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Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany) Feb 2016Plasma exchange, or plasmapheresis, is a treatment method that developed over a period of two decades and involves the removal and replacement of a patient's circulating... (Review)
Review
Plasma exchange, or plasmapheresis, is a treatment method that developed over a period of two decades and involves the removal and replacement of a patient's circulating plasma. The aim of treatment is to remove disease-associated molecules and therefore interrupt disease progression. This article summarizes the developmental history of this treatment and then looks in more detail at data on the use of plasma exchange in treating antineutrophil antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. The eight randomized trials and the Cochrane Systematic Review on treating renal vasculitis are summarized to show that plasma exchange may be effective in this disease, specifically in reducing the development of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by approximately 40%. The plasma exchange and glucocorticoid dosing in the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis (PEXIVAS) study is a currently enrolling study aiming to answer some of the outstanding questions relating to the use of this treatment in ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Plasmapheresis
PubMed: 25986911
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-014-3038-6 -
PloS One 2017We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the question "what is the impact of meningitis on IQ and development." (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the question "what is the impact of meningitis on IQ and development."
METHODS
Search: conducted using standardized search terms across Medline, PsychInfo and EMBASE to 06/2014. Eligibility: human studies of any infectious aetiology of meningitis reporting IQ or infant developmental age or stage outcomes. Quality: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Oxford, quality tools. Analysis: random effects meta-analysis by organism.
RESULTS
39 studies were included in the review, 34 providing data on IQ (2015 subjects) and 12 on developmental delay (382 subjects). Across all bacterial organisms, meningitis survivors had a mean IQ 5.50 (95% CI: -7.19, -3.80; I2 = 47%, p = 0.02) points lower than controls. IQ was significantly lower than controls for Neisseria meningitides (NM: 5 points) and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib: 6 points) but not in viral meningitis, with only single studies included for Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and group B streptococcus (GBS). The pooled relative risk (RR) for low IQ (IQ<70) in survivors of bacterial meningitis compared with controls was 4.99 (95% CI: 3.17, 7.86) with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 49%, p = 0.07). Developmental delay of approximately 0.5SD was reported in studies of bacterial meningitis but no delay in the only study of viral meningitis.
CONCLUSIONS
We found moderate evidence that surviving bacterial meningitis has a deleterious impact on IQ and development but no evidence that viral meningitis had meaningful cognitive impacts. Survivors of bacterial meningitis should be routinely offered screening for cognitive deficits and developmental delay in addition to hearing loss.
Topics: Humans; Intelligence; Meningitis, Bacterial; Meningitis, Viral
PubMed: 28837564
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175024 -
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Mar 2022The rates of pediatric obesity in the U.S. are highest among Hispanics. There is no existing meta-analysis of the effects of obesity interventions among Hispanic youth.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The rates of pediatric obesity in the U.S. are highest among Hispanics. There is no existing meta-analysis of the effects of obesity interventions among Hispanic youth. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the effects of obesity prevention and treatment interventions on Hispanic youth's weight status and lifestyle behaviors.
METHODS
PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched between January 1, 2000 and October 30, 2020. Interventions with ≥50% Hispanic youth aged 0-18 years were included. Using a weighted inverse-variance procedure, fixed-effects and random-effects models were run for an overall effect size on the basis of the Q test statistic. Hedges' g was calculated for outcomes of interest between baseline and postintervention separately for studies with multiple versus single conditions. Continuous and categorical moderators were also examined.
RESULTS
A total of 1,103 articles were screened, of which 117 were included in the narrative synthesis and 105 in the meta-analysis (n=49,276 youth). The overall effects for RCT/quasi-experimental studies on BMI status (g= -0.15, SE=0.03, 95% CI= -0.20, -0.10), waist circumference (g= -0.15, SE=0.10, 95% CI= -0.35, -0.05), physical activity (g=0.12, SE=0.05, 95% CI=0.03, 0.22), fruit and vegetable intake (g=0.08, SE=0.02, 95% CI=0.03, 0.12), and sugar-sweetened beverage intake (g= -0.07, SE= 0.03, 95% CI= -0.13, -0.01) were small. Intervention effects varied by participant developmental stage, SES, study setting, and lifestyle behavior target.
