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Vaccines Feb 2022We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines for pregnant women in real-world studies. We searched for observational... (Review)
Review
We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines for pregnant women in real-world studies. We searched for observational studies about the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccinated pregnant women from inception to 6 November 2021. A total of 6 studies were included. We found that vaccination prevented pregnant women from SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.35-0.79) and COVID-19-related hospitalization (OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.31-0.82). Messenger-RNA vaccines could reduce the risk of infection in pregnant women (OR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.03-0.57). No adverse events of COVID-19 vaccination were found on pregnant, fetal, or neonatal outcomes. Our analysis confirmed the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. Policy makers should formulate targeted strategies to improve vaccine coverage in pregnant women.
PubMed: 35214704
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020246 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Oct 2017Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a severe chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent painful deep-seated nodules with a predilection to the... (Review)
Review
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a severe chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent painful deep-seated nodules with a predilection to the apocrine-bearing areas of skin. A minority of cases of HS are due to mutations in the γ-secretase complex. Contention exists surrounding the pathogenicity of sequence variants and their effects upon Notch signalling. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016041425) and was conducted in line with the PRISMA statement. Eligibility criteria for this review included published case reports, case series and reviews that identified sequence variants or protein or functional studies from patients with HS. Sixty-two articles were identified reporting a total of 41 sequence variants - heterozygous missense (nine), splice site (nine), insertion resulting in frameshift (one), premature termination codon (19) and promoter region PSTPIP1 (three) - with 18 associated protein or functional studies. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines on the interpretation of sequence variants were applied to each identified variant to assess evidence for pathogenicity. Twenty-three variants were assessed as likely pathogenic, 17 of uncertain significance and one benign. The large number of variants of 'uncertain significance' is largely due to the variable number of functional studies. Four studies used Notch as a proxy for γ-secretase function, with conclusions of nonpathogenicity based on the assumption of Notch signalling as the sole pathogenic process. The role of Notch-independent signalling mechanisms requires further research. Limitations to this study include identification of variants of Mendelian inheritance and not complex polygenic traits.
Topics: Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Heterozygote; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Mutation; Promoter Regions, Genetic; RNA Splice Sites; Receptors, Notch
PubMed: 28278367
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15441 -
JAMA Network Open Apr 2022Recipients of solid organ transplant (SOT) experience decreased immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Immunogenicity and Risk Factors Associated With Poor Humoral Immune Response of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Recipients of Solid Organ Transplant: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
IMPORTANCE
Recipients of solid organ transplant (SOT) experience decreased immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize current evidence on vaccine responses and identify risk factors for diminished humoral immune response in recipients of SOT.
DATA SOURCES
A literature search was conducted from existence of database through December 15, 2021, using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies reporting humoral immune response of the COVID-19 vaccines in recipients of SOT were reviewed.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers independently extracted data from each eligible study. Descriptive statistics and a random-effects model were used. This report was prepared following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Data were analyzed from December 2021 to February 2022.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The total numbers of positive immune responses and percentage across each vaccine platform were recorded. Pooled odds ratios (pORs) with 95% CIs were used to calculate the pooled effect estimates of risk factors for poor antibody response.
RESULTS
A total of 83 studies were included for the systematic review, and 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis, representing 11 713 recipients of SOT. The weighted mean (range) of total positive humoral response for antispike antibodies after receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was 10.4% (0%-37.9%) for 1 dose, 44.9% (0%-79.1%) for 2 doses, and 63.1% (49.1%-69.1%) for 3 doses. In 2 studies, 50% of recipients of SOT with no or minimal antibody response after 3 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine mounted an antibody response after a fourth dose. Among the factors associated with poor antibody response were older age (mean [SE] age difference between responders and nonresponders, 3.94 [1.1] years), deceased donor status (pOR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.53-0.83]; I2 = 0%), antimetabolite use (pOR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.14-0.29]; I2 = 70%), recent rituximab exposure (pOR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.07-0.61]; I2 = 0%), and recent antithymocyte globulin exposure (pOR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.15-0.71]; I2 = 0%).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the rates of positive antibody response in solid organ transplant recipients remained low despite multiple doses of mRNA vaccines. These findings suggest that more efforts are needed to modulate the risk factors associated with reduced humoral responses and to study monoclonal antibody prophylaxis among recipients of SOT who are at high risk of diminished humoral response.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Child, Preschool; Humans; Immunity, Humoral; Organ Transplantation; RNA, Messenger; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35412626
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6822 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Dec 2022The short- and long-term andrological effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been clarified. Our aim is to evaluate the available evidence regarding... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
The short- and long-term andrological effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been clarified. Our aim is to evaluate the available evidence regarding possible andrological consequences of COVID-19 either on seminal or hormonal parameters. The safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in terms of sperm quality was also investigated.
