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PloS One 2023Our aim was to analyze the results of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D supplementation for psoriasis in order to explore its effectiveness and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Our aim was to analyze the results of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D supplementation for psoriasis in order to explore its effectiveness and safety.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
As of July 7 2023, we conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The study outcomes included change values in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (at 3 months, 6 months, and end of follow-up)/Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)/Psoriasis disability index (PDI)/C-reactive protein (CRP), and adverse events.
RESULTS
333 patients from 4 studies were evaluated. Pooled analyses showed no significant effect of DLQI/PDI/CRP change value (P > 0.05) or PASI change value (3 months, end of follow-up; P > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses and statistical tests did not support the results of the PASI change values (6 months, P = 0.05). However, the results of subgroup analyses should not be ignored(supplementation with vitamin D2 or Asia would be more effective; P = 0.03). There were no serious adverse effects, and only a few individuals experienced nausea.
CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of psoriasis remains unremarkable. The search for a new prognostic index that combines clinical and laboratory factors is needed to compensate for the shortcomings of existing measures and provide stronger evidence of validity.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Vitamin D; Dietary Supplements; Asia; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 37967075
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294239 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Nov 2023The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory biomarker, measures innate-adaptive immune system balance. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory biomarker, measures innate-adaptive immune system balance. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to analyze the current literature to evaluate the diagnostic role of NLR in neonatal sepsis.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to conduct a systematic search for relevant publications published before May 14, 2022.
RESULTS
Thirty studies, including 2328 neonates with sepsis and 1800 neonates in the control group, were included in our meta-analysis. The results indicated that NLR is higher in neonates with sepsis compared to healthy controls (SMD = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.14-2.48, P-value < 0.001) in either prospective (SMD = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.40-3.35, P-value < 0.001) or retrospective studies (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.63-1.12, P-value < 0.001) with a pooled sensitivity of 79% (95% CI = 62-90%), and a pooled specificity of 91% (95% CI = 73-97%). Also, we found that NLR is higher in neonates with sepsis compared to those who were suspected of sepsis but eventually had negative blood cultures (SMD =1.99, 95% CI = 0.76-3.22, P-value = 0.002) with a pooled sensitivity of 0.79% (95% CI = 0.69-0.86%), and a pooled specificity of 73% (95% CI = 54-85%). In addition, neonates with sepsis had elevated levels of NLR compared to other ICU admitted neonates (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.63-0.84, P < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.55-0.80), and the pooled specificity was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68-0.88).
CONCLUSION
Our findings support NLR as a promising biomarker that can be readily integrated into clinical settings to aid in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. As evidenced by our results, restoring balance to the innate and adaptive immune system may serve as attractive therapeutic targets. Theoretically, a reduction in NLR values could be used to measure therapeutic efficacy, reflecting the restoration of balance within these systems.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Neutrophils; Neonatal Sepsis; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Lymphocytes; Biomarkers; Sepsis
PubMed: 38012554
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08800-0 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is an emerging technology that aims to identify euploid embryos for transfer, reducing the risk of embryonic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is an emerging technology that aims to identify euploid embryos for transfer, reducing the risk of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities. However, the clinical benefits of PGT-A in recurrent pregnancy failure (RPF) patients, particularly in young RPF patients, remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether RPF patients undergoing PGT-A had better clinical outcomes compared to those not undergoing PGT-A, thus assessing the value of PGT-A in clinical practice.
SEARCH METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP) from 2002 to 2022. Thirteen published studies involving 930 RPF patients screened using PGT-A and over 1,434 RPF patients screened without PGT-A were included in this meta-analysis. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on embryo transfers after PGT-A (n=1,015) and without PGT-A (n=1,799).
CLINICAL OUTCOMES
The PGT-A group demonstrated superior clinical outcomes compared to the fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) group. The PGT-A group had a significantly higher implantation rate (IR) (RR=2.01, 95% CI: [1.73; 2.34]), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) (RR=1.53, 95% CI: [1.36; 1.71]), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) (RR=1.76, 95% CI: [1.35; 2.29]), live birth rate (LBR) (RR=1.75, 95% CI: [1.51; 2.03]), and significantly lower clinical miscarriage rate (CMR) (RR=0.74, 95% CI: [0.54; 0.99]). Subgroup analysis based on patient age (under 35 years and 35 years or older) showed that both PGT-A subgroups had significantly better CPR (P<0.01) and LBR (P<0.05) values compared to the IVF/ICSI groups.
