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Aim: To explore the link between the RBP4 rs3758539 genotype and metabolic syndrome risk factors and whether the impact of this genetic variation displays any potential race discrepancy. Materials and Methods: This meta‐analysis followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42023407999). PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Airiti Library and CINAHL databases were used for the study search until October 2023. We evaluated the methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and determined the correlation using a random‐effects meta‐analysis. Results: The results indicated that individuals with the rs3758539 GA/AA genotype had a higher risk profile, including lower high‐density lipoprotein levels [correlation: −0.045, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.080 to −0.009, p =.015, I2 = 46.9%] and higher body mass index (correlation: 0.117, 95% CI: 0.036‐0.197, p =.005, I2 = 82.0%), body fat (correlation: 0.098, 95% CI: 0.004‐0.191, p =.041, I2 = 64.0%), and low‐density lipoprotein levels (correlation: 0.074, 95% CI: 0.010‐0.139, p =.024, I2 = 0%), of developing metabolic syndrome than those with the GG genotype. The subgroup analysis maintained a significantly positive correlation between the rs3758539 GA/AA genotype and body mass index (correlation: 0.163, 95% CI: 0.031‐0.289, p =.016, I2 = 88.9%) but a negative correlation with high‐density lipoprotein levels (correlation: −0.047, 95% CI: −0.087 to −0.006, p =.025, I2 = 65.7%) in the Asian group only. Conclusion: The current meta‐analysis supports a significant link between the RBP4 rs3758539 GA/AA genotype and the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expatriates play a critical role in the long‐term success of global organizations; however, expatriate assignments are risky endeavors, and not all employees are keen on such opportunities. Thus, it is critical that we examine the antecedents of employee willingness to expatriate. In this first such meta‐analysis, we drew on data from 55 studies (published in English and Traditional Chinese), and identified 22 antecedents. Results indicate that education, self‐efficacy, prior international experience, language skills, cultural intelligence, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness to experience, the importance of assignment value, financial support and career support were positively related to employee willingness to expatriate. Some societal differences were identified. We then discuss implications and offer future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting programs are the most common intervention for preventing the lethal form of child maltreatment, abusive head trauma (AHT). However, certain results of the effects of these programs have not yet been compared across studies. A systematic review with meta-analysis is warranted to quantitively synthesize the available evidence to identify effective elements and strategies of the programs for preventing AHT. This review aims to estimate AHT preventive parenting programs' pooled effect on the reduction of AHT incidence, the improvement of parental knowledge, and the increased use of safe strategies in response to infants' inconsolable crying. Studies published in English and Mandarin were searched and retained if they were randomized control trials (RCTs) or with a quasi-experimental design, included an AHT preventive parenting program, and provided data that quantified targeted outcomes. Eighteen studies were included in this review. AHT preventive parenting programs had a pooled effect on improving parents' knowledge and increasing the use of safe coping strategies in response to inconsolable crying but not on the incidence of AHT and parents' emotional self-regulation. Subgroup analyses showed that the intervention effects were mostly present across study designs or measurements and emerged in the reduction of AHT incidence compared with historical controls. The findings suggest that AHT preventive parenting programs enhance parenting knowledge and skills to provide safe care for infants. Further efforts to evaluate AHT parenting programs on the reduction of AHT incidence are necessary for decision-making on allocating and disseminating interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Diet may be one of the modifiable environmental factors that could reduce depressive symptoms or abate the development of depression without side effects. However, previous reviews mainly focused on general adult populations. Objective The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between healthy dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults. Data Sources Eight databases were searched up to September 2019. The inclusion criteria were older adults aged ≥ 65 years, healthy dietary patterns, depression assessed by a physician or by validated screening tools, and quantitative study design. Data Extraction Data were extracted independently by 2 researchers, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was followed. Data Analysis Meta-analysis was conducted by calculating the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs. A total of 18 eligible studies were meta-analyzed. Results showed that a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of depression in older adults (OR, 0.85; 95%CI, 0.78–0.92; P  <   0.001). There was high heterogeneity (I 2 = 64.9%; P  <   0.001) among the studies. Subgroup analyses indicated that sample size and depression screening tools were the main sources of study heterogeneity. Conclusions An inverse association between healthy dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults was found. However, the high heterogeneity among the studies should be considered. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD 42020169195. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear whether the combined effects of exercise and nutrition are better than those of exercise alone or nutrition alone in older adults with sarcopenia. This paper assesses the comparative effects of exercise, nutrition, and the combination of exercise and nutrition on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia. In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, 11 electronic databases were searched up to November 2020. Inclusion criteria were: (1) adults aged 65 years and older with sarcopenia; (2) interventions of exercise, nutrition, or the combination of both; (3) the outcomes include at least one of the following: muscle mass, muscle strength (hand grip and knee extension strength), or physical performance (gait speed and dynamic balance); and (4) randomized control trials. For each outcome measurement, a network meta-analysis was conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects of each intervention compared with each of the other interventions. A total of 26 studies were included in the network meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, exercise alone and the combination of exercise and nutrition significantly increased handgrip strength (1.12 kg, 95% CI: 0.12, 2.11; 2.03 kg, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.97) and improved dynamic balance (-1.76 seconds, 95% CI: -2.24, -1.28; -1.02 seconds, 95% CI: -1.64, -0.39). Both exercise alone and the combination of exercise and nutrition have beneficial effects on muscle strength and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The alternate healthy eating index has been associated with depression. However, results reported in the literature are inconsistent. The present meta-analysis determined the association between the AHEI or AHEI-2010 and depression in adults without chronic disease. Methods: Nine electronic databases and the reference lists of identified studies were systematically searched for studies published up to December 2016. Articles examining the association between depression and the AHEI or AHEI-2010 in adults were included. Results: We identified eight observational studies with 10 effect sizes involving a total of 38,360 participants. When both the AHEI and AHEI-2010 were considered, the dietary index score was associated with a significant reduction in depression risk (odds ratio OR=0.70, 95% confidence interval CI=0.57–0.87). However, the subgroup analysis indicated that the AHEI-2010 (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.56–0.89), but not the AHEI (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.30–1.17), was significantly associated with reduced odds of depression. The heterogeneity among the included studies was significantly high (Q=48.9, P<0.01, I2=81.60%). Discussion: Our findings suggest that the AHEI-2010 is associated with a reduction in depression risk. However, well-designed randomized controlled trials must be conducted to confirm the causal relationship between the AHEI-2010 and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]