Systematic Review Research Articles

Publication of pharmacy resident research projects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pharmacy residents often aspire to develop research skills through conducting a research project. Project publication rates among pharmacy residents are variable and at times low; however, previous studies have been limited to specific geographic regions and timeframes. This study sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the proportion of pharmacy resident research projects published in the peer-reviewed literature. A systematic review of PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection was performed from database inception to May 25, 2023. Articles were included if they were full-text, peer-reviewed manuscripts of original research presenting observational data regarding pharmacy resident research project publication rates. Data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. A proportional meta-analysis using a random effects model of the included studies was conducted to generate a pooled, overall proportion. The search yielded 5,225 records and 12 articles that met the inclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective and observational. Risk of selection and cohort identification biases was "high," whereas that of detection and timeframe biases was "low." The included studies represented 6,990 resident research projects, 777 of which were published in the peer-reviewed literature. Publication rates across individual studies ranged from 1.8% to 36.2%. The pooled proportion (scale of 0 to 1) of projects published was 0.13 (95% CI, 0.09-0.19). Pharmacy resident research project publication rates are low at 13%. Furthermore, studies reporting project publication rates over time suggest a neutral or negative trend in publication rates despite an exponential increase in the number of pharmacy residents.

Shared Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management

The effect of shared decision-making (SDM) and the extent of its use in interventions to improve cardiovascular risk remain unclear. To assess the extent to which SDM is used in interventions aimed to enhance the management of cardiovascular risk factors and to explore the association of SDM with decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, and health behaviors. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, a literature search was conducted in the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for articles published from inception to June 24, 2022, without language restrictions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing SDM-based interventions with standard of care for cardiovascular risk factor management were included. The systematic search resulted in 9365 references. Duplicates were removed, and 2 independent reviewers screened the trials (title, abstract, and full text) and extracted data. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factor outcomes, and health behavioral outcomes. This review included 57 RCTs with 88 578 patients and 1341 clinicians. A total of 59 articles were included, as 2 RCTs were reported twice. Nearly half of the studies (29 [49.2%]) tested interventions that targeted both patients and clinicians, and an equal number (29 [49.2%]) exclusively focused on patients. More than half (32 [54.2%]) focused on diabetes management, and one-quarter focused on multiple cardiovascular risk factors (14 [23.7%]). Most studies (35 [59.3%]) assessed cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviors as well as decisional outcomes. The quality of studies reviewed was low to fair. The SDM intervention was associated with a decrease of 4.21 points (95% CI, -8.21 to -0.21) in Decisional Conflict Scale scores (9 trials; I2 = 85.6%) and a decrease of 0.20% (95% CI, -0.39% to -0.01%) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (18 trials; I2 = 84.2%). In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the current state of research on SDM interventions for cardiovascular risk management, there was a slight reduction in decisional conflict and an improvement in HbA1c levels with substantial heterogeneity. High-quality studies are needed to inform the use of SDM to improve cardiovascular risk management.

Impact of Sexual Abuse on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Child sexual abuse (CSA), the most common type of maltreatment, is any action of a sexual nature by one or more adults towards a minor without the minor’s consent. This abuse represents one of the most damaging forms of trauma, has a severe impact on mental health and psychopathology, and can lead to several disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized as a disorder that encompasses physical symptoms resulting from traumatic experiences that are experienced or witnessed by the victim. This systematic review aims to understand the impact of sexual abuse on post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Studies focusing on the relationship between these two variables were obtained through multiple databases. Of the 940 documents collected, 24 were retained for further analysis and the objectives, methodologies, results, and main conclusions were registered. One of the main conclusions was that the earlier the abuse starts and the more severe and long-lasting it is, the symptomatology of PTSD will be aggravated and remain in the long term.

