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Journal of Gastroenterology and... Dec 2022Potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) is a recent alternative to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for potent acid suppression. The current systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A comparison of efficacy and safety of potassium-competitive acid blocker and proton pump inhibitor in gastric acid-related diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) is a recent alternative to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for potent acid suppression. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of PCAB versus PPI in treating gastric acid-related diseases.
METHODS
We searched up to June 5, 2022, for randomized controlled trials of gastric acid-related diseases that included erosive esophagitis, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori infection. The pooled risk ratio (RR) was evaluated for the efficacy outcome and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) as the safety outcome. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the study findings.
RESULTS
Of the 710 screened studies, 19 studies including 7023 participants were analyzed. The RRs for the healing of erosive esophagitis with Vonoprazan versus PPI were 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.14), 1.03 (95% CI 1.00-1.07), and 1.02 (95% CI 1.00-1.05) in Weeks 2, 4, and 8, respectively. There were no differences in the improvement of GERD symptoms and healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers between PCAB and PPI. The pooled eradication rates of H. pylori were significantly higher in Vonoprazan versus PPI first-line treatment (RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.04-1.22). The overall RR of TEAEs with Vonoprazan versus PPI was 1.08 (95% CI 0.89-1.31). Overall, the risk of bias was low to some concerns. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the study's conclusion.
CONCLUSION
Vonoprazan is superior to PPI in first-line H. pylori eradication and erosive esophagitis but non-inferior in other gastric acid-related diseases. Likewise, short-term safety is comparable in both treatment groups.
Topics: Humans; Gastric Acid; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Potassium; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori
PubMed: 36181401
DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16017 -
Nutrients May 2021Breast milk components contribute to the infant's immune development and protection, and among other immune factors, immunoglobulins (Igs) are the most studied. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Breast milk components contribute to the infant's immune development and protection, and among other immune factors, immunoglobulins (Igs) are the most studied. The presence of IgA in milk has been known for a long time; however, less information is available about the presence of other Igs such as IgM, IgG, and their subtypes (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) or even IgE or IgD. The total Ig concentration and profile will change during the course of lactation; however, there is a great variability among studies due to several variables that limit establishing a clear pattern. In this context, the aim of this review was firstly to shed light on the Ig concentration in breast milk based on scientific evidence and secondly to study the main factors contributing to such variability. A search strategy provided only 75 studies with the prespecified eligibility criteria. The concentrations and proportions found have been established based on the intrinsic factors of the study-such as the sampling time and quantification technique-as well as participant-dependent factors, such as lifestyle and environment. All these factors contribute to the variability of the immunoglobulinome described in the literature and should be carefully addressed for further well-designed studies and data interpretation.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Lactation; Life Style; Milk, Human; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 34073540
DOI: 10.3390/nu13061810 -
Survey of Ophthalmology 2022The human tear film is at the interface between the ocular surface and the external environment. Although investigation has been hindered by its small volume,... (Review)
Review
The human tear film is at the interface between the ocular surface and the external environment. Although investigation has been hindered by its small volume, improvements in preanalytical and analytical methods have allowed the omics approach to represent an innovative biomarker search strategy. There is still a significant lack of standardization, representing a barrier for performing between-studies comparisons and transferring experimental findings into clinical use and trials. We summarize the preanalytical and analytical procedures, describe the biomarkers that can be found using the metabo-lipidomics approach, and provide our expert opinion for omics investigations in human tears. For this systematic review of 38 studies, we searched PubMed by combining Boolean operators with the following keywords: tear, metabolomic, lipidomic, -omics. The human tear metabo-lipidome has been well-characterized in normal individuals using high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Lipid and metabolite profiles were influenced by ocular (e.g., dry eye disorders; Meibomian gland dysfunction; contact lens wear; glaucoma; keratoconus; pterygium) and systemic conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis). Investigating the tear metabo-lipidome could improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of both ocular and systemic diseases, but also provide diagnostic as well as prognostic biomarkers.
