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Medicine May 2024Advanced gastric cancer (AGC) that does not respond to first-line therapy poses a challenge to clinical management. The objective of this study was to compare the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Advanced gastric cancer (AGC) that does not respond to first-line therapy poses a challenge to clinical management. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with S-1 in second-line and above treatment of AGC.
METHODS
Cochrane Library, Science Direct, EMBASE, PubMed, and CNKI were searched for randomized controlled trial until August 2023. Only patients who met "Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment Guide for Gastric Cancer" were included in the study. The accurate data and distinguishing between follow-up time and drug dose were extracted to reduce heterogeneity and the risk of bias of the included trials was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook. Finally, the survival benefit of the treatment was evaluated based on clinical response rate, survival period, biochemical index, and adverse event occurrence in the trial.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 29 randomized controlled trials involving 2149 participants. Statistically significant increases in clinical effective rate (odds ratios = 2.61, 95% confidence interval [2.13-3.20], P < .00001) and disease control rate (odds ratios = 3.16, 95% confidence interval [2.54-3.94], P < .00001) were found when apatinib combined with S-1, and also had obvious advantages in reducing tumor markers and regulating immune factors. In addition, apatinib combined with S-1 significantly increased the risk of hypertension but reduced damage to liver function, while the improvement of other adverse events was not pronounced.
DISCUSSION
Apatinib combined with S-1 is more effective and safe for second-line and above treatment of AGC. This study minimized the conclusion bias caused by the basic data sources, but more high-quality studies are still needed to validate these conclusions.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Oxonic Acid; Pyridines; Tegafur; Drug Combinations; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Antineoplastic Agents; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38787998
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038272 -
Virology Journal Feb 2024Azvudine has been approved for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in China, and this meta-analysis aims to illustrate the safety of azvudine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Azvudine has been approved for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in China, and this meta-analysis aims to illustrate the safety of azvudine and its effectiveness in reducing mortality.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Cochrane Library and the Epistemonikos COVID-19 Living Overview of Evidence database (L.OVE) were searched to aggregate currently published studies. Cochrane risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I tool were used to assess the risk of bias of randomized controlled study and cohort study respectively. Odds radios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were combined for dichotomous variables. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test and funnel plots.
RESULTS
A total of 184 articles were retrieved from the included databases and 17 studies were included into the final analysis. Pooled analysis showed that azvudine significantly reduced mortality risk in COVID-19 patients compared with controls (OR: 0.41, 95%CI 0.31-0.54, p < 0.001). Besides, either mild to moderate or severe COVID-19 patients could benefit from azvudine administration. There was no significant difference in the incidence of ICU admission (OR: 0.90, 95%CI 0.47-1.72, p = 0.74) and invasive ventilation (OR: 0.94, 95%CI 0.54-1.62, p = 0.82) between azvudine and control group. The incidence of adverse events was similar between azvudine and control (OR: 1.26, 95%CI 0.59-2.70, p = 0.56).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis suggests that azvudine could reduce the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients, and the safety of administration is acceptable.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO; No.: CRD42023462988; URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ .
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Cohort Studies; China; Databases, Factual; Azides; Deoxycytidine
PubMed: 38395970
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02316-y -
Epilepsia Open Feb 2024Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) deficiency is a rare inherited metabolic disorder with a wide phenotypic presentation, classically grouped into three types (neonatal, type...
Electroclinical features and phenotypic differences in adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency: Long-term follow-up of seven patients from four families and appraisal of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) deficiency is a rare inherited metabolic disorder with a wide phenotypic presentation, classically grouped into three types (neonatal, type I, and type II). We aim to better delineate the pathological spectrum, focusing on the electroclinical characteristics and phenotypic differences of patients with ADSL deficiency.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Seven patients, from four different families, underwent serial electroencephalogram (EEG), clinical assessment, and neuroimaging. We also performed a systematic review of the cases published in the literature, summarizing the available clinical, neurophysiological, and genetic data.
