Meta-análisis: Intervalos de confianza e Intervalos de predicción / Meta-analysis: Confidence intervals and Prediction intervals

En los informes meta-analíticos se suelen reportar varios tipos de intervalos, hecho que ha generado cierta confusión a la hora de interpretarlos. Los intervalos de confianza reflejan la incertidumbre relacionada con un número, el tamaño del efecto medio paramétrico. Los intervalos de predicción reflejan el tamaño paramétrico probable en cualquier estudio de la misma clase que los incluidos en un meta-análisis. Su interpretación y aplicaciones son diferentes. En este artículo explicamos su diferente naturaleza y cómo se pueden utilizar para responder preguntas específicas. Se incluyen ejemplos numéricos, así como su cálculo con el paquete metafor en R.(AU)

Several types of intervals are usually employed in meta-analysis, a fact that has generated some confusion when interpreting them. Confidence intervals reflect the uncertainty related to a single number, the parametric mean effect size. Prediction intervals reflect the probable parametric effect size in any study of the same class as those included in a meta-analysis. Its interpretation and applications are different. In this article we explain in de-tail their different nature and how they can be used to answer specific ques-tions. Numerical examples are included, as well as their computation with the metafor Rpackage.(AU)

Connect, collaborate and tailor: a model of community engagement through infographic design during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Across the globe, racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with increased risk of infection and burden from disease. Vaccine hesitancy has contributed to variation in vaccine uptake and compromised population-based vaccination programs in many countries. Connect, Collaborate and Tailor (CCT) is a Public Health Agency of Canada funded project to make new connections between public health, healthcare professionals and underserved communities in order to create culturally adapted communication about COVID-19 vaccines. This paper describes the CCT process and outcomes as a community engagement model that identified information gaps and created tailored tools to address misinformation and improve vaccine acceptance. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with CCT participants were undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of CCT in identifying and addressing topics of concern to underserved and ethnic minority communities. Interviews also explored CCT participants' experiences of collaboration through the development of new partnerships between ethnic minority communities, public health and academic researchers, and the evolution of co-operation sharing ideas and creating infographics. Thematic analysis was used to produce representative themes. The activities described were aligned with the levels of public engagement described in the IAP2 spectrum (International Association for Public Participation). RESULTS: Analysis of interviews (n = 14) revealed that shared purpose and urgency in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic motivated co-operation among CCT participants. Acknowledgement of past harm, present health, and impact of social inequities on public service access was an essential first step in establishing trust. Creating safe spaces for open dialogue led to successful, iterative cycles of consultation and feedback between participants; a process that not only helped create tailored infographics but also deepened engagement and collaboration. Over time, the infographic material development was increasingly directed by community representatives' commentary on their groups' real-time needs and communication preferences. This feedback noticeably guided the choice, style, and presentation of infographic content while also directing dissemination strategies and vaccine confidence building activities. CONCLUSIONS: The CCT process to create COVID-19 vaccine communication materials led to evolving co-operation between groups who had not routinely worked together before; strong community engagement was a key driver of change. Ensuring a respectful environment for open dialogue and visibly using feedback to create information products provided a foundation for building relationships. Finally, our data indicate participants sought reinforcement of close cooperative ties and continued investment in shared responsibility for community partnership-based public health.

The effect of parenting type on anxiety level of hospitalised children: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of parenting type on the anxiety level of hospitalised children. METHODS: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in June 2021 at the paediatric ward of Arifin Ahmad General Hospital, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia, and comprised inpatients and their parents. The Data analyses was performed with SPSS 16.0. Statistical test results were considered significant at a p <0.05 level when 95% confidence intervals did not include zero. A personal Chi-Square test was applied to determine the influence of parenting type on the anxiety level of hospitalised children. RESULTS: There were 25 children with mean age 4.04±4.84 years, while the mean age of 25 parents was 34.87±36.89 years. Among the parents, 15(60%) were mothers. A significant influence was found between the type of parenting and the anxiety levels in hospitalised children (p=0.037; odds ratio:2.750; 95% confidence interval: 1.33-18.89). CONCLUSIONS: Good parenting patterns during treatment could reduce anxiety levels in hospitalised children.

