Dear Editor,We read with a great interest the recently published systematic review by Shamsikhani and Hosseini titled,“Foot reflexology on nausea and vomiting:A systematic review.”[1]While the authors provided a com...Dear Editor,We read with a great interest the recently published systematic review by Shamsikhani and Hosseini titled,“Foot reflexology on nausea and vomiting:A systematic review.”[1]While the authors provided a comprehensive qualitative synthesis of six studies meeting their inclusion criteria,we believe that additional quantitative analysis would strengthen the evidence base for foot reflexology in managing nausea and vomiting.We conducted a complementary meta-analysis to provide quantitative evidence supporting the qualitative findings presented in the systematic review.展开更多
To the editor:“A recent systematic review shows that the risk of death by suicide is 100 times higher in people living with HIV than in the general population”—World Health Organization,2022 The estimate that the r...To the editor:“A recent systematic review shows that the risk of death by suicide is 100 times higher in people living with HIV than in the general population”—World Health Organization,2022 The estimate that the risk of suicide is 100-fold higher in people with HIV(PWH)than in the general population is widely cited,including in the World Health Organization’s(WHO’s)World Mental Health report from which the above quote is taken.1 This figure originates from a systematic review and meta-analysis by Pelton and colleagues,who estimated the‘lifetime incidence’of suicide among PWH2 and directly compared this measure to the WHO’s annual global suicide mortality rate.展开更多
We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo ...We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo and no-intervention conditions.The study found that while IPC demonstrated superior effects over the no-intervention group in certain metrics(e.g.,time to exhaustion),its performance did not significantly surpass that of the placebo group.This suggests that the potential benefits of IPC may partially stem from participants’psychological expectations,or placebo effects.The study also highlighted the significant impact of placebo interventions on athletic performance,emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between placebo and no-intervention conditions in experimental designs.展开更多
BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal cancer(UGIC),including esophageal and gastric cancers,poses a major global health challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality.During the preoperative period,patients often face ...BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal cancer(UGIC),including esophageal and gastric cancers,poses a major global health challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality.During the preoperative period,patients often face functional decline,malnutrition,and psychological stress,which can impair recovery.Prehabilitation,a multidisciplinary preoperative intervention,shows promise in optimizing patients'physical and mental status.AIM To evaluate the impact of prehabilitation on patients undergoing UGIC surgery and provide a basis for implementation of the prehabilitation compound plan.METHODS A computerized search of databases including Web of Science,PubMed,EMBASE,The Cochrane Library,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database was used to collect clinical trials on the impact of prehabilitation on patients undergoing UGIC surgery.After screening,a meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.0 software,and linear regression analysis was performed on the prehabilitation duration and outcome indicators.RESULTS A total of 13 clinical trials were ultimately included,with 8 literature quality evaluations at A level and 5 literature quality evaluations at B level.The meta-analysis results showed that compared with conventional nursing,the prehabilitation group had higher six-minute walk distance,lower postoperative complications and mortality rates,and shorter hospital stays,with statistically significant differences;there were no statistically significant differences in intensive care unit monitoring time and albumin levels between the two groups;regression analysis between prehabilitation duration and outcome indicators showed no significant relationship.CONCLUSION Prehabilitation can improve the perioperative functional ability of patients with UGIC and promote postoperative recovery,but its impact on nutrition,psychology,and quality of life needs to be further explored through more high-quality trials;in addition,further research is needed on the prehabilitation time,location,and specific plan.展开更多
We sincerely thank the authors of the commentary1 for their thoughtful analysis and constructive critique of our systematic review on ischemic preconditioning(IPC)and placebo effects in exercise capacity and athletic ...We sincerely thank the authors of the commentary1 for their thoughtful analysis and constructive critique of our systematic review on ischemic preconditioning(IPC)and placebo effects in exercise capacity and athletic performance.2Their attention to methodological details,particularly concerning the inclusion and timing of warm-up protocols across studies,is commendable and contributes meaningfully to the ongoing refinement of IPC research in sports science.展开更多
