Comparison of the effect of dietary and herbal supplements on anthropometric, metabolic and androgenic profiles of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hyperandrogenemia. Although several, placebo-controlled 2x2 factorial design, randomized controlled trials have tested the efficacy of dietary and herbal supplements in controlling these parameters in PCOS patients, these studies are not suitable for a comparative efficacy assessment across these supplements. Herein, a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) is presented to make such a comparison. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, were interrogated to identify relevant trials, published in English, factors to be investigated will include dietary factors, micronutrients, choline, essential fatty acids, and herbal extracts. Other factors to be considered include trial design, population characteristics, interventions compared, and outcomes of interest. The revised Cochrane tool was used for the appraisal of eligible trials. NMA (frequentist method) will be used for respective outcomes to compare effect sizes (weighted or standardized mean difference) among the interventions. Both logical and statistical (inconsistency assessment) approaches will be used to minimize intransitivity risk. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve values will be used to gauge the best intervention for outcomes with a statistically significant effect size suggesting a favorable outcome. Additionally, the exploration of interrelation among interventions and the small study effect in respective NMA models will be investigated using network maps and comparison-adjusted funnel plots, respectively. Statistical significance is assumed at p<0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Stata statistical software (v16) was used for analysis. The study was registered with PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42022301530.

Treatment-duration-wise harm profile of insulin-sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitor co-treatment in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: The treatment duration of insulin-sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors (SGLTis) co-treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) varies by 1-52 weeks. Henceforth, treatment duration-wise, we compared the following insulin-treatment adjuncts- mega- versus low-dose SGLTis, SGLTis versus placebo, and different SGLTi dosages. Method: Double-blinded RCTs reporting the above were searched (using terms like insulin-dependent, "juvenile-onset diabetes," and "sodium glucose cotransport*") in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases and appraised using a Cochrane tool. The risks across different SGLTi-dosages were compared using network meta-analysis. Random-effect pairwise meta-analysis was performed for the remaining harm juxtapositions. Meta-analyses were performed for the following treatment durations- < 4 weeks, 4 to < 24 weeks, and ≥ 24 weeks. For meta-analysis and certainty of evidence assessment, we used the Stata statistical software and the GRADE method, respectively. Results: A total of 15 (low risks of bias) studies sourcing data from about 7,330 T1DM patients were reviewed. Meta-analysis findings of ≥ 24 weeks long trials were- a. SGLTi-insulin co-treatment increased the genital infection (GI) (RR: 3.51; 95% CI: 2.59, 4.77), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and (RR: 3.25; 95% CI:1.29, 8.16), and serious side effects (RR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.94) risk. b. SGLT2i-insulin increased the GI risk (RR: 3.77; 95% CI: 2.31, 6.16; high-quality evidence). c. Sotagliflozin-insulin increased the GI (RR: 3.36; 95% CI: 2.28, 4.96) and DKA (RR: 6.69; 95% CI: 2.75, 16.32) risk (both high-quality evidence). Compared to low-dose, megadose SGLTi treatment for 4 to < 24 weeks increased the GI risk. The remaining analyses were not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: On moderate to long-term treatment (24-52 weeks) of T1DM patients, insulin-SGLT2i co-treatment was associated with GI risk, and insulin-sotagliflozin co-treatment was associated with DKA and GI risk. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01192-7.

Human bocavirus-1 infections in Australian children aged < 2 years: a birth cohort study.

To determine human bocavirus-1 (HBoV1) infection characteristics in young Australian children. Data were from the Observational Research in Childhood Infectious Diseases (ORChID) study, a Brisbane, Australia-based birth cohort of healthy, term, newborns followed prospectively for 2 years. Parents recorded daily symptoms, maintained an illness-burden diary, and collected weekly nasal swabs, which were tested for 17 respiratory viruses, including HBoV1, by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Main outcomes measured were infection incidence, risk factors, symptoms, and healthcare use. One hundred fifty-eight children in the ORChID cohort provided 11,126 weekly swabs, of which 157 swabs were HBoV1 positive involving 107 incident episodes. Co-detections were observed in 65/157 (41.4%) HBoV1-positive swabs (or 41/107 [38.3%] infection episodes), principally with rhinovirus. Shedding duration was 1 week in 64.5% of episodes. The incidence of HBoV1 infections in the first 2 years of life was 0.58 episodes per child-year (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-0.71), including 0.38 episodes per child-year (95% CI 0.30-0.49) associated with respiratory symptoms. Recurrent episodes occurred in 18/87 (20.7%) children following their primary infection. In the first 2 years of life, incidence of HBoV1 episodes increased with age, during winter and with childcare attendance. Overall, 64.2% of HBoV1 episodes were symptomatic, with 26.4% having healthcare contact. Viral load estimates were higher when children were symptomatic than when asymptomatic (mean difference = 3.4; 95% CI 1.0-5.7 PCR cycle threshold units). After age 6 months, HBoV1 is detected frequently in the first 2 years of life, especially during winter. Symptoms are usually mild and associated with higher viral loads.

