Possible association between androgenic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer and testicular germ cell tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background A number of studies have investigated the association between androgenic alopecia (AGA) and cancer risk, but they have yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore this controversial subject. Methods A literature database search was performed according to predefined criteria. An odds ratio (OR) or a hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was retained to evaluate the relationship between the incidence of cancer or cancer-specific mortality and categories of AGA. Then a pooled OR or HR was derived. Results The pooled results showed that no specific degree of baldness had an influence on the incidence of cancer or cancer-specific mortality. However, AGA, especially frontal baldness, with the incidence of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.58–0.83). A significant increase of risk was observed in relation to high grade prostate cancer (PC) (OR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.02–1.99) and vertex with/without frontal baldness was associated with PC risk. Conclusions The study results supported the hypothesis that AGA is negatively associated with TGCT risk and suggested an overlapping pathophysiological mechanism between them, while the viewpoint that AGA can be used as a phenotypic marker for PC risk was poorly supported

Additional file 3: of Possible association between androgenic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer and testicular germ cell tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Table S2. NOS scores of cohort studies. Table S3. NOS scores of case control studies. (DOC 86 kb

Additional file 5: of Possible association between androgenic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer and testicular germ cell tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Table S4. Meta-analysis results of association between androgenic alopecia and incidence of cancer. (DOCX 17 kb

Additional file 1: of Possible association between androgenic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer and testicular germ cell tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Table S1. Review methodology for meta-analysis. (DOC 29 kb

Additional file 2: of Possible association between androgenic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer and testicular germ cell tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Figure S1. Male balding patterns base on the Hamilton-Norwood scale. (TIFF 356 kb

The relationship between circadian blood pressure variability and maternal/perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia with severe features

Objective To determine whether circadian blood pressure (BP) variation of women with preeclampsia (PE) with severe features was associated with adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes. Methods 173 women with PE with severe features were recruitedand categorized into three groups: dipper, non-dipper and reverse dipper type BP group.. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared among groups. Results There were significant differences in gestational ages, premature delivery, retinopathy, HELLP syndrome, mean birth weight, rate of low birth weight infants and fetal growth restriction. Conclusion Aberrant circadian pattern of BP in women with PE with severe features was associated with several adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes

The relationship between circadian blood pressure variability and maternal/perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia with severe features

Objective To determine whether circadian blood pressure (BP) variation of women with preeclampsia (PE) with severe features was associated with adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes. Methods 173 women with PE with severe features were recruitedand categorized into three groups: dipper, non-dipper and reverse dipper type BP group.. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared among groups. Results There were significant differences in gestational ages, premature delivery, retinopathy, HELLP syndrome, mean birth weight, rate of low birth weight infants and fetal growth restriction. Conclusion Aberrant circadian pattern of BP in women with PE with severe features was associated with several adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes

Effectiveness of acupuncture for breast cancer related lymphedema: protocol for a single-blind, sham-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial

Abstract Background Although various treatments for breast cancer related lymphedema exist, there is still a need for a more effective and convenient approach. Pilot studies and our clinical observations suggested that acupuncture may be a potential option. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of acupuncture on BCRL and evaluate its safety using a rigorously designed trial. Methods/Design Women who are clinically diagnosed as unilateral BCRL, with a 10% to 40% increase in volume compared to the unaffected arm, will be recruited. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomized to either the real acupuncture group or sham-acupuncture group at a ratio of 1:1, and given a standard real acupuncture or sham-acupuncture treatment accordingly on both arms followed by the same usual care of decongestive therapy. Volume measurements of both arms will be performed for every participant after each treatment. Data collected at baseline and the last session will be used to calculate the primary outcome and secondary outcomes. Other data will be exploited for interim analyses and trial monitoring. The primary outcome is the absolute reduced limb volume ratio. Secondary outcomes are incidence of adverse events and change in quality of life. A t test or non-parameter test will be used to compare the difference between two groups, and assess the overall effectiveness of acupuncture using the SPSS software (version 12). Discussion This study will help expand our knowledge about the effectiveness of acupuncture on BCRL, and how acupuncture might be used in the management of this condition. Acupuncture may be a promising complement or alternative to conventional lymphedema treatment methods, if its effectiveness is confirmed. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02803736 (Registered on October 31, 2016).

Additional file 1: of Effectiveness of acupuncture for breast cancer related lymphedema: protocol for a single-blind, sham-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial

Block Randomized Sequence. (PDF 83 kb