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Transplantation Reviews (Orlando, Fla.) Jan 2024Solid organ transplantation (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are susceptible to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The incidence of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Solid organ transplantation (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are susceptible to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The incidence of refractoriness to antivirals, with or without resistance, is unclear. The purpose of this review was to describe the epidemiology of refractory CMV infection in Spain to understand the current unmet needs.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and MEDES were searched systematically for relevant articles. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies published during the period from January 1990 to June 2021.
RESULTS
From 212 screened records, we selected 19 papers including 1973 transplant recipients. Refractory infection ranged from 3 to 10% in studies with SOT recipients. The incidence of CMV resistance ranged from 1% to 36% in these patients. The incidence of CMV refractory infection in HSCT recipients ranged from 11 to 50%, while values for resistant infection ranged from 0% to 21%.
CONCLUSION
The wide range of definitions and values observed does not allow us to establish the true incidence of refractory CMV infection with or without resistances in SOT and HSCT patients in Spain. This review highlights the gap between clinical practice and clinical trials' definitions which needed to be updated to be easier followed in current clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Antiviral Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Incidence; Organ Transplantation; Spain; Transplant Recipients
PubMed: 37949797
DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2023.100804 -
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice :... Jul 2024To determine the survival benefit and immunomodulatory effects of cimetidine pre-, peri- or post-operatively in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To determine the survival benefit and immunomodulatory effects of cimetidine pre-, peri- or post-operatively in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane Library to retrieve randomized control trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of cimetidine on survival and immunomodulation via improvement in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The review was carried out in accordance with the extended Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Four studies with the total of 267 patients were included in this systematic review. Treatment duration varied from 5 days to 1 year. Two studies reported a significant TIL response in the resected specimens after administering cimetidine, while one RCT showed an escalation of CD, CD and CD lymphocytes in peripheral blood compared to the baseline following cimetidine treatment ( < 0.01). Of the three trials that examined the effects of cimetidine on survival, only two studies revealed significant survival benefit while the remaining study only showed a trend towards survival benefit.
CONCLUSION
Repurposing of existing drugs like cimetidine has a potential to offer a survival benefit by acting as an immunomodulatory agent in patients undergoing curative resection for CRC. However, the heterogeneity seen in current studies and the evolvement of adjunctive therapies for CRC warrant large-scale, well-designed prospective RCTs to establish the efficacy of cimetidine in CRC.
Topics: Humans; Cimetidine; Colorectal Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Drug Repositioning; Immunomodulating Agents; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating
PubMed: 38592456
DOI: 10.1177/10781552241247007 -
Cells Jan 2024Acetylcholine signaling is attenuated in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. A significant reduction in the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine... (Review)
Review
Acetylcholine signaling is attenuated in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. A significant reduction in the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain of AD patients has also been reported in several molecular biological and in situ labeling studies. The modulation of the functional deficit of the cholinergic system as a pharmacological target could therefore have a clinical benefit, which is not to be neglected. This systematic review was conducted to identify clinical trials, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists using Clinicaltrial (CT) and EudraCT databases. Structured searches identified 39 trials, which used 15 different drugs designed to increase the function of the nAChRs. Most of the identified clinical trials were phase II trials, with some of them classified as ongoing for several years. The systematic screening of the literature led to the selection of 14 studies out of the 8261 bibliographic records retrieved. Six trials reported detailed data on adverse events associated with the intervention, while twelve trials reported data on efficacy measures, such as attention, behavior and cognition. Overall, smost of the physical side effects of cholinergic agonists were reported to be well tolerated. Some trials also reported improvements in attention. However, the efficacy of these drugs in other cognitive and behavioral outcomes remains highly controversial.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Receptors, Nicotinic; Brain; Nicotinic Agonists; Cognition
PubMed: 38334629
DOI: 10.3390/cells13030237 -
The European Journal of Contraception &... Apr 2024The long-acting reversible contraception progestin subdermal implant (ENG implant) may be effective to improve endometriosis-related symptoms. Since adenomyosis is a... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The long-acting reversible contraception progestin subdermal implant (ENG implant) may be effective to improve endometriosis-related symptoms. Since adenomyosis is a histopathological form of endometriosis, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ENG implant in adenomyosis management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electronic search in Medline, Scopus, Embase databases and Google Scholar using combinations of the following keywords: Progestin; subdermal implant; Implanon; Nexplanon; Adenomyosis; Endometriosis.
