Results Of Meta-analysis Research Articles

Automated Detection of Oral Malignant Lesions Using Deep Learning: Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

Oral diseases, specifically malignant lesions, are serious global health concerns requiring early diagnosis for effective treatment. In recent years, deep learning (DL) has emerged as a powerful tool for the automated detection and classification of oral lesions. This research, by conducting a scoping review and meta-analysis, aims to provide an overview of the progress and achievements in the field of automated detection of oral lesions using DL. A scoping review was conducted to identify relevant studies published in the last 5 years (2018-2023). A comprehensive search was conducted using several electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for eligibility and extracted data using a standardized form, and a meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the findings. Fourteen studies utilizing various DL algorithms were identified and included for the detection and classification of oral lesions from clinical images. Among these, three were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80-0.91) and 0.67 (95% CI = 0.58-0.75), respectively. The results of meta-analysis indicate that DL algorithms improve the diagnosis of oral lesions. Future research should develop validated algorithms for automated diagnosis. Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/4n8sm).

Breast cancer and its determinants in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women. Still, there is a paucity of studies to know the magnitude of the problem in Ethiopia. Hence, this review was intended to pool the prevalence and identify the determinants of breast cancer in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Databases like PubMed/MEDLINE, HINARI, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, as well as websites of organisationsI organizations,rewere searched between 25 February and 6 March 2023. All observational studies in Ethiopia that reported either the magnitude and/or determinants of breast cancer regardless of publication status were included. Two authors independently assessed and extracted the data. The Joanna Briggs Institute meta-analysis of statistics assessment and review instrument quality appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the articles. Effect estimates were done by using the random-effects model. The meta-analysis results were displayed by using forest plots. Seventeen articles were reviewed with 24 435 total participants. The pooled proportion of breast cancer morbidity among patients with cancer was 20. 58% (95% CI 17.25%, 23.90%) in Ethiopia. Consuming packed foods (POR=2.12, 95% CI 1.41, 3.17), presence of high cholesterol (POR=4.08; 95% CI 2.75, 6.07), physical inactivity (POR=3.27; 95% CI 1.80, 5.94), high body mass index (BMI) (POR=2.27; 95% CI 0.85, 6.03), postmenopause (POR=2.25; 95% CI 1.63, 3.10), family history of cancer (POR=3.65; 95% CI 0.85, 15.71) and lack of breastfeeding (POR=2.76; 95% CI 0.90, 7.92) were the determinants of breast cancer. One of five patients with cancer is diagnosed with breast cancer in Ethiopia. Furthermore, more than a quarter of women with cancer suffer from breast cancer. Processed food consumption, high cholesterol in the body, lack of physical activity, high BMI, postmenopause, family history of cancer and lack of breastfeeding were the risk factors for breast cancer. The use of healthy food sources such as fruits and vegetables, and homegrown varieties of crops rather than seeking processed foods would help. CRD42023417733.

Recent Insights in the Treatment for Clinical High Risk for Psychosis and Recent Onset Psychosis

