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PeerJ 2024Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection in the periodontal support tissue. Visfatin, a hormone secreted mainly by adipocytes and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection in the periodontal support tissue. Visfatin, a hormone secreted mainly by adipocytes and macrophages, plays an important role in immune regulation and defense. Although studies have indicated that patients with periodontitis have significantly high serum and gingival crevicular fluid levels of visfatin, the relationship between this adipocytokine and periodontal disease remains unclear.
AIM
The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the association between visfatin levels and periodontitis.
METHODS
The PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and Wiley Online Library databases were searched for potential studies, using "periodontitis" and "visfatin" as the keywords in the title and abstract search fields. Standardized mean difference (SMD) values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined from the results of this meta-analysis.
RESULTS
In total, 22 articles involving 456 patients with periodontitis and 394 healthy individuals (controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Visfatin levels were significantly higher in the patients with periodontitis than in the healthy individuals (SMD: 3.82, 95% CI [3.01-4.63]). Moreover, the visfatin levels were significantly lowered after periodontitis treatment (SMD: -2.29, 95% CI [-3.33 to -1.26]).
CONCLUSION
This first-ever meta-analysis comparing visfatin levels between patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals suggests that this adipocytokine can be a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for periodontal disease.
Topics: Humans; Adipokines; Case-Control Studies; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis
PubMed: 38560458
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17187 -
The Analyst Dec 2019Neurodegenerative diseases are influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to toxins including the cyanotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) that can... (Review)
Review
Neurodegenerative diseases are influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to toxins including the cyanotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) that can bioaccumulate in common food sources such as fish, mussels and crabs. Accurate and precise analytical methods are needed to detect and quantify BMAA to minimize human health risks. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the methods used for BMAA analysis from 2003 to 2019 and to evaluate the reported performance characteristics for each method to determine the consensus data for each analytical approach and different sample matrices. Detailed searches of the database Web of Science™ (WoS) were performed between August 21st, 2018 and April 5th, 2019. Eligible studies included analytical methods for the detection and quantification of BMAA in cyanobacteria and bioaccumulated BMAA in higher trophic levels, in phytoplankton and zooplankton and in human tissues and fluids. This systematic review has limitations in that only the English language literature is included and it did not include standard operating protocols nor any method validation data that have not been made public. We identified 148 eligible studies, of which a positive result for BMAA in one or more samples analyzed was reported in 84% (125 out of 148) of total studies, 57% of HILIC studies, 92% of RPLC studies and 71% of other studies. The largest discrepancy between different methods arose from the analysis of cyanobacteria samples, where BMAA was detected in 95% of RPLC studies but only in 25% of HILIC studies. Without sufficient published validation of each method's performance characteristics, it is difficult to establish each method as fit for purpose for each sample matrix. The importance of establishing methods as appropriate for their intended use is evidenced by the inconsistent reporting of BMAA across environmental samples, despite its prevalence in diverse ecosystems and food webs.
Topics: Amino Acids, Diamino; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Cyanobacteria Toxins; Humans
PubMed: 31742261
DOI: 10.1039/c9an01252d -
Environmental Research Jul 2023Evidence supporting the effect of individual protective measures (IPMs) on air pollution is relatively scarce. In this study, we performed a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Evidence supporting the effect of individual protective measures (IPMs) on air pollution is relatively scarce. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of air purifiers, air-purifying respirators, and cookstove changes on cardiopulmonary health outcomes. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 31, 2022, 90 articles and 39,760 participants were included. Two authors independently searched and selected the studies, extracted information, and assessed each study's quality and risk of bias. We performed meta-analyses when three or more studies were available for each IPMs, with comparable intervention and health outcome. Systematic review showed that IPMs were beneficial in children and elderly with asthma along with healthy individuals. Meta-analysis results showed a reduction in cardiopulmonary inflammation using air purifiers than in control groups (with sham/no filter) with a decrease in interleukin 6 by -0.247 μg/mL (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.413, -0.082). A sub-group analysis for air purifier as an IPMs in developing counties reduced fractional exhaled nitric oxide by -0.208 ppb (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.394, -0.022). However, evidence describing the effects of air purifying respirator and cook stove changes on cardiopulmonary outcomes remained insufficient. Therefore, air purifiers can serve as efficient IPMs against air pollution. The beneficial effect of air purifiers is likely to have a greater effect in developing countries than in developed countries.