The authors regret that the original publication of this paper did not include Jawad Fayaz as a co-author.After further discussions and a thorough review of the research contributions,it was agreed that his significan...The authors regret that the original publication of this paper did not include Jawad Fayaz as a co-author.After further discussions and a thorough review of the research contributions,it was agreed that his significant contributions to the foundational aspects of the research warranted recognition,and he has now been added as a co-author.展开更多
BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT2i)on adverse cardiac outcomes in diabetic patients are well-established.However,the effects of SGLT2i against cancer therapy-related...BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT2i)on adverse cardiac outcomes in diabetic patients are well-established.However,the effects of SGLT2i against cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity remain understudied.We investigated the association between SGLT2i and cardiac outcomes in cancer patients.METHODS PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Library were searched from their inception until September 30,2024 for studies evaluating the effects of SGLT2i in patients with cancer.The primary outcomes included incident heart failure(HF),HF exacerbation,HF hospitalization,atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter(AF/AFL),myocardial infarction,and all-cause mortality.The secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury and sepsis.Odds ratio(OR)with 95%CI was pooled.RESULTS Thirteen studies with 85,596 patients were included.Compared to non-SGLT2i use,SGLT2i treatment was associated with lower risks of incident HF(OR=0.51,95%CI:0.32-0.79,P=0.003),HF exacerbation(OR=0.74,95%CI:0.63-0.87,P<0.001),AF/AFL(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.55-0.82,P<0.001),myocardial infarction(OR=0.61,95%CI:0.41-0.90,P=0.01),and all-cause mortality(OR=0.44,95%CI:0.28-0.69,P<0.001),but not for HF hospitalization(OR=0.58,95%CI:0.22-1.55,P=0.28).As for safety outcomes,SGLT2i use was associated with lower risks of acute kidney injury(OR=0.68,95%CI:0.57-0.81,P<0.001)and sepsis(OR=0.32,95%CI:0.23-0.44,P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS SGLT2i were associated with lower risks of incident HF,HF exacerbation,AF/AFL,myocardial infarction,allcause mortality,acute kidney injury,and sepsis in cancer patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)has been a major therapeutic advancement for patients with heart failure and electrical dyssynchrony.While CRT improves symptoms,reduces hospitalizations,and enhances s...BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)has been a major therapeutic advancement for patients with heart failure and electrical dyssynchrony.While CRT improves symptoms,reduces hospitalizations,and enhances survival,the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators(ICDs)alongside CRT in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy(NICM)remains controversial.To evaluate and compare the outcomes of CRT with ICD(CRT-D)versus CRT with pacemaker-only(CRT-P)in individuals diagnosed with NICM,with a specific focus on the elderly.METHODS A comprehensive search of PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted in January 2024.Studies comparing CRT-D and CRT-P in patients with NICM were included,with subgroup analyses focusing on patients aged 75 years and older.RESULTS Twelve studies,including two randomized clinical trials,with a total of 62,145 patients and 16,754 pooled death events(9,171 in CRT-D and 7,583 in CRT-P),were analyzed.CRT-D was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to CRT-P(pooled OR=0.72;95%CI:0.61-0.85;P<0.01),with significant heterogeneity(I2=83%).RCT subgroup analysis,was not statistically significant(pooled OR=0.82;95%CI:0.64-1.06;P=0.41;I2=0%).In patients older than 75 years,no significant difference in mortality risk was observed(pooled OR 0.96;95%CI:0.81-1.15;I2=39%).CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggests that the addition of ICD therapy to CRT in patients with NICM significantly reduces all-cause mortality.However,this benefit does not extend to cardiovascular mortality,likely due to the primary role of ICDs in preventing sudden cardiac death rather than other causes such as progressive heart failure.The survival advantage of CRT-D is most pronounced in younger patients,with those over 75 years of age deriving less benefit.This highlights the importance of careful patient selection,considering age and comorbidities,when deciding on ICD implantation in NICM patients.展开更多
