BugsXLA is a Microsoft Excel add-in that facilitates Bayesian analysis of GLMMs and other complex model types by providing an easy to use interface for the BUGS package. BugsXLA macro is of good compatibility, ease to operation, smoothly running, low memory cost, and ease for data entry, extraction, and storage compared with other software which can calling BUGS to perform network meta-analysis currently. BugsXLA macro also integrates data storage and calculation. However, its function of plot drawing is very simple and only draws the density plot nowadays; Moreover, the function for calling WinBUGS is mature while is premature for calling OpenBUGS.
Multilevel models are applicable to both the quantitative data and categorical variables. We used the methods, including the multilevel models, analysis of covariance and CMH chi-square test, to analyse different types of data, to explore the application of multilevel models in the analysis of the multicenter clinical trial center effect. The results showed that the analysis of covariance is more sensitive to find the center effect for quantitative data, while multilevel models are more sensitive to categorical variables. It can be seen that results with different analytical methods for center effect are not the same, and the most appropriate method should be selected in accordance with the characteristics of data, the objective of research, and the applicable conditions of the various methods in practical use.
Objective To improve surgical results, the experience of surgical management of Ebstein anomaly in 36 cases is reported and reviewed. Methods Surgical procedures included tricuspid valve replacement (6 cases), Danielson’s operation (28 cases), Carpentier’s operation (2 cases), among them, there were 5 cases of ablation of right atrioventricular accessory pathway. Results Four patients died early after operation in the hospital, 3 from right heart failure (1 case of tricuspid valve replacement and 2 cas...
The standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy for studies in journal or conference abstracts (STARD for Abstracts) was developed for guiding the reporting of abstracts of diagnostic accuracy studies, which was published in BMJ in August 2017. The study mainly introduced and interpreted the items of STARD for Abstracts, in order to help domestic researchers to perform and report the abstracts of diagnostic accuracy studies by STARD for Abstracts.
Lifestyle medicine is an emerging medical specialty of 20-year-history. It is more cost effective and environmentally friendlier in managing chronic health conditions of individuals and populations than the conventional allopathic medicine. By summarizing the development, implementation and prospects of lifestyle medicine in America, this paper aims to contribute to the advancement of lifestyle medicine in China.