Participant attrition and perinatal outcomes in prenatal vitamin D-supplemented gestational diabetes mellitus patients in Asia: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of vitamin D supplementation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients is unclear. AIM: To determine the burden and risk of post-randomization GDM patient attrition from vitamin D-supplemented arms of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The auxiliary aim was to compare the effects of nutritional supplements on their fasting blood glucose (FPG) levels and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: RCTs were searched in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Random-effect prevalence and pairwise meta-analysis were performed for the primary objective. The auxiliary aim was to compare the effects of nutritional supplements on their fasting blood glucose (FPG) levels and perinatal outcomes. Fixed-effect network meta-analyses were undertaken for the secondary goals. All analyses were performed using Stata software, and statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs from Iran and China were reviewed. The participant attrition burden in vitamin D recipients was 6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03, 0.10], and its risk did not vary from non-recipients. Vitamin D and calcium co-supplementation reduced the cesarean section incidence in GDM patients [risk ratio (RR): 0.37; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.74]. The hyperbilirubinemia or hospitalization risk in their newborns decreased with vitamin D supplementation (RR: 0.47; 95%CI: 0.27, 0.83) and co-supplementation with calcium (RR: 0.35; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.77) or omega-3 fatty acids (RR: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.08, 0.77). Vitamin D and probiotics co-supplementation decreased newborn hyperbilirubinemia risk (RR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.09, 0.91). FPG levels and macrosomia risk did not vary across interventions. CONCLUSION: In RCTs, vitamin D supplementation or co-supplementation in GDM patients showed a low participant attrition burden and low risk of cesarean section, newborn hyperbilirubinemia, and newborn hospitalization.

Death and invasive mechanical ventilation risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and/or antiviral agents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has claimed >4 million lives globally, and these deaths often occurred in hospitalized patients with comorbidities. Therefore, the proposed review aims to distinguish the inpatient mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation risk in COVID-19 patients treated with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and/or the antiviral agents. METHODS: A search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus will ensue for the publications on randomized controlled trials testing the above, irrespective of the publication date or geographic boundary. Risk of bias assessment of the studies included in the review will occur using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). Frequentist method network meta-analyses (NMA) will compare each outcome's risk across both types of anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents in one model and each in separate models. Additional NMA models will compare these in COVID-19 patients who were severely or critically ill, immunocompromised, admitted to the intensive care unit, diagnosed by nucleic acid amplification test, not treated with steroids, <18 years old, and at risk of infection due to variants of concern. The plan of excluding non-hospitalized patients from the proposed review is to minimize intransitivity risk. The acceptance of the network consistency assumption will transpire if the local and overall inconsistency assessment indicates no inconsistency. For each NMA model, the effect sizes (risk ratio) and their 95% confidence intervals will get reported in league tables. The best intervention prediction and quality of evidence grading will happen using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-based Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis approach, respectively. Sensitivity analysis will repeat the preliminary NMA while excluding the trials at high risk of bias. The Stata statistical software (v16) will be used for analysis. The statistical significance will get determined at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration No: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021277663.

