when we conducted a meta-analysis, it is often an annoying thing to deal with the data of discrete exposure and multiple outcomes. Conventional "high VS low" approach abandoned the information of middle category, and led to the loss of statistical power. In this paper, we introduced a method and software to combine the groups of discrete exposure and multiple outcomes in the meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Firstly, we introduced the transforming and combination theory and method, and then, we conducted the combination using EXCEL macro software. The result was consistent with the results of the original data in the combination of discrete exposure and multiple outcome data. Therefore, in the case of the original research data cannot be acquired, EXCEL macro software can be a good solution.
ObjectiveTo investigate indications,technical points,and outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection in treatment for hepatic hemangioma. MethodThe clinical data of 78 patients with hepatic hemangioma underwent laparoscopic liver resection in our institute from January 2014 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsSeventy-seven patients were underwent laparoscopic liver resection successfully,1 patient was conversed to open procedure.Operation method:laparoscopic anatomical liver resections were performed in 35 patients including 23 patients with left lateral segmentectomy,4 patients with left hemihepatectomy,3 patients with right hemihepatectomy,1 patient with Ⅲ segmentectomy,1 patient with Ⅵ segmentectomy,2 patients with Ⅵ and Ⅶ segmentectomy,1 patient with left lateral segmentectomy combined with Ⅵ and Ⅶ segmentectomy.Laparoscopic non-anatomical liver resection were performed in 43 patients.The operation time was (163.6 ±62.3) min,the intraoperative blood loss was (273.6±282.4) mL.No operative death occurred.One patient with postoperative functional bowel obstruction and 3 patients with pleural effusion had been recorded.All the patients recovered well.The postoperative hospital stay was (7.2±2.5) d.The results of postoperative pathology confirmed that all the tumors were hepatic cavernous hemangiomas. ConclusionsLaparoscopic liver resection for hepatic cavernous hemangioma is a safe and feasible method with small trauma,rapid recovery,cosmetic incision.Key of this technology is to strictly select surgical indications,to transect liver parenchyma along right plane,effective control of hepatic blood inflow,and properly management of cutting surface of liver.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of probiotics-containing rescue regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. MethodsWe electronically searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases, and Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR) and ClinicalTrial.gov from inception to December 2015, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about probiotics-containing rescue regimen for the eradication of Hp infection. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsEleven RCTs involving 1888 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: Compared with the control group, probiotics-containing rescue regimen could significantly increase the eradication rate (ITT analysis: 80.3% vs. 69.3%, RR =1.15, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.22, P<0.00001; PP analysis: 86.5% vs. 74.3%, RR=1.16, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.22, P<0.00001), and decrease the incidence of total adverse reaction (ITT analysis: 19% vs. 29.2%, RR=0.60, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.91, P=0.02). Sensitivity analysis showed that the result was relatively stable. Publication bias test showed no evidence of substantial publication bias. ConclusionCurrent evidence indicates that probiotics-containing rescue regimen may contribute to improve eradication rate of Hp infection patients, and may reduce the occurrence of major gastrointestinal associated adverse reaction. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high-quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
In evidence-based practice and decision, dose-response meta-analysis has been concerned by many scholars. It can provide unique dose-response relationship between exposure and disease, with a high grade of evidence among observational-study based meta-analysis. Thus, it is important to clearly understand this type of meta-analysis on software implementations. Currently, there are different software for dose-response meta-analysis with various characteristics. In this paper, we will focus on how to conduct dose-response meta-analysis by Stata, R and SAS software, which including a brief introduction, the process of calculation, the graph drawing, the generalization, and some examples of the processes.
ObjectiveTo develop reporting guideline for dose-response meta-analysis (DMA), so as to help Chinese authors to understand DMA better and to promote the reporting quality of DMA conducted by them. MethodPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, and WanFang Data were searched from Jan 1st 2011 to Dec 30th 2015 to collect DMA papers published by Chinese authors. The number of these publications by years, whether and what kind of reporting guideline was used, and whether the DMA method claimed in these publications was correct were analysed. Then we drafted a checklist of items for reporting DMA, and organized a discussion meeting with experts from the fields of DMA, evidence-based medicine, clinical epidemiology, and clinicians to collect suggestions for revising the draft reporting guideline for DMA. ResultsOnly 33.73% of the publications clarified it is a DMA on the title and 48.02% of them reported risk of bias. Almost 38.49% of the publications didn't use any reporting guidelines. Fourteen of them claimed an incorrect use of methodology. We primarily took account for 47 potential items related to DMA based on our literature analysis results and existing reporting guidelines for other types of meta-analyses. After the discussion meeting with 6 experts, we revised the items, and finally the G-Dose checklist with 43 items for reporting DMA was developed. ConclusionThere is a lack of attention on reporting guidelines in Chinese authors and evidence suggests these authors may be at risk of incomplete understanding on reporting guidelines. It is strongly recommended to use reporting guidelines for DMA and other types of meta-analyses in Chinese authors.