Measuring cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in epidemiological studies and clinical settings.1 However,the feasibility of measuring maximal CRF is low due to the time,e...Measuring cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in epidemiological studies and clinical settings.1 However,the feasibility of measuring maximal CRF is low due to the time,equipment,and expertise needed to conduct laboratory cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)to determine the maximal rate of oxygen uptake(VO2max)as an objective measure of CRF.Alternatively,indirect estimates of CRF have been applied by measuring maximal duration on treadmill or cycle ergometer tests,2,3 extrapolating maximal CRF from workload or heart rate during submaximal fitness tests,4,5 and using non-exercise algorithms to estimate CRF from an individual’s age,sex,body mass,and physical activity habits.6 It is assumed that objectively measured VO2max is superior to extrapolated and estimated values due to errors associated with the estimated values;7,8 however,until Singh et al.9 newly released article in the Journal of Sport and Health Science,the comparability of these methods in identifying risks for all-cause and cardiovascular disease(CVD)mortality was unknown.展开更多
Cinobufacini, a compound extracted from bufo toad, is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) that has been shown to have efficacy in cancer treatment.The cinobufacini injection is widely used in patients with moderate an...Cinobufacini, a compound extracted from bufo toad, is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) that has been shown to have efficacy in cancer treatment.The cinobufacini injection is widely used in patients with moderate and advanced liver cancer in China.In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of cinobufacini injection for this specific category of patients.A search for randomized control trials(RCTs) using cinobufacini was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the other four major Chinese databases.The systematic review was performed according to the recommendations of the Cochrane collaboration, and the RevMan 5.3.software was used for statistical analysis.A random-effects model was used to perform the data.Risk ratios(RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated according to Cochrane handbook.A total of 11 RCTs consisting of 728 patients were included.All of the trials demonstrated significantly improved total response rates, total response rates of Karnofsky Performance Score(KPS), 1-to 2-year survival rates, and quality of life in the intervention groups injected with cinobufacini.There was no statistically significant difference between the groups(cinobufacini versus no cinobufacini; cinobufacini plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) versus TACE only) in terms of the 6-month survival rate, clinical benefit rate and clinical benefit rate of KPS.This systematic review demonstrated the beneficial effects of cinobufacini injection in terms of total response rate and the 1-to 2-year survival rate in patients with moderate and advanced liver cancer.The efficacy for the cinobufacini injection group might be better than that of the control group for treatment of moderate and advanced liver cancer.Given that the majority of the trials were of low quality, more high-quality prospective RCTs with strict design in accordance with CONSORT for TCM are needed.展开更多
文摘Dear Editor,We read with a great interest the recently published systematic review by Shamsikhani and Hosseini titled,“Foot reflexology on nausea and vomiting:A systematic review.”[1]While the authors provided a comprehensive qualitative synthesis of six studies meeting their inclusion criteria,we believe that additional quantitative analysis would strengthen the evidence base for foot reflexology in managing nausea and vomiting.We conducted a complementary meta-analysis to provide quantitative evidence supporting the qualitative findings presented in the systematic review.
基金supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation(grant numbers 193381 and 189498)the US National Institutes of Health(the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,the National Cancer Institute,the National Institute of Mental Health,the National Institute on Drug Abuse,the National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute,the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Fogarty International Center)(grant numbers U01AI069924 and 1K43TW012840-01).
文摘To the editor:“A recent systematic review shows that the risk of death by suicide is 100 times higher in people living with HIV than in the general population”—World Health Organization,2022 The estimate that the risk of suicide is 100-fold higher in people with HIV(PWH)than in the general population is widely cited,including in the World Health Organization’s(WHO’s)World Mental Health report from which the above quote is taken.1 This figure originates from a systematic review and meta-analysis by Pelton and colleagues,who estimated the‘lifetime incidence’of suicide among PWH2 and directly compared this measure to the WHO’s annual global suicide mortality rate.
文摘We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo and no-intervention conditions.The study found that while IPC demonstrated superior effects over the no-intervention group in certain metrics(e.g.,time to exhaustion),its performance did not significantly surpass that of the placebo group.This suggests that the potential benefits of IPC may partially stem from participants’psychological expectations,or placebo effects.The study also highlighted the significant impact of placebo interventions on athletic performance,emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between placebo and no-intervention conditions in experimental designs.