The effects of prenatal dietary supplements on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigated antenatal dietary supplements' effect on gestational diabetes mellitus patients' fasting plasma glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin levels, homeostasis model assessment of- insulin resistance and ß-cell function, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index for glucose, high-, low-, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio. However, an efficacy comparison across various dietary supplements and their co-supplements are unavailable for these outcomes. Therefore, a systematic review protocol is proposed here to make a network meta-analysis (NMA)-based juxtaposition across the following dietary supplements- vitamins, Myo-inositol, choline, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search will ensue in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases for RCTs testing the above, irrespective of their geographical origin. Data on population characteristics, compared interventions, and outcomes of interest will get abstracted from the studies included in the proposed review. Each of the reviewed studies will get appraised using the revised Cochrane tool. For each outcome, the comparative efficacy across interventions will be estimated in weighted or standardized mean difference using the frequentist method NMA and presented with their 95% confidence interval using league tables. By constructing network maps and comparison-adjusted funnel plots, a visual assessment of the inter-interventional relation and publication bias in each NMA model will happen, respectively. The best-ranked intervention prediction for respective outcomes will transpire using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. The Stata statistical software (version 16) will be used for analysis, and statistical significance will be determined at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020214378.

Comparative effectiveness of adjunct non-pharmacological interventions on maternal and neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnancy leads to a range of perinatal complications. Although several randomized controlled trials (RCT) have tested the effect of non-pharmacological standard GDM care adjuncts on these outcomes, there is no agglomerated statistical evidence on how their occurrence risk varies across interventions and with placebo. Therefore, a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) protocol is proposed here to address this evidence gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search for above RCTs published in the English language will transpire in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases irrespective of date and geographic boundary. The RCTs must test nutritional supplementation, digital intervention, structured exercise program, educational program, counseling service, or a combination of these prenatally in GDM patients. These should report ≥1 of the following outcomes- cesarean section, pre-eclampsia, polyhydramnios, preterm birth, macrosomia, prolonged labor, gestational hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, congenital anomaly, Apgar scores, birth weight, birth length, gestational age at birth, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and neonatal Corpulence Index. The risk of bias assessment of the recruited trials will transpire using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Determination of the comparative effectiveness between interventions will occur by the frequentist method NMA for respective outcomes. The categorical and continuous outcomes effect size will get calculated in risk ratio and weighted or standardized mean difference, respectively. For each NMA model, network maps and league tables will show the connections between interventions and effect sizes with their 95% confidence intervals for each intervention pair compared, respectively. The publication bias assessment will occur using comparison-adjusted funnel plots. Best intervention prediction for NMA models with statistically significant intervention effect will happen by determining the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. Statistical analysis will ensue using Stata software (v16). The statistical significance estimation will happen at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no: CRD42021271199; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Middle East and North Africa, 2000-2019: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are burdened with several risk factors related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) including overweight and high parity. We systematically reviewed the literature and quantified the weighted prevalence of GDM in MENA at the regional, subregional, and national levels. Studies published from 2000 to 2019 reporting the prevalence of GDM in the MENA region were retrieved and were assessed for their eligibility. Overall and subgroup pooled prevalence of GDM was quantified by random-effects meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated by meta-regression. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tool. One hundred and two research articles with 279,202 tested pregnant women for GDM from 16 MENA countries were included. Most of the research reports sourced from Iran (36.3%) and Saudi Arabia (21.6%), with an overall low RoB. In the 16 countries, the pooled prevalence of GDM was 13.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5-14.6%, I2 , 99.3%). Nationally, GDM was highest in Qatar (20.7%, 95% CI, 15.2-26.7% I2 , 99.0%), whereas subregionally, GDM was highest in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (14.7%, 95% CI, 13.0-16.5%, I2 , 99.0%). The prevalence of GDM was high in pregnant women aged ≥30 years (21.9%, 95% CI, 18.5-25.5%, I2 , 97.1%), in their third trimester (20.0%, 95% CI, 13.1-27.9%, I2 , 98.8%), and who were obese (17.2%, 95% CI, 12.8-22.0%, I2 , 93.8%). The prevalence of GDM was 10.6% (95% CI, 8.1-13.4%, I2 , 98.9%) in studies conducted before 2009, whereas it was 14.0% (95% CI, 12.1-16.0%, I2 , 99.3%) in studies conducted in or after 2010. Pregnant women in the MENA region are burdened with a substantial prevalence of GDM, particularly in GCC and North African countries. Findings have implications for maternal health in the MENA region and call for advocacy to unify GDM diagnostic criteria. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42018100629.

