-
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Anogenital distance (AGD) can serve as a life-long indicator of androgen action in gestational weeks 8-14. AGD has been used as an important tool to investigate the...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Anogenital distance (AGD) can serve as a life-long indicator of androgen action in gestational weeks 8-14. AGD has been used as an important tool to investigate the exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds in newborns and in individuals with male reproductive disorder. Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are two common gynecological disorders and both are related to prenatal androgen levels. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the relationships of AGD with these gynecological disorders.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for published studies up to January 25, 2021. No language restriction was implemented.
RESULTS
Ten studies were included in this review. Five focused on women with endometriosis, and six investigated women with PCOS. According to these studies, PCOS patients had longer AGD than controls, while endometriosis patients had shorter AGD than controls. In conclusion, this study provides a detailed and accurate review of the associations of AGD with endometriosis and PCOS.
CONCLUSION
The current findings indicate the longer AGD was related to PCOS and shorter AGD was related to endometriosis. However, further well-designed studies are needed to corroborate the current findings.
Topics: Anal Canal; Body Weights and Measures; Endometriosis; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Genitalia, Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Peritoneal Diseases; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34367069
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.696879 -
American Journal of Infection Control Dec 2023SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) has been detected in feces, but RNA is not infectious. This systematic review aims to answer if fecal SARS-CoV-2 is experimentally... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) has been detected in feces, but RNA is not infectious. This systematic review aims to answer if fecal SARS-CoV-2 is experimentally infectious and if evidence of human fecal-oral SARS-CoV-2 transmission exists.
METHODS
On September 19, 2022, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. Biomedical studies inoculating SARS-CoV-2 from feces, rectal, or anal swabs in cells, tissue, organoids, or animals were included. Epidemiological studies of groups differing in exposure to fecal SARS-CoV-2 were included. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized tools. Results were summarized by vote counting, tabulation, and a harvest plot. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020221719.
RESULTS
A total of 4,874 studies were screened; 26 studies were included; and 13 out of 23 biomedical studies (56.5%) succeeded in infection. Two (66.7%) epidemiological studies found limited evidence suggesting fecal-oral transmission. All studies had concerns about the risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to experimentally infect cell cultures, organoids, and animals with fecal SARS-CoV-2. No strong epidemiologic evidence was found to support human fecal-oral transmission. We advise future research to study fecal infectivity at different time points during infection, apply appropriate controls, use in vivo models, and study fecal exposure as a risk factor of transmission in human populations.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Feces; RNA
PubMed: 37121473
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.04.170 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jul 2023
Meta-Analysis
How to reasonably deal with zero-events in meta-analysis of surgery-related outcomes? Oncologic outcomes of intersphincteric resection vs. abdominoperineal resection for lower rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Proctectomy; Treatment Outcome; Anal Canal
PubMed: 37300885
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000379 -
Virology Jun 2021The prevalence of Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) variants in men and the association with tumor development has not been fully investigated. We estimated the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) variants in men and the association with tumor development has not been fully investigated. We estimated the prevalence of genital, anal, and oral HPV-16 infections in men through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Seven databases were searched and included studies that identified HPV-16 positive males, HPV-16 variants (lineages/sublineages), and indicated the sample's anatomical origin. This protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020178013).
RESULTS
The database searches yielded 14 studies including 445 HPV-16 positive samples classified as lineage A (n = 390), lineage D (n = 43), lineage B (n = 10), and lineage C (n = 2) variants. Lineage A variants predominated among the anatomical sites and the diverse geographical regions.
CONCLUSIONS
HPV-16 lineages vary according to anatomical and geographical region. According to this preliminary evaluation of the current literature, we hypothesize that, similar to women, specific HPV-16 variants may also be associated to increased cancer risk in men.
Topics: Anal Canal; Genetic Variation; Genital Diseases, Male; Geography; Human papillomavirus 16; Humans; Male; Mouth; Papillomavirus Infections
PubMed: 33770686
DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.03.007 -
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Nov 2023Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for medically refractory ulcerative colitis or dysplasia may be associated with structural and...
BACKGROUND
Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for medically refractory ulcerative colitis or dysplasia may be associated with structural and inflammatory complications. However, even in their absence, defecatory symptoms secondary to dyssynergic defecation or fecal incontinence may occur. Although anorectal manometry is well established as the diagnostic test of choice for defecatory symptoms, its utility in the assessment of patients with IPAA is less established. In this systematic review, we critically evaluate the existing evidence for anopouch manometry (APM).
METHODS
A total of 393 studies were identified, of which 6 studies met all inclusion criteria. Studies were not pooled given different modalities of testing with varying outcome measures.
