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Journal of Neurology Jul 2023Growing evidence suggests that atrial cardiomyopathy may play an essential role in thrombosis and ischemic stroke. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Growing evidence suggests that atrial cardiomyopathy may play an essential role in thrombosis and ischemic stroke. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to quantify the values of cardiomyopathy markers for predicting ischemic stroke risk.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for longitudinal cohort studies evaluating the association between cardiomyopathy markers and incident ischemic stroke risk.
RESULTS
We included 25 cohort studies examining electrocardiographic, structural, functional, and serum biomarkers of atrial cardiomyopathy involving 262,504 individuals. P-terminal force in the precordial lead V1 (PTFV1) was found to be an independent predictor of ischemic stroke as both a categorical variable (HR 1.29, CI 1.06-1.57) and a continuous variable (HR 1.14, CI 1.00-1.30). Increased maximum P-wave area (HR 1.14, CI 1.06-1.21) and mean P-wave area (HR 1.12, CI 1.04-1.21) were also associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Left atrial (LA) diameter was independently associated with ischemic stroke as both a categorical variable (HR 1.39, CI 1.06-1.82) and a continuous variable (HR 1.20, CI 1.06-1.35). LA reservoir strain independently predicted the risk of incident ischemic stroke (HR 0.88, CI 0.84-0.93). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was also associated with incident ischemic stroke risk, both as a categorical variable (HR 2.37, CI 1.61-3.50) and continuous variable (HR 1.42, CI 1.19-1.70).
CONCLUSION
Atrial cardiomyopathy markers, including electrocardiographic markers, serum markers, LA structural and functional markers, can be used to stratify the risk of incident ischemic stroke.
Topics: Humans; Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Ischemic Stroke; Atrial Fibrillation; Risk Factors; Longitudinal Studies; Biomarkers; Cardiomyopathies
PubMed: 37014420
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11693-3 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023To comprehensively reassess the efficacy and safety of different concentrations of atropine for retarding myopia progression and seek the most appropriate therapeutic...
To comprehensively reassess the efficacy and safety of different concentrations of atropine for retarding myopia progression and seek the most appropriate therapeutic concentration for clinical practice. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals (VIP) and China National Knowledege Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inception to 23 March 2023, to obtain eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that had atropine in at least one treatment arm and placebo/no intervention in another arm. We evaluated the risk of bias of the RCTs according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration for RCTs and quality of cohort studies by the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale. Weighted mean difference (WMD), 95% confidence interval were calculated for meta-analysis. All data analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3, STATA 12.0 and SPSS 26.0 software. A total of 44 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) were 0.73 diopters (D), 0.65 D, 0.35 D per year in refraction progression ( = 14.63, = 86.3%; < 0.001) and -0.26 mm, -0.37 mm, -0.11 mm per year in axial length progression ( = 5.80, = 65.5%; = 0.06) for high (0.5%-1%), moderate (0.1%-0.25%), and low (0.005%-0.05%) dose atropine groups, respectively. Logarithmic dose‒response correlations were found between atropine and their effect on change of refraction, axial length, accommodation and photopic pupil diameter. Through these curves, we found that atropine with concentrations ≤0.05% atropine resulted in a residual value of accommodation of more than 5 D and an increase in pupil diameter no more than 3 mm. Higher doses of atropine resulted in a higher incidence of adverse effects, of which the incidence of photophobia was dose-dependent ( = 0.477, = 0.029). Both the efficacy and risk of adverse events for atropine treatment of myopia were mostly dose dependent. Comprehensively considered the myopia control effect and safety of each dose, 0.05% may be the best concentration of atropine to control myopia progression at present, at which myopia is better controlled and the side effects are tolerable. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, CRD42022377705.
PubMed: 37767401
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1227787 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Dec 2023To assess the clinical outcomes of zirconia dental implants based on an updated systematic literature review. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To assess the clinical outcomes of zirconia dental implants based on an updated systematic literature review.