Exploring the association of mindfulness, confidence, competitive state anxiety, and attention control in soccer penalty shootouts.

Introduction: Penalty shootouts are a pivotal factor influencing outcomes in soccer matches. Soccer players face the challenge of overcoming physical fatigue and psychological pressure when taking penalty kicks. Instances of low confidence and competitive state anxiety during matches exacerbate the detrimental impact on attention control, particularly in non-target defined features, leading to suboptimal performance during penalty kicks. Methods: This cross-sectional survey investigates the relationship between mindfulness and attention control. Convenient sampling was employed to gather a sample of 266 soccer players from sports teams and training bases in Central and South China who had participated in city-level or higher-level competitions. A structural equation model, created using AMOS 26, was employed for hypotheses validation. Results: Findings reveal a positive correlation between mindfulness and confidence, and a negative correlation between mindfulness and competitive state anxiety. Additionally, confidence positively associates with attention control, while competitive state anxiety shows a negative relationship with attention control. Confidence and competitive state anxiety also function as mediators in the correlation between mindfulness and attention control. To elaborate, soccer penalty kickers with heightened mindfulness demonstrate increased confidence levels, reduced competitive state anxiety, and improved attention control. Discussion: Mindfulness training positively influences attention control during penalty kicks for soccer players. To boost players' confidence, alleviate competitive state anxiety, and enhance their performance during penalty shootouts, it is recommended that governments increase investment in mindfulness training and talent development. Coaches should enhance their understanding of mindfulness training mechanisms, and athletes themselves should prioritize mindfulness training.

Mental processes in professional football players.

Objective: Clear connections have been found between mental processes and performance in elite level football. Yet, few studies have investigated how professional football players' experience the influence of mental processes on performance. Method: This study used a qualitative research design and in-depth interview of six Norwegian professional football players at elite level with a mean age of 28, 3 years and represented five professional clubs. The aim of the study was to investigate how they perceived the importance of arousal regulation, mental toughness, and self-confidence, and that of the sport psychologist in developing these skills. Results: The results revealed a complex and multifaceted link between mental processes and performance. All players, demonstrate a conscious awareness of how mental processes influence their performance. The use of a sport psychologist in working with mental processes emerges as a crucial factor for developing their mental skills. Another important aspect is the need for increased knowledge about mental training's effect in elite football. Mental toughness emerges as the most significant mental process for players' performance because it makes them capable of coping with challenging situations and periods. Conclusion: This study shows that mental processes are important for performing, both related to arousal regulation, and self-confidence, and especially mental toughness. However, mental toughness was also considered a product of age and experience, where older players tend to have experience of more situations that enable them to handle adversity better than younger players. Interestingly, the youngest players seem to be most aware of the use of a sports psychologist.

Correlation between ultrasonographic and cytologic features of thyroid nodules: a single-center cross-sectional study.

A thyroid nodule is managed according to the clinical context, ultrasound (US) findings, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) results. Most thyroid nodules are benign; however, nodule classification is crucial to avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery. We conducted this study to compare the findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) expressed using the Bethesda system with the features of thyroid US classified using the EU-TIRADS classification to assess the risk of malignancy. A descriptive and analytical study involving 99 patients with thyroid nodules followed up in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software V21. FNA was performed on 121 nodules using the BETHESDA system. These nodules were classified as malignant, suspicious for follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignancy in 5.8%, 5%, and 1.7% of cases, respectively. As for the EU-TIRADS 2017 classification, 59.5% of benign nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS III, whereas 66.7% of malignant nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS V and significantly related to malignant prediction (P = 0.000). The size of nodules was significantly correlated to the risk of malignancy (P = 0.013). Seventy-five percent of nodules with central vascularity were malignant (P = 0.012). Irregularity of nodule contours was significantly associated with the risk of malignancy, as 30% of nodules with irregular contours were Bethesda VI (P = 0.003). Hypoechogenicity was found in 77.8% of malignant nodules (P = 0.004). Additionally, only 9.2% of the nodules were taller than wide, of which 37.5% were malignant (P = 0.012). For a safe management strategy, US-guided FNAC should be performed on each suspicious thyroid nodule, given the correlation between EU-TIRADS classification features and the risk of malignancy.