Efficacy of Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection for Nonsurgical Management of Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

As osteoarthritis (OA) of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint leads to a high degree of disease burden with compromises in rudimentary and fine movements of the hand, intra-articular injections may be a desirable treatment option. However, because there are no evidence-based guidelines, the choice of intra-articular injection type is left to the discretion of the individual surgeon in collaboration with the patient. The purpose of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis using level I studies to compare outcomes following corticosteroid and alternative methods of intra-articular injections for the management of TMC OA. Our hypothesis was that intra-articular corticosteroid injections were no more effective than other methods of intra-articular injections for the management of TMC OA. A systematic literature search was performed. Eligible for inclusion were randomized control trials reporting on intra-articular corticosteroid injection for the management of TMC OA. Clinical outcomes were recorded. The 10 included studies comprised 673 patients. The mean age was 57.8 ± 8.3 years, with a mean follow-up of 6.4 ± 2.7 months. There was no significant difference in visual analog scale scores, grip strength and tip pinch strength between corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid at short- and medium-term follow-up. Further, there was no difference in visual analog scale pain scores at rest at medium-term follow-up between corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma. Despite short-term improvement with intra-articular corticosteroid injections, there was no significant difference in pain and functional outcomes following intra-articular corticosteroid injections compared to hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma administration. Given the affordability, ease of administration, and efficacy associated with corticosteroids, they are a favorable option when considering the choice of intra-articular injection for the management of TMC OA. Therapeutic II.

The prevalence of gambling problems in prison populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The overall prevalence of gambling problems across prison populations is currently unknown. The objective of the present study was therefore to quantitatively synthetize prevalence estimates of gambling problems in prison populations using a random effects meta-analytic model and to investigate if the estimates were moderated by time frame, cut-off levels, and sample size. To be included the studies had to report original data on the prevalence of gambling problems in a prison sample and to be written in a European language, whereas data based on abstracts or qualitative reports were excluded. The search ended on December 1, 2023 and were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Cinahl, PsycINFO, Embase, Google Scholar, Grey Literature Report, and GreyNet. Risk of bias was assessed with a standardized 10-item measure for epidemiological studies. A total of 26 studies comprising 9,491 participants were included. The vast majority of the participants were males. The most commonly used instrument for assessment of gambling problems was the South Oaks Gambling Screen. The pooled random-effects gambling problems prevalence estimate was 30.8% (95% CI = 25.1-37.3). The meta-regression analysis showed that none of the three moderator variables (criteria, timeframe, sample size) were related to the gambling problems prevalence. Common limitations of the included studies entailed not being representative nationally or for the target population, lack of randomization, and low response rate. The meta-analysis was restricted to studies published in a European language. Overall, the studies show that 1 in 3 prisoners has gambling problems and suggests that more emphasis on relevant prevention and treatment is warranted for this population. The study was funded by the Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research and pre-registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023390552).

Les causes des infarctus spléniques : une revue quasi systématique de la littérature

IntroductionSplenic infarction is a rare event in clinical practice, diagnosed by CT scan. There are many causes. They often determine the treatment given. However, there is no consensus on etiological investigations. MethodsWe present here an almost systematic review of the literature, based on data available on Pubmed from 1991 to 2022. Using the keywords “splenic infarct”, from 1893 references, 11 cohort studies and 867 clinical cases were included in this review. Articles written in languages using alphabets other than Latin were excluded. Results and conclusionsAnalysis of these various studies has enabled us to draw up a list that is intended to be as exhaustive as possible of the causes of splenic infarction. The most frequent are emboligenic heart disease, hematological malignancies, solid neoplasia and certain infections. The descriptions available in the literature were mainly based on isolated clinical cases, not always making it possible to establish a causal link with the disease described, especially as around 20% of reported cases of splenic infarction were asymptomatic and potentially of incidental discovery. Based on the findings of this literature review, we propose a protocol for the etiological assessment of splenic infarcts.

