The Association of Micro-RNA 21 and Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis.

Hypertension is a multifactorial, complex disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Studies have found that micro-RNA 21 (miR-21) levels are significantly increased in patients with hypertension. However, other studies have reported opposite results.

Association between visfatin and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection in the periodontal support tissue. Visfatin, a hormone secreted mainly by adipocytes and macrophages, plays an important role in immune regulation and defense. Although studies have indicated that patients with periodontitis have significantly high serum and gingival crevicular fluid levels of visfatin, the relationship between this adipocytokine and periodontal disease remains unclear.

Increased incidence of thyroid disease in patients with sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multiple systemic granulomatous disease, and its main pathological feature is non-caseous necrotic epithelial granuloma. The pathogenesis is not fully understood. The prevalence of thyroid disease is likely higher among individuals with sarcoidosis.

Circulating apelin and chemerin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common gynecological endocrine disorders. Apelin and chemerin are newly identified adipokines, which are higher in obesity and diabetes. Studies have found that the serum apelin and chemerin levels in patients with PCOS are significantly increased.

Relationship of Soluble Klotho and Early Stage of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic microvascular complication caused by long-term hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes and an important cause of end-stage renal disease. Although some studies have shown that soluble Klotho(sKlotho) levels of patients with DN are lower than those without DN, in the early stage of patients with DN with normal renal function and albuminuria, the change in sKlotho is still controversial.

Aim: This meta-analysis was conducted to statistically evaluate sKlotho levels in patients with DN.

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease that causes lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are the most common urological problem in approximately one-third of the male population aged over 50 years. Some studies have suggested that diabetes may be a risk factor for the development of BPH. However, whether diabetes aggravates the LUTS of BPH patients is still controversial.

Association Between Serum Cystatin C and Thyroid Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cystatin C (CysC) is often used to diagnose and monitor renal diseases. Although some studies have investigated the association between serum CysC levels and thyroid diseases, their reported results were inconsistent. Therefore, the relationship between CysC levels and thyroid diseases remains controversial.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in older Chinese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall prevalence of sarcopenia in older Chinese adults.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Participants: A literature research was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CQVIP and Wanfang databases.

Characterization of Odontogenic Differentiation from Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Using TMT-Based Proteomic Analysis.

Background: The repair of dental pulp injury relies on the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). To better understand the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and identify proteins involved in this process, tandem mass tags (TMTs) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were applied to compare the proteomic profiles of induced and control DPSCs.

Methods: The proteins expressed during osteogenic differentiation of human DPSCs were profiled using the TMT method combined with LC-MS/MS analysis.

Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, clinically heterogeneous, immune-mediated, nonscarring hair loss disease with a pathogenesis that is not fully understood. The prevalence of thyroid disease is likely increased among individuals with AA. However, this association remains controversial.