A comparative study of readiness and confidence in online teaching among faculty members in health and non-health colleges within the United Arab Emirates.

INTRODUCTION: This study explores and compares the levels of readiness and confidence among faculty members in health and non-health colleges regarding online teaching in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and utilized a comprehensive survey instrument. A convenience sampling method was employed to enlist 412 faculty members from varied academic disciplines, comprising 278 from non-health programs and 134 from health programs. These participants offered valuable insights into their levels of preparedness and confidence for engaging in online teaching. RESULTS: The study uncovered nuanced differences in readiness and confidence levels between health and non-health colleges regarding online teaching preparedness. Significant gender-based variations were found, with female participants in health colleges reporting lower readiness (mean = 4.13) and confidence (mean = 4.11) compared to their counterparts in non-health colleges (mean = 4.43; mean = 4.52) (out of 5) (P < 0.05). Male participants in non-health colleges demonstrated higher readiness and confidence (P < 0.05). Academic rank and teaching experience (>5 years) positively influenced readiness and confidence (P < 0.05). Marital status, spouse working status, and years teaching online showed no significant differences. Teaching multiple online courses before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly enhanced readiness and confidence (P < 0.05). Professional development before and during the COVID-19 pandemic did not yield significant differences. CONCLUSION: The study contributes to the existing literature on online education, offering valuable insights into the specific challenges and opportunities faced by faculty in health and non-health colleges. The results inform decision-making processes for educational institutions and policymakers in the UAE, emphasizing the evolving global landscape of online teaching.

Teaching a new Obturation Technique in Preclinical Endodontic Training: Assessment of Student Learning Experience, Performance, and Self-Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the impact of implementing hydraulic condensation (HC) as a second obturation technique in the Endodontic Preclinical course for dental students trained in warm vertical compaction (WVC). METHODS: A total of 70 students performed root canal treatment of two extracted molars; they performed the HC technique for the first time after a demonstration. The combination of the obturation technique (WVC or HC) and the type of molar (maxillary or mandibular) was randomly assigned, resulting in four groups (n=35). The students answered a questionnaire appraising their learning experience and completed a self-evaluation rubric. Masked instructors graded projects. Data was statistically analyzed (significance set at 5%). RESULTS: Most of the students (91%) considered learning two obturation techniques relevant and considered it difficult to perform the downpack in molars (p<0.05). About half of the students (45.7%) responded that HC resulted in fewer errors and disagreed that WVC derives in a more homogeneous obturation; accordingly, 52.9% of the students selected the highest self-grading for HC obturations, while only 38.6% for WVC. No significant difference was found in the distribution of grades attributed by students and instructors (p>0.05). Students reported significantly higher levels of confidence for HC and difficulty for WVC (p<0.05). No difference was found between the techniques regarding the presence of voids. The presence of multiple errors was more frequent for WVC (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a positive learning experience and comparable performance among preclinical dental students in implementing HC as an alternative obturation technique.

PEZy-miner: An artificial intelligence driven approach for the discovery of plastic-degrading enzyme candidates.

Plastic waste has caused a global environmental crisis. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative for plastic treatment and recycling. However, it is challenging and time-consuming to discover novel plastic-degrading enzymes using conventional cultivation-based or omics methods. There is a growing interest in developing effective computational methods to identify new enzymes with desirable plastic degradation functionalities by exploring the ever-increasing databases of protein sequences. In this study, we designed an innovative machine learning-based framework, named PEZy-Miner, to mine for enzymes with high potential in degrading plastics of interest. Two datasets integrating information from experimentally verified enzymes and homologs with unknown plastic-degrading activity were created respectively, covering eleven types of plastic substrates. Protein language models and binary classification models were developed to predict enzymatic degradation of plastics along with confidence and uncertainty estimation. PEZy-Miner exhibited high prediction accuracy and stability when validated on experimentally verified enzymes. Furthermore, by masking the experimentally verified enzymes and blending them into homolog dataset, PEZy-Miner effectively concentrated the experimentally verified entries by 14∼30 times while shortlisting promising plastic-degrading enzyme candidates. We applied PEZy-Miner to 0.1 million putative sequences, out of which 27 new sequences were identified with high confidence. This study provided a new computational tool for mining and recommending promising new plastic-degrading enzymes.