METHODS
An electronic search was performed in three databases, last updated in June 2023, supplemented by hand searching. The eligibility criteria were clinical studies reporting patients rehabilitated with zirconia implants. The cumulative survival rate (CSR) of implants was calculated. A meta-analysis for marginal bone loss (MBL) under different follow-up times and a meta-regression assessing the relationship between mean MBL and follow-up were done.
RESULTS
Twenty-five studies were included (4017 implants, 2083 patients). Seven studies had follow-up longer than 60 months. 172 implants failed, after a mean of 12.0 ± 16.1 months (min-max 0.3-86.0), of which 47 early failures, and 26 due to implant fracture, the majority in narrow-diameter implants. The 10-year CSR was 95.1%. Implants with coronal part prepared by drills presented statistically significant lower survival than non-prepared implants (p < 0.001). Two-piece implants presented lower survival than one-piece implants (p = 0.017). Implants discontinued from the market presented lower survival than the commercially available ones (p < 0.001). The difference in survival was not significant between implants in maxilla and mandible (p = 0.637). The mean MBL fluctuated between 0.632 and 2.060 mm over long periods of observation (up until 132 months). There was an estimated MBL increase of 0.005 mm per additional month of follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Zirconia implants present high 10-year CSR and short-term low MBL. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022342055).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The clinical outcomes observed for zirconia dental implants are very promising, although these have not yet been extensively studied as titanium alloy implants.
Topics: Humans; Dental Implants; Treatment Outcome; Dental Restoration Failure; Zirconium; Titanium; Dental Prosthesis Design
PubMed: 38135804
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-05401-8 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Intravenous infusion of human alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (h-α-CGRP) has been applied to explore migraine pathogenesis and cerebral hemodynamics during the... (Review)
Review
Intravenous infusion of human alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (h-α-CGRP) has been applied to explore migraine pathogenesis and cerebral hemodynamics during the past three decades. Cumulative data implicate h-α-CGRP in regulating the vascular tone. In this systematic review, we searched PubMed and EMBASE for clinical studies investigating the vascular changes upon intravenous infusion of h-α-CGRP in humans. A total of 386 studies were screened by title and abstract. Of these, 11 studies with 61 healthy participants and 177 participants diagnosed with migraine were included. Several studies reported hemodynamic effects including flushing, palpitation, warm sensation, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), mean blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery (mean V), and diameter of superficial temporal artery (STA). Upon the start of h-α-CGRP infusion, 163 of 165 (99%) participants had flushing, 98 of 155 (63%) participants reported palpitation, and 160 of 165 (97%) participants reported warm sensation. HR increased with 14%-58% and MABP decreased with 7%-12%. The mean V was decreased with 9.5%-21%, and the diameter of the STA was dilated with 41%-43%. The vascular changes lasted from 20 to >120 min. Intravenous infusion of h-α-CGRP caused a universal vasodilation without any serious adverse events. The involvement of CGRP in the systemic hemodynamic raises concerns regarding long-term blockade of CGRP in migraine patients with and without cardiovascular complications.
PubMed: 37483452
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1204734 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Male testicular dysfunction is a considerable complication of anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, partly due to the increased oxidative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Protective effects of exogenous melatonin therapy against oxidative stress to male reproductive tissue caused by anti-cancer chemical and radiation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.
BACKGROUND
Male testicular dysfunction is a considerable complication of anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, partly due to the increased oxidative stress caused by these treatments. Melatonin is an effective antioxidant agent that protects testicles against physical and toxic chemical stressors in animal models. This study aims to systematically review the melatonin's protective effects against anti-cancer stressors on rodential testicular tissue.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
An extensive search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for animal studies investigating exogenous melatonin's protective effects on rodent testicles exposed to anti-cancer chemicals and radiotherapeutic agents. Using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effect model, standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from the pooled data. The protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022355293).