基金Supported by Key Project of Jiangsu Provincial Health(ZD2022052).
文摘BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal cancer(UGIC),including esophageal and gastric cancers,poses a major global health challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality.During the preoperative period,patients often face functional decline,malnutrition,and psychological stress,which can impair recovery.Prehabilitation,a multidisciplinary preoperative intervention,shows promise in optimizing patients'physical and mental status.AIM To evaluate the impact of prehabilitation on patients undergoing UGIC surgery and provide a basis for implementation of the prehabilitation compound plan.METHODS A computerized search of databases including Web of Science,PubMed,EMBASE,The Cochrane Library,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database was used to collect clinical trials on the impact of prehabilitation on patients undergoing UGIC surgery.After screening,a meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.0 software,and linear regression analysis was performed on the prehabilitation duration and outcome indicators.RESULTS A total of 13 clinical trials were ultimately included,with 8 literature quality evaluations at A level and 5 literature quality evaluations at B level.The meta-analysis results showed that compared with conventional nursing,the prehabilitation group had higher six-minute walk distance,lower postoperative complications and mortality rates,and shorter hospital stays,with statistically significant differences;there were no statistically significant differences in intensive care unit monitoring time and albumin levels between the two groups;regression analysis between prehabilitation duration and outcome indicators showed no significant relationship.CONCLUSION Prehabilitation can improve the perioperative functional ability of patients with UGIC and promote postoperative recovery,but its impact on nutrition,psychology,and quality of life needs to be further explored through more high-quality trials;in addition,further research is needed on the prehabilitation time,location,and specific plan.
文摘We sincerely thank the authors of the commentary1 for their thoughtful analysis and constructive critique of our systematic review on ischemic preconditioning(IPC)and placebo effects in exercise capacity and athletic performance.2Their attention to methodological details,particularly concerning the inclusion and timing of warm-up protocols across studies,is commendable and contributes meaningfully to the ongoing refinement of IPC research in sports science.
文摘The authors regret that the original publication of this paper did not include Jawad Fayaz as a co-author.After further discussions and a thorough review of the research contributions,it was agreed that his significant contributions to the foundational aspects of the research warranted recognition,and he has now been added as a co-author.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82170327&No.82370332)the Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Specialty)Construction Project(TJYXZDXK-029A).
文摘BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT2i)on adverse cardiac outcomes in diabetic patients are well-established.However,the effects of SGLT2i against cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity remain understudied.We investigated the association between SGLT2i and cardiac outcomes in cancer patients.METHODS PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Library were searched from their inception until September 30,2024 for studies evaluating the effects of SGLT2i in patients with cancer.The primary outcomes included incident heart failure(HF),HF exacerbation,HF hospitalization,atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter(AF/AFL),myocardial infarction,and all-cause mortality.The secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury and sepsis.Odds ratio(OR)with 95%CI was pooled.RESULTS Thirteen studies with 85,596 patients were included.Compared to non-SGLT2i use,SGLT2i treatment was associated with lower risks of incident HF(OR=0.51,95%CI:0.32-0.79,P=0.003),HF exacerbation(OR=0.74,95%CI:0.63-0.87,P<0.001),AF/AFL(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.55-0.82,P<0.001),myocardial infarction(OR=0.61,95%CI:0.41-0.90,P=0.01),and all-cause mortality(OR=0.44,95%CI:0.28-0.69,P<0.001),but not for HF hospitalization(OR=0.58,95%CI:0.22-1.55,P=0.28).As for safety outcomes,SGLT2i use was associated with lower risks of acute kidney injury(OR=0.68,95%CI:0.57-0.81,P<0.001)and sepsis(OR=0.32,95%CI:0.23-0.44,P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS SGLT2i were associated with lower risks of incident HF,HF exacerbation,AF/AFL,myocardial infarction,allcause mortality,acute kidney injury,and sepsis in cancer patients.
