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PLoS Medicine Aug 2023The optimal approach to prevent preterm birth (PTB) in twins has not been fully established yet. Recent evidence suggests that placement of cervical cerclage in twin... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Cervical cerclage for prevention of preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcome in twin pregnancies with short cervical length or cervical dilatation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The optimal approach to prevent preterm birth (PTB) in twins has not been fully established yet. Recent evidence suggests that placement of cervical cerclage in twin pregnancies with short cervical length at ultrasound or cervical dilatation at physical examination might be associated with a reduced risk of PTB. However, such evidence is based mainly on small studies thus questioning the robustness of these findings. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the role of cervical cerclage in preventing PTB and adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
Key databases searched and date of last search: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL were searched electronically on 20 April 2023. Eligibility criteria: Inclusion criteria were observational studies assessing the risk of PTB among twin pregnancies undergoing cerclage versus no cerclage and randomized trials in which twin pregnancies were allocated to cerclage for the prevention of PTB or to a control group (e.g., placebo or treatment as usual). The primary outcome was PTB <34 weeks of gestation. The secondary outcomes were PTB <37, 32, 28, 24 weeks of gestation, gestational age at birth, the interval between diagnosis and birth, preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM), chorioamnionitis, perinatal loss, and perinatal morbidity. Subgroup analyses according to the indication for cerclage (short cervical length or cervical dilatation) were also performed. Risk of bias assessment: The risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, while that of the observational studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Statistical analysis: Summary risk ratios (RRs) of the likelihood of detecting each categorical outcome in exposed versus unexposed women, and (b) summary mean differences (MDs) between exposed and unexposed women (for each continuous outcome), with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using head-to-head meta-analyses. Synthesis of the results: Eighteen studies (1,465 twin pregnancies) were included. Placement of cervical cerclage in women with a twin pregnancy with a short cervix at ultrasound or cervical dilatation at physical examination was associated with a reduced risk of PTB <34 weeks of gestation (RR: 0.73, 95% CI [0.59, 0.91], p = 0.005 corresponding to a 16% difference in the absolute risk, AR), <32 (RR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.57, 0.84], p < 0.001; AR: 16.92%), <28 (RR: 0.54, 95% [CI 0.43, 0.67], 0.001; AR: 18.29%), and <24 (RR: 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 0.97], p = 0.04; AR: 15.57%) weeks of gestation and a prolonged gestational age at birth (MD: 2.32 weeks, 95% [CI 0.99, 3.66], p < 0.001). Cerclage in twin pregnancy with short cervical length or cervical dilatation was also associated with a reduced risk of perinatal loss (RR: 0.38, 95% CI [0.25, 0.60], p < 0.001; AR: 19.62%) and composite adverse outcome (RR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.53, 0.90], p = 0.007; AR: 11.75%). Cervical cerclage was associated with a reduced risk of PTB <34 weeks both in women with cervical length <15 mm (RR: 0.74, 95% CI [0.58, 0.95], p = 0.02; AR: 29.17%) and in those with cervical dilatation (RR: 0.68, 95% CI [0.57, 0.80], p < 0.001; AR: 35.02%). The association between cerclage and prevention of PTB and adverse perinatal outcomes was exclusively due to the inclusion of observational studies. The quality of retrieved evidence at GRADE assessment was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Emergency cerclage for cervical dilation or short cervical length <15 mm may be potentially associated with a reduction in PTB and improved perinatal outcomes. However, these findings are mainly based upon observational studies and require confirmation in large and adequately powered RCTs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Cerclage, Cervical; Cervix Uteri; Labor Stage, First; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth
PubMed: 37535682
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004266 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Studying primary melanoma and its corresponding metastasis has twofold benefits. Firstly, to better understand tumor biology, and secondly, to determine which sample... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Studying primary melanoma and its corresponding metastasis has twofold benefits. Firstly, to better understand tumor biology, and secondly, to determine which sample should be examined in assessing drug targets. This study systematically analyzed all the literature on primary melanoma and its matched metastasis. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched multiple medical databases for relevant publications from January 2000 to December 2022, assessed the quality of the primary-level studies using the QUIPS tool, and summarized the concordance rate of the most reported genes using the random-effects model. Finally, we evaluated the inter-study heterogeneity using the subgroup analysis. Thirty-one studies investigated the concordance of and in 1220 and 629 patients, respectively. The pooled concordance rate was 89.4% [95% CI: 84.5; 93.5] for and 97.8% [95% CI: 95.8; 99.4] for . When high-quality studies were considered, only mutation status consistency increased. Five studies reported the concordance status of c (93%, 44 patients) and promoter (64%, 53 patients). Lastly, three studies analyzed the concordance of cancer genes involved in the signaling pathways, apoptosis, and proliferation, such as (25%, four patients), (44%, nine patients), and (20%, five patients). Our study found that the concordance of known drug targets (mainly ) during melanoma progression is higher than in previous meta-analyses, likely due to advances in molecular techniques. Furthermore, significant heterogeneity exists in the genes involved in the melanoma genetic makeup; although our results are based on small patient samples, more research is necessary for validation.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Mutation; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
PubMed: 38003476
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216281 -
Microbial Genomics Nov 2023(group B , GBS) has recently emerged as an important pathogen among adults. However, it is overlooked in this population, with all global efforts being directed towards...
