Evidence synthesis is the process of systematically gathering, analyzing, and integrating available research evidence. The quality of evidence synthesis depends on the quality of the original studies included. Validity assessment, also known as risk of bias assessment, is an essential method for assessing the quality of these original studies. Currently, there are numerous validity assessment tools available, but some of them lack a rigorous development process and evaluation. The application of inappropriate validity assessment tools to assessing the quality of the original studies during the evidence synthesis process may compromise the accuracy of study conclusions and mislead the clinical practice. To address this dilemma, the LATITUDES Network, a one-stop resource website for validity assessment tools, was established in September 2023, led by academics at the University of Bristol, U.K. This Network is dedicated to collecting, sorting and promoting validity assessment tools to improve the accuracy of original study validity assessments and increase the robustness and reliability of the results of evidence synthesis. This study introduces the background of the establishment of the LATITUDES Network, the included validity assessment tools, and the training resources for the use of validity assessment tools, in order to provide a reference for domestic scholars to learn more about the LATITUDES Network, to better use the appropriate validity assessment tools to conduct study quality assessments, and to provide references for the development of validity assessment tools.
Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common type of epilepsy in clinic. In recent years, many studies have found that patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have different degrees of influence in executive function related fields. This influence may not only exist in a certain field of executive function, but may be affected in several fields, and may be related to the origin site of seizures. However, up to now, there is no unified standard for the composition of executive function, and it is widely accepted that the three core components of executive function are working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility/switching. In addition, the International League Against Epilepsy proposed a new definition in 2010, and epilepsy is a brain network disease. There is a close relationship between brain neural network and cognitive impairment. According to the cognitive field, the brain neural network can be divided into six types: default mode network, salience network, executive control network, dorsal attention network, somatic motor network and visual network. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that four related internal brain networks are series in a range of cognitive processes. The executive dysfunction of temporal lobe epilepsy may be related to the changes of functional connectivity of neural network, and may be related to the left uncinate fasciculus. This article reviews the research progress related to executive function in temporal lobe epilepsy from working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, and discusses the correlation between the changes of temporal lobe epilepsy neural network and executive function research.
Network meta-analyses (NMA) of survival data often rely on the proportional hazards (PH) assumption, however, this assumption fails when survival curves intersect. With the emergence of innovative therapies such as immunotherapy, the importance of NMA based on non-proportional hazards (non-PH) in the current evidence-based medicine evaluation of oncology drugs has become increasingly prominent. Fractional polynomial (FP) models do not rely on the assumption of PH, which can flexibly capture the characteristics of survival curves, and the corresponding fitting effects are better than those of the PH models. This study introduced a complete workflow in R for NMA using FP models with non-PH.
Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a statistical technique that integrates data from multiple clinical studies and compares the efficacy and safety of multiple interventions, which can provide pro and con ranking results for all intervention options in the evidence network and provide direct evidence support for clinical decision-making. At present, NMA is usually based on the aggregation of the same type of data set, and there are still methodological and software difficulties in achieving cross-study design and cross-data format data set merging. The crossnma package of R programming language is based on Bayesian framework and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, extending the three-level hierarchical model to the standard NMA data model to achieve differential merging of varied data types. The crossnma package fully considers the impact of risk bias caused by the combination of different types of data on the results by introducing model variables. In addition, the package provides functions such as result output and easy graphing, which makes it possible to combine NMA across study designs and evidence across data formats. In this study, the model based on crossnma package method and software operation will be demonstrated and explained through the examples of four individual participant datasets and two aggregate datasets.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of Chinese medicine injection (CMI) for treating heart failure (HF).MethodsCNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase databases were electronically searched from inception to January 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CMI for treating HF. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.2 software and Stata 16.0 software.ResultsA total of 47 studies were included involving 4 902 patients and 5 types of CMIs, including Shenmai, Shenfu, Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized), Shengmai, and Danhong injections. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of combined CMIs was superior to conventional Western medicine alone. For the main efficacy, Shenmai, Shengmai, and Shenfu injections had significant advantages in improving the total clinical effectiveness. Shengmai, Shenmai, and Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized) injections were significantly more effective for reducing NT pro-BNP levels than other injections. Shenfu and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for reducing BNP levels than other injections. Shenmai, Danhong and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for improving the left ventricular ejection fraction than the other injections. These CMIs showed similar advantages for secondary efficacy indicators as for main efficacy indicators.ConclusionsThe combined 5 types of CMIs for treating HF can improve the clinical efficacy when compared with conventional Western medicine treatment. Shenmai injection, Yiqi Fumai injection (lyophilized), and Shengmai injection, which is part of Sheng Mai San, have clear advantages in terms of the overall curative effect or on individual indices.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the long-term efficacy of biologics for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the long-term efficacy of approved biologics for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis from inception to May 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies; then, the network meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 26 RCTs were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that among 11 biologics, the most effective biologics were risankizumab, followed by bimekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, and ixekizumab, and followed by secukinumab, adalimumab, ustekinumab, and etanercept was the last. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that risankizumab is likely to be the best option for long-term treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
