Method’s corner: Allergist’s guide to network meta-analysis

Network meta-analyses (NMAs) simultaneously estimate the effects of multiple possible treatment options for a given clinical presentation. For allergists to benefit optimally from NMAs, they must understand the process and be able to interpret the results. Through a worked example published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, we summarize how to identify credible NMAs and interpret them with a focus on recent innovations in the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). NMAs build on traditional systematic reviews and meta-analyses that consider only direct paired comparisons by including indirect evidence, thus allowing the simultaneous assessment of the relative effect of all pairs of competing alternatives. Our framework informs clinicians of how to identify credible NMAs and address the certainty of the evidence. Trustworthy NMAs fill a critical gap in providing key inferences using direct and indirect evidence to inform clinical decision making when faced with more than two competing courses of treatment options. This document will help allergists to identify trustworthy NMAs to enhance patient care.     

Effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer: A protocol of randomized controlled trial

Background:Gastrointestinal complications and malnutrition are common problems that affect postoperative rehabilitation and survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Evidence has shown that probiotics have a positive effect on improving gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, but there is a lack of prospective studies on this topic. We designed this prospective randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status in patients with postoperative esophageal cancer.Methods:This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our hospital. 192 patients will be randomly divided into probiotics group and the placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. After operation, probiotics and placebo will be given orally for 8 weeks. The indexes of nutritional status and incidence of digestive tract complications will be recorded and the data will be analyzed by SPSS 18.0 software.Discussion:This study will evaluate the effect of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer. The results of this study will provide clinical basis for the use of probiotics in postoperative treatment of esophageal cancer.Trial registration:OSF Registration number: D DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QHW86     

两种益生菌制剂预防早产儿坏死性小肠结肠炎的效果比较

目的:比较两种常用益生菌制剂对早产儿坏死性小肠结肠炎(NEC)发生率和病死率的影响。方法:选择2016-2017年在我院出生的早产儿167例,随机分为A 组84例和B组83例,分别给予双歧杆菌四联活菌片(0.25 g,1次/天)和双歧杆菌活菌散(0.50 g,1次/天),连续服用至出院。比较两组患儿的病死率、Ⅱ期及以上NEC发生率、败血症发生率、全胃肠饮食(TPN)时间、住院时间、喂养不耐受次数。结果:A组和B组患儿服药时间分别为36(28,49)d 和40(26,52)d,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);病死率分别为4郾76%(4/84)和16.87%(14/83),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组NEC、败血症死亡比例小于B组(P<0.05);A组Ⅱ期及以上NEC发生率、TPN时间、喂养量达100 mL/d 及150 mL/d 的时间、喂养不耐受次数、喂养不耐受>3次比例均小于或短于B组(P均<0.05);两组患儿败血症发生率、住院时间比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论:双歧杆菌四联活菌片能有效降低早产儿NEC的发生率和病死率,疗效优于双歧杆菌活菌散。     

The role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of Alzheimer’s disease: A narrative review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for more than 50 million patients worldwide. Current evidence suggests the exact mechanism behind this devastating disease to be of multifactorial origin, which seriously complicates the quest for an effective disease-modifying therapy, as well as impedes the search for strategic preventative measures. Of interest, preclinical studies point to serotonergic alterations, either induced via selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin receptor (ant)agonists, in mitigating AD brain neuropathology next to its clinical symptoms, the latter being supported by a handful of human intervention trials. Additionally, a substantial amount of preclinical trials highlight the potential of diet, fecal microbiota transplantations, as well as pre- and probiotics in modulating the brain’s serotonergic neurotransmitter system, starting from the gut. Whether such interventions could truly prevent, reverse or slow down AD progression likewise, should be initially tested in preclinical studies with AD mouse models, including sufficient analytical measurements both in gut and brain. Thereafter, its potential therapeutic effect could be confirmed in rigorously randomized controlled trials in humans, preferentially across the Alzheimer’s continuum, but especially from the prodromal up to the mild stages, where both high adherence to such therapies, as well as sufficient room for noticeable enhancement are feasible still. In the end, such studies might aid in the development of a comprehensive approach to tackle this complex multifactorial disease, since serotonin and its derivatives across the microbiota-gut-brain axis might serve as possible biomarkers of disease progression, next to forming a valuable target in AD drug development. In this narrative review, the available evidence concerning the orchestrating role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of AD is summarized and discussed, and general considerations for future studies are highlighted.     

Intestinal microbial metabolism of phosphatidylcholine: a novel insight in the cardiovascular risk scenario

Intestinal microbiota is a “dynamic organ” influencing host metabolism, nutrition, physiology and immune system. Among its several interactions, the role of a phosphatidylcholine metabolite derived by gut flora activity, i.e., trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), allows perceiving a novel insight in the cardiovascular risk scenario, being a strong predictor of this condition. Based on current reports, including the paper of Tang et al., we describe here: the possible role of intestinal microbiota in cardiovascular risk as well as potential interventions to reduce gut flora TMAO production by diet, probiotics and antibiotics. Finally, we highlight the possibility of evaluating, monitoring and modulating TMAO in order to use its serum levels as a marker of cardiovascular risk in the next future, when the need of controlled studies on large series will be satisfied.     

双歧杆菌四联活菌辅助治疗对慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者BODE指数及免疫炎症因子的影响

目的 探究双歧杆菌四联活菌辅助治疗对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）稳定期患者BODE指数及免疫炎症因子表达的影响。方法 选取2019年6月—2021年6月在解放军总医院第六医学中心诊治的稳定期COPD患者112例,随机数字表法将研究对象分为对照组和试验组,每组56例。对照组采用常规治疗,试验组在对照组基础上加用双歧杆菌四联活菌辅助治疗。比较两组疗效、治疗前后BODE指数、肺功能［第1秒用力呼气量（FEV₁）、最大呼气流速峰值（PEF）、最大肺活量（FVC）］、免疫功能（CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺）、炎症因子水平［C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、可溶性血管细胞黏附分子1（sVCAM-1）］、不良反应发生率。结果 试验组总有效率96.43%,较对照组82.14%显著升高（P＜0.05）;治疗后试验组BODE指数较对照组显著降低（P＜0.05）;治疗后试验组FEV₁、PEF、FVC较对照组显著升高（P＜0.05）;治疗后,试验组患者免疫功能明显优于对照组,差异显著（P＜0.05）;治疗后试验组血清CRP、IL-6、sVCAM-1水平较对照组显著降低（P＜0.05）;两组药物不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 双歧杆菌四联活菌辅助治疗稳定期COPD患者,临床效果好,可以很好缓解患者的症状,改善免疫功能和肺功能,减轻机体炎症,安全性高。