Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. This study aims to summarize the evidence for the effects of curcumin on MAFLD progression. Studies were identified from Medline and Scopus databases until April 2022. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) were selected based on pre-specified criteria. Three reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality of included studies. Of the 427 identified records, 6 SRMAs and 16 RCTs were included in the analysis. Very high overlap was observed among SRMAs with corrected covered area of 21.9%. From an updated meta-analysis, curcumin demonstrated significant improvement in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase with pooled mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of −3.90 (−5.97, −1.82) and −5.61 (−9.37, −1.85) units/L, respectively. Resolution and improvement of hepatic steatosis was higher in curcumin than control group with pooled relative risk (95% CI) of 3.53 (2.01, 6.22) and 3.41 (1.36, 8.56), respectively. Curcumin supplementation also led to lower fasting blood sugar, body mass index, and total cholesterol. Further trials should be conducted to assess the effect of curcumin on liver histology, especially regarding non-invasive hepatic fibrosis and steatosis.

Background: Fascial dehiscence (FD) and incisional hernia (IH) pose considerable risks to patients who undergo abdominal surgery, and many preventive strategies have been applied to reduce this risk. An accurate predictive model could aid identification of high‐risk patients, who could be targeted for particular care. This study aims to systematically review existing FD and IH prediction models.Methods: Prediction models were identified using pre‐specified search terms on SCOPUS, PubMed, and Web of Science. Eligible studies included those conducted in adult patients who underwent any kind of abdominal surgery, and reported model performance. Data from the eligible studies were extracted, and the risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the PROBAST tool. Pooling of C‐statistics was performed using a random‐effect meta‐analysis. [Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021282463)].Results: Twelve studies were eligible for review; five were FD prediction model studies. Most included studies had high RoB, especially in the analysis domain. The C‐statistics of the FD and IH prediction models ranged from 0.69 to 0.92, but most have yet to be externally validated. Pooled C‐statistics (95% CI) were 0.80 (0.74, 0.86) and 0.81 (0.75, 0.86) for the FD (external‐validation) and IH prediction model, respectively. Some predictive factors such as body mass index, smoking, emergency operation, and surgical site infection were associated with FD or IH occurrence and were included in multiple models.Conclusions: Several models have been developed as an aid for FD and IH prediction, mostly with modest performance and lacking independent validation. New models for specific patient groups may offer clinical utility.

Mesh-based repair is the standard of surgical care for symptomatic inguinal hernias. Many systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) addressed various aspects of these procedures. This umbrella review aimed to report the evidence from all previous SRMAs for open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. SRMAs were identified from MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, DARE, PROSPERO, CINAHL, JBISRIS, EPPI-Centre, Wiley Online Library and ScienceDirect database according to PRISMA guidelines. Data including mesh-fixation techniques and surgical approach were extracted from selected SRMAs. The corrected covered area was calculated to address study overlap across reviews, and an excess significance test was used to assess potential bias. The outcomes of interest were hernia recurrence, chronic groin pain, operating time, postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay, return to daily life activities, and postoperative complication. Thirty SRMAs were included between 2010 and 2019: 16 focused on open repair, and 14 focused on laparoscopic repair, with a high degree of overlap (open repairs, 41 per cent; laparoscopic repairs, 30–57 per cent). Sufficient evidence was available on hernia recurrence, chronic groin pain, and operative time. Effects of glue on hernia recurrence were inconclusive in open and laparoscopy approaches, P = 0.816 and 0.946 respectively. Glue was significantly associated with lower persistent groin pain, in open repair (versus suture) and in laparoscopic repair (versus tack). SRMAs suggested that self-gripping mesh was associated with shorter operating time in open surgery, although with only a few minutes of improvement (0.36–7.85 min, P < 0.001). In this umbrella review, chronic groin pain and operating time were the only outcomes for which there was sufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness respectively of glue and self-gripping mesh.

Introduction: The association between electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains inconclusive. This study aims to compare CVD risk from the use of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, combined cigarette and e-cigarette use, and non-use. Methods: This study...

Introduction: Several endoscopic methods can be employed to manage post-bariatric leaks. However, endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) and endoscopic internal drainage (EID) are relatively new methods, and studies regarding these methods are scarce. We performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of EVT and EID. Methods: Databases were searched for eligible studies. The clinical success of leak closure was the primary outcome of interest. A proportional meta-analysis was performed for pooling the primary outcome using a fixed-effects model. A meta-analysis or descriptive analysis of other outcomes was performed based on the data availability. Results: Data from 3 EVT and 10 EID studies (n = 279) were used for evidence synthesis. The leak closure rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) of EVT and EID were 85.2% (75.1%–95.4%) and 91.6% (88.1%–95.2%), respectively. The corresponding mean treatment durations (95% CI) were 28 (2.4–53.6) and 78.4 (50.1–106.7) days, respectively. However, data about other outcomes were extremely limited; thus, a pooled analysis could not be performed. Conclusions: Both EVT and EID were effective when used as the first-line treatment for post-bariatric leaks. However, larger studies must be conducted to compare the efficacy of the 2 interventions.

Background: Mesh augmentation has proved efficacious for the prevention of incisional hernia (IH). A recent network meta-analysis (NMA) identified onlay and retrorectus mesh (OM and RM) as the most effective therapeutic options, but the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) and other complications require additional consideration. Methods: The NMA generated pooled risk differences (RD) for the benefits of reducing IH and the risk of SSI and composite seroma/hematoma (CSH) for use in Monte-Carlo data simulations with 1000 replications. Mean incremental risk-benefit ratios (IRBR), i.e., the ratio of incremental risk (or RD) and incremental benefit, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with a probability of risk-benefits (PRB) across risk-benefit acceptability thresholds from the acceptability curves generated. Results: The RDs of IH were 0.237 and 0.201 lower in OM and RM than primary suture closure, compared to 0.027 and −0.001 for SSI. IRBRs (95% CI) for SSI risk were −0.118 (−0.124, −0.112) and 0.006 (−0.002, 0.013) for OM and RM, respectively. PRBs were much higher in RM than OM, especially at low acceptability thresholds of 0.05 and 0.1. IRBRs (95% CI) for CSH were −0.388 (−0.395, −0.381) and −0.105 (−0.111, −0.100) for OM and RM, respectively. RM yielded a PRB of 0.87 at an acceptability threshold of 0.2, in contrast to OM, which did not. Conclusion: Overall, RM offered improved benefit in IH prophylaxis over the risk of complications relative to OM and appeared to be the preferred treatment option for this indication.