The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in main characteristics, reporting and methodological quality between prospectively registered and nonregistered systematic reviews.
PubMed ...was searched to identify systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials published in 2015 in English. After title and abstract screening, potentially relevant reviews were divided into three groups: registered non-Cochrane reviews, Cochrane reviews, and nonregistered reviews. For each group, random number tables were generated in Microsoft Excel, and the first 50 eligible studies from each group were randomly selected. Data of interest from systematic reviews were extracted. Regression analyses were conducted to explore the association between total Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review (R-AMSTAR) or Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) scores and the selected characteristics of systematic reviews.
The conducting and reporting of literature search in registered reviews were superior to nonregistered reviews. Differences in 9 of the 11 R-AMSTAR items were statistically significant between registered and nonregistered reviews. The total R-AMSTAR score of registered reviews was higher than nonregistered reviews mean difference (MD) = 4.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.70, 5.94. Sensitivity analysis by excluding the registration-related item presented similar result (MD = 4.34, 95% CI: 3.28, 5.40). Total PRISMA scores of registered reviews were significantly higher than nonregistered reviews (all reviews: MD = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.64-2.30; non-Cochrane reviews: MD = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.56-2.42). However, the difference in the total PRISMA score was no longer statistically significant after excluding the item related to registration (item 5). Regression analyses showed similar results.
Prospective registration may at least indirectly improve the overall methodological quality of systematic reviews, although its impact on the overall reporting quality was not significant.
Current international guidelines recommend aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In our study, we conducted a network meta-analysis to ...assess the comparative impact of different exercise training modalities on glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, and weight loss in patients with T2DM.
We searched five electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the differences between different exercise training modalities for patients with T2DM. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane tool. Network meta-analysis was performed to calculate mean difference the ratio of the mean and absolute risk differences. Data were analyzed using R-3.4.0.
A total of 37 studies with 2208 patients with T2DM were included in our study. Both supervised aerobic and supervised resistance exercises showed a significant reduction in HbA1c compared to no exercise (0.30% lower, 0.30% lower, respectively), however, there was a less reduction when compared to combined exercise (0.17% higher, 0.23% higher). Supervised aerobic also presented more significant improvement than no exercise in fasting plasma glucose (9.38 mg/dl lower), total cholesterol (20.24 mg/dl lower), triacylglycerol (19.34 mg/dl lower), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (11.88 mg/dl lower). Supervised resistance showed more benefit than no exercise in improving systolic blood pressure (3.90 mmHg lower) and total cholesterol (22.08 mg/dl lower. In addition, supervised aerobic exercise was more powerful in improving HbA1c and weight loss than unsupervised aerobic (HbA1c: 0.60% lower; weight loss: 5.02 kg lower) and unsupervised resistance (HbA1c: 0.53% lower) exercises.
Compared with either supervised aerobic or supervised resistance exercise alone, combined exercise showed more pronounced improvement in HbA1c levels; however, there was a less marked improvement in some cardiovascular risk factors. In terms of weight loss, there were no significant differences among the combined, supervised aerobic, and supervised resistance exercises.
Our study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO); registration number: CRD42017067518 .
Organometallic halide perovskite films with good surface morphology and large grain size are desirable for obtaining high‐performance photovoltaic devices. However, defects and related trap sites are ...generated inevitably at grain boundaries and on surfaces of solution‐processed polycrystalline perovskite films. Seeking facial and efficient methods to passivate the perovskite film for minimizing defect density is necessary for further improving the photovoltaic performance. Here, a convenient strategy is developed to improve perovskite crystallization by incorporating a 2D polymeric material of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) into the perovskite layer. The addition of g‐C3N4 results in improved crystalline quality of perovskite film with large grain size by retarding the crystallization rate, and reduced intrinsic defect density by passivating charge recombination centers around the grain boundaries. In addition, g‐C3N4 doping increases the film conductivity of perovskite layer, which is beneficial for charge transport in perovskite light‐absorption layer. Consequently, a champion device with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 19.49% is approached owing to a remarkable improvement in fill factor from 0.65 to 0.74. This finding demonstrates a simple method to passivate the perovskite film by controlling the crystallization and reducing the defect density.
Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is incorporated into the perovskite precursor solution to modify the perovskite film by controlling the perovskite crystallization, reducing the intrinsic defect density, and improving the film conductivity. As a result, a champion device with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 19.49% is approached.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered a curative treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Growing data have demonstrated that cryoablation represents a safe and effective ...alternative therapy for HCC, but no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been reported to compare cryoablation with RFA in HCC treatment. The present study was a multicenter RCT aimed to compare the outcomes of percutaneous cryoablation with RFA for the treatment of HCC. In all, 360 patients with Child‐Pugh class A or B cirrhosis and one or two HCC lesions ≤ 4 cm, treatment‐naïve, without metastasis were randomly assigned to cryoablation (n = 180) or RFA (n = 180). The primary endpoints were local tumor progression at 3 years after treatment and safety. Local tumor progression rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 3%, 7%, and 7% for cryoablation and 9%, 11%, and 11% for RFA, respectively (P = 0.043). For lesions >3 cm in diameter, the local tumor progression rate was significantly lower in the cryoablation group versus the RFA group (7.7% versus 18.2%, P = 0.041). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival rates were 97%, 67%, and 40% for cryoablation and 97%, 66%, and 38% for RFA, respectively (P = 0.747). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year tumor‐free survival rates were 89%, 54%, and 35% in the cryoablation group and 84%, 50%, and 34% in the RFA group, respectively (P = 0.628). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that Child‐Pugh class B and distant intrahepatic recurrence were significant negative predictors for overall survival. Major complications occurred in seven patients (3.9%) following cryoablation and in six patients (3.3%) following RFA (P = 0.776). Conclusion: Cryoablation resulted in a significantly lower local tumor progression than RFA, although both cryoablation and RFA were equally safe and effective, with similar 5‐year survival rates. (Hepatology 2015;61:1579–1590)
Exploiting organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with reduced Pb content is very important for developing environment‐friendly photovoltaics. Utilizing of Pb–Sn alloying perovskite ...is considered as an efficient route to reduce the risk of ecosystem pollution. However, the trade‐off between device performance and Sn substitution ratio due to the instability of Sn2+ is a current dilemma. Here, for the first time, the highly efficient Pb–Sn–Cu ternary PSCs are reported by partial replacing of PbI2 with SnI2 and CuBr2. Sn2+ substitution results in a redshift of the absorption onset, whereas worsens the film quality. Interestingly, Cu2+ introduction can passivate the trap sites at the crystal boundaries of Pb–Sn perovskites effectively. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency as high as 21.08% in inverted planar Pb–Sn–Cu ternary PSCs is approached. The finding opens a new route toward the fabrication of high efficiency Pb–Sn alloying perovskite solar cells by Cu2+ passivation.
Pb–Sn–Cu ternary perovskite solar cells are fabricated by partially replacing PbI2 with SnI2 and CuBr2. Sn2+ substitution results in a redshift of the absorption onset, but worsens the film quality. Cu2+ substitution paves a route to passivating the trap sites at the crystal boundaries. As a result, a maximum PCE of 21.08% is achieved with improved cell stabiilty.
We report the synthesis, crystal structures, and spectral, thermal, and magnetic properties of a family of metal–organic perovskite ABX3, C(NH2)3MII(HCOO)3, in which A=C(NH2)3 is guanidinium, B=M is ...a divalent metal ion (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn), and X is the formate HCOO−. The compounds could be synthesized by either diffusion or hydrothermal methods from water or water‐rich solutions depending on the metal. The five members (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn) are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnna, while the Cu member in Pna21. In the perovskite structures, the octahedrally coordinated metal ions are connected by the anti–anti formate bridges, thus forming the anionic NaCl‐type M(HCOO)3− frameworks, with the guanidinium in the nearly cubic cavities of the frameworks. The Jahn–Teller effect of Cu2+ results in a distorted anionic Cu–formate framework that can be regarded as Cu–formate chains through short basal CuO bonds linked by the long axial CuO bonds. These materials show higher thermal stability than other metal–organic perovskite series of AmineHM(HCOO)3 templated by the organic monoammonium cations (AmineH+) as a result of the stronger hydrogen bonding between guanidinium and the formate of the framework. A magnetic study revealed that the five magnetic members (except Zn) display spin‐canted antiferromagnetism, with a Néel temperature of 8.8 (Mn), 10.0 (Fe), 14.2 (Co), 34.2 (Ni), and 4.6 K (Cu). In addition to the general spin‐canted antiferromagnetism, the Fe compound shows two isothermal transformations (a spin‐flop and a spin‐flip to the paramagnetic phase) within 50 kOe. The Co member possesses quite a large canting angle. The Cu member is a magnetic system with low dimensional character and shows slow magnetic relaxation that probably results from the domain dynamics.
Nice cubes: A family of metal–organic perovskite salts of C(NH2)3M(HCOO)3 for divalent Mn to Zn were synthesized from water or water‐rich solutions. They possess anionic NaCl‐type frameworks of M(HCOO)3 with guanidinium in the cubic cavities (see figure); the magnetic members show spin‐canted antiferromagnetism.