RESULTS
Overall, less than 10% of symptomatic patients post-IPAA were referred to APM. The prevalence of dyssynergic defecation as defined by the Rome IV criteria in symptomatic patients with IPAA ranged from 47.0% to 100%. Fecal incontinence in patients with IPAA was characterized by decreased mean and maximal resting anal pressure on APM, as well as pouch hyposensitivity. The recto-anal inhibitory reflex was absent in most patients with and without incontinence.
CONCLUSION
Manometry alone is an imperfect assessment of pouch function in patients with defecatory symptoms, and confirmatory testing may need to be performed with dynamic imaging.
Topics: Humans; Fecal Incontinence; Proctocolectomy, Restorative; Anastomosis, Surgical; Rectum; Colitis, Ulcerative; Anal Canal; Colonic Pouches
PubMed: 36351035
DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izac234 -
International Urogynecology Journal Jun 2022OASI complicates approximately 6% of vaginal deliveries. This risk is increased with operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs), particularly forceps. However, there is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
OASI complicates approximately 6% of vaginal deliveries. This risk is increased with operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs), particularly forceps. However, there is conflicting evidence supporting the use of mediolateral/lateral episiotomy (MLE/LE) with OVD. The aim of this study was to assess whether MLE/LE affects the incidence of OASI in OVD.
METHODS
Electronic searches were performed in OVID Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Randomised and non-randomised observational studies investigating the risk of OASI in OVD with/without MLE/LE were eligible for inclusion. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated using Revman 5.3. Risk of bias of was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 and ROBINS-I tool. The quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
A total of 703,977 patients from 31 studies were pooled for meta-analysis. MLE/LE significantly reduced the rate of OASI in OVD (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.42-0.84]). On sub-group analysis, MLE/LE significantly reduced the rate in nulliparous ventouse (OR 0.51 [95% CI 0.42-0.84]) and forceps deliveries (OR 0.32 [95% CI 0.29-0.61]). In multiparous women, although the incidence of OASI was lower when a ventouse or forceps delivery was performed with an MLE/LE, this was not statistically significant. Heterogeneity remained significant across all studies (I > 50). The quality of all evidence was downgraded to "very low" because of the critical risk of bias across many studies.
CONCLUSIONS
MLE/LE may reduce the incidence of OASI in OVDs, particularly in nulliparous ventouse or forceps deliveries. This information will be useful in aiding clinical decision-making and counselling in the antenatal period and during labour.
Topics: Anal Canal; Delivery, Obstetric; Episiotomy; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior
PubMed: 35426490
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05145-1 -
International Journal of Surgery... Apr 2024The efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery for patients with lower rectal cancer remains unclear compared to abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery for patients with lower rectal cancer remains unclear compared to abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of this study is to compare the oncologic outcomes for lower rectal cancer patients after ISR and APR through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic electronic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE was performed through January 12, 2022. The primary outcomes included 5-year disease-free survival (5y-DFS) and 5-year overall survival. Secondary outcomes included circumferential resection margin involvement, local recurrence, perioperative outcomes, and other long-term outcomes. The pooled odds ratios, mean difference, or hazard ratios (HRs) of each outcome measurement and their 95% CIs were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 20 nonrandomized controlled studies were included in the qualitative analysis, with 1217 patients who underwent ISR and 1135 patients who underwent APR. There was no significant difference in 5y-DFS (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.55-1.29; P =0.43) and 5-year overall survival (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.60-1.46; P =0.76) between the two groups. Using the results of five studies that reported matched T stage and tumor distance, we performed another pooled analysis. Compared to APR, the ISR group had equal 5y-DFS (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.45-1.30; P =0.31) and 5y-LRFS (local recurrence-free survival) (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.29-1.78; P =0.48). Meanwhile, ISR had equivalent local control as well as perioperative outcomes while significantly reducing the operative time (mean difference: -24.89, 95% CI: -45.21 to -4.57; P =0.02) compared to APR.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that the long-term survival and safety of patients is not affected by ISR surgery, although this result needs to be carefully considered and requires further study due to the risk of bias and limited data.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Proctectomy; Anal Canal; Treatment Outcome; Disease-Free Survival; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 36928167
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000205 -
Journal of the National Cancer Institute May 2023A minority of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology are positive. We assessed the association between their outcome and the level and characteristics of...
BACKGROUND
A minority of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology are positive. We assessed the association between their outcome and the level and characteristics of preexisting evidence.
METHODS
EMBASE, PubMed, and proceedings from international meetings were searched for phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials (gastroesophageal, hepatocellular, biliary tract, pancreatic, small bowel, colorectal, anal, stromal, and neuroendocrine) between January 2000 and June 2020. Trials investigating anticancer drugs for advanced disease, with superiority design and standard treatments as control were eligible. The highest level of preexisting evidence was retrieved from the main study report.