文摘BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)has been a major therapeutic advancement for patients with heart failure and electrical dyssynchrony.While CRT improves symptoms,reduces hospitalizations,and enhances survival,the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators(ICDs)alongside CRT in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy(NICM)remains controversial.To evaluate and compare the outcomes of CRT with ICD(CRT-D)versus CRT with pacemaker-only(CRT-P)in individuals diagnosed with NICM,with a specific focus on the elderly.METHODS A comprehensive search of PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted in January 2024.Studies comparing CRT-D and CRT-P in patients with NICM were included,with subgroup analyses focusing on patients aged 75 years and older.RESULTS Twelve studies,including two randomized clinical trials,with a total of 62,145 patients and 16,754 pooled death events(9,171 in CRT-D and 7,583 in CRT-P),were analyzed.CRT-D was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to CRT-P(pooled OR=0.72;95%CI:0.61-0.85;P<0.01),with significant heterogeneity(I2=83%).RCT subgroup analysis,was not statistically significant(pooled OR=0.82;95%CI:0.64-1.06;P=0.41;I2=0%).In patients older than 75 years,no significant difference in mortality risk was observed(pooled OR 0.96;95%CI:0.81-1.15;I2=39%).CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggests that the addition of ICD therapy to CRT in patients with NICM significantly reduces all-cause mortality.However,this benefit does not extend to cardiovascular mortality,likely due to the primary role of ICDs in preventing sudden cardiac death rather than other causes such as progressive heart failure.The survival advantage of CRT-D is most pronounced in younger patients,with those over 75 years of age deriving less benefit.This highlights the importance of careful patient selection,considering age and comorbidities,when deciding on ICD implantation in NICM patients.
文摘Measuring cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in epidemiological studies and clinical settings.1 However,the feasibility of measuring maximal CRF is low due to the time,equipment,and expertise needed to conduct laboratory cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)to determine the maximal rate of oxygen uptake(VO2max)as an objective measure of CRF.Alternatively,indirect estimates of CRF have been applied by measuring maximal duration on treadmill or cycle ergometer tests,2,3 extrapolating maximal CRF from workload or heart rate during submaximal fitness tests,4,5 and using non-exercise algorithms to estimate CRF from an individual’s age,sex,body mass,and physical activity habits.6 It is assumed that objectively measured VO2max is superior to extrapolated and estimated values due to errors associated with the estimated values;7,8 however,until Singh et al.9 newly released article in the Journal of Sport and Health Science,the comparability of these methods in identifying risks for all-cause and cardiovascular disease(CVD)mortality was unknown.
基金Science and Technology Project of Putian University,China(Grant No.2013035)
文摘Cinobufacini, a compound extracted from bufo toad, is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) that has been shown to have efficacy in cancer treatment.The cinobufacini injection is widely used in patients with moderate and advanced liver cancer in China.In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of cinobufacini injection for this specific category of patients.A search for randomized control trials(RCTs) using cinobufacini was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the other four major Chinese databases.The systematic review was performed according to the recommendations of the Cochrane collaboration, and the RevMan 5.3.software was used for statistical analysis.A random-effects model was used to perform the data.Risk ratios(RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated according to Cochrane handbook.A total of 11 RCTs consisting of 728 patients were included.All of the trials demonstrated significantly improved total response rates, total response rates of Karnofsky Performance Score(KPS), 1-to 2-year survival rates, and quality of life in the intervention groups injected with cinobufacini.There was no statistically significant difference between the groups(cinobufacini versus no cinobufacini; cinobufacini plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) versus TACE only) in terms of the 6-month survival rate, clinical benefit rate and clinical benefit rate of KPS.This systematic review demonstrated the beneficial effects of cinobufacini injection in terms of total response rate and the 1-to 2-year survival rate in patients with moderate and advanced liver cancer.The efficacy for the cinobufacini injection group might be better than that of the control group for treatment of moderate and advanced liver cancer.Given that the majority of the trials were of low quality, more high-quality prospective RCTs with strict design in accordance with CONSORT for TCM are needed.