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Context Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. To date, no confirmed medication is available for the treatment of NAFLD. Previous studies showed the promising effects of gut microbiome–targeted therapies; however, the results were controversial and the strength of the evidence and their clinical significance remained unclear. Objectives This umbrella study summarizes the results of meta-analyses investigating the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on liver enzymes in the NAFLD population. Data Source A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was done up to December 20, 2022, to find meta-analyses on randomized control trials reporting the effects of gut microbial therapy on patients with NAFLD. Data Extraction Two independent investigators extracted data on the characteristics of meta-analyses, and any discrepancies were resolved by a third researcher. The AMSTAR2 checklist was used for evaluating the quality of studies. Data Analysis A final total of 15 studies were included in the analysis. Results showed that microbiome-targeted therapies could significantly reduce levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; effect size [ES], −10.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], −13.29, −7.14; P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; ES, −8.86; 95%CI, −11.39, −6.32; P < 0.001), and γ-glutamyltransferase (ES, −5.56; 95%CI, −7.92, −3.31; P < 0.001) in patients with NAFLD. Results of subgroup analysis based on intervention showed probiotics could significantly reduce levels of AST (ES, −8.69; 95%CI, −11.01, −6.37; P < 0.001) and ALT (ES, −9.82; 95%CI, −11.59, −8.05; P < 0.001). Synbiotics could significantly reduce levels of AST (ES, −11.40; 95%CI, −13.91, −8.88; P < 0.001) and ALT (ES, −11.87; 95%CI, −13.80, −9.95; P < 0.001). Prebiotics had no significant effects on AST and ALT levels (ES, −2.96; 95%CI, −8.12, 2.18, P = 0.259; and ES, −4.69; 95%CI, −13.53, 4.15, P = 0.299, respectively). Conclusion Gut microbiome–targeted therapies could be a promising therapeutic approach in the improvement of hepatic damage in patients with NAFLD. However, more studies are needed to better determine the best bacterial strains, duration of treatment, and optimum dosage of gut microbiome–targeted therapies in the treatment of the NAFLD population. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022346998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a form of acute kidney injury (AKI) occurring in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, such as coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although the conventional criterion for CIN detection involves a rise in creatinine levels within 72 h after contrast media injection, several limitations exist in this definition. Up to now, various meta-analyses have been undertaken to assess the accuracy of different biomarkers of CIN prediction. However, the existing body of research lacks a cohesive overview. To address this gap, a comprehensive umbrella review was necessary to consolidate and summarize the outcomes of prior meta-analyses. This umbrella study aimed to offer a current, evidence-based understanding of the prognostic value of biomarkers in predicting CIN. Methods: A systematic search of international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to December 12, 2023, was conducted to identify meta-analyses assessing biomarkers for CIN prediction. Our own meta-analysis was performed by extracting data from the included studies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were assessed using Meta-Disc and CMA softwares. Results: Twelve studies were ultimately included in the umbrella review. The results revealed that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC), followed by cystatin-C, urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) with AUCs of 0.91, 0.89, 0.85, and 0.80, respectively. NGAL also demonstrated the highest positive likelihood ratio [effect size (ES): 6.02, 95% CI 3.86–9.40], followed by cystatin-C, uKIM-1, and BNP [ES: 4.35 (95% CI 2.85–6.65), 3.58 (95% CI 2.75–4.66), and 2.85 (95% CI 2.13–3.82), respectively]. uKIM-1 and cystatin-C had the lowest negative likelihood ratio, followed by NGAL and BNP [ES: 0.25 (95% CI 0.17–0.37), ES: 0.25 (95% CI 0.13–0.50), ES: 0.26 (95% CI 0.17–0.41), and ES: 0.39 (0.28–0.53) respectively]. NGAL emerged as the biomarker with the highest diagnostic odds ratio for CIN, followed by cystatin-C, uKIM-1, BNP, gamma-glutamyl transferase, hypoalbuminemia, contrast media volume to creatinine clearance ratio, preprocedural hyperglycemia, red cell distribution width (RDW), hyperuricemia, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP, and low hematocrit (P < 0.05). Conclusion: NGAL demonstrated superior diagnostic performance, exhibiting the highest AUC, positive likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio among biomarkers for CIN, followed by cystatin-C, and uKIM-1. These findings underscore the potential clinical utility of NGAL, cystatin-C and uKIM-1 in predicting and assessing CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking poses a significant risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), considered the third leading reason for cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, there has been limited research on the relationship between smoking and CRC in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO). Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to combine available data and gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between smoking and CRC in EMRO. Methods: Two independent researchers searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 2022. The included studies were checked for risk of bias administering the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics and the Cochrane test. Publication bias was determined through funnel plot analysis and Egger's regression test. Additionally, a meta-regression analysis explored the impact of a country's Human Development Index (HDI) on the relationship between smoking and CRC. Results: The final analysis included 26 studies, revealing a significant association between smoking and CRC (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.11 - 1.78; P = 0.004). Moreover, smoking had a more pronounced adverse effect on CRC in countries with higher HDIs compared to those with lower HDIs (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 0.99 - 1.71; P = 0.054). Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of implementing smoking cessation programs and policies in EMRO countries, as they demonstrate a positive relationship between smoking and the risk of CRC. Furthermore, the results suggest that a country's level of human development may influence the association between smoking and CRC. Further research is needed to investigate this potential connection and develop targeted public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]