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Critical Reviews in Food Science and... Nov 2023Over the last 30 years, thousands of articles have appeared examining the effects of soaking and germinating brown rice (BR). Variable germination conditions and...
Over the last 30 years, thousands of articles have appeared examining the effects of soaking and germinating brown rice (BR). Variable germination conditions and methods have been employed to measure different health-beneficial parameters in a diverse germplasm of BR. Research results may therefore appear inconsistent with occasional anomalies, and it may be difficult to reach consensus concerning expected trends. Herein, we amassed a comprehensive review on germinated brown rice (GBR), attempting to codify 133 peer-reviewed articles regarding the effects on 164 chemical parameters related to health and nutrition in BR and in value-added food products. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-2020) approach was used to direct the flow of the literature search. A pair-wise comparison t-test was performed to deliver an overall approach indicating when a given compound has been found to significantly increase or decrease through germination, which was grouped into GABA and polyamines, γ-Oryzanol and phytosterols, phenolic compounds, vitamins, proteins and amino acids, starchy carbohydrates, free sugars, lipids, minerals and phytic acid. This resource will stimulate interest in germinating rice and optimistically help increase both production and consumption of highly nutritious, health-beneficial rice with pigmented bran.
Topics: Oryza; Antioxidants; Food Handling; Minerals; Seeds; Germination
PubMed: 35816149
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2094887 -
International Urogynecology Journal Mar 2024Antibiotic resistance is an unavoidable consequence of antibiotic use and growing rates of resistance are an urgent issue. Methenamine is a non-antibiotic alternative... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
Antibiotic resistance is an unavoidable consequence of antibiotic use and growing rates of resistance are an urgent issue. Methenamine is a non-antibiotic alternative used for urinary tract infection (UTI) prophylaxis. The objective of this review is to evaluate recently published literature regarding the efficacy and safety of methenamine for UTI prophylaxis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were queried in March 2023 using the following search terms: urinary tract infection, cystitis, bacteriuria, or dysuria, and methenamine. Studies prior to 2012 were excluded from this review to focus on appraisal of the most recent evidence. Prospective and controlled retrospective trials were included for review.
RESULTS
A total of seven studies (three prospective and four retrospective) met the inclusion criteria for review. Two of the 3 prospective studies demonstrated no or non-inferior differences in clinical efficacy to prevent recurrent UTIs between methenamine and antibiotic prophylaxis and the third showed decreased rates of UTI with methenamine use in patients with short-term indwelling catheters compared with cranberry alone. The retrospective studies consistently supported the efficacy and safety of methenamine for UTI prophylaxis in a variety of populations and clinical settings. Adverse effects reported with methenamine were similar to comparators and included nausea, abdominal pain, and headache.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of methenamine for UTI prophylaxis was shown to be effective in a variety of settings without an increased risk of adverse effects compared with prophylactic antibiotics. Larger blinded clinical trials are needed to further define the role of methenamine in UTI prophylaxis.
Topics: Humans; Methenamine; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Urinary Tract Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis
PubMed: 38329493
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-024-05726-2 -
Journal of Esthetic and Restorative... Apr 2024This review aims to assess structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of coronal dentin after endodontic irrigation. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to assess structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of coronal dentin after endodontic irrigation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reporting followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. An electronic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Records filtered by language and published up to November 4, 2022 were independently screened by two researchers. Studies evaluating structural, chemical, or mechanical properties of human permanent coronal dentin after irrigation within the scope of nonsurgical root canal treatment were included. Data were extracted regarding study type, sample description and size, experimental groups, outcome, evaluation method, and main findings.
RESULTS
From the initial 1916 studies, and by adding 2 cross-references, 11 in vitro studies were included. Seven studies provide ultrastructural and/or chemical characterization, and six assessed microhardness and/or flexural strength. One percent to 8% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 1%-17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were the most commonly tested solutions, with contact times of 2-240 min (NaOCl) and 1-1440 min (EDTA) being evaluated.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the literature is consensual regarding the inevitable impact of NaOCl and chelating agents on coronal dentin, with both deproteinizing and decalcifying effects being concentration- and time-dependent. The alteration of mechanical parameters further confirmed the surface and subsurface ultrastructural and chemical changes.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Endodontic treatment success highly depends on restorative sealing. Understanding the result of exposing coronal dentin, the main substrate for bonding, to irrigants' action is crucial. The deproteinizing and decalcifying effects of NaOCl and chelating agents are both concentration- and time-dependent, causing surface and subsurface ultrastructural, chemical, and mechanical alterations.
Topics: Humans; Edetic Acid; Dentin; Dental Pulp Cavity; Root Canal Irrigants; Chelating Agents
PubMed: 37698359
DOI: 10.1111/jerd.13135 -
Current Opinion in Urology Nov 2023Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in women are prevalent and difficult to manage. The rise of antimicrobial resistance makes it prudent to re-investigate the...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in women are prevalent and difficult to manage. The rise of antimicrobial resistance makes it prudent to re-investigate the role of nonantimicrobial agents in the prevention of RUTIs. We wanted to evaluate randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that employed methenamine hippurate as a therapy or prophylactic in adult women with rUTIs.
RECENT FINDINGS
Relevant databases were searched for RCTs using Cochrane methodology and reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist, comparing the efficacy of methenamine hippurate to either an antibiotic or a placebo for the prophylaxis of rUTI in women.Six trials involving 322 patients taking methenamine and 419 patients receiving antibiotics in total were evaluated. The duration of the trials ranged from 12-24 months. Studies reported that methenamine was effective in extending the mean period between symptomatic episodes of urinary tract infections (UTIs), keeping the patient symptom- and infection-free, and reducing the number of UTI episodes. The newer studies reported that methenamine reduced the incidence rates of recurrent UTIs and was not inferior to the antibiotic in this regard.
