The aim of this paper is to present a compact and coherent within the Bayesian inference method of best meta-analysis model selection as well as to present analytical results in performing Gibbs sampling within the MTC framework. METHODS: In order to perform Gibbs sampling from the posterior distribution in the random effects model of MTC we evaluate the formulas for the conditional distributions for all parameters. We test for the existence of between study heterogeneity and other parametric restrictions by comparing marginal data densities of competing models. We show how the prior distribution on the model space may affect the inference about best model selection. As an empirical example we present an analysis of effectiveness of two real (although blinded) drugs and placebo. RESULTS: We present the marginal posterior distributions of key parameters as well as the comparison of a few restricted models. Among 18 studies from the systematic review dealing with treating the analyzed medical issue with drugs of interest there exist a significant effect of heterogeneity. The a priori distribution on the space of models does not affect this final conclusion (Bayes factor varies from 185 to 190 in favor of the unreduced model). The posterior odds ratio (which equals around 293.1) points that the treatment with Medicine A brings a stronger effect than with Medicine B or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show, that using pure Bayesian techniques can be widely used within the MTC framework. We present an easy to operate and coherent inference in performing complex metaanalyses. We also found confirmed, that Medicine A significantly better increases the level of observed outcome than other treatments.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosco) is widely used in foods as a spice all around the world. It has been reported to have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. We investigated the effect of ginger in ethionine induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: group 1 and 2 served as controls and they received normal rat chow and olive oil respectively. Group 3 was fed with ginger oleoresin dissolved in olive oil at 100 mg/kg body wt. Group 4 was fed with choline deficient diet and 0.1% ethionine in drinking water (CDE diet), and group 5 received ginger with CDE diet. Blood samples were taken from the orbital sinus at 0 and 8 weeks of experiment for the determination of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde (MDA). Rats were also killed at 8 weeks for the observation of liver tumor formation. CDE diet induced the formation of liver nodules in rats and increased SOD activity. However, it had no effect on catalase, GPx and MDA levels when compared to both controls at 8 weeks of experiment. When CDE rats were treated with ginger, the formation of liver tumour, SOD activity and MDA level reduced, catalase activity was increased but no change was observed for GPx activity when compared to CDE group. In conclusion, ginger supplementation suppressed liver carcinogenesis by scavenging the free radical formation, and by reducing lipid peroxidation.
A B S T R A C TObjective: To investigate the cytotoxicity of Smilax myosotiflora (S. myosotiflora) methanolic extract and its effects on sexual hormone levels and testicular histology in male rats. Methods: The cytotoxicity of S. myosotiflora methanolic extract was investigated by employing brine shrimp lethality assay. Forty eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups (Groups I-IV) of 12 each. Rats in Group I were administered with 0.5 mL of distilled water (vehicle), whilst Groups II, III and IV received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the methanolic extract of S. myosotiflora in 0.5 mL of the vehicle, respectively. Male rats treated with continuous daily dosing were killed and necropsied after a total dose period of 60 days. Sexual hormones were assayed and histological examination of testes was performed according to standard methods. Results: S. myosotiflora extracts did not produce any cytotoxicity to brine shrimp in all concentrations tested. Serum testosterone level was significantly higher in rats treated with high dose of S. myosotiflora. Testicular histology showed normal architecture with all stages of spermatogenesis in all experimental groups. Conclusions: The present work confirmed that S. myosotiflora extract improves reproductive functions, without any cytotoxic activity and produces no histological changes to the testes.
OBJECTIVES: Non-adherence to insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes presents a serious challenge. Potential explanations for non adherence may include aversion to insulin self-injection and fear of hypoglycemic events. In clinical trails, insulin analogs have shown to reduce the risk of hypoglycemic events versus human insulins, and a recent review suggests that insulin delivered via a pen device may result in greater adherence versus vial and syringe. This study was conducted to compare the adherence rates of patients initiating basal insulin therapy with insulin detemir (IDet) FlexPen® versus those initiating basal insulin therapy with NPH via vial and syringe. METHODS: Data were gathered from a large US national payer retrospective claims database, and included only patients with type 2 diabetes that initiated basal insulin therapy with either IDet FlexPen® or NPH in vials. Patients with claims for any other type of insulin, other than the index insulin formulations during the 12-month observation period were excluded. Patients were defined as being adherent to therapy if they had a medication possession ration (MPR) of at least 0.80 in the 12-month follow up period. RESULTS: The IDet FlexPen® cohort (nϭ1082) and the NPH vial cohort (nϭ794) were of similar age (54.06 vs. 53.13, pϭ0.134); however, the IDet FlexPen® cohort had a lower proportion of female patients (44% vs. 55%, pϽ0.001) and fewer patients without a history of pre-index OADs (9% vs 45%, pϽ0.001), than the NPH vial cohort. After controlling for important confounders, patients initiating insulin therapy with IDet FlexPen® were 39% more likely to achieve an MPR of 0.80 or greater versus patients initiating insulin therapy with NPH vial (95% CI: 1.04-1.85). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adherence may be improved for patients initiating basal insulin therapy with IDet in the FlexPen® versus NPH in a vial.
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