Sofosbuvir (+) daclatasvir (+) ribavirin in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus: Therapeutic outcomes and the prognostic role of natural killer cells.

BACKGROUND: One of the prominent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV believed that innate immunity contributes to a sustained virological response (SVR) to the treatment of Sofosbuvir (SOF) (+) Daclatasvir (DCV) (+) Ribavirin (RBV). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and persistent HCV infection on the subset of natural killer cells (NK) in HCV genotype four patients from Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with persistent HCV infections requiring SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy were grouped, and a flow cytometry (FCM) study of the NK cell subset in peripheral blood was performed. The assessment was performed before and after three and/or six months of the cessation of viral suppression therapy when a patient had a long-term viral response (SVR). One hundred and ten volunteers from the National Liver Institute's (NLI) blood bank were selected as controls. RESULTS: Patients with chronic HCV infection before therapy had considerably lower CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells than controls. Their levels increase during SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy. In patients with SVR during treatment, CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells increased significantly compared to those who did not get SVR. Furthermore, CD56+ cells were significantly higher in patients with persistent infection before treatment than controls but diminished with the response to treatment. CONCLUSION: NK cell activation following SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and polarization to cytotoxicity occurred early in HCV antiviral therapy and was elevated in the respondents. Our data illustrated that establishing an inhibitory cytotoxic NK profile is related to therapeutic outcomes.

Histone lysine demethylase 4 family proteins maintain the transcriptional program and adrenergic cellular state of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification (MNA) is a high-risk disease that has a poor survival rate. Neuroblastoma displays cellular heterogeneity, including more differentiated (adrenergic) and more primitive (mesenchymal) cellular states. Here, we demonstrate that MYCN oncoprotein promotes a cellular state switch in mesenchymal cells to an adrenergic state, accompanied by induction of histone lysine demethylase 4 family members (KDM4A-C) that act in concert to control the expression of MYCN and adrenergic core regulatory circulatory (CRC) transcription factors. Pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4 blocks expression of MYCN and the adrenergic CRC transcriptome with genome-wide induction of transcriptionally repressive H3K9me3, resulting in potent anticancer activity against neuroblastomas with MNA by inducing neuroblastic differentiation and apoptosis. Furthermore, a short-term KDM4 inhibition in combination with conventional, cytotoxic chemotherapy results in complete tumor responses of xenografts with MNA. Thus, KDM4 blockade may serve as a transformative strategy to target the adrenergic CRC dependencies in MNA neuroblastomas.

Insights on obstetric outcomes in pregnant individuals with Marfan Syndrome: evidence from the National Inpatient Sample.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the potential association between Marfan Syndrome (MFS) and adverse obstetric outcomes using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. METHODS: We utilized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) system to identify relevant codes and extracted data from the NIS database covering the period 2016-2019. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were employed to summarize and compare baseline characteristics. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses (adjusted for age, race, hospital region, smoking status, and alcohol misuse) were conducted to evaluate association between MFS and adverse obstetric outcomes. The regression analyses were summarized as Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among the 2,854,149 pregnant individuals, 179 had MFS. Baseline characteristics revealed significant associations between MFS and age, race, and hospital location. Univariate analysis showed MFS individuals had significantly increased risks of amniotic fluid/membrane abnormalities (AFAs, OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.68, P=0.045) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH, OR=3.73, 95% CI: 2.41-5.78, P<0.001). Several obstetric outcomes showed some trends towards increased (multiple gestation, placenta previa, and preterm labor) and decreased (premature rupture of membrane, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia) obstetric risks with MFS; however, they were not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed MFS was significantly associated with increased risks of AFAs (adjusted OR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.03-2.74, P=0.037) and PPH (adjusted OR=3.62, 95% CI: 2.31-5.68, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MFS is associated with increased risks of adverse obstetric outcomes, specifically AFAs and PPH. These results highlight the importance of monitoring these specific pregnancy outcomes in MFS individuals to ensure optimal maternal-fetal health.