SUMMARY
This meta-analysis demonstrates that PGT-A in RPF patients, is associated with improved clinical outcomes, including higher IR, CPR, OPR, and LBR values, and lower CMR compared to the IVF/ICSI group. These findings support the positive clinical application of PGT-A in RPF patients.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
http://INPLASY.com, identifier INPLASY 202320118.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Adult; Preimplantation Diagnosis; Semen; Genetic Testing; Fertilization in Vitro; Abortion, Spontaneous; Aneuploidy
PubMed: 37850092
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1178294 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2021Apolipoproteins are predictive biomarkers for cardiovascular, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases and are postulated as prognostic biomarkers in infectious diseases,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Apolipoproteins are predictive biomarkers for cardiovascular, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases and are postulated as prognostic biomarkers in infectious diseases, as COVID-19. Thus, we assessed the prognosis value of apolipoproteins for COVID-19 severity and mortality.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using observational studies that reported the association between apolipoproteins and severity or mortality in COVID-19 patients. Newcastle-Ottawa was used for the quality assessment of included studies. Effects measurements were shown as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and Egger-test was developed for assessing the risk of bias publication.
RESULTS
We analyzed 12 cohort studies (n = 3580). Patients with low ApoliproteinA1 (ApoA1) (OR 0.35; 95%CI 0.24 to 0.49; P < 0.001) and ApoliproteinB (ApoB) (OR = 0.78; 95%CI 0.69 to 0.87; P < 0.001) values had a higher risk of developing severe disease. ApoB/ApoA1 ratio showed no statistically significant association with higher odds of severity. Low ApoA1 levels were associated with higher odds of all-cause mortality (OR = 0.34; 95%CI 0.20 to 0.57; P < 0.001). ApoB values showed no statistically significant association with a high risk of all-cause mortality.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that adequate levels of ApoA1 and ApoB can be a protective factor for severity in COVID-19, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio did not show predictive utility for severity.
Topics: Apolipoprotein A-I; Apolipoproteins; COVID-19; Humans; Prognosis; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34752921
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102200 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Nov 2023The OPG/RANKL signal pathway was important regulation mechanism of bone remodeling cycle, but the effect of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL in osteoporosis was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The OPG/RANKL signal pathway was important regulation mechanism of bone remodeling cycle, but the effect of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL in osteoporosis was uncertain. We did a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the association between serum OPG/RANKL and osteoporosis.
METHODS
The systematic search, data extraction, critical appraisal, and meta-analysis were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Randomized controlled studies were searched in PubMed, OvidMedline, Embase (1946 to present). Standard mean difference (SMD), and associated credible interval (CI) were calculated using RevMan statistical software to assess the continuous data. Heterogeneity in studies was measured by I values. Subgroup analysis was performed based on different bone turnover.
RESULTS
A total of 5 randomized controlled studies met the inclusion criteria. Both OPG and RANKL had no significant differences between the osteoporosis and control group, and the statistical heterogeneity was high in meta-analysis. However, RANKL had significant differences between the osteoporosis group with low bone turnover and control group (SMD = - 1.17; 95% CI - 1.77 to 0.57; P value < 0.01) in subanalysis. Furthermore, the OPG/RANKL ratio was significant lower in the osteoporosis group than in the control group (SMD = - 0.29; 95% CI - 0.57 to - 0.02; P value < 0.05), and the statistical heterogeneity was very low (Chi = 0.20, P = 0.66, I = 0%).
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis study supported OPG and RANKL were important modulatory factors of bone formation and resorption in bone turnover, respectively. Although the serum level of both OPG and RANKL were not associated with osteoporosis, but the OPG/RANKL ratio was associated with osteoporosis. In future, standardizing the test method and unit was good to clinical application.
