Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate. Dietary fibers, both soluble and insoluble, are essential for reducing the risk of CRC. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the soluble and insoluble dietary fiber consumption and CRC risk. The highest vs. lowest fiber concentrations were compared by using PRISMA guidelines. To determine publishing bias, the Egger test; assess study heterogeneity I² statistics were used. Studies that reported adjusted relative risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals (Cl) for the associations of interest were included. The results reveal that the relationship between soluble and insoluble fiber intake and the risk of CRC is almost equal [The total fiber ES = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.66–0.86), soluble fiber ES = 0.78 (95% CI = 0.66–0.92), insoluble fiber ES = 0.77 (95% CI = 0.67–0.88)]. Funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression tests demonstrated that there was no publication bias. Both soluble and insoluble fiber consumption appear to be protective against CRC, with a clinically significant reduction in CRC risk. It is critical to identify preventive steps to avoid the CRC development, especially by leading a healthier lifestyle that includes healthy diet.

Established reference values are critical for the interpretation of immunologic assessments. In particular, the proportion and absolute counts of T- and B- cell subpopulations are subject to change with age and ethnicity. We aimed to establish age-specific reference values for lymphocyte subsets using updated immunophenotyping panels. We studied a total of 297 healthy Turkish subjects aged 0 to 50 years, stratified into major age brackets in a cluster factor of 10 per age-group. The predetermined age intervals contained randomly allocated participants enrolled over a period of 6 months, who were homogenously distributed by gender. We analyzed a complete blood count test and simultaneously with detailed immunophenotyping enumerated the percent and absolute cell counts of lymphocyte subsets. The percentage and absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets show a marked surge across the age-span. T helper, T cytotoxic, and the Natural Killer cell numbers were increasing from birth until 6 months, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter. B cell numbers were rising until 2 years, followed by a gradual decrease for the upcoming years, accompanied by a steady expansion of unclass-switched- and class-switched- B cells. We provide updated extensive reference intervals for lymphocyte subpopulations in Turkish people.

Erythrocyte morphology changes not only by primary hematological diseases but also by systemic inflammation, ineffective erythropoiesis and nutritional deficiencies. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter reflecting erythrocyte morphology. We aimed to investigate the relationship of RDW with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stages, BODE index and survival in COPD patients. Medical records of 385 COPD patients between July 2004 and November 2005 were studied retrospectively. Demographic features, BODE index factors and oxygen saturation were recorded. Survival analysis of all patients by 2014 was performed. Measured RDW values at the time of the inclusion were evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 65.6±9.6 years. Distribution of the COPD stages of the patients were stage 1: 16%, stage 2: 52%, stage 3: 26%, stage 4: 6%. RDW was found significantly different between stages. The highest RDW was observed in the very severe stage (p14.3% group and 75% in the RDW <14.3% group. The variability in the size of circulating erythrocytes increases as the COPD severity progresses. Therefore, a simple and noninvasive test, such as RDW, might be used as a biomarker in the evaluation of the severity of COPD. At the same time, there seems to be a correlation between the survival of COPD patients and RDW.

It is a well-established fact that inadequate Vitamin D (Vit-D) levels have negative effects on the development and progression of malignant diseases, particularly cancer. The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the effects of Vit-D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) levels on cancer incidence and mortality, the current evidence in this field, and the biases of this evidence, using the meta-meta-analysis method. Meta-analyses focusing on Vit-D intake, serum 25(OH)D levels, and cancer risk/mortality were identified. A structured computer literature search was undertaken in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus electronic databases using predetermined keyword combinations. Primary and secondary meta-meta-analyses were carried out, combining odds ratios (ORs), risk ratios (RRs), and hazard ratios (HRs) for outcomes reported in selected meta-analyses. A total of 35 eligible meta-analyses (59 reports yielded from these studies) assessing the association between Vit-D and cancer incidence and/or mortality were included in this study. In the pooled analysis, higher Vit-D intake and serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with lower cancer risk (OR = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90–0.96, p < 0.001; OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.72–0.89, p < 0.001, respectively) and cancer-related mortality (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86–0.93, p < 0.001; RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.58–0.78, p < 0.001, respectively). When meta-analyses whose primary reports included only randomized controlled trials were pooled, there was no significant association between Vit-D intake and cancer risk (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97–1.01, p = 0.320). In subgroup analysis, Vit-D consumption was associated with a significant decrease in colorectal and lung cancer incidence (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.96, p = 0.002; OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83–0.94, p < 0.001, respectively). Taken together, both Vit-D intake and higher 25(OH)D levels may provide remarkable benefits in terms of cancer incidence and mortality; however, careful evaluation according to cancer types is critically important and recommended.