Topics: Biomarkers; Dry Eye Syndromes; Humans; Lipidomics; Meibomian Glands; Metabolomics; Tears
PubMed: 35093405
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.01.010 -
Nutrients Feb 2022Limited consumption of dairy foods and use of low-fat products is recommended for cardiovascular (CV) prevention; however, other features besides fat content modulate... (Review)
Review
Limited consumption of dairy foods and use of low-fat products is recommended for cardiovascular (CV) prevention; however, other features besides fat content modulate their metabolic effects. We analyze updated evidence on the relationship of different dairy products (low/full-fat dairy, milk, cheese, yogurt) with CVD by reviewing meta-analyses of cohort studies and individual prospective cohort studies with CV hard endpoints (CVD/CHD incidence/mortality), together with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials exploring the effect of dairy on major CV risk factors. The analyses provide evidence that moderate dairy consumption (up to 200 g/day, globally) has no detrimental effects on CV health and that their effect depends more on the food type (cheese, yogurt, milk) than on the fat content. These data expand current knowledge and may inform revision of current guidelines for CVD prevention.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dairy Products; Diet; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Humans; Milk; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35215479
DOI: 10.3390/nu14040831 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Apr 2023A growing number of studies have shown encouraging results with omalizumab (OMA) as monotherapy and as an adjunct to oral immunotherapy (OMA+OIT) in patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A growing number of studies have shown encouraging results with omalizumab (OMA) as monotherapy and as an adjunct to oral immunotherapy (OMA+OIT) in patients with single/multiple food allergies.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of OMA or OMA+OIT in patients with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy.
METHODS
An extensive literature search (inception to December 31, 2020) was performed to identify randomized, controlled, and observational studies that assessed OMA as monotherapy or OMA+OIT in patients with IgE-mediated food allergy. The outcomes were an increase in tolerated dose of foods, successful desensitization, sustained unresponsiveness, immunological biomarkers, severity of allergic reactions to food, quality of life (QoL), and safety. A P less than .05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
In total, 36 studies were included. The OMA monotherapy (vs pre-OMA) significantly increased the tolerated dose of multiple foods; increased the threshold of tolerated dose for milk, egg, wheat, and baked milk; improved QoL; and reduced food-induced allergic reactions (all P < .01). The OMA+OIT significantly increased the tolerated dose of multiple foods (vs placebo and pre-OMA), desensitization (vs placebo+OIT and pre-OMA) (all P ≤ .01), and improved QoL (vs pre-OMA) and immunoglobulin G4 levels (both P < .01). No major safety concerns were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
In IgE-mediated food allergy, OMA can help patients consume multiple foods and allow for food dose escalation. As an adjunct to OIT, OMA can also support high-dose desensitization and higher maintenance doses. Further studies are warranted to empirically evaluate the effect of OMA and confirm these findings.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Omalizumab; Quality of Life; Immunoglobulin E; Desensitization, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; Food Hypersensitivity; Allergens; Milk
PubMed: 36529441
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.11.036 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2022To identify the most robust molecular biomarkers in sperm and seminal plasma for the diagnosis of male infertility, and to evaluate their clinical use. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To identify the most robust molecular biomarkers in sperm and seminal plasma for the diagnosis of male infertility, and to evaluate their clinical use.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
SETTING
Not applicable.
PATIENT(S)
Accessible studies reporting well-defined (in)fertile populations and semen molecular biomarkers were included in this review.
INTERVENTION(S)
A systematic search of the literature published in MEDLINE-PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
The primary outcome was the content, expression, or activity of molecular biomarkers in human semen samples. Only studies reporting a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis values were included.
RESULT(S)
Eighty-nine studies were included. Direct evaluation of sperm DNA damage has high potential as a diagnostic biomarker of fertility and assisted reproductive technology outcomes (area under the curve [AUCs] median = 0.67). Regarding strand break-associated chromatin modifications, γH2AX levels show good predictive value for the diagnosis of male infertility (AUCs median = 0.93). Some noncoding ribonucleic acid (RNA) exhibit excellent predictive values; miR-34c-5p in semen is the most well-characterized and robust transcriptomic biomarker (AUCs median = 0.78). While many proteins in semen show fair diagnostic value for sperm quality and fertilizing capacity, the levels of some, such as TEX101, in seminal plasma have an excellent diagnostic potential (AUCs median = 0.69). Although individual metabolites and metabolomic profiles in seminal plasma present good predictive value, the latter seem to be better than the former when inferring sperm quality and fertilizing capacity.
CONCLUSION(S)
The current review supports that some Omics (e.g., DNA structure and integrity, genomics and epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) could be considered relevant molecular biomarkers that may help identify infertility etiologies and fertilization prognosis with cost-effective, simple, and accurate diagnosis.
Topics: Biomarkers; Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Semen; Semen Analysis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35718545
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.04.028 -
JAMA Pediatrics May 2023Earlier egg and peanut introduction probably reduces risk of egg and peanut allergy, respectively, but it is uncertain whether food allergy as a whole can be prevented... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Earlier egg and peanut introduction probably reduces risk of egg and peanut allergy, respectively, but it is uncertain whether food allergy as a whole can be prevented using earlier allergenic food introduction.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate associations between timing of allergenic food introduction to the infant diet and risk of food allergy.
