Xun Lei

Interleukin-10-1082A/G polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility: a meta-analysis based on 17,585 subjects.

A large number of studies have shown that the interleukin-10 (IL-10)-1082A/G polymorphism is implicated in susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the results are inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to estimate the association between -1082A/G polymorphism in the IL-10 gene and IBD susceptibility. A total number of 18 case-control studies including 17,585 subjects were identified. No association was found between -1082A/G polymorphism and ulcerative colitis (UC) susceptibility. However, increased risk of Crohns disease (CD) was associated with -1082A/G polymorphism in the dominant genetic model (GG+GA vs. AA: OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.02-1.46, P=0.028) and the heterozygote comparison (GA vs. AA: OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.05-1.55, P=0.015). The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence for the association between IL-10-1082A/G polymorphism and susceptibility of CD. Due to several limitations in the present study, well-designed epidemiological studies with large sample size among different ethnicities should be performed in the future.

SP110 gene polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on 10 624 subjects.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a major challenge to global public health. The SP110 (Speckled 110) gene, which is considered as a host genetic susceptibility to TB, has been widely studied in recent years, yet the results were somewhat contradictory and indeterminate. We systematically searched published literatures on SP110 polymorphisms and tuberculosis risk until January 2012 in relevant databases, selected studies by previously defined criteria, extracted key data and quantitatively summarized associations of the most extensively studied polymorphisms through meta-analysis. A total of 10 624 subjects from seven case-control studies were included in the present study. In overall meta-analysis, pooled odds ratio of polymorphisms rs1135791, rs9061, rs11556887, rs3948464, rs1346311 were 1.01 (95% CI: 0.71-1.44), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.70-1.04), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.67-1.47), 1.29 (CI: 0.89-1.89) and 0.95 (CI: 0.86-1.04) respectively; the summary odds ratio of sensitivity analysis specifically on pulmonary TB were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.65-1.54) for rs1135791, 0.84 (95% CI: 0.68-1.02) for rs9061, 0.88 (95% CI: 0.57-1.36) for rs11556887, 0.94 (95% CI: 0.85-1.04) for rs1346311; and in the ethnicity stratified analysis, the estimated odds ratio were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.54-1.73) for rs1135791 and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.70-1.04) for rs9061 among Asians. None of the target polymorphisms in SP110 gene observed in the present quantitative synthesis was detected to be significantly associated with TB susceptibility. Given the moderate strength of the results, the complexities of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary host genetic polymorphisms, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, and the cross-species difference between human and mice, it would not be robust to remark that SP110 has no role in TB progress.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha − 308G>A, − 863C>A, − 857C>T gene polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS A large number of studies have shown that polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, TNFA) gene are implicated in susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB). However, the results are inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to estimate the association between polymorphisms in the TNFA gene and TB susceptibility. METHODS Relevant studies published before March 2012 were identified by searching PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EBSCO and CNKI. The strength of relationship between the TNFA gene and TB susceptibility was assessed using odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS A total number of twenty-three case-control studies including 3630 cases and 4055 controls were identified referring to three previously chosen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): -308G>A, -863C>A and -857C>T. No association was found between -308G>A, -863C>A and TB susceptibility: -308G>A (GG+GA vs. AA): OR 0.85, 95%CI: 0.55-1.30, P=0.44; -863C>A (CC+CA vs. AA): OR 0.93, 95%CI: 0.84-1.81, P=0.83. Increased risk of TB was associated with -857C>T in the dominant genetic model (CC+CT vs. TT: OR 2.13, 95%CI: 1.25-3.63, P=0.01), the heterozygote comparison (CT vs. TT: OR 2.69, 95%CI: 1.44-5.02, P=0.00) and the homozygote comparison (CC vs. TT: OR 2.08, 95%CI: 1.22-3.53, P=0.01) in Asian subjects. CONCLUSION There is an increased association between TNFA -857C>T polymorphism and TB risk among Asian subjects. No association was found between -308G>A and -863C>A with TB risk. Due to several limitations in the present study, well-designed epidemiological studies with large sample size among different ethnicities should be performed in the future.