Topics: Humans; Osteoprotegerin; Osteoporosis; Bone Remodeling; Osteogenesis; RANK Ligand; Bone Density
PubMed: 37932757
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04179-5 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2022To reveal optimal antibiotic prophylactic regimen for postoperative endophthalmitis (POE), we conducted systematic review and network meta-analysis. A total of 51... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
To reveal optimal antibiotic prophylactic regimen for postoperative endophthalmitis (POE), we conducted systematic review and network meta-analysis. A total of 51 eligible original articles, including two randomized controlled trials, were identified. In total, 4502 POE cases occurred in 6,809,732 eyes (0.066%). Intracameral injection of vancomycin had the best preventive effect (odds ratio [OR] 0.03, 99.6% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-0.53, corrected P-value = 0.006, P-score = 0.945) followed by intracameral injection of cefazoline (OR 0.09, 99.6% CI 0.02-0.42, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.821), cefuroxime (OR 0.18, 99.6% CI 0.09-0.35, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.660), and moxifloxacin (OR 0.36, 99.6% CI 0.16-0.79, corrected P-value = 0.003, P-score = 0.455). While one randomized controlled trial supported each of intracameral cefuroxime and moxifloxacin, no randomized controlled trial evaluated vancomycin and cefazoline. Sensitivity analysis focusing on the administration route revealed that only intracameral injection (OR 0.19, 99.4% CI 0.12-0.30, corrected P-value < 0.001, P-score = 0.726) significantly decreased the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. In conclusion, intracameral injection of either vancomycin, cefazoline, cefuroxime, or moxifloxacin prevented POE.
Topics: Humans; Cefuroxime; Vancomycin; Moxifloxacin; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Network Meta-Analysis; Cataract Extraction; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Endophthalmitis; Anterior Chamber; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36258003
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21423-w -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023To determine the effect of acupuncture in treating poor ovarian response (POR). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of acupuncture in treating poor ovarian response (POR).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CNKI, CBM, VIP database, Wanfang Database, and relevant registration databases from inception to January 30, 2023. In this review, both Chinese and English peer-reviewed literature were included. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture as an intervention for POR patients undergoing fertilization were considered.
RESULTS
Seven clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eventually included for comparison (516 women). The quality of included studies was generally low or very low. For the meta-analysis, seven studies showed that compared with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) therapy, acupuncture combined with COH therapy could significantly increase the implantation rate (RR=2.13, 95%CI [1.08, 4.21], =0.03), the number of oocytes retrieved (MD=1.02, 95%CI [0.72, 1.32], <0.00001), the thickness of endometrium (MD=0.54, 95%CI [0.13, 0.96], =0.01), and the antral follicle count (MD=1.52, 95%CI [1.08, 1.95], <0.00001), reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (MD=-1.52, 95%CI [-2.41, -0.62], =0.0009) and improve estradiol (E) levels (MD=1667.80, 95%CI [1578.29, 1757.31], <0.00001). Besides, there were significant differences in the duration of Gn (MD=0.47, 95%CI [-0.00, 0.94], =0.05) between the two groups. However, no statistical variation was observed in improving clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, luteinizing hormone (LH) value, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) value, or reducing the dose of gonadotropin (Gn) values between the acupuncture plus COH therapy group and the COH therapy group.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture combined with COH therapy is doubtful in improving the pregnancy outcome of POR patients. Secondly, acupuncture can also improve the sex hormone level of POR women, and improve ovarian function. Furthermore, more RCTs of acupuncture in POR are needed to be incorporated into future meta-analyses.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020169560.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Fertilization in Vitro; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; Gonadotropins; Acupuncture Therapy
PubMed: 36992800
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1028853 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2022Sarcopenia and cardiovascular disease share some of the pathophysiologic mechanisms. Sarcopenia is likewise an important feature of frailty and the one potentially... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Sarcopenia and cardiovascular disease share some of the pathophysiologic mechanisms. Sarcopenia is likewise an important feature of frailty and the one potentially related to cardiovascular pathology. Previously, the relationship between arterial stiffness and frailty has been established. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies where the relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and sarcopenia has been addressed. We included six cross-sectional studies that enrolled 5476 participants. Using the WebPlotDigitizer, RevMan5, and SAS 9.4, we extracted or calculated the summary statistics. We then calculated standardized mean differences (SMD) of PWV in the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic participants. The pooled SMD was 0.73 (95% CI 0.39−1.08, p < 0.0001, I2 = 90%) indicating higher value in the sarcopenic subjects. The three studies that presented odds ratios for sarcopenia as a function of PWV homogenously indicated a greater probability of concomitant sarcopenia with higher values of PWV. Greater stiffness of the aorta is associated with sarcopenia. It is impossible to establish the causation. However, the plausible explanation is that increased stiffness may translate into or be an intermediary phenotype of common vascular and muscle damage. On the other hand, sarcopenia, which shares some of the inflammatory mechanisms with cardiovascular disease, may wind up the age-related large arterial remodeling.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Frailty; Humans; Pulse Wave Analysis; Sarcopenia; Vascular Stiffness
PubMed: 35682063
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116477 -
Middle East Journal of Digestive... Jul 2022: With a global prevalence of about 10%, gastric cancer is among the most prevalent cancers. Currently, there has been an ongoing trend toward investigating genetic... (Review)
Review
: With a global prevalence of about 10%, gastric cancer is among the most prevalent cancers. Currently, there has been an ongoing trend toward investigating genetic disruptions in different cancers because they can be used as a target-specific therapy. We aimed to systemically review some gene expression patterns in gastric cancer. : The current systematic review was designed and executed in 2020. Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, web of knowledge, and Science Direct were searched for relevant studies. A manual search of articles (hand searching), reference exploring, checking for grey literature, and seeking expert opinion were also done. : In this review, 65 studies were included, and the expression pattern of HER2/ ERBB2, ER1/Erb1/EGFR, PIK3CA, APC, KRAS, ARID1A, TP53, FGFR2 and MET was investigated. TP53, APC, KRAS, and PIK3CA mutation cumulative frequency were 24.8 (I=95.05, Q value=525.53, df=26, <0.001), 7.2 (I=89.79, Q value=48.99, df=5, <0.001), 7.8 (I=93.60, Q value=140.71, df=9, =0.001) and 8.6 (I=80.78, Q value=525.53, df=9, <0.001) percent, respectively. Overexpression was investigated for HER1/ Erb1/EGFR, PIK3CA, APC, KRAS, ARID1A, TP53, CCND1, FGFR2, MET and MYC. The frequency of TP53 and HER2/ERBB2 were 43.1 (I=84.06, Q value=58.09, df=9, <0.001) and 20.8 (I=93.61, Q value=234.89, df=15, <0.001) percent, respectively. : More research is encouraged to investigate the genes for which we could not perform a meta-analysis.
PubMed: 36619267
DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2022.292 -
Cancer Research Communications Oct 2022Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year survival rate below 5%. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is the most commonly used blood-based biomarker for PDAC... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
UNLABELLED
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year survival rate below 5%. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is the most commonly used blood-based biomarker for PDAC in current clinical practice, despite having been shown repeatedly to be inaccurate and have poor diagnostic performance. This review aims to assess the reported diagnostic accuracy of all blood-based biomarkers investigated to date in PDAC, by directly comparing individual biomarkers and multi-biomarker panels, both containing CA19-9 and not (novel). A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA standards in July 2020. Individualized search strategies for three academic databases identified 5,885 studies between the years 1973 and 2020. After two rounds of screening, 250 studies were included. Data were extracted and assessed for bias. A multivariate three-level meta-analysis with subgroup moderators was run in R using AUC values as effect size. On the basis of this model, the pooled AUC value for all multi-biomarker panels (AUC = 0.898; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88-0.91) was significantly higher than all single biomarkers (AUC = 0.803; 95% CI: 0.78-0.83; < 0.0001). The pooled AUC value for CA19-9 alone was significantly lower compared with the multi-biomarker panels containing CA19-9 ( < 0.0001). For the novel biomarkers, the pooled AUC for single biomarkers was also significantly lower compared with multi-biomarker panels ( < 0.0001). Novel biomarkers that have been repeatedly examined across the literature, such as TIMP-1, CEA, and CA125, are highlighted as promising. These results suggest that CA19-9 may be best used as an addition to a panel of biomarkers rather than alone, and that multi-biomarker panels generate the most robust results in blood-based PDAC diagnosis.
SIGNIFICANCE
In a systematic review and three-level multivariate meta-analysis, it is shown for the first time that blood-based multi-biomarker panels for the diagnosis of PDAC exhibit superior performance in comparison with single biomarkers. CA19-9 is demonstrated to have limited utility alone, and to perform poorly in patient control cohorts of both healthy and benign individuals. Multi-biomarker panels containing CA19-9 produce the best diagnostic performance overall.
Topics: Humans; CA-19-9 Antigen; Biomarkers, Tumor; Case-Control Studies; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
PubMed: 36969742
DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-22-0190