The risk of endometriosis by early menarche is recently increased: a meta-analysis of literature published from 2000 to 2020.

PURPOSE: The relationship between menarche age and endometriosis has been studied extensively; however, the results were inconsistent due to differences in study dates, populations, and methodology. The goal of this meta-analysis was to see how different research populations, dates, and types affected the estimated risk of endometriosis in early menarche. METHODS: The terms "endometriosis", "early menarche", and other pertinent terms were searched in PubMed, Medline, and Embase. This meta-analysis comprised 16 papers published between 2000 and 2020, with a start year ranging from 1989 to 2017. Random effects were used to examine endometriosis risks in these articles. Study start years, countries, types (case-control and cohort studies), and quality (Newcastle-Ottawa scale, NOS) were all taken into account in further stratified analysis and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Early menarche (< 12 years) was associated with a significant pooled risk of endometriosis with high heterogeneity (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.16-1.54, I2 = 72.0%). Stratified analysis showed that this risk was increased in studies started after 2000 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 0.96-1.35, I2 = 74.4%), compared to those before 2000 (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.16-1.54, I2 = 40.7%); additionally, this risk was higher in low-income countries (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.55-2.87, I2 = 0%) than in other countries (OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.09-1.43, I2 = 70.6%). These results were further confirmed by meta-regression analysis (both P values < 0.1). No significant differences were found between different study types and NOS scores. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested an increasing risk of endometriosis with early menarche, which was more noticeable in low-income countries. Large-scale studies are warranted.

Effect of lipid metabolism disorder on liver function in patients with malignant tumors after chemotherapy: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effect of lipid metabolism disorder on liver function in patients with malignant tumors after chemotherapy. METHOD: A total of 428 patients with malignant tumors with normal liver function in our hospital between May 2013 to June 2018 were divided into an observation group (lipid metabolism disorder, n = 265) and control group (normal lipid metabolism, n = 163). The lipid metabolism levels and liver damage of the two groups were compared before and after chemotherapy. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, tumor types, history of surgery, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; an indicator of liver function), and chemotherapy regimen were observed between the two groups. However, the observation group showed increased levels of total cholesterol (P = 0.000), triglycerides (P = 0.000), and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.01), as well as decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.000) before chemotherapy compared with the control group. Furthermore, patients with lipid metabolism disorders were more likely to develop abnormal liver function after chemotherapy. Moreover, mixed lipid metabolism disorder was more likely to cause severe liver damage after chemotherapy. Additionally, the number of patients with lipid metabolism disorders after chemotherapy (n = 367) was significantly increased compared with before chemotherapy (n = 265) (P < 0.01), indicating that chemotherapy might induce or aggravate an abnormal lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: After receiving chemotherapy, patients with malignant tumors presenting lipid metabolism disorders are more prone to liver damage and lipid metabolism disorders than patients with a normal lipid metabolism.

LIN28B Polymorphisms Confer a Higher Postoperative Recurrence Risk in Reproductive-Age Women with Endometrial Polyps.

The RNA-binding protein LIN28B is an important factor for cell proliferation. Because LIN28B polymorphisms have been shown to be relative with the recurrence of some hyperplastic diseases, we hypothesized that genetic variants of LIN28B gene were associated with postoperative recurrence risk in reproductive-age women with endometrial polyps (EP). In a hospital-based cohort of 351 reproductive female patients underwent hysteroscopic polypectomies between May 2018 and Jan 2020, we genotyped two common polymorphisms in LIN28B gene (rs369065 C > T and rs314280 A > G) and analyzed their associations with the risk of postoperative recurrence in multiple Cox regression model. When followed up to Jun 2021, carries of rs369065 TT genotype had an increased risk of polyp recurrence (adjusting hazard ratio [HR] = 1.883, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.033 - 3.434) and had a shorter time to recurrence (median time 352 vs. 342 days, log-rank P < 0.01), compared to the CC/CT genotype. Further stratification analysis showed that the increased risk of rs369065 TT genotype was more evident in patients who were older than 33 years (adjusted HR = 2.597, 95%CI = 1.037 - 6.505), had a single polyp (adjusted HR = 2.545, 95%CI = 1.059 - 6.113), and had smaller polyps (<1.2 cm, adjusted HR = 2.708, 95%CI = 1.042 - 7.043). However, no significant association between rs314280 A > G polymorphism and the risk of polyp recurrence was found. Our study suggests that rs369065 TT genotype of LIN28B gene is associated with an increased postoperative recurrence risk in EP patients, especially in those with fewer and smaller polyps. These findings implicate a precise choice of clinical counseling and decision making. Larger studies in different ethnic populations are warranted.

cfDNA Methylation Profiles and T-Cell Differentiation in Women with Endometrial Polyps.

DNA methylation is a part of the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression, including chromatin remodeling and the activity of microRNAs, which are involved in the regulation of T-cell differentiation and function. However, the role of cfDNA methylation in T-cell differentiation is entirely unknown. In patients with endometrial polyps (EPs), we have found an imbalance of T-cell differentiation and an aberrant cfDNA methylation profile, respectively. In this study, we investigated the relationship between cfDNA methylation profiles and T-cell differentiation in 14 people with EPs and 27 healthy controls. We found that several differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were associated with T-cell differentiation in people with EPs (ITGA2-Naïve CD4, r = -0.560, p = 0.037; CST9-EMRA CD4, r = -0.626, p = 0.017; and ZIM2-CM CD8, r = 0.576, p = 0.031), but not in healthy controls (all p > 0.05). When we combined the patients' characteristics, we found a significant association between ITGA2 methylation and polyp diameter (r = 0.562, p = 0.036), but this effect was lost when adjusting the level of Naïve CD4 T-cells (r = 0.038, p = 0.903). Moreover, the circulating sex hormone levels were associated with T-cell differentiation (estradiol-Naïve CD4, r = -0.589, p = 0.027), and the cfDNA methylation profile (testosterone-ZIM2, r = -0.656, p = 0.011). In conclusion, this study has established a link between cfDNA methylation profiles and T-cell differentiation among people with EPs, which may contribute to the etiology of EPs. Further functional studies are warranted.