Topics: Child; Humans; Aged; Air Pollution; Asthma; Household Products; Cooking; Health Status
PubMed: 36940818
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115708 -
Journal of Hypertension Jan 2013This study aims to determine whether high C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration during pregnancy is associated with later preeclampsia and whether weight status (BMI)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine whether high C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration during pregnancy is associated with later preeclampsia and whether weight status (BMI) is a potential modifier of the relation between CRP and preeclampsia.
METHODS
Twenty-three studies were included in a systematic literature review and a subset of 18 in a meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) [with their 95% confidence intervals (CI)] of CRP in preeclampsia and control groups was the estimator. A quality assessment was carried out using a scale specifically developed for this study. Meta-regression with estimates for study characteristics and inter-arm differences and sensitivity and subgroup analysis was employed. Statistical heterogeneity was investigated using I(2) statistic.
RESULTS
The pooled estimated CRP between 727 women, who developed preeclampsia and 3538 controls was 2.30 mg/l (95% CI: 1.27-3.34). The heterogeneity among studies was high (I(2) = 92.8). The WMD was found to be lower in studies comprising preeclampsia and control groups with similar BMI [WMD = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.10-1.61); I(2) = 25.3%] compared with studies among which BMI was significantly elevated in the preeclampsia group [2.01 (95% CI: 1.23-2.78); I(2) = 0.0%], which may explain the high heterogeneity of pooled data. Meta-regression results confirmed that difference in BMI between groups modifies the association of CRP and preeclampsia. High quality studies represented 30%.
CONCLUSION
The pooled WMD suggest that women with higher levels of CRP may have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia. This association seems to be modified by confounders, such as BMI. Further studies of high methodological quality are needed.
Topics: Body Weight; C-Reactive Protein; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 23188419
DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e32835b0556 -
Journal of Affective Disorders May 2023This review systematically examined the associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in children, and the potential modification effects of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
This review systematically examined the associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in children, and the potential modification effects of type, measurement period and scales of chronic stress, child age and sex, hair length and HCC measurement method, characteristics of study site, and congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC.
METHODS
Pubmed, Wed of Science, and APA PsycINFO were systematically searched for articles examining the association between chronic stress and HCC.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies from five countries with 1,455 participants were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that chronic stress was associated with HCC (pooled-r = 0.09, 95 % CI: 0.03, 0.16). Stratified analyses revealed that type, measurement time and scales of chronic stress, hair length and measurement method of HCC, and the congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC modified such correlations. The positive correlations between chronic stress and HCC were significant for studies measuring chronic stress as stressful life events, assessing chronic stress within the past six months, extracting HCC from 1 cm, 3 cm, or 6 cm of hair, measuring HCC by LC-MS/MS, or having congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. The potential modifying effects of sex and country developmental status could not be concluded due to the limited number of studies included.