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 38 studies from 43 studies that were eligible for the review. Rats and mice were exposed to radiotherapy (ionizing radiations such as gamma- and roentgen radiation and radioactive iodine) or chemotherapy (methotrexate, paclitaxel, busulfan, cisplatin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, Taxol, procarbazine, docetaxel, and chlorambucil). According to our meta-analysis, all outcomes were significantly improved by melatonin therapy, including sperm quantity and quality (count, motility, viability, normal morphology, number of spermatogonia, Johnsen's testicular biopsy score, seminiferous tubular diameter, and seminiferous epithelial height), serum level of reproductive hormones (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and testosterone), tissue markers of oxidative stress (testicular tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, caspase-3, and total antioxidant capacity), and weight-related characteristics (absolute body, epididymis, testis, and relative testis to body weights). Most SYRCLE domains exhibited a high risk of bias in the included studies. Also, significant heterogeneity and small-study effects were detected.
CONCLUSION
In male rodents, melatonin therapy was related to improved testicular histopathology, reproductive hormones, testis and body weights, and reduced levels of oxidative markers in testicular tissues of male rodents. Future meticulous studies are recommended to provide a robust scientific backbone for human applications.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022355293, identifier CRD42022355293.
Topics: Humans; Male; Animals; Rats; Mice; Melatonin; Antioxidants; Iodine Radioisotopes; Semen; Thyroid Neoplasms; Oxidative Stress; Body Weight
PubMed: 37701901
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1184745 -
The British Journal of Oral &... Jul 2023Evidence is limited on whether titanium-zirconium alloy, narrow-diameter implants (Ti-Zr NDIs) have promising clinical outcomes when used to support single crowns. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Evidence is limited on whether titanium-zirconium alloy, narrow-diameter implants (Ti-Zr NDIs) have promising clinical outcomes when used to support single crowns. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate clinical evidence, including survival rates, success rates, and marginal bone loss (MBL) on Ti-Zr NDIs that support single crowns. An extensive search was performed in the databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published in English up to April 2022. Only peer-reviewed clinical studies with at least 10 patients and a follow-up time of at least 12 months were included. Risk of bias in each study was assessed and data extraction was carried out independently by two reviewers. The outcome variables were survival rates, success rates, and MBL. The search returned 779 results. Eight studies were identified for qualitative analysis and seven for quantitative synthesis. Overall, a total of 256 Ti-Zr NDIs were included. Cumulative implant survival rates and success rates were 97.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 94.5% to 98.9%) and 97.2% (95% CI: 94.2% to 98.7%), respectively, over a maximum follow-up period of 36 months, with no difference between Ti-Zr NDIs and commercial pure titanium (cpTi) implants. Cumulative mean (SD) MBL was 0.44 (0.04) mm (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.52) after one year. Meta-analysis of MBL indicated a mean difference of 0.02 mm (95% CI: -0.23 to 0.10), with no differences between Ti-Zr NDIs and cpTi implants. Short-term results of Ti-Zr NDIs for single-crown restorations are quite promising, although the number of published studies and follow-up periods are insufficient to determine the real benefit for single crowns. Long-term, follow-up clinical studies are needed to verify the excellent clinical performance of Ti-Zr NDIs.
Topics: Humans; Titanium; Zirconium; Dental Prosthesis Design; Alloys; Crowns; Dental Implants; Dental Restoration Failure
PubMed: 37331853
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.05.005 -
BJS Open Sep 2023Conflicting evidence exists regarding the optimal waiting time for stable analgesic and vasoconstrictive effects after local infiltration of lidocaine with epinephrine....
BACKGROUND
Conflicting evidence exists regarding the optimal waiting time for stable analgesic and vasoconstrictive effects after local infiltration of lidocaine with epinephrine. An objective review is needed to dispel surgical dogma.