Cutaneous Angiosarcoma Subtypes: A Quantitative Systematic Review of Demographics, Treatments, and Outcomes Within Published Patient-Level Cases.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (cAS) is a highly aggressive malignancy arising from the vascular endothelium. Given its rarity, there is insufficient data detailing patient demographics, management, and survival outcomes. To systematically compile published patient-level cases of cAS and to quantify and analyze data on demographics, management, and outcomes while determining prognostic indicators. Searches of EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library generated 1,500 cases of cAS with individual level data available. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Cutaneous angiosarcoma presented most often on the scalp of elderly men. Metastasis occurred in 36.3% of cases. Aggregate 5-year survival was 31.6% with the median survival of 25 months. The best 5-year survival was in the radiation-associated subtype (48.8%), whereas the worst was in the Stewart-Treves subtype (21.6%). Using multivariate analysis, gender, age group, disease subtype, treatment modality, and metastasis at presentation had significant effects on survival outcomes ( p < .05). The breadth of information obtained enables this study to serve as a resource that clinicians may reference when they encounter cAS.

ORAL OPIOID ANALGESICS VS SPINAL STEROID INJECTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN: A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) affects a significant portion of the population worldwide, with distinct treatment needs for acute and chronic cases. Despite widespread opioid use, evidence for their efficacy in LBP remains uncertain, highlighting the need for alternative interventions. Minimally invasive procedures like epidural steroid injections offer potential relief for conditions like lumbar disc herniation, but their effectiveness is debated. To address these complexities, we conducted a comprehensive review encompassing various treatment modalities beyond medication, aiming to optimize outcomes and improve quality of life for individuals with LBP. Method: The researchers in this study followed the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure that their work met the required standards. This was done to ensure the precision and reliability of the conclusions derived from the research. Result: Our search produced 13 results. After looking at the titles and summaries, we found 8 papers that fit our criteria. At first, we excluded several articles because they were written in review style and case reports. But after reading the full papers carefully, we included four papers in our final analysis. These papers included retrospective analysis, a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over study, noninterventional, retrospective 12-week study using anonymized clinical practice data from the German Pain eRegistry, and a retrospective analysis of anonymized, propensity score–matched data. Conclusion: Favorable post-injection outcomes suggest the blind method for caudal epidural injections is safe and effective, suitable for patients not eligible for surgery or unresponsive to conservative treatments. Interlaminar epidural steroid injections effectively reduce VAS and ODI scores in patients with chronic low back pain and multi-level disc disease, but further research is needed to standardize administration protocols and optimize treatment outcomes, including addressing BMI's impact. The analgesic efficacy of periradicular meloxicam injections for acute/subacute low back pain, indicating a potential new treatment option, while real-world data suggest NBX oromucosal spray may be superior to typical oral LAO analgesics for severe peripheral NBP, pending confirmation in large RCTs.

Anthropogenic–induced environmental and ecological changes in the Nile Delta over the past half-century

Anthropogenic activities over the past half-century have had a negative impact on the wetland ecosystem in the Nile Delta, which provides essential provisioning and regulating services. Therefore, it is crucial to systematically investigate pollution levels and their ecological consequences at both spatial and temporal scales in order to promote sustainable development. In this study, data on metal pollution in the Manzala Lake were compiled through a systematic review of all published literature from 1968 to 2020. Additionally, agricultural data (including land use, pesticide and fertilizer usage, and discharge) and economic data for the same time period were collected to identify the main drivers of pollution. The results indicated an overall increasing trend in heavy metal concentrations during the study period. The average concentrations of metals, arranged in descending order, were as follows: Fe (15,115.5 μg/g) > Mn (722 μg/g) > Zn (115.4 μg/g) > Cu (65.9 μg/g) > Ni (62.5 μg/g) > Cr (58.1 μg/g) > Pb (54.1 μg/g) > Cd (4.7 μg/g) > Hg (0.1 μg/g). A linear regression model revealed that wastewater discharge, water reuse, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers are the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the Manzala Lake. Consequently, there has been a dramatic decrease in the biodiversity of fish and molluscan communities. The study also found a correlation between heavy metal pollution and socio-economic development, highlighting the urgent need for attention to the conservation, management, and sustainable development of the lake.