DISCUSSION
Beyond developing more impactful interventions to address obesity among Hispanic youth, findings highlight the need for targeted policies and more easily disseminable interventions that can spread small effects across a population for maximal public health impact.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Exercise; Fruit; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Life Style; Pediatric Obesity
PubMed: 35190103
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.10.003 -
Molecular Psychiatry Jan 2023An obvious consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the worldwide reduction in social interaction, which is associated with many adverse effects on... (Review)
Review
An obvious consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the worldwide reduction in social interaction, which is associated with many adverse effects on health in humans from babies to adults. Although social development under normal or isolated environments has been studied since the 1940s, the mechanism underlying social isolation (SI)-induced brain dysfunction remains poorly understood, possibly due to the complexity of SI in humans and translational gaps in findings from animal models. Herein, we present a systematic review that focused on brain changes at the molecular, cellular, structural and functional levels induced by SI at different ages and in different animal models. SI studies in humans and animal models revealed common socioemotional and cognitive deficits caused by SI in early life and an increased occurrence of depression and anxiety induced by SI during later stages of life. Altered neurotransmission and neural circuitry as well as abnormal development and function of glial cells in specific brain regions may contribute to the abnormal emotions and behaviors induced by SI. We highlight distinct alterations in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation and oligodendrocyte maturation caused by SI in early life and later stages of life, respectively, which may affect neural circuit formation and function and result in diverse brain dysfunctions. To further bridge animal and human SI studies, we propose alternative animal models with brain structures and complex social behaviors similar to those of humans.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Behavior, Animal; Brain; COVID-19; Emotions; Social Isolation; Pandemics; Infection Control
PubMed: 36434053
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01835-w -
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2023This systematic review addresses the effects of -3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids consumption on human neurodevelopment. It evaluates articles published between... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review addresses the effects of -3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids consumption on human neurodevelopment. It evaluates articles published between 2000 and 2022 investigating the cognitive outcomes during the period of neurodevelopment: from fetal development to adolescence. For the purpose of this review the terms LC PUFA and omega-3 fatty acid will be used interchangeably.
METHOD
Data were sourced from several major databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and ProQuest Central. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, and observational studies investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acid consumption from dietary supplements, multiple-nutrient supplement, or food questionnaire on neurodevelopment were considered. Study population was separated in three developmental phases: (1) , (2) lactation/infancy, and (3) childhood/adolescence. Each article was evaluated for several key factors such as study type, type/dosage of PUFAs, number of subjects, length of intervention, participant age range, population characteristics, outcome measure (both primary/cognitive and secondary/other), results, conclusion, and confounding variables/limitations.
RESULTS
A total of 88 articles were included in the review, 69 RCTs and 19 longitudinal or observational studies. The results indicate equivocal effect of intervention, with some short-term benefits observed in the areas of visual attention, working memory, executive function, and communication. Omega-3 supplement might have a short-term positive impact on neurodevelopment in all three phases. Supplementation is recommended throughout life, rather than only during the earliest developmental stage.
PubMed: 37711355
DOI: 10.1177/15598276221116052 -
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD Jun 2021Prior research indicates that deficits in emotional abilities are key predictors of the onset and maintenance of eating disorders (ED). As a relatively new... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prior research indicates that deficits in emotional abilities are key predictors of the onset and maintenance of eating disorders (ED). As a relatively new emotion-related construct, emotional intelligence (EI) comprises a set of basic emotional abilities. Preliminary research suggests that deficits in EI are linked with disordered eating and other impulsive behaviours. Also, previous research reveals that emotional and socio-cognitive abilities, as well as ED symptomatology, varies across lifespan development. However, while the findings suggest promising results for the development of potential effective treatments for emotional deficits and disordered eating, it is difficult to summarise the relationship between EI and ED due to the diversity of theoretical approaches and variety of EI and ED measures.
OBJECTIVE
Our study, therefore, aimed to systematically review the current evidence on EI and ED in both the general and clinical populations and across different developmental stages.
METHODS
The databases examined were Medline, PsycInfo and Scopus, and 15 eligible articles were identified. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used.
RESULTS
All the studies reviewed indicated negative associations between EI and the dimensions of ED. Additionally, several mechanisms involved, namely adaptability, stress tolerance and emotional regulation were highlighted.
CONCLUSION
The systematic review suggests promising but challenging preliminary evidence of the associations between EI and the dimensions of ED across diverse stages of development. In addition, future research, practical implications and limitations are discussed.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I
Systematic review.
Topics: Emotional Intelligence; Emotional Regulation; Emotions; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Humans; Impulsive Behavior
PubMed: 32734465
DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-00968-7 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Oct 2023This review presents a list of developmental screening tests used in clinical settings worldwide and provides a broad estimate of their accuracy (PROSPERO:... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This review presents a list of developmental screening tests used in clinical settings worldwide and provides a broad estimate of their accuracy (PROSPERO: CRD42021236474).
METHOD
Following the PRISMA Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DTA) guidelines, this review involved searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar (for manual searching). Inclusion criteria included studies published in English through 2020 that compared the accuracy of developmental screening tests against developmental diagnostic tests among children under 13 years of age. Six researchers, in pairs, independently selected the studies and extracted the data. A hierarchical model was applied to meta-analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the tests, and meta-regression was used to identify the moderators using R 4.1.3 software.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 56 studies (17 screening tests and 61 outcomes). The most frequently used screening tests were the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST), and Parent's Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69-0.80) and 0.76 (95% CI = 0.71-0.80), and the overall diagnostic accuracy of the total outcomes (area under the curve) was 0.80. High heterogeneity was observed between the included studies with various thresholds of the tests. Participants' developmental concerns at the baseline significantly moderated the accuracy of the screening tests, resulting in double the positive predictive value and prevalence compared to those without the concerns.
