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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Nov 2023The objective of this study was to determine the male and female frequency of diffuse gastric cancer (DGC), the age at diagnosis, and the country of origin in a selected... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to determine the male and female frequency of diffuse gastric cancer (DGC), the age at diagnosis, and the country of origin in a selected population with germline CDH1 variants from families with the hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) syndrome.
METHODS
Relevant literature dating from 1998 to 2021 was systematically searched for data on CDH1 gene. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Chi-square test were used to estimate if the difference observed between patients with gastric cancer (GC) and unaffected individuals was significant.
RESULTS
We identified 80 families fulfilling the established clinical criteria for HDGC CDH1 genetic screening. There were more women than men with DGC and germline CDH1 variant (65.5%). Stratifying the age at diagnosis, we identified an association between DGC, positive CDH1 screening and young women (≤ 40 years) (p = 0.015). The mean age at diagnosis was 39.6 ys for women and 42.5 ys for men. There was an association between CDH1 carrier status and DGC (p = 0.021).
CONCLUSIONS
Young women carrying germline CDH1 variants with DGC are comparatively frequent in the HDGC syndrome, and potentially at higher risk to develop DGC particularly in low-incidence areas for GC.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Infant; Stomach Neoplasms; Pedigree; Genetic Testing; Adenocarcinoma; Germ Cells; Cadherins; Germ-Line Mutation; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Antigens, CD
PubMed: 37639007
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05318-5 -
Microorganisms May 2024Fungal melanonychia is an uncommon condition, most typically caused by opportunistic melanin-producing pigmented filamentous fungi in the nail plate. In the present... (Review)
Review
Fungal melanonychia is an uncommon condition, most typically caused by opportunistic melanin-producing pigmented filamentous fungi in the nail plate. In the present study, the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with fungal melanonychia were analyzed through a systematic review of cases reported in the literature. The MESH terms used for the search were "melanonychia" AND "fungal" OR "fungi" through four databases: PubMed, SciELO, Google scholar and SCOPUS. After discarding inadequate articles using the exclusion criteria, 33 articles with 133 cases were analyzed, of which 44% were women, 56% were men and the age range was between 9 and 87 years. The majority of cases were reported in Turkey followed by Korea and Italy. Frequent causal agents detected were as non-dematiaceous in 55% as dematiaceous in 8%. Predisposing factors included nail trauma, migration history, employment and/or outdoor activities. Involvement in a single nail was presented in 45% of the cases, while more than one affected nail was identified in 21%, with a range of 2 to 10 nails. Regarding the clinical classification, 41% evidenced more than one type of melanonychia, 21% corresponded to the longitudinal pattern and 13% was of total diffuse type. Likewise, the usual dermoscopic pattern was multicolor pigmentation. It is concluded that fungal melanonychia is an uncommon variant of onychomycosis and the differential diagnosis is broad, which highlights the complexity of this disease.
PubMed: 38930478
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061096 -
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2023Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the... (Review)
Review
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the diffuse and rapidly progressive forms of the disease, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that the identification of altered metabolic pathways may play a key role in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, metabolomics might be pivotal in a better understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms. Through a systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines (PRISMA), searches were done in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from 2000 to September 2022. Three researchers independently reviewed the literature and extracted the data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the screened studies, 26 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 151 metabolites were differentially distributed between SSc patients and healthy controls (HC). The main deregulated metabolites were those derived from amino acids, specifically homocysteine (Hcy), proline, alpha-N-phenylacetyl-L-glutamine, glutamine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), citrulline and ornithine, kynurenine (Kyn), and tryptophan (Trp), as well as acylcarnitines associated with long-chain fatty acids and tricarboxylic acids such as citrate and succinate. Additionally, differences in metabolic profiling between SSc subtypes were identified. The diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) subtype showed upregulated amino acid-related pathways involved in fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis. Lastly, potential biomarkers were evaluated for the diagnosis of SSc, the identification of the dcSSc subtype, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and interstitial lung disease. These potential biomarkers are within amino acids, nucleotides, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrate metabolism. The altered metabolite mechanisms identified in this study mostly point to perturbations in amino acid-related pathways, fatty acid beta-oxidation, and in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, possibly associated with inflammation, vascular damage, fibrosis, and gut dysbiosis. Further studies in targeted metabolomics are required to evaluate potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response.
PubMed: 37614441
DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1215039 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Nov 2023Energy companies are in the spotlight regarding the environmental pressure to address the current environmental issues by initiating the sets of social responsibilities.... (Review)
Review
Energy companies are in the spotlight regarding the environmental pressure to address the current environmental issues by initiating the sets of social responsibilities. Energy sector companies are actively adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices to address the increased pressure and enablement to manage and prevent the risks of environmental impact at the same time concentrating on the economic growth. The current study provides a systematic literature review identifying CSR initiative measures towards sustainability and proposes a framework of CSR measurements in the energy sector. The framework combines the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) method together with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and PSALSAR (Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis and Report). Moreover, for setting the research scope, PICOC (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Context) is applied. As a result, eleven CSR measures for the energy sector were identified. The measurements were classified into 4 pillars: environmental pillar, stakeholder communication and external image, financial pillar, and organizational pillar. The environmental impact and GHG reduction align with the ecological modernization theories. Green energy innovations find theoretical resonance in the diffusion of innovation theories. Stakeholder engagement and branding link to the stakeholder theory, while financial performance, to the shareholder value theories. Occupational health and safety theory support the employee safety and corporate culture considerations. These measures, selected through theoretical lenses and systematic review, contribute to shaping a sustainable energy landscape. Furthermore, the research results were discussed, and the future research agenda together with policy recommendations were provided.