The goal of JAGS (Just Another Gibbs Sampler) software is to remedy the short of BUGS software that unable to running on a system besides Microsoft Windows, such as Unix or Linux. JAGS owns independent computing function and formula of Bayesian theory; it is mischaracterized with simple user interface, good system compatibility, smoother operation, and good interactivity with other programming software. However, due to the limitations of lacking function for results data reading and unscrambling and graph plotting, the popularization and application of JAGS software is restricted. Calling JAGS software from R software through R2jags package, rjags package, or runjags package can overcome these limitations. The operating principle of these three packages is calling JAGS software in the framework of the R software, they have similar functional structure and all have easy maneuverability, concise command, perfect function of data reading and unscrambling and graph drawing; however, there are some differences among them in practice. This article introduces how to performing network meta-analysis by calling JAGS software from R through these three packages.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of four antiplatelet regimens after coronary drug-eluting stents by network meta-analysis.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase and Web of Science databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the comparison of different antiplatelet regimens after coronary drug-eluting stenting from inception to December 31st, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by using Gemtc14.3 software, Stata16.0 software and RevMan5.3 software.ResultsA total of 23 RCTs involving 45 837 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that: in terms of prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) recurrence, the aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was inferior to the triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=2.13, 95%CI 1.08 to 4.03). In terms of reducing the incidence of ischemic compound events, the triple antiplatelet therapy was superior to the standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.53, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.72), the aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.49, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.69) and the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.73). There was no statistically significant difference among the four interventions in reducing the rate of in-stent thrombosis and all-cause mortality (P>0.05). In terms of safety, the bleeding rate of aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was lower than that of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.70, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.86) and triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.58, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.90), and the bleeding rate of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was also lower than that of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.65) and triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.26 to 0.67). The probability ranking diagram showed that: in terms of the recurrence rate of MI, the rate of in-stent thrombosis and the incidence of ischemic compound events, triple antiplatelet therapy was the lowest and aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was the highest. However, in terms of all-cause mortality and bleeding rate, aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was the lowest and triple antiplatelet therapy was the highest.ConclusionsThe available evidence suggests that when the risk of ischemia is low, we should choose aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy, and P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy may have a lower risk of ischemia and bleeding. When the risk of ischemia is high and bleeding is low, the triple or standard dual antiplatelet therapy should be selected, and the efficacy of triple antiplatelet therapy is superior, while the safety may be inferior.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of nine different dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot (DF).
MethodsDatabases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2016), Web of Science, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized control trials (RCTs) about the effects of dressings for the DF from inception to April 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then network meta-analysis was performed using WinBugs 1.4.3 and Stata 13.0 softwares.
ResultsA total of 29 RCTs involving 2 393 patients were included. The network meta-analysis showed that silver ion was superior to alginate, hydrogel, honey, sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Alginate was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Hydrogel was superior to povidone-iodine gauze; Honey was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Foam was superior to silver ion, alginate, hydrogel, honey, sterile gauze, povidone-iodine gauze and antibacterials gauze; Chitosan was superior to hydrogel, sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Antibacterials gauze was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze. All of the differences were statistically significant. Probability ranking according to SUCRA showed that there was a great possibility for foam and chitosan in the treatment of DF.
ConclusionBased on the results of network meta-analysis and rank, foam dressing and chitosan dressing are superior to other dressings in the treatment of DF. More attentions should be made regarding comparisons directly of different dressing and reporting of cost-effective analysis.
Comparison among multiple interventions has been realized due to the development of network meta-analysis and so far many studies have reported its implementation process. However, its results are rarely interpreted in domestic studies at present. This article interprets the results of trace plots, density plots, Brooks-Gelman-Rubin diagnosis plots, rankogram, surface under the cumulative ranking, and network plots, to provide references and assistance for further research regarding network meta-analysis.