Repeated mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in a dialysis patient: A case report and literature review.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. It is still unclear whether repeated MT in a short period of time is safe and effective in patients with renal failure and atrial fibrillation (AF). We present the case of an LVO patient with AF and uremia who was successfully treated with MT for M1 segment occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and achieved a good outcome. Fifteen days after the first MT, the patient's stroke recurred; angiography at that time revealed M1 segment, and branch occlusion of the right MCA, and a second MT was performed. This patient was given oral warfarin to maintain her international normalized ratio (INR) between 2 and 3, and over a 9-month follow-up period, no further vascular events occurred. It may be safe and effective to perform repeated MTs in patients with uremia and AF who have suffered two cardiogenic strokes in a short period of time. It might be beneficial to treat a patient of this description with anticoagulant therapy after careful assessment of the patient's condition. Nephrologists and medical staff at hemodialysis centers should recognize the importance of MT for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this way, health care providers can take measures in a timely, effective manner when they encounter hemodialysis patients with AIS.

A right eye amaurosis patient with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery: A care compliant case report.

RATIONALE: Absence or hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare developmental anomalies. Usually, patients with ICA agenesis are asymptomatic due to collateral circulation, but they may present with seizures, headache, or transient ischemic attack. We report a patient with right ICA absence in whom "paroxysmal right eye amaurosis" was the main symptom. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 76-year-old male patient suffered from "paroxysmal right eye amaurosis for 3 years". Three years prior, the patient had suffered sudden one-minute right eye amaurosis without any obvious cause. The attack reoccurred 1-2 times/year until one week before admission when he experienced two sudden right eye amaurosis. DIAGNOSIS: Congenital absence of the right ICA was diagnosed. In this patient with congenital absence of the right ICA, the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was compensated by the anterior communicating artery (ACOM), and the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) emerged from the carotid siphon of the contralateral ICA. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was given antiplatelet treatment consisting of aspirin and atorvastatin after admission and instructed to maintain the treatment after discharge. OUTCOMES: No symptom onset was observed during follow-up. LESSONS: Here, we report the patient's clinical manifestations and imaging findings and analyze the cause of the condition to provide a clinical reference for the study of congenital absence of the ICA.

Comparative efficacy of tenofovir and entecavir in nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive chronic hepatitis B: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of tenofovir and entecavir in nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: The Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Clinical Trials and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the comparison between tenofovir and entecavir in nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) since the date of database inception to July 2019. Two researchers independently screened and evaluated the obtained studies and extracted the outcome indexes. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Early on, tenofovir had a greater ability to inhibit the hepatitis B virus, I2 = 0% [RR = 1.08, 95% CI (1.03, 1.13), P<0.01] (96 weeks). Entecavir can normalize the ALT levels earlier, I2 = 0% [RR = 0.87, 95% CI (0.77, 0.98), P = 0.02] (48 weeks). However, there was no statistically significant difference between TDF and ETV at 144 weeks. Tenofovir was as effective as entecavir in terms of HBeAg clearance and HBeAg seroconversion, I2 = 0% [RR = 1.05, 95% CI (0.68, 1.62), P = 0.82]; I2 = 69% [RR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.54, 1.61), P = 0.80]. The difference in the incidence of elevated creatine kinase levels was not statistically significant I2 = 0% [RR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.27, 1.60), P = 0.35]. CONCLUSIONS: Tenofovir and entecavir were equally effective in the treatment of patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive chronic hepatitis B. In addition, TDF has an advantage in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Additional RCTs and a large-sample prospective cohort study should be performed.

Effect of clinical pharmacist intervention on the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Background The participation of clinical pharmacists in the treatment of acute pancreatitis has rarely been reported. Objective The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of intervention of clinical pharmacists on the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Setting An academic teaching hospital in Taizhou, Jiangsu, China. Method Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were retrospectively enrolled from July 2017 to July 2018 and divided into an intervention group (n = 119) and a control group (n = 109) according to whether a clinical pharmacist was involved. No significant differences in the baseline clinical characteristics were found between the groups. Clinical pharmacists participated in drug formulation and adjustment, pharmaceutical care, and follow-up. Main outcome measure Clinical outcomes, average hospital stays, costs, incidence of adverse drug reactions, 1-month subsequent visit rate, and patient satisfaction between the two groups were measured. Results The clinical symptoms of patients in both groups were relieved after treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups in computed tomography grades after treatment, incidence of adverse drug reactions, or average hospital stays. However, the intervention group had lower total costs of hospitalization, drugs and antibiotics but higher rates of 1-month subsequent visits and satisfaction compared with the control group. Conclusion The intervention of clinical pharmacists in the treatment of acute pancreatitis can effectively reduce costs of hospitalization, drug and antibiotics and improve follow-up compliance and patient satisfaction.