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The Laryngoscope Jun 2020The inner ear is responsible for hearing and balance and consists of a membranous labyrinth within a bony labyrinth. The balance structure is divided into the otolith...
The inner ear is responsible for hearing and balance and consists of a membranous labyrinth within a bony labyrinth. The balance structure is divided into the otolith organ that recognizes linear acceleration and the semicircular canal that is responsible for rotational movement. The cochlea is the hearing organ. The external and middle ear are covered with skin and mucosa, respectively, and the space is filled with air, whereas the inner ear is composed of endolymph and perilymph. The inner ear is a fluid-filled sensory organ composed of hair cells with cilia on the upper part of the cells that convert changes in sound energy and balance into electric energy through the hair cells to transmit signals to the auditory nerve through synapses. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane proteins present in all species that can be roughly divided into three subfamilies according to structure and function: 1) classical AQP, 2) aquaglyceroporin, and 3) superaquaporin. Currently, the subfamily of mammalian species is known to include 13 AQP members (AQP0-AQP12). AQPs have a variety of functions depending on their structure and are related to inner ear diseases such as Meniere's disease, sensorineural hearing loss, and presbycusis. Additional studies on the relationship between the inner ear and AQPs may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of inner ear disease. Laryngoscope, 130:1532-1539, 2020.
Topics: Animals; Aquaporins; Humans; Labyrinth Diseases
PubMed: 31593306
DOI: 10.1002/lary.28334 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020An imbalance of angiogenesis contributes to many pathologies such as cancer, arthritis and retinopathy, hence molecules that can modulate angiogenesis are of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
An imbalance of angiogenesis contributes to many pathologies such as cancer, arthritis and retinopathy, hence molecules that can modulate angiogenesis are of considerable therapeutic importance. Despite many reports on the promising antiangiogenic properties of naturally occurring flavonoids, no flavonoids have progressed to the clinic for this application. This systematic review and meta-analysis therefore evaluates the antiangiogenic activities of a wide range of flavonoids and is presented in two sections. The first part of the study (Systematic overview) included 402 articles identified by searching articles published before May 2020 using ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science databases. From this initial search, different classes of flavonoids with antiangiogenic activities, related pathologies and use of in vitro and/or in/ex vivo angiogenesis assays were identified. In the second part (Meta-analysis), 25 studies concerning the antiangiogenic evaluation of flavonoids using the in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were included, following a targeted search on articles published prior to June 2020. Meta-analysis of 15 out of the 25 eligible studies showed concentration dependent antiangiogenic activity of six compared subclasses of flavonoids with isoflavones, flavonols and flavones being the most active (64 to 80% reduction of blood vessels at 100 µM). Furthermore, the key structural features required for the antiangiogenic activity of flavonoids were derived from the pooled data in a structure activity relationship (SAR) study. All in all, flavonoids are promising candidates for the development of antiangiogenic agents, however further investigations are needed to determine the key structural features responsible for their activity.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Animals; Chick Embryo; Chorioallantoic Membrane; Flavonoids; Humans; Neoplasms; Neovascularization, Pathologic
PubMed: 33066630
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204712 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Previous studies were controversial in the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on semen quality and circulating sex hormones, and thus we conducted a systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Previous studies were controversial in the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on semen quality and circulating sex hormones, and thus we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the association. A systematic search was conducted in public databases to identify all relevant studies, and study-specific standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model. Finally, 11 studies were identified with a total of 1,731 MetS cases and 11,740 controls. Compared with the controls, MetS cases had a statistically significant decrease of sperm total count (SMD: -0.96, 95% CI: -1.58 to -0.31), sperm concentration (SMD: -1.13, 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.41), sperm normal morphology (SMD: -0.61, 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.21), sperm progressive motility (SMD: -0.58, 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.17), sperm vitality (SMD: -0.83, 95% CI: -1.11 to -0.54), circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (SMD: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.53 to -0.21), testosterone (SMD: -5.61, 95% CI: -10.90 to -0.31), and inhibin B (SMD: -2.42, 95% CI: -4.52 to -0.32), and a statistically significant increase of sperm DNA fragmentation (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.06) and mitochondrial membrane potential (SMD: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.28). No significant difference was found in semen volume, sperm total motility, circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) ( > 0.05). In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrated the effects of MetS on almost all the semen parameters and part of the circulating sex hormones, and MetS tended to be a risk factor for male infertility. Further larger-scale prospective designed studies were needed to confirm our findings.