METHODS
All prospective and retrospective observational studies reporting information on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) mRNA semen and male genitalia tract detection (n = 19), as well as those reporting data on semen analysis (n = 5) and hormonal parameters (n = 11) in infected/recovered patients without any arbitrary restriction were included.
RESULTS
Out of 204 retrieved articles, 35 were considered, including 2092 patients and 1138 controls with a mean age of 44.1 ± 12.6 years, and mean follow-up 24.3 ± 18.9 days. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA can be localized in male genitalia tracts during the acute phase of the disease. COVID-19 can result in short-term impaired sperm and T production. Available data cannot clarify long-term andrological effects. Low T observed in the acute phase of the disease is associated with an increased risk of being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or death. The two available studies showed that the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines does not affect sperm quality.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of our analysis clearly suggest that each patient recovering from COVID-19 should be monitored to rule out sperm and T abnormalities. The specific contribution of reduced T levels during the acute phase of the infection needs to be better clarified.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Semen; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 35527294
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01801-x -
Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine :... Mar 2021More than 90% of malignant tumors of the head and neck are oral squamous cell carcinomas. Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma using salivary biomarkers could... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
More than 90% of malignant tumors of the head and neck are oral squamous cell carcinomas. Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma using salivary biomarkers could prevent malignant transformations and enhance patient survival.
METHODS
A systematic search in MEDLINE and the Central Register of Controlled Trials and meta-analysis were undertaken to identify the screening potential of six salivary biomarkers for early oral squamous cell carcinoma detection: interleukins IL-8 and IL1-β, DUSP-1 and S100P messenger RNAs, and miR125a and miR200a microRNAs.
RESULTS
The sensitivities of IL-8 (0.41; 95%CI 0.19-0.99), IL1-β (0.26; 95%CI 0.19-0.99), DUSP-1 (0.61; 95%CI 0.01-0.98), and S100P (0.67; 95%CI 0.32-0.99) were calculated. Specificities of the biomarkers analyzed were found to be IL-8 (0.69; 95%CI 0.66-0.99), IL1-β (0.47; 95%CI 0.46-0.90), DUSP-1 (0.75; 95%CI 0.33-1), and S100P (0.73; 95%CI 0.18-0.99).
CONCLUSIONS
Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma was best achieved by screening for salivary messenger RNA DUSP-1 and S100P. Further investigation is required into miRNAs as novel biomarkers.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Mouth Neoplasms; Saliva; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
PubMed: 30339289
DOI: 10.1111/jop.12791 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2020Sepsis is a severe condition characterized by systemic inflammation. One of the most involved organs in sepsis is the heart. On the other hand, heart failure and...
Sepsis is a severe condition characterized by systemic inflammation. One of the most involved organs in sepsis is the heart. On the other hand, heart failure and dysfunction are some of the most leading causes of death in septic patients. miRNAs are short single-strand non-coding ribonucleic acids involved in the regulation of gene expression on a post-transcriptional phase, which means they are a part of the epigenetic process. Recently, researchers have found that miRNA expression in tissues and blood differs depending on different conditions. Because of this property, their use as serum sepsis biomarkers has also been explored. A narrative review is carried out to gather and summarize what is known about miRNAs' influence on cardiac dysfunction during sepsis. When reviewing the literature, we found at least 77 miRNAs involved in cardiac inflammation and dysfunction during sepsis. In the future, miRNAs may be used as early sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction biomarkers or as new drug targets. This could help clinicians to early detect, prevent, and treat cardiac damage. The potential role of miRNAs as new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies worth deepening the complex network between non-coding RNA and biological pathways. Additional studies are needed to further investigate their role in sepsis-induced myocardium injury.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Gene Expression Regulation; Heart Diseases; Humans; MicroRNAs; Sepsis
PubMed: 33396834
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010321 -
BioMed Research International 2022Globally, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the third major cause of cancer-related death in both sexes. KRAS and BRAF mutations are almost... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Globally, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the third major cause of cancer-related death in both sexes. KRAS and BRAF mutations are almost mutually exclusively involved in the pathogenesis of CRC. Both are major culprits in treatment failure and poor prognosis for CRC. . A systematic review and meta-analysis of various research was done following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This trial is registered with PROSPERO CRD42021256452. The initial search included 646 articles; after the removal of noneligible studies, a total of 88 studies was finally selected. Data analysis was carried out using OpenMeta Analyst and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 (CMA 3.0) software to investigate the prevalence of KRAS and BRAF mutations among patients with CRC in Asia. . The meta-analysis comprises of 25,525 sample sizes from Asia with most being male 15,743/25525 (61.7%). Overall prevalence of KRAS mutations was (59/88) 36.3% (95% CI: 34.5-38.2) with = 85.54% ( value < 0.001). In 43/59 studies, frequency of KRAS mutations was majorly in codon 12 (76.6% (95% CI: 74.2-78.0)) and less in codon 13 (21.0% (95% CI: 19.1-23.0)). Overall prevalence of BRAF mutations was 5.6% (95% CI: 3.9-8.0) with = 94.00% ( value < 0.001). When stratified according to location, a higher prevalence was observed in Indonesia (71.8%) while Pakistan has the lowest (13.5%). . Total prevalence of KRAS and BRAF mutations in CRC was 36.6% and 5.6%, respectively, and the results conformed with several published studies on KRAS and BRAF mutations.
Topics: Biomarkers; Codon; Colorectal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Mutation; Pakistan; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
PubMed: 35782059
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5824183 -
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Dec 2023Injection treatments have been proposed as novel treatment options for Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause (VVA) also known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)....
BACKGROUND
Injection treatments have been proposed as novel treatment options for Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause (VVA) also known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). However, to date data about these treatments are poor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess all available injection treatments for VVA.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed by searching five electronic databases for peer-reviewed studies that assessed injection treatments for VVA.
RESULTS
Eight studies (7 observational and 1 randomized) with 236 women were included. Assessed injection materials were: autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) + hyaluronic acid (HA), not cross-linked HA plus calcium hydroxyapatite (NCLHA + CaHA), micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), hyaluronan hybrid cooperative complexes (HCC), crosslinked HA, microfat and nanofat grafting + PRP, and PRP alone. Improvement in GSM symptoms after treatment was assessed through Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) for GSM symptoms or patient satisfaction, several validated questionnaires (FSFI, VHI, FSD, SF12, ICIQ UI SF, PGI-I, FSDS-R, VSQ), symptoms severity, changes in vaginal mucosa thickness, flora, pH, and expression on vaginal mucosal biopsies of Procollagen I and III and ki67 immunofluorescence or COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA. Injection treatments showing significant improvement in GSM-related symptoms were: (i) HCC in terms of VAS for GSM symptoms and FSFI score; (ii) Crosslinked HA in terms of VAS for GSM symptoms, FSFI and VHI score, COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA expression on vaginal mucosal biopsies; (iii) NCLHA + CaHA in terms of FSFI score; (iv) PRP + HA in terms of VHI, FSD and SF12 score; (v) microfat and nanofat grafting + PRP in terms of VHI score and FSDS-R score; (vi) PRP alone in terms of VHI and VSQ scores.
CONCLUSIONS
All assessed injection treatments except for MFAT seem to lead to significant improvement in VVA symptoms on validated questionnaires. Further studies are necessary in the field.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Topics: Female; Humans; Atrophy; Menopause; Patient Satisfaction; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; RNA, Messenger; Treatment Outcome; Vagina
PubMed: 37580562
DOI: 10.1007/s00266-023-03550-5 -
Viruses Mar 2024The post-transcriptional regulatory element (PRE) is present in all HBV mRNAs and plays a major role in their stability, nuclear export, and enhancement of viral gene... (Review)
Review
The post-transcriptional regulatory element (PRE) is present in all HBV mRNAs and plays a major role in their stability, nuclear export, and enhancement of viral gene expression. Understanding PRE's structure, function, and mode of action is essential to leverage its potential as a therapeutic target. A wide range of PRE-based reagents and tools have been developed and assessed in preclinical and clinical settings for therapeutic and biotechnology applications. This manuscript aims to provide a systematic review of the characteristics and mechanism of action of PRE, as well as elucidating its current applications in basic and clinical research. Finally, we discuss the promising opportunities that PRE may provide to antiviral development, viral biology, and potentially beyond.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antiviral Agents; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38675871
DOI: 10.3390/v16040528 -
Sexually Transmitted Diseases May 2019The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to specify the accuracy of messenger RNA human papillomavirus (HPV) tests among women with previous... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to specify the accuracy of messenger RNA human papillomavirus (HPV) tests among women with previous minor cervical lesion cytology to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (CIN2+ and CIN3+) compared with a histopathological reference standard. The secondary objective is to compare messenger RNA HPV test accuracies and the DNA high-risk HPV test among these women.
METHODS
Eligible studies were identified by searching the electronic databases with medical subject headings.
MAIN RESULTS
Among the 2052 studies identified, 20 primary studies were included. Two tests were mainly identified: Aptima and PreTect HPV-Proofer. Aptima, with 10 studies, had better performance, considering atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion together, with a pooled sensitivity of 90.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.1-92.6) and specificity of 55.1% (95% CI, 53.5-56.8) for CIN2+. For the ASC-US sample, Aptima had a pooled sensitivity of 90.1% (95% CI, 87.1-92.7) and specificity of 59.3% (95% CI, 57.5-61.1).
CONCLUSIONS
Messenger RNA HPV tests, mainly Aptima assay, can be recommended to triage women with ASC-US and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion because it has higher specificity with a small loss of sensitivity than Hybrid Capture 2 assay; this finding is promising as a means to reduce the overmanagement of minor cytological abnormalities.
Topics: Female; Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests; Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Viral; Sensitivity and Specificity; Triage; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
PubMed: 30985633
DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000970