Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Gut Microbiota: A Scientometric Analysis.

Objective: To perform a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production related to intestinal microbiota and bariatric surgery between January 2016 and December 2022. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in the Scopus database to identify published papers. Free and controlled terms (MeSH and Emtree) were used. The information collected was analyzed with SciVal. Results: A total of 518 published papers were included in the analysis. Carel Le Roux was the author with the highest scientific production; however, Edi Prifti had the highest impact. French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale) was the institution with the highest number of published articles. Six of the 10 institutions with the highest production were in France, yet the United States had the highest volume of scientific production in this research topic. Most papers were published in first quartile journals. Articles with international collaboration had the highest impact. There is a sustained increase in the number of publications since 2019. Conclusions: The study found that the vast majority of research on gut microbiota changes following bariatric surgery are conducted in the United States and European countries. In addition, the sustained increase in production coupled with the articles being published in high-quality journals and having good citation impact are indictors of the current interest in this research field.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker in Guillain-Barre syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background and objectives: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy. This has raised the possibility that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be a biomarker of its activity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence of NLR as a potential biomarker for GBS. Methods: We systematically searched databases (PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO Citation Index, LILACS, and Google Scholar) until October 2021 for studies evaluating pre-treatment NLR values in GBS patients. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate pooled effects was realized for each outcome and a narrative synthesis when this was not possible. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were realized. GRADE criteria were used to identify the certainty of evidence for each result. Results: Ten studies from 745 originally included were selected. Regarding GBS patients versus healthy controls, a meta-analysis of six studies (968 patients) demonstrated a significant increase in NLR values in GBS patients (MD: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.24; I2 = 86%) with moderate certainty due to heterogeneity of GBS diagnosis criteria used. Regarding GBS prognosis, assessed by Hughes Score ≥ 3, NLR had a sensitivity between 67.3 and 81.5 and a specificity between 67.3 and 87.5 with low certainty due to imprecision, and heterogeneity. In relation to respiratory failure, NLR had a sensitivity of 86.5 and specificity of 68.2 with high and moderate certainty, respectively. Discussion: With moderate certainty, mean NLR is higher in GBS patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found that NLR could be a prognostic factor for disability and respiratory failure with low and moderate certainty, respectively. These results may prove useful for NLR in GBS patients; however, further research is needed. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42021285212.

Clinical and imagenologic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has become a biomarker for assessing inflammatory stress and prognosis in different diseases. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the current evidence on the capacity of the NLR to serve as a biomarker in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). METHODS: Through a comprehensive systematic search up to December 2021 and using the search terms "neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio" and "neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder" we selected studies evaluating NLR values in NMOSD patients. A meta-analysis was planned, and a narrative synthesis was performed when this was not possible. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were planned. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to assess certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: Six studies were included (1036 patients). A significant increase in the NLR was observed between NMOSD patients and healthy controls with high heterogeneity (MD: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.76; 1.32; I2 = 59%). Regarding NMOSD prognosis, relapse (OR: 1.33 -OR: 2.14) was evaluated as being related to NLR with low certainty. An association with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≥4 (OR: 1.23 -OR: 1.43) was reported with moderate certainty. An association with the occurrence of lesions on MRI was reported with an OR of 1.52. CONCLUSION: We found the NLR to be useful as a biomarker of NMOSD as it was significantly increased in the patient group compared to the healthy control group with high certainty. Additionally, the NLR was applicable as an indicator of poor prognosis with low to moderate certainty.

Bibliometric analyses of applications of artificial intelligence on tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide affecting mainly low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, the objective is to analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in tuberculosis in Scopus. Methods: A bibliometric study, the Scopus database was used using a search strategy composed of controlled and free terms regarding tuberculosis and AI. The search fields "TITLE," "ABSTRACT," and "AUTHKEY" were used to find the terms. The collected data were analyzed with Scival software. Bibliometric data were described through the figures and tables summarized by absolute values and percentages. Results: Thousand and forty-one documents were collected and analyzed. Yudong Zhang was the author with the highest scientific production; however, K. C. Santosh had the greatest impact. Anna University (India) was the institution with the highest number of published papers. Most papers were published in the first quartile. The United States led the scientific production. Articles with international collaboration had the highest impact. Conclusion: Articles related to tuberculosis and AI are mostly published in first quartile journals, which would reflect the need and interest worldwide. Although countries with a high incidence of new cases of tuberculosis are among the most productive, those with the highest reported drug resistance need greater support and collaboration.