Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Review Meta Analysis
Ghrelin and ghrelin/total cholesterol ratio as independent predictors for coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The present meta-analysis aimed to summarize the available data regarding the circulating levels of ghrelin in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A comprehensive search was performed in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to January 20, 2021. Since the circulating levels of ghrelin were measured in different units across the included studies, they were expressed as the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI (summary effect size). ⋯ However, no significant differences were found in the SMD of the ghrelin/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, ghrelin/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and ghrelin/triglyceride (TG) ratio in cases with CVDs compared with the control group. Ghrelin was associated with CAD; therefore, it may be considered a biomarker for distinguishing between patients with and without CAD. Furthermore, the ghrelin/TC ratio could be proposed as a diagnostic marker for CVD.
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This meta-analysis and systematic review investigated the efficacy of bisphosphonates on the incidence of hip fracture (IHF) in patients of different ages with osteoporosis or osteopenia. We searched Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Database, and PubMed from inception to January 10, 2021, for trials reporting the effects of bisphosphonates on the IHF. We included only randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. ⋯ Bisphosphonate reduced the IHF in the general population and all age groups (≥55 years old and ≥65 years old). Zoledronic acid, risedronate and alendronate reduced the IHF in osteoporosis or osteopenia populations. The association between bisphosphonate and the IHF does not appear to be influenced by age.
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Meta Analysis
Hepatitis E virus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Although most patients with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, its infection is generally underdiagnosed and overlooked. In immunocompromised patients, HEV infection can lead to acute liver failure and death. However, the clinical evidence of HEV infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients is scarce; thus, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of HEV infection in this population. ⋯ Age and male gender were not associated with HEV-RNA or HEV-IgG positivity in the meta-regression analysis. In conclusion, the prevalence of HEV-IgG in HSCT recipients was about 10%, while the prevalence of HEV-RNA was only 3%. However, further studies that focus on the clinical outcomes in this population are warranted.
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Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common recurrent ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa which is closely related to oral microbial composition. However, the specific effect and the mechanism of smoking in RAS are unclear. In this study, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to compare the differences in saliva microbial community between 28 non-smoking healthy controls (NSctrl), 31 non-smoking RAS patients (NSras), and 19 smoking RAS patients (Sras). ⋯ Among patients with RAS, smoking aggravated the pathways of respiration and human pathogens. Our results suggest that smoking is closely related to changes in the oral microbiota, which may contribute an opposite effect to the pathogenesis of RAS. This study provides new insight and theoretical basis for the cause and pathogenesis of RAS and better prevention and treatment.
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The appropriateness of intensive care unit (ICU) admission of patients with metastatic cancer remains debated. We aimed to examine the short-term outcomes and their temporal pattern in critically ill patients with metastatic disease. We used state-wide data to identify hospitalizations aged ≥18 years with metastatic cancer admitted to ICU in Texas during 2010-2014. ⋯ Most ICU admissions with metastatic cancer survived hospitalization, although short-term mortality was very high among those undergoing mechanical ventilation. Short-term mortality decreased over time and was lower among those receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These findings support consideration of critical care in patients with metastatic cancer, but underscore the need to address patient-centered goals of care ahead of ICU admission.