BACKGROUND: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are rare but severe complications that occur after solid organ or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (allo-HSCT), with rapid progression and high mortality. Primary central nervous system (CNS)-PTLD are rarely recognized histo-pathologically. In addition, the diagnostic value of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA copies in CNS-PTLD remains poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: We herein report a case of monomorphic EBV-associated CNS-PTLD (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL) after allo-HSCT and perform a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of PTLD treatment strategies in recent years.
METHODS: We present the case report covering clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of a patient with primary CNS-PTLD. Additionally, we include a systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical characteristics of 431 patients with PTLD after allo-HSCT. We evaluate the main treatment options and outcomes of PTLD management, including rituximab, chemotherapies, and autologous or human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte infusion (EBV-CTLs)/donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI).
RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed an overall response rate of 69.0% for rituximab alone (95% CI: 0.47-0.84), 45.0% for rituximab plus chemotherapies (95% CI: 0.15-0.80), and 91.0% for rituximab plus EBV-CTLs/DLI (95% CI: 0.83-0.96). The complete response (CR) rate after treatments for PTLD was 67.0% (95% CI: 0.56-0.77). Moreover, the 6-month and 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 64.0% (95% CI: 0.31-0.87) and 49.0% (95% CI: 0.31-0.68), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlighted the urgent need for effective, low-toxic treatment regimens for CNS-PTLD. Our meta-analysis suggested that rituximab combined with EBV-CTLs/DLI could be a favorable strategy for the management of PTLD after allo-HSCT.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn\'s disease (CD), is a complex disease with increasing global incidence and prevalence. Although dairy consumption has been linked to various chronic diseases, its relationship with IBD remains uncertain. Additionally, there is a lack of data on this topic from Arab countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between dairy consumption and IBD through a case-control study among Arab populations, followed by a meta-analysis of available studies.
METHODS: First, we used data from 158 UC patients, 244 CD patients, and 395 controls attending a polyclinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All participants were aged ≥ 18 years. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of UC and CD for individuals who reported the highest versus the lowest frequencies of dairy consumption. Next, we conducted a meta-analysis, combining our results with those from other eligible studies after searching several databases. We used the I2 statistics to examine statistical heterogeneity across studies and the regression test for funnel plot asymmetry to assess publication bias.
RESULTS: The case-control study showed a negative association between frequent dairy consumption and UC (OR (95% CI) = 0.64 (0.41, 1.00)) but not CD (OR (95% CI) = 0.97 (0.65, 1.45)). In the meta-analysis, the highest frequencies of dairy consumption were negatively associated with both UC and CD: ORs (95% CIs) = 0.82 (0.68, 0.98) and 0.72 (0.59, 0.87), respectively. A moderate heterogeneity across studies was noticed in the UC meta-analysis (I2 = 59.58%) and the CD meta-analysis (I2 = 41.16%). No publication bias was detected.
CONCLUSIONS: Frequent dairy consumption could protect against the development of UC and CD, suggesting potential dietary recommendations in the context of IBD prevention.