Topics: Occupational Health; Organizations; Social Responsibility; Organizational Culture
PubMed: 37798520
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30131-5 -
International Journal of Stroke :... Oct 2023Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom following stroke, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Associations with a number of imaging features have been proposed. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom following stroke, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Associations with a number of imaging features have been proposed.
AIMS
We aimed to assess whether neuroimaging parameters could better inform our understanding of possible causes of post-stroke fatigue (PSF) through systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Using a predefined protocol registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022303168), we searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PsycInfo for studies assessing PSF and computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, or diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We extracted neuroimaging parameters and narratively analyzed study results to assess any association with PSF. Where there were 3+ similar studies, we carried out a meta-analysis using inverse-variance random-effects model to estimate the total association of each neuroimaging parameter on PSF. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle and Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
We identified 46 studies ( = 6543); in many studies, associations with fatigue were secondary or subanalyses (28.3%). Imaging parameters were assessed across eight variables: lesion lateralization, lesion location, lesion volume, brain atrophy, infarct number, cerebral microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and network measures. Most variables showed no conclusive evidence for any association with fatigue. Meta-analysis, where possible, showed no association of the following with PSF; left lesion lateralization (OR: 0.88, 95% CI (0.64, 1. 22) ( 0.45)), infratentorial lesion location (OR: 1.83, 95% CI (0.63, 5.32) ( 0.27)), and WMH (OR: 1.21, 95% CI (0.84, 1.75) ( 0.29)). Many studies assessed lesion location with mixed findings; only one used voxel-symptom lesion-mapping (VSLM). Some small studies suggested an association between altered functional brain networks, namely frontal, fronto-striato-thalamic, and sensory processing networks, with PSF.
CONCLUSION
There was little evidence for the association between any neuroimaging parameters and PSF. Future studies should utilize advanced imaging techniques to fully understand the role of lesion location in PSF, while the role of altered brain networks in mediating PSF merits further research.
Topics: Humans; Brain; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Fatigue; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Stroke
PubMed: 37485902
DOI: 10.1177/17474930231192214 -
Brain Imaging and Behavior Oct 2023Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric illness with a wide range of symptoms such as mood decline, loss of interest, and feelings of guilt and... (Review)
Review
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric illness with a wide range of symptoms such as mood decline, loss of interest, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Women develop depression more often than men, and the diagnostic criteria for depression mainly rely on female patients' symptoms. By contrast, male depression usually manifests as anger attacks, aggression, substance use, and risk-taking behaviors. Various studies have focused on the neuroimaging findings in psychiatric disorders for a better understanding of their underlying mechanisms. With this review, we aimed to summarize the existing literature on the neuroimaging findings in depression, separated by male and female subjects. A search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of depression. After screening the search results, 15 MRI, 12 fMRI, and 4 DTI studies were included. Sex differences were mainly reflected in the following regions: 1) total brain, hippocampus, amygdala, habenula, anterior cingulate cortex, and corpus callosum volumes, 2) frontal and temporal gyri functions, along with functions of the caudate nucleus and prefrontal cortex, and 3) frontal fasciculi and frontal projections of corpus callosum microstructural alterations. Our review faces limitations such as small sample sizes and heterogeneity in populations and modalities. But in conclusion, it reflects the possible roles of sex-based hormonal and social factors in the depression pathophysiology.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Depression; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sex Characteristics; Brain; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 37058182
DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00772-8 -
Brain and Behavior Nov 2023Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, leading to attention impairment and other cognitive... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, leading to attention impairment and other cognitive deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful modality that can reveal the structural and functional brain alterations associated with attention impairment in OSA patients. The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize the evidence on MRI biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments of attention deficits in OSA patients.
METHODS
We searched the Scopus and PubMed databases for studies that used MRI to measure biomarkers related to attention alteration in OSA patients and reported qualitative and quantitative data on the association between MRI biomarkers and attention outcomes. We also included studies that found an association between neuropsychological assessments and MRI findings in OSA patients with attention deficits.
RESULTS
We included 19 studies that met our inclusion criteria and extracted the relevant data from each study. We categorized the studies into three groups based on the MRI modality and the cognitive domain they used: structural and diffusion tensor imaging MRI findings, functional, perfusion, and metabolic MRI findings, and neuropsychological assessment findings.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that OSA is associated with structural, functional, and metabolic brain alterations in multiple regions and networks that are involved in attention processing. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure can partially reverse some of the brain changes and improve cognitive function in some domains and in some studies. This review suggests that MRI techniques and neuropsychological assessments can be useful tools for monitoring the progression and response to treatment of OSA patients.
