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.     

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.     

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。     

Therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 powder on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whose exact cause is still unclear. Disruption of the intestinal microflora is considered one of the main causes of the disease. Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 (NTU 101) is a multifunctional strain that has been shown in previous studies to possess anti-inflammatory properties and to exert a modulatory effect on intestinal bacteria associated with certain pathogenic mechanisms of IBD. In the current study, we investigated the effects of NTU 101 on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model. Colitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice (total number n = 60) via dissolved DSS in drinking water on days 15–21 of the experiment. The effects of continuous 25 d feeding (days 0–25) of either a half or a full dose [2.3 × 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU)/kg body weight (BW)/d and 4.5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg BW/d, respectively] of NTU 101 was evaluated. Lactobacillus rhamnosus BCRC 16000 (BCRC 16000) and L. paracasei subsp. paracasei BCRC 14023 (BCRC 14023) strains were given to control groups. The results indicated that NTU 101 powder improved anti-oxidant capacity, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, and slightly ameliorated body weight loss in DSS-treated mice during the final days of the study. This indicated that NTU 101 powder can relieve the clinical symptoms of DSS-induced colitis in mice.     

谷氨酰胺联合益生菌治疗失代偿肝硬化患者的临床研究

目的观察谷氨酰胺联合益生菌对失代偿肝硬化患者的疗效与安全性。方法收集本院失代偿肝硬化患者78例,随机分为2组,每组39例:对照组用常规治疗;在常规治疗的基础上,试验组用谷氨酰胺联合益生菌治疗,复方谷氨酰胺肠溶胶囊,每次750 mg;枯草杆菌二联活菌肠溶胶囊口服,每次250 mg,两药均每天3次,连用4周。治疗前后,测定2组的肠黏膜通透性指标、肝功能指标、疗效和药物不良反应(ADR)发生率。结果治疗后,试验组与对照组的尿乳果糖/甘露醇比值分别是0.09±0.06,0.12±0.08,这2组的血清白细胞介素-8水平分别是(15.02±3.69),(18.45±4.10)ng·L^-1,这2组的血清谷丙转氨酶水平分别是(24.61±14.29),(36.82±15.67)U·L^-1,上述3个指标在组间比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。对照组和试验组的改善率分别为71.80%,92.31%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组和试验组的ADR发生率分别为15.38%(6例/39例),20.51%(8例/39例),组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论谷氨酰胺联合益生菌对失代偿肝硬化患者的治疗效果确切,有助于降低肠黏膜通透性和提高肝功能;且不增加ADR发生率。     

益生菌防治小儿反复呼吸道感染的临床研究

目的:探讨益生菌对小儿反复呼吸道感染(RRTIs)的防治效果及不良反应。 方法:选择 2014 年 1 月至 2016 年 1 月海南医学院第二附属医院门诊收治的 RRTIs 患儿 85 例,采用前瞻性、随机、双盲、安慰剂对照的方法分为益生菌组 43 例和安慰剂组42 例。 益生菌组给予益生菌片(每片重 0.5 g,含双歧杆菌、嗜酸乳杆菌均≥0.5×10^6 CFU)2 片,3 次/ 日,口服 3 个月;安慰剂组给予安慰剂(片剂外观、口味与益生菌片相同但无益生菌成分),用法同益生菌组。 治疗后两组患儿均随访观察 12 个月,并详细记录两组患儿治疗前后的呼吸道感染次数、抗生素使用及咳嗽、发热、患病天数和药物不良反应等情况。 结果:疗程结束后随访 12 个月,益生菌组与安慰剂组年呼吸道感染次数分别为(3.8±1.6)次、(7.3±1.8)次,抗生素使用时间分别为(12.1±5.6)d、(22.6±7.1)d,咳嗽时间分别为(11.6±4.6)d、(20.3±6.7)d,发热时间分别为(6.4±2.3)d、(13.5±4.2)d,患病时间分别为(13.2±6.0)d、(23.4±7.8)d,两组患儿比较差异均有统计学意义(P 均<0.05)。 两组患儿均未见明显药物不良反应。 结论:益生菌防治小儿 RRTIs 具有较高的安全性,可以减少呼吸道感染次数,减少抗生素使用、咳嗽、发热和患病天数。