Efficient visible-light-induced radical cascade trifluoromethylation/cyclization of inactivated alkenes with CF
Br, which is a nonhygroscopic, noncorrosive, cheap and industrially abundant chemical, ...was developed in this work, producing trifluoromethyl polycyclic quinazolinones, benzimidazoles and indoles under mild reaction conditions. The method features wide functional group compatibility and a broad substrate scope, offering a facile strategy to pharmaceutically produce valuable CF
-containing polycyclic
-heterocycles.
Background and Aim
The portal pressure gradient (PPG) is a useful predictor of portal hypertension (PH) related complications. We previously showed the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound ...guided PPG measurement (EUS‐PPG). Now EUS‐guided liver biopsy (EUS‐bx) has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to percutaneous or Interventional Radiology‐guided liver biopsy for the diagnosis of chronic liver disease (CLD). We aimed to evaluate the correlation between PPG and clinical markers of PH, and assess the feasibility and safety of concomitant, single session EUS‐PPG and EUS‐bx.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing EUS‐PPG for CLD at a single tertiary endoscopy center between February 2014 and March 2020. EUS‐PPG was performed using a 25‐gauge needle and compact manometer. Data analysis was performed with SAS version 9.4.
Results
Eighty‐three patients underwent EUS‐PPG with 100% technical success. The mean PPG was 7.06 mmHg (SD 6.09, range 0–27.3). PPG was higher in patients with (vs without) clinical features of cirrhosis (9.46 vs 3.61 mmHg, P < 0.0001), esophageal or gastric varices (13.88 vs 4.34 mmHg, P < 0.0001), and thrombocytopenia (9.25 vs 4.71 mmHg, P = 0.0022). In the 71 patients (85.5%) who underwent EUS‐bx, 70 (98.6%) specimens were deemed adequate by the pathologist for histologic diagnosis. There were no early or late major adverse events.
Conclusion
EUS‐PPG correlates well with clinical markers of PH. EUS‐bx can be performed safely during the same session as EUS‐PPG, providing a comprehensive endoscopic evaluation of the patient with CLD.
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•Past LULC changes can be divided into two stages: (I) accelerated evolution stage (1980–2010), and (II) stable evolution stage (2010–2020).•Carbon storage presented a high-low-high ...distribution pattern from north to south.•Areas with a rapid urbanization process exhibited more obvious changes in carbon storage dynamics.•Rapid LULC dynamics have reduced the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem.•The implementation of ecological conservation could increase the carbon fixation in ecosystems.
Land use/land cover (LULC) change has greatly altered ecosystem carbon storage capacity and can eventually profoundly impact global climate change. Characterizing the LULC change and its impact on ecosystem carbon storage in coastal areas is greatly significant to comprehensively understanding the influences of human activities on ecosystems. Based on LULC data, this paper combined CA-Markov and InVEST models to evaluate the past, present, and future LULC change and its impact on ecosystem carbon storage in coastal areas of China. The results showed that past LULC change in coastal areas can be divided into two stages: (I) accelerated evolution stage (1980–2010), and (II) stable evolution stage (2010–2020). Changes in LULC types have led to a downward trend in ecosystem carbon storage, with a cumulative loss of 0.39 Pg and 0.15 Pg during the two stages, respectively. Spatially, carbon storage presented a high-low-high spatial distribution pattern from north to south. Temporally, areas with a rapid urbanization process exhibited more obvious changes in carbon storage dynamics. Compared with the natural change scenario, the areas with LULC types conversion under the ecological conservation scenario in 2050 will be lower due to the limitation of ecological protection, and it caused carbon storage reduction will slow down. Rapid LULC dynamics, that a large area of farmland, unused land and, water have been converted into construction land, reduced the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem. This study will provide reliable references and precise data support for coastal management and decision-making.
Adipocyte differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) instead of osteoblast formation contributes to age- and menopause-related marrow adiposity and osteoporosis. Vascular ...calcification often occurs with osteoporosis, a contradictory association called "calcification paradox". Here we show that extracellular vesicles derived from aged bone matrix (AB-EVs) during bone resorption favor BMSC adipogenesis rather than osteogenesis and augment calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells. Intravenous or intramedullary injection of AB-EVs promotes bone-fat imbalance and exacerbates Vitamin D3 (VD3)-induced vascular calcification in young or old mice. Alendronate (ALE), a bone resorption inhibitor, down-regulates AB-EVs release and attenuates aging- and ovariectomy-induced bone-fat imbalance. In the VD3-treated aged mice, ALE suppresses the ovariectomy-induced aggravation of vascular calcification. MiR-483-5p and miR-2861 are enriched in AB-EVs and essential for the AB-EVs-induced bone-fat imbalance and exacerbation of vascular calcification. Our study uncovers the role of AB-EVs as a messenger for calcification paradox by transferring miR-483-5p and miR-2861.
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