DATA SOURCES
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched for articles from database inception to December 29, 2022. Search terms included infant, randomized controlled trial, and terms for common allergenic foods and allergic outcomes.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized clinical trials evaluating age at allergenic food introduction (milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soya) during infancy and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy from 1 to 5 years of age were included. Screening was conducted independently by multiple authors.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was used. Data were extracted in duplicate and synthesized using a random-effects model. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework was used to assess certainty of evidence.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcomes were risk of IgE-mediated allergy to any food from 1 to 5 years of age and withdrawal from the intervention. Secondary outcomes included allergy to specific foods.
RESULTS
Of 9283 titles screened, data were extracted from 23 eligible trials (56 articles, 13 794 randomized participants). There was moderate-certainty evidence from 4 trials (3295 participants) that introduction of multiple allergenic foods from 2 to 12 months of age (median age, 3-4 months) was associated with reduced risk of food allergy (risk ratio [RR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.33-0.74; I2 = 49%). Absolute risk difference for a population with 5% incidence of food allergy was -26 cases (95% CI, -34 to -13 cases) per 1000 population. There was moderate-certainty evidence from 5 trials (4703 participants) that introduction of multiple allergenic foods from 2 to 12 months of age was associated with increased withdrawal from the intervention (RR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.45-3.63; I2 = 89%). Absolute risk difference for a population with 20% withdrawal from the intervention was 258 cases (95% CI, 90-526 cases) per 1000 population. There was high-certainty evidence from 9 trials (4811 participants) that introduction of egg from 3 to 6 months of age was associated with reduced risk of egg allergy (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.46-0.77; I2 = 0%) and high-certainty evidence from 4 trials (3796 participants) that introduction of peanut from 3 to 10 months of age was associated with reduced risk of peanut allergy (RR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19-0.51; I2 = 21%). Evidence for timing of introduction of cow's milk and risk of cow's milk allergy was very low certainty.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, earlier introduction of multiple allergenic foods in the first year of life was associated with lower risk of developing food allergy but a high rate of withdrawal from the intervention. Further work is needed to develop allergenic food interventions that are safe and acceptable for infants and their families.
Topics: Female; Animals; Cattle; Humans; Peanut Hypersensitivity; Food Hypersensitivity; Milk Hypersensitivity; Egg Hypersensitivity; Milk; Allergens; Arachis
PubMed: 36972063
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0142 -
BMC Pediatrics Aug 2014Breast milk nutrient content varies with prematurity and postnatal age. Our aims were to conduct a meta-analysis of preterm and term breast milk nutrient content... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Breast milk nutrient content varies with prematurity and postnatal age. Our aims were to conduct a meta-analysis of preterm and term breast milk nutrient content (energy, protein, lactose, oligosaccharides, fat, calcium, and phosphorus); and to assess the influence of gestational and postnatal age. Additionally we assessed for differences by laboratory methods for: energy (measured vs. calculated estimates) and protein (true protein measurement vs. the total nitrogen estimates).
METHODS
Systematic review results were summarized graphically to illustrate the changes in composition over time for term and preterm milk. Since breast milk fat content varies within feeds and diurnally, to obtain accurate estimates we limited the meta-analyses for fat and energy to 24-hour breast milk collections.
RESULTS
Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria: 26 (843 mothers) preterm studies and 30 (2299 mothers) term studies of breast milk composition. Preterm milk was higher in true protein than term milk, with differences up to 35% (0.7 g/dL) in colostrum, however, after postnatal day 3, most of the differences in true protein between preterm and term milk were within 0.2 g/dL, and the week 10-12 estimates suggested that term milk may be the same as preterm milk by that age. Colostrum was higher than mature milk for protein, and lower than mature milk for energy, fat and lactose for both preterm and term milk. Breast milk composition was relatively stable between 2 and 12 weeks. With milk maturation, there was a narrowing of the protein variance. Energy estimates differed whether measured or calculated, from -9 to 13%; true protein measurement vs. the total nitrogen estimates differed by 1 to 37%.
CONCLUSIONS
Although breast milk is highly variable between individuals, postnatal age and gestational stage (preterm versus term) were found to be important predictors of breast milk content. Energy content of breast milk calculated from the macronutrients provides poor estimates of measured energy, and protein estimated from the nitrogen over-estimates the protein milk content. When breast milk energy, macronutrient and mineral content cannot be directly measured the average values from these meta-analyses may provide useful estimates of mother's milk energy and nutrient content.