(group B , GBS) has recently emerged as an important pathogen among adults. However, it is overlooked in this population, with all global efforts being directed towards its containment among pregnant women and neonates. This systematic review assessed the molecular epidemiology and compared how the lineages circulating among non-pregnant populations relate to those of pregnant and neonatal populations worldwide. A systematic search was performed across nine databases from 1 January 2000 up to and including 20 September 2021, with no language restrictions. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool (PCAT) was used to assess the quality of included studies. The global population structure of GBS from the non-pregnant population was analysed using typing and phylogenetic reconstruction tools. Twenty-four articles out of 13 509 retrieved across 9 databases were eligible. Most studies were conducted in the World Health Organization European region (12/24, 50 %), followed by the Western Pacific region (6/24, 25 %) and the Americas region (6/24, 25 %). Serotype V (23%, 2310/10240) and clonal complex (CC) 1 (29 %, 2157/7470) were the most frequent serotype and CC, respectively. The pilus island PI1 : PI2A combination (29 %, 3931/13751) was the most prevalent surface protein gene, while the tetracycline resistance M (55 %, 5892/10624) was the leading antibiotic resistance gene. This study highlights that, given the common serotype distribution identified among non-pregnant populations (V, III, Ia, Ib, II and IV), vaccines including these six serotypes will provide broad coverage. The study indicates advanced molecular epidemiology studies, especially in resource-constrained settings for evidence-based decisions. Finally, the study shows that considering all at-risk populations in an inclusive approach is essential to ensure the sustainable containment of GBS.
Topics: Pregnancy; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Streptococcus agalactiae; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 38019122
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001140 -
Military Medical Research Jan 2024Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a priority list of the most threatening pathogens... (Review)
Review
Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a priority list of the most threatening pathogens against which novel antibiotics need to be developed. The discovery and introduction of novel antibiotics are time-consuming and expensive. According to WHO's report of antibacterial agents in clinical development, only 18 novel antibiotics have been approved since 2014. Therefore, novel antibiotics are critically needed. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly applied to drug development since its recent technical breakthrough and has dramatically improved the efficiency of the discovery of novel antibiotics. Here, we first summarized recently marketed novel antibiotics, and antibiotic candidates in clinical development. In addition, we systematically reviewed the involvement of AI in antibacterial drug development and utilization, including small molecules, antimicrobial peptides, phage therapy, essential oils, as well as resistance mechanism prediction, and antibiotic stewardship.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Public Health
PubMed: 38254241
DOI: 10.1186/s40779-024-00510-1 -
Neurosurgical Review Nov 2023Neurosurgical pathologies in pregnancy pose significant complications for the patient and fetus, and physiological stressors during anesthesia and surgery may lead to... (Review)
Review
Neurosurgical pathologies in pregnancy pose significant complications for the patient and fetus, and physiological stressors during anesthesia and surgery may lead to maternal and fetal complications. Awake craniotomy (AC) can preserve neurological functions while reducing exposure to anesthetic medications. We reviewed the literature investigating AC during pregnancy. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from the inception to February 7th, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Studies in English investigating AC in pregnant patients were included in the final analysis. Nine studies composed of nine pregnant patients and ten fetuses (one twin-gestating patient) were included. Glioma was the most common pathology reported in six (66.7%) patients. The frontal lobe was the most involved region (4 cases, 44.4%), followed by the frontoparietal region (2 cases, 22.2%). The awake-awake-awake approach was the most common protocol in seven (77.8%) studies. The shortest operation time was two hours, whereas the longest one was eight hours and 29 min. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 13.6 ± 6.5 (2-22) and 19.6 ± 6.9 (9-30) weeks at craniotomy. Seven (77.8%) studies employed intraoperative fetal heart rate monitoring. None of the AC procedures was converted to general anesthesia. Ten healthy babies were delivered from patients who underwent AC. In experienced hands, AC for resection of cranial lesions of eloquent areas in pregnant patients is safe and feasible and does not alter the pregnancy outcome.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Brain Neoplasms; Wakefulness; Craniotomy; Glioma; Anesthesia, General
PubMed: 37910275
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02187-x -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been shown to be important in physiological processes other than detoxification, including vascular homeostasis.... (Review)
Review
Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been shown to be important in physiological processes other than detoxification, including vascular homeostasis. Although AhR is highly expressed in the endothelium, its function has been poorly studied. This systematic review aims to summarise current knowledge on the AhR role in the endothelium and its cardiovascular implications. We focus on endogenous AhR agonists, such as some uremic toxins and other agonists unrelated to environmental pollutants, as well as studies using AhR knockout models. We conclude that AhR activation leads to vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction and that blocking AhR signalling could provide a new target for the treatment of vascular disorders such as cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Vascular Diseases; Environmental Pollutants; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Endothelium
PubMed: 37686342
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713537 -
The International Journal of... Feb 2024Cannabis use is a risk factor of psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder type-I (BDI). Indeed, cannabis use strongly influences the onset and clinical course of...
