Background & aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with life-threatening conditions. Several studies have reported an association of vitamin B12, folic acid, or homocysteine (Hcy) levels with MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the association of vitamin B12, folic acid, and Hcy levels with MetS. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science were searched up to February 13, 2023. Cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies were included. A random-effects model was performed using the DerSimonian and Laird method to estimate the between-study variance. Effect measures were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and the I2 statistic. Results: Sixty-six articles (n = 87,988 patients) were included. Higher vitamin B12 level...

Background and aims: The presence of fungal infections has been described in patients after recovering from COVID-19. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of studies that reported fungal infections (Mucor spp., Pneumocystis jirovecii, or Aspergillus spp.) in adults after recovering from COVID-19. Methods: We performed a systematic review through PubMed, Web of Science, OVID-Medline, Embase, and Scopus. The study selection process was performed independently and by at least two authors. We performed a risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cohort and case–control studies, and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Checklists for Case Series and Case Reports. Results: The systematic search found 33 studies meeting all inclusion criteria. There was a total population of 774 participants, ranging from 21 to 87 years. From them, 746 developed a fungal infection. I...

Objective: We aimed to review the available evidence on the association between vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine levels with worse outcomes among COVID-19 patients. Methods: The search was carried out in ten databases simultaneously run on 10 May 2023, without language restrictions. We included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. The random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the Sidik-Jonkman method and corrected 95% confidence intervals using the truncated Knapp-Hartung standard errors. Standardized mean difference and 95% CI was used as the measure effect size. Results: Thirteen articles were included in this review (n = 2134). Patients with COVID-19 who did not survive had the highest serum vitamin B12 values (SMD: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.31–1.78; p = 0.01, I2 = 91.22%). In contrast, low serum folate values were associated with patients with severe COVID-19 (SMD: ...

Background: Some studies have reported that homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whereas other studies yielded controversial results. Objectives: This study aimed to systematize the available evidence of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in women with and without PCOS. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis Data Sources and Methods: A systematic search without language restrictions was performed on PubMed, Ovid/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. In addition, the reference lists of the selected studies were reviewed. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was employed to evaluate the quality of studies. The means and standard deviations of the outcomes were pooled as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Furthermore, the DerSimonian and Laird method was employed for the qua...

Background & aims: Asprosin is a promising candidate for novel treatments for metabolic–endocrine disorders. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to consolidate the existing evidence regarding asprosin levels in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and obesity. Methods: Scopus, Embase, PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science were systematically searched without restrictions. We only used the standardized mean differences (SMD) with their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) as the effect measure. A random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird method) was used for the meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: Twenty-six studies (n = 3,787) were included in the meta-analysis. Participants with T2D had higher asprosin values than ...

Introduction: Dengue is a vector-borne disease, especially important in tropical and subtropical areas. The first presentation of many arboviral diseases occurred mainly in animals, including multiple Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses, such as dengue. Objective: To determine the serological and molecular frequency of the dengue virus in animals. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out in five databases for the proportion of animals infected with dengue, defined by molecular and serological tests. A meta-analysis was performed using a randomeffects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochran?s Q test and the I2 statistic were used to assess the heterogeneity between the two studies. Results: The presence of dengue in bats, primates, birds, sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, rodents and buffaloes, according to serological methods, had a prevale...

Introduction: Avian influenza A H5N1 is a significant global public health threat. Although relevant, systematic reviews about its prevalence in animals are lacking. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review in bibliographic databases to assess the prevalence of H5N1 in animals. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model was performed to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95 % confidence intervals (95%CI). In addition, measures of heterogeneity (Cochran's Q statistic and I2 test) were reported. Results: The literature search yielded 1359 articles, of which 33 studies were fully valid for analysis, including 96,909 animals. The pooled prevalence for H5N1 in birds (n = 90,045, 24 studies) was 5.0 % (95%CI: 4.0–6.0 %; I2 = 99.21); in pigs (n = 3,178, 4 studies) was 1.0 % (95%CI: 0.0–1.0 %); in cats (n = 2,911, 4 studies) was 0.0 % (95%CI: 0.0–1.0 %); and in dogs (n = 479,...

Background: The pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is complex and heterogeneous. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the triglyceride–glucose index and lipid ratios in women with and without PCOS. Methods: Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, and Embase for studies reporting the triglyceride–glucose index and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios. Results are reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The search identified 61 observational studies, including case–control (n = 37), cohort (n = 2), and cross-sectional (n = 22) studies reporting results of interest according to different PCOS diagnosis criteria. Compared...