A Correlational Study on Professional Identity and Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students.

Aim To conduct a correlational study on professional identity and self-efficacy among nursing students Background Professional identity, in simple terms, refers to how one perceives oneself in relation to one's profession. Self-efficacy is defined as people's self-confidence in facing challenges and breaking through difficulties. A well-developed level of self-efficacy may enhance professional identity. This study sought to assess the professional identity and self-efficacy of student nurses enrolled at SRM College of Nursing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India, examine the relationship between professional identity and self-efficacy, and explore how self-efficacy and professional identity levels relate to demographic variables. Methodology A descriptive research design was utilized to assess the professional identity as well as the self-efficacy of 202 student nurses. The subjects were surveyed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale and Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students questionnaires to analyze their levels of self-efficacy and professional identity, respectively. Result The results indicate that among the 202 students surveyed, 102 (50.5%) possess a moderate level of self-efficacy, and 71 (35.1%) possess a moderate level of professional identity. A strong positive correlation was found between professional identity and self-efficacy (r=0.489), implying that the student nurses with a prominent degree of self-efficacy have a compelling degree of professional identity and vice-versa. Conclusion In this investigation, most of the students demonstrated moderate levels of self-efficacy as well as professional identity. Additionally, a robust correlation was observed between self-efficacy and professional identity.

Practice and confidence in electrocardiogram interpretation among ICU nurses: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine practice and confidence in electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in Fujian Province, China, and identify predictors of ECG interpretation practice. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and December 2021 among 357 respondents. SETTING: Conducted online at twenty-one hospitals in all nine cities of Fujian Province. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed in selecting hospitals and respondents, respectively. A validated and pre-tested Chinese version of the questionnaire was used in data collection. We conducted binary logistic regression to identify the predictors of ICU nurses' ECG interpretation practice, and linear regression to analyze the relationship between ECG interpretation practice and confidence. We considered statistically significant a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The practice mean score of the respondents was 5.54 (SD = 2.26) out of 10 points, and only 2.2 % of nurses correctly interpreted all the patient ECG strips. Few ICU nurses (25.5 %) had good ECG interpretation practice, with a confidence mean score of 2.02 (SD = 0.99) out of 4 points in their overall ability to interpret patient ECG strips. Currently working unit in comparison to cardiac ICU (emergency ICU: AOR = 5.71, 95 % CI: 1.84-17.75); previous ECG training (AOR = 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.10-3.70); source of ECG training (university/school) (AOR = 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.12-3.65); and ECG knowledge (AOR = 16.18, 95 % CI: 7.43-35.25) were significantly associated with the ECG interpretation practice. CONCLUSIONS: ICU nurses' ECG interpretation practice in the current study was relatively poor. An ECG education program is recommended to impart ICU nurses with basic ECG knowledge for enhancing good ECG interpretation practice and confidence in nursing care provision. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Good ECG interpretation skills are paramount among ICU nurses for better patient outcomes. ECG knowledge among ICU nurses is an important predictor of effective ECG monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, frequent, continuouszgood practice and boost confidence in the provision of quality nursing care.

Effects of gamification on academic motivation and confidence of undergraduate nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to evaluate the effects of gamification on academic motivation and confidence among undergraduate nursing students and identify the game design elements contributing to these effects. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Comprehensive systematic searches were conducted to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies (QES) with control groups published in English and Korean from inception to January 31, 2024, using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Plus, ERIC, ProQuest Central, Cochrane Library, and RISS. REVIEW METHODS: Eligible studies, including grey literature, were selected. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Tool. Meta-analyses based on a random-effects model were conducted to estimate the standardized pooled effects (SMD). Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify the effect size moderators and game design elements that contributed to the effect size. The grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation approach (GRADE) was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were selected for the systematic review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The SMD for academic motivation (SMD of RCTs = 0.86, 95 % CI [0.27, 1.45]; SMD of QES = 1.22, 95 % CI [0.17, 2.26]) and confidence (SMD of RCTs = 1.11, 95 % CI [0.54, 1.68]; SMD of QES = 0.79, 95 % CI [0.40, 1.19]) revealed moderate-to-large effects. The subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in effect sizes across academic years, measurement scales, study areas, study quality, game duration, and game design elements. GRADE assessments for academic motivation and confidence were rated as moderate and low, respectively. CONCLUSION: This review provides convincing evidence for the positive effects of gamification interventions on academic motivation and confidence among undergraduate nursing students. However, the limited number of RCTs and moderate-to-low certainty of the evidence underscore the need for additional research.

Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Children Appreciate Reasoners Who Approach Moral Dilemmas With Humility.

Moral decisions often involve dilemmas: cases of conflict between competing obligations. In two studies (N = 204), we ask whether children appreciate that reasoning through dilemmas involves acknowledging that there is no single, simple solution. In Study 1, 5- to 8-year-old US children were randomly assigned to a Moral Dilemma condition, in which story characters face dilemmas between two prosocial actions, or a Personal Cost control, in which story characters face decisions between a matched prosocial action and a self-interested action. Children were then presented with two reasoners who made the same judgment, but one confidently endorsed one moral action, and the other hesitantly acknowledged both actions. As they aged, children became more likely to prefer the uncertain reasoner's "way of thinking" in the Moral Dilemma compared to the Personal Cost condition. They also inferred that the uncertain reasoner was nicer and more trustworthy than the confident one. In Study 2, when both reasoners acknowledged the dilemma and differed only in their level of uncertainty, 5-year-olds preferred the acknowledgment to be accompanied by a confident decision, 6- and 7-year-olds preferred it be accompanied by uncertainty, and 8-year-olds showed no preference. These results show that, before the age at which children can resolve dilemmas successfully on their own, they recognize and value others who approach dilemmas with appropriate humility.

Greek School Nurses' Confidence With Diabetes Devices.

Aim School nurses often use diabetes mellitus devices as part of the care provided to students with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Diabetes Devices Confidence Scale (DDCS). Methods In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, 143 school nurses completed the DDCS. This is a self-administered questionnaire exploring the nurses' confidence in the use of diabetes devices. The scale was translated and culturally adapted according to the WHO guidelines. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha Index were used to explore the reliability and internal consistency, respectively. The construct validity was tested via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA). Data were analyzed via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Significant correlations were observed between the two administrations (p<0.001) indicating the good reliability of the scale (ICC = 0525, p<0.001) while Cronbach's Alpha was 0.966 suggesting excellent internal consistency. The EFA resulted in a unidimensional solution explaining 53.7% of the total variance. The CFA showed that the model presents good fit to the data. Conclusions The DDCS is a reliable and valid tool to test the nurses' confidence in diabetes devices.

Response to workplace aggression in forensic and secure mental health services: Investigating staff confidence, associated factors, and training needs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate forensic and secure mental health services (FSMHS) staff's confidence in managing workplace aggression, identify associated factors, and explore their workplace aggression prevention training needs. METHODS: Through an online survey, staff rated their experience of workplace aggression, perceived effectiveness of current training, and confidence in responding to workplace aggression, and described training needs. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify associated factors with statistical significance. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes describing their training needs. RESULTS: The staff perceived current training as low-to-medium in effectiveness, mirroring their confidence in managing workplace aggression. Nurses experienced more workplace aggression compared to other professions. Staff working at High Security perceived current training as less effective compared to those working at Medium Security or Low Security. Qualitative findings underscored the necessity for improved training content, methods, and supportive strategies. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for enhancing training include: tailoring training to FSMHS settings; equally focussing on both non-physical and physical intervention techniques; providing more scenario-based hands-on practice opportunities; delivering training in a reasonable trainer-trainee ratio; prioritising nurses and High Security staff and integrating other professions into the training framework; and implementing strategies that support staff, consumers, and environment to ensure training effectiveness and applicability.

Relationship Between Original Research Experiences and Evidence-Based Practice Among Undergraduate Dental Hygiene Students.