Objectives: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of early interventions in preventing psychosis transition, promoting remission, and reducing hospitalization rates in individuals at high risk for psychosis and those with recent onset psychosis (ROP).Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, comparing early intervention strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychosocial support to no intervention. The study focused on outcomes related to psychosis transition, remission rates, and prevention of psychiatric hospitalization.Results: Although only a subset of clinical high risk (CHR) individuals transition to full psychosis, non-pharmacological treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy are generally recommended as a first-line approach. In ROP patients, early pharmacological treatment reduces relapse rates, while psychosocial interventions aim to improve various functional outcomes. The meta-analysis results of this study did not show a significant reduction in psychosis transition rates with specialized interventions for CHR patients. For ROP patients, early interventions initially reduced hospitalization rates, but this effect was not sustained in mid-term follow-up results.Conclusion: While early interventions offer short-term benefits in reducing psychosis transition and hospitalization, additional research is needed to determine their long-term effectiveness in functional recovery and overall patient outcomes.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Significantly Reduces Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a frequently observed clinical manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the function of the Eustachian tube following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in adult CRS patients with confirmed preoperative ETD symptoms. (2) Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases was conducted. The review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies investigating concurrent ETD in CRS patients who underwent ESS were retrieved. The changes in ETD outcomes were measured by the 7-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7). We employed a random-effects model to conduct the meta-analysis (3) Results: We included seven observational studies that involved a total of 436 CRS patients with concurrent ETD. The pooled results revealed a statistically significant reduction (Standardized mean difference = −1.24; 95% CI = −1.64 to −0.84) in ETDQ-7 scores among the CRS with ETD patient cohort at the 3-month postoperative follow-up. (4) Conclusions: ESS serves as an effective intervention for improving E-tube function in adult CRS patients with concurrent ETD. Future prospective randomized controlled trials that incorporate various outcome predictors should be conducted to explore potential clinical factors for greater ETD improvement and normalization after ESS.

Detection of Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Cattle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and contributes to the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). Despite individual studies investigating BRSV prevalence, risk factors, and detection methodologies, a systematic review and meta-analysis have been lacking. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and detection rate of BRSV and identify associated risk factors. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the variability in BRSV prevalence based on different detection methods and associated risk factors. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, data from three databases—Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus—were systematically retrieved, screened and extracted. Out of 2790 initial studies, 110 met the inclusion criteria. The study found that prevalence and detection rates varied based on the detection methods used (antibody, antigen, and nucleic acid), study populations, production systems, and geographic locations. Findings were reported as a pooled proportion. The pooled proportion, hereafter referred to as prevalence or detection rate, was determined by calculating the ratio of cattle that tested positive for BRSV to the total number of cattle tested. Key findings include a pooled prevalence of 0.62 for antibody-based methods, 0.05 for antigen-based methods, and 0.09 (adjusted to 0.03) for nucleic acid-based methods. Detection rates in BRDC cases also varied, with antibody methods showing a rate of 0.34, antigen methods 0.16, and nucleic acid methods 0.13. The certainty of evidence of the meta-analysis results, assessed using GRADE, was moderate for antibody detection methods and low for antigen and nucleic acid methods. The study identified significant risk factors and trends affecting BRSV prevalence, such as geographical location, herd size, age, and co-infections. The results of the current study showed the complexity of understanding BRSV prevalence in different settings. The variability in BRSV prevalence based on detection methods and associated risk factors, such as geographic location and herd size, highlights the need for tailored approaches to detect and manage BRSV accurately.

Role of the ACE I/D Polymorphism in Selected Public Health-Associated Sporting Modalities: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The ACE I/D polymorphism has been suggested to be associated with multiple chronic diseases and sports modalities, which has public health implications for global populations and sport performance. This updated review aims to strengthen the association and identify sporting disciplines that are most influenced by the ACE gene polymorphism using a meta-analysis approach. Methods: Published studies on the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and elite endurance and power were collected until 15 June 2024. The studies on public health-associated sports like running, swimming, and cycling were systematically reviewed following pre-agreed criteria, and a meta-analysis was carried out using different genetic models. Results: A total of 137 studies were identified in the literature search and screened. There was a significant association between elite endurance and the ACE II genotype compared with healthy inactive controls (OR, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.24–1.91) and elite power athletes (OR = 1.56; 95%CI = 1.07–2.28). Specifically, runners and triathletes were associated with the II genotype compared with controls (OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.26–2.47; p-value = 0.001 and OR = 2.69; 95%CI = 1.15–6.32, p-value = 0.023, respectively). Additionally, endurance swimmers were associated with the II genotype compared with short-distance, power swimmers (OR = 2.27; 95%CI = 1.49–3.45; p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The meta-analysis results confirm and strengthen the association between elite endurance and the ACE I/D polymorphism in different sporting modalities, which may have implications for public health and sports participation.

