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Environmental Research May 2024In the context of global warming, increasingly widespread and frequent freezing and thawing cycles (FTCs) will have profound effects on the biogeochemical cycling of...
In the context of global warming, increasingly widespread and frequent freezing and thawing cycles (FTCs) will have profound effects on the biogeochemical cycling of soil carbon and nitrogen. FTCs can increase soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing the stability of soil aggregates, promoting the release of dissolved organic carbon, decreasing the number of microorganisms, inducing cell rupture, and releasing carbon and nitrogen nutrients for use by surviving microorganisms. However, the similarity and disparity of the mechanisms potentially contributing to changes in GHGs have not been systematically evaluated. The present study consolidates the most recent findings on the dynamics of soil carbon and nitrogen, as well as GHGs, in relation to FTCs. Additionally, it analyzes the impact of FTCs on soil GHGs in a systematic manner. In this study, particular emphasis is given to the following: (i) the reaction mechanism involved; (ii) variations in soil composition in different types of land (e.g., forest, peatland, farmland, and grassland); (iii) changes in soil structure in response to cycles of freezing temperatures; (iv) alterations in microbial biomass and community structure that may provide further insight into the fluctuations in GHGs after FTCs. The challenges identified included the extension of laboratory-scale research to ecosystem scales, the performance of in-depth investigation of the coupled effects of carbon, nitrogen, and water in the freeze-thaw process, and analysis of the effects of FTCs through the use of integrated research tools. The results of this study can provide a valuable point of reference for future experimental designs and scientific investigations and can also assist in the analysis of the attributes of GHG emissions from soil and the ecological consequences of the factors that influence these emissions in the context of global permafrost warming.
Topics: Carbon; Carbon Dioxide; Ecosystem; Freezing; Greenhouse Gases; Methane; Nitrogen; Nitrous Oxide; Soil
PubMed: 38316387
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118386 -
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/oncology Oct 2023It is unclear whether there is a difference in outcomes with treosulfan or busulfan-based conditioning in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
It is unclear whether there is a difference in outcomes with treosulfan or busulfan-based conditioning in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We reviewed the evidence on this topic through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the comparison between treosulfan and busulfan-based conditioning in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT for instance. Six studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that there was no difference in the incidence of acute graft versus host disease (odds ratio [OR]: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.57, 1.61), grade II to IV acute graft versus host disease (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.83, 1.72), chronic GVHD (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.70, 2.00), and veno-occlusive disease (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.22, 3.85) between treosulfan and busulfan groups. Pooled analysis indicated marginally better survival with treosulfan-based conditioning (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.44), however, these results were unstable on sensitivity analysis. A meta-analysis found no difference in transplant-related mortality (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.34, 1.42) between the two groups. Retrospective data from a heterogenous population indicates that there is no difference in the rate of GVHD after treosulfan versus busulfan-based conditioning for pediatric HSCT. A marginal improvement in survival was noted with treosulfan but the results remained unstable. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to provide better evidence.
Topics: Humans; Child; Busulfan; Retrospective Studies; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Graft vs Host Disease; Transplantation Conditioning
PubMed: 37526377
DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002735 -
Journal of Environmental Management Dec 2023Anaerobic digestion (AD) as a waste management strategy for the organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW) has received attention in developed countries for several...
Anaerobic digestion (AD) as a waste management strategy for the organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW) has received attention in developed countries for several decades, leading to the development of large-scale plants. In contrast, AD of OFMSW has only recently drawn attention in developing countries. This systematic review was carried out to investigate the implementation of AD to treat the OFMSW in developing countries, focusing on assessing pilot and full-scale AD plants reported in the last ten years. Studies that met the selection criteria were analyzed and data regarding operating parameters, feedstock characteristics, and biogas, digestate, and energy production were extracted. As outlined in this systematic review, AD plants located in developing countries are mostly one-stage mesophilic systems that treat OFMSW via mono-digestion, almost exclusively with the aim of producing electrical energy. Based on the analysis done throughout this systematic review, it was noted that there is a large difference in the maturity level of AD systems between developing and developed countries, mainly due to the economic capacity of developed countries to invest in sustainable waste management systems. However, the number of AD plants reported in scientific papers is significantly lower than the number of installed AD systems. Research articles regarding large-scale implementation of AD to treat OFMSW in developed countries were analyzed and compared with developing countries. This comparison identified practices used in plants in developed countries that could be utilized in the large-scale implementation and success of AD in developing countries. These practices include exploiting potential products with high market-values, forming partnerships with local industries to use industrial wastes as co-substrates, and exploring different biological and physical pretreatment technologies. Additionally, the analysis of capital and operational costs of AD plants showed that costs tend to be higher for developing countries due to their need to import of materials and equipment from developed countries. Technical, economical, and political challenges for the implementation of AD at a large-scale in developing countries are highlighted.