SUMMARY
The outcomes of methenamine hippurate were found to be at par with the antibiotic prophylaxis. It might serve as a suitable alternative nonantibiotic prophylaxis for females with rUTIs.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Methenamine; Urinary Tract Infections; Hippurates; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37337660
DOI: 10.1097/MOU.0000000000001108 -
Abdominal Radiology (New York) Feb 2024The ideal contrast agent for imaging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following locoregional therapies (LRT) remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Diagnostic performance of MRI for residual or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after locoregional treatment according to contrast agent type: a systematic review and meta‑analysis.
PURPOSE
The ideal contrast agent for imaging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following locoregional therapies (LRT) remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging with extracellular contrast agent (ECA-MRI) and hepatobiliary agent (EOB-MRI) in detecting residual or recurrence HCC following LRT.
METHODS
Original studies comparing the diagnostic performance of ECA-MRI and EOB-MRI were systematically identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of ECA-MRI and EOB-MRI were calculated using a bivariate-random-effects model. Subgroup-analyses were conducted to compare the diagnostic performance of ECA-MRI and EOB-MRI according to different variables. Meta-regression analysis was employed to explore potential sources of study heterogeneity.
RESULTS
A total of 15 eligible studies encompassing 803 patients and 1018 lesions were included. Comparative analysis revealed no significant difference between ECA-MRI and EOB-MRI in the overall pooled sensitivity (87% vs. 79%) and specificity (92% vs. 96%) for the detection of residual or recurrent HCC after LRT (P = 0.41), with comparable areas under the HSROC of 0.95 and 0.92. Subgroup analyses indicated no significant diagnostic performance differences between ECA-MRI and EOB-MRI according to study design, type of LRT, most common etiology of liver disease, baseline lesion size, time of post-treated examination and MRI field strength (All P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
ECA-MRI exhibited overall comparable diagnostic performance to EOB-MRI in assessing residual or recurrent HCC after LRT.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Contrast Media; Liver Neoplasms; Gadolinium DTPA; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38200213
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-023-04143-1 -
Cureus Feb 2024Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a formidable global health concern with a dire prognosis, highlighting the critical need for early detection strategies. This... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a formidable global health concern with a dire prognosis, highlighting the critical need for early detection strategies. This systematic review delves into the potential of salivary biomarkers as a non-invasive means for identifying PDAC at its incipient stages. Saliva's proximity to the circulatory system enables the detection of tumor-derived biomolecules, making it an ideal candidate for mass screening. The analysis of three selected studies reveals promising candidates such as Neisseria mucosa, Fusobacterium periodonticum, polyamines, and specific long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Notably, polyamines like spermine show potential in distinguishing PDAC, while lncRNAs HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) and plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) exhibit superior sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional serum markers. However, challenges, including small sample sizes and a lack of validation, underscore the need for standardized diagnostic panels and large-scale collaborative studies. Advancements in nanotechnology, machine learning, and ethical considerations are crucial for harnessing the diagnostic potential of saliva. The review emphasizes the imperative for extensive clinical trials to validate salivary biomarkers, ensuring not only diagnostic accuracy but also cost-effectiveness, patient compliance, and long-term benefits in the realm of PDAC screening. Longitudinal studies are recommended to unravel temporal changes in salivary biomarkers, shedding light on disease progression and treatment response.
PubMed: 38550499
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55003 -
Journal of Endodontics Feb 2024Citric acid (CA) conditioning may be a promising alternative to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in regenerative endodontic procedures, as reported to improve... (Review)
Review
Citric Acid Conditioning as an Alternative to EDTA for Growth Factors Release and Stem Cell Response in Regenerative Endodontics: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies.
INTRODUCTION
Citric acid (CA) conditioning may be a promising alternative to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in regenerative endodontic procedures, as reported to improve growth factors' release from dentin. This review systematically investigated the effect of CA conditioning on the growth factors release from dentin and cell behavior compared to EDTA conditioning.
METHODS
Searches were conducted (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, SciELO, Cochrane Library, and grey literature) until May-2023. Only in vitro studies that evaluated the effects of CA on growth factors' release from dentin and cell behavior outcomes compared to EDTA were included. The studies were critically appraised using a modified Joanna Briggs Institute's checklist. Meta-analysis was unfeasible.
RESULTS
Out of the 335 articles screened, nine were included. Among these, three studies used dentin discs/roots from permanent human teeth; the rest combined them with stem cells. 10% CA for 5 or 10 minute was the most used protocol. Meanwhile, EDTA concentrations ranged from 10% to 17%. In eight studies examining the release of growth factors, five reported a significant release of transforming growth factor-β after dentin conditioning with 10% CA compared to 17% EDTA. Regarding cell behavior (6 studies), three studies assessed cell viability. The findings revealed that 10% CA conditioning showed cell viability similar to those of 17% EDTA. Additionally, in two out of three studies, it was observed that 10% CA conditioning did not affect cell morphology. The studies had a low risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of 10% CA to condition dentin for 5-10 minutes resulted in a notable transforming growth factor -β1 release, but its cell responses were similar to those of EDTA.
Topics: Humans; Regenerative Endodontics; Edetic Acid; Dentin; Citric Acid; Stem Cells; Transforming Growth Factors
PubMed: 37984798
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.11.006