Do DAN-GER-SHOCK eligible patients benefit from VA-ECMO treatment in infarct-related cardiogenic shock ? Results of an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Abstract Background In a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials routine use of venous-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) did not improve outcome in patients with infarct related cardiogenic shock (CS). Since the rate of patients with cardiac arrest and the need for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was over 75 %, it has been speculated that a more selective approach might improve the effectiveness of VA-ECMO. Methods Patients included in four randomized clinical trials investigating the routine use of VA-ECMO in CS were centrally analysed. For the purpose of this sub-analysis only patients who would have been eligible for inclusion into the Dan-Ger SHOCK trial were analyzed (STEMI only, exclusion of comatose patients after out-of hospital cardiac arrest). The primary endpoint was 180-day total mortality. Results A total of 202 patients (106 randomised to VA-ECMO and 96 to control) were included into this analysis. There were no differences in baseline characteristics, angiographic and interventional features between the two groups. The table summarizes the results and revealed non-significant trends towards a reduced mortality with VA-ECMO. Conclusions In non-comatose patients with CS and STEMI the routine use of VA-ECMO is associated with a numerically lower mortality after 6 months. However, as indicated by the large confidence intervals the statistical power was limited, to draw definite conclusions. Therefore, a prospective trial with VA-ECMO in these patients seems warranted.Table

Pharmacogenomics of CRP response to statins: a GIST consortium study

Abstract Introduction Statins are first line treatments in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Prior clinical studies have shown that statins act independently of lipid lowering mechanisms to decrease C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation. Purpose To elucidate genetic loci associated with CRP response to statins. Methods CRP response was specified as the change from baseline in log CRP after at least 4 weeks of statin therapy. Cohort level Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) of this CRP response was performed by linear regression analysis adjusted for baseline CRP, age, sex and BMI covariates using genetic data imputed to 1000 Genomes, testing ~10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of minor allele frequency (MAF) >2%. Following quality control with EasyQC, a meta-analysis was conducted with METAL to combine GWAS results from six different cohorts of European ancestry (CARDS, FHS, JUPITER, MESA, PARC, PROSPER) within the GIST consortium. 1Mb loci regions were defined, centred +/-500kb around the lead SNP. Conditional analysis was performed using GCTA. Results There were 11,075 statin-treated individuals. The meta-analysis results revealed two loci achieving genome wide significance (P<5e-8): APOE (chr 19) and HNF1A (chr 12) (Figure 1). A signal at the CRP locus was highly suggestive (P=2.3e-7). All three loci are known to be associated with CRP levels in the absence of statin. Conditional analysis did not reveal secondary signals. The most associated variant at the APOE locus was the missense SNP rs429358, which contributes to the APOE E4 haplotype and is a risk locus for both dyslipidaemia and Alzheimer’s dementia. It is a C>T missense variant of MAF 0.12 leading to a R/C amino acid change, more common in African ancestry populations (MAF 0.27), and least common in Asian populations (MAF 0.09). A nominally significant association (P=0.09) for interaction with randomized allocation to statin v. placebo within samples derived from clinical trials supports this pharmacogenetic effect at APOE beyond genetic effects on baseline CRP levels. The most associated variant at the HNF1A locus was the intronic SNP rs11065384, which is in strong LD with the HNF1A missense SNP (rs1169288). The HNF1A locus is associated with diabetes, cholesterol levels, and coronary artery disease. There was no between-study heterogeneity at the top three loci (P>0.1), and forest plots show contribution to these signals from all 6 studies within the meta-analysis (Figure 2 A,B,C). Conclusions APOE and HNF1A are associated with CRP response to statins at the level of genome-wide significance. TheAPOE E4 signal is also known to be associated with LDL-Cholesterol response to statins, whereas the HNF1A locus is identified here for the first time as a pharmacogenetic determinant of statin response. The effect of this interindividual variability in CRP response on non-cardiovascular clinical outcomes should be elucidated.Figure 1Figure 2 A,B,C