RESULTS
Out of 889 articles in the initial database, 5 prospective observational studies were eligible for inclusion in our literature review. Our review involving 152 participants found a significant reduction in pelvic pain and dysmenorrhoea (baseline median VAS score ranged from 10 to 7.62 before implantation vs VAS score ranged from 1.81 to 0.1 after implantation) as well as an increase in the levels of haemoglobin after implantation of the device (from 86 g/L to 129 g/L after implantation). Moreover, the improvement may be sustained throughout the long-term follow-up visits (until 36 months). The most common adverse events were changes in bleeding patterns which were tolerable in most cases.
CONCLUSION
ENG implant may be a relevant and promising medical option in the management of adenomyosis. Nevertheless, randomised controlled trials and prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to confirm the potential role of ENG implant in the management of adenomyosis.
PubMed: 38426337
DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2024.2314298 -
BMC Psychology May 2024The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review regarding the relationship between positive psychological factors, such as psychological well-being and...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review regarding the relationship between positive psychological factors, such as psychological well-being and pleasant emotions, and sports performance.
METHOD
This study, carried out through a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines considering the Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed and SPORT Discus databases, seeks to highlight the relationship between other more 'positive' factors, such as well-being, positive emotions and sports performance.
SETTINGS
The keywords will be decided by a Delphi Method in two rounds with sport psychology experts.
PARTICIPANTS
There are no participants in the present research.
ASSESSMENT
The main exclusion criteria were: Non-sport thema, sample younger or older than 20-65 years old, qualitative or other methodology studies, COVID-related, journals not exclusively about Psychology.
MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES
We obtained a first sample of 238 papers, and finally, this sample was reduced to the final sample of 11 papers.
RESULTS
The results obtained are intended to be a representation of the 'bright side' of sports practice, and as a complement or mediator of the negative variables that have an impact on athletes' and coaches' performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Clear recognition that acting on intrinsic motivation continues to be the best and most effective way to motivate oneself to obtain the highest levels of performance, a good perception of competence and a source of personal satisfaction.
Topics: Humans; Athletic Performance; Athletes; Emotions; Personal Satisfaction; Motivation; Sports
PubMed: 38773650
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01769-8 -
Medicina Clinica Jun 2024The present systematic review analyses the role of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) as an indirect biomarker of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis or septic...
INTRODUCTION
The present systematic review analyses the role of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) as an indirect biomarker of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis or septic shock from articles published in PubMed between 2010 and March 2022.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review of studies studying sFLT-1 monitoring in intensive care units in adults with sepsis or septic shock vs. controls for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis has been carried out (PROSPERO CRD42023412929 Registry).
RESULTS
The endothelial dysfunction of sepsis is one of the keys to the development of the disease. VEGF binds to sFLT-1 acting as a competitive inhibitor of VEGF signalling in endothelial cells and thus neutralizes its pro-inflammatory effects. Endothelial dysfunction is reflected in increased sFLT-1 levels. High values of sFLT-1 were used for the differential diagnosis of sepsis versus other inflammatory pathologies, septic shock versus other types of shock, were elevated over time, estimation of disease prognosis, correlation with sepsis severity, organ dysfunction, and mortality prediction.
CONCLUSIONS
It is evident that sepsis is based on endothelial dysfunction. sFLT-1 is one of the main biomarkers of microvascular alteration and is a predictive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.
PubMed: 38851948
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2024.03.027