Medicine
-
It is unclear whether cetuximab (CTX) plus cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) delivers equivalent or improved results over standard CCRT in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). ⋯ CTX plus CCRT might achieve higher DFS and DMFS with no significant difference in OS and LRFS. CTX plus CCRT group was associated with more grade 3-4 skin rash, mucositis and dermatitis. Large randomized trials were urgent to fully explore the usefulness of this treatment in the locally advanced NPC patients.
-
Meta Analysis
The clinical efficacy and safety of vancomycin loading dose: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The clinical significance of using vancomycin loading dose remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of vancomycin loading dose in the treatment of infections. ⋯ Vancomycin loading dose increases the achievement of therapeutic concentration without bringing extra risk of nephrotoxicity. However, well-designed large-scale RCTs remain needed to validate the clinical efficacy of vancomycin loading dose and to further evaluate other adverse reactions and mortality.PROSPERO registration number CRD42018093927.
-
Meta Analysis
The optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis: A meta-analysis.
The optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with mild acute gallstone pancreatitis (MAGP) is controversial. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) in patients with MAGP. ⋯ Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and effective for patients with MAGP, but the indications and contraindications must be strictly controlled.
-
Meta Analysis
Association of rosacea with inflammatory bowel disease: A MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis.
Rosacea has been reported with several systemic comorbidities, but its relationship with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear. Thus, our objective is to conduct a meta-analysis on the association of rosacea with IBD. We conduct a meta-analysis and searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase databases for case-controlled and cohort studies that assessed the association of rosacea with IBD from inception to July 2nd, 2018. ⋯ The meta-analysis on cohort studies demonstrated significant increased risk of CD (pooled hazard ratio (HR) 1.58, 95% CI 1.14-2.20) and UC (pooled HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.37) in patients with rosacea. The evidence indicates an association of rosacea with IBD. If patients with rosacea suffer from prolonged abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool, referral to gastroenterologists may be considered.
-
Meta Analysis
The association of two common polymorphisms in miRNAs with diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding single-stranded RNAs with a length of ∼21 nucleotides. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect the function of miRNAs, resulting in a variety of disorders in vivo. Recently, diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a global healthcare problem, and several studies have reported that 2 common polymorphisms (miRNA 146a rs2910164 and miRNA 27a rs895819) are related to susceptibility to diabetes. Given that no consensus had been reached regarding the association of the 2 polymorphisms with diabetes, we conducted this meta-analysis. ⋯ In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicated that miRNA27a rs895819 might play a protective role in diabetes, and miRNA146a rs2910164 likely had no association with diabetes.