Bmc Med
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Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been suggested to exert deleterious effects on myocardium and cardiovascular disease (CVD) consequence. We evaluated the associations of EAT thickness with adverse outcomes and its potential mediators in the community. ⋯ EAT thickness was correlated with inflammation and fibrosis-related circulating biomarkers, cardiac concentric change, myocardial strain impairment, incident HF risk, and overall CVD risk. NT-proBNP and GLS might partially mediate the effect of thickened EAT on the risk of HF. EAT could refine the assessment of CVD risk and become a new therapeutic target of cardiometabolic diseases.
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Meta Analysis
Ethnic minority representation in UK COVID-19 trials: systematic review and meta-analysis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted health disparities affecting ethnic minority communities. There is growing concern about the lack of diversity in clinical trials. This study aimed to assess the representation of ethnic groups in UK-based COVID-19 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ Asian, Black and Mixed ethnic groups are under-represented or incorrectly classified in UK COVID-19 RCTs. Reporting by ethnicity lacks consistency and transparency. Under-representation in clinical trials occurs at multiple levels and requires complex solutions, which should be considered throughout trial conduct. These findings may not apply outside of the UK setting.
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Adenoma-adenocarcinoma transition is a key feature of colorectal cancer (CRC) occurrence and is closely regulated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and CD8+ T cells. Here, we investigated the effect of the NF-κB activator 1 (Act1) downregulation of macrophages in the adenoma-adenocarcinoma transition. ⋯ Act1 downregulation in macrophages activates STAT3 that promotes adenoma-adenocarcinoma transition via CXCL9/10-CXCR3-axis in CRC cells and PD-1/PD-L1-axis in CD8+ T cells.
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Review Meta Analysis
Rapid antigen-based and rapid molecular tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: a rapid review with network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
The global spread of COVID-19 created an explosion in rapid tests with results in < 1 hour, but their relative performance characteristics are not fully understood yet. Our aim was to determine the most sensitive and specific rapid test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ PROSPERO CRD42021289712.
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Meta Analysis
The normality assumption on between-study random effects was questionable in a considerable number of Cochrane meta-analyses.
Studies included in a meta-analysis are often heterogeneous. The traditional random-effects models assume their true effects to follow a normal distribution, while it is unclear if this critical assumption is practical. Violations of this between-study normality assumption could lead to problematic meta-analytical conclusions. We aimed to empirically examine if this assumption is valid in published meta-analyses. ⋯ The between-study normality assumption is commonly violated in Cochrane meta-analyses. This assumption should be routinely assessed when performing a meta-analysis. When it may not hold, alternative meta-analysis methods that do not make this assumption should be considered.