Topics: Humans; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Biomarkers; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 37743582
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3262 -
Acta Oto-laryngologica 2023Lymphomas constitute 2% of all salivary gland tumors and are the second most common group of malignancies in the head and neck region. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lymphomas constitute 2% of all salivary gland tumors and are the second most common group of malignancies in the head and neck region.
OBJECTIVES
In this systematic review, the demographics and characteristics of salivary gland lymphomas are presented.
METHODS
All types of studies that involve data of salivary gland lymphomas between 1990 and 2020 were identified and screened.
RESULTS
A total of 169 articles with 1640 patients were identified. The median age of the patients was 59 years with a range between 10 and 87 years. The anatomic locations of salivary gland lymphomas were distributed with 88% in the parotid glands, 9% in the submandibular glands, 1% in the minor salivary glands, and 0.3% in the sublingual glands. The overall survival at 12 months is high and in line with the outcome of indolent lymphomas in general. The predominant indolent subtypes were extranodal marginal zone lymphomas and follicular lymphomas, whereas the more aggressive subtypes were mainly diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, mantle cell lymphomas, and T-cell lymphomas.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, lymphomas occur in all salivary glands and mainly in elderly female patients. Sjögren's syndrome is frequently associated. Depending on the anatomical location, the lymphoma subtypes vary in aggressiveness, stage, and prognosis.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Aged; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Salivary Glands; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone; Sjogren's Syndrome; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Parotid Gland
PubMed: 37572309
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2023.2226689 -
Schizophrenia (Heidelberg, Germany) Sep 2023This systematic review aimed to review neuroimaging studies comparing clozapine-resistant schizophrenia patients with clozapine-responding patients, and with first-line... (Review)
Review
This systematic review aimed to review neuroimaging studies comparing clozapine-resistant schizophrenia patients with clozapine-responding patients, and with first-line antipsychotic responding (FLR) patients. A total of 19 studies including 6 longitudinal studies were identified. Imaging techniques comprised computerized tomography (CT, n = 3), structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, n = 7), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS, n = 5), functional MRI (n = 1), single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT, n = 3) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI, n = 1). The most consistent finding was hypo-frontality in the clozapine-resistant group compared with the clozapine-responding group with possible differences in frontal-striatal-basal ganglia circuitry as well as the GABA level between the two treatment-resistant groups. Additional statistically significant findings were reported when comparing clozapine-resistant patients with the FLR group, including lower cortical thickness and brain volume of multiple brain regions as well as lower Glx/Cr level in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Both treatment-resistant groups were found to have extensive differences in neurobiological features in comparison with the FLR group. Overall results suggested treatment-resistant schizophrenia is likely to be a neurobiological distinct type of the illness. Clozapine-resistant and clozapine-responding schizophrenia are likely to have both shared and distinct neurobiological features. However, conclusions from existing studies are limited, and future multi-center collaborative studies are required with a consensus clinical definition of patient samples, multimodal imaging tools, and longitudinal study designs.
PubMed: 37752161
DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00392-7 -
BMJ Open Respiratory Research Feb 2024Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA) are immunomodulatory treatments in interstitial lung disease (ILD). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA) are immunomodulatory treatments in interstitial lung disease (ILD). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MMF or AZA on pulmonary function in ILD.
DESIGN
Population included any ILD diagnosis, intervention included MMF or AZA treatment, outcome was delta change from baseline in per cent predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC) and gas transfer (diffusion lung capacity of carbon monoxide, %DLco). The primary endpoint compared outcomes relative to placebo comparator, the secondary endpoint assessed outcomes in treated groups only.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective observational studies were included. No language restrictions were applied. Retrospective studies and studies with high-dose concomitant steroids were excluded.
DATA SYNTHESIS
The systematic search was performed on 9 May. Meta-analyses according to drug and outcome were specified with random effects, I evaluated heterogeneity and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation evaluated certainty of evidence. Primary endpoint analysis was restricted to RCT design, secondary endpoint included subgroup analysis according to prospective observational or RCT design.
RESULTS
A total of 2831 publications were screened, 12 were suitable for quantitative synthesis. Three MMF RCTs were included with no significant effect on the primary endpoints (%FVC 2.94, 95% CI -4.00 to 9.88, I=79.3%; %DLco -2.03, 95% CI -4.38 to 0.32, I=0.0%). An overall 2.03% change from baseline in %FVC (95% CI 0.65 to 3.42, I=0.0%) was observed in MMF, and RCT subgroup summary estimated a 4.42% change from baseline in %DL (95% CI 2.05 to 6.79, I=0.0%). AZA studies were limited. All estimates were considered very low certainty evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
There were limited RCTs of MMF or AZA and their benefit in ILD was of very low certainty. MMF may support preservation of pulmonary function, yet confidence in the effect was weak. To support high certainty evidence, RCTs should be designed to directly assess MMF efficacy in ILD.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023423223.
Topics: Humans; Azathioprine; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Lung; Mycophenolic Acid; Enzyme Inhibitors; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38413120
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-002163