The association between zinc and prostate cancer development: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is affecting males globally, with several complications. Zinc can play roles in cancers. We aimed to clarify the association between zinc levels or intake with prostate cancer development. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science until May 1, 2023. We included case-controls and cross-sectionals that measured zinc level and/or intake in patients with prostate cancer or cohorts that evaluated the association between zinc and prostate cancer development. Studies that did not have a healthy control group were excluded. Joanna Briggs Institute was used for quality assessment. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests and funnel plot. RESULTS: Overall, 52 studies (n = 44 case controls, n = 4 cohorts, and n = 4 cross sectionals) with a total number of 163909 participants were included. Serum (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.67, -0.56), hair (SMD: -1.31; 95% CI: -2.19, -0.44), and prostatic fluid or tissue zinc levels (SMD: -3.70; 95% CI: -4.90, -2.49) were significantly lower in prostate cancer patients. There were no significant differences in nail zinc level and zinc intake between those with prostate cancer and healthy controls. There was no publication bias except for serum and hair zinc levels based on Begg's and Egger's tests, respectively. The mean risk of bias scores were 4.61 in case-controls, eight in cohorts, and seven in cross-sectionals. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, high zinc levels might have a protective role in prostate cancer, which can be used as a therapeutic or preventive intervention. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm the association.

Prevalence of contrast-induced nephropathy after primary percutaneous coronary intervention at a tertiary referral hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the incidence of Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) due to acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: From April 2019 to March 2022, a prospective, observational study enrolled 213 consecutive STEMI patients referred to a tertiary hospital for PPCI. Participants were divided into tow groups based on the presence or absence of contrast-induced nephropathy. The chi-square test (χ2) and Student's t-test evaluated the data, with logistic regression identifying CIN's independent predictors. Results: Results: In this study, the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy was observed at 13.1% (N = 28). Several factors were more prevalent among patients exhibiting contrast-induced nephropathy. These factors encompassed: radial access for coronary angiography over the femoral method (P = 0.021), elevated contrast volume (P = 0.003), smoking (P = 0.009), diabetes (P = 0.04), heart failure (P = 0.049), a history of coronary artery bypass graft (P = 0.006), diminished left ventricular ejection fraction indicating systolic dysfunction (P = 0.012), cardiogenic shock (P = 0.046), increased BUN at the time of admission (P = 0.043), decreased initial GFR (P = 0.004), and prior consumption of medications such as aspirin (P = 0.002), diuretics (P = 0.046), beta blockers (P = 0.04), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (P = 0.033), angiotensin receptor blockers (P = 0.02). Other relevant conditions included anemia (P = 0.012), leukocytosis (P = 0.011), hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.034), and reduced HDL levels (P = 0.004).Through logistic regression, key predictors for the onset of contrast-induced nephropathy were determined, which included heart failure (OR: 5.52; 95% CI: 1.08-28.24), radial access (OR: 12.71; 95% CI: 1.45-110.9), hypercholesterolemia (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.004-1.04), increased BUN upon admission (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.006-1.24), and leukocytosis (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.18-3.49). Conclusions: While heart failure, radial access, hypercholesterolemia, elevated BUN at admission, and leukocytosis significantly influenced renal filtration deterioration post-PPCI, it's evident that CIN is multifactorial. Further studies are crucial to elucidate the underlying factors.

Gastric Cancer Risk in Association with Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the risk of gastric cancer (GC) in abnormal body mass index (BMI) groups. A systematic search was carried out on Embase, PubMed/Medline, and Scopus from January 2000 to January 2023. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was assessed using a random-effect model. Thirteen studies with total of 14,020,031 participants were included in this systematic review. The pooled RR of GC was 1.124 (95% CI, 0.968-1.304, I2: 89.08%) in underweight class, 1.155 (95% CI, 1.051-1.270, I2: 95.18%) in overweight class, and in 1.218 (95% CI, 1.070-1.386, I2: 97.65%) obesity class. There is no difference between cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer, while non-Asian race and female gender have higher risk of cancer, as Meta-regression of obesity and overweight classes showed. These findings suggest that there is a positive association between excess body weight and the risk of GC, with a higher impact in women than men and in non-Asian than Asian populations. Since abnormal weight is tied to various diseases, including GC, healthcare experts, and policymakers should continue interventions aiming to achieve a normal BMI range.