RESULTS
A total of 193 phase III trials were included, and 69 (35.8%) met their primary endpoint. Positivity rates were as follows: gastroesophageal 37%, colorectal 48%, pancreatic 17.1%, hepatocellular 20%, neuroendocrine 75%, and both biliary tract and GIST 60%. No information about preexisting evidence was found for 44 trials (22.8%). For the remaining 149, preexisting evidence consisted of phase II studies in 123 cases (82.6%) and phase I studies in 26 cases (17.4%). The probability of success was 34.1%, 35.8%, and 35.7%, respectively (P = .934). No parameter from prior studies predicted the outcome of phase III trials except β < .2 (P = .048). A numerically increased success rate was observed for phase III trials preceded by positive phase II studies (41.9% vs 18.5%, P = .2).
CONCLUSIONS
There does not appear to be an association between level of prior evidence and success of phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials. These data, along with the high phase III failure rate, highlight the need to improve the drug development process in this setting.
Topics: Humans; Antineoplastic Agents; Medical Oncology; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
PubMed: 36762842
DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad030 -
AIDS and Behavior Mar 2020Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) carries a greater per-act risk of HIV acquisition than receptive vaginal intercourse (RVI) and may influence HIV epidemics driven by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) carries a greater per-act risk of HIV acquisition than receptive vaginal intercourse (RVI) and may influence HIV epidemics driven by heterosexual sex. This systematic review explores the association between RAI and incident HIV among women, globally. We searched Embase and Medline through September 2018 for longitudinal studies reporting crude (cRR) or adjusted (aRR) relative risks of HIV acquisition by RAI practice among women. Of 27,563 articles identified, 17 eligible studies were included. We pooled independent study estimates using random-effects models. Women reporting RAI were more likely to acquire HIV than women not reporting RAI (pooled cRR = 1.56 95% CI 1.03-2.38, N = 18, I = 72%; pooled aRR = 2.23, 1.01-4.92, N = 5, I = 70%). In subgroup analyses the association was lower for women in Africa (pooled cRR = 1.16, N = 13, I = 21%) than outside Africa (pooled cRR = 4.10, N = 5, I = 79%) and for high-risk (pooled aRR = 1.69, N = 4, I = 63%) than general-risk women (pooled aRR = 8.50, N = 1). Interview method slightly influenced cRR estimates (p value = 0.04). In leave-one-out sensitivity analyses pooled estimates were generally robust to removing individual study estimates. Main limitations included poor exposure definition, incomplete adjustment for confounders, particularly condom use, and use of non-confidential interview methods. More and better data are needed to explain differences in risk by world region and risk population. Women require better counselling and greater choice in prevention modalities that are effective during RVI and RAI.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Epidemics; Female; HIV Infections; Heterosexuality; Humans; Incidence; Male; Risk Factors; Safe Sex; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 31486008
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02651-0 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jul 2019A large proportion of patients with Hirschsprung disease experience persistent obstructive symptoms after corrective surgery. Persistent obstructive symptoms may result... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A large proportion of patients with Hirschsprung disease experience persistent obstructive symptoms after corrective surgery. Persistent obstructive symptoms may result in faecal stasis that can develop into Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, a potential life-threatening condition. Important treatment to improve faecal passage is internal anal sphincter relaxation using botulinum toxin injections.
AIM
To give an overview of all empirical evidence on the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections in patients with Hirschsprung disease.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis was done by searching PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, using entry terms related to: (1) Hirschsprung disease; and (2) Botulinum toxin injections. 14 studies representing 278 patients met eligibility criteria. Data that were extracted were proportion of patients with improvement of obstructive symptoms or less enterocolitis after injection, proportion of patients with adverse effects and data on type botulinum toxin, mean dose, average age at first injection and patients with associated syndromes. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to aggregate effects and random-effects meta-regression was used to test for possible confounding factors.
RESULTS
Botulinum toxin injections are effective in treating obstructive symptoms in on average 66% of patients [event rate (ER) = 0.66, = 0.004, = 49.5, = 278 patients]. Type of botulinum toxin, average dose, average age at first injections and proportion of patients with associated syndromes were not predictive for this effect. Mean 7 duration of improvement after one botulinum toxin injections was 6.4 mo and patients needed on average 2.6 procedures. There was a significant higher response rate within one month after botulinum toxin injections compared to more than one month after Botulinum toxin injections (ER = 0.79, ER = 0.46, Q = 19.37, < 0.001). Botulinum toxin injections were not effective in treating enterocolitis (ER 0.58, = 0.65, = 71.0, = 52 patients). There were adverse effects in on average 17% of patients (ER = 0.17, < 0.001, = 52.1, = 187 patients), varying from temporary incontinence to mild anal pain.
CONCLUSION
Findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that botulinum toxin injections are effective in treating obstructive symptoms and that adverse effects were present, but mild and temporary.
Topics: Anal Canal; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Constipation; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Enterocolitis; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31333317
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i25.3268