Topics: Solid Waste; Refuse Disposal; Anaerobiosis; Developing Countries; Bioreactors; Biofuels; Methane
PubMed: 37751665
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118993 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jul 2024As a common complication of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) often leads to further damage to the heart muscle. Curcumin has been proven to have a variety of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
As a common complication of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) often leads to further damage to the heart muscle. Curcumin has been proven to have a variety of cardioprotective effects, however, the protective effect against DCM has not been systematically reviewed.
PURPOSE
In this study, we aimed to analyze the preclinical (animal model) evidence of curcumin's therapeutic effects in DCM.
METHODS
Eight databases and two registry systems were searched from the time of library construction to 1 November 2023. We performed rigorous data extraction and quality assessment. The included studies' methodological quality was appraised using the SYRCLE RoB tool, statistical analyses were carried out using RevMan 5.4 software, and Funnel plots and Egger's test were performed using Stata 17.0 software to assess publication bias.
RESULTS
This study included 32 trials with a total of 681 animals. Meta-analysis showed that curcumin significantly improved cardiac function indices (LVEF, LVFS, and LVSd) (p < 0.01), decreased markers of myocardial injury, HW/BW ratio, and randomized blood glucose compared to the control group, in addition to showing beneficial effects on mechanistic indices of myocardial oxidation, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin may exert cardioprotective effects in DCM through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, autophagy-enhancing, and anti-apoptotic effects. Its protective effect is proportional to the dose, and the efficacy may be further increased at a concentration of more than 200 mg/kg, and further validation is needed.
Topics: Curcumin; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Apoptosis
PubMed: 38723524
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155619 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2023We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the in vivo treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Our review protocol followed the PRISMA...
We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the in vivo treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Our review protocol followed the PRISMA Statement. The Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo databases were used. The search strategy was ("neuropathy" OR "neuropathies" OR "nerve injury" OR "nerve injuries") AND ("curcumin" OR "turmeric yellow" OR "yellow, turmeric" OR "diferuloylmethane"). Eligibility criteria were in vivo animal models, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French, evaluating the efficacy of turmeric derivatives in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. We have included 30 papers, and all consisted of pre-clinical trials with good methodological quality. Animals treated with turmeric derivatives (i.e., curcumin, curcumin by-products and curcumin loaded delivery systems) demonstrated remarkable amelioration in the injuries caused by diabetic and sciatic neuropathy, as well as for vincristine, cisplatin, and alcohol-induced neuropathy, especially with regards to the functional recovery of the affected nerve. Turmeric has great potential for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies, including those associated with diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials still need to be performed to assess the feasibility of human treatment as an alternative or adjuvant to existing pharmacological therapy.
Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Curcumin; Models, Animal; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37937613
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320200447 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health May 2024Colistin is a viable option for multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria emerged from inappropriate antibiotic use. Nonetheless, suboptimal colistin concentrations and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Clinical outcomes of colistin methanesulfonate sodium in correlation with pharmacokinetic parameters in critically ill patients with multi-drug resistant bacteria-mediated infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Colistin is a viable option for multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria emerged from inappropriate antibiotic use. Nonetheless, suboptimal colistin concentrations and nephrotoxicity risks hinder its clinical use. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate clinical outcomes in correlation with pharmacokinetic differences and infection types in critically ill patients on intravenous colistin methanesulfornate sodium (CMS).
METHODS
A systematic literature search of Embase, Google Scholars, and PubMed was performed to identify clinical trials evaluating pharmacokinetic parameters along with clinical outcomes of CMS treatment from inception to July 2023. The pooled analyses of clinical impact of CMS on nephrotoxicity, mortality, clinical cure, and colistin concentration at steady state (C) were performed. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD 42023456120).
RESULTS
Total of 695 critically ill patients from 17 studies were included. The mortality was substantially lower in clinically cured patients (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.02 - 0.14), whereas the mortality rate was statistically insignificant between nephrotoxic and non-nephrotoxic patients. Inter-patient variability of pharmacokinetic parameters of CMS and colistin was observed in critically ill patients. The standard mean differences of C were statistically insignificant between clinically cure and clinically failure groups (standard mean difference (SMD) -0.25; 95% CI -0.69 - 0.19) and between nephrotoxic and non-nephrotoxic groups (SMD 0.67; 95% CI -0.27-1.61). The clinical cure rate is substantially lower in pneumonia patients (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01 - 0.56), and pharmacokinetic parameters pertaining to microbiological cure were different among strains.