RESULTS
We report seven previously unreported ADSL deficiency patients with long-term follow-up (10-34 years). From the literature review, we collected 81 previously reported cases. Of the included patient population, 58 % (51/88) were classified as having ADSL deficiency type I, 28% (25/88) as having type II, and 14% (12/88) as having neonatal. The most frequently reported pathogenic variants are p.R426H homozygous (19 patients), p.Y114H in compound heterozygosity (13 patients), and p.D430N homozygous (6 patients). In the majority (89.2%), disease onset was within the first year of life. Epilepsy is present in 81.8% of the patients, with polymorphic and often intractable seizures. EEG features seem to display common patterns and developmental trajectories: (i) poor general background organization with theta-delta activity; (ii) hypsarrhythmia with spasms, usually adrenocorticotropic hormone-responsive; (iii) generalized epileptic discharges with frontal or frontal temporal predominance; and (iv) epileptic discharge activation in sleep with an altered sleep structure. Imaging features present consistent findings of cerebral atrophy with frontal predominance, cerebellar atrophy, and white matter abnormalities among the three types.
SIGNIFICANCE
ADSL deficiency presents variable phenotypic expression, whose severity could be partially attributed to residual activity of the mutant protein. Although a precise phenotype-genotype correlation was not yet feasible, we delineated a common pattern of clinical, neuroradiological, and neurophysiological features.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Adenylosuccinate Lyase; Follow-Up Studies; Autistic Disorder; Epilepsy; Atrophy; Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors
PubMed: 37842880
DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12837 -
BMC Microbiology Jul 2023While trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the first-line therapy of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections, colistin is one of the therapeutic options in cases... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
While trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the first-line therapy of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections, colistin is one of the therapeutic options in cases of allergy or resistance to TMP-SMX. However, understanding the global status of resistance to colistin amongst S. maltophilia isolates could be helpful for appropriate antibiotic prescription. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of colistin resistance in clinical S. maltophilia isolates worldwide. According to eligibility criteria, a total of 61 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence for colistin resistance was 42% (95% CI: 35-49%), ranging from 0.1 to 97%. Subgroups analysis indicated that, the pooled prevalence of colistin resistance was 44% (95% CI: 29-60%) in 15 studies during 2000-2010, and it was estimated to be 41% (95% CI: 33-50%) in 46 articles from 2011 to 2021. It was 46% (95% CI: 35-58%) in the studies that used broth microdilution method, and 39% (95% CI: 30-49%) in the studies with other used methods. The resistance rate in Asian countries was 45% (95% CI: 31-60%), in European countries was 45% (95% CI: 34-56%) and in the countries of North and South America was 33% (95% CI: 20-46%). Our review showed notable resistance to colistin in clinical S. maltophilia isolates. Given the estimated resistance rates, alternative antibiotics could be preferred to treat serious infections due to S. maltophilia.
Topics: Humans; Colistin; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Prevalence; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37507660
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02950-6 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Apr 2024The latest evidence indicates that ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) is critical in regulating lipid metabolism and mediating statin or cholesterol... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The latest evidence indicates that ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) is critical in regulating lipid metabolism and mediating statin or cholesterol efflux. This study investigates whether the function variant loss within ABCG2 (rs2231142) impacts lipid levels and statin efficiency.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, Central, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched until November 18, 2023.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies (34,150 individuals) were included in the analysis. The A allele [Glu141Lys amino acid substitution was formed by a transversion from cytosine (C) to adenine (A)] of rs2231142 was linked to lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC). In addition, the A allele of rs2231142 substantially increased the lipid-lowering efficiency of rosuvastatin in Asian individuals with dyslipidemia. Subgroup analysis indicated that the impacts of rs2231142 on lipid levels and statin response were primarily in Asian individuals.
CONCLUSIONS
The ABCG2 rs2231142 loss of function variant significantly impacts lipid levels and statin efficiency. Preventive use of rosuvastatin may prevent the onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Asian individuals with dyslipidemia.