BACKGROUND
Cannabis use is a risk factor of psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder type-I (BDI). Indeed, cannabis use strongly influences the onset and clinical course of BDI, although the biological mechanisms underlying this interaction remain unknown. Therefore, we have reviewed the biological mechanisms affected by cannabis use that may trigger BD.
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out of articles in which gene expression was studied in cannabis users or human-derived cells exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). A second systematic review was then performed to identify articles in which gene expression was studied in BDI samples, highlighting those that described alterations to the same molecular and cellular mechanisms affected by cannabis/THC/CBD.
RESULTS
The initial search identified 82 studies on cannabis and 962 on BDI. After removing duplicates and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 9 studies into cannabis and 228 on BDI were retained. The molecular and cellular mechanisms altered by cannabis use or THC/CBD exposure were then identified, including neural development and function, cytoskeletal function, cell adhesion, mitochondrial biology, inflammatory related pathways, lipid metabolism, the endocannabinoid system, the hypocretin/orexin system, and apoptosis. Alterations to those activities were also described in 19 of 228 focused on BDI.
CONCLUSIONS
The biological mechanisms described in this study may be good candidates to the search for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BDI. Because cannabis use can trigger the onset of BD, further studies would be of interest to determine whether they are involved in the early development of the disorder, prompting early treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Bipolar Disorder; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Cannabidiol; Hallucinogens; Risk Factors; Dronabinol
PubMed: 38175142
DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae002 -
Critical Care Explorations Sep 2023Inotropic support is commonly used in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). High-quality data guiding the use of dobutamine or milrinone among this patient population is... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Inotropic support is commonly used in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). High-quality data guiding the use of dobutamine or milrinone among this patient population is limited. We compared the efficacy and safety of these two inotropes among patients with low cardiac output states (LCOS) or CS.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to February 1, 2023, using key terms and index headings related to LCOS or CS and inotropes.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two independent reviewers included studies that compared dobutamine to milrinone on all-cause in-hospital mortality, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and significant arrhythmias in hospitalized patients.
DATA SYNTHESIS
A total of eleven studies with 21,084 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Only two randomized controlled trials were identified. The primary outcome, all-cause mortality, favored milrinone in observational studies only (odds ratio [OR] 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02-1.39; = 0.02). In-hospital length of stay (LOS) was reduced with dobutamine in observational studies only (mean difference -1.85 d; 95% CI -3.62 to -0.09; = 0.04). There was no difference in the prevalence of significant arrhythmias or in ICU LOS.
CONCLUSIONS
Only limited data exists supporting the use of one inotropic agent over another exists. Dobutamine may be associated with a shorter hospital LOS; however, there is also a potential for increased all-cause mortality. Larger randomized studies sufficiently powered to detect a difference in these outcomes are required to confirm these findings.
PubMed: 37649849
DOI: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000962 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023In the past decade, super-enhancer (SE) has become a research hotspot with increasing attention on cancer occurrence, development, and prognosis. To illustrate the...