METHODS
This systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022362414) included RCTs and prospective cohort studies. Primary outcomes were (1) onset of analgesia and (2) onset of stable hypoperfusion, assessed directly, or measured indirectly using perfusion imaging. Other data extracted include waiting strategies, means of outcome assessment, anaesthetic concentrations, volume/endpoint of infiltration, and injection sites. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Articles describing waiting strategies were critically appraised by the Joanna Briggs Institute tools.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were analysed, comprising 1013 participants. Ten investigated analgesia onset. Their pooled mean was 2.1 min (range 0.4-9.0 min). This varied with anatomic site and targeted nerve diameter. Fourteen articles investigated onset of stable hypoperfusion. Four observed bleeding intraoperatively, finding the minimum time to hypoperfusion at 7.0 min in the eyelid skin and 25.0 min in the upper limb. The ten remaining studies used perfusion imaging, reporting a wide range of results (0.0-30.0 min) due to differences in anatomic sites and depth, resolution and artefacts. Studies using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging correlated with clinical observations. Thirteen articles discussed waiting strategies, seven relating to large-volume tumescent local infiltration anaesthesia. Different waiting strategies exist for emergency, arthroscopic and cosmetic surgeries, according to the degree of hypoperfusion required. In tumescent liposuction, waiting 10.0-60.0 min is the norm.
CONCLUSION
Current literature suggests that around 2 min are required for most patients to achieve complete analgesia in all sites and with all anaesthesia concentrations. Waiting around 7 min in eyelids and at least 25 min in other regions results in optimal hypoperfusion. The strategies discussed inform decisions of when and how long to wait.
Topics: Humans; Anesthesia, Local; Prospective Studies; Pain Management; Epinephrine; Lidocaine
PubMed: 37768699
DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrad089 -
Journal of Endovascular Therapy : An... Feb 2024Comparative effectiveness of fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) and chimney graft endovascular aneurysm repair (ChEVAR) for juxtarenal aortic aneurysms... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Comparative effectiveness of fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) and chimney graft endovascular aneurysm repair (ChEVAR) for juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JAAs) remains unclear. Our objective was to identify and analyze the current body of evidence comparing the effectiveness of both techniques for JAA.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of FEVAR and ChEVAR for JAA repair. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Register for Controlled Trials from January 1, 1990, for randomized and non-randomized studies assessing outcomes of FEVAR and ChEVAR for JAA repair. Screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development, and Evaluations) certainty of evidence were performed in duplicate. Data were pooled statistically where possible.
RESULTS
Nine retrospective cohort studies comparing the use of FEVAR and ChEVAR for juxtarenal aneurysm were included for meta-analysis. The FEVAR and ChEVAR arms of the meta-analysis consisted of 726 participants and 518 participants, respectively. There were 598 (86.8%) and 332 (81.6%) men in each arm. The mean diameter was larger in the ChEVAR arm (59 mm vs 52.5 mm). Both techniques had similar rates of postoperative 30-day mortality, 3.38% (8/237) versus 3.52% (8/227), acute kidney injury, 16.76% (31/185) versus 17.31% (18/104), and major adverse cardiac events, 7.30% (46/630) versus 6.60% (22/333). The meta-analysis supported the use of FEVAR for most outcomes, with significant advantage for technical success (odds ratio [OR]: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.24-8.42) and avoidance of type 1 endoleak (OR: 5.76, 95% CI: 1.94-17.08), but a disadvantage for spinal cord ischemia (OR: 10.21, 95% CI: 1.21-86.11), which had a very low number of events. The quality of evidence was "moderate" for most outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Both endovascular techniques had good safety profiles. The evidence does not support superiority of either FEVAR or ChEVAR for JAA.
CLINICAL IMPACT
While lack of equipoise has hampered the design of randomised trials of open versus endovascular repair of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms, concern about the durability of endovascular repair highlights the need for stronger evidence of the comparative efficacy of endovascular techniques. This review performed meta-analysis and evidence appraisal of recent data from large observational studies comparing fenestrated and chimney techniques, using a comprehensive outcome set. Superiority of either intervention could not be established due to differences in participants' baseline risk in each study arm. However, data suggests that both techniques are safe and suitable for use when indicated.
PubMed: 38388373
DOI: 10.1177/15266028241231171 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Ivabradine improves cardiac function in patients with heart failure, but its effect on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ivabradine improves cardiac function in patients with heart failure, but its effect on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the efficacy and potential mechanisms of ivabradine's effect on cardiac function and prognosis in patients with DCM.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and four registers through September 28, 2022. All controlled trials of ivabradine for the treatment of DCM with congestive heart failure were included. Articles were limited to English, with the full text and necessary data available. We performed random- or fixed effects meta-analyses for all included outcome measures and compared the effect sizes for outcomes in patients treated with and without ivabradine. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2.0).
