PHF21A expression as a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma progression and prognosis.

Previous studies have shown that PHF21A is associated with the initiation and progression of various tumors. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the expression and clinical significance of PHF21A in HCC.

[A transcriptional study of SDF-1alpha expression in PBL and the correlation between SDF-1alpha transcription and HIV-1 infection].

Objective: To determine the transcription of SDF-1alpha in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and analysis the correlation between SDF-1alpha transcription and HIV infection.

Methods: Three groups of study subjects were recruited: (1) 97 HIV negative healthy donors, (2) 92 HIV patients of A1 to A3 stages and (3) 146 HIV patients of B1 to C3 stages. Total RNA was extracted from PBL.

Effects of proton-pump inhibitors on functional dyspepsia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to assess systematically the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia compared with placebo and to determine if any difference in the response exists between symptom subgroups of functional dyspepsia.

Methods: A literature search was performed through September 2005 in PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases to include randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of PPIs for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Relative risk (RR) and relative risk reduction (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated under a random-effects model.

Traveler's thrombosis: a systematic review.

Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests a possible link between travel and venous thromboembolism (VTE). We systematically evaluated the evidence from observational studies.

Methods: We searched studies evaluating the risk of venous thrombosis in relation to traveling from MEDLINE and EMBASE up tp March 2004, together with a hand search of reference lists from retrieved literature, and we contacted some of the experts.

Head-to-head comparison of H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of erosive esophagitis: a meta-analysis.

Aim: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of H(2)-receptor antagonists (H(2)RAs) and proton pump inhibitors in healing erosive esophagitis (EE).

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases to include randomized controlled head-to-head comparative trials evaluating the efficacy of H(2)RAs or proton pump inhibitors in healing EE.

Is proton pump inhibitor testing an effective approach to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with noncardiac chest pain?: a meta-analysis.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Results of studies evaluating the accuracy of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment as a diagnostic test for GERD-related NCCP have varied. We evaluated the overall accuracy of this modality.

Do patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia respond differently to Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments from those with peptic ulcer disease? A systematic review.

Aim: It is controversial whether patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) respond differently to Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) eradication treatment than those with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). To review the evidence for any difference in H pylori eradication rates between PUD and NUD patients.

Methods: A literature search for full articles and meeting abstracts to July 2004 was conducted.

Assessing heterogeneity in meta-analyses of Helicobacter pylori infection-related clinical studies: a critical appraisal.

Objective: To critically assess the meta-analyses of Helicobacter pylori infection-related clinical studies, particularly the handling of between-study heterogeneity.

Methods: A qualitative, all-language, systematic literature search was performed in Medline, PubMed, BioMed Central and Embase up to February 2003, supplemented by a manual search of major relevant journals. Assessment was according to modified criteria for literature searching, eligibility criteria, validity assessment, data extraction and presentation.

Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux diseases in Chinese--role of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and esophageal motor dysfunction.

Background And Aims: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) is the major mechanism for gastroesophageal reflux in the Western population. The major reflux mechanism in Chinese patients with GERD has not been studied before.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with GERD and 28 controls underwent stationary baseline manometry and the 24-h ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring.

Population based study of noncardiac chest pain in southern Chinese: prevalence, psychosocial factors and health care utilization.

Aim: Population-based assessment of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, psychosocial factors and health seeking behaviour of NCCP in southern Chinese.

Methods: A total of 2 209 ethnic Hong Kong Chinese households were recruited to participate in a telephone survey to study the epidemiology of NCCP using the Rose angina questionnaire, a validated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) questionnaire and the hospital anxiety-depression scale.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between cagA seropositivity and gastric cancer.

Background & Aims: Reports in the literature regarding the relationship of infection with cagA -positive strains of Helicobacter pylori to gastric cancer over and above H. pylori infection alone are conflicting. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of the risk for gastric cancer associated with cagA seropositivity and to identify any sources of heterogeneity between studies.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and the risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The relationship between the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, and the risk of gastric cancer has not been well studied. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to evaluate the association between use of this class of drugs and the risk of gastric cancer.

Methods: A fully recursive literature search to January 2003 was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, and CANCERLIT to identify potentially relevant case-control or cohort studies.

The evolving epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of gastric cancer has been well established in the last decade. Four meta-analyses have found that the infection increases the risk of noncardia gastric cancer by 2- to 6-fold compared with noninfected control populations. However, the role of cagA strains of H pylori in relation to gastric cancer has not been evaluated systematically.

Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in peptic-ulcer disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: The relation between H pylori infection and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the pathogenesis of peptic-ulcer disease is controversial. We undertook a meta-analysis to address this issue.

Methods: By computer and manually we sought observational studies on the prevalence of peptic-ulcer disease in adult NSAID takers or the prevalence of H pylori infection and NSAID use in patients with peptic-ulcer bleeding.