Efficacy and safety of agomelatine versus SSRIs/SNRIs for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Agomelatine is effective in the treatment of depression, but its effect for post-stroke depression (PSD) remains unclear. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of agomelatine versus SSRIs/SNRIs in treating PSD. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Cqvip databases for double-blind randomized controlled studies comparing the efficacy and safety of agomelatine versus SSRIs/SNRIs for PSD until December 2022. The primary efficacy endpoint was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score, and the primary safety endpoint was the incidence of overall adverse reactions. Nine studies comprising 857 patients with PSD were included. After 6-12 weeks of treatment, the HAMD score ( P = 0.16) and the overall response rates ( P = 0.20) in the agomelatine group were comparable to that in the SSRIs/SNRIs group. Participants treated with agomelatine achieved higher Barthel Index scores compared with the SSRIs/SNRIs group ( P = 0.02). There was a significantly lower incidence of overall adverse reactions ( P = 0.008) and neurological adverse reactions ( P < 0.0001) in the agomelatine group. The efficacy of agomelatine for treating PSD is probably comparable to that of SSRIs/SNRIs, and it may improve stroke outcomes with better safety.

Effect of maternal diet on the frequency of micronuclei in pregnant women and newborns: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effects of diet on maternal and child genetic levels have been previously reported. Diet-associated DNA damage, such as the presence of micronuclei (MN), may be related to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer. Such damage is particularly concerning during pregnancy as it can affect the newborn. This review will aim to summarize the primary evidence of the impact of diet during pregnancy on micronucleus frequency in the maternal-newborn population. This protocol was developed based on the Preferred Reporting Items guidelines for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocol. The review was registered with the International Register of Prospective Systematic Reviews on February 17, 2022 (registration number: CRD42022302401). We will use PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science direct, and Google databases to search for observational studies. This review will include studies that investigate the diet consumed by pregnant women and its effect on the frequency of MN in mothers and newborns without any time or language limitations. For data extraction, researchers will independently review the full text and collect information that characterizes the study and its findings. We will analyze the results by calculating the odds ratio for each type of diet evaluated, accompanied by a 95% confidence interval. We will perform a quantitative synthesis of homogeneous studies to perform a meta-analysis. Micronucleus frequency quantifies the effect and will be presented as the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range. This review will aim to identify which dietary patterns during pregnancy may be associated with an increase in the frequency of MN in mothers and their newborns. Understanding the impact of diet on the frequency of MN is essential to deepen studies and to propose strategies that aim to protect the health of the public through food.

Global prevalence, mortality, and main characteristics of HIV-associated pneumocystosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-associated pneumocystosis (HAP) is poorly described on a worldwide scale. We searched related databases between January 2000 and December 2022 for studies reporting HAP. Meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect (version 2.7.9) and STATA (version 17) according to the random-effects model for DerSimonian and Laird method and metan and metaprop commands, respectively. Twenty-nine studies with 38554 HIV-positive, 79893 HIV-negative, and 4044 HAP populations were included. The pooled prevalence of HAP was 35.4% (95% CI 23.8 to 47.9). In contrast, the pooled prevalence of PCP among HIV-negative patients was 10.16% (95% CI 2 to 25.3). HIV-positive patients are almost 12 times more susceptible to PCP than the HIV-negative population (OR: 11.710; 95% CI: 5.420 to 25.297). The mortality among HAP patients was 52% higher than non-PCP patients (OR 1.522; 95% CI 0.959 to 2.416). HIV-positive men had a 7% higher chance rate for PCP than women (OR 1.073; 95% CI 0.674 to 1.706). Prophylactic (OR: 6.191; 95% CI: 0.945 to 40.545) and antiretroviral therapy (OR 3.356; 95% CI 0.785 to 14.349) were used in HAP patients six and three times more than HIV-positive PCP-negatives, respectively. The control and management strategies should revise and updated by health policy-makers on a worldwide scale. Finally, for better management and understanding of the epidemiology and characteristics of this coinfection, designing further studies is recommended.

