS was more prevalent in children compared to adults, and in diagnosis-based and clinical cut-off samples compared to LCA and LPA samples. Risk of bias was not significantly related to prevalence estimates. The implications of these results are discussed further.