Background: Tumor-like lesions at the craniovertebral junction mimic tumors in clinical presentation and imaging. Our study focuses on three common developmental pathologies-epidermoids, dermoids and neurenteric cysts. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a case series and a meta-analysis of 170 patients from 119 reports. Results: Neurenteric cysts predominated (81.2%). Anterior cysts were linked to neurenteric cysts, while posterior ones correlated with dermoid/epidermoid cysts (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 27.2% of cases, with cranial nerve paresis being the most common. Most patients had excellent outcomes (75.2%) with low recurrence rates (12%). Dermoid cysts were more associated with anomalies (p < 0.001). Among 138 neurenteric cyst cases, 15 experienced recurrence, with predictors including ages 51-60 and over 70, subtotal resection, complications, and poor outcomes (p < 0.001). Cysts with total resection were significantly less likely to adhere to surrounding brain tissue (p < 0.001). CSF diversion was correlated with older age (p = 0.010) and various complications (p < 0.001). Age affected outcomes, and the hydrocephalus was linked to poor outcomes (p = 0.002). Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscores the importance of total resection in minimizing recurrence rates and emphasizes meticulous preoperative planning and imaging. Our results indicate that rim enhancement (p = 0.047) and poor outcome (p = 0.007) are significant factors associated with recurrence. Additionally, associated anomalies, as well as the patient\'s age and overall health, significantly influence the surgical outcomes and the likelihood of recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) emerges as a grave complication of tuberculosis in people living with HIV (PLWH). The diagnosis and treatment of TBM pose significant challenges, leading to elevated mortality rates. To comprehensively grasp the epidemiological landscape of TBM in PLWH, a systematic review and meta-analysis were meticulously undertaken.
METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception to September 19th, 2023, with no limitations on the publication type. The search terms were HIV/AIDS terms (AIDS OR HIV OR PLWH) and TBM-related terms (tuberculous meningitis OR TBM). Studies included in this meta-analysis evaluated the incidence of TBM among PLWH, or we were able to calculate the incidence of TBM among PLWH from the research.
RESULTS: The analysis revealed that the prevalence of TBM among PLWH was 13.6% (95% CI: 6.6-25.9%), with an incidence rate of 1.5 cases per 1000 persons per year. The case fatality rate was found to be 38.1% (95% CI: 24.3-54.1%). No significant publication bias was observed. Meta-regression analysis identified the proportion of females and finance situation as factors influencing the outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights TBM as a prevalent opportunistic infection that targets the central nervous system in PLWH. The elevated case fatality rate is especially prominent among PLWH in impoverished regions, underscores the pressing necessity for enhanced management strategies for PLWH suffering from TBM.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO; No: CRD42022338586.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm a previously reported association of TRPV1 rs8065080 with the risk of transformation from episodic (EM) to chronic migraine (CM) and to extend knowledge about the role of other TRPV1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we first investigated the impact of three TRPV1 SNPs (rs8065080, rs222747 and rs222749) on the risk of migraine chronification in a case-control study. A systematic review and meta-analysis were then conducted to summarize the accumulated findings.
METHODS: Genotyping of the selected TRPV1 SNPs was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR in 167 EM and 182 CM participants. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated in the log-additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, and OpenGrey until February 2024.
RESULTS: In our case-control study, no association was found between TRPV1 SNPs and the risk of migraine chronification, both in the unadjusted logistic regression models and after adjustment for confounding clinical variables. The results of the meta-analysis with a total of 241 participants with EM and 223 with CM confirmed no association between TRPV1 SNPs and the risk of migraine chronification in any of the genetic models tested.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present case-control study and meta-analysis exclude a major role of TRPV1 rs8065080, rs222747, and rs222749 as risk factors for migraine chronification. However, further research is needed to investigate the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions of TRPV1 SNPs on the risk of transformation from episodic to chronic migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The value of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) for asymptomatic unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients remains contentious. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic significance of upfront PTR for asymptomatic unresectable mCRC.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on June 21st, 2024. To minimize the bias and ensure robust evidence, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-matched studies (CMS) that compared PTR followed by chemotherapy to chemotherapy alone were included. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), while cancer-specific survival (CSS) served as the secondary outcome.
RESULTS: Eight studies (three RCTs and five CMS) involving 1221 patients were included. Compared to chemotherapy alone, upfront PTR followed by chemotherapy did not improve OS (hazard ratios [HR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-1.04, P = 0.17), but was associated with slightly better CSS (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40-0.88, P = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: The current limited evidence indicates that upfront PTR does not improve OS but may enhance CSS in asymptomatic unresectable mCRC patients. Ongoing trials are expected to provide more reliable evidence on this issue.