OBJECTIVES: For the dental hygiene profession, a need exists to engage students in research experiences as undergraduate students to foster interest in research and improve the implementation of evidence-based practice. The purpose was to explore the relationships between original research experiences and evidence-based practice among undergraduate dental hygiene students. METHODS: This quantitative survey research study of undergraduate dental hygiene students in the USA was conducted in 2021. Original research experience was measured using the Wessex Research Network (WReN) spider instrument and evidence-based practice was measured using the Knowledge, Attitudes, Access and Confidence Evaluation (KACE) instrument. Invitation e-mails were sent to the directors of US entry-level dental hygiene programs to forward the survey e-mail message to students in the last semester of their dental hygiene programs. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 128 responses were analysed. The foundational knowledge domain of research experience was found to be a significant predictor of evidence-based practice and the mediators of evidence-based knowledge, evidence-based attitudes, evidence-based access and evidence-based confidence. CONCLUSION: Research experience was found to be a significant predictor of Evidence-Based Practice. Engaging undergraduate dental hygiene students in research opportunities may prepare students for the clinical application of evidence-based practice and original research projects.

What it takes to develop self-confidence and competence in midwifery students for midwifery practice.

BACKGROUND: Midwifery practice is multidimensional and complex in supporting women's reproductive health. Midwives provide care through pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium and may extend to sexual and reproductive health. Midwifery education must develop self-confidence and competence within each midwifery student. This must be learned before registering as a midwife and entering midwifery practice. Little is known about how educational experiences influence midwifery students' confidence. AIM: The aim of this study was to understand the educational experiences that influence self-confidence and competence development among midwifery students. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was used in this study. Data were collected through seven focus group discussions with 37 midwifery students. The discussions were recorded and professionally transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in four themes: (1) Understanding the concept of competence, (2) developing competence in midwifery practice, (3) obstacles to developing competence, and (4) the importance of self-confidence to be competent. The development of self-confidence and competence is gained through acquiring knowledge and skills, participating in research, undertaking clinical and simulated practice, attending seminars, and engaging in independent learning. CONCLUSION: Midwifery students described how the increase in self-confidence can lead to an increase in competence, enabling the provision of high-quality midwifery services.

A narrative review of factors affecting memory confidence in the context of compulsive checking: A search for evidence-based potential therapeutic targets to improve memory confidence.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to current models of compulsive checking, memory confidence greatly contributes to the development and maintenance of checking behaviours. However, how to intervene in memory confidence in an evidence-based manner has not yet been fully understood. Thus, the purpose of the current paper was to identify the factors influencing memory confidence through the review of experimental evidence. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, OpenGrey and ProQuest databases were searched by combining two sets of keywords related to memory confidence and checking. Our search yielded 24 experiments. Due to the considerable heterogeneity of the studies regarding questionnaires, tasks and paradigms used, data were synthesized using a narrative review approach. RESULTS: Six factors emerged from a thorough review of the literature, including negative memory belief, higher memory standard, inflated sense of responsibility, familiarization with the checked stimuli, number of checks and anxious valence of the checked stimuli. CONCLUSION: The findings have important implications for the treatment of compulsive checking. We suggested general guidelines to translate these factors into a novel intervention to increase memory confidence in compulsive checkers.

Association between oral lichen planus and Candida albicans infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study examines the potential association between Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) and Candida albicans infection, exploring its potential impact on the development of OLP. A meta-analysis of individual case-control studies was performed, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A quality assessment of the literature was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Due to considerable heterogeneity in the selected studies, subgroup analyses were performed based on geographical location and recruitment methods. No significant publication bias was detected. A sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the findings when applying a random-effects model. The meta-analysis included ten studies, comprising 1,124 OLP patients and 1,063 healthy controls. Results indicated a significantly higher detection rate of Candida albicans in OLP patients compared to healthy controls (OR = 1.74, P = 0.003, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.52). Additionally, an increased risk of Candida albicans infection was observed in erosive OLP (E-OLP) patients compared to healthy controls (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 2.31, 6.84, P < 0.00001). These findings suggest a complex interplay between OLP and Candida albicans, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the varying susceptibilities among different clinical types of OLP. This study provides novel insights for future research directions and clinical treatment strategies in this field.