Egger’s linear regression test to measure the funnel plot asymmetric.^*

*<p>vs, versus.</p

Meta-analysis of miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism with gastrointestinal cancers.^*

*<p>OR, odds ratio; vs, versus; R, random effect model; F, fixed effect model.</p

The flow chart of the included studies in the meta-analysis.

<p>The flow chart of the included studies in the meta-analysis.</p

Scale for quality assessment.

<p>Scale for quality assessment.</p

Association of <em>microRNA-499</em> rs3746444 Polymorphism with Cancer Risk: Evidence from 7188 Cases and 8548 Controls

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Owing to inconsistent and inconclusive results, we performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the association between <em>miR-499</em> rs3746444 polymorphism and cancer risk.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>A systematic search of the Pubmed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) databases was performed with the last search updated on May 6, 2012. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. A total of 15 independent studies including 7,188 cases and 8,548 controls were used in the meta-analysis. In the present meta-analysis, we found a significant association between <em>miR-499</em> rs3746444 polymorphism and cancer risk in the overall analysis (G versus A: OR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.01–1.19, <em>P</em> = 0.03; GG+AG versus AA: OR = 1.15, 95%CI 1.02–1.30, <em>P</em> = 0.02; GG versus AG+AA: OR = 1.07, 95%CI 0.89–1.28, <em>P</em> = 0.50; GG versus AA: OR = 1.13, 95%CI 0.98–1.31, <em>P</em> = 0.09; AG versus AA: OR = 1.16, 95%CI 1.02–1.33, <em>P</em> = 0.03). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, <em>miR-499</em> rs3746444 polymorphism was significantly associated with cancer risk in Asian population. In the subgroup analysis by cancer types, <em>miR-499</em> rs3746444 polymorphism was significantly associated with breast cancer.</p> <h3>Conclusions/Significance</h3><p>This meta-analysis suggests a significant association between <em>miR-499</em> rs3746444 polymorphism and cancer risk. Large-scale and well-designed case-control studies are necessary to validate the risk identified in the present meta-analysis.</p> </div

Protective Role of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection in Prognosis of Gastric Cancer: Evidence from 2454 Patients with Gastric Cancer

<div><p>Background</p><p>A number of studies have investigated the association between <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infection and the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC), with inconsistent and inconclusive results. We performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the association.</p><p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and Chinese wanfang databases was performed with the last search updated on February 19, 2013. The hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the strength of association. A total of 12 studies including 2454 patients with GC were involved in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR was 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57–0.87; <i>P</i> = 0.001) for OS and 0.60 (95%CI: 0.30–1.18; <i>P</i> = 0.139) for DFS in GC patients, respectively. The protective role of <i>H. pylori</i> infection in the prognosis of GC was also observed among different subgroups stratified by ethnicity, statistical methodology, <i>H. pylori</i> evaluation method and quality assessment. There was no evidence of publication bias.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>This meta-analysis suggests a protective role for <i>H. pylori</i> infection in the prognosis of GC. The underlying mechanisms need to be further elucidated, which could provide new therapeutic approaches for GC.</p></div

Publication bias plot for overall survival (A) Begg’s funnel plot (B) Egger’s publication bias plot.

<p>Publication bias plot for overall survival (A) Begg’s funnel plot (B) Egger’s publication bias plot.</p

Meta-analysis of <i>miR-499</i> rs3746444 polymorphism with cancer susceptibility.^*

*<p>OR, odds ratio; vs, versus; R, random effect model; F, fixed effect model.</p

Egger's linear regression test to measure the funnel plot asymmetric.^*

*<p>vs, versus.</p

Forest plot showing the meta-analysis of hazard ratios estimates for overall survival in gastric cancer patients.

<p>Forest plot showing the meta-analysis of hazard ratios estimates for overall survival in gastric cancer patients.</p