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic stress was positively correlated with HCC, varying by characteristics and measurements of chronic stress and HCC. HCC could be a biomarker for chronic stress among children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Stress, Psychological; Hydrocortisone; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Hair
PubMed: 36868386
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.123 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Mar 2016Increased plasma lipid profiles are among the most important risk factors of CHD and stroke. Sesame contains considerable amounts of vitamin E, MUFA, fibre and lignans,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Increased plasma lipid profiles are among the most important risk factors of CHD and stroke. Sesame contains considerable amounts of vitamin E, MUFA, fibre and lignans, which are thought to be associated with its plasma lipid-lowering properties. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence and identify the effects of sesame consumption on blood lipid profiles using a meta-analysis of controlled trials. PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases were searched (from 1960 to May 2015). A total of ten controlled trials were identified based on the eligibility criteria. Both the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Rosendal scale were used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. The meta-analysis results showed that consumption of sesame did not significantly change the concentrations of total blood cholesterol (-0·32 mmol/l; 95% CI -0·75, 0·11; P=0·14, I(2)=96%), LDL-cholesterol (-0·15 mmol/l; 95% CI -0·50, 0·19; P=0·39, I(2)=96%) or HDL-cholesterol (0·01 mmol/l; 95% CI -0·00, 0·02; P=0·16, I(2)=0%). However, a significant reduction was observed in serum TAG levels (-0·24 mmol/l; 95% CI -0·32, -0·15; P<0·001, I(2)=84%) after consumption of sesame. It was concluded that sesame consumption can significantly reduce blood TAG levels but there is insufficient evidence to support its hypocholesterolaemic effects. Further studies are required to determine the potential effect of sesame consumption on lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors.
Topics: Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Dietary Fiber; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Humans; Lignans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sesamum; Triglycerides; Vitamin E
PubMed: 26758593
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515005012 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... May 2022Although a growing number of original epidemiological studies imply a link between ambient pollution exposure and mortality risk, the findings associated with carbon... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies between short-term exposure to ambient carbon monoxide and non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in China.
Although a growing number of original epidemiological studies imply a link between ambient pollution exposure and mortality risk, the findings associated with carbon monoxide (CO) exposure are inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to evaluate the correlations between ambient CO and non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in China. Eight databases were searched from inception to 15 May 2021. A random-effect model was used to calculate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses as well as sensitivity analyses were performed. The I square value (I) was used to assess heterogeneity among different studies. The assessment of publication bias on included studies was examined by funnel plot and Egger's test. The influence of a potential publication bias on findings was explored by using the trim-and-fill procedure. Ultimately, a total of 19 studies were included in our analysis. The pooled relative risk for each 1 mg/m increase of ambient carbon monoxide was 1.0220 (95%CI: 1.0102-1.0339) for non-accidental mortality, 1.0304 (95%CI:1.0154-1.0457) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.0318 (95%CI:1.0132-1.0506) for respiratory mortality. None of subgroup analyses could explain the source of heterogeneity. Exclusion of any single study did not materially alter the pooled effect estimates. Although it was suggestive of publication bias, findings were generally similar with principal findings when we explored the influence of a potential publication bias using the trim-and-fill method. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that exposure to ambient CO was positive with risk of deaths from all non-accidental causes, total cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. Based on these findings, tougher intervention policies and initiatives to reduce the health effects of CO exposure should be established.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Carbon Monoxide; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 35257337
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19464-9 -
Nutrients Oct 2022The clinical benefit of low carbohydrate (LC) diets compared with low fat (LF) diets for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The clinical benefit of low carbohydrate (LC) diets compared with low fat (LF) diets for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare their efficacy and safety in people with T2D. RCTs comparing both diets in participants with T2D were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and manual search of bibliographies. Mean differences and relative risks with 95% CIs were pooled for measures of glycaemia, cardiometabolic parameters, and adverse events using the following time points: short-term (3 months), intermediate term (6 and 12 months) and long-term (24 months). Twenty-two RCTs comprising 1391 mostly obese participants with T2D were included. At 3 months, a LC vs. LF diet significantly reduced HbA1c levels, mean difference (95% CI) of -0.41% (-0.62, -0.20). LC diet significantly reduced body weight, BMI, fasting insulin and triglycerides and increased total cholesterol and HDL-C levels at the short-to-intermediate term, with a decrease in the requirement for antiglycaemic medications at intermediate-to-long term. There were no significant differences in other parameters and adverse events. Except for reducing HbA1c levels and adiposity parameters at short-to-intermediate terms, a LC diet appears to be equally effective as a LF diet in terms of control of cardiometabolic markers and the risk of adverse events in obese patients with T2D.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Glycated Hemoglobin; Cholesterol, LDL; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Obesity; Triglycerides; Insulin; Cardiovascular Diseases