Effects of transition programmes to adulthood for adolescents and young adults with CHD: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The increased survival rate among individuals with CHD has sparked interest in their transition to adult healthcare. Although there is a general agreement on the importance of transition interventions, the empirical evidence supporting them is insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of transition interventions for adult healthcare in adolescents and young adults. A literature search was conducted for studies comparing the quantitative effects of transition interventions with control groups, published up to March 15, 2023, in major databases (CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, KISS, and KMbase), major clinical trial registries, academic journal sites related to the topic, and grey literature databases. Ten studies involving a total of 1,297 participants were identified. Transition interventions proved effective in enhancing disease-related knowledge (Hedge's g = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.29-1.48) and self-management (Hedge's g = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.38-0.95), as well as reducing loss to follow-up (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.22-0.77). The certainty of evidence for the estimated values of each major outcome was low or very low. This study supports the implementation of transition interventions by demonstrating that they can improve patients' disease knowledge and self-management, while also promoting treatment continuity. However, since the available data on transition interventions for adolescents and young adults with CHD remain limited, the widespread adoption of structured transition interventions in the future may alter the conclusions of this study. URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO. Unique identifier: CRD42023399026.

Accuracy of molecular diagnostic assays for detection of Mycobacterium bovis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) is a chronic wasting disease of cattle caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis. Controlling bovine TB requires highly sensitive, specific, quick, and reliable diagnostic methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated molecular diagnostic tests for M. bovis detection to inform the selection of the most viable assay. On a per-test basis, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) showed the highest overall sensitivity of 99.0% [95% CI: 86.2%-99.9%] and specificity of 99.8% [95% CI: 96.2%-100.00%]. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) outperformed conventional PCR and nested PCR (nPCR) with a diagnostic specificity of 96.6% [95% CI: 88.9%-99.0%], while the diagnostic sensitivity of 70.8% [95% CI: 58.6–80.5%] was comparable to that of nPCR at 71.4% [95% CI: 60.7–80.2%]. Test sensitivity was higher with the input of milk samples (90.9% [95% CI: 56.0%-98.7%]), while specificity improved with tests based on major M. bovis antigens (97.8% [95% CI: 92.3%-99.4%]), the IS6110 insertion sequence (95.4% [95% CI: 87.6%-98.4%]), and the RD4 gene (90.7% [95% CI: 52.2%-98.9%]). The design of the currently available molecular diagnostic assays, while mostly based on nonspecific gene targets, prevents them from being accurate enough to diagnose M. bovis infections in cattle, despite their promise. Future assay development should focus on the RD4 region since it is the only target identified by genome sequence data as being distinctive for detecting M. bovis. The availability of a sufficiently accurate diagnostic test combined with the routine screening of milk samples can decrease the risk of zoonotic transmissions of M. bovis.

Research gap in esophageal achalasia: a narrative review.

In recent years, new translational evidence, diagnostic techniques, and innovative therapies have shed new light on esophageal achalasia and revamped the attention on this relatively rare motility disorder. This narrative review aims to highlight the most recent progress and the areas where further research is needed. The four senior authors identified five topics commonly discussed in achalasia management: i.e. pathogenesis, role of functional lumen imaging probe in the diagnostic flow chart of achalasia, how to define the outcome of achalasia treatments, how to manage persistent chest pain after the treatment, and if achalasia patients' may benefit from a regular follow-up. We searched the bibliographic databases to identify systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized control trials, and original research articles in English up to December 2023. We provide a summary with the most recent findings in each of the five topics and the critical points where to address future research, such as the immune-genetic patterns of achalasia that might explain the transition among the different phenotypes, the need for a validated clinical definition of treatment success, the use of neuromodulators to manage chest pain, and the need for identifying achalasia patients at risk for cancer and who may benefit of long-term follow-up. Although undoubtedly, progress has been made on the definition and management of achalasia, unmet needs remain. Debated aspects range from mechanistic insights, symptoms, objective measure relationships, and accurate clinical responses to therapeutic interventions. Translational research is eagerly awaited to answer these unresolved questions.