Topics: Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 32849258
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00428 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Jul 2019The endolysosomal, non-selective cation channels, two-pore channels (TPCs) and mucolipins (TRPMLs), regulate intracellular membrane dynamics and autophagy. While... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The endolysosomal, non-selective cation channels, two-pore channels (TPCs) and mucolipins (TRPMLs), regulate intracellular membrane dynamics and autophagy. While partially compensatory for each other, isoform-specific intracellular distribution, cell-type expression patterns, and regulatory mechanisms suggest different channel isoforms confer distinct properties to the cell.
SCOPE OF REVIEW
Briefly, established TPC/TRPML functions and interaction partners ('interactomes') are discussed. Novel TRPML3 interactors are shown, and a meta-analysis of experimentally obtained channel interactomes conducted. Accordingly, interactomes are compared and contrasted, and subsequently described in detail for TPC1, TPC2, TRPML1, and TRPML3.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
TPC interactomes are well-defined, encompassing intracellular membrane organisation proteins. TRPML interactomes are varied, encompassing cardiac contractility- and chaperone-mediated autophagy proteins, alongside regulators of intercellular signalling.
GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE
Comprising recently proposed targets to treat cancers, infections, metabolic disease and neurodegeneration, the advancement of TPC/TRPML understanding is of considerable importance. This review proposes novel directions elucidating TPC/TRPML relevance in health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.
Topics: Animals; Calcium Channels; Calcium Signaling; Humans; Transient Receptor Potential Channels
PubMed: 30395881
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.10.020 -
Psychiatry Research Oct 2021Robust evidence suggests that depression, and risk for depression, are associated with the generation of stressful life events. This tendency to generate stress may be... (Review)
Review
AIM
Robust evidence suggests that depression, and risk for depression, are associated with the generation of stressful life events. This tendency to generate stress may be genetically determined. This systematic review aimed to identify specific molecular genetic markers associated with the generation of interpersonal stressful life events, at least in part dependent on individuals' behavior.
METHOD
We followed the PRISMA guidelines in searching six electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE) from inception to January 2021, and we reviewed the reference lists of eligible articles for additional records. We restricted eligibility to empirical studies involving at least one genetic marker and including proximal life events. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The outcome permitted a distinction between life events dependent on the individual's agency versus independent events.
RESULTS
Seven studies, including 3585 participants, met eligibility criteria. Three were longitudinal, and four were cross-sectional; six included adolescents and young adults, and one focused on middle adulthood. Four examined the serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR), two examined the rs53576 single nucleotide polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and one examined a multilocus genetic profile score including four hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis genes. There were no significant direct correlations between genotype and life events in any study. Instead, their relation was significantly moderated by symptoms, exposure to early adversity, or attachment. Consistent with the stress generation hypothesis, this moderation relation was significant in predicting exposure to dependent life events but was not significant in predicting independent life event exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that genetic variation in the serotonin, HPA axis, and oxytocin systems moderates the effects of psychosocial vulnerability markers on the generation of proximal, dependent life events. Future research should examine additional genetic markers in systems known to confer risk for stress generation.
PROSPERO
CRD42019136886.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Genetic Markers; Genotype; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Life Change Events; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Stress, Psychological; Young Adult
PubMed: 34371296
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114139 -
American Journal of Dentistry Apr 2022To perform a scoping review on the available literature regarding the side effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) used in toothpastes. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To perform a scoping review on the available literature regarding the side effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) used in toothpastes.
METHODS
A scoping review was performed according to the PRISMA extension using PubMed. The electronic search was supplemented with a manual search for a complete overview. A customized data collection form was used to map data which was developed to register the extracted relevant data. The results of the selected articles were classified according to effects in the mouth, on the mucous membrane or elsewhere in the body and the healing effects of SLS-free toothpaste on aphthous ulcers. The outcomes from each category were reported in separate data forms and the studies with incomplete information were excluded from the assessment.