FINDINGS
Five trials with 357 participants were included. The pooled risk ratio was 0.48 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18, 1.25)] for all-cause mortality and 0.38 [95% CI (0.12, 1.23)] for cardiac mortality. The pooled mean difference was -15.95 [95% CI (-19.97, -11.92)] for resting heart rate, 3.96 [95% CI (0.99, 6.93)] for systolic blood pressure, 2.93 [95% CI (2.09, 3.77)] for left ventricular ejection fraction, -5.90 [95% CI (-9.36, -2.44)] for left ventricular end-systolic diameter, -3.41 [95% CI (-5.24, -1.58)] for left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, -0.81 [95% CI (-1.00, -0.62)] for left ventricular end-systolic volume, -0.67 [95% CI (-0.86, -0.48)] for left ventricular end-diastolic volume, -11.01 [95% CI (-19.66, -2.35)] for Minnesota Living with Heart Failure score, and -0.52 [95% CI (-0.73, -0.31)] for New York Heart Association class.
INTERPRETATION
Ivabradine reduces heart rate and ventricular volume, and improves cardiac function in patients with DCM, but showed no significant effect on the prognosis of patients.
PubMed: 37915740
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1149351 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Feb 2024To identify and critically appraise literature on true brachial artery aneurysm, exploring its demographic characteristics, aetiologies, clinical manifestations and...
OBJECTIVE
To identify and critically appraise literature on true brachial artery aneurysm, exploring its demographic characteristics, aetiologies, clinical manifestations and different methods of repair along with complication rates to determine future treatment strategies.
METHODS
The systematic review was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from September 30, 2021, to November 30, 2022, in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Literature was searched on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases for relevant studies in English language or with English translation published till May 31, 2022. The key words used for the search were "brachial artery aneurysm". Data was noted on a proforma and was subjected to descriptive analysis.
RESULTS
Of 113 articles, 6 (5.3%) were retrospective studies, 7 (6.1%) were case series and 100 (88.4%) were case reports. The total number of patients involved was 157 with mean age 43.1±23.4 years (range: 2 months to 84 years). The gender was mentioned for 152(96.8%) patients; 111(73%) males and 41(27%) females. The mean diameter of true brachial artery aneurysm was 36.2 ±17.5mm and 106(67.5%) patients presented with localised swelling, 65(41.4%) with pain, 41(26.1%) with distal ischaemic symptoms, and 28(17.8%) with median nerve compression. True brachial artery aneurysms were more common in renal failure patients having a history of arteriovenous fistula creation in the affected limb and were on immunosuppressant drugs due to renal transplant 81(51.5%). Less common causes included primary/idiopathic 27(17.1%), trauma 13(8.2%), connective tissue disorders 8(5%) and vasculitis 7(4.5%). The treatment of choice was aneurysmectomy in 142(90.4%) cases, with revascularisation of limb primarily with reversed great saphenous vein graft 79(50.3 %), followed by end-to-end anastomosis of brachial artery 17(10.8%) and synthetic grafting 17(10.8%). Endovascular intervention was performed in 6(3.8%) cases to exclude true brachial artery aneurysm, and to re-establish adequate blood flow to the associated limb.
CONCLUSION
True brachial artery aneurysm, although a rarity, may lead to significant neurological and vascular problems if ignored. Arteriovenous fistula and immunosuppression are identified as two significant risk factors in the development of true brachial artery aneurysm. Therefore, an effective long-term follow up in renal failure patients is recommended to prevent its complications. Open surgical repair has been the most preferred mode of treatment, but further significant studies are needed to explore and compare different modes of surgical intervention, like open versus endovascular, to plan future treatment strategies.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Brachial Artery; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Aneurysm; Arteriovenous Fistula; Renal Insufficiency
PubMed: 38419237
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.9042