Impact of cardiac rehabilitation on mortality and morbidity in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) decreases the morbidity and mortality risk among patients with cardiac diseases; however, the impact of CR on patients with diabetes remains underexplored. This is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to explore if the effect of CR on mortality and morbidity is the same in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with patients without diabetes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Interventional and non-interventional studies comparing the effect of CR, for at least 1 month, on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes including fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularisation and rehospitalisation in adults with cardiac diseases will be deemed eligible for inclusion. Studies published between 1990 and 2020 will be searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus and in registries for randomised controlled trials. Eligible studies will be selected using the Covidence software, and their salient details regarding the design, population, tested interventions and outcomes of interest will be gathered. The quality of studies to be deemed eligible and reviewed will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tools. The appraisal process will be based on the study design (interventional and non-interventional). In the meta-analysis step, the pooled effect of CR on the outcomes will be estimated. All meta-analyses will be done using the random-effects model approach (inverse-variance method). I2 and p value of χ2 statistics will guide the heterogeneity assessment. Subgroup analyses will also be performed. The small study effect will be investigated by generating the funnel plots. The symmetry of the latter will be tested by performing Egger's test. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The systematic review will use data from published literature; hence, no ethical approval will be required. Findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in peer-reviewed international journals and will be disseminated in local and international scientific meetings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020148832.

Diabetes prevalence and mortality in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of fatal outcomes. This meta-analysis quantifies the prevalence of mortality among (1) diabetic and (2) non-diabetic, and (3) the prevalence of DM, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Published studies were retrieved from four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and medRxiv) and appraised critically utilizing the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tool. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model. The measures of heterogeneity were ascertained by I- squared (I 2 ) and Chi-squared (Chi 2 ) tests statistics. Predictors of heterogeneity were quantified using meta-regression models. RESULTS: Of the reviewed 475 publications, 22 studies (chiefly case series (59.09 %)), sourcing data of 45,775 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, were deemed eligible. The weighted prevalence of mortality in hospitlized COVID-19 patients with DM (20.0 %, 95 % CI: 15.0-26.0; I 2 , 96.8 %) was 82 % (1.82-time) higher than that in non-DM patients (11.0 %, 95 % CI: 5.0-16.0; I 2 , 99.3 %). The prevalence of mortality among DM patients was highest in Europe (28.0 %; 95 % CI: 14.0-44.0) followed by the United States (20.0 %, 95 % CI: 11.0-32.0) and Asia (17.0 %, 95 % CI: 8.0-28.0). Sample size and severity of the COVID-19 were associated (p < 0.05) with variability in the prevalence of mortality. The weighted prevalence of DM among hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 20 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 15-25, I 2 , 99.3 %). Overall, the quality of the studies was fair. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients were appreciably burdened with a high prevalence of DM. DM contributed to the increased risk of mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared to non-DM patients, particularly among critically ill patients. Registration: PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42020196589). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00779-2.

Changes in anthropometric and blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements in antenatal vitamin supplemented gestational diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: Gestation weight (GW), body mass index (BMI), and blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level during pregnancy are important determinants of the gestational outcomes. This study aimed to study how these parameters vary between antenatal vitamin D recipients and non-recipients in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. Material and Methods: The randomized controlled trials comparing these outcomes between vitamin D recipient and non-recipient GDM patients were searched in electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus). The reviewed studies' data were abstracted and critically appraised using the Cochrane tool. The estimation of the weighted mean difference for GW and BMI and standardized mean difference (SMD) for 25(OH)D levels occurred by juxtaposing the interventions meta-analytically (random-effect model). The statistical inconsistency was determined by Chi2 and I2 method. The statistical significance was estimated at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eleven eligible trials (all Iran-based, except one), sourcing data from about 875 GDM patients, were reviewed. Overall, the risk of bias was low, except for selection and performance bias. On random-effect model meta-analysis, the 25(OH)D levels of the GDM patients favored the vitamin D recipients when compared to non-vitamin D (SMD 1.97, 95% CI: 1.06-2.88, p<0.001; I2 96.2%, p of Chi2 <0.001) and placebo (SMD 1.86, 95% CI: 0.95-2.77, p<0.001; I2 95.3%, p of Chi2 <0.001) recipients, respectively. On meta-regression, sample size was a predictor of the observed heterogeneity. For GW and BMI the interventions did not differ statistically significantly. Conclusion: In GDM patients, antenatal use of vitamin D aids in the rise of blood 25(OH)D levels. However, vitamin D supplementation did not affect change in GW or BMI.

Epidemiological burden of parents being the index cases of COVID-19 infected children.