RESULTS
Possible harmful effects of SLS were reported as mucosal desquamation, irritation or inflammation of oral mucosa or the dorsal part of the tongue, ulcerations, and toxic reactions in the oral cavity.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
There is limited evidence that patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers can benefit from the use of SLS-free toothpastes in terms of decrease in the number of ulcerations, duration of the ulcerations and the intensity of the pain caused by the ulcerations. It is essential to create awareness for the side effects of SLS in toothpastes but further research is needed on its effect on oral and gastrointestinal systems when used in toothpastes.
Topics: Humans; Inflammation; Mouth Mucosa; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Toothpastes
PubMed: 35506963
DOI: No ID Found -
American Journal of Reproductive... Apr 2017Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an impairment in immune response. Disorders in the peritoneal fluid and ectopic endometrium macrophage... (Review)
Review
PROBLEM
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an impairment in immune response. Disorders in the peritoneal fluid and ectopic endometrium macrophage populations and their secretory products create a specific microenvironment inducing the development of the disease. The important factors involved in inflammation associated with endometriosis are chemokines, especially interleukin (IL)-8. For this reason, the current study briefly reviews the role of IL-8 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
METHOD OF STUDY
A systematic review was done on all published studies that compared IL-8 expression and concentration in patients with and without endometriosis to evaluate their potential as biomarkers for the disease.
RESULTS
IL-8 induces chemotaxis of neutrophils and other immune cells; also, it is a potent angiogenic agent. Most researchers pointed to the increased peritoneal and serum IL-8 levels and showed correlation with the severity of the disease, size and number of the active lesions. IL-8 takes part in all processes during the development of the disease: adhesion, invasion, and implantation of ectopic tissue. Additionally, the chemokine plays a role in growth and maintenance of ectopic endometrial tissue directly affecting endometrial cell proliferation. IL-8 might also protect ectopic cells against death by apoptosis.
CONCLUSION
It may act as an autocrine growth factor in the endometrium and promotes the vicious circle of endometrial cell attachment and, in consequence, may lead to a transformation from acute to chronic inflammation stage.
Topics: Biomarkers; Cellular Microenvironment; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Interleukin-8; Peritoneum
PubMed: 28120482
DOI: 10.1111/aji.12622 -
Artificial Organs Jul 2022Myocardial damage occurs in up to 25% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. While veno-venous extracorporeal life support (V-V ECLS) is used as respiratory... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Myocardial damage occurs in up to 25% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. While veno-venous extracorporeal life support (V-V ECLS) is used as respiratory support, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may be required for severe cardiac dysfunction. This systematic review summarizes the available literature regarding MCS use rates, disease drivers for MCS initiation, and MCS outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
METHODS
PubMed/EMBASE were searched until October 14, 2021. Articles including adults receiving ECLS for COVID-19 were included. The primary outcome was the rate of MCS use. Secondary outcomes included mortality at follow-up, ECLS conversion rate, intubation-to-cannulation time, time on ECLS, cardiac diseases, use of inotropes, and vasopressors.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight observational studies (comprising both ECLS-only populations and ECLS patients as part of larger populations) included 4218 COVID-19 patients (females: 28.8%; median age: 54.3 years, 95%CI: 50.7-57.8) of whom 2774 (65.8%) required ECLS with the majority (92.7%) on V-V ECLS, 4.7% on veno-arterial ECLS and/or Impella, and 2.6% on other ECLS. Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest were reported in 7.8%, 9.7%, and 6.6% of patients, respectively. Vasopressors were used in 37.2%. Overall, 3.1% of patients required an ECLS change from V-V ECLS to MCS for heart failure, myocarditis, or myocardial infarction. The median ECLS duration was 15.9 days (95%CI: 13.9-16.3), with an overall survival of 54.6% and 28.1% in V-V ECLS and MCS patients. One study reported 61.1% survival with oxy-right ventricular assist device.