Factors Associated with PrEP Stigma Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (gbMSM): A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV acquisition, uptake of PrEP among gbMSM is low, which may in part be due to stigma associated with PrEP use. This systematic review aimed to explore experiences of PrEP stigma and to identify factors associated with this. Four databases were searched for papers including terms relating to (i) gbMSM, (ii) PrEP, and (iii) stigma, with narrative synthesis used to analyze results. After screening, 70 studies were included in the final analysis. Experiences of PrEP stigma were found to be characterized by a number of stereotypes and came from a range of sources. Five categories of factors were associated with stigma: (i) healthcare-related factors, (ii) cultural and contextual factors, (iii) sociodemographic factors, (iv) peer-discussion, and (v) psychosocial factors. These findings suggest that stigma can be a common experience for gbMSM. However, some are more at risk than others. Interventions aimed at reducing PrEP stigma may be useful in increasing uptake.

Alternative and Classical Processes for Disinfection of Water Polluted by Fungi: A Systematic Review

The introduction of the first list of priority pathogenic fungi by the World Health Organization stresses the need to research and develop public health actions to mitigate infections caused by fungi. One of those actions involves the water disinfection systems, which comprise classical and alternative methods that have been developed in the last decades. Thereby, this work reviews the disinfection of fungi by classical methods such as chlorination, ozonation, and ultraviolet (UV) treatments and alternative advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as photo-Fenton, photocatalysis, or couplings of UV with peroxides. The matrices of aquatic systems (sewage, groundwater, drinking water, among others) were considered. A bibliometric analysis is performed initially, and then some aspects of the resistance to antifungals are presented, and the efficiency of the diverse processes in the reduction in fungal loading is also revised. Herein, it is shown the role of the disinfecting agents (e.g., chlorine, hydroxyl radical, or light) and their effects on fungi structures (e.g., direct DNA damage, or indirect damage due to the action of radicals). Moreover, gaps, such as the treatment of antifungal-resistant fungi and limited information about combinations among AOPs, related to the disinfection of water polluted by fungi, were identified.

Abstract 6371: Prenatal exposure to medication and risk of childhood cancer - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The use of medication during pregnancy carries a potential health risk for the unborn child. However, the majority of drugs examined in previous observational studies have shown inconsistent results with the risk of childhood cancer, and these findings have not been consolidated in drug-specific meta-analyses. To address this gap, a systematic search was conducted in the databases PubMed and Science Citation Index for studies on medication use during pregnancy and the risk of childhood cancer. Studies with exposure to diethylstilbestrol as a known teratogen were excluded. Meta-analyses with estimates for random effects models with 95% confidence intervals were conducted, if at least three studies on the same research question were available. The I² statistic was calculated to quantify between-study heterogeneity. Statistical significance of I2 was analyzed with the Q statistic (P value for heterogeneity (P)). Study quality was summarized based on a self-developed scoring system with five items. The systematic literature search yielded 2,373 studies, of which 62 were included in the systematic review. We conducted a total of 37 analyses including exposure to 12 different types of medications during pregnancy and 13 different outcomes of childhood cancer. Pooled odds ratios (OR) showed an increased risk of acute leukemia (AL) and its subtype acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after prenatal exposure to antiemetics (AL: OR= 1.47 (95 % confidence interval 1.02; 2.14) I²= 0.0 % P= 0.44; ALL: OR= 1.27 (1.01;1.59) I²= 0.0 % P= 0.93) and any kind of antibiotics (AL: OR= 1.13 (1.01; 1.27) I²= 0.0 % P= 0.53; ALL: OR= 1.12 (1.01; 1.24) I²= 19.7 % P= 0.26). In addition, an increased risk of childhood cancer in general was observed when mothers took nitrosatable antibiotics (OR= 1.32 (1.14; 1.53) I²= 0.0 % P= 0.97). Finally, the use of analgesics (OR= 1.40 (1.00; 1.95) I²= 43.8 % P= 0.15) during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of neuroblastoma in the offspring. All these analyses did not reveal any indications of heterogeneity between the analyzed studies. The remaining 31 analyses showed no association. Our results suggest that the use of nitrosatable antibiotics during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer. Maternal intake of antibiotics and antiemetics may increase the risk of AL and ALL in their children. An increased risk of childhood neuroblastoma could be associated with prenatal exposure to analgesics. However, the underlying disease of the mother, which is treated with the investigated medication, could be the actual reason for the development of childhood cancer in the offspring. Citation Format: Alicia Lübtow, Manuela Marron, Rajini Nagrani, Wolfgang Ahrens, Lara Kim Brackmann. Prenatal exposure to medication and risk of childhood cancer - A systematic review and meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6371.

