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N-of-1 trials, a special case of Single Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs), are prominent in clinical medical research and specifically psychiatry due to the growing significance of precision/personalized medicine. It is imperative that these clinical trials be conducted, and their data analyzed, using the highest standards to guard against threats to validity. This systematic review examined publications of medical N-of-1 trials to examine whether they meet (a) the evidence standards and (b) the criteria for demonstrating evidence of a relation between an independent and an outcome variable per the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards for SCEDs. We also examined the appropriateness of the data analytic techniques in the special context of N-of-1 designs. We searched for empirical journal articles that used N-of-1 design and published between 2013 and 2022 in PubMed and Web of Science. Protocols or methodological papers and studies that did not manipulate a medical condition were excluded. We reviewed 115 articles; 4 (3.48%) articles met all WWC evidence standards. Most (99.1%) failed to report an appropriate design-comparable effect size; neither did they report a confidence/credible interval, and 47.9% reported neither the raw data rendering meta-analysis impossible. Most (83.8%) ignored autocorrelation and did not meet distributional assumptions (65.8%). These methodological problems could lead to significantly inaccurate effect sizes. It is necessary to implement stricter guidelines for the clinical conduct and analyses of medical N-of-1 trials. Reporting neither raw data nor design-comparable effect sizes renders meta-analysis impossible and is antithetical to the spirit of open science.

Single case experimental design (SCED) is an indispensable methodology when evaluating intervention efficacy. Despite long-standing success with using visual analyses to evaluate SCED data, this method has limited utility for conducting meta-analyses. This is critical because meta-analyses should drive practice and policy in behavioral disorders more than evidence derived from individual SCEDs. Even when analyzing data from individual studies, there is merit to using multiple analytic methods since statistical analyses in SCED can be challenging given small sample sizes and autocorrelated data. These complexities are exacerbated when using count data, which are common in SCEDs. Bayesian methods can be used to develop new statistical procedures that may address these challenges. The purpose of the present study was to formulate a within-subject Bayesian rate ratio effect size (BRR) for autocorrelated count data that would obviate the need for small sample corrections. This effect size is the first step toward building a between-subject rate ratio that can be used for meta-analyses. We illustrate this within-subject effect size using real data for an ABAB design and provide codes for practitioners who may want to compute BRR.

Poor reporting quality may contribute to irreproducibility of results and failed 'bench-to-bedside' translation. Consequently, guidelines have been developed to improve the complete and transparent reporting of in vivo preclinical studies. To examine the impact of such guidelines on core methodological and analytical reporting items in the preclinical anesthesiology literature, we sampled a cohort of studies. Preclinical in vivo studies published in Anesthesiology, Anesthesia & Analgesia, Anaesthesia, and the British Journal of Anaesthesia (2008-2009, 2014-2016) were identified. Data was extracted independently and in duplicate. Reporting completeness was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Principles and Guidelines for Reporting Preclinical Research. Risk ratios were used for comparative analyses. Of 7615 screened articles, 604 met our inclusion criteria and included experiments reporting on 52 490 animals. The most common topic of investigation was pain and analgesia (30%), rodents were most frequently used (77%), and studies were most commonly conducted in the United States (36%). Use of preclinical reporting guidelines was listed in 10% of applicable articles. A minority of studies fully reported on replicates (0.3%), randomization (10%), blinding (12%), sample-size estimation (3%), and inclusion/exclusion criteria (5%). Statistics were well reported (81%). Comparative analysis demonstrated few differences in reporting rigor between journals, including those that endorsed reporting guidelines. Principal items of study design were infrequently reported, with few differences between journals. Methods to improve implementation and adherence to community-based reporting guidelines may be necessary to increase transparent and consistent reporting in the preclinical anesthesiology literature.

This systematic review evaluates the toxicological effects of exposure to fluoride on renal and hepatic functioning. It compiles both in vitro & in vivo studies across the last decade. By highlighting the potential health risks, the review aims to raise awareness and encourage a more attentive approach to fluoride use and exposure, instilling a sense of concern and vigilance in the audience. A thorough literature search covered relevant studies from 2013 to 2023, both experimental (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) research. The data extraction process focused on critical aspects such as sample size, methodologies used, key findings, and conclusions regarding fluoride's impact on kidney and liver functions. The review also includes a detailed analysis of gene expression, KEGG pathways, and STRING analysis, further enhancing the reliability of the results. Significant renal and liver damage were demonstrated in animal models exposed to high fluoride doses for long duration. Ferulic acid was found to mitigate fluoride-induced oxidative damage. The combined mean difference across studies was 6.52 [-5.22, 18.26], indicating high heterogeneity, which reflects diverse methodologies and findings. Notably, epigenetic and immune system impacts were underscored, with gene analysis identifying several genes involved in oxidative stress response, apoptosis, and inflammation pathways. The findings emphasize the substantial evidence of its harmful effects on renal and liver functions at high exposure levels. Some studies indicate minimal impact, others demonstrate significant organ damage. The results underline the necessity for continued research to establish safe fluoride exposure limits and comprehend the mechanisms underlying its toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its inception, the United States has struggled with its responsibility for educating African American students. Its history of denial and discrimination in the education of Black children has created a national crisis in which academic difficulty and school failure is disproportionately high. In an effort to improve the education of African American students, mounting evidence suggests that cultural aspects of students' learning styles can impact achievement levels in classrooms. One cultural aspect that was highlighted by Boykin in the 1980s and is gaining renewed attention is verve. By definition, verve is the propensity for energetic, intense, stylistic body language and expression (Boykin, 1983). According to Boykin (1977, 1983, 2001), verve is a definite component of learning style for African American children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between verve and the academic achievement levels of selected African American middle-school students in reading and mathematics in an urban setting. This study was designed to answer the following research questions: (1) Were verve levels different between African American and European American students?; (2) Were verve levels different among males and females?; and (3) Was there a relationship between verve and the academic achievement of African American students in reading and mathematics? To focus on verve does not diminish the importance of other aspects of the schooling experience. Certainly, macro systems (i.e., resources, tracking programs, and curricula), as well as micro systems (i.e., instruction and teacher interactions) are pertinent. However, with the increasing emphasis on culture and culturally responsive teaching and pedagogy, there is great value in understanding more about verve and the academic achievement of African American students. (Contains 2 tables.)