Objective: To combine evidence from randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of Fe-fortified foods on mean Hb concentration in children (<10 years).Design: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled, Fe-fortified feeding trials that evaluated Hb concentration. The weighted mean difference was calculated for net changes in Hb by using random-effects models. Meta-regression and covariate analyses were performed to explore the influence of confounders on the net pooled effect.Setting: Trials were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and secondary references.Subjects: Eighteen studies covering 5142 participants were identified. The duration of feeding of fortified foods ranged from 6 to 12 months in these studies.Results: Eighteen studies were included and evaluated in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimate of Hb concentration showed a significant increase in the fortification group compared with the control group (weighted mean difference = 5·09 g/l; 95 % CI 3·23, 6·95 g/l;I²= 90 %,τ²= 18·37,P< 0·0001). Meta-regression analysis indicated that duration of feeding was positively related to the effect size (regression coefficient = 0·368; 95 % CI 0·005, 0·731;P< 0·05). The net pooled effect size after removing the confounders was 4·74 (95 % CI 3·08, 6·40) g/l.Conclusions: We observed an association between intake of Fe-fortified foods and Hb concentration in children aged <10 years. Fe-fortified foods could be an effective strategy for reducing Fe-deficiency anaemia in children.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of e-cigarette use on systemic and salivary cytokine levels among adults. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis, registered under PROSPERO (Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42024571203), was conducted in compliance with Cochrane and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. Studies assessing systemic and salivary cytokines (e.g., IL-6 [Interleukin-6], TNF-α [Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha], IL-10 [Interleukin-10]) among adult e-cigarette users, traditional smokers, mixed smokers, and non-smokers were included based on Population-Intervention-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) criteria. Data were extracted, risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool, and the quality of evidence was graded with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Meta-analysis was performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and R software, reporting standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI); p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 286 studies were screened, with 10 meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies, conducted in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, and India, included 48 to 3,614 participants. Cytokines such as, TNF-α (SMD 0.88, 95% CI 0.23–1.13; p = 0.003) and IL-1RA (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.10–0.52; p = 0.004), were significantly elevated in e-cigarette users compared to conventional smokers and non-smokers. INF-γ and CRP levels did not significantly differ between groups (p = 0.81 and 0.29, respectively). Meta-analyses showed elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in e-cigarette users, with substantial heterogeneity across studies. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias tests were also conducted. Conclusion: Systemic and salivary cytokine levels were significantly elevated among e-cigarette users compared to non-smokers and conventional smokers, indicating a heightened inflammatory response associated with e-cigarette use.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) a pandemic due to the huge upsurge in the number of reported cases worldwide. The COVID‐19 pandemic in India has become a public health threat, and if we go by the number of confirmed cases then the situation seems to be a matter of grave concern. According to real‐time data, the numbers of confirmed cases are growing exponentially. No doubt, substantial public health interventions both at the national and state levels are implemented immediately by the Government of India; there is a need for improved preparedness plans and mitigation strategies along with accurate forecasting. The present study aims to forecast the COVID‐19 outbreak infected cases in India. The data have been obtained from https://www.covid19india.org, https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus, and ICMR reported publicly available information about COVID‐19 confirmation cases. We have used the double exponential smoothing method for forecasting the trends in terms of confirmed, active, recovered and death cases from COVID‐19 for emergency preparedness and future predictions. Findings reveal that the estimated value of point forecast is just 8.22% of the total number of confirmed cases reported on a daily basis across the country. It was observed that the deaths were lower for the states and union territories with a higher detection rate. It is suggested that by keeping in view the limited healthcare resources in the country, accurate forecasting, early detection, and avoidance of acute care for the majority of infected cases is indispensable.

Introduction To determine effectiveness and side effects of expectant care in first-trimester miscarriage. An increase in the spontaneous miscarriage rate and its associated complications exerts a burden on the overall health and quality of life of women. Expectant care in a first-trimester...