CONCLUSION
The mortality rate was substantially lower in clinically cured patients with CMS. However, no significant differences in C of colistin were examined to determine the impact of pharmacokinetic differences on clinical outcomes including mortality rate and nephrotoxicity risk. Nevertheless, the clinical cure rate is substantially lower in patients with respiratory infection than patients with urinary tract infection.
Topics: Humans; Colistin; Critical Illness; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Bacteria; Mesylates; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38554590
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.03.021 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Jun 2024Taurine is considered an immunomodulatory agent. From current reports on clinical studies, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Taurine is considered an immunomodulatory agent. From current reports on clinical studies, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of taurine-enhanced enteral nutrition (EN) on the outcomes of critically ill patients to resolve conflicting evidence in literature.
METHODS
Literature from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SINOMED, and WanFang databases were retrieved, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. The time range spanned from January 1, 2000, to January 31, 2024. The Cochrane Collaboration Tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. We used the GRADE approach to rate the quality of evidence and the I2 test to assess the statistical heterogeneity of the results. Risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze measurement data.
RESULTS
Four trials involving 236 patients were finally included. The meta-analysis results indicated that taurine-enhanced EN did not reduce mortality (RR = 0.70, p = 0.45, 95% CI [0.28, 1.80], two trials, 176 participants, low quality). There was also no significant difference in length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) between the taurine-enhanced EN and control groups. Taurine-enhanced EN may reduce pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in critically ill patients(the result about IL-6 cannot be pooled). However, taurine-enhanced EN had no significant impact on high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels (MD = -0.41, p = 0.40, 95% CI [-1.35, 0.54], two trials, 60 participants, low quality).
DISCUSSION
Taurine-enhanced EN may reduce IL-6 levels and is not associated with improved clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, which may have potential immunoregulatory effects in critically ill patients. Given that published studies have small samples, the above conclusions need to be verified by more rigorously designed large-sample clinical trials.
Topics: Taurine; Humans; Critical Illness; Enteral Nutrition; Treatment Outcome; Intensive Care Units; Length of Stay; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38777434
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.03.012 -
Current Neuropharmacology 2024Patients with psychotic disorders (PD) often have comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is typically treated pharmacologically. Up till now, no systematic review...
BACKGROUND
Patients with psychotic disorders (PD) often have comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is typically treated pharmacologically. Up till now, no systematic review has examined the effectiveness and safety of AUD treatment in PD patients.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to systematically review the literature on (1) the effects of pharmacological treatments for AUD on drinking outcomes, (2) the side effects of the drugs, and (3) the effects of polypharmacy in patients with comorbid AUD and PD.
METHODS
Bibliographic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO. At least two reviewers extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias, and performed the qualitative synthesis of the collected evidence.
RESULTS
Twelve eligible studies were identified, half being randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Three studies examined disulfiram, nine naltrexone, two acamprosate, and one nalmefene by comparing the effects of treatment to placebo, baseline, or pharmacological agents. Disulfiram and naltrexone were shown to reduce alcohol intake. Regarding acamprosate, the findings were mixed. Nalmefene decreased alcohol intake. All pharmacological agents appeared safe to use as AUD monotherapy, but cardiac events were reported when combining naltrexone and disulfiram. Nine studies had a high risk of bias, and three had some other concerns.
CONCLUSION
The studies provide tentative support for the use of naltrexone and disulfiram in this population, although combinations of pharmacological AUD treatments and other polypharmacy remain unexplored. The studies had high adherence rates that are hardly replicable in real-world settings. Thus, the findings should be confirmed in larger high quality efficacy and effectiveness RCTs with longer follow-ups.
Topics: Humans; Alcoholism; Naltrexone; Acamprosate; Disulfiram; Alcohol Drinking; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 36582063
DOI: 10.2174/1570159X21666221229160300 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Aug 2024Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound that has been used to treat various ailments such as symptoms of anxiety. However, the findings of studies regarding the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound that has been used to treat various ailments such as symptoms of anxiety. However, the findings of studies regarding the anti-anxiety properties of curcumin are controversial. This review aims to evaluate if there are clinical benefits of curcumin in patients with symptoms of anxiety.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the database inception to August 16, 2023. The random-effects model was used to estimate the standard mean difference (SMD).
RESULTS
A total of eight RCTs involving 567 participants were included in the analysis. A pooled analysis showed a significant effect of curcumin on anxiety symptoms (SMD: -1.56; 95% CI: -2.48, -0.64, p < 0.001; I = 95.6%, p-heterogeneity< 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Present meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin intake might contribute to alleviation of anxiety disorder. Due to the limited number of studies included, it is necessary to conduct more high-quality studies to confirm the clinical efficacy of curcumin.
Topics: Curcumin; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Anxiety; Dietary Supplements; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38857152
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.05.017