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Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis May 2024COVID-19 has been associated with alterations in coagulation. Recent reports have shown that protein C and S activities are altered in COVID-19. This may affect the... (Review)
Review
COVID-19 has been associated with alterations in coagulation. Recent reports have shown that protein C and S activities are altered in COVID-19. This may affect the complications and outcome of the disease. However, their exact role in COVID-19 remains uncertain. The aim of the current study was therefore to analyze all papers in the literature on protein C and S activities in COVID-19. We searched three medical electronic databases. Of the 2442 papers, 28 studies were selected for the present meta-analysis. For the meta-analysis, means ± standard deviations with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for protein C and S activities were extracted. Pooled p values were calculated using STATA software. Protein C and S activities were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients than in healthy controls (pooled p values: 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Similarly, protein C activities were considerably lower in nonsurviving patients (pooled p value = 0.00). There was no association between proteins C or S and thrombosis risk or ICU admission in COVID-19 patients (p value > 0.05). COVID-19 patients may exhibit lower activities of the C and S proteins, which might affect disease outcome; however, additional attention should be given when considering therapeutic strategies for these patients.
PubMed: 38722521
DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-02971-6 -
Molecular Biotechnology Jul 2023The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is garnering interest as a chassis cell factory for the manufacture of recombinant proteins because it effectively satisfies the... (Review)
Review
The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is garnering interest as a chassis cell factory for the manufacture of recombinant proteins because it effectively satisfies the requirements of both laboratory and industrial set up. The optimisation of P. pastoris cultivation is still necessary due to strain- and product-specific problems such as promoter strength, methanol utilisation type, and culturing conditions to realize the high yields of heterologous protein(s) of interest. Techniques integrating genetic and process engineering have been used to overcome these problems. Insight into the Pichia as an expression system utilizing MUT pathway and the development of methanol free systems are highlighted in this systematic review. Recent developments in the improved production of proteins in P. pastoris by (i) diverse genetic engineering such as codon optimization and gene dosage; (ii) cultivating tactics including co-expression of chaperones; (iii) advances in the use of the 2A peptide system, and (iv) CRISPR/Cas technologies are widely discussed. We believe that by combining these strategies, P. pastoris will become a formidable platform for the production of high value therapeutic proteins.
PubMed: 37400712
DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00803-1 -
Research and Practice in Thrombosis and... Aug 2023Various inherited traits contribute to the overall risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition, the epidemiology of thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population...
BACKGROUND
Various inherited traits contribute to the overall risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition, the epidemiology of thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population remains unclear; thus, we aimed to assess the proportion of hereditary thrombophilia via a meta-analysis.
METHODS
Publications from PubMed, EMBASE, web of science, and Cochrane before December 30, 2022, were searched. Studies from Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia were included. Congenital thrombophilia was described as diseases including protein C (PC) deficiency, protein S (PS) deficiency, antithrombin (AT) deficiency, factor (F)V Leiden (FVL), and prothrombin G20210A mutations. Studies were selected by 2 reviewers for methodological quality analysis. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis, assuming that estimated effects in the different studies are not identical.
RESULTS
Forty-four studies involving 6453 patients from 7 counties/regions were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies were 7.1%, 8.3%, and 3.8%, respectively. Among 2924 patients from 22 studies, 5 patients were carriers of FVL mutation. Among 2196 patients from 10 studies, 2 patients were carriers of prothrombin G20210A mutation in a Thailand study.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies was relatively high, while a much lower prevalence of FVL and prothrombin G20210A mutations were identified in East-Asian patients with VTE. Our data stress the relative higher prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies for thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population.
PubMed: 37674867
DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102157 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Oct 2023Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can develop multiple complications and even be life-threatening. The aim of this study is to summarize... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can develop multiple complications and even be life-threatening. The aim of this study is to summarize current evidence of C-reactive protein's (CRP) predictive value for disease severity and survival of COVID-19 patients, focusing on curing patients and reducing the risk of death. We systematically searched related studies from four large databases: Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database, all published between December 2019 and June 2021. Then, we implemented meta-analysis using random-effects models through STATA 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3. We also implemented sensitivity analysis and used funnel plots to check publication bias. From the systematic search of the four databases, we were able to identify 18 studies containing a total of 3052 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that 1) CRP levels were lower in non-severe patients than in severe patients (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = - 0.87 mg/L, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [ - 1.27, - 0.47], p < 0.001); 2) CRP levels were lower in non-intensive care unit (ICU) patients than in ICU patients (SMD = - 1.39 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.68, - 1.11], p < 0.001), and 3) CRP levels were lower in survivors than in non-survivors (SMD =- 1.32 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.95, - 0.69], p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed these results were stable. Funnel plots indicated no publication bias. The CRP level may timely reflect disease severity and predict survival of COVID-19 patients and may be worthy of further popularization and application in clinic practice.