Prognostic Value of TGF-β Expression in Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a member of the growth factor superfamily that clinical studies address its association with bladder cancer invasion, progression, and metastasis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the prognostic significance of TGF-β expression in bladder cancer patients. The major international databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, were searched for full-text literature citations. The hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% CI as the effect size was applied as the appropriate summarized statistic. We used a random-effects model using the DerSimonian and Laird method to estimate the pooled effect size. To assess the heterogeneity among trials, the I-square (I 2 ) statistic and Cochran's Q test were used. Forest and funnel plots were drawn to respectively demonstrate the findings and detect any existing publication bias. This meta-analysis included 3 studies that met the criteria and included 535 patients. The combined HR for the selected studies was 2.250 (95% CI=(1.411, 3.586), P< .001) and no significant heterogeneity was detected between trials (I 2=58.63, P=.089). Furthermore, no severe asymmetry was seen within the funnel plot, indicating a lack of potential publication bias. Our findings suggest that TGF-β expression can remarkably predict a worse prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. The results of the present meta-analysis may be validated through further updated reviews and additional relevant investigations in future studies.

Efficacy of azithromycin combined with intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe incidence of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children is increasing, posing a serious threat to life safety. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has demonstrated the ability to modulate the immune system and has shown the potential to treat RMPP. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of azithromycin combined with IVIG in the treatment of RMPP in children through a meta-analysis.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in seven databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library, and the studies on the treatment of RMPP in children with azithromycin combined with IVIG were screened. After data extraction, meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to assess heterogeneity and stability.ResultsThirteen randomized controlled trials and two cohort studies were included, totaling 1,142 children. The results of meta-analysis showed a higher clinical efficacy rate (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.11–1.25, P < 0.01) and shorter time to defervescence (MD = -2.12, 95% CI: -2.69–-1.55), time to disappearance of pulmonary rales (MD = -2.90, 95% CI: -3.57–-2.23), time to disappearance of cough (MD = -3.59, 95% CI: -4.51–-2.67), and hospital length of stay (MD = -5.72, 95% CI: -8.80–-2.64) in the experimental group receiving azithromycin combined with IVIG treatment compared to the control group treated with azithromycin alone. Additionally, there was no significant publication bias in this meta-analysis.ConclusionTreatment with azithromycin combined with IVIG is more effective than treatment with azithromycin alone for children with RMPP.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Causal relationship between amino acids and ovarian cancer in the European population: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study and meta-analysis.

In recent years, an increasing number of observational studies have reported the impact of amino acids on ovarian cancer. However, Mendelian randomization studies have not yet been conducted to explore the causal relationship between them in the context of ovarian cancer. This study conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of 20 amino acids in relation to ovarian cancer data from 2 different sources within the European population, using a two-sample MR approach. The primary results from the inverse variance weighting analysis were then subjected to a meta-analysis, followed by multiple testing correction for the meta-analysis thresholds. Finally, reverse causality testing was performed on the positively associated amino acids and ovarian cancer. MR analyses were conducted for 20 amino acids with ovarian cancer data from both the Finngen R10 and Open genome-wide association study databases. The inverse variance weighted results from these 2 analyses were then combined through meta-analysis, with multiple corrections applied to the significance thresholds of the meta-analysis results. The findings showed that only cysteine had a significant association with ovarian cancer, with an (odds ratio) odds ratio value of 0.507 (95% confidence interval: 0.335-0.767, P = .025). The P-value of the combined MR and meta-analysis, after multiple testing correction, was 0.025, indicating statistical significance (P < .05). Additionally, cysteine did not show a reverse causal relationship with ovarian cancer in either data source. Cysteine is a protective factor for ovarian cancer, potentially reducing the risk of ovarian cancer and slowing the progression of the disease.