CONCLUSION
MCS use for cardiocirculatory compromise has been reported in 7.3% of COVID-19 patients requiring ECLS, which is a lower percentage compared to the incidence of any severe cardiocirculatory complication. Based on the poor survival rates, further investigations are warranted to establish the most appropriated indications and timing for MCS in COVID-19.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Female; Heart Failure; Heart-Assist Devices; Humans; Middle Aged; Shock, Cardiogenic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35490367
DOI: 10.1111/aor.14261 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Aug 2023Aim of this systematic review was to determine if bone marrow-derived cell-based injectable therapies induce disease-modifying effects in joints affected by... (Review)
Review
Cell-based therapies have disease-modifying effects on osteoarthritis in animal models. A systematic review by the ESSKA Orthobiologic Initiative. Part 2: bone marrow-derived cell-based injectable therapies.
PURPOSE
Aim of this systematic review was to determine if bone marrow-derived cell-based injectable therapies induce disease-modifying effects in joints affected by osteoarthritis (OA) in animal models.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed on three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) according to PRISMA guidelines. A synthesis of the results was performed investigating disease-modifying effects in preclinical animal studies comparing injectable bone marrow-derived products with OA controls or other products, different formulations or injection intervals, and the combination with other products. The risk of bias was assessed according to the SYRCLE's tool.
RESULTS
Fifty-three studies were included (1819 animals) with an increasing publication trend over time. Expanded cells were used in 48 studies, point-of-care products in 3 studies, and both approaches were investigated in 2 studies. Among the 47 studies presenting results on the disease-modifying effects, 40 studies (85%) reported better results with bone marrow-derived products compared to OA controls, with positive findings evident in 14 out of 20 studies (70%) in macroscopic assessment, in 30 out of 41 studies (73%) in histological assessment, and in 10 out of 13 studies (77%) in immunohistochemical evaluations. Clinical evaluations showed positive results in 7 studies out of 9 (78%), positive imaging results in 11 studies out of 17 (65%), and positive biomarker results in 5 studies out of 10 (50%). While 36 out of 46 studies (78%) reported positive results at the cartilage level, only 3 out of 10 studies (30%) could detect positive changes at the synovial level. The risk of bias was low in 42% of items, unclear in 50%, and high in 8%.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review of preclinical studies demonstrated that intra-articular injections of bone marrow-derived products can induce disease-modifying effects in the treatment of OA, slowing down the progression of cartilage damage with benefits at macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical levels. Positive results have been also observed in terms of clinical and imaging findings, as well as in the modulation of inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers, while poor effects have been described on the synovial membrane. These findings are important to understand the potential of bone marrow-derived products and to guide further research to optimise their use in the clinical practice.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
II.
Topics: Animals; Bone Marrow; Osteoarthritis; Synovial Membrane; Disease Models, Animal; Injections, Intra-Articular; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Osteoarthritis, Knee
PubMed: 36823238
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-023-07320-3 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022The challenging severity of some infections, especially in critically ill patients, makes the diffusion of antimicrobial drugs within tissues one of the cornerstones of... (Review)
Review
The challenging severity of some infections, especially in critically ill patients, makes the diffusion of antimicrobial drugs within tissues one of the cornerstones of chemotherapy. The knowledge of how antibacterial agents penetrate tissues may come from different sources: preclinical studies in animal models, phase I-III clinical trials and post-registration studies. However, the particular physiopathology of critically ill patients may significantly alter drug pharmacokinetics. Indeed, changes in interstitial volumes (the ) and/or in glomerular filtration ratio may influence the achievement of bactericidal concentrations in peripheral compartments, while inflammation can alter the systemic distribution of some drugs. On the contrary, other antibacterial agents may reach high and effective concentrations thanks to the increased tissue accumulation of macrophages and neutrophils. Therefore, the present review explores the tissue distribution of beta-lactams and other antimicrobials acting on the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria in critically ill patients. A systematic search of articles was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and tissue/plasma penetration ratios were collected. Results showed a highly variable passage of drugs within tissues, while large interindividual variability may represent a hurdle which must be overcome to achieve therapeutic concentrations in some compartments. To solve that issue, off-label dosing regimens could represent an effective solution in particular conditions.
PubMed: 36139944
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091164