CONCLUSION
We recommend a standardized process of validation studies for diagnostic accuracy, to ensure the effectiveness of developmental screening tests in clinical settings.
STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION
Accuracy of Developmental Screening Tools among Children in Real World: a Systematic Review and Meta Analysis; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/; CRD42021236474.
Topics: Humans; Child; Sensitivity and Specificity; Predictive Value of Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36592715
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.12.014 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common pediatric conditions. The current gold-standard treatment for children under six months of age with a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common pediatric conditions. The current gold-standard treatment for children under six months of age with a reducible hip is bracing, but the orthopedic literature features several splint options, and each one has many advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this review is to analyze the available literature to document the up-to-date evidence on DDH conservative treatment.
METHODS
A systematic review of PubMed and Science Direct databases was performed by two independent authors (C.d.C. and A.V.) using the keywords "developmental dysplasia hip", "brace", "harness", "splint", "abduction brace" to evaluate studies of any level of evidence that reported clinical or preclinical results and dealt with conservative DDH treatment. The result of every stage was reviewed and approved by the senior investigators (V.P. and G.T.).
RESULTS
A total of 1411 articles were found. After the exclusion of duplicates, 367 articles were selected. At the end of the first screening, following the previously described selection criteria, we selected 29 articles eligible for full text reading. The included articles mainly focus on the Pavlik harness, Frejka, and Tubingen among the dynamic splint applications as well as the rhino-style brace, Ilfeld and generic abduction brace among the static splint applications. The main findings of the included articles were summarized.
CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic splinting for DDH represents a valid therapeutic option in cases of instability and dislocation, especially if applied within 4-5 months of life. Dynamic splinting has a low contraindication. Static bracing is an effective option too, but only for stable hips or residual acetabular dysplasia.
PubMed: 33557053
DOI: 10.3390/children8020104 -
Clinical Child and Family Psychology... Jun 2022Globally, an estimated 79.5 million individuals have been displaced, nearly 40% of whom are children. Parenting interventions may have the potential to improve outcomes... (Review)
Review
Globally, an estimated 79.5 million individuals have been displaced, nearly 40% of whom are children. Parenting interventions may have the potential to improve outcomes for displaced families. To investigate this, we conducted a systematic review to identify the types of caregiver or parenting interventions that have been evaluated among displaced families, to assess their efficacy across a range of contexts, and to describe their cultural and contextual adaptations. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. At stage one, all articles describing caregiver/parenting interventions for forcibly displaced families were included to provide a scoping review of the state of the literature. At stage two, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs were included, allowing for quantitative analysis of program effects. A total of 30 articles (24 studies) were identified in stage one. 95.8% of these articles were published in the past 10 years. Of these, 14 articles (10 studies) used an RCT or quasi-experimental design to assess program efficacy or effectiveness. Relative to control groups, those assigned to caregiving programs showed significant, beneficial effects across the domains of parenting behaviors and attitudes, child psychosocial and developmental outcomes, and parent mental health. Cultural adaptations and recruitment and engagement strategies are described. The evidence base for caregiving programs for displaced families has expanded in recent years but remains limited. Caregiving/parenting programs show promise for reducing the negative effects of forced displacement on families, but future studies are needed to understand which programs show the greatest potential for scalability.
Topics: Caregivers; Child; Humans; Parenting; Program Evaluation; Refugees
PubMed: 35001296
DOI: 10.1007/s10567-021-00375-z -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2022Evidence indicates shared physiopathological mechanisms between autism and psychosis. In this regard, the endocannabinoid system has been suggested to modulate neural... (Review)
Review
Evidence indicates shared physiopathological mechanisms between autism and psychosis. In this regard, the endocannabinoid system has been suggested to modulate neural circuits during the early stage of neurodevelopment, with implications for both autism and psychosis. Nevertheless, such potential common markers of disease have been investigated in both autism and psychosis spectrum disorders, without considering the conundrum of differentiating the two groups of conditions in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Here, we systematically review all human and animal studies examining the endocannabinoid system and its biobehavioral correlates in the association between autism and psychosis. Studies indicate overlapping biobehavioral aberrancies between autism and schizophrenia, subject to correction by modulation of the endocannabinoid system. In addition, common cannabinoid-based pharmacological strategies have been identified, exerting epigenetic effects across genes controlling neural mechanisms shared between autism and schizophrenia. Interestingly, a developmental and transgenerational trajectory between autism and schizophrenia is supported by evidence that exogenous alteration of the endocannabinoid system promotes progression to inheritable psychosis phenotypes in the context of biobehavioral autism vulnerability. However, evidence for a diametral association between autism and psychosis is scant. Several clinical implications follow from evidence of a developmental continuum between autism and psychosis as a function of the endocannabinoid system dysregulation.
Topics: Animals; Autistic Disorder; Cannabinoids; Endocannabinoids; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 35565034
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095616