BACKGROUND: In the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, when children remain home-confined secondary to the closure of schools, little is known of the burden of the parents being their index case. AIM: To determine the prevalence of parents being the index case of COVID-19 infected children. METHODS: A database search in PubMed and Scopus ensued to recruit studies reporting the index case information of COVID-19 infected individuals aged ≤ 18. The reviewed articles' quality evaluation included the use of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tool. A random-effect meta-analysis ensued to determine the prevalence of the parent being and not-being the index case. Heterogeneity was assessed by I 2 and Chi 2 statistics. The publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots and Egger's test. RESULTS: Overall, this review included 13 eligible studies sourcing data from 622 children of 33 nations. Study designs were heterogeneous and primarily included descriptive reports (38.4%). The prevalence of parent being the index case was 54% (95%CI: 0.29-0.79; I 2: 62.3%, Chi 2 P < 0.001). In > 70% of children, their index-case parent was symptomatic due to COVID-19 at the time of infection transmitting. Studies for which a risk of bias assessment was possible were of fair quality. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial global burden of parents being the index case of COVID-19 infected children, and frequently these parents are symptomatic. Therefore, from a public health perspective, early detection of these parents is crucial.

The risk of morbidities in newborns of antenatal vitamin D supplemented gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no established antenatal intervention that reduces the risk of preeclampsia and preterm delivery in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mothers and hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, and hospitalization in their newborns. Henceforth, this study aims to study how these risks change on prenatal vitamin D supplementation. METHODS: Randomized parallel arm trials comparing these interventions' effect on the above outcomes were searched in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, irrespective date, and language of publication. Each eligible trial's risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool. Using random-effects meta-analysis, the risk of the outcomes was compared. RESULTS: Six eligible Iran-based trials of about 476 participants were included in this review. Four trials complemented vitamin D along with other nutrients. Overall, the risk of bias was low in these trials. The newborns of antenatal vitamin D recipients have a reduced risk of hyperbilirubinemia (relative risk [RR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33, 0.64; I2 = 0%) and hospitalization (RR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.65; I2 = 0%) than those who did not receive the supplement. The rest of the outcomes did not vary between the compared interventions. The results remained unchanged on using a fixed-effect meta-analysis, repeating the meta-analysis while eliminating a trial each time, and on imputation analysis. An auxiliary meta-analysis comparing the intervention with placebo also suggested a decreased risk of hyperbilirubinemia (RR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.62; I2 = 0%) and hospitalization (RR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.62; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Newborns of GDM mothers who received vitamin D as a sole or co-supplement antenatally have a decreased risk of hyperbilirubinemia and hospitalization.

Parainfluenza Virus Infection in an Australian Community-based Birth Cohort.

In a community-based birth cohort of 158 Australian infants followed to age 2 years, the incidence rate of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) was 0.42 (95% CI = 0.33, 0.54) episodes per child-year with episodes occurring year-round, peaking in the spring season. HPIV-3 was the dominant subtype. Overall, 41% of detections were asymptomatic; only 32% of HPIV episodes led to healthcare contact with 1 hospitalization.

The comparison of efficacy and safety between different doses of empagliflozin in insulin-treated type 1 diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

OBJECTIVES: The proposed review aims to compare the efficacy and safety profile of empagliflozin 25 mg with its lower dosages and placebo, respectively, in insulin-treated type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. METHODS: Double-blinded randomized controlled trials comparing the above outcomes will be searched primarily in three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) and eligible trials will be included in the proposed review. Then, from the trials recruited in the review, data of the study design, participants, interventions compared, and outcomes of interest will be extracted. Subsequently, the trials' risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The meta-analysis will be conducted with a fixed-effect or a random-effect model to estimate the mean differences (weighted or standardized) and risk ratios for the efficacy and safety-related comparable outcome data, respectively. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed by the p-value of chi-squared statistics and I2 statistics and explained by subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Publication bias will be assessed by funnel plots and Egger's test. The sensitivity analysis will repeat the meta-analysis for respective outcomes using assumptions alternative to that used in the preliminary meta-analysis and by dropping each study at a time. RESULTS: A narrative reporting will ensue if a meta-analytic comparison is not possible. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the contemporary literature, the proposed review will synthesize the evidence on how the efficacy and safety profile of high dose empagliflozin varies with its lower doses and placebo, respectively, in insulin-treated T1DM patients.

