Scientific reports
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Review Meta Analysis
Adjunctive Systemic Corticosteroids for Hospitalized Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2015 Update.
Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjunctive corticosteroids for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the results from them had large discrepancies. The eligibility criteria for the current meta-analysis were original RCTs written in English as a full article that evaluated adjunctive systemic corticosteroids adding on antibiotic therapy targeting typical and/or atypical pathogen for treating hospitalized human CAP cases. ⋯ Length to clinical stability: -1.16 days (95% CI (-1.73)-(-0.58)). Serious complications do not seem to largely increase by steroids. In conclusion, adjunctive systemic corticosteroids for hospitalized patients with CAP seems preferred strategies.
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Meta Analysis
Association between vitamin C intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.
Quantification of the association between the intake of vitamin C and risk of pancreatic cancer is still conflicting. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between them. Pertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed and Web of Knowledge throughSeptember of 2014. ⋯ The associations were also significant both in Caucasian [summary RR = 0.741, 95% CI = 0.626-0.876], Asian [summary RR = 0.455, 95% CI = 0.275-0.754] and Mixed population [summary RR = 0.677, 95% CI = 0.508-0.901]. No publication bias was found. Our analysis suggested that the higher intake of vitamin C might reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.
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Review Meta Analysis
Restrictive blood transfusion strategies and associated infection in orthopedic patients: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials.
This study sought to evaluate whether restrictive blood transfusion strategies are associated with a risk of infection in orthopedic patients by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs with restrictive versus liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies were identified by searching Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from their inception to December 2014. Eight RCTs with infections as outcomes were included in the final analysis. ⋯ No heterogeneity was observed. The sensitivity analysis indicated unstable results, and no significant publication bias was observed. This meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrates that restrictive transfusion strategies in orthopedic patients result in a significant reduction in infections compared with more liberal strategies.
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Meta Analysis
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Administered as an Adjunct to General Anesthesia: A Meta-analysis.
The aim of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of dexmedetomidine on serum inflammatory markers when administered perioperatively. We searched multiple electronic databases for relevant research papers, and carried out meta-analyses of weighted mean differences and interpreted in the light of statistical heterogeneity (I(2)). Fifteen RCTs recruiting 641 patients were included. ⋯ IL-10 levels were found to increase significantly a day after surgery (8.33 [3.31, 13.36]; P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant differences. In conclusion, perioperative adjunctive use of dexmedetomidine substantially decreases serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels.
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Review Meta Analysis
Prognostic role of copeptin after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Copeptin, the C-terminal part of provasopressin, has emerged as a novel prognostic marker after hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the prognostic significance of plasma copeptin level on functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute stroke using a meta-analysis of the available evidence. Thirteen relevant studies from 2,746 patients were finally included in our study. ⋯ A stratified analysis by study region showed significant differences in SMD of copeptin, and the heterogeneity among studies was significantly decreased. However, the positive association of copeptin with poor prognosis after stroke was consistent in each stratified analysis. The present meta-analysis suggests that early measurement of plasma copeptin could provide better prognostic information about functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute stroke.