The effects of low-dose aspirin on preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of low-dose aspirin (LDA, ≤ 160 mg/day) on preventing preterm birth (PB). METHODS: Five databases were screened from inception until June 25, 2023. The RCTs were assessed for quality according to Cochrane's risk of bias tool. The endpoints were summarized as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Overall, 40 RCTs were analyzed. LDA significantly decreased the risk of PB < 37 weeks (RR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.87, 0.96, p < 0.001, moderate certainty of evidence) with low between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 23.2%, p = 0.11), and PB < 34 weeks (RR: 0.78, 95% CI 0.61, 0.99, p = 0.04, low certainty of evidence) with high between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 58.3%, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between both groups regarding the risk of spontaneous (RR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.83, 1.07, p = 0.37) and medically indicated (RR: 1.28, 95% CI 0.87, 1.88, p = 0.21) BP < 37 weeks. Sensitivity analysis revealed robustness for all outcomes, except for the risk of PB < 34 weeks. For PB < 37 weeks and PB < 34 weeks, publication bias was detected based on visual inspection of funnel plots for asymmetry and statistical significance for Egger's test (p = 0.009 and p = 0.0012, respectively). CONCLUSION: LDA can significantly reduce the risk of PB < 37 and < 34 weeks. Nevertheless, further high-quality RCTs conducted in diverse populations, while accounting for potential confounding factors, are imperative to elucidate the optimal aspirin dosage, timing of initiation, and treatment duration for preventing preterm birth and to arrive at definitive conclusions.

Long-Term Safety and Reliability of Using Tutoplast-Processed Fascia Lata to Refine the Nasal Dorsum in Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Tutoplast-processed fascia lata (TPFL) is an allograft substance employed alongside cartilaginous materials to achieve optimal augmentation in rhinoplasty. Alternatively, it can be utilized to conceal and smooth irregularities of the nasal dorsum during the procedure. Despite its application, there is limited available data on the extended safety of TPFL. Consequently, our objective was to assess the enduring long-term safety and reliability of TPFL in both primary and revision rhinoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 300 patients who underwent primary and revision rhinoplasty with TPFL grafts. Baseline characteristics, types of surgical techniques, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. The surgical success and satisfaction rates were assessed as primary outcomes. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 27 for Windows, was used to conduct the statistical analysis. RESULTS: TPFL was used in both primary and revision rhinoplasty, with septal cartilage being the most common conjunction graft material. The overall surgical success rate was 97.3%, with only 2.7% of patients experiencing complications. The satisfaction rate was 92.7%, with no significant difference between primary and revision cases. The highest satisfaction rate was found in patients who underwent the crushed cartilage in fascia technique (96.3%). CONCLUSIONS: TPFL in conjunction with cartilaginous materials; is a safe and reliable option for dorsal augmentation and camouflage material in primary and revision rhinoplasty, with low complication and high patient satisfaction rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors   www.springer.com/00266 .

Association between Endometriosis and the Risk of Ovarian, Endometrial, Cervical, and Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Study from the U.S. National Inpatient Sample 2016-2019.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the potential relationship between endometriosis and risk of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and breast cancers using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. METHODS: We utilized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) system to identify relevant codes from the NIS database (2016-2019). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses (adjusted for age, race, hospital region, hospital teaching status, income Zip score, smoking, alcohol use, and hormonal replacement therapy) were conducted to evaluate the association between endometriosis and gynecologic cancers and summarized as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In the examined dataset, there were 1164 and 225,323 gynecologic cancer patients with and without endometriosis, respectively. Univariate analysis showed endometriosis was significantly associated with a higher risk of ovarian (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 3.05-3.84, p < 0.001) and endometrial (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 2.97-3.79, p < 0.001) cancers. There was no significant association between endometriosis and cervical cancer (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.85-1.28, p = 0.663). Interestingly, endometriosis was significantly associated with a low risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.10-0.17, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.006) showed that endometriosis was significantly associated with a high risk of ovarian (adjusted OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 2.97-3.75, p < 0.001) and endometrial (adjusted OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 3.12-4.08, p < 0.001) cancers. Conversely, there was no significant association between endometriosis and cervical cancer (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-0.99, p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with endometriosis exhibited unique gynecologic cancer risk profiles, with higher risks for ovarian and endometrial cancers, and no significant risk for cervical cancer. The observed connection between endometriosis and a reduced risk of breast cancer remains a perplexing phenomenon, which cannot be put into context to date.

Effect of Oral Consumption of Vitamin D on Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Impaired vitamin D status is highly prevalent among women with UFs. The objective of this first-ever systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the size of uterine fibroids (UFs). We performed a comprehensive literature search for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to September 2022. Five trials including 511 participants (256 cases and 255 controls) were included. Pooling results from five trials, which compared size of UFs between experimental and placebo groups, revealed that vitamin D supplementation could significantly decrease the size of UFs (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.66, -0.31) and cause improvement in serum level of vitamin D compared to placebo group (SMD: 3.1, 95% CI: 0.66, 5.55). A significant effect was observed in the subset of trials administering vitamin D supplementation for >8 wk (SMD: -0.62, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.37). In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation significantly increases serum levels of vitamin D and reduces the size of UFs. However, larger, well-designed RCTs are still needed to determine the effect of vitamin D on other parameters of UFs.

The effect of antioxidant supplementation on dysmenorrhea and endometriosis-associated painful symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

This study aimed to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of dietary antioxidant supplements on the severity of endometriosis-related pain symptoms. The PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched until April 2022. Additionally, we manually searched the reference lists. Endpoints were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a random-effects model. The I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Ten RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, 10 studies were related to dysmenorrhea, four to dyspareunia, and four to pelvic pain. Antioxidants significantly reduced dysmenorrhea (SMD, -0.48; 95% CI, -0.82 to -0.13; I2=75.14%). In a subgroup analysis, a significant reduction of dysmenorrhea was observed only in a subset of trials that administered vitamin D (SMD, -0.59; 95% CI, -1.13 to -0.06; I2=69.59%) and melatonin (SMD, -1.40; 95% CI, -2.47 to -0.32; I2=79.15%). Meta-analysis results also suggested that antioxidant supplementation significantly improved pelvic pain (SMD, -1.51; 95% CI, -2.74 to -0.29; I2=93.96%), although they seem not to have a significant beneficial impact on the severity of dyspareunia. Dietary antioxidant supplementation seems to beneficially impact the severity of endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea (with an emphasis on vitamin D and melatonin) and pelvic pain. However, due to the relatively small sample size and high heterogeneity, the findings should be interpreted cautiously, and the importance of further well-designed clinical studies cannot be overstated.

Analgesic Efficacy of Ropivacaine Infiltration on Early Post-Tonsillectomy Pain in Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine infiltration in the tonsillar fossa among pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL. REVIEW METHODS: Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for bias using Cochrane's risk of bias tool (version 2). Our primary outcome was postoperative pain within 24 h, and secondary outcomes included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, time to first analgesia, bleeding, and nausea/vomiting. Data were pooled as mean difference, standardized mean difference, and risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Our review included 11 RCTs, with a total of 712 patients. The quality of studies varied and included low risk (n = 8 RCTs), some concerns (n = 2 RCTs), and high risk (n = 1 RCT) of bias. The primary endpoint of postoperative pain across all time points was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group compared with the placebo group. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) of the postoperative pain depicted conclusive evidence and unnecessity for further RCTs. The mean operative time was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group compared with the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding additional clinical (i.e., mean intraoperative blood loss and mean time to first analgesia) and safety (i.e., rates of bleeding and nausea/vomiting) outcomes. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the safety and postoperative analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine versus placebo among pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding intraoperative blood loss, time to first analgesia, and rate of postoperative bleeding. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level one Laryngoscope, 2024.

The effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, oxidative stress, and hormonal parameters in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on various cardiometabolic risk factors and hormonal parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases without language restrictions until May 2023 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the impact of ALA supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, oxidative stress, and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Outcomes were summarized using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. An I2 statistic of >60% established significant between-study heterogeneity. The overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome was determined using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations system. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The ALA group had significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (fasting blood sugar (FBS), n=7 RCTs, SMD, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.10; I2=63.54%, moderate certainty of evidence) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), n=4 RCTs, SMD, -2.03; 95% CI, -3.85 to -0.20; I2=96.32%, low certainty of evidence) compared with the control group. However, significant differences were observed between the groups in body mass index, insulin, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, low-density lipoprotein, highdensity lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, malondialdehyde, or total antioxidant capacity profiles. ALA supplementation improves FBS and HOMA-IR levels in women with PCOS. ALA consumption is an effective complementary therapy for the management of women with PCOS.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori Status on Postoperative Morbidities After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in an Endemic Region (a Retrospective Multicentric Study).

PURPOSE: Studies are still ongoing to determine whether Helicobacter pylori (HP) may affect the results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The main research objectives were HP prevalence in patients with severe obesity and the effects of HP status on outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with severe obesity who had LSG. The patients were grouped into three groups based on the HP status of preoperative endoscopic biopsies and postoperative specimen results: group I (negative HP), group II (eradicated HP), and group III (positive HP). The primary outcome was the overall postoperative morbidities. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred fifteen patients who underwent LSG for severe obesity were included in this study. Seven hundred fifty (46.4%) patients had negative HP, and 637 (39.4%) patients had eradicated HP, whereas 228 (14.1%) patients had positive HP. The antral and gastric body wall thickness was significantly noticed with positive HP. The groups had no significant differences regarding postoperative complication frequency, severity, and hospital mortality. The rates of gastric leakage in the three groups do not differ significantly. BMI > 50, gastropexy, gastric thickness, and antral resection were found to be independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative complications after LSG. There was no statistical significance as regards postoperative %TWL and %EWL among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The early results of LSG do not appear to be impacted by HP's status. The early postoperative course is unaffected by HP eradication anymore. Therefore, routine preoperative HP testing may not be as necessary, and management can be finished after LSG.

Image-guided core-needle or surgical biopsy for neuroblastoma diagnosis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the International Society of Pediatric Surgical Oncology (IPSO).

BACKGROUND: Image-guided core-needle biopsy (IGCNB) is a widely used and valuable clinical tool for tissue diagnosis of pediatric neuroblastoma. However, open surgical biopsy remains common practice even if children undergo more invasive and painful procedures. This review aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy and safety of IGCNBs in pediatric patients with neuroblastoma. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed original articles published between 1980 and 2023, by searching "pediatric oncology," "biopsy," "interventional radiology," and "neuroblastoma." Exclusion criteria were patients older than 18 years, studies concerning non-neurogenic tumors, case reports, and language other than English. Both the systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: A total of 533 abstracts articles were analyzed. Of these, eight retrospective studies met inclusion criteria (490 infants, 270 surgical biopsies [SB], 220 image-guided biopsies). Tissue adequacy for primary diagnosis (SB: n = 265, 98%; IGCNB: n = 199, 90%; p = .1) and biological characterization (SB: n = 186, 95%; IGCNB: n = 109, 89%; p = .15) was similar with both biopsy techniques, while intraoperative transfusion rate (SB: n = 51, 22%; IGCNB: n = 12, 6%; p = .0002) and complications (%) (SB: n = 58, 21%; IGCNB: n = 14, 6%; p = .005) were higher with surgical biopsy. Length of stay was similar in both groups; however, no additional data about concurrent diagnostic or treatment procedures were available in the analyzed studies. CONCLUSIONS: IGCNB is a safe and effective strategic approach for diagnostic workup of NB and should be considered in preferance to SB wherever possible.

Association between endometriosis and obstetric complications: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between endometriosis and adverse obstetric outcomes using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. METHODS: The ICD-10 coding system was used to identify codes for endometriosis and obstetric outcomes, and data from the NIS (2016-2019) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables, while the chi-square test was used to detect significant differences for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between endometriosis and obstetric outcomes. On multivariate analysis, adjustment was done for age, race, hospital region, smoking status, and alcohol misuse. Forest plots were used to visualize odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overall, 2,854,149 women were included in this analysis, of whom 4,006 women had endometriosis. The post-hoc Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple comparisons, and our analyses revealed several statistically significant associations (p < 0.004). Specifically, on univariate analysis, significant associations with endometriosis were identified for ruptured uterus, placenta previa, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, amniotic fluid abnormality, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and multiple gestation. On multivariate analysis, significant associations with endometriosis were observed for placenta previa, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, amniotic fluid abnormality, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, and multiple gestation. CONCLUSION: The present findings provide important insights into the potential relationship between endometriosis and various adverse obstetric outcomes and may help inform clinical practice and future research. Further studies that use more detailed clinical data and longitudinal designs are needed to solidify the presented conclusions.

Electrospun cellulose nanofibers immobilized with anthocyanin extract for colorimetric determination of bacteria.

A novel smart biochromic textile sensor was developed by immobilizing anthocyanin extract into electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers to detect bacteria for numerous potential uses, such as healthcare monitoring. Red-cabbage was employed to extract anthocyanin, which was then applied to cellulose acetate nanofibers treated with potassium aluminum sulfate as a mordant. Thus, nanoparticles (NPs) of mordant/anthocyanin (65-115 nm) were generated in situ on the surface of cellulose acetate nanofibrous film. The pH of a growing bacterial culture medium is known to change when bacteria multiply. The absorbance spectra revealed a bluish shift from 595 nm (purple) to 448 nm (green) during the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) owing to the discharge of total volatile basic amines as secretion metabolites. On the other hand, the absorption spectra of a growing bacterial culture containing Gram-positive bacteria (L. acidophilus) showed a blue shift from 595 nm (purplish) to 478 nm (pink) as a result of releasing lactic acid as a secretion metabolite. Both absorbance spectra and CIE Lab parameters were used to determine the color shifts. Various analytical techniques were utilized to study the morphology of the anthocyanin-encapsulated electrospun cellulose nanofibers. The cytotoxic effects of the colored cellulose acetate nanofibers were tested.

What is the effect of sildenafil citrate intake on women undergoing assisted reproduction? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have become a vital option for women facing fertility challenges. One of the potential interventions being explored is the use of sildenafil citrate (SC) to improve clinical outcomes in ART procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SC on clinical outcomes in women undergoing ART. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The search covered studies from inception until April 15, 2023, and identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for inclusion in the analysis. The endpoints were summarized as risk ratio (RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). After meticulous analysis, twenty-eight RCTs comprising 3,426 women were included in the study. The results revealed significant findings regarding the impact of SC on clinical pregnancy (CP) rates. Women receiving SC demonstrated a significantly higher probability of CP compared to the control group (n=21 RCTs, RR=1.43; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.59). Additionally, when SC was combined with other medications like clomiphene citrate (CC) or estradiol valerate, it further improved the likelihood of CP compared to these medications alone (RR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.53; RR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.22, respectively). Furthermore, the study observed that the mean endometrial thickness (ET) was significantly higher in women who received SC compared to the control group, which involved other active interventions or placebo (SMD=0.77, 95% CI: 0.20, 1.34). Particularly, the administration of SC resulted in a notably higher ET level compared to the placebo (SMD: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.15, 2.51). The findings suggest that luteal supplementation of SC can be considered a beneficial approach to enhance ET and improve the CP rate in women undergoing ART.

Harmonic Scalpel Tonsillectomy Versus Coblation Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of coblation versus harmonic scalpel methods among patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were systematically screened from inception until October 2022. The outcomes were summarized as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference/standardized mean difference (MD/SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. Results: Six RCTs were analyzed, encompassing a sum of 461 patients (harmonic scalpel = 233 patients and coblation = 228 patients). The overall quality assessment was low risk of bias in two RCTs, some concerns of bias in three RCTs, and high risk of bias in one RCT. There was no significant difference between harmonic scalpel and coblation groups regarding the mean operative time (n = 6 RCTs, MD=-7.45 min, 95% CI [-15.26, 0.01], p = 0.06) mean intraoperative blood loss (n = 5 RCTs, MD=-36.03 ml, 95% CI [-77.46, 5.41], p = 0.09), and rate of postoperative hemorrhage (n = 5 RCTs, RR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.25, 1.39], p = 0.23). The overall postoperative pain score was significantly reduced in favor of the coblation group compared with the harmonic scalpel group (n = 5 RCTs, MD = 0.40, 95% CI [0.10, 0.69], p = 0.009)". Conclusions: The harmonic scalpel and coblation techniques share equal efficacy among patients undergoing tonsillectomy. The reduction in postoperative pain score provided by the coblation method is not clinically meaningful in clinical practice. Additional RCTs are needed to consolidate the power and quality of the presented evidence. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04022-7.

CO2 laser therapy for management of stress urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy is an emerging treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Objectives: To examine the efficacy of CO2 laser therapy for management of SUI-related symptoms in women. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Data sources and methods: Four databases were screened until January 2023. All efficacy continuous endpoints were assessed via subtraction of the posttreatment from pretreatment values. The data were summarized as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. Results: A total of 15 studies with 700 patients were analyzed. CO2 laser therapy significantly decreased the 1-h pad weights at 3 months [n = 5 studies, MD = -3.656 g, 95% CI (-5.198, -2.113), p < 0.001], 6 months [n = 6 studies, MD = -6.583 g, 95% CI (-11.158, -2.008), p = 0.005], and 12 months [n = 6 studies, MD = -3.726 g, 95% CI (-6.347, -1.106), p = 0.005]. Moreover, CO2 laser therapy significantly decreased the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form Scores at 3 months [n = 10 studies, MD = -4.805, 95% CI (-5.985, -3.626), p < 0.001] and 12-months [n = 6 studies, MD = -3.726, 95% CI (-6.347, -1.106), p = 0.005]. Additionally, CO2 laser therapy significantly decreased the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire scores at 6 months [n = 2 studies, MD = -11.268, 95% CI (-18.671, -3.865), p = 0.002] and 12 months [n = 2 studies, MD = -10.624, 95% CI (-18.145, -3.103), p = 0.006]. Besides, CO2 laser therapy significantly decreased the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 scores at 3 months [n = 2 studies, MD = -21.997, 95% CI (-32.294, -11.699), p < 0.001], but not at 6 months [n = 3 studies, MD = -3.034, 95% CI (-7.357, 1.259), p = 0.169]. Lastly, CO2 laser therapy significantly increased the Vaginal Health Index Score at 6 months [n = 2 studies, MD = 2.826, 95% CI (0.013, 5.638), p = 0.047] and 12 months [MD = 1.553, 95% CI (0.173, 2.934), p = 0.027]. Conclusion: CO2 laser therapy improved the SUI-related symptoms in women. To obtain solid conclusions, future studies should be well-designed with standardized settings, consistent therapeutic protocols, and long-term follow-up periods.

Comparison of Letrozole and Clomiphene Citrate in Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Clomiphene citrate (CC) and letrozole are the predominant medical interventions for the management of infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To comprehensively summarize the evidence, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was carried out to assess the effect of letrozole and CC on pregnancy outcomes in PCOS patients. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to January 2023. We included RCTs conducted on PCOS women comparing letrozole to CC and assessing endometrial thickness, the number and size of follicles, and ovulation and pregnancy rates. The endpoints were summarized as risk ratio (RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. Heterogeneity was examined using the I2 statistic. Fifty trials met our inclusion criteria. The mean endometrial thickness was significantly higher in the letrozole group compared to CC group (SMD: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.28; I2=97.72%); however, the number of follicles was higher in the CC group (SMD: -0.56; 95% CI: -0.96, -0.17; I2=96.34%). Furthermore, letrozole intake induced higher ovulation rate (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.26; I2=54.49%) and pregnancy rate (RR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.62; I2=65.58%) compared to CC. Compared to CC, letrozole has a positive effect on endometrial thickness, monofollicular development, and ovulation and pregnancy rates suggesting that letrozole may be a strong alternative to CC as a first-line medical intervention for chronic anovulation in PCOS women. Larger studies are warranted to further clarify these findings.

Reference value of testicular temperature measured by finite element analysis after first staged inguinal orchidopexy in children with abdominal testis and short spermatic cord.

PURPOSE: This study aims to build a 3D reconstruction computed simulation model and to establish a regression equation for detecting the testis's temperature by its location after first staged open orchidopexy in children with abdominal undescended testis (UDT) and short spermatic cords. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 31 children with abdominal UDT and short spermatic cords who underwent first staged orchiopexy between 2017 and 2020. Using ultrasonography to obtain the testis's location distance from the skin surface (X1), external iliac vessel (X2), and internal inguinal ring (X3), we input the data into a 3D reconstruction computed simulation along with COMSOL to calculate the testicular temperature. We also used multivariate regression to establish the testicular temperature regression equation from the gathered data. RESULT: The mean age of the participants was 4.47 ± 1.21 years. The mean size of the operated testis was 0.39 ± 0.13 cc. The mean distance of the testis from X1, X2, and X3 was 3.27 ± 1.25 mm, 21.06 ± 6.42 mm, and 27.19 ± 10.09 mm, respectively. The testicular temperature regression equation derived from testis location was calculated by the formula: 34.57 + 0.0236 X12 - 0.0105 X2 - 0.0018 X3. The concordance for testis temperature calculated via the computational method and regression equation was 83%. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provided a reference value for the testicular temperature of children with abdominal UDT and short spermatic cords after the first stage of orchiopexy. A testicular temperature regression equation can be established based on the testis location, which will provide relevant information for the testicular development assessment, disease diagnosis, and follow-up, and possibly determination of the time of the second stage of orchiopexy.

Tranexamic acid versus misoprostol for management of postpartum hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: To conduct the first-ever systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the antihemorrhagic utility and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) versus misoprostol for management (prevention and/or treatment) of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: Six databases were screened from inception until May 2023 and updated in September 2023. The RCTs were assessed for quality according to the Cochrane's risk of bias tool. The endpoints were summarized as mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. RESULTS: Ten RCTs with 2121 patients (TXA = 1061 and misoprostol = 1060) were analyzed. There was no significant difference between TXA and misoprostol groups regarding the mean intraoperative blood loss (n = 9 RCTs, MD = 17.32 ml, 95% CI [-40.43, 75.07], p = 0.56), mean change in hemoglobin (n = 6 RCTs, MD = 0.11 mg/dl, 95% CI [-0.1, 0.31], p = 0.30), mean hospital stay (n = 2 RCTs, MD = -0.3 day, 95% CI [-0.61, 0.01], p = 0.06), blood transfusion rate (n = 4 RCTs, RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.16, 1.47], p = 0.2), and rate of additional uterotonic agents (n = 4 RCTs, RR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.72, 1.53], p = 0.81). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed robustness of the results, and there was no evidence of publication bias. Regarding safety endpoints, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the rates of minor side effects, such as diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. No patient developed thromboembolic events in the TXA group. CONCLUSION: There was no significant antihemorrhagic efficacy between adjunct TXA and misoprostol for the management of PPH. The safety profile was comparable between both agents.