A comparison of the risk of cesarean section in gestational diabetes mellitus patients supplemented antenatally with vitamin D containing supplements versus placebo: A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blinded randomized controlled trials

The aim of this study was to study the role of vitamin D containing supplements in the risk of cesarean section (CS), a common complication in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. An additional objective was to assess the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, macrosomia, and polyhydramnios in these participants. Various electronic databases were searched for double-blinded parallel-arm randomized controlled trials that reported the incidence of CS in adult, non-insulin treated GDM patients who received vitamin D and placebo in different treatment arms, respectively. Next, each eligible trial's risk of bias was assessed, and the effects of the above interventions on the respective outcomes were compared meta-analytically across the trials. This review included five Iranian trials sourcing data from nearly 380 participants. The risk of bias in the trials was primarily low. In contrast to the placebo group, the risk of CS [risk ratio (RR): 0.61, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44,0.83; I2=0%, p-value of Cochrane's Q: 0.373) and macrosomia (RR: 0.31, p=0.006, 95% CI: 0.13,0.72; I2=0%, p-value of Cochrane's Q: 0.935] was less in the vitamin D supplemented group. The remaining outcomes did not differ between the intervention groups. The antenatal use of vitamin D containing supplements in non-insulin treated GDM patients might reduce the risk of CS and macrosomia.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, juxtaposing the control of glycemia and blood pressure between large dose empagliflozin and placebo among type 1 diabetes patients.

OBJECTIVES: While empagliflozin (25 mg) is used to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with optimum renal functioning, its efficacy and safety in type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is not yet established. Therefore, this study aimed to compare insulin-treated T1DM patients' (with adequate renal functioning) glycemic and blood pressure control between the 25 mg empagliflozin recipients and placebo recipients. METHODS: Parallel-arm randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of daily administered 25 mg empagliflozin tablets in adjunct to insulin treatment with placebo and insulin treatment in T1DM patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or more were eligible for inclusion. Trials were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL with no restriction on date and language. Risk of bias of trials was assessed and mean and standard deviation of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, in %), systolic blood pressure (mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) at the end of the trial period were collected, and random-effects meta-analysis was done to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD). The meta-analysis was done in Stata statistical software. This study was conducted in June 2019. RESULTS: Three relatively small-sized trials published between 2015 and 2018 were eligible for review and analyses. The trials suffered from unclear risk of performance and detection bias. The HbA1c reduction favored the intervention group (WMD = -0.478, 95% confidence intervals = -0.766--0.189, P = 0.001; I2 = 0%). The WMD of blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) did not vary between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Evidence (of moderate quality) suggests that daily administration of empagliflozin 25 mg tablets in adjunct to insulin in T1DM patients with optimum kidney functioning is useful to achieve glycemic control compared to placebo and insulin therapy. However, the effect on blood pressure remained indistinguishable between the compared interventions.

Compliance and barriers to self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This study intends to understand the barriers to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. In addition, it also aims to know the factors that influence the compliance with SMBG-testing among GDM patients. METHODS: The study primarily comprised a search of various databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, PROQUEST, and CINAHL). Research papers published between March 2010 and June 2018 were searched for this review. Article types considered for this review were observational studies, experimental studies, and systemic reviews with or without meta-analysis. Using a set of eligibility criteria; initially, the papers were scrutinized by reviewing the abstracts, following which a full-text review of the selected papers was undertaken. Finally, a critical appraisal and an overall qualitative assessment of these studies were done. RESULTS: Literature search identified 25 papers, excluding the duplicates. Six studies (two qualitative and four quasi-experimental) that matched the eligibility criteria of this study were reviewed. The barriers of SMBG in GDM patients were non-prescription of SMBG by the health-care providers, poor perception and fear of SMBG, and family history of Type 2 diabetes. Use of smartphone technology and SMBG-education improved the compliance to SMBG testing. However, most of the quasi-experimental studies did not have a pre- and post-intervention comparison of their results or comparison of their findings with any control group. Moreover, the way of determining compliance among three of these studies was not identical. Similarly, among the qualitative studies, one study does not have a clear mention of the language in which the interviews were conducted, whereas the other qualitative study does not state, if the English language translation of the verbatim transcripts was validated or not. Only one study mentioned the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose GDM. CONCLUSION: The recent evidence to the barriers of SMBG and the factors that influence the compliance of SMBG is weak and not generalizable. Moreover, there is a scarcity of literature that addresses the context.