ObjectiveTo systematically review the relationship between cadmium (Cd) and childhood autism.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and CBM were electronically searched to collect case-control studies on the relationship between Cd and childhood autism from inception to July 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 8 case-control studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that whether the specimen was from whole blood, urine or hair, there were no correlations between Cd and childhood autism (MDblood=0.17, 95% CI ?0.06 to 0.39, P=0.15; MDurine=?0.43, 95%CI ?1.44 to 0.58, P=0.4; MDhair=?0.08, 95%CI ?0.52 to 0.36, P=0.72).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that Cd concentration is not correlated with autism in children. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the association between glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) Ile105Val (A/G) and the risk of cutaneous melanoma. MethodWe searched PubMed, EMbase, CNKI and WanFang Data to identify case-control studies which investigated the association between GSPT1 Ile105Val (A/G) polymorphism and the risk of cutaneous melanoma from their inception to June 31th 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 4 case-control studies involving 978 cutaneous melanoma cases and 796 controls were included. The results showed that: the GSPT1 Ile105Val (A/G) polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of cutaneous melanoma in the dominant model (GG+GA vs. AA: OR=1.22, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.48, P=0.04), but no significant association was found in the recessive model, heterozygote model, and homozygote model (GG vs. CA+AA: OR=1.18, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.60, P=0.30; GA vs. AA: OR=1.20, 95%CI 0.98 to 1.47, P=0.08; GG vs. AA: OR=1.28, 95%CI 0.92 to 1.77, P=0.14). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows, The GSTP1 Ile105Val (A/G) polymorphism is associated with the risk of cutaneous melanoma. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality large-scale studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To systematically review the correlation between epidermal growth factor (EGF) 61A/G polymorphism and the risk of esophageal carcinoma. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, CJFD, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched from inception to January 1st, 2013, to collect case-control studies on the correlation between epidermal growth factor (EGF) 61A/G polymorphism and the risk of esophageal carcinoma. Two reviewers independently identified the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 and Stata 12.0 software. Results A total of six studies involving 1 448 cases and 1 728 control subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, there was no significant association between EGF 61A/G polymorphism and the risk of esophageal carcinoma (dominant model: AG+GG vs. AA: OR=1.22, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.65; and recessive model: GG vs. AG+AA: OR=1.35, 95%CI 0.94 to 1.94; AG vs. AA: OR=1.12, 95%CI 0.93 to 1.35; GG vs. AA: OR=1.43, 95%CI 0.83 to 2.47). The results of subgroup analysis grouped by ethnicity showed that, EGF 61A/G polymorphism increased the risk of esophageal carcinoma of the White population (dominant model: AG+GG vs. AA: OR=1.39, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.71; and recessive model: GG vs. AG+AA: OR=1.75, 95%CI 1.37 to 2.25; GG vs. AA: OR=1.93, 95%CI 1.47 to 2.55). However, it had no correlation to the risk of esophageal carcinoma of Asian population. Conclusion Current studies showed that, EGF 61A/G polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to esophageal carcinoma , but it may increase the risk of esophageal carcinoma in White population. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be verified by more studies with large sample size.
Objective To evaluate the sensitivity， specificity, and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） in characterizing adnexal masses. Methods The databases such as the Cochrane Library, PubMed， EMbase， CNKI， and WanFang Data were searched on computer from 1991 to 2011. The reviewers screened the trials according to inclusion and exclusion criteria strictly, extracted the data， and assessed the methodology quality. Meta-analysis were performed using the Metadisc 1.40 software. The acquired pooled sensitivity, specificity， and summary receiver operating characteristic curve （SROC） were used to describe the diagnostic value. The pooled likelihood ratios were calculated based on the pooled sensitivity and specificity. Results Ten case-control studies involving 649 women who were suspected to have pelvic masses were included and 729 masses were confirmed by the postoperative histopathology. The pooled statistical results of meta-analysis showed that：the sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 〔89%（84%-92%）， P=0.046 6〕 and 〔87% （83%-90%）， P=0.000 2〕 respectively, the positive and negative likelihood ratios of MRI were 6.25（P=0.008 5） and 0.14（P=0.029 1） respectively, and the area under the SROC curve （AUC） was 0.941. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 〔87%（82%-91%）， P=0.000 0〕 and 〔73%（69%-77%）, P=0.000 0〕 respectively, the positive and negative likelihood ratios of MRI were 3.07（P=0.000 0） and 0.18（P=0.000 1） respectively， and the AUC was 0.897. The speci?city and accuracy of MRI in characterizing female pelvic masses were higher than ultrasound obviously. Conclusion According these evidences， the MRI should be recommended to the women who are suspected to have pelvic masses as a preferred.
Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of CXCR4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, VIP, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched from inception to April 2012, and the relevant references were also retrieved to collect relevant case-control studies. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and evaluated the quality of the included studies. Then the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 5 case-control studies involving 493 ESCC tissues and 136 normal esophageal tissues were included. The results of the meta-analyses showed that, as for the positive rate of CXCR4 expression, it was higher in ESCC tissues rather than normal esophageal tissues (OR=12.03, 95%CI 6.76 to 21.44, Plt;0.000 01), in ESCC tissues with lymph node metastasis rather than those without lymph node metastasis (OR=4.35, 95%CI 2.48 to 7.62, Plt;0.000 01), as well as in moderate and low differentiated ESCC tissues rather than high differentiated ESCC tissues (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.81, P=0.004); but no significant difference was found between the clinical stage I-II and clinical stage III-IV ESCC tissues. Conclusion The presently limited evidence shows CXCR4 expression is associated with ESCC, lymph node metastasis and degree of cell differentiation, indicating that CXCR4 may take a role in the whole course of carcinogenesis of ESCC. But the relationship between CXCR4 expression and clinical stage of ESCC is still unclear, which needs to be further proved by more large-scale, well-designed and high quality case-control studies.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical characteristics of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with or without secondary subretinal fibrosis (SF). MethodsA retrospective case-control study. A total of 88 patients (92 eyes) diagnosed with nAMD at Department of Ophthalmology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled in this study. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA was measured using the international standard visual acuity chart and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for statistical analysis. SF area was measured on color fundus images. OCT was used to assess the presence of shallow irregular retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) elevation, RPE detachment, ellipsoid zone/external limiting membrane disruption, subretinal fluid and/or intraretinal fluid, thinning of the inner nuclear layer or inner plexiform layer, complete RPE and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA), epiretinal membrane, and suprachoroidal fluid. Device-integrated software measured central retinal thickness (CRT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and the height and width of subfoveal fibrosis in SF eyes. Based on the presence of SF, patients were divided into the SF group (47 eyes) and the non-SF (NSF) group (45 eyes). Baseline characteristics, OCT, and color fundus photography imaging features were compared between groups. Independent samples t tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and multiple linear regression was performed to analyze potential factors influencing SF height. ResultsCompared with the NSF group, the SF group had a longer disease duration, longer symptom onset to initial treatment interval to receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug treatment, a lower proportion of patients receiving 3 anti-VEGF drug injections within 6 months, worse BCVA, thicker SFCT, higher rates of pigment epithelial detachment and inner nuclear layer or inner plexiform layer thinning, and a lower rate of subretinal fluid (P＜0.05). No significant differences were observed in CRT or the proportions of irregular retinal pigment epithelia, ellipsoid zone/external limiting membrane disruption, cRORA, suprachoroidal fluid, or epiretinal membrane between the two groups (P＞0.05). ConclusionnAMD eyes with secondary SF exhibit distinct OCT imaging features compared to NSF eyes.
Objective To systematically review the association between -589C/T polymorphism in IL-4 gene and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method PubMed, EMbase, CNKI and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to identify case-control studies which investigated the association between IL-4 -589C/T polymorphism and the risk of COPD. The search date was up to February 23th, 2016. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, and then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 8 case-control studies involving 1?400 COPD cases and 1?073 controls were included in meta-analysis. The results showed that: the -589C/T polymorphism in IL-4 gene was not associated with the risk of COPD (TT+TC vs. CC: OR=0.84, 95%CI 0.61 to 1.15, P=0.27; TT vs. CC+TC: OR=0.95, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.25, P=0.69; TT vs. CC: OR=1.14, 95%CI 0.74 to 1.76, P=0.55; TC vs. CC: OR=0.83, 95%CI 0.66 to 1.05, P=0.12; T vs. C: OR=0.91, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.14, P=0.40). Conclusion The IL-4 -589C/T polymorphism is not associated with the risk of COPD.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the relationship between hypothyroidism and the risk of atrial fibrillation.MethodPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect cohort and case-control studies on the association between hypothyroidism and atrial fibrillation from inception to November 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 5 cohort studies involving 574 268 subjects and 18 059 atrial fibrillation cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that hypothyroidism was not associated with atrial fibrillation (OR=1.10, 95%CI 0.75 to 1.61, P=0.62). From subgroup analysis, no relationship was identified in community population (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.29, P=0.82) and cardiac surgery patients (OR=1.22, 95%CI 0.58 to 2.53, P=0.60).ConclusionsHypothyroidism does not increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the association between expression of osteopontin (OPN) and Chinese population with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its clinical pathological characteristics. MethodsSuch databases including CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched from inception to July 2014, for studies about the association between expression of OPN and Chinese population with HCC and its clinical pathological characteristics. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 10 case-control studies (involving 723 HCC cases and 102 controls) were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:OPN expression was higher in HCC group than normal control group (OR=10.25, 95%CI 6.13 to17.14); and higher in imperfect capsular infiltration group than perfect capsular infiltration group (OR=2.71, 95%CI 1.58 to 4.64). However, no significant difference was found in OPN expression between isolated tumour group and multiple tumours group (OR=0.95, 95%CI 0.56 to 1.62); between high differentiation group and low differentiation group (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.36 to 1.01); and between clinical stages I-Ⅱ group and clinical stages Ⅲ-IV group (OR=0.93, 95%CI 0.53 to 1.63). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that OPN may take part in the whole course (occurrence and advance) of HCC in Chinese population, but the problem whether it can be used as a factor to evaluate prognosis needs to be further studied.
Objective To systematically evaluate the correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Chinese population and K121Q polymorphism in exon-4 of plasma cell glycoprotrin-1 (PC-1) gene. Methods The following databases such as CNKI, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2012) and WanFang Data were searched to collect case-control studies on the correlation between T2DM and K121Q polymorphism in exon-4 of PC-1 gene. The retrieval time was from 1980 to 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality. Then the meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.0 and Stata 12.0 software, and the publication bias was analyzed by means of Egger’s linear regression. Results A total of 11 studies involving 1 637 T2DM patients and 1 730 healthy volunteers were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that, for Chinese population, the risk of T2DM was higher in those with K/Q genotype than K/K genotype (OR=1.84, 95%CI 1.19 to 2.85, P=0.006), in Q/Q+K/Q genotype than K/K genotype (OR=1.92, 95%CI 1.18 to 3.14, P=0.009), and also in allele Q than allele K (OR=1.83, 95%CI 1.16 to 2.89, P=0.010). Conclusion The K121Q polymorphism in exon-4 of PC-1 gene in Chinese population is significantly associated with T2DM. For the quantity and quality limitation of the included studies, this conclusion has to be further proved by more studies.