Accuracy of diagnostic assays for the detection of Clostridioides difficile: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) has been identified as one of the main causes of nosocomial infection all across the world. Rapid diagnosis of CDI is difficult and poses a significant challenge to physicians worldwide. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate rapid tests' diagnostic accuracy against toxigenic culture as the reference standard for CDI. METHOD: We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for the relevant records. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. Diagnostic accuracy measures [i.e., sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), negative likelihood ratios (NLR), and the area under the curve (AUC)] were pooled with a random-effects model. All statistical analyses were performed with Meta-DiSc (Version 1.4, Cochrane Colloquium, Barcelona, Spain) and RevMan (version 5.3; The Nordic Cochrane Centre, the Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS: We reviewed retrieved records and identified 63 studies that met the inclusion criteria. 26 were about enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (our main index test). The sensitivity of GDH and Tox A/B EIAs were 82% (95% CI: 79-84) and 75% (95% CI: 70-79), respectively. On the other hand, the specificity of GDH EIA was 91% (95% CI: 90-92) and the specificity of Tox A/B EIA was 95% (95% CI: 94-96). Among other index tests, BD Max with 92% has the most sensitivity and cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA) has the most specificity (100%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that EIAs could be reliable methods for detecting CDI based on their sensitivity, specificity, time and cost-effectiveness, and simplicity in the procedure. Further work to improve rapid tests would benefit from improvements to the methodology.

Role of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agents in treatment of sarcoidosis: A meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agent (anti-TNF-α) is considered an effective third-line therapy for refractory sarcoidosis,studies observing the efficacy of anti-TNF-α agents show conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: We performed an up-to-date systemic meta-analysis to determine effectiveness and further elucidate the role of anti-TNF-α in the treatment of sarcoidosis. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for studies reporting the therapeutic effects of anti-TNF drugs on patients with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis, published up to April 10, 2022. The study was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) under ID: CRD42022364614. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical trials written reporting the therapeutic effects of anti-TNF drugs on patients with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Statistical analyses were performed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, and the random-effects model was used. The combined overall treatment success was determined for patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Overall treatment success rate wasdefined as no disease progression or improvement in symptoms. RESULTS: Eight clinical trial articles were included in the meta-analysis; four used Infliximab, two Etanercept, one Adalimumab, and one Ustekinumab and Golimumab. The mean age of participants was 48.5 years. The duration of drug therapy ranged from 14 to 45 weeks. We found a combined overall treatment success rate, defined as no disease progression or improvement in symptoms, of 69.9% (95% CI 35.0-90.9, I2: 70%) in the pulmonary sarcoidosis group and 74.5% (95% CI 36.3-93.7, I2: 90%) in the extrapulmonary sarcoidosis group. There was no evidence of publication bias in either group. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Treatment of refractory sarcoidosis with anti-TNF-α agents was effective in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis, with a slightly higher efficacy seen in extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to determine the effects of anti-TNF-α agents as a part of the management strategy of sarcoidosis. Patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis should be studied separately from patients with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis to adjust for confounding results.

The Effect of Aspirin on the Prevention of Pro-thrombotic States in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Thromboembolic events are one of the important complications in COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases. Aspirin affects platelet function by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity, reducing the risk of thrombosis. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate aspirin's effectiveness in preventing pro-thrombotic states in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. METHODS: The systematic search was done in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Medrxiv until September 27, 2021. The following keywords were used: "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "2019 Novel Coronavirus", "Aspirin," and "Acetylsalicylic Acid." RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. In COVID-19 patients, aspirin can reduce CRP, IL-6 levels, and platelet aggregation by inhibiting thromboxane A2. It can also improve antiviral immunity by hindering the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and lipoxin. Eight out of twelve articles indicated that aspirin provided a beneficial effect on COVID-19. Most studies consider lowered mechanical ventilation needs, ICU admission, illness severity, overt thrombosis, and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients receiving aspirin. CONCLUSION: Aspirin as an antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory agent may reduce the mortality rates in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Further observational studies are necessary to determine the effect of aspirin on the prevention of pro-thrombotic states in hospitalized COVID- 19 patients.

Associations of Yersinia Enterocolitica Infection with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Yersinia enterocolitica infection is reportedly associated with the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). However, evidence that such infection can lead to AITD is controversial. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the associations of Y. enterocolitica infection with AITD. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library to identify relevant studies. The odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals [CI] were obtained. Data were analyzed by STATA 13.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Of 215 articles identified, 8 studies with a total of 1490 participants met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. There was a significant association between Y. enterocolitica positivity and AITD (OR: 4.31 [CI 95%: 1.81-10.07], P-value: 0.00). According to the subgroup analysis, Y. enterocolitica infection statistically increased the risk of Graves' disease (GD) (OR: 6.12, [CI 95%: 3.71-10.10], P-value: 0.00). Likewise, the pooled OR of association between Y. enterocolitica positivity and hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) was 2.84 (CI 95%: 0.71-11.25, P-value: 0.1). CONCLUSION: The current studies suggest that Y. enterocolitica may be associated with the development of AITD. Further study is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms.