Project description:BackgroundThe beneficial effect of antenatal multiple micronutrients supplementation on infant birth outcomes has been proposed by previous meta-analyses. However, their benefits on postnatal health of children have not been summarized. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effect of maternal multimicronutrient supplementation on postnatal growth of children under 5 years of age.MethodsWe searched both published and ongoing trials through the PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL (OVID platform), Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, Chinese Science Citation Database, Scopus, ProQuest, ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese Biomedical Database, and WANFANG database for randomized controlled trials. Reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews were also reviewed for eligible studies. Standard mean difference (SMD) was employed as the index for continuous variables by using fixed effects models. Trend analysis by visual inspection was applied to evaluate the change of mean difference of weight and height between the groups over time.ResultsNine trials (12 titles) from nine different countries were retrieved for analysis. Pooled results showed that antenatal multimicronutrient supplementation increased child head circumference (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.00-0.15) compared with supplementation with two micronutrient or less. No evidence was found for the benefits of antenatal multimicronutrient supplementation on weight (P = 0.11), height (P = 0.66), weight-for-age z scores (WAZ) (P = 0.34), height-for-age z scores (HAZ) (P = 0.81) and weight-for-height z scores (WHZ) (P = 0.22). A positive effect was found on chest circumference based on two included studies.ConclusionsAntenatal multimicronutrient supplementation has a significant positive effect on head circumference of children under 5 years. No impact of the supplementation was found on weight, height, WAZ, HAZ and WHZ.
Project description:To determine the efficacy of calcium supplementation in reducing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas.We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. We searched PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the ClinicalTrials.gov website, through December 2015. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials assessing supplemental calcium intake for the prevention of recurrence of adenomas were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently selected studies based on predefined criteria, extracted data and outcomes (recurrence of colorectal adenomas, and advanced or "high-risk" adenomas), and rated each trial's risk-of-bias. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed, and pooled risk ratio (RR) estimates with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using fixed- and random-effects models. To express the treatment effect in clinical terms, we calculated the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one adenoma recurrence. We also assessed the quality of evidence using GRADE.Four randomized, placebo-controlled trials met the eligibility criteria and were included. Daily doses of elemental calcium ranged from 1200 to 2000 mg, while the duration of treatment and follow-up of participants ranged from 36 to 60 mo. Synthesis of intention-to-treat data, for participants who had undergone follow-up colonoscopies, indicated a modest protective effect of calcium in prevention of adenomas (fixed-effects, RR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82-0.96; random-effects, RR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.77-0.98; high quality of evidence). The NNT was 20 (95%CI: 12-61) to prevent one colorectal adenoma recurrence within a period of 3 to 5 years. On the other hand, the association between calcium treatment and advanced adenomas did not reach statistical significance (fixed-effects, RR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.75-1.13; random-effects, RR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.71-1.18; moderate quality of evidence).Our results suggest a modest chemopreventive effect of calcium supplements against recurrent colorectal adenomas over a period of 36 to 60 mo. Further research is warranted.
Project description:ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving bone mineral density in healthy children and to determine if any effect is modified by other factors and persists after supplementation stops.DesignMeta-analysis.Data sourcesElectronic bibliographic databases, hand searching of conference proceedings, and contacting authors for unpublished data.Review methodsWe included randomised placebo controlled trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that lasted at least three months and had bone outcomes measured after at least six months of follow-up. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality. Meta-analyses predominantly used fixed effects models with outcomes given as standardised mean differences.ResultsWe included 19 studies involving 2859 children. Calcium supplementation had no effect on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. There was a small effect on total body bone mineral content (standardised mean difference 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.27) and upper limb bone mineral density (0.14, 0.04 to 0.24). This effect persisted after the end of supplementation only at the upper limb (0.14, 0.01 to 0.28). There was no evidence that sex, baseline calcium intake, pubertal stage, ethnicity, or level of physical activity modified the effect.ConclusionsThe small effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density in the upper limb is unlikely to reduce the risk of fracture, either in childhood or later life, to a degree of major public health importance.
Project description:Identification for microRNA signatures to predict breast cancer recurrence in young women were performed through expression profiling of a total 2565 miRNAs in 45 samples diagnosed as invasive ducatal carcinoma of no special type (NST) cases which had been consecutively operated on within a defined short period of time.
Project description:BackgroundDue to limitations of conventional medicine for atopic eczema (AE), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used as an alternative, maintaining, or simultaneous treatment for AE. We aimed to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of CAM for children with AE under 14 years old.MethodsWe searched for randomized trials on CAM in 12 Chinese and English databases from their inception to May 2018. We included children (< 14 years) diagnosed with AE, who received CAM therapy alone or combined with conventional medicine. We extracted data, and used the Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool to assess methodological quality. Effect was presented as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using RevMan 5.3.ResultsTwenty-four randomized controlled trials involving 2233 children with AE were included. Methodological quality was of unclear or high risk of bias in general. The trials tested 5 different types of CAM therapies, including probiotics, diet, biofilm, borage oil, and swimming. Compared to placebo, probiotics showed improved effect for the SCORAD index (MD 9.01, 95% CI 7.12-10.90; n = 5). For symptoms and signs such as itching, skin lesions, CAM combined with usual care was more effective for symptom relief ≥95% (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.30-1.68; n = 8), and for ≥50% symptoms improvement (RR 1.34, 1.25-1.45; n = 9) compared to usual care. There was no statistic significant difference between CAM and usual care on ≥95% improvement or ≥ 50% improvement of symptoms. However, swimming, diet and biofilm showed improvement of clinical symptoms compared with usual care. At follow-up of 8 weeks to 3 years, CAM alone or combined with usual care showed lower relapse rate (RR 0.38, 0.28-0.51, n = 2; RR 0.31, 0.24-0.40, n = 7; respectively) compared to usual care. Twelve out of 24 trials reported no occurrence of severe adverse events.ConclusionsLow evidence demonstrates that some CAM modalities may improve symptoms of childhood AE and reduce relapse rate. Safety remains unclear due to insufficient reporting. Further well-designed randomized trials are needed to confirm the potential beneficial effect and to establish safety use.
Project description:Transcription Factor A Mitochondrial (TFAM), through its contributions to mtDNA maintenance and expression, is essential for cellular bioenergetics and, therefore, for the very survival of cells. Thirty-five years of research on TFAM structure and function generated a considerable body of experimental evidence, some of which remains to be fully reconciled. Recent advancements allowed an unprecedented glimpse into the structure of TFAM complexed with promoter DNA and TFAM within the open promoter complexes. These novel insights, however, raise new questions about the function of this remarkable protein. In our review, we compile the available literature on TFAM structure and function and provide some critical analysis of the available data.
Project description:ContextThe independent or interactive effects of vitamin D and calcium on adiposity remain inconclusive.ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess whether vitamin D and calcium supplements cause changes in adiposity.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for literature published from 1966 to March 2014.Study selectionA systematic search was conducted for randomized clinical trials with ≥ 50 participants aged ≥ 18 years at baseline who had received at least 12 weeks of treatment. Among the inclusion criteria were supplementation with vitamin D with or without calcium and measurement of adiposity (weight, body mass index [BMI], and/or fat mass).Data extractionThe primary endpoints assessed were changes in weight, BMI, or fat mass.Data synthesisOf 953 trials identified, 26 randomized clinical trials (n = 12, vitamin D alone; n = 10, vitamin D plus calcium versus calcium control; n = 4, vitamin D plus calcium versus placebo) with a total of 42,430 participants (median duration, 12 months) met the inclusion criteria. When compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on BMI (weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.06 kg/m(2); 95% confidence interval [95%CI], -0.14 to 0.03), weight (WMD, -0.05 kg; 95%CI, -0.32 to 0.23), or fat mass (WMD, -0.43 kg; 95%CI, -1.69 to 0.84). Likewise, no significant reduction in BMI (WMD, 0.02 kg/m(2); 95%CI, -0.11 to 0.14), weight (WMD, 0.12 kg; 95%CI, -0.24 to 0.49), or fat mass (WMD, 0.12 kg; 95%CI, -0.22 to 0.45) was observed in participants who received vitamin D plus calcium compared with those who received calcium control.ConclusionsSupplementation with vitamin D showed no effect on adiposity measures in adults.
Project description:Food-health claims are an important method of translating nutrition research to consumers. Whey and colostrum are thought to exert health benefits to adults, but it is unclear what measurable, objective health benefits they impart. This review aimed to identify the objective health benefits of bovine whey or colostrum-based beverages to healthy adults aged ≥35 years to substantiate a food-health claim. Seven databases were systematically searched. Eligible articles were RCTs that involved healthy adults aged ≥35 years, consuming whey or colostrum in beverage form and measuring objective health markers. Quality assessment and data extraction was conducted in duplicate. The searches identified 9943 papers and 16 were included in this review; 13 studies, reported across 15 papers, related to whey, one study to colostrum. The outcomes identified were body composition, bone mineral density, biochemical markers, such as blood glucose and lipids, and muscle strength and synthesis. Heterogeneous outcomes, high risk of bias and inconsistent findings resulted in inconclusive evidence to substantiate a food-health claim. Clearer reporting and consensus on a minimum set of objective measures would allow for more robust recommendations regarding food-health claims. Protecting consumers from misleading health claims will require collaboration between regulators, researchers, and the food industry.
Project description:BACKGROUND: B vitamins have been extensively used to reduce homocysteine levels; however, it remains uncertain whether B vitamins are associated with a reduced risk of stroke. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of B vitamins on stroke. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We systematically searched PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies for our analysis. Relative risk (RR) was used to measure the effect of B-vitamin supplementation on the risk of stroke. The analysis was further stratified based on factors that could affect the treatment effects. Of the 13,124 identified articles, we included 18 trials reporting data on 57,143 individuals and 2,555 stroke events. B-vitamin supplementation was not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of stroke (RR, 0.91, 95%CI: 0.82-1.01, P = 0.075; RD, -0.003, 95%CI: -0.007-0.001, P = 0.134). Subgroup analyses suggested that B-vitamin supplementation might reduce the risk of stroke if included trials had a man/woman ratio of more than 2 or subjects received dose of folic acid less than 1 mg. Furthermore, in a cumulative meta-analysis for stroke, the originally proposed nonsignificant B-vitamin effect was refuted by the evidence accumulated up to 2006. There is a small effect with borderline statistical significance based on data gathered since 2007. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study indicates that B-vitamin supplementation is not associated with a lower risk of stroke based on relative and absolute measures of association. Subgroup analyses suggested that B-vitamin supplementation can effectively reduce the risk of stroke if included trials had a man/woman ratio of more than 2 or subjects received dose of folic acid less than 1 mg.