In the past decade, super-enhancer (SE) has become a research hotspot with increasing attention on cancer occurrence, development, and prognosis. To illustrate the hotspots of SE in cancer research and its evolutionary tendency, bibliometric analysis was carried out for this topic. Literature published before Dec 31, 2022, in WOSCC, was systematically classified, and Citespace, bibliometric.com/app, and GraphPad Prism analyzed the data. After screening out inappropriate documents and duplicate data, 911 publications were selected for further bibliometric analysis. The top five research areas were Oncology (257, 28.211%), Cell Biology (210, 23.052%), Biochemistry Molecular Biology (209, 22.942%), Science Technology Other Topics (138, 15.148%), and Genetics Heredity (132, 14.490%). The United States of America (United States) has the highest number of documents (462, 50.71%), followed by China (303, 33.26%). Among the most productive institutions, four of which are from the United States and one from Singapore, the National University of Singapore. Harvard Medical School (7.68%) has the highest percentage of articles. Young, Richard A, with 32 publications, ranks first in the number of articles. The top three authors came from Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research as a research team. More than two-thirds of the research are supported by the National Institutes of Health of the United States (337, 37.654%) and the United States Department of Health Human Services (337, 37.654%). And "super enhancer" (525), "cell identity" (258), "expression" (223), "cancer" (205), and "transcription factor" (193) account for the top 5 occurrence keywords. Since 2013, SE and cancer related publications have shown a rapid growth trend. The United States continues to play a leading role in this field, as the top literature numbers, affiliations, funding agencies, and authors were all from the United States, followed by China and European countries. A high degree of active cooperation is evident among a multitude of countries. The role of SEs in cell identity, gene transcription, expression, and inhibition, as well as the relationship between SEs and TFs, and the selective inhibition of SEs, have received much attention, suggesting that they are hot issues for research.
PubMed: 37576806
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1192855 -
EClinicalMedicine May 2024The escalating resistance of to macrolides has become a significant global health concern, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although...
BACKGROUND
The escalating resistance of to macrolides has become a significant global health concern, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although tetracyclines and quinolones have been proposed as alternative therapeutic options, concerns regarding age-specific safety issues and the lack of consensus in recommendations across various national guidelines prevail. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to ascertain the most efficacious interventions for second-line treatment of . infection while considering the age-specific safety issues associated with these interventions.
METHODS
In this systematic review and network meta-analysis we searched PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and WanFang Data, from inception up to November 11th, 2023. Studies of quinolones or tetracyclines for the treatment of people with infection were collected and screened by reading published reports, with any type of study included, and no individual patient-level data requested. A systematic review and direct meta-analysis compared the efficacy of tetracyclines and quinolones regarding time to defervescence (TTD) and the rates of fever disappearance within 24 h and 48 h of antibiotic administration, for managing . infection. Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was employed to indirectly assess the relative effectiveness of different interventions in people with . infection and the safety profile of medication in paediatric patients. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023478383.
FINDINGS
The systematic review and direct meta-analysis included a total of 4 articles involving 246 patients, while the NMA encompassed 85 articles involving a substantial cohort of 7095 patients. The NMA measured the effectiveness across all ages and included 7043 patients, with a mean age of 37.80 ± 3.91 years. Of the 85 included studies, 14 (16.5%) were at low risk of bias, 71 (83.5%) were at moderate risk, and no studies were rated as having a high risk of bias. In the direct meta-analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between tetracyclines and quinolones concerning TTD (mean difference: -0.40, 95% CI: -1.43 to 0.63; = 0%), fever disappearance rate within 24 h of antibiotic administration (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.08-1.79; = 58%), and fever disappearance rate within 48 h of antibiotic administration (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.30-3.98; = 59%). However, the comprehensive NMA analysis of clinical response (in 70 studies; n = 6143 patients), shortening of TTD (in 52 studies; n = 4363 patients), shortening length of cough relief or disappearance (in 39 studies; n = 3235 patients), fever disappearance rate at 48 h (in four studies; n = 418 patients) revealed that minocycline exhibited the most favourable outcomes across these various parameters, and the analysis of fever disappearance rate at 24 h (in three studies; n = 145 patients) revealed that levofloxacin may be the most effective, as indicated by the rank probabilities and surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) value. Moxifloxacin ranked second in clinical response and in shortening the length of cough relief or disappearance, and third in shortening TTD. Notably, when evaluating the occurrence of adverse reactions in paediatric patients (in four studies; n = 239 children), levofloxacin was associated with the highest SUCRA value rankings for the rate of adverse events.
INTERPRETATION
Our findings suggest that tetracyclines and quinolones may be equally effective. Based on the age of participants in the included studies, minocycline may be the most effective intervention for children over eight years of age when all preventive measures are considered, whereas moxifloxacin may benefit people under eight years of age. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, given the limited number of studies and patients included, and the heterogeneity between included studies. Based on a limited number of studies in children, levofloxacin is likely to have one of the highest rates of adverse reactions. The majority of the studies included in the NMA were from the Asian region, and more randomised controlled trials comparing different therapeutic strategies in patients with . are warranted. This comparative study provides clinical pharmacists and clinicians with important information to enable them to make informed decisions about treatment options, considering drug efficacy and safety.
FUNDING
The Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China.
PubMed: 38596615
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102589