Multiomic integration analysis identifies atherogenic metabolites mediating between novel immune genes and cardiovascular risk

BackgroundUnderstanding genetic-metabolite associations has translational implications for informing cardiovascular risk assessment. Interrogating functional genetic variants enhances our understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development and optimization of targeted interventions.MethodsIn this study, a total of 187 plasma metabolite levels were profiled in 4974 individuals of European ancestry of the GCAT| Genomes for Life cohort. Results of genetic analyses were meta-analysed with additional datasets, resulting in up to approximately 40,000 European individuals. Results of meta-analyses were integrated with reference gene expression panels from 58 tissues and cell types to identify predicted gene expression associated with metabolite levels. This approach was also performed for cardiovascular outcomes in three independent large European studies (N = 700,000) to identify predicted gene expression additionally associated with cardiovascular risk. Finally, genetically informed mediation analysis was performed to infer causal mediation in the relationship between gene expression, metabolite levels and cardiovascular risk.ResultsA total of 44 genetic loci were associated with 124 metabolites. Lead genetic variants included 11 non-synonymous variants. Predicted expression of 53 fine-mapped genes was associated with 108 metabolite levels; while predicted expression of 6 of these genes was also associated with cardiovascular outcomes, highlighting a new role for regulatory gene HCG27. Additionally, we found that atherogenic metabolite levels mediate the associations between gene expression and cardiovascular risk. Some of these genes showed stronger associations in immune tissues, providing further evidence of the role of immune cells in increasing cardiovascular risk.ConclusionsThese findings propose new gene targets that could be potential candidates for drug development aimed at lowering the risk of cardiovascular events through the modulation of blood atherogenic metabolite levels.

Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with temozolomide in the treatment of glioma a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor in neurosurgery. Bevacizumab (BEV) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumors by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor and reducing tumor angiogenesis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BEV combined with temozolomide (TMZ) in glioma, we performed a meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing survival outcomes between TMZ combined with BEV and TMZ alone as well as cohort studies were included in our study. The primary outcome measures analyzed were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). A total of six randomized controlled trials and four cohort studies with a total of 2515 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis suggested that there were no significant improvements in overall survival, but the combination of TMZ and BEV prolonged progression-free survival, improved overall response rate (ORR), and increased the incidence of some adverse reactions, compared with TMZ alone. Subgroup analysis suggested sex, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) grade, MGMT gene status and radiotherapy combination did not affect the improvement of OS with the combination of the two drugs, and RPA grade did not affect the improvement of PFS with the combination of the two drugs. The combination of TMZ and BEV can improve PFS as well as ORR in patients and has no benefit on OS. At the same time, the adverse reactions during the combination of the two drugs were acceptable.

Comparison of laparoscopic-assisted flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

This study aims to compare the differences in stone clearance rate, infection rate, and bleeding risk among laparoscopic-assisted flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (LAFUL), percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), and flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FUL) through case-control studies and meta-analysis, to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LAFUL. 1. Through systematic literature search, clinical studies related to LAFUL, PCNL, and FUL were screened, and data on stone clearance rate, infection rate, and bleeding events were collected and analyzed for three groups of patients, followed by meta-analysis. 2. Data of patients who met the single center inclusion criteria and received LAFUL (40 cases), PCNL (40 cases, FUL), and FUL (40 cases) treatments for kidney stones from January 2021 to December 2023 were collected. Using a case-control study method, relevant clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. A total of 31 studies involving 2974 patients were included. The results of case-control analysis showed the stone clearance rate in the LAFUL group (F = 225.19, P < 0.001) and the positive rate of postoperative urine bacterial culture (X2 = 4.558, P = 0.033). The results of meta-analysis showed the stone clearance rate (rate = 0.986, 95% CI 0.964-0.999) and blood transfusion rate (rate = 0, 95% CI 0-0.012) in the LAFUL group. LAFUL shows potential in improving the stone clearance rate and reducing the risk of postoperative infection and bleeding, suggesting it may have certain advantages in the treatment of renal calculi.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of frailty in patients with heart failure.

