The effect of zinc supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

Despite previous investigations on the effects of zinc supplementation on blood pressure, inconsistent findings are available in this regard. Therefore, we     

Correction to: The effect of zinc supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

European Journal of Nutrition - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The family name of “Israel Júnior Borges do Nascimento” was incorrect.     

The association between glycemic index,glycemic load,and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of observational studies

European Journal of Nutrition - The association of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted this first systematic review...     

Income inequality and subjective well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Reducing income inequality is one possible approach to boost subjective well-being (SWB). Nevertheless, previous studies have reported positive, null and negative associations between income inequality and SWB.

Objectives

This study reports the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between income inequality and SWB, and seeks to understand the heterogeneity in the literature.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to guidance (PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook) and searches (between January 1980 and October 2017) were carried out using Web of Science, Medline, Embase and PsycINFO databases.

Results

Thirty-nine studies were included in the review, but poor data reporting meant that only 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The narrative analysis of 39 studies found negative, positive and null associations between income inequality and SWB. The meta-analysis confirmed these findings. The overall association between income inequality and SWB was almost zero and not statistically significant (pooled r?=???0.01, 95% CI ??0.08 to 0.06; Q?=?563.10, I ²?=?95.74%, p?<?0.001), suggesting no association between income inequality and SWB. Subgroup analyses showed that the association between income inequality and SWB was moderated by the country economic development (i.e. developed countries: r?=???0.06, 95% CI ?0.10 to ?0.02 versus developing countries: r?=?0.16, 95% CI 0.09–0.23). The association between income inequality and SWB was not influenced by: (a) the measure used to assess SWB, (b) geographic region, or (c) the way in which income inequality was operationalised.

Conclusions

The association between income inequality and SWB is weak, complex and moderated by the country economic development.

     

Income and child mortality in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

We aimed to quantify the relationship between national income and infant and under-five mortality in developing countries.

Design

We conducted a systematic literature search of studies that examined the relationship between income and child mortality (infant and/or under-five mortality) and meta-analysed their results.

Setting

Developing countries.

Main outcome measures

Child mortality (infant and /or under-five mortality).

Results

The systematic literature search identified 24 studies, which produced 38 estimates that examined the impact of income on the mortality rates. Using meta-analysis, we produced pooled estimates of the relationship between income and mortality. The pooled estimate of the relationship between income and infant mortality before adjusting for covariates is −0.95 (95% CI −1.34 to −0.57) and that for under-five mortality is −0.45 (95% CI −0.79 to −0.11). After adjusting for covariates, pooled estimate of the relationship between income and infant mortality is −0.33 (−0.39 to −0.26) while the estimate for under-five mortality is −0.28 (−0.37 to −0.19). If a country has an infant mortality of 50 per 1000 live births and the gross domestic product per capita purchasing power parity increases by 10%, the infant mortality will decrease to 45 per 1000 live births.

Conclusion

Income is an important determinant of child survival and this work provides a pooled estimate for the relationship.     

Immune response to nucleotide-supplemented infant formulae: systematic review and meta-analysis

Human milk is recommended as the only alimentary source for the first six months of life. Additionally there is a medical and social need for safe and effective alternative forms of nutrition for infants who cannot be fed with breast milk. Recently the safety and efficacy of some ingredients in infant formulae, such as nucleotides have been discussed. This systematic review analyzed the available evidence to establish the efficacy, safety and dose-response effect of ribonucleotide-supplemented infant formulae (RSIFs). Randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing RSIFs to formulae without nucleotides or breast milk were considered in this review. Outcome measures were: antibody titres to common paediatric vaccinations, total lymphocytes, lymphocyte subclasses and NK-cells, episodes of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection. Publication quality was determined using Jadad and CONSORT guidelines. Results were combined using a random effects model and reported through standardised mean differences (WMD) or risk ratio (RR). Systematic review and meta-analysis showed that RSIFs were associated with a better antibody response to immunisation with Haemopillus influenzae vaccine [SMD 1.74 (99%CI 1.43-2.05), P=0.001], diphtheria toxoid [SMD 0.94 (0.75-1.12), P=0.001], oral polio vaccine [SMD 0.73 (0.51-0.95), P=0.001], and fewer episodes of diarrhoea [RR 0.67 (0.58-0.76), P=0.02]. We did not find a major risk of upper respiratory infections [RR 1.11 (0.90-1.36), P=0.50]. Available evidence suggests a positive benefit of RSFIs on infant health without any risk. These benefits begin with nucleotide addition of 1.9 mg/418.4 kJ and are maintained or increased with 10.78 mg/418.4 kJ.     

