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- David, SP, et al.
(author)
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Potential Reporting Bias in Neuroimaging Studies of Sex Differences
- 2018
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In: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8:1, s. 6082-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Numerous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have reported sex differences. To empirically evaluate for evidence of excessive significance bias in this literature, we searched for published fMRI studies of human brain to evaluate sex differences, regardless of the topic investigated, in Medline and Scopus over 10 years. We analyzed the prevalence of conclusions in favor of sex differences and the correlation between study sample sizes and number of significant foci identified. In the absence of bias, larger studies (better powered) should identify a larger number of significant foci. Across 179 papers, median sample size was n = 32 (interquartile range 23-47.5). A median of 5 foci related to sex differences were reported (interquartile range, 2-9.5). Few articles (n = 2) had titles focused on no differences or on similarities (n = 3) between sexes. Overall, 158 papers (88%) reached “positive” conclusions in their abstract and presented some foci related to sex differences. There was no statistically significant relationship between sample size and the number of foci (−0.048% increase for every 10 participants, p = 0.63). The extremely high prevalence of “positive” results and the lack of the expected relationship between sample size and the number of discovered foci reflect probable reporting bias and excess significance bias in this literature.
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- Salavert, J, et al.
(author)
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Functional Imaging Changes in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Adult ADHD
- 2018
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In: Journal of attention disorders. - : SAGE Publications. - 1557-1246 .- 1087-0547. ; 22:7, s. 679-693
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Functional imaging studies have found reduced frontal activity, mainly in dorso/ventro-lateral regions and reduced task-related de-activation of the default mode network in childhood ADHD. Adult studies are fewer and inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the potential neural bases of executive function in ADHD adults, examining brain activity during N-back task performance, and to explore the potential corrective effects of long-term methylphenidate treatment. Method: We recruited a large adult ADHD-combined sample and a matched control group and obtained functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) images during task. ADHD participants were subdivided in a group under long-term treatment with methylphenidate (washed out for the scan) and a treatment-naive group. Results: ADHD participants showed deficient de-activation of the medial prefrontal cortex during 2-back task, implying default mode network dysfunction. We found no relationship between blunted de-activation and treatment history. Conclusion: As de-activation failure in the medial frontal cortex is linked to lapses of attention, findings suggest a potential link to ADHD symptomatology.
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- Fusar-Poli, P, et al.
(author)
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Ten simple rules for conducting umbrella reviews
- 2018
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In: Evidence-based mental health. - : BMJ. - 1468-960X .- 1362-0347. ; 21:3, s. 95-100
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Evidence syntheses such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses provide a rigorous and transparent knowledge base for translating clinical research into decisions, and thus they represent the basic unit of knowledge in medicine. Umbrella reviews are reviews of previously published systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Therefore, they represent one of the highest levels of evidence synthesis currently available, and are becoming increasingly influential in biomedical literature. However, practical guidance on how to conduct umbrella reviews is relatively limited.MethodsWe present a critical educational review of published umbrella reviews, focusing on the essential practical steps required to produce robust umbrella reviews in the medical field.ResultsThe current manuscript discusses 10 key points to consider for conducting robust umbrella reviews. The points are: ensure that the umbrella review is really needed, prespecify the protocol, clearly define the variables of interest, estimate a common effect size, report the heterogeneity and potential biases, perform a stratification of the evidence, conduct sensitivity analyses, report transparent results, use appropriate software and acknowledge the limitations. We illustrate these points through recent examples from umbrella reviews and suggest specific practical recommendations.ConclusionsThe current manuscript provides a practical guidance for conducting umbrella reviews in medical areas. Researchers, clinicians and policy makers might use the key points illustrated here to inform the planning, conduction and reporting of umbrella reviews in medicine.
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- Garcia-Olive, I, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Air Pollution on Exacerbations of Bronchiectasis in Badalona, Spain, 2008-2016
- 2018
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In: Respiration. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0356 .- 0025-7931. ; 96:2, s. 111-116
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Air pollution has been widely associated with respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, the association between air pollution and exacerbations of bronchiectasis has been less studied. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To analyze the effect of air pollution on exacerbations of bronchiectasis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a retrospective observational study conducted in<i></i> Badalona. The number of daily hospital admissions and emergency room visits related to exacerbation of bronchiectasis (ICD-9 code 494.1) between 2008 and 2016 was obtained. We used simple Poisson regressions to test the effects of daily mean temperature, SO<sub>2</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, CO, and PM<sub>10</sub> levels on bronchiectasis-related emergencies and hospitalizations on the same day and 1–4 days after. All <i>p</i> values were corrected for multiple comparisons. <b><i>Results:</i></b> SO<sub>2</sub> was significantly associated with an increase in the number of hospitalizations (lags 0, 1, 2, and 3). None of these associations remained significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. The number of emergency room visits was associated with higher levels of SO<sub>2</sub> (lags 0–4). After correcting for multiple comparisons, the association between emergency room visits and SO<sub>2</sub> levels was statistically significant for lag 0 (<i>p</i> = 0.043), lag 1 (<i>p</i> = 0.018), and lag 3 (<i>p</i> = 0.050). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The number of emergency room visits for exacerbation of bronchiectasis is associated with higher levels of SO<sub>2</sub>.
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