Does metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease increase the risk of chronic kidney disease? A meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Objective: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been used to characterize patients with fatty liver and metabolic dysfunction. The association between MAFLD and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains undefined. We present high-quality evidence obtained from cohort studies examining if MAFLD leads to an increased risk of CKD.

Interaction between serum inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cognitive function among first-episode schizophrenia patients.

Background: The pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (SCZ) remains unclear. Accumulating studies showed that inflammatory-immune dysregulation and altered brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels play a crucial role in the psychopathology of SCZ. However, their association with cognitive dysfunction in first-episode SCZ patients has not been thoroughly investigated.

Cognitive Remediation in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Trial by Sequential tDCS and Navigated rTMS Targeting the Primary Visual Cortex.

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), has emerged as a promising alternative in the precise treatment of clinical symptoms, such as the cognitive impairment of bipolar disorder (BD). Optimizing the neurocognitive effects by combining tDCS and rTMS to strengthen the clinical outcome is a challenging research issue.

Objective: In this randomized, controlled trial, we first combined tDCS and neuronavigated rTMS targeting the V1 region to explore the efficacy on neurocognitive function in BD patients with depressive episodes.

(TTTCA)exp Drives the Genotype-Phenotype Correlation and Genetic Anticipation in FCMTE1.

Background: The pentanucleotide (TTTCA) repeat expansion (exp) insertion, along with the accompanying (TTTTA)exp, causes familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy (FCMTE). The genotype-phenotype correlations and intergenerational instabilities related to (TTTCA)exp and (TTTTA)exp are still unclear.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the genotype-phenotype correlations and intergenerational instabilities related to (TTTCA)exp and (TTTTA)exp in FCMTE1.

Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To explore a link between the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and the risk of stroke.

Methods: Comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL Library databases was carried out for observational studies establishing the link between PPI and a risk of stroke. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of stroke and thromboembolism risk in atrial fibrillation with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction heart failure.

Background: Stroke and thromboembolism (TE) are significant complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). The impact of ejection fraction status on these risks remains unclear. This study aims to compare the risk of stroke and TE in patients with AF and HF with preserved (HFpEF) or reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction.

Radiofrequency vs Steroid Injections for Spinal Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Pain management for spinal facet joint (SFJ) and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is challenging, often requiring interventions like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or corticosteroid injections (CI). This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness of CI and RFA in treating SFJ and SIJ pain. We combine these treatments due to their shared pathophysiology, similar therapeutic interventions, and the necessity for an integrated approach to spinal pain management.

Assessing the efficacy and safety of combined buspirone and venlafaxine treatment in late-life depression accompanied by cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Late-life depression, often accompanied by cognitive impairment, poses significant clinical challenges owing to its complex etiology and diverse manifestations. While antidepressants like venlafaxine and anxiolytics such as buspirone are effective for treating depression, their effects on cognitive function remain less well-understood. With the aging population increasingly experiencing geriatric depression, there is an urgent need for innovative treatment approaches that address both depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments.

Efficacy and Safety of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation and High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Meta-Analysis.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) are emerging neuromodulation techniques for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, clinical trials directly comparing their efficacy are limited. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects and safety profiles of iTBS versus HF-rTMS for MDD.

Outcomes of Daytime and Night-Time Appendectomies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency characterized by appendix inflammation. Surgery remains the gold standard for treatment with laparoscopy gaining in popularity. However, the optimal timing for appendectomy remains unclear.

Alzheimer's disease with depressive symptoms: Clinical effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by the ongoing deterioration of neural function, often presents alongside depressive features and greatly affects the quality of life of individuals living with the condition. Although several treatment methods exist, their efficacy is limited. In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) utilizing the theta burst stimulation (TBS) mode, specifically the intermittent TBS (iTBS), has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.

FTO gene polymorphism and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Aim: To explore the correlation between Fat mass and objectivity associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 polymorphism and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: Case-control studies on the relationship between FTO rs9939609 A/T polymorphism and PCOS were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. STATA 12.

Correlations between Immunoinflammatory Factor Levels and Cognitive Functions and Brain Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features among Patients with Primary Schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with significant cognitive impairment. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia remain unclear. Based on the latest concept of cognition, immunoinflammatory factors and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) features of the brain are considered markers of schizophrenia.