Topics: Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Rosuvastatin Calcium; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Cholesterol, LDL; Dyslipidemias; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; Neoplasm Proteins
PubMed: 38589776
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03821-2 -
BMC Psychiatry Jan 2024The utilization of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) in schizophrenia treatment has increased due to its enhanced adherence and convenience. However, there is...
BACKGROUND
The utilization of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) in schizophrenia treatment has increased due to its enhanced adherence and convenience. However, there is limited evidence on patient characteristics that may influence treatment outcomes when switching from oral antipsychotics (OAPs) to PP1M therapy. This systematic review aims to identify such patient characteristics and explore potential beneficial factors to aid healthcare professionals in clinical practice.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to July 19, 2022. Studies related to patients with schizophrenia who had been previously treated with OAPs and switched to PP1M were identified and included. Outcomes included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, the clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) score, the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) total score, and hospitalisation rate. Data were independently extracted and analysed. The results were presented through a narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Eleven studies with a total of 4150 patients were included, identifying nine potential characteristics. The most commonly reported characteristics was patient's prior treatment with OAPs, followed by the stage of disease, duration of illness (DI), ethnicity, reason for switching to PP1M, history of hospitalisation, time of start injection of PP1M, the PANSS and PSP total score at baseline. Patients in the acute stage, with a shorter DI, a less than 1-week time interval to PP1M injection, and a lower PANSS total score at baseline may have a trend on providing better improvements on PANSS total score. Acute stage and shorter DI also showed potential trends in reducing CGI-S score. Early initiation of PP1M, switching for reasons other than lack of efficacy, and a higher PSP score at baseline exhibited potential trends towards better PSP total score improvements.
CONCLUSION
Our findings may suggest that patients in acute stage, with a shorter duration of illness, with early initiation of PP1M injection, and lower PANSS or PSP scores may trend towards better clinical results when transitioning to PP1M from OAPs. Further research is necessary to validate these potential associations and identify any unexplored characteristics. Such investigations are crucial for providing comprehensive clinical recommendations and informing treatment strategies in this context.
Topics: Humans; Antipsychotic Agents; Paliperidone Palmitate; Schizophrenia; Administration, Oral; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38243208
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05508-6 -
PloS One 2024This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of patients with RA. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of patients with RA.
METHODS
The databases CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM, and PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), all from the time of database creation to April 2024. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (using Review Manager-5.3 software) were independently performed by at least two authors. The network meta-analysis was conducted using R 4.1.3 software. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022370444.
RESULTS
Thirty-three RCTs included 15,961 patients The experimental groups involved six JAK inhibitors (filgotinib, tofacitinib, decernotinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib and peficitinib) and 12 interventions (different doses of the six JAK inhibitors), and the control group involved adalimumab (ADA) and placebo. Compared with placebo, all JAK inhibitors showed a significant increase in efficacy measures (ACR20/50/70). Compared with ADA, only tofacitinib, low-dose decernotinib, and high-dose peficitinib showed a significant increase in ACR20/50/70. Decernotinib ranked first in the SUCRA ranking of ACR20/50/70. In terms of safety indicators, only those differences between low-dose filgotinib and high-dose upadacitinib, low-dose tofacitinib and high-dose upadacitinib were statistically significant. Low-dose filgotinib ranked first in the SUCRA ranking with adverse events as safety indicators. Only the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib ranked higher among different SUCRA rankings.