Any experiment brings about results and conclusions that necessarily have a component of uncertainty. Many factors influence the degree of this uncertainty, yet they can be overlooked when drawing conclusions from a body of research. Here, we showcase how subjective logic could be employed as a complementary tool to meta-analysis to incorporate the chosen sources of uncertainty into the answer that researchers seek to provide to their research question. We illustrate this approach by focusing on a body of research already meta-analyzed, whose overall aim was to assess if human infants prefer prosocial agents over antisocial agents. We show how each finding can be encoded as a subjective opinion, and how findings can be aggregated to produce an answer that explicitly incorporates uncertainty. We argue that a core feature and strength of this approach is its transparency in the process of factoring in uncertainty and reasoning about research findings. Subjective logic promises to be a powerful complementary tool to incorporate uncertainty explicitly and transparently in the evaluation of research.

UNASSIGNED: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most frequent cancer among men aged 14-44 years. The risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) in TC patients varied within a wide range across different studies. This study aims to estimate the risk of ED in TC patients by conducting a meta-analysis of case-control studies.
UNASSIGNED: Relevant studies were searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2019. Case-control studies that reported the incidence of ED in TC patients were included.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 8 studies involving 2060 TC patients and 2651 healthy men were included. All the TC patients underwent unilateral orchiectomy; other treatment modalities were also conducted if necessary. ED occurred in 16.9% (348/2060) of TC patients and 9.4% (251/2651) of healthy men. Compared with healthy men, TC patients experienced a significantly increased risk of ED (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.56-3.67). Substantial heterogeneity was observed. In addition, subgroup analysis revealed that the risk (OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 2.45-5.78) for ED in TC patients with follow-up < 5 years was significantly higher than that (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10-3.67) with follow-up ≥ 5 years. Heterogeneity was improved after subgroup analysis.
UNASSIGNED: TC patients experienced an increased risk for ED compared with healthy men. The long-term risk for ED in TC patients was lower than the short-term risk.

This study provides step-by-step guidance for practitioners and local stakeholders on how to use existing study results to conduct benefit transfer (BT), and ultimately make informed predictions of how improvements in lake water clarity may benefit surrounding communities. The procedures are demonstrated using a publicly available meta-dataset developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and a subsequent meta-analysis that synthesizes the literature on how improvements in water clarity impact home values. The BT procedures are demonstrated using a case study of 14 large lakes in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Lake-specific average increases in home values, as well as the value of the housing stock in aggregate, are calculated for illustrative improvements in lake water clarity. This analysis provides a critical bridge to better connect high-quality, academic research with real-world policy analysis, and ultimately serves to better equip local governments and stakeholders to make more informed policy and land use decisions.

BACKGROUND: Globally, HCC presents a significant health burden, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Epidemiological studies have increasingly suggested a link between dietary patterns and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet consensus on this relationship remains elusive.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to synthesize existing literature and provide a comprehensive analysis of the association between dietary patterns and HCC risk through meta-analytical methods.
METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify studies examining common dietary patterns in relation to HCC, published up to August 2023. Study quality was rigorously evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We employed a random effects model to synthesize effect sizes, calculating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS: We identified 13 papers, of these 10 investigating a priori dietary patterns(index-based dietary patterns) and 3 focusing on a posterior dietary patterns (data-driven dietary patterns). Analysis of a priori dietary patterns revealed that higher scores in the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) & alternative HEI (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54-0.85), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.91), and the Mediterranean diet (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.56-0.75) were associated with a reduced risk of HCC. Conversely, pro-inflammatory dietary patterns were linked with an increased risk (HR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.58-3.09). In a posterior dietary patterns, a vegetable-based diet was negatively correlated with HCC risk (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.49-0.81).
CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis underscores a significant association between dietary patterns and the risk of HCC. Adherence to healthy dietary patterns characterized by high in vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and low in red and processed meats may confer a protective effect against HCC, whereas inflammatory diets appear to elevate risk.