Public-private mix for tuberculosis care and control: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Public-private mix (PPM), recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), was introduced to cope with the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic worldwide. In many developing countries, PPM has played a powerful role in TB control, while in others it has failed to meet expectations. Thus we performed a systematic review to determine the mechanisms used by global PPM programs implemented in different countries and to evaluate their performance. METHODS A comprehensive search of the current literature for original studies published up to May 2014 was done using electronic databases and online resources; these publications were then screened using rigorous criteria. Descriptive information and evaluative outcomes data were extracted from eligible studies for synthesis and analysis. RESULTS A total of 78 eligible studies were included in the final review. These assessed 48 PPM TB programs worldwide, subsequently categorized into three mechanisms based on collaborative characteristics: support, contract, and multi-partner group. Furthermore, we assessed the effectiveness of PPM programs against six health system themes, including utilization of the directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS), case detection, treatment outcomes, case management, costs, and access and equity, under the different collaborative mechanisms. Analysis of the comparative studies suggested that PPM could improve overall outcomes of a TB service, and multiple collaborative mechanisms may significantly promote case detection, treatment, referral, and service accessibility, especially in resource-limited areas. However, the less positive outcomes of several programs indicated limited funding and poor governance to be the predominant reasons. CONCLUSIONS PPM is a promising strategy to strengthen global TB care and control, but is affected by contextual characteristics in different areas. The scaling-up of PPM should contain essential commonalities, particularly substantial financial support and continuous material input. Additionally, it is important to improve program governance and training for the health providers involved, through integrated collaborative mechanisms.

Association of PAEs with Precocious Puberty in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Precocious puberty (PP) currently affects 1 in 5000 children and is 10 times more common in girls. Existing studies have tried to detect an association between phathalic acid esters (PAEs) and PP, but the results did not reach a consensus. Objective: To estimate the association between PAEs and children with PP based on current evidence. Methods: Databases including PubMed (1978 to March 2015), OVID (1946 to March 2015), Web of Science (1970 to March 2015), EBSCO (1976 to March 2015), CNKI (1979 to March 2015), WANFANG DATA (1987 to March 2015), CBM (1978 to March 2015) and CQVIP (1989 to March 2015) were searched to identify all case-control studies that determined the exposure and concentration of PAEs and their metabolites in children with PP. Meta-analysis of the pooled standard mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: A total of 14 studies involving 2223 subjects were finally included. The pooled estimates showed that PP was associated with di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) exposure (OR: 3.90, 95% CI: 2.77 to 5.49). Besides, the concentration of DEHP (SMD: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.54 to 2.91) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (SMD: 4.31, 95% CI: 2.67 to 5.95) in the PP group were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively, while no difference was detected between case and control groups in either serum or urinary concentration of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate(MEOHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) or monoethyl phthalate (MEP). Conclusions: Exposure of DEHP and DBP might be associated with PP risk for girls, however, there is no evidence to show an association between the exposure to most PAE metabolites and PP. Given the moderate strength of the results, well-designed cohort studies with large sample size should be performed in future.

Is the short messaging service feasible to improve adherence to tuberculosis care? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND The short messaging service (SMS) is supposed to improve adherence of TB patients to regular treatment. METHODS A cross-sectional study using survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews was performed with pulmonary TB patients to identify the feasibility of SMS reminders and determinants of mobile phone utilization. RESULTS The rates of mobile ownership and messages usage were 91.1% and 80.4% respectively, and 81% held favorable opinion on SMS reminders. Gender, age, education level and income profile were likely to be influencing factors. CONCLUSION The SMS reminder system was feasible to initiate given high access to mobile phones and positive views. Features of service users should be considered when implementing SMS interventions.

Association of estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms with human precocious puberty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract This study aims to estimate the association between ESR1 polymorphisms (PvuII and XbaI) and ESR2 polymorphisms (RsaI and AluI) with precocious puberty. Relevant studies published before March 2014 were retrieved by a electronic search among nine databases. Meta-analysis of the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated. Four eligible case–control studies including 491 precocious puberty patients and 370 healthy controls were identified. Three studies reported ESR1 PvuII and XbaI polymorphism and one study reported ESR2 RsaI and AluI polymorphism. Increment of precocious puberty risk was associated with PvuII polymorphism in the heterosis model ((CT) versus TT: OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05–1.91, p = 0.02). Risk of precocious puberty was associated with XbaI polymorphism in the dominant model (GG + GA versus AA: OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11–1.97, p = 0.007) and the heterosis model (GA versus AA: OR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.23–2.29, p = 0.001). This meta-analysis suggests that ESR1 XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms are associated with precocious puberty susceptibility, and the relationship between ESR2 RsaI and AluI polymorphism with precocious puberty remains to be further investigated. Well-designed studies with large sample size among different polymorphisms and ethnicities are in urgent need to provide and update reliable data for comprehensive and definite conclusion.