PubMed: 36297075
DOI: 10.3390/nu14204391 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Nov 2019Ambient air pollution (AAP) is recognized a cardiovascular risk factor and lipid profile dysregulation seems to be one of the potential mediators involved. However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Ambient air pollution (AAP) is recognized a cardiovascular risk factor and lipid profile dysregulation seems to be one of the potential mediators involved. However, results from epidemiologic research on the association between exposure to AAP and altered lipid profile have been inconsistent. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyse epidemiologic evidence on the association between exposure to ambient air pollutants (particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, back carbon) and lipid profile parameters (Total cholesterol; High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol; Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol; TG-Triglycerides) or dyslipidaemia. Systematic electronic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases (last search on 24th May 2019) using keywords related to the exposure (ambient air pollutants) and to the outcomes (lipid profile parameters/dyslipidaemia). Qualitative and quantitative information of the studies were extracted and fixed or random-effects models were used to obtain a pooled effect estimate per each pollutant/outcome combination. 22 studies were qualitatively analysed and, from those, 3 studies were quantitatively analysed. Particulate matters were the most studied pollutants and a considerable heterogeneity in air pollution assessment methods and outcomes definitions was detected. Age, obesity related measures, tobacco consumption, sex and socioeconomic factors were the most frequent considered variables for confounding adjustment in the models. In a long-term exposure scenario, we found a 3.14% (1.36%-4.95%) increase in TG levels per 10 μg/m PM increment and a 4.24% (1.37%-7.19%) increase in TG levels per 10 μg/m NO increment. No significant associations were detected for the remaining pollutant/outcome combinations. Despite the few studies included in the meta-analysis, our study suggests some epidemiologic evidence supporting the association between PM and NO exposures and increased TG levels. Due to the very low level of evidence, more studies are needed to clarify the role of lipid profile dysregulation as a mediator on the AAP adverse cardiovascular effects.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Carbon Monoxide; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Lipids; Male; Nitrogen Oxides; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Socioeconomic Factors; Sulfur Dioxide
PubMed: 31465899
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113036 -
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of... Feb 2023The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the characteristics and consequences of post-processing methods after grinding procedures in YSZ ceramics... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the characteristics and consequences of post-processing methods after grinding procedures in YSZ ceramics on its surface roughness and flexural strength. The protocol of this review was made prospectively and is available online in the PROSPERO database (link). Literature searches on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Lilacs, Web of Science and Scopus were conducted on December 2022 to select in vitro studies written in English, without publishing-date restrictions, that considered surface characteristics and mechanical properties of YSZ ceramics submitted to grinding and subsequent post-processing surface treatments as an attempt to revert the effect induced by grinding. Two authors independently selected the studies, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. Mean differences (Rev-Man 5.1, random effects model, α= 0.05) were obtained by comparing flexural strength and surface roughness values of ground surfaces with at least one post-processing surface treatment (global analysis). Subgroup analyses were performed considering the most prevalent categories of post-processing methods. A total of 33 (out of 4032) studies were eligible and included in the analysis. In the global analysis, ground surfaces showed higher flexural strength than when post-processing methodologies were employed (p< 0.0001). The subgroup analysis showed that only polishing was able to enhance the flexural strength after grinding (p= 0.001); however, when other protocols were used, the ground surface was always superior in terms of flexural strength (p< 0.0001). Post-processing techniques in both the global and sub-group analyses were able to reduce the surface roughness after grinding in YSZ ceramics (p< 0.00001). High heterogeneity was found in all the meta-analyses. Concerning the risk of bias analysis, the included studies had mixed scores for the considered factors. In conclusion, in terms of improving flexural strength and restoring surface roughness after grinding, polishing protocols can be considered the best indication as post-processing treatment after YSZ ceramics adjustments/grinding.
Topics: Humans; Materials Testing; Surface Properties; Zirconium; Yttrium; Ceramics; Dental Polishing; Dental Porcelain
PubMed: 36634437
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105654