Yersinia pestis antibiotic resistance: a systematic review

Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague and a potential biological weapon, has always been a threatening pathogen. Some strains of Y. pestis have varying degrees of antibiotic resistance. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to alert clinicians to this pathogen’s potential antimicrobial resistance. A review of the literature was conducted for experimental reports and systematic reviews on the topics of plague, Y. pestis, and antibiotic resistance. From 1995 to 2021, 7 Y. pestis isolates with 4 antibiotic resistance mechanisms were reported. In Y. pestis 17/95, 16/95, and 2180H, resistance was mediated by transferable plasmids. Each plasmid contained resistance genes encoded within specific transposons. Strain 17/95 presented multiple drug resistance, since plasmid 1202 contained 10 resistance determinants. Strains 16/95 and 2180H showed single antibiotic resistance because both additional plasmids in these strains carried only 1 antimicrobial determinant. Strains 12/87, S19960127, 56/13, and 59/13 exhibited streptomycin resistance due to an rpsl gene mutation, a novel mechanism that was discovered recently. Y. pestis can acquire antibiotic resistance in nature not only via conjugative transfer of antimicrobial-resistant plasmids from other bacteria, but also by gene point mutations. Global surveillance should be strengthened to identify antibiotic-resistant Y. pestis strains by whole-genome sequencing and drug susceptibility testing.     

中国老年居民多种慢性病共存状况分析

  目的  了解山东省农村老年人多重慢性病患病对自评健康的影响,为老年慢性病防治工作提供参考依据。  方法  于2017年8 — 9月采用多阶段分层随机抽样方法在山东省菏泽、潍坊、威海3个地级市抽取7070名 ≥ 60岁常住老年人进行问卷调查,分析其中5514名农村老年人的多重慢性病患病情况及其对自评健康的影响。  结果  山东省5514名农村老年人中,多重慢性病患者1 902例,多重慢性病患病比例为34.5 %;自评健康者2878人,自评健康率为52.19 %。多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,在调整了性别、年龄、文化程度、家庭年均收入、吸烟情况和饮酒情况等混杂因素后,山东省患1种慢性病农村老年人自评不健康的风险为未患慢性病老年人的2.947倍（OR = 2.947,95 % CI = 2.547～3.404）,患多重慢性病老年人自评不健康的风险为未患慢性病老年人的6.675倍（OR = 6.675,95 % CI = 5.735～7.746）。  结论  山东省农村老年人多重慢性病患病比例较高,多重慢性病患病会对老年人自评健康产生消极影响。     

Asthma and caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is inconclusive evidence suggesting a possible association of asthma with increased risk of caries. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence on the relation between asthma and caries. They performed an Ovid Medline (US National Library of Medicine) database search of literature published from 1950 through May 2010 using the Medical Subject Headings "asthma" and "caries." Summary effect estimates were calculated with fixed- and random-effects models, and determinants of heterogeneity were studied in meta-regression analysis. The meta-analysis was based on 11 articles providing estimates of the effect of asthma on primary dentition and 14 articles on permanent dentition. Summary effect estimates for the relation between asthma and caries from the random-effects models were 2.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.61, 4.64) and 2.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.44, 2.89), respectively. Factors identified as determinants of heterogeneity were geographic region for primary dentition and publication year, sample size, asthma definition, and information on the use of asthma medication for permanent dentition. Evidence from this analysis suggests that asthma doubles the risk of caries in both primary and permanent dentition. Publication bias diagnostics and simulation suggested possible overestimation of the summary odds ratio for permanent dentition but not for primary dentition. Physicians and dentists should recommend preventive measures against caries for persons with asthma.     

Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an increasingly popular mode of delivering care. We conducted a systematic review which focused on physical health outcomes. Literature searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing telephone-delivered CBT for improving physical health with any other therapy or routine care in patients with chronic illness. Eight RCTs (1093 patients) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Six of the eight RCTs compared the telephone intervention with routine care, one trial employed symptom monitoring as the control condition and the final trial compared telephone CBT to telephone supportive emotion-focused therapy. Meta-analysis found that telephone-delivered CBT significantly improved physical health in people with chronic illness (d = 0.225, 95% CI = 0.105, 0.344). Moderator analyses found that less therapist contact was associated with better outcomes, and telephone-delivered CBT was more effective for chronic illnesses that are not immediately life-threatening. The results of the meta-analysis support the use of telephone-delivered CBT as a tool for improving health in people with chronic illness. There is a need for future trials to evaluate cost-effectiveness.     

Efficacy of acupuncture for cocaine dependence: a systematic review &; meta-analysis

Background  

Acupuncture is a commonly used treatment option for the treatment of addictions such as alcohol, nicotine and drug dependence. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for the treatment of cocaine addiction.     

Ambient particulate air pollution and circulating C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAmbient particulate air pollution is a major threat to the cardiovascular health of people. Inflammation is an important component of the pathophysiological process that links air pollution and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A classical marker of inflammation—C-reactive protein (CRP), has been recognized as an independent predictor of CVD risk. Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) may cause systemic inflammatory response but its association with CRP has been inconsistently reported.ObjectivesTo estimate the potential effects of short-term and long-term exposures to ambient particulate air pollution on circulating CRP level based on previous epidemiological studies.MethodsA systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases for publications up to January 2018 was conducted for studies reporting the association between ambient PM (PM_2.5 or PM₁₀, or both) and circulating CRP level. We performed a meta-analysis for the associations reported in individual studies using a random-effect model and evaluated the effect modification by major potential modifiers.ResultsThis meta-analysis comprised data from 40 observational studies conducted on 244,681 participants. These included 32 (27 PM_2.5 studies and 13 PM₁₀ studies) and 11 (9 PM_2.5 studies and 5 PM₁₀ studies) studies that investigated the associations of CRP with short-term and long-term exposure to particulate air pollution, respectively. A 10 μg/m³ increase in short-term exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was associated with increases of 0.83 % (95% CI: 0.30%, 1.37%) and 0.39% (95% CI: -0.04%, 0.82%) in CRP level, respectively, and a 10 μg/m³ increase in long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was associated with much higher increases of 18.01% (95% CI: 5.96%, 30.06%) and 5.61% (95% CI: 0.79%, 10.44%) in CRP level, respectively. The long-term exposure to particulate air pollution was more strongly associated with CRP level than short-term exposure and PM_2.5 had a greater effect on CRP level than PM₁₀.ConclusionExposure to ambient particulate air pollution is associated with elevated circulating CRP level suggesting an activated systemic inflammatory state upon exposure, which may explain the association between particulate air pollution and CVD risk.     

2013年西安市农村居民健康素养现状及影响因素分析

目的 了解上海市农民的健康素养现状及影响因素,为后续开展健康素养干预提供参考依据。 方法 以2018年上海市居民健康素养监测中职业为农民的人口作为调查对象。 结果 共调查农民4 380人,其中男性1 878人(42.88%),女性2 502人(57.12%)。农民的总体健康素养水平为13.42%,其中基本知识和理念、健康生活方式与行为和基本技能健康素养水平分别为22.28%,15.53%和14.45%;6类健康问题的素养水平,科学健康观素养为40.53%,安全与急救素养为39.84%,健康信息素养为21.67%,慢性病防治素养为18.33%,基本医疗素养为15.80%,传染病防治素养为15.73%。Logsitic回归分析显示,地区和文化程度是影响农民人群健康素养水平的主要因素。 结论 上海市农民的健康素养水平低于全市居民,基本技能、基本医疗和传染病防治素养水平有待提高。     

Residential pesticides and childhood leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

It is a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous observational epidemiologic studies examining the relationship between residential pesticide exposures during critical exposure time windows (preconception, pregnancy, and childhood) and childhood leukemia. Searches of Medline and other electronic databases were performed (1950-2009). Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Random effects models were used to obtain summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis). Of the 17 identified studies, 15 were included in the meta-analysis. Exposures during pregnancy to unspecified residential pesticides insecticides, and herbicides were positively associated with childhood leukemia. Exposures during childhood to unspecified residential pesticides and insecticides were also positively associated with childhood leukemia, but there was no association with herbicides. Positive associations were observed between childhood leukemia and residential pesticide exposures. Further work is needed to confirm previous findings based on self-report, to examine potential exposure-response relationships, and to assess specific pesticides and toxicologically related subgroups of pesticides in more detail.     

Water chlorination and birth defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The authors used the Medline data retrieval system for 1966-2001 to identify and synthesize the epidemiological evidence for adverse effects of prenatal exposure to chlorination byproducts on birth defects. For 5 studies that provided estimates of the effect of exposure on 1 or several birth defects, the authors calculated summary odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using the Mantel-Haenszel method for a fixed-effects model, and the DerSimonian-Laird method for a random-effects model. The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence for an effect of exposure to chlorination byproducts on the risk of any birth defect, and of neural tube and urinary system defects. The results for respiratory system, major cardiac, and oral cleft defects were heterogeneous and inconclusive. Differences in the susceptibility of populations, and different approaches in exposure assessment, may explain the heterogeneity of the results.     

Tobacco use among the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to combine the results of identified surveys on the prevalence of tobacco use in old age to estimate world prevalence of tobacco use and possible factors related to such behavior among the elderly. The literature search included electronic databases such as MEDLINE, LILACS, and Biological Abstracts, hand-searching of specialist journals and cited reference searches. The combined global prevalence was estimated using the random effects model. The total number of elderly subjects included in all surveys was 140,058, with data available from all the continents. Overall prevalence of tobacco use was 13% in both genders (22% male and 8% female). The prevalence rates were heterogeneous among surveys and were associated with smoking definition, questionnaire application, and country economic status. Few epidemiological studies assessed tobacco use among the elderly. A higher prevalence rate of tobacco use in males who live in higher income countries could be found, although additional evidence regarding elderly samples is still required.     

The cost of chemotherapy administration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The European Journal of Health Economics - Cancer treatment is a significant driver of healthcare costs worldwide, however, the economic impact of treating patients with anti-neoplastic agents is...     

中国人骨质疏松症诊断标准专家共识(第三稿·2014版)

  目的  分析云南省汉族人群跟骨定量超声参数及其影响因素,为制定促进骨骼健康的措施提供参考依据。  方法  采用多阶段分层整群抽样方法,对1 766名20～80岁云南省汉族居民进行问卷调查、体格检查;并用Pegasus仪器测定跟骨定量超声（QUS）参数：宽波段超声衰减（BUA）值与声速（SOS）值;采用线性回归分析影响因素。  结果  经协方差分析校正年龄后,男性BUA值高于女性（P < 0.05）。多因素分析结果显示,男性QUS值与年龄呈负相关;吸烟者QUS参数值降低（BUA：β = – 4.3、SOS：β = – 8.1）;个人月收入≥3 001元（BUA：β = 8.2）、饮酒（BUA：β = 4.3）、每周 ≥ 3次体育锻炼者QUS参数值较高（SOS：β = 8.6）。女性中,60～80岁（BUA：β = – 8.0）、已绝经者（BUA：β = – 13.2、SOS：β = – 21.5）QUS参数值显著降低;体质指数（BMI）≥28 kg/m²（BUA：β = 6.7）以及体育锻炼者QUS参数值显著升高。  结论  高龄、低BMI、吸烟、缺乏锻炼以及绝经等因素是云南省汉族人群骨骼健康的危险因素;加强体育锻炼可以促进骨骼健康。