To systematically evaluate the effect of frailty on the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service platform, Weipu full-text database of Chinese scientific and technological journals, and Chinese biomedical literature database from August 12, 2022. After literature screening was completed by two researchers, the data extraction (such as study type, sample size, age of included patients, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, frailty assessment tool, frailty positive rate, outcome indicators, etc.) was performed and the risk of bias in the included studies was assessed. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 14.0 software. A total of 32 studies were included, including 406,269 patients with heart failure. All included studies were rated high overall quality. The results of meta-analysis showed: Frailty increases the risk of all-cause death in patients with heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50 - 2.00, p < 0.001), unplanned readmission (HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.21 - 3.17, p = 0.006), and joint endpoint risk (HR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.48 - 1.86, p < 0.001). Current evidence suggests that frailty increases the risk of all-cause death, unplanned readmission, and joint endpoints in patients with heart failure.

Consistent activation differences versus differences in consistent activation: Evaluating meta-analytic contrasts

Abstract Meta-analytic contrasts are a promising aspect of coordinate-based meta-analyses in neuroimaging research as they facilitate the statistical comparison of two meta-analytic results. They have been used for a multitude of comparisons, such as task conditions, cognitive processes, and groups. However, it remains to be tested how the results of meta-analytic contrasts relate to those of classic meta-analyses and vice versa. Here we present a comprehensive empirical investigation of this issue using four datasets from three different cognitive domains: working memory, working memory load, cognitive interference processing, and emotional face processing. For all four datasets, we compared the results of a standard meta-analysis across prototypical contrasts (condition A &amp;gt; condition B) reported in individual experiments with those of a contrast between two individual meta-analyses of the same conditions (meta-analysis condition A &amp;gt; meta-analysis condition B). In the meta-analytic contrasts similar brain regions as in the standard meta-analysis were found but with relatively distinct spatial activation patterns. Additionally, fewer regions were revealed in the meta-analytic contrasts, especially in areas where the conditions spatially overlapped. This can be ascribed to the loss of information on the strength of activations in meta-analytic contrasts, across which standard meta-analysis summarize. In one dataset, additional regions were found in the meta-analytic contrast, potentially due to task effects. Our results demonstrate that meta-analytic contrasts can yield similar results to standard meta-analyses but are sparser. This confirms the overall validity, but also limited ability to capture all regions found in standard meta-analyses. Notable differences observed in some cases indicate that such contrasts cannot be taken as an easy substitute for classic meta-analyses of experiment-level contrasts, warranting further research into the boundary conditions for agreement.

Serum metabolite signature of the modified Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet.

There is a lack of biomarkers of clinically important diets, such as the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet. Our study explored serum metabolites associated with adherence to the MIND diet. In 3,908 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study participants, we calculated a modified MIND diet score based on a 66-item self-reported food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The modified score did not include berries and olive oil, as these items were not assessed in the FFQ. We used multivariable linear regression models in 2 subgroups of ARIC study participants and meta-analyzed results using fixed effects regression to identify significant metabolites after Bonferroni correction. We also examined associations between these metabolites and food components of the modified MIND diet. C-statistics evaluated the prediction of high modified MIND diet adherence using significant metabolites beyond participant characteristics. Of 360 metabolites analyzed, 27 metabolites (15 positive, 12 negative) were significantly associated with the modified MIND diet score (lipids, n = 13; amino acids, n = 5; xenobiotics, n = 3; cofactors and vitamins, n = 3; carbohydrates n = 2; nucleotide n = 1). The top 4 metabolites that improved the prediction of high dietary adherence to the modified MIND diet were 7-methylxanthine, theobromine, docosahexaenoate (DHA), and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate (CMPF). Twenty-seven metabolomic markers were correlated with the modified MIND diet. The biomarkers, if further validated, could be useful to objectively assess adherence to the MIND diet.