Topics: Colostrum; Dietary Fats; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lactation; Lactose; Milk, Human; Nutritive Value; Premature Birth; Term Birth
PubMed: 25174435
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-14-216 -
Vaccine Oct 2022Despite literature's evidence about COVID-19 vaccines' safety, concerns have arisen regarding adverse events, including the possible impact on fertility, accentuated by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Despite literature's evidence about COVID-19 vaccines' safety, concerns have arisen regarding adverse events, including the possible impact on fertility, accentuated by misinformation and anti-vaccine campaigns. The present study aims to answer the question: Is there any impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the fertility of men and women of reproductive age?
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies until June 8th, 2022. The search was restricted to articles regarding humans, published in any languages, without additional restrictions. Studies' quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa and the Before and After Quality Assessment scales for cohort and pre-post studies, respectively. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed for parameters considered in ≥ 2 studies, calculating means, p-values and 95 % Confidence Intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
Out of 1406 studies screened, 29 were included in the systematic review. These studies, conducted in Israel (34.5 %), USA (24.1 %), Russia (20.7 %) China (10.3 %), Italy (3.5 %), North America (3.5%) and Turkey (3.5 %) were of poor (34.5 %), moderate (58.6 %) and good (6.9 %) quality. Meta-analyses were performed for pre- and post-vaccination sperm progressive motility (44 %, 95 % CI 42 %-62 % vs 43 %, 95 % CI 31 %-59 % p = 0.07) and concentration (50.6 mln/ml, 95 % CI 35.1-72.8 vs 55.4 mln/ml, 95 % CI 37.4-82.2p = 0.12). Biochemical (0.51, 95 % CI 0.40-0.66 vs 0.60, 95 % CI 0.53-0.68p = 0.45) and clinical (0.45, 95 % CI 0.37-0.54 vs 0.47, 95 % CI 0.40-0.55 p = 0.31) pregnancy rate did not differ among vaccinated and not vaccinated groups. Subgroup meta-analyses based on the type of vaccine showed no significant difference: between vaccinated with mRNA vaccines and non-vaccinated regarding biochemical pregnancy rates; pre- and post-vaccination with Gam-COVID-Vac regarding testosterone, FSH and LH levels; pre- and post-vaccination with BNT162b2 vaccines regarding sperm volumes.
CONCLUSION
Based on the studies published so far, there is no scientific proof of any association between COVID-19 vaccines and fertility impairment in men or women.
Topics: BNT162 Vaccine; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Female; Fertility; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Semen; Testosterone
PubMed: 36137903
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.09.019 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jan 2022Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection commonly affecting immunocompromised people. Diagnosis usually requires invasive techniques to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection commonly affecting immunocompromised people. Diagnosis usually requires invasive techniques to obtain respiratory specimens. Minimally invasive detection tests have been proposed, but their operating characteristics are poorly described.
OBJECTIVES
To systematically review and meta-analyse the performance of minimally invasive PCP detection tests to inform diagnostic algorithms.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library (inception to 15 October 2020).
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies of minimally invasive PCP detection tests were included if they contained a minimum of ten PCP cases.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults at risk of PCP.
TESTS
Non-invasive PCP detection tests.
REFERENCE STANDARD
Diagnosis using the combination of clinical and radiographical features with invasive sampling.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK BIAS
Using the QUADAS-2 tool.
METHODS
We used bivariate and, when necessary, univariate analysis models to estimate diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS
Fifty-two studies were included; most studies (40) comprised exclusively human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -infected individuals; nine were mixed (HIV and non-HIV), two were non-HIV and one study did not report HIV status. Sampling sites included induced sputum, nasopharyngeal aspirate, oral wash and blood. The four testing modalities evaluated were cytological staining, fluorescent antibody, PCR and lactate dehydrogenase. Induced sputum had the most data available; this modality was both highly sensitive at 99% (95% CI 51%-100%) and specific at 96% (95% CI 88%-99%). Induced sputum cytological staining had moderate sensitivity at 50% (95% CI 39%-61%) and high specificity at 100% (95% CI 100%-100%), as did fluorescent antibody testing with sensitivity 74% (95% CI 62%-87%) and specificity 100% (95% CI 91%-100%).
CONCLUSION
There are several promising minimally invasive PCP diagnostic tests available, some of which may reduce the need for invasive respiratory sampling. Understanding the operating characteristics of these tests can augment current diagnostic strategies and help establish a more confident clinical diagnosis of PCP. Further studies in non-HIV infected populations are needed.
Topics: Adult; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Pneumocystis carinii; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum
PubMed: 34464734
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.08.017