Topics: Humans; C-Reactive Protein; COVID-19; Patient Acuity
PubMed: 36418669
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00948-4 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Dec 2023Mental disorders that are comorbid with chronic infectious diseases may worsen clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. We hypothesized that depression and/or... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mental disorders that are comorbid with chronic infectious diseases may worsen clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. We hypothesized that depression and/or anxiety syndromes or symptoms comorbid with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might stem from shared biological mechanisms.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review applying the PRISMA statement by searching into the PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus databases. We examined the literature on HIV/HBV infection comorbid with depression and/or anxiety in adults ≥18 years.
RESULTS
Thirty-one studies on HIV and three on HBV were analyzed. The Tat protein contributed to HIV-associated mood disorders due to the protein's ability to cause neurodegeneration and induce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in response to natural stressors. The decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels also emerged as a mechanism involved in HIV neuropathogenesis and the associated mood symptoms. Neuroinflammation was implicated in depression and/or anxiety onset in patients with HIV/HBV infections. Microglial activation and release of cytokines, in particular, appeared as potential pathogenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, an altered balance between quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid production emerged in HIV patients with comorbid depression, indicating a glutamatergic dysfunction. Inflammatory cytokine production and the downregulation of cellular immune responses contributed to persisting inflammation, delayed healing, and functional decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. A shift in type 1-type 2 cytokine balance might be implicated in HBV-related immune pathogenesis, and depression and anxiety might be considered immunomodulatory factors. Cytokines also caused HPA axis hyperactivity, frequently observed in HIV/HBV patients with comorbid depression/anxiety.
CONCLUSIONS
The present systematic review showed, for the first time, that HIV/HBV and depression and/or anxiety might have several biological mechanisms as common denominators. The longitudinal course of the highlighted biological mechanisms should be explored to establish the causative interrelationship among the involved mechanisms. In addition, future research should investigate the possibility that a patient's clinical outcome might improve using pharmacological treatments acting on the biological mechanisms we described as common denominators of chronic inflammatory infective diseases and depression/anxiety.
PubMed: 38138916
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121689 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Active-duty military personnel are subjected to sustained periods of energy deficit during combat and training, leaving them susceptible to detrimental reductions in... (Review)
Review
Active-duty military personnel are subjected to sustained periods of energy deficit during combat and training, leaving them susceptible to detrimental reductions in body weight. The importance of adequate dietary protein intake during periods of intense physical training is well established, where previous research has primarily focused on muscle protein synthesis, muscle recovery, and physical performance. Research on how protein intake may influence body weight regulation in this population is lacking; therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate the role of dietary protein in body weight regulation among active-duty military during an energy deficit. A literature search based on fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed. English language peer-reviewed journal articles from inception to 3 June 2023 were selected for extraction and quality assessment. Eight studies were identified with outcomes described narratively. The study duration ranged from eight days to six months. Protein was directly provided to participants in all studies except for one. Three studies supplied additional protein via supplementation. The Downs and Black Checklist was used to assess study quality. Five studies were classified as good, two as fair, and one as excellent. All studies reported mean weight loss following energy deficit: the most severe was 4.0 kg. Protein dose during energy deficit varied from 0.5 g/kg/day to 2.4 g/kg/day. Six studies reported mean reductions in fat mass, with the largest being 4.5 kg. Four studies reported mean reductions in fat-free mass, while two studies reported an increase. Results support the recommendation that greater than 0.8 g/kg/day is necessary to mitigate the impact of energy deficit on a decline in lean body mass, while intakes up to 1.6 g/kg/day may be preferred. However, exact recommendations cannot be inferred as the severity and duration of energy deficit varied across studies. Longer and larger investigations are needed to elucidate protein's role during energy deficit in active-duty military.
Topics: Humans; Energy Intake; Military Personnel; Dietary Proteins; Exercise; Body Weight
PubMed: 37764730
DOI: 10.3390/nu15183948