Impact of Melatonin Supplementation on Glycemic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Several previous studies indicated that melatonin supplementation may positively affect glycemic control in patients with diabetes. However, research on the influence of melatonin supplementation on glycemic parameters remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impacts of melatonin supplementation on glycemic parameters in type 2 diabetes by conducting a meta-analysis. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched until July 2024 to find eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The overall effect sizes were estimated by using the randomeffect model and presented as weighted mean differences (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, the heterogeneity among the included trials was assessed by performing the Cochran Q test and interpreted based on the I² statistic. Of the 1361 papers, eight eligible RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Our findings indicated that melatonin supplementation significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (WMD = -12.65 mg/dl; 95% CI: -20.38, -4.92; P = 0.001), insulin (WMD = -2.30 μU/ml; 95% CI: -3.20, -1.40; P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (WMD = -0.79 %; 95% CI: -1.28, -0.29; P = 0.002), and HOMA-IR (WMD, -0.83; 95% CI: -1.59 to - 0.07; P = 0.03). According to the results of the current meta-analysis, persons with type 2 diabetes who supplement with melatonin had improved glycemic control. It looks that supplementing with melatonin at a dose exceeding 6 mg daily for over a period of 12 weeks may be more successful than other forms of intervention. Nevertheless, further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Dietary sodium intake restriction in patients with heart failure: an overview of systematic reviews.

This study aimed to identify, assess, and summarize systematic reviews on dietary sodium intake restrictions for patients with heart failure. Literature searches were conducted on Pubmed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Wanfang Database up to January 2024. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using the quality assessment tool from the Australian JBI Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (2016). The results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses were synthesized and presented according to different outcome indicators. Nine systematic reviews were included in this study. The current evidence does not support the fact that dietary sodium intake restrictions for patients with heart failure have a positive impact on mortality rates, rehospitalization rates, and quality of life. Conversely, strict dietary sodium intake restrictions (≤ 2000mg/day) may increase the risk of death, rehospitalization, and symptom exacerbation. Dietary sodium intake restriction may not have a positive impact on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. Nevertheless, more evidence is required to explore the differences in the impact of various levels of dietary sodium restriction on the outcomes and symptom management indicators of patients with heart failure.

Preclinical studies of natural flavonoids in inflammatory bowel disease based on macrophages: a systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology.

Flavonoid is a category of bioactive polyphenolic compounds that are extensively distributed in plants with specific pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Importantly, natural flavonoids have shown the protected function on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in animals and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in macrophages. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the efficacy of natural flavonoids in animal models of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and potential mechanisms in macrophages by meta-analysis and network pharmacology in preclinical studies. Relevant foundation studies were searched from January 2010 to November 2023 in databases like PubMed, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Then, OriginPro software was used to extract values from images, and the analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. The retrieved data was analyzed according to the fixed-effects model and random-effects model. Subsequently, heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistics. Lastly, network pharmacology was applied to confirm mechanisms of natural flavonoids on IBD. According to the results of meta-analysis, we found the natural flavonoids exhibited powerful therapeutic effects against IBD, which not only reversed colonic shortness (WMD = 1.33, 95% CI (1.07, 1.59), P < 0.00001), but also reduced histological score (SMD = - 2.66, 95% CI (- 3.77, - 1.95), P < 0.00001) between natural flavonoid treatment groups compared with the experimental IBD model. Furthermore, treatment with natural flavonoids decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in macrophages. Mechanistically, our summarized data substantiate that natural flavonoids alleviate LPS-induced M1 macrophage polarization, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, maintain intestinal barrier, and inhibit the activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages. Moreover, the results of network pharmacology also support this. This systematic review demonstrated the efficiency of natural flavonoids in treating IBD in preclinical research by meta-analysis and network pharmacology, which offered supporting evidence for clinical trial implementation. However, some limitations remain present, such as technique quality shortage, missed reports on account of negative results, failure to count sample size, and the risk of bias.