Taste dysfunction as a predictor of depression in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression among patients with schizophrenia, to achieve early detection of depression in clinical practice. Following PRISMA guidance, a comprehensive literature search was conducted globally, covering papers published from 1961 to June 2023. A total of 17 manuscripts were selected through meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis after examining available materials from seven databases to determine the correlation between depression and taste dysfunction. The comparison of the 17 selected manuscripts revealed that individuals with gustatory dysfunction may be more likely to experience depressive symptoms (SMD, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.93, p = 0.02). Depression is associated with taste dysfunction in certain aspects, as indicated by the pleasantness ratings of sucrose solutions (SMD, -0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.11 to 0.05, p = 0.08), gustatory identification ability (SMD, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.89, p = 0.04), and the perception threshold of sweet taste (MD, 0.80, 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.81, p < 0.00001). Due to variations in the methods, designs, and selection criteria employed in the included studies, it is necessary to establish a feasible framework. Future research using detailed and targeted approaches can provide clearer and more unified conclusions on the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression. Moreover, further high-quality research is needed to obtain clearer conclusions and explore the potential of taste dysfunction as an effective tool for early screening of depression. This review has been registered in the PROSPERO on April 2022 with the identifier CRD42023400172.

Sorghum phytonutrients and their health benefits: A systematic review from cell to clinical trials.

Sorghum is key for global food security due to its genetic variability, resilience, and rich phytonutrient content, which are linked to numerous health benefits. A systematic review assessed the health effects of sorghum by analyzing cell (n=22), animal (n=20), and human (n=7) studies across antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes outcomes. This review, involving 42 papers and 177 researchers from 12 countries, collected data from sorghum accessions (acc) and significant effects. Studies used 68 identified and 8 unidentified sorghums, 57% red (n=20), brown (n=5), and black (n=17) pericarp colors, and evaluated whole (n=31), brans (n=11), and decorticated grains (n=2). Colored sorghum, richer in phenolic compounds, especially 3-deoxyanthocyanins and tannins, inhibited cancer cell activities, including proliferation, tumor growth, and ROS activity, and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Sorghum elevated HO1 and eNOS expression for cardiovascular, health-reduced platelet aggregation, and modulated platelet microparticles. They also suppressed inflammation markers and decreased lipid accumulation. Animal studies indicated sorghum's potential across antioxidant capacity, cancer and inflammation mitigation, and lipid and glucose metabolism. Translating these findings to human scenarios requires caution, especially considering cell studies do not fully represent polyphenol metabolism. Human studies provided mixed results, indicating antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory benefits and nuanced effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The main risks of bias highlighted challenges in quantifying phytonutrients, identifying sorghum acc features, and lack of assessors blinding. Nonetheless, sorghum emerges as a promising functional food for countering chronic diseases in Western diets.