Possible improvements of global optimization methods inspired by nature

This study focuses on the global optimization of functions of real variables using methods inspired by nature. It contains a description of selected global optimization techniques (Differential Evolution, Self-Organizing Migrating Algorithm, Steady-State Evolutionary Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, Gregarious Particle Swarm Optimizer a Hybrid Particle Swarm with Differential Evolution Operator). I have found four improvements of these techniques, discovered their suitable parameter configurations and compared them on chosen trial functions. Experimental results proved that described improvements can increase performance of the optimization techniques inspired by nature

Meta-analyses of adverse effects related to studied regimens.

<p>Test of total adverse effects for overall effect: Z = 1.58 <i>P</i> = 0.113; test of patients withdrawn because of adverse effects for overall effect: Z = 1.41 <i>P</i> = 0.159; test of nephrotoxicity for overall effect: Z = 3.36 <i>P</i> = 0.001.</p

Meta-analysis of mortality in this pooled data.

<p>Test of mortality for overall effect: Z = 0.29 <i>P</i> = 0.771.</p

The Efficacy and Safety of Linezolid and Glycopeptides in the Treatment of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> Infections

<div><p>To assess the effectiveness and safety of linezolid in comparison with glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) for the treatment of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> infections, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials. A thorough search of Pubmed and other databases was performed. Thirteen trials on 3863 clinically assessed patients were included. Linezolid was slightly more effective than glycopeptides in the intent-to-treat population (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.10), was more effective in clinically assessed patients (OR 95% CI: 1.38, 1.17–1.64) and in all microbiologically assessed patients (OR 95% CI: 1.38, 1.15–1.65). Linezolid was associated with better treatment in skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) patients (OR 95% CI: 1.61, 1.22–2.12), but not in bacteraemia (OR 95% CI: 1.24, 0.78–1.97) or pneumonia (OR 95% CI: 1.25, 0.97–1.60) patients. No difference of mortality between linezolid and glycopeptides was seen in the pooled trials (OR 95% CI: 0.98, 0.83–1.15). While linezolid was associated with more haematological (OR 95% CI: 2.23, 1.07–4.65) and gastrointestinal events (OR 95% CI: 2.34, 1.53–3.59), a significantly fewer events of skin adverse effects (OR 95% CI: 0.27, 0.16–0.46) and nephrotoxicity (OR 95% CI: 0.45, 0.28–0.72) were recorded in linezolid. Based on the analysis of the pooled data of randomized control trials, linezolid should be a better choice for treatment of patients with <i>S. aureus</i> infections, especially in SSTIs patients than glycopeptides. However, when physicians choose to use linezolid, risk of haematological and gastrointestinal events should be taken into account according to the characteristics of the specific patient populations.</p> </div

Geographical and Ethnic Distributions of the MTHFR C677T, A1298C and MTRR A66G Gene Polymorphisms in Chinese Populations: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>The geographical and ethnic distributions of the polymorphic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations (C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) mutation (A66G) remain heterogeneous in China. The goal of this study was to estimate the pooled frequencies of the alleles and associated genotypes of these gene polymorphisms among healthy populations in Mainland China.</p><p>Objective and Methods</p><p>We systematically reviewed published epidemiological studies on the distributions of 3 genetic variants in Chinese healthy populations living in Mainland China through a meta-analysis. The relevant electronic databases were searched. All of the raw data of the eligible citations were extracted. The frequency estimates were stratified by geography, ethnicity and sex.</p><p>Results</p><p>Sixty-six studies were identified with a total of 92277 study participants. The meta-analysis revealed that the frequencies of the MTHFR C677T, A1298C, and MTRR A66G gene polymorphisms varied significantly between different ethnic groups and along geographical gradients. The frequencies of the 677T allele and 677TT genotype increased along the southern-central-northern direction across Mainland China (all <i>P</i>values≤0.001). The frequencies of the 1298C, 1298CC, 66G and 66GG genotypes decreased along the south-central-north direction across the country (all <i>P</i>values≤0.001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our meta-analysis strongly indicates significant geographical and ethnic variations in the frequencies of the C677T, A1298C, and A66G gene polymorphisms in the folate metabolism pathway among Chinese populations.</p></div

Summary of pooled RRs of colorectal cancer by sex and cancer site.

<p>RR, Relative risk;</p>*<p>represents the heterogeneity of relative risks between subgroups.</p

Meta-analyses of treatment success for clinically assessed patients with skin and soft-tissue infections, bacteraemia, and pneumonia.

<p>Test of SSTI for overall effect: Z = 3.37 <i>P</i> = 0.001; test of bacteraemia for overall effect: Z = 0.91 <i>P</i> = 0.364; test of pneumonia for overall effect: Z = 1.73 <i>P</i> = .083.</p

Flow chart of the study selection process.

<p>Flow chart of the study selection process.</p

Distribution of the MTRR A66G polymorphism among populations in China.

<p>Distribution of the MTRR A66G polymorphism among populations in China.</p

Association between years of aspirin use and risk of colorectal cancer obtained by linear dose-response meta-analyses.

<p><i>P</i>_linearity = 0.000. Solid line represents the estimated relative risk and the dot-dashed lines represent the 95% confidence intervals. The dotted lines are used to explain the relative risk of colorectal cancer for different duration of aspirin use (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.88–0.92, for 5 years of aspirin use; RR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.78–0.86, for 10 years; RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.69–0.79, for 15 years; RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.61–0.73, for 20 years).</p