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Objective: This meta-analysis was aimed to verify the influences of interleukin 23 receptor (IL-23R) rs11209026 and rs2201841 polymorphisms on the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We searched potentially relevant studies on the relationships of IL-23R gene rs11209026 and rs2201841 polymorphisms with RA susceptibility from PubMed (Medline), CNKI and EMBASE web databases. Crude odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of association through the fixed- or random-effects model. Results: Eight published articles containing 5544 RA patients and 5532 health individuals were included in our meta-analysis. In total analysis, we found IL-23R gene rs11209026 polymorphism was not related to RA susceptibility in all genetic models, but there was a significant association between rs2201841 polymorphism and RA susceptibility under G vs. A model. In stratified analysis by ethnicity, an increased RA susceptibility was detected for rs2201841 polymorphism in Caucasian group. Conclusion: The results of meta-analysis indicated that IL-23R gene rs2201841 polymorphism might be a susceptible factor for RA under G vs. A model, especially in Caucasian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenovirus infection is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory illness and easily breaks out in schools and the army. In an adenovirus epidemic, a large number of samples would be collected for laboratory diagnosis, and it is urgent to optimize the current sampling strategy. We researched the application of laboratory detection in the adenovirus epidemic and optimized the range of laboratory pathogen detection in the adenovirus epidemic by summarizing previous theoretical achievements, research reports, and experts' opinions and by using mathematical model tools. Under certain assumptions, a susceptible-infectious-quarantined-recovered (SIQR) model was established to describe the adenovirus epidemic and optimize the range of laboratory pathogen detection. Some standards and implementation rules suggest that when the number of cases is less than 10 or 20, all patients should be sampled for laboratory examination, and when the number of cases is more than 10 or 20, at least 10 or 20 samples should be collected. In practice, the sampling range can be appropriately expanded. A total of 21 studies were analyzed, and the sampling rate of adenovirus infection was 31% (95%CI: 24%~38%). The mathematical model suggested that the screening of asymptomatic people in the latent stage can slow the spreading of the epidemic, but the detection range will be too large. These findings may be helpful for policymaking during an adenovirus epidemic and to avoid proceeding with laboratory testing blindly. Furthermore, it may also provide some guidance for optimizing the sampling strategy of other diseases, especially for respiratory tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this article was to compare the advantages and disadvantages of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (CTLA). Material and methods: A meta-analysis was performed by analyzing all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English that compared SILA and CTLA for appendicitis in adults and children. These studies compared these two methods from different angles including outcomes of interest, patient characteristics, operative time, pain visual analogue scales scores (VAS scores), length of hospital stay, time to return to full activity, resumption of diet, postoperative complications and cosmetic results The risk ratios (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess the outcome. Results:Seven recent RCTs encompassing 1170 patients (586 SILA and 584 CTLA cases) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that conversion rate, drain inserted, reoperation, length of hospital stay, resumption of normal diet and postoperative complications were statistically comparable between the two groups. The postoperative abdominal pain within 24 h was -0.57 in favor of the SILA technique ( p = 0.05). Compared with CTLA, SILA showed a better cosmetic satisfaction score (SMD, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.32-0.83; p < 0.0001) and shorter time to recover normal activity (WMD, -0.69; 95% CI, -1.11-0.26; p = 0.001). However, SILA has a longer operative time (WMD, 5.38; 95% CI, 2.94-7.83; p < 0.0001). Conclusions:In selected patients, SILA was confirmed to be as safe and effective as CTLA. Despite the longer operative time, SILA has higher cosmetic satisfaction and shorter recovery time to normal activity. Due to the limitations of the available data, further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]