Xiao-ai-ping injection (XAPI), as patented Chinese medicine, has shown promising outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of XAPI in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies in Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang Database, VIP Database, and Chinese Biology Medical Database from the date of their inception to September 2018. The RevMan 5.3 software was applied to calculate the risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
We included and analyzed 24 randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis showed that XAPI adjunctive to platinum-based chemotherapy had better outcomes in objective tumor response rate (ORR) (RR: 1.27, 95% CI, 1.14-1.40); improved Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) (RR: 1.70, 95% CI, 1.48-1.95); reduction in occurrence of grade 3/4 leukopenia (RR: 0.49, 95% CI, 0.38-0.64), anemia (RR: 0.63, 95% CI, 0.46-0.87) and thrombocytopenia (RR: 0.53, 95% CI, 0.38-0.73), nausea and vomiting (RR: 0.57, 95% CI, 0.36-0.90); and enhanced immune function (CD8
Our meta-analyses demonstrated that XAPI in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy had a better tumor response, improved the quality of life, attenuated adverse side effects, and enhanced immune function, which suggests that it might be used for advanced NSCLC. Moreover, low dosage (< 60 ml/d) and long-term treatment of XAPI might be a choice for advanced NSCLC patients.

Xiao-ai-ping injection adjunct with platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yu X, Xu R, Zhang Z, Yang Y, Deng F. A meta-analysis indicating extra-short implants (≤ 6 mm) as an alternative to longer implants (≥ 8 mm) with bone augmentation. Scientific reports. 2021 Apr 14;11(1):1-27.
The research was supported by the Science and Technology Major Project of Guangdong Province (2017B090912004).
Systematic review.

EXTRA-SHORT IMPLANTS MAY BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO LONGER IMPLANTS WITH BONE AUGMENTATION IN ATROPHIC MAXILLARY AND MANDIBULAR RIDGES.

Network Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Desensitizing Toothpastes on Dentine Hypersensitivity. Hu ML, Zheng G, Lin H, Yang M, Zhang YD, Han JM. J Dent 2019;88:103170.
National Natural Science Foundation of China (81771119).
Systematic review with meta-analysis of data.

Not all Desensitizing Toothpastes Perform Equally Well.

Sleep quality is a major concern around the world, yet currently there are no recognized non-pharmacological treatments. A systematic review and meta-analysis investigated Tai Chi's effect on patients with sleep complaints, both those with insomnia and those with other conditions.
4 English language databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL) and 4 Chinese databases (CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wanfang Data) were searched from database inception through June 23, 2019. Searches were conducted in both English and Chinese language. Meta-analysis by mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed with RevMan 5.3. Risk of bias for each study was accounted for according to the Cochrane Handbook.
Twenty randomized controlled studies from five countries covering 1,703 patients were included and divided into two control groups. Tai Chi had a significant effect on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) compared with non-treatment and active treatment groups. Moreover, the articles were divided into groups according to Tai Chi styles. Both 24-form Yang-style Tai Chi and 8-form Yang-style Tai Chi had significant effects on PSQI.
One limitation of our work was that there were some forms of insomnia for which conclusions could not be drawn. Also, no relationship between efficacy and any of the factors could be elucidated.
Compared with non-therapeutic and other active treatments, Tai Chi has a positive effect on improving sleep quality. In-depth analysis showed that 24-form and 8-form Yang style Tai Chi have significant positive effects on sleep quality, as assessed by PSQI.

The Effect of Tai Chi for Improving Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Red yeast rice (RYR), a natural lipid-lowering agent, is widely used in clinical practice. However, the existing meta-analyses concerning the safety of RYR preparations have yielded inconsistent results, and the credibility of the evidence has not been quantified.
This study was designed to evaluate the existing evidence and offer a comprehensive understanding of the associations between the use of RYR preparations and various adverse health outcomes.
Seven literature databases were searched from inception to May 5, 2023, using medical subject headings and free-text terms (e.g., "red yeast rice," "Xuezhikang," and "Zhibitai").
Meta-analyses that investigated and quantitatively estimated associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were included in this study.
Two researchers independently extracted data using a standardized data collection table; any disagreements were resolved by consulting a third researcher. Based on the participant, intervention, comparator and outcome (PICO) framework in each eligible meta-analysis, a series of unique associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were determined. The associations' effect estimates were re-evaluated using random-effect models.
Fifteen meta-analyses, comprising 186 (164 unique) randomized controlled trials, were identified. Based on A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews version 2, 3 (20%) and 12 (80%) of these meta-analyses had low and critically low confidence, respectively. A total of 61 unique associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were extracted from eligible meta-analyses. Based on the random-effect models, 10 (16.4%) associations indicated a significant protective effect of RYR preparations against adverse health outcomes, while 5 (8.2%) indicated an increased risk of adverse health outcomes related to uric acid, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels. The other 46 (75.4%) associations showed no significant difference between the use of RYR preparations and control treatments. Regarding the credibility of the evidence, 21 (34.4%), 34 (55.7%) and 6 (9.8%) associations showed moderate, low and very low credibility, respectively.
The evidence examined in this study suggests that RYR preparations are safe; however, the credibility of the evidence was not high. Further high-quality evidence is required. Please cite this article as: Ma ZY, Yang SP, Li Y, Xu TT, Yang YL, Yang HY, Li HB, Zhou LJ, Diao Y, Li SY. Associations between the use of red yeast rice preparations and adverse health outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 126-136.

Associations between the use of red yeast rice preparations and adverse health outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

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