A comprehensive consolidation of data on the relationship between IRF6 polymorphisms and non-syndromic cleft lip/palate susceptibility: From 79 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a prevalent craniofacial birth defect on a global scale. A number of candidate genes have been identified as having an impact on NSCL/P. However, the association between interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) polymorphisms and NSCL/P has yielded inconsistent results, prompting the need for a meta-analysis to obtain more accurate estimates. METHODS: We conducted a thorough screening of all relevant articles published up until November 15, 2023, in online bibliographic databases. The statistical analysis of the collected data was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 4.0) software. RESULTS: A total of 79 case-control studies, comprising 14,003 cases and 19,905 controls, were included in our analysis. The combined data indicated that the IRF6 rs642961 and rs2235371 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of NSCL/P in the overall population. However, no significant association was found between the rs2013162 and rs2235375 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P in the overall population. Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed significant correlations between the IRF6 rs642961, rs2235371, and rs2235375 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P based on ethnic background and country of origin. Nevertheless, the rs2013162 polymorphism plays a protective role in Caucasians and mixed populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our collective data indicates a significant association between the rs642961 and rs2235371 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P in the overall population. The rs2235375 polymorphism could influence the susceptibility to NSCL/P based on ethnic background. Meanwhile, the rs2013162 polymorphism provides protective effects in Caucasian, mixed populations, and the Brazilian population.

Proportion of hematological cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a novel infection which has spread rapidly across the globe and currently presents a grave threat to the health of the cancer patient. Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the proportion of hematological cancer patients with the SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A comprehensive literature review was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EKB SciELO, SID, CNKI and Wanfang databases to retrieve all relevant publications up to January 31, 2021. Observational studies, consecutive case-series and case-control studies were included. The proportion for hematological cancer patients with COVID-19 was estimated using the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CIs). Results Fourteen studies with a total of 3,770 infected cancer patients and 685 hematological cancer cases with COVID-19 were selected. Combined data revealed that the overall proportion of hematological cancer patients with COVID-19 was 16.5% (95% CI 0.130 - 0.208, p ≤ 0.001). The stratified analysis by ethnicity showed that the proportion was 18.8% and 12.4% in Caucasian and Asian hematological cancer patients with COVID-19, respectively. Moreover, subgroup analysis by country of origin showed that its proportion was the highest in the United Kingdom (22.5%), followed by France (17.1%) and China (8.2%). Conclusion This meta-analysis result indicated that the proportion of hematological cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic was 16.5%. Further larger sample sizes and multicenter studies among different ethnic groups are necessary to get a better assessment of the proportion.

Association of +1923C > T, -1112C > T and +2044A > G Polymorphisms in IL-13 Gene with Susceptibility to Pediatric Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundPrevious studies have provided conflicting evidence implicating the IL-13 polymorphism and pediatric asthma. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to combine and analyze the available studies to provide more accurate conclusions. Methods: A comprehensive retrieval in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI was performed up to February 05, 2020. Results: A total of 39 case-control studies including 15 studies with 4,968 cases and 7,091 controls were on +1923 C > T, ten studies with 3,175 cases and 2,983 controls on -1112 C > T, and 14 studies with 4,476 cases and 5,121 controls on +2044 A > G were selected. Pooled data showed that the IL-13 + 1923 C > T, -1112 C > T and +2044 A > G polymorphisms were significantly associated with risk of pediatric asthma. The IL-13 + 1923 C > T (Asians and Africans), -1112 C > T (Caucasians) and +2044 A > G (Asians) polymorphisms were more frequently associated in these ethnic groups. Conclusions: Our pooled data indicated that IL-13 + 1923 C > T, -1112 C > T and +2044 A > G polymorphisms were correlated with risk of pediatric asthma.

Proportion of hematological cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a novel infection which has spread rapidly across the globe and currently presents a grave threat to the health of the cancer patient. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the proportion of hematological cancer patients with the SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A comprehensive literature review was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EKB SciELO, SID, CNKI and Wanfang databases to retrieve all relevant publications up to January 31, 2021. Observational studies, consecutive case-series and case-control studies were included. The proportion for hematological cancer patients with COVID-19 was estimated using the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CIs). Results: Fourteen studies with a total of 3,770 infected cancer patients and 685 hematological cancer cases with COVID-19 were selected. Combined data revealed that the overall proportion of hematological cancer patients with COVID-19 was 16.5% (95% CI 0.130 - 0.208, p ≤ 0.001). The stratified analysis by ethnicity showed that the proportion was 18.8% and 12.4% in Caucasian and Asian hematological cancer patients with COVID-19, respectively. Moreover, subgroup analysis by country of origin showed that its proportion was the highest in the United Kingdom (22.5%), followed by France (17.1%) and China (8.2%). Conclusion: This meta-analysis result indicated that the proportion of hematological cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic was 16.5%. Further larger sample sizes and multicenter studies among different ethnic groups are necessary to get a better assessment of the proportion.

Association of MTHFR 1298A > C Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without Palate: A Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have evaluated association of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene 1298A > C polymorphism with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL ± P) susceptibility, however the results are inconsistent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To address this issue, we performed a case-control study to evaluate the association of MTHFR 1298A > C polymorphism with NSCL ± P risk, followed by a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Including our study, a total of 22 case-control studies with 2,814 cases and 4,199 controls were selected. The results suggested that there was no significant association between MTHFR 1298A > C polymorphism and NSCL ± P risk overall. The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the polymorphism was significantly associated with NSCL ± P risk in Asians and Iranian populations, but not in Caucasians, mixed and Chinese populations. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that MTHFR 1298A > C polymorphism may not contribute to NSCL ± P risk in overall. However, the MTHFR 1298A > C polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of NSCL ± P in Asians and Iranian populations.

Association of MTHFR 677C > T, 1298A > C and MTR 2756A > G Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Childhood Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Review and Met-Analysis.

BackgroundRecently, epidemiological studies investigating the association of MTHFR 677 C > T, 1298 A > C and MTR 2756 A > G polymorphism with retinoblastoma susceptibility reported controversial results. Methods: Data were collected from several electronic databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases, with the last search up to December 05, 2019. Results: A total of eleven case-control studies including four studies with 324 cases and 490 controls on MTHFR 677 C > T, four studies with 324 cases and 490 controls on MTHFR 1298 A > C, and three studies with 283 cases and 485 controls on MTR 2756 A > G were selected. There was a significant association between MTHFR 677 C > T and MTR 2756 A > G polymorphisms and an increased risk of retinoblastoma. However, MTHFR 1298 A > C polymorphism was not significantly associated with risk of retinoblastoma. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that MTHFR 677 C > T and MTR 2756 A > G polymorphisms might play important roles in the development of retinoblastoma. No association with MTHFR 1298 A > C polymorphism was observed.