CONCLUSION
Six JAK inhibitors have better efficacy than placebo. The superior efficacy of decernotinib and safety of low-dose filgotinib can be found in the SUCRA. However, there are no significant differences in safety between the different JAK inhibitors. Head-to-head trials, directly comparing one against each other, are required to provide more certain evidence.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Bayes Theorem; Pyrimidines; Piperidines; Network Meta-Analysis; Azetidines; Purines; Pyrroles; Pyrazoles; Sulfonamides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Niacinamide; Benzamides; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Antirheumatic Agents; Triazoles; Adamantane; Pyridines; Valine
PubMed: 38905267
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305621 -
BMC Cancer Jun 2024Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The first and second lines of treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) include chemotherapy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The first and second lines of treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) include chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil. However, treatment following progression on the first and second line is still unclear. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for studies investigating the use of trifluridine-tipiracil with bevacizumab versus trifluridine-tipiracil alone for mCRC. We used RStudio version 4.2.3; and we considered p < 0.05 significant. Seven studies and 1,182 patients were included - 602 (51%) received trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab. Compared with control, the progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.42-0.63; p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52-0.70; p < 0.001) were significantly higher with bevacizumab. The objective response rate (ORR) (RR 3.14; 95% CI 1.51-6.51; p = 0.002) and disease control rate (DCR) (RR 1.66; 95% CI 1.28-2.16; p = 0.0001) favored the intervention. Regarding adverse events, the intervention had a higher rate of neutropenia (RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.19-1.59; p = 0.00001), whereas the monotherapy group had a higher risk of anemia (RR 0.60; 95% CI 0.44-0.82; p = 0.001). Our results support that the addition of bevacizumab is associated with a significant benefit in PFS, OS, ORR and DCR.
Topics: Humans; Colorectal Neoplasms; Bevacizumab; Trifluridine; Thymine; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Pyrrolidines; Drug Combinations; Neoplasm Metastasis; Progression-Free Survival; Uracil; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
PubMed: 38825703
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12447-8 -
Medicine May 2024Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, found in supplements and fortified foods, while folate occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid and its derivatives are...
Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, found in supplements and fortified foods, while folate occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid and its derivatives are extremely important in the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and ribose nucleic acid [RNA]) and different proteins. It acts as a coenzyme for the transfer of 1 carbon in the biosynthesis of purine, pyrimidine, and amino acids. Folic acid is critically important in rapidly proliferating tissues, including fetus and trophoblastic tissue to prevent neural tube defect (NTD). The main objective of this review is to identify the role of folic acid to prevent NTD among pregnancy mothers. Electronic databases including Web of Science, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane library used to systematically search without limitation of publication date and status. In pregnancy, the first trimester is a significant time for neural tube closure. Decreased blood folic acid levels inhibit DNA replication, repair, RNA synthesis, histone and DNA methylation, methionine production, and homocysteine remethylation reactions that cause NTDs in pregnancy. Therefore, folic acid supplementation is critically important for childbearing mothers before conception and in the first trimester pregnancy. As a result, women are recommended to take 400 microgram FA/day from preconception until the end of the first trimester to prevent NTD-affected pregnancies. This allows the developing neural tissue to acquire critical mass and provides the preferred rostrocaudal orientation so that these divisions contribute to the elongation of the developing neural tube in embryos.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Neural Tube Defects; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 38728462
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038154 -
The International Journal of... Mar 2024The efficacy of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) remains elusive. This study aims to investigate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) remains elusive. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in CHR-P and whether these interventions can enhance the efficacy of psychological treatments.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed data from 5 databases until July 24, 2021: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The primary outcome was the transition to psychosis. Network meta-analyses were conducted at 3 time points (6, 12, and ≥24 months) considering both pharmacological/nutritional interventions alone and its combination with psychotherapy.
RESULTS
Out of 11 417 identified references, 21 studies were included, comprising 1983 participants. CHR-P participants receiving omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids treatment were associated with a lower probability of transition compared with placebo/control at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .01 to .054), 12 months (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = .03 to .66), and ≥24 months (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = .05 to .54). Moreover, risperidone plus psychotherapy was associated with a lower likelihood of transition at 6 months compared with placebo/control plus psychotherapy, but this result was not sustained over longer durations.
CONCLUSION
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids helped in preventing transitions to psychosis compared with controls.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021256209.
Topics